Steve Jackson's Blog, page 439

November 11, 2013: It's Fantastic Martial Arts For Fantastic Fighters!

The core GURPS Martial Arts supplement placed an emphasis on realistic and almost-realistic martial-arts campaigns (as have many other supplements). But what about all those other worlds in the cosmos? What are martial arts like on a fantasy world, such as Yrth from GURPS Banestorm ? Now it can be revealed, with GURPS Martial Arts: Yrth Fighting Styles .



This supplement features more than a dozen armed and unarmed styles specific to Yrth, but suitable for many magical realms. It also includes an examination of how martial-minded advantages and disadvantages work in a fantasy world, plus new perks, techniques, and more. It also provides background on fighting traditions throughout the Banestorm setting, with lots of flavor-rich material that can be incorporated into other settings.



Whether you're looking to take your martial arts into new realms or add possibilities to your fantasy game, you're sure to emerge with the glow of a triumphant fighter, thanks to GURPS Martial Arts: Yrth Fighting Styles – all new, and only available via e23!



– Steven Marsh



Warehouse 23 News: Trouble Is In The Air . . .



Control a group of Lovecraftian protagonists in Cthulhu Gloom .



Guide them down a path of horror, madness and death.



Keep your opponents happy, healthy and alive until one group falls prey to the interdimensional doom that awaits us all.



Cthulhu Gloom is a stand alone game, but is also fully-compatible with Gloom and all its expansions!



Get these and other gloomy items HERE!
 

November 10, 2013: Aliens Among Us

Scientists in England say they've discovered alien life! They sent a balloon up into the stratosphere, and it came back carrying micro-organisms. They're pretty sure these organisms didn't just hitch a ride on the way up, too; they're unusual, not the kinds of bugs you find on our planet, and apparently there was cosmic dust present. The organisms are dead, so there's no risk of an alien virus turning us all into pod people (we hope), but the scientists think they can extract DNA from these xeno-critters. Among other things, this means we'll eventually be able to inject ourselves with alien DNA, and voluntarily turn into pod people (we hope)!



– Brian Engard



Warehouse 23 News: Everyone Likes Dinosaurs, Right?



Go on a dinosaur hunting spree with Dino Hunt Dice .



Plays like Zombie Dice , but has smaller dice for smaller hands.



Available at your Friendly Local Game Store or at Warehouse 23 .

November 9, 2013: Everyone Needs A Hobby

One of the many perks of working here at Steve Jackson Games is having an employer who understands when you have a geeky obsession. So when I asked for a good chunk of time off from work at the end of last June, I knew I could be 100% forthcoming with the reason for my absence.



I told Phil Reed, "I want to enter something in the P3 Grandmaster Painting Competition at Gen Con this year but I waited too long to get started and I'll never be able to finish it unless I can spend a week at home."



"OK," he replied. "Just make sure the dates you'll be away get added to the calendar."



Well I must have put the time to good use, because I walked away with my second Best Unit trophy, and my third P3 trophy. You can check out the two part tutorial I posted for it on BoLS Wargaming News if you want to see more.



Of course I've still got my eyes on the trophy; as in the best in show, best overall, one and only the grandmaster trophy. But I'll have to wait at least one more year for that. I'll also have to figure out how to outpaint this.



– Ben Williams



Warehouse 23 News: Give In To Undeath



You might have a good time turning your family into Vampires, mummies, ghosts and wereducks.



Gloom: Unquiet Undead adds Stories, Undead and Timing Symbols.



Just mix it in with your normal Gloom deck for a ghoulish time.

November 7, 2013: The Planet Is Evaporating!

Okay, so not Earth. It's actually a planet called KIC 12557548b, and it's really far away. But it is evaporating! Apparently solar flares are causing dust particles to evaporate from the planet's surface over time, causing the planet to shrink. One day, it'll just be gone. They say it won't happen to Earth, that Earth is protected from this phenomenon, but they also say you can't mix Kool-Aid and chocolate pudding, and we all know that's not true.



– Brian Engard



Warehouse 23 News: Storm The Palace!



Rally the townsfolk and take The Palace!



Revolution: The Palace! adds a new location and up to six can join the bribing, blackmailing, and backstabbing!



This expansion includes everything you need to add more 2 players to Revolution! .  There are also four new characters to bid on.



The new rules can be taught in minutes, and a complete game still takes less than an hour.

November 8, 2013: We All Float Down Here

If this isn't evidence of some sort of demonic clown invasion, I don't know what is.



