Creators and Reviewers:
As I was reading Live Free or Die: Troy Rising I by John Ringo it occurred to me that as time passes along, and from reading lots of author webpages and discussions on epublishing as well as Seth Godin (Linchpin and Poke the Box especially) it occurred to me that the role of a reviewer is likely to become more important to independent book publishing.
From authors that state it is tiring to market themselves, to examples I see in the RPG field, it seems that a good reviewer could, soon, be the make or break. With the plethora of options out there and sheer difficulty in keeping up with small indie book publishers, I suspect people like me, that do write reviews, could become (as Consumer Review magazine used to be) the guiding force in helping out creatives (authors, photographers, musicians, artists, etc.) reach out and find their markets.
One potential aid would be aggregate sites, similar to Digg or Stumbleupon but focused on Reviews and Reviewers. Not a bad idea actually, a central place where people looking for particular tastes in their reading or other entertainment can find reviewers and see what hits their fancy.
Food for thought to be expanded as time passes.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Primordial Lands A Role Playing Game of Elder Times
Primordial Lands
A Role Playing Game of Elder Times
By
Mouse-Produced Games
Complimentary Copy Review
List Price $5.00
Primordial Lands is a Rules Lite RPG in the vein of the Older Editions of Dungeon and Dragons, with some more modern twists.
It is currently available in PDF format from DriveThruRPG. Size wise it comes in at 32 total pages and is a complete RPG by its self. No other text or books are necessary to use this game system. The Contents include a Table of Contents and then right into the character creation and rules. There is no cover page, etc, nothing like that. It is stripped down the the bare minimum to accomplish the mission, which is admirable in fact.
There are two main elements to characters in Primordial Lands, Attributes and Focuses. Attributes are generated from random die roll of 1d4 minus 1d4 yielding a starting result of +3 to -3 with the chart in the game running from -1 to +7 for Attribute Ranges. Basic Resolution is 1d20 + Rating of Attribute vs a Set Target Number (TN).
The attributes in the game are pretty stock and standard
Strength
Speed
Grace
Constitution
Intelligence
Wisdom
Charisma
Focuses take the place of Skills in other systems, allowing for a bonus to an Attribute Roll in particular circumstances. So if a player wanted an archer type character they could define a focus as +1 with Bows.
Additionally once a Focus is taken it cannot be improved further (on its own), however when a character takes a difference focus, all existing Focuses increase by a +1 (Note: I asked the author and that is how the text is written and how it is intended). So back to the Archer Example, if the second focus taken is in Woodland Combat, the Focuses would then be
Bow Combat +2
Woodland Combat +1
Each Focus can apply only once, they do not stack, but if there are different ones that can apply, they can be used in a synergistic fashion. There are examples of this in the rules to clarify some points.
Combat follows the character generation section, covering attacks, damage, healing, etc.
Next the weapons system, which is very streamlined based essentially on size of weapon rather than endless lists of different swords, knives, pole-arms, etc.
Following that is Experience and a discussion of Levels and how to create other character types. There is a scant discussions of using the idea of Classes and Focuses to create specific sorts of characters.
There are descriptions of Classes, showing sample Focuses and Advancements covering Other Races (Innate) Fighters, Rogues, Sages, Mages, and how to create your own classes.
Next sections deal with races and with Abilities. Abilities are where you can define magic abilities and spells with. Abilities ties into the Mages as a predefined class. Then there is a list of different Abilities to mix and match to create the spells or magic powers that are desired for each character. This is the most customizable portion to Primordial Lands.
Overall this is a decent effort, and if you are looking for a decent rules lite system that has a old school feel without tons of charts, then Primordial Lands is a great fit. Some kitbashing may be required and customization to a specific world setting will be necessary. There is not setting defined, however the descriptions of Elves and Dwarfs and Tobbits (Think Hobbits/Kenders) makes for a stock Fantasy RPG Feeling. Overall a strong 3.5 almost a 4 out of 5 Stars.
Reviewer Note: I received this copy for review purposes. I did not directly purchase it.
Cover Art courtesy of The great artist Clyhp Ahrt
(aka Postmortem Studios)
Relevant Links:
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_-id=89868
A Role Playing Game of Elder Times
By
Mouse-Produced Games
Complimentary Copy Review
List Price $5.00
Primordial Lands is a Rules Lite RPG in the vein of the Older Editions of Dungeon and Dragons, with some more modern twists.
