Short Video Worth Watching: Odin's Afterbirth

It's hard not to heap too much praise on this short video, but I think it perfectly captures the essence of old school D&D.  I have no idea if the artist (a guy by the name of Joseph Bennett) has any connection to D&D or gaming, but it wouldn't surprise me if he did.

I've been away for several months, so it is possible that this has taken our little corner of the blogosphere by storm, and I missed it.  But if it hasn't, it should.  Please repost and spread far and wide.  (No--I have no affiliation with its creator.  I'm just excited at the prospect of bringing this thing to light in the OSR.)

Watching this, I think of James R, Zac, Barrowmaze, and a whole bunch of others.  I would say that this fits the sensibilities...

It's 14 minutes long.  It is NOT safe for work.  And I think that you'll enjoy it.

(Thanks to io9.com for bringing it to my attention.)

New Blog and Great Post

So I have accepted the fact that I am basically failing as a blogger.  I can't think of the last time that I posted something original or my own.

But that's okay, because I'm using the blog to record things that I don't want to lose.

Today, I came across a blog that is new to me: Elfmaids & Octopi.  I'm really digging reading through it.  The author has a sensibility that is "different" enough to make reading a lot of fun.  Even better for OSR-types is the large number of random tables that inhabit the blog.  Massive tables.  Numerous d100 tables.  Many smaller ones.  It is fantastic.

Here is a post that I REALLY like: Psychonian Citadels.  The top illustration is evocative.  Within seconds of looking at the picture and then scanning down through the many tables beneath it, I realized that a huge citadel (skyscraper, arcology, whatever you want to call it...) would make an incredible megadungeon.

There's really not enough time in the world...

Legacy

I don't have the mental power (or time) right now to post anything significant about this article, but I wanted to link to it, because I feel that the points raised by the author are worth remembering in ANY situation.

He, obviously, was writing about sports, but the same points apply to "which game/edition is the best?" questions and any of the myriad other little issues that we debate endlessly.

Nicely written and something that we would all do well to remember.

The Great Blog Roll Call

The title says it all.

I don't know who Charles Akins is, but he has done a great service to readers of OSR blogs everywhere.

Check it out.

Microsoft Paint

When I drew the maps for Locales, Volume 1, I did so entirely on Microsoft Paint.  Long and painful, but, in its own twisted way, actually enjoyable.

Earlier today, I came across this.  I recommend the video: Eight-and-a-half minutes telling the story of an old man who creates art using Microsoft Paint.

Enchanted Likenesses

Here's a link to another video that I just came across today.  Scary.  Inspirational.

I could easily see this as the basis for an adventure, or at the very least a small set piece in a larger dungeon.

The PCs come across a collections of statues that are quite obviously likenesses of them.  "That's strange," they think.  And the one character who is not as cautious as the others begins to closely examine the one that looks like him or her.  Without thinking, he touches the statue...

Or maybe you turn it upside.  Perhaps the PCs actually desire this outcome.  Maybe, rather than what happened in the video, they gain some ability or boone in exchange for what has happened to them.  Or at least, they thought that they were going to.

Even Aliens are Susceptible to a Robopacalypse

I am continually amazed by what 'amateur' filmmakers can accomplish these days.  The dividing line between a studio production and an indie production is growing thinner daily.  And the dividing line between an indie production and a one-man production is likewise growing thinner.

While I typically do not delve into science fiction on this blog, I am making an exception for this post.  Go watch this video.  It think that it proves that even aliens are susceptible to a robopacalypse.

Of course, it could easily serve as inspiration for a fantasy rpg campaign:  What would happen if all the golems, automata, and other "created" magical beings in the world suddenly rebelled from their wizard creators, banded together, and attempted to take it over?

Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and MAPS!

Go take a look at this.  Simply incredible.  (I came across it first in this article at io9.)

Since I love all of the things in the title to this post, the link above leads to something that is about as heavenly as something can be on this planet.

Terrifying Horror from the Real World

I am about to link to a video that should be the stuff of nightmares.  Perhaps it isn't, but it should be.

But honestly, to be truly horrifying, you need to do some things to prepare first:

1. Arrange to listen to some scary music or background noise, something other than the soundtrack to the video itself (because the video's music is just strange).  Try to pick something that evokes a horrible death, an inevitable doom that you cannot escape from, or an evil that is almost beyond comprehension.  Perhaps something alien.

