C.M. Simpson's Blog, page 197
November 14, 2013
Adventure Edition: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found, Scene 1B
You can find the links to each of the preceding episodes of the
Babes in London
adventure sequence HERE.
To play or run this game you will need the following:
PLAYERS: Fireborn Player's Handbook ;
GAME MASTERS: Fireborn Gamemaster's Handbook ;
This is a piece of fan fiction. It is NOT endorsed or acknowledged by Fantasy Flight Games; it is IN NO WAY official; it DOES NOT indicate any form of relationship between myself and Fantasy Flight Games; and I DO NOT CLAIM any of the setting specific material or setting specific concepts as my own.
Warning: Due to a lack of playtesters, this section has yet to be tested. GMs may need to adjust opponents to suit the level of your PCs.
PLAYERS SHOULD NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT
Scene 1B: Attack on the Artist
“The sketches!” Markovin cries as he disappears into the next room. Following him, you find yourselves in what looks like a large office. A steel set of map drawers takes up one wall and you catch a glimpse of a desk and bookshelves along another and a window at one end. What really catches your attention, however, are the two dark figures going through a filing cabinet, while the third is pulling open a drawer labeled: ‘Unicorn Dreaming’. “What do you think you’re doing?” Markovin roars.
Have the PCs roll for initiative. If they beat the artist, they have time to grab him before he charges the Setite near the map drawer. The Setites, of course, attack.
Markovin’s Tactics: Short of stopping these dark-clad strangers from getting to his precious sketches, David hasn’t thought what he is going to do once he has their attention. He will grapple with his opponent/s and try to push them away from the map drawers and then out the door, and will, if the opportunity arises, pursue any intruder through the studio, throwing whatever comes to hand – paint brushes, palettes, water jars and so forth.
Setite Tactics: The Setites have come to discover where the unicorn painting was painted. They have not overheard the conversation with the PCs. Noticing that David was busy, they tried to discover the whereabouts without disturbing the artist, figuring they could always come back when he wasn’t with friends. Now that they have been disturbed, they attempt to grab the artist and flee with him. Any PC looking out the window notices that the gate to the back garden is open, and a white mini-van stands beyond it. There are three more assassins in the artist’s studio. At the sound of David’s cry, they will come through the dining room, and join the melee. The assassins will use deadly force if necessary, but will first attempt to sneak up on the fight in the office and dart the PCs and David with tranquillizers. PCs must make an opposed Air (Senses) TH4 test to catch sight of them sneaking up.
Mischief and Malady: Mischief sneaks up the stairs to see what is going on and then sneak back downstairs to call the police. Malady was having a long, hot soak and has come out in a bathrobe to see what the ruckus is about. She watches the battle until the other three Setites appear. When she sees them (and they see her), she attempts to flee back through the kitchen to her private quarters where she hopes to lock them out while she calls the police. (One of the Setites will pursue and attempt to subdue her with a tranquilizer.)
Aftermath: Once the Setites have been defeated or driven off, PCs can obtain directions from David Markovin to the mansion known as Tenson’s Place. (Go to Act 4, Scene 1.) If either David Markovin or the PCs are captured the following modifications will be required. If David is captured and taken away, but the PCs are able to fend off the Setites, then the Setites take the artist back to their temple and, after discovering the scene where the unicorn picture was painted, use his entrails as a source of divination. PCs do not get the ‘Modern Reward: Friend of the Artist David Markovin.’If David and the PCs are captured and taken away, go to Act 4, Scene 3: Seek & Ye Shall Find. You will need to modify the action in this scene to reflect that the PCs have been captured and have not found the cultists temple through their own investigations; a sidebar will be provided.PCs may wish to delay going to Tenson’s Place in favor of one, or more of the following options:try to find mythological references to red boars. Go to Act 3, Scene 4 – Follow-up (Library Investigation); Act 3, Scene 4b – Follow-up (University Investigation); OR Act 3, Scene 4c – Follow-up (Museum Investigation), whichever is appropriate;try to find out what the symbol on the disc and the Red Boars means – without going to Emblae or the Fae of Haverhill. Go to Act 3, Scene 4 – Follow-up (Library Investigation); Act 3, Scene 4b – Follow-up (University Investigation); OR Act 3, Scene 4c – Follow-up (Museum Investigation), whichever is appropriate;go to Emblae (if they have played The Fire Within) to find out what the symbol on the disc and the Red Boars means – in which case the faery identifies the creatures as the Red Boars of Set and gives them the information listed on pp. 36-37;go to the Fae of Haverhill (if they have played The Fire Within) to find out what the symbol on the disc and the Red Boars means in which case PCs receive the information on p. 37contact allies in LN7, go to Act 3, Scene 2 – Follow-up (LN7).contact the Gehenna Consortium, go to Act 3, Scene 3 – Follow-up (Gehenna Consortium).
