the Fierce & the LintKing's Amber Bitstag:www.alkime.org,2009:/mtfierce/amber//202009-07-14T19:43:47ZM the Fierce and the LintKing delve into detail for their Amber worlds, campaigns, thoughts, occasional genius and insight, and whatever else amusing them that IS Amber-related. Movable Type 4.21-enVampires in Ambertag:www.alkime.org,2009:/mtfierce/amber//20.79882009-07-14T19:38:51Z2009-07-14T19:43:47ZMy vampires are not like your vampires.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
parasites, with all the connotations that brings. ("Breath of the grave." "Oh yeah, he's hot, if you think old tepid blood is, um, hot.")
So in my feverish afternoon I did come up with one idea of vampires in Amber that I liked.
See, it was all based on the "unto the third generation," line oft-quoted. What if you couldn't actually walk the Pattern after that?
Then my brain said, "No problem, that's why we keep Dworkin hooked up to the tubing. A few transfusions of the old shapeshifter's blood and we can go anywhere but this creepy dump."]]>
The Third Game [ACNW 2008]tag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.76752008-10-10T19:45:51Z2008-10-10T20:36:52ZI've had a(nother) game cancelled at an ACNW. Death of ego is a strange experience in GMing.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
ACNW 2008. I know it came out in the description, leaving a certain incoherence and a certain level of nonchalance that didn't give the same "bang" in the description as I've been able to make in other games. I know that was part of it.]]>
Steven Barnes talks a lot about "death of the ego shell" and I think that part of it is that, simply, I do not have "GM" as so much of my identity anymore. I still enjoy it - my "Please and Shank You!" game was a fun example, if it devolved a little during the killing cycle, and even although the game I ran at WorldCon wasn't at all what I wanted it to be, I still gave a taste of the game.
I have a lot of energy and ideas ready for "The Madness of King Lir" and "A Friendly Exchange" that makes me think they have the potential to be intense games.
But I'm not going to feel like I've failed somehow if I'm not "full up" in my games. It'd sound too much like sour grapes to say, "Maybe next year I won't run anything," but I won't run anything for which I don't feel like I have a real, solid enthusiasm, time, and energy. I never should have in the first place, and that's where I want to take the blame for the past failures.]]>
Terror Comes from Many Sourcestag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.76742008-10-10T19:44:36Z2008-10-10T20:37:31ZCould the Prince of Chanicut's Logrus-Sight also be termed, "The Tubble Hell-o-scope?"MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
Could the Prince of Chanicut's Logrus-Sight also be termed, "The Tubble Hell-o-scope?"
A Friendly Exchangetag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.76652008-09-15T19:56:59Z2008-09-15T19:58:54ZYou have spent a quarter century as a prisoner of your own honor amongst the people of the Thelbane.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
Secret Handshakes
--- Game Title ---
A Friendly Exchange
--- Teen Friendly? ---
no
--- GameMaster(s) ---
Meera Barry and Kingsley Lintz (as Martin)
--- Contact Email ---
the.fierce@gmail.com
--- Game Description ---
Game may run late into the evening.
Dark / Grim -- Alternate Amber
You have spent a quarter century as a prisoner of your own honor amongst the people of the Thelbane.
You have learned secrets, dangerous secrets, and you have suffered for it. The Courts are always darker than you think.
Your sentence is concluded. You are free to go.
Except...
They say you can never go home again.
--- Setting ---
I looked and I saw Random. He was standing with his back to us about thirty meters away, on a shelf of rock, facing the storm. It was very close now, and a wind whipped his garments. Lightning trails crissed and crossed before him. The thunder boomed almost constantly.
"How long-has he been there?" I asked.
"Only a few minutes," Fiona replied.
"That is how long it has been - since our return?"
"No," she said. "You have been out for a fairly long while. Random talked with the others first. The real Lords of Chaos. They've thanked you for indulging their pets, but the storm isn't of the Pattern, or the repair. The storm," she emphasized, "is them. Or some of them."
I turned my head.
