Hand Me Another Character Sheet...

*Cough!* Oh man, all this dust and cobwebs. One would think that this location has never been touched for centuries...

*Grabs broom, mop, and other cleaning supplies*

All right, you lot, let's get this place cleaned up! *Casts Animate Object*

---------==========---------

Hello and welcome back to RPG Showcase.

I just wanted to post a quick message saying how sorry I am that this wonderful resource was left to waste for all these years.

But fear not, my listeners and loyal subscribers!

Very soon I shall return, better than ever before, and possibly in a new video format, too!

Hoody-Hoo!

*Hears a crash in the background*

Um, I best get for now, but stay tuned! Things are about to get interesting!

Relaunch coming soon

I know it's a little ridiculous to have to relaunch after only 6 episodes, but 2005 was a hellacious year for me. However, after getting a new home with a new job and much fewer worries, I am rebuilding my life and, you better believe it, this podcast.

I loved doing this show way too much, and I miss doing it. I am currently compiling some new content and I am writing up a new episode. To quote Tim Allen's character Jason Nesmith/Cmdr. Peter Quincy Taggart from Galaxy Quest, "Never give up - Never surrender!!"

And surrender I never will, especially if you never give up on me. As I type this, I notice I have 123 people subscribed with their aggregators, and I'm certain even more than that are checking this website regularly. I know you're out there, and I'm feeling the love.

Also, based upon what you've heard thus far, what else would you all like to see in the show when I get it finally compiled? I'd love to hear your suggestions. You know the addy: mike@rpgshowcase.com.

Happy gaming,

Mike

Failed save vs Hacking

Hey, Gamers,

Your friendly neighborhood GM here. When I originally went off the air, it was a brief hiatus for Christmas and also to take care of my partner, Jude, who was having terrible troubles with both his health and his teeth. Recently, those problems have been taken care of, and I've been fighting tooth and nail to be able to keep power and internet coming into my home. It's not been easy.

But now I can't record my podcast. See, the machine that I was using to record was attacked by hackers, and there's a trojan of some kind that keeps uninstalling my sound drivers as well as my printer. Not only do I want to do RPG Showcase again, but I have a business to run as well, and I need my printer to work.

If anyone knows how to take care of this problem, please let me know. Otherwise, I'm going to keep working on getting this show back up again. I am so pissed off at this, and the last month that, I feel, has been wasted. You, my listeners, deserve better than this, but I'm sure that some people would rather just get their kicks messing up other people's lives with their computers.

God Bless, everyone, and I'm still thinking of you. RPG Showcase is not off the air for good, in spite of some e-mails I've gotten (thanks for expressing your concern).

Mike Conway

Haven't gone away yet

Hello, gamers and gamettes,

I want to apologize for not having the new episode up. A personal emergency has taken me away from the computer so I've not been able to get the episode finished. The man who matters most to me in the world has been almost crippled with tooth pain, but we're going to be taking him to the dentist today (thank God for free insurance) and I'm sure that he'll be jumping for joy when all is said and done.

I may have a character picked to be putting up and spotlighting, but if you haven't been able to get a character submitted and you still want to, now's the time to do it. I'll give until 10:00 pm Eastern time tonight for any last-minute entries.

Keep on gaming, and God Bless.

A teeny tiny turkey delay...

I'm not at the computer! Listen in for a special message.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm thankful for you and our wonderful hobby.

Episode 6: Special Edition - Adventure Creation 101

Click to Download.

Today, we're doing a special show for beginning GMs: adventure creation. Few games tell you how to write a good adventure that will draw in your players and make a story worth remembering. Well, all you need to get started now is this episode, complete with a sample adventure outline.

Here are the links for today's show:

• The Xen Show - correction: http://www.xenshow.net
• Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set at RPG Now
• Building Stories on the Fly (Fudge Factor Magazine)
• Band: Toxic Virgin (Podsafe Music Network) Song: Evil Days

Adventure Creation is not that difficult, as you'll see, but it's not that easy, either. But any way you slice it, it'll be fun.

