A Most Metal Roleplaying Games: Stormbringer

As a self professed metal head, and a big time gamer. I know must profess the love of all that is METAL in Roleplaying Games. I want to highlight fantastic games that are truly metal. What makes something metal? Unbridled balls-to-the-wall passion! True metal takes no prisoners and gives no apology. Metal conjures up imagery of the impossible, improbable, and crazy while making it feel true. So I want to highlight games, that I feel are truly metal.

If you want listening recommendations, here is a list: Hammers of Misfortune, Virgin Steele, Cauldron Born, Slough Feg, Dio, Iron Maiden, (early) Manowar, Manilla Road, Hawkwind, Bathory, Candlemass, Cirith Ungol, Mercyful Fate, Richie Blackmoor's Rainbow, Scanner, Voivod. (Bolded come highly recommended for personal reasons)

To start, lets start this first entry with a game from the 80's...

STORMBRINGER

In 1981, Chaosium unleashed a most epic roleplaying game based on Micheal Moorcock's Elric Saga --- Stormbringer! The game was released in a box set (which I am proud to own, it even has the dice!) with a fantastic painting by Frank Brunner on the lid. Frank Brunner's art is gorgeous, and evocative of the epic melodrama of the Elric stories. Brunner provides a majority of the art for the roleplaying game. I am especially found of the cover (to my right), and the Empress of Dawn picture (NSFW there are boobs. Remember when boobs weren't a big deal in gaming? I don't because I'm a younging and grew up in more puritanical times for the hobby).

Elric and heavy metal have a long history together, you got some Blue Oyster Cult songs written by Micheal Moorcock not to mentions Hawkwind's concept album "Chronicles of the Black Sword". So it is no surprise that this game screams out and raises the devil horns mightly above its theoretical head.

From my one session of play (I'd love to play more), I have to say it is the game feels like the art and the songs inspired by the Elric Saga. Stormbringer uses a stripped down form of Basic Roleplaying System, which is found in Call of Cthulhu and Runequest. It features a highly random chargen system which produces some very powerful characters (and the occasional diseased beggar), a gore-soaked combat system (limbs will be lost, weapons lodged into foes), and a sorcerous magic which involves trafficking with demons and the elemental of the world.

Stormbringer is suited for short campaigns, or epic one-shots, which makes it unique for its time. Back then,  games were primarily focused on long campaigns with a focus on character advancement. Stormbringer, not so much, more-likely-than-not you'd start out fairly powerful, and if you had the ability to summon demons...well no task would be insurmountable, if you were willing to pay the price. On top of this, the game master advice focuses on an episodic structure to mimic the books. A game master was advised look at the characters involved and create an adventure to highlight each character, as well as to challenge their abilities.

I have the first edition, and the fourth edition of the game. To be frank, I like the more freewheeling feel of the first edition versus the more "complete" fourth edition. If you can find a copy of Stormbringer, I recommend you pick it up.

Lonely Fun Projects

I've been working a lot recently, and haven't had much/any time to socialize. No gaming, no going out the bars, movies, walking in the park, nothing. Gugh

I've retreated to the lonely fun of scenario design, and rules hacking. I used design small games, but I don't actually like game design, I am fairly happy with the games that exist. Hacking games though, especially to suit a setting is something I have tremendous fun with.

I've been messing with a Burning Dying Earth Magic document, which is going slowly. Mainly, because there isn't a good online encyclopedia for Dying Earth. So as I discover the rules, I'll make them. Yes, it is a very slow process.

On the flipside, I also want to make a more cohesive (something along the lines with the Burning Harn project) Artesia document too. Luckily, I have all the material (except the 3 or 4 issues of Besieged) in print which includes the very detailed roleplaying game. That is more on the back burner.

Then there is a scenario, which will basically require an afternoon, a pot of coffee, and the gusto to finish it. I'll be posting that shortly too.

Yes, all of these revolve around the Burning Wheel. I find myself coming back to it, it is my favorite game and frankly I want to play it very badly. *sigh*

I'm broke

I am honestly legit broke ($14 to my name, all for gas). I work 36 plus hours of fucking nights a week! I don't have time to see people, I have no time for fun....and I'm broke.

