Thursday, December 21, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 54

Theme                     Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                 148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On Scott Buckley Legionnaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uIYYEM45b4

Some  FX:               https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: No Quest for the Wicked & Warlock

Monday, December 11, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 53

Theme                             Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                         148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On         Scott Buckley Legionnaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uIYYEM45b4

Some  FX:                       https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: Warlock

Friday, December 1, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 52

Theme                              Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                          148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On          Scott Buckley Legionnaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uIYYEM45b4

Some  FX:                        https://www.zapsplat.com




Cross Promo Partners: Warlock & Pint of Cthulhu

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Heroforge Versions of S1 Characters

 Thanks so much to Daily Hero Forge Minis for sending me these awesome S1 character figurine mockups.  I'm sure many of you will recognize them right away. They are, of course, Gyrios, Kagan, Aradine, Umura, and Molgi.








Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 51

Theme                              Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                          148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Some  FX:                               https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: RPG Match & Pint of Cthulhu


Sunday, November 12, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 50

Theme                              Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                          148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Some  FX:                               https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: Portal Quandary & RPG Match

Thursday, November 9, 2023

An AI Art Look at Nepul

Sometimes, when I write, I use a visual reference; sometimes I don't.  With Nepul, I wanted a look that was distinct from Cylmorril, so I generated a couple of AI images to work with and keep me both inspired and consistent.  I wanted brown tones, steepled towers, and round edges to contrast the blocky and flat-topped capitol.

Here's what I came up with:









Monday, November 6, 2023

Clericon Has Come and Gone

This past weekend I attended a con for the first time ever.  When I was a kid, I read about GenCon in Dragon magazine and wondered what it would be like to attend.  Three years ago, when I came back to the hobby, I put 'attend a con' high on my list of RPG Things To Do.  I tried to volunteer for one called Breakout here in Toronto, but I applied too late and there were no openings left.  

But this past weekend, finally, I got my chance.

Clericon was conceived and hosted by Father Aaron, the man behind The Dungeon Minister YouTube channel.  He invited me, along with Mage's Musings, Bandit's Keep and Hexed Press to be guest speakers.  

It was really good fun.  On Saturday, I ran a game of The Quiet Year, did a quick demo of Pendulum, took part in a panel discussion, and then ran another game of OSE (so it was around 7-8 hours of gaming that day).  On the Sunday, I was free to play, so I joined in a DCC game and a Mork Borg game - two games I had always wanted to try.  

Thanks to Father Aaron and the Honeywood Gang for throwing such a great party!  Since it was such a success, I'm hoping it'll happenagan ext year :










Thursday, November 2, 2023

What is Done Cannot be ... Undone

 Oh oh, I goofed. Aaaand, it's kind of a big one. Through a combination of bad bookkeeping and laughable math skills, I killed one of my PCs.

I had heard a few months ago from a listener that my math was off during the fight with the Rhagodessas and I never got around to checking it (I probably just didn't want to know, tbh) but when I heard the same thing, recently, from a second listener, I gave in and checked.  Of course, they were right.  I'd forgotten to add Coll's level up hp from the episode before (ep30) to the one in which he dies (ep31).

Well, there's no bringing Coll back; all I can do is reupload the episode after plugging in some new numbers that fix the problem.  If you haven't yet reached episode 31, you'll likely detect the change in voice tone where these patches have been applied, but at least everything will make sense.

If you've already listened past that point, I bet you're thinking, "I thought something was wrong in that part of the story!"

Mia culpa. I apologize and will try to pay better attention in future.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Shownotes for Episodes 47, 48 & 49

47


Theme                              Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                                 148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Part 3                                      Featured Song: Willow Song (Arr & Perf by The Bard Band)         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARWllTybMwI

Some  FX:                               https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: YUM DM D12 Zine & The Roll For Podcast



48


Theme                              Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                                148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Part 1 Pre Parable        Kyellan 'Carved in Stone' 

                                               https://soundcloud.com/kyellan-cc/carved-in-stone

Some  FX:                              https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: Portal Quandary & Clericon Nov 2023



49


Theme                              Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                                148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Dramatis                RPG SOUNDS “Realization”

Some  FX:                              https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: Portal Quandary & The Keep on the Borderlands Webcomic

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Going Off-Grid for a Few Weeks:

Hi folks!  I'm going to Japan for a few weeks on vacation.

While I have arranged for my podcasting host site to automatically release episodes 47 and 48 in my absence, there is the possibility that things will not go to plan and so I wanted to post something here to say I'll be back soon to correct any errors.  If there are problems with publishing episodes, or if there are small mistakes to patch (like in ep 46, for example), I won't be able to address them right away.

I'll try to check in with social media and gmail while in Japan, but I won't have access to any real tools until I return.

