RPG Campaign Tour Challenge 2026, Day 5 - Origins of the Fifth Moon of Elysia

Well...as we all know, "the best intentions something something something," so despite hoping to get back to the blog after yesterday's post to continue the tour and maybe even get caught up...here I am well over 24 hours later seeing that there's almost no way that happens.  Because this next question...oh boy, does it make me want to ramble.

So there's your warning.  Now let's see where this takes me...

Day 5 - Can you tell us about the campaign's history?
(In the real world and within the universe.)

To start off: Why am I so adamant about gaming with action figures?!?  (And what is it about He-Man?)

I have imagined making action figure skirmish gaming a major part of my hobby life for years now.  It might have emerged soon after I first discovered minis gaming, when I started to work on a universe and system to support battles among garden gnomes in actual gardens.  Since then, the idea to set up a game in whatever outside environment I happen to find myself in has crept into my thoughts over, and over, and over.  And the more I've thought about it, the more I've idealized the dream scenario in my mind...like the more I've thought about running outdoor miniature scenarios with toys being something that I could do to legitimately add a bit of positivity to the world.  (Even though I know that sounds a little...eh, pretentious...?)

Several years ago, I read an online piece about Masters of the Universe-styled figures' making a bit of a comeback.  I wish I could find that article again now...but the main things I remember are the emphasis on the unique figure anatomy (I think the author may have referred to them as "chunky") and the specific reference to their being perfect to play with at the beach.  This hit home because I remember doing exactly that!  Back in the early '80s, my family spent a day (I guess multiple days over the course of my childhood) at this "beach" in south Georgia called Crystal Lake.  (And this was after Friday the 13th had become a very well-known cultural reference point, so I don't know what they were thinking.  Maybe it existed before the first movie...?  Not sure, as I think it was actually an artificial body of water...)

Anyway...the brother of one of my sister's friends was also going to be there for one of these trips, and either through fortune or the kind foresight of our parents, he and I both ended up with chunky action figures to play with in the sand and water.  I had the one that was my first MotU figure (maybe my only one at the time?), and potentially the one that many people would find most appropriate to bring to such an outing...Mer-Man:

Photo from the Motu Vintage Variants page

Christopher, meanwhile, brought a figure that I wasn't yet familiar with...

I believe The Warrior Beasts were made by Remco alongside their Warlord (and other DC Comics fantasy property) action figure line, perhaps to serve as villains.  (I definitely find that little "PLAY WITH" box mentioning Arak and the Warlord alongside Masters of the Universe pretty interesting...!)  Gecko here was also a great choice for the day of play in the sand and Sun.

Now, add in a few other bits of info:

1.  The absurdly exaggerated bodies of these figures reinforce that they are meant for play, not accurate representation of reality;

2.  Masters of the Universe as an IP is arguably the strongest connection I have to what might be called 'classic fantasy' from my entire childhood.  (The fact that it's really Star Wars-influenced science fantasy only makes it cooler to me now, just as it did back then.  I mean...it's also basically a superhero setting, so it has elements of pretty much every type of adventure story I enjoyed as a kid!); and...

3.  The snowstorm across the American Northeast a couple weeks ago has left everything around me covered in snow for a while now, and as I'm driving, I can't help but think about how much fun it'd be to set up adventure scenarios in the yards, fields, and hills stretched out around me.

Put all of these things together, and I truly have this specific, archetypal experience playing out in my mind where strangers are brought together by the unbridled fun of rolling big dice outside to play out stories with action figures.  And while I'll probably always gravitate toward roughly 1:18 scale toys due to the fact that in my childhood, that was simply the default size for an action figure, it's definitely possible that this unbridled fun would be amplified even more if they happen to be ridiculously muscular 5.5" figures!