– Brian Engard



Warehouse 23 News: Build A Solid Defense.



With the Combine Heavy Infantry , they can stand against the worst the Paneuro forces can throw at them.



Protect your big guns with a reinforcing heavy-weapons company.



Get these and other Ogre miniatures at Warehouse 23 .

November 6, 2013: JPL Confirms: Voyager 1 Reaches Interstellar Space

Many news outlets reported earlier this year that Voyager 1 had left the Solar System. This is inaccurate; it hasn't even come close to the Oort Cloud yet. But, according to JPL scientists quoted in this Mashable article, it has reached interstellar space.



– Andrew Hackard



Warehouse 23 News: A Time For Heroes...



In the Emerald Isle constant fighting convulses the countryside.



English lords push inward and the Church struggle with attempts to make it fit continental ideals.



If the native magi could stop fighting each other, they would resist.



Ars Magica: The Contested Isle now available at Warehouse 23 .

November 4, 2013: Stuff Your Stockings!

Need some ideas for fun little treats to stuff in your little munchkin's stocking this holiday season? Warehouse 23 has got you covered!



Any of our patches would be a great addition to a stocking, either inside or out.



Cthulhu Dice is a squamous treat, and Great Old Ones are appropriate for any holiday season.



Munchkin boosters are great for those who play lots of Munchkin !



Like hunting and dice? Check out Trophy Buck !



Prefer hunting dinosaurs? Dino Hunt Dice is fun for the whole phylum!



– Brian Engard



Warehouse 23 News: Looks Like An Ogre, But...



When an Ogre Mk V is possessed by an unspeakable Eldritch Horror, the result is a doubly-unstoppable killing . . .



Well, not exactly a machine, but a creature of inhuman cyberintelligence and unholy hungers, with tentacles, claws, and a never-blinking eye . . .



The Ogrethulhu Mark V is available from Warehouse 23 .



Get yours before it gets you...

November 5, 2013: An Affordable Cathedral For All Your Gothic Needs

Past, present, or future: Is there any time that wouldn't benefit from a detailed Gothic cathedral? GURPS says no, and directs your gaze toward GURPS Locations: St. George's Cathedral . This latest installment in the GURPS Locations series looks at the fictional but historically based St. George's Cathedral. Its foundation is a series of detailed maps that show this magnificent structure from the crypt to the roof (plus player versions that avoid revealing its secrets), as well as a diagram showing St. George's in relation to nearby buildings.



In addition, this supplement provides information on what artwork, relics, and other items can be found in each area of this building. It also offers details on the church's supporting community, including prominent people and local troubles, plus tips on how to incorporate the monument into myriad possible campaigns. Whether you need an inspiring spire in a medieval or fantasy campaign, a modern-day refuge that ties today into a faithful past, or a sole surviving structure that exists as a curiosity in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the locale in GURPS Locations: St. George's Cathedral is sure to provide an emotional experience. It remains to be seen if that encounter will prove comforting or haunting . . .



– Steven Marsh



Warehouse 23 News: Giant-Size Me!



Giant Cthulhu Dice is just like regular Cthulhu Dice , except that it comes with a 4-inch squishy foam die, and 18 Cthulhu Bandz instead of glass beads.



Now you can steal each other's sanity on the living room floor without worrying about losing stuff in the shag carpet!

November 3, 2013: Skynet Is Coming

Machines have apparently taken control of our financial quarter, and may soon take control of warfare. We all know what happens next.



– Brian Engard



Warehouse 23 News: Bag It With Pride!



Be the despair of your gaming group with the Munchkin Dice Bag , an awesome item with an awesome bonus (and the rule is printed right on the back).
 

November 2, 2013: Illumination Is Power

Literally! Or it soon will be for us, at least, because we're in the process of getting the Austin office rigged for solar power. Construction is set to begin on November 4th. We'll be installing 490 PV modules and 12 inverters, which should generate about 186,000 kilowatt hours per year. To put that in context, at normal times we'll be using 80% less energy, and we'll even be contributing energy back to Austin's power grid during peak hours; we'll also be using it to charge any electric cars or plug-in hybrids owned by staffers (like Steve's Tesla)!



– Brian Engard



Warehouse 23 News: Do You Dare To Enter...



The Vault of the Fiends was built by a twisted mage to pursue his heinous experiments.



Horrendous monsters now plague the countryside and the people are crying out for great heroes.



Do you have the courage to enter the deadly Vault of the Fiends ?



Get this and other Dungeoneer sets at Warehouse 23 .