Two books ordered.

Finally got enough affiliate credit built up at Drivethru RPG that I am able to order a couple of print products.  One is a book that's been on my wishlist for quite a while and the other is from the new list of books that WOTC is putting up on POD now days.  Not sure how long it will take to get them in but at least I got them ordered.  Finally something new in my hands to look at.

First I picked up Spellcraft and Swordplay: Eldritch Witchery.  They have it in print for a pretty cheap price and you get the pdf for free when you do so.  That's what I call getting the double when ordering your POD stuff.

I had read some good reviews on this and got some good word of mouth from people whose opinions I trust.  Hoping that it lives up to the hype of having that OSR feel and look while at the same time having better writing than most stuff did from back in the day.

Then I also grabbed AC1 The Shady Dragon Inn for basic Dungeons and Dragons.  Being a big fan of the old BECMI series, and since they don't have the Rules Cyclopedia up yet in POD, I thought a good resource book would do the trick.  Always nice to have something handy to grab nearby when you need a quick NPC.    This will be the first reprint of the old TSR stuff that I will be able to lay eyes on so I'm looking forward to that. 

Hoping to add some more goodness from that era of DnD to my shelf soon.  Well after they get a few more books up that I want, although Hollow World is really calling to me already, and I get some more affiliate credit built up.

For those interested in the new POD material from WOTC for the older books that are no longer in print I have a page set up with everything they have (so far) divided out by edition.  I update it whenever they put up a new batch on Tuesdays. 

List of POD Dungeons and Dragons books now available from DrivethruRPG. 

Can't wait for these to come in.  I'll give you my opinion on each of them when they do.  Thanks for reading.

City State of Kainis setting overview

A quick overview of some of the background setting for the City State of Kainis.  This is a rough draft so it may not read all that well.

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Kainis is the largest city state on the continent of Sil-Tarren. Having grown from the ashes of what was left of the world from a great cataclysm which occurred a little over one hundred years earlier. A location where survivors of multiple shattered kingdoms came together in an effort to rebuild and survive in a land that was broken. Old grudges were tossed aside and those who were once enemies found themselves dependent on another. Cultures, ethnic traditions and race were all mixed together in one great melting pot to poor forth a new realm.

A ruling council comprised of surviving family lines of old lead this infant kingdom. Slowly pushing their borders out to retake what was once civilized country side that has now been reduced to wilderness and ruins. While dealing with smaller warbands and nomadic tribes also comprised of the descendants of those who survived. Not all are interested in joining with the new nation as it creeps across the land.

They have come to follow a religion that, like themselves, is comprised of ideas carried from many different cultures. All worked together into an idea of balance and dual forces that propel the world forward. Temples are built and prayers are answered for the clerics wield powers that come as a blessing.

A network of guilds have reformed spreading their trades in return for control and power. Various others have set up less savory organizations in their bids to shape things. There is still political infighting, backstabbing and greed as there always will be. Only the chessboard is different now.

Races of the old world have been changed forever. Humans are the most plentiful making up the vast majority of the population. Some Dwarves have survived the ages mostly still digging in the mountains beside Kainis hoping to carve out new numbers. The Orcs are gone, lost in their madness that came with the Cataclysm, those who are encountered are twisted and evil beyond imagining. Elvin kind with numbers over a handful at a time haven't been seen in over a hundred years. All others are believed to have been wiped from existence.

The roles of the characters in this world is one of two ways. First they could be the bands of adventurers, eager to make a name for themselves, spread their faith or fill their pockets. Heading out into the wilderness to help retake what was lost. Find the ruins of keeps and cities still filled with riches and danger. Or they could be tied up in the political fighting within the city. Representing a guild and pursuing their goals, maybe as members of a thieves guild plying their trade on the streets. Or even as servants for the ruling families.

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For those who enjoy this blog, the various articles and session recaps and wish to show some support.  The DrivethruRPG and RPGNow links over on the right are tagged with my affiliate code.  Simply click through to their site and buy whatever you normally buy from them and I'll get a few pennies as a kickback.  Or if you don't like Onebookshelf you can paypal me directly at 'peteramthor -at- trulyrural dot com' as well.  Currently this is how I am purchasing new gaming material.  Hopefully I'll be able to get some stuff and start doing short reviews once again in the future.

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Pick of the month - Artesia

Artesia started out as a comic from Archaia Entertainment many years ago.  I bought it back then starting with the very first issue and was hooked immediately.  Purchasing every single issue that came out for it until the series seemingly just stopped.  But the world the author/artist Mark Smylie created was just simply stunning.  So much depth in religion, politics and the art of warfare.  Every single page just dripped with inspiration coupled with his amazing art style.  Hands down simply one of the best comics I have ever read.

Three storylines were released; Artesia, Artesia Afield and Artesia Afire.  Also there were three annuals released as well and their stories are collected in the Book of Urgrayne which is also available (for free I may add).

While the series has stopped after three issues of the fourth volume got released (Artesia Besieged) and I'm not sure if it will ever be finished I highly recommend these books for anyone.  Both the comic and the later released RPG.

Issue one is available for free here.

Artesia the first collected trade is here.

Artesia Afield the second collected trade is here.

Artesia Afire the third and final collected trade is here.

The Free Book of Urgrayne is available here.

Then came the roleplaying game 'Artesia: Adventures in the Known World'.  A vast tome that won awards and was nominated for several others.  Using the Fuzion system pushed to it's furthest edges and detailing out the world more than most other games ever do.  It is a hefty read I will not lie, you have to dive into the setting and bury yourself into it.  There is no simply browsing to get a general idea.  Everything is so detailed and dripping with inspiration.  Also all of the artwork is done by the author/artist Mark Smylie so it really does feel like an extension of the comic.  Luckily I picked the hardcopy up when it was released and they seem to be getting a little scarce nowadays as people don't part with it often.

Artesia core rulebook is available here.

The FREE Artesia Compendium is available here.

More information can be found at the following website although it appears to be lacking an update in quite a long time.

Sword and Barrow

Hope you check these out and enjoy them as much as I have over the years.

Jordon and Joseph

Where Astoria and Aedarius represented the creation and end of life. The next to gods represent the creation and destruction of nearly everything else. The twins Jordan and Joseph are the opposites of one another but also necessary forces in the world for just as everything must be created in order to exist all things are eventually destroyed and cease to be.