Cheers,

Jon

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 46 & a Correction Notice

Theme                              Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                          148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Part 1                                       Odin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XddzQIaRIU 

Some  FX:                               https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: YUM DM D12 Zine & The Roll For Podcast

*

Also, I wanted to mention an error concerning Catsbane's hit points in round 2 of the combat section.  This error has been corrected but it may not show up on some platforms (Youtube, others). Sorry for the confusion :)

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 45

Theme                              Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                          148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Part 2b                      Vivek Abhishek Horror Theme Creepy Background:

                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwjzmdiRFpc&t=59s

Part 3b                    Tensions Run High by soundridemusic

                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly9H63SLJJo

Some  FX:                               https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: DNDPodcastUK & The Roll For Podcast

More AI for inspiration

 Sometimes I use AI as a visual reference with characters; sometimes I don't use anything.  Here's 2 where I have found it helpful.

AI Jayce



AI Rosefingers

Monday, September 11, 2023

Fixing a Glitch: S1E37

 Apple users might have noticed that episode 37 of Season 1 has been missing for a while.  I've been back and forth with my host and with Apple for a month and it seems like all I can do is a complete reupload.  Hopefully this will work.  Sorry for the inconvenience if it spams your feed.

Map of Upper Camortine


 

Shownotes for Episode 44

 

Theme                                     Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                                 148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Part 3                                       Kyellan 'Carved in Stone' https://soundcloud.com/kyellan-cc/carved-in-stone

Some  FX:                               https://www.zapsplat.com

Cross Promo Partners: DNDPodcastUK & Clericon/The Dungeon Minister

Monday, September 4, 2023

Dungeon Pizza v2.0

 Boy did I nerd out on this project...


I decided to make an updated version of Professor DM's awesome dungeon pizza with a couple of upgrades.  I wanted a lazy susan and I wanted it to be magnetic.  This is the best craft I've done so far, I think, not that it's anything special.

Here's how I did it.

First, I used an old vinyl 10" record and cut up bits of fridge magnet. These were measured into 1" squares before being cut into random flagstone shapes and glued on.  For texture (the white stuff) I used a touch of caulk.

This was actually very fast and easy to do.



Here's a photo of the magnets I used.



Here's the completed record with all magnets glued on and given a once over of 50% Mod Podge and 50% grey paint. You want to do this step so everything is sealed in.



Next, paint the flagstone different colours.  They look too bright at this point, but that's OK.


Glued a CD under the record.


made a base with a second cd glued bottom up. There's a nut going through the centre.


Glued leatherette to the base.  This was a bit of a sloppy job, but the only use is to keep the back of the nut from scratching the table.



Finally a blackwash to knock down the colours, a gloss coat of Mod Podge and a second blackwash to dull down the shine.  I stuck an LED bezel in the centre of the record to keep the whole thing tight to the nut. 


The magnets are fairly weak, which is good. I don't want them to grip too hard.  Actually, if you use caulking to texture the magnets, you've got to be careful to use just a tiny amount or else the magnetism is lost. Worth testing a sample bit before you do a batch.






Friday, September 1, 2023

A Real Experience with Wading Through Freezing Water

Minor spoiler here if you have yet to listen to ep 43...

Way back in 2009, I was living and working in Korea (as a middle school teacher).  Since I was there for just one year, I decided to make the most of everything and say yes to virtually every opportunity and offer.  I had a million adventures that year, but one I will never forget was the Sancheoneo Ice Fishing Festival.





The festival has all kinds of activities, the biggest of which is the ice water pool in which brave contestants jump into freezing water barefootted and barelegged and try to catch fish in the pool bare handed.  As I was up for anything that year, I volunteered.  I'd never done a polar bear swim or anything like that before, so I was not prepared for what happened when I jumped in.  IMMEDIATELY, my feet and legs lost all feeling and I panicked inside, wondering what would happen if I were to fall over ... I'd be totally paralyzed.  And in a pool of water. Not good!

I took a step and saw a fish.  I plunged in a hand for the fish and not only missed, but ended up losing all feeling in that arm up to the elbow.  Now I was in trouble.  I wasn't sure if I could make my legs go even far enough to get me back out of the pool.  I sort of stumbled to one side, luckily stayed upright, and got out.  I have no idea how anyone managed to stay in there, let alone catch a fish.  Remarkable!  I can still remember that there were some people crying in the warming tent afterwards because the return of one's flesh to normal temperature is a painful journey.  

 

Glad I did it? Kind of.  

Do it again? No way.  

Did I feel bad for my PCs before they had to get into the channel?  Oh yes.

 

Shownotes for Episode 43

Theme                                     Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                                 148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Some  FX:                               https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: DNDPodcastUK & Litchyard Games

Sunday, August 27, 2023

I Just Love Emails Like This One!

