Armchair GM Thoughts on Green Bay Packers 2020 Free Agents

Never did provide a weekly update on first Fantasy Football experience. Oh well, maybe next cause... I won the League Championships in both leagues! Beginner's luck, I guess. Relying on the computer wasn't the straight-jacket I dreaded. Active management helped tremendously though.

But, I digress. I am not blogging about my Fantasy Football experience except how it may or may not lend itself to doing what many team sports do. Be an armchair general manager on what a given sports franchise should do with their roster. March, or is it April?, marks the beginning of the 2020 season and the start of free agency. Every football team has a number of players whom are free agents. In the NFL there are three categories: Unrestricted, Restricted, Exclusive-Rights.

I am going provide my thoughts on the 2020 free agents of my favorite NFL team, the Green Bay Packers.

Exclusive Rights

While technically free agents, an NFL team only needs to exercise their right to retain and the player is locked up for another season. Generally, only players undrafted players and those whom were cut (although this is murky to my understanding) are Exclusive Rights Free Agents. My understanding is a team only has this option for roughly two seasons - extendable by total accrued season time. They eventually become restricted free agents.

The Packers have the following players locked under Exclusive Rights:

Allen Lazard WR
Tyler Lancaster DL
Chandon Sullivan CB
Jake Kumerow WR
Robert Tonyan TE

As a Packer fan, what excited me the most about this season was how many reps Rodgers was getting with wide receivers whom would be on the bottom of the depth chart. Sure, the season proved the Packers need better quality at receiver; but should injuries strike next season the team knows the bottom of the depth chart can play on an NFL level. Heck, Lazard will likely be vying for the WR3 spot in camp. Kumerow is also a lock.

Tyler Lancaster for some reason or another became a starter. While the run defense was lacking, Lancaster remains a good depth option. Keep.

Chandon Sullivan was the swiss army cornerback leapfrogging over former 2018 2nd round draft pick Josh Jackson for snaps. Could he become the next Sam Shields? Keeper.

Robert Tonyan has been slated as the heir apparent at Tight End for two seasons. Considering Lewis is a free agent and Graham may be cut/traded to clear cap space, Tonyan is a lock.

Restricted Free Agents

Restricted Free Agents are one season removed from becoming Unrestricted Free Agents whom can sign with whomever once free agency begins. A team places a tender on a restricted free agent.

Malcolm Johnson Fullback

Camp body, practice squad body, on the team because Vitale was often unavailable. I'd let him walk. Green Bay can always draft a new fullback or sign an undrafted player.

Unrestricted free agents

NFL teams receive compensatory picks based on the balance of the average salary of free agent they sign versus the average salary of player they lose. Since the Green Bay Packers played in the NFC Championship game, some of their players may receive significant salaries. Furthermore, Green Bay doesn't have much cap space with which to sign other teams' free agents or extend their own. Consistency plays a huge role so I wouldn't let everyone walk.

Bryan Bulaga  RT

The Packers don't really have a replacement lined up at right tackle. Free agency occurs before the draft and they pick at number 30. I doubt a starter falls to them during the first round. I would keep Bulaga; but how long and how much plays a role. A one year, $9 million contract? Keeper.

Blake Martinez ILB

I greatly respect Blake Martinez; however the team does require more speed on the inside than Martinez would be able to provide at the high price tag he'll command on the market. He's gone.

Geronimo Allison WR

Performed poorly. Gone.

Tramon Williams CB

He's 36 and the primary reason Josh Jackson isn't playing. Either give up on Jackson or let Williams walk.

Mason Crosby K

A kicker who kicks well inside Lambeau is hard to find. I'd keep him for as long as Rodgers has on his extension but structure such that it's only a one or two year deal.

Marcedis Lewis TE

Guy can block, which is important to the Packers scheme, as the 49ers demonstrated... Keep so he can help the new tight ends develop their blocking skills. Another incentive contract.

Kyler Fackrell OLB

Gone. Maybe he can acquire a better contract on the market. Maybe street free agent i.e. sign after the draft.

Will Redmond DB

Street free agent.

BJ Goodson ILB

Street free agent.

Ibraheim Campbell DB

THE dime linebacker. I don't think the team can be confident on ILB Burks's development. Keep.

Danny Vitale Fullback

Keep.

Jared Veldheer OT

Provided depth at OT. If he wants to stay for the cheap, keep him.

Tyler Ervin RB

Revitalized the return game and opens of the jet sweep motion. Keep.

Ryan Grant WR

Never saw the field. Gone.

Jason Spriggs OT

Bust. Gone.

Those are my thoughts on the 2020 GB Packers free agents.

Next time.

Blog Roll Changes and Comics Haul for July 24th, 2019

Cause of work, I don't purchase my latest comics from the comics shop on New Comics Day often. Today just happened to be that day. Ergo, a Comics Haul on a Wednesday i.e. New Comics Day. I skipped last week's; because I decided to combine both week's purchases into one. In addition to New Comics Day, I spruced up the layout of my blog and made adjustment to several links and my blog roll.

I've finally pruned blogs that have long been defunct. Cause why not? In the process, I discovered several of the Communities I linked to have ceased. A casualty of social media, I suppose. Why frequent a forum when you can just comment on social media? Also removed links to a couple pages long defunct such as Adventure Games Publishing and Mark Waid's Boom page.

Enough with the doom and gloom!

I added the following blogs to my blog roll: About Bruce Heard (worked for TSR on BECMI/Rules Cyclopedia D&D and works on his ongoing Calidar project), These Old Games (an OSR blog but has expanded to include the blogger's three other blog's contents). THACO RPG Blog (loved the recent posts on expanding BECMI Wizard capabilities and Gaming's Generation Gap), and Venger's Old School Blog (Venger discusses the role-playing industry and hobby along with his works, which are slanted more toward a Heavy Metal magazine audience). You can find the respective links among my blog roll on the desktop version of my blog. Unlike previous additions I learned of these via social media.

Onto the Comics Haul for comics that hit the market today, July 24th 2019.

A light week, but last week's was much, much larger.

House of X #1 (an impulse purchase), Doctor Strange #16 ( Waid's run is ticking down.),  and Books of Magic #10. Hmm, the theme of this photo is mostly magic...

Disney Comics and Stories #6, Guardians of the Galaxy #7, Star Wars #69.

Hopefully, reviews will be forthcoming.

Next time.

Emulating The BECMI Elf in D&D 5E: Leather vs Chain Mail

What better way to end June than the way I began it: by contemplating equipment for an Elf PC.

