C.M. Simpson's Blog, page 134

New Cover: The Starman's Arrival

Just finished creating this cover for September's first release:

Knocking over those crates of beer was a death sentence. I did it on purpose, in front of everyone, and then I did the only thing I could—I ran. I think I saved the starman. Now, the only way I’ll know, is if the supply ship comes in time to drive the raiders away—and I get back out of Blacklegs’ Forest alive. Wish me luck, okay? I’m gonna need it.

Short Works from 2015 & 2016 Now Available for Pre-Order

My collection of short stories and poems published in 2015 and 2016 is now available for pre-order from Smashwords, and will soon be available for pre-order from Amazon. It will be released on August 25th.


Seventh sons and space colonies, bird flu and poetry from the stars, flying ships, early Australia and fairy, pixies and elves in modern urbania, all can be found in this collection of poems and tales.

Progress Report: Week 5 July, 2017

This report covers the last two days of July and the first five of August. It was a difficult week, in which my daughter was sick for the first three days, and I had the flu for the next three. Fortunately, I was able to get some editing done, even if I couldn’t attend class, or do pretty much anything else.

Week 5 Progress
New words produced: 1,901Outlines and Notes: 1,996Works completed: 0Works edited: 1 ( C.M. Simpson: Short Work from 2015 & 2016 )Covers created: 1Works published: 0Works submitted: 0Competitions Entered: 0Bloggery: 1,653University Prep and Assignments: Nil words.Writing News
Last week saw almost no writing done outside of edits, and very little of those done, either. I was sick.Of last week’s priorities, I completed: the cover and the CreateSpace format for C.M. Simpson: Short Work from 2015 & 2016, and that was it. I didn’t keep up with class prep, or walking, but spent most of my time huddled in the computer corner or sleeping.
 


June-July Challenge: Babes in London
Last week saw very little progress on Babes.
if you like this adventure and want to play it, please go buy the official rulebooks from somewhere where the original creators and publisher of the setting will be paid. I got mine from a Melbourne game store, but I’ve found PDF versions of the Player's Handbook and the Gamemaster's Handbook are now available from DriveThruFiction. If you enjoy their world, this is the best way to thank them.




Ingress Updates
This week’s Ingress consisted of whatever got done going to and from school drop-off and pick-up. No achievements, save maintaining the Sojourner streak.

PokemonGo Updates
This week’s PokemonGo consisted of whatever got done on the way to and from school drop-off and pick-up. No achievements, and only one hatchling.

Other News
No other news this week.

Priorities for Week 1, July 2017
This week’s priorities are as follows:finalise the format and upload for C.M. Simpson: Short works from 2015 & 2016; cover, edit, format and upload the short story: The Starman’s Arrival; get back into walking, probably in two half-hour sessions each day;catch up with missed class prep from last week;keep up with class prep for this week.

New Cover: Short Works for 2015 & 2016

Just approved - the cover for the final collection to come out in August: the one containing all the short stories and poems published in 2015 and 2016:




Seventh sons and space colonies, bird flu and poetry from the stars, flying ships, early Australia and fairy, pixies and elves in modern urbania, all can be found in this collection of poems and tales.

Babes in London: Act Three, Scene 3D (Part 3: Final Battle Flashback—Aftermath)

Aftermath:
When the battle is over, read or paraphrase the following, altering it to fit the circumstances:
With the Setites, and the dragon freed, you head for the surface. This time, though, the tunnels seem darker than before, and you catch a faint whiff of taint. What were the Setites doing? And, even as you wonder, the darkness twists, and you find yourself right back where you started, leaving the library, with the sound of sirens rising in the distance. If you don’t go soon, you might have some explaining to do.
Play out the end of the scene according to the PCs’ decisions. They can leave before the authorities arrive (and they may wish to, if they are trying to leave with the book in their possession), or they can stay and try to explain things to the police and/or LN7.
NOTE: This adventure is not sanctioned in any way, shape or form by Fantasy Flight. It is not an official product, and I am in no way affiliated with them or they with me. There is no relationship between us. This adventure is mine, for fun, and for you, because some of you asked me to finish it.

Also, if you like this adventure and want to play it, please go buy the official rulebooks from somewhere where the original creators and publisher of the setting will be paid. I got mine from a Melbourne game store, but I’ve found PDF versions of the Player's Handbook and the Gamemaster's Handbook are now available from DriveThruFiction. If you enjoy their world, this is the best way to thank them.

Released for Pre-Order: Volume 3 of 2014's Short Work

Finally! This collection took its own sweet time coming together, but I finalised the last edit and upload, today. It's chock-full of fantasy, with a strong focus on trolls, pixies, and dragons, and includes many of the short pieces that helped me build the pixie-dust and troll-hunter settings.

