<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" 
    xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
    xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
    xmlns:admin="http://webns.net/mvcb/"
    xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"
    xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd">
	<channel>
<title>Mystic Ages Publishing </title><link>http://www.mysticages.com/index.html</link><description>Gaming &#x26; Product News from the Mystic Ages Desk</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2010 Nathan Hill</dc:rights><dc:date>2012-03-14T22:21:30-05:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
<admin:errorReportsTo rdf:resource="mailto:nathan@mysticages.com" /><sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
<sy:updateBase>2000-01-01T12:00+00:00</sy:updateBase>
<lastBuildDate>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:24:56 -0500</lastBuildDate><item><title>Playtesting Ongoing</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>FE</category><dc:date>2012-03-14T22:21:30-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/d02925da509506731ddeea37fc547323-11.php#unique-entry-id-11</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/d02925da509506731ddeea37fc547323-11.php#unique-entry-id-11</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s a busy season in my offline work, but I continue to plug away at Foreign Element, entering in some online playtesting with a couple of nice folks at RPG.Net.


It&rsquo;s still early, but I&rsquo;ll learn more about how the system holds up as soon as crazed robots and snack-induced zombies overrun our valiant heroes.


Foreign Element is definitely not in the hard scifi genre - I am just way too fuzzy with science.   It&rsquo;s more pulpy with dashes of humor.   I&rsquo;ve tried to include a large enough view of the game world so that the missions can lead to unexpected directions.   I can&rsquo;t wait to get some more solid previews out there.


Stay tuned.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Mirrors has been released&#x21;</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>EAK</category><category>News</category><dc:date>2012-01-09T21:18:31-06:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/dd3734835988c0f9f34627fed71aae01-10.php#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/dd3734835988c0f9f34627fed71aae01-10.php#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I&rsquo;ve used this adventure in the past at conventions to demo and give others a feel for the game.   The story line twists and turns and provides some open ended paths for creative, courageous heroes to venture down.   In its final form, the adventure is a lot better than the version I ran at conventions and demos.


...&ldquo;Grief has gripped many virtuous wizards in Anhelm for the seasoned spellcaster known as the Crimson Master has been found slain. ...  Will our brave wizards rise to the challenge to find the Crimson Master's assassin and bring him to justice? 

...You can buy it right here for $3.99 on the Eldritch Ass Kicking page or at your favorite digital download site (RPGNow or e23).


...My next project will be to put together a draft for Saving Sterg, the next adventure in my simple story arc unveiling many key figures behind the royal throne of Anhelm.   In another adventure or two, the arc will climax with some startling, open ended possibilities for the world of Anhelm. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Foreign Element Preview #1</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>FE</category><dc:date>2011-02-10T21:53:12-06:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/fe_preview_1.php#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/fe_preview_1.php#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Over the past couple of weeks, I finally had the breakthrough I wanted and got the rules and a lot of the text into a good shape.   I am still working on a couple of areas, like the GM section and an opening mission. 

...You can get a glimpse of the Preview, which includes the current draft of rules, here.


Foreign Element has a bit of a rules light feel to it - the game rules are no more than 8 pages (currently).   However, the game is tightly put together and geared toward what I want - fast and furious action against hordes of baddies.   Death is not the same sort of deal breaker as it is in other games. ...  Heroes will be put in a lot of pressure cooker situations as they try to infiltrate distant planets, get the stuff they need, and get out alive.


...I am eager for some groups and GMs to look it over and put it to the test. ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Framerole = what kind of game do you want me to be?</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>Free Game</category><dc:date>2011-02-07T00:06:49-06:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/4a172c5eaa3b0d6879d828f3a4b2b56c-8.php#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/4a172c5eaa3b0d6879d828f3a4b2b56c-8.php#unique-entry-id-8</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Okay, so this guy over on the RPG.net forums dropped a link to this system he has been working on - Framerole.


Unbelievable stuff.


It&rsquo;s basically an abstraction layer on top of a roleplaying game in itself, with unlimited options for customizations.   In other words, by writing this, he makes most other game system ever created a subset of the Framerole rules.   Kind of hard to wrap my head around that.


Here&rsquo;s the link for the 283 page download.


And here is the thread if you want to learn more about some of his design choices.


Crazy.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Waking Up</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>News</category><dc:date>2011-02-02T20:51:56-06:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/wakingup.php#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/wakingup.php#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Hey, I got to admit it.


I&rsquo;ve been way too quiet on this here blog.


But... with the site redesign in place, I plan to be more active in the days ahead.


What can you expect here?


How about, for starters, a quick release of Evening News, a simple game of news teams and their dreams?


Plus, I&rsquo;ll start popping in some links of my favorite games for you to discover yourself.


Stay tuned.


- Nathan]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Teenage Sorcery Is Free.</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>Free Game</category><category>News</category><category>Links</category><dc:date>2010-11-12T23:18:39-06:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/teenagesorceryisout.php#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/teenagesorceryisout.php#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I&rsquo;ve had this one on the back burner for a short while.   It just needed a few fixes to be decent enough to toss out into the world.


I wrote this for my niece for her birthday back in May.   It was an opportunity to use my creativity for educational pursuits.   The particular challenge was making a fun, imaginative game that could also reinforce math skills. 

...Slap in a sort of quasi-Twilight, Buffy, Harry Potter-esque tone, and you get a pretty rad game.


