Kingbeast's Lair

Growling about the RPG industry and my gaming life. RPG and anime reviews from a passionate fan. (Formerly John's Hero HQ.)
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Archive for 2014

John’s Gamer Dad Level Up List

October 03, 2014 By: John Taber Category: Games, Growlings

RPG Kids

Summary

I really excited that my two boys are now old enough to start playing games that are much more sophisticated. I am having a blast teaching them about a hobby that I adore. During this time I have seen them improve in many areas. While they have been improving I have been carefully following their progress. This list is my fun way to track our progress. I call it John’s Gamer Dad Level Up List. The ones we have completed are in gold. I added a computer knowledge list because it is important to me even though it is not really game related. πŸ™‚

Board Games

  • Play hide & seek
  • Play simple kids board games
  • Play a more complicated Euro style board game
  • Play a simple wargame
  • Reference rules from one game while playing another game
  • Save money to buy games at a game store
  • Kid beats me regularly at a board game
  • Makes a reference to a board game in an unrelated conversation

My Comments
Right now my boys are playing many different board games with various mechanics and difficulty levels. Probably the most complicated might be our favorite, Memoir 44. The piggy bank to save money for games was actually their Mom’s idea. It is a great one that they have literally bought into.

RPGs

  • Play pretend
  • Play kid focused rpg
  • Go to first gaming com
  • Play a more advanced rpg
  • Refer to dice as “d[number of sides]”
  • GM an RPG
  • Teach an RPG to someone else
  • Makes a reference to an RPG in an unrelated conversation

My Comments
We started with Hero Kids and it has worked great. It is simple and really fun. Having Don present at the first session and some that follow has been wonderful. He is teaching them by example that the best way to solve issues is with your brains not at the tip of a sword. Evan has asked to try Dungeons & Dragons so he may get that as a gift at some point. SHHH!!! πŸ˜‰

Video Games

  • Play video games with me
  • Play video game alone
  • Beat bosses alone
  • Beat an entire game alone
  • Buy a video game with their own money.
  • Makes a reference to a video game in an unrelated conversation

My Comments
At first the boys and I started playing simple games like Monkey Island, Animal Crossing, and Mario Kart. We then moved to the Zelda games and really enjoyed it. We finished Skyward Sword and nearly finished Twilight Princess…I cannot beat Gannondorf at the end. πŸ™ Recently we started playing Fire Emblem which is a turn based strategy game. The boys loved it and actually finished it during the summer on their own. Hot darn! πŸ˜€

Computer Knowledge

  • Feel comfortable playing on a tablet
  • Know how to turn on the PC and play with simple software
  • Know how to search for something on the internet
  • Can create documents
  • Know the various parts of a computer
  • Help Grandpa and Grandma with their computer

My Comments
I am really proud of how my guys are taking to the computers and tablet. Josh is especially great at finding stuff on Google. He found tons of games with police officers, pictures of tanks, etc. Just awesome. Next I need to get a PC I can pull apart to show them.

Did I miss anything? πŸ˜€

Session #18 – Daring Tales #9 – Kingdom Of The Blood God

September 23, 2014 By: John Taber Category: Daring Tales Of Adventure News, Games

Tribesmen[Author’s Note: This is the log for the 18th session. Note that the order of the events in this record may not be in the exact order that they occurred during play. The narrator is shown in italics.]

In this hair-raising adventure of Tesla’s Power Corp you can follow the exploits of the following heroes:

  • Clyde Beatty – Whip crackin’ animal expert with a troubled past.
  • Mike Callahan – Tough private-eye with a zest for life.
  • Tommy Kelly – Teen thief with a “Robin Hood” complex.
  • Miles Ravenwood – Mysterious man-of-means with knowledge in all things arcane.

Off The Rails!

