Here are my initial thoughts for playable races. Some are pretty standard for the fantasy setting, others are less common. As I was coming up with races, calling the Half- races 'kin' seemed to fit. Not sure if it will stick, but I kinda like it.
-Humans
Your standard, well-rounded race. Also the most populous.
-Elves
The ancient and graceful First Folk. I'd like to call them something else, possibly along the lines of 'Elder.'
-Dwarves
Always seeking to improve upon the feats of the past. Building higher, digging deeper, searching further. Also want to have another name for them, but the best I have is Hewn-folk.
-Halflings
Pastoral and good-natured, with a dash of mischief.
-Gnomes
Not too much thought here yet.
-Elderkin
Half-elf, Half-human. Not as long-lived as full-blooded elves, but more beautiful and graceful than Humans.
-Kingskin
The last descendants of the bloodlines of the Old Kings. Gifted with longer life, natural prowess in battle, and more charisma than most.
-Merkin
Their origins are mostly unknown to outsiders, they are the descendants of shipwrecked sailors and Merfolk. Gifted(or cursed) with water breathing; and enhanced agility, movement speed, senses while underwater.
-Steamkin
Steamkin are organic metal constructs originally created by Dwarves. They reproduce like other races, however, and are just as alive as the other races. They are visually a cross between Flamekin(MtG) and Necrons(WH40K).
Other races I'm either still working on, or not sure if I want them as playable-
-Minotaurs
-Some sort of cat-folk
-Merfolk
-Treefolk/dryads
-Otherkin - humans touched by the spirits/angels/demons
-Elementals
-Lizard-folk
Please share your thoughts!
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Follow Up: Project Vates
So, Pages don't work like I thought they did. I wanted to make it so I could post everything for Project Vates on a separate page(ie; not the main blog page.) because I wanted to keep them all together. That's not what pages do. At least, not as far as I can tell right now. I don't want to spin off another blog site entirely, so the new posts will stay here for the time being.(I do know how to use tags, though. So that's something.)
If anyone knows more about this than I do, feel free to enlighten me, please!
So anyway. Project Vates. What is it?
It is a tabletop RPG of my own creation. It started way back in High school, I guess; different ideas I had while being introduced to the wider world of Nerd-dom, science fiction, fantasy, etc. Even before I knew what a tabletop RPG really was. I mean, I had a vague knowledge of DnD as a somewhat self-destructive pastime of socially inept teens played in dark basements, but that was as far as it went(I no longer believe this). So I had this idea to create a board game of sorts that would involve characters adventuring across a map and gaining different abilities. It never went beyond the concept stage. Some of my friends can attest to this. I still have the horribly basic character sheets and equipment lists that came from that. (I am so ashamed.)
But I had ideas that stuck around. (I think they are good ones, generally.) And then in college, this dude introduced me to the reality of Tabletop RPGs. And it was Awesome. But none of them had quite the feel i was looking for. All of them provide tools for making the game your own, but they still weren't quite right. So I got the idea to create my own setting for a game. the feel would be my own, and I could just shove whatever ruleset I wanted under the hood. Which is a good idea. But it still wouldn't be mine. So why not just build a new system from the ground up? People do it quite often. I'll be taking inspiration from other systems, to be sure, but we all take inspiration from somewhere. I get to look at all the systems that are already out there and say "Why didn't they do this?" or "Why did they do this?" All my favorite things from RPGs can be rolled into one ball of wax. So that's it. Project Vates is me attempting something crazy. Will I succeed? No clue. But i'll sure give it my best.
