OSR Commentary on Frazetta & Bakshi's 'Fire & Ice' film from 1983 As Inspiration For Your Old School Campaigns

" At the end of the ice age, an evil queen and her son are set on conquering the world using magic and warriors. The lone survivor of a crushed village fights back as does the king of Fire Keep."

Few movies are as Sword & Sorcery especially Astonishing Swordmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea inspiration as Ralph Bakshi's 1983 animation  'Fire & Ice'.We litterally wore the VHS tape of 'Fire & Ice' out as a kid. The plot is straight out of every drug store Sword & Sorcery paperback during the Eighties especially straight from the wiki entry;"From their citadel Icepeak, the evil queen, Juliana and her son, Nekron send forth a wave of glaciers; this forces humanity to retreat south towards the equator. Nekron sends a delegation to Firekeep, the volcano citadel of king Jarol, ostensibly to request the king's surrender. In truth, the ice queen has orchestrated it as a ruse so that her subhuman troops can abduct Jarol's beautiful daughter, princess Teegra. Juliana feels that Nekron should take her as a bride to produce an heir.

Teegra escapes her captors and comes upon a young warrior named Larn, the only survivor of a village destroyed by Nekron's glaciers. The two grow close, but they become separated when Larn is attacked by a monstrous giant squid, and Nekron's subhumans recapture Teegra. She briefly escapes again, but runs into the witch Roleil and her son Otwa, who intend to use her as a bargaining chip for incurring Nekron's favor. However, the subhumans simply kill them and take Teegra to Icepeak. Nekron refuses to marry Teegra, in spite of his mother's plan, but keeps the princess as a hostage.

While looking for Teegra, Larn encounters Darkwolf, a mysterious masked warrior who pursues a personal vendetta against Nekron and Juliana"

'Fire & Ice' works on several layers as both a pursue film, a Sword & Sorcery film, & as perfectly fuctional Sword & Sorcery inspiration. The film represents the clash of two ordersor ages  in the form the steady conquest of citadel Icepeak forces led by  the evil queen, Juliana and her son, Nekron against the more advanced kingdom of Firekeep. Dark Wolf is definitely a demigod belonging to an earlier 'age of heroes'. Fire and Ice has so much of Frank Frazetta's essence about it because of his involvement with the production according to Wiki;'Because Fire and Ice was the most action-oriented story Bakshi had directed up until that point, rotoscoping was again used, and the realism of the animation and design replicated Frazetta's artwork.^[2] Bakshi and Frazetta were heavily involved in the production of the live-action sequences, from casting sessions to the final shoot.^[2] The film's crew included background artists James Gurney and Thomas Kinkade, layout artist Peter Chung, and established Bakshi Productions artists Sparey, Steven E. Gordon, Bell and Banks.^[2] Chung strongly admired Bakshi and Frazetta's work, and animated his sequences on the film while simultaneously working for The Walt Disney Company."

There are five reasons why this film is excellent for Sword & Sorcery inspiration:

1. Fire & Ice main plot is over but the forces of darkness are not vanquished this is where the PC's come in. Firekeep needs to secure the land and there are still tribes of subhumans out in the wilderness. 
2. Dark Wolf is not done with prince Lam & he's gonna need help to secure the borders of Firekeep. 
3. What happened to the other kingdoms that Neckon's forces have overrun someone is going to have to help them recover. 
4. There are tons of monsters just waiting for adventurers to stumble upon them in abandon cities & ruins across the land. This also means treasure as well and evil artifacts. 
5. The witch Roleil and her son Otwa, are not the only witches in the kingdom of Firekeep and these evil practiciers of dark magick may be the next evil facing the scatttered nations left in the wake of Neckon's evil. 

While 'Fire & Ice ' is a perfect film as an inspiration for Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea. There are also several 2d6 Sword & Sorcery rpg's that also could draw perfectly from the world of Arn, Teegra, & Dark Wolf.  Barbaric! by Omer Golan-Joel from Stellagamma Publishing springs to mind coupled with Warpland is perfectly suited to simulate the rotoscoped world of 'Fire & Ice'. 