Recently, I decided to finally create an Adventurers League PC following the BECMI Elf Class emulation I blogged about back in December. While 5E character creation is almost as simple as BECMI days, I ran into a stumbling block. Deciding which piece of equipment to select. One of the few decision quandaries players needed to make back in those halycon days.

I decided to break my decision into two sub-categories. Debate between longbow versus shortbow was the first. Now, I didn't blog in a vacuum as I turned to the wisdom of the crowd, i.e. social media.

The response did not disappoint. There were discussion on archery in general and back in medieval times. Folks talked about shooting a long bow indoors versus outdoors. Same with a short bow. Then, there were the aspects of BECMI rules, which as a 2E gamer I learned about for the first time, i.e. minimum damage via weapon mastery in short bows.

Edition agnostic concerns such as range and money were raised. Got to say range and money are huge concerns in 5E too. Well, yes and no. If you take the standard package... but more on that later.

To my one chagrin, no answered my question itself: what is more iconic, the long bow or short bow?

The lack of response is more likely a sign of more symbolic thinking than what anyone playing BECMI would have worried over. When you're playing D&D for the very first time, you don't go 'Hmm, really need the Elf bow...'

Cause what is the elf bow? I suppose if you saw this picture you'd think this is:

So a short bow. I mean if the masses, those who played BECMI far more often than I, didn't have a particular bow they felt their Elf NEEDED, then art is the key.

By golly, short bow it is!

Except D&D 5E has the standard package of equipment.

Yes, long bow is an option - with leather armor.

The next ranged weapon is a light crossbow. Simple enough fix. Just swap out the light crossbow for a short bow. Easy. Right? Except, then chain mail is the armor available via the package. Certainly, doesn't look like the elf pictured is wearing chain mail...

Furthermore, I will likely play the Elf PC while the gold rules for Season 8 are still in effect. No gold until reaching 2nd level. How much gold? Enough for either a long bow or suit of chain mail. Uh why is chain mail an option if your basing icon status on the picture?

Easy. The Elf PC could wear any armor such as plate mail. While I don't plan on my PC donning plate mail, the character will eventually don the best armor suitable. Plus, the prior question is still a concern, do I go for range, i.e. the long bow or settle for a short bow?

If I choose a long bow and thus leather armor, then I could select the fighting style for wearing armor and gain a bonus. Upon reaching 2nd level, spend all the PCs gold to chain mail. The Elf would be able wear the chain mail for an upcoming battle and possess a slightly better AC. If stealth is required, just don leather armor and hope the fighting style more than makes up for it?

On the other hand, starting out with chain mail frees up 75 gp. Who knows when 75 gold will come in handy down the road? Maybe buy a long bow? However, I've already settled for a shorter range. One more level later, the Elf will become an Eldritch Knight and have access to attack cantrips. A long bow is only really helpful past the range of those cantrips. Attacking with a penalty though... So how much wiggle room with gold do I need?

What did players during the BECMI days do? Wait, I own a copy of the Rules Cyclopedia. What are BECMI players doing now? When they play an Elf PC, do they prioritize armor over weapons?

Select the best armor type available via funds or select the best weapon? Ditch the leather or go for the mail?

Go for flexibility in armor types depending the situation or go heavy and save gold?

Either choice will impact my Elf PC emulation. Decisions, decisions.

Happy Gaming!

Next time.

After X Years Redeemed My First Bonus Digital Marvel Comic

Hey, did you know if you buy a Marvel comic book you can redeem a bonus Marvel digital comic?


Yes, Matt, bonus digital copies have been standard practice with Marvel Comics for a number of years now.


Okay, got me there. I've been aware of bonus digital copies for awhile now.


I just didn't buy them because I already owned a physical copy of the issue. Plus, there was my on-and-off dalliances with Marvel Digital Unlimited. Frankly, I didn't really see point to redeeming them.


Have to admit, I was also kind of a Luddite regarding them. Ahem. This from the guy who bought Nook copies, bought Dark Horse Digital, and has a subscription for both Marvel Digital Unlimited AND DC Universe?


Eh, maybe I just too lazy to figure out how to. Plus, I wasn't keeping up with reading my physical copies...


So why the change?


First, when a Marvel comic retails for $3.99+ is the bonus digital really a bonus digital?


Second, one of my goals for 2019 is to reduce my bulk. All those comics I bought to sample yet had no intention of keeping. Redeeming a digital version (for those issue in which the deadline hasn't elapsed anyway) is a way to keep a copy while freeing up physical space.


Third, my gift Marvel Digital Unlimited subscription was far more transformative than previous subscriptions. Don't really recall checking Marvel emails regularly when I had a normal subscription before. That changed with the gift subscription I received as part of Christmas 2018. I'd check it weekly. During that time, I stumbled over Marvel Insider. It's kind of hokey; but Marvel Insider got me checking out the Marvel site about as much as I checked out ANY comics site. In the process I discovered...


Fourth, redeeming my bonus digital copies would net Marvel Insider points. Sure, there's a limit. And hokey. Yet, it's the extra carrot that spurred me onto redeeming my very first bonus digital Marvel comic.


So my thoughts:


One: It took me quite a bit of flipping and reading until I found the page with redemption instructions. It was kind of irritating but not quite as irritating as...


Peeling the label off!
If you're not careful, you can peel of both the sticker AND the label off of the page! Plus, the stickers don't peel off equally. It's also best to peel on as flat of a surface as possible so as not to mangle the comic itself. After all, one reason to redeem the bonus digital comic is to preserve the physical comic. I am assuming this is an anti-theft feature as it would be quite noticeable if someone tried doing so in a comics shop!


Third: Will there be back issue market based on whether or not the sticker covering the redemption code has been removed or not? It is a mere sticker after all. The grader or prospective buyer would need to flip through the given issue to notice it missing. On the other hand, the speculation market has been based on plenty curious things. Can't really say the comic is Mint or Near Mint if an issue is missing the sticker, can you? Guess, it depends on how copies of X-Force #1 removed from their non-archival plastic AND missing the card are graded as. Then again, if you're careful enough removing the sticker, the comic isn't really damaged. A question for ten or twenty years down the road, perhaps.


Fourth: Sometimes the redemption process leads to multiple copies of the same issue being "redeemed". Didn't actually redeem these multiple "copies" to see if they were phantom redemptions or not. Therefore, I didn't discover whether multiple digital copies of the same issue would become available. I just deleted them. After all, Marvel Insider has limit on how many Insider points one can accrue so why waste slots on phantom copies? One caveat: the multiple copies available for redemption only occurred before I discovered...


