Blue Yonder Podcast

Blue Yonder is a podcast concerning general geekery like Star Wars/Trek, sci-fi/action movies, and general gaming. Wednesday, their 22^nd episode went live and it features an interview with me, where I talk about RPGs and Gen Con.

I did get some information wrong, due to not having it not readily available to me and speaking from memory (which mine can be rather hazy) and gut feeling. I’d like to clarify that GenCon didn’t come to Indy until 2003 and it’s I6 Ravenloft (not I9, which is Day of Al’Akbar). Most of anything else is just my opinion of whatever topic we’re discussing, so don’t take it as gospel truth.

Besides the interview with me, the guys at Blue Yonder have another cast focusing exclusively on Roleplaying Games. I’m also providing a list of their other episodes which many readers might find interesting too:

• 22: Interview with Mad Brew Labs
• 21: Inception
• 20: Game Collecting
• 19: RPGs
• 18: Ultimate Geek House
• 17: Geek Babes Draft
• 16: FPS
• 15: Massively Multiplayer
• 14: Practical Jokes
• 13: Madden ‘84
• 12: Geek Colorblindness
• 11: Iron Man 2
• 10: Wars vs. Trek, Part 2
• 09: Zombie Draft
• 08: Wars vs. Trek, Part 1
• 07: Gaming Ethics
• 06: Geek Bliss
• 05: Bad Asses
• 04: PAX East, Part 3
• 03: PAX East, Part 2
• 02: PAX East, Part 1
• 01: Geekdom

Listening to: Kingdom of Sorrow – Behind the Blackest Tears – God’s Law in the Devil’s Lan

Gen Con

I know most gamers who converge upon at the Crossroads of America in Indianapolis for GenCon rarely have time to do anything else but game, talk about games, or shop for games. However, just in case any of my readers have some free time, arrive early, or leave later, I am writing a series of articles that present attractions and events that might pique your interest. This second article of the series deals with the local hobby game scene as well other types of gaming.

HOBBY GAMING

First up are Indianapolis’ friendly local gaming stores. These stores serve as hubs for the local hobby gaming community and we’re lucky enough to have several fine establishments in the area.

Arsenal Game Room

Indy’s only downtown location dedicated to hobby gaming. The Arsenal not only has three themed game rooms (dungeon, back alley, and board rooms) but they also have a cafe that offers modestly priced food (I recommend Troy’s pulled pork sandwich). It may actually be the cheapest place to grab a bit to eat in the immediate vicinity. A buddy of mine, Mr. Givens, has secured the Arsenal for a couple of old WoD LARPs he is currently running. The Vampire game is held every 2nd Saturday and the Werewolf game is held every 4th Saturday.

If you are looking for a decent place to play outside of the con, I recommend you check out the Arsenal and see if you can set up in the board room.

Downtown Comics

Downtown Commics has been around for 15 years, and is a very established geek hangout. Though not only focused on gaming, Downtown Comics does support a lot gaming, and they have an annual post-GenCon Heroclix Big Battle (1200pts). Also, since they are celebrating their 15th Anniversary during GenCon, you can get in on some special deals (check out their website for more information).

Gamerz

Not far to the south, in the suburb of Greenwood, is Gamerz. It is a fairly new addition to the hobby community and has recently changed proprietors. Though it is new, I believe it is making excellent strides in providing gamers a friendly place to network and organize events. Gamerz is often the meeting place of the Indy Gamers meetup group (boasts 413 members on their site) Last I checked, they were also gearing up to open a new cyber cafe for LAN and online gaming.

Games to Die For

Located north of the airport in Indy’s west side suburb of Avon, Games 2d4 is also a new fixture in the local gaming scene. I haven’t been there recently, but the store was heavily focused on wargames (and there is certainly nothing wrong with that) when I visited. In fact, I picked up my Lich Lord Terminus from Games to Die for while I was there (it was after the price increase by Privateer Press, but it still sported a pre-increase price tag).

The Game Preserve

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention The Game Preserve. TGP is a local mainstay and it has been around as long as I can remember (the original store being established in 1980). It now has four locations: Keystone Crossing Fashion Mall (northeast), Greenwood (south), Bloomington, and West Lafeyette. So not only does The Game Preserve serve the Indianapolis area gamers, but it is also an icon for the two largest universities in Indiana (IU & Purdue). The Game Preserve locations in Indy are small but pack a lot of merchandise.

NON-HOBBY GAMING

If you scratch a tabletop gamer, you’ll often find pixels. Many hobby gamers also play video games, albeit just to fill the downtime between being at the table. I’ve also included action pursuit gaming, because who doesn’t like live-action wargaming? Besides, sometimes you need to get off your rear and move around.

Gameworks

Gameworks Studio is located on the 4th level of the Circle Centre Mall and is your typical arcade. I mourn the old Mechwarrior pods that used to be located here, but there are plenty of the newest generation arcade games here to throw your quarters at.

