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Episode 2 – The Black Hack

In Episode 2, I talk about one of my favorite systems, The Black Hack. The SRD for the first edition is located on Github. The SRD for the second edition is on the Open Gaming Network. The PDF for the 2nd edition is on DriveThruRPG.

I being with voicemails from fellow creators.

The first from Tim Shorts at Gothridge Manor. I respond by talking about a number of languages I speak incorrectly. I also mention 0e Monstrosities from Matt Finch and others.

The second is from "froth" of the Thought Eater podcast. This gives me a reason to talk about my favorite introduction to Tékumel, The Petal Hack by Brett Slocum.

Logan from The Swordbreaker podcast also calls in. I really appreciate all the encouragement from other podcasts. This, of course, provides yet another opportunity to talk about The Petal Hack. (Yes, I call it The Empire Hack three times. In my defense, I was sick.)

I also talk about The Teratic Tome by Rafael Chandler.

I mention two live streams on Twitter available here and here. Then talk about the joys of The Black Hack.

I don't get to the Outro because I feel guilty for the episode link.

My questions for you are:

What is your favorite book about Tékumel? Are there other non-European fantasy setttings you enjoy?

What's your favorite monster book in any edition?

Thoughts on Black Hack 2e Beta

I think the words used for abstract distances in the v2 beta could be clarified. Close and Nearby have similar connotations, and Nearby and Far-Away are both unnecessary variations on simpler words.

For example, the categories could be: Adjacent, Near, Far, Distant.

I also think the example distances could be phrased more clearly. (If Far-Away is up to 60 ft and Distant is beyond 90 ft, what’s in between?)

November Campaign Design

I saw this link on Google Plus and decided it was worth a shot. As a part of NaCaCreMo, I will work on fleshing out the Samoora Sea setting.

The goals for this project are:

  • It'll be compatible with The Black Hack, at a minimum. Swords & Wizardry, too, if I am lucky.
  • There will be non-standard races, extra classes, meaningful magic items (not just +1 items), and monsters.
  • There will be at least one complete map and accompanying descriptive text
  • It will be in a playable (not necessarily publishable) form by November 30
  • It'll have at least one new magic system.

The Red Concordant is my take on The Black Hack that includes my house rules and a few more things left out of the original. When I say compatible with The Black Hack, I mean compatible with both, assuming I get The Red Concordant finished. The conclusion of this project will put me about 90% of the way to completing The Red Concordant.

The races include some I've written about here before; uplifted dolphins (I never read the books), trans-dimensional fire elementals, and lizardmen-tigers. I may include one or two more traditional races, just to provide some common point of reference to more traditional fantasy settings.

I actually hope to have more than one magic system. The choices include psionics, salt magic, converting The Fantasy Trip spells to The Black Hack, casting spells with a chart, the cult of hot iron, and clockwork. It sounds like a lot, but with TBH, a new magic system is a mechanic, some fluff text, and a spell list.

Wish me luck. Any and all feedback, even negative, is welcome.

Keep up with my development on my Google+ Collection or my Facebook page

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