QuasiWizard

This post I feel is in the same vein as a post on the previous blog , the one about Waterfall Quest from Runescape. This one will also feature a Runescape mention.   The King Black Dragon was the first boss monster released Runescape, and it was released without mentioning its location . There's probably no good record of what happened after the release of the news, but I imagine a wild goose chase across every corner of the world map ensued, with the knowledge of such a powerful beast with valuable loot being spread by word of mouth if not kept secret. I think it probably was a fun time for everyone involved, with likely a lot of confusion, deaths, and a few scant victories. There's nothing like setting off into the unknown for a journey which might end in death. It's a tale as old as time, and still motivates people to this day (cf. modern space travel, and the many violence-prone people on Earth today). It seems a timeless thing, although it probably only applies to th...

Prep. To some, this word inspires dread. Some while away the hours with it, for campaigns never to be. Some people that don't play games have no idea the division I'm talking about, and for that they are ignorant, and thus blessed. I'm growing tired of prep. Deciding on stats, generating an idea for what happens next, and doing this everyweek. Luckily, I am very happy to brainstorm a concept for an encounter and completely improvise the rest at the table.  I am currently running a science-fantasy biological megadungeon using Vaults of Vaarn. Surprisingly, the megadungeon has been great for improv. Most megadungeon prep I have heard about seems very tedious: roll over and over for stocking rooms. Many variations on this method speed it up... but I find it ultimately uninspiring. It is tried and true prep, but it seems the reverse direction for creative design. Instead, I have some backup rooms, but brainstorm cool ideas for the actual rooms and encounters. In the week before...

I'm pretty busy with work at the moment. I have been listening to some new music and watching more movies recently, and picking back up on Book of the New Sun in my little free time. I thought I would share some media that keeps the fire burning for me. (We should do more of these. Inspirational media is core to creative output!) Music The Holy Crag by DIM is a 40 minute medieval ambient album from an amazing dungeon synth artist. It's like if Music For Airports was conceived of in a medieval monastery. DIM is an incredible artist otherwise, you should listen to the whole discography. Echoes of Battle by Caladan Brood is an epic black metal album that is a tribute to the Malazan book series, which I read 6-7 (?) years ago. This album gets me fired up on my drives home from work. 7fingers is an album by Nils Frahm and Anne Müller that is an interesting mix of IDM and classical. It is a mix of fast synth-y beats, emotional cello (I think cello), and field recordings. Untrue...