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Okay...and one more thing about Masters of the Universe that has struck me so powerfully lately that I felt it deserved an entirely new section of this post:  I am kind of blown away by how easy it is to find similarities between things happening in old episodes of He-Man and She-Ra and things happening right now in my own country.  I know that sounds...hmm...alarmist, maybe...?  But...I really didn't start my recent stretch of watching the old series with this connection in mind...yet it was impossible to ignore.  The Great Rebellion led by Princess Adora (that's She-Ra, in case you don't know) is fighting against a tyrannical government that ignores all manner of compassion and dignity to exploit its residents...even occupying villages with faceless troops who demand complete obedience.  Hell...I watched an episode of He-Man last night that had this kid talking about how great Skeletor is (while his father or grandfather was there telling him Skeletor couldn't be trusted), and I swear you could just replace "Skeletor" with a certain American celebrity/politician's name every time the boy spoke, and it would sound exactly like the sort of things being said in the United States right now.

Image from Wiki Grayskull

And y'know...maybe that's the craziest part of it all, the part that REALLY makes it resonate.  At some point, as I was aging out of the target audience range for Masters of the Universe, I started to recognize how ridiculous the caricatured portrayals of its villains really were.  I guess that could be said for a lot of cartoon "big bads" that were meant to be invariably selfish and occasionally bungling, but somehow powerful enough to be the biggest threats to their respective settings.  And it seems like that's exactly what I'm watching in the U.S. right now.  It's pretty easy to say, "Yeah, but how could someone like Skeletor gain so much power and inspire such loyalty in his lackeys?"  It's absurd...and kind of funny...but we're now seeing it every day in the real world.  It's un-freaking-believable at times...

Hmm.

So, yeah...He-Man and She-Ra really hit home these days.  Uncomfortably so.  However, the goofy heroism and kindness emphasized by their stories is as good a remedy as I can find to shake off the despair that discomfort brings with it.

So let's play with some chunky figures!!

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Heh.  There, I guess I'm done with the rambling.  I need to cover the other part of the question, though: What is the in universe history of the Fifth Moon of Elysia?  I'll see if I can make this quick...

The planet Elysia; art by Decster1

Elysia is the fifth planet in a system centered on a Class G star in a distant spiral galaxy.  It was what drew humanoid explorers to the system in the first place; while essentially an ice planet, huge deposits of etherealite with a variety of chemical compositions have been found just below the permafrost layer, in many spots around the globe.  This led The Corporation to send legions of miners and their families to live on the planet, exploiting the galaxy's many citizens in need for cheap labor and simultaneously mounting an incessant propaganda campaign that has influenced many of these very workers to develop great Corporate loyalty.  You might think, with a name like Elysia, that the planet would be a pretty fantastic place to live.  That certainly is not the case, but it is why The Corporation settled on that name.

Over time, other planets in the system have also been populated to varying extents, and a highly advanced civilization of metallic dragons was discovered on the system's third planet, Chalcothon.  In addition, the many moons of Elysia have been settled and offer a wide spectrum of experiences and adventures.  The Fifth Moon, aka AB-5.5, is the center of the system's resistance movement, a collection of warriors, mages, and citizens of all walks of life who recognize the uncaring and occasionally downright malicious intent of The Corporation's policies and are determined to bring a more progressive and democratic way of life to Elysia and its nearby planets and moons.

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Thank you for making your way through all of that (or even for skipping down to this sentence...)!  I shall be back tomorrow(?) with a focus on where we'll start our tour of AB-5.5...

Musical Monday: Shots Fired (Negro Terror)

So, I have a much happier song that I've been meaning to post, and hopefully I'll get to that one within the next day or so (maybe even today?), but man is the state of my country distracting right now.  So for now, I guess I'll just post this song that may or may not be relevant to the American status quo.

All the best on this Fourth of July

It has become a minor Linneman tradition to spend the morning of July 4 on Liberty Island, taking part in the 5k around the statue.