Jordon the Creator. Dark brown skin with black hair kept tightly trimmed down. His portrayal is always that of wearing the clothing of the working class, a brick layers thick heavily shouldered shirts, a blacksmiths leather apron, a field workers simple robes. His physical size is always greater than that of a common man, taller than any other deity save his brother and physically massive beyond what is possible. On a belt he carries tools of various trades while in his hand he holds a cord knife as Astoria because of their relationship through creation and life. His followers tend to be masons, woodworkers and teachers.

Joseph the Destroyer. Identical to his brother in size and mass but with long unkempt hair in dreadlocks that hang down his back. While he is always shown wearing the armor of a soldier, battered, dented and very worn in. In Kainis it is realized that with military actions comes destruction with no way to avoid, but is necessary for the world to carry on. He carries various weapons strapped to his body but in his hand is an arrow of Aedarius because of their relationship through destruction and death. His followers tend to be soldiers, mercenaries and sorcerers.

They rarely have formal full scale temples set up in their honor. But do have numerous shrines and dedications. Battlefields and training grounds have those for Joseph while guild halls and schools have them for Jordon. In the capital of Kainis there is a formal temple for Jordon in the form of a great hall built from stone, a marvel of architecture in and off itself. Rows of books, scroll and tools line the halls. While Joseph has a temple in the form of a historical battlefield just inside the walls. Building are left as they fell and graves line what were once streets.

Astoria and Aedarius

Astoria is the Goddess of Life and her twin brother Aedarius, the God of Death. They are the two key figures of the pantheon, the beginning and the end, the circle that all life is trapped within.

Astoria is always presented with very pale skin and white robes. She is the one who represents the birth of life, from procreation to child birth and into adulthood. Her clothing depends on what part of the cycle she is currently being asked to influence, naked when it comes to fertility, full robes when it comes to being a mother, and so on. Sometimes when portrayed as defending her children she is shown wearing plate armor polished to a mirror finish. Also on her waist she wears a belt with three daggers each with it's own purpose: cutting the cord during child birth, defending your family and the last a simple tool for eating. Her clergy consists of healers, clerics and caregivers.

Aedarius is always shown as a hunter dressed in black leathers with a bow in his hand. Death is not seen a necessarily bad thing but an essential part of life that comes for every living thing. His skin is pale like his sister but he never wears anything of light color. Although when claiming the life of a lover he is commonly displayed wearing only a loincloth. A frequent saying is that when one dies they have 'caught the arrow of Aedarius' along with an animal being killed for food as a 'blessing from Aedarius'. His clergy consists of paladins, under takers and hunters.

Larger temples for the pair are commonly built as one structure but with a divide between the two. With only one inside door connecting the two that can priests may use, all others must exit one side completely before being able to enter the main doors to the other. The side for Astoria is where marriages are performed, children are taught and even children are born in side rooms specially made for this. Aedarius is for funerals and rites for the dead are performed. Along with cremation and rooms for those who are dying to pass along in as much peace as can be administered.

Jaded Gamer Diary - Division is inevitable

Fuck it.  Division is something that must happen.

I know everybody keeps wanting all the gamers in the world to sing in one song and be a big happy community.  Well in case you haven't noticed that shit ain't happening.  It will never happen by any stretch or leap of the imagination.  Some groups may get along but others will in no way ever get along with each other.

Honestly I'm fine with that. 

This is an opinion I have finally come to after years of being one of the hopelessly hopeful fools who thought gaming could over come all differences.  Railing against people who strived to create more fractures and divisions than were already there, putting up with people who I personally did not like at all and so much more.  It was over the last handful of years that I sat back and really just stopped attempting and just watched the fires.

But now I sit back and realize that there are several people I never want to sit down at a table with for any reason.  Whether it be political beliefs, various groups or movements they support or even just how they act in public.  There are so many damned hate spewing cowards with fan followings that I've lost count.  To much 'hug the bully' bullshit acting like victims who fight back are wrong. 

Now I won't ever publish a list of people to boycott or companies to shun.  There are people, who if I see their name in a book, will prompt me to not buy it no matter how good it may be.  Some companies whose logo is just a turd in my eyes.  I encourage everyone to fall into the splits and fractures however they want.  We don't need to be united in our hate just like we will never be united in what we love.

So love gaming but feel more than damned free to hate as well. 

Jaded Gamer Diary - Kickstarter thoughts over the years.

I've dodged the bullet on many a Kickstarter project it seems.  Although I have had the shitty experience of supporting a couple of turds as well.  But here is an overview of my dodges, what I'm glad to have backed and some pain in the ass moments.  Just a few highlights.

So glad I did not back Far West.  Five years out and it's still not released.  It would have been the first KS that I backed and the premise sounded neat.  But a little voice in the back of my head just said to wait until it is released to look a the book.  That and I wasn't happy with material only being available to backers, reeks to much of the 'collectible RPG' idea.  But I didn't back and man I am happy I didn't as it doesn't seem GMS will ever get the book out and has moved onto having Adamant reboot itself with other lines now.

KODT Live Action Series.  I was really damned tempted on this one.  Been a KODT fan since the early Shadis days of it's existence.  A live action version just screamed for me to back it.  But then I saw Ken Whitman attached to it.  Heard some bad press about him before and remembered his RapidPOD scam that had people wondering where stuff they paid for was.  Not to mention how badly he fumbled up the 2nd edition version of the Highlander card game even going as far as trying to continue to put stuff out for it and make an RPG without having the license.  Sadly a lot of folks didn't dodge any of Kens bullets and are out their cash with nothing that is ever going to show for it.

Numenera.  Yeah Monte Cook Cash Grabs and their 'backers last' fulfillment process.  Decided I would never spend another dime on their stuff again and I still haven't.  By the time I finally got my copy... which was MONTHS after it was available through regular distribution... I had zero desire to even read it.  Which I haven't and never will.  It can rot away in a box for all I care.

Wicked Fantasy from John Wick.  Still a solid damn book and I was happy to have backed this one.  Wick puts out good stuff, I think he's gotten most of it out on time and it's all been top quality.  I also backed Wield at a very high level although I ended up not liking it as much as I had hoped. 

7th Sea I didn't back after I read the quickstart rules.  The changes were not to my liking and the overall system wasn't anything I wanted to play or run.  But thanks to him offering up the quickstart before you back I was able to make that decision.  Was happy to see it succeed but it just didn't fit on my shelf.

