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Friday, February 27

Writing Index

I write a lot, in a variety of places about a variety of things. My writing portfolio is always expanding. It includes everything from non-fiction articles about health, game reviews, fantasy fiction, and D20 gaming material. Below, all my published (and even some unpublished) material can be viewed and purchased by company.

Fiction
Non-Fiction
Reviews
 Role-Playing Games
Satire

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posted by talien at 9:20 AM | 0 comments links to this post


Monday, February 23

The Wyvern's Library

Type: Fiction (Short Stories)
Publisher: The Wyvern's Library
Discussion: The Wyvern's Library Yahoo Group
Description:

At the Wyvern's Library writers from all over the world gather their fiction to allow for public viewing and comments. What all of these stories and poems have in common is their foundation on imagination. They look at fantastic worlds, strange new futures, and the other sides of reality. Many are works-in-progress.

This is where you will find my stories on the Web. All of them. I mean it. I'm posting them all. It'll probably take a few months (if not years) but all my stories that I'm not trying to get published in magazines will find a home here, including the Lamech and Ashley novel I mentioned in Talien's history.

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posted by talien at 9:39 PM | 0 comments links to this post


Usenet: The Flaming

Type: Fiction
Publisher: Steve Jackson Games
Description:

Funny story: I got an email from sj@io.com asking if anyone wanted to contribute to Usenet: The Flaming. Usenet: The Flaming was a joke on Magic: The Gathering. It skewered online tropes and card games at the same time. It's the kind of thing you see fly through your mailbox every day. I threw a few ideas in and promptly forgot about it. What I didn't realize is that yes, sjackson was Steve Jackson, the man himself. And Steve has never let me forget it -- I am more popular for my contribution to a fictional card game (Usenet: The Flaming v1.2) than all my published works combined!

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posted by talien at 9:38 PM | 0 comments links to this post


RPG.net

Type: Non-Fiction (Reviews)
Publisher: RPG.net
Discussion: RPGnet Forums
Description:

RPG.net is the premiere Web site for information, reviews, and news about the latest the gaming world has to offer.

I'm a reviewer for RPG.net. They send me games, I write about them. It's an addictive hobby: I get a gaming book for free, I get to write about that gaming book, and everybody gets to read it! Who could possibly pass up an opportunity like that? If you thumb through my past reviews, you'll notice my reviewing style improve, as well as my mastery of HTML.

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posted by talien at 9:38 PM | 0 comments links to this post


RetroMUD

Type: Fiction (Multi-User Dimension)
Publisher: RetroMUD
Description:

RetroMUD is a text-based M.ulti-U.ser D.ungeon in which you take on the role of a Gifted One. Gifted Ones are trapped in a universe known as the Retroverse, which consists of six massive worlds. An endless war between the Immortals and the Gods rage as the Immortals seek to keep reality together by sealing the Rift, and the Gods seek to escape the Retroverse prison by collecting souls. Traversing these six worlds, battling with magic and steel, Gifted Ones use their unique powers to forge their own futures, and claim allegiance to either side or to themselves alone.

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posted by talien at 9:37 PM | 0 comments links to this post


Gamers.com

Type: Non-Fiction (Review)
Publisher: Gamers.com
Discussion: Gamers.com PC Board
Description:

Gamers.com is a games portal that hopes to be the single and central location for you to locate any information related to gaming across the Web. They have information on well over 20,000 games - with more being added every day - and each game in their colossal database features links to dozens upon dozens of resources. They've separated the games into three types; Computer Games - those requiring a PC or Mac to play; Video Games - including console, arcade, classic, and handheld games; and Unplugged Games - encompassing role-playing, war, traditional, party, kids, dice, and board games.

I was a staff writer for Gamers.com, specifically MUD news. MUDs aren't considered important enough to warrant their own section, so they're grouped under Computer Games > Web -- even though MUDs are very rarely Web-based. I wrote mostly about new MUDs or MUD applications, and just about anything else of value to the MUD community.

Then the company had to make cuts and I was dismissed. The end.

