Several years ago, I ran a fantasy horror game for a group of teenagers from my church. It was their very first roleplaying game, and I felt both very privileged to have the opportunity to introduce them to the hobby and very responsible for keeping them on a godly path in their play. My own … [Read more…]
This Beckett Family Adventure follows Terror in the Tower, part 2. Background The session began with the PCs at the ruined Temple of Pholtus, a few hours from small village of Lakesend. This was their third foray to the temple. The first time, they spotted harpies flying about the tallest tower in the complex. They … [Read more…]
Last weekend I was invited to participate as a guest star in a session of Tales from the Loop (TFL), Simon Stålenhag’s RPG set in a science-fictionalized small town from the 1980’s. The Player Characters are a band of kids (12 – 15 years of age) who are caught up in mysterious events surrounding a secret … [Read more…]
The Beckett family ventures into the Temple of Pholtus described in part 1 of this adventure narrative. Background The session began with the PCs at a ruined temple of Pholtus, not far from the western shores of Blackwater Lake. They had already explored one outbuilding, where they found some hidden valuables in a buried stone … [Read more…]
Another tale of the Beckett Family’s adventures in Northumbria. Background The session began with the PCs in the small village of Lakesend, where they have been helping the local Lord Balin in finding a missing provost. Cast of Characters: Most party members are part of one large extended family—the noble Beckett family. A few are … [Read more…]
This is Faith in Play #8: Redemption Story, for July 2018. Years ago I wrote Faith and Gaming: Redemption, which was republished last spring. In it I made the distinction between the “Prodigal Stories” that we sometimes call stories of redemption and the real “Redemption Story”, the story of how the price was paid, how … [Read more…]
In this series of articles, Michael Garcia shares various custom rules and handouts related to his worldbuilding for his ongoing Northumbria campaign. The Elves are undoubtedly the oldest known race in the world. Their culture is ancient and largely unchanged, despite the millennia that have passed. Typical Appearance Elves are generally slender and graceful people, … [Read more…]
We return to the Winchester Family’s adventures in Northumbria! Editor’s note: According to a map that has come into our hands recently, it seems that Miles the Minstrel, who originally related this tale to us, mangled the story a bit, calling the hill where these events occurred ‘Bandits Rock.’ The correct name of the hill … [Read more…]
This piece follows ‘Ants in the Darkness,’ a Beckett adventure of the Northumbria Campaign. BACKGROUND: The session began with the PCs in an underground tunnel on Wycliffe Island, located on Blackwater Lake. After stumbling into a nest of giant ants, the party desperately fought its way out. A few caverns away, as they recovered, they … [Read more…]
Editor’s note: Gamemaster Michael Garcia runs two groups in the same Northumbria campaign on different nights. The Editor has no idea how he keeps things straight in his head. This narrative returns to the Winchester family, last seen in “Screams in Store.” Background: Sir Garrett of House Winchester and his retinue were on Wycliffe Island … [Read more…]