Kult whatever edition.  Lies and subterfuge was the lead up to the start of the Kickstarter.  Shady on what system they were going to use and how was one that would 'fade into the background'.  Then it turned out to be Powered by the Apocalypse which doesn't fade into the background at all and is overall the system I hate the most.  Then they lied and said it was originally based off PbtA but changed a lot... then a few tiny previews came out and that was a lie as well.  It was still mostly PbtA and very much close to that cloth.  THEN the multiple editions to fuck over collectors as an attempt to rake in some extra cash.  THEN making thing they said would only be available through the Kickstarter (even though they could easily be POD) as an attempt to rake in some extra cash.  Yeah just a shitty thing all over and I'm glad I didn't back.  People are still waiting for a lot of the lead up promises to occur, including those who backed at a higher level just to playtest and haven't been given anything. 

Unknown Armies.  I love Unknown Armies, I own all the previous books and I managed to get in as a rumor monger in 2nd edition.  But damned talked about pricing a book out of reach.  Over a hundred bucks just to get started (and NO I never paid for the DnD books) was just something I could not justify.  Still trying to figure out how you can justify a game that has had only lackluster sales through both edition with a high priced third.  Whatever... don't want gamers without a lot of money to toss around getting your games so be it.  Not to mention getting a smart ass answer to the complaints of the pricing. 

The Sla Industries miniature combat game.  Yeah the company that wants to special limited edition everything as an attempt to rake every dime they can out of their fans.  Daruma simply made me say 'fuck that shit'.  Now I'm being told a lot of new setting stuff and great artwork that would make a great RPG book for Sla will only be used, and available, in the mini game.  So double fuck that for supporting the RPG in the future as well.  Trying to get us to by the mini game just for more material what the fuck ever.

I backed a lot more.  Some were good, others just okay.  These are the Kickstarters that stick out in my head though.

Cyberpunk Sunday police drone meanderings.

One of the sometimes often over looked aspects of a cyberpunk setting is the use of drones.  Some of that may be that a lot of early writing of genre really pre-dates the usage of drones.  Much like most scifi classics never saw the idea of the cellphone coming.  Now that they are here we need to look at where they will be used at to put the into the various worlds.

This time I will be talking about what is going on right now.  North Dakota has become the first state in the US to legalize the use of drones carrying less then lethal arms to be used by the police. The bill passed does a few other things likes completely prohibits lethal arms and makes it where the drones cannot be used to collect evidence without a proper warrant. 

Here is a link to an article on said bill.

However warrants can be looked over if there is known criminal activity taking place.  Such as a gunman holding up in a shootout with the police, etc.  The 'known' part gets kind of sketchy from time to time.  In a cyberpunk world it would get even sketchier meaning they would go even further.

So police drones would become a very obvious part of police activity.  Some of the non-lethal arms could even include the classic Arasaka Nauseator from Cyberpunk 2020 making it a flying, moving form of crowd control/dispersal.  A mass effect device that would get whoever just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time as well.

So the next time you have the cops in your game be sure to give them some back up.  Lots of it.  In the form of drones the character may not be able to do anything about.  Especially once AI is introduced and they may not even need a human pilot to guide the drones.


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For those who enjoy this blog, the various articles and session recaps and wish to show some support.  The DrivethruRPG and RPGNow links over on the right are tagged with my affiliate code.  Simply click through to their site and buy whatever you normally buy from them and I'll get a few pennies as a kickback.  Or if you don't like Onebookshelf you can paypal me directly at 'peteramthor -at- trulyrural dot com' as well.  Currently this is how I am purchasing new gaming material.  Hopefully I'll be able to get some stuff and start doing short reviews once again in the future.

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Writing haitus

I don't feel like writing right now.  So there won't be articles for a bit.  The Kult 'trimming the fat' rules should be coming when I start back up again.  The session recaps are in limbo as I lost my motivation to run the game AND I need a new place to run it at as I don't want to step foot into the previous location ever again.  Cyberpunk Sunday articles will start back up again at some point.  Right now go look at all the Ghost in the Shell live action stuff that dropped.  It's all over youtube and social media in scifi circles. 

Cyberpunk Sunday Facial Recognition Software and Style

Facial recognition software has been in the news for years now.  Although it's more prominent in film, books and movies than anywhere else.  Where we see an organization of some sort going through database after database trying to find a match to an unknown person caught in video, in a photo, etc.  Amazingly some people don't realize how far along the technology has come... or for how long companies have been compiling our images into a said database. 

Take this article over at Bigthink. It explores many of the ideas of what is going on, how little the average person knows and how it may affect our rights in the future.  But what you are here for is to see how this can affect things in game besides the obvious of somebody finding out who you are.  Than answer to that is of course.... style!

For as long as people have been talking about facial recognition software there have been people talking about how to beat it.  Most of this is done through make up, hairstyles and anything else that can break up a computers ability to single out the key focus points of a human face. 

This could lead to a massive style movement in society aimed at just making it harder for them to be identified.  Exact copies of makeup among a group so they all look the same could be popular among gangs. Celebrities who want to walk out without being spotted by a paparazzi computer scanning through public domain camera's located all around a city.  The common person who just thinks there is to much Big Brother in their day to day life. 

Another attempt to fool the computers has come from light emitting glasses of some sort.  Disabling a computers ability to pick up the points on their face due to lens flare or blurring out what they see.  Again all based against the focus points a system looks for.  Again an entire range of fashion could spawn from this, something you could see hundreds of people on the street wearing. 

Now for the more financially well off and desperate there are the choices of plastic surgery and full on facial restructuring.  From slight mods here and there to rebuilding your face down to adjusting the bone structure of your face.  Expensive, probably painful, lots of recovery time but with a bigger payout for your ability not to be recognized by either a human eye or an electronic one.

Just some ideas to work into your cyberpunk games when it comes to what society 'looks' like in a world monitored by corporate and government computers 24/7.  Maybe even add a skill for a character to have for their ability to mask themselves.  Entire stores dedicated to selling the makeup and accessories necessary. 