Next Week: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found, Scene 2 (Follow-Up - LN7)
To play or run this game you will need the following:
PLAYERS: Fireborn Player's Handbook ;
GAME MASTERS: Fireborn Gamemaster's Handbook ;
This is a piece of fan fiction. It is NOT endorsed or acknowledged by Fantasy Flight Games; it is IN NO WAY official; it DOES NOT indicate any form of relationship between myself and Fantasy Flight Games; and I DO NOT CLAIM any of the setting specific material or setting specific concepts as my own.
Warning: Due to a lack of playtesters, this section has yet to be tested. GMs may need to adjust opponents to suit the level of your PCs.
PLAYERS SHOULD NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT
Scene 1B: Attack on the Artist
“The sketches!” Markovin cries as he disappears into the next room. Following him, you find yourselves in what looks like a large office. A steel set of map drawers takes up one wall and you catch a glimpse of a desk and bookshelves along another and a window at one end. What really catches your attention, however, are the two dark figures going through a filing cabinet, while the third is pulling open a drawer labeled: ‘Unicorn Dreaming’. “What do you think you’re doing?” Markovin roars.
Have the PCs roll for initiative. If they beat the artist, they have time to grab him before he charges the Setite near the map drawer. The Setites, of course, attack.
Markovin’s Tactics: Short of stopping these dark-clad strangers from getting to his precious sketches, David hasn’t thought what he is going to do once he has their attention. He will grapple with his opponent/s and try to push them away from the map drawers and then out the door, and will, if the opportunity arises, pursue any intruder through the studio, throwing whatever comes to hand – paint brushes, palettes, water jars and so forth.
Setite Tactics: The Setites have come to discover where the unicorn painting was painted. They have not overheard the conversation with the PCs. Noticing that David was busy, they tried to discover the whereabouts without disturbing the artist, figuring they could always come back when he wasn’t with friends. Now that they have been disturbed, they attempt to grab the artist and flee with him. Any PC looking out the window notices that the gate to the back garden is open, and a white mini-van stands beyond it. There are three more assassins in the artist’s studio. At the sound of David’s cry, they will come through the dining room, and join the melee. The assassins will use deadly force if necessary, but will first attempt to sneak up on the fight in the office and dart the PCs and David with tranquillizers. PCs must make an opposed Air (Senses) TH4 test to catch sight of them sneaking up.
Mischief and Malady: Mischief sneaks up the stairs to see what is going on and then sneak back downstairs to call the police. Malady was having a long, hot soak and has come out in a bathrobe to see what the ruckus is about. She watches the battle until the other three Setites appear. When she sees them (and they see her), she attempts to flee back through the kitchen to her private quarters where she hopes to lock them out while she calls the police. (One of the Setites will pursue and attempt to subdue her with a tranquilizer.)
Aftermath: Once the Setites have been defeated or driven off, PCs can obtain directions from David Markovin to the mansion known as Tenson’s Place. (Go to Act 4, Scene 1.) If either David Markovin or the PCs are captured the following modifications will be required. If David is captured and taken away, but the PCs are able to fend off the Setites, then the Setites take the artist back to their temple and, after discovering the scene where the unicorn picture was painted, use his entrails as a source of divination. PCs do not get the ‘Modern Reward: Friend of the Artist David Markovin.’If David and the PCs are captured and taken away, go to Act 4, Scene 3: Seek & Ye Shall Find. You will need to modify the action in this scene to reflect that the PCs have been captured and have not found the cultists temple through their own investigations; a sidebar will be provided.PCs may wish to delay going to Tenson’s Place in favor of one, or more of the following options:try to find mythological references to red boars. Go to Act 3, Scene 4 – Follow-up (Library Investigation); Act 3, Scene 4b – Follow-up (University Investigation); OR Act 3, Scene 4c – Follow-up (Museum Investigation), whichever is appropriate;try to find out what the symbol on the disc and the Red Boars means – without going to Emblae or the Fae of Haverhill. Go to Act 3, Scene 4 – Follow-up (Library Investigation); Act 3, Scene 4b – Follow-up (University Investigation); OR Act 3, Scene 4c – Follow-up (Museum Investigation), whichever is appropriate;go to Emblae (if they have played The Fire Within) to find out what the symbol on the disc and the Red Boars means – in which case the faery identifies the creatures as the Red Boars of Set and gives them the information listed on pp. 36-37;go to the Fae of Haverhill (if they have played The Fire Within) to find out what the symbol on the disc and the Red Boars means in which case PCs receive the information on p. 37contact allies in LN7, go to Act 3, Scene 2 – Follow-up (LN7).contact the Gehenna Consortium, go to Act 3, Scene 3 – Follow-up (Gehenna Consortium).