When the mine tracks reach their terminus the cart plunges into an underground river. The heroes try to fight the suffocating water but succumb. The group awaken naked on a rough straw cot in leg manacles. Attending them is a beautiful young teenage woman known as Cassandra. She explains that the “slaves” were fished out of the lake by one of the Amazon hunting parties. The members of Tesla’s Power Corp are to be the property of the “new queen”. When prompted Cassandra explains that the old queen has just passed and a new queen will be selected today. She claims to be the daughter of the old queen Antiope. With that Cassandra escorts the group out into a central courtyard. At a small stone ziggurat a raven haired woman tells the crowd that she, Athena, claims the throne and asks for any challengers. At that moment one of the Amazon warriors who is standing behind Cassandra pushes her into the courtyard. Cassandra stands bravely but there is a look of fear in her eyes. She must battle Athena and her slaves for the throne. Cassandra claims the newly found slaves as her own.

As the battle starts the group moves into action. Tommy baits a slave towards the edge of the arena then throws him outside. Mike starts throwing powerful punches sending slaves to the dirt. Clyde works on other slaves while Miles cuts loose with lightning bolts. Cassandra fights defensively until Athena signals the crowd and is thrown weapons. Clyde grabs a sword and throws is to Cassandra. As Miles fells Athena, Cassandra puts a sword to her throat and asks her to surrender to the new queen. Athena assents.

Questing With The Queen

As the new “queen elect” Cassandra returns the group their gear. While relaxing in the palace the levity is interrupted by an Amazonian warrior. The warrior explains that one of the Amazon fishing villages is under attack by a group of Chicomoztoci tribesmen. They are capturing Amazons to sacrifice to their evil blood god! The heroes jump into action with Cassandra. They find a group of deranged tribesman burning down the village when they start their attack. The unorganized tribesman are quickly put down by the heroes. As the battle closes the Amazons report that ten of their members have been taken.

Upon returning to the Amazon fortress Cassandra is confronted by an old Amazon shaman. The crone tells the group that Cassandra must conduct a quest to rescue the Amazons who were taken to be crowned as queen. The fates should be confronted to guide the group. With that the heroes and Cassandra enter a sacred chamber below the Amazonian temple ziggurat. They soon find astral forms of themselves and must confront ghostly warriors using only their minds. The tables are turned when Tommy, Clyde, and Miles let loose in hand-to-hand mind combat. The crone gives the team magic stones as a reward for their victory.

Island Of The Blood God

Five days on the water take the heroes and Cassandra to the home of the Chicomoztoci. As they approach the island that is the home of the blood god’s minions they are beset by pirates! After boarding the pirate ship the heroes defeat the pirate captain and commandeer the ship. They then devise a plan to use the pirate ship as a distraction. Tommy sets the pirate ship on fire then jumps overboard! When the boat explodes ships from the island are sent to investigate. This gives the heroes a chance to sneak onto the island and free the captured Amazons.

As they sneak into the ruined city that is the Chicomoztoci home they find the Amazons tied up in a hallway inside the main ceremonial ziggurat. When Tommy sneaks up he finds five Amazons and Stefan Andropolous! Apparently the Greek mobster survived the mine cart descent and was rescued by the Chicomoztoci who now plan to sacrifice him. The group unties the Amazons but are caught as they are trying to escape. A pitched battle ensues! Miles and the Chicomoztoci witchdoctor trade blasts! Clyde start whipping tribesman off the ziggurat steps. Mike fires some deadly shots with his rifle then enters into hand-to-hand combat with them. Tommy grabs the ceremonial dagger from the fallen witchdoctor then uses it to impale the last temple guard. The party rushes back to their small boat and the trip back to the Amazonian homeland.

Cassandra is now the queen but the heroes of Tesla’s Power Corp still need to return to the surface. An ancient map will lead them to unspeakable horrors that must be braved. Keep your eyes open and your fists at the ready!