You will find a very worthy free download with a nice little layout, background, use of fonts, and all. 

...Check it out over at the game&rsquo;s page, and spread the word.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Transitions</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>News</category><dc:date>2010-03-20T16:53:24-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/15496bb77730d8865edd987c712ee3b4-5.php#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/15496bb77730d8865edd987c712ee3b4-5.php#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Just a heads up to the Mystic Ages faithful:


We are in the process of switching servers to a new webhost.   This means that we are shutting down our RPGShelf webhosting service.   We may look to reopen it in another format somewhere down the line.   For now, RPGShelf just didn&rsquo;t get the attention it deserved.


There shouldn&rsquo;t be a glitch, but if there are, let us know through the contact form.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Waking Up to 500+ Sales of Barbarians Versus?</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>BV</category><dc:date>2010-01-20T21:22:03-06:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/haiti_relief.php#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/haiti_relief.php#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[This morning, the mysticages email account was a bit slow, and when I peaked in, I saw the reason why - over 500+ purchases of Barbarians Versus by 8 AM.


...But it&rsquo;s a good whoa.   RPGNow/DriveThruRPG put together a quick Haiti Relief bundle.   It&rsquo;s $20, all proceeds going to Haiti relief efforts, but in return, you get a whole pile of awesome gaming PDFs.   There are some legitimate things in there - stuff like core rule books, supplements, fiction, and on and on.


The best thing about it is that you get Barbarians Versus essentially for free.


So, go get your copy and support the ongoing efforts to clean up and provide for the people of Haiti.


We are counting on you.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Vile Experiments in Anhelm?</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>EAK</category><category>Humor</category><dc:date>2009-09-18T19:53:59-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/vile_experimentation.php#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/vile_experimentation.php#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[I am confused as to how feasible the process would be, what modifiers might be involved, and most of all... what stats I might assign to farmers and laborers. 

...Or, in the case of the question above, are they test subjects for some half-mad wizard&rsquo;s vile scheme?


...Come up with some augmentations, like those listed on pgs. 41-42 in the rulebook, that range between +2 to +4 modifiers to the base TN of 15. ...  So, if Rabdak the Fire Wizard augments his butler to be able to shoot fire from his fingertips at a TN of 25 (base 15 + 10 modifier), his butler would attack with a total of a +20 with his fiery fingernails. 

...It most likely will happen if the commoner is crafty enough to have survived this long in Anhelm.)   On the other hand, if they are loyal, then they might serve as a valuable and potent last line of defense or even a pawn to draw out your true enemies.


...It would be wise for a wizard who has trapped such an ordinary man or woman to keep things quiet until the moment is right.


...For them, it is all a game, and that hapless commoner is just something else to toy with.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Problem with Magickal Skills</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>EAK</category><category>News</category><dc:date>2009-09-14T20:47:45-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/problem_with_magickal_skills.php#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/problem_with_magickal_skills.php#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The problem - neither of these magickal skills actually follow game rules and have a counter or opposite magickal skill.


...Shifting (a sort of teleportation skill) could very well have an opposite, but it would end up being a very limited and narrow magickal power. ...  (And to note, shifting itself is a fairly limited power as I point out in the Perilous Pool adventure.)


But this doesn&rsquo;t solve the problem that there are things wizards should be able to do, like teleportation, that shouldn&rsquo;t really require a roll at all. ...  Can you imagine how boring a bearded wizard with God-like powers would be without the ability to fly? 

...So at this point, if I do an EAK 2.0, I am probably going to build in more innate skills that a wizard can just do.   Maybe there would even be a little rating system, so some wizards would have a little more flight ability than others. 

...Later this week, check out the blog as I respond to a really cool idea from some fan mail.]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>An Adventure for Devilish Spellcasters and their Spawn</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>EAK</category><category>News</category><dc:date>2009-09-04T22:33:09-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/perilous_announcement.php#unique-entry-id-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/perilous_announcement.php#unique-entry-id-1</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[The Perilous Pool of Possibilities, the first official adventure for EAK, is finally out.


...The Perilous Pool was initially intended to be a free adventure for the website, to round out the other tremendous support material we have for EAK.   But, as I tidied it up and added more background, I realized it was just a lot better than I had first intended. 

...This is the adventure, lately, that I&rsquo;ve been using at demos. ...  You can have players create new characters on a lesser power level to start, or you can use pre-made wizards. ...  But what I tried to do was add all that good background source that gives you a little more grounding if this is the beginning of a series of adventures.   Not only does the adventure include a fun, simple, but devious plot, you&rsquo;ll find a new alliance, stats for two key wizards in Anhelm, a new magickal skill, magickal items, and more.


Best of all, it&rsquo;s all written with that little edge of snarkiness and glee that makes EAK so much fun in the first place.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Standing Over My Dice</title><dc:creator>nathan@mysticages.com</dc:creator><category>News</category><dc:date>2009-09-01T22:04:37-05:00</dc:date><link>http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/first_post.php#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.mysticages.com/blog/files/first_post.php#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[Well, it&rsquo;s time for a simple blog on this site to post more of the one off ideas I have and link to the latest game updates.


I got plans here - plans to slap some new wizards and barbarians in this space.   I also want to talk about some other projects I have cooking with other companies.   And every once in a while, I will send you to a strange game that you should check out.   All in the name of pure game fun.


Stay tuned.]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
</rss>
