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RPG University School of Magic

7/13/2017

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This update has been a long time coming and it's about the new approach to Magic Spells.  In actuality the fundamental mechanics have not changed.  But this shift in focus, from purely mechanical to bringing out the dramatic flourishes of spell casting has been informed by the idea that this game is about the fun and joy of roleplaying  ~ entertaining friends and family while doing so.
With that in mind,
Magic Spells must now be performed by the magic user before rolling the die. Naturally, this has always been the case only now we finally get to see and hear what our magic users have been doing all this time, no doubt giving us all a better appreciation for the skill (and performance art) that goes into the use of Magic.

Traditional combat spells and their counterpart utility spells are now differentiated with distinctions in card design.

Meanwhile,
 Shrink-i-fecto (S005) has been reconfigured into a Yellow spell of the Catch or Destroy variety. For those who don't often use them, these are those rare spells that can be used to both Destroy a Foe or, if the situation calls for it, catch a Criminal during Town Time.  The player figurine still has to be positioned next to the criminal (as before).

Foot (S010) has been remanded from the Red Spell family into the lesser Purple Spell family. I repeat, this has nothing to do with the incident involving Fessiwig and the bandits who tried to make off with his lunch basket only they were running past the Bank Manager at the time they were caught and let's just say there was a bit of a kerfuffle and poor Tynifir had to witness the whole thing and who would have thought that lunch baskets and Bank Managers could fly so far?  and thank heavens Olga is good at catching people (of all sizes).

Magic Stones (S013) has moved from the Yellow Spell family to the Purple Spell family.  We could tell you why but even we don't know, which is to say they won't tell us.  But it does seem as though they've got that extra bit of Zing! to them.

Vacuum Jar (S016) has become one of the Catch or Destroy type spells, but that's only because of the recent discovery of a secret code engraved on the back of the spell, describing how to release the occupant.  No one would have known this until a group of students at the University discovered the only way to see it: a bit of lemon juice, dabbed gently, and a pair of enchanted spectacles (that you have to send for on the back of a cereal box).

Furbonite (S018) has also joined the illustrious ranks of Catch or Destroy type spells on account of the hidden "Defrost" command revealed to us by a mysterious bounty hunter ...who turned out to be a Princess on a secret mission to both rescue her beau and free the galaxy from "Imperial Scum."  We just liked her spiffy hairdo.

Mordokai's Sword has been retired and now serves as a Training Spell over at RPG University.  Since the sword could only ever be in one place at any given time that makes it easier for students to learn advanced combat spells without having too many pupils being chased into the bog (all at once).  Plus the kitchen staff like to borrow it for meal preparations.  Thankfully, one of Fessiwig's secretive and anonymous associates had just recently uncovered the existence of a Mordokai spell that, up until now had been thought lost to the annals of myth and time.

Crushy Weight (S024) has also been retired.  But you'll find much of the same usefulness in its replacement, which offers the same satisfying Crush! capability along with more of that special pizzazz inherent in all giant toaster ovens.

Bear in mind that Polymorph (S025) will always transform your foe into a 'random inanimate object,' which is to say that it will be a different object each time.

Both Unlock spells still work same as before, the only difference being they were not created by the same wizard, so the approach is slightly different depending on which one your character is using.

An entirely new detect trap spell has joined the others in the form of "Boothby's Trap Detection" (S041) which, as the name suggests, is intended to assist with booby traps in general ~ that's if you can get it to work.  The Yellow Spell "Faeries Wings" was retired to make room for this one.

We would also like to introduce a new spell called "Ephasia" which, much like health items, makes this the only spell that essentially can be used freely ...well, almost.  And using it does have a cost. The Yellow Spell "Doublesome" was retired.

This last one is more commentary on a spell that hasn't changed.
The original intent behind Wafflesnore's Lootfinder (S043) has always been that this was a spell primarily for Magic Users who did not also have the Treasure Hunter skill.  In other words, successfully casting the spell should not result in the same character searching for treasure twice.  We've attempted to clarify the spell to make that more apparent.

And now the most earthshaking part about this entire update.  Please brace yourselves.  No, better sit down.  Actually sit down and hold someone's hand (while also bracing the family pet) (or a stuffed animal)... Are you sat?  Alright.  Here goes.  All of the spell cards have been... Re-numbered  AAAaaahhhhhhhhhh!!  well nearly all of them at any rate.  Sorry.  It had to be done.  But you can thank us by coming up with even better ways of casting these spells, should you think of any.

Download the newly updated, performance driven Spell Cards
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Timeless Theme Songs

7/7/2017

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In the previous post we looked at some of the films and characters that have been a source of inspiration for us. It got me thinking about some of the others and then I came across a video featuring the title track for "The Neverending Story."  A good find as it gives the perfect opportunity to share a few other sources of inspiration and (more specifically) two magical films with memorable theme songs.  In this one scenes and music are blended nicely into a montage but you'd want to possibly skip it if you've never seen the film (or minimize the screen and listen only).  If I think of others I may edit/update this post in future.
The Neverending Story (1984) is a film adaptation Directed by Wolfgang Petersen based loosely on the original story written by Michael Ende (published 1979) and Illustrated by Roswitha Quadflieg.  This movie has many notable qualities, among them the title theme song composed by Giorgio Moroder with lyrics by Keith Forsey, and performed by Christopher Hamill. Credit for the song is usually given simply as "Limhal" which I had often thought was the name of a group, but apparently refers to Christopher Hamill's nickname or pseudonym.