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posted by talien at 9:37 PM | 0 comments links to this post


All Game Guide

Type: Non-Fiction (Review)
Publisher: All Game
Description:

With coverage ranging from Pong to the newest next-generation products, the All Game Guide features an ever-growing inventory of over 25,000 games for more than 85 platforms. With its extensive formal data and expert editorial content, the All Game Guide is the most comprehensive video game and game software database available.

I wrote reviews of games for All Game (oddly enough). I received up to five games in their original packaging, installed them on my system, play tested them, wrote a description and review, and then returned the games to All Game. It was fun while it lasted. The company eventually had cuts (similar to Gamers.com) and the remote writers are the first to go. So I went.

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posted by talien at 9:36 PM | 0 comments links to this post


About.com

Type: Non-Fiction (Article)
Publisher: About.com
Discussion: Irritable Bowel/Crohn's Disease Forum
Description:

Each site in the About.com network is run by a professional Guide who is carefully screened and trained by About. Guides build a comprehensive environment around each of their specific topics, including the best new content, relevant links, How-To's, Forums, and answers to just about any question. The About network consists of over 700 Guide sites neatly organized into 36 channels. The sites cover more than 50,000 subjects with over 1 million links to the best resources on the Net.

Since my wife, Amber (AKA Maleficent on RetroMUD) is the IBS/Crohns About guide, I make cameo appearances on her site to provide the "well spouse" perspective.

  • How to be an Understanding Spouse
    Though they are sometimes forgotten, family and friends are affected by IBD and IBS, too. Learn how to be a better caregiver for your spouse with a chronic illness by reading these 10 tips written by a well spouse.
  • Well Spouse Frequently Asked Questions
    Answers to some frequently asked questions from well spouses about how they can help during doctor visits and flare-ups.
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posted by talien at 9:35 PM | 0 comments links to this post


Survival Kit #2

Suggested Retail Price: $3.50
Format: PDF
Publisher: Spectre Press
Description:

Just in time for Halloween, Spectre Press releases Survival Kit #2. A collection of tools, props and material for your fantasy horror game, Survival Kit #2 focuses on the walking dead. From skeletons to ghouls, vampires to zombies, the undead rule in Survival Kit #2. Survival Kit #2 contains the following:

The Veiled Knight: A demon cast from the pit of Hell, the Veiled Knight is a villain guaranteed to challenge your players. The Veiled Knight includes full Phantom statistics and a Disposable Undead paper miniature.

Silver Bullet - The Grimmgaunt: A new and powerful magic item, the Grimmgaunt allows its user to command undead with alarming power. Full Phantom statistics are provided for this impressive and frightening magic totem.

Thrilling Tales - Horror in Havilar: A heinous murderer is stalking the streets of Havilar, murdering his victims and tearing off their faces. Is the mysterious Opera Ghost behind the murders, or is there something equally menacing attacking from the shadows? Horror in Havilar is a fantasy adventure with maps, Disposable Undead, and full Phantom statistics.

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posted by talien at 9:35 PM | 0 comments links to this post


Modern Mercenary Manual



REVIEWS [out of 5]
  • Gamegrene [++++-]
  • ENWorld [+++--]
  • RPGNow [+++--]
    		•
    TOTAL: 3.3
    Purchase: RPGNow.com
    Type: Role-Playing Game (D20 Modern Supplement)
    Suggested Retail Price: $9.95
    Format: .PDF
    Pages: 114
    Publisher: Ronin Arts
    Description:

    In the 114-page PDF, written by Michael Tresca, are rules for including mercenaries in a modern d20 role-playing game. It covers the Modern and Futuristic eras. The Modern era covers the Roaring Twenties, World Wars I and II, Viet Nam, and conflicts in South Africa, ranging from 1600 AD to 1990 AD. The Futuristic era covers our current age, 1990 AD and beyond. Why call our modern times futuristic? Because this is the rise of the mercenary company as an international, efficient, and profitable organization.