You can currently find it up for pre-order on Smashwords, and it's ready for distribution via Draft2Digital, CreateSpace, DriveThruFiction, and Amazon. There is a print-on-demand version in both large-print and mass-market paperback coming, too.



A collection of flash fiction, short stories, poems and essays where the genres of fantasy and urban fantasy explore depression, fear, facing the unexpected, and working through difficult situations. It is of adapting to a changing world, to dealing with fear, and about exploring a world where trolls, pixies, unicorns and fairies might be real. This collection is about the myths of the world, the fairytale world, the never was, and might have been.

Progress Report: July’s Writing Overall

July had three weeks of mid-semester break, and one week, two days of university semester in it. It’s a little daunting to think I will have to achieve this much, or more, during August, in order to keep myself on track.
Overall Progress for July
New words produced: 43,275Chapter Book: 7,042Flash Fiction: 10,169Novel: 5,459Novella: 6,910Poem: 2,523RPG: 1,408Short Story: 9,764
Outlines and Notes: 2,597
Works completed: 38 (1-chapter book; 20-flash fiction; 16-poems)
Works completely edited: 3
The Contract -on behalf of Ellie Moonwater (released July 28, 2017); Freeman’s Choice (due for release: August 5, 2017) , C.M. Simpson: Short Works from 2014, Vol. 3 – Fantasy & Urban Fantasy (due for release August 18, 2017)Covers created: 2
Freeman’s Choice, Fate in the Sun Works published: 2
The Contract -on behalf of Ellie Moonwater (released); Freeman’s Choice (available for pre-order).Works submitted: 0
Competitions Entered: 0
Bloggery: 9,100
University Prep and Assignments: Nil (but don’t ask about the hours put in).

 

Progress Report: Week 4, July 2017

Even though last week was the first week back at university, I still managed a bit on the writing and publishing front – but now I know I’m in for a heavy few weeks. This semester, with no supervisors anywhere to be found for any of the nine questions I’d be interested in chasing for an Honours or PhD, I’m gearing up to go writing full-time next year. This semester, I can’t afford to put my writing and publishing on the back-burner in favour of my academics. Things are going to get “interesting”.
 
Week 4 Progress
New words produced: 6,329Outlines and Notes: 0Works completed: 1 ( Wheelchair Mermaid )Works completely edited: 1 ( C.M. Simpson: Short Works from 2014, Vol. 3 – Fantasy & Urban Fantasy )Covers created: 1 ( Fate in the Sun )Works published: 0Works submitted: 0Competitions Entered: 0Bloggery: 6,150 (all now deleted as I cannot sustain the work required for that series of blogs for the next four months)University Prep and Assignments: 0 words (DO NOT ASK about the hours put in, though.)
Writing News
Last week saw me complete Wheelchair Mermaid , a young adult chapter book about a girl, a mermaid, and a chance meeting at a beach.
Of last week’s priorities, that was the only one I completed – apart from keeping up with class preparations for three subjects. I came close on the CreateSpace upload for C.M. Simpson: Short Works from 2014, Volume 3 (Fantasy & Urban Fantasy) , but ran out of time. This week’s goals will need to be trimmed accordingly.
In addition, I completed a cover for the science fiction short story, Fate in the Sun .



















 June-July Challenge: Babes in LondonLast week saw me complete nothing on this project. It moves to the top of the list for next week.
If you like this adventure and want to play it, please go buy the official rulebooks from somewhere where the original creators and publisher of the setting will be paid. I got mine from a Melbourne game store, but I’ve found PDF versions of the Player's Handbook and the Gamemaster's Handbook are now available from DriveThruFiction. If you enjoy their world, this is the best way to thank them.




Ingress Updates
This week’s Ingress was an important part of bringing my fitness back on-line. It took only 2 weeks of not walking for my back to start to go, and for my general creativity and fitness to take a noticeable nose-dive. Right, message understood: I need to walk.
In response to that, I managed to walk an hour a day, every day, last week. I also spent writing breaks working on Operation Portal Recon. (This is probably not best practice, so I’ll have to set aside a block of time and stick to it, rather than do it when I should be stretching and giving my eyes a break from the screen.)
So, Ingress achievements, last week, consisted of:
Bronze Recon medalSilver Recon medalGold Engineer medal.

