[Kinda Book Review] Dragonlance: The Inheritance

I picked up a several cheap book in the bargain bin of my local library.

It tells the tale of the meeting of Tanis Half-elven's parents. It's not an adventure novel. It's a romance.

It is full of filler Did you know the stonelands were dry? Because there's no water. There are rocks. No rivers. Because it's dry. There are caves. Caves without water. It's barren. The goblins live there. The hobgoblin has three villages. The goblin villages. Without water.

Now, to be honest, the one battle I read through was well written an interesting, but this is a book that spend so much time trying to explain the world around it because its premise is weak and limited. This should've been a short story.

I stopped reading it because I lost interest in the characters. I don't care for the poor kidnapped princess. Or the bandits. It's just... Pfffff Boring. Well-crafted but ultimately not something that's worth my time.

2/5.

The caves are dry. Because there's no water. With rocks. No stream. Not a single farm. In the Stoneland where it's dry. With the three goblin villages.

[Kinda Book Review] Dragonlance Tales v3 Love and War

This is a collection of ten tales set in Dragonlance is a mixed bag. I believe the best tale is the first one. The headline tale, "Raistlin's Daughter" left me indifferent.

One thing this collection brought up is that the characters from the original Chronicles: Tas, Flint, Sturm, and Raistlin, have had so many tales told about them that we know they have plot armor. No matter how much a story puts any of them in danger will I ever really worry for their lives.

As a collection, it's a mixed bag. Not great.

Rating? 2/5. Read the first tale, and skip the rest.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 28] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Is there anything we should know before we head home?

Running this campaign has been quite entertaining - though the main reason is my players. Their participation, interests, and especially, their creativity, make this campaign definitely unique.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 27] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Do you have any amusing anecdotes from the campaign?

Of course:
- Vulcanus smashing a stone stelae revealing a bound balor within.
- When Grimnak turned from a gnoll to a demonic version of himself.
- Terrificus grabbing Queen Livia's chest.
- When Dame Sabine arrived and half the party began to drool.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 26] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Are there any dramatic events from the campaign you can share?

The biggest recent event was the assault on the Tower of St Edras by Grinmak The Bloody's gnoll army. The warlord allied himself with the Black Widow and used several allies, including goblins, troglodytes and enslaved people chained together.

The massive battle ended with the gnolls getting beaten back with severe damage to the Tower.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 25] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Where can I do some shopping?

Commerce in Darveshnagar is mostly done through the Bazaar of the Twelve Arches run by Faridun and his family. The bazaar is open during the day, but is closed at night.

Faridun maintains contacts with several people in Tarsyn, Darveshnagar, and the hinterlands, to allow for the movement of goods, serving as an intermediary.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 24] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What are the major imports to the area?

Darveshnagar has a tenuous access to food and weapons. This are in high demand.

Since population is low, soldiers and mercenaries are in high demands.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 23] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What are the major exports of the region?

Darveshnagar has fields of flax and exports both its flour and textiles.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 22] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Tell us about notable flora and fauna!

Near Darveshnagar, two forests exists: The Pistaccio Woods and the Juniper Woods.

Otherwise, most of the area is home to hearty bushes and the occasional olive trees. Otherwise, dry grasses are found everywhere, serving as fodder for the goats.

The area is home to many goats, horses, and camels.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 21] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What are the major organizations of the campaign? How do they deal with visitors?

There are four main organizations active in the Campaign.

The Crown Table is present in the campaign, led by the First One Sir Garrick of the Order of the Whip. Since the Knights of St Edras made an official alliance, Dame Sabine de Montrevault serves as liaison to the group.

Another organization are the Komnenoi, a mercantile alliance led by Alexion Phokas, who was the last Truskan Viceroy of Tarsyn.

The third group is led by the Order of St Argent, an order of knighthood promoting the Vespianic Church.

The final group is composed of several criminals and bandits. The PCs have faced a few times, but not as a faction.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 20] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Are there any mysteries as yet unsolved?

The PCs have no idea of the goals or nature of Ysoria La Voilée.

There are hags in the area the PCs have yet to follow up on.

What are Claudia's true aim and goal?

Grimnark the Bloody's true nature?

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 19] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Any 'Must See' sites?

The city of Tarsyn is a sight to behold.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 18] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Forgot to ask: How do we get around?

Walking is the best way. However, riding is possible on the roads and closer to Darveshnagar.

Frequent caravans with wagons come from Mehrengar to the east regularity.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 17] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

The area around Darveshnagar has been mostly peaceful. However, the biggest battle in recent history was the destruction of the Tower of St Edras. The Crusader army came from the east and destroyed the tower before moving on to the Holy City itself. The village of Darveshnagar made no serious attempt to resist the invaders.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 16] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Are there any direct threats?

