Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Forgotten Edgar Rice Burroughs Post Apocalypse Novel - The Lost Continent



I was looking for some inspiration because I've just been told that I've got a game to run on Saturday. I stumbled on this novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Because of the release of John Carter by Disney everyone has been talking about a Princess Of Mars.
 However as of late I've been looking at other novels & stories by ERB. I stumbled on this one quite by accident.

The year is 2137. Two hundred years ago -- in our time, more or less -- Eurasia fought a war to end all wars, a war that meant, for all intents and purposes, the end of the Old World. The Americans managed to retain their civilization -- but only by engaging by the most extreme form or isolationism imaginable for two centuries, now, no American has ventured east of the thirtieth parallel. "East for the East . . ." the slogan went, "The West for the West!" Until a terrible storm at sea forced American lieutenant Jefferson Turck to disobey the law, seeking safe harbor in England -- where he found that two centuries of isolation have desolated the land. The damaged ship found a Europe that is no longer an enemy -- a ruined land that is utterly unable to be an enemy -- or a friend.
 
The Lost Continent" (a.k.a. "Beyond Thirty") is very much an alternative history mixed with a post apocalypse premise. The premise behind this alternative history story is that the United States did not get involved in the "Great War" in Europe but instead followed its isolationist tendencies to such an extreme ("The East for the East...The West for the West") that no one from the United States has gone past 30 degrees or 175 degrees latitude for over 160 years, which means no one in America even knows who won the war.
 The novel reads like the HG Wells movie 
The Shape of Things to Come but this is ERB we're talking here. So of course there's action galore but its an anti war story. Written in 1916, it postulates a world where WW1 never ended. Instead, the combatants kept fighting for decades until they reduced themselves to the level of the stone age. Reflecting the American sentiment for non-involvement, the United States combines with the rest of the Americas to form the United Americas- a fortress of civilization barricaded against any contact with the world beyond the seas
 Wiki had this to say: 
The novel, set in the year 2137, was heavily influenced by the events of World War I. In the future world depicted in the novel, Europe has descended into barbarism while anisolationist and politically united Western Hemisphere remains sheltered from the destruction. The title Beyond Thirty refers to the 30th meridian west that inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere are forbidden to pass.


USES FOR THE OSR
 
There's lots for an enterprising Dungeon Master to use here. The novel is a quick read & breezes through a ruined Europe that has all sorts of interesting developments. There are 2 possible routes that one can go here. 
The alternative history route ~ Grab your classical history books with plenty of photos let the players be aboard an  aero-submarine of the Pan-American Navy of their own. Let them explore the strange ruins, poke around in the various places of Europe & generally have a great time. Simply use Original D&D, Swords & Wizardry, or Labyrinth Lord, Mutant Future & cut out the fantastic elements. 
Option number two use the Lost Continentant as a spring board for your imagination & use Swords & Wizardry, or Labyrinth Lord, & Mutant Future. Here you add in the magical elements & the mutant stuff. The war has forced Europe into a new fantasy age. The world has grown far more Moorcockian & the ages of Law are ending. 
                    There's lots to mine here. The novel features conventional guns, weird technology such as the aero-submarine Coldwater under the command of Captain Jefferson Turck of the Pan-American Navy, & a very strange twisted United States that none of the players will recognize.
 It worked for Star Trek & it can work for you!  The Omega Glory trod this post apocalypse landscape as well.  A summery of the Omega Glory can be found Here
Who knows what strange bio weapons are floating around in the air of Europe or what weird mutants might be lurking there ?
The novel reminded me of Michael Moorcock's HawkMoon without the weird factors that one finds in his books. The post apocalypse Europe is eerie & sort of haunting in a way. A place to visit for adventures but not one to live in at a long term capaign.

 The novel is really a blank Post Apocalypse canvas to do with as you please. There are infact several different places for support of this novel
ERBmania has the novel on line Here
The Ebook Here
A complete Summery Here

The novel is within the public domain & fully within rights to use. Have fun & watch the wild life! 