With all the ways that American iconography has been co-opted to represent division, opposition to "outsiders," and denying others the benefits we enjoy simply for being born in the right place at the right time (and if some folks get their way, to the right people), I love that the Statue of Liberty has been a tough symbol to peel away from its representation of a promise made to anyone who sincerely wants to take part in the American Dream^TM.

On the ferry, with Ellis Island in the background

Laura's mom has a true-to-archetype immigrant story, arriving in the United States by way of New York Harbor, being greeted by Lady Liberty and processed through Ellis Island.  I hope we...and future generations...can maintain sight of this as representative of a foundational American value.  The American Experiment^TM has obviously had some pathways in need of course correction, but I thought this was one most of us could agree on.  Unfortunately, I don't hear many self-proclaimed patriots saying "Give me your tired, your poor..." anymore.

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But I can save some of that fretting for another day.  As it pertains to the usual fare of this blog, I should also celebrate the Statue of Liberty's role in this masterpiece of animation...

And here are Mutt and Junkyard enjoying a photo op on her massive left foot:

(I'll let you in on a secret, though.  That isn't really the foot of the Statue of Liberty.

It's a replica in the museum on the island.  I've had my picture taken with it too...)

I'm sure any scaling issues are...a perspective thing...

Hmm.

Anyway, happy Fourth, everyone!  I think I'll bring more Mutt and Junkyard to the blog this upcoming week.  Enjoy your weekend!

Geeky SKAturday: A Kick in the Bits have an anthem for 2025 (and...every year before it, I suppose...)

It is Geeky SKAturday!  Welcome!

Today's song comes from the Leicester, UK, band A Kick in the Bits, who released the EP Don't Break It last month.  This MIGHT be their first album (I'm not sure), but either way it has become an early contender for favorite ska-ish record of the year here at Monstrous Matters.  (So, y'know, me.)

The album is eight tracks and about a half an hour, and the tune that really caught my attention upon first listen is this one, "No Surrender."  It's really more punk-reggae than ska (a lot of their songs wouldn't sound out of place on a Clash album), and it could truly be an anthem for 2025 America:

You can find A Kick in the Bits on Bandcamp, Facebook, and maybe live near you.  They are definitely worth a listen!

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Now, I'll get down to the really good stuff...connecting this to an RPG campaign in which ska bands are time-traveling protectors of multiversal order.  The key to today's song: Politics.  Ska has always been a genre expressing cultural awareness.  You can listen to songs coming out of Jamaica in the '60s and hear both the optimism that accompanied independence from Great Britain AND both adoration and warnings directed toward the original Rude Boys who often found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

In the late '70s, when ska was revived in the UK alongside the punk movement, its political nature was sealed.  It won't all be serious music -- and some of the greats, like Bad Manners, had little serious about them at all -- but the political undercurrent solidified by the 2 Tone scene has had a lasting impression on the music.

And there are going to be folks who disagree with this (I believe them to be wrong), but I'd also argue that the political leanings of ska have almost universally been to the left.  Some of the easiest evidence?  Well, here's the (English) Beat performing in 1982:

I realized that I wasn't sure if that specific tendency was found in A Kick in the Bits' songs...maybe they're more just general, "the system sucks, we have to fight back to make things better"...?  (Which is already pretty broadly left wing, btw.)  But then I realized they have a song called "Tory Bastards"... ;)

So with that said, I am not going to shy away from having the shenanigans of the Agents of SKA tip into political territory.  Well...okay, I might shy away a little.  I'm not looking to make a political game/setting here.  But the main beliefs expressed within the genre are sentiments I can usually get behind, and they may just show up in the game.

In my next post (hopefully before next weekend!), I think I'll actually start detailing our first agent, Japanese trumpeter Haruto Suzuki.  He is thus far faceless, but some small pieces of his life are starting to emerge.  I have a feeling we'll see that he's a bit political himself...

J6, the miniatures game...

