Jonathan Green's Blog, page 34

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 6: Claws

Last weekend was Krampusnacht .

Now, as anyone who has been reading this blog for some time will know, I am a little bit obsessed with Krampus the Christmas Devil. Not only have a written a gamebook that features him as the Big Bad, I have also published a roleplaying game which features him in the same role.

However, I first wrote about Krampus in 2012 for the Ain't No Sanity Clause anthology of festive horror stories, in a tale called Claws.

Here's what one reviewer had to say on Amazon about my story:

"This anthology is a cut above the norm with every story being well written and some approaching perfection. 'Claws' by Jonathan Green, with its shades of the Brothers Grimm, introduces us to a very early traditional Santa and his less welcome counterpart... So evocative is the writing, I was almost shivering along with Gretel in her snowy woodland home despite it being a balmy day in mid May!"

You can download a pdf of Claws here.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 5: The Krampus Night Before Christmas

Happy Christmas Jumper Day, everyone!

Yes, today's entry in my 12 Days of Christmas is 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, which was the inspiration for the recently-released 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas.

As the blurb puts it:

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse... 

And then the clock strikes thirteen and you wake to hear a thud downstairs. Investigating, you discover that your home has been invaded by two red-cloaked, and bearded, strangers. Before you know what is happening, Krampus the Christmas Devil has abducted Santa Claus, and it's up to you to save Saint Nick before Christmas Day dawns and the cruel, birch-wielding, goat-leggéd one usurps the generous gift-giver's position, taking his place forever. 

He knows if you've been good or bad, so be good for goodness sake... 

Throughout the course of the adventure, YOU decide which path to take, which risks to brave, and even which of the strange creatures you will meet along the way to engage in battle. Success is by no means certain and you may well fail to complete the adventure at your first attempt. However, with experience, skill, and maybe even a little luck, each new attempt should bring you closer to your ultimate goal. But whether you succeed in your quest will be down to the choices YOU make.

If you would like a signed copy, you can buy a paperback or a hardback direct from the author , but order by Thursday 17th December if you want to ensure you receive you book before Christmas.

Sorry, but the Krampuses (Krampi?) are not for sale.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 4: Journey of the Magi

Not my most overtly Christmassy tale perhaps, but in my Warhammer 40,000 short story Journey of the Magi, three wise men follow a star...

On an artificial world far from the light of any sun, three sorcerers of the Thousand Sons emerge from a portal. Together, this trio will face ancient horrors – but the prize that awaits them is worth any danger. Long have these three sought the Godstar, piecing together its location from scattered scraps of knowledge. The immortal guardians of the place sleep, but it is not undefended, and the children of Prospero will pay a heavy price for that which they seek as they delve deep into the ancient mysteries of the necrons. 

You can buy Journey of the Magi here, and you can read more about the story here.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 3: Krampus Kards

Looking for an alternative to the usual Christmas Cards this year? Then why not grab yourself a set of Krampus Kards, featuring 10 of Tony Hough's original illustrations for 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, but now in glorious technicolour?

One pack of 10 cards includes 10 different designs and 10 envelopes as well and costs just £8 plus post and packing. But hurry - there is a very limited quantity available!

1 pack of 10 Krampus Kards

Just £8 + P&P

Price including post and packing UK P&P £12.00 GBP Europe £18.00 GBP Rest of World £20.00 GBP

And while you're at it, why not pick up a signed copy of 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas as well?

'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas (paperback)(£12 including UK P&P)500 section  ACE Gamebook
'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas  UK P&P £12.00 GBP  Europe P&P £23.00 GBP  Rest of World P&P £26.00 GBP  
'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas (hardback)(£28 including UK P&P)500 section  ACE Gamebook
'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas  UK P&P £28.00 GBP  Europe P&P £36.00 GBP  Rest of World P&P £43.00 GBP  

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 2: Gruss vom Krampus

Today is 5th December, which means that this evening is Krampusnacht, the night when the Christmas Devil stalks the streets of Austrian and German mountain settlements, searching for naughty children to whip with his birch switch and carry away to hell in his wicker basket.

Krampusnacht feels more like Halloween than Christmas. To mark this occasion in the winter calendar, men dressed as Krampus drink alcohol, run through the streets, and frighten children. Often, they chase delinquent children around and actually hit them with sticks! The Krampus costume itself traditionally consists of a hand-carved wooden mask and a suit made from sheep or goat skin. Cowbells are worn around the wearer’s hips.

Of course, Krampus is the villain of  'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas  (which is accepting reviews on Amazon now), but he is also the Big Bad of  'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas , which is chock full of Tony Hough's glorious full-colour art and available now from DriveThruRPG .

The 12 Days of Christmas - Day 1: Xmas Xplained

Over the years I have written all sorts of books, short stories, and games that have a connection to Christmas. This year, very other day, starting today and running until Christmas, I am going to post about one of them here, starting with...

Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts

What could make a better gift, this Christmas, than my fact-filled, fun-filled, Christmas cornucopia of curious customs and tremendous traditions?

The Good Book Guide described my book on the history and origins of Christmas as being, "As welcome as a warm glass of mulled wine on a wintry night, Green's guide to Christmas enhances the pleasures of the festive season, offering a witty cornucopia of Christmas facts and folklore."