Xscape

Xscape offers many of the same arcade games as Gameworks, but adds additional amusement attractions like bowling, bumper cars, and go karts. It is located further north off I-65 on Lafeyette Road. They also have more variety in food.

Jillian’s

Is a three-level sport’s bar located in downtown Indianapolis. The first level is primarily sports events presented in hi-def (and the best place to sit and eat), the second floor has over 100 video games, and the 3rd floor is bowling and billiards.

Dave & Buster’s

D&B’s just got an Indianapolis location, situated on the northeast side in Castleton. It is a nationwide (located in Canada too) restuarant, bar, and arcade. I haven’t been there yet, but I have heard good things.

Mission Control

Located west of the airport in Plainfield, Mission Control is one of the few gaming cafes in the Indianapolis area that I am aware of. I know for sure that they have Xbox 360 and PC gaming available. Mission Control’s claim to fame was that they were featured on a local news channel’s story about profanity and online gaming. At least the story offered sound advice: parental involvement!

Toxcity

Toxcity is located on the southside in Greenwood and offers 20 XBOX and 360 stations, GameCubes, PS2, Wii’s, and 12 PC stations, 4 110″ Screens, 150″ Movie Theater with 5.1 surround and hundreds of games. They also do collectable trading card games and offer all-night lock-in parties with live music.

Dark Armies

Dark Armies was my first paintball experience, and it was fantastic. DA is located in an underground warehouse and takes place in almost absolute darkness. It really exudes a post-apocalyptic/survival vibe. Especially when they send out the guy in a Predator costume (don’t know if they still do, but I hope so). In October, Dark Armies is transformed into the Necropolis haunted attraction.

White River Paintball

Located in Anderson, about 20 miles northeast of Indianapolis off of I-69, White River Paintball offers 125 acres of paintball field. They have eight signature fields: air strip, woodsball, Bedlam City, Omaha Beach, battlefield, dunes, Fort Field, and Skid Row. They offer open play, scenarios, and private parties. They also have a Pro Shop on the premises.

Want to read more about conventions? Check out this month’s well timed RPG Blog Carnival hosted by Chgowiz. Also, you can check out my other articles on GenCon.

Other GenCon Articles:

• IUPUI Events
• Pub & Restaurant Guide
• Local Museums

Listening to: Stabbing Westward - Darkest Days - Drowning

Gen Con

I know most gamers who converge upon at the Crossroads of America in Indianapolis for GenCon rarely have time to do anything else but game, talk about games, or shop for games. However, just in case any of my readers have some free time, arrive early, or leave later, I am writing a series of articles that present attractions and events that might pique your interest. This first article of the series deals with museums.

King Tut Exhibit from 2009

Indianapolis Children’s Museum

Distance from Downtown/Monument Circle: 2.94 miles

This is probably my favorite museum and don’t let the title fool you, adults love it too. Their boxed text says it’s a nonprofit institution committed to enriching the lives of children, is the largest children’s museum in the world. The more than 400,000-square-foot facility houses eleven major galleries that explore the physical and natural sciences, history, world cultures and the arts.

The Children’s Museum is a place to learn and do. Whenever possible, exhibits are “hands-on” or participatory in nature. The Children’s Museum strives to be one of the vital links in the lives of children as it supports their intellectual curiosity and love of learning. The museum, situated on 14 acres of land in Indianapolis, presents thousands of programs and activities each year.

You just missed the Walking with the Dinosaurs exhibit which features life-sized animatronic dinos, but you’ll still be able to catch Star Wars: The Clone Wars exhibition as well as the spectacular Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs exhibit.

Yeah, actual artifacts from King Tut’s burial chamber will be on display! Ancient Egypt is one of my favorite periods of history and their imagery automatically sends me into gamer mode. [Edit: The above exhibits were from 2009]

For 2010, the Star Wars: The Clone Wars exhibit is still there as well as theRock Stars, Cars, & Guitars exhibit. One of my favorite things to see there is the Dinosphere. If you’re in town and have any spare time, I HIGHLY recommend the Children’s Museum.

The Children’s Museum is open daily, 10 am – 5 pm.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art

Distance from Downtown/Monument Circle: 0.57 miles

This museum, along with the neighboring Indiana State Museum, is literally right across the road from the convention center. I was always fascinated with the American West (especially the Wild West) and this place could be the ultimate source of historical inspiration for many Deadlands gamers out there. What better way is there to spice up your Wierd West campaign than with actual artifacts and cultures from the American West?

The Eiteljorg Museum is unique, one of only two museums east of the Mississippi with both Native American and Western art. Located in downtown Indianapolis, the museum is within walking distance of the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, Circle Centre mall and major downtown hotels.

