2014 Yearly Restrospective

Personal

Forty. Four-Zero. Top of the hill. That's what I reached this year. Yup. 40. So many things have changed in the last few years... Wow...

This year, I narrowly avoided death. I have been praying real hard ever since then and tried to make changes to my life. Eat less. Exercise. Eat less fat. Eat less sweet. In short, all I have left is spicy food. But I want a change to see my grand kids. One day. One day.

The kids are growing up and they surprise and amaze me every day. Jojo is becoming a tween. Kiddy is the organizer. And ActionMan... well he's all about the action.

Also this year for the first time in thirty years, I rediscovered the joys and peace of fishing. I also introduced my son, ActionMan to the joys of it. I'll admit we're both terrible fishermen and he enjoys most playing in the water, but I expect we will be going back and fishing some more.

I was really lucky that my god-son and eldest nephew on my wife's side (he's one of the reasons I met Julie...) came to visit us. Of course, I took him and ActionMan fishing. Jocelyn (said nephew did SO MUCH BETTER than his father) whose "exploits" on the fishing rod will be spoken of for decades to come.

Yes it was THAT funny.

No, I will not forget.

Family.

Sports

This year, two major sporting events took place. First, the Denver Broncos in the Superbowl in a "game that will not be spoken of anymore." The second event, the Montreal Canadiens went far in the playoffs brought the dream back about why hockey is the fastest and most exciting game in the world.

If you ask ActionMan, both of these events pale when compared to what he and I experienced: THE MONSTER JAM! This unholy child of pro-wrestling and nascar thrilled him so much that he keeps asking for MORE. I guess we'll have to repeat the experience in the new year...

Attended a football game in Nashville (New York Giants vs Tennessee Titans) and Monday Night Football in Cincinnati (vs the Denver Broncos).

I took the family to a hockey game to see the Nashville Predators vs the Winnipeg Jets.

Passing

This year, two people I know passed on to a better world. First, my Aunt Monique my mother's big sister, passed of cancer. I have many fond memories of her.

Someone who also passed away because of cancer was Carla Porter my best bud's wife. Although she and I never met, we traded some jabs about LPJ and I felt real close to her. Her passing affected me a lot.

Conventions

This year, I attended a number of cons locally:

Cincycon in Cincinnati OH, Arcanicon in Detroit MI, Conglomeration in Louisville KY, Origins in Columbus OH, Gencon in Indianapolis IN, Imaginareum in Louisville KY, Archon is St. Louis MO, and finally, Aethercon online.

In 2015, I expect to attend a number of the same events, with perhaps a few additional ones.

Games

This year, I got to play a lot of Arcanis and really had a blast with it. I got to meet and talk to the PCI crew at Winter Fantasy, Origins and Gencon. Plus I've been talking a lot to them off-screen. I have great respect for these guys and (I hope) they like me too.

Starting with Origins, I have been playing some Legends of the Five Rings again! With great delight, I am rediscovering the joys of that setting. I have been enjoying playing this a lot. So different from playing D&D games. I haven't been GMing it, just playing. A fifth edition is apparently in the works... kinda mixed feelings about that one.

I have been mostly playing Pathfinder throughout the year. I still love the game, but definitely feel the system is starting to show its age.

NeoExodus Legacies has been growing and expanding. Based on solid storyline with player input and impact, it is really starting to catch on. More work, but I like it.

Throughout the year, I have been playing Pathfinder Society. This new season is a very mixed bag for me. I don't really like this Super-Science theme. Some of the other mods are better. I have been playing a lot more of the Adventure Paths and Modules, finding them all so much more exciting and interesting that the adventures of organized play... Strange because Season 6 is MUCH better than the previous seasons. Oh well. Even the online community seems to be playing a lot more of these modules.

Shortly before Origins, I played a Shadowrun Mission my first since Neoncon way back in 2011. It's been enjoyable though its setting is not "really my thing." I've had a lot of fun with it.

Starting with Winter Fantasy, I got to play some WitchHunter for the first time. I really took to the story. Clint has a good storyline going for it. I really am looking forward to more next year. I also put out my first adventure for that campaign and I tried my hand at running it!

