I’ve just started a series of articles about role-playing over at hubpages.com. The articles are geared towards people who are just get started with role-playing, so a lot of the materal covered (especially early on) will be old hat for the average Death Cookie reader. Still, just in case you guys are interested in following…
The rookie is the new kid on the block who doesn’t have a lot of experience. Unlike the hot shot, he also doesn’t have an amazing knack for his line of work. He’s just a regular guy starting his career. As a newbie, most rookies are subjected to all sorts of condescension, practical jokes,…
In the past month, I’ve had Robin Hood on the brain. I’ve been toying with the idea of doing some sort of Robin Hood supplement for QAGS for several months now, so when I found a copy of J.C. Holt’s book, Robin Hood, which attempts to find the historical Robin by tracing the character’s…
The trickster (often called the shapeshifter) archetype is closely related to the fool, but tends to be a more subversive character than the fool. The fool is (whether he knows it or not) is the object of others’ laughter; the joke is on the fool. With the trickster, the joke is nearly always on someone…
The basic QAGS mechanic is apparently way too simple for most gamers. Even though we tell them that the highest successful roll wins, everybody insists on thinking that the Number they’re rolling against has something to do with how well their character succeeds. A few (mostly those familiar with 2nd Edition AD&D’s non-weapon proficiency system)…
The fool is a comic relief character who makes the audience laugh by consistently making bad decisions, ignoring social boundaries, and generally acting absurdly. While some fools actively try to be funny, many are blissfully unaware of their shortcomings and flaws. Most fools are good-natured or too inept to be a threat to anyone but…
To continue with this week’s musings on Sword & Sorcery fantasy, this Wednesday WWPHITM? takes a look at Fritz Lieber’s Fafhrd & The Gray Mouser series. The basic plot will be “Ill Met in Lankhmar,’ probably with brief retellings (possibly as flashbacks) of “The Cold Women” and “The Unholy Grail” included. Guy Ritchie directs. Facebook…
Lately, several members of the Hex staff have been discovering or re-discovering classic pulp sci-fi and fantasy. I picked up a big ass book of Conan stories a few months ago and have been slowly making my way through it; a few of the others have read or re-read the John Carter of Mars books…
The spook is an agent of some shadowy (usually government) organization, or at least he claims to be. While some spooks freely identify their agency affiliation, many prefer to remain vague about the organization they work for and their position within that organization, possibly as a means of intimidation. Spooks present themselves as straight-faced, ultra-competent…
The mentor is a character, usually older or more experienced than other members of the group, who uses his experience to prepare the younger heroes for their ultimate mission or destiny. In addition to acting as an adviser and sometimes teacher, the mentor often acts as the conscience and voice of reason for the group….
