Artisan Dice

How much do you think a set of Mammoth Ivory dice run for?

Clicking the hyperlink is cheating. Check out the answer after the Jump. Jump for pics too.

Clockworks & Constructs - Sarcastic Owl Productions

Dungeons and Dragons Done Canada Style

Sarcastic Owl Production

  Watch live video from SarcasticOwlProductions on www.twitch.tv
These guys are streaming right now. Pretty damn cool.

Monday -Tuesday - 6pm EST No Control Wednesday - Thursday - 6pm EST Dysfunctional Party Friday - 6pm EST Clockwork & Constructs Saturday - Sunday -

Unfortunately most of their streaming times don't work very well for me, but I'll be hosting them in my channel from here on out, so you can catch them at my channel as well as theirs.

If I could make any comments, I'd say they could use a soundtrack and a sound check. For some reason I was getting some bad echo over my headset. Regardless, more D&D cannot be a bad thing. Cheers guys. 

I look forward to seeing more of the show.

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode 12

Ryan, the 'Bane' of Drow

Published on Aug 26, 2016

Heroes and Halfwits Gus, Geoff, Griffon, Ryan, Michael, and Dungeon Master Frank decide that looking cool and working together will defeat the cave dwellers. If they can stay alive.

   


[Tune in after the jump for my take on episode 12 - Spoilers]

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode 11

The Heroes Go Full Godfather

Published on Aug 19, 2016

Heroes and Halfwits Gus, Geoff, Griffon, Ryan, Michael, Jeremy and Dungeon Master Frank listen to songs, drink poison, and some how come together to battle a new creature.

There may be dick sucking in this episode... [Spoilers and thoughts after the jump]

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode Ten

Is it all just an illusion?

Published on Aug 12, 2016

Follow our Heroes and Halfwits Gus, Geoff, Griffon, Ryan, Michael, Jeremy and Dungeon Master Frank as they take on the Drow with new spells…and outfits.







Check out my take on the episode after the jump [SPOILERS]

Zombie FNM - Who's the Lucky Winner??

I was either a young Kingpin with hair, or House MD.

Pretty slick costume huh?

On Friday 10/28, SoCal games in Temecula held their Zombie FNM. Entrance to the tournament was free with a costume. They also held a raffle - every $10 you spent in the store earned you a raffle ticket, plus if you showed up in costume that was another one. The prize for this raffle: five of the zombie planeswalker cards from Comic-con this year. That's quite a prize if you ask me. I wanted to win one of those suckers. I was filled with determination.

Wednesday Night Dungeons and Dragons Pt. 2 - Did the Demon Lord Cometh?

Yea. He came. He came alright.

So, in my last post about our Wednesday night Dungeons and Dragons game I showed off the new legendary equipment that my Dungeon Master most graciously equipped for me. I was ready, with my new Kung Fu skills to do some serious damage in our adventure this week. Having tanked a Draco-lich last week, I was all ready to bust some heads. This week, we continued our journey from where we left off, walking down a long, straight tunnel filled with Dwarf statues, on our way into the Underdark. Soon, we found ourselves at Darklake.

It would be rather beautiful if it weren't so dangerous.

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode Nine

“Peace gentle bird people”

Published on Aug 5, 2016

Just how dark can a cave get? Our heroes are about to find out! Follow our Heroes and Halfwits Gus, Geoff, Griffon, Ryan, Michael and Dungeon Master Frank

Find out my few thoughts after the jump [Spoilers].

Common Side-Effects of Imperfect Potions for the RPG Blogger Carnival

If regeneration effect lasts more than four hours please contact your local cleric.