There was movement along the black road, a dark column heading out toward the citadel. Gossamer strands drifted between us; there were a few sparks at the far end, about the nighted hulk. Overhead, the sky had completely reversed itself, with us beneath the darkened half. Again, I felt that strange feeling of having been here long, long ago, to see that this, rather than Amber, was the true center of creation. I grasped after the ghost of a memory. It vanished.
I searched the lightning-shot gloom about me.
"All of them - gone?" I said to her.
"They return. The rules have changed, Corwin. You have changed." She looked down at herself for a moment, then looked back up with a sly hint of a smile. I cursed silently. She had changed, too, and not for the better. "Do you wish to follow them now?"
I shook my head.
"I'm staying here with Random."
"I knew you would say that." She did, too. "We'll be bringing some of them back. They'll foster some of ours. Perhaps we'll learn better this time."
Her gaze took in the Abyss, and for a moment, perhaps it looked back into her.
--- Character Instructions ---
You are one of the children of the Amber Elders. You were there as Brand was struck down, helping Amber, a cause in which you believed. You can choose your parent(s) pretty freely (no Dworkin/Oberon/Creature.) You have 100 points, with the note that you will have Basic Shapeshifting for free - it was necessary to survive, after all. You may have additional restrictions, bonuses, and guidelines depending on the House of Chaos you have chosen via the quiz at
http://www.skyseastone.net/mabarry/Quiz/exchange.html
- if for some reason the quiz does not work in your browser, please e-mail me and I will offer it in my response and "grade" it myself.
--- Player Information ---
Minimum: 3
Maximum: 6]]>
The Madness of King Lirtag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.76362008-08-19T05:41:12Z2008-08-19T05:44:53Z--- Game Title --- The Madness of King Lir --- Game Description --- KING LIR What dost thou profess? what wouldst thou with us? DWORKIN I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve him truly that...MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
--- Game Title ---
The Madness of King Lir
--- Game Description ---
KING LIR
What dost thou profess? what wouldst thou with us?
DWORKIN
I do profess to be no less than I seem; to serve
him truly that will put me in trust: to love him
that is honest; to converse with him that is wise,
and says little; to fear judgment; to fight when I
cannot choose; and to eat no fish.
KING LIR
What art thou?
"What art thou indeed? That your blood is like flame, and yet the cool waters of the En-ehtlab do not soothe you. That your ethereal nature is not of this or any other realm? Can I trust one such as you that eats not fish? I dub thee Taninim. Begone from my realm, child of the Leviathan."
Moire swears by Lir's bones, leading us to believe there is more to this story. After all, there are many secrets hidden in the depths. Secrets like, who was Lir? And where are his bones? Why is the castle built for tritons, and not the soft feminine inhabitants?
And the strangest secret... how did the women take over?
--- Setting ---
In Rebma, it is still a time of legends and magic. The things Random has changed in Amber reflect oddly in the mirrors of the ladies. Information may pass up to Amber and maybe even to the other side of the universe.
--- Character Instructions ---
You are children of Moins, sisters (or perhaps a brother) of Moire. Partially pregenerated, you are adventurers, explorers, and keepers of secrets. Have an idea? Give me something between a 100 and 200 point character, and I'll tweak it to fit.
]]>
Secret Handshakestag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.76152008-07-22T18:34:43Z2008-07-22T18:40:17ZGame submitted for first slot at ACNW 2008.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
--- Game Title ---
Secret Handshakes
--- Teen Friendly? ---
yes
--- GameMaster(s) ---
Meera Barry
--- Game Description ---Tense / Real-time -- Non-Amber
Three passions are required to care for the seed that blossoms into a world.
The first is love, for you must know the generating force.
The second is knowledge, for you must know how to use the magics.
The third is vengeance, for you must have lost to know the truth.
Worlds die as the stars dance, but only those who walk the worlds know how few remain. What is it in the garden that chokes the life out of the living worlds? Who stands to profit?
The Gathering has been called.
This is a "Night in the Lonesome October"-inspired adventure/LARP.
