Dragonlaird Gaming Studios

Update: September 2009

So if you can be a day late and a dollar short, am I down two bucks with my September update?

Fall has certainly hit central Ohio with more rain and cool temperatures. I love rain as it makes a sort of sweet spot for writing for me. Just need to leaven it with enough light or it can get depressing.

September was busy here at Dragonlaird Gaming ramping up on some top projects:

1. A Savage Worlds Audition – My primary focus in September was completing an audition piece for the folks at Talisman Studios (home of Savage Worlds). I wrote a “One Page Adventure” (which was actually 2+ pages) set in their Shaintar fantasy setting. We’ll see if they like my style and want to start working with me.
2. The Souls of Serenity – Starting with Shepherd Book, I’ll be examining each of the nine members of the Firefly ensemble cast. We’ll look at what we know about the character, what parts of the ‘Verse they bring to life, what role they play in the group, and then some take-aways for role-playing.
3. Gaming the Movies – The next column published in Knights of the Dinner Table magazine should be Ghostbusters. I’m putting the finishing touches on the next column, an examination of the British TV Series, Rosemary & Thyme.
4. Gaming the Movies II – I’ve begun to post Bonus Content to the website. So far the Shield has the most extensive content, notes that I took during my research that didn’t make it into the actual column. (I also found out that you can pick up a PDF copy of GURPS Cops at their e23 publishing site for $7.99). I’ll continue to backfill bonus content for previous columns as I get time.
5. My first TPK – Although I’ve been game mastering for over twenty-five years now, I’d never wiped out a party through combat before. That was changed a couple weeks ago when a cadre of intrepid adventurers met their match in the Keep on the Shadowfell module. I think it is a good thing since they eagerly went into new character creation to go back and beat the module. I’ll have to try offing the whole party again in the future.

Well, that’s all she wrote for September. As always, pass on this blog to a friend and drop me some topics you’d like me to cover in either the Creative Gamemaster’s Workshop, the Gaming the Movies column, or Serenity Articles.

Cheers,
Jim

Update: August 2009

Summer is coming to a close and I’m ready for some football weather. Here are the recent developments at Dragonlaird Gaming…

1. New Series of Serenity Articles – I’ve got a nine-part series of Serenity articles in development that should start being posted in early September.
2. Gaming the Movies – I just turned in my latest submission for my movie column in Knights of the Dinner Table magazine by Kenzer & Company. I did branch out into TV Series but I started with The Shield. I’ve watched the first two seasons and came up with a lot good information and ideas. I’ll be posting “bonus content” to go along with the column here on Dragonlaird Gaming. Send me your nominations of movies and TV series to be reviewed.
3. Gaming the Movies II – To give folks a taste of Gaming the Movies if you haven’t seen it in an issue of Knights of the Dinner Tables, in September I’ll be writing a web-only column on a new movie or TV series. Watch for it by registering here on www.dragonlairdgaming.com
4. Results of the 17th Annual Ohio Game – The Ohio Game went very well. We had teams of 3 or 4 players who ran through my Serenity/Horror adventure called Heart of Darkness. I’m editing and revising it and hope to have it available here on the site soon.

Update: July 2009

Time to catch folks up on recent developments here at Dragonlaird Gaming…

1. 2009 Origins Award for Best RPG Supplement – I was one of five adventure authors who created the Serenity Adventures book that won the fan voting this year at the Origins Convention. A proud moment for me and the team at Margaret Weis Productions led by Jamie Chambers.
2. Gaming the Movies – My movie column in Knights of the Dinner Table magazine by Kenzer & Company is going strong. I just turned in my 12th column (Ghostbusters) and I’m planning my second year of target movies. I’m also going to evaluate some TV shows, probably starting with Burn Notice. Is there a movie you’d like advice on how to run an RPG in that world? A TV series? Tag a comment here and let me know.
3. Embracing Technology – In addition to the makeover of my website, I’ve been embracing internet tools in order to include an old friend into my live gaming group. He was one of the founders but has been living out of state for several years. Now through the power of Skype, Maptools, and webcams, it’s almost like having him at the table again, which is a real pleasure.
4. 17th Annual Ohio Game – Once again, friends from around Ohio are coming back to Columbus for a one-day tournament game. We’ve been doing this for 16 years now (we did two one year) and it is a great tradition. New players come from groups our members have started in their new locations. Lately we’ve needed two table to handle the number of players. I’m pleased that my son has been playing in the Ohio Games for several years now. This year is a Serenity adventure with a horror twist. Since some of my players are watching my website, I’ll have to wait until August to post my Design Diary on the adventure, as well as the adventure itself. That is, if anyone is interested in getting a free copy. 😉
5. The Future – After experiencing Origins again this year, I’m pretty pumped for pushing my game and my freelancing career to new heights, new places. I had conversations with the guys at Savage Worlds at the con as well as played in a thoroughly enjoyable demo game run by Chaos Steve. I’m planning on sending them some work to try to join the team there. Out of Margaret Weis Productions comes Signal Fire Studios, Jamie Chambers’ and Cam Banks’ RPG and Card game creative house. I hope there is more opportunities with their future projects. And there were other contacts made at the con. We’ll see what happens next.