Warpland especially captures the rotoscoped weirdness of the clash of elements, ages, and even hints of older inhuman prehistoric weirdness found in 'Fire & Ice'.  The elements that clash in the film also could very well represent the hard realities of the world setting of Warpland. 

The Exterminator Series of Cyborgs - OSR Commentary - Weird Tales Judges Guild Wilderlands of High Fantasy - Campaign Set Up

 For tonight's game the players are going to be encountiner two bounty hunter NPC's. A J.A.K.E. Unit which is taken from David Baymiller's OSR work up of J.A.K.E.'s from Weird War Tales for Operation White Box.  And his Exterminator unit partner Lewis Ulysses. Here's an updated in campaign history of the Exterminator series of cybernetic units & their Arduin rpg connection. This campaign blog entry has been updated. 

From "The Vault of the Weaver's"  Caliban  adventure copy right Emperor's Choice Games 

Ecology of Dave Hargrave's Exterminator Series of  War Droids 

The war frame of the Exterminators series of  war droids were originally built on the J.A.K.E. Unit technologies of World War  II. The Jakes units were used extensively throughout the European & Pacific theaters. But they also saw action in Vietnam war. 

"The Exterminator war droid looked down on to the smoking remains of the latest series of adventurers or targets without pity or remorse. The smoking remains burnt merrily to themselves speaking volumes of warning to others who would venture into the confines of Caliban. The "Flying Dutchmen of Megadungeons" winged its way between the planes. The wardroid slapped its clip home into the 50 caliber weapon and began its rounds again and wait. Waited for the next batch of fools to cross its path and its guns. It took a certain grim satisfaction in a job well done. Even as it whirled on its treads conscious of someone or something waiting it from far off. "  

 The Exterminator series of Cybernetic Organisms From  A Future Darkly Introduction 

The Exterminator series of cybernetic organisms isn't simply a collection of devices or government sponsored assassins moving across the face of this scarred Earth of ours. The Exterminator series is one of the most important cyborgs ever to roll off of an assembly line.  The "Exterminator Force" created these super efficient killing machines for the purpose of removing certain genetic defects that resulted in mutations that were incredibly dangerous to future generations.
A number of these modules were were lost throughout time and space to many different alternative Earths and timelines. These cybernetic killers were drawn from the ranks of the desperate and the damned. Sometimes condemned political criminals and sometimes ordinary citizens were encased in the shell of the Exterminators.

These cyborgs were made for doing two things: To act as assassins and to remove the threat of genetic mutations in all its forms giving mankind a chance to survive against the coming onslaught. 

Anatomy of An Exterminator Cyborg  

Each and every Exterminator series robot is a blue green spindly humanoid war droid body. Its head consists of an oval over sized set of sensors built into a suite and a mouthpiece that resembles an aviator's oxygen mask. 

Exterminator cyber systems are usually linked to advanced AI personalities that actually control the robotic bodies up a one hundred fifty miles. The human minds are put into the robotic bodies because because only the "human killer instinct" is needed to create the perfect robotic killers.

 These robots were used extensively in overpopulated alternative Earth future timelines in the Warrenverse.

These robot use conventional military weaponry and specialized Exterminator  weapon systems. This innovative cybernetic systems were used in both military and private sector security systems as well as black ops weapons shop. These borgs are complete total conversion organisms. The Exterminator systems are immune to many forms of magic and psionic abilities.

 The human torso, nerve clusters, spinal column, eyes, skull, minor skeletal structures,and any other human elements  are incorporated where needed.

All cybernetic systems are there to offer computer council, also assure loyalty to the US government.  They also have massive bio storage memory capacity and able to have real time human experience memory interaction.    

They have both advanced optics and sensor systems. They have high supernatural threat assessment systems and complete mutant extermination data bases.

 The first of the Exterminator series was launched in its alternative timeline future on February of 2014.

 The second of the Exterminator series of cyborgs is identical to the first except that he is attached to a tank like vehicle which also has computer systems counter measures, advanced AI assist,and advanced communications systems.  The Exterminator series was in operation for three hundred and eighty years. 
Surprisingly these Exterminator units have been found throughout both the Wilderlands & Hyperborea. Why they were deployed in these theaters is unknown at this time. 