Next Week: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found, Scene 2 (Follow-Up - LN7)
November 12, 2013
Australian Birds: Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo - Again
Last week, I managed to capture a hover fly in flight, but what I really wanted to do this week, was to catch one of these handsome devils flying, or doing something other than the usual pose. A whole flock of them decided to graze on some flower seeds nearby, so I became paparazzi to the birds.
This is not a cockatoo, but it was grazing in good company and obligingly flew for me.
And then I went back to the bigger birds, who were just a little closer
How could I resist? They are beautiful birds.
This is not a cockatoo, but it was grazing in good company and obligingly flew for me.
And then I went back to the bigger birds, who were just a little closer
How could I resist? They are beautiful birds.
November 7, 2013
Adventure Edition: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found, Scene 1A
You can find the links to each of the preceding episodes of the
Babes in London
adventure sequence HERE.
To play or run this game you will need the following:
PLAYERS: Fireborn Player's Handbook ;
GAME MASTERS: Fireborn Gamemaster's Handbook ;
This is a piece of fan fiction. It is NOT endorsed or acknowledged by Fantasy Flight Games; it is IN NO WAY official; it DOES NOT indicate any form of relationship between myself and Fantasy Flight Games; and I DO NOT CLAIM any of the setting specific material or setting specific concepts as my own.
Warning: Due to a lack of playtesters, this section has yet to be tested. GMs may need to adjust opponents to suit the level of your PCs.
PLAYERS SHOULD NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT
Scene 1A: Meeting the Artist
The artist isn’t in his Islington studio; staff there direct you to Cambden. After a bit of a juggle with transport and traffic, you arrived in Cambden and, after asking a few questions about unicorns and painters, you are standing in front of the gate that will take you into the rooms, secondary gallery and studios of one David Markovin – fantasy artist and painter of unicorns (among other things). The pocket-sized front lawn is bordered by a neat array of lavender, roses and low-growing somethings and divided down the centre by a path leading to the patio and front door where a unicorn set in stained glass waits to greet you. Below it, a small, brass plaque announces: ‘Welcome to the Markovin’s Madness: Please, come in.’
Give PCs a brief moment to react. If they decide to try to enter in a more surreptitious manner read or paraphrase the following: The windows on the lower ground floor appear to have been boarded up from the inside and there is no way to reach the rear of the gallery as it shares a wall with the buildings on either side. The only other alternative entrance would be the green-doored garage, but it is closed and locked. There are balconies lined by large, closed windows on the second floor, but you’re sure you would stand out against the cream-colored walls of the gallery and it wouldn’t be long before a passer-by called the police. If PCs decide to try and enter by the back way, play it by ear. There is a small garden area behind the gallery, which contains a couple of fruit trees and a small table and chairs beneath a miniature gazebo similar in shape to a band rondavel found in a public garden. The back door is unlocked and the Setite assassins have entered by the time the PCs have located the back yard. When they enter, to scene 1B and adlib their entry into the battle to rescue the artist. If PCs decide to enter through the front door, read or paraphrase the following: The unicorn doesn’t speak, of course, but a small bell tinkles as you open the front door. The room you enter is the professional face of David Markovin. Its walls are off-white and numerous paintings are displayed along them. Beneath each picture is a small label with the painting’s name, date of completion, a short description, and a price. One thing’s for sure, he doesn’t shy away from the necessity of making a living! A young woman dressed like a Romanian gypsy is dusting a painted vase that stands on a pedestal between two of the paintings. “Can I help you?” she asks as she walks to the counter and tucks the duster away.
