tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90830490709089261692024-03-13T13:38:36.639-07:00LOVIATARChristianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12236414293541547616noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-74332789999204616242019-06-28T20:50:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:47.392-08:00Back Issue Restocking and Potential New Issues<span style="font-size: large;">T</span>his past week I revisited the 13 issue run of Loviatar. I did things like remove dead links via the QR codes and fixed funny formatting issues brought about by the installation of a new version of Publisher. I hope to have them available for sale in a few weeks to those few individuals who missed the run.<br />
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I am also tinkering with new issues. I developed material via The Tolling of the Great Black Bell single sheet that might be a fun read in a polished, expanded format. I'll keep you posted.Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12236414293541547616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-11615823377121612602012-09-02T16:25:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:41.953-08:00Loviatar no. 13 Map Sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfJRuFQxJUaJT6Frv2Jg48hQqV-g82ETxTi6MBKWGJNijhuZWLvae2tj07eCZAsvnyyAH2zOo7fkyDCjLd_-UucRn2qqOCKGmxCc-6cRGWwhaMnOFpVfPwbcucJY3henfhebRmklWH1Y/s1600/0902121615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfJRuFQxJUaJT6Frv2Jg48hQqV-g82ETxTi6MBKWGJNijhuZWLvae2tj07eCZAsvnyyAH2zOo7fkyDCjLd_-UucRn2qqOCKGmxCc-6cRGWwhaMnOFpVfPwbcucJY3henfhebRmklWH1Y/s400/0902121615.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span> need a few more days with the "sloppy copy" of Loviatar no. 13. When I'm done with final edits, it'll be time for printing and mailing. The issue is looking really good and it feels great to have it so near to completion. <br />
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In the meantime, I wanted to make the map of Clara Houston's home (She's the queen of Las Vegas don'cha know) available for purchase. I'll make sure to sign it and enclose it between to rigid sheets of cardboard. The map is my original pen and ink scribble, so perhaps it might be of interest to someone. As my wife says, "You just nevah evah know."<br />
<span style="color: red;"><i>Alas, the map, she is gone.
</i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-60066938405035666892012-08-20T13:42:00.001-07:002023-01-13T18:08:46.749-08:00It Needs More WorkHey friends,<br />
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The last several weeks have been pretty crazy. I had surgery that knocked me a little loopy. Heck, Loviatar no. 13 was written in a Percocet haze. A new school year has begun and with it comes lots of stress, hard work and running around like a headless chicken.<br />
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Loviatar no. 13 should be going out in the mail this week, but I am not happy with the issue. Like I said, it was not written with the clearest head and I feel it needs more work. For example, I want to add conversion notes so that you can port the Lords of Creation NPCs into Basic D&D/Mutant Future. I would also like Jay Penn to work his magic. The issue was not going to have any interior illustrations and that felt...wrong.<br />
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Therefore, there will not be an August issue of Loviatar. It depresses me to do so, but I think it's best. My attention and energy for the zine has dipped a bit, so I think that a month off can only bring good renewed vitality and interest. Look for a tentative mailing date of Monday, September 17.<br />
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Talk to you soon!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-60937924350966638562012-08-10T12:37:00.002-07:002023-01-13T18:08:46.877-08:00The Cast of Loviatar no. 13<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">J</span>ay has done an incredible job of capturing the cast of characters for Loviatar no. 13. The issue presents a jumping off point for a Lords of Creation campaign in the form of a quirky, unforgettable cocktail party. Characters will have an opportunity to meet NPCs pulled directly from television, as well as a few of my own creation. An elf from the hex crawl will even make an appearance. The new issue will be in the mail by August 20. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1CkvtQEcjGONalOW-fxY_ImOLCt91fI1tV6V8tz5fk3pa1VZbRqL6zpus06sW0rxb3LTzOKUlsiIEXg3hUvUvAOp74Vnrfysv-GcXFUJL1ocH1_qqaoZhYfiYWV-yRyMzL6o-XMYlog/s1600/Loviatar+13+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1CkvtQEcjGONalOW-fxY_ImOLCt91fI1tV6V8tz5fk3pa1VZbRqL6zpus06sW0rxb3LTzOKUlsiIEXg3hUvUvAOp74Vnrfysv-GcXFUJL1ocH1_qqaoZhYfiYWV-yRyMzL6o-XMYlog/s320/Loviatar+13+cover.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-36969390248591808352012-08-02T19:26:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:44.210-08:00Eleven Days<span style="font-size: large;">F</span>riends, we are eleven days from seeing Loviatar no. 13 sent on its merry way. All edits are finished, which means it's time for layout and a final walk-through. This issue is going to be very fun, whimsical and should be the first time anything has been published (in print) for Lords of Creation in a very long time.<br />