The building’s distinctive design was inspired by the land, people and architecture of the American Southwest. The American Western Gallery includes works from the Taos, New Mexico Artists’ Colony, as well as pieces from such legends as Remington and Russell.

Contemporary artists who tell the story of today’s West are also represented and the Native American collection includes pottery, basketry, sculpture and other artifacts from all 10 North American native cultural areas. And it’s only getting better.

The Eiteljorg is open Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday: Noon – 5 pm.

Indianapolis Museum of Art

Distance from Downtown/Monument Circle: 4.12 miles

Just a short drive or bus ride from downtown Indianapolis on 152 acres of gardens and grounds, the Indianapolis Museum of Art is the fifth largest general art museum in the United States, with a collection of more than 50,000 works that spans a wide range of cultures and eras.

The IMA has one of the most outstanding collections of Japanese Edo-period paintings in the nation. It also has significant holdings of African art, Chinese ceramics, West Asian rugs, fashion arts, and a rapidly growing contemporary collection from emerging and internationally renowned artists.

The IMA is open Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm and Thursday – Friday, 11 am – 9 pm, closed Monday.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame

Distance from Downtown/Monument Circle: 4.51 miles

I know there are some avid race fans out there in the gamer world, and Indianapolis is famous for the sport. We have the Indianpolis Motor Speedway (Home to the Indy 500 & Brickyard 400) as well the O’Reilly Raceway Park. I’ll cover racing events later, but for those racing history buffs, the Motor Speedway Hall of Fame is right up your gasoline alley.

One of the world’s largest, most varied collections of racing, classic and antique cars is housed here featuring more than 30 Indianapolis 500 winning cars. Tony Hulman Theatre presents a 20-minute film depicting the history of the track and race highlights. Bus tours around track are available when track is not in use for racing or testing.

The museum is open daily, 9 am to 5 pm.

Civil War Museum

Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum

Distance from Downtown/Monument Circle: 0.00 miles

For the wargamers and armchair war historians in the gaming community, a museum list would not be complete without something dealing with war. Recognized as one of the world’s outstanding monuments, the structure has come to symbolize both the City of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana.

The Limestone used for the monument is gray oolitic limestone from the Romona quarries of Owen County. It stands 284 feet, 6 inches high, only 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty.

Located in the lower level of The Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the center of downtown Indianapolis this 9,000-square-foot exhibit explores the effects of the civil war on the people of Indiana.  A historic and unique gallery space posed challenges for the design and production that in turn enhanced the visitor experience. Large rear projected local re-enactment video engages the visitor in real war situations.

The Civil War museum is open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm.

Indiana War Memorial

Indiana War Memorial

Distance from Downtown/Monument Circle: 0.39 miles

Dominating the five-block picturesque setting of War Memorial Plaza in downtown Indianapolis is the Indiana World War Memorial. Sitting 210 feet above street level, this mausoleum-style limestone and marble memorial pays homage to Hoosiers killed during World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The Shrine Room, with 24 stained glass windows, is a magnificent architectural setting for the 17-by-30 foot American flag that is suspended from the center of the room. The main floor houses exhibit space, administrative offices, meeting rooms and the Pershing Auditorium. Also on this level is a listing of the names of all Hoosiers who participated in World War I and all Hoosiers who were killed or are MIA from World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

A military museum in the basement allows visitors to follow the history of Indiana soldiers from the Battle of Tippecanoe through the most recent conflicts.

The IWM is open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.

Connor Prairie

Distance from Downtown/Monument Circle: 16.5 miles

Certainly not a traditional museum, at Connor Prairie, the Smithsonian Museum Institution’s only Indiana affiliate, you’ll find that “Look, don’t touch” becomes “look, touch, smell, taste and hear.” As you explore five themed historic areas on 200 beautiful, wooded acres, you’ll discover more exciting, memorable ways to experience the past than your family or group can pack into a day.

During the days from April through October, you’ll take in the hustle and bustle of pioneer Indiana, jump in and help with chores in a Victorian farm community or hold newly hatched chicks at the Conner Homestead. Throw tomahawks in an Indian trading post and feel the thrill of soaring 350 feet above Conner Prairie’s landscape in our newest historic area, 1859 Balloon Voyage.

Did you read that? A Victorian era hot air balloon! Airship pirates-in-training apply inside.

The Prairie is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm, closed Monday.

More museums of interest.

Want to read more about conventions? Check out this month’s well timed RPG Blog Carnival hosted by Chgowiz. Also, you can check out my other articles on GenCon.

Other GenCon Articles:

• IUPUI Events
• Pub & Restaurant Guide
• Local Gaming

Listening to: Skid Row - Skid Row – Youth Gone Wild

Gen Con

Just in case anyone is wondering (and for my own reference) I am posting my group’s schedule for this year’s Gen Con. I’ve left Saturday evening free because I’m anticipating that I’ll be attending White Wolf’s infamous Gen Con Party (assuming it’s happening and/or I score an invite). Either way, I’ll be partying with my wife and some of our friends.