Books

As I put the list of books I read this year, I find it rather short... Then I realized they are either anthologies or collections.

After finishing and greatly enjoying the Chronicles last year, I got the Dragonlance - Legends. That story was exactly why I stopped reading fantasy novels. The plot makes NO SENSE. It is stupid, long-winded and really goes no where. The first novel is the most interesting one of the lot, but from there, it doesn't fall, but crashes into stupidity. I will not be repeating the experience of reading any more D&D novels.

I finished the Black Company Omnibus by Glenn Cook I owned by reading She is the Darkness. The story is not as interesting as the previous parts. It is complex and winding... I don't think I will read any more of this series either. It wasn't as bad as Legends, but my interest dwindles in this. The characters become stale and boring.

I decided to get a change-of pace, I bought on Amazon the more mundane Agatha Christies' Hercules Poirot Casebook which regroups a number of short stories. I'm really enjoying this book. I usually like short stories and this one is no exception. Last year, I got Mrs Marple's short stories and it was a fun read.

During the year, I read a number of comic books, both from DC and Marvel. From Moonlite Comics, I bought a number of omnibuses: Justice League America, Batgirl, Batman, Superman, the Avengers, Ms Marvel, and the X-men. I really enjoy reading those old stories harking back to the 80s. I think I still have some of the original comics I have here... I'd have to check! :D

Real Work

Perhaps, the biggest and proudest thing I did at my day job was the full implementation and roll-out of the new Humana Enrollment API. It was really my baby, though I have to admit that a few others have contributed a lot of meaningful suggestions and impact. The underlying thing is my brainchild. I worked with a lot of people to get this out and I really had high hopes for it.

Which leads me to the next entry. Unhappy with a number of things at my current job, I began looking for something different, somewhere else (I won't go into the reasons here). Right before Xmas, I received and approved an offer for a new position. This means the family will be moving again in 2015! Where? You will have to wait and see!

Santa did deliver!

Trips

I spent some time in Montreal this summer. It was great as I got to see my family (on both sides) and friends. I celebrated my birthday over there with everyone. It really was awesome! I will be going again.

One unexpected trip I did was to Blytheville, AR. Yes. Arkansas! I got to see how a steel mill runs! Wow I cannot explain the raw power of the arc melter. Just amazing. Wow. Just wow! Seeing the heat coming from that.

Writing

This year, I wrote mostly for FOE, with products for Legacies, GOSTOR, but I also a small miniature game in a brand I call "Quick Death".

I also wrote my first adventure for the Witch Hunter RPG and really enjoyed myself doing so. It is a game I really enjoy.

I also written an adventure for Serial Pulp.

I have been talking to other publishers regarding projects. I will let you know more as these projects crystallize.

Well that's it for this year... I did just over 200 posts (202 or 203) in 2014. I think that's a good number... Just over one post every 2 days...

Happy new year dear readers. May it bring you love, hate and happiness.

JP

Commission: Harbinger Karsten

Don't tell Nate, but this model was one of the "lost souls" I had in one of my many minis-bins. I Was looking for a wizard-ish fellow. Someone that showed a little skin... I found this bronze-age spearman. Yes he's that old.

For those who do not know, in NeoExodus, one of the "Deities" is the Kaga, an arcane construct of near godlike. The Kaga has a number of servants who willingly give up their humanity to become like the Kaga, turning themselves into machine. As they do so, their skin turns green. This model represents that. The job is fairly simple: a shiny green skin with a red outfit. The spear I converted into a rod.

JP

Commission: Merry Xmas, Holly

As a Stonehaven Gnome, this one painted up very easily and nicely. As a gnome, I wanted to make sure that she has clashing, but colorful ensemble. I believe the result works.

This mini I painted a while ago and have been waiting for Xmas to hand her over. Holly plays a pyromaniac gnomess.

Merry Christmas, Holly!

JP

Sunday Funnies: Merry Xmas! (Again)

May the spirit of Christmas inspire you to higher and better things! I know what I like for Xmas...