Unboxing The Free Dungeon Crawl Classics Poster

I received my free Dungeon Crawl Classics Poster today then there was a follow up email. The email contained this little nugget of information - "Release date: As you've probably heard, DCC RPG is progressing well but the release date has slipped to April-ish. Most of the layout is complete and we are in the proofreading stage. It is worth the wait, but of course nobody likes to wait. Hopefully this free poster makes the wait a little more tolerable. (And yes, the poster says "February" instead of "April"...should have updated that before we printed the poster!)" 

 I actually really like the poster its nice study & looks pretty damn cool.  Even with "Hugh The Barbarian's " flares! That's flares with a capital "F". The artwork is " 70s Science Fantasy"  artwork style mixed with Doug Kovac's usual illustration style. Sort of Castle Grey skull meets TSR artwork  & this is their bastard child. I mean this in a good way.
 

 

  There's lots of the Dungeon Crawl Classics original artwork for sale. It reveals a lot about the game. It gives me a feel for where the game is going actually. Its sort of a 70s grind house exploitation movie thing vibe going on here. That's great in my estimation.. Does it mean I'm going to play this? Probably not but that's because I'm already doing fine with my existing systems. I will grab a module or two. I convert on the fly & go from there. If you want to see anymore of this artwork head over Here 
 Want to take the rules for a spin There's right here!


If you want a free poster if there are any left go over to Here 
 Do I think its worth it? Yes its free & a pretty nice poster! 

Monday, January 30, 2012

Jean Wells 1955 - 2012 - A Grand Lady Of Gaming

I just came across this post by Steve Sullivan & its with a very heavy heart that I'm posting this- 
Steve Sullivan
RIP Jean Wells - D&D Pioneer

I'm very sad to report the death of my friend, D&D pioneer, and the original sage of Sage Advice, Jean Wells.

When I first got to TSR in September of 1980, Jean was one of the first people to try to really make me feel welcome. She was a big, brash, opinionated, and very loving personality. She was fun to be around. She was also a Southern girl through and through, who cooked great fried chicken. I remember fondly her ongoing "feud" with Gary Gygax over whether dwarf women had beards (Gary: Yes; Jean: No), and the fun-loving one-upsmanship the two engaged in over the subject. I remember her inadvertently getting TSR involved in the Indiana Jones franchise, several years before the license, when she used TSR letterhead to write to Lucas, asking for some photos from the film. (And implying there might be an interest in the license.) I remember stepping in to draw illos for B3, to help her out, when some in the art department didn't want to -- and I remember the big to-do about the original version of that module when it came out.

It was pretty wild at the time, but those are precious memories now.

And I remember the friend who would go out of her way to help you if you were in need. The one and only time in my life I've had a panic attack (heart racing around 150), I ended up sleeping on her couch, 'cause she was there for me. She cared about this skinny geek living 1000 miles away from home.

Thanks, Jean, for that and for many other fond memories.

You were one of a kind.

And my deepest condolences to her husband Corey and all her family and friends.

She is gone too soon.

-- Steve Sullivan

Here's the obit, as passed on by Tim "Ollie" Cahoon:

Oeva Jean Koebernick, 56, of Beloit, WI died Wednesday, January 25, 2012, in Beloit Memorial Hospital. She was born July 25, 1955 in Jacksonville, FL, the daughter of Walton and Ellen Loft Wells. Jean was a member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church.
She is survived by two sons, John Teague and Steve Teague both of Memphis, TN; sister, Jennifer (John) Hines of Memphis, TN and brother Finis Wells of Memphis, TN; father, Walton Wells; former husband, Corey Koebernick of Beloit, WI; mother-in-law, Elaine Koebernick and brother-in-law, David Koebernick both of Beloit, WI and her special canine companion, Darlin.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Ellen Wells.
In honoring Jean’s wishes, there are to be no funeral services.

And here's the information from the family as I heard it via Dave Conant:

I have the sad duty to share with you that Jean has passed away recently. I received word from Cory this past weekend and he asked to I send word to all of you. Please pass on to others that you might know who remember Jean.

Here are the few details I know: Jean was admitted to the Beloit Hospital last Tuesday (1/24) with what seemed non-life threatening symp...toms. Cory was with her for a while that night. However, he received word from the hospital at 6:00 AM Wednesday morning that she had died. He is not aware of the cause at this time.