--- Setting ---
It starts on what we know as Earth, real-time.
--- Character Instructions ---
Characters will be pregenerated based on myth, story, the GM's wicked amusement, and your responses to the following two questions:
1) Are you a good witch or a bad witch? No wait, wrong story.
Which of the three passions do you bring?
2) What is your familiar?
As for the second, as this is a LARP, we expect you to bring your familiar (or a representation thereof) with you to the Gathering. So no split-atoms, no ioun stones, and no half-naked showgirls, unless they're a bribe for the GM.
]]>
--- Player Information ---
Minimum: 4
Maximum: 10
Players are requested to contact the GM(s) prior to the convention.
--- Conflict Notes ---
Cannot do slot 6, would like a slot that ends at Midnight just for the dramatic nod.
--- Slot Preference Info ---
Slot Preference: Slot 1, Thu Nov 6, 7pm - midnight
Estimated Length: 5 hours]]>
No, no, he's on the outside, looking in.tag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.75562008-06-10T17:14:09Z2008-06-10T17:20:18ZI still think I would have had my husband without Amber, but no promises.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
Amber DRPG, my world would be much, much different. I wouldn't have all the friends I have, and maybe not even the relatives. I may never forgive him for the phrase, "wandering samurai," but for all that I may not have a lot nice to say, Mr. Wujcik's effect on my life more than negates anything I'd have had bad to say. I still enjoy playing and running Amber most of the time, and for that, at least, it's worth the mention and remembering. May his peace be a restful peace.]]>
In Other Newstag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.75552008-06-10T16:53:02Z2008-06-10T17:13:36ZBecause Corwin/Deirdre is so old school, here are (from experience) my favourite five Amber pairings.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
I participated in a little silly quiz thing with suitably random Top Five lists being provided. Mine was "Top Five Fandom Pairings" and I, of course, figured I'd go for some Amber Elder pairing amusement. Obviously, the number of pairings with Fiona is because of the development I've done with her as a character.
Julian/Benedict, the taciturn two. I've seen this done with Sane Benedict and Insane Benedict, and in some ways I prefer Insane Benedict because, this is a great trainwreck of a twosome. Julian is, of course, played by rikibeth because she somehow manages to show why some people see the Master of Arden as a complete jerk while at the same time managing to portray his immense strength of caring and character. I also like the dichotomy of Benedict the warmaster being completely out of his depth in romantic relationships. The whole, "All's fair in love and war," gets amusedly let onto its head.
4. Julian/Fiona, the unarranged match. I think of it with Fiona being the older sister, the "perfect one" that Julian aspires to, the one he sees as clever. He wants her to see he's smarter than baby-brother Gerard, and he knows she likes the snark. At the same time, he knows he can't compete so instead he'll make a place for her, a place of beauty away from the cold stone walls of the castle, a place where Oberon does _not_ rule. And girls like ponies. He can give her the pony she always wanted. Erm. This is going to go to a really bad place now.
3. Caine/Fiona, daggers in the night. I have this ongoing theory about the green-eyed siblings being the aggressors, and the blue-eyed being the peacemakers. I love the competition in this pairing, and the potential as they orchestrate their plots. Even if it's never consummated in physical passion, I could see the intellectual pairing having intense erotic tension.
2. Llewella/Florimel, the mirrors. The lion of the water versus the flowers of the surface; a not quite perfect opposition. I did write a short fic about this pairing suggesting that Llewella and Florimel are almost reverse-video images of each other. The light jade hair versus the strawberry blonde started the visual.
1. Fiona/Brand, the venomous pair. The funny thing is that they both get what they want from this pairing, but usually I paint Brand darker in this situation than in any other, because his only motive here is poisonous. I know I kid around by pointing out how much Brand needs recognition for his actions being because Fiona and Bleys never made time for their kid brother, but add a dash of ambiguously-consensual sex, and it becomes quite, um, twistedly amusing.