JP

Merry Xmas: a musical interlude

For Christmas, I am posting some musical tunes...

Rudolph sucks. Ragnagord is in. I will be dressed in black on Christmas. At least in my heart (cuz my wife won't allow mine)

Harking back to my college days. This one is a song, I have been teaching the kids (to my wife's sorrow). This one has made me laugh for years. Warning, this is NSFW. Then again you should not be at work...

JP

More Ancient Archers: The Red Guys

This group, much like the previous ones are a group of archer from a variety of manufacturers. These received red togas. They were also sold for charity.

JP

Enough Teasing!

It is with great pride and joy that I can finally announce the release of Cities of NeoExodus: Gytha. This book was designed in a public session held in October on Google Hangouts and the ideas for were just great, making this book one of the most exciting sourcebooks I've worked on in the past years. It includes two short pieces of fiction, adventure locations, archetypes, religions, magic items, fully-statted NPCs complete with background, horde forces to use in your own games.

In addition to my awesome design team, I received some invaluable layout assistance from LPJ himself and the final result is truly impressive!

Find the book on RPGNow

Now if that were the only good news I have. No, there will be no less than six adventures that uses this book - the Battle For Gytha series will premiere at events from December through February!

Join the NeoExodus Legacies on Facebook to learn of all the opportunities to play!

Thanks for the great year! Look for more from FOE in the new year. Merry Christmas to all of you, and a happy, blessed and healthy new year!

JP and the FOE team!

Rats are nasty!

This piece was lying at the bottom of my bitz box and I just had to paint it. It is just a nasty mini. I added it to the lot of auction minis. It was fun to paint it.

I have no idea who made this mini... It is very old is all I can say.

JP

Legacies: The Battle for Gytha is about to launch

Well I have 2 of the planned 6 adventures pretty much ready to move to playtest. I have posted an open invitation for people to playtest the adventure on the Legacies Facebook group. Join us if you can or want to playtest Legacies products and adventures.

As part of the release of the Gytha sourcebook, I have 2 adventures done (well 1 still needs a few stat blocks and Patron notes). This new series "Battle For Gytha" has a core of 6 adventures, plus a few other one-shots that will expand the storyline (I'm not saying much more at this time).

The first two adventures: 94-LC-04 Plains of Sametia and 94-LC-05 Knee Deep are somewhat straightforward adventures. Whereas thus far, we've had the invasion of Sametia be something we've not really addressed in our adventures, but now we shift to this series being the center and focus of the events.

The series provides surprising links to adventures that date back all the way to 91. Loose ends I have been meaning to get back to. Sometimes what people do comes back to bite them, sometimes it bites other people...

Needless to say that I am pretty excited about this series.

As a surprise bonus to my design team... I sent them a special, unique LR that only they will have...

JP

Ancient Archers

Here is a mixed group of ancient Mediterranean archers. These fellows can be used in pretty much every conflict around the Mediterranean! They can be Jews, Romans, Greeks, Carthagenians, Egyptians, Iberians, Macedonians, Gauls, or mercenaries for any of the above.

Models are, I believe, a mix of Foundry and Old Glory I got in random Ebay auctions.

I gave these guys to raise money for the toy drive at Moonlite. They now grace the mini boxes of some lucky fellows!

JP

Now for something completely different

Here are a group of llama I won as part of a random lot of Aztec models. These things just look good! I will have to find a way to use them in something.

JP

Commission: Nate's Dark Heresy Officer for 40k

This model was given to me as a commission by my good friend Nate. He did not have a specific scheme for it. This is for a Dark Heresy character of his.

I looked at some old pictures of WWI for inspiration. I looked at some pictures. Most of the Death Corps are painted in fairly drab German colors. 40k for me is about bright and contrasting uniforms. 19th-Century color schemes that have no usefulness in camouflage. It's bright and bold greens, reds, or blues. Although some paint their armies in the style of 20th century armies camouflage, it does not pop... not exciting for me...

As this was a single character, I wanted something more flashy. And in keeping with the WWI theme, is there an army more flashy than the 1914 French, with their sky blue and crimson? So I opted for a scheme that was greatly inspired by the French army.