You can only redeem ONE comic at a time
That's right. You can only redeem one comic per redemption. I tried to redeem three separate issues; and only the most recent entry was redeemed. Most of the 'duplicate' occurred during this time. Then again, the phantom issue may have just been a bug. The message is clear: can't skip the process of re-loading the redeem page. Can't just redeem the ten Marvel issues you were planning on redeeming on a given week all in one go.


Now, I haven't read any of my bonus digital copies yet. A blog post for another time? Okay, probably not an entire blog entry. More like a side comment.


Overall, I am surprised I didn't redeem my bonus digital copies sooner. I spent plenty of money after all. Wasn't as bad as I made it out to be.


Happy reading!


Next time.

New Comic Prices Make Antique Store Prices More Amenable

Don't worry folks! Aquaman didn't just lose his hand nor was Jason Mamoa the first time Aquaman had long hair and a beard.

In fact, this is also a 'finally!' post too as I finally acquired a copy of the key issue where Arthur lost his hand!

Don't worry his hand got better. Was a long, strange trip in the most comics way possible!


Anyway, about thirty years ago, I saw a copy of Aquaman #2 on the rack at a comics shop. Ten dollars was the sticker price! The cover price was $1.50; there was no way I would ever pay that much for a back issue comic. After all, I hated the beard and the harpoon hand. About that, my disgruntlement over beard and harpoon hand, which I felt was a slap in the face of my childhood Superfriends nostalagia was overcome pretty quickly. A year or two later, I jumped aboard the tail end of Peter David's Aquaman run and bought the title until its end with the stellar Jurgens/Epting run.


Still, the thought of picking up a copy of Peter David's Aquaman #2 never dawned on me until I picked up a run bag of Aquaman comics at a used book store. Issue 2 wasn't among them. When I did see a copy there, I think it was like 20 bucks... Too rich for me.


Near where I live is an antique store, or two, or three, and you can't call it a good antique store if there are no comic books there. Needless to say, comic books are available. Lots of them.


Now, if you've ever been to antique store, the prices for the comics for the condition they are in can be a bit sketchy. Doubly so if you've been exposed to the ins and outs of comic book collecting and value as I have. Comic looks worse for wear but it's from the 70's? Think I will just write, yes I said write, $10 on the comic ITSELF. Enough to drive a collector mad. Then, there are the dealers who've actually stepped into a comics shop. Those comics are bagged. At least. You can bet they cost more than the original cover price though.


Over the years, I have become bearish on buying back issues. You're unlikely to flip for more than the cover price - if that. If you're buying them at an antique store, chances are you're buying them at price that doesn't correspond with their condition. For years, paying $4 to $10 for an issue, forget about that.


Funny thing is... new comics ARE available within those price ranges. Want to buy the latest issue of Aquaman? Four dollars, please. An annual, likely $8. Heck, I've spent ten dollars on a comic or two as well.


So I browsing through the comics in the antique store, most of them are late 80s to early 00s. Of course, there's the obligatory Silver Age comics with their high sticker prices yet they are in Good condition - at best. Those aren't the topic of this entry. If I want to read those stories, I would just buy the trade or read them digitally. Or become rich. But, I digress.


Anyway, I am browsing through 80s to early 00s comics and the nostalgia bug tingles. These are the comic books that form my early comic book collecting/reading experience. Sure, key issues are few and far between but I can't help getting a little giddy. What's more and the prices fall within that $4 - $10 range. Even, the comics that look worse for wear are drawing a hard 'NO' from me. Those that fall within the $4 - $10 range.


Why? I spend that on new comic books already. I buy A LOT. Too much, honestly. Which is also why I haven't tried to clear out the antique store... But, anyhoo... Therefore, I've become used to paying a certain cover price for a given issue. Really, doesn't matter how old the comic is or if it's not too worn. Thanks Diamond! A rant for another time...


Back to Aquaman #2. Among the trip to nostalgia lane, I find the copy pictured above. Condition? Not too bad. It's bagged so I don't know how mangled the insides are. However, the covers seem in reasonable condition. Furthermore, as long as it's readable and looks good for its age, I am happy.


Remember, how I said Aquaman #2 can cost more than $10? This copy cost me THREE DOLLARS. $3 dollars! Sure double the original cover price; but a steal compared to how much it would cost in the back issue market. Heck, it was cheaper than the new issue of Aquaman I am buying this month!


The experience has taught me two things. One, you can fill holes in your collection by visiting antique stores. Two, the old price tags no longer induce sticker shock deterring me from purchasing; because I am already spending that much on new comics.


Next time.

Hey, Multiclassed 5E Druids Could You Please Not Wear Metal Armor?

When I was new to Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition, I spotted a potential loophole regarding druids. Back in the old days, druids were prohibited from wearing metal armor such as plate mail. D&D 5E had a curious note regarding armor. Merely, druids choose not to wear metal armor.

One could surmise the taboo would extend to single-classes druids and those from races without armor proficiencies. What about Fighters or Paladins with heavy armor proficiency who later multiclass into druid? After all, they all ready are proficient in plate mail. A fighter-druid clad in plate mail! While in previous editions armor hindered spell-casting, Fifth edition (5E) ties unimpeded spell-casting to proficiency. If the caster is proficient in the donned armor, the caster suffers no ill effects casting spells. Ergo, there really is nothing in the rules mechanically forbidding a druid from wearing plate mail if proficient.


Wait, multi-classing is an optional rule. Must every core class account for character multi-classing into it from another class?


Okay, you've got a point there.


What about dwarven druids wearing metal armor? Mountain dwarves have a history of crafting exquisite metal items, armor among them. Not only do they craft metal armor, they wear it as well. In fact, mountain dwarves are proficient in medium so they can don quite a number of metallic armor. Granted, not plate but you get the gist.




However, someone posed the question to WotC's Jeremy Crawford, the de facto rules guru for 5E, Twitter. His answer is an emphatic no.


Neither multi-classed nor dwarven druids can wear any sort of metal armor; because of the setting of D&D. Should a druid with requisite training buck the taboo, the DM is encouraged to take DM action.


I'm old timey gamer so saying my Fighter-Druid can't wear plate mail; because druids just don't do it is enough of an excuse for me. Furthermore, enough of the DMs I play will enforce the taboo either by fiat or by imposing some form of penalty.


Still, even Paladins suffer a mechanical consequence for violating their oaths significantly enough. Why only an honor system approach to the druid?


I guess I am just grumpy that cunning rules exploit, a druid wearing plate mail, is foiled by fluff without a 'this is what happens if you break taboo'. Fifth edition expands Dungeons & Dragons in  many ways.


Just don't break any of the role-play assumptions.


