Sunday, October 28, 2012
The Ogre's Den: Back in the swing...
The Ogre's Den: Back in the swing...: So, yeah. It's been about six months since my last post. I wish I had a good reason for that, but I don't. I hope everyone has been happ...
Back in the swing...
So, yeah. It's been about six months since my last post. I wish I had a good reason for that, but I don't.
I hope everyone has been happy and healthy for the past half year. For me, school has been hectic, as has life in general. However, one thing I've been trying to do is stay positive and to keep writing.
To update you all on what happened since my last writing explosion here on the blog, I submitted my story "Chasing Lightning" at the beginning of 2012 to be published in an anthology. It was rejected. Yeah, that hurt, but I kept at it. Since the return email said that there would be a second edition of the anthology, I should rewrite the story and submit it for that edition, with a submission deadline of September 1st.
I wrote and edited and rewrote and re-edited, constantly watching the publishers webpage to make sure the deadline didn't change and that the anthology was still open. Three days before the deadline, I submitted a completely revised story under the same time. I got an email back from the publisher, saying that edition 2 of the anthology was full and there was a line for edition 3. And "Also I believe I already rejected this story once." So, that tells me that the person doing the reading at that particular publisher didn't even read the story. I have submitted the story to another publisher and I'm waiting to hear back from them.
In the meantime, I've been looking at various publishers that accept different styles and lengths of work. Honestly, my skill set does not lend itself to writing novels, so I've been looking at publishers accepting short stories and even a few that accept flash fiction. 'Flash fiction' is extremely short stories. Most publishers I've looked at that accept flash fiction set the limit between 750 and 1,000 words. A couple have set the limit at about 300 words. Honestly, I'm not sure how good of a story you can tell in 300 words, so I've generally been aiming for about 1,000.
The problem I'm running into it school. I'm taking Microbiology and Physical Anthropology this semester and both are tougher than I was expecting, so my brain has been running on empty. I think that next semester I'm going to take something more creative like an art class, since I've been taking science of some kind for the past seven or eight semesters, with a combination of Biology and Psychology being mainly what I took.
I figure this way, I will have to be more creative at school, which will allow me to be more creative at home. I think taking a break from all of the "right-brain" activity will do me some good and kick my left-brain into high gear. I've already got a story idea for another anthology that I'm looking at, but I don't have the time or the energy to write it right now.
Plus, there are numerous things I want to be doing for AdventureaWeek.com, like writing a full adventure, completing the Silent Forest section of our campaign world, working on The Vast Swamp, which was given to me by the completely awesome Cory Vickruck, as school became too much for him and he had to back away for a while. There are also a couple of class archetypes that I want to work on, which were also Cory's ideas.
Creativity is where I'm coming from these days. Abbye, my acupuncturist, says that now that Carrie has her PhD (finally), it's time for me to do something for myself. I think once this semester is over (six more weeks), it's time to really cut loose with the creativity. Almost makes me wish National Novel Writing Month was earlier in the year.
So, that's what's going on with me. Hopefully I'll get back into this whole blogging thing with more regularity and hopefully you will come back and keep on reading.
Until next time, take care and be awesome to each other.
Will.
I hope everyone has been happy and healthy for the past half year. For me, school has been hectic, as has life in general. However, one thing I've been trying to do is stay positive and to keep writing.
To update you all on what happened since my last writing explosion here on the blog, I submitted my story "Chasing Lightning" at the beginning of 2012 to be published in an anthology. It was rejected. Yeah, that hurt, but I kept at it. Since the return email said that there would be a second edition of the anthology, I should rewrite the story and submit it for that edition, with a submission deadline of September 1st.
I wrote and edited and rewrote and re-edited, constantly watching the publishers webpage to make sure the deadline didn't change and that the anthology was still open. Three days before the deadline, I submitted a completely revised story under the same time. I got an email back from the publisher, saying that edition 2 of the anthology was full and there was a line for edition 3. And "Also I believe I already rejected this story once." So, that tells me that the person doing the reading at that particular publisher didn't even read the story. I have submitted the story to another publisher and I'm waiting to hear back from them.
In the meantime, I've been looking at various publishers that accept different styles and lengths of work. Honestly, my skill set does not lend itself to writing novels, so I've been looking at publishers accepting short stories and even a few that accept flash fiction. 'Flash fiction' is extremely short stories. Most publishers I've looked at that accept flash fiction set the limit between 750 and 1,000 words. A couple have set the limit at about 300 words. Honestly, I'm not sure how good of a story you can tell in 300 words, so I've generally been aiming for about 1,000.