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Loviatar 14, 15 and 16 will be used to present the Freecity of Haldane. The material is 80% finished, but needs a bit of polishing. I had thought about publishing the city in a whopper of an issue, but I think that three, twenty-page installments will be sufficient.<br />
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After Loviatar 16, the future of the zine is hazy. I have things I want to write about and notions of how I want to do so, but as I have said many times in the past, the formal format of Loviatar is not the way to do it. In the next week or so, look for a little side project to spring up. I think it will allow me to finally marry rpg content with mail art, something I have wanted to do for a while now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-85220533284397525212012-08-02T13:08:00.001-07:002023-01-13T18:08:48.268-08:00The End GameUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-1285892654838081542012-07-25T13:55:00.002-07:002023-01-13T18:08:41.161-08:00Title Page<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYTCQ4R4HyNmhBtEOULywnwavoXs9jUt1qSSJTicz6gL2FBpnVEqkoKhxQY5icO7hE10ImRJswyBbrXfdjqZcxEjHk8FHgLpLmqoNH-z_6B1_p4oqN3fbxH6G6fo6bNDgzKepIbJKwnA/s1600/layout+no.+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYTCQ4R4HyNmhBtEOULywnwavoXs9jUt1qSSJTicz6gL2FBpnVEqkoKhxQY5icO7hE10ImRJswyBbrXfdjqZcxEjHk8FHgLpLmqoNH-z_6B1_p4oqN3fbxH6G6fo6bNDgzKepIbJKwnA/s400/layout+no.+13.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span> am working on the title page for Loviatar no. 13. The first few pages have also been written and later today I will crunch my first ever Lords of Creation stat block. I think that in the past I was a little hard on Tom's game. With the passage of time and the ensuing tangling with rules light games that don't feel that way at all *cough*FATE*cough*, I have a newfound appreciation for it. <br />
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And yes, it's a darn shame I cannot print his issue in color. It'd be so fun!<br />
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Speaking of fun, I think it's very easy to go overboard with Lords of Creation. While I could create something that was full of moon sharks and cowboys riding dinosaurs (and there's nothing wrong with that), I always try to write with sustainability in mind. I can only do absurdest gonzo for so long. Taking the lessons I have learned from playing the Storytelling System, I am going to do my best to create an environment that is magical and wondrous, yet playable longterm.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-40256638500579683612012-07-24T19:28:00.001-07:002023-01-13T18:08:44.566-08:00The Queen of Las Vegas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMJ5bpwXBjj9fl6HYYX8wxoXQvJl_z0tkXJ_lMkC1xScU1va9SW_A1H-Wdm79QB0KRMlMVyz_U4uaEQRG2t1Sr-jZR-qSnTHpSLzyj7OBzJAQ6L9ktG2SapCdr2LjeOn6MPeamAcZ6mI/s1600/the+queen+of+las+vegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMJ5bpwXBjj9fl6HYYX8wxoXQvJl_z0tkXJ_lMkC1xScU1va9SW_A1H-Wdm79QB0KRMlMVyz_U4uaEQRG2t1Sr-jZR-qSnTHpSLzyj7OBzJAQ6L9ktG2SapCdr2LjeOn6MPeamAcZ6mI/s400/the+queen+of+las+vegas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span> change my mind a lot in regards to the zine, but I guess it's because I like to kick an idea around for a long time before putting fingers to keyboard.<br />
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At any rate, I have this recurring dream where I wander through house that has a nonsensical floorplan. A cocktail lounge next to an indoor pool and there are hallways that have been converted to bathrooms for convenience. It's odd and a little unsettling to the newcomer, but great fun and perfectly natural for the people who live there. <span style="background-color: white;">I sketched a house inspired by my weird dream and thought that perhaps a self-styled </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auuTFQme1pE" style="background-color: white;">Queen of Las Vegas</a><span style="background-color: white;"> could own it. </span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5r2cMuZv53p7iYD6vqgMqpf32hLy8dlMWo4QF9GNUl8y6_GECQkiBbrhyBxY85X0ZGa2WJn8K3w4Xm8P6P-AlQy-WMBajN-ytyXoy0K0Qssbes4XSFiGMLEAoY7GPw4oSPrnTl5CJRo/s1600/Lords_of_Creation_RPG_Front_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5r2cMuZv53p7iYD6vqgMqpf32hLy8dlMWo4QF9GNUl8y6_GECQkiBbrhyBxY85X0ZGa2WJn8K3w4Xm8P6P-AlQy-WMBajN-ytyXoy0K0Qssbes4XSFiGMLEAoY7GPw4oSPrnTl5CJRo/s200/Lords_of_Creation_RPG_Front_Cover.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"> Clara Houston wasn't always the monarch of the desert. She used to be a researcher in a cryogenics lab. After her fiancee was killed in a car accident, she attempted suicide by sealing herself in a cryo-tube. The attempt was unsuccesful, but when she emerged Clara was not the same. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Strange vistas opened before her and she realized that the power of the cosmos would be hers if she could continue to open her mind to the limitless possibilities of creation. Yeah, Clara went all "Lords of Creation." </span><br />