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

12 Blog Posts of December Day 12: Nuno and the Crypt of the Dark Kiss Part One

During my 12 Blog Posts of December I gave to thee: an End-Of-Year Appraisal /Goals for the New Year / a Star Wars Unboxing / a tribute to Stan Lee / a Tribute to Steve Ditko / Converting the Elf class to 5E / A Christmas Day post / A Christmas Eve post / Outside of the Season X-Mas posts and Star Wars radio dramas / Final 5 Takeaways of 2018 / 5 Takeaways from playing a Tier 2 Monk / 5 Takeaways from Final Tier 1 Mod of 2018


As of today, I blogged consecutively for nine days straight! Whew! As I promised yesterday, I am writing the session write-up from Adventures League session that took place during the events hinted at in the Final 5 Takeaways of 2018 post. While this isn't the first time I've blogged the adventures of my PCs, it is the first time I've inserted pictures from the session itself!


However, the process is quite time-intensive. With 2019 minutes away, I've decided to split into serial format. Three parts in fact.


Crypt of the Dark Kiss Part One


Cast of characters
Vladis 10th
 Grog 6th
 Dancer firbolg nature cleric  5th
Striker dwarf 7th
Nuno 5th





Our intrepid band of adventurers were tasked to destroy all undead found within an underground complex while learning everything we can about the silver earing found during the events of the previous mod (hinted at during the 5 take-ways when I played Nuno the Ninja tortle monk at Tier 2 for the first time). All we knew was that earing was composed of shiny blue beads representing the symbol of  the diety of Savras. The dwarf Striker opted to carry the earing.


Sidenote:

DM awarded candy to foster the holiday/Midwinter spirit along with the Midwinter Elk Figurine of Wondrous Power cert Out of Game.



Standing at a doorway inscribed with Dwarven runes, the dwarf Striker reads them aloud while explaining what they mean. He made a 16 Religion Proficiency check and declares it represents the Dwarven God of Celebration. Nuno nods his head. He will recall none of it most likely. As a precautionary measure, Striker ritually casts Detect Magic. To his now enhanced senses, the door glows faintly. Pulling out his flask, he dribbles ale near the door and is greeted by the sound of the door clicking open. With a grin, he sips from his flask.


The door reveals a hallway with walls covered with graffiti praising mistress of the night.

 Grog strides boldly down hallway taking massive steps trying to over entire thing. Ten feet down the hallway...

A sizzle and flash erupts out of the ground when Grog triggers a lightning trap. Fortunately Grog evades some of the blast. Steps forward to the left and triggers another lightning trap. Not quite so lucky this time! Examines the floor.


Grog " I don't see anything."




Steps forward and is hit by another.


Dancer then examines the floor.


Meanwhile,  Striker glancing at the floor can see where each glyph upon the floor radiates with magical auras due to his concentration of Detect Magic ritual.


Proclaims "Hold it! I can see where there is a trap and where there isn't! I will go first. Step where I step.


 Grog second winds, while Striker proceeds down the hallway gesturing where to step to avoid the glyphs.

We follow his steps and enter a room that reduces the effectiveness of our light sources such as bright light becomes dim light. Dim light becomes totally dark! Nuno performs his hand symbols he was taught by his old ninja master to gain the abilities of the spell Darkvision.


Grog looking at the symbols along the walls and readies to smash them. Striker doesn't want such symbols important to his people, stops him.


Striker approaches a statue and removes gunk covering it. Glancing at three doors, he proclaims they have  symbols of Moradin, Flaggedon, and Thermikal placed individually upon them. Casting minor illusion to mimic laser pointer, Striker proceeds to give a boring lecture for each diety. Nuno nods his head. He will remember none of this.


Vladis then moves about the room using  prestigidaton to clean the gunk from each of the four statues when...

Stepping on a pressure plate,  Vladis is struck by a 15' necrotic flame emitted by a  nearby statue! Vladis and his owl investigate and find four pressure plates.


Vladis 'Anyone have Thieves Tools?'


Nuno 'I know how to use them.'


Vladis 'You have Thieves Tools on you?'


Nuno '... uh no...'


Vladis 'Sighs.'


 Vladis opens the door bearing Moradin's sigil to see room of forges operated by skeletons.

  x's are pressure plates and the figures around forges are dwarf skeletons. Fire snakes hiding out in corners.


Vladis sends owl into room. Hovering over forge through his owl's eyes, Vladis sees within forges hammers being manufactured. His familiar flies back. After discussion, we decide someone should enter the room. Dancer elects to do so. Striker casts Protection from evil on Dancer. Dancer, in turn, hands Striker her pet squirrel for safe-keeping. Grog stand behind her in case the skeletons attack, while the owl hovers over her head.

Entering the room, Dancer casts Thornwhip. Hitting a skeleton, she brings it toward her. Then Dancer steps aside so others may enter. Grog gleefully enters the room and readies to attack whichever skeleton attacks them. Striker fire bolts the thorn-whipped skeleton, crumpling it to dust. Two skeletons converge on both Dancer and Grog. They miss with their attacks. The readied Grog crits and destroys one!

Vladis enters room, hexes, and Eldritch Blasts a fire snake. Owl aids Grog. Snakes converge on Dancer & Grog. Dancer is crit! Grog is hit by tail. Nuno enters room between Grog and Dancer only to miss the fire snake with every strike except a kick
.

Dancer smacks with staff, casts Spiritual weapon, and hits the fire snake with it. Grog aided by the owl hits the snake with his magical great ax. Striker using his  wand of war mage destroys skeleton with a Fire Bolt.


Remaining skeletons continue working their respective tasks at their respective forges. We remember we are to destroy all undead.


Vladis kills his hexed snake with Eldritch Blast, then Elritch blasts another. Steps back into the romm from which we came. Fire snakes miss Grog. Nuno engages fire snake hitting with his ninjato twice and missing with a kick. Grog kills it then swings into another. Striker reacues doorway. Snake fails Wis Save and dies from his Toll the Dead spell.  Dancer  pops out! (The player had to bow out)


 The other skeletons continue working their forges. Vladis examines forge but is clueless. The dull Nuno does so with a 19 Int roll and deduces they are hammers for hitting chimes. Striker declares the dwarf skeletons should die again. Grog  'Are you sure?'






Grog approaches a forge attracting attention from two. They only land one blow upon him. Striker tolls the dead one of the skeletons destroying it. Remaining skeleton engages Grog and misses. Vladis hexed a far skeleton while his owl aids him. Then hits it with an Eldritch Blast destroying it. Nuno engages the skeleton on Grog, stabbing and then critting with a kick inflirting 14 damage! Gone. Grog moves down toward a far skeleton and destroys it. Moves back to Nuno and hurls a hand ax hitting a skeleton on opposite end.