It is currently available in PDF format from DriveThruRPG. Size wise it comes in at 32 total pages and is a complete RPG by its self. No other text or books are necessary to use this game system. The Contents include a Table of Contents and then right into the character creation and rules. There is no cover page, etc, nothing like that. It is stripped down the the bare minimum to accomplish the mission, which is admirable in fact.
There are two main elements to characters in Primordial Lands, Attributes and Focuses. Attributes are generated from random die roll of 1d4 minus 1d4 yielding a starting result of +3 to -3 with the chart in the game running from -1 to +7 for Attribute Ranges. Basic Resolution is 1d20 + Rating of Attribute vs a Set Target Number (TN).
The attributes in the game are pretty stock and standard
Strength
Speed
Grace
Constitution
Intelligence
Wisdom
Charisma
Focuses take the place of Skills in other systems, allowing for a bonus to an Attribute Roll in particular circumstances. So if a player wanted an archer type character they could define a focus as +1 with Bows.
Additionally once a Focus is taken it cannot be improved further (on its own), however when a character takes a difference focus, all existing Focuses increase by a +1 (Note: I asked the author and that is how the text is written and how it is intended). So back to the Archer Example, if the second focus taken is in Woodland Combat, the Focuses would then be
Bow Combat +2
Woodland Combat +1
Each Focus can apply only once, they do not stack, but if there are different ones that can apply, they can be used in a synergistic fashion. There are examples of this in the rules to clarify some points.
Combat follows the character generation section, covering attacks, damage, healing, etc.
Next the weapons system, which is very streamlined based essentially on size of weapon rather than endless lists of different swords, knives, pole-arms, etc.
Following that is Experience and a discussion of Levels and how to create other character types. There is a scant discussions of using the idea of Classes and Focuses to create specific sorts of characters.
There are descriptions of Classes, showing sample Focuses and Advancements covering Other Races (Innate) Fighters, Rogues, Sages, Mages, and how to create your own classes.
Next sections deal with races and with Abilities. Abilities are where you can define magic abilities and spells with. Abilities ties into the Mages as a predefined class. Then there is a list of different Abilities to mix and match to create the spells or magic powers that are desired for each character. This is the most customizable portion to Primordial Lands.
Overall this is a decent effort, and if you are looking for a decent rules lite system that has a old school feel without tons of charts, then Primordial Lands is a great fit. Some kitbashing may be required and customization to a specific world setting will be necessary. There is not setting defined, however the descriptions of Elves and Dwarfs and Tobbits (Think Hobbits/Kenders) makes for a stock Fantasy RPG Feeling. Overall a strong 3.5 almost a 4 out of 5 Stars.
Reviewer Note: I received this copy for review purposes. I did not directly purchase it.
Cover Art courtesy of The great artist Clyhp Ahrt
(aka Postmortem Studios)
Relevant Links:
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_-id=89868
Music Review: To All My Dear Friends
To All My Dear Friends
A Review of a Live Performance at that was held at Evolution Records in Lakeland, Fl
His voice is rough, ragged, sharp, and raw.
He evokes the feeling of the beat poet era, immortalizing it for a new generation.
His singing is more a recitation, or an enactment, or perhaps a wrenching of his heart and laying it bare before those seeing him live.
An Electric Violin, an Electric Six String guitar and pure unadulterated genius rounds out what I witnessed on that Friday night, sitting on an upholstered bench, most likely a long church pew my wife thought. We sat and enjoyed the prior two groups perform their 30 some minute long sets. Then a tall, lanky, vest buttoned up gentleman started setting up. One time he said, I Play the Voilin, there was more to that sentence but I cannot recall what else or the context.
My wife said we should stay and see what the last group, For All My Dear Friends, were like. I naturally agreed. I owe my wife for this recommendation.
From the moment he got up on stage, in those first few seconds, within the first four bars, I was hooked, unable to believe what was unfolding.
The entire performance was live and looped at the same time. He would play a minute to three minute piece on his violin, recording it, then set that to loop and play another 4 to 8 bars, loop that, repeat for a third element, sometimes adding in his guitar, and then with the 3 elements playing, would play more, riff hard, mute and then play and sing or speak/chant/recite his lyrics which are poetry that I wish I was writing, and then bring it all down. Bring it all down hard, and powerful, and utterly into his music.
