[Kinda Book Review] X-men Essential Vol 6

Still going through the first ~250 issues of the X-men and now with volume 5.

Okay... The X-men and New Mutants return to Asgard where everyone gets some cool development again. Now we have a Secret Wars II crossover with Rachel receiving the Phoenix from the Beyonder, the introduction of Mojo, Lady Deathstrike, Freedom force, and the Mutant Massacre.

Now... If you never read those comics (they cover X-men, X-Factor, New Mutants, Power Pack, and Thor), this is at once, a delight to read and an absolute horror.

The delight coming from the delicate and complicated ballet where some groups come in and out of the Morlock tunnels, in small groups, a few at a time, then exit. Others (Thor) do things that affect everyone in the tunnels.

Horror because of the subject matter. A lot of people die. Not only "unnamed morlocks" but some that are known too. Even heroes do not escape unharmed: Shadowcat becomes insubstancial, Nightcrawler in a coma, Colossus is paralysed, and Angel gets pinned to a wall.

Vicious. Brutal.

I mean being able to read the whole thing in one place was well worth the price of the cover. I could not let this down. Okay, I did because I had to sleep and go to work...

The one storyline that, again pissed me off, was Rachel. At some point, she disappears and the X-Men don't seem to care what happens to her. She leaves and they move on. Okay, the Massacre begins, but having a "Where'd Rachel go" would've been nice.

This one get a 5/5. This is a masterclass in Comic Book storytelling, across ~10 issues. When you're done, you are scarred as a reader. It's so sad...

[Kinda Book Review] Bound by Destiny by R MB Pearson

First off, let me say that I am a reader of romance stories. This story strikes all the beats you find in romance: hot girl, rich husband, destination wedding, money, a horrible event, friendships, tears, and laughs. Add complex, relatable characters, my favorites being Ron and his bros. Then add mystical forces and elements (the "bound by destiny" part...) that both serve as catalysts but that are not all-encompassing, leaving characters some measure of free will (some less than others). The magical elements flavor the story, giving it an added dimension, but it's NOT a fantasy/magical story.

But saying those elements define Bound by Destiny (BdD) would do it a disservice. I read this book several chapters at a time - getting to work late a few times.

What kept ME engaged is an artifice that RMB Pearson (RMBP) uses that made me go "MOOOOOOAARRRR!" from chapter 1: a tight and engaging story out of chronological order, told from different perspectives. It transformed what initially appeared to be a romance novel into a page-turner.

I give this book my complete total and endorsement. FIVE STARS! 5/5

This book is available from Amazon: Bound by Destiny.

[Kinda Book Review] X-men Essential Vol 5

Still going through the first ~250 issues of the X-men and now with volume 5.

This collection moves after Secret Wars 1, the arrival of Rachel (Phoenix II), a lot of Hellfire Club, Storm losing her powers, the New Mutants becoming a frequent feature, New York as a sword-and-sorcery setting, Nimrod, X-Men and Alpha Flight with the begining of the Asgardian series, the Hellions, Magneto becoming a good guy...?

Now here we start with a series of really cool events, where the payoffs from vol 4 are falling into place.

This one is pretty entertaining and fun. The characters undergo several personal arcs: Rogue coming to terms with what she did to Carol Danvers, Storm losing her powers, Shadowcat becoming a solid team member, and Nightcrawler becoming the leader.

One subplot I really disliked was the dropping of the Shadowcat-Colossus romance following Secret Wars I.

Another plot I didn't feel went anywhere was the Rachel-Phoenix... It never seemed to have any resolution. She could kick a lot of butt but never integrated into the team.

Still, I loved this volume and read it with great delight. I'll settle on a 4/5.

[Kinda Book Review] X-men Essential Vol 4

Still going through the first ~250 issues of the X-men and now with volume 4.

So here we have the Brood (a storyline I did not enjoy), the Morlocks are introduced, Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor's Wedding, Storm becomes the leader of the Morlocks, Kitty's almost-wedding, and the X-men vs Dracula.

While most of it is fine, this is not the best. A lot of the events here have payoff in the coming volumes, but on their own, it is as exciting as the previous (or followup) volume. The drawing is fine and the storytelling good.

The biggest piece is the brood (aka the aliens/xenomorphs) that story did not grip me.

I'll settle on a 3/5. It's fine, a bridge to greater storylines.

[Kinda Book Review] The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman

I did not finish this one. I hated it.

My head spun from the most minute and insignificant of details, and the constant thief-jargon. It was not a fun experience to read.

I found myself constantly reading back to try and make sense of what I was reading. Needless to say, I did not like this book and when I put it down, I felt light and joyful.