Episode V: Halloween Horror

Welcome to the Witching Hour! Be prepared to SCREAM in delight!

We're back again with the newest edition, and this time, we get scary. Yes, this is the Halloween episode and all the scariest is out to play - including us! Hide under your sheets if you must, but listen closely, for this episode reviews the new World of Darkness, and we have a special tutorial for running a good and messy horror game. Grab your dice and prepare to scream.

Here are the links for today's show:

Intro:

• The Xen Show
• Order of the Stick (click on Comics to see it)

News:

• Sword's Edge Publishing
• City of Heroes RPG
• Eden Studios
• Announcement of Keith Parkinson's passing
• Keith Parkinson's website
• RPG Now

Review:

• White Wolf Publishing
• World of Darkness Download - Free!
  
• World of Darkness Homepage
• Witchcraft RPG

Freebie:

• Chill Introductory Pack (PDF File)
  
• Buy Chill 2nd Edition

Enjoy yourselves, folks. This holiday is one of the fun ones. Have a good time, but be safe. Have a good scare...

Halloween is coming

Greetings, Gamers,

Halloween is one of the most fun holidays of the year. It's scary, it's gross, and it's one holiday that we never grow out of. This week, I'm going to be doing the next episode on Saturday for a halloween special, with a special surprise and some scary features, like "Do's and Do Not's of scary gaming".

See you then,

Mike

Episode IV: Dungeons & Dragons and Anime, Oh My!

Greetings, Gamers. After too many mishaps, we finally have Episode IV: A New Hope that I'll get this show uploaded in time.

Today's show details the second Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God, the new anime RPG OVA: Open Versatile Anime, and a nice little tip on something to add to your campaigns.
Here are the links for today's show:

• Politically Incorrect Games
• Wise Turtle Publishing

Next episode will feature a tip for you players, so keep coming back.

Character Example for OVA:

Daniel Flores/Summer Dryad

Abilities:
Acrobatics +5
Beautiful +1
Charisma +1
Hobby (Dancing) +2
Hobby (Flower Arrangement) +1
Hobby (Female Impersonation) +2
Lucky +1
Martial Arts (Tai Chi) +2
Passion (Fashion) +2
Special Ability (Tree Empathy) +1
Vitality +2
Quick +1
Transformation (Summer Dryad) +3
-Power Move +3
--Leaf Sting (Extra Damage [+5], Ranged [+5], Empty Hands [-5], Endurance: 15)
--Sap Entrap (Entangle [+10], Ranged [+15], Decreased Damage -3 [-15], Requirement [must be on natural ground] [-5], Endurance: 15
-Quick +2
-Armor (bark) +2
-Special Ability (Confidence, counteracts the Shy weakness) +2
-Bizarre Appearance (leaf tattoos on forehead, wrists and ankles) -1
-Soft Spot (likes the heroic form, has trouble parting with it) -2

Weaknesses:
Ageism (under 18) -1
Code of Conduct -1
Compulsion (shop for women's clothes) -2
Obsession (being a woman) -3
Secret (heroic identity) -2
Secret (transgender) -3
Sensitive (gender amiguity) -1
Servitude (Fairy Queen Lurline) -2
Shy -1
Special Weakness (Effeminate) -2
Crybaby -1
Obsession (Trees) -1
Love Interest (crush) -1

Health: 40
Endurance: 60

Daniel Flores is one of four people chosen to defend the natural world. Fairy Queen Lurline chose him for his closeness to trees. He's a student at Maxfield High School, although he's not very popular due ot his effeminate nature. He's involved in the school's martial arts club, practicing the arts of Tai Chi.

Daniel is very talented in many things art; however, all those arts seem more geared towards girls than boys. He's always identified with girls more than boys, and has wished from a young age that he could be a girl himself.

As Summer Dryad, Daniel is a very beautiful young lady, wrapped in brown gauze and is slender and well-toned. She is everything Daniel has dreamed of being, reveling in being a hero, especially a female one. She is agile and quick and tuned in to the trees and animals around her. However, it's becoming harder to transforms back to Daniel. Someday, she may not...