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Clara was supposed to be built for Villains and Vigilantes, but I think I like her more as a gracious, foxy host whose home is visited by the various NPCs that have appeared in the rag. "Hey, get those potato gnomes out of the pool and why is that vampire from Santa Fina making sexy eyes toward Lt. McCollough? Is that werewolf poop on the floor?! That does it! Every body out!"<br />
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Nothing is set in stone until I drop the issue off at Office Max, so we'll see where this goes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-86597838389447887062012-07-21T22:23:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:48.376-08:00Krang! Sh-keen! Take that, evil doer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">F</span>or Loviatar no. 13 I am dusting off a system I have not used since 1987 - Villains and Vigilantes. I have been reading a lot of comic books lately and have been terribly inspired. I looked at Mutants and Masterminds (too many rules), ICONS (FATE and I do not get along) and Supercrew (cute, but needs a bit more meat) and finally decided on the Jeff Dee/Jack Herman classic.<br />
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I am working on a cruel vigilante with a compelling story named - wait for it - Loviatar. It's about time this zine's title and an NPC shared a name. As with most material in the rag, I doubt I will get a chance to use her in play, but she is fun to think about.<br />
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I am experimenting with using Google Drive (an upgrade of Google Docs) to work on the NPC write-up and stat block. At some point, I'd like to share the document with one or two trusted readers of the zine who might be interested in proofreading it. I have been relying too much on Scott and Matthew and thought that they could use a break. If you are a True Believer with an eye for typos, let me know. I think that you will need a Google+ account, as there are some nice features that integrate between Drive and Plus. For example, you can comment, co-edit, etc.<br />
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I am not sure what the other articles in no. 13 will be. For now, I am just trying to finish Miss Clara Houston aka Loviatar.<br />
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<i>Ads that presented an NPC complete with stat block. Brilliant.</i></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-8475085432214455392012-07-20T21:31:00.001-07:002023-01-13T18:08:41.654-08:00I Shall Not Fix What Is Not Broken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">S</span>ometimes I think a bit too much about the zine and find problems with it that don't exist. Today I looked at my personal collection of issues, noting the layout, contents and tone. While doing so, it occurred to me that the zine is fine as is. Certainly there are a few things that give me pause for concern, but none of them are so serious that they would require a change in format and style to fix.<br />
Instead, I'm just going to keep on keepin' on. In the next few days I'll post a bit about the tentative line-up for no. 13.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-41359804150281790562012-07-13T16:02:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:44.694-08:00Any Day Now<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">F</span><span style="background-color: white;">inal edits are being done on Loviatar no. 12, so it should be ready for the mail next Wednesday. This issue will mark the zine's first birthday, which pleases me greatly. As you will read in the issue's intro, there will be some exciting changes for issue 13 and beyond. </span></span></div>
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I feel the need to free myself creatively in order to escape from the traditional style of presenting game content. Loviatar is a fanzine, but it has often felt overly formal and constrained. Interest in the zine has been a little wobbly for the past 2-3 months, so trying to emulate Dragon each month doesn't make a lot of sense.<br />
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I want to inject perzine elements, as well the frenetic style generally associated with the format. By doing so I think I'll not only have a lot of fun, but Loviatar will no longer look and read like other rpg publications. I am really excited for the next year and am happy to have you along for the ride. :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-37544745590223078582012-07-02T13:18:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:44.335-08:00More Jay Penn Goodness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Copyright Jay Penn, 2012</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">J</span>ay sent the cover for Loviatar no. 12 to me and I love it. I really hope that you like the characters it depicts, Old Gerald isn't quite the werewolf he used to be, but at least his rebellious granddaughter Cambria breaks him out of the old folks home from time to time for a walk in the woods.<br />