Well...it's Presidents' Day.  Or...Washington's Birthday as I guess the federal government actually recognizes it, but also a day to remember the contributions of other past American presidents.  So, it's the perfect time to point out this interesting little pursuit out there in the world.

NPR ran a story yesterday about a pretty cool collision of art and gaming: Fight for America! is a wargame hosted by a Brooklyn-based art nonprofit called the american vicarious.  It is a reenactment/gamificaton of the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol, in seemingly amazing 1:64 scale detail.  (I'm stealing all the pics here from the NPR article, which used images provided by the american vicarious.)

Participants are divided up into the Red Team...

...and, of course, the Blue Team...

...and a GM dressed like Uncle Sam guides them through the day...

The NPR article does a really good job of leading the reader through one person's experience as they attempted to find Vice President Mike Pence with the rest of their team.  A slight spoiler alert: They do find him, and then the fact that they vote on whether or not to hang him to close out the game is...well, a little chilling.

I'd like to believe that there's power in gaming that really could help us recognize what it's like to be in the shoes of those with whom we disagree.  That chance for empathy is one of the (many) really cool things about RPGs in general.  There has to be a LOT of unexplored space to use games like this.  I'm a little bummed I missed the test runs in NYC last month, but I hope to catch it when it returns to the States sometime after a run in London starting June 8.  You can check out the Fight for America! website here.

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Have I really put two political posts on here in less than a week?  Is this even a political post?  I was tempted to tie it into the gaming I usually talk about by writing out some sort of feat or item that helps a character wield a flag as an improvised weapon.  But...for obvious reasons...nah.  (Plus, why not take the "high road" while also artfully taking credit for such a horrendous idea by mentioning it...?  It's my blog, I'll take the win/win whenever I can...)

Y'know what, it's Presidents' Day, so I'll just end with a quote from George Washington, from his farewell address written to the American people in 1796.  It sure seems to fit today's topic; he's writing about political parties here...

However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

There's a "last straw" joke here...

I generally try to avoid making this a political blog.  I think most people who know me know how I stand on political actions that systematize the harm, belittlement, or marginalization of other people (Americans or otherwise), especially those who are most vulnerable.  It's simply(?) not what we should be doing as humans, and we have the resources in the United States to behave in a way that considers both the implied purpose of the government (to act in the interests of Americans) and affirm the humanity in all others.  And that's why I'm so depressed about political stuff at the moment.

That is to say...I do recognize that there are bigger concerns at play right now.  However, this thing I'm gonna point out today is just a good old WTF phenomenon.  For those outside the States, or those within that understandably haven't caught everything in the whirlwind of actions and orders we've seen over the past few weeks, this is currently a page at the White House website:

It is admittedly a cliché, but I actually had to double-check to make sure this wasn't satire.  You can read the full fact sheet for the executive order here.  And another cliché...yeah, it is hard to believe this is the timeline we live in.

It isn't clear yet how sweeping this declaration will prove to be (although it sure sounds pretty sweeping), so I can't really comment on that.  And overall, I'm not looking to get a bunch of comments that are either pro- or anti-Donald (not that I have a tendency to get a bunch of comments on anything🤣).  I certainly have people very close to me who support pretty much every decision this guy makes, and they probably have an argument for why this was necessary.  I mean...hey, maybe Joe did go too far in his persecution of plastic straws.  But this is a real government document...😅

I'm sure there's a productive discussion to be had about the best approach to our straw use and its environmental implications.  I don't think this is it.

Anyway, I made this item so the characters in your games never have to deal with the indignities we've faced drinking fast food soda here in the US:

+1 Paper Straw of Drinking

This item appears to be a typical paper straw made of thin cardboard.  However, it is enchanted such that its user gets a +1 bonus to all drinking checks (even better than plastic!).  In addition, it won't dissolve or get soggy in liquids intended for drinking (not even hot ones) no matter how long it soaks.

If lost or discarded, it will decompose naturally in 6d6 days.  (For comparison in your game, plastic straws take 15d20 years for similar decomposition.)