Striker toll till the dead the hand axed skeleton. It saves. Vladis hexes nearest skeleton then destroys it with an Eldritch Blast. Nuno engages the left skeleton and glances it with ninjato. Grog kills it with great ax then hurls hand ax at the remaining skeleton. Hitting it. Striker fire bolts the skeleton destroying it.


Afterwards, Striker discerns corruption caused the muck.


To Be Continued...


That's it for my 12 Blog Posts of December!


Next time.

12 Blog Posts of December Day 11 - Status of 2018 Goals and Goals for 2019

Tomorrow, Will be the obligatory rundown of all 12 Blog Posts of December. Unlike last year's December 31st post, I won't be doing a Year In Review/New Year's Resolutions entry. More than later. Instead, I am doing that today.


So how'd I do my goals for 2018:


Read more: This one was more of a traditional New Year's Resolution as I started out strong, but finished weak. Unless you don't count topics I wouldn't cover on my blog, then I actually did read more.


GoComics & Comics Kingdom/ read more comics strips: I did indeed buy a Royal subscription to Comics Kingdom. Regarding GoComics/Comics Kingdom, this is another example where I started out strong; but eventually I wouldn't say read hordes of comic strips from both sources daily. Granted, during December I did start reading the Amazing Spider-Man newspaper strip regularly again. Kind of hard not to if you're checking for Stan Lee's credit. However, I did read more comic strips. A LOT more comic strips. Joined a comic strips Facebook strip; and read all sorts of comics strips especially holiday/seasonal such as July 4th and Christmas. Discovered old gems like Captain Easy too.


Watch Royal Rumble & WrestleMania: While I didn't watch the former, I did watch the latter. Next year, I will probably view the Royal Rumble.


Britbox account - Nope. As much as I desire to scratch my Classic Dr, Who itch, I never did sign up for a Britbox account. Frankly, I've discovered I have a limit regarding streaming services and Britbox simply might be one too many. If it happens during 2019, it happens.


Learn how to include pictures of covers within my blog posts - Yep, I did teach myself how to insert photos into my blog posts. Heck, some of my blog posts are basically, 'hey, look at my photos!'


Goals for 2019


I've actually already started on some of these:


Reduce the number of comic titles I purchase:


 Between all the new Marvel publishing initiatives and DC Rebirth, I added WAY more comic titles than I could ever keep up. Because comics are ordered two months out, I've already cut some titles. My plan is to cut even more comic titles from pull list once I...


Read and Review more comics


 I say this every year it seems. However, 2018 demonstrated I need to actually do it to...


Reduce my collection


I've acquired quite the collection. Unfortunately, I've reached the age where I realize I can't keep everything anymore. Plus, much of it bulk..


Watch more wrestling - Do have a WWE Network account...


Actually write my game session reports and insert whatever pictures I took with them


Been taking notes for quite some time. It's about time I start blogging them. In fact, my goal is to start now. Plus, due to the miracle of technology, I have started taking pictures when applicable!


One more day...


Next time.

12 Blogs of December Day 4: Non-seasonal X-Mas Entries and Star Wars Radio Dramas Redux

On Tuesday, I declared I would do a '12 Blogs of December' in homage to the '12 Days of Christmas'. Looked at the calendar and realized I would need to blog every day from now until the 31st to meet my goal! Better get to blogging, I guess.


My original intention way back earlier in the year was to do a compilation post including every 'X-Mas'-related blog post I made AFTER the Christmas season. Back then, I was envisioning many reviews from Marvel Digital Unlimited. Maybe reading some Christmas comics. Watch some movies and television shows containing Christmas elements. Kind of like Halloween, didn't quite happen. Unlike Halloween, I did post some out-of-season X-Mas content. Furthermore, my Marvel Digital Unlimited gift subscription was activated a couple months AFTER the holiday season. So... next year may be a completely different story.


Also, while I had stated I wasn't necessarily going to go heavy on Star Wars blogging, i.e. no Star Wars movie debuted this month, I did discover a curious thing scrolling through my 'X-Mas' label in preparation of today's compilation post. All the YouTube videos containing the Star Wars Radio Dramas were kaput...


The YouTube account had been cancelled...? Doesn't exist anymore? Regardless, the videos I had inserted no longer do what I inserted them for. Playback the three Star Wars Radio Dramas. Just another example that Internet and permanence are murky...


Fret not! I quick search on YouTube revealed another YouTuber has re-uploaded their own edit of the Star Wars Radio Audio Dramas!


For posterity's sake, here they are:


Star Wars: A New Hope

Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi


Blogger won't let me insert the video directly from YouTube, i.e. won't pop up on the search, so I'll provide a link instead. Here it is.


With that out of the way, here are the out of season X-Mas posts:


Palladium Books did a Christmas in July special when they offered their Christmas Surprise Package. I hadn't ordered one in years so finally I did so. Took pics of the goodies and autographs. Take a peek if you so choose.


The other non-seasonal X-Mas blogging I did during 2018 was the Marvel Digital Unlimited Upgrade Saga, which ran from the Unboxing all the way to the resolution of upgrading from an annual membership to a gift membership. I would love to say it was only a mere two-step saga; but it wasn't. There were three posts between them as I discovered upgrading wouldn't be simple, then I realized I couldn't upgrade by myself, and lastly the call to Customer Service I made to remedy the situation. In retrospect, the experience was incredibly humbling and if others can learn from experience, the better.


Therein, ends Day 4. Maybe tomorrow, I'll try to emulate the song.


Next time!

Review: Tobin's Spirit Guide and Halloween 2018 in Review

If you're reading this, it means the powerful spirit and deadly opponent of the Ghostbusters, Samhain, did not prevail and usher us into Eternal Halloween. Indeed, the second day of the Halloween duo/trio, All Saints' Day nears its end. As I've mentioned in years of Halloween blogging past, tomorrow marks the less celebrated All Soul's Day. However, I'm calling it a wrap as of tonight. Not saying there won't be reviews forthcoming. They'll just be scattered throughout the course of the year. No sense engaging in an Eternal Blogging Halloween, right?

You may be wondering how I plan to approach this All Saints' Day blogging? Ready to read the exciting preamble outlining how I will proceed? Er, no. You can read the title...

Fine.

Yep. I'll actually be blogging in the reverse of the title of this post by looking at the month of 2018 blogging and then reviewing Tobin's Spirit Guide.

Scroll down to the review if a rehash isn't your cup of tea.

