The Walking Eye Episode 11: Secrets

Posted in Discussions, Non-Actual Play, RPG Only on July 24th, 2009 by Kevin Weiser

Kevin, Dan, and CJ discuss how secrets can be used in a game. We discuss the different kinds of secrets: Short Term, Long Term, Open, and Closed, as well as how each can be a boon or a bane to your game.

Relevant Links

Crunchy Bits!

  • Intro and Outro music provided by
Tags: , , , Cold City, D6 Star Wars, , Diplmacy, Dogs in the Vineyard, , Monte Cook, , The Mountain Witch, Trapcast, , WAAAGH!

The Walking Eye Interview 7: Luke Crane

Posted in Interview, Mouse Guard, Non-Actual Play, RPG Only on July 18th, 2009 by Kevin Weiser

The Walking Eye crew has a sit-down with the illustrious Luke Crane to discuss his games and gaming habits. We cover a fair bit of ground: a bit of rules theory, production strategy and the “unique challenges” that come with working with a licensed franchise. All in all this interview was a total blast and we look forward to a chance to do it again!

Relevant Links

Crunchy Bits!

Bumpers and Promos

  • Spooky Outhouse
Tags: Adobe InDesign, Archaia Press, Black Flag, Blood Stained Stars, , , Burning THAC0, , Chris Moeller, , Clinton R Nixon, , Dictionary of Mu, Duel of Wits, Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Independent Insurgency, Iron Empires, , Judd Karlman, , Kill Puppies for Satan, Luke Crane, Mouse Guard, Name of the Rose, Quark, Realm Guard, , The Blossoms Are Falling, The Sons of Kryos, Thor Olavsrud, UberCon, ,

Discussion Episode 10: Mouse Guard Review

Posted in Discussions, Mouse Guard, Review, RPG Only on July 13th, 2009 by Kevin Weiser

Brandon, Dan, CJ, and Kevin talk about our very enjoyable experience with Mouse Guard by Luke Crane and David Peterson. Be warned, we’re all pretty die-hard Burning Wheel fanboys, so there’s a fair amount of gushing in this review. We break down the basic structure of the game, how it differs from previous Burning games, and discuss it’s feasability for new players. Stay tuned, coming up next is our interview with Luke Crane!

Relevant Links

  • Mouse Guard/Burning Wheel
  • Mouse Guard Comic
  • Burning Empires
  • Macbeth Trait:  Macbeth is doomed. His doom is, in fact, foretold and inescapable. The player is encouraged to write his doom into one of his Beliefs. It always ends in his death. Please be as gory and descriptive as possible. The trick is to ensnare other people in his doom. Each character who changes a Belief to fall in line with Macbeth’s doom earns Macbeth one persona point. As he nears his fate, Macbeth’s options dwindle. Once the climax of his story has been reached—it’s time to confront his wife, the enemy has returned from abroad, etc.—Macbeth may only use actions in the Duel of Wits, Psychic Duel, Firefight or even the Infection mechanics once each. After he’s played that action into his doom, he may not use that action again—ever. If he should survive his fate, which is unlikely, Macbeth should count himself quite unlucky, as he’ll now live out the rest of his days dwelling on the horrors he’s committed, waiting for some other young Macbeth to happen upon him and push him toward his grisly end.
  • In A Wicked Age
  • Dogs in the Vineyard

Crunchy Bits!

  • Intro music is from ,  Lyrics by David Petersen Music & Performance by Jesse Glenn
  • Outro Music is from “The Plouescal Races” by Gaelic Storm.

Bumpers and Promos

  • Spooky Outhouse
Tags: , , , , , Dogs in the Vineyard, Duel of Wits, , , Luke Crane, Misspent Youth, Mouse Guard, Review

Mouse Guard Actual Play Session 4 Finale

Posted in Mouse Guard, Play Sessions, RPG Only on July 11th, 2009 by Kevin Weiser

The bright and beautiful days of summer come and go in the Mouse Territories, and our Patrol finds itself in a warm and dry Autumn.  It seems as if it’s going to be a relatively quiet year when a tenderpaw brings dire news from Sprucetuck. The great city of sciencemice is besieged by ants! Our heroes rush to the city’s aid, and one brave Guardmouse makes the ultimate sacrifice!

