Ex Sanguine and De Occulta released: Dark Urban Fantasy
This week I released two complete books. Both of them are powered by the popular Year Zero Engine and both of them part of a series to create a "Dark…[...]
Current work…writing scripts
For the last few months, on top of travelling and attending a bazillion courses, I've been writing. I've written five short scripts in the world of THE 23RD LETTER. I've…[...]
QABAL: INTENT vs IMPLEMENTATION
This thread on rpg.net asks why secret magical settings in games tend to be dumb. My problem is, it's never made any sense to me on an absolutely fundamental. The…[...]
The theft of the Book of Raziel
I've stolen the main text here from page 54 of the Smallville RPG but remodeled it on Qabal: Isaac's player, James, says, "I step into the room from where I…[...]
OK, it’s no secret I’m just a big geek.
I got the Serenity book a few months ago from Sub City in Dublin and the Smallville book arrived today from Amazon. Both use derivatives of the Cortex system from…[...]
Horror – Sids Story
I wanted to write a quick horror scenario which would fit in with pretty much any game and I figured that it couldn't just be a magical teleporting serial killer,…[...]
QABAL – the origin of Magic
In the beginning Each culture has its own mythology, a tale of their creation. Some believe mankind came about through the spilled seed of a mighty god, whilst others believe…[...]
QABAL – a history of the world
History of the world Legend has it that in ancient times, gods walked the earth beside Man and waged great wars amongst themselves that shaped the face of the lands…[...]
QABAL intro – Genre
This game can be played in one of many genres. A genre is a certain style where recurring themes show up and both GM and player are expected to perform…[...]
QABAL – The essential nature of spirits
"Firm, constant faith works wonders even in the course of a flawed operation, whereas mistrust and hesitation in the soul of the worker, who holds himself aloof from all excess,…[...]
QABAL – Wandering Mystic
It came to me while I was out shopping. The voice said “You are the chosen one”. I had always known I was special. It went on “You must dedicate…[...]
QABAL – The Orthodox Sorcerer
I've seen things you wouldn't believe. I've touched the Hand of God, I've watched Angels feasting on the entrails of Devils, witnessed the seven headed dragon and yes it burned…[...]
QABAL – a brief history of Magic
The beginning of time In those days giants walked the earth and fought with the gods. Secrets were passed from the gods to man through Thoth, Prometheus and Hermes Trismegistus…[...]
I have a pretty strong stomach…
...but this revolts me: A BOY of seven was kept chained in a cellar by his cannibal family — as they ATE parts of him. He had been partially skinned…[...]
Collaboration, writing and vision
This weekend I was busy with family duties but still managed to do a bit of work on WoTW:Earth. Most notably taking the draft ideas Aidan sent through and turning…[...]
What’s He Building In There?
Title taken from the Tom Waits track. This blossomed into a scenario where the PCs were sent to investigate a murder. A newcomer to a quiet US suburb was found…[...]
Man vs…
The topic of conversation this morning in the car was the substance of plots. Traditionally, we have plots which are Man versus Man (and yes, I intend to keep the…[...]
I bought a book today…
...entirely because it was illustrated and designed exactly the way I want Q to be paid out. I spent a few minutes leafing through it and in my minds eye…[...]
Pan’s Labyrinth
Watched it last night round with Aidan, Abi and some ice cream. It's a good movie - personally I don't think it's the same sort of emotional tour-de-force as perhaps…[...]
r-Maps (and being ahead of the curve)
There's a lot of talk of relationship maps. I've been playing with the idea of an r-map for gaming for use as a player aid for a while. It really…[...]