The problem I'm running into it school. I'm taking Microbiology and Physical Anthropology this semester and both are tougher than I was expecting, so my brain has been running on empty. I think that next semester I'm going to take something more creative like an art class, since I've been taking science of some kind for the past seven or eight semesters, with a combination of Biology and Psychology being mainly what I took.
I figure this way, I will have to be more creative at school, which will allow me to be more creative at home. I think taking a break from all of the "right-brain" activity will do me some good and kick my left-brain into high gear. I've already got a story idea for another anthology that I'm looking at, but I don't have the time or the energy to write it right now.
Plus, there are numerous things I want to be doing for AdventureaWeek.com, like writing a full adventure, completing the Silent Forest section of our campaign world, working on The Vast Swamp, which was given to me by the completely awesome Cory Vickruck, as school became too much for him and he had to back away for a while. There are also a couple of class archetypes that I want to work on, which were also Cory's ideas.
Creativity is where I'm coming from these days. Abbye, my acupuncturist, says that now that Carrie has her PhD (finally), it's time for me to do something for myself. I think once this semester is over (six more weeks), it's time to really cut loose with the creativity. Almost makes me wish National Novel Writing Month was earlier in the year.
So, that's what's going on with me. Hopefully I'll get back into this whole blogging thing with more regularity and hopefully you will come back and keep on reading.
Until next time, take care and be awesome to each other.
Will.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The Ogre's Den: Divine Harmony
The Ogre's Den: Divine Harmony: Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Ogre's Den. Sorry for not having a blog/podcast up last week. Things got kind of hectic, especially a...
Divine Harmony
Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Ogre's Den. Sorry for not having a blog/podcast up last week. Things got kind of hectic, especially after being on vacation for a week and trying to play catch up. So, to make up for it, today, I'm doing something I've never really done before: creating a deity.
Divine Harmony
God of Justice, Guardian of the Scales
Intermediate Deity
Symbol A balanced pair of silver scales
Home Plane Celestial Beuracracy
Alignment Lawful Neutral
Portfolio Judgement, Justice
Worshippers Assassins, Commoner, Judges, Paladins
Cleric Alignments LG, LN, LE, TN
Domains Community, Knowledge, Law, Protection
Favored Weapon Unarmed Strike
Dogma
Divine Harmony teaches that justice is something to be strived for, but do not pursue is so much that you start seeing injustice where there is none. Assisting you neighbors helps keep justice alive in the community, as it forms a bond between people which makes it harder for people in the community to break that bond and cause injustice.
Clergy and Temples
Clerics of Divine Harmony are generally judges. They generally wear black robes with Divine Harmony's symbol stitched on the right breast in silver thread. Divine Harmony's clerics are more likely to be men, but women not excluded. Paladins of Diving Harmony tend more toward defense of common people than adventuring, although they may adventure if there is a call for justice where there is no Cleric or Paladin of Divine Harmony.
Divine Harmony has very few official temples, but every courtroom has a small shrine of silver scales dedicated to him. Tributes are not normally left in courtrooms, because this could be seen as bribery. However, other shrines tributes of silver, in any form, can be left on the scales. Tributes in rural areas are also welcome, such as food, water, or healing or defense items.
That's it for this week. Thanks for reading and listening. Remember to find me Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SkredlitheOgre), follow me on Twitter (@SkredlitheOgre), go back and read all of my other blogs (SkredlitheOgre.blogger.com) and find my other other blogs on Adventureaweek.com. Until next week, be awesome to each other and good gaming.
Will.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The Ogre's Den: An Adventuring Party!
The Ogre's Den: An Adventuring Party!: An Adventuring Party! Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Ogre's Den. I have a special episode this week. Because I'm going to be out o...
An Adventuring Party!
An Adventuring Party!
Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Ogre's Den. I have a special episode this week. Because I'm going to be out of town next week and nowhere near anything resembling quality recording equipment (or possibly even an internet connection), I decided to up the ante by creating three PCs to and adventuring party and the item that they're questing for. Let's get some stat blocks started.
Storm is the face of the group. He is the man out front and he likes to talk. He's charming, witty, and has an excellent voice. More than once has he turned a potential fight into a round of drinks or a midnight rendezvous.
Gunner is the brains of the operation. His main job is to keep Machete Bladegod in line and on track to where ever it is they're going. He does this by using the sleep spell in his ring when Machete seems to be off on some tangent or rampage.