"Ok, so you're doing something really nerdy and huge in scale, why do we care?" I'll tell you. Because I want your input! I'm going to be posting my ideas here(Races, mechanics, locations, abilities, etc.) and i want you to weigh in. Tell me when an idea doesn't seem like it fits; if you think it does; if you think it's really silly; if you just don't like it. Offer your own ideas. Think it would be awesome for my world to have a city made of pastries? Tell me. If there's something from a game you really like, tell me about that too.(I won't copycat, but I'll put my own spin on it and include it if I can.) For instance, I always liked how White Wolf's 'World of Darkness' system used a base number of points for abilities and such at character creation. So that will be something I look at, as opposed to how Pathfinder does it.(based on dice rolls and character class). In the words of Number 5, "Inpuuuut. Need more input!"
You can't force creativity, so I don't have a planned schedule for updates. Maybe with some outside input, some people to bounce ideas off of, the creative juices will flow a little faster.
Thanks for reading!
-Kapp
If anyone knows more about this than I do, feel free to enlighten me, please!
So anyway. Project Vates. What is it?
It is a tabletop RPG of my own creation. It started way back in High school, I guess; different ideas I had while being introduced to the wider world of Nerd-dom, science fiction, fantasy, etc. Even before I knew what a tabletop RPG really was. I mean, I had a vague knowledge of DnD as a somewhat self-destructive pastime of socially inept teens played in dark basements, but that was as far as it went(I no longer believe this). So I had this idea to create a board game of sorts that would involve characters adventuring across a map and gaining different abilities. It never went beyond the concept stage. Some of my friends can attest to this. I still have the horribly basic character sheets and equipment lists that came from that. (I am so ashamed.)
But I had ideas that stuck around. (I think they are good ones, generally.) And then in college, this dude introduced me to the reality of Tabletop RPGs. And it was Awesome. But none of them had quite the feel i was looking for. All of them provide tools for making the game your own, but they still weren't quite right. So I got the idea to create my own setting for a game. the feel would be my own, and I could just shove whatever ruleset I wanted under the hood. Which is a good idea. But it still wouldn't be mine. So why not just build a new system from the ground up? People do it quite often. I'll be taking inspiration from other systems, to be sure, but we all take inspiration from somewhere. I get to look at all the systems that are already out there and say "Why didn't they do this?" or "Why did they do this?" All my favorite things from RPGs can be rolled into one ball of wax. So that's it. Project Vates is me attempting something crazy. Will I succeed? No clue. But i'll sure give it my best.
"Ok, so you're doing something really nerdy and huge in scale, why do we care?" I'll tell you. Because I want your input! I'm going to be posting my ideas here(Races, mechanics, locations, abilities, etc.) and i want you to weigh in. Tell me when an idea doesn't seem like it fits; if you think it does; if you think it's really silly; if you just don't like it. Offer your own ideas. Think it would be awesome for my world to have a city made of pastries? Tell me. If there's something from a game you really like, tell me about that too.(I won't copycat, but I'll put my own spin on it and include it if I can.) For instance, I always liked how White Wolf's 'World of Darkness' system used a base number of points for abilities and such at character creation. So that will be something I look at, as opposed to how Pathfinder does it.(based on dice rolls and character class). In the words of Number 5, "Inpuuuut. Need more input!"
You can't force creativity, so I don't have a planned schedule for updates. Maybe with some outside input, some people to bounce ideas off of, the creative juices will flow a little faster.
Thanks for reading!
-Kapp
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Project Vates
I'm working on a new project. It's big, and it's really nerdy. I don't want to say too much just yet(Also, it's late, and I am tired.), but there will be more to come. I'd like to create a second page for it, but I'm still working that out. Uhm... yeah. That's about it. Look for more to come! (Also, bug me for more. haha)
Saturday, August 25, 2012
New ink!
Coming soon.... In full technicolor.
Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Awesome new posts and stuff.
Hey, go check out Project 86.
There an awesome band, and about to release a new album. They are one of my all-time faves! And really, who can say no to free music?
There an awesome band, and about to release a new album. They are one of my all-time faves! And really, who can say no to free music?
