DARK SECRETS: tales we tell

RadiationSings.com and the Zombie Walk

2010-08-30T12:27:00.001-07:00

Future posts will appear on my new website, which can be found at both www.RadiationSings.com and www.JonathonVolkmer.com. That's also the place to check out videos and pictures of my experience at Lincoln Zombie Fest 2010, as well as everything else I'm doing. See you there!

A NE NPC Super Group

2010-08-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

Lord, that's a lot of capital letters, huh? Well, I just though I'd share these guys and gals because I don't think they're going to see the light of day anywhere else:

Prometheus

“I chose the name Prometheus not because I carry the flame of knowledge from the gods, but because I bear the torch of justice, whose fire will burn out all iniquity.”

XP: 20

Attributes: Agility d4, Smarts d8, Spirit d8, Strength d4, Vigor d8

Charisma: 0; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 6

Skills: Notice d6, Fighting d6, Shooting d8, Persuasion d8, Guts d8

Hindrances: Overconfident, Code of Honor, Loyal, Allergy (Minor): Cold

Edges: Arcane Background (Super Powers), Luck, Power Points x2, Command, Natural Leader

Super Powers:

Light the Flame!: Altered Form (5): Replenish (3), Requires Activation (-1)

Fire (Energy) Control (10): Elemental Trick: Fire (3), Large Burst Template (3), Selective (3)

Flight (4): Pace x2

Fire Bolt (6): Elemental Trick: Fire (3)

Gear:

Affiliation: Titans, based in LA

Demeter

“The earth cries out to me for justice. How can I help but answer its call?”

XP: 10

Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d6, Spirit d8, Strength d4, Vigor d8

Charisma: 0; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 7

Skills: Fighting d6, Notice d6, Intimidation d8, Stealth d8, Tracking d8

Hindrances: Code of Honor, Cautious, Loyal, Heroic

Edges: Arcane Background (Super Powers), Power Points, Brawny

Super Powers:

Earth (Matter) Control (17): Level 3 (12), Binding (1), Gliding (4)

Burrowing (2)

Earthquake (1)

Gear:

Affiliation: Titans, based in LA

Astraea

“The winds of truth, goodness, justice, and freedom are blowing stronger every day. Stand against them, and you will be swept away by the maelstrom.”

XP: 10

Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d6, Strength d6, Vigor d6

Charisma: 0; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 5

Skills: Fighting d6, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Stealth d6, Piloting d8, Throwing d8

Hindrances: Overconfidence, Heroic, Loyal, Stubborn

Edges: Arcane Background (Super Powers), Power Points, Quick, Ace

Super Powers:

Maelstrom: Whirlwind (6): Larger Whirlwind (2), Twister (2)

Windshield: Deflection (2): Level 3 (3), Requires Activation (-1)

Flight (8): Pace of 48

Altered Form (4): Fall-Proof (1), More Elastic (1), Requires Activation (-1)

Gear:

Affiliation: Titans, based in LA

Nereus

“The world shall be washed clean of its unlawfulness in the cleansing rains of truth.”

XP: 10

Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d6, Strength d6, Vigor d6

Charisma: 0; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 5

Skills: Fighting d6, Notice d6, Shooting d6, Guts d4, Swimming d6, Healing d10

Hindrances: Code of Honor, Loyal, Pacifism (Minor), Heroic

Edges: Arcane Background (Super Powers), Power Points, Quick

Super Powers: Aquatic (0): Needs Water

Storm (4): Downpour (1)

Heightened Senses (2): Eagle Eyes (1)

Matter Control (9): Level 2 (8), Binding (1)

Intangibility (5)

Gear:

Affiliation: Titans, based in LA

Noah “Hephaestus” Ferrer

“Welcome to Titan Base. Hope you’ve got an invitation!”

XP: 20

Attributes: Agility d4, Smarts d12, Spirit d6, Strength d4, Vigor d4

Charisma: 0; Pace: 5; Parry: 2; Toughness: 4

Skills: Knowledge (Science) d10+2, Knowledge (Super Powers) d10+2, Repair d12, Investigation d12, Notice d8

Hindrances: Code of Honor, Elderly, Loyal, Cautious

Edges: Arcane Background (Super Powers), Power Points x2, Scholar, Mechanical Genius, Jack-of-all-Trades

Super Powers: Gifted (1)

Titan Base: Lair (10):

Escape Pod (Rocket) (1)

Secure Access (1): klaxon horns, radio broadcast

Med-lab (1): +2 to Healing

Research Lab (1): +2 to Investigation

Hangar (1): +2 to Repair

Security Laser (Attack, Ranged; in lobby) (3): Extra Damage (3)

Titan Dish (Broadcast; satellite dish on top of building) (2): More Range (2)

Titan 1: Vehicle (Bell Jet Ranger) (14):

Armor (4): Level 4 (4), Heavy Armor (2)

Crowd Control Ray (Attack, Ranged) (7): Area Effect: MBT (2), Nonlethal (1), Extra Damage (3)

Gear:

Affiliation: Titans, based in LA

Obsidian Portal Wikis

2010-06-15T18:34:00.001-07:00

I'm working on Obsidian Portal Wikis for two campaign settings:

Wisp: An original fantasy world filled with all manner of life, and plenty of ways to get killed, too. With unique races and magical abilities, the Wisp universe attempts to include everything I have ever wanted to see in a fantasy campaign world.