Roles

  • Kevin is the GM.
  • Dan plays Conner Greenleaf.
    • Rank: Guard Mouse.
    • Belief: Bold action is the way of the Guard
    • Instinct: Check the weather every time we stop.
    • Goal: Retrieve the formula for the Scent Boarder at all costs.
    • Highest Skills: Fighter 5 Weather-Watcher 5
    • Traits: Tough II
  • CJ plays Thom.
    • Rank: Tenderpaw.
    • Belief : I’m ready to be a GuardMouse, and this is my chance to prove it to Tander!
    • Instinct:Meet the enemy Head-On.
    • Goal: I will prove that I can stand up to my weight in ants.
    • Highest Skills: Fighter 4 Cartographer 3
    • Traits: Independent I, Sharp Eyed I, Short I
  • Brandon Plays Tander Fizzcup
    • Rank: Patrol Leader
    • Belief : Our strength comes from the bonds of fellowship amongst the Guard; not the individual.
    • Instinct: Never let a young one go alone.
    • Goal: I will fall before I fail Sprucetuck.
    • Highest Skills: Healer 6 Survivalist 4
    • Traits: Rational I, Old Fur I, Leader I
  • Jen plays Josephine Wanderwing
    • Rank: Patrol Guard
    • Belief: Knowledge is Power. There is always time to research.
    • Instinct: Trust but verify.
    • Goal: Find out why the ants are acting so strangely.
    • Highest Skills: Pathfinder 6 Survivalist 5
    • Traits: Inquisitive I Curious I

Relevant Links

Crunchy Bits!

Session 4 Broken down into smaller chunks:

  • Intro music is from ,  Lyrics by David Petersen Music & Performance by Jesse Glenn
  • Outro Music is from “The Plouescal Races” by Gaelic Storm.

Bumpers and Promos

  • Spooky Outhouse
Tags: , , , , , Luke Crane, Mouse Guard

Mouse Guard Actual Play Session 3

Posted in Mouse Guard, Play Sessions, RPG Only on July 3rd, 2009 by Kevin Weiser

CJ, Jen, Dan, and Brandon now have a dozen outcast bandit widows and children to deal with.  Jonathan, Daewn’s fiance knows of friends and family back in Copperwood and humbly asks the Guardmice to escort the outcasts there. Along the way the simmering resentment from the recently widowed mice comes to a boil!

Roles

  • Kevin is the GM.
  • Dan plays Conner Greenleaf.
    • Rank: Guard Mouse.
    • Belief: Bold action is the way of the Guard
    • Instinct: Check the weather every time we stop.
    • Goal: Convince the Outcast mothers to give their children to the Guard.
    • Highest Skills: Fighter 5 Weather-Watcher 5
    • Traits: Tough II
  • CJ plays Thom.
    • Rank: Tenderpaw.
    • Belief : I’m ready to be a GuardMouse, and this is my chance to prove it to Tander!
    • Instinct:Meet the enemy Head-On.
    • Goal: I feel responsible for what happened to these people, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.
    • Highest Skills: Fighter 4 Cartographer 3
    • Traits: Independent I, Sharp Eyed I, Short I
  • Brandon Plays Tander Fizzcup
    • Rank: Patrol Leader
    • Belief : Our strength comes from the bonds of fellowship amongst the Guard; not the individual.
    • Instinct: Never let a young one go alone.
    • Goal: It is too late to teach Conner, but Thom must learn the law may be black and white, but a Guardsmouse can and if possible, should look for the gray.
    • Highest Skills: Healer 6 Survivalist 4
    • Traits: Rational I, Old Fur I, Leader I
  • Jen plays Josephine Wanderwing
    • Rank: Patrol Guard
    • Belief: Knowledge is Power. There is always time to research.
    • Instinct: Trust but verify.
    • Goal: Find a home for the Outcasts.
    • Highest Skills: Pathfinder 6 Survivalist 5
    • Traits: Inquisitive I Curious I

Relevant Links

Crunchy Bits!

Session 3 Broken down into smaller chunks:

  • Intro music is from ,  Lyrics by David Petersen Music & Performance by Jesse Glenn
  • Outro Music is from “The Plouescal Races” by Gaelic Storm.

Bumpers and Promos

  • Spooky Outhouse
  • Paul Tevis: Have Games Will Travel
Tags: , , , , , Mouse Guard