This is Mischief Overton. She has no explanation for her name and is insistent on finding out what the PCs want. She can be convinced to allow them to meet David Markovin. (Any reasonable request or argument will do this, as will an Air (Interaction) 2 test.) She asks the PCs to wait and goes to see if ‘Mr Markovin’ will meet them, taking them upstairs to the studios shortly thereafter. Read or paraphrase the following on their arrival:
This area, you think, is the working face of David Markovin. A number of canvases stand in an open, wooden-floored workspace that takes up the front half of the second floor. Stands holding paint, brushes and what smells like mineral turpentine are scattered about between them, and a pile of canvas-clad clutter lines the front wall. Paint splotches have dried and faded into the floorboards and large windows lead out onto what looks like a narrow balcony. A middle-aged man with fuzzy brown hair and the first signs of premature baldness has just finished washing a paint-brush at one of the sinks along the rear wall of the room. His light green eyes are bright with curiosity behind light, wire-framed glasses and he has a pleasant smile: “Thank you, Mischief,” he says, then: “Can I help you?”
Give the PCs time to interact. Mischief returns to the downstairs gallery as soon as David speaks and they are left in private to talk. When they start asking questions about the painting, David guides them to a room at the rear of the second floor : “This way,” he says. “This is my break time and I need a cup of tea. Malady will be almost ready for us. She said I might have visitors today.” Before you can protest, he leads you towards the back of the room and through a door that leads to a cozy, if somewhat small dining room. A tall woman, dressed incongruously in yellow, blue and green greets you with a small smile. “Ah, Malady,” David says. “You were correct. We have guests for tea.” Once she serves a traditional tea, Malady steps back and takes off her apron. “If it’s all the same with you, Mr Markovin,” she says, “I’m going off for a few hours. You can ring if you need me.” Her hand rests beside a silver bell mounted on the wall beside the kitchen door, and then she turns and walks back into the kitchen. “Now,” David says, turning to you, “What was it you wanted to know?”
Allow the PCs to interact with David before the Setites attack. They are able to discover the following information:
Where did the idea for the painting come from?“It moves, you know. It was the first in the unicorn series. I painted it after weeks of trying to get the image out of my head. They came in my dreams, you know – the unicorn maid and her beast. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. Night after night after night” he seems almost in tears. “Some say I shouldn’t complain; it defined my career, but it still worries me. Once I had painted her, she never visited me again. Funny you should ask about that painting, though. You’ve got to be the third lot who’ve come through wanting more information.”Who else has been asking about the painting?“Well, it’s been more about the print. Where did I sell it? Who did I sell the painting to? Where was it painted? You know, all the usual types of questions. Guys in suits – not the usual type of documentary makers at all… Brought a film crew and all, they did. Then there were the ‘men in black’ – I gave those creeps the brush off.”Who bought the unicorn print:“Any one of two hundred and fifty people,” David replies. “It sold out within a week of production, and there’s been demand for it ever since, but I haven’t reprinted it – I never do. One painting, two hundred and fifty prints, and no more; it’s what keeps my work valuable.Where was it painted?“There’s a mansion, you know? One of those places the public can visit. Beautiful gardens, absolutely lovely. Kept up by some private gardening supplier – I can’t remember his name but I guess he does it for the free advertising. Anyway, I knew of it from my student days. It’s got this oak tree, and a small stand of birch, and one of the best camellia gardens I’ve ever seen. I did the painting in early autumn, just as the leaves were turning. There’s a beautiful contrast in color then.Can you tell us the name of the mansion?Tenson’s Place. It’s quite a way from here, more to the south although Heaven knows what it’s doing there. Maybe it was some sort of hospital or monastery. I’m not sure; I didn’t pay much attention to its history, I was just after the scenery.Can you tell us the name of the gardening supplier?Not really. It was something strange. Something to do with hours. No! No. Minutes? No, wait a minute – Time. It was something to do with time and maybe sport. Half Time. That was it! Half Time something or other. Look it up in the yellow pages; I’m sure you’ll find it.
As the PCs talk, have them make Earth (Senses) TH4 tests. The Setite assassins have arrived and, after successfully sneaking past Mischief, have made their way upstairs to the studio. If the PC/s are successful, read or paraphrase, the following:
There it is again! At first you weren’t sure, but now… And again! There is definitely something, or someone, moving in the studio. The faint ripple of shadow across the wall visible from the doorway and the faint sound of what might be canvas being lifted signal that you’re not alone. It can’t be Malady; she’s disappeared back through the door leading to David’s tiny kitchenette and, presumably, her quarters beyond. At least, you think that’s what she meant when she said she was ‘going off’ for a couple of hours, because she certainly didn’t go down the stairs.