Beyond the Pale: This modern mystery/horror game is set in an alternate New York City where the world of the supernatural lurks in every shadow.

If you've got some free time, check them out and let me know what you think.

For any other GMs out there who don't already know about it, this site is a great resource for running campaigns.

New Edges and Power: Elemental Magic

2010-01-22T19:42:00.000-08:00

New Edges:

Elemental Power (Novice, Spellcasting d8+, Knowledge (Elements) d6+)
First, choose an Elemental Effect from the list. Then, choose an offensive power you currently know - from now on, all targets struck by that power also suffer from the chosen Elemental Effect. This Edge may be taken more than once, but may not affect the same power more than once.

Improved Elemental Power (Seasoned, Elemental Power, Knowledge (Elements) d10+)
Choose a power which has been affected by the Elemental Power Edge. Rolls made to resist that power's Elemental Effect are now made at -2. In the case of Effects such as Fire, the chance that the effect will take place is doubled (so flammable objects would catch fire on a 1 or 2 instead of just a 1).

New Power:

Elemental Weapon
Rank: Novice
Cost: 2
Duration: 3 (1/round)
Range: Touch
Choose an Elemental Effect from the list: foes struck by target weapon suffer from the chosen Elemental Effect for the duration of this spell. With a raise on the Spellcasting roll, rolls made to resist the power are made at -2, or the chance for the effect to take place is doubled.

The list of Elemental Effects which I use is found on page 36 of the Necessary Evil source book, in the Powers section. You could also make your own with a little ingenuity. Popular "Elements" to use might include Heat, Cold, Light, Darkness, Electricity, Air, and Psionics, although virtually any kind of Trapping could be used to create such an effect. For example, a Bolt spell which creates swarms of Bees might also inflict a Vigor roll to avoid suffering a point of Fatigue from Bee Stings.

What Beautiful Music They Make!

2010-01-20T10:20:00.001-08:00

The Children of the Night, that is. I spent a lot of time searching the internet for a complete and balanced system for playing Vampires, Werewolves, etc., whether in the styl of WoD or not, and came up rather empty. The only document I was able to locate was a quick and dirty conversion of Vampires into NPCs, presumably for the players to hunt. While there's nothing wrong with that (it did come in rather handy to get me started; thank you to Patrick Phillips), it was not what I was looking for. So, in lieu of finding what I need, I have responded in my usual manner and am currently writing it.

In fact, I am writing it twice. I, personally, am a huge fan of the NE version of powers, and love using them any chance I get, so I am working up some WoD conversion documents for those powers - they are rather creatively interpreted, of course. However, not everyone is as big a fan of those powers as I am, and not everyone has access to the sourcebook. Therefore, I simultaneously putting together a conversion that makes use of standard Savage Worlds mechanics and powers.

Please enjoy this preview of the Necessary Evil version of Vampires: Vampire: The Conversion.

AFTERLIFE

2009-09-19T02:14:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't ever bothered announcing the existence of this setting before, largely because it's a collection of various ideas that I've been kicking around for a long time with no real definition or structure. It's taken me a while to really figure out how I wanted to approach this setting, and I think I've finally got it figured out, at least the beginning of it, and everything flows from there.

Without further ado, anyone with enough free time (or enough boredom) to be checking this blog (not to exclude those here by chance), may now experience a brief introduction to AFTERLIFE.

Coming soon will be Spotlights from the Guided Tour, Introductions to Major Players, as well as previews of Edges, Hindrances, and Powers original to the setting. As work continues, and I make more information available, I'd appreciate any feedback that passers-by may have to offer. Nothing is ever done perfectly the first time, after all!

New Arcane Background: Ibuholi

2009-09-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

This is a new magic variant I've designed for use in my WISP Campaign Setting (publishing date: TBA). Developed by the ship-board magicians of the Hundred Isles to more effectively combat the highly predictable dangers they face (weather, Wisps, sea monsters, and pirates), it is not dissimilar in some ways to the Wizard class from D&D.

New Arcane Skill:
Charming- The skill used by Ibuholi practitioners to prepare their spells. Using bits of rope, string, carved pieces of wood, or whatever materials are most ready to hand, Ibuholi wizards create magical charms which can be activated simply by tossing them into the air and uttering the correct magical words. Each Power Point used to create a Charm adds 10 minutes of creation time, and inflicts a -1 penalty on the Charming roll.