For more pictures of people attempting to block facial recognition software check out this link to a google image search on the subject: Blocking Facial Recognition

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For those who enjoy this blog, the various articles and session recaps and wish to show some support.  The DrivethruRPG and RPGNow links over on the right are tagged with my affiliate code.  Simply click through to their site and buy whatever you normally buy from them and I'll get a few pennies as a kickback.  Or if you don't like Onebookshelf you can paypal me directly at 'peteramthor -at- trulyrural dot com' as well.  Currently this is how I am purchasing new gaming material.  Hopefully I'll be able to get some stuff and start doing short reviews once again in the future.

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Kult There Will Be Blood session two

This weeks session recap.

Only one player couldn't make it due to illness which is something I can handle.  Although it took a bit of the potential fighting ability from the group should danger arise (which it did) his character not being there wasn't a game killer.  Plus it was easy to explain him away, simply said the character had fallen ill as well.

It picked up a couple days after the last game and they were still trying to piece together what had happened.  Lucy, who had tried the new drug last session, had found herself desperately wanting more and no other drug would give her that fix she now needed.  They all began investigations using what sources they had and using a hacker their boss had tipped them off to.

Discoveries:

The body of Jones had turned up.  After their hacker friend got some information from the police computers they find out his body was in the large hookah they saw the last session.

The hookah itself was a strange mess of tubes, liquids and a small cooker in the bottom.  With some strange arcane symbols etched around the inside of it.  Andrew thought the symbols looked familiar but isn't sure.

Former users in the area are buying up more drugs now trying to get the fix they were once getting.  They are also buying from other sources than Hume since it was his people that got the place raided by the police.  Thus the source of their loss.

Drugs sales in another part of town are dropping rapidly in a run section on C Street.

The gut puking bad guys body was discovered.  Nine miles from where the players thought they killed him.  His body having been cut open, guts laid out and another symbol in blood drawn around him.  All in the playground of a shut down elementary school.  Also the police identified him as a well off lawyer that had gone missing eight months ago. 

No new info on Philanthropist Inc.

Then on with doing some footwork and heading down to C Street:

After talking with some locals and spotting a guard who was at the last hookah location they discover another one in an abandoned building.  They guys at the door would only let Jeff, Tammy and Lucy in but turned away Andrew and Shelly without really giving a reason (they then went on to find other ways in). 

Lucy immediately took a hit much to the dismay of Jeff who thought it was a bad idea.  Tammy, being a drug chemist herself, decided to take a hit also to see if she could figure it out just form the effects.  From that she determined that there is something really wrong here and she has no idea how to replicate this form of high, especially the hallucinations experienced which were like seeing bits of another persons memories. 

After a bit of work and messing around Jeff finally finds a way to get the top of the hookah and opens the top revealing a deep blue colored liquid, rather thick and slimy.  Then discovered the body of another person inside of it with some tubes stuck in him matching the injuries they saw on Jones autopsy photo.  Jeff gets a sample of the goop and they start to head out.  But not before one of the other users tells Tammy that the boss still expects payment for the meeting last time and they have three days to decide which of them will die.

Then back at Hume's bar they examine everything they have discovered.  Tammy does a field test on the blue liquid and comes to the conclusion that, whatever it is, should be causing the effects they were getting at all.  As they discuss this Lucy starts to come out of her high and spots a glowing crack in the air before her when she reaches out she accidently pulls her, and the group, through the illusion into a side reality of the bar much like they saw after their fight with the gut puker last time.

Grabbing up some paperwork on the tables that looked important to what they were doing the group decides to try and find their way out of the building.  Only to be attacked outside by a large creature of flesh, steel and glass with a snap jawed head somewhat like a crocodile.  In the ensuing battle Jeff is fatally wounded as the thing runs it's fingers through his chest and Lucy suffers under its jaws and is flung off to the side.  Andrew hotwires a car in the parking lot and runs the thing over and they pull their injured friends back inside.  Suddenly, just as quickly as it happened, they find themselves back in their regular reality.

Lucy and Jeff are hauled off to the hospital and Hume tells the others to get out of there before the police grab them up as well.  Andrew wakes up in the ER, hooked to life support, unable to move only regaining consciousness for a moment before passing back out. 

Thus ended that nights session.


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For those who enjoy this blog, the various articles and session recaps and wish to show some support.  The DrivethruRPG and RPGNow links over on the right are tagged with my affiliate code.  Simply click through to their site and buy whatever you normally buy from them and I'll get a few pennies as a kickback.  Or if you don't like Onebookshelf you can paypal me directly at 'peteramthor -at- trulyrural dot com' as well.  Currently this is how I am purchasing new gaming material.  Hopefully I'll be able to get some stuff and start doing short reviews once again in the future.

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Cyberpunk Sunday: Blackhands Street Weapons review.

Ah something about those old 80's and 90's RPGs that are such a guilty pleasure. Especially when it comes to the ever expanding lists of weapons and equipment.  Paging through books to find just the right gun with just the right attachments so you can get that extra point or two of damage AND a plus to hit.  Now days people like to turn their nose up to such things but those of us who remember still love to blow the dust off our books and get down to some gear buying bliss.

For Cyberpunk 2020 most groups drool over the Chromebooks and, of course, Blackhands Street Weapons.  The quintessential gun book for the game as it collected every firearm, knife and oddball weapons system into one volume.  Oh and it gave us a brand new gun as well. 

Now don't go buying this expecting some long written out source material.  This is simply a compendium of weapons and ammunition.  Each weapon has a little blurb with a bit of flavor, complete set of stats and costs.  Along with a bit about recoil on the big guns and that's about it.  This keeps the book slim and compact which makes it great for at the table reference when somebody forgot (or can't find) their weapon stats.  This is what I consider to be a major selling point.  No frills just giving you exactly what you want.

For those who love to run their Cyberpunk 2020 'by the book' in all it's glory this book is a must have at your table... or at least in your GM stash. 

Available in pdf format AND in print via POD at a very reasonable price.

Find it at DriveThruRPG.

Find it at RPGNow.

Good luck on the streets until next Sunday chummers.

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Kult: Trimming the fat part one.

Skinning the fat from the rules of Kult.

The very basic system for the Kult rpg isn't actually to bad. It's pretty simple, roll a D20 and get under your skill. Damage uses a wounds system. You have some added flavor like Advantages, Disadvantages, mental balance and, of course, your dark secret. However a lot of that the simple ideas are buried under some mid to late 80's game design. So I started cutting down on what is there and I'll go over it bit by bit one blog post at a time.