If the PCs mention seeing anything, David immediately leaps up and rushes through the door opposite the one leading to the kitchen. Go to Scene 1b: Attack on the Artist. If the PCs don’t mention seeing anything, or don’t notice the Setites, the distinctive rumble of a metal drawer sliding out is heard from the next room. Go to Scene 1b: Attack on the Artist.
Next Week: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found, Scene 1B.
To play or run this game you will need the following:
PLAYERS: Fireborn Player's Handbook ;
GAME MASTERS: Fireborn Gamemaster's Handbook ;
This is a piece of fan fiction. It is NOT endorsed or acknowledged by Fantasy Flight Games; it is IN NO WAY official; it DOES NOT indicate any form of relationship between myself and Fantasy Flight Games; and I DO NOT CLAIM any of the setting specific material or setting specific concepts as my own.
Warning: Due to a lack of playtesters, this section has yet to be tested. GMs may need to adjust opponents to suit the level of your PCs.
PLAYERS SHOULD NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT
Scene 1A: Meeting the Artist
The artist isn’t in his Islington studio; staff there direct you to Cambden. After a bit of a juggle with transport and traffic, you arrived in Cambden and, after asking a few questions about unicorns and painters, you are standing in front of the gate that will take you into the rooms, secondary gallery and studios of one David Markovin – fantasy artist and painter of unicorns (among other things). The pocket-sized front lawn is bordered by a neat array of lavender, roses and low-growing somethings and divided down the centre by a path leading to the patio and front door where a unicorn set in stained glass waits to greet you. Below it, a small, brass plaque announces: ‘Welcome to the Markovin’s Madness: Please, come in.’
Give PCs a brief moment to react. If they decide to try to enter in a more surreptitious manner read or paraphrase the following: The windows on the lower ground floor appear to have been boarded up from the inside and there is no way to reach the rear of the gallery as it shares a wall with the buildings on either side. The only other alternative entrance would be the green-doored garage, but it is closed and locked. There are balconies lined by large, closed windows on the second floor, but you’re sure you would stand out against the cream-colored walls of the gallery and it wouldn’t be long before a passer-by called the police. If PCs decide to try and enter by the back way, play it by ear. There is a small garden area behind the gallery, which contains a couple of fruit trees and a small table and chairs beneath a miniature gazebo similar in shape to a band rondavel found in a public garden. The back door is unlocked and the Setite assassins have entered by the time the PCs have located the back yard. When they enter, to scene 1B and adlib their entry into the battle to rescue the artist. If PCs decide to enter through the front door, read or paraphrase the following: The unicorn doesn’t speak, of course, but a small bell tinkles as you open the front door. The room you enter is the professional face of David Markovin. Its walls are off-white and numerous paintings are displayed along them. Beneath each picture is a small label with the painting’s name, date of completion, a short description, and a price. One thing’s for sure, he doesn’t shy away from the necessity of making a living! A young woman dressed like a Romanian gypsy is dusting a painted vase that stands on a pedestal between two of the paintings. “Can I help you?” she asks as she walks to the counter and tucks the duster away.
This is Mischief Overton. She has no explanation for her name and is insistent on finding out what the PCs want. She can be convinced to allow them to meet David Markovin. (Any reasonable request or argument will do this, as will an Air (Interaction) 2 test.) She asks the PCs to wait and goes to see if ‘Mr Markovin’ will meet them, taking them upstairs to the studios shortly thereafter. Read or paraphrase the following on their arrival:
This area, you think, is the working face of David Markovin. A number of canvases stand in an open, wooden-floored workspace that takes up the front half of the second floor. Stands holding paint, brushes and what smells like mineral turpentine are scattered about between them, and a pile of canvas-clad clutter lines the front wall. Paint splotches have dried and faded into the floorboards and large windows lead out onto what looks like a narrow balcony. A middle-aged man with fuzzy brown hair and the first signs of premature baldness has just finished washing a paint-brush at one of the sinks along the rear wall of the room. His light green eyes are bright with curiosity behind light, wire-framed glasses and he has a pleasant smile: “Thank you, Mischief,” he says, then: “Can I help you?”