These three adventures are currently walking through the desert in search of a "Sunken City" that Machete has rumors of. Once there, they can gain the location of the clothing and retrieve it. They are searching for the Gear of the Exorcism of the Dust Deflection. Once used by the mighty priests of the Sultans of the Sunken City of pillars, the Gear was used to cast out the desert demons that stirred up the dunes. Story has it the Gear has been lost to the ages, but Machete knows (or claims he knows) where they can find the true location of the Gear.
Gear of the Exorcism of Dust Deflection
This set of priestly garments allows a Cleric or Paladin to add +2 to his caster level when using dispel magic to dispels a spell that allows a spirit to inhabit the body of another, such as magic jar as well as the Malevolence special attack of a ghost. These garments also provide the Cleric or Paladin with DR 5/evil against any attack by the spirit, but the wearer may not also wear any type of armor while using the Gear.
Who or what will they find in the Sunken City? Will they find the Gear or be lost to the shifting sands that oppress the Sunken City? Why does the King suddenly desire this Gear and does it have anything to do with why his daughter hasn't been seen in weeks?
The main idea behind this is that Machete is an evil, evil being, but is being steered by both Storm and Gunner. They need him to find the Gear and Machete needs them to help him survive. One thing to keep in mind is that as these character level up, Gunner can replace the sleep spell in his ring with any spell he can learn, such as web, hold person, suggestion...pretty much any spell you can think of that would be useful for keeping a sociopath in check. You could also give Gunner wands of various types. Just be careful of Machete's +2 bonus against spells. Although, if you can get a Cleric or Paladin to use mark of justice, you might be in business.
You could also add more characters to the group, such as a Cleric (for more healing), another Fighter or Paladin (for martial roles), or someone that actually has a decent Dexterity bonus, like a Rogue or Ranger for ranged fighting.
That's it for this week. Thanks for reading and listening. Remember to find me Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SkredlitheOgre), follow me on Twitter (@SkredlitheOgre), go back and read all of my other blogs (SkredlitheOgre.blogger.com) and find my other blogs onAdventureaweek.com. Until next week, be awesome to each other and good gaming.
Will.
Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Ogre's Den. I have a special episode this week. Because I'm going to be out of town next week and nowhere near anything resembling quality recording equipment (or possibly even an internet connection), I decided to up the ante by creating three PCs to and adventuring party and the item that they're questing for. Let's get some stat blocks started.
Storm Noble
N 1st Human Bard
Init +2, Senses Perception
Defense
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+3 studded leather armor)
hp 7
Fort -1, Ref +4, Will +2
Offense
Spd 30 ft.
Melee +2 rapier (1d8+2/18-20/x2)
Ranged +2 shortbow (1d6/x3)
Statistics
Str 15, Dex 15, Con 9, Int 15, Wis 11, Cha 19
Base Atk +0; CMB +2, CMD 14
Feats Persuasive, Skill Focus (perform)
Skills Bluff +7, Diplomacy +9, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (history) +5, Linguistics +5, Perception +3, Perform (singing) +10, Sense Motive +5, Slight of Hand +5, Stealth +5
Languages Common, Dwarven, Giant
Equipment rapier, shortbow, studded leather armor, backpack, bedroll, torch, rations
SA bardic knowledge, bardic Performance, cantrips, countersong, distraction, fascination, inspire courage +1, spells
Spells
0
Known 4
dancing lights, detect magic, light, message
1
Known 2, Spells per day 2
charm person, cure light wounds
Storm is the face of the group. He is the man out front and he likes to talk. He's charming, witty, and has an excellent voice. More than once has he turned a potential fight into a round of drinks or a midnight rendezvous.
Gunner Rouge (Caster)
N 1st Half-orc Wizard
Init -1, Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +2
Defense
AC 9, touch 9, flat-footed 9
hp 9
Fort +3, Ref -1, Will +3
Offense
Spd 30 ft.
