End-of-Week Jenkins (11/22/13)

Cover art by Kevin Jenkins

So, in my self-imposed exile from gaming, I've turned once again to an old love from back in my youth: gamebooks. I didn't have many of them, and most of them were more like Choose Your Own Adventure rather than actual gamebooks where you had a character sheet, dice, etc. But those few I did have, mostly Fighting Fantasy, are a treasured part of my development as a gamer.

 

So, I got my hands on some Fabled Lands books, and I can't wait to find some spare time to delve into them and make a return to some gamebook action! It's going to be a bit lonely, as I won't be at a table roleplaying with other gamers. But at least I'll be transported to a fantasy world for a time.

 

The world of Fabled Lands is one of those British fantasy artifacts that I find so different and appealing. The artwork and the world seem satisfyingly alien, in their own way.

 

The cover art for the original Fabled Lands gamebooks was done by Kevin Jenkins, and an example of his work is shown above.

 

Anyway, that's all from me for now. I'll see you in the Fabled Lands!

End-of-Week Elmore (11/8/13)

*sigh* I really miss roleplaying. But it's my own damn fault. I won't go into my sob story again. I don't want to bore you, because I already wailed, moaned, and gnashed my teeth about it last week.

 

I'm still firmly on the path of change and self-discovery that I've set myself upon, of course. The path that has hobbled my roleplaying career. I know it will be worth the sacrifice. But I can't help but feel a bit of unhappiness when it comes to cessation of most of my roleplaying activities, not to mention being able to participate in the RPG blog community.

 

In other words, I have the feeling that, after three years or so, my adventure "once more unto the breach" of roleplaying has come to an end...for now. I still feel so newly returned to the hobby, and yet another hiatus looms ahead. It's scary.

 

I know, I'm a grown man and I'm talking about a hobby here, right? But still...I've never been able to shake the feeling of missing out, of not having the social and creative outlet of roleplaying.

 

Ah well. I believe I'll come back to the table-top now and then, and perhaps even make a triumphant return someday. Until then, I'll keep my fingers on the pulse of the hobby as best I can.

 

Until next time, happy gaming all, and role some dice for me.

End-of-Week Elmore (11/1/13)

 

Oh lady of fortunes, pierce the veil of time for me,

Cast your gaze on my days to come,

And perchance glimpse a moment of future,

Be it a happy shade or spectre of gloom...

 

Not gonna lie, folks. I miss roleplaying. I don't think there will be a time in my life when I will ever not miss the hobby.

 

Even over the long years that I "left roleplaying behind for good," I missed it. In every book I read, in every film and TV show I watched, I saw the plot playing out on a game table. It was because of this nagging, unshakeable love for roleplaying that I finally came to my senses, and realized it was inevitable that I would return to the table. And I did so.

 

But now, I'm looking at the strong possibility of another considerable hiatus from the hobby. Perhaps nothing like the decade-plus dry spell I just came out of a couple years ago, but still an absense of some significance.

 

Again, this is a self-imposed exile of sorts, for a good cause: my personal advancement. I have aspirations that will take up my time, folks. I am exploring the beginnings of a new phase of my life. I want to dive in to my new ambitions whole-heartedly. I want to give them all of my focus, all of my effort, and make something new in my life.

 

But roleplaying will be there, within me. Waiting patiently. As it always has, and always will.

End-of-Week Elmore (10/25/13)

End-of-Week Swanland (10/18/13)

Lack of focus is my great nemesis in this life.

 

Perhaps it's Adult ADD. Perhaps not. I've never been formally diagnosed.

 

But, here I am today, having jumped onto another book in my library...having jumped away from my long, slow reading of Jack Vance's Dying Earth. It was back in May that I vowed, after Mr. Vance's death, to finally finish reading his Dying Earth tales.

 

Sooo, yeah...now it's October. And I'm not done reading Mr. Vance's seminal work.

 

Oops.

 

I'm also jumping around between various other fiction and non-fiction works.

 

Oops again.

 

So, I've resolved to give myself some reading structure. I'm going to push myself to start reading all the books I haven't read in my collection, using my bookcases at home as a guide. Meaning, I'm starting with the books on the top of my bookcase, and reading only what's on that shelf until all the books there are done. Then I will move down to the next shelf, and so on.

 

I am DETERMINED to do this! I am determined to find the time to read again. If this means less TV and other distractions, all the better, right?

 

Wish me luck. Oh, this brings me back to the cover art for the Chronicles of the Black Company omnibus. Surreal art by Raymond Swanland. Initially, as I saw Mr. Swanland's work begin to grace fantasy book covers, I was a bit turned off by his pieces. But his work has grown on me.

 

Folks, I hope you have a great weekend! If you're going to be gaming, roll some dice for me!

Early-Morning Clarity, Personal Growth, and Roleplaying - Part 2

That horizon looks ever so inviting, does it not?

 

So, following on from my first post in this two-parter...

 

Last post, I spewed some stream-of-consciousness stuff about wanting an RPG for busy adults...didn't really get any advice from the community, so...just wondering if there's any advice out there...

 

Anyway, onto this here current post. I'm ramping things up in my life, folks. I'm increasing my participation in extracurriculars that I hope will open new opportunities for my career as well as me as an individual soul. Suffice to say I'm seeking greater success and peace of mind/soul in my life. I won't get into all the particulars, but I'm increasing my opportunities to educate myself and broaden my opportunities and horizons.

 

So, therefore, something has to give, and unfortunately I think that has to be some aspect of my roleplaying life. I think it means I need to put my very-young, recently-started Dragon Age campaign on hold. I think it means I need to shift back to being a player when I can make it to Wednesday nights at the FLGS. Hey, any roleplaying is good roleplaying, I say!

 

Look, I'm not crying over here. It's my choice to participate in activities in my spare time that take away from my RPG time, especially my ability to be a GM. If I can't GM up to my own standards, I won't do it. I think my group will understand. I miss my fellow gamers very much, I haven't seen them in over a month!

 

Ironically, despite all of my stuff going on, I think I'm going to have time to make this here blog into a "pro-Dragonlance" blog of sorts. You'll see what I mean...stay tuned.

End-of-Week Parkinson 10/11/13

No Elmore art this week...but at least it's Dragonlance! This week I'm giving you a piece from the great Keith Parkinson, one of my other favorite artists. Here are Sturm and Flint, of Companions of the Lance fame. Then there's some other guy in the background...not sure who he is.

 

I'm dreaming of gaming, folks. I miss it somthing fierce. I haven't been able to make the Wednesday night games at my FLGS of late. I'll go into the reasons in my next post. Until then, the RPG dream never dies. My return to the table-top is inevitable! Happy gaming, folks.