As you can see, my friends and I are booked solid with Pathfinder Society and a couple of quick games of D&D 4e (looking forward to experiencing some Dark Sun). Too bad Green Ronin doesn’t have an organized play arm for Mutants & Masterminds… that would be interesting.

I also might try attending the Meet & Greet at Scotty’s Brewhouse on Wednesday before the Con officially kicks off, but that remains to be determined.

While I have it listed, I’ll probably skip the ENnies this year due to scheduling conflict. The actual ceremony won’t be starting until 8 PM, and since they take more than an hour, there isn’t much sense in attending. I wish they had separated the VIP cocktail party/silent action into separate events for registration so I would have known ahead of time.

I voted, have you?

This year’s ENnies Awards are now open for voting! Below are my picks (second place entries in parentheses) and some commentary.

1. Best Cover Art – Rogue Trader Core Rulebook (Eclipse Phase)
   This year, I think the Sci-Fi settings had the best cover art, hands down.
2. Best Interior Art – Rogue Trader Core Rulebook (Warhammer FRPG)
   The dark gritty art of the Warhammer universe continues its legacy of powerful imagery.
3. Best Cartography – Pathfinder City Map Folio (Aces & Eights: Judas Crossing)
   I want big poster sized maps of Golarion. Paizo has some excellent cartographers.
4. Best Writing – Kerberos Club (Fantasy Craft)
   I have a really big soft spot for Victorian fantasy…
5. Best Production Values – Pathfinder Core Rulebook (Eclipse Phase)
   PFRPG is really top notch work, which seems to be a hallmark of Paizo products.
6. Best Rules – Hero 6^{th
   I’m a huge fan of crunch, and it doesn’t get more crunchy than Hero.}
7. Best Adventure – Pathfinder AP #31: Stolen Land (The Grinding Gear)
   Both of these are old school style adventures. Kingmaker marks the first sandbox style Adventure Path.
8. Best Monster/Adversary – Pathfinder: Classic Horrors Revisited (Pathfinder Bestiary)
   When it comes to baddies, the classic horrors don’t disappoint.
9. Best Setting – Kerberos Club (Gobling Markets)
   Remember that soft spot for Victorian fantasy?
10. Best Supplement – Rebellion Era Campaign Guide (Mysteries of Hollow Earth)
    The Star Wars SAGA went out with a bang when they released the sourcebook for the classic trilogy.
11. Best Aid or Accessory – Campaign Coins (Gaming Paper)
    I covet those coins, don’t know what I’d really do with them, but they’re shiny!
12. Best Miniature Product – Alkemy Minis (Fortress of Redemption)
    The Alkemy minis have some excellent sculpts.
13. Best Regalia – Grind (Buried Tales of Pine Box, Texas)
    A board game of steam-powered destruction!
14. Best Electronic Book – Shambles (The Great City Player’s Guide)
    It’s about time a game embraced being the zombie!
15. Best Free Product – Wayfinder #1 (Advanced Players Guide Playtest)
    Wayfinder is an excellent magazine made by PFRPG fans.
16. Best Website – d20PFSRD.com (Pathfinder Wiki)
    These sites have been essential for my PFRPG gaming needs.
17. Best Podcast – NewbieDM (Open Design)
    I think Newbie has a great format with his short mini-casts.
18. Best Blog – Kobold Quarterly (NewbieDM)
    KQ churns out a lot content, that I’ve actually used.
19. Best Game – Pathfinder (Hero 6^th)
    I think the combination of solid rules and great fan support from Paizo make PFRPG the best game.
20. Product of the Year – Pathfinder (Eclipse Phase)
    I’ve said enough about PFRPG, but Eclipse Phase is a close second because of how they published their rules.
21. Best Publisher – Paizo (Pinnacle Entertainment Group)
    Paizo has captured many a fan’s heart through their dedication to their player base.

Congratulations to all the nominees and good luck in the voting.

Gen Con

This article was originally posted August 3rd, 2008.

If anyone is like me, a few hours of gaming gives you an appetite. And since a lot of GenCon attendees will not be familiar will with downtown Indianapolis, I figured I would give a list of my favorite wining (or at least beer drinking) and dining locations.

With more than 260 destinations for food and beverage in the greater downtown Indy area, it may be difficult to find a decent place to grab some grub. The conveniently close restaurants like the Subway and the McDonalds (in the Hyatt basement), and Circle Centre Mall’s food court, and the Steak’n'Shake are all standing room only.