Although at first, I planned to have the uniform and the jacket be the same color, it looked like a big block of the same color. So I used a lighter color for the cloak. All the black (boots, mask & helmet) has been treated to have a blue tint. It looks black at first glance, but reflection are clearly blue, which I like.

As a salute to classic Imperial guard, the laspistol was painted red.

This model is a Finecast resin model. I strongly dislike that medium: model are too light (weightless), and cutting the flash is scary... Even once based, it was too light, so I put a penny and that added some weight to the model without becoming too heavy.

That said, the final result is much to my liking. I have to say it looks very good.

JP

Commission: Rory's musketeer

Part two of the commission-trade I did with Rory. This time, a musketeer-type character. She is a member of the Dark Archive faction. The colors of the faction are a purple flame on an open book. This in itself causes a problem, as I wanted to give him a character with a somewhat different color scheme! So I aimed for something more red.

The boots and gloves are of a dark color with a purple twinge. The pants and shirt have a simple pattern of red and pink, just enough to not look "empty" and the right amount to fill the space. The tabard has the Dark Archive's motifs repeated a number of places.

One funny thing you may notice about the model. I had to cover the sword with 3 layers of glue to give it strength. This is why the sword is no longer "perfect".

JP

Commission: Rory's Witch

This is the first of a pair of miniatures I painted for my good buddy Rory.

How this came to be is an interesting story. Rory and I were talking on Facebook. Over the course of the conversation, he mentioned that people laughed at him for playing with unpainted minis - rightfully, I should say. I mentioned that I painted for others, showed him some of my work (which he already knew about). And I got me a commission!

Now the story would be fairly interesting already. On the topic later was his availability as a writer. More talks. In the end, we agreed that he would write a short adventure for me in return for two painted minis! Like a number of artists on DeviantArt, we traded artwork! I'm pretty stoked.

Here is what he asked me and how he described his witch:

I'd like the witch to be med-dark purple dominant, is fair skinned, black hair (perhaps some white highlights) and purple eyes.

I think I miffed on the hair... but the white hair really pops. I really like the end result. She looks really nice. The face and contrasts of the purples/reds on the clothes.

JP

I'm not slacking! Teaser Pics!

I know many of you have been commenting how I've been slacking and not posting here and not pushing any new FOE products... That's not true as I have been working VERY hard, on a lot of stuff behind the scenes.

I've teased you with the Gytha book, which I had to redo because of feedback from LPJ. and I must say... the changes he recommended really made the product look better! It should be out before Christmas. I promise. To go with the book, I plan to have not one but two adventures that support the product. So not only can you know some of the secret of Gytha, but you will also discover more about the Protectorate plans for the city. In all, there should be around 6-8 adventures that will use the Gytha sourcebook! At least that's what I have planned... And that does not include the specials one-shots.

I've also teased you about some new iconics. Well they are coming! I have been waffling about who and what to do about them. I commissioned a great artist I met on Deviant art, for a few pieces and they look sensational! I will have more coming from her in the future...

I'm sure you can guess the races for the characters. That's the easy part. I am personally waffling as to which classes I want to make them. A cleric, or an oracle? A fighter or a paladin? A rogue or a wizard? The thing with Iconics is that they need to showcase the world, not just be "generic" characters.

However, LPJ has some great iconics... so should the FOE ones have more oddball concepts? Those are things I try to figure out and decide. Of course, these guys have to be exciting and fun and showcase the campaign. I am definitely open to suggestions.

One funny thing that happened... I gave a bunch of ideas to Irene (the artist) and asked her for a nature-type p'tan/catfolk. She misunderstood what I wanted and drew a woman with feline features... a human. I was a little bummed, but I really loved the character she had. So I asked to keep it and add extra features to the characters, for someone I wanted drawn for another project... So I pulled a bait and switch.

I've talked about a new banner... I have received it! I have yet to officially unveil it, but nothing prevents me from teasing you some more!

You might've noticed similarities between the iconics and the "mysterious character" in the banner. If you have, then you get bonus points. All of them were drawn by the same hand! I really like her characterization, it has just a touch of cartoon-y without being "too much." I think we have a good relationship and we will be doing more work together in the (very) near future.