I was looking forward to this one, after really enjoying Between Two Fires, I expected to like this one too.

Nope. 1/5. Not worth using as toilet paper.

[Olympia Campaign] Artemis' Island and the Keltoi

After many events, our heroes made it to the island of Thalassos, an island permanently wrapped in fog and dedicated to the goddess Artemis. They traversed a thick forest as they followed the pull of their stones deeper inside the island.

But as they traversed the island, several strange things happened that showed the closeness with the Feywild.

When they reached their destination, a lake filled with dead people and beasts with keltoi warriors devouring the scum from the lake bottom.

A fight quickly broke out... And that's where we are... In a massive clash between the keltoi and the heroes. One creature turned into a hulking version.

Note: The bamboo bases are not completely done, hence the pale bases. I'm working on them now... after the game.

[Olympia Campaign] Thalassia the Sea Witch... Again

Sailing away from Pyranthos, they expected some smooth sailing on the five-day trek...

When a sea serpent attacked them! A sea monster isn't as scary when several members run off with water walk... But SURPRISE! The real threat was not the serpent (even if it was dangerous), but the return of Thalassia the Sea Witch.

The party (well Alexi) showed off the pearl of tides they retrieved for her, but decided to keep for themselves. A tense battle that ended when the Sea Witch fled for the deep...

[Olympia Campaign] Village of Pyranthos

Our heroes recovered the Earthshard Amulet from the temple of Gaia in the Navel of the World (litterally). They were looking forward to sailing to the next island and recover the final item the Titan-cleric Nausicaa has yet to get - as far as they know.

Only for them to find three fire giants blocking their way. Diplomacy was... minimal and a fight broke out, with the PCs realizing there was an Amazon cleric in town. She summoned several skeletons, creating a three-way fight.

In the end, the amazon was defeated, diplomacy resumed and the giants left with the sacred bones they came to retrieve. Not as friends, but not as enemies either.

...And Eddy the mule was rescued from the village.

[Olympia Campaign] The Temple of Gaia

After a few weeks of exploration around the Navel of World where Gaia's temple rested, our heroes finally made their way into it where they found the entrance to Gaia's Temple. The massive temple was dominated by a "generous" statue of Mother-Earth herself.

Sarah's cat did not appreciate the dungeon section... And butt-pic'd us.

[Olympia Campaign] The (Current) Party

I was asked for the characters of the party and I generated some AI pics for each character.

Alexi

Male Demigod (Hermes), Artificer/Wizard (War mage)

Arboros

Male Titanborn (Cthonic), Druid (Shepherd)

Celeste

Female Nymph, Rogue (Thief)

Cenathon

Male Demigod (Apollo), Paladin (Oath of the Ancients)

Lethe

Male Human, Cleric of Hades

Logius

Male Demigod (Dionysus), Monk (Drunken Master)

[Review] Doctor Who: Joy to the World

I just finished watching this dumbassery of a car crash.

The first half or so... Was entertaining. But then... Pffff... He's always crying and he seems like the dumbest person on screen. There is a paradox that is never explained how he learned the secret combination. How he did that? Dunno! Who gave him the secret? Dunno! And the quick question about it is brushed away without questioning.

The "Companion" was the most stoic and emotionally stable character ever. She doesn't challenge anything, just goes with the madness as if she got on a bus on a Tuesday.

I never believed there was a serious threat and the resolution was pretty frikkin weak. I'm just so happy I did not pay to see that.

Would I rewatch? OOOOOOOOooooooh hell to the no! I had a tough time watching it to the end... So glad I'm not paying for that. I'll gladly watch the animated/ remastered versions of old Who. Unfortunately RTD's second stint is pretty craptastic.

Rating? 1/5 easy. It sucked. Everything was just... Bad.

[Olympia Campaign] The Sirens

As the party adventured, they came upon an island inhabited by sirens. The sirens gave them a run for their money as they had to swim towards the charming winged singers...

The sirens stood on small, sharp rocky islands and summoned the PCs to their side.

This pic was taken during the short time where Arboros summoned crocodiles to deal with the sirens... A great idea that ended with a failed concentration check...

[Olympia Campaign] Titans!

Not every Titan is a towering monster. They come in all shapes and sizes!

While our Heroes tried get some rest, the cult of the Kraken moved in and attacked them, preventing a good night's rest. The scene here is the first wave of assault by the cult: The sent large monsters to soften them up while they readied their main assault.

One of the thing I really like about Olympia is that the Titans cannot be killed. They return to life in the morning, so to defeat them, they have to be imprisonned or somehow contained.

