It's Christmas in July!

It's the annual celebration of the halfway point between last Christmas and the next Christmas at the various Onebookshelf.com websites that carry NUELOW Games releases! As in past years, our entire selection of titles is 25 percent off! Take a look! Find a new favorite!

The sale runs this whole week!

Black Cat ala d6xd6 CORE

A new love here at NUELOW Games HQ is Lester Smith's d6xd6 CORE RPG. This slick, infinitely pliable game system may well become a regular element of our comics projects going forward, appearing along-side ROLF! and d20 OGL Modern.

I'm also hoping that the current Kickstarter to fund the Popcorn Press release of the game picks up some steam, because I'm is slated to present the superhero setting that's been coming together in our books over the past year using the d6xd6 CORE system. That's assuming the project reaches a funding level of $17,500, as my contribution is part of the Pulp Adventure bonus pack that gets added to the line-up at that point.

Meanwhile, and in the hopes of inspiring you to go take a look at the Kickstarter and maybe contribute--every reward for the pledge level beyond $24 is very, very cool in my opinion. And well worth the money--is NUELOW Games' favorite woman of mystery, Black Cat, presented via dt6xd6 CORE.

BLACK CAT, HOLLYWOOD'S MOST GLAMOROUS DETECTIVE

Name: Black Cat (Linda Turner) • Gender: Female • Age: 23

Attributes

  Focused: Grace

  Unfocused: Brawn, Wits

  Unknown: Will

Occupation: Performer (Actress)

Focused Skills: Athletics (Occupation Bonus), Martial Arts, Motorcycle, Persuasion, Ride Animal, Sneaking, Swimming

Unfocused Skills: Lock Picking, Throwing, Tracking

Focus Rating: 7

The book and a total of 12 settings have already funded, so you really can't lose even if you contribute just $1, as it will get your the core book and four settings. The rewards for supporters in this Kickstarter are all extremely generous! There are two weeks left on the Kickstarter window. Won't you help get it to $17.5K, so Black Cat can offically join the d6xd6 Core line-up of characters?

Get the Complete NUELOW 'Judy of the Jungle'

One of the more popular offerings from NUELOW Games has been our "Judy of the Jungle" series. It presents the best stories of a girl who, after being raised by her misanthropic father to feel more kinship with nature and animals than other humans, becomes a self-appointed guardian of justice in the wilds of Africa.

Along side the reprints of classic pulp adventure comics illustrated by Ralph Mayo, the Judy series offers OGL d20-compatible and d6xd6 CORE roleplaying game rules for use in creating your own jungle adventures with your game group. The books also feature Judy of the Jungle short stories, and the classic landmark comic book tales from Matt Baker "Voodah" and "South Sea Girl," which star rare non-white jungle heroes.

Art by Alex Schomburg

We have recently released the third and final volume in the series -- Judy of the Jungle: Murder Goes Native. It's getting good reviews, and fans are picking it up... but to make life easy for those who have come late to the party, we are offering it and the other Judy books in a one-stop download as The Complete NUELOW Judy of the Jungle bundle.

In addition to the three Judy of the Jungle books -- Judy of the Jungle: The Lords of Memnon, Judy of the Jungle: Warriors of the Laughing Hyena, and Judy of the Jungle: Murder Goes Native -- the bundle contains The Revenge of Santos: A ROLF! Christmas Special, the product that introduce Judy to the NUELOW audience.

Art by Alex Schomburg

If you're a newcomer to the adventures of Judy, the bundle has everything... and if you've been with us since the beginning, I really encourage you to grab a copy of Murder Goes Native, as not only does it contain some of the best work of the legendary Matt Baker, but it's a good introduction to the d6xd6 CORE Roleplaying Game. (And it also has some systemless adventure generating tools that are useful for any RPG set in a pulp fiction jungle environment.)

A Kickstarter -- d6xd6 CORE RPG by Lester Smith

Lester Smith, veteran game designer, has launched a Kickstarter to publish a slick new rules-light RPG d6xd6 CORE. Character creation is quick and easy, skill resolution is elegant, and the combat system can be as tactical or as story-oriented as the GM and players prefer. In addition to Lester's sharp skills as both a designer and world-builder, the game will feature settings and adventures for use with the game created by great writers such as Douglas Niles, Steve Winter, James Lowder, Bruce Heard, Scott Hungerford, Angela ScottWilliam Massa... and yours truly, NUELOW Games' own Steve Miller. 

Over 30 different writers are lined up to contribute settings to the final product, and more are joining every day. As with all Kickstarters, however, the number of them that actually end up contributing to the final book depends on the level of support from the audience by way of funding.