Oh yes... since everything is "Under Construction" there is a 'dozer and a hardhat in the picture. Thanks to ActionMan for the assist.

So there you have it... a few things that are moving forward... with pics to prove I'm not lying to you!

JP

Sunday Humor: My new gurps group

I just thought this was incredibly funny. I remember watching most of those shows.

JP

[Old pro tricks] 5 ways to start thinking of an adventure

Someone on Facebook posted a simple question - it seemed simple - "How do you start working on an adventure?". My gut instinct was to say "at the start", but then I thought to myself that I do not always think of it that way. In fact I generally do not think that way...

I realize this is not a complete guide to writing adventure, they are just ways to start thinking about them.

Here are 5 different ways I think of adventures.

1- From a plot In this case, I think of an overall plot. "The guy wants to do something." It is as close to start with the beginning as it gets. Here you have an idea of a plot as a whole.

2- From the characters "What if the Avengers did [...]?" Here you have WHO the PCs are and have to work from there. This is a good way as it often dictates some tropes: villains, type of stories, locations, genre. You would not take superheroes for a very down-to-earth plot, just as you would not use the cast of CSI for a superhero adventure.

3- From the villain Similar to the previous entry, however, here you start with a villain. "What if Magneto decided to [...]" as with the heroes, your villain will provide you with some of the elements of setting.

4- From an encounter Here you think of an encounter - not necessarily a combat - but some type of situation the PCs have to resolve or deal with. "What if you all just woke up without any memories?" This is really interesting because it can be whatever. I will admit that this is one of the most common ways I come up with ideas and plots.

5- From a twist The "M Night Shyamalan"... Here you start with a twist: usually a revelation that changes the rest of the story. The PCs realize that they have been manipulated all along, or they realize that all the NPCs they met so far are ghosts.

JP

COMMISSION: THREE STAGE GNOME PART 2

Part 2 of the Three-Stage Gnome: (Part 1)

Our adventurer now has a few adventures behind his belt and his equipment has greatly improved. He is turning into a "real" warrior.

JP

FOE: Chicken vs egg

Yesterday, I tweeted the following question:

Thinking about running a @kickstarter for a @FreeRPGDay adventure... Thoughts?

There seems to be a lot of differing views on that.

The two main positions are: "Why pay for something I will get for free?" versus "Without KS how can you produce the adventure?" It's something of a "chicken vs egg" situation. Without backing, I'm not big enough to fund

Why pay for something that will be free? Obviously, the goal is to provide something to backers that is gonna be unique and fun, but as a businessman, I need something that will provide me with some additional sales down the road. With more sales, I can afford to do more and better-looking products.

If you are a 3pp, I am very likely to reach out and get your thoughts and pick your brain on your experiences with Kickstarter, with Free RPG Day, and with publishing in general. I'm really trying to create a road map for myself and for FOE. We've been doing product that I think look better and better in the past year.

Is it time for us to take that next step? Was is that next step? Is Kickstarter part of it?

A lot to think about.

JP

Stuffing'd Eggs: a real-life recipe!

The morning after Thanksgiving, I posted a number of pictures of a family recipe. A lot of people have asked me for directions. So as a public service announcement, I am posting the recipe here. This is not an exact recipe.

You will need: stuffing (a lot of it), eggs, cheese, salt, pepper and paprika (last three not shown). Papazooka as Kitty calls it. If your stuffing is a tad dry (mine was), you will need to add some broth, so I used vegetable broth. I added some cranberries to the dish, but they were found "unsatisfying".

With the stuffing, create little cups in the buttered muffin tray.

I added cranberries only to a few as a "surprise". The kids thought that was really exciting!

Crack eggs into the small stuffing cups. I split the yokes into their own cups.

Add cheese to the top. As the eggs are not even, cheese can compensate for those cups with a lower levels of egg. Plus, everyone loves cheese! Next add the salt-pepper and the papazooka.

350 for ~20 minutes, until the eggs are cooked and the cheese is melted.