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Ugh.  I feel dirty writing about anything this "political," even something so...silly.  Who knows if I'll even keep it up here on the blog...?  I don't know, but surely there are others out there who will similarly appreciate the absurdity here...

Geeky SKAturday: Nazi White Trash (Leftöver Crack)

Happy weekend all!  Today's Geeky SKAturday is presented in celebration of Punch a Nazi Week, as presented this past week by Justin over at Halls of the Nephilim.  There's no sense in not getting in on the antifascist fun a little bit!

First, to be crystal clear about it before I'm assumed to be promoting violence, I am not actually in favor of punching Nazis...except, I guess, if it's necessary for the safety of others.  I'm a pretty old school peacenik, anti-violence perhaps to a fault, and I just believe that as humans, we are meant to be better than that.

With that said, any Nazis that do get punched had it coming to them.

Here's one of my favorite anti-Nazi tunes, from the band Leftöver Crack.  I share it with the obligatory acknowledgment that, from what I've heard and read, this band's frontman may not be a very admirable guy himself.  I certainly encourage you to learn what you can about that if it is of concern to you.  However, it doesn't change the fact that Leftöver Crack and the band they grew out of, Choking Victim, are tremendously influential ska/punk/crust/core acts, borderline legendary, and their "crack rock steady" sound absolutely blew many of us away back in the day.  Some of their tracks are still just unforgettable anthems.

Alright, sorry about all the caveats today.  Time to skank.  This one isn't about punching, but there's certainly some ill will wished upon them.  Here's "Nazi White Trash":

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I'm not sure that's the tune I want to turn into a sound for a Rudie to cast, though.  So, I'm gonna go back to the first song I heard from this crew, back when I was introduced to the band Choking Victim on Hellcat Records' first Give 'Em the Boot compilation, a crucial piece in many kids' musical journeys, almost 30 freaking years ago.

I love this track.  This is "Infested"...

Infested

2nd-level Sound

Casting time: 1 action

Range: 60 feet

Duration: 10 minutes

Save: Strength

This sound infests the target's body with lice.  A failed Strength save when cast means the target is treated as if it is Restrained (cannot move from current location, +1 to attacks targeting it, -1 to its attacks and any actions requiring Dexterity).  The target may reroll the save at the beginning of each turn.  With any successful save, the target is treated as Restrained but retains its normal ability to move for the duration of the spell.

If the spell remains in effect for the full 10 minutes, the target makes one final Strength save as it disappears.  If failed, the target takes 1D6-1 Rash damage, which can be healed as any other damage.

Geeky SKAturday: Rudie Can't Fail (The Clash)

So.

That happened this week.

I'm taking some time to enjoy really positive things at the moment.  I think this song qualifies.  It's sort of about a struggle against a system, but it strikes me as both appropriate and hopeful right now.  Even the title is about as positive a statement as one can put together!

Personal note of interest to few beyond me:  I first heard this song thanks to the awesome Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack.  That film came out at a critical point of musical exploration for me and some of my friends.  I can actually remember when Father Josh (then just...Josh) told me I had to hear this one.  It really is a top-notch tune, and definitely a strong contender for any desert island mix I would put together.

I guess I wouldn't necessarily even describe "Rudie Can't Fail" as wholly a ska/rocksteady/reggae song, but it's clearly very strongly influenced by Jamaican music.  And the fact that it's about Rudie...well, it fits the trend of these Geeky SKAturdays perfectly...

Another personal note of interest to few:  I would pay good money to hear Joe Strummer's take on the United States right now.  He had a good eye and a way with words.  Actually, you know what?  Just thinking about this song right now...I have to kind of wonder if part of what got us to this point is right here in these lyrics...

I went to the market to realize my soul

What I need I just don't have

So...here's the sound...