    Modern: Mercenary Manual is a d20 Modern supplement that explores mercenaries throughout "real-world" history, how they've been used in fiction, tips for using them in your game, new feats, skills, and advanced classes. It also includes:

    I've already posted some errata and plan to update the file in a month.

    "Decent, workhorse rulebook for those running d20 Modern mercenary characters. , " said Draz at Gamegrene.

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    posted by talien at 9:34 PM | 0 comments links to this post


    Scrollworks Presents: Characters & Locations



    REVIEWS [out of 5]
    TOTAL: 4.5
    Purchase: RPG Now!
    Cover Artist: Christopher Shy
    Interior Artists: Christopher Shy
    Authors: David Goodner, Michael Hammes, Nicholas Jobidon, Patrick J.P. Lawinger, Martin Leuschen, Eric Lofgren, Liz Rich, James Stubbs, Dan Taylor, Ian Thompson, John Toppe, Michael Tresca, and Christian Walker
    Suggested Retail Price: $5.95
    Format: PDF
    Pages: 55
    Publisher: Ronin Arts
    Description:

    Scrollworks is the print ‘zine for D20! This PDF collects characters, magic items, and locations from the pages of Scrollworks 14-29 and presents them to you in an easy-to-use format. Over twenty characters, seven “modest magics,” and seven locations (complete with maps) are packed together within 55 landscape pages. Various connections between the different characters and locations make it an easy matter to drop the contents of this PDF into your campaign, instantly adding a new level of depth to your games. The layout of the characters and locations is done in a manner that, for the most part, the GM need only print one or two pages to use the selected character or location in a game session. Some characters and locations cover more pages.

    I wrote two characters for Scrollworks that were later included in this product: Amberyll the Thief-Taker and Loesung the Vampire Hunter.

    "I'll be using the material to help supplement the 'background' elements of my world," said Joe G. Kushner at ENWorld, "and looking forward to other compilations of this material with a hope that we'll see some more utility put into the product for uses other than those perhaps intended by the user."

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    posted by talien at 9:33 PM | 0 comments links to this post


    Blood & Spooks: The Ghost Hunter's Guide



    REVIEWS [out of 5]
  • ENWorld [+++--]
  • ENWorld [++++-]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [++++-]
  • RPGNow [+++--]
  • RPGNow [+++--]
  • RPG Times [+++++]
    •
    TOTAL: 3.9
    Purchase: RPG Now
    Author: Michael Tresca
    Type: Role-Playing Game (D20 Modern Sourcebook)
    Cover Artist: Jeremy Simmons
    Suggested Retail Price: $6.95
    Format: .PDF
    Publisher: RPG Objects
    Description:

    Do you want to make more money hunting ghosts?

    Sure, we all do! With our easy to read Ghost Hunter's Guide, you too can become a Ghost Hunter in just under one hour. That's right, one hour!

    Armed with the Ghost Hunter's Guide, you can learn such professions as antiques dealer, circus performer, escape artist, fortuneteller, ghost hunter driver, ghost hunter president, ghost hunter secretary, ghost hunter tactical leader, ghost hunter technician, ghost hunter treasurer, ghost hunter vice-president, journalist, mystic, psychic, psychic investigator, or stage magician. You can also earn your degree by taking one of our advanced classes, including arcanist, clairvoyant, exorcist, geomancer, ghost hunter, medium, parapsychologist, and skeptic.

    Everywhere, people are dying and rising up as ghosts. These ghosts are in desperate need of capturing and only you can help. Thanks to the International Center for Ethereal Containment and Control (ICECC), we now have the technology to trap ghosts and can lend it to you for a very low fee. With your purchase of the Ghost Hunter's Guide, you can rent our amazing electron packs for just five dollars an hour and start hunting ghosts in no time!

    Blood and Spooks: The Ghost Hunter's Guide is a d20 Modern supplement that includes:

    BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!

    Buy a copy of the Ghost Hunter's Guide and we'll also include a ghost container. With ghost containers, ghosts check in, but they can't check out.

    Ghosts are the enemy that we all must fight. So please, call and buy your copy of the Ghost Hunter's Guide today!