Music in this episode: "Lunar Clipper's Theme" by Fumitaka Anzai

Blizzard In the Kingdom!

Hello to all my listeners and subscribers!

I sincerely apologize that my podcast is not yet here. I would have liked for you to be listening to another exciting episode, however Mother Nature did not agree...

You see, this past Sunday I went to Ellicot, Colorado to see my great friend Heather Darrow and her family to celebrate her birthday. I and my 'mate Jude bought her and her Mom a triple chocolate cake and fudge yogurt -- was very rich like a dwarven treasure trove!

Without warning, snow was beginning to fall. We did not think this was such a bad thing, and stayed to finish watching Alien Vs Predator. Unfortunately we were wrong -- by the end of the movie the snow was blowing sideways!

We were caught in blizzard like conditions, and to make matters worse the power and the phone both went out! But not to worry - Jude had the great idea to game, and became our DM.

The adventure was pretty cool -- if you would like to know more about it, tell me and I will post it here!

The power did not come back on until the afternoon the next day. All seemed well until it once again went out. A second night was spent at their house...

Finally, the next day around one pm the roads were open once more, the power and phone restored, and an adventure left to continue when next we meet!

So, now that I am back home, I am working around the clock to bring you the next exciting and entertaining episode for your listening enjoyment. I ask that you give me until Friday because I have a lot to cover for this next one -- and no, this is not a fudge based game, nor a Furries game! This time we will be covering Anime!! (Also I will give my review on the DnD II movie!)

Stay tuned and see what unfolds!

--Mike--

Dungeon & Dragons II

I wanted to make a quick post that Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God will be reviewed this Tuesday. Does it measure up to the first movie? What made this Sci-Fi Channel original picture so special? Is it even D&D? Did it sink or swim? Find out Tuesday.

Mike

Episode III: Kevin & Kell Part 2

Here is the character I wrote up for the Kevin & Kell RPG:

Bob Sakamori

Species: Fox
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 130 pounds
Fur: Red with white stripes, black hands and feet
Occupation: Entrpreneur
Attributes: STR 4 REF 5 HLT 3 INT 3 WIL 4 PRE 5
Derived Attributes: DEF 15 INI 4 DAM 4 MOV 6
Traits & Defects:
-Divine Relationship (Bob constantly tithes his money)
-Food Chain Leveling +4 (Small Game Predator)
-Global Contacts
-Natural Weapons (Claws and Bite)
-Wealthy Lvl 4
-Domestication
-Famous, International (His books have sold everywhere)
-Recurring Nightmare ("If I'm not up to my eyes in debt, I can't sleep at night" - only when his assets have

been lost)
-Significant Other (His wife Mika, a toy poodle and a real doll)
Skills:
-Business +5
-Economics +3
-Trading +3
-Professional (Entrepreneur) +3
-Hunting +2
-Throwing +2
-Area Knowledge (Hawaii) +2
-Awareness +2 (Business Opportunities +4)
-Language (Native) +2
-Mace/Club +2
-Society (Corporate) +2
-Sport (Surfing) +3
-Sailing +3
-Philosophy +2
-Intuition +1

Bob Sakamori has only recently settled in Domain. Although he likes his childhood home of Hawaii, he feels a special something for Domain, and knows he can continue with his businesses here. He had too fathers, his real father, who was poor, and his rich father, who was the father of his best friend. He leanred a lot from both dads, but decided to follow the path of the rich one.

He took those lessons to heart, and eventually was able to start his own businesses. Originally, he thought about starting a velcro and nylon business, but something about pay-as-you-go legal business caught his attention. It was an affiliate program, and he dove head first into it. He was a tremendous success at it, and eventually got into real estate and the stock market.

Currently, he resides in Domain and writes his books, like the best-selling "Rich Father, Poor Father" and markets his best-selling game "Moneyflow." He and his wife Mika have made many friends and are loving their life together.

Episode III: Kevin & Kell Part 1

Greetings, all ye dice hounds.

Here is the podcast for his week. We got past all the problems and conquered them. After much dice rolling,

we finally whittled them down and took the last hit point off. Enjoy!