Variations on a The Exterminator Platform 

There is speculation that the Exterminator series was the basis for the "Bakshi Peace Project Android Units". These cybernetic systems developed by the "Exterminator Works" scientists also found their way into the advanced android systems of the Peace units. 

Leaps in the private medical and security sector in the alternative 2014 came as a result of the government sponsored cyber soldier programs. "Adjusting the alien vampire threat" became a top priority during this time.  As time went on the Exterminator units were programmed to work with minor mutated beings against Alpha level threats.

" Project Mandroid" developed parallel with the various incarnations of the Exterminator Cyborgs. This more human variation on the technology allowed a greater platform for quisi civilian and and private sector armed forces. This allowed cybernetic conversion of wounded armed forces or condemned criminals into the Mandroid units.

 

The Mandroid units paved the way for "switch and go" weapons options, and extensive off road capable tank tread platforms. These weigh in excess of 3000 pounds or more.  Because of the greater human to machine index on the Mandroids there is a much higher empathy level in these cybernetic organisms. There is also the built in obsolesce factor. These units would only last one hundred years as their human organic parts wore out. 

 

The real innovation to the Mandroids is the direct mind link interface. This allowed "direct memory" downloads onto any human computer from the human mind of the cyborg. This was a direct result of studies conducted on a captured Exterminator frame. 

Because of the direct memory interface technology, the Mandroids came with a complete data base of human culture and history. This made them perfect time space explorers. They paved the way for later improvements into the Exterminator series of cybernetic machines 

In the post apocalyptic horror world of 2394 the Exterminators and even their variations saw extensive action. They were used against all types of Alpha level mutant supernatural threats from vampires, werewolves, even some minor Lovecraftian horror races. The "Exterminators" were the perfect killing weapons. A final nail into the coffins of the so called mutant menace. 

 Behind the helm of the Exterminator War Droids

The Vault of the Weaver contains monsters not normally found within the Arduin rule books . These "boss monsters" are several grades above the traditional monsters of "Bloody Arduin". The war droids seem to be computer controlled hit men from the same alternative worlds as the Warrenverse . So I simply married the character created by author Bill DuBay and artist Paul Neary.

The Exterminator One unit appeared in "Eerie #69, in 1974 and is trade marked to Warren publishing Co.

 The Mandroid is from The Elimators film. Since I'm doing the Horror VHS campaign I figured this was a perfect fit. 

I wanted to squeeze in "Peace" from the Ralph Bakshi's movie Wizards  in there someplace. Obviously Peace is copyrighted  and trade marked to its owner. I have nothing but the greatest respect for Mr.Bakshi.

No doubt your wondering how the Wardroid cyborg got into the wandering dungeon of "Caliban" in the first place . Its a pretty tough call, how the cyborg got into there. How he gets out is the real rub though.

 Obviously  this is a fan created blog entry. This blog entry is for entertainment purposes only there are attempt to violate the copyright or trade mark infringement of the original copy holder's. work. Everything else is a result of my own warped mind. 

 External Links 

You can find "The Vaults of the Weaver" from Emperor's Choice right HERE

All information Regarding The Exterminator series comes from HERE

Using Dragon Magazine Issue #68 - For Solo Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea Adventuring

To amuse myself after work today I began to think about old school solo Swords & Sorcery role playing. Yes I know all about Tunnels & Trolls solo dungeons . Instead I wanted to go in a completely different direction. So while swilling down a beer, I began the task of looking through my bountiful collection of Dragon magazines. Finally I spied it. Dragon issue #68 which according to Wayne's books site;  "Two weapon fighting; Dawn Patrol; Ice Age adventuring; Aquatic encounter tables; High-level magic user spells; Weather in the World of Greyhawk; more.

December 1982 ... 96 pages". In case your wondering get a hold of this issue its a classic for a reason. 

I was looking around for a solid resource for running some Ice Age adventures in Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea. While the game contains some really solid leads on creating & maintaining adventuring upon Hyperborea I've been looking into creating some actual on the ground content for adventurers. Fortunately I don't have to spend a whole lot of money in order to get the maximum outta of the game. Dragon issue #68 contains an article by Arthur Collins called 'Thrills & Chills'. It describes setting up a clan and how much time must be spent on survival alone. Suddenly,  you've got a great resource for playing at & going at it alone between adventures. Be sure to use the rule of AS&SH when creating your character!