    "Blood and Spooks is a great addition to Blood and Brains," said Crothian at ENWorld. "The tone is lighthearted at times and makes the book a good read as well as a good RPG supplement."

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    posted by talien at 9:32 PM | 0 comments links to this post


    Blood & Brains: The Zombie Hunter's Guide



    REVIEWS [out of 5]
  • ENWorld [++++-]
  • ENWorld [++++-]
  • ENWorld [++++-]
  • Flames Rising [+++--]
  • GamingReport [+++++]
  • RPG.net [+++++]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [++++-]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [+++--]
  • RPGNow [++++-]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [++++-]
  • RPG Resource [++++-]
  • SciFi411 [++++-]
  • Silven Crossroads [+++--]
    •
    TOTAL: 4.3
    Purchase: RPG Now
    Author: Michael Tresca
    Type: Role-Playing Game (D20 Modern Sourcebook)
    Cover Artist: Jeremy Simmons
    Suggested Retail Price: $6.95
    Format: .PDF
    Publisher: RPG Objects
    Description:

    zombie (ZOM-bee): n. 1. According to voodoo belief, a supernatural power that can enter into and reanimate a corpse. 2. A corpse revived in this way. 3. One who looks or behaves like an automaton. 4. Target practice.

    Our professionals at the National Center for Reanimation Prevention and Control (NCRPC) have done all the hard work so you don't have to - chopping, hacking, chainsawing, and blasting the bloody gibbets off of the shambling undead, all to make your life a little easier. If you've got a case of the zombie blues, this book's the cure.

    Blood and Brains: The Zombie Hunter's Guide is a d20 Modern supplement full of zombie hunting goodness, including:

    So what are you waiting for? Grab your shotgun and your axe and start the dezombification process in your local town today!

    "For less than $7 you are getting your hands on a product of such quality that it should in all rights be out there in a softbound book in your local games store, sitting up there with Call of Chuthlu, OGL Horror and All Flesh Must Be Eaten," said Marc Farrimond at Gaming Report. "I have reviewed many fine products in PDF format over the years and although I have recommended many I feel that I cant recommended this product enough, a mere review does not do it justice."

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    posted by talien at 9:32 PM | 0 comments links to this post


    Blood & Blades: The Profiler's Guide to Slashers



    REVIEWS [out of 5]
  • ENWorld [+++++]
  • ENWorld [+++--]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [+++++]
  • RPGNow [+++--]
  • RPGNow [+++--]
  • SciFi411 [+++++]
    •
    TOTAL: 4.3
    Purchase: RPGNowcom
    Type: Role-Playing Game (D20 Modern)
    Suggested Retail Price: $7.95
    Format: .PDF
    Publisher: RPGObjects
    Description: The Paranormal Response Unit (PRU). It is like no other career choice you've explored. It's challenging. Compelling. Important. Whatever your background or expertise, you will find a PRU future exceptionally rewarding because the work you perform will have a daily impact on the nation's security and the quality-of-life for all citizens.

    Our mission is a noble one. It entails protecting everyone from slashers; upholding federal criminal laws against repeat killers; providing leadership and law enforcement assistance to federal, state, local and international agencies in investigating paranormal attacks — and performing these responsibilities in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the public.

    Blood and Blades: The Profiler's Guide to Slashers. Blood and Blades includes:

    PRU: Putting the end to horror movie sequels everywhere. Do you have what it takes?

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    posted by talien at 9:31 PM | 0 comments links to this post


    Alien Invasion



    REVIEWS [out of 5]
  • ENWorld [++++-]
  • RPGNow [++++-]
  • RPGNow [++++-]
    •
    TOTAL: 4.0
    Purchase: RPGNow.com
    Type: Role-Playing Game (D20 Modern Supplement)
    Suggested Retail Price: $11.95
    Format: .PDF
    Pages: 138
    Publisher: Reality Deviant Publications
    Description:

    Do Aliens exist? Is alien life visiting our planet? Do they abduct the people of this world and perform experiments on them? Has the government known about them and hidden the truth of their existence from us? Is it all just a big conspiracy? What is the truth, and what does it mean for the people of Earth?

