Good Monday, Gamer!
I’ve been binging season one of "Darker than Black," and let me tell you, this anime is a wild ride. Picture this: a world flipped upside down by some bizarre anomalies, giving rise to people known as Contractors. These folks wield insane, superhuman abilities, but there's a catch—every time they use their powers, they’re compelled to perform some weird, compulsory act. Imagine having to fold a hundred paper cranes after every teleport! Contractors live in this morally gray zone, often caught up in espionage and shady operations. They're not your typical heroes, which makes them perfect for the dark and twisted setting of the show.
Now, if you're a supers RPG enthusiast looking for something strange, "Darker than Black" is a goldmine. Think about a campaign where your players are these Contractors, maneuvering through political messes and facing supernatural threats. Give each character their own unique power and a creepy cost, throw in some morally complex missions, and let their abilities evolve—along with the consequences. It's a grim, intricate world that promises some seriously intense and morally nuanced adventures for your gaming group. I’d play that game.
The Rundown
I hit up KantCon here in Kansas City this weekend. For those who don’t know, KantCon is our cherished tabletop gaming convention held annually in KC. Since kicking off in 2009, it’s grown from a small get-together of buddies and gaming nerds into a bustling, community-driven event. Word on the street is it’s named for folks who "Kan't go to GenCon." I’ve been a regular since its early days at the local junior college. This time, I ran 'Heavy is the Crown,' my Twilight: 2000 one-shot. The PCs are tasked with tracking down a stolen Polish Crown, and this team made it to the “Labyrinth” in the town of Stalowa Wola—like heading to Oz to find the Wizard! We ran out of town before they could find the ‘Dog-Skinner’, but they got a little taste of the Labyrinth!
Miseries & Misfortunes: The End of a Moment
We’ve tragically reached the end of our current moment in Miseries & Misfortunes. This week, we’re running through the procedure to end a moment and start fresh. It was an off-week, so we’re doing some housekeeping, including generating a new character to replace a fallen comrade. All three players are on board for another round of sessions in occult Paris, 1647!
Minis Painting: Return to Dark Tower
In other news, I’ve been teaching my crew to paint minis as we dive deeper into Return to Dark Tower. I’ve also been experimenting with Zorn (or limited) palettes for painting. I started simple and then moved on to using a wet palette, and I’ve got to say, I’m sold on it!
Lancer: Back on the Menu
Oh, and before I forget—Lancer is back on the menu! Have you seen this gorgeous, chunky book? If you haven’t, do yourself a favor and check it out. It’s a beauty.
Con Schedule
July:
RPGKC Game Day in Peculiar,MO
T2K: Heavy is the Crown
Aug:
GenCon
GM Coaching 101 Prep & Play
Sept:
SharedHearth 5th-8th, Online
Oct:
Burning Wheel Con (Lodging permitting!)
Catch ya next week!