Bleys/Fiona is one that almost squicks me, and I'm not sure why (after all, I used it in a story once), but probably for the same reasons I like Fiona/Brand: I like my Bleys to be almost perfect, and the combination some how has to be as painful as it is passionate, and that just doesn't fit Bleys' charm for me.]]>
Behind the Scenes!tag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.75212008-05-22T20:31:19Z2008-05-22T20:34:31ZPromises, promises, and a mention of the Shadow of Amber board's new location.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
Shadows of Amber forum (link on the right) is all NEW and SPARKLY and could use your Amber input. While the unfortunate side of it is that so much of the accumulated wisdom has been lost, it is a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor and spark new conversations. Come join us!]]>
House Rules #1: Time, Trump, and Personal Energytag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.73362008-01-23T01:37:39Z2008-01-23T04:05:11ZBut what are my house rules? Do I use them when I introduce people to the game? I think, using this round of development as an example, that the answer is, "Heck, yeah." House Rule #1) The Limitations of Time, Trump, and Personal Energy.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
our silly Monopoly variants.
I have some GMing tricks and rules I re-use. The "three questions" I want to know of each character:
1. What are the character's greatest hopes and fears?
2. What circumstances would turn the character into a hero?
3. What makes this character interesting enough to play?
The rule, "What someone pays attention to develops." The maxims noted in this and these old WISH responses.
I have personal rules. "I play with people who can separate fantasy from reality."
I have goals.
I use the Communist Trump rules (and by the way, people buy Trump Decks using this rule...)
I use Ginger's Rule of Game Design.
I use Arref's Rule of Three for Shadowshifting.
I use the Sarah BearRules of Epic Amberites.
I use the Odekirk d10 method of Patternwalk Risks.
A d10 is used to see if you die on the Pattern, each time. Note, I've never actually utilized this, but I reserve the right.
I use the Epoch rule of Automatic Trump Blocking.
If the person receiving the call doesn't accept the call in the first place, the person making the call has next-to-no ability to put the call through. "Not accepting the call," is something that takes little or no concentration. It is something you can do while swordfighting, for example.
But what are my house rules? Do I use them when I introduce people to the game?
I think, using this round of development as an example, that the answer is, "Heck, yeah."]]>
1) The rule of limited resources in Amber.
I talk a lot about how Amber gaming isn't about limiting your resources; you have your lower hierarchy of needs taken care of, you have jabs in the second level, but now you have the opportunity to take care of the kinds of things that can only come of interacting with other people. So why limit any resources?
The resources I limit are threefold:
Time, Trump, and Personal Energy.
Time
Time is limited and it only moves forward. Personally, it has to be an awesome time travel story for me to be interested, and there's just not enough awesome out there. "Fast Time" and "Slow Time" shadows are wearing on a person - the form is based on a Pattern-norm. Enough of either and you can age your form past your recuperative capabilities.
Trump
Trump must be created: it cannot just be "found," although Trump-like magics certainly exist in Shadow. I have reasons for this in every world I develop. Part of the problem is that they're a pure reflection of the crossroads of Time and Personal Energy, just like any other unique magic. What's Dworkin's secret? He doesn't have to invest his Personal Energy into Trumps.
Personal Energy
Which isn't to say that this isn't the best reason in the world that Endurance is the Most Important Attribute, but Personal Energy is what powers most things of interest. It's most of what we play out. So I have no compunction looking at someone and saying, "Shame you didn't buy up in Endurance. You can do it, but it will take Time, and it will take Time to recover your Personal Energy."
Why limit these? Because they create conflicts that interest me as GM to give to the players to get the most out of their players. "You have limited time, and energy for maybe one more spell before the demon eats your face. How are you going to spend it?"
Is, "Looking for more time," an Awesome Answer? Only if it's what the Players really want to do.
Thoughts?