Nothing downtown is cheap because we all have to pay for that new fancy Lucas Oil stadium they are building beside the Hoosier (RCA) Dome [update: the RCA Dome has been demolished]. That’s not a joke, they actually placed an additional tax on restaurant food (which is why I’m packing my lunch). I am not going to provide directions, because that is just tedious, and because I am confident that if a gamer can figure out game mechanics, they can read a map.

I have actually been to all these establishments and give my official seal of approval on them.  If you would like to find out more about downtown Indy visit this IndyDT (though be warned about broken links and the freakin’ irritating mouse icon!).

MBL’s Top 13 Locations:

1. Ram Brewery

140 S Illinois St
(317) 955-9900
Get directions

• Food – ****
• Beer – *****
• Price – $$$
• Atmosphere – ****
• Other – Privateer Press usually make their home here.

2. The Rathskeller

401 E Michigan St.
(317) 636-0396
Get directions

• Food – ****
• Beer – ****
• Price – $$$
• Atmosphere – ****
• Other – German cuisine and beer, go to the Biergarten!

3. Spaghetti Factory

210 S Meridian St
(317) 635-6325
Get directions

• Food – ****
• Beer – *
• Price – $$$
• Atmosphere – ****
• Other -Huge portions, Excellent for the family

4. The Claddagh

3835 E 96th St
(317) 569-3663
Get directions

• Food – ****
• Beer – ****
• Price – $$$
• Atmosphere – ***
• Other – Pretty good Irish Pub, sometimes the seating can suck

5. The Arsenal Game Room & Cafe

874 Virginia Ave
(317) 822-4263
Get directions

• Food – **
• Beer – :(
• Price – $
• Atmosphere – ****
• Other – Hey, its a game store with a cafe!  No beer, but really good for snacks, open late (1am)

6. Buca di Beppo’s

7. New Bethel Ordinary

8838 Southeastern Ave
Wanamaker, IN 46239
(317) 862-5020
Get directions

• Food – ****
• Beer – *
• Price – $$$
• Atmosphere – ****
• Other – The best pizza I have ate in a while, its a little out of the way, but worth it if you have some time to burn.

8. Acapulco Joe’s
365 N Illinois St
(317) 637-5160
Get directions

• Food – ***
• Beer – ?
• Price – $$$
• Atmosphere – **
• Other – Probably the best Mexican food downtown, small, cramped, and packed

9.  Alcatraz Brewing Company

Circle Centre Mall
49 W. Maryland St. Suite 104
(317) 488-1230
Get Directions

• Food – ****
• Beer – *****
• Price – $$$
• Atmosphere – ***
• Other – I really dig the Dark Ale Smoked Ribs and their Sinister Double red belgian.

10. Scotty’s Brewhouse

1 Virginia Ave.
(317) 571-0808
Get Directions

• Food – ***
• Beer – ****
• Price – $$$
• Atmosphere – ***
• Other – They don’t offer their own brew, but they have a very wide selection of imports/micros as well as some odd mixes.

11. Slippery Noodle Inn

372 S. Meridian St.
(317) 631-6974
Get Directions

• Food – **
• Beer – ***
• Price – $$$
• Atmosphere – *****
• Other – Excellent live music and most recently recognized for their blues offerings.

It should be noted that I am a fan of hip-hop, (c)rap, or country. My interests lie in face melting guitar riffs and double kick drums.  That being said, the following bars/clubs I have actually had a good time in.

12. Howl at the Moon

20 E Georgia St
(317) 955-0300
Get directions

Dualing pianos… nuff said.

13. The Pub

30 E Georgia St # A
(317) 822-9730
Get directions

The next bar over from HatM!

Want to read more about conventions? Check out this month’s well timed RPG Blog Carnival hosted by Chgowiz. Also, you can check out my other articles on GenCon.

Other GenCon Articles:

• IUPUI Events
• Local Gaming
• Local Museums

Listening to: Tesla- Mechanical Resonance - Little Susie

RPG Blog Carnival

This month’s RPG Blog Carnival is concerned with Growing the Hobby. I had originally pegged the topic to be Disconnected Gamers but decided that it was too narrow of a topic and really part of a bigger discussion.

I think this carnival is especially appropriate with some recent articles^[1][2] and discussions^[3][4] about toxic fans and target audiences making some ripples on the web.

While, I don’t think the hobby is disappearing, by any means, I don’t see it expanding by leaps & bounds either. I’d personally like to see it grow, and I would like to hear what the RPG Blogosphere has to say.

Growing the Hobby is a pretty broad topic and it can be approached from the community/gamer or industry/publishing perspectives. I have a few questions that might help spark discussion:

• How would you like to see the hobby grow?
• How can the community or publishers help grow the hobby?
• What are you doing to advance the hobby?
• What is hindering the growth of the hobby?
• Is technology a key component of growing the hobby?
• Is the hobby fine the way it is?
• What are some pitfalls in trying to grow the hobby?

I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s contributions.