    Written by Michael Tresca, Alien Invasion explores all of the above questions and more, exposing the truth about aliens and the governments role in keeping the truth of their existence from the public eye.

    Alien Invasion takes a look at allegedly real government projects such as Majestic 12, Project Blue Book, Excalibur, Looking Glass and Moondust. Alien Invasion examines military installations, cults and fringe elements, such as the Raelian Movement and Ground Zero Radio.

    Alien Invasion gives you everything you need to run a campaign involving aliens, providing guidelines on how to handle alien investigations, abductions, the effects of crop circles on the human mind and body. Inside this book you will find new backgrounds and advanced classes, cults, feats, alien technology, templates such as the Horlock, new aliens and much much more!

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    posted by talien at 9:31 PM | 0 comments links to this post


    Iron Kingdoms World Guide



    REVIEWS [out of 5]
  • Amazon.com [+++++]
  • Amazon.com [+++++]
  • RPG.net [++++-]
    • TOTAL: 4.7
    Purchase: Amazon.com
    Type: Role-Playing Game (D20 Supplement)
    Suggested Retail Price: $39.99
    Format: Hardcover
    Pages: 360
    Publisher: Privateer Press
    ISBN: 0-9706970-9-0
    Discussion: Iron Kingdoms: World Guide Forum
    Description:

    This is the guidebook no gamer should be The Iron Kingdoms World Guide (IKWG) is loaded with all the features you'd expect to bring the Iron Kingdoms to life. In these comprehensive pages are chapters on trade and commerce, organizations, kingdom politics, commerce, history, timelines, universities, crime, recreation, mercenaries, and other facets of day-to-day life in the lands of western Immoren, not to mention even more magic and mechanika! This guidebook is chocked full of awesome essentials! In fact, within this tome are extensive entries for every- -single- city on the map of western Immoren -- that's over 60 cities -- furnishing you with masses of information for your ongoing campaign.

    This is a staggering new age where everything is is happening, one that embodies the expression: "Full Metal Fantasy!" No other campaign world comes close and with this guide you've completed your collection of the two-volume guidebook series and are well on your way to forging your very own Iron Kingdoms campaign.

    I contributed the following to the World Guide:

    • City: Berck
    • City: Cherov-on-Dron
    • City: Khardov
    • City: Korsk
    • City: New Vroggen
    • City: Ohk
    • City: Porsk
    • City: Port Vladovar
    • City: Rorschik
    • City: Skirov
    • City: Skrovenberg
    • City: Uldenfrost
    Awards

    Winner of TWO ENnies!

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    posted by talien at 9:30 PM | 0 comments links to this post


    Iron Kingdoms Character Guide



    REVIEWS [out of 5]
  • Amazon.com [+++++]
  • Amazon.com [+++++]
  • Amazon.com [+++++]
  • Amazon.com [+++++]
  • Amazon.com [+++++]
  • Amazon.com [+++++]
  • Amazon.com [+++++]
  • d20 Filtered [++++-]
  • ENWorld [++++-]
  • ENWorld [++++-]
  • Gaming Report [+++++]
  • Time-Waster's Guide [+++++]
  • Silven Crossroads [+++++]
  • Wellred Press [++++-]
    • TOTAL: 4.7
    Purchase: Amazon.com
    Type: Role-Playing Game (D20 Supplement)
    Cover Artist: Matt Wilson
    Interior Artists: Brian Dugan, Jeremy Jarvis, Torstein Nordstrand, Brian Snoddy, Matt Wilson
    Suggested Retail Price: $39.99
    Format: Hardcover
    Pages: 360
    Publisher: Privateer Press
    ISBN: 0-9706970-6-6
    Discussion: Iron Kingdoms: Character Guide Forum
    Description:

    The Iron Kingdoms Character Guide (IKCG) is the long-awaited guidebook to the world that started the craze with its radical departure from fantasy-as-usual! Privateer Press struck a chord when they presented the land of the Iron Kingdoms, with its battle-hardened characters girded in scarred mail, wielding saw-toothed sword and smoking flintlock, and steamjacks belching ash smoke both in the cities and on the battlefields. Now, get the official guide that details the award-winning campaign world of the Iron Kingdoms. Create new and exciting characters and classes, learn about the various races and ethnic groups of western Immoren, find out the essentials on the world's cosmology and religions, and discover loads of important information how magic and mechanika works in this realm that fuses steam power with the arcane.

