Hard Core Magic

Magic is sacrifice. How could it not be? The Gods demand a heavy price for such great power – one only the truly willing can afford. Who will pay it? Not any mere simpleton, otherwise Reality itself might become forfeit. No, it is only the truly capable that engage in such amazing acts: those not only with the ability, but those willing to give up everything. 

Most RPG's miss this important fact, making it easier to cast a spell than to hit someone with a sword or shoot them with a bow! One has to roll to hit a foe with a weapon, but a spell always works? Where is the fun in that? How is that magical?

Divinities and Cults offers an alternative. Though the roll is usually relatively easy, one must still be made to work magic. What is more, magic is dangerous! Something more and possibly unpleasant can unfold for those who are unlucky, arrogant, or who simply tried to push the Will of the Gods too far.

But then again, such is the sacrifice of magic. And each God and Goddess has his or her own price.

Equalitarianism

This is the term I decided upon for my upcoming novel, Red Noon At Helltowne, to reflect the tyrannical attempts at Forced Equality that has and will continue to do so much harm in the land of the Shenbyrg Vale. Unlike 'Egalitarianism', 'Equalitarianism' is more obscure and also holds its root 'Equal' more obviously. This not only fits well with the novel's style of using more obscure words to reflect its fantasy future setting, but also the overall theme that even though some tyrants may claim that their goal is Equality, it is often really only an excuse to diminish certain other groups that they don't like, ironically creating even worse inequality. Think Animal Farm.

In the case of Red Noon At Helltowne, the red dwarves are using the goblins (as well as another terrible weapon revealed at the end of the book) to try to annihilate Dinglesfuhr. A particularly warped Cult has assumed power there, which espouses the cause of Underreign in order to promote Equalitarianism. Will it be any wonder that so much of the awfulness of Helltowne could become recreated in Dinglesfuhr? Perhaps even the insane cultists won't be that surprised?

Upcoming Books

Here are some projects that I'm working on now, or will be starting on soon. Stay tuned for further announcements!

Red Noon At Helltowne: a fantasy novel exploring the dire threats of Forced Egalitarianism upon the Shenbyrg Vale. Anticipated release: October 2016.

Gaming Modules set in the Shenbyrg Vale: a line of adventures exploring the Night Skies Over Valhallow world, compatible with most old-school roleplaying game systems. First module projected release: Early 2017

Divinities & Cults: Volume II for Swords & Wizardry: just as in Volume I, I'll be having Curtis Lyon do the conversion to Swords & Wizardry, as well as the print-on-demand version of this excellent Roman Gods, Celtic Gods, and Demon Lords resource. Projected release: TBA.

Dan O Poems: a book of collected poems from my site of the same name. Projected release: Early 2017.

Divinities and Cults: Volume II Now Available for Purchase

EVEN MORE CLASSIC DEITIES FOR YOUR CLASSIC RPG!

Have you unleashed the mighty power of Divinities and Cults in your game yet? 

Divinities and Cults: Volume II covers the Gods and Goddesses of both the Celtic and Roman Pantheons, as well as a number of Evil Cults. Like Volume I, this work provides detailed tenets, special cleric considerations, healing side-effects, numerous divine tests, and custom spell lists for all 19 of them. What is more, optional rules and random tables abound, organized by  Divinity, of course. This excellent book is compatible with the various Old School Editions and their 'Retro-clones', especially Labyrinth Lord™! 

• Detailed rules for playing clerics of 7 Celtic and 7 Roman Gods and Goddesses
• Full rules for also playing clerics of 5 Evil Cult types
• 20 pieces of unique artwork by Luigi Castellani (note: some Goddesses are depicted partially nude)
• 11 Random encounter tables
• 7 Other random tables
• 20 Optional rule & sidebar sections
• An Appendix that offers guidelines for making over 20 additional Divinities, as well as  having cultural variations for clerics of the various Divinities, such as Ionian, German, Etruscan, Gallic, etc.
• And much more!