]]>
Please and Shank You...the Wiki Resourcetag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.73222008-01-19T08:38:17Z2008-01-23T01:32:01ZLinks to the P&SY Wiki.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
The Main Wiki for the campaign, just so when I go, "Where the heck is Xavan, again?" the at-table researchers can pull it up. In progress: players can ask me for passwords to contribute.]]>
The True City Times, Interim Editiontag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.73182008-01-19T02:32:48Z2008-01-24T19:36:35ZThe True City Times continues. And have I mentioned I am Never Doing This Again?MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
True City Times, Interim Edition
PDF file, 876k
]]>
After catching Princess Elaine and Prince Haven in a state of scandalous flagrante (by which we mean, being flagrantly scandalous? Or flagrantly disobedient?) King Oberon chose to exile the two of them to "a place of his choosing." He was remarkably calm, even after Prince Haven scored a mark on him. Prince Haven and Princess Elaine were flung through Shadow into a clearing somewhere near a road of smooth yellow brick. The King called for the execution of his wife, Lora, presumably to raise "a more obedient generation." Prince Morombath was given leave to follow up his duties in a place of repose. Instead, he followed his instincts (and, incidentally, a lover) to Chaos, where he became the guest of Duke Isaac "the Silver-Tongued" and Isaac's lover, Duke Trahern of Celestine City.
Time Passes. The son of the Lord of the Moonriders Akonisho and his siege against Rebma is broken by the Baronness Calypso. He disappears, presumed dead. What Princess Elaine and Prince Haven were supposed to be doing for Rebma was accomplished by Prince Thomas of Celestine City, who also disappears after the fight.
The Unicorn has not been seen in Amber in over a century.
In the official history, the King's next wife, Rilga, has a son, Xavan the Misfortunate. Rilga and Oberon have many falling-outs, and she spends more time away from the Castle than in it. Oberon has an affair with Dybele that leads to no children. Rilga leaves Oberon, swearing some form of vengeance. In the meantime, Oberon spends more and more time dallying in Shadow. From one of his dalliances, Prince Bernaise is brought to Amber, to lead the Rangers and other forces Oberon has begun to build in order to better defend his Realm.
Dworkin Trumps Haven to give him the signet ring that marks him as Prince of the City. Haven and Elaine respond in tandem. Dworkin, perplexed as to Elaine's being there, offers her a ring from his own finger as it would be impolite to give Haven a gift without him having more to share. Dworkin says he hopes to see them soon, but leaves quickly. Haven does a little bit of sorcerous poking about the rings, to find that, actually, its better to leave off that poking.
Haven and Elaine subvert the Emerald City to become their personal stately pleasure dome. The (not-so-)Cowardly Lion is left as regent, while they raise an army of elite, if eclectic units in the fast time Shadow of Valdemar.
When alerted by certain measures he had put in place, Dworkin informs Oberon that he believes the King has a son in a place far off near Chaos. The King retrieves this son, Kaathan, a tall noble of the House of the Dragon. Rilga's child. It will be seen if Kaathan is truly of the noble blood. Dworkin thinks there are others Oberon has left scattered, and goes on a quest of his own to consolidate them. After all, war is moving through Shadow. Bernaise and Xavan are brought in to take this strange man's measure.
Prince Morombath is brought in to investigate a strange visitor to Sways, one from a seemingly high-tech shadow, who is confused and alone except for a powerful artifact. The stranger has the Mark of Doom.
Prince Haven's preternatural army is nearing a readiness for war. Soon they can march. He has consulted the Jewel of Sunlight, Ama, who promises her blessing for some of his vampiric troops, in exchange for some of his lifeforce.
The True City Times, Issue Twotag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.73142008-01-17T21:02:49Z2008-01-17T21:20:02ZSession Two of "Please and Shank You," including the frontsheet.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
The True City Times, Issue Two because, you know, I can't resist.