It would make the ideal gift for a trivia fan, an elderly relative, or for your works Secret Santa. The book comes in a hardback format and with a gold ribbon bookmark too.

In the UK, Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts is published by Snowbooks*. But if you live on the other side of the pond, the book is available there from Skyhorse Publishing, under the title..

Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Christmas.

* Who else?

Tie-in Tuesday: Free Scarlet Traces eBook

If you sign-up to Rebellion Publishing's newsletter you get a free eBook delivered straight to your inbox every month - and December’s free eBook is Scarlet Traces: An Anthology Based on The War of the Worlds , edited by Ian Edginton.

This wonderful anthology includes stories by Stephen Baxter, I. N. J. Culbard, Adam Roberts, Emma Beeby, James Lovegrove, Nathan Duck, Mark Morris, Dan Whitehead, Chris Roberson, Maura McHugh, Andrew Lane, and Yours Truly.
As a special Christmas treat, they even have a beautiful hardcover copy of Scarlet Traces to give away to one lucky winner! So, if you don't already, sign up for the Rebellion Publishing newsletter now to enter the giveaway.

Gamebook Friday: Bardsung and 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas

Neither of the subjects of today's Gamebook Friday blog post are gamebooks, but they may both be of interest to fans of gamebooks.

In a nutshell, Bardsung is a cooperative RPG dungeon explorer for 1-5 players, from the creators of the Resident Evil™ & Horizon Zero Dawn™ board games. Descend into the depths of an ancient forge, building your dungeon, customising your hero, and creating your legend as you explore in either campaign or one-shot play—no game master needed. RPG immersion meets elegant mechanics in a board game where your choices matter*. Featuring guest writers Rhianna Pratchett, Ian Livingstone, Luke Gygax, Yours Truly & more.

You can find out more about what myself and the other writers are planning here, and you can back the Kickstarter here.

Available now is 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, the first release from ACE Gamebooks Roleplay and the fruits of my own Kickstarter labours from earlier in the year. Fully illustrated by Tony Hough, it is a labour of love and an object of beauty, and it's not a bad RPG either**.

Currently only available as a PDF, both softcover and hardcover editions will be available soon. You can find out more here.

It's also Black Friday day/weekend/week, so feel free to ignore Amazon and buy some signed copies of my ACE Gamebooks direct from the author!

* In other words, it features gamebook elements within the game design.

** Even if I do say so myself, which I do.

Gamebook Friday: 'TWAS

When I crowdfunded 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas last year, I had limited funds to pay for artwork. Despite pushing the budget as far as I could, to ensure the fifth ACE Gamebook contained as much of Tony Hough's incredible artwork as I could afford, there were still certain things that I would have liked to have had illustrated that had to be left out nonetheless.

However, when I crowdfunded 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas earlier this year, I commissioned more artwork from Tony, which meant that I could have those abandoned scenes illustrated at last. The RPG also contains various vignettes, and some of these were inspired by the gamebook too, including the following...

Robot Bombs
Gingerbread Men
Gremlin
Jack-in-the-Box

'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas is available now, and you can buy a signed copy here, while 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas will be available to buy through DriveThruRPG soon.

Happy Birthday, Ded Moroz!

18th November marks the birthday of Ded Moroz.

"Ded who?" I hear you ask.

Ded Moroz, as he is known in Mother Russia, or Grandfather Frost, as he is also known further afield.

Grandfather Frost, by Tony Hough.

Morozko was once a powerful and cruel god of frost and ice, married to the equally unforgiving Winter. He could freeze people and landscapes at will, including entire invading armies, and while he could be capricious and unpredictable, he was also known for being wise and impartial.

With the coming of Christianity Ded Moroz was recast as a snow demon but, over time, turned into a kind of Slavic wizard of winter. Under the influence of Orthodox traditions, the character was transformed again and, during the Soviet era, become the main symbol of the New Year's holiday – Novey God – that replaced Christmas.

Today Grandfather Frost is depicted as bringing presents to well-mannered children, frequently delivering them in person on New Year’s Eve.

According to a newly created legend, Ded Moroz was born on 18th November in Veliky Ustyug, a small town in the Vologda region of Russia.
Veliky Ustyug, Russia.
The date of the magician's birthday was chosen by weather chart makers as their long-term observations register that on that very day the ground of Veliky Ustyug is usually covered with a heavy snow blanket. However, no one knows his exact age. Although experts insist his career began more than 150 years ago, the first mentions of his appearance in noble Russian families on Christmas and New Year's Eve date back to the beginning of the 19th century.
The celebration takes place at Ded Moroz' Votchina, a few miles outside Veliky Ustyug. Festive performances, fireworks, sport events and concerts are part of the program. As usual, on this special occasion Ded Moroz welcomes his friends - holiday-season miracle-makers, wonderland creatures and helpers from Russian regions and former CIS-states. On the exact day of his birthday party, Ded Moroz lights the first fir-tree lamps and sets out from his fiefdom, congratulating the people of Russia on New Year's Eve.
Ded Moroz and friends.
Grandfather Frost makes an appearance in 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas , which is coming to DriveThruRPG soon!
'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas.