Dragon Trinity Crash – New Adventure Book, Will Be Working On Stand Alone Setting Book

Before I started writing Seith and Sword , and in between bits of Vanagard, I was plucking away at my 2nd Dragon Trinity Crash adventure book. Well, it turns out that I’ve had enough time to not only finish it; but also update the first one.

Therefore I proudly represent:

Dragon Trinity Crash Adventure Book 1: Call of Cakethulu

 

Click for Book

 

And proudly present:

Dragon Trinity Crash Adventure Book 2: Hamerkop Halfling Blues

 

 

Click for Book

 

As before the covers were drawn by the ever talented Gnaw.

Furthermore, I’ve talked it over with Olivia Hill and have decided to write out Dragon Trinity Crash as a stand-alone Fate supplement. Yes, it will still come out with the ADX Anthology, Olivia assures me that this will be released, however, I’d like to give DTC the attention it deserves, in that regard I’ll make my own book.

This book will be a pay what you want release, that way, those who bought the anthology will be able to acquire the PDF without paying anything more. It’ll have a healthy dash of setting information, the full rules, and plenty of sample aspects, stunts and spells. I hope to purchase more art from gNaw, and will put in as much as my wallet and bills will allow.

What’s the timeframe? I don’t know. I’ll be working on this in conjunction with Vanagard, however, Vanagard will get priority. That being said, I’ve impressed myself with the level of work I’ve been able to get done recently so this may get done soon.

I will keep you all informed.

Dragon Trinity Crash Solo Adventure Book 1 – Call of Cakethulu

So I’ve been busy.

Work on The Childe Hell progresses. I’ve outlined 43 chapters and have finished the first draft for  up to Chapter 4. It’s going slowly but steady.

While working on said novel I’ve also put together a solo adventure book; Dragon Trinity Crash: Call of Cakethulu. This is a labour of love and as such I’m providing it for free, you can find it here: DTC Book 1 Call of Cakethulu . However, in order to play, you’ll need to be familiar with Fate Accelerated. If you don’t have it you can get it easily enough via Evil Hat for a song, err well actually for pay what you’d like but you get the gist.

This book took me a month or three to write up and I’ve had a lot of fun doing it. So much so that I commissioned a cover for it from the spectactuar gNaw.  I think I’ll make more of them, so keep an eye on this blog for more DTC goodness.

In the meantime work on the ADX Anthology continues , once it’s finished you’ll be able to see a full Fate Core hack there.

 

 

 

December Update: Dark Crystal Author Quest and NaNo The Childe Hel

Sorry for the delay in posts, I’ve been incredibly busy.

Here’s what I’ve been up to:

Dark Crystal Author’s Quest

I found out about this in late September, so I thought I’d give it a shot. September was spent drawing up a plan for a full Dark Crystal novel. Then, in November, new information came up on the Dark Crystal Online Encyclopedia that blew a huge hole in my plans. Undaunted, (well actually VERY daunted) I picked apart my previous ideas for something that would fit. I have to admit, the rewritten plan is much better than my original so I went with that.

I spent most of October writing my submission. I can’t go over the details of it but what I will say is I’m proud of what I’ve wrought, it’s perhaps one of the best things I’ve ever written. If I get picked as one of the final five I’ll be over the moon. If not I’ll look into sharing what I wrote as fan fiction and move on.

Pick Chris’s novel, please? Make peace?

Speaking of which.

National Novel Writing Month

I completed this. I’ve always wanted to try NaNo so I pledged 2013 to it. I’m glad I did.

Some authors may scoff but I found this hard. I work full time 5 days a week, so to write 1667 words a day is roughly an hour and a half overtime every day with no days off. Furthermore I’m used to working form a detailed plan. All my recent projects are all fully mapped out on Xmind before I ever commit the first word to word processor. My Dark Crystal submission followed this path but I couldn’t do it for my NaNo novel. Why? Author’s Quest took my October so, when November came around I had minimal planning for NaNo. I had to write words, immediately, on the fly. Yikes!

I did it though and it was worth while. I used a very general idea as my guide and just wrote free from for 30 days. At one point I got stuck with doubt and confusion but I powered through that and eventually reached 50’058 words.

The key was to always stay a little ahead. I clocked around 1800 words a day. This meant, on the rare occasion where I was pulled forcefully away form my writing desk, I never fell behind because my ‘word credit’ was still good. On the other hand, if I had let myself fall behind, it would have been far harder to catch up. So the lesson is; if you need to do x words a day aim for x+.

I have to admit, this method has been rewarding. My characters and plot have developed in ways I could have never imagined. Oh, I’ll still plan the snot out of my 2^nd draft buuut I’ll have a wonderful 1^st draft to work from.

I’m actually not done my novel but that’s okay. NaNo has given me a sense of how far I can push myself when I really need to. I’m going to complete it. Furthermore, I’ve pledged myself at least 1000 words a day knowing that 30’000 compared to 50’000 is easy.

What I will be up to?

The Childe Hel

My NaNo novel is about the Norse Goddess Hel. Not much is written about her. All that is known is:

• Odin threw her into the underworld to gain dominion over it.
• She’s a badass, everyone’s scared of her.
• When Baldur goes to her domain it’s she who dictates to the Aesir the strict conditions for his return. The conditions are not met so Baulder says.

However, there’s no story, that I could find, on how she comes to power in the underword. When she’s tossed down there she’s a little kid. Therefore, I thought that a neat story would be how she fairs. This novel is about her growing up in the underworld.

When you were a kid you got Santa. I got the frozen wastes of Nifilheim.

It’s going to be a dark high fantasy about loyalty, family, love and war. At 50’058 words it’s about a third of the way through. Over this next month or three I’m going to finish the first daft and hammer out a solid second draft. Expect updates on it unless…

My Dark Crystal Novel (pretty please)

If I win Author’s Quest then my Dark Crystal novel will be my #1 priority period. If that happens you’ll here about it, trust me. 🙂

I’ll be orbiting the moon with delight.

ADX Anthology: Dragon Trinity Crash

David’s got my final draft of this. I’m waiting for him to release it to the backers before I share all the freebies I wrote about it. If you’re a fan of Slayers and/or Fate you’ll love this.

Space Pirate Alice Black: Blood Tribute

I’ve been pestering Jenny Xenotropos whose doing the art and layout. Truth is she’s super busy with commissions and Christmas stuff. She plans to get back on SPAB in January. Once she’s done I’ll be self publishing this on LuLu and/or RPG Drive Thru. More on this as it happens.

Knights of the Hidden Sun

Still shelved I’m afraid. So many new things have come up that I haven’t had a chance to take what Malcolm left me and finish the final draft. That being said…

I will finish this. My plan is, once I’ve written the 2^nd draft of The Childe Hel, Hidden Sun will get the lion’s share of my attention. That is unless I win Author’s Quest. I don’t think anyone will blame me for choosing the next Dark Crystal novel over it. Regardless, I will finish Hidden Sun, one way or another, eventually.

And thaaat’s me.

I’ll update again sometime in January.

Dragon Trinity Crash – Secret of NIMH – Knights Of The Hidden Sun – Update

So it turns out that the ADX kickstarter was a resounding success!

Thank you internet!

Dragon Trinity Crash will be part of the anthology as will a TON of other settings. Go the kickstarter to check them out.

Given all this I’ll be super busy. Here’s what I’ll be working on:

1. My first priority is to get DTC to David. No updates until that happens.
2. After DTC is submitted I’m going to add a whole mess of sample spells, sample characters, sample monsters and flash fiction to this blog. Why? Cause I’m that passionate about it. 😀
3. After this I’m going to publish my Fate Secret of NIMH rules here. I promised a player at Phantasm this and I will deliver.
4. After that Knights of the Hidden Sun will get my full attention until it goes to the editors.

Outside of this plan is Space Pirate Alice Black: Blood Tribute. That’s because I don’t need to work on it. Xenotropos is on art and layout. Once that’s done Blood Tribute will be ready for market without me doing anything.

And that’s my plan.

Expect DTC updates soon.

ADX – Dragon Trinity Crash – More Flash Fiction

Princes Drive, Guardians of Steel and Vimanakatha are all unlocked.

Thank you internet. 😀

My setting is up next for the ADX Anthology. That AND David Hill’s Bubble Gum crisis inspired: Cyber Saber Ascension. If this puppy gets funded to $15’000  both will be added.

We have 4 days and roughly $1’300 to go. Let’s make DTC a reality. Here’s the link.

In the meantime here’s some further Dragon Trinity Crash flash fiction:

Note: I’ve altered Dejana’s dragon armor  and dragon armor chant slightly. This has to do with how the game’s evolving while I’m writing it.

+ + + + +

”MEGA SLING!” The double-doors buckled and crashed. Standing there, as the dust cleared, were Jadran the Badass Halfing, Iset the dark, mysterious elven swordswoman and Dejana Half-Elf sorceress merc.

The young woman chained before them was dressed in royal finery.  She looked terrified.

Jadran immediately slid her side and held her hand gently. “No need to fear lass, we’re here to rescue you.”

“SEA SLASH.” Iset summoned a blade of shimmering water and cut through the chains with a single swipe.

Dejana pulled an official looking scroll from her belt and unrolled to show it to the former captive. “Princess Obscura, we’ve been hired by your kingdom. Please come with us.”

The young woman glanced in confusion at the scroll and her saviors.

“I’m thankful for your help but I’m not Obscura.

Your princess is in another castle.”

“WHAT?” cried the three adventurers.

+ + + + +

“MEGA SLING!” “SEA SLASH!” “THUNDER LANCE!”

Boulder, sea sword and lightning blot crashed into the Minotaur with colossal force. The creature let out a horrendous groan and fell, the floor rumbled when he hit.

Iset stood on his corpse, her blade buried in it, catching her breath. Jadran sat and against the body and started chanting Bless Mend to ease his broken arm.

Dajana stepped past them, her armor dented and scuffed and stood before the former captive. She was a dark haired beauty dressed in royal finery.  She she nodded appreciatively at her savior.

Dajana pulled down her gag. The princes gasped “RUST CURSE.” and her chains dissolved. 

The merc smirked. “Princess Obscura I assume?”

The dark haired one frowned. “I’m sorry but no.

She’s in another castle.”

The three groaned.

+ + + + +

“You cannot defeat me! SKY HAMMER!” The warlock shrieked as a hammer of lighting crackled in his hand and he swung at Iset.

“SLATE SHIELD!” The swordwoman rolled to the side as Jadran leaped between them. The hammer BOOMED against his rocky shield, it held but the Halfing was crunched against the opposite wall.

“BLAST GUSH!” Iset summoned a powerful jet of salt water against the warlock and he was knocked flying. “Gaaaaaaah!”

“FREEZE FANG!” Dajana’s hex, mixed with Iset’s spell, solidified the bad guy in place.

The three stood over him, looking battered, bloody and none-too pleased.

“There!” Iset hissed pointing at the tower just outside the court yard.

“That.” Growled Jadran.

“Is where Princess Obscura is kept, yes?” Finished Dajana, in a bedraggled tone.

The warlock glanced up at the tower and then back at the three, a big, mocking grin on his face.

“Hah! Hah! Hah! You fools. I was merely the distraction.

Your princess is in another castle!” He added a maniacal cackle for extra malevolence.

“Oh really?” Jadran asked.

An evil gleam shined in the three’s eyes.

“Uh. Yes?” the warlock said, seeming suddenly timid.

“Ullith.”

“Freya. “

“Xalladale.”

Their rage was able to bypass the normal chants. In a flash of magic three two-story tall dragon armors surrounded the warlock; one of jade, one of ice and one of ivory and gold.

The warlock screamed like a school child as the three stomped him.

+ + + + +

“Do you know what would be nice?” Cried Jardan as he leaped and rolled down the hill. A massive rock spike slamming into the place where he was.

“For Princess Obscura not to be evil?” Commented Dejana dryly as she followed suit.

“No!” Yelled the Halfing over the din of the Titan chasing them.

“What would be nice-”

The five story tall quartz construct opened its eyes and fired lasers  at Iset. She barely jumped out of the way and ended up tumbling down the hill.

“would be dragon armor.” Jardan finished with an accusatory point at Dejanna.

“You stomped the Warlock too.” Dejanna snarled.

“Children.” Iset inserted herself between them. “We’ve got bigger problems.”

A shadow fell over the the three and they saw, at the top of the hill, the Titan. In a ‘necklace compartment’ was Obscura leering down at them.

“Prepare to die!”

The foot came up.

The three ran and just barely made it out of the booming stomp radius.

“We need to summon Artaxerxes.” suggested Iset.

“We can’t.” Dejanna huffed as the three fled. “We need the other armors to build to him.”

“We’ve called upon the others but not him directly. If we all cast together we can do it.”

“If we fail,” cried Jardan, “we’ll be devoured,” they dodged another epic stomp.

“If we don’t, we’ll die anyways.”

“I’m for it.” Dajanna said, sliding to a halt and glaring up at the titan with determination.

Iset too slid to a stop, her glare at the monster was cold as ice.

Jardan groaned but also slid to a halt. “Fine.”

Obscura smirked down at the three from her pendant throne.

“Finally decided to stop running eh? I’ll just finish you off quickly then!”

“You who dwell in the deepest, darkest earth unseen.

Your roar terrifies the souls unclean.

You who carry all the  world on your back.

Call forth your first son, let the earth quake and crack.

Great Dragon who seeks Strength heed my call!

Power of Ullith be mine!”

Out of the earth sprung forth an enormous dragon armor made of jade. Immediately its torso split and slid open, combining with it’s massive arms to make a giant throne.

“Mother of peace, mother of wrath.

I call upon you for a dreadful task.

You who swallow the sun in the west.

Bring forth you child, with whose dread power I will be blessed.

Great Dragon who seeks Perfection heed my call.

Power of Freya be mine!”

A vortex of water erupted from the earth and out of it an enormous dragon armor made of dark sapphire ice.  It sat on the throne and shifted, folding into itself, becoming the body to Ullath’s arms and legs.

“You who wings span the the inky sky and encompass the stars.

Whose gaze sees all no matter how afar.

Bring forth your thunder, whose din terrifies the evil hearts.

I call forth your daughter, so she may rip and tear this villain apart.

Great Dragon who seeks Justice heed my call.

Power of Xalladale be mine!”

Lighting streaked from the sky and with it arrived an enormous dragon armor made out of ivory and gold. It melded from behind to became one with Ullith and Freya, her head and great wings  added to the mix.

As one the three’s voices boomed ” ARTAXERXES PERFECT CRASH!”

The Juggernaut armor stood before the titan.

Held aloft by magical forces in the armor’s third heart Dejana opened her eyes. She was pale, as if drained. Illusions Jadran and Iset were illuminated on the walls of the heart, they too were weak but unharmed.

“We’re alive?”

“It appears our gambit as worked.” Iset sounded exhausted but pleased.

“Then let’s show Obscura what we can do.” chuckled Jarad.

“Right.” Dejana said with a grin. She touched the wall of the heart and golden electricity ripped through the wall. “You’re up first Iset.”

Suddenly the left hand on Artaxerxes twitched, out of nothing a massive blade of salt water, crackling with golden lighting appeared. The armor’s wings flapped and he rose in the air, both claws now clutching the sword’s hit.

It said “Goodbye.” with a frigid finality in Iset’s voice.

Obscuria shrieked as the great Dragon attacked.

ADX – Vimanakatha – Dragon Trinity Crash

Once again I’m here to pump the ADX Kickstarter for the multi-generational Fate based Mecha game.

So far the kickstarter’s at $10’900. Thanks to this we get the main book, Apotheosis of the Rose Princess Drive and Guardians of Steel. Up next is Gefforey McVey’s Vimanakatha.

Vimanakatha

Think sci-fi Bollywood Epic. You play the wielders of vimanas, intracate, beautiful mechs modeled after ancient gods. You’re a ruler, a celebrity and many consider you a deity. Your every move is watched, millions hang on your every word, you must always to act with grace and caution, failure in elegance or battle will lead to chaos.