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In a few months Jay is going to be selling the originals to the artwork that has appeared in the zine. He is very excited to be offering a piece of the zine to the readers. Personally, I may have to angle for a potato gnome illo!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-47241963793179832092012-07-01T21:17:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:45.208-08:00Subscription Revision<span style="font-size: large;">I</span> had a long talk with the missus about subscriptions. She is a small business owner, so I trust her judgement. I showed her the zine's books and talked about the workload. She pointed out that subscriptions are a good idea, as they make shopping convenient for the readers. What was not a good idea was the cost. My original plan to subsidize subscriptions with single issue sales was a good idea. Unfortunately, single issue sales have decreased, but subscriptions have increased. The result is that a lot of work is being done on something that is actually costing me money.<br />
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The solution is to sell subscriptions, but to sell them at the single-issue rate. In a way, a subscription is more like a six issue pre-order. I wish that I could offer discounts, but it simply doesn't add up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-22072228094670659252012-06-29T09:48:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:42.571-08:00Month to Month<span style="font-size: large;">F</span>rom now on the zine will be available on a month to month basis. I am doing this for a few reasons. Mostly, I want a slightly smaller, more manageable, more intimate readership. Managing the the mailing list has become a fair amount of work, so removing subscriptions will reduce my workload significantly. Not having a list of subscribers will also free me up creatively. I la la love to write the zine, but when I accept money up front, there can be a shift from wanting to write to <i>having</i> to write.<br />
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The zine will still come out each month. I am in a good place in regards to ideas and motivation, so we should see months and months of continued digest goodness.<br />
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Today I will be a stat-blocking fool. The cover for no. 12 will also be in any day. Things are still on schedule for a mid-July release. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-90888964113495240272012-06-26T21:31:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:49.143-08:00Off to Comic Land and Other Bits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://christianreadscomics.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT76hAUxrThf3woqdLXOpxafV4dcPapip32jVhQUeSY7EA5_5D5eO4Vgs88bdFE_yrUt4eHaf4-zSRn6tbvuhL9I5gVS-VNdZ7OXh-HGrvOEQOICosC9lbyn-V-AZbKrIsDC6ZY47TauI/s400/comic+banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I</span> checked back in with Google+ after a few week absence and punched back out tonight. I cannot take it. While some very cool people hang out there, it's impossible to get separation from the noise. People were talking about "drama" and rape threats via e-mail and my head almost popped. I feel as though the same blog traumas have simply migrated over to Google+, which is basically Facebook for nerds.<br />
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Instead, I have been reading comic books and writing about them. If print zines are a great way to jettison oneself from the "community", then doing the comic book thing is a<i> stellar</i> way to escape. I am digging going to the shop, finding a book, bringing it home, devouring it, then writing about it. It's this crazy, self-contained activity. I also love that there are six shops within 20 minutes of my house and the people who run them are so cool.<br />
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I have a wee comic blog up. I'm sharing it because I figure that a few of you zine readers might be into comic books. If so, I can hassle you with questions as I have no idea what I am doing in comic land. It's all pretty bewildering to me. As far as I can tell, there are, like, 10 billion comic titles and I have no freaking clue what the difference among the 12 (or maybe there are 20) Batman comics are.<br />
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At any rate, check out <a href="http://christianreadscomics.blogspot.com/">Christian Reads Comics</a> if you are so inclined.<br />
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As far as the zine goes, I have stat blocks to write and Jay is working on a cover and two interior illos.I think we'll see a mailing date of mid-July. The line-up for no. 12 is as follows: Full Moon Rebellion - the second article set in Whitaker Cove; A Study of Preternatural Skeletal Structures - a follow-up piece to "Thursday Night Fight Club" which ran in no. 6; Part V of the Vampire: The Requiem series.<br />
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For what it's worth, this will be the last issue that will contain Vampire: TR material. Moving into the second year of the zine, I want to tighten the focus. Instead of following my whim in regard to content, I think we'll see, say, three series that anchor almost every issue.<br />