First off I'm giving the skill section an overhaul. Games from this time period loved their skill lists and man does it show with the pages and pages of them. Don't get me wrong I used to love them as well and would go through all my games and compile a master skill list for everything.... yeah but I got over that. Vampire: TM was the game that sort of opened my eyes to the 'simpler is better' approach. Their base list of thirty skills covered a lot of what was ever necessary in most games. Not to mention tossing what other games had several skills for under one title. Like just having 'firearms' instead of pistol, long gun, shotgun, etc.

So going with the simpler is better approach works best in this area. Athletics can cover swimming, climbing, etc; anything sports of physical activity related is good to throw into there. Firearms replacing all the different gun types. Brawling and Martial Arts replace all the special maneuvers and strange attacks (more on how I work them specifically will be in a future article).

Now I know combining them like this isn't realistic. But I toss realistic out the window when it comes to making something smoother, faster and easier to use.

Then I also remove another part of old style game design. I remove the skills based on attributes or special stats idea altogether. No more CHA based, or MOVE based, etc. They stand alone from your attributes in every way. How this changes attributes I'll have to go over later.

In the end I have a half made list that is strangely like that of the old World of Darkness games. Plus being open to player suggestions or specialization. If it's not on the list they can ask if they can buy it and then I say yes or tell them which existing skill it falls under or suggest a better broader skill to buy. Example: Say a player wants Acupuncture as a skill, I could either let them buy it or suggest that they buy Eastern Medicine as it will give them Acupuncture along with some other handy stuff.

I'm not posting up a skill list yet as I'm still revising and tossing ideas around. Currently playtesting with pregenerated characters and getting feedback. But when I'm all done I will make a final suggested list.

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For those who enjoy this blog, the various articles and session recaps and wish to show some support.  The DrivethruRPG and RPGNow links over on the right are tagged with my affiliate code.  Simply click through to their site and buy whatever you normally buy from them and I'll get a few pennies as a kickback.  Or if you don't like Onebookshelf you can paypal me directly at peteramthor@trulyrural.com as well.  Currently this is how I am purchasing new gaming material.  Hopefully I'll be able to get some stuff and start doing short reviews once again in the future.

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Cyberpunk Sunday robots, sex and cyberpunk

Some thoughts on Cyberpunk, Sex, AI and robots in a cyberpunk game world.

Inspired by this article about a conference on future tech and basically sex with robots: London sex robot conference.

First I will say this is inevitable and to a limited scale is already happening.  Basically it comes down to the simple old saying 'Sex Sells'.  Mix that with humankinds ever increasing desire for more dazzling technology and we are on the road to sexbots.  But I'll not focus on the real world here and move on into the gaming aspects.

Now one must also look at the kind of clientele businesses will attract with these and the kind of people they will sell to.  Those who are lonely, socially inept and desperate will be the initial people with cash in hand to use AI sex bots when they become available. Coming in right behind those very quickly will be people with any sort of kink that most of society finds a bit 'taboo'. 

So in your cyberpunk world you need to imagine the kind of shops that will be seen using these and how creepy they could appear to your characters.  Imagine seeing a building set up to look like a school where all the bots are made to appear as young 'under the legal age' school girls.  Double the creepy if the person paying for the time is allowed to stalk down their bot victims in a form of rape simulation.  I mean unless a lot of detailed laws are passed this would all be legal.

Sex dungeons would be normal all of sudden.  Attracting all of those with kinks or fetishes who were afraid to admit to what they wanted to a real partner because of the risk of rejection.  Entire harems could be rented out to those with the cash.  Let's not even begin to discuss celebrity look alike bots or even those who would be setting robot animals for use.

In some various society set ups it could make sex with a 'real woman or man' become a hot commodity.  Or drive the prices for human sex workers further down since bots wouldn't complain and can just be used over and over again by a line of customers all night long. 

Also, as the article linked to points out, there is some thought about the risk of being disconnected from humanity if you limit your sexual interactions with just the robot kind.  So in games like Cyberpunk 2020 there could be a chance of humanity loss after a while.  Or a development of mental issues in other games.  Another affect could be similar to those that were shown in the movie Surrogate but more limited.  Where the character would be at a loss and suffer from severe anxiety when it comes to sexual encounters with a real flesh and blood person. 

So before you introduce them into your setting be sure to think out how they fit into that society you are building.  What kind of economic side effects would be generated.  What people think of those who choose to have artificial partners over actual ones.  Not to mention classic scifi tropes like the robot that goes on a killing spree or becomes completely aware and doesn't want to do this anymore.  Also while this sort of thing adds in some great seedy under belly of society story into your games it may not be for your players. 

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Kult There Will be Blood session one

Finally got a group of players together for Kult.  Most of which had never played it before, some of which had never gamed with me before at all and some who had only been in games when I was another player.

Group breakdown.

Katie - My wife.  Hadn't gamed in many years and then had only played DnD.
Zach - Katie's son, known him for a few years, never gamed with me other than CCGs.
Lori - Old friend, had played in a few of my Kult campaigns before.
Jason - Old friend, had played in a few of my Kult campaigns before.
Sarah - Jason's girlfriend, never played in a game with before ever.
Josh - Friend who I gamed with under another a great GM for years.

Used pregenerated characters for them all.  Partly because many were unfamiliar with Kult and also because I was using a alpha version of my streamlined Kult system.  Made little name stand ups and they picked their characters solely based on their names.  They were handed a filled out character sheet and another sheet with their character history, dark secret and what they thought of the other players on it.  The stand ups were left in front of each player so they knew who was who.

All of the characters were criminals working for the same crime boss. 

Basically they were sent down to find out what happened to a guy who acts like a mule transporting drugs from the warehouse out to the dealers.  Their boss, Donavan Hume, cares more about getting what he had back rather than the actual person.  Also missing in that same area is a girl who was a local sex worker who helped other girls hook up with johns and watched over them. 

After a bit of questioning they discovered there was a new group in that area dealing a new drug and, according to rumors, eliminating some of the competition through other means.  This led them to the supposed location of operations for this new group.  They discovered the new drug was inhaled from a giant sized hookah sat up in an abandoned tenement building.  One player who took a hit had flashes of memories that weren't her own and thought it was one of the best highs she had ever had.