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Rudie Can't Fail

1st-level Sound

Casting time: 1 bonus action

Range: Self

Duration: 1 minute

This sound makes your next action very likely to succeed.  The next time you roll a skill check, magic check, attack, or save, you can reroll if the first attempt fails.  You can also reroll if the second attempt fails.  That's it, though!  Just three chances, and you have to use it within a minute of casting the sound (in-game time)...

Species for Monstrous6: The Michigan "I Voted" Wolf

So, anything important happening today?

/s

While we chew our nails and worry about what tomorrow brings, I thought it'd be fun to do a little dry run of writing out a species for the house RPG system I'm developing bit by bit, currently referred to as Monstrous6.  And to keep things on-theme with the events of the day, I'll look at a species that needs to be put into a game: the Michigan "I Voted" wolf...

From The Daily Beast

Some context for anyone outside the States or otherwise just not up to date on your patriotic anthro wolf sticker news:  The state of Michigan held a contest for kids to design new stickers to be given out at polling places as citizens vote, to replace the standard old "I Voted + a flag" design.  (Well, in Georgia, we eventually got a peach on ours...but that's nothing compared to what Michigan is doing...)  There were (I think) nine winners in total whose designs are being handed out to voters in Michigan.  The one that seemed to get the most attention, however, was this gem by Jane Hynous of Brownell Middle School in Grosse Pointe, MI (yep, that Grosse Pointe).

For obvious reasons.  This wolf is awesome.  I would not be shocked if we were to later find out that it was actually drawn by Rob Liefeld, who then handed it off to his niece Jane to be a ringer entry in the kids' contest.  I even ordered a couple for me and Laura (copies, I'm pretty sure, as it seems like folks are actually paying pretty good money for the real deal).

So, I'm gonna make this guy/gal into a species for roleplaying.  Just something simple, though...the species setup I imagine using for my house system going forward, modeled after the way it was handled in Star Wars D6:

A tribute to the wolf by Katelyn Windels on Instagram

American Wolffolk

Attribute Points: 11

Min/Max:

Strength 2-6
Dexterity 1-6
Knowledge 1-4
Presence 1-5

Skill Distribution: 4/3/2

Special Skills: Tracking (scent) +4

Abilities: Darkvision

The American Wolffolk are a rarely seen cryptid species once found throughout the United States, but now having a much more limited range due to human encroachment.  They are now most visible in the current "swing state" of Michigan.  Despite the arguably negative impact of American "progress" on their species, the Wolffolk are often fiercely patriotic.  For example, they get really stoked when they get a chance to vote.

It is believed that this strong sense of national pride is due in large part to the love they have for their pack.  The ability to directly influence the decisions of their group is sacred to many Wolffolk.  Many have expressed concern at the systematic chipping away of rights that could ultimately lead to their disenfranchisement, but they are determined to get out the vote today to ensure that doesn't happen.

Geeky SKAturday: RxPxOxS (Fishbone)

Fishbone was one of the most popular American bands playing ska back in the 80s.  They're certainly legends of the genre, although they are probably known more for their eclecticism and unique high-energy blend of funk, metal, soul, punk, reggae, and on and on and on.

They unexpectedly released a new song on Thursday.  It is political and timely.

Let me be clear, because I know not everyone is going to like it...I truly want civility in political discourse.  I have cult members in my family and don't want to dehumanize anyone.  I believe in peace, probably to a fault as judged by most people...as in I believe there is power in peace, and in the cases where there are clearly more powerful forces at work, those are our chances as humans to give peace power.  BUT (I know you knew one was coming) I do occasionally need folks around me to be blunt enough to remind me that there's a lot going on in America right now that should not be normalized, and that there are ultimately convictions that matter.  In a world where I have been threatened and called a "liberal piece of shit" by a guy standing in my own backyard, I'm obligated to still try and recognize when things are...well, not okay.

Stay safe, everybody.

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Alright, let's lighten things up by giving the Rudie a sound from Fishbone.  How about the one that might be rudest of all of their rude stuff?