 To me Hyperborea has always seemed like Ralph Bakshi Fire and Ice film . In fact this is my go to film to put me in the proper mind set to run the game.  In fact Arthur Collins article 'Thrills & Chills' plugs right into the sort of background that I see for AS&SH.  

The film 'Fire & Ice' has this Age of Giant Mammals & Prehistoric dinosaur survivals that mashes so well with the background elements of AS&SH. The film gets the blood pumping to run some AS&SH! Throw in a bit of Clark Ashton Smith & your ready to go! This is a classic issue that has some real gems of articles in it for both OSR & old school play. The card stock centerfold of the "Weather In The World Of Greyhawk" article  is the true gem  of this issue! It makes Greyhawk just that more dangerous! 

But back to AS&SH solo adventuring. I'm thinking of using the guidelines from  Arthur Collins article 'Thrills & Chills' to set up my clan, create some tribal support NPC's, & then expand into blackadder23's Hyperborean Encounter Tables II Bookmarked pdf that you can find on the OD&D proboard forums here. If you haven't grabbed these & your an AS&SH fan then I would! These are excellent & black adder 23 deserves an exalt! And your pretty much ready to go!

Keep track of experience points, check with your DM on using this method, & keep on moving & exploring for your clan until your party comes to get you! This method could have you go up a level or two in no time plus it familiarizes you with the AS&SH system. 

A quick look at Ralph Bakshi's Fire And Ice

I've always been a huge fan of this movie ever since it came out in theaters. Its never gotten its due and that's too bad. The film has always been on constant rotation and rental at every video place that I worked in back in the early 90's. 

 From their stronghold in Icepeak, the evil Queen Juliana (Susan Tyrrell) and her son, Nekron (Stephen Mendel), send forth a wave of glaciers, forcing humanity to retreat south towards the equator. Nekron sends a delegation to King Jarol (Leo Gordon) in Firekeep to request his surrender, but this is a ruse orchestrated by Queen Juliana for Nekron’s sub-humans to kidnap Jarol’s daughter, the barefoot, microkini-wearing Princess Teegra (Cynthia Leake); Queen Juliana feels that Nekron should take a bride to produce an heir.

But Teegra makes an escape and comes upon Larn, the only survivor of a village razed by glaciers, who offers to escort her back to Firekeep. As Teegra is recaptured, Larn teams with the mysterious Darkwolf (Steve Sandor) to save Teegra and then travel to Icepeak to stop Juliana. Darkwolf faces Nekron and kills him as Icepeak succumbs to lava released by King Jarol and is destroyed.

The film finishes with Larn about to kill a beaten sub-human until Teegra stops him saying that "it's over" and embraces him. Darkwolf is seen atop a cliff; he watches the pair, smiles and then disappears. Teegra and Larn kiss as the credits roll.

'Fire and Ice'

Influence and Feel 

Fire and Ice has a weird sort of feel. Its someplace between timeless and a Frezetta piece come to life for me. This was the film that came to mind when Carcosa first hit the OSR scene. Most recently there's been the Starbarian character class that seems to embody some of the ideas this film from Exonaughts blog HERE
 I'm a huge fan of rotoscoping and this film has a ton of it. Recently I've aquired the blu ray of this movie and its so worth it. This film definitely has that 'west coast ethos' of OD&D and Arduin. 

Great film to deal with worlds going through their ice age and mixing OD&D along with it.
I'm working on a bit of an ice age space opera and so I quickly brought this one out.
Bakshi and Frezetta together. Does anything more have to be said?
An old favorite of mine! 

Triple Ralph Bakshi Bill

When I was a kid these were the best! I saw these at the local Drive In  when I lived in upstate New York back in the 70s & 80s.
Enjoy 

Ralph Bakshi Double Feature

These are some of the main sources of influence for Crypts & Things, Carcosa, & other Swords & Sorcery stuff in my worlds