Links

News
Politically Incorrect Games
Shadowrun 4th Edition

Interviews
Kevin and Kell Webcomic
Comstar Games

The Wotch
Venus Envy

Show Postponed Until Tomorrow!

Hello and welcome to all my many listeners!

I apologize, but I have just finished two interviews with Bill Holbrook (creator of the Kevin & Kell webcomic series) and Michael Hopcroft (creator of the Kevin and Kell RPG and HeartQuest).

There is quite a lot of information awaiting all of my listeners, but I unfortunately do not have enough time to record the rest of this podcast nor do I have enough time to edit it.

However ...

I promise you all that I will have the podcast up tomorrow by 8:30 pm. Please check back tomorrow, and have a great evening!

--Mike--

UPDATE: I apologize again - I decided to try something for the first time in doing this episode, and it really bombed on me. I've never really done a show fully unscripted, and I gave it a shot.

It's not happening.

Frankly, the quality was way below what I strive for in my podcast. I do have a script, and I do ad lib while I'm reading from it, so you're getting the best of me when I'm reading it. This time, though... no, not happening. I'll be really honest with you all: Tourette's Syndrome is a real bear when you're going live, espeically with the stuttering problem it gives me.

You all deserve the best, so you're getting my best, and nothing less. I am re-recording everything, and I will have it up Thursday night. I thank you all tremendously for your patience, and please keep checking back.

Mike

Bargain Bin Part I

Howdy, all,

Today's show has a lot of happenings. I'm amazed I was able to put so much into one half hour. Dueto current events, the news dominates a lot of the podcast, but make no mistake, we have your RPG content. In fact, we have not one but two games up for review. This episode features:

• State of the gaming industry, featuring commentary by Dave Arneson
• News on charity works by many game companies - Hurricane Katrina has brought out the best in our publishers
• Two games from the past - one fantasy and one superhero - that still have the magic to enhance your gaming sessions
• Tips on utilizing these games at your gaming table
• Mike get opinionated

Fire up your MP3 players and feed catchers. Remember, I welcome questions, comments and suggestions, left either here or at Mike@RPGShowcase.com. Also, if you want to be notified on when this page updated, just fill out the subscription box on the right.

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NEWS
-=================================================-

Here are the links from this episodes news segment:

• The Dragon Compendium vol 1: Paizo Publishing
• Dave Arneson State of the Industry: Mythic Entertainment

Other notable mention:

• Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki: Rich Dad Technologies
• How to Save the Comics Industry: Fanzing

Charity:

• Dustin Clingman: dustin@zeitgeistgames.com
• e-Sprawl Networks/Black Powder Games
• Seraphim Guard LLC
• Adamant Entertainment
• Sword's Edge Publishing
• Inner Circle Games
• Hasbro
• Privateer Press
• Jeff Grubb

That's it for episode two. Join us in two weeks for Kevin and Kell, and more from the inside of the games industry. Remember to give generously to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Your gift will reward you in more ways than you know. Take care.

Our Own Homepage!

Just a quick note to all of my subscribers:

You can still listen and subscribe to this podcast from http://rpgshowcase.blogspot.com - However, all you now have to do is use my new address: www.RPGShowcase.com

Also, feel free to email me at Mike@RPGShowcase.com - See you this Tuesday!

~Mike~

PS - I have found that on most browsers and screens the font is not coming in very well, and is hard to read, so as you can see I have removed the font files and formatting.

Episode I: Fudge et al

Hello to all my readers, listeners and gamers!

Do I have a fully-packed podcast for you! In fact, there was so much information that it took me until now to be able to release this podcast for your enjoyment! Please feel free to comment on what you hear, check out the great links provided, and I hope you'll leave a comment! Also, feel free to send me feedback at RPGShowcase@gmail.com.