First, I started the month by highlighting elsewhere in the Blogsphere that another blogger had adapted the Headless Horseman for the setting of Blackmoor (created by D&D co-creator Dave Arneson) using Savage World game rules on Dave Arneson Game Day. At the time, I stated I would endeavor to convert the Horseman of the North to D&D 5E stats. I admit I don't always (often) follow through with my blogging promises. However, this time I did. If you missed the entry cause you were busy celebrating Halloween or couldn't keep up with several days of Halloween blogging you can find the conversion here.

My second Halloween blog entry was my compilation of past Halloween blogging. Here is the compilation for your convenience. It was my second annual compilation. Like to think tonight is my getting ahead of next year's...

Then, there was OneBookShelf's Halloween Treat Scavenger Hunt. Unexpectedly, blogged twice about it. Here is the first and second posts. With a whopping fifteen treats from five sites, I really do hope to review them before next Halloween. That is if I am not like Charlie Brown kicking the football that is...

Fourth, it wouldn't be Halloween unless I provided a bunch of spooky links. This time I brushed off my neglected Official D&D 5E Rulings By Tweet blog "column" to provide some with a more Halloween flavor. Here it is.

My fifth was a textual capstone of the Halloween Sunday Comic Strips that graced newspapers and online the Sunday before Halloween. Just realized, I never did the same on Halloween...

Yeah, I am lumping together similar entries and treating them as one... No point treating posts with the same concept separately.

Sixth post is more of a stretch as far as Halloween blogging goes. I just felt the session ended with a very Halloween-like flavor.

Last, my Halloween post where I basically write about how the cartoon the Real Ghostbusters exposed me to the Celtic/Gaelic holiday of Samhain and is the inspiration of much of my Halloween blogging the last several years.

Also, I did mention I finished reading a book too. Meaning it is time for....

My Review of....

Tobin's Spirit Guide!



Front cover



Back Cover:

The book is written by Erik Burnham (a writer for IDW Ghostbusters comics) in the guise of Dr Egon Spengler and Dr Ray Stanz.

Illustrations were drawn by another IDW Ghostbusters comic alum: Kyle Hotz.

Here's a sample illustration of the villain Samhain. Really, the central character to yesterday's Halloween post. Honestly, He looks better here than in the show. More menacing.



Anyway, the book is written as abridged version of the actual Tobin's Spirit Guide, which includes anecdotes of the Ghostbusters experiences as well as a Rogues Gallery of the baddest of the bad.

Tobin's Spirit Guide collects many of the ghosts and incredibly nasty beings the Ghostbusters have fought in the movies, comic books, video games, and animated series. A tall order considering the comics occur in a separate continuity from the Real Ghostbusters. Furthermore, each media has its own unique tone.

Burnham and Hotz tackle the differences by creating a unifying continuity that modifies some entries and encounters from how they were originally presented.

For instance, Slimer was a companion of the Ghostbusters in the Real Ghostbusters. Heck, ABC practically made Slimer the main character when they relaunced the series as Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters from the third (really, the second but the true second season was syndicated) season. There were Slimer shorts focusing exclusively on Slimer!

Not so here. Slimer is trapped within his own containment unit.

Samhain? There is no reference towards his aversion to light. Spoilers basically how Samhain was defeated in When Halloween Was Forever involved light. Lots of light. In Tobin's Spirit Guide, nope. Attrition weakens him.

Another change I noticed was in regards to Stay Puft Marshmellow Man. Fondly recall watching as a child on the Real Ghostbusters Stay Puft's face turn as he became a good guy who would occasionally help out. Stay Puft always ended each story back inside the containment unit. But he's Gozer... Kid me never made that connection. Suffice it say the book nixes this. Stay Puft isn't a good guy. Not a one shot either.

Quite certain they made other changes; but I haven't watched the Real Ghostbusters in decade or two. So I couldn't point them out. Nor have I read every comic (IDW and otherwise) nor played the video games. Any changes to those ghosts and big bad supernatural entities I couldn't tell you.

However, the listing is pretty extensive. The nostalgia factor is high. Marked about big time seeing the ghosts from the movies and reading about each ghost was expanded beyond their 30-second appearance.

 Like me, if you are closer to your forties than childhood, it's great reading narrative vignettes aimed at a more mature reader. Would love to see this creative team tackle some of these ghosts and major supernatural baddies within the comic. In other words, I would buy the comic more if the older rogues gallery made appearances.

The art is excellent too.

Overall: If you're a fan of Ghostbusters in all the different forms, if you've ever wanted to read the Tobin's Spirit Guide, if you want a good Ghostbusters read involving the old crew, I highly recommend tracking down this book. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

See you both next time as well as next Halloween season.



Halloween 2018: How the Real Ghostbusters Taught Me About Samhain

Today's the day. Okay, tonight's the night as the day's almost over. Halloween, to be precise.


Honestly, I didn't do much of anything Halloween. Wore a Ghostbusters shirt. Finished the Ghostbusters tie-in book, Tobin's Spirit Guide. Review is forthcoming for another day. Instead I want to focus more on what tonight's entry is really about...


If not for the 80's cartoon the Real Ghostbusters, I haven't the foggiest idea when I would've learned about Samhain. I was a young whipper-snapper when Episode 1 x 08 When Halloween Was Forever aired on ABC. To me, Halloween was costumes, candy, and spooky monsters. Watching the episode was apocalyptic.


I learned there was much more to Halloween than I thought. My childhood eyes were opened to the notion that the practice was rooted in a much more ancient practice called Samhain. Without the episode an question, Halloween wouldn't receive much attention on this blog. Definitely wouldn't care about the practices, customs, and superstitions of other cultures. Hence, all the different articles I link to.  Heck, I certainly wouldn't have spent hours watching stuff on YouTube in preparation for this post. For instance, as an American I take pumpkins for granted. They make carving jack o' lanterns easy. Early practitioners of Samhain had to carve turnips!


Which I learned watching this video:

Familiar Faces: Samhain



What? Learned that from a video about a Real Ghostbusters video? Yep. The main villain in question called himself Samhain. He had a pumpkin for a head. Considering he was freed from an Irish relic, there's a bit of a continuity problem since pumpkins are an American thing. Who says 80's cartoons didn't have educational value?


Because the villain Samhain opening my eyes to the wider and ancient nature of Halloween, he was easily my favorite. When he returned the next year during the third season (it's complicated...), I was hooked. Pretty much became a fan of the show throughout its remainder as Slimer and the Real Ghostbusters marking out at slightest easter egg and anticipating when the villain would next appear. Not to mention spending hours watching anything Ghostbusters-related the last several days... ahem...