    This is a staggering new age where everything is is happening, one that embodies the expression: "Full Metal Fantasy!" No other campaign world comes close and with this guide you've taken the first step in creating your own Iron Kingdoms campaign.

    I contributed the following to the Character Guide:

    "This is the best d20 product of 2004," said Nash J. DeVita at Silven Crossroads. "It is very hard to find such an original setting or concept that is so well written, priced so well for the page count, and with illustrations that are so well drawn and perfectly fitting for the setting."

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    posted by talien at 9:30 PM | 0 comments links to this post


    Combat Missions

    Purchase: RPG Now
    Type: Role-Playing Game (D20 Adventure)
    Cover Artist: Veronica Jones
    Interior Artist: Jason Walton and Ruben Smith-Zempel
    Suggested Retail Price: $9.99
    Format: Paperback
    Pages: 96
    Publisher: Paradigm Concepts
    ISBN: PCI 2002
    Description:

    Combat Missions is a collection of villains, independent operators, and criminal organizations for use with AEG's Spycraft system. The supplement is intended for use with the Spycraft game, providing a diversity of "generic" situations that can be dropped into any Spycraft game either as a single scenario or strung together as a master plot. The supplement interlocks with Paradigm's Most Wanted book, allowing the villains in Most Wanted to be used as the central villains of those missions.

    Mission types range from drug busts to hostage rescues, guerilla ambushes to bank robberies. The overall tone of the scenarios is gritty, realistic, and global in scope, inspired by real-world events and cinematic plots. While the tone of the book should appeal to players of both the basic Spycraft game and the Shadowforce Archer campaign setting, players of the Spycraft game in particular will find Combat Missions very useful in its focus on real places and familiar situations.

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    posted by talien at 9:29 PM | 0 comments links to this post


    Mercenaries: Born of Blood


    REVIEWS [out of 5]
  • ENWorld [++++-]
  • ENWorld [+++--]
  • ENWorld [+++--]
  • RPGShop [++++-]
    •
    TOTAL: 3.5
    Purchase: Amazon.com
    Type: Role-Playing Game (D20 Supplement)
    Cover Artist: Kieran Yanner and R. Hyrum Savage
    Interior Artists: Samuel Araya, Paul Carrick, Jeremy Dale, Quinn Devlaeminck, Steve Miller, Chris Seaman, David Schrader and Derek Stevens
    Suggested Retail Price: $27.99
    Format: Softcover
    Pages: 192
    Publisher: OtherWorld Creations
    Discussion: Mercenaries Forum
    Preview: Otherworld Creations
    Description:

    You've tasted blood before, whether it was yours or others; it's all the same. It runs hot, dark and sticky as it falls to the ground in an endless torrent. There have been plenty of weapons, armor and men left broken on nameless battlefields -- but do you care? No. Why should you when you're the one left standing?

    It comes down to two very important things... first is survival and second is collecting your pay for services rendered. Paladins and heroes do it for the 'greater good', you're just in it for the payoff. After all, you're not doing this for free are you?

    Mercenaries: Born in Blood explores mercenaries throughout "real-world" history, how they've been used in fiction, tips for using them in your game, new feats, skills, and prestige classes, as well as six samples for use in a fantasy game, two for use in a pulp/modern game, and two for use in a sci-fi game. It also includes:

    "If you're looking for more material for your campaign, fantasy, historical, modern or far future, " said Joe Kushner at ENWorld. "that focuses in on the Mercenary mold, than Born of Blood is your book."

    Labels:

    posted by talien at 9:29 PM | 0 comments links to this post



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