Give the PCs time to interact. Mischief returns to the downstairs gallery as soon as David speaks and they are left in private to talk. When they start asking questions about the painting, David guides them to a room at the rear of the second floor : “This way,” he says. “This is my break time and I need a cup of tea. Malady will be almost ready for us. She said I might have visitors today.” Before you can protest, he leads you towards the back of the room and through a door that leads to a cozy, if somewhat small dining room. A tall woman, dressed incongruously in yellow, blue and green greets you with a small smile. “Ah, Malady,” David says. “You were correct. We have guests for tea.” Once she serves a traditional tea, Malady steps back and takes off her apron. “If it’s all the same with you, Mr Markovin,” she says, “I’m going off for a few hours. You can ring if you need me.” Her hand rests beside a silver bell mounted on the wall beside the kitchen door, and then she turns and walks back into the kitchen. “Now,” David says, turning to you, “What was it you wanted to know?”
Allow the PCs to interact with David before the Setites attack. They are able to discover the following information:
Where did the idea for the painting come from?“It moves, you know. It was the first in the unicorn series. I painted it after weeks of trying to get the image out of my head. They came in my dreams, you know – the unicorn maid and her beast. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. Night after night after night” he seems almost in tears. “Some say I shouldn’t complain; it defined my career, but it still worries me. Once I had painted her, she never visited me again. Funny you should ask about that painting, though. You’ve got to be the third lot who’ve come through wanting more information.”Who else has been asking about the painting?“Well, it’s been more about the print. Where did I sell it? Who did I sell the painting to? Where was it painted? You know, all the usual types of questions. Guys in suits – not the usual type of documentary makers at all… Brought a film crew and all, they did. Then there were the ‘men in black’ – I gave those creeps the brush off.”Who bought the unicorn print:“Any one of two hundred and fifty people,” David replies. “It sold out within a week of production, and there’s been demand for it ever since, but I haven’t reprinted it – I never do. One painting, two hundred and fifty prints, and no more; it’s what keeps my work valuable.Where was it painted?“There’s a mansion, you know? One of those places the public can visit. Beautiful gardens, absolutely lovely. Kept up by some private gardening supplier – I can’t remember his name but I guess he does it for the free advertising. Anyway, I knew of it from my student days. It’s got this oak tree, and a small stand of birch, and one of the best camellia gardens I’ve ever seen. I did the painting in early autumn, just as the leaves were turning. There’s a beautiful contrast in color then.Can you tell us the name of the mansion?Tenson’s Place. It’s quite a way from here, more to the south although Heaven knows what it’s doing there. Maybe it was some sort of hospital or monastery. I’m not sure; I didn’t pay much attention to its history, I was just after the scenery.Can you tell us the name of the gardening supplier?Not really. It was something strange. Something to do with hours. No! No. Minutes? No, wait a minute – Time. It was something to do with time and maybe sport. Half Time. That was it! Half Time something or other. Look it up in the yellow pages; I’m sure you’ll find it.
As the PCs talk, have them make Earth (Senses) TH4 tests. The Setite assassins have arrived and, after successfully sneaking past Mischief, have made their way upstairs to the studio. If the PC/s are successful, read or paraphrase, the following:
There it is again! At first you weren’t sure, but now… And again! There is definitely something, or someone, moving in the studio. The faint ripple of shadow across the wall visible from the doorway and the faint sound of what might be canvas being lifted signal that you’re not alone. It can’t be Malady; she’s disappeared back through the door leading to David’s tiny kitchenette and, presumably, her quarters beyond. At least, you think that’s what she meant when she said she was ‘going off’ for a couple of hours, because she certainly didn’t go down the stairs.
If the PCs mention seeing anything, David immediately leaps up and rushes through the door opposite the one leading to the kitchen. Go to Scene 1b: Attack on the Artist. If the PCs don’t mention seeing anything, or don’t notice the Setites, the distinctive rumble of a metal drawer sliding out is heard from the next room. Go to Scene 1b: Attack on the Artist.
Next Week: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found, Scene 1B.
November 5, 2013
Australian Insects: Hover Fly
Still taking a break from the spiders. Take a look at this little hover fly. I just couldn't resist trying to get a few shots of it. I started out just being able to catch it when it was feeding on the flowers.
And then I started trying to catch it in flight...
