Am I the only one who likes this?

Question: Are there any Internet nerds out there that aren't obsessively, compulsively negative? Seriously, I gotta stop reading comments on geek message boards.

Anyway, I kinda like the new costumes. They remind me, for some reason, of para-rescue gear. I also really like the innocent Mystique, who makes a new contrast to the hardline, and utterly badass mutant terrorist of the modern-era films. I have a feeling seeing Mystique's defection is going to be the dramatic high point of the film. I also kinda like the 'stereo speaker' built into Havok's chest. I wonder if those components light up when he fires?

Other then the fact her character is codenamed Angel (I'm wondering if she's bug-Angel from Morrison's run?), I know nothing about the Hispanic girl between Mystique and Havok. She's adorable though, and I certainly don't mind seeing more Hispanic superheroes.

I thought Azreal was a stupid idea in the comics, but the guy is such a blank slate there's a chance the movie might be able to do something cool with him. Right now, he looks like a skeevy, sexually manipulative asshole- which would make him a perfect fit for the Hellfire Club. And Emma Frost.... January Jones in lingerie is worth seeing in widescreen all by herself.

Draft of Black Tokyo III

I just saw a laid out draft of Black Tokyo III, which should be coming out in the next couple weeks. It's a nice clean layout and includes a new player race, new advanced class, and starting talents for Black Tokyo, among some other stuff. Clocking in at about 35 pages, it will be a good player and gamemaster guide to what's turned into my best selling and most popular campaign setting.

Anyway, I just figured I'd give everybody an update on what's going on with me. When my computer died, I lost my Adobe Pagemaker for good. Which really, really sucks, because I love the independence that program gave me. If I had an idea I could lay out a script in PDF form in a couple of hours and get it up on www.RPGnow.com that night.

Right now, I'm saving up to get a copy of Adobe InDesign 5. The good news is I can probably score an academic license and save a couple hundred bucks on it, but I won't have it for a little while longer. Still, I'll get it soon enough. Once I get it, it'll take me a bit of time to learn the new program, but I figure I can learn on the job as I release smaller PDFs before jumping into Otherverse America Unlimited Edition or some other big ideas I've had.

In the mean time, I've been having to depend more on Louis and Mark to put stuff out on my behalf. Right now, I'm working on a revision of an older Devil's Workshop sourcebook- one of the first I did with Louis, infact. I realized that the old Accidents of Birth sourcebook I did, which deals with mutations and deformities, would be an absolutely perfect candidate for revision to the Pathfinder RPG. I plan to revise everything more in line with the D20 Future Mutation rules, because the old book (viewed as a more experienced game designer) was kinda all over the place. Anyway, I'm heading back to the draft of that.
Talk to you all later,
CHRIS

Comics Thoughts: Marvel Comics Siege

I just bought the trade of Siege- I know. I'm like a year behind continuity at this point, but still. I have to say I fucking loved it. The last big event I bought into was the Black Lantern story from DC last summer, and I was really disappointed by it. Not so with Siege. The story is every bit as continuity heavy, but was an incredible pay off to 3+ years of stories and build up.

Some things I especially liked: first, the story reminded me ALOT of Claremont's "Adversary" arc in X-Men. Unprepared superheroes have to enter an American city that's somehow been warped by magic and confront gods, while the media watches, broadcasting everything to the world. I loved that set up during Silvestri's run on X-Men and the premise is just as solid today.

Second, Oliver Copiel's art. This man draws tech better than anybody in comics. Some of my favorite scenes were the huge dog fight between the SHIELD jets and the helicarrier- granted it was a relatively minor scene, but those planes were awesome. Copiel was amazing on Legion of Superheroes, and he's only gotten better. (Though as a Legion fan, I really wish he'd re-visit that comic.)

Third.... that image up top. Reading this story, I got to the big splash page when the Avengers drop out of the sky, and I realized something. Captain America's emergency team is made up mostly of black guys and gay dudes. I'm not sure if Bendis even intended the symbolism, but that right there is a pretty powerful statement about America. It's an intensely political (and very cool) image, even if it's unintentional.

Anyway, if you haven't read it yet, go buy the trade. It'll be worth it.
Talk to you all later,
CHRIS

Lines and Support

Last night, I made a list of the campaign settings I'm publishing through Otherverse Games and the products I've released specifically in support of each line. My list didn't include more general works, like most of the Dept. 7 Advanced Class line, which can support any of these four campaign settings, and didn't include cross over products (for instance, you can use Guide to the Known Galaxy in Galaxy Command pretty easily).

Over on the left, to give you something pretty to look at is an Amanda Webb design for a suit of Lifer powered armor. This big fellow will be menacing a Choicer mecha pilot in a comic style full page illo in the revised core book.


Otherverse America Campaign Setting
Revised Core Book (upcoming)
Otherverse America Game Master’s Guide (upcoming)
APEX (no longer canon, and soon to be free at RPGnow.com)
Guide to the Known Galaxy
The Coven of Bast
The Eleusinian Covenant
Neverborn Again
Razor Culture
Scion of the Pilgrim Advanced Class
Radiant Shaper Advanced Class
The Otherverse Armory
State of the Otherverse: Smartlights
State of the Otherverse: Cybernetic Armory
Free20: The Gorger

Galaxy Command Campaign Setting
The Space Mafia
The Adorable Avenger Advanced Class
The Planetary Champion Advanced Class
Stars and Nightmares
Free20: Threeway

Psi-Watch Unlimited Edition
Project Watchtower
Vector of Infection
Psi-Tech Declassified (upcoming)
Free20: Troublemaker

Black Tokyo Campaign Setting
Black Tokyo II: Chastity & Depravity
Tales of the Tatakama (upcoming)
Unnamed American Sourcebook (upcoming)

Another Shooting. Damn it.

"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," the sheriff said. "And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."

This is a quote, originally reported by MSNBC, by Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, who is investigating the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords, and the murder of a 9 fucking year old girl and a Federal judge, among others.

Fuck, I was hoping we'd at least get one month into the year without something fucking horrible happening.

Birthday Post

Neo-Witch Midwife: Dr. Julie Riddle (CR 5)
Dedicated Hero 4, Neo-Witch Midwife 1
Medium Human
Init +1 Senses Scent Aura none
Languages English, Spanish,
Allegiances pro-choice, good, The Eleusinian Mystery Cult, the Covenant
Defense 17, touch 15, flat-footed 16 (+1 DEX, +2 equipment, +4 class)
Resist Electricity 5, Fire 5, Force 5
HD (5d6+10) (28 HP)
Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +8

Speed 30 ft
Melee Space 5 ft x 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft
Base Atk +3; Grp +4
Atk Options +5 melee (implanted cyber-scalpel 1d4+2 slashing) or
+5 melee (unarmed strike 1d3+1 subudal) or
+4 ranged (Grimassi Needler Pistol, 1d8 ballistic + poison, 30 ft range increment, 30 round box magazine. Drawback: Needler pistol can’t affect targets with a natural or equipment bonus to Defense +3 or greater. )
(Poison: Lactic Retention Enzyme, FORT DC 14. Initial effect; Target is exhausted for 3d6 hours. Secondary effect: unconsciousness 1d6 hours)

Abilities STR 14 DEX 13 CON 14 INT 15 WIS 16 CHA 12
Starting Occupation Clinic Defender
Additional Class Skills Diplomacy, Knowledge (streetwise), Treat Injury.
Talents Healing Knack (+2 to Treat Injury checks), Skilled Surgeon (patients fatigued for ½ usual duration after surgery)
Feats Anointed Cleric, Iron Will, Meaningful Ink, Personal Firearms Proficiency, Reproductive Care, Simple Weapons Proficiency, Surgery
Affiliations None
Skills Computer Use +5, Craft (pharmaceutical) +6, Diplomacy +6*, Drive +2, Gather Information +2 *, Knowledge (earth & life sciences) +8, Knowledge (streetwise) +5, Knowledge (theology & philosophy) +10, Treat Injury +8 (Treat Injury +10 when providing Reproductive Care)
*gains a +2 morale bonus on checks made against fellow Choicers
Possessions Grimassi APSL-3 Needler Pistol, 2x spare clips, masterwork first aid kit, masterwork surgery kit, Witch’s Rings (1 attuned pair), Vestal Shawl, street clothes, ceremonial atheme

Cyber Implants and Smartlights Obstetrics Nanonics (shapeshifting limb becomes tool or Masterwork quality skill kit), R.E.M. Sleep Regulator (go without sleep for up to 4 days without ill effect)
Dreamscape Smartseed and Messenger (acts as virtual cellphone and PDA, has the following apps: Hot Zone, Media Djinn, Monthly Note, Psi-Alert, R&R Refresher, Symbol Scan)
Action Points 51 maximum (20+2d6 remaining)

Counselor (EX): After five minutes of conversation with any sentient creature with an INT score of at least 5, Dr. Julie Riddle may make a DC 18 Sense Motive check to gain insight to that person’s sexual history, beliefs and relationships.

Witch’s Rings (EX): Thanks to her high tech accessories, Dr. Riddle rolls d8s, rather than d6s when spending action points to improve the result of any skill check.

“My name is Dr. Julie Riddle, and I’m seventeen years old. I received my medical degree three months before my sixteenth birthday. I tend women’s needs, deliver newborns, and even perform abortions when I must.

I chose to have my right arm replaced by an advanced nanotech prosthesis, capable of altering its form into an almost infinite number of useful tools. I have a connection to the Mother that those far wiser than me consider profound, and I’m responsible for the spiritual needs of a covenhearth with over three hundred young souls, as well as for the advice I give to women older than my own mother.”
-Dr. Julie Riddle; Choice, Red and Raw Mesh-blog, first posted January 17, 2107.

Appearance
Julie is a slender brunette girl of some undefined but mostly Anglo ancestry. She braids her hair with crimson thread, and usually wears a battered, but tough and comfortable rust-red sweater over cargo pants rather then the more feminine (and less practical) robes of a priestess-midwife. Her newly installed bionic arm is the rich red of new Porsche’s trademarked paintjob, and pulses in time with her heartbeat. Her forehead and cheeks are covered in spiraling ritual scars inscribed by a mono-molecular scalpel. Beneath her bulky clothes, a mystery seen only by her few lovers, the spiral designs continue down her belly and breasts and encircle her thighs like garters.

Campaign Use
Julie Riddle is emblematic of the young, committed women who become Neo-Witch Midwives. She lacks the young Vespa Nicellos’ wealth and connections, but she put in time as a clinic defender while attending seminary on a scholarship. Though this tough young Midwife wears vestal shawls today, she still misses the bulky old Kevlar vest she wore when she first started fighting for choice. This stat block can be used for any young Neo-Witch. Minus the class-exclusive cybernetics, this stat block might be any Choicer EMT, para-physician or unit medic.

Here's a preview of one of the prebuilt characters from the revised Otherverse America, and a pretty decent preview of the revised Neo-Witch Midwife class as a whole. If you want to play one, Julie's a good pre-gen. The art is a low rez copy of a piece by Mark Hyzer.

Anyway, have a good one.
CHRIS

New Year, New Art

Happy New Year, everyone. I thought I would preview some new artwork I've got coming in. This image depicts Life Tank, a powerful full conversion cyborg anti-abortion terrorist. I'll be using it as the class illustration for the Closer Advanced Class. I've currently got it as my computer's background. The artwork is by Alex Garcia.

This image is of a suit of Choicer powered armor, by Amanda Webb. There's still some additional work to be done, but she's got a nice sleek design. It will be part of an action scene depicting a few Choicer suits going toe to toe with a massive suit of Lifer armor... Hell depending on how big Amanda feels like drawing the bad guy, it might be properly classified as a Lifer mecha. The funny things, I never really planned to have full-on mecha in the campaign- since they're too big and unwieldy for actual urban combat, but if she wants to put one in, go for it. Sometime plausibility has to take a back seat to AWESOME.



Finally, this image is also by Alex Garcia. It's a shot of a Choicer Clinic Defender, which will be used in the starting occupations/character backgrounds section. Right now, the guy looks like a fairly generic sci-fi foot soldier, but the coloring and detailing on his kevlar vest will make alot of difference. Enjoy it just as a cool shot of a futuristic solider for today though.



That's all for today. Next time I'll show you some art for the Vindicator Advanced Class and some more race stuff. Oh, look for some work for hire stuff my me coming fairly soon, and maybe a new Dept. 7 Advanced Class.

Blessed Be,
CHRIS