-=================================================-
First off, Jude Thaddaeus of Crochet For Men's podcast did all my intros for me. Please check out his podcast as well at http://crochetformen.blogspot.com
-=================================================-

In this, my first official podcast, you will hear:

• News stories pertinent to all my listeners
• Quite a lot of informtion on Fudge (and some games that use the system)
  
• An interview with Tim Huntley, owner of Domibia Games
• A bi-weekly feature: Game Tip of the Episode
• A FREE item for you all to enjoy

-=================================================-

NEWS

-=================================================-

Here are the promised links from my podcast during the news section:

Dungeons & Dragons II: Wrath of the Dragon God as covered by:

• Wizard Magazine
• SciFi Pictures

Gamers II: Dorkness Rising

• Goodman Games (email: goodmangames@mindspring.com)
• Dead Gentlemen Productions (email: Paige.Barnett@deadgentlemen.com)

Domibia Games & Seraphim Guard merger

• Homepage

China's new law reguarding online roleplaying time limits

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FUDGE

-=================================================-

Links for the information I provided on the Fudge RPG system:

• Fudge homepage
• Baby's First Fudge Dice
• Steve Jackson Game's 'TOON' RPG
• Fudge Factor Magazine
• Gatecrasher!
• Heartquest: Romatic Roleplaying in the worlds of shoujo manga
• Now Playing from Carnivore Games
• Hack-N-Slash, from Digital Alchemy

-=================================================-

Interview with Tim Huntley

-=================================================-

Hello Tim! Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

My pleasure, Mike. I am honored to be here.

And we're happy you are here, too. Let's get started. Can you please tell us more about the Domibia and Seraphim Guard merger?

It actually started a lot longer ago than the press release indicates. After Seraphim Guard, Inc. effectively disbanded leaving Michael (Hopcroft) with the business and a few products, my wheels started turning. I'd always wanted something better for Domibia Games, and I thought it such a crime that Seraphim Guard -- one of the first commercial Fudge publishers -- was on the verge of oblivion, with it's key product -- HeartQuest -- in someone else's hands

So I purchased all of Michael's interest in Seraphim Guard, thinking that as majority shareholder I'd quickly get voted in as President, and I could start putting the pieces back together again. Sadly, I could not have been more mistaken. It was an uphill battle, and without the assistance of William Andersen, of Comstar Games I would have long ago backed out of the deal.

With William's help, I was able to consolidate the assets of Seraphim Guard, Inc. with Domibia Games, and transfer them all into Seraphim Guard, LLC, a new company formed specifically to house the merger.

Why did the merger happen?

Honestly? I didn't want to see Seraphim Guard and HeartQuest disappear. I felt that Seraphim Guard needed strong management and that HeartQuest should be a Seraphim Guard product. I made it my mission to see that happen.

Why did you want to merge with Seraphim Guard?

There's actually a little method to my madness here. First off, the obvious reasons -- Seraphim Guard was in dire straits, and I knew I could get it back on track. Beyond that, Domibia Games had Gatecrasher -- the first complete, commercial RPG based on the Fudge System. Seraphim Guard was one of the first commercial Fudge publishers, with another of the first complete, commercial RPGs based on the Fudge System -- HeartQuest. Having two such renowned Fudge products under the banner of a mature Fudge publishing house -- Seraphim Guard -- seemed like an excellent foundation for one heck of a game company.

What are the benefits to the gamer due to this merger?

The main benefit is that the HeartQuest and Gatecrasher fans out there will see renewed interest in, and support for, their favorite game lines. In addition, we've got the right people in the right places to run the business and develop new games. In short, Seraphim Guard is back, isn't going anywhere, and is stronger than ever.

What is your interest in the HeartQuest and Steel Roses books?

There's actually two answers to that question. Primarily I'm somewhat of an anime neophyte. Through HeartQuest, Steel Roses, and the guidance of my staff, I am learning more and more every day about this exciting genre. I'm learning that what I once thought were cheap, mass-produced cartoons are actually a very refined and dynamic art form, every bit as engaging as any multi-million dollar Hollywood extravaganza. Secondarily, these products are, in my opinion, cornerstones of the commercial Fudge market.

Tell us a little bit about the combination package now available on RPGNow.