"The Neverending Story" by Limhal. The film montage version.
Of course, one cannot write about memorable theme songs without mentioning...
The Princess Bride (1987) is a film adaptation Directed by Rob Reiner.  It is based on the novel by William Goldman (published 1973) that takes place in a charming world populated by the most rich assortment of characters. The story has touched the hearts of readers and viewers alike and, for those who grew up watching the film version, become one of the most quotable movies of perhaps an entire generation.  A few samples from different moments in the film.
Vizzini:  "Move the thing! And…that other thing!"

Inigo Montoya:  "I just work for Vizzini to pay the bills. There’s not a lot of money in revenge."   ~and~   "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

Fezzik:  "I just want you to feel you’re doing well. I hate for people to die embarrassed."

Fezzik:  "I’m on the brute squad."
Miracle Max:  "You are the Brute squad!"

Grandfather:  "When I was your age, television was called books..."

Of course, the magic of the film is made all the more complete thanks to an amazing piece titled "Storybook Love," written and performed by Willy DeVille, produced and accompanied by Mark Knopfler.  I couldn't decide which was the best version to point readers to and so have given three possible ways to experience the song, which is the same (studio) cut in all three of the YouTube videos below.
The film montage version by Amelie1287. May contain spoilers.

The music video version at Mark Knopfler's channel,
featuring Willy and Mark with a few snippets from the film.


A lyrics only version, if you just want to close your eyes and listen.  Also a good choice for those who've never seen the film and want to know as little as possible.
Inigo:  He's climbing the rope....and he's gaining on us.
Vizzini:  Inconceivable! ....Faster!!
Fezzik:  I thought I was going faster.
Vizzini:  You were supposed to be this colossus, you were this great legendary thing and yet he gains!
Fezzik:  Well, I've gained three people, and he got only himself.
Vizzini:  I do not accept excuses! I'm just going to have to find myself a new giant that's all.

Excerpt from scene four courtesy of
https://stuff.mit.edu/people/davidmac/princess_bride.html

Sources: YouTube, Wikipedia, the happy places of our childhood
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Imagine Goblins

7/3/2017

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Picture this... a Goblin.  There are certain mythical creatures that have been a part of popular culture for generations, inspiring writers, artists, filmmakers and designers to envision myriad iterations on an otherwise singular thing. The spectrum of interpretation can be so broad that people may evoke dramatically different mental imagery when faced with an imaginary group of Goblins in something like a roleplaying game.

The world of Feonora has Goblins and we have a pretty good idea about what they're like. A bit comical, somewhat like a collective group of hapless misfits with delusions of grandeur. What kind of picture comes to mind when the party encounters these guys? Well, that probably depends on what part of the boundless pool of reference each person might be drawing from his or her own exposure on the topic.  We have definite ideas about it, and thought we'd share a little bit about our own points of reference and sources of inspiration.

A proper starting point would probably have to be those well-known Goblins depicted in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.  Most people would already have a mental image of these unsightly minions just by citing the title of the film.  But in a similar vein of interpretation something like the wicked assassin in the [now iconic but] lesser known film "Legend" (1985) may also come to mind.  Put them together and these could easily exist in the same world, both being visceral sorts of creatures, realistic in their design and manner.

But as we move along the spectrum, making our way toward the other end, you find interpretations of a less sinister nature.  It is these that have most informed our own vision of the sort of Goblins that might inhabit the wild lands of Feonora.
At least, they have tended to influence how we imagine our encounters with them.

Jim Henson's 1986 production of the film "Labyrinth" has come to embody what many of us who grew up watching these films probably now think of when it comes to silly Goblins and goofy mayhem.  Conceptual Designer Brian Froud gets credit for his original work on these characters along with the many artists at the Jim Henson Creature Shop and puppeteers who brought them to life.  So grateful such films were made before the advent of CG as there is no replacement for practical effects (it's part of the wonder that makes them special).

Another source of inspiration hearkens back to a cartoon show from the mid-to-late 1980s that many out there may never have heard of (it was later eclipsed by more popular series).  Now, for the subject of this post we are talking about those wacky misguided Goblins who trouble Feonorans but (in fact) the characters that come to mind from that show are not "Goblins" at all but rather, strictly speaking, referred to as "Ogres."  The Disney Afternoon "Gummi Bears" cartoon series introduced us to the wonders of Gummiberry Juice and a trio of inept Ogres always looking to get their hands on it by whatever means.  They are led by Toadwart, a miniature Ogre who always did the bossing around and subsequently took most of the punishment when their schemes were thwarted.  Always funny.  So very memorable.  Maybe he really was a Goblin who only thought he was an Ogre... (?)

The show is perhaps most famous however for it's catchy theme song.
For those who remember you may now join along,
               "Gummi Beeaars! Bouncing here and there and everywhere..."

But that's the wonder and magic of roleplaying, especially when things are left to the imagination. We can draw upon various points of reference and then blend and re-imagine things to compliment our own ideas about the kind of fictional world our characters find themselves exploring.

Oh. And when we picture Orcs?
                   Yeah; we tend to think of those menacing guys from Lord of the Rings.


Detailed Credits

Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) Directed by Peter Jackson
   John Howe, Conceptual Design
   Alan Lee, Concept Artist
   Richard Taylor, Costume Design, Makeup and Visual Effects

Legend (1985) Directed by Ridley Scott
   Alan Lee, Visual Consultant
   Assheton Gordon, Production Design

Labyrinth (1986) Directed by Jim Henson
   Brian Froud, Conceptual Design

Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985-1989)
   Theme music written by Michael and Patty Silversher
   Toadwart was voiced by Bill Scott and Corey Burton

With respect to Production Design credit typically goes to Disney Television Animation but may also belong more specifically to Jamie Mitchell and David Block on account of their role as Character Designers for the original series

Sources: Wikipedia and imdb

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