An eventual meeting was sat up between the guy in charge there and the group for a price that will be named at the meeting.  The boss admitted to killing both the mule and the sex worker along with selling off all the drugs he had been carrying.  When the players asked for him to pay back what they were worth he said no.  Then said the cost of the meeting was for one of them to die before they leave.  No hurry though, they can make a decision as a group who they want to kill among their ranks. 

A short bit of gunplay happened leaving the players with the upper hand.  Well until the boss vomited up his own guts onto one of the players and they started constricting around her.  Ego throws were made... not everyone made theirs... one freaked out pretty good.  Somehow the one with the guts wrapped around her held their cool.  There was more gunplay a bit of stabbing and a whole lot of panic.

The illusion buckled and glimpses of the other side were seen for a brief moment or two as the players fled the scene with very few injuries (not due to people not trying but due to my dice betraying me).  After mental balances were readjusted the players make it back to their boss, some still covered in blood splatters and some gore.  He wants the players to find out what is going on and who this new group is. 

Investigations and calling up contacts occurred over the next day or so.  They discover that not enough bodies were recovered from the scene by the police which they are afraid my be the boss.  The building is owned by a company known as Philanthropist Inc who run a high class club scene for millionaires and celebrities.  Local gun dealers haven't sold anything to anybody new lately at all so they must be from out of town OR buying their weapons from an outside source.  Drug dealers have lost business in that area because whatever the new drug is people are leaving their other addictions behind and going for that.

Session ended with the investigation going on for a couple more days which will be taken care via emails and Facebook messenger between now and the next game.

For those who enjoy this blog and session recaps and wish to show some support.  The DrivethruRPG and RPGNow links over on the right are tagged with my affiliate code.  Simply click through to their site and buy whatever you normally buy from them and I'll get a few pennies as a kickback.  Currently this is how I am purchasing new gaming material.  Hopefully I'll be able to get some stuff and start doing short reviews once again in the future.

Getting out of the hobby sale part three.

Here is my third load of things I am getting rid of as I am getting out of the RPG hobby altogether.  Being books, dice or somehow gaming related for the most part.  Selling locally and to friends that I actually have met in person.

To purchase drop an email to: peteramthor@gmail.com okay.


Crystal Caste dice set. 

Black with yellow swirls, never used and in a little flip open plastic box. 

Crystal Caste dice sets sell for 9.80 each over on their site.  I'll take 6 for this one.


Crystal Caste misc dice.

Contains 7 D10's and 3 D6's of random colors. 

Sell all ten for 5.


Centurion.

An RPG I got off of Kickstarter.  You can find it on Drivethrurpg HERE.

Softback black and white sells for 25.95 I will take 15 for it.


GURPS Cyberpunk set.

Contains the Gurps 3rd edition corebook, Cyberpunk, Cyberpunk Adventures and Cyberworld.

All out of print I will take 40 for the lot.



Stay tuned for another batch in a few days!

Getting out of the hobby sale part two

Here is another installment of stuff I am getting rid off.  First offers are to locals and people I have met, after that it goes to folks via social media, finally whatever is left goes to Ebay.  Only putting a few up at a time as I slowly dissolve my collection.

Contact me at peteramthor@gmail.com if interested in purchasing any of these.


Strands of Fate.

From Voidstar Studios with their version of the FATE system.  You can see the details of this book HERE.  I have the currently sold out softcover version which is what that listing is for. 

Regular price was 29.99 and I will take 20 for it. 


Savage Worlds Explorer's Edition

Full color and dirt cheap version of the Savage Worlds rules. 

Regular price was 9.99 and I will take 7 for it.


World of Necroscope (book not boxed set)

From WEG. A Masterbook series for those who know.  Doing a few searches online I see it selling for around 20 to 25 bucks.  I will take 18 for it.


Inscrutable Puzzlements.

Got this via Kickstarter HERE.  Also available via Drivethrurpg HERE.  I have the softcover version of the book.

It cost me 20 and I will take 12 for it. 


Old World Armoury.

Hardcover sourcebook for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay released by Black Industries.  Details on the book can be found HERE. 

Prices it has sold for on Ebay are all over the place but I will take 25 for it.





More books coming soon in part three of the sale.

Getting out of the hobby sale number one

Here is my first load (of many) of things I am getting rid of as I am getting out of the RPG hobby altogether.  So I figured the first thing to do should be some sets of dice that I have which have never even been used.  Most from Kickstarters.  Selling locally and to friends that I actually have met in person.

To purchase drop an email to: peteramthor@gmail.com okay.


Thorn Dice Set. SOLD.

This is a 3D printed set of dice ordered off of Shapeways.  High quality and very detailed.  They roll well BUT are almost weightless.  So they tend to bounce oddly and feel strange in your hand.  This is due to the fact that there is nothing in the center... ah the coolness of 3D printers.  Mine are a dark grey color, almost a primer grey, which doesn't seem to be offered anymore.

Here is the page where I bought the dice from: Thorn Dice Set




Double D6 Dice.

Got these through a Kickstarter.  Got two of each: flat green black dots, flat red white dots, flat black green dots, flat black white dots, marble purple with gold dots, marble blue with white dots and marble green with gold dots.  That's fourteen dice in a 'DoubleSix' branded dice bag.

Here is the website at which they are sold now: Double Six Dice

Going for 1.50 to 1.75 for each die. I'll take 14 bucks.


Ceramic Dice Set.  SOLD.

From another Kickstarter.  These are some heavy dice and you can hear them roll on the table.  Not quite metal dice but the equal to stone dice.  These are red (although the red is a bit faded in color) with green numbers.  Standard die set.

Here is the website for them now: Black Rock Relics




Fate Dice.

From yet another Kickstater... seeing a trend here?  Two sets of Fudge dice used with FATE and Fudge powered games.  One set is clear green the other is clear purple... well it's supposed to be clear purple... but it's damn near black unless you hold it up to the light.  Comes with two small dice bags.

Here is the Kickstarter they came from: Fudge Dice Infusion

It cost me 17 dollars for these.  I'll take 10 if anyone is of the FATE fan group.



Like I said up above, email me if interested. 

Jaded Gamer - The End

I'm done it's over. 

I'm a gamer who doesn't have time to game.  I'm a gamer who doesn't have any free cash to spend on anything.  I'm a gamer who hasn't got to be a gamer for years now. 