Listening to: Kingdom of Sorrow – Behind the Blackest Tears – Enlightened to Extinction

REFERENCES

[1] Why You Can’t Have Nice Things – Mob United

[2] Killing Demand – Neogrognard

[3] Companies Staying Away from RPG Gamers – EN World

[4] Companies Staying Away from RPG Gamers – The RPG Site

There was a recent conversation in my Twitter feed about “What makes a good RPG designer?” The question was posed by Stuart (@RobertsonGames). It made me think that while I have a laundry list of qualities that good designers should probably have, I don’t know if I choose game products simply based on the designer. My favorite roleplaying games were not singlehandedly created by a single individual.

Regardless who gets their name on the cover, game material is often the work of a dozen or more people. I can’t tell from looking at a supplement who came up with what idea or mechanic, so it’s nigh impossible for me to make connections between a designer and games I like.

From my understanding of how most of the industry works, when developing the core system, there are two levels to creating a game. You have the designer (the one(s) who get top billing) who set the stage and determine the general direction of the system. Then you have the developers who actually write the mechanics and bits that meet the specifications set forth by the designer.

You can think of a game system like a canvas, the designer comes in and does some rough sketches and perhaps lays down some broad strokes of paint and then the developers come in and fill in the details. A designer seems to have a lot in common with a project manager from a software development perspective.

Of course, once you have the words of a system worked out, there are still the illustrators, graphic designers, and editors that add the glitz and polish to a game. I highly doubt as many players would like D&D as much as they do if the rules were printed in a massive block of text and bound like research papers.

So for me, I don’t really think in terms of great designers, just great games.

Personal Bias

As a side note, Stuart’s question was actually initiated by this comment from Daniel Perez (@Highmoon):

“Some games are better served by getting to know the designer at least a bit, seeing what makes [the designer] tick that’s reflected in the RPG. Other games are better served by one knowing little or nothing about the designer, as this can influence adversely an otherwise great RPG.”

I have heard this sentiment before, and not just when referencing RPGs. Many people feel this way about illustrators, actors, directors, authors, etc. I think a related statement (of my own device), and one that presses more to the issue can be this:

“Some people are just giant fucking douchebags. Once you know how much of an asshole they are, it’s hard to appreciate anything they do, even if you would have otherwise enjoyed it.”

Some examples of the above, from my own personal experience/opinion, include: Tom Cruise (Scientologist nutjob), Todd McFarlane (comic-publishing hypocrite), and Apple (computing snobs).

It can work in the other direction too. You might actually enjoy something more once you’ve learned more about its creator. This direction is probably less common; in fact, I can only think of one example at the moment: a parent’s opinion of anything their children do (except my daughter really is good at everything).

Listening to: Agents of Obilivion – Agents of Oblivion – A Song that Crawls

• Game Design: Bucking the Trend
• Normal Distribution Resolution
• Apotheosis & Echelon Core Traits
• Secondary Traits of Echelon
• Echelon Archetypes
• Echelon Species Part 1

Species is another important element of character development. While Species may enhance Attributes and provide other benefits, each Species also gives characters a unique perspective of the world and have distinctive cultures. This culture should be mined for roleplaying opportunities and guidelines on how to have characters interact with each other and their environment. Of course, the details of that culture are entirely up to the Game Masters and the players.

Each Species description includes adjustments for Attributes, Favored Abilities, Languages, Size, Speed, and any Special Qualities associated with it. When adjusting Attributes and recording Favored Abilities, if any modifiers are listed inside parentheses (), then the player may choose to apply one or the other, but not both.

Languages

Languages listed in parentheses are bonus languages and may be purchased at Character Creation for 2 Experience each. After Character Creation, a character may learn any language he has had an opportunity to study by purchasing ranks in the Linguistics Advantage. The Game Master will determine whether or not there has been sufficient exposure or access to learn a particular language.

[Designer's Note: I plan on expanding the descriptions of each language later]

• Abyssal
• Angelic
• Chrtka
• Common
• Deepen
• Draconic
• Fey
• Gargon
• Gnomish
• Goblinite
• Hobbit
• Infernal
• Lithos
• Orkish
• Primitus
• Primordial
• Serpentis
• Sylvan
• Talonese
• Tauran
• Titanspeak

Basic Species

Basic Species can be chosen at character creation without spending additional Experience. Some Species may not be appropriate for the particular adventure, story, or campaign that the Game Master is conducting, so choices still need to be approved by the GM.

Automaton

Automatons are constructs that have been given the spark of true life. Whether through accident or design, these golems have acquired real intelligence and even emotion, however subdued that emotion may be. Most automatons are unique and have no connection to one another, though rumors exist of gifted artificers and even entire factories that produce entire batches of intelligent constructs. Many automatons were manufactured to be guards, though a few have a talent for the same art that created them.

