Starfinder 2nd edition is here, and now there are 200 new aliens to use in your game!
Alien Core marks a dream come true for me because it’s the first time my writing has appeared in a major RPG core book. I designed the ksarik and the warp troll.
You can find the Alien Core in your local game store, or you can order it directly from Paizo.com!
Check it out, and if you use the ksarik or warp troll in your game, let me know!
I’m going to put my conspiracy hat on for a moment and speculate on why the penultimate issue of DC’s Forgotten Realms comic series is a spoofy fourth-wall breaking story…
By 1991, DC knew that their licensing agreement for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons was nearing its end. TSR, the company that owned AD&D, decided to produce their own comics. This ended the ongoing comics quite abruptly, giving the creative teams a short window to wrap up their ongoing stories. I think both Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and Forgotten Realms had their stories ready to print when they received the notice that the arcs they were working on would be their last. That likely necessitated the insertion of a quick one-shot to make sure the current story arcs ended with the license’s expiration.
Why do I think this? Because both titles had a single-issue fill-in ahead of their final stories. AD&D has “Summer in the City,” which could at least use the familiar setting of Selûne’s Smile for its one-off. But the Forgotten Realms comic was in no place to run a silly one-off when their heroes were still struggling with the aftermath of Labelas Enoreth destroying their ship. Thus, my theory goes, “Everybody Wants to Run the Realms” happened. We’ve had some fourth wall breaks in the past, such as with “Players,” but nothing that ever as explicitly meta-fiction as this.
Continue reading “Comics & Quests: Everybody Wants to Run the Realms”
Originally published on BabyCenter.com January 24, 2014
My wife had a singing engagement, so I was left alone with two kids who took turns crying for two and a half hours straight.
Uncontrollable sobbing is a good way to make a parent feel useless, especially in men since we lack the magic boobies that calm infants down. But in the end, it’s not that big a deal.
Continue reading “Dads, it’s Okay if the Baby Cries”
In a world where ghosts, goblins, and other monsters are real, most people in Greystone Valley don’t feel a need to celebrate Halloween. Still, October 31st is an important day for inhabitants of the valley, for it marks the Feynight.
Continue reading “Greystone Valley: Feynight”
The heroes of the now-destroyed Realms Master have been through the wringer. Sure, they picked up the pieces, but they are still broken. Omen’s mind is shredded, Agrivar and Foxy are in the throws of addiction, and Vartan has lost faith in his god.
But at least it can’t get any worse…right?
Continue reading “Comics & Quests: Unreal Estate”
Originally published on BabyCenter.com October 10, 2013
You need to talk to your kids about sex, and you need to do it earlier than you might think.
Continue reading “Prevent Sexual Violence by Talking to Your Kids”
Our last story with the Realms Master crew put them through their paces. Vartan became possessed by a mad god, Agrivar’s successful fight against alcoholism was undone, Minder’s body got shattered, and the ship was smashed to pieces by an angry god.
But at least it can’t get much worse…right…?
Continue reading “Comics & Quests: Picking Up the Pieces”
Originally published on BabyCenter.com January 21, 2014
My son was in a particularly whiny mood one night and wanted a story about dinosaurs and trains. Our e-copy of All Aboard the Dino Train by Deb Lund and Howard Fine was unavailable and everybody in the house was exhausted. Desperate for the sweet release of bedtime, I crafted the following impromptu story, which has since become a big hit with my son. (It turns out that two-year-olds have odd tastes.)
Continue reading “Important Storytelling Tips from My Children”
Somewhere, a dragon lunged.
With a roar like thunder, the monster opened its mouth and shot white-hot fire. Then it folded its wings against its gigantic body and dove toward its prey on the ground. The dragon bellowed, and the earth shook from the noise.
On the ground, the Emerald Enchantress stood with her sword at the ready. She held her ground, waiting patiently until the monster came close enough for her to speak the magic word . . .
“Sarah!”
Continue reading “Greystone Valley: Chapter One”
Originally published on BabyCenter.com December 13, 2013
The 1966 animated classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Is, in my opinion, the best Christmas special ever. It takes a wonderful story written by Dr. Seuss and actually improved it through terrific animation by Chuck Jones, narration from the great Boris Karloff, and one of the most catchy tunes ever by Thurl Ravenscroft. In terms of must-watch Christmas specials, this is one of only three items that I feel the need to watch every year – and the other two, Die Hard and the American Dad episode “Rapture’s Delight,” aren’t something I can watch with my kids just yet.
I could go on espousing the glory that is this special, but I’m sure many other people have already done so. Instead, I figured I’d take this time to list just a few odds and ends that have popped into my head upon repeat viewings.
Continue reading “4 Curious Questions about “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!””
Babbling Brooks 