I like to flip them over before serving and allow them a few minutes to cool.

Enjoy! So you know, twelve is just enough for our family!

FOOD!!!

JP

Commissions: many WIP

It like it's been forever ago that I posted a commission piece.

OH WAIT, no, I posted Chad's minis last week!

Bah! Here are a few teasers... Mostly to prove to myself that I'm not slacking in that department... One of those pics is a surprise to its future owner... try and guess which one.

And for good measure what I am currently working on: North American Indians, Aztec civilians, Llamas, Cryx Undead pirates, swarms, a mega-dire-rat and two Razor Coast weresharks. In addition to the commission work... A few evening of cleaning up.

This reminds me that I REALLY should do a how-to paint like JP (or: How every other painters told me not to do). These have been base coated and await final touches and bases...

JP

Happy Thanksgiving

This year, I see life in a brand new way: not only did I turn forty, but I also had a brush with the grim reaper... All of this has made me re-think a number of things, and showed me how blessed I am.

First off, I have an awesome family, with an awesome wife and great kids! My wife has always been great. (Though I suppose that she keeps me around just because I don't like chocolate...) True, I may strangle the young'uns sometimes, I would not trade them for the world and seeing their little faces is one of the highlights of my day.

Second, I am so thankful for the great friends I have made over the years, from my native Canada, to France, to Ireland, to Colorado, and now Kentucky. Having so many people really make me a rich man! If you read this, I consider myself blessed and am thankful for you.

Finally, the small things. I won't go into details, I will keep them between myself and the Lord above...

Quite simply: Thank you Lord for the many blessings you have granted me and mine.

Thank you

JP

PS: Thank you for that bird and the feast around it. It was great!

New iconics for Legacies?

For the last while, I have been thinking about a lot of things regarding the Legacies campaign. Since we came up with the original 8 or 9 character, these characters have evolved through a number of adventures. But I wonder if it is time that we add a few characters to our own suite of iconics.

Question is... WHO?

A P'tan ranger? A kalisan oracle? A gevet male?

So many exciting choices. Which ones do you wish to see? Which ones should I worry about?

JP

Sunday Funny: Cardiac humor

I thought this was pretty funny. Not gaming related, but funny nonetheless. I now have to take one of them every day for the rest of my life.

Gostor: Not bolted down released!

Anyone who plays with me or who has read this blog for any length of time know that I find the idea of storing any form of wealth in coins like uncle scrooge is simple ludicrous. Wealth has to be found in things, in items that one can use. This Gostor product, like most of them so far all come from personal charts and tables I generated over the years. This product brings them all together into a consistent whole. The writing was tightened and the tables made clearer.

This product is available now from RPGNow.com for the sum of 2$ I rather than go with 1.99, I just rounded the cost of ALL Gostor products to 2$, bringing the price of some of them down.

Gostor products are written in a way that they can be added to a campaign simply without too much fuss. Like others in the series, this one is system-agnostic, meaning you can use it with any system you use, from fantasy to sci-fi!

Let me know what you think!

JP

Real Life: How I narrowly escaped death

American Heart Association: Click here
Canadian Heart Association: Click here

JP

Commission: Allison Jakes Kickstarter Exclusive

Following up on the post about Aiakos, Chad got himself two model. The second one being Allison Jakes of the Cygnar army.

I will admit to not being very impressed by the mini when I first looked at it up close. Another boring blue model... But after priming, I noticed that she was wearing mostly clothes instead of armor with a few armor pieces and a loincloth/skirt.

She suddenly became more interesting!

Now painting leather is something easy. Easy to do an okay job: a based brown, a dark wash and (maybe) a little brush touch-up.

Doing some good leather, especially when there is that much of it is much harder to go well. The technique is the same: base, wash, but instead of the dry brush, I did a "wet brushing" which dulls the previous without altering the color too much. Then I added highlights on the belt straps to differentiate them from her clothing.

The armor plates and the skirt got a "boring" treatment of blue with white highlights. The leathers is what really pops to me on the model and I not wish to detract from that.

Difficult to see, but I used very watered down blue on the sword to give it a blue sheen.

JP