Good Monday, Gamer!
The Rundown
Imperium Maledictum - Cancelled.
Alright, so I keep telling my mom that social media isn’t real life. These big virtual life platforms? They're like living in a funhouse mirror; who’s to say what’s real? But here’s something real: Maybe I bit off more than I could chew with Imperium Maledictum. Two games in one day? Ambitious, to say the least. But Lowell ran both games like a champ, yet real life came knocking on doors for the various players, and it took its toll. Both sessions were solid—the morning was all paranoia and zealots, the evening was all action and ruckus. I'd play with these folks again in a heartbeat. But sometimes, IRL just stomps all over your plans. Thanks for running these games, Lowell.
Miseries and Misfortunes - S04 The Templar
Roll-with-friends turned into a disaster on Sunday morning; it was a stingy cur with the dice. Armand the Last Templar ran a long sword through Escroc, our passeur. Henrichus fell to one of Armand's henchmen, and Mouston, hesitating at the turn of events, was also put down. When consciousness returned, Armand, his crew, and Isabel were gone. Escroc was dead, and Denys, the Basot child, stared over the fallen heroes in wonder. We’re taking a by-week since half of us will be at a local con, but we’ll pick up with Moment II soon! You can catch up on sessions S1 and S2 while I edit sessions 3 & 4!!
Return to Dark Tower with the Family
My household decided they wanted some Dark Tower action on gritty mode, and we got absolutely hammered! But it was a blast. Max and I played another game later on regular ol' heroic mode and barely squeaked out a win against Ashstrider. The plan is to add an expansion and try a different mission next. Even better, we’re talking about some playing a spin-off RPG set in the Dark Tower world using D&D or Burning Wheel. Elle has never played D&D but has played BW. Max has played BX D&D, but not BW. They picked BW, and the premise is gathering Askhol's Treasures like the first quest in Dark Tower! I’m excited to stat out some brigands, a frost troll, and a Striga!
Other Dragons
Copra - This comic series is something I’ve been following for ages. It's got Suicide Squad/Doom Patrol vibes, and it's a one-man show with Michel Fiffe doing the writing, drawing, inking, and publishing (until recently) all by himself. Fiffe just put out Creating Copra, his DIY guide to making and publishing comics—how he does it. Very informative and practical, especially if making comics is still what you want to do when you grow up!
Count Zero - This one’s my jam. I’m on my second full re-read of the Sprawl trilogy, and Count Zero has always been my favorite. It’s hard not to root for Count Zero, but I’ve got a soft spot for the merc, Turner. It's a great High-tech, Low-life story—an experience I haven’t quite gotten from cyberpunk RPGs yet.
Catch ya next week!
Copra might be my favorite modern comic book. It is like all this wonderful stuff from 70's Marvel and 80's DC smashed together in one place with wild, evocative art.
Count Zero's the underappreciated peak of the Spawl, I think. They're all good! But CZ is less terse than Neuromancer and leaner than Mona Lisa Overdrive. Hits a sweet spot.