Granted none of this renewed furor would've been awakened but for two things. One, reading Tobin's Spirit Guide. Two, discovering episodes of Real Ghostbusters are available on the Internet Archive including When Halloween Was Forever. Well, until someone suit complains and the videos are pulled...


However, until they pull them, why not watch When Halloween Was Forever and pretend Halloween 2018 will last just a little bit longer? So I am going to include the video from the Internet Archive here. My first attempt at embedding from Internet Archive so here goes nothing...


Nothing it is. Video would playback in draft form but fails in published form. So I am just going to try providing a link instead. On Internet Archive, here's Real Ghostbusters Episode 1x08 When Halloween Was Forever. That'll take you to all the files. Click on Parent Directory and you'll be taken to the video itself. Couldn't figure how to link to the video itself...








Now you too can experience how I learned about Samhain for the first time, while enjoying the 80's classic of the Real Ghostbusters!


Happy Halloween!


Next time.

Tuesday Night Gaming Will Be A Regular Thing Again!

Before I begin, I want to apologize to any mobile users who view this blog's mobile version. On Saturday, when I mentioned the 'Halloween' label, I assumed one can see labels on the right-hand column. That is the case for the Web Version. The Web Version is the version I typically use for blogging purposes. Rarely, do I consult how this blog appears on mobile. Well, turns out I was wrong. The mobile version only lists posts. No links. No blog roll. No labels. So I apologize to any mobile readers scratching their heads.


How does labels relate to this blog post?


Well, as I mentioned at the beginning of the year, my FLGCS moved its organized game play events to Tuesday Nights. Back during the early days of this blog before my gaming drought, I participated in a regular Tuesday Game and would blog about it. I've included the label with my 'Five Take-Aways' because the sessions occurred on Tuesdays.

Simple enough, right?


However, it wasn't a regular thing because my schedule didn't allow it.


Thus, whenever I used the label it felt hollow. Wasn't a regular Tuesday Game.


Next month changes the dynamic. My schedule will soon allow me to game regularly on Tuesday nights at my FLGCS. Heck, I could play in a home campaign as I could attend reliably.


Does this mean I'll play every Tuesday night? Maybe. Significantly, more than once a month.Which is all that matters.


Will be nice to have a regular, as much as organized play is, Tuesday Night Game again.


Next time.

Halloween 2018: Blogging of Halloweens Past the Second

I am getting a jump on my Halloween blogging early this year. Maybe. Hopefully. Posting more than one or two posts before mid-month. Or thirteen days prior...


Last year, I compiled links to all my previous Halloween blogging along with a byline for entry. Make it easier for those that don't want to scroll down and click on the Halloween label. Time is money after all! Plus, clicking the label brings up EVERY Halloween labeled post so it's more convenient for the discriminating reader too. Since last year was the first, why not do a second?


I had the notion I would blog additional Halloween-related entries over the last year. Didn't quite happen. Funny, right?


We'll start with last year's compilation spanning entries from 2015 and 2016. I am NOT repeating the bylines here. C'mon... Think of it as Halloween scavenger hunt!


2017


D&D PC costume party - was my first original 2017 Halloween 2018 entry. Basically,  a game report (really should do more of those...) of when my Half-Orc Barbarian Grogg attended a costume party during Adventurers League module.


Three Halloween Links - Shared three links concerning unorthodox burial and funeral rites, Polish folklore of monsters,  and a Polish poem that inspired the Witcher.


Walking Dead Season 6 Marathon First Half - I marathoned season 6 of The Walking Dead on Netflix about half way. Here's what I thought of each episode. Should probably finish the season this year...


2017 OneBookShelf Halloween Jack O'Lantern Tricks and Treats Haul - 'Nuff said. Other than the tricks, I haven't read any of the free PDFs yet...


2017 Sunday Comics Page Thoughts - Aha! Something I did read! My two cents on the Halloween-themed Sunday Comic Strips in the Sunday Paper.


Shadowrun Missions Module that best fit a Halloween theme - A game report of a Shadowrun Missions module I felt could serve as perfect fit for Halloween night.


Halloween Night - My entry on All Hallows' Eve. A potpourri. Check it out... if you dare!!!


Technically, my post on October 1st combining Dave Arneson Game Day and Halloween counts as previous Halloween-related post as it precedes this compilation. So if you haven't read it yet, here it is for your convenience. Still haven't converted the Horsemen of the North to 5E yet...


Halloween is roughly 25 days away!


Next time.

Happy 68th Birthday Peanuts Gang!

Two historic occasions occurred upon this day. One, this will be my 365th blog entry. If I blogged daily, I've finally reached a full year's worth of blogging! Only took... er a decade and roughly four months to do so.


What's that, you say? You want to know what tonight's blog entry is really about? It's not enough for you to bask in my blogging accomplishment?


If you're response to my question is "Good Grief!", you're much closer to the second milestone and what today's blog entry is really about... The 68th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip and the Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang!

Image courtesy of the Charles M. Schulz Museum

The Peanuts comic strip holds a fond place in my heart; and while my interest did wane at times, I've grown to appreciate the strip more and more the older I get. Plus, I find I identify with the characters more as I age while the stay the same age locked in comic strip time.

What better way to celebrate the Peanuts comic strip than a twenty minute video primer on Schultz, the comic strip itself, and its cultural impact? Runs about 20 minutes and there is an ad at around the 14 minute mark that lasts 2 minutes.



Pretty neat. I admit I never knew one or two of the bonus facts mentioned after the ad. No spoilers...

Speaking of Peanuts I do plan to finally kick that football, er read the holiday-oriented strips and blog about them this year. Unless the football is pulled away...

Happy 68th Birthday Peanuts comic strip!

Till my next 365th blog entry! Even if it takes another decade...

Next time.

Blog Spotlight: Never Say You Can't Combine Halloween with Dave Arneson Game Day

October 1st marks two special occasion to this gamer and blogger. One, Halloween is roughly thirty-one days away. Long-time blog readers will note Halloween receives a great deal of notice here. I've also played Dungeons & Dragons for ages. As such, I thank the creators of D&D, and by extension the inspiration for the hobby of table-top role-playing games, for hours of enjoyment. However, the early days of RPGs was very rough-and-tumble and one of the co-creators, Dave Arneson, didn't garner the attention and praise as much as he should. To rectify that, fans such as those at The Comeback Inn have declared October 1st, Dave Arneson's birthday as Dave Arneson Game Day. They have an event page too!


Who is Dave Arneson? Writer James Maliszewski  (his blog Grognardia is linked too within the blog roll to your left) wrote a quick primer on Arneson for Goodman Games (publishers of Dungeon Crawl Classics among other game lines). The Comeback Inn forums reproduces said piece here. Among Arneson's creations was the setting of Blackmoor. That's important for later...