Skankin' to the Beat

1st-level Sound

Casting time: 1 bonus action

Range: 60 feet

Duration: 3 rounds

This sound gives all friendly creatures within range who dig the rhythm a boost to everything they attempt for the next 3 rounds.  When rolling for any skill check, magic check, attack, or save, they roll an extra 1D6 and add the result to the total.  Crits/bomb-outs/automatic successes or failures still count as usual.

(Too powerful?  Eh...good ;)

Cobra and the Democrats, at it again

Oh.  Man.  Come on, America.  And now that I probably have enough words in these first few sentences that I've moved beyond the little blurb that might pop up in the few feeds this blog is in...y'know, so I don't shock with my language or anything...holy shit, what is going on?!

I kind of can't believe that my enjoyment of the intentionally ridiculous schemes employed by the international terrorist organization known as Cobra must now be tempered by the fact that Americans are being manipulated into believing that actual Cobra tactics are being used on us by...our own government, I guess...?  Coastal elites?  Scientists?  Just a bunch of Democrats?  Who tf knows.

Anyway, if you don't know what I'm rambling about...I guess there are evil folks controlling the weather.  And they sent those recent hurricanes to us...causing legitimate disasters...in order to target conservative voters.  And mine lithium.  Or...something else evil.  I'd say you can't make this stuff up, but apparently you really can, and it might just become the batshitcrazy antics of a cartoon weapons dealer who wears a metal mask, or it could become a real belief of the American public.  One or the other, because why not?

Destro and the Weather Dominator; from Joepedia

So yeah, scientists and relief workers are getting threats for doing their jobs.  Meanwhile, misinformation and pointless shit-stirring have a real impact on people's lives in a world where all guns don't shoot red and blue lasers, and everyone doesn't get to eject right before their plane explodes.

Maybe I should just be happy that I've always been more of a Joe comics guy than a Joe cartoon guy.

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Anyway, if you happen to see this and would like to send any financial help to those affected by the recent US weather disasters...and believe me, I understand that there are really effed up things all over the world, amongst which you must divide your shareable money...here are some orgs that we feel good about supporting.  (Please note that this list is very much focused on western North Carolina and includes some organizations focused on nonhuman animals, because that's where Laura and I used to live -- and have friends who have been greatly impacted -- and because we're crazy animal people.  However, help is still needed in Florida -- and probably elsewhere -- as well, and I simply believe all beings are worth helping in these situations.  So, please don't hate.)

BeLoved Asheville

World Central Kitchen

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

Asheville Humane Society

Animal Haven of Asheville

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Hrm.  Now because I'm still a nerd, here's the real designer of the Weather Dominator...

From Joepedia

Destro

Full name:  James McCullen Destro XXIV

Weapons Manufacturer; Owner, M.A.R.S. Industries

15 HP, 12 Defense (light body armor, steel mask)

Strength 3
Dexterity 2
Knowledge 4
Presence 3

Skills: Engineering +4, Business +3, Intimidation +2, Firearms +1

Goals: Winning; profit; family honor; protection of the Baroness (like she really needs protecting)

Quote: "They shall learn the price of their arrogance!"

The State of the World

 For all of you who look at the world around us, and then at your favorite works of dystopian fiction, and think, "Wow, that's where we're headed..."

May I remind you that one specific fictional future has not yet been ruled out...?

And that would be pretty effing cool.

Oh yeah! That's happening today...

I shared this video on the eve of Election Day in 2016.  Thought I'd share it again now.

Because it's even more relevant this year?  Eh...maybe.  But mostly just because it's a great song.

John Robert Lewis, 1940-2020

America buries an undeniable hero today.  It's only relatively recently in my life that I realized what an amazing person we had living and working among us.  I hope that I can continue to learn from Mr. Lewis...and maybe one day achieve some small piece of the courage, peace, and love that he lived by.