Although it is much easier to say, politics are particularly cutthroats with the First Ones, their opponents, and several nobles and powerbrokers who vie for power. Being judicious with one's friend can really help.

Near Darveshnagar, the gnolls and bandits form a potent combination as they are an immediate, organized threat.

The gnolls are led by a particularly brutal leader called Grimnark the Bloody who organizes gnolls in the area, he is said to have support from gnolls from beyond the Mists.

The Mists are nearby, creating an impenetrable barrier where anyone who enters them vanishes, never to be seen again.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 15] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What are some things in the setting that are best avoided?

There are two powerful individuals the PCs know about:

Claudia Severina is a powerful sorceress who lives is the ruin of Skotadion, a fortress always covered with dark clouds and where light dims and weakens. It is a bleak place most people avoid unless they have a specific reason to approach.

My players are suckers for hot goth girls as one of the PCs asked to make her his warlock patron.

I won't go into too much detail about her actual nature. But nothing bad could happen from that, would it?

Another threat is that of a power fey from Zapel Lake to the Southeast of Darveshnagar called Ysoria la Voilee. Many tales and rumors surround her.

The PCs have yet to explore more about her and her exact nature. They know she a Fey of power, but little else as they stayed away.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 14] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What to order to 'Eat like a local'?

Most Tarsynian eat large amount of grain and fowl, flavored with spices like cinnamon, pepper, or nutmeg. Meat is mostly goat as beef and pork are rare. However, there is no prohibition against any meat - at least not widespread.

The best drink is the wine, made from grapes and other fruits. Caravans traveling to other worlds can make large sums of money by bringing back rare foods, wines, and spirits to Tarsyn. Those coming from the original world of Tarsyn are particularly prized.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 13] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Where can we get a drink and a bite to eat?

The Copper Flagon is the one public house in Darveshnagar.

In Tarsyn, there are many such establishments.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 12] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What do people do for entertainment around here?

Entertainment is usually private, but traveling minstrels, poets, and performance artists are quite common. They visit local villages and noble estates, bringing news and merriment. The three main cultures of Tarsyn create a vibrant artistic community.

A new form of entertainment is growing as retired knights and adventurers tell tales of adventure and unique locations they visited beyond the Mists. Youths dream of quests and adventure beyond the limit of Tarsyn, returning with glory and riches.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 11] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Where would we go to find 'adventure'?

In Darveshnagar, they are three main places: The local headsman, Rahim, usually has needs of a civic nature. The Copper Flagon, the local inn, if home to travelers and visitors. Finally, the Bazaar of the Twelve Arches is the commercial center of the town and another place to find adventure.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 10] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What's the first thing we should do?

Upon arriving in Tarsyn, obtaining lodging is important. The city is large, and its streets are dangerous at night as gangs, cults, and riots are all common. Add to that the Order of the Whip brutally prevent vagrancy to keep the streets clean.

After that, one should visit the many holy sites: the cathedrals to the Father, the Lady, and the Son, and the Truskan temples. The city is a metropolis along the lines of Waterdeep, Greyhawk City, and Athenion. Mixing Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Ctesiphon as influences...

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 9] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Who's in charge here?

King Hugo rules Tarsyn, supported by his wife, Queen Livia. He is assisted by the Crown Table, his ruling council. They gather around a massive round table. *Wink* *Wink*

The knights formed an alliance with the Crown Table. The King dispatched one of his knight, Dame Sabine de Montrevault from the Order of the Whip, as his liaison and representative.

The group met with Queen Livia early in their adventures. She shared information with them about the Crown of Tears. Whether they will keep their deal with her remains to be seen.

Locally, the PCs are the lords of Darveshnagar and are expected to protect it.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 8] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Tell us about the local people and their cultures.

There are three main cultures in Tarsyn:

Tarsynian The highly-cosmopolitan and highly-educated Tarsynian culture descends from a hodge-podge of people the city conquered and assimilated over the millenia. They are typically olive-to-dusky skinned with dark hair. They form the majority of the population.

Truskan The previous conquerors have settled in Tarsyn and intermarried with the local populace. They favor olive or bronzed skin with hair colors ranging from light-to-dark brown. Truskans are both militaristic and mercantile. They adapted their pantheon to match Tarsyn's.

Crusaders The Crusaders were once a distant part of the Tarsynian Empire but broke away, keeping the Vaspianic religion (Tasyn' main faith), but deifying the first Emperor as The Son. When word of troubles reached their lands, they mounted a huge army, joined by religious fervor that bordered on zealotry, and they crossed half the world to liberate Tarsyn from the Truskan invaders.

Crusaders have pale skins and eyes ranging from auburn to blonde to brown.