So I'm waving goodbye at the hobby I've known for decades.  It's time to move on, box the books and dice up and put them away.  Not like I use them anymore anyways.  No longer having to see the idiotic division between gamer 'factions' on the internet.  No jackasses telling people their type of gaming is wrong.  No dumbasses telling people they should go hug their bully.  The drama camps can all go piss up a rope.

The game companies that want to charge stupid prices for core books making their buy in absolutely ridiculous can fuck off as well.  As can the ones who treated their backers like shit after we paid for their success. 

To many jackass talking heads who are only talking out of their asses.  Acting like they are some sort of elite level of gamer because they use some different jargon or have a podcast.  To many pricks getting all pissy when somebody questions their definition of what a roleplaying game is.

You have all poisoned the well, tainted the hobby.  Toxic fucks, the MRA's, SJW's, Edition Warriors, etc... the whole fucking lot.  Worthless.

This blog is at an end.  My involvement with gaming is at an end.  I'm finished, burned out, had enough.

Jaded Gamer - What I miss.

Since the advent of the publicly accessible internet there have been gamers using it. Hell there were gamers using it before most of the world had even heard of such a thing.  One period of that time is something that I really miss... a lot. I often refer to it as the 'wild west' of the world wide web.  Let me talk about that a bit.

Do you remember Geocities, WBS, xoom, etc.  You know all those sites where you could host a little webpage on for free.  Maybe a couple of ads would pop up (or none if you did the html right) but the cost was absolutely nothing.  Yeah, those were the days.  There were so many webpages for gaming there was absolutely no way of going through even a small percentage of them.  Just type into a search engine and see what comes up for your favorite game.  Or, better yet, was when you found a webring for pages dedicated to your favorite game.  Early rough edged forum services were all over the place, again for free, just begging for people to use them.  Everybody who had a page had a section of weblinks to other pages, sometimes sprawling long lists.  Your measure of success was how many hits your little counter racked up and how many people linked back to your work.

Yeah... those were the days.  I loved digging through all that, sifting out the diamonds from the dirt.  Copy pasting the awesome shit to print out for use at your table.  All while trying to promote my own pages.  People were using scanned in artwork from wherever they could find it.  Not to mention all the little moving gifs as well (I had a chains hanging in fire gif that was so cool back in the day....).  Or finding a listserv to share what were working on with others of the same interest.

The online gaming community felt so much more alive back then.  You could see other people trying to hand their ideas out to whoever would listen.  Working together to create a fanbase for their favorite game (fist bump to all the veterans of the Kult listserv out there). 

Some game companies loved this era.  The amount of fans they could reach out to AND the number of fans that would freely promote their games.  Some companies even put out promotional kits for people running webpages.  They had logo's, some art and such for you to use for free.  Hell it was free promotion so why not?  I really wish more companies would do that today.

I miss this era of online gaming community.  Though I understand what happened and why it started to die.  Companies discovered there really was no money in hosting webpages for people so they folded or closed up shop.  Dedicated forums began to spring up more and more pulling people to just be interactive there.  Finally the dawn of blogging and social media put the nails in the coffin.  While there are still some of us who do still host our own pages (or sites now as we pay for them), do our own html and still hope people find their way to our little hole on the web.  It's not the same.

I want that wild west back.

SLA Industries - Puppy Mill

This is a fan resource for Sla Industries.

The most popular and well known pet store chain on Mort is The Puppy Mill chain. With locations in downtown, shopping malls, suburbia and even a few in uptown they are very well known. While the popularity of having your own pet has died down a bit over the last decade or so the franchise managed to restructure in survive very well. Now they are pushing to be noticed again by sponsoring operatives.

Featuring some of the most popular genetically modified, and sometime vat grown, pets available on Mort. Dogs specifically designed to help keep the giant insect population under control in their owners apartments. Cats that glow in the dark. Snakes that exude a calming pheromone. Not to mention their famous 'Nutra-Rats' that are high in proteins, antioxidants and other nutritional elements essential for the Wraith Raider concerned for their healthy eating styles.

Basic Sponsorship package.

Operative is required to wear a plastic curved wrap on their forearm. Held in place with elastic straps, colored light gray with the Puppy Mill logo in dark blue.

The Operative receives 1 credit per month. They receive an additional 4 credits for each time they appear on television with the logo visible. There is a maximum of 20 credits payed out per month.

The operative also receives a monthly issue of Puppy Mill magazine. Full of news and pet tips every month.

Advanced Sponsorship package.

Achieved once they have collected 40 credits in payout.

The logo forearm wrap is upgraded to a higher more durable grade of plastic and is held in place with Velcro straps or Friction Tape.

Operative receives the same payout but the maximum per month is raised to 40.

With their Puppy Mill magazine subscription they also receive a free bag of Kennel Koff brand pet food each month. Plus additional coupons for Puppy Mill and Kennel Koff products.

Levels beyond this are all privately negotiated.

Operative Susie “Sweety” Sanchez is the most popular Puppy Mill sponsored operative. Although having retired from most operative work for a year now she still appears in ads for the chain. Usually with her eight multicolored cats and her prototype of the Domino Dog breed named 'Overbite'. Reportedly her animals have lifetime passes to the Puppy Mill kennels if she needs to go on a long term op along with top of the line medical care for them as well.

Sla Industries - Almost Meat Stix

A resource for the Sla Industries RPG. 

Ask anyone Downtown about what is their favorite snack when they want something that resembles meat and tastes great and you will get one answer. Almost Meat Stix. Sold across downtown in convenience stores, spirit shops, corner markets, bars and even at Madame Shades chain of higher class brothels. These wonderful meatlike slivers of joy are great for an anytime snack.

Each Almost Meat Stix costs only 3 uni and come in a variety of flavors. Almost Original, Almost Spicy, Almost Sweet and even Almost Haggis for our Frother customers. Don't forget to pick up a pack of Almost Cheese Stix to go with it at their low cost of 2 uni. Two great tastes that go Almost together.

Basic Sponsorship package.

Operative is required to wear a plastic curved wrap on their upper leg. Held in place with elastic straps, colored meaty red with the Almost logo in bright yellow.

The Operative receives 1 credit per month. They receive an additional 4 credits for each time they appear on television with the logo visible. There is a maximum of 20 credits payed out per month.