PokemonGo Updates
Last week’s PokemonGo was tied in to last week’s Ingress. What can I say? I hate just walking for the sake of walking… and this helps me break the unhealthy mental cycle of going over bad past events that I couldn’t stop, couldn’t change, and can’t fix the consequences of now.
Last week’s PokemonGo achievements were as follows:
Filled another gap in the Kanto pokedex by evolving BlastoiseFilled another two gaps in the Johto pokedex by hatching Tyrogue and evolving Piloswine.Earned my first golden gym badge.


  Priorities:
maintain walking of an hour a day minimum;Finalise the CreateSpace format and upload for C.M. Simpson: Short Works from 2014, Volume 3 (Fantasy & Urban Fantasy);Finalise the pre-order uploads for C.M. Simpson: Short Works from 2014, Volume 3 (Fantasy & Urban Fantasy);Begin the CreateSpace format and upload for C.M. Simpson: Short Works from 2015-2016, Volume 1 (Science Fiction)Keep up with class preparation for three university subjects

Today's Ingress Medal: Gold Liberator

Yesterday, I noticed I was 36 portal captures short of the 5,000 needed for the gold level of the Liberator medal, so I had a look around for a concentration of grey or green, and saw that Gold Creek suited the requirements nicely. Reachable by bus, this historical village houses the Australian Dinosaur Museum, Cockington Green Miniatures Garden, and the Australian Reptile Museum, among other attractions. On Sundays, it is serviced by two buses running around a half hour apart between the two major suburban centres of Gungahlin and Belconnen.

It was a beautiful day for a Canberra winter, and I had to go for my walk. I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone, and thirteen degrees Celsius, with only a light breeze, is great weather for walking in. By the end of an hour, I had covered what I needed, and was seriously short of resonators.

Not a bad way to start the week.

Friday Fireborne: Scene 3D (Part 2: Final Battle Flashback—The Ceremony)