Thursday, June 28, 2012
An Economical Microcosm
This week has been interesting, to say the least. My perspective on my finances has changed significantly. As most of you may already know, I am living in Dubuque, IA this summer. I am sharing an apartment with a good friend of mine, Jason Bowling. This is the first time I have truly been 'On my own' with no true safety net. I have to support myself. The Army isn't coordinating anything, My mom isn't doing my shopping. I figured it wouldn't be too hard. it got off to a slow start- Jason has been gone for most of the last month and a half, I spent two weeks in fort McCoy on Army pay.
Then it got interesting. I came back from Fort McCoy to find the job I had lined up for the summer didn't have work for me for two weeks. So I sat around, being a bum. I donated plasma a couple times, but otherwise had no source of income. I slowly burned through my reserves of cash. (I don't touch credit cards.) I wasn't worried too much, I was going to be working soon, and making pretty decent money, too. I started work, going steady at 40+ hours a week for two weeks. Then came this week.
I attracted an inner ear infection at some point, causing me dizziness and light-headedness when I move around. Well, the boss sent me home(can't have me falling off the scaffold or anything...) before we even started on Monday and I spent the day resting. My symptoms didn't go away, so i made an appointment Tuesday to have myself checked out. (I got hit on the head last week, so i wanted to be sure it wasn't a concussion. He gave me his diagnosis and told me to rest up for a couple days. So it is Thursday. I haven't worked in four days. I also did not get my check this week, because I haven't gone anywhere. My paycheck next week will be nothing or next to nothing, depending on how I feel tonight/tomorrow morning.
All this to say, I can hear my bank account shrinking. Every bite I take, every time I look at the clock, I hear it. My perspective on money has changed. I realize now that I shouldn't be going and buying a new t-shirt from ThinkGeek every month. I may have to save the Bailey's brand coffee creamer for special occasions. I have to be more discerning with the cuts of meat I purchase. (they can add up quickly.) I may now have to do price comparison between the store brand and the name brand. these are just a few of the observations I have made in the past couple weeks. There may be more on this adjustment later.
*P.S. This is not me in any way asking for money. God has provided for me so far, I believe He will be faithful to continue to do so.
Then it got interesting. I came back from Fort McCoy to find the job I had lined up for the summer didn't have work for me for two weeks. So I sat around, being a bum. I donated plasma a couple times, but otherwise had no source of income. I slowly burned through my reserves of cash. (I don't touch credit cards.) I wasn't worried too much, I was going to be working soon, and making pretty decent money, too. I started work, going steady at 40+ hours a week for two weeks. Then came this week.
I attracted an inner ear infection at some point, causing me dizziness and light-headedness when I move around. Well, the boss sent me home(can't have me falling off the scaffold or anything...) before we even started on Monday and I spent the day resting. My symptoms didn't go away, so i made an appointment Tuesday to have myself checked out. (I got hit on the head last week, so i wanted to be sure it wasn't a concussion. He gave me his diagnosis and told me to rest up for a couple days. So it is Thursday. I haven't worked in four days. I also did not get my check this week, because I haven't gone anywhere. My paycheck next week will be nothing or next to nothing, depending on how I feel tonight/tomorrow morning.
All this to say, I can hear my bank account shrinking. Every bite I take, every time I look at the clock, I hear it. My perspective on money has changed. I realize now that I shouldn't be going and buying a new t-shirt from ThinkGeek every month. I may have to save the Bailey's brand coffee creamer for special occasions. I have to be more discerning with the cuts of meat I purchase. (they can add up quickly.) I may now have to do price comparison between the store brand and the name brand. these are just a few of the observations I have made in the past couple weeks. There may be more on this adjustment later.
*P.S. This is not me in any way asking for money. God has provided for me so far, I believe He will be faithful to continue to do so.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Green Dragon
Sushi! Best presentation I've seen of a roll yet. Had it at Cool Basil. Can't remember what was in it, but i'll try to get that for next time.