Ah, the HeartQuest Anime/Shoujo Bundle. Basically, this bundle is made up of both the HeartQuest Core Rules -- the essential rules to role-play romance, intrigue and adventure in the worlds of shoujo manga -- and Steel Roses: the HeartQuest Guide to Mecha, packaged as one complete product. With the HeartQuest Anime/Shoujo Bundle you can immerse yourself and your players in any shoujo or anime scenario you can imagine.

The financial struggles that are currently plaguing Guardians of Order are are no secret, and they've had to push back the release of BESM 3rd Edition to December. While I hate to see that happen to our friends at GoO (Seraphim Guard is a member of the Magnum Opus program for both BESM d20 and Tri-Stat dX) it does leave an opening in the market for a good, solid anime RPG. I think the HeartQuest Anime/Shoujo Bundle -- and the upcoming HeartQuest Second Edition slated for release in 2006 -- are prime contenders to fill that opening.

Could you explain the benefits of buying this combination online RIGHT NOW at RPGNow?

It would make me really happy? (Laughs) The main benefit is that the HeartQuest Anime/Shoujo Bundle is VERY inexpensive -- it's priced to move at only $9.95 on RPGNow.com for both HeartQuest Core Rules and Steel Roses. That's quite a bargain. The other benefit is that with those two volumes, you have everything you need to enter our HeartQuest Setting Search -- we need sample settings for HeartQuest Second Edition, and we'd like our HeartQuest fans to write them. We're hoping to select three total settings for HeartQuest Second Edition; those that are selected will be a part of the HeartQuest Second Edition book and the author will get a royalty-free license to the HeartQuest trademarks for expanding their setting and/or developing support materials for it. Details are, of course, available on our website.

Well, once again thank you for taking the time to hear our questions and giving some great and informative answers.

It's been a pleasure, Mike, and I look forward to our interview in two weeks. Sorry about the negative four die roll on remembering my mic!

Again, if you did not catch it, please Click Here to get the HeartQuest bundle for $9.95!!

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Free Item

-=================================================-

Ultimate Total Party Killer

That wraps up this episode. I hope you all enjoyed it, and I will see you all in two weeks!

I rolled a 1...

Greetings, all.

I've been working all night long on getting the latest (well, first, when it comes down to it) edition of RPG Showcase up and on the air, but I've been bogged down by technical difficulties. One thing I've learned is that any new thing needs to have the wrinkles ironed out, so I'm working hard to get them out.

After the wrinkles are out, we add a hideous amount of starch to make sure this doesn't happen again.

Well, by hook or by crook, the podcast will be up Wednesday. Come back and listen then. My goal is early afternoon, but I'm not giving up until your MP3 players are lit up with the sweet sounds of gaming.

Also, we will be trying a new format with less background music and more information. Please comment or email me on what you like (and what you don't).

Finally, as a big way of saying sorry, here is a webpage full of Free Online Fudge Tools

Enjoy!

Man Behind the GM Screen - Introduction

Hello and welcome back to all of my listeners, and to all of my new ones as well.

Here is the podcast I promised earlier. The next podcast will be published 8/30/05.

Come learn about the GM behind the Screen (and the Mic)

Later this evening, my official introduction podcast will be available. In it I answer question such as:

* How much role-playing experience I have
* What games I have played
* How often (approximately)I play
* How much I spend on my gaming habit
(It's like smoking, you just can't quit! Besides, gaming is healthier for you!)
* What types of setting I prefer to play in
* What my favorite settings are
* The type of plotting I prefer to play under
* My preferred campaign type
* How much combat I like in a game
* The type of game mechanics I prefer to play under
* The type of character creation I prefer
* Character races and choices
* What my favorite game system is
* And more, including a tip to try at your next game!

So check back in tonight for the official 0.5 podcast of RPG Showcase!

New Home - Teaser

Greetings, Gamers! I've decided on a new format and a new place to host the podcast. Here again is my teaser.

NOTE: This podcast was earlier heard with the tag at the end "Rizzn Dot Net." Please understand that I did not know that this was going to be added to my podcast, and I have now moved my podcast to a much better host! Please feel free to listen once again!

~Mike~