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In the running are the Hex/Haldane series powered by D&D, the new Whitaker Cove series and...I am feeling super heroic these days. I am kicking around Mutants and Masterminds. I am thinking about a super villainess named Loviatar who terrorizes the decent folks of Pacific City. Man, that could be fun. "Your icy whip and plunging neckline cannot beguile me, foul temptress!" Old school fantasy, modern/supernatural crunch and supers. How sick of a mix is that?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-52634756483933321432012-06-15T19:20:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:45.659-08:00Cover Changes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">S</span>tarting with Loviatar no. 11, all covers will be printed on white, 65 lb. cardstock. Reprints of back issues will also be re-skinned. It's become an awful pain to maintain all of the different colors of stock. It's also a bit costlier. Buying white in bulk will shave a few pennies off the printing costs of each issue and that is always a good thing.<br />
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Also, white will do a much better job of conveying Jay Penn's awesome art. Jay's work is detailed and sometimes the color of the stock overshadows the finer lines.<br />
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Below are some photos of the new issue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH-eeIzlyPFIbYiKpGKLpqYsh5v6Hw8PsKLZJ4DE8jDnaBhI3YHFzXD3HUqqmiWOKdcm-wlLaJvBY4-EAbIOyI-347Exj3CSmHP5spO0F7FoW-5vij_Al7nnb1Eak43Jj-zqgMxTr9kM/s1600/0615121814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH-eeIzlyPFIbYiKpGKLpqYsh5v6Hw8PsKLZJ4DE8jDnaBhI3YHFzXD3HUqqmiWOKdcm-wlLaJvBY4-EAbIOyI-347Exj3CSmHP5spO0F7FoW-5vij_Al7nnb1Eak43Jj-zqgMxTr9kM/s320/0615121814.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Dt_56WYv_1NrVAL6atkCvhDHueNCWjH_egaSR9TPImb_4WCNzs9u3u5Un3R5q9Kgj46QDtzcdeOglM2ZLYC5s6GR_iCPILBiGfmAjmXbQPbSbK1vFHi_uklq_UqdMud83MpfEl4NU8w/s1600/0615121814a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Dt_56WYv_1NrVAL6atkCvhDHueNCWjH_egaSR9TPImb_4WCNzs9u3u5Un3R5q9Kgj46QDtzcdeOglM2ZLYC5s6GR_iCPILBiGfmAjmXbQPbSbK1vFHi_uklq_UqdMud83MpfEl4NU8w/s320/0615121814a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHEKbipofNWWUvQkKCq_bRxszF5qjp7TpdkH27zfHUR5z2V4CoPYtnhYUeR8oL6KvhszEQIDuGfbnPlG3SQp3sj2Nz56p7yW3Lq1NP6uDFdM5dfILqinj0ibGvtwFXD-Nn_QnN1AWRP0/s1600/0615121815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHEKbipofNWWUvQkKCq_bRxszF5qjp7TpdkH27zfHUR5z2V4CoPYtnhYUeR8oL6KvhszEQIDuGfbnPlG3SQp3sj2Nz56p7yW3Lq1NP6uDFdM5dfILqinj0ibGvtwFXD-Nn_QnN1AWRP0/s320/0615121815.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-50895950017134294212012-06-11T21:06:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:45.531-08:00Almost there....stay on target...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6neJqcsGbvzZshpyzEgagloJLHflqkZRe1y_CvaOHa_ZmtY7QBqxl9YJvyjfzYNAcHocUd9lXuevLYlmb8id51vHAE4Ti01TZN5Nq4RVEto0ec7Wkq982fYMSrfm-poBhoWsEQFna9sw/s1600/Loviatar+11+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6neJqcsGbvzZshpyzEgagloJLHflqkZRe1y_CvaOHa_ZmtY7QBqxl9YJvyjfzYNAcHocUd9lXuevLYlmb8id51vHAE4Ti01TZN5Nq4RVEto0ec7Wkq982fYMSrfm-poBhoWsEQFna9sw/s400/Loviatar+11+cover.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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<i>Copyright Jay Penn, 2012</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A</span>ll of the artwork is in and the maps are finished. The articles are edited and the QR codes generated. Over the next few days I will do layout and final edits. I'll submit the issue for printing on Friday, pick it up Saturday, staple and fold Sunday, then ship Monday.<br />
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It always feels good to be near the finish line. As usual, I'd like to give my thanks and gratitude to Jay Penn and Matthew Logan. Their contributions are invaluable.<br />
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In conclusion, KINGS WIN! KINGS WIN!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_s34yzpPkeHK1LodB77aVTvmr5m4c-nkpxUV7GakIJeUQNiLc1225WtGAIzRr6VYUPu5TQ0zAYiMirytEEDUO-cWrpBzHEv1QJveAAlnpQkAmE-Hbj1aOGBIsm-u_vETXuA2n9AwHKk/s1600/940-kings-cup-8col.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_s34yzpPkeHK1LodB77aVTvmr5m4c-nkpxUV7GakIJeUQNiLc1225WtGAIzRr6VYUPu5TQ0zAYiMirytEEDUO-cWrpBzHEv1QJveAAlnpQkAmE-Hbj1aOGBIsm-u_vETXuA2n9AwHKk/s400/940-kings-cup-8col.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-30403118841841314332012-06-02T10:23:00.003-07:002023-01-13T18:08:44.019-08:00Mail Art and the Freecity of Haldane<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VShmtsLhkQg" width="420"></iframe></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A</span> while back Mark of Creative Mountain Games pointed me in the direction of a speech given by John Cleese on creativity. It's a remarkable video full of amazing ideas. A key thought I brought away is this: Creativity and the quality of your creative output is directly related to how long you are willing to grapple with an idea. You have to be comfortable with feeling discomfit and you twist, grind and work through a problem in an attempt to find a creative solution. It's an amazing vid and I think you will really like it.<br />
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With that in mind, I have reached two solutions to problems that have been giving me hell for months.<br />