2. The first view of the video is looking down on a bunch of round objects.  When you see them, do your best to convince yourself that you're looking at the heads of your adventurers, protruding from the ground, as if they are buried up to their ears.  When the video shifts to the side-view, again, convince yourself that you are looking at a human, dwarven, or elven head, possibly with lifeless (or perhaps drugged) eyes staring blankly at you.

When viewed when following the above pieces of advice, I think you will find that the video is pretty terrific, in the most horrific ways imaginable.

Here is a link to the video.  Watch it.

I personally found the first two minutes or so to be the best, but you might feel otherwise.

I found the video in this article, but I highly recommend watching the video before bothering with the article.

Finally, if anyone can point James Raggi in the direction of this post, I'd appreciate it.  I think that he would really enjoy it.  (I used to be listed on his 'Other Stuffies to Read' but he probably removed me after months of my not posting.)

Subterranean Design - F#@$ Yeah!

It's included on My Daily Read for a reason.  If you aren't a frequent visitor, you are missing out.  I'm talking about Subterranean Design of course.

This amazing collection of images should serve as fantastic inspiration for anyone who plays D&D, or any fantasy, science fantasy, or even science fiction rpg out there.  Absolutely incredible--I cannot say enough about how good the site is.

And for those gamers who claim that dungeons are unrealistic, outdated, or just plain stupid, taking a look at the real world dungeons presented at SubDes should change your mind.  If it doesn't?  Well, that sounds like a personal problem to me.

Go check it out.  Check it out often.  Check it out every day.  You won't be disappointed.  I promise.

Artist Unfamiliar (before now) to Me

Stefan Poag is an impressive artist in his own right and has done some amazing work.  First, I say to Stefan, thank you for the drawings that you have done that have "leaked" out into the world.  I say "leaked" because I've not purchased anything with his art in it, but it is always a joy to look at.  And I'm really looking forward to his Drawing-a-Day.  I hope he posts all of his drawings.

Secondly, I want to say thank you to Stefan for pointing me toward Rich Longmore.

To Rich, I can only say, "Wow."  I love his aesthetic.  Some of his pieces are reminiscent of the best drawings from the Fiend Folio, but more "realistic" (Is that possible in fantasy art?).  At the same time, I feel like each of his pictures tells a story. 

(That is a phrase that I've heard many times about illustrations, perhaps too many, but, in the case of Rich's art, I think that it is completely appropriate.)

They are full of detail, action, and style.  Don't want to sound too much like my fifteen year old self from days past, but, "Awesome!"

Knowing that his art is in Carcosa is perhaps one more reason I may need to purchase that.

Gotta Love those Random Tables

Aeons & Augauries is one of my favorite old school blogs.  I absolutely love JDJarvis' work.  Recently, he has been posting a collection of random tables to help characterize various standard dungeon items (think statue, fountain, etc.).

Well, quickly glancing through those showed all sorts of goodness.  But then I thought, mmmmm, what else has he posted with the same label (random table) that might be of interest?  And this is what you find.

Pure win.

I wonder if he's ever thought about including all of those in a nice pdf...

Star Wars Goodness in Buttercup Valley

I know that the past several months have seen very little activity at Carto Cacography.  I also know that what little activity there has been has not been original or, even, cartography related.  Interestingly enough (and NOT surprisingly), this has led to a drop in the number of followers that I have.  Unfortunately, the real world has conspired to drastically limit my free time, and while I usually have the time to read those blogs that interest me, I have not had the time to post my own material.  I wish I could say that that is going to change in the near future...

This is another post wherein I will direct you, inhabitant of the blogosphere, to something that I found and was really excited about.

I am a Star Wars fan.  This link will take you to a bunch of behind-the-scenes photos from Return of the Jedi.  I really dig this stuff, and I hope that you do as well.

The State of Modern Fantasy

Thank you to the Silver Key for this post wherein he links to this.

Lots to think about there.  I need some time...

The Hidden Way

The Hidden Way seems like it is an interesting collection of links and other material for use by rpg'ers.  I recommend that you take a look at it.

Especially handy is the link under Settings, entitled World Building.  Lot of useful stuff there.