I really wanted start October with a Halloween-related blog entry, while also blogging about Dave Arneson Game Day. A couple problems. First, Dave Arneson Game Day doesn't naturally lend itself to Halloween. Plus, I didn't really do much for it once again other than check out a couple links.


However, among those links was a blog entry from the blog, The Gnomish Embassy, which did in fact combine Halloween and Arneson's setting of Blackmoor. As such, it's time for another installment of Blog Spotlight where a hype another blogger's stuff!


The combination in question is the Horseman of the North! Remember the story Sleepy Hollow and legend of Headless Horseman? Well, the Horseman of the North is that very concept imported into the setting of Blackmoor! Only downside for this D&D player is that the stats are for the game Savage Worlds. While I am familiar with Savage Worlds rules, I am not fluent in them. So I can't speak so much for the stats. However, I do love the story of the Horseman of the North so once I acquaint myself more with Savage Worlds a 5E conversion could be in order. Well, unless the creator converts Horseman of the North first...


Heck, I should probably check out The Gnomish Embassy blog more thoroughly too!


Happy Dave Arneson Game Day!


Halloween is in 31 Days!


Happy Gaming!


Next time.

Initial Thoughts on DC Universe Streaming / Subscription Service

Couple weeks ago, IT launched. Mid-month strikes me as on odd time to kickoff a monthly streaming/subscription service yet DC decided it was the perfect time to officially launch its new DC Universe. Haven't binged any movies or television shows. Didn't chat all things on DC using the forums. Can't say I've spent hours reading any of the comics offered online. What I did do was sample enough of everything (except the forums) to get an initial first impression of DC Universe. Since October is literally a day way, now makes a good a day as any to give my two cents. If I waited until October, I may as well as wait until I've done all the above, right?


Forums: Pretty much stated in my opener, I never used them. Honestly, I don't really plan to. Unless of course actual folks on DC visit the forums. Then, I will participate gleefully. Interacting with creators is tremendous fun indeed.


Television: While none of the Arrowverse shows are available on DC Universe, there are plenty of gems. The cancelled-before-its-time Constantine is here. Birds of Prey. Heck, the live-action Superboy, which was among my wishlist when I was 'deciding', is among the shows offered. There's animated shows such as the classic Superfriends as well as Bat-man: the Animated Series. Initially, I thought only the first season was available for each show. Thought it was very strange that multiple seasons were mentioned until I noticed a dropdown box wherein the user can select a specific season.


The quality of the video is top-notch. Matches quality offered by the likes of Netflix and Hulu. Speaking of Hulu, fast-forwarding through an episode of Batman:TAS did NOT trigger any breaks for advertisements. Leads me to believe, there are no commercials! Another neat feature is one's progress on an episode is saved so you pick up right where left off. You can also add a series to your favorites.


Movies: Among the initial offerings are the Christopher Reeve Superman films along with the animated movies of which DC recently released a tenth anniversary collection. As a recent purchaser of said collection, only a small handful of them are available for streaming on DC Universe upon initial launch. So I don't feel foolish along that front... Did feel the movie selection was a bit low; but it is the initial launch. Other than that I haven't streamed any of the movies yet so that awaits further comment.


Comics: Initial selection is quite extensive.  Most recent comics offered digitally, ala Marvel Digital Comics - digital issues aren't available for purchase at the moment, stop at Rebirth issue 1s. That said, there's samplings of New 52, post-Crisis, and in-between. Dark Knight Returns is available to be read digitally online. Personally, I am pumped Johns/Eaglesham's Justice Society of America's first eleven issues are offered. Looking to become familiar with Captain Marvel/Shazam before the upcoming Shazam! movie? Well, Ordway's Power of Shazam! awaits your perusal.


I've read a smattering of comics online via several platforms from Nook Digital Comics to Dark Horse Digital to Marvel Digital Unlimited on my PC. Have to say DC Universe perfectly aligns the page with screen! Art and lettering is perfectly readable. No shrinking nor enlarging is required. Don't have to toggle from panel to panel nor toggle from panel readout to full page layout. Like television shows, DC Universe saves your progress on a given comic. Plus, titles can be added to a favorites list.


The two cons I see with the digital comics is there is much duplication among titles (which is rather odd) and I haven't noticed a search option yet. If offerings rotate, the bloated list is fine. Otherwise, searching through the comics library will become a hassle once it expands.


Overall, my initial impression of DC Universe is very favorable. A heavy user might worry about the size of the initial content. If this is your only streaming service and your first foray into digital comics, I could see one binging through the library within maybe six months. On the other hand, I don't forsee myself exhausting the initial launch within twelve months of my subscription. Maybe by the fifteenth month. However, the original programming such as Titans and Doom Patrol will have debuted by then. Quality-wise, I am quite pleased as well. We'll see how my opinion changes once what's new is well-acquainted.


Periodic updates to come.


Next time!

My 2018 Christmas in July Palladium Surprise Package Arrived!

Last Christmas I hyped the Palladium X-Mas Surprise Package heavily. If you recall, I lamented how I hadn't ordered one in years. I also, ahem, missed out and didn't order a Surprise Package for another Christmas once again...

Every now and then, Palladium will do a Christmas in July Surprise Package. Sporadically. Not an annual event by any means. When I ordered Surprise Packages regularly, they didn't offer autographs for the July special. Autographs are the primary reason I order them.

Well, this year, they offered the Christmas in July Surprise Package - and there were autographs. Honestly, I wasn't going to order. Took advantage of the Drive Thru RPG deal (topic of a later blog - maybe?); but it wasn't until literally the midnight hour I made my decision.

Ordered my first Surprise Package in YEARS.

A handful of days later, I arrive home and there it is. Waiting for me.

Took pictures of course. Including the autographed page. They're a little blurry
...

Palladium Fantasy is my favorite setting. Wouldn't normally order the mouse pad. Hey, look at that! The Old Ones cover mouse pad. Will have to try my new mouse pad out some time!

 The latest book for the setting. Love the 'Ice and Fury' sig!

Plus, I received the longest-held contender for newest Palladium Fantasy title. Didn't get it the last time I ordered. Years ago.

Second most recent issue of the Rifter. Been years since my last Rifter. Don't recall the issue.

A grab bag wouldn't be complete without a couple Rifts books. One detailing the Coaltion States defending Rifts Earth against hordes of the Minion War (Think demons and devils) and a book containing a script for a Rifts movie (and stats).

Not bad for roughly $100 worth of product plus autographs for half the price!

This was blogged via smartphone.

Happy Gaming!

Next time.