Comics Review – Dotter Of Her Father’s Eyes & Pariah Missouri Book One

September 06, 2014 By: John Taber Category: Fun Reads, Media Interests

Dotter Of Her Father's Eyes

-== Dotter Of Her Father’s Eyes ==-

Author: Mary Talbot
Artist: Bryan Talbot
Layout: 6″ x 8 1/2″, 94 pages, hardcover, with a color cover and interior.
Publisher: Dark Horse
Year Published: 2012

-== What is it? ==-

Dotter Of Her Father’s Eyes (DOHFE) is the story of Lucia Joyce, the daughter of James Joyce, and Mary Talbot. Mary Talbot is the daughter of a James Joyce scholar and the author. The story switches back and forth comparing and contrasting the lives of these two women. Each story takes place in different times as well.

-== What I Like ==-

The artwork in DOHFE is done in a simple style that reminded me of Maus. The coloring switches between blues for Lucia and browns for Mary. Although the artwork is not detailed it does a great job keeping the focus on the story.

DOHFE is a powerful narrative of growing up under a controlling parent. The graphic novel does a great job following the two women as they try to make their own way in the world. As they work their way into adulthood they encounter many emotional encounters that shape them. The writing in DOHFE is exceptional.

-== What I DonÒ€ℒt Like ==-

The story is definitely stronger if the reader knows at least some basic facts about James Joyce and his works. Those unfamiliar with Joyce can still enjoy the story but it helps to have some background.

The artwork quality can vary. In some areas DOHFE feels “sketchy” instead of crisp and clear.

-== Summary ==-

DOHFE is a very different graphic novel. I think it shows the emotional power that can be carried in the medium. For a price of $11.77 this is a no brainer…go check it out. πŸ˜‰

I give it 8 out of 10 paws.

Amazon has copies of the graphic novel for $11.77 at this URL.

Pariah Missouri

-== Pariah Missouri ==-

Author: Andres Salazar
Artist: Jose Luis Pescador with coloring by Andres Salazar
Layout: 7″ x 10″, 112 pages, softcover, with a color cover and interior.
Publisher: SE Studios And Decade Brothers Studios
Year Published: 2013

-== What is it? ==-

Pariah Missouri is a wild west tale set in a city that is being infected by evil creatures and men. The first book revolves around a set of characters that are gathered together to fight back against the darkness. I am reading a copy that I purchased through the initial Kickstarter. Pariah Missouri is now released through regular comic distribution channels and can be found or ordered at most comic stores. You can also get copies of book one as part of the Kickstarter for book two.

-== What I Like ==-

The line work in Pariah is wonderful. Pescador has a thin line technique that shows lots of detail without making it feel cluttered. The lines are precise and strong. I particularly like the costume and accessory designs which really fit the wild west setting perfectly.

Salazar does a masterful job on the coloring. The coloring uses watercolor like washes in predominately orange/sepia or blue tones. The coloring really enforces the mood of the story as it moves along. I was particularly entranced by the thought that went into the color choices on each page.

I really enjoyed the characters in Pariah. There is a handsome card sharp leader, a beautiful call girl with a caring heart, a black voodoo practitioner, an Indian bounty hunter, and a crackpot Indian shaman. The group really feels like a well crafted RPG team. πŸ™‚

-== What I DonÒ€ℒt Like ==-

One of my only complaints is with the cover. I really think it could be enhanced so that it really pops when put on the shelf. Maybe a bit more action would also be good.

-== Summary ==-

Pariah Missouri feels like a mashup of the A-Team, Supernatural, and Wild Wild West. The feel is light and fun. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book! πŸ˜€ (You can order book one and book two right now through the Kickstarter. Here is a link to that campaign. I was very excited to learn that as part of the Kickstarter for Pariah Book 2 there will be an RPG! Hot darn! See the Kickstarter for details.)

I wanted to send a special thanks to Andres Salazar. When I got book one from the last Kickstarter it was badly creased through the spine. It honestly looked like someone bent if over a curb. Andres sent me a new copy with a nice signature at no cost. Awesome customer support is a good thing. πŸ˜‰

I give it 9 out of 10 paws.

Right now the only place to get it is through your local comic book store or the Kickstarter for book two. Most friendly local comic stores have it for around $20.

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