The Ceremony Begins:
If the PCs have not started a fight, or if they have run out of questions, or reached a point where the ceremony begins, read, or paraphrase, the following:
With the closing of the doors, the gathering grows quiet. Voices subside from whispered greetings to nothing. The sound of shuffling feet stills as everyone around you turns to face the throne. As you watch, doors open on either side of the throne, and four figures robed in a shimmering silver-grey, step through. Each one wears a black leather harness crossing their chest, on which is hung a variety of narrow, glass vials. From a thick leather belt hangs a long, curved dagger from their right hips, and a long curve-bladed sword hangs from their left. As they advance, hands clasped beneath their chins, they begin a low chant. The woman on the altar turns her head to watch them come.
What are the PCs going to do? They can watch the ceremony start or they can interrupt it here. If they continue to watch, read or paraphrase the following, but allow them to interrupt the ritual at any point below:
Phase One—Gather Magic:
The priests position themselves at the four corners of the altar, and the one nearest the woman’s head turns to face the gathered cultists. “Brothers,” he says, “I will gather the magic to us, through me, through you, and through this descendant of our lord, and I will send it out again to search for our Lord Set, and show us his location.” At his words, he and the other four priests turn to face the altar, and, around you, the cultists move to mirror their stance.
Note: This is the ‘Gather Magic’ phase of the spell casting ritual. The priests change their stance to Air, and the cultists around the PCs mimic this change, also, as they prepare to assist in the casting.PCs may make a TH 3 check to recognise that the assembled Setites are preparing to make the ritual casting of a spell. PCs with Casting may make a TH 4 test to recognise the opening movements similar to those found in the spell, Scrye. A TH 5 success reveals that this spell, although related, is not Scrye, but something more. A TH 8 success reveals that this spell is also similar to History, while a TH 9 success reveals that, while similar, it is not History.
PCs with Casting may make a TH 2 roll to be fairly certain that this spell will kill the dragon, and a TH 4 roll to know the spell will kill the dragon.
If the PCs do not intervene when the stance change is made, GMs should make any appropriate Air pool rolls for the cultists and the principal caster.
Phase Two—Cast:
Read or paraphrase the following as the Setites move into the casting phase of the ritual:
The priests change their positions slightly, and the Setites around you, move to mirror them.
A TH 3 Casting roll reveals that the Setites are about cast. If the PCs do not intervene at this stage, casting is completed to the stage just before the caster rolls the dice in his Fire pool. If they intervene at this point, and excess successes have been generated, the priest cannot channel the successes and any excess damage is channelled back through the principal caster, followed by those closest him, including the PCs.
Note: The Setites are determined for this ritual to succeed. Every cultist present spends as much of their karma as they can in order for the ritual to succeed. The priest leading the ceremony channels excess successes into expanding the area of effect. Once the priest has rolled his Fire dice and cast the spell, the dragon’s body is consumed and she is dead. If this happens the PCs do not receive Friend of Kelia as a reward.
If they do intervene before the spell reaches the Casting phase, then roll initiative as the Setites seek to remove the PCs so they can attempt to cast the ritual again. PCs have a multitude of options at this point. They can try to save the dragon and escape out one of the doors without facing the angry Setites, cause a diversion, start taking down cultists one at a time, and so forth. If they ask, they can’t remember, and will just have to play the scene as they see fit.
Setite Cultist:Era: Modern/MythicRace: Natural beingAPL: 1Aspects: Fire 4, Water 3, Air 3(2), Earth 1Initiative: 7Health: 1m; <3 / 3+ / 6+ / 9+ / 12+ / 15+ / 18+ / 21+Size/Reach: 0 / 2 ft.Armor: 0Taint: 1Stride: 20 ft. (Moderate)Weapons:—Fist (2): 3/L—Kick (2): 4/M—Sword, Scimitar: 13/M—Dagger, Kris: 13/L—Browning PRO-40 Pistol (Modern Only): 23 ~ range 200 ft. ~ reload ¼Sequences: Rank and FileAgg—F6/W3/A1(2)/E1Ready + Ready + Ready (draw Scimitar) + Scimitar Strike: Damage +5Ready + Ready (draw Kris) + Kris Strike: Damage +5Scimitar Strike + Ready + Kris Strike + Press: Damage +10Neut—F4/W3/A3 (2)/E1Block + Ready + Scimitar Strike + Block: Damage +5Def—F0/W7/A3 (2)/E1Block + Ready + Scimitar Strike + Dodge: Damage +5Skills: Athletics 1, Casting 4, Dodge 1, Ka 4, Knowledge: Egypt 4, Knowledge: Egyptian Mythology: 4, Knowledge: Occult 4, Melee 2, Quickness 1, Stealth 2, Ranged 2 (Modern Only)Spells: Rank 1—Beguile (B); Shadow (A); Sidestep (A); Locate (A)Edges: Allies 1, Casting 2, Skill Expertise: Casting, Wealth: 2
Setite Priest:Era: Modern/MythicRace: Natural beingAPL: 3Aspects: Fire 5, Water 4, Air 4(3), Earth 2Initiative: 9Health: 2m; <4 / 4+ / 8+ / 12+ / 16+ / 20+ / 24+ / 28+Size/Reach: 0 / 2 ft.Armor: 0Taint: 1Stride: 20 ft. (Moderate)Weapons:—Fist (2): 3/L—Kick (2): 4/M—Sword, Scimitar: 13/M—Dagger, Kris: 13/L—Browning PRO-40 Pistol (Modern Only): 23 ~ range 200 ft. ~ reload ¼Sequences: Agg—F9/W2/A2(1)/E2Ready + Ready + Ready (draw Scimitar) + Scimitar Strike: Damage +5Ready + Ready (draw Kris) + Kris Strike: Damage +5Scimitar Strike + Ready + Kris Strike + Press: Damage +10Neut—F5/W4/A4 (3)/E2Block + Ready + Scimitar Strike + Block: Damage +5Def—F0/W9/A4 (3)/E2Block + Ready + Scimitar Strike + Dodge: Damage +5Skills: Casting 6, Dodge 2, Ka 6, Knowledge: Egypt 5, Knowledge: Egyptian Mythology: 6, Knowledge: Occult 5, Quickness 2, Melee 3, Stealth 2, Will 3Spells: Rank 1—Beguile (B/C); Shadow (A/C); Sidestep (A/B); Rank 2—Locate (A/B), Scrye (A/B), Second Sight (A)Edges: Allies, Casting, Forceful Will, Skill Expertise: Casting, Skill Specialty: WillWealth: 3Tactics: The Setites fight to prevent the PCs from disrupting the ceremony. While prisoners are always nice, secrecy is always more important; the Setites don’t hold back. The followers attack and the priests observe until one of the PCs reveals their draconic form, and then they join the melee. They will not kill the dragon on the altar, unless she is freed and tries to escape.Battle Environment: The chamber is big enough for the PCs to fight as dragons without penalty, but leaving will require a smaller form.

NOTE: This adventure is not sanctioned in any way, shape or form by Fantasy Flight. It is not an official product, and I am in no way affiliated with them or they with me. There is no relationship between us. This adventure is mine, for fun, and for you, because some of you asked me to finish it.

Also, if you like this adventure and want to play it, please go buy the official rulebooks from somewhere where the original creators and publisher of the setting will be paid. I got mine from a Melbourne game store, but I’ve found PDF versions of the Player's Handbook and the Gamemaster's Handbook are now available from DriveThruFiction. If you enjoy their world, this is the best way to thank them.