[Review] Doctor Who: War Games in Colour

So it's been a few years since I reviewed Doctor Who. I just don't see the point in paying for Disney+. However, I got to watch it on DailyMotion.

And I must say that watching these classic Who stories always makes me giddy. The stories rely on characters a lot more than artifice and the "aliens" are often "humans" making the stories relatable. Also, while many of the villains are "obviously" evil, you never know if one of them may have a change of heart.

This story is particularly interesting because it is the Second Doctor's final serial.

The plot is pretty interesting as the Doctor and his companion arrive on a battlefield in 1917... And quickly things go odd. I was sitting down having a blast watching the plot unfold. The companions, Jamie and Zoe, were not overly deep but they got into trouble and both helped and hindered solving the problem. They acted as normal people would. Those companions are simplistic but relatable.

Interestingly, they added a regeneration scene from Patrick Troughton to Jon Pertwee, ending on the first first scene of "Robot" from 1970... That was a nice touch. They added a few touches like the images of the modern doctors to replace the images used in the 60s.

As usual for Doctor Who, the question I have is: Would I watch it again? Yes.

For a rating... It's so hard because of the low quality of modern Who, making it look like a masterpiece. I think was a strong end to the 2nd Doctor. But is it on par with great series, I'd say yes. So I'll settle on a 4/5. It's very good. Made better by the lore that was added to it by later stories.

FOE Going back to Gencon in 2025

In 2025, Once again, FOE is returning to Gencon to run a full slate of adventures. This year, a number of new things, in addition to returning and new writers joining the crew AND the first of the specials to include Skytorn by Player Haters'.

Now I'm going to disappear again to get started on everything...

You may see a few previews hidden among them there... I leave it up to you to discover.

Legacies: Children of Anum

By Jason-R Pharoah is dying. The wisdom of the three wives of Num may be enough to save him. If you trust them… A 3rd-level 5th edition adventure set in the Egypt-inspired Akhamet. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: Forbidden Lore

By JP Chapleau Whispers of forbidden lore across the dunes, sometimes the sands should keep their secrets. A 3rd-level 5th edition adventure set in the Egypt-inspired Akhamet. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: Cat Fight

By JP Chapleau His Harem is putting together games. Games bring heroes but the intrigues may leave a few dead before prizes are distributed A 5th edition multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: The Lexos Job

By Bill-C After the near-destruction of Lexos, Mytenia tries to complete an unwanted conquest. A 3rd-level 5th edition adventure set in the Greece-inspired Olympia. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: Damsels in Distress

By JP Chapleau Help is coming to Minosia. But the enemy intends on getting them first A 3rd-level 5th edition adventure set in the Greece-inspired Olympia. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: Battle of Emessos

By JP Chapleau An army attacked the Titan town of Emessos last year, but was charmed. This year, you get a second chance to complete the task A 5th edition multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: Parting Shots

By JP Chapleau The Queen of Mytania has an idea that could break the titan armies.But there's a catch. A 5th edition multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: Sound of a Biwa

By JP Chapleau Sound of a biwa/ Echoes Memories Lost Loves/ Balm for a sad heart A 3rd-level 5th edition adventure set in the Japan-inspired Ozaka. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: Safe inside my home

By Chris-K Safe inside my home/ Out of reach of the demons/ Unless They're inside A 3rd-level 5th edition adventure set in the Japan-inspired Ozaka. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: The Hunt of the Lady's Bowl

By Rebecca-P Tarsyn, once a proud and holy city with warring factions now sits on the verge of chaos. Through some bizarre magical force, the city has been taken from its material plane and now rests in a space surrounded by mist. Trade routes have been lost, and fertile farmlands are gone, yet there is still an entire city of people to feed. With every faction within the city trying to find a solution to the town’s problems, the Archaeologist’s Guild has a lead on a lost, divine artifact that might prove useful to the citizens of Tarsyn. It is your job to enter the tunnels beneath the Old Town district and locate this object, no matter the cost. A 3rd-level 5th edition adventure set in the byzantine world of Tarsyn. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: The White Doe

By JP Chapleau If lands are fertile and bountiful, why are they deserted? A noble lady calls for your help. A 3rd-level 5th edition adventure set in the byzantine world of Tarsyn. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Legacies: Frozen Dreams

By Brandon-A and JP Chapleau Across the Multiverse, strange phenomenon occurs as people turn to crystal in their sleep. A 5th edition multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign This adventure uses Akhamet, Olympia, Ozaka from FOE and Skytorn by PHG games