New Background Edge:
Arcane Background (Ibuholi): Novice
The art of Ibuholi, which translates roughly from the language of the Hundred Isles to mean "Tying" or "Charming," has become fairly widespread throughout the islands, and is even taking root along the East Coast of Arbor. Ibuholi wizards start play with 15 Power Points and 4 Powers known.
They must prepare their powers in advance by spending Power Points to create Charms, which can be activated with a normal Action as per the Charming skill. Charms cost the same number of Power Points to create as the spells they are imbued with, including the cost for an optional spell modifications (such as additional Bolts). If the Charming roll fails, the Points spent are lost for the day.
When a wizard uses a Charm to cast a spell, the Charm and Power Points are consumed, and the Power activates automatically - no additional roll is required. Power Points expended in this way are returned to the caster at sunrise the next day. Any Charms left over may be preserved or destroyed, as the caster chooses, but Ibuholi users cannot possess Charms containing more Power Points than their maximum.

There can be only...a few...

2009-05-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

So I've come up with what I hope is a fairly creative and inventive way to recombine things I had no part in developing. That is to say, I'm running a fantasy game and allowing my players to use a limited number of Necessary Evil super abilities. I'm using the following new Edges and Game Mechanic:

Divine Spark (Novice, Arcane Background)
Your character was born with the potential for powers beyond the ken of mortal men, and one day may find that her destiny lies among the gods themselves. This Edge works just like Super Powers from Necessary Evil (which you ought to own if you want to make use of it), except for the following changes:

Your character starts play with only 5 Power Points.
Divine Karma: You may take one additional Major Hindrance and one additional Minor Hindrance at character creation in order to gain an additional 5 Power Points. This replaces Super Karma from Necessary Evil, and no extra Hindrance Points are gained for taking these Hindrances.

Quickening (Novice, Divine Spark, 5 or more Quickening Points)
When your character has accumulated enough Quickening Points, he may take the Quickening Edge to convert those points into Power Points and spend them immediately on new powers.

New Game Mechanic: Quickening
When one Spark kills another Spark, she gains some of his power, his life force, and can use it to augment her own powers. For every two Power Points of Abilities the deceased Spark had (round down) the victor gains one Quickening Point which can be used with the Quickening Edge.
Note: I realize this makes things a little more complicated to keep track of than some Savage Fans might like, but it seemed like the most obvious way to balance what could otherwise become a very unbalancing Game Mechanic. A quicker, dirtier, and much more powerful way (unless Sparks are far more rare than they are in my current game) is simply to let them gain the Power Points directly, at whatever ratio you feel is appropriate.

In the works...

2009-04-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

I've got several projects in the works, as is not unusual, but it seems unlikely that I'll finish them anytime soon, what with school, work, and what I like to call a social life. Nonetheless, just a quick glimpse into projects I may publish in the next few months:

Twist: a homebrew post-apocalyptic Earth setting in which the race has been ravaged by a genetically engineered virus and nuclear war. I will most likely only publish a Player's Handbook-style document, withholding the GM secrets on the off-chance I'm ever able to publish it properly.

Wisp: the latest in a long series of original fantasy worlds, in which I finally have room for all of my original races, arcane backgrounds, and various edges, hindrances, and other additives. Hopefully it won't end up too crowded! This is another that will probably get the Player's Handbook treatment as I would like to see it published properly.

Random Star System Generator: not particularly scientific, but it allows for quickly rolling up diverse star systems. I put it together for personal use in a brief pulp space campaign that never really took off.

Um...maybe I'll mention a few other projects later when I get home. I know there are some other things I haven't finished saved to my hard drive, but I'm drawing a blank right now.

Warhammer 40k

2009-01-12T10:26:00.000-08:00

Always a fun universe to play in, a 40k conversion was one of the first homebrew campaigns I ever partook of in Savage Worlds. Below I am providing 2 things: 1. A detailed Character Creation outline, with weapons data culled and refined from throughout the interwebs, suggested setting appropriate Edges and Hindrances, and the Psyker Arcane Background, as well as an attempt to balance the rules for those who want to play Space Marines. 2. Below that is my GM's notes, again filled with info culled from throughout the net of interconnectedness, and none of which, actually, is original on my part.

Character Creation

GM References

Star Wars

2009-01-11T15:01:00.000-08:00

This is a pretty self-explanatory file. I had been looking around online for a good savaging of Star Wars, and found a few that did some things I liked, but in the end I felt I had to do one myself. This is, as is all of my work for the moment, a work in progress, and I'd appreciate any constructive feedback that anyone has to offer.

Star Wars: Jedi Knight