Vimanakatha focuses both on the personal lives and the battles of the vimana pilots. It explores duty, responsibility and what one must sacrifice for the power to shape the world.

Also, your battles will be giant dance numbers.

This is awesome.

If the kickstarter reaches $12’500 we’ll get Vimankatha. So get backing.

Dragon Trinity Crash

Most games of Dragon Trinity will involve the goofy adventures of the PCs while they earn fortune and infamy in a tongue in cheek fantasy world. However, as demonstrated by my last post, every scenario will slowly lead, step by step, to a deadly serious climax.

To aid in this dramatic tension I’ve included some spell chants. Characters will get free invocations of their sorcerer Aspects when their players chant such things before releasing a powerful spell.

Of course, summoning Dragon Armor should always come with a chant.

Here are some samples. If I find I don’t have much room for others I will post further chants, in downloadable format, on my blog for free if DTC gets funded.

We need $15’000. We’ve got 12 days. I know we can do it!

+ + + + + + + + + +

Stone that breaks bone fly from your earthy tomb.

Strike the foe before me, bring him doom

MEGA SLING!

+ + + + + + + + + +

Goodness of the Earth feeds old and young

The warmth of hearth is kinder than the sun.

Father of below hear my call.

Focus your benevolence to show the mercy to all.

BLESS MEND!

+ + + + + + + + + +

The waves pull, the ocean devours.

Sharks end exhaustive hours.

I call the cold rage of the waters deep

Bitter vengeance is mine to reap.

SEA SLASH!

+ + + + + + + + + +

Mother of shifting waters, mistress of dreams.

You who’ve proven not everything is as it seems.

Weave a fantasy to my hearts delight.

That will bring sublime bliss or brutal fright.

Entrap those before me in your ethereal binds.

Banish them in a land of shifting space and time.

PHANTOM SYMPHONY!

+ + + + + + + + + +

Terrifying Master of the Sky.

He before whom evil trembles and dies.

Roll, rumble, flash your righteous power.

Smite Typhon himself this very hour.

I call upon your golden dancing flame, the light of all.

Crash down with your fury, so do I call.

SKY SMITE!

ADX – Guardians of Steel – Dragon Trinity Crash

As it stands the ADX Kickstarter has raised over $9’000.

We’ve got the main book and also Apotheosis of the Rose, Princess Drive.

Thank you internet for my Utena Evangelion. 😀

If it reaches $10’000 we get Stew Wilson’s Guardians of Steel.

Guardians of Steel

Stew Wilson can deliver. He’s written for White Wolf,  Werewolf the Apocalypse and Werewolf the Forsaken, and is the Author of one of my favorite games Aeternal Legends. Given this I’m looking forward to his Guardians of Steel.

It’s a game where every day people are gifted with guardian frames, special mech suits that are specifically suited for the individual.  If you’re a courier then your frame will move swiftly and with precision.  If you’re a wilderness buff it’ll have stealth. If you’re a a teacher your mech will have access to a vast database of information.

Since my day job is a software tester I imagine my frame would have the ability to spot the terrible, stupid, flaws in my enemies. Muhahahahahaaaaa!

The bad guys in this setting are bad ass. They originate from a nano-plague that takes over machines, makes them technobeasts and drives them to combine to make bigger, tougher, smarter technobeasts. These in turn worship an Elder God.

Play it as a cheesy 80’s cartoon or as a dark adventure of survival.

I’ll probably play both.

Dragon Trinity Crash

We’re still a ways off on this. We need $15’000 to hit the coveted DTC mark buuut it’s only day 12 out of 30, still plenty of time.

To whet your appetite I’m presenting some Dragon Trinity Crash Flash Fiction.

If you haven’t already please investigate the Kickstarter and back.

*****

The hooded stranger sat in the darkest corner of the common room. His glinting eyes watched the patrons as he puffed on his long pipe, seeking those who, out of the milling patrons, could complete his quest.

A young waitress, a doe of a girl really, advanced towards him. He nodded at her kindly, as mysterious as he was she had nothing to fear. . .

She walked past him and immediately opened the shudders. Sunlight streamed through, he screamed “Aaah! My eyes!” and fell out of his chair. The stranger stumbled out the front door and promptly fell off the porch.

“What’s his beef?” asked a Half-Elven woman dressed in blue and gold armor.

“Don’t mind him Dejana. He’s some old kook whose been bothering the guests about the Hunt.” Said Sasha, with a scolding glare aimed squarely at crumpled geezer.

*****

“. . . In short, Baron Von Warner must suffer.” concluded the squeaky voice.

Before Dejana were a dozen intense looking Gnomes. The chief held in his upright palm a sizable purse filled with rubies.

The sorceress eyed the prize with restrained greed. “Just like that? You’re not going to haggle?”

The Gnome replied with an even shake of his head. “No Lass. All the other adventures are going after the Hunt. You’re our last, best shot.”

The Half-Elf rolled her eyes. “That again. I’m no idiot, the leading cause of sorcerer death is taking jobs from random hobos.”

“To be honest we’re random Gnomes.”

“True, but the Inn vouches for you and,” she snatched the purse. “You’re no hobos. When do we start?”

*****

“THUNDER LANCE!”

Dejana released her power with a flash and boom. Baron Von Warner flew back, smoke curling from the seams in his armor.

She stood over him, glaring fiercely.

“Y-yes?” asked the Baron with a trembling, weak, voice.

She put an insulated boot on his chest, leaned in close, and said “You will give these Gnomes back their copyrights to be Dwarves.”

“That’s absolutely right!” chimed the angry crowd behind her.

“We’re tired of red hats!” “I held that wheelbarrow in one place for eight days!“ Do you know how many fish you can catch in an old woman’s backyard? NONE! That’s how many!”

“Fine, fine.” coughed the Baron. You can all be Dwarves again.”

The Gnomes cheered, throwing the aforementioned hated hats in the air.

“But mark my words.” The Baron’s voice suddenly became deep and reverberant and his eyes glowed from within in his helmet.

“My contacts with the Hunt will punish you severely.”

Dejana rolled her eyes. It was like some unseen malevolent force was trying to control her life, railroad her down a specific path as it were.

“Volt Sting!” She began slapping Warner’s helmet with an electrically charged hand. “I’m sick! And tired! Of hearing about! The HUNT!”

*****

Black smoke curled up into the gray sky. The walls of the inn, and most of the buildings of Dejana’s town, were charred and broken. Sasha lay face first in the dirt, her back slashed with a terrible wound. Roaring flame and crises of anguish filled the air.

A man in black chainmail stepped over Dejana’s prone, possibly dead, friend. The bronze clasp of his red cloak was a carved symbol of a dragon’s head over-top a drawn bow. A red bladed sword, whose edges licked with flame, was drawn in his hand. He smiled in welcome. “I’ve heard about you. The one adventurer who refused to ‘see’ us. Too bad the other fools in this town did not share your wisdom.

You may live so as to tell others about what happens when you cross the Hunt.”

This snapped Dejana out of her remorseful, wretched, shock. Still pale, voice trembling she addressed the crimson cloaked man. “Normally. I’d start off with a simple spell to test your strength. Blast Gush perhaps? Then I’d go for something fitting and more powerful, Thunder Lance for instance, and finish the fight with strength to spare. But you,” her expression suddenly grew wrathful. “I’ll turn you to dust right now!”

The knight swung his blade but it was suddenly knocked aside from the shockwave of Dejana’s invocation.

“Sky Father Bahamut hear me.

Sea Mother Tiamat hear me.

I call upon your love and hate between which crashes wave an thunder.

To weave forces that make even Giants tremble in fearful wonder.

Golden lightning, blue sea combine.

Power of Xalladale be mine!”

Lances of lightning crashed around the Haf-Elf as a torrential salt water rain poured down. The sorceress rose on the currents of power and suddenly electricity and water swirled around her in a great vortex. This in turn exploded outward causing currents of sea and lighting to dance along the grass and cobble stones. Standing where Dejana stood was a two story dragon construct of sapphire and gold.

“Now die!” Dejana’s voice howled like a demon as one mighty claw swooped down.

The Hunt Knight’s last words were “Oh crap.”