Did you ever think about what happens when an Alchemist doesn't brew that potion just right? Maybe his or her measurements were just a tad off. Sure, the potion looks and smells exactly right, but maybe it's just a little off. Maybe, just maybe, the potion you're drinking might have some nasty side effects. Everyone knows that the side effects of the medicine may often be worse than the disease. Recently we saw the return of Skryim to the video gaming scene. It's one of my all-time favorite games, in fact it's the only game I've ever gotten 100% completion on. It took about 250 hours to accomplish that, but then they came out with bloody DLC. As I went on this little trip down memory lane I recalled some of the good times that I had making potions. The system for crafting potions in Skyrim is quite fascinating and I think Dungeons and Dragons could learn a lot from it. Here's a nifty little guide to potions and alchemy in Skyrim for those who aren't educated in such things (I don't have the lists memorized or anything, because that would be creepy).

Perhaps you can surmise the topic of this month's RPG Blogger's Carnival. I used to participate in the event pretty regularly way back when. I thought to myself the other day, I wonder if that's still going on; it sure was! What better way to get back to the RPG Blogging world than to throw in my two cents for this month's carnival as well. Get my take on the subject after the jump.

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode Eight

It’s a battle against the gooey cube. 

Follow our Heroes and Halfwits Gus, Geoff, Griffon, Ryan, Michael and Dungeon Master Frank in and out of hidden rooms in the cave. 

Get my review of the episode after the jump [Spoilers]

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode Seven

"Do they speak Deep?"

Heroes Gus, Geoff, Griffon, Ryan, Michael and Dungeon Master Frank try and find a way out of the cave after rescuing some new friends along the way.

Check out my take on the episode after the jump [Spoilers].

Wednesday Night Dungeons and Dragons - The Demon Lord Cometh

I Just Wanted To Punch Something...

Last night was my new weekly Dungeons and Dragons game. Our Wednesday game is pretty epic. I gotta admit I'm jealous that I didn't get to play with these guys starting in January. They seem to have quite a good group. Last night, we got our D&D on in a quest through the underdark, but not before the Dungeon Master finished hooking up my character. Before our session started he handed me my legendary gear, which would help me keep up with the rest of the party. Oh man. Let's just say I won't be wielding my staff of power in Melee anymore. I thought I knew Kung Fu, but now...

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode Six

I guess I should add this to each post...

Published on Jul 15, 2016Heroes & Halfwits! Join our heroes Gus, Geoff, Griffon, Ryan, Michael and Dungeon Master Frank as they journey into the dark damp mouth of the cave.

My take on the episode after the jump [Spoilers]:

The Misadventures of Trip 'N' Ballz - My Project for NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month is Upon Us!!!!!! 

Next month is National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNoWrimo. I'll be joining the fray this year to kick off my 'career' as a professional writer. I've toyed with the challenge for many years, but I've never really been too serious about it. This year, I plan to go all out. I've already finished outlining my book and I'm ready to start writing. In fact, I may already have begun.

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode Five

"How was your finishing blow?" - Michael 'Ragequit'

This episode really takes off. Things get pretty wild and crazy when the characters settle into deep sleep and have some wild dreams while they are in REM. The DM goes OFF in this episode with all the storytelling. Episode highlights include: sex with crazy native ladies; dreams of arena battles, in which some people may end up getting punched in the balls, dreams of Tiamat, and dreams of math class. Give the episode a peek. I enjoyed the hell out of it. I mean, look at those stunner shades. Damn.

Tina Fey, Wizlock C.S.I. for 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons

Inspired by Nancy Drew

I got invited to join in another Dungeons and Dragons game which plays on Tuesdays each week (my schedule is filling up - this is a good thing). The game is run by a friend of mine, Beu, who runs the Tavern Chronicles game on twitch every sunday night at 5:00. We are on the same side of the screen for our Wednesday game, and now he's going to have to deal with me as a player in our Tuesday one. Oddly enough, both games are at about the same level. I haven't had a chance to attend the Tuesday night game sessions yet, but my character is all done. Apparently, the setting is a mix of Lord of the Rings style epic fantasy meets The Maltese Falcon; I can imagine some mystery, puzzle solving, and adventures with rapscallions. So, I made a detective... kind of.

Nerd Immersion: Know Your Roll - Episode #53

In which 50 Shades of Drizzt is Pitched

I always like looking out for people playing Dungeons and Dragons on twitch. There's something about watching people play D&D that I find disturbingly fun. I randomly saw these guys on my twitter and decided to turn in, since the timing was perfect. Check out there channels:

Nerd Immersion Homepage
Nerd Immersion on YouTube

Nerd Immersion on Twitch

In last week's episode... Azmodeous and his minions attack!! [spoilers for the video below]
One of the generals is dead. One escaped. Tune in!! For episode #53, which you can watch on Twitch, or below after the jump.

Monday Night Draft at Ryan's Comics

Too bad it never did anything...

Look Ma Another Gearhulk!!

A long time ago, in a lifetime away, there was just one hobby shop in the inland Empire. It was called Fun 'N' Games. I worked there in high school, but before I became a hobby shop employee it was pretty lonely when it came to gaming. Then, another shop moved to town, and another, and another. Pretty soon, we had 3 comic/hobby shops in the area; there were also a fair number of little shops selling trading cards, baseball memorabilia and the like. All of these shops held CCG tournaments on the weekends. Most of them were for MTG, but some held Yu-Gi-Oh as well. Eventually, the card shops closed up. Honestly, they went out of business pretty fast. This shouldn't come as a surprise to any students of hobby history over the last 10 years. Trading cards are on the way out.

When the promenade mall was built we got an anime shop - they held CCG tournaments for Yu-Gi-Oh on Mondays after school. I used to play every week. I won occasionally too. I played a lot of Yu-Gi-Oh back in the day, but my good friends dwarfed me in skill and the amount of money they could invest. I played Magic in HIgh School for a while, but I was always a filthy casual. I never had enough money to play Standard or ever hope to win, which is why I started playing Draft. I have never won a tournament for MTG, but I've always held my head high and tried my darndest to place.

LAST NIGHT I TOOK SECOND IN DRAFT!!!!! It's a miracle. A bloody halloween miracle. Read on for the full report, but fyi... I pulled another Gearhulk!!!

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode Four

Continued from last episode... our heroes are generally messing about. Have I said how much I love the DM's cape?

National Novel Writing Month

YOU ARE NOT PREPARED!!!

November is the month where we don't shave right? I can never remember all these cooky month long holidays. I've got the capacity to remember Black History Month and NanoWrimo - National Novel Writing Month. I've attempted Nano many, many times, but never made it very far. It's hard for me to write pantsing for a month; I need structure. I need planning. This month is PlanTober, apparently... who knew that was a thing? In that spirit, I've spent the last few days working on the outline for my book. I'm happy to say that it's generally finished. It's taken me a long time to be able to get to the point where I can sit down in a day or two and outline a novel from start to finish. I think this year I may stand a chance at finishing this baby with my sanity in tact.

Friday Night Magic at SoCal Games and Comics 10/21/2016

My Standard Deck is Finished!!!!

So I've always wanted to join the FNM crowd. That's when all the cool kids play Magic isn't it? I've also unfortunately always been way, way too poor to afford a standard deck for the game. Well folks, I'm happy to say that yesterday, before FNM started I was able to complete my deck. The guys down at the store were helpful enough in finding all the cards that I needed - of course they would be, I'm paying for them after all; not-at-all-surprisingly, the other regulars helped give me some advice on alternate card picks as well as found me some cards out of their own collections to supplement my deck (THANKS JOE!!).

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode Three

Sick Cape Bro

This show just keeps getting better and better. Have you caught up with me yet? I'm loving it. Good to see Jack in the group. He's not quite as good looking as Griffin, but still, we love you Jack.

Tavern Chronicles - D&D on Twitch

Check it out live on Twitch, Sundays at 5:00 PM

Taven Chronicles is being run by one of the players in my Wednesday night game. The DM also runs games at our friendly local game store and he's an awesome guy. They've recently begun streaming their game of Dungeons and Dragons on Twitch on Sunday nights. I'm all for more live D&D. Live games kick ass. So far, they've got three episodes up on YouTube as well so you can catch up. I'd recommend giving them a look-see.

Kaladesh Draft Report - SoCal Games and Comics 10/18/2016

I drafted mono-green. Maybe not such a great idea.

So, tuesday night came again this week. Hopefully it comes again next week too. I'd be thrilled. Tuesday means MTG drafts down at the FLGS. In my first draft this month I went 2-1 with a B/W fabricate all-in deck. This week, my draft went considerably different. I didn't draft into one of the archetypes that is predominant in Kaladesh. However, I did draft into some sick, sick green cards.

This was my first pick. Good draft.

The above would be one my sick, sick green cards. Good lord. In the very first pack I open I find this beast. $16 card. Instantly paid for my draft. Thanks. I'll be back again. Once I pulled the money card for my draft I wasn't so concerned with winning and losing the tournament. I hoped for victory ,but didn't really care so much.

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode Two

The crew is back in town... I'm sure they actually never left.



The quality of this show never ceases to amaze. They could do a little bit more fighting for my tastes, but it's all good. The popups at the bottom are really cool; It helps point out a lot of the new rules with fifth edition. All in all, this show is great.

Heroes & Halfwits: Episode One

D&D with the Rooster Teeth Crew. Two great tastes that taste great together.

I've been a huge fan of these guys for so long; I have autographs from the entire original crew of Red vs. Blue that I've collected from my various convention trips. I'm going to link these here every time I watch one of them. Stay tuned with me as I stay tuned with them.

Let's Play Dungeons and Dragons - Wednesday Night Home Game #1

My Monk just tanked a Draco-lich

It’s been a while since I’ve played in a pick-up game of Dungeons and Dragons. I’ve never played one with fifth edition. It used to be easy enough to just jump in a game of third with a character you had pre-made, ready and waiting – of exactly the right level – to just game hardcore. Fifth has me a bit confused some times, but generally speaking it seems to be pretty easy to make characters and build to a standard that the DM is enforcing. Last night, I was invited to a local game of Dungeons and Dragons by a guy I recently met at my Friendly Local Game Store. He’s a DM for a few games here in the Inland Empire, but he mentioned that he played in a Wednesday game and that they were missing people – he wanted to know if I’d like to come – like to? Please. I’m all over that shit.

Kaladesh Draft Report - SoCal Games and Comics - 10/11/2016

Draft Report for 10/11/2016 2W/1L

On the 11th, last week, I went to a Kaladesh draft at SoCal Games and Comics, my preferred FLGS. They've got great employees and I really love the crowd that hangs there. We started drafting at 7 with 12 people drafting together. I never really got any big-time WOW cards passed to me. It was a little bit underwhelming; I didn't pull anything super stand out either, so I was left drafting value cards. Fortunately, I was getting pretty clear tells from the people around me. Black and White were getting passed over and over so I was pulling black and white over and over. I think I only pulled 3 non B/W cards during the entire draft.

The Best Laid Plans Part 2

My life has certainly not been going according to plan.

When I was just a boy, I dreamed of great things. For example, I thought I might be the first person to ever attend the California State Science fair seven years in a row. I was among the first group of young minds to get in starting from the sixth grade, then I returned in 7^th, and won first place in my division in 8^th. I was pretty proud. When I got to high school, I was gung-ho to be a scientist and continue my perfect science fair attendance, maybe add another newspaper article to my collection of silly childhood achievements that inexplicably get written about in local newspapers. Then, I met my science teachers, and all my dreams of becoming a scientist were dashed by a couple of incompetent asses. Actually just one, dude didn’t even know that .5 rounds up, c’mon.

The Best Laid Plans Part 1

In Which Our Hero Just Can't Get Enough

“The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Often Go Astray.” Story of my life.

Gather round children as I tell a tale of frightening woe. It’s a tale of ugliness and shocking revelations. It’s the grand story of plans that went horribly, horribly wrong. In short, I’m going to describe to you how all of my grand life schemes went sour and I disappeared from the internet for the last 5 years.