Monday, March 5, 2012
To His Coy Mistresss (Redux)
This is one of my school projects, based on 'To His Coy Mistress' by Andrew Marvell. The original was from a genre common in the 1800's (I believe) in which the speaker was basically trying to convince a woman to have sex with him. Great literary progress, eh? (Oh, those saucy victorians...)
Well, anyway, the point of the assignment was to re-write in 200 words or less, one of the poems we had read for class. In doing so, we were to use words and phrases from the original text, as well as our own words, to highlight a specific aspect of the poem or character. Somehow, my brain translated that into 're-write this how you would have said it.' So, the following was scrapped, and another was put in it's place, but I like this one better.
This is also the first time I've done a poem in full rhyme, and not just free verse-whatever pops out of my head.
Also! You probably want to read the original first, to give context. I linked it. Up there.^
Well, anyway, the point of the assignment was to re-write in 200 words or less, one of the poems we had read for class. In doing so, we were to use words and phrases from the original text, as well as our own words, to highlight a specific aspect of the poem or character. Somehow, my brain translated that into 're-write this how you would have said it.' So, the following was scrapped, and another was put in it's place, but I like this one better.
This is also the first time I've done a poem in full rhyme, and not just free verse-whatever pops out of my head.
Also! You probably want to read the original first, to give context. I linked it. Up there.^
‘To His Coy Mistress (Redux)’
Had we but time,
Coyness were no crime.
We would walk,
Pass love’s long day with talk,
And I would love you,
Till the Lord comes
hitherto.
Foregoing such as my demise,
I would take years to praise thine eyes,
So too, for every part,
Until at last I exposed thy heart,
For truly you deserve no less,
But alas, I would address,
The shrouded spectre at the end,
The hourglass I come to dread.
Time stops for none,
Not till it’s done.
So I do implore,
Fair maiden I adore,
Come, know what is my mind,
Take us two and forever bind.
Place your hand in mine,
Entwine my heart with thine.
Hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Better than fiction.
So I come to the most random realizations sometimes.
I was watching Chronicles of Riddick with some female friends last night, and they were remarking on how muscled and studly Vin Diesel is(Yes, it was awkward.). So I asked if I could make similar comments about the women in the film. Well, they said it was different because they are girls, but they did give me permission. But at that point I was struck by a realization. I really didn't find any of the actresses that attractive. And I suddenly related the reason for this to the Ontological argument for the existence of God(Strange, I know, but bear with me.) One of the major facets of this argument is that Reality is inherently better than anything created by our imagination(That's not the whole argument, that's for another post sometime.). So, a real apple is inherently better than the apple I'm thinking about. I may think that an actress is pretty, or that her character has a great personality, but that image on the screen or in a magazine or on a billboard will never be as attractive as the girl sitting across from me. Simply from the fact that the girl sitting with me is real. (And, you know, because she's actually sitting with me, and not thinking I'm a creeper or something. lol)
So... that's my thought for the day. I hope you enjoy.
-JK
Oh, and comments are great! Really. They help me know I'm not just sending this to the oblivion of cyberspace. Feedback is essential for writers. Not so much for musicians.(See... that was a joke! Haha)
I was watching Chronicles of Riddick with some female friends last night, and they were remarking on how muscled and studly Vin Diesel is(Yes, it was awkward.). So I asked if I could make similar comments about the women in the film. Well, they said it was different because they are girls, but they did give me permission. But at that point I was struck by a realization. I really didn't find any of the actresses that attractive. And I suddenly related the reason for this to the Ontological argument for the existence of God(Strange, I know, but bear with me.) One of the major facets of this argument is that Reality is inherently better than anything created by our imagination(That's not the whole argument, that's for another post sometime.). So, a real apple is inherently better than the apple I'm thinking about. I may think that an actress is pretty, or that her character has a great personality, but that image on the screen or in a magazine or on a billboard will never be as attractive as the girl sitting across from me. Simply from the fact that the girl sitting with me is real. (And, you know, because she's actually sitting with me, and not thinking I'm a creeper or something. lol)
So... that's my thought for the day. I hope you enjoy.