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<b> 1) How Do I Enhance The Print Experience? </b><br />
A long time ago I used to send away for <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=mail+art&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvnsl&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=VEvKT6v_IYae2QXonpHbCw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CFMQ_AUoAQ&biw=1255&bih=613">mail art </a>and I also shared goofy little collages I made with friends. I love mail art. I am amazed at how people make collages, rubber stamps, envelopes and other paper-based works of art that they share with others in limited numbers. It's you own, unique work of art that comes to you through the post like an unexpected gift.<br />
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For months I have wanted to maximize the print experience in the zine. How can I better use the interior cover and back page cover? How can I reduce page count slightly to 20 pages) so that I provide readers fun, creative bits that tie in to the content? Some ideas have finally come to me and I look forward to including the first experiment in no. 11.<br />
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The key, however, is to make sure that the additional content, like reference cards, fake letters, mini-books, etc, do not cause the content within the zine to be lessened if it is lost. I want the "mail art" to relate, but not be critical to the zine. I hope that makes sense.<br />
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<b> 2) Where's My Freecity?!</b><br />
I blame Erik Tenkar for this one. In reference to my writing, he said I was at my best when I started small and expanded outward. I think the sand box has been a good example of that. It's becoming a detailed connection of NPCs, locations and themes that started with something very small.<br />
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I am going to approach the Freecity of Handane with that same approach. Remember in Loviatar no. 1-3 how I was exploring the city of Baldur's Gate from the inside out? I am going to use that same approach with the Freecity, an urban sandbox if you will. Loviatar no. 12 may be sandbox-free, but the urban exploration should begin with issue 13.<br />
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Okay, gotta go. There are stat blocks to crunch and hockey to be watched. Go, Kings!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK5hIBRZHb-V94cqF-cTlQEW6PXudaMu0xUfWYidynELKIj1Y6xa3kpUD3gSbaiB_Ddec3vSgS6lQXKr5aK_MhVw8jKgjcWc3BFoyN9PrRauoRig6VKB-xytjT6WFJfdUiSifoheDN1Q/s1600/tumblr_lbafcvzPGV1qcbctno1_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK5hIBRZHb-V94cqF-cTlQEW6PXudaMu0xUfWYidynELKIj1Y6xa3kpUD3gSbaiB_Ddec3vSgS6lQXKr5aK_MhVw8jKgjcWc3BFoyN9PrRauoRig6VKB-xytjT6WFJfdUiSifoheDN1Q/s400/tumblr_lbafcvzPGV1qcbctno1_400.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-2814974143477903822012-05-31T19:47:00.001-07:002023-01-13T18:08:41.275-08:00Progress on Many Fronts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtm1iFEENd8sqtcfzVlJ6hmsGxWH1NvbT0wcG5ve7BXeKIjCb-C_ddmzgb9DCcOGWOvtTSGTJGvNwmDRcgSMR2sSPAy5mnLccvQdFBH-MU39dAlKHsaoztC1e4MG9pbw9QvxmMJNdEt8k/s1600/Bear+star+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtm1iFEENd8sqtcfzVlJ6hmsGxWH1NvbT0wcG5ve7BXeKIjCb-C_ddmzgb9DCcOGWOvtTSGTJGvNwmDRcgSMR2sSPAy5mnLccvQdFBH-MU39dAlKHsaoztC1e4MG9pbw9QvxmMJNdEt8k/s320/Bear+star+7.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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<i>Illustration for the "Bear Flag Republic" article. Copyright Jay Penn, 2012</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">L</span>oviatar no. 11 is in Matthew's capable hands. While he works his magic, I am excited as Jay's illustrations make their way to me. It's always exciting to see your words come to life.<br />
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In the meantime I am writing articles for Loviatar no. 12. I still have maps and stat blocks to do for no. 11, but I needed a break. The material for no. 12 is coming along nicely. Aside from the sandbox, I can see how Loviatar's second year is going to focus heavily on California seen through the role-playing game lens.<br />
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The introduction to no. 12 is giving me a heck of a time. I just don't know how to say, "I love writing this zine, so thank you for reading it. However, I struggle with the role-playing game scene - online or otherwise - and want to use this rag as a rocket ship to get as far away from it as I can. Please continue to come along for the ride. It'd be a lonely trip without you."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoHIscwCocXEh4dhprFJLM77KxhPqVSkK-JYNrdUMRnWr3Oord9hPL9UzyuwgjlD3EIUxUt1g54qsV0GaRHrHME30vGc40aKbCb0-AC3fHafwom8mPsijGUVw_Vh1h_Yp1pK7w7KF1As/s1600/0531121319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoHIscwCocXEh4dhprFJLM77KxhPqVSkK-JYNrdUMRnWr3Oord9hPL9UzyuwgjlD3EIUxUt1g54qsV0GaRHrHME30vGc40aKbCb0-AC3fHafwom8mPsijGUVw_Vh1h_Yp1pK7w7KF1As/s320/0531121319.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>A gamer with a Star Trek mug? Shocker. </i></div>