Attribute Bonus: +2 to any Body Attribute, -2 Spirit

Favored Abilities: (Artifice or Martial)

Languages: Common, Primitus, (Creator’s Language)

Size: 5 (Medium)

Speed: 20 ft.

Special Qualities:

Darkvision 30 ft.

Hardened Fist: Unarmed attacks deal 1d6 points of lethal damage.

Living Construct: Automatons are immune to effects with the Disease, Fear, Healing, Morale, Necrotic, Paralysis, Poison, Sleep, and Stun descriptors. Automatons are also immune to fatigue, exhaustion, nonlethal damage and do not need to sleep (but may rest and gain the appropriate benefits). Automatons receive a +4 bonus to Resolve against Powers with the Mind descriptor. Automatons regain Vitality with time as normal and may benefit from effects with the Repair descriptor.

Lowlight Vision.

Dwarf

Dwarves are as stubborn and unyielding as the stone they work in their mountain halls. The most talented blacksmiths and masons hail from this short but bulky race. Dwarves sport long beard that they decorate with intricate baubles forged by their master smiths. In fact, dwarves are born with beards, so if you ever see a dwarf without one, he is surely an outcast. Dwarves have nurtured a strong warrior class due to their preferred habitat, though they often take to the art of creation and have affinity for the powers of the Wylde.

Attribute Bonus: +1 Constitution, +1 Wisdom, -1 Dexterity

Favored Abilities: Martial, (Artifice or Wyldcraft)

Languages: Common, Lithos, (Gargon, Gnomish, Goblinite, Orkish, Sylvan, Titanspeak)

Size: 5 (Medium)

Speed: 20 ft.

Special Qualities:

Darkvision 60 ft.

Final Stand: [N/A] Cost: 10V; Action: Full Round; Range: Personal; Effect: As long as the dwarf chooses not to move, he becomes immune to effects which force movement (barring situation where the ground beneath his feet is actually modified). In addition, the dwarf does not fall unconscious upon reaching 0 Vitality. Upon reaching 0 Vitality, any additional injuries affects Vigor instead. Once a dwarf reaches 0 Vigor, he falls unconscious. Should the dwarf choose to move or fall unconscious, the effect ends.

Rocksteady: Dwarves gain a +2 Species bonus to Defense against made to resist being bull rushed or tripped when standing on the ground (but not when climbing, flying, riding, or otherwise not standing firmly on the ground).

Slow and Steady: While a dwarf moves slower than average for medium size races, he does not reduce his movement due to armor or heavy load. Terrain and magical effects still affect dwarves normally.

Weapon Familiarity: Dwarves are proficient with dwarven waraxes, dwarven urgoshes, throwing hammers, and warhammers.

Elementine

Elementines are scions of great elemental warlords that once inhabited the lands. While their command of the elemental forces of nature has winnowed through the ages, the elementines still possess strong affinities for their element. Many elementines are accomplished sorcerers while many more become druids or protectors of areas with strong ties to the elemental planes. Once the elementines controlled vast kingdoms, but now only small kingdoms and duchies exist. Elementine characters must choose an ancestry: Fireborn, Earthborn, Waterborn, or Windborn.

Attribute Bonus: +1 Spirit, (+1 Constitution, +1 Dexterity, +1 Strength, +1 Wisdom), -1 Intelligence

Favored Abilities: Leadership, (Sorcery or Wyldecraft)

Languages: Common, Primordial, (Gargon, Primitus, Sylvan)

Size: 5 (Medium)

Speed: 30 ft.

Special Qualities:

Charismatic: +2 to Social Skill Checks

Darkvision 30 ft.

Fireborn:

Burning Strength: +1 Strength.

Damage Abatement: DA 2/Fire.

Flameblast: [Fire] Cost: 5A; Action: Standard; Range: 10 ft.; Target: 1 opponent; Attack: Accuracy vs. Reflex; Hit: 1d4 + Apotheosis.

Earthborn:

Damage Abatement: DA 2/Bludgeoning.

Granite Fortitude: +1 Constitution.

Rockflesh: [Earth] Cost: 5V; Action: Move; Range: Personal; Effect: +2 DA/- for 5 Rounds, end effect as a Free Action.

Waterborn:

Damage Abatement: DA 2/Cold.

Deep Insight: +1 Wisdom.

Waterwalk: [Water] Cost: 5A; Action: Standard; Range: Personal; Effect: Treat non-magical water as a hard surface for 4 rounds, end effect as a Free Action.

Windborn:

Airy Agility: +1 Dexterity.

Damage Abatement: DA 2/Electricity.

Gaseous: [Air] Cost: 5A; Action: Standard; Range: Personal; Effect: Become Insubstantial for 2 rounds, end effect as a Free Action.

What Does It Mean?

