Schools Out - A little role-play this morning

I took a little time this morning to go over some character creation with my two eldest children. My daughter (7) is really on top of the role-play aspect of the game; not so sure my son (5) understands the separation yet. After choosing characters (Jessica the Phaerim MU and Russel the Faun Fighter), we did a little scenario.

While wandering about their forest village, the pair come across a goblin. The goblin seems OK and offers them a discount to purchase a silver dagger. Jessica and Russel pool their funds to purchase the dagger which neither could purchase by themselves. The goblin departs. The pair hears the town bells going off (calling all to a town meeting), and they head to the community meeting place. The Elven matriarch notifies the inhabitants of the disappearance of two individuals that she sent on an errand to retrieve a magical ring from a sacred place in the forest. Of course our intrepid pair volunteer to investigate. They are given a small map with directions.

Upon heading out of the village, the pair is surprised (by roll) and have to deal with arrows flying in their direction. That pesky goblin 'merchant' is trying to ambush them to steal back the silver dagger in order to resell it again in another village. Lucky bad rolls by the goblin keep him missing (both characters having decent dexterity/AC). Our fairy girl hides in the trees for cover, and Russel the faun starts shooting back with his light crossbow. A few misses, then a strong hit... the goblin is down, gives a last minute monologue about his intent to re-sell the dagger, then passes. My children too it in stride; I guess seeing enough parts of Lord of the Ring makes it OK for Goblins. They retrieve their original funds and make a little silver as well.

The game will resume later after some errands and piano practice.

Work Issues - continued

While my time for playing has diminished with the disappearance of my weekends, I have still been developing the odd bits here and there.

Look for the second release of the Grave Master class in the near future. Mr. Gonnerman (BFRPG originator) seems to be hard at work developing the next release of the Ye Olde Dungeoneer's Almanack... I sent him updated and more complete classes to include. I always hated the abbreviated versions found in the supplements, so I have been slowly re-writing the classes so that they can stand alone without cross referencing constantly. I submitted the update for the Druid, the Illusionist, and I intend to rewrite the Assassin, Jester, Ranger (although I prefer my version anyhow), Paladin, Barbarian. I also humbly submitted my Knight class (a version of the Cavalier) as a good addition to that tome.

Feel free to prod Chris to keep his motivation to do the projects going.

Work Issues

I have been working hard at my new job... weekends 16hrs Saturday, then again 16hrs Sunday. Nice to get full time benefits in 2 days of work, but it blows out my weekends completely.

Now I am just finishing updating my resume, and beginning to search anew for work to fill the weekdays. Tough finding work these days, even in health care. Hopefully my new licenses and having some real experience to note on applications and resume will speed the process up. If only this nearby Hospital would open up a few positions so I could get my foot in the door with them... as I could walk to work there or at least ride a bicycle instead to save on car expenses.

Anyhow, game still suffers until finances are under better control. Gotta pay the mortgage and eat first.

Official - Supplement

The races I designed for my campaign (for my children) have become an official supplement for Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game. The 'official' download (if one can call such clone material official) can be located here:
PDF: http://basicfantasy.org/download.cgi/BF-New-Races-Supplement-r1.pdf
OpenOffice: http://basicfantasy.org/download.cgi/BF-New-Races-Supplement-r1.odt

In addition, a class supplement I was working on is also available. It contains an alternate Ranger, a Knight class, and a new take on some others via what I called Quasi-classes (archer, barbaric, and holy). The quasi classes are something of an add-on to the standard classes, allowing one to create things such as Archer-Fighters, Barbaric-Fighters, Holy-Fighters, as well as more unique Barbaric-Magic Users, Holy-Clerics, Archer-Thief, and more.
PDF: http://basicfantasy.org/download.cgi/BF-Quasi-Classes-Supplement-r1.pdf
Open Office: http://basicfantasy.org/download.cgi/BF-Quasi-Classes-Supplement-r1.odt

There are other fine offerings that have recently made appearances on the BFRPG site. Go to http://www.basicfantasy.org/downloads.html

Race Pictures

These were all designed by Steveman (of Dragonsfoot)

Caneins

Caneins are a race that appear prominently in our campaign. The inspiration for Caneins come from our beloved pet boxer, Darla, who passed away this past year. She was very important to me (and my children) and I wanted some little way to remember her even as time passes.

Image below done by a Dragonsfoot friend "Steveman".
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Caneins
Description: A legend exists that there was a wizard who loved his dogs. This mage kept dogs as pets, trained them to guard his estate, and even used them in magical experiments to enhance their ability to serve. They were gifted with greater intelligence and a more humanoid stature. It is unknown whether the legend is entirely true or not, but it is generally assumed to be the genesis of the Caneins.

Caneins are a race of dog-like humanoids, known for their extreme sense of loyalty whether to liege, friend, or family. There is a great deal of physical variance among the individual Caneins, with some short and stocky, others leanly muscled, and variations in the colorations of their coats. However, all Caneins share a similar facial structure similar to the various bulldog or boxer type dog breeds, having jowls and squat features. Caneins vary in their height, but are rarely larger than the average human. Caneins often form almost knight-like codes and attitudes, often serving a patron in exactly that capacity.

Restrictions: Caneins can be any class, although they seldom become Thieves. Even when a Canein Thief is found, he typically uses the skills of that profession in more honorable ways than the typical rogue. A Canein must have a minimum Constitution of 9, and are limited to a maximum Intelligence of 17.

Special Abilities: Caneins have a keen sense of smell, able to identify individuals by their scent alone. This power olfactory sense allows the Canein to determine the presence of concealed or invisible creatures, and any penalties associated with combating such foes is halved for the Caneins. For instance, a Canein suffers only a -2 penalty when attacking an invisible pixie. All Caneins can track as Ranger of equivalent level, and an actual Canein Ranger (if the class is allowed by the GM) gets a bonus of +20% on Tracking rolls.

Caneins have +2 on any reaction rolls involving other canine creatures. However, Caneins do not like vile beasts such as werewolves, hellhounds, and the like, despite any similarities.

Saving Throws: Caneins save at +2 vs. Death Ray or Poison as well as vs. Paralysis and Petrification effects

not much gaming lately. A little bit of vacationing for us while fall break is going on. With Winter coming fast I expect some cold days to encourage more gaming indoors.