I tried to watch his footwork, see where he set the MIDI or whatever he uses to start and stop, sometimes I got it, sometimes I was just too entranced with the music and the bodily performance that was being enacted on the tiny stage about 15 feet away from me.
Acoustics were a little ragged for all 3 bands, concrete walls echo and kids coming in and out, still it was sheer urban loop purity in strength and soul.The roughness being environmental vice performance for the most part.
If you make music, go see him perform.
If you love loops, violin, guitars, creation, go see him perform
If you love the unique, go see him perform
If you are alive at all, go see him perform
I know he played the following tracks:
Motions of a Generation
Clouds
The Book of Tofu
Vision
I believe he also played:
Synchro Convergence
Midnight at the Leucadian
Japan to Kenya & Back
He played a few other songs, all were incredible, insane, inspiring. It was only like a total of 6 or 7 tracks he performed (singing and playing just does no credit to this show, it was a performance).
At the end of the show the appreciative audience mobbed him, while I purchased his two CDs (one at $10 and the other at $6) along with two magnets for my home office area and we left for the night.
If you have a chance to see To All My Dear Friends, do not pass on the occasion. This is both new and eclectic and unique and as such, deserves praise and support for the courage to break boundaries and barriers.
Relevant Links to All My Dear Friends and to Evo Records:
http://www.facebook.com/TAMDF
http://www.toallmydearfriends.com/
http://www.myspace.com/toallmydearfriends
http://www.facebook.com/EvoRecords
A Review of a Live Performance at that was held at Evolution Records in Lakeland, Fl
His voice is rough, ragged, sharp, and raw.
He evokes the feeling of the beat poet era, immortalizing it for a new generation.
His singing is more a recitation, or an enactment, or perhaps a wrenching of his heart and laying it bare before those seeing him live.
An Electric Violin, an Electric Six String guitar and pure unadulterated genius rounds out what I witnessed on that Friday night, sitting on an upholstered bench, most likely a long church pew my wife thought. We sat and enjoyed the prior two groups perform their 30 some minute long sets. Then a tall, lanky, vest buttoned up gentleman started setting up. One time he said, I Play the Voilin, there was more to that sentence but I cannot recall what else or the context.
My wife said we should stay and see what the last group, For All My Dear Friends, were like. I naturally agreed. I owe my wife for this recommendation.
From the moment he got up on stage, in those first few seconds, within the first four bars, I was hooked, unable to believe what was unfolding.
The entire performance was live and looped at the same time. He would play a minute to three minute piece on his violin, recording it, then set that to loop and play another 4 to 8 bars, loop that, repeat for a third element, sometimes adding in his guitar, and then with the 3 elements playing, would play more, riff hard, mute and then play and sing or speak/chant/recite his lyrics which are poetry that I wish I was writing, and then bring it all down. Bring it all down hard, and powerful, and utterly into his music.
I tried to watch his footwork, see where he set the MIDI or whatever he uses to start and stop, sometimes I got it, sometimes I was just too entranced with the music and the bodily performance that was being enacted on the tiny stage about 15 feet away from me.
Acoustics were a little ragged for all 3 bands, concrete walls echo and kids coming in and out, still it was sheer urban loop purity in strength and soul.The roughness being environmental vice performance for the most part.
If you make music, go see him perform.
If you love loops, violin, guitars, creation, go see him perform
If you love the unique, go see him perform
If you are alive at all, go see him perform
I know he played the following tracks:
Motions of a Generation
Clouds
The Book of Tofu
Vision
I believe he also played:
Synchro Convergence
Midnight at the Leucadian
Japan to Kenya & Back
He played a few other songs, all were incredible, insane, inspiring. It was only like a total of 6 or 7 tracks he performed (singing and playing just does no credit to this show, it was a performance).
At the end of the show the appreciative audience mobbed him, while I purchased his two CDs (one at $10 and the other at $6) along with two magnets for my home office area and we left for the night.
If you have a chance to see To All My Dear Friends, do not pass on the occasion. This is both new and eclectic and unique and as such, deserves praise and support for the courage to break boundaries and barriers.
Relevant Links to All My Dear Friends and to Evo Records:
http://www.facebook.com/TAMDF
http://www.toallmydearfriends.com/
http://www.myspace.com/toallmydearfriends
http://www.facebook.com/EvoRecords
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