-JK
Oh, and comments are great! Really. They help me know I'm not just sending this to the oblivion of cyberspace. Feedback is essential for writers. Not so much for musicians.(See... that was a joke! Haha)
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Travelling Man
Maybe you've seen me talking about applying to be an RA, maybe not. Maybe you're thinking 'Hey, you'd make a great RA' or maybe you think I'd be terrible. I think I could do it well, and have a lot of fun. But I have another option for next year that is a considerably bigger opportunity.
You remember that class I took in January? The one in New Orleans? The one that I graduated as honor grad? Good. Well, the certificate I received from that class qualifies me to be a Field Support Representative(FSR) for Tapestry Solutions(a Boeing company) in Afghanistan. Well, in the US, Germany, Kuwait, Korea and Japan, too. But that's not important right now. What is important is that if I were to be hired for this, it has the potential to be a huge boost for my career. To be a contractor at my age is pretty big. Not to mention the paycheck, and the experience for my resume.I believe God gave me the skill to do as well as I did for a reason. Anyway, all that to say I'm considering applying for that position, and I'm looking for wisdom, advice and opinions regarding this. So pray for me, friends.
Thanks,
-JK
EDIT: Bad Stuff(Possible)
-Postponing my college education yet again(Though I could take online courses)
-Imminent Danger
-I might decide I like it and stay there
-May have to quit the Army
-uhhhh... that's all I can think of.
You remember that class I took in January? The one in New Orleans? The one that I graduated as honor grad? Good. Well, the certificate I received from that class qualifies me to be a Field Support Representative(FSR) for Tapestry Solutions(a Boeing company) in Afghanistan. Well, in the US, Germany, Kuwait, Korea and Japan, too. But that's not important right now. What is important is that if I were to be hired for this, it has the potential to be a huge boost for my career. To be a contractor at my age is pretty big. Not to mention the paycheck, and the experience for my resume.I believe God gave me the skill to do as well as I did for a reason. Anyway, all that to say I'm considering applying for that position, and I'm looking for wisdom, advice and opinions regarding this. So pray for me, friends.
Thanks,
-JK
EDIT: Bad Stuff(Possible)
-Postponing my college education yet again(Though I could take online courses)
-Imminent Danger
-I might decide I like it and stay there
-May have to quit the Army
-uhhhh... that's all I can think of.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Let There Be Food!
Finally! One of the main things I wanted to share with this blog was my adventures in the kitchen. And now I've actually had time to cook something up.
I made up some chili-mac for my friends last night. They all liked it a lot. Way more than I expected. It's a family 'recipe', if you can call it that. It's not precise, just a collection of ingredients mixed to taste.
The simplest way to make this is to take leftover chili and mix it with macaroni and cheese. I didn't have any leftover chili, so we used Hormel brand from the store and browned up some extra hamburger to give it more beef. (Haha)
Tips and tricks...
Use plain macaroni and add Velveeta to the sauce.
Use lots of garlic.
I use ancho pepper and chili con carne fro Penzey's to season the beef. These both have little heat, so they provide a good base flavor and you can add chili powder to the sauce later.
Garnish with cheese and sour cream. Because why not?
If you'd like a more comprehensive list of ingredients, let me know!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Life
Some of you know that life and I don't get along very well all the time. A lot of you know that I am often frustrated that I see my friends(read: y'all) living or getting from life what I've always wanted.
Now, let's stop the train right there. Because, really, I've wanted two different lives. On the one hand, I'd kill for what I see(in my mind, this is not a judgement on anyone) as the 'average' life. Go to college, meet a girl, settle into a career, happily ever after, blah blah, blah. You know that story. That's what I saw myself doing when I graduated High School. That has not happened. The other life i wished for was to be someone wild and adventurous. You know, a bounty hunter, or a war hero, or a US Marshall, or something else that's super awesome. That didn't happen either.