Although it would be simple to believe these three groups are at each others' throats, tensions tend to ease off and quiet down quickly because there are always "something bigger" that needs immediate attention.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 7] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

What's the weather like today?

The weather in Tarsyn is generally dry with short rainfall. Because Tarsyn is not in a plane, determining relies more on astrology and divination than on usual methods. After all... if you can't see beyond the Mists, how can you guess what weather comes?

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 6] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Where shall we start?

During Session Zero, I told the PCs that they were a fledgling band of would-be knights. (Knights being part of an order of knighthood).

They took their first job escorting supplies to a small border village. While on the road, they were attacked by troglodytes. After several challenges, they claimed the abandoned Tower of St Edras and took the name Knights of St Edras.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 5] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Can you tell us about the campaign's history?

Fifty years ago, the Truskan Empire conquered Tarsyn and settled it.

Ten years ago, the Crusaders, a group of people from the edge of the former empire mounted a religious expedition against the Holy City. After years of travel and conquest, they captured the city and established a kingdom for themselves in the city.

Five years ago, Tarsyn and its surrounding area was wretched from its location and pulled... somewhere within the Mists. Since then, the Crown Table (the king's ruling council) has been corrupted and became First Ones.

---

Locally, the Tower of St Edras was created by a religious order dedicated to the Vaspianic Church (main church of Tarsyn).

It was taken by the Crusaders and left as a ruin as their army moved on the city itself. Since its importance waned, no one bothered with it anymore.

In time, the tower was taken over by a band of troglodytes.

This is where the campaign starts...

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 4] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Is there a map?

There is, but I have not shared it with the players. They have to make one themselves! :D

However, there are two maps of the area and of the city itself:

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 3] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Where the Heck are we?

The Campaign takes place on the western edge of Tarsyn near the village of Darveshnagar. The party took over the Tower of St Edras after taking it over from a clan of troglodytes that occupied it.

Nearby locations are:
- Zapel Lake which is home to Ysoria la Voilé, a powerful fey spirit.
- Skotadion is a hilltop fort always covered by a dark cloud.
- The Badlands is a rocky area full of canyons and ruins.
- Zapel Lake which is home to Ysoria la Voilé, a powerful fey spirit.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 2] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

About your Tour Guide

Tarsyn is an "island" floating somewhere in the Multiverse that encompasses the Holy City and roughly thirty miles around. The area has a climate similar to the Levant: mostly dry.

Tarsyn: Lost Holy City is a campaign setting I co-wrote for First Ones Entertainment (FOE) that is inspired by mixing Arthurian Legends with the Crusades, with the city itself taking inspiration from Jerusalem, Constantinople, and Ctesiphon.

The "Island" floats in the Mists, which is a device that links all of FOE's settings. Similar to the Mists of Ravenloft, anyone who enters them, disappears. However, the Mists around Tarsyn sometimes "open" and allows passage to other planes simply by walking across.

So the campaign has some trips to other planes, local politics, and adventure!

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 1] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Campaign Introduction and Overview

My current campaign is set in the world of Tarsyn by First Ones Entertainment. It is called the Crown of Tears and is the subject of several posts with pictures of the game.

I am mixing elements of the campaign setting (Arthurian Legends and the Crusade) with elements of kingdom building, downtime, and Westmarch.

The Setting Tarsyn is highly cosmopolitan with people from all over the Multiverse making their way here. The party has/had characters from: Olympia, Ozaka, Tarsyn, and a pair of First Ones.

Kingdom Building Early in the campaign, the PCs found and abandonned tower they renovated and made themselves lords of the area, which includes the village of Darveshnagar.

Downtime: Every week, the players can call upon or do research themselves on a topic they want: NPCs, items, or locations and I send them information about that. They get some basic information about it, but sometimes, they get a "This is something you'll have to adventure for."

Westmarch: The PCs discuss what they found during downtime and most times, they get to decide what to do/ where to go. One key I found with this type of campaign is to make sure the party always has MORE hooks for adventure than they have time to do.

[Kinda Book Report] Marvel X-Factor Essential Vol 1

I first read this compilation back in 2019 (you can check out some of my thoughts in this classic post). However, in those days, I did not provide a more in-depth review.

The re-creation of X-Factor and the return of Jean Grey always fascinated me. I loved Phoenix as a character and her return prompted several questions. This tome answered them. It brought back the five original X-men: Angel, Beast, Cyclops, Iceman, and Marvel Girl under the guise of a group of mutant hunters.

Let's be honest, the idea sounded stupid to me as a child, and it still sounds dumb to me today...

Cyclops has a great storyline, with him leaving his wife and son for Jean. But for most of the issues, Angel, Beast, and Iceman are background characters who don't do much.