 I really love receiving emails from listeners - it truly does lift me up.  In particular, I am blown away when folks let me know they have used One Shot in the Dark to introduce their kids to rpgs.  Here's a wonderful photo shared by Eddie the Yeti of a game he played with his. Oh yeah!




Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Another Wicked Portrait by Simon J Williams!

 This is Krell to a T!  He's even got the slightly broken nose. Amazing! (Krell is, more and more, shaping up to be a key NPC... we're definitely going to see more of this nasty boy).



Monday, August 21, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 42

Theme                                     Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                                 148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Some  FX:                               https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: Dice Bar Gaming & Stories From the First Watch

Friday, August 11, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 41

Theme                                     Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                                 148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Part 2b                                     Tense Cinematic Instrumental Ambient Music by Argsound

                                                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTz6Qp7QE_c

Some  FX:                               https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: Dice Bar Gaming & Tales From the First Watch





Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Shownotes for Episodes 39 & 40

 39


Theme                           Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                       148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Some  FX:                     https://www.zapsplat.com

Cross Promo Partners: Lore of the Rings & Dungeon Dads


40


Theme                           Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                       148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Pursuit                           Tense Cinematic Instrumental Ambient Music by Argsound

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTz6Qp7QE_c

Part 2b       211 Thieves Guild https://tabletopaudio.com/

Some  FX:                     https://www.zapsplat.com

Cross Promo Partners: Dice Bar Gaming & A Game of One's Own

Saturday, July 22, 2023

More Foam Models

 Not sure why, because I don't intend to use them, but every now and then I just gotta make something out of foam.  I find it extremely relaxing for some reason.  Here's two projects I did simultaneously, and recently. One is a thatch-roofed inn (I wouldn't recommend this build - it's messy and extremely time consuming) and the other is an armory with a barred iron window (turned out pretty well).






I put all of my various projects on the table the other day to find that I had created a whole village (or ghost town, since I barely have any minis).



Just for kicks, I popped this photo into AI Playground and asked it to make a medieval village based on my models.  Here's what I got. Cool, huh?





Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Maps Now Available for Encyclopedia Manticorica

It's overdue, but I finally found the time to learn the mapmaking software and then create the maps I promised long ago for Encyclopedia Manticorica.  The files are available on DTRPG (and if you have already downloaded a copy, I believe a notification should have come your way to announce the free update).






Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 38

Theme                                     Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                                 148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Part 1b                                     Argsound: Dark Silence  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_R26EyQdI8

Some  FX:                               https://www.zapsplat.com

Cross Promo Partners: Lore of the Rings & Dungeon Dads

Friday, July 7, 2023

The Summer of Maps

 I have long wanted to update the maps in Encyclopedia Manticorica, but it has always been a job that took too much time and had such a steep learning curve.  If I had tried to do it during the school year, I would've burned out, but now that it is summer, I finally do have the time.

I figured I would start by making some practice maps.  Here's one I think turned out rather well for Upper Camortine and might be interesting to listeners of Season 2.





Saturday, July 1, 2023

Revised B/X Basic Attack Bonus for Fighters

 This is my revised table for the fighter class only.  Note that it only applies to rolls to hit, and not for damage.


Lvl        Modifier

1            0

2            0

3            +1

4            +2

5            +3

6            +4

7            +5

8            +5

9            +6

10          +6

Shownotes for Episode 37

Theme               Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome           148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Some  FX:         https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: Lore of the Rings & Nuovarden RPG Kickstarter

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Tale of the Bonesicore?


Recently, on a whim, I did a bonus episode with Simon J Williams of Legend of the Bones.  We talk about the bizarre play/write methodology we share, prattle on about theories concerning approach to structure and story arc, and shout out a few of our favorite shows.  Listen in wherever you get podcasts.


Thursday, June 22, 2023

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Episode 36

Theme                   Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome               148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On       Scott Buckley Legionnaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwW0vFUCzEM

Part 2       Kyellan No Way Out https://soundcloud.com/kyellan-cc 

Part 3       Argsound: 102 Dark Silence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_R26EyQdI8

Some  FX:            https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: A Fool's Quest & Pink Fohawk

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 35

Theme                  Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome              148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On      Scott Buckley Legionnaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwW0vFUCzEM

Dramatis               RPG SOUNDS “Realization” 

Some  FX:            https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: Pink Fohawk & Aardcon

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Updated Character Sheets up to and Including Episode 34

The inclusion or exclusion of certain characters might be considered a spoiler, so you'll need to scroll down a bit to read the content.






...





...





...