He indicated that there is no plan currently to have a service or memorial for Jean since family and friends are so distant and widespread. However, although he will be deactivating phone numbers and email addresses for Jean, he did indicate that he would leave one to which friends could send condolences and/or memorials — DancerUnderAMoon@aol.com. He also shared that if anyone was interested in a donation that they donate to whatever charity they feel appropriate in Jean's memory.

For those of us that were close to Jean over the years (all the way back to the early years at TSR and the TSR Dorm for me), this message comes with mixed feelings. Jean has struggled much over the years with pains and various illnesses, some very serious. She always tried (and did well most of the time) to keep a positive frame of mind and certainly always cared much for others. I know from talking with Jean that she is in a better place now without all the pains and concerns, but she will be missed.

Good bye ole friend,
Dave Conant



I'm more then a little sad this evening as the author of one of my favorite modules has passed on today. Jean Wells was great person & one of those who was ahead of her time on many levels. She will be missed.
You can hear one of her interviews over at the Save or Die Podcast Here

Ishihara Gōjin' s Journey To The Center Of The Earth Setting For Your Old School Post Apocalypse Game


Wild 1969 Japanese magazine art imagines the hellhole at Earth's core














In 1969  Ishihara  Gōjin  did some of the most evocative & slightly disturbing images of the a fictional Journey To The Center of the Earth setting I've seen . These incredible images are part of a child's magazine believe it or not. The only thing that comes to mind while viewing these are an adult version of the old Inhumaniod's cartoon! 
Others have asked me what possibly could be done with the over the top Carcosa game system? Well I present you with one possibly or this campaign could be done with Mutant Future! There are now more then enough Japanese Monster movies within the public domain that you as a dungeon master could turn the volume up to '11" & go from there!
  I find 
Ishihara ("Japan's Norman Rockwell") Gōjin  to be evocative, interesting, & downright disturbing but oh so inspiring!
 Here's a list of Japanese monster movies within the pubic domain that could be used for  inspiration for this type of campaign! Here
The original photos came from Here  All works are copyrighted to their respective holders & no attempt is being made to violate them. However they are downright awesome & I wanted to share them with fans who will appreciate them. Wild 1969 Japanese magazine art imagines the hellhole at Earth's core
Wild 1969 Japanese magazine art imagines the hellhole at Earth's core
Wild 1969 Japanese magazine art imagines the hellhole at Earth's core
Wild 1969 Japanese magazine art imagines the hellhole at Earth's core
Wild 1969 Japanese magazine art imagines the hellhole at Earth's core
Wild 1969 Japanese magazine art imagines the hellhole at Earth's core
Wild 1969 Japanese magazine art imagines the hellhole at Earth's core