Order now!  http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/192149/Divinities-and-Cults-Volume-II-Labyrinth-Lord

Germanic Tables

Divinities and Cults: Volume II (Labyrinth Lord version) is nearly ready for upload. Look for it on Drive Thru RPG sometime in the next few days. Like Volume I, it will have tables galore: not only for the 14 new Divinities and 5 Demon Lord types, but also 20 additional tables, for area encounters, Otherworlds, battle events, Fomorian Mutations, and more.

Two such tables (appearing in one of the book's Appendices) are the Germanic Healing Side-Effect and Germanic Test tables. Enjoy.

Red Noon and Communist Evil

As we feverishly await the unveiling of Divinities and Cults, Volume II (to be released sometime next week!), let us turn for a moment to my next impending novel: Red Noon at Helltowne.

This shorter work (~160 pages) follows the story of Oborren, Brymanah, Kolvaig, and the others as they seek retribution against the Red Dwarves. As described in Quiet Upon Shenbyrg's Dawning, the Red Dwarves were barely stopped in their invasion of Walstock, but their strength remains in their eastern fastness: Helltowne. Discover the terrible land of Uncle Steel Dwarf, mustached God of the Red Dwarves and their human and other subjects. What horrors does this accursed land hold and how will the adventurers ever survive it?

Part of the Night Skies Over Valhallow series, Red Noon at Helltowne continues to explore the world of Amercia, the fantasy future equivalent of America. Fans of the series will enjoy the continued gripping  action, humor, and deep insights into the way of the world of both the future and today: a parable of what brave folk must do in the face of overwhelming evil.

And those new to the series can even start with Red Noon at Helltowne, if they wish: an extensive glossary is included so fans of fantasy, philosophy, and social commentary can dive right in to this amazing book. It's projected release on Kindle is this September. Stay tuned!

So Many Divinities

Though Divinities and Cults, Volume II will provide full descriptions for running clerics of 7 Celtic & 7 Roman Divinities, as well as 5 new Demon Lord types, it will also offer short guidelines for even more Divinities:

Celtic: Ceridwen, Goibhnie, and Nuada
Greek: Aphrodite, Ares, Demeter, Hades, Hecate, and Hephaestus
Norse & Germanic: Eostre, Heimdall, Idun, Sif, Uller, and Woden
Roman: Ceres and Silvanus

What is more, Volume II will revisit some of the Divinities from Volume I to provide their clerics with even more Healing Side-Effect and Divine Test options.

Gazetteer of the Shenbyrg Vale: Strass Hill

Strass Hill
Land of the Norse, Strass Hill is a rough-and-tumble place. Bordered by fascistic Mauriatown to the southwest, Helltowne further east, and the dangerous amazons of Stephania to the north, it has been forced to remain strong despite its internal disputes between Jarls. A new group is about to change all that: Minas-Ninonans led by the skald Luce and a Hel-blessed nursemaid.

Rulers: Warring bands, led by various Jarls. until Luce and the Minas-Ninonas take over
Symbol: Purple w/ Ram imagery, though Skulls and Black will partially replace that
Faiths: Thor and Sif, though Hel will soon rise to prominence
Notable Locales:
The Caverns Crystal: adventuring locale, quite haunted and noted for its quartz energy
The Signaling Nob: excellent vantage point, looking over the majestic Shenbyrg River
The Strass Hotel: a very fancy establishment, still keeping some of its Ancient flavor
Various Taverns: definitely un-fancy establishments, frequented by the many Vikings in town
Waxing Moon Cove: magical depilatory lake- make sure to not anger any swimming locals!

Final Draft Cover for Divinities and Cults II

It's still in the final draft stage, but we thought we'd treat you to a preview of the new cover for Divinities and Cults: Volume II. It features a beautiful color illustration by Luigi Castellani, harkening back to the days of classic gaming....

Let us know what you think! Divinities and Cults: Volume II should be available for purchase in a few weeks!