Yellowfly, fighter lvl 4


S 14

I 15

W 14

D 11

C 10

Ch 9


HP: 26

AC: 15 with chain and shield


---


Faylin Orla/Catsbane, magic user lvl 4


S 7

I 15

W 13

D 15

C 10

Ch 10


HP: 12

AC: 11


Read Languages, Magic Missile, Burning Hands, Web, Mirror Image


1 dose of healing potion

1 dark crystal 'proximity mine' frost damage



---



Shahnay, thief lvl 5


S 11

I 8

W 6

D 16

C 14

Ch 9


HP: 19

AC: 14 with leather and dex bonus


1 pair of magical gloves of dexterity



---



Jayce, fighter lvl 3


S 9

I 8

W 11

D 12

C 13

Ch 11


HP: 26

AC: 15 with chain and shield



---



Party treasure = 1pp, 111gp, 12 sp

Friday, June 2, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 34

Theme                      Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                  148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On          Scott Buckley Legionnaire 

                                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwW0vFUCzEM

Part 2 section b        Vivek Abhishek Horror Theme Creepy Background:   

                                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwjzmdiRFpc&t=59s

Some  FX:                https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: Legends from the Fireside & The Billowing Hilltop

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Another Beautiful Portrait

 Another gem from Simon J WIlliams.  It's Catsbane, of course!  Thank you, Simon :)




Wednesday, May 24, 2023

That's a Long Way Down!

 Using AI, I created this image of Whitestone Castle to help me visualize it.  That's one heck of a drop!



Sunday, May 21, 2023

Song Lyrics: Lambkins

I didn't write this song, though I did set it to a melody and arrange it.  

The lyrics are public domain and they are by Christina G Rossetti



What can lambkins do

        All the keen night through?

    Nestle by their woolly mother

        The careful ewe.


What can nestlings do

        In the nightly dew?

    Sleep beneath their mother's wing

        Till day breaks anew.


If in a field or tree

        There might only be

    Such a warm soft sleeping-place

        Found for me!



Christina Georgina Rossetti (5 December 1830 – 29 December 1894)


Shownotes for Episode 33

Theme                           Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                      148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On              Scott Buckley Legionnaire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwW0vFUCzEM

Some  FX:                    https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: That Cthulhu Jawn & Good Friends of Jackson Elias

Friday, May 19, 2023

It's Kind of a Scene

Sometime I think podcasting is a lot like being in an indie band.  There's a DIY aspect and a one-fan-at-a-time feel to it that seems so similar to me.  I also can't help but notice how other pods will lift each other up, just like we used to do in our garage band days.

In the same spirit, lately it feel like there's a bit of a Solo Scene developing. Can you feel it too?  Just off the top of my head, in the last few years, we've had so many pop up and new ones are still emerging. As I locate their websites, I'll post them here on the blog.

Check out this list and if you know of others, please share!

The Iron Realm

Tales of Mystara

Errant Adventures

Legend of the Bones

Echoes of Eshaton

Legends from the Fireside

Stories From the First Watch

Role Play Rescue's Crag's Ruin series

Me Myself & Die


Sunday, May 14, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 32

Theme                                Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                            148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On            Scott Buckley Legionnaire 

Some  FX:                          https://www.zapsplat.com


Cross Promo Partners: Isfet Archives & Echoes of Eschaton 

Monday, May 1, 2023

 The song you hear in the middle of the episode is my version of a poem by HW Longfellow.  Melody and arrangement - as well as some lyric changes - are my own.


The Arrow and the Song

C

I shot an arrow into the air,

Am
It fell to earth, I knew not where;

Dm
So swiftly it flew, my eyes

G
Could not follow its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
He's wise and strong,
Who can follow the flight of a song

Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, to end,
I found in the heart of a friend.



HW Longfellow


Shownotes for Episode 31

Theme                                 Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                             148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On             Scott Buckley Legionnaire

Dramatis                             RPG SOUNDS “Realization” 

Combat:      343 Dungeon Collapse https://tabletopaudio.com/

Some  FX:                          https://www.zapsplat.com


The Arrow And The Song: Lyrics by HW Longfellow (Public Domain). 

Melody and Arrangement by TOTM.


 Cross Promo Partners: Legends from the Fireside & The Billowing Hilltop

Friday, April 21, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 30

 Theme                                  Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                               148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On               Scott Buckley Legionnaire 

Part 3b              Odin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XddzQIaRIU

Some  FX:                             https://www.zapsplat.com

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Recent Craft Build: Hut Using Popsicle Sticks

 Similar to a recent build, but using popsicle sticks over cardboard for the walls instead of foam. It turned out OK but I think the next one should have a thatch roof.







Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Shownotes for Episode 29

Theme                              Enchiridion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8NkG3bhIxU

Welcome                          148 Barovian Castle https://tabletopaudio.com/

Previously On                   Scott Buckley Legionnaire

Some  FX:                         https://www.zapsplat.com