The highlight of this, beyond the return of Jean Grey, is the Mutant Massacre (of which I raved in this post). However, when I re-read the X-Factor-specific parts... I found it lacking and not as interesting as the X-Men. (X-Men vol 6 provided full context and was more exciting).

I liked it, but I think after going through an X-Men marathon... It wasn't as good. I waffled between a 3 and 4/5. I'll settle on a 3/5 mostly because I don't think it's as good as several other 4s out there.

[Gencon 2026] The FOE Program for Gencon

It's Gencon Season already. Today, I finalized the Gencon program for FOE and submitted everything to Gencon.

At this time, I have two adventures ready to roll already and am moving on to the next ones.

The Regular Adventures...

Legacies: Heart of Decisions

By Bill Church

The heart of a colossus has been found. Mytenian forces must rush to obtain it before the Titans. A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Greece-inspired Olympia. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies: Fiends of Dreams

By JP Chapleau

Not All Men Seek War/ It Looms Over Sazame/ Som' Have dark designs A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Japan-inspired Ozaka. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Ready for Playtest

Legacies: The Mirror of Basat

By Brandon Alspach

A prophetic vision leads where desire shapes reality–but some secrets were never meant to be seen. A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Egypt-inspired Akhamet. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies: What the Titans leave Behind

By Brandon Alspach and JP Chapleau

Appease a few gods, steal war riches from the Titans–what could go wrong? A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Greece-inspired Olympia. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Expanding Outline

Legacies: Bleeding Hearts

By JP Chapleau

The trees bleed when cut. Blood-soaked knights vs desperate loggers. Is the forest crying for help? A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the byzantine world of Tarsyn. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Ready for Playtest

Legacies: A Stolen Daisho

By Chris Ketchum

A stolen daisho/ A vital chess piece taken/ Sails away slowly A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Japan-inspired Ozaka. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies: Sifting the Sands of Obscurity

By Matt Adams

You wake to find that you have been buried alive with little to no memory of how you got there save for some scribbled notes torn out of a journal that resembles your own party's handwriting. You must use these clues to solve your own attempted murder. A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Egypt-inspired Akhamet. Part of the Legacies Campaign.

Status: Outline

And the Epics!

Legacies Epic: Friends We Make

By JP Chapleau

Invitations sent
All Smiles and Diplomacy
Sharp Tongues and Swift Blades
A 5e 2014 multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies Epic: To Find an Enchantress

By JP Chapleau

Mytenian forces won a great victory at Emessos, but the Titans are not beaten. A 5e 2014 multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies Epic: Battle of Shiro Azaki

By JP Chapleau

First diplomats speak
Then the armies assemble
And the blades come out
A 5e 2014 multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies Epic: River Run

By JP Chapleau

At the start of the Rainy Season, the rivers swell and the Church of Khem organizes a friendly competition. Friendly but deadly A 5e 2014 multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

[Kinda Book Report] Elminster in Myth Drannor by Ed Greenwood

Ed Greenwood is a giant in the world of D&D. as the creator of the massively-successful Forgotten Realms. His slate of adventures for TSR are a mixed bag, but most are good enough. I had never been exposed to his fiction before (I am not a big fan of D&D litterature).

This book did not endear me to either.

Things happen randomly and the plot armor reaches deific level. Litterally. Most of the book is complete, boring filler as he goes around from one random event to another, meeting random NPCs. And their events are best described as "the GM rolls random shit and you see it."

- The names.... the long, unpronounceable name
- The many, many, many characters whose importance is dubious
- Exactly what happens in parts is difficult
- Elminster changes sex (and back) for no reason
- NPCs get major introduction then get kill off then come back to life only to die(?) again.
- The Epilogue is where the important and interesting event happens, even if what is happening is not fully clear.
- But then we are introduced to NPCs we never heard from before (or after).

Now... I would have dropped this book one third of the way in. BUT it did something that I found I could apply to my own current novel, the sequel to One Hundred Daughters. The characters introduced to be disposed of later. In my own book, I use this to expand and present elements the main characters would not know, yet provide the reader with the information to better understand the situation.

The funniest part of this was that my wife kept telling me to "Stop reading it if you don't like it" every night when I picked it up to read a few pages.

[Xmas Gifts] Jojo's Stitch

For Xmas, I printed and painted a Stitch for my daughter. I had fun with it.

[Xmas Village] His Angels

After my wife completed her Xmas village this year, I took the liberty to add some of His angels to her colorful display.

BLOOD ANGELS THAT IS!!!

Then every couple of days, I would add one of two more until she discovered them.

She only found the terminators, and forced me to remove them. The rest snuck through the Holidays. The Emperor Protects! Not pictured, but I even have an old dreadnaught, yes, the metal ones that weigh about 15 pounds...

As I write this, they are still protecting the good villagers from the eight-pointed star...