You may be seeing some formatting, terminology, and numbers that make absolutely zero sense. That’s fine, because I have yet to explain what it all means. I wanted to post a teaser of what I have been working on, so come back next time for an in-depth explanation of a Species entry.

Listening to: Rob Zombie – Hellbilly Deluxe 2 – Virgin Witch

• Game Design: Bucking the Trend
• Normal Distribution Resolution
• Apotheosis & Echelon Core Traits
• Secondary Traits of Echelon
• Echelon Archetypes
• Echelon Species Part 1

Archetypes are similar to classes, but unlike proper classes, they do not determine a character’s abilities. As such, Archetypes work a lot more like a template with the exception that a character may only have one Archetype associated with him. Echelon will make heavy use of templates later in order to apply characteristic sets to characters and monsters (i.e. demonic, vampiric, zombified, ghostly, etc.).

Archetypes help build character concepts, serving as the foundation of character development. While selection of an Archetype can make certain paths easier, it does not mean characters need to adhere to those paths. In fact, completely ignoring those paths can make for more interesting characters. Each Archetype confers bonuses to one or more Secondary Traits, access to Archetype Advantages, and provides a unique Archetype Power.

Adventurer

Adventurers are thrill seekers and tomb raiders who refuse to earn their living by traditional means. Many adventurers prey on the week, practically ransoming safety from villages in plight or extorting nobles to rescue relatives. However, there are some that do it just for fun or to be heroes.

Trait Bonus: +10 Bonus to Vigor

Bonus Advantage: Extra Favored Ability

Archetype Power: Fortune Favors the Bold

Once a day, before making the action roll, an Adventurer can use this power to gain a bonus on a single action roll equal to the character’s Apotheosis rank +2. Using this power is a Free Action.

Brute

Brutes are stronger than ordinary specimens of their Species. They tend to be excellent athletes and warriors, but more often than not, they become common thugs and miscreants. However, a few noble Brutes have leveraged their prowess to become pillars of the communities they protect.

Trait Bonus: +2 Bonus to Resilience

Bonus Advantage: Stout

Archetype Power: Blood in the Water

Once a day, before making the action roll, a Brute can use this power to gain a bonus to his Impact score for a single damage roll equal to the character’s Apotheosis rank +5. Using this power is a Free Action.

Devout

The Devout allow their faith to guide them in all things. Whether it is faith in a god, a cause, or themselves, the Devout use their faith to help them triumph in the face of impossibility.

Trait Bonus: +2 Bonus to Resolve

Bonus Advantage: Karma Sink

Archetype Power: Divine Intervention

Once per day, before the damage is rolled, a Devout may force an opponent to reroll any attack that the Devout was a target of. The result of the second roll is used to determine the success regardless if it is better or worse than the original. In the case of area effects, the new roll only applies against the Devout. Using this power is a Free Action.

Mentalist

Mentalist characters prefer brains over brawn in any confrontation. They use their superior intellect to discover opponents’ weaknesses and strategies and exploit them. Mentalists are found as often in the ranks of military officers as they are in arcane libraries.

Trait Bonus: +10 Bonus to Animus

Bonus Advantage: Metaphysics

Archetype Power: Vitiate Energy

Once per day, upon a successful attack which deals Vitality damage to an opponent, a Mentalist may instead choose to reduce either the target’s Temporary Animus or Temporary Vigor instead. This power must be invoked before damage is rolled and gains bonus damage equal to the Mentalist’s Apotheosis rank. Using this power is a Free Action.

Scoundrel

Scoundrels make their living on deception and misdirection. They are natural smugglers, thieves, and rogues but they be found in all sorts of professions. Whichever career they choose, they have a tendency to quick and elusive when in a pinch.

Trait Bonus: +2 Bonus to Reaction

Bonus Advantage: Quickened

Archetype Power: Elusive Step

Once per day, for a single Move Action, a Scoundrel can use this power to move 10 feet plus an additional 5 feet per Apotheosis rank without provoking attacks of opportunity and ignoring rough terrain. The Scoundrel may also move through spaces occupied by enemies but must end his movement in an unoccupied space. Using this power is a Free Action.

Survivor

Survivors are often the only living citizens of villages pillaged and slaughtered by raiders, or former soldiers left for dead on the battlefield, or perhaps once infected by plague or other diseases. Whatever their misfortunes, they have survived insurmountable odds and overcame events many would perish in.

Trait Bonus: +1 Bonus to all Defenses

Bonus Advantage: Not Dead Yet

Archetype Power: Second Wind

Once per day, a character may use this power to regain half his Vitality. A character cannot gain more than his Maximum Vitality by using this power. Using this power is a Free Action.

Future Development

I can see an opportunity to grow Archetypes in the future by providing a rank or tree system, but for now, I’d like to just stick with basic implementation so I can have more time to develop Abilities, a preview of which is coming next.

Listening to: Scum of the Earth – Sleaze Freak – Devilscum