It took a few tries but then I found these two homing in on the flowers.
It was worth it.
And then I started trying to catch it in flight...
It took a few tries but then I found these two homing in on the flowers.
It was worth it.
November 4, 2013
New Cover: Death Comes in Bone
On Saturday, I finally completed the cover design for Death Comes in Bone. Here's how it turned out:
I'll release this short story about a skeletal assassin within the next couple of weeks.
I'll release this short story about a skeletal assassin within the next couple of weeks.
November 3, 2013
Progress Report: Week 1 November 2013
Stuff got done, and I got a better idea of what I can actually achieve. Here’s to improving J
OverviewNew words produced: 3,283Old words revised: 0Works completed: 0Works revised: 0Covers created: 0Works published: 0Works submitted: 0Competitions Entered: 0Publishing Tasks
Created 2 blog posts for this blog;Released The Reptiles’ Blade on all platforms except CreateSpace
New ArrivalsThe following ideas arrived this week:
Annual17: commemorationsAnnual18: schoolsAnthology40: tales from schoolShortStory99—The Possibility of Peace: science fiction horror about a rendezvous gone bad.ShortStory100—One Kaboom to Go:science fiction disasterShortStory101—Shelter from the Swarm:science fiction about colony evacuationShortStory102—The Sheltering Storm:about a fantasy huntShortStory103—The She-Cat’s Orders:about another fantasy huntShortStory104—Flight Path: science fiction escape from a prisonShortStory 105—Final Hunt:science fiction huntShortStory106—Pride of Retrieval:fantasy story of a father’s thwarted rescue attempt of his childShortStory107—The Death of Tarkine’s Wrath: science fiction about a pirate attack on a colonyShortStory108—Waiting for Tarkine’s Revenge: science fiction about a follow-up pirate attack on a colonyShortStory109—The Pirates and the Whiney Brats: science fiction about a pirate attack on a starshipShortStory110—A Different Kind of Bondage: paranormal/urban fantasy about trolls and the fey
November 2, 2013
First Page: The Reptiles' Blade as C.M. Simpson
The Reptiles’ Blade
is a science fiction novella about a retired military member, a lizardine warrior-come-“diplomat” and some high-level negotiation that very nearly goes astray before it even gets started.When Felicity Shannara Jones is ordered by her command to infiltrate a criminal organization using humanitarian aid as a front, she isn’t sure she’s the right girl for the job, but then she finds Mika, second planetary adviser to humanity’s current foe, and she knows things just got serious. When Mika escapes custody, things go from serious to dire in one jet-propelled moment and Felicity, with her history in the lizardine war, finds herself in the firing line once more.
The Reptiles’ Blade is available from Smashwords, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Omnilit, DriveThruFiction and iTunes.
First Page: The Reptiles' Blade
Felicity Shannara Jones, Captain Jones to most who knew her, Felix to her friends, Jay to Manx Carlisle who followed her up the steps from the car.“You could drop the uniform, you know,” he said. “After all, you don’t wear one anymore.”“Can it, Carlisle.”“And I know you’re pissed when you go formal on me.”“You have no idea.”Carlisle placed a hand on her forearm. It was just a touch, firm, a warning. Felix stopped half way up the stairs, let him partially block her path and catch her eye.“Take a breath, Jay. They are the dumbest damned civilians we’ve yet come across, but they are holding all the cards.”It took an effort, but Felix managed to halt the epithet before it crossed her tongue. This was what they paid him for. This was why she had kept him around, long after she had given most of her other PAs the can. Carlisle knew the playing field, and knew her well enough to warn her when she was letting too much of her inner self show—and, tonight, she had to present a cool, collected façade. The institute they were visiting was holding someone she dearly wanted to meet. If they caught a whiff of who she really was and what she was doing here, she’d be out on her ear before she could see him.She laid a hand over the top of Carlisle’s fingers, acknowledging his assistance. Turning her head so she could meet his eyes, she took two deep breaths, careful to stay aware of her surroundings even as she lost herself in the color of his eyes. Blue and green swirled together to remind her of the oceans of Aquapearl.Aquapearl. Not all of her memories of that distant world were so peaceful. In fact, most of them were highly disturbing. She had been a killer then, worn a uniform, led a squad against one of the most cunning and adept enemies humanity had ever had the misfortune of irritating. Attempting to claim someone else’s planet tended to have that effect on the inhabitants. The oceans, though.She had been given time to heal beside one, and had learned to associate the uniquely colored water with security—and then they had whisked her out of the war zone and slotted her with an advisory position. It was too dangerous to send her back to fight; she’d draw too much attention to any unit to which she was attached.Felix had learned a lot about the politics behind the conflict, since then, was active in trying to find a way to peace that would let both sides retire with grace. Or, at least, with their economies intact. The lizardine warrior being held was probably the emissary they had been waiting for, and that was going to put a big hole in their hopes for an equitable ending.