Maybe I should've stayed unhappy in Bellingham versus desperate and hungry in Portland.

But...life is exciting now. Bellingham was an unending grey sky. The same melancholy or subdued excitement as the 'hamsters call it, day by day by unending day. Here the sky is ever changing, I am broke and desperate. This makes me hungry, my creative energy is rising, my tongue is yearning to taste all the new experiences I've been looking for. Yet I can not indulge, I must wait. The waiting makes any small taste pure bliss.

Besides being broke means losing weight! No money for beer, or snack foods.

I live in interesting times, and damn it I'm glad something is happening.

The Burning Wheel Gold and Updates

So, I got my numbered copy of Burning Wheel Gold! Weee! I like what I see, and can't wait to dig into some deep actual play....someday. :-)

Also, yep, living the life in Portland, OR! Well...working a lot, at weird hours in Portland.

Its 5:45pm and that means, I shit you not, its time I head to bed.

G'night!

Anxious

I can not wait until tomorrow evening, by then I will know...

- If I have an place to live

- If I have a job

I still am waiting for the call for my job interview with a security contractor in Portland. Sitting in the Powell's Books on Hawthrone, enjoying the local scenery (nudge nudge) and sipping on some coffee.

I know I'll like Portland, and that after I get settled in things will be a lot less hectic. Hell, I'll have Burning Wheel Gold soon and perhaps I'll be doing regular gaming other than D&D and boardgames.

Overall, I just want everything to settle down. I still have things to pack, and I need to load up all my shit into a Uhaul/my car on Sunday (perhaps earlier?).

Nothing to do but try and relax, and enjoy the grey skies.

Moving on up, to the southside!

Life is funny, in a manner of hours your entire perspective can change. I have been looking at moving to Portland the past two months, I found some roommates, and have been looking for a place to live. Today, I get two good bets on future homes. Then, out of nowhere, I get a job offer from a security contractor I applied at last month.

I look at the apartments on Saturday/Sunday. I have a job interview on Monday. Then come hell or high water I move down there the following weekend.

I should get packing.

The Anarchy Burner - Almost Completed Version

The Anarchy Burner
'Tis the year of our lord, 1135. King Henry the First, The King of England, The Ruler of Normandy has passed. His only heir is dead, before King Henry died he had his barons swear to support his daughter, Empress Maude (widow of Emperor Henry the V of the Holy Roman Empire) to be The Lady of the English, Ruler over England.

Upon news of King Henry’s death, his nephew, Stephen of Blois came to London. With him came a legitimate claim to the throne; with the support of barons, and the church he usurped the throne from The Lady. Thus began a civil war, which would last for nineteen winters. This is the Anarchy, a time when Christ and all his Saints slept.

As players, you will be playing nobles from a single house. Before the game, we have the responsibility of fleshing out your houses fief and your character’s relationships with England's various people. While we stock the fires of Anarchy, remember, this game is not about recreating history but about playing in it’s spirit. The game is historical fiction. We use history to provide the context, and the focus; upon which a theme will emerge. Our shared fiction does not have to be bound by the demands of historical accuracy, we can and will change the details to add a dramatic twists and to better suit our story’s needs.

This is a game of tragedy. The tragedy of choice; between one’s personal needs, the needs of kin, the needs of community, and the needs of society. The consequences of your decisions is what will drive the game. Together, we will setup the fuel and the spark, and in play we will watch it smolder, burn to the ground. Leaving nothing but the ashes of the past behind.

Summary of Setup
- Openly talk about ideas, follow the questions, answer and discuss. Build a character concept out of the questions, or say your concept and work with the questions. Remember, this is our story. But also keep in mind, we are playing within a situation and a setting. In that regard, think of the GM as a guide. Who will keep you within the framework.

- The Nail That Sticks Up Is Hammered Down. As a group we must reach consensus, however sometimes one person is not in agreement. The polite thing to do is, modify your desires and bend to the will of the group. I exaggerate, just speak out on why it feels badwrongfun to you. Hell its probably just a miscommunication on my part anyhow.

- No secrets between players, but keep them between characters. Burning Wheel lends an authorial authority to players. We are all creating a story after all.