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On a final note, the nibbins were playing with some little plastic pandas today. As my Los Angeles Kings lay the wood to the New Jersey Devils, my mind is trying to make an emulsion of pandas and hockey, while using Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness as a binding agent. I don't know if it will come together or not. (If you own any TMNT books that you'd like to sell or trade, please let me know. )Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-5895233940743685482012-05-28T13:52:00.002-07:002023-01-13T18:08:41.528-08:00No. 11 Progress Report; Draft in the Can<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI3HHBsfNcdEa8ZtRHH4V2K_0FXaAz5LOiGIQc1BTmSy8EkysAxqaAv7q92fTuSPM0zVPcmGfNg8Z8EoSm_7krAVuEYEaUtB8XTQUYQeXGhrEpcNpiK30DNwky_T3iupFmzkc_D8nnvc/s1600/0528121224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI3HHBsfNcdEa8ZtRHH4V2K_0FXaAz5LOiGIQc1BTmSy8EkysAxqaAv7q92fTuSPM0zVPcmGfNg8Z8EoSm_7krAVuEYEaUtB8XTQUYQeXGhrEpcNpiK30DNwky_T3iupFmzkc_D8nnvc/s400/0528121224.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">T</span>he rough draft for no. 11 is complete at 5,882 words. The heavy lifting is done, but there are still many tasks to complete. After I review a hard copy of the draft, I'll forward it to Matthew for editing. I am hoping that this issue will be out the door on Monday, June 12. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziADc_B16nr1JQdEFFIEA9lRdWdGMJtDp_XzyeXOWr8Nq_ZPLBtHbcVk1waNLlFc2YZ5xhSIN_CH-TpUkTyYkpxtWb_gE_itm7xSGANBB4IeBMbzAwFOTPTP0id8r0NRM_wGJALivRN0/s1600/Witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziADc_B16nr1JQdEFFIEA9lRdWdGMJtDp_XzyeXOWr8Nq_ZPLBtHbcVk1waNLlFc2YZ5xhSIN_CH-TpUkTyYkpxtWb_gE_itm7xSGANBB4IeBMbzAwFOTPTP0id8r0NRM_wGJALivRN0/s320/Witch.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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Copyright Jay Penn, 2012. </div>
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Jay sent me a finished illustration for the issue. When <a href="http://www.heropress.net/">Tim Knight</a> played through Hex 001 with his group, he told me that his players were convinced that a witch had something to do with the winged cat. While that is not exactly case, I wanted to develop a connection between a hag and the kitties. I finally made good on that promise. I hope you enjoy the result.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-58639254315591255332012-05-26T10:30:00.001-07:002023-01-13T18:08:46.559-08:00Loviatar no. 11 Progress Report; Getting There and Rough Sketches<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'</span>m about 3,000 words into the next issue. Things are flowing nicely and it's feeling good. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgrPnlmC0B6xXkuWPKEQ7H6vCyl7dPTJrHFAmGbJn-AcguGLFsIzrauoDn1QaIqyOVtpSAfTEOpA3bFtL7It5ZjO9Uf7TZ0N7DKlDlMIBCv7i3cmxntlVzRTTFaGxpheXD9i-k7KedEo/s1600/Charles+portrait+rough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgrPnlmC0B6xXkuWPKEQ7H6vCyl7dPTJrHFAmGbJn-AcguGLFsIzrauoDn1QaIqyOVtpSAfTEOpA3bFtL7It5ZjO9Uf7TZ0N7DKlDlMIBCv7i3cmxntlVzRTTFaGxpheXD9i-k7KedEo/s320/Charles+portrait+rough.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<i>Jay wrote to say that the final version of Charles will feature a more rounded chin line and perhaps glasses to soften his presence </i></div>
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The next issue is going to have an article about an immortal WWI veteran named Charles McCollough who is wracked with guilt over his conduct during the war. Making matters worse, he is frequently berated by the ghosts of his father and grandfather, who are dismayed at Charles' inability to maintain the prestige of the family name. The article will feature GURPS stat blocks, an illustration by Jay Penn and a QR code linked to some mood music. The article was originally intended to be used for Call of Cthulhu, but I have abandoned that idea due to issues with system and genre.<br />
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<i>Both Jay and have decided we like bear #6.</i></div>
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Related to the GURPS material will be an article titled "Whitaker Cove." It should provide a bit of context and background for the previous piece. It will present an alternate timeline California that will be home to the series of articles I am calling, "Behind the Redwood Curtain." Jay is working on a unique expression of the California Republic flag to accompany it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZH6lBiRphWoB1wOrMn2kiMh-cM_ZjZ4vTFPLT4tzM8qDSTS8K4BR13RHohggks5IutY9gykp1JD0DTOu9ylfC-TjFHCANGoy_KqI81zvzTuppAtb5-iOFNzr38e49q4p18Xon0UfakE/s1600/Witch+headshot+rough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZH6lBiRphWoB1wOrMn2kiMh-cM_ZjZ4vTFPLT4tzM8qDSTS8K4BR13RHohggks5IutY9gykp1JD0DTOu9ylfC-TjFHCANGoy_KqI81zvzTuppAtb5-iOFNzr38e49q4p18Xon0UfakE/s320/Witch+headshot+rough.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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<i>Jay wrote to say that the final version will have longer hair so that she doesn't look like Kurt Corbain. Ha! </i></div>
