Update time for Lair of Sword and Sorcery!

Injection Molder complete, but I need your help to finish the molds

Busy time here at the Spooky Room!

This fellow is more of a general adventuring type, perhaps a rogue, maybe a sorcerer, up to no good or perhaps on a mission for justice. Not sure at all what range he is from, again he popped up in the pile of wretched lead, most of which was inherited from varied people unloading miniatures.

Another mini for the Sorceress issue

Still working on some more minis for the sorceress of Zhaan issue photoshoot.

Since Iron is so rare in the Winterlands a full suit of plate like this would be made of Bronze. So I'm trying to find some good ways to bring that across in the painting.

For the sword this warrior may have been able to afford steel, or been able to steal it, but more likely it would be a bronze sword plated in silver for a more impressive look and to terrify his enemies into thinking it is steel.

Enjoy.

~Ripley

Here's another Winterlander warrior mini painted for the Sorceress of Zhaan. Still working on blending and color choices.

On most of the minis for this set I've chosen a bright Ivory/Yellow as the brightest highlight color, and blend up to that color highlight for almost all the areas of the mini to pull all the colors together and make all the minis appear to be in a the same gloomy dimly torch lit room.

Enjoy!

~Ripley

LoSS RPG launching Line of Fantasy Miniatures!

You read that right folks! You know what that means...the injection molder is complete.

Behold...Mighty Caesar!

Click pic for a closer look!

As you can see the assembly is complete and this baby is ready to start cranking out the LoSS line of miniatures. Now you will be able to get minis of all the Kartharkan monsters, as well as heroes armed and armoured in Kartharkan style.

Also coming are custom bases, terrain and all manner of extras for the miniature lover.

Want to see more?

Painting minis for LoSS

Finally have a few things I can show to all my Blood Reavers!

The refinery build is moving right along, but I need some heroes and enemies to populate it.

So into the bucket of wretched lead to find a few fellows that would be suitable for the Sorceress of Zhaan Lair.

The first one to finish is this fine gent! A popular mini in it's time I inherited him in a pile of other minis, can't remember who though. He had a red cloak when he started and after a repaint he still does.

And because it's just not old school unless it has a thick unbreakable coat of glossy varnish, he's got that too!

More will appear as I finish them up.

Enjoy my Blood Reavers!

~Ripley

Kartharkan Minis draw ever closer....Injection Molder super progress

Yep I've been in this same place before, but this time...It's really going to work.

Since Ive finally broken down and started using the family workshop, I'm finding all sorts of things in there. So progress on the injection molder is actually,..progressing.

Popped in today and have finished the heating chamber and the injection shaft, even got to use the milling attachments today to finish that one off instead of spending a weekend filing the thing.

Along with the nozzle and the shaft support already done that means I'm done the machining stage! Since all the machining was the stuff I've never