I am thrilled that Lester chose to make me part of the d6xd6 CORE RPG Kickstarter project. I will be providing a pulp superhero setting titled Masked Avengers that will feature some of the characters that have appeared in NUELOW's comics projects over the past year, gathered together in a single universe. You've seen this universe hinted at in numerous books, and it will come into sharper focus when my settings chapter d6xd6 CORE RPG book is released.

Assuming it is released. You see, my chapter is part of a "stretch goal"--additional content that gets added to the book as various funding levels are reached. It's part of a secret stretch goal, no less, that will be revealed as the project is funded. 

Click here to see some of the stuff that will be in the d6xd6 CORE RPG book and to see that the Kickstarter is already well underway. The basic book with four settings, including the Dragon Dice world as an RPG environment--finally!--is already happening. Now, there just needs to be enough support to bring all the settings into play.

Lester will be unveiling more exciting announcements as funding goals are approached and exceeded. Take a look at the pledge levels and the rewards. Consider chipping in. Personally, having had the priveledge of gaming with Lester several years ago, I wish I had at least $1.666 to contribute so he could come out to WA and run for my game group. The $24 and $99 pledge rewards are pretty sweet, too. 

I hope you'll consider supporting this very worthy Kickstarter. As little as $1 can be pledged!

New OGL d20 rules: Feather Charms

This entire post is presented under the Open Game License. It may be reproduced under the terms described here. Copyright Steve Miller 2014.

OGL d20: FEATHER CHARMS

Game Design: Steve Miller 

Copyright Steve Miller 2014

Introduction
When we published Warrior Maiden Starlight, I wanted to include some Native American themed OGL d20 rules in the book... but no ideas I came up with felt right, or even worked. Eventually, I gave the impatient editor something I felt was worth publishing and we released the book. I continued to mull over ideas... and then it struck me: Feathers!
   The symbolism of feathers is central to many traditional Native American cultural beliefs and practices, and they are referred to in Warrior Maiden Starlight several times as valued badges of honor and symbols of accomplishment. Incorporating feathers as magic items and as part of the awards system seemed like a fine idea for some game rules. After a little tinkering and back-andf-forth with Hundal, it still seemed like a good idea, so here it is, presented for your consideration. (Feedback is welcomed... that's why there's an email address listed at the bottom of the page and why there is a comments section.)

OGL d20: Feather Charms
These rules are loosely inspired by traditional Native American belief systems, in which birds are generally viewed as messengers from the spirits, bringers of change, and symbols of freedom. Feathers are also important symbols, and they are worn as badges of honor by warriors and leaders who have defeated foes through strength or cleverness, and who have been of great service to their people.


General Information About Feather Charms
A feather charm never detects as magical, nor do they grant any benefit for anyone but the character to whom it was awarded. Feather charms looted from dead foes are little more than cool looking headdresses and armbands.
   Feather charms can be used by members of any class.
   When interacting with members from a culture who recognize the inherent authority of the powerful beings who grant feather charms, wearers of feather charms have instant status and respect. For each feather charm worn, the hero gains a +1 bonus to all Charisma-based skill checks, up to a maximum of +8, directed at these people. For allies, he also enjoys a one-step positive reaction adjustment. See "Using Feather Charms" for additional details.
   Feather charms must be attached to armbands, boot cuffs, headgear (such as bonnets, helmets, or masks) melee weapons, polearms, or staves. An unlimited number of feather charms can be worn or displayed on a hero's melee weapons at any time, but their game effect is limited.
   The bonus granted by feather charms varies with the type of feather. They follow regular stacking rules. See "Using Feather Charms" for details.

Gaining Feather Charms
Feather charms are not made using magic item creation rules--they are granted by the spirits and the gods. PCs acquire them as rewards at the end of adventures or key encounters, either from an NPC or directly from the GM with the feather falling to the ground near the player it is being rewarded to.
   They can replace any +1 magic item in a treasure reward, or they can be given in addition to listed items. The feather rewarded should always related to something exceptional or impactful that the PC did during the adventure or encounter.

Starlight earns her first feather in a scene from Warrior Maiden Starlight.
(Script by Ann Adams. Art by Ralph Mayo)

Using Feather Charms
Feather charms must be worn openly by the hero to whom they were granted for the benefits to be enjoyed. When not worn, the feather charms must be carefully placed in some open area where they can be viewed by all; the hero will continue to gain the benefits from them so long as he is within line-of-sight of the feather charms. If they are ever placed in a chest or a closet or otherwise locked away in a small and confined space by their owner, all magic is permanently drained from them.
   If NPCs have reasons to think a hero is wearing or displaying a feather charm that he did not earn, they may demand the character tell the tale of how it was awarded to him. The hero gains a +1 bonus to the appropriate skill check when relating his deeds, and if the check is successful, he gains the full Charisma benefit going forward.
 