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Finally, the hex series will continue. Tim Knight's group in the UK began asking about witches as soon as they encountered the flying cat in Hex 001. It has taken me a while, but it's finally time to introduce a hag, who lives in a tangled forest. She is in league with a black dragon and together the two of them plot and scheme against the "Eater of Gold" (Aurumvorax), who rules the Freecity of Haldane to the south. On a somewhat related note, I am kicking around ideas of how to present the Freecity of Haldane in Loviatar no. 12 or 13.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-69929195181746812692012-05-21T19:07:00.001-07:002023-01-13T18:08:47.201-08:00Golden States<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">T</span>he surf was kind of lame after work, so I caught the requisite three waves to qualify the outing as a session and sped home. I scribbled the rough draft of a map that I hope will anchor an article called, "Golden States." It occurred to me that all of the modern/horror/alternate history stuff I want to to write or have written takes place in California.<br />
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With that in mind, I want to scribble a brief article/extended introduction/handout that talks about each of the series, shows where they take place, how they relate to one another and to specify which year they occur. I think it will help me to organize things in my mind, as well as providing a guide for the reader.<br />
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In other news, with today's mailing there are just over 1,000 copies of the zine in circulation. I think we really have a nice thing going, folks. Thank you for your support and please continue to spread the word. Have a great night, all. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-29135571392332425012012-05-17T18:20:00.000-07:002023-01-13T18:08:43.187-08:00Jay Is Too Good For This Rag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOMkPqyCSNEGtUk0bDsLAM0J02s6dS0nJ2-RWxfFQpFq6OTNo1oaAwyb3vnZSvL7kb3mBTvy4q8C96Huw_6Cw_ZHkuyT_HH043mAwgqrCd3zFKY2nKF5RufKswzxy0rcJKTU2Z9DzrMk/s1600/Loviatar+10+cover+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOMkPqyCSNEGtUk0bDsLAM0J02s6dS0nJ2-RWxfFQpFq6OTNo1oaAwyb3vnZSvL7kb3mBTvy4q8C96Huw_6Cw_ZHkuyT_HH043mAwgqrCd3zFKY2nKF5RufKswzxy0rcJKTU2Z9DzrMk/s400/Loviatar+10+cover+small.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<i>Copyright Jay Penn, 2012</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">S</span>omeone needs to come along and take Jay Penn away from Loviatar. He's too damn good to be illustrating this humble rag. His work should be on the shelves of a FLGS and he should be signing copies of his work at GenCon. This month's cover illustration is insane!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-25594303689375944222012-05-16T16:29:00.001-07:002023-01-13T18:08:42.993-08:00Maps and Thoughts About Future Hexes<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">L</span>oviatar no. 10 is just about ready for the printer. Hooray! Today I scanned a few of the maps that will accompany Hex 006. When you receive the issue and read the intro, I think you will understand why I became frustrated with the hex crawl. The source of that frustration has largely been dealt with, however. </div>
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It took Tim's review of<a href="http://gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/2012/05/click-here-to-see-what-rocks.html"> Loviatar no. 9</a> and me pushing back against my group to realize that the hex crawl is solid. I'm not saying that it's great, original or even well-written, but I truly believe that there is some great fun to be had amid the knockers, potato gnomes, otyugh pits, murderous constables and flying cats. </div>
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While taking some time for myself today, I thought about an eventual Hex 007. I think it will be terribly difficult for me to write about an elven forest. I like to think that I am reasonably clever, so maybe, just maybe I can pull off something that feels right. A Hex 007 would tie in 001, 005 and 006. It would also give Jay a chance to draw Lady Shesayeth. I will need to think about it some more, but it could be fun.<br />
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Okay, have to go. The garden calls. It was 90 today and now that it's cooled to 80 at 4:30 pm will try to get some work done. Oy vey.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9083049070908926169.post-46786432876284341762012-05-11T19:19:00.001-07:002023-01-13T18:08:45.143-08:00News Roundup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">W</span>hew! It took a long time - and I think my hand is crippled - but my Baldur's Gate map is done. It's going to be included as an 11" x 17" foldout map in Loviatar no. 11. I'm not going to label the map or provide a key so that you can adapt it for your own use.<br />
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Loviatar no. 10 is going to be pushed back one week due to some scheduling issues. It will go out in the mail on Monday, May 21. The good news is that no. 11 should go out fairly early due to the fact that the page count will be light at 16 pages. The map is rather large, so I have to reduce page count to keep the issue under two ounces.<br />
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Have a great weekend!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4