]]>
In our last session, upon investigation of a strange psychic portal in Prince Haven's bedroom, in Haven and Princess Elaine conspired to have Prince Morombath take a non-consensual journey through it. Strange dreams continue to occur, as has at least one unusual Trump call. Prince Morombath found himself drawn to the Ways of the Sourceress Patricia and Patricia's personal guest (Guest Star: the LintKing!) and granted Courtizan approval of his plan for Revenge. (With a capital R!) The Royal Trio were then summoned to Court to be part of Baronness Calypso's plans, with Prince Haven made Heir to the City, and the Princess Elaine and Prince Moro to be the guests of the Rebman Queen in "assistance against the City of the Sky." After Princess Elaine stormed out in protest of her father's misogyny, the Queen followed begging the Princess to show some restraint. Instead, she and Prince Haven met up to do some Shopping, while Prince Morombath did some more restrained purchasing for the trip. He made it back in time to be escorted to the Komori-Uta Dance Troupe, whereas Princess Elaine and Prince Haven made a spectacle of themselves at Duke Kraig's Rebman-style BBQ. (A joke, a joke, I promise.) They returned together and made quite sure the servants would spread the word that they were last seen in scandalous proximity, if nothing was specified as happening.
The True City Timestag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.73002008-01-04T23:46:24Z2008-01-04T23:48:43ZThe True City Times, front page variety. Silliness exemplified.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
silly actions speak a lot louder than words.
PDF Format, requires Acrobat Reader]]>
Please and Shank You.tag:www.alkime.org,2008:/mtfierce/amber//20.72982008-01-04T07:20:27Z2008-01-04T07:57:01ZSome Actual Play of the game Thursday night at The Witches Brew. "Please and Shank You" is just Amberite manners, after all.MtFiercehttp://www.alkime.org/mtfierce/
Please and Shank You," which was a quote tonight in regards to Amberites and their manners.
So far it's an odd little group. Two of the people haven't played before or read the books, and the other is a semester away from being a graduate of Minion University, if you know what I mean. Originally the plan was to make it a no-holds-barred Throne War, but instead I've actually got things like Plot and Development. (P&D, the ol' one-two. Erm.)
It took a while to make characters. I started doing my standard recitation of the books and decided I need to make it more interesting, so I skipped forward and punctuated some of the highlights. I need to develop a snappy patter for it.
I asked them if they wanted horror, adventure, light-hearted soap opera, or another mood to the game. We got one vote for fairly light-hearted, so I'm peppering it with silly innuendo and some odd NPCs. It's gotten plenty bloody so far, though less so than the horror scenario I had prepped to run.]]>
Imajica and the Darkover series so far, although the serial numbers are filed off pretty well. We've got at least three gems (matrices) of Power wandering around with different affinities, and some very dark deals being made. I want to remind them that promises are power, sometimes especially when they're broken.
A synopsis:
Upon the three of them waking up from disturbing dreams, Prince Moro was approached by a cultist who wished to trade an Artifact in exchange for Family power, while Prince Haven was attacked by sorcerous means. Word got around to a courtier that part of this power was directed at the Princess Elaine, and he lost a scuffle with the Guard trying to get through to warn her. An unusual gem was found in his belongings, and it was given to Prince Haven for investigation. After following up on some leads to other clues, including those of the feuding goddesses, Susuru and Sharra, the Princes and Princess returned to join the Rebman Baroness Calypso's fete, where upon the blue gem was stolen, and the place set upon by fire and water both. His things mostly destroyed, they were told that the lost words of Earth and Air were their only hope. In search of more answers, they greeted the Baroness with a gift of Prince Moro's that had cut Princess Elaine's fingers, and were given a sunlike gem in return that burned Prince Moro's hand. The gem was retrieved by Prince Haven, and Prince Moro was instead given some form of power in return, and a private audience with the Baroness. They returned home without incident, to pick the story up again next Thursday...
Funniest bit from GM's perspective: King Dad's monologue to his son, Prince Haven, about why to stay away from Rebman Women. He finally got to saying, "Just...think of vagina dentata. Don't go there. Stay away from even thinking about their pretty parts. They're poisonous."
Weakest bit from GM's perspective: Queen Mom & King Dad as NPCs. They're not intended to be on stage very long, but they ought to be real people.
I had a lot of fun. It's been a while, and we needed to warm up a bit, especially with the whole diceless idea, but I think this has some good potential and I expect next session to improve.]]>