END FIRST PAGE
If you would like to read more, The Reptiles’ Blade is available from Smashwords, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, Omnilit, DriveThruFiction and iTunes.
November 1, 2013
Early Quarter 4 Results from the Writers of the Future Contest
This quarter I did not place, so we'll just have to wait and see how we go in Quarter 1 next year. You can check out the Writers of the Future Contest website HERE.
No Flash Fiction Challenge this Week
This week's flash fiction challenge over at Chuck Wendig's Terribleminds Blog is to show the first day's writing for NaNoWriMo. I can't join in because I'm not NaNoing this year, due to a bunch of other commitments, but there are a bunch of folk who are. If you'd like to check them out, head on over to Flash Fiction Challenge 1,667.
You might also like to check out the finalists and winners of the Horror in Three Sentences challenge from a few weeks' back. You can find that at Horror in Three Sentences: My Faves and the Winners.
Enjoy!
You might also like to check out the finalists and winners of the Horror in Three Sentences challenge from a few weeks' back. You can find that at Horror in Three Sentences: My Faves and the Winners.
Enjoy!
October 31, 2013
Adventure Edition: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found, Preparations
You can find the links to each of the preceding episodes of the
Babes in London
adventure sequence HERE.
To play or run this game you will need the following:
PLAYERS: Fireborn Player's Handbook ;
GAME MASTERS: Fireborn Gamemaster's Handbook ;
This is a piece of fan fiction. It is NOT endorsed or acknowledged by Fantasy Flight Games; it is IN NO WAY official; it DOES NOT indicate any form of relationship between myself and Fantasy Flight Games; and I DO NOT CLAIM any of the setting specific material or setting specific concepts as my own.
Warning: Due to a lack of playtesters, this section has yet to be tested. GMs may need to adjust opponents to suit the level of your PCs.
PLAYERS SHOULD NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT
Preparations
Scene 1:1A – Meeting the Artist: Nil1B – Attack on the Artist: Familiarize with NPC abilities and the effects of the tranquilizer carried by the Setites.Scene 2 – Follow-up (LN7): Familiarize with motives of LN7 and try to anticipate responses to PC questions.Scene 3 – Follow-up (Gehenna Consortium): Familiarize with motives of Gehenna Consortium and try to anticipate responses to PC questions.Scene 4A-C – Follow-up (Library, University or Museum Investigation): Familiarize with guardian tactics and NPC.4D – Follow-up Flash-back (Defeat of the Setites): Make sure PC dragons are ready for play.
Next Week: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found Scene 1A
To play or run this game you will need the following:
PLAYERS: Fireborn Player's Handbook ;
GAME MASTERS: Fireborn Gamemaster's Handbook ;
This is a piece of fan fiction. It is NOT endorsed or acknowledged by Fantasy Flight Games; it is IN NO WAY official; it DOES NOT indicate any form of relationship between myself and Fantasy Flight Games; and I DO NOT CLAIM any of the setting specific material or setting specific concepts as my own.
Warning: Due to a lack of playtesters, this section has yet to be tested. GMs may need to adjust opponents to suit the level of your PCs.
PLAYERS SHOULD NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT
Preparations
Scene 1:1A – Meeting the Artist: Nil1B – Attack on the Artist: Familiarize with NPC abilities and the effects of the tranquilizer carried by the Setites.Scene 2 – Follow-up (LN7): Familiarize with motives of LN7 and try to anticipate responses to PC questions.Scene 3 – Follow-up (Gehenna Consortium): Familiarize with motives of Gehenna Consortium and try to anticipate responses to PC questions.Scene 4A-C – Follow-up (Library, University or Museum Investigation): Familiarize with guardian tactics and NPC.4D – Follow-up Flash-back (Defeat of the Setites): Make sure PC dragons are ready for play.
Next Week: Babes in London, Act 3 - Little Girls Found Scene 1A