Specific Feather Charms
Here are the specific feather charms and the bonus they grant. Similar feathers stack with other feathers to a maximum of +5. If two feathers give bonuses to the same skills, their effects stacks.
   Crow Feather: Represents skill and cunning. Grants a +1 bonus to Disable Device, Hide, Move Silently, Search, and Sense Motive skill checks.
   Dove Feather: Represents the more gentle side of humanity, such as love, kindness, and nurturing.  Love and gentleness. Grants a +1 bonus to Animal Handling, Diplomacy, and Treat Injury (Heal in some OGL d20 versions).
   Eagle Feather: Represents bravery and strength of will. Grants a +1 bonus to Will saving throws, as well as a +1 bonus to Diplomacy skill checks.
   Falcon Feather: Represents speed and agility. Grants a +1 bonus to Reflex saving throws, as well as a +1 bonus to Tumble skill checks.
   Hawk Feather: Represents strength and protection through force. Grants a +1 bonus to Fortitude saving throws, as well as a +1 bonus to Intimidate skill checks.
   Heron Feather: Represents grace and confidence . Grants a +1 bonus to all Perform skill checks, as well as a +1 bonus to Concentration and Disable Device skill checks.
   Owl Feather: Represents a mind capable of keen insights and the ability to see things as they truly are. Grants low-light vision of 12 feet (increases 10 feet for each Owl feather, up to a maximum of distance of 60 feet at five feathers possessed), as well a +1 bonus to Search, Sense Motive, and Spot skill checks.
   Raven Feather: Represents creativity and knowledge. Grants a +1 bonus to all Knowledge and Craft skill checks.

A 4th of July Safety Tip from the Fighting Yank (plus a d20 Modern Talent Tree)

Listen to the wise words of the Fighting Yank. And remember, the phrases "Hey, watch this!" and "Hold my beer!" should never be uttered when you are setting off fireworks.

From Fighting Yank #29. Art by Mort Meskin

Here's a talent tree (designed by Steve Miller, from a suggestion by L.L. Hundal) that numerous people probably will wish could apply to real life come July 5. (Everything in this post past this sentence is Open Game Content. It may be reproduced under the terms of this license. Copyright Steve Miller 2014.)

TOO DUMB TO DIE TALENT TREE
This talent tree is available for Charismatic Heroes, Fast Heroes, Strong, Heroes, and Tough Heroes,or other classes that have access to their talent trees. Whenever the character may select talent, they may choose one from this tree instead of those featured in the rules for their class.
   Feel the Burn: Damage from acid electricity, and fire is reduced by 2d6 points after all other modifiers have been applied, to a mimimum of 1 point of damage.
   Prerequisite: Intelligence or Wisdom score 8 or less. If the hero should later increase the attribute score, they retain the benefit of this talent.
   Gravity-shmavity: Falling damage is reduced by 2d6+2 points after all other modfiers have been applied, to a minimum of 1 point of damage.
   Prerequisite: Intelligence or Wisdom score 8 or less. If the character should later increase the attribute score, they retain the benefit of this talent.
   Just Drive She Said: Impact damage suffered while in a crashing vehicle, or upon being hit by a vehicle, is halved after all other modifiers have been applied, to a minimum of 1 point of damage.
   Prerequisite: Intelligence or Wisdom score 8 or less. If the character should later increase the attribute score, they retain the benefit of this talent.
   That Blowed Up Real Good: Concussion damage and other damage suffered from explosions and devices or magical spells that cause area of effect damage is reduced by 2d6+2 points of damage after all other modifiers have been applied, to a minimum of 0. The reduction applies only to the hero with this talent,
   Prerequisite: Feel the Burn, Intelligence or Wisdom score 8 or less. If the character should later increase the attribute score, they retain the benefit of this talent.
   Watch This!: Whenever the hero fails a Acrobatics skill check, Climb skill check, Disable Device skill check, or Demolitions skill check, any damage he suffers is reduced by half before any other modifiers are applied.
   Prerequisite: One other talent from the Too Dumb to Die Talent Tree.

Celebrate Independence Day weekend with Pat Patriot!

With Pat Patriot, NUELOW Games shines a spotlight on one of comicdom's earliest female costumed comic characters, as well as being one of the first and most sincerely patriotic series. Debuting in June of 1941, the series predates Wonder Woman and only slightly trails Captain America.

In addition to the four best Pat Patriot stories, the book features a complete ROLF! supplement that in which Pat meets the Bronze Terror and battles the nefarious Mayflower Man. Click here to see previews or to get your own copy.

You can see more previews of Pat Patriot at our sister blog Shades of Gray by clicking here.