The operative also receives a special Almost delivery service and receive a pack once every month containing a random assortment of Almost products.

Advanced Sponsorship package.

Achieved once they have collected 40 credits in payout.

The logo leg wrap is upgraded to a higher more durable grade of plastic and is held in place with Velcro straps or Friction Tape.

Operative receives the same payout but the maximum per month is raised to 40.

Their Almost delivery now comes in every two weeks.

Levels beyond this are all privately negotiated.

Frother Operative Finn “Final” MacGregor has been using their sponsorship for years. Has multiple coats, hats, boots and even some custom armor with the “Almost” logo sprayed across them. He also appears in many of their television ads with the tag lines of “It's Almost good!” and “All the meat you can Almost eat”.

SLA Industries - SLURPS

This article is no longer free on my blog. It's been adapted to be setting and system neutral is now available on DrivethruRPG in Sponsorship: Food and Drink. Priced at only 75 cents. 

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Cyberlimb malfunctions due to damage - Roll a D20

Random cyberlimb malfunctions due to damage. Grab a D20!

1. Sparks pop from the damaged area every couple of minutes.
2. The limb straightens out at random intervals a couple times a day.
3. Whenever the limb is moved there is audible metal on metal grinding sound.
4. All attempted movements are done at half the speed as usual.
5. All attempted movements are done at twice the speed as usual.
6. Damage receptors backfire causing them act as pain receptors via electrical shock.
7. Every two hours exactly the limb shuts down and reboots, which takes five minutes.
8. All attempted movements are exaggerated by about a foot.
9. Continued smell of an electrical fire, after six hours the limb is inactive completely.
10. Limb kicks into 'display mode' and takes various poses without warning.
11. Catches fire internally and cannot be put out my standard fire extinguishers.
12. All maintenance ports and hatches pop open and will not stay closed.
13. Becomes exceedingly hot unless the limb is deactivated it will burn up eventually.
14. Will no longer bend at the elbow or knee.
15. The fingers or toes will not stop wiggling constantly.
16. Bends at the knee or elbow and will not straighten out.
17. The power drains quickly and must now be manually recharged with a plug in port.
18. Electricity arcs throughout the limb scarring the metal and discoloring it.
19. The limb trembles and shakes constantly.
20. The medical emergency disconnect activates and the limb fall off.
    

Find Cyberpunk 2020 on Drivethrurpg!

Witch interrogation questions

Found this floating around on Twitter, seems they got shared around quite a bit so I'm not sure on the exact source.  But I am saving these for my 'Question of Faith' game.  Be a good start for a list of questions for the PC's to use when interrogating those suspected of having pacts with demons. 

"Judges in 17th C Alsace had a set of standardised questions with which to interrogate a witch; they are listed here."

OSR vs SG and the bullshit in between

OSR and Storygamers.  Fight!  Or not actually.

One thing I've noticed is the name calling between these two 'sides' by some of the louder more venomous members of the two 'factions'.  So I figured I would drop my opinions on a couple of their shrieks.

I've seen claims that the OSR is full of conservative right wing nut jobs.  Okay first I will go with a broad look at the gaming fandom that I'm familiar with.  Most gamers I have discussed politics seem to be leaning to the left.  Maybe not a great deal but over towards that liberal side at least a little.  Coming across a conservative is a rare thing to me, although I do know a couple.  Now my lurking on OSR boards and following a few blogs I have to say that I do see more right leaning political opinions than I do normally among gamers.

Again not a great deal but more than just the normal.  BUT this may have more to do with traditional political values among a group that has a larger older membership.  Folks who have gone grey over the years as they have continued to enjoy their hobbies and games.  So yeah I see more right leaning folks over in the OSR than I do in most gaming 'divisions' but not very many full blown hard core Conservatives who hate everything that is different.  I mean after all, gaming itself is different from the mainstream norm.

What I have noticed in the OSR is a larger portion of assholes though.  Tooth gnashing people who think anything other than what they like in gaming is wrong.  They will rant against 'onetruewayism' in one breath and then tell you the one true way it should be done in the next.

Now I know this is all just observation and viewing from a distance.  But it's not like I can put a survey out and get honest answers.  It would be like asking a bunch of soccer moms if they've ever looked up interracial porn before.  You know that the honest truth and what you will be told are going to be quite different.

 Then we have the accusation that Storygamers are nothing but a lot of SJW's (Social Justice Warriors to those who don't know... all two of you).  Now again I've lurked in a lot of places and follow a lot of blogs, I'm a gaming opinion addict, I can't help it.  Well I do have to say there seem to be more SJW's or people leaning towards that in the Storygamer folks.  But, just like the OSR crowd, not nearly the number people are claiming.  However the ones there tend to be really, REALLY, vocal about it.  But in equal number are some people are really vocal about just getting along and letting everybody else be.  For some reason these people are also labelled SJW's by people to ignorant to actually pay enough attention to tell the difference.

Myself I don't deal well with loud SJW type people.  I pretty much put them at the same level as Gamergate and MRA folks.  I've blocked and been blocked by plenty on all sides.  Which actually helps my signal to noise ratio on social networks I'll tell ya. 

What I do see a good chunk of on BOTH sides is a nice little lot of liars.  These are the people screaming out all sorts of slights, harassment and threats have been made.  But yet when anybody else claims this they call them out and demand proof... even though they never could produce any to back their own claims.  They also say the other is trying to destroy the hobby or that there is some big massive conspiracy to undermine the entire gaming scene.  But zero proof of course. 

Sometimes I love not being part of any specific group other than 'tabletop gamer'.  My interests are wide and I like to try new stuff from time to time.  On my shelf is Dogs in the Vineyard, BECMI Dungeons and Dragons, Circle of Hands, Over the Edge, Cyberpunk 2020, Fantasy Roleplaying and so much more. 

I also love the fact that there is a lot (and I mean a LOT) of good material out there.  That way when one of the assholes or liars is producing something that people are saying is good.... I can walk the other way and put money into the hands of somebody who is not an asshole for the really good product they made.  The variety is so great you are not missing out if you spend your dollars based on who you want to have your money.  Instead of feeling you have to buy something despite your personal thoughts about the people who put it out. 

Anyways, I'm done.  More Jaded Gamer Diary entries will be coming I'm sure.  Because I'm just a little bit of an asshole myself.  Just not all the time and just not that loud.