More music for the weekend!

Some music for the weekend!

The first annual Monstrous Matters year-end awards...

...because I may as well pretend like my opinions are that important!

2016 is about to close out.  Here are some random reflections.

First, the non-gaming stuff:

WTF Event of the Year - The United States Presidential Election

I get that some bad stuff went down this year.  The entertainers who died got a lot of coverage.  On the world stage, the situation in Syria is pretty depressing.  And on a personal level, there was a tragedy in my hometown that people in a community that small aren't used to dealing with.

But when people around here talk about 2016 just needing to end, I can't help but think that a lot of it comes back to the U.S. election.  For what it showed us about American politics.  For what it showed us about lingering division in the country.  For what it showed us about the power of media (which we'll be sorting out for a long time to come).  And from my perspective (although certainly not from the perspective of a number of people I know and love), for the outcome.

Seriously, America.  What in the actual fuck.

There's really not much to say that hasn't been said many times over.  From where I stand, this was clearly the event that dominated the year.

From @DungeonsDonald.

New Song of the Year - Michael Bublé's "Nobody But Me"

Now, on to a happier note.  I'll admit that I don't really hear enough popular music to make a truly educated choice here, but when I hear a song that blows me away like this one did (and in such a genre-agnostic way), it oughta be recognized:

I couldn't find an easy link to the performance on The Tonight Show, which is the one I first heard, and which actually got to feature Black Thought of The Roots in the rap breakdown (rather than the trumpet solo above, which is also great), as on the album.  If you can find that one, it's definitely worth checking out!

Song That Would Have Been New Song of the Year, Hands Down, If It Had Been Released Several Months Later - Kendrick Lamar's "Alright"

Thank you to Atlanta community radio for letting me hear this song.  I make no claim to the emotions expressed therein, but I know they held a lot of power in the political climate we experienced this year.  It's also just a great song.

And now, for the games!

New Game of the Year - The Black Hack

In the OSR community, new games drop on a pretty regular basis.  It's kind of what we do, and it's a trend that lends itself to spreading one's attention all over the place.  So, when a game like David Black's The Black Hack comes along and gets people brewing and buzzing with such a central focus, it's worth paying attention to it.  Heck, I couldn't resist hacking it myself.

It also works as game, and it's a lot of fun!

RPG of the Year - Lamentations of the Flame Princess

James Raggi's game of Weird Fantasy is one of the real success stories of the OSR.  My buddy Ted has been running an awesome campaign using a bunch of the published LotFP adventures, which has helped to keep me connected to roleplaying in a busy year and given me a pretty good feel (I think) for the game's themes.  Check it out (you probably already did, long ago)!

Non-RP Game of the Year - Bohnanza

Yeah, these are just personal awards, so this one takes the prize by sitting idle in my game collection for about 15 years before making a leap to family favorite when it was pulled out of the closet on a whim this year.  I think this one has great potential as a "gateway game."  You gotta love "The Bean Game!"

Bohnanza on BGG

So...there we are!  Despite some struggles earlier in the year, and the stresses of the fall (as noted above), I have to say that I've actually had a pretty outstanding end of the year, and I hope you have, too!

Big thanks to all who have stopped by this little blog and become friends over the course of 2016.  I really appreciate being a part of your community.  Best of luck to everyone, and I'll see you in 2017!

Getting ready to watch tonight's debate.

Warming up with an opening act...

Saturday Evening Cartoon: Olive Oyl for President

I'm getting this one up pretty late, but it's a fun one.  I like Popeye quite a bit, and this is a nice bit of old school entertainment during a U.S. election season that has been less than entertaining.  (Oh, I know there have been some shenanigans...it's the eventual result that has me concerned...)

I love the song in this one.

"Hooray for the new re-gee-mee!"  (By the way, there's about five minutes' worth of nothing worthwhile at the end of this video, but I like the quality of the cartoon itself compared to other versions on YouTube...)