Ishihara ("Japan's Norman Rockwell") Gōjin Awesome Illustrations


Ishihara ("Japan's Norman Rockwell") Gōjin is one of the most prolific & interesting illustrators to come out of Japan in the post war period. Thanks to Pink Tentacle this series of illustrations were for children's books! I've often thought about these after coming across a book of them in the now sadly defunct gaming shop War & Pieces in West Hartford! He is awesome! These are what I think of when I think of the Oriental Adventures Source Book For AD&D. The Aliens are all Carcosa though to me! The original article can be found Here & Thanks To Pink Tentacle For Providing These Awesome Images!
 If you want to know more of the original artist there is a good article about him Here
Illustration by Gōjin Ishihara --
Kappa (river imp), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
Jorōgumo (lit. "whore spider"), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gōjin Ishihara --
- Kubire-oni (strangler demon), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Goujin Ishihara --
Rokurokubi (long-necked woman), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Goujin Ishihara --
Onmoraki (bird demon), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
Nekomata (cat monster), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gōjin Ishihara --
Tengu (bird-like demon), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Tenjō-sagari (ceiling dweller), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
Enma Dai-Ō (King of Hell), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
Kyūbi no kitsune (nine-tailed fox), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
Baku (dream-eating chimera), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
Yūrei (ghost), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gōjin Ishihara --
- Yamasei (mountain sprite), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Goujin Ishihara --
Rashōmon no oni (ogre of Rashōmon Gate), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Waira (mountain-dwelling chimera), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
Nure-onna (snake woman), Illustrated Book of Japanese Monsters, 1972
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Hell of Repetition (Illustrated Book of Hell, 1975)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Burning Hell (Illustrated Book of Hell, 1975)
Illustration by Gōjin Ishihara --
- Demons of the Orient (The Complete Book of Demons, 1974)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- The appearance of Satan (The Complete Book of Demons, 1974)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Gorgon (Illustrated Book of World Monsters, 1973)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Aliens in ancient Japan (Mysteries of the World, 1970)
Illustration by Goujin Ishihara --
- Alien (Mysteries of the World, 1970)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Emergency Command 10-4 10-10 (sonosheet book, 1972)
Illustration by Gōjin Ishihara --
- Emergency Command 10-4 10-10 (sonosheet book, 1972)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
Kaiketsu Lion-Maru (sonosheet book, 1972)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
Kaiketsu Lion-Maru (sonosheet book, 1972)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Prehistoric man as modern-day baseball player (Prehistoric Man, 1970)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Prehistoric man as modern-day wrestler (Prehistoric Man, 1970)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Prehistoric man as modern-day security guard (Prehistoric Man, 1970)
Illustration by Gōjin Ishihara --
- The secretary who spied for 18 years (from Spy Wars)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- World's biggest glutton (World's Greatest Wonders, 1971)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Precognition of plane crash (Mysteries of the Body, 1973)
Illustration by Gojin Ishihara --
- Nostradamus (Psychics of the World, 1974)
Illustration by Goujin Ishihara --
- Frozen planet (Year X: End of the World, 1975)
Illustration by Gōjin Ishihara --
Dark star gravity (Year X: End of the World, 1975)
[Link: Gōjin Fechi]

World War I Energy Weapons - Alternative History Weapon For Your Old School Space Opera Game

Electrical Experimenter 1917-06

The Future today! These amazing weapons are helping our boys in the trenches against the Hun. Recovered from the bloodiest battles against the Martian Overlords in 1898  have become a staple on the battle fields of Europe. 
 The genius Nikola Tesla  recently reverse engineered these magnificent weapons for our boys to use across Europe. In his own words "Its a macroscopic charged particle beam projector. The device was based upon a large Van de Graaff generator of unique design and a special type of open-ended vacuum tube. It comprised a system for the acceleration of minutetungsten or mercury particles to a velocity of about 48 times the speed of sound. The projectiles were propelled out of the tube by electrostatic repulsion."


 There are still some bugs to be worked out of the system but there getting used in many theaters across Europe! Now
This technology comes from a Near Earth Alternative where the Martian Invasion happened. These weapons are capable of  pr
oducing very great electrical force in the range of 60,000,000 volts to propel the particles to their objective. 
The kink in the weapon is the generator that it must be attached to & the tremendous output of energy needed. 

The man portable Teleforce weapon uses a a gas powered generator, back pack energy projector, & the hand focusing rod.


Teleforce weapon  Range 300' Damage 2d6+1 Weight 60 lbs.  Cost 4,000 dollars 1910 monies when first developing, cost lowered 200 dollars per unit in full production 


1d10 Random Teleforce Mishap Table 
  1. The user is electrocuted for 1d3 points of damage & the generator is not working 
  2. The user is randomly stunned for 1d3 rounds 
  3. Mutation Exposure! Roll on appropriate matrix 
  4. The local space time is ripped open & 1d4 planar demons enter! 
  5. The spirits of the dead begin to haunt the user for 1d4 hours 
  6. The user hits everyone with rand of the weapon with 1d4 points of damage! 
  7. The weapon blows up & sends the user to another plane of existence 
  8. The user lucks out & the weapon functions normally except for some smoke & flame 
  9. The weapon does triple damage to the target but burns out! 
  10. The weapon acts as a beacon to things beyond which arrive in 1d3 round to claim the user's soul! 
Teleforce weapons of this type may be built from space craft in 1d4 hours if the ship can be cannibalized. They may also be built from spare parts or built in 1d6 hours if parts are purchased on the open interstellar market. The cost is 50 credits per unit.  Engineer class characters or scientists will receive+1 to build these weapons but understand the weird science involved!