So i sit here in this life I'm living, and I envy my cousin, who starts Army Special Forces selection today, and I envy all my friends who are getting engaged and married and buying houses and all that other stuff I wanted. While I look at my life and say 'what the hell?' because I'm nearly 23 and I live with my parents, I'm a freshman in college, I'm older than most of the seniors at my college, etc.
But.
Then i get a friend who hits me across the face and says 'look at it this way.' And he shows me that While I haven't gotten what I wanted, maybe I got what I needed.I learned life skills- I can make espresso, I can fix most things on an automobile, I know basic and some advanced first aid, I can reliably use most any firearm, I know about supply lines and logistics and how to be prepared, how to evaluate risk, respond quickly and effectively in stressful situations, and probably a bunch of other stuff that I can't even think of right now. The work I did overseas would probably get me a better than Entry Level position with any company that deals with supply and/or shipping. I have established my name as a capable soldier in more than a couple high-level Army circles. I have volunteered, served, led, planned, organized, executed, succeeded, failed, been praised, been reprimanded, and I have always taken responsibility for my actions, whether there results were good or bad.
My life was not what I would have foreseen, and definitely not what I would have picked for myself, given that ability.It has been an adventure, full of twists and turns and surprises, And I would change very little of the past 5 years.
So i raise my glass to you, life. Let us see what you have in store, for I am not sitting still.
Now, let's stop the train right there. Because, really, I've wanted two different lives. On the one hand, I'd kill for what I see(in my mind, this is not a judgement on anyone) as the 'average' life. Go to college, meet a girl, settle into a career, happily ever after, blah blah, blah. You know that story. That's what I saw myself doing when I graduated High School. That has not happened. The other life i wished for was to be someone wild and adventurous. You know, a bounty hunter, or a war hero, or a US Marshall, or something else that's super awesome. That didn't happen either.
So i sit here in this life I'm living, and I envy my cousin, who starts Army Special Forces selection today, and I envy all my friends who are getting engaged and married and buying houses and all that other stuff I wanted. While I look at my life and say 'what the hell?' because I'm nearly 23 and I live with my parents, I'm a freshman in college, I'm older than most of the seniors at my college, etc.
But.
Then i get a friend who hits me across the face and says 'look at it this way.' And he shows me that While I haven't gotten what I wanted, maybe I got what I needed.I learned life skills- I can make espresso, I can fix most things on an automobile, I know basic and some advanced first aid, I can reliably use most any firearm, I know about supply lines and logistics and how to be prepared, how to evaluate risk, respond quickly and effectively in stressful situations, and probably a bunch of other stuff that I can't even think of right now. The work I did overseas would probably get me a better than Entry Level position with any company that deals with supply and/or shipping. I have established my name as a capable soldier in more than a couple high-level Army circles. I have volunteered, served, led, planned, organized, executed, succeeded, failed, been praised, been reprimanded, and I have always taken responsibility for my actions, whether there results were good or bad.
My life was not what I would have foreseen, and definitely not what I would have picked for myself, given that ability.It has been an adventure, full of twists and turns and surprises, And I would change very little of the past 5 years.
So i raise my glass to you, life. Let us see what you have in store, for I am not sitting still.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Eeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww........
Or at least, that's what my friend said when she saw what I had for dinner last night. This was my first time having sushi in the traditional manner. I went with the two guys from my unit who went to class with me. One of then had never had sushi before, and the other is a connoisseur. So Potter, having the experience ordered for all of us, trying to get a good range of stuff to try. I liked everything we had, it was really good.
By far the strangest thing was the two rolls in the upper right- salmon roe. Which is really just a fancy way to say caviar(which, in turn, is a fancy way to say eggs). It had a very strange texture, but was very good. It had a very strong salmon(not fishy, but actual salmon) flavor, was pretty salty, but I would recommend you try it if given the chance.
-Kapp
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