Melee Dagger (1d4/19-20/x2)
Ranged Dagger (1d4/19-20/x2)
Statistics
Str 11, Dex 8, Con 16, Int 18, Wis 13, Cha 13
Base Atk +0, CMB +0, CMD 9
Feats Combat Casting, Scribe Scroll
Skills Craft (wooden dolls) +7 , Knowledge (arcana) +7, Knowledge (planes) +7, Linguistic +7, Perception +2, Spellcraft +7
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic, Giant, Gnoll, Orc,
Equipment daggers (x4), spellbook, backpack, bedroll, torch, rations
SQ darkvision, Intimidating, Orc blood, Orc ferocity, weapon familiarity, Arcane bonded ring (sleep), arcane school (universalist), cantrips, Hand of the Apprentice
Spells
0; Spells per day - 3
Acid Splash, Ray of Frost, Touch of Fatigue
1; Spells per day - 2
Magic missile, Ray of enfeeblement
Gunner is the brains of the operation. His main job is to keep Machete Bladegod in line and on track to where ever it is they're going. He does this by using the sleep spell in his ring when Machete seems to be off on some tangent or rampage.
Machete Bladegod (Muscle)
NE 1st Dwarf Fighter
Init +3, Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +2
Defense
AC 18, touch 9, flat-footed 18 (+9 plate mail armor, -1 Dex) (+4 vs. giants)
hp 13
Fort +5, Ref -1, Will +1 (+2 vs. poison, spells, and spell-like abilities)
Offense
Spd 20 ft.
Melee +3 greatsword (2d6+2/19-20/x2) (+1 vs. orc and goblinoid subtypes)
Ranged +0 heavy crossbow (1d10/19-20/x2)
Statistics
Str 12, Dex 8, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; CMB +2, CMD 11 (+4 vs, bull rush or trip while standing on the ground)
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (greatsword)
Skills Intimidate +4, Perception +2, Ride +2, Survival +4
Languages Common, Dwarven, Giant, Undercommon
SQ Slow and steady, Defensive training, greed, hardy, stability, stoncunning
Equipment heavy crossbow, full plate mail greatsword, backpack, bedroll, torch, rations
Machete is the muscle of the group and is as evil as they come and will cut a man for looking at him the wrong way - or any way at all. He was in prison for mass homicide (he slaughtered a temple full of pacifist monks) when he was released because the King things that Machete knows the whereabouts of a set of magical clothing that the King desperately needs. Machete is enjoying his freedom, but isn't stupid enough to think that this trip is going to be easy.
These three adventures are currently walking through the desert in search of a "Sunken City" that Machete has rumors of. Once there, they can gain the location of the clothing and retrieve it. They are searching for the Gear of the Exorcism of the Dust Deflection. Once used by the mighty priests of the Sultans of the Sunken City of pillars, the Gear was used to cast out the desert demons that stirred up the dunes. Story has it the Gear has been lost to the ages, but Machete knows (or claims he knows) where they can find the true location of the Gear.
Gear of the Exorcism of Dust Deflection
This set of priestly garments allows a Cleric or Paladin to add +2 to his caster level when using dispel magic to dispels a spell that allows a spirit to inhabit the body of another, such as magic jar as well as the Malevolence special attack of a ghost. These garments also provide the Cleric or Paladin with DR 5/evil against any attack by the spirit, but the wearer may not also wear any type of armor while using the Gear.
Who or what will they find in the Sunken City? Will they find the Gear or be lost to the shifting sands that oppress the Sunken City? Why does the King suddenly desire this Gear and does it have anything to do with why his daughter hasn't been seen in weeks?
The main idea behind this is that Machete is an evil, evil being, but is being steered by both Storm and Gunner. They need him to find the Gear and Machete needs them to help him survive. One thing to keep in mind is that as these character level up, Gunner can replace the sleep spell in his ring with any spell he can learn, such as web, hold person, suggestion...pretty much any spell you can think of that would be useful for keeping a sociopath in check. You could also give Gunner wands of various types. Just be careful of Machete's +2 bonus against spells. Although, if you can get a Cleric or Paladin to use mark of justice, you might be in business.
You could also add more characters to the group, such as a Cleric (for more healing), another Fighter or Paladin (for martial roles), or someone that actually has a decent Dexterity bonus, like a Rogue or Ranger for ranged fighting.
That's it for this week. Thanks for reading and listening. Remember to find me Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SkredlitheOgre), follow me on Twitter (@SkredlitheOgre), go back and read all of my other blogs (SkredlitheOgre.blogger.com) and find my other blogs onAdventureaweek.com. Until next week, be awesome to each other and good gaming.
Will.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Ogre's Den: Edge Solitaire
The Ogre's Den: Edge Solitaire: Edge Solitaire Edge Solitaire Male NG Half-Elf Aristocrat 2 Init -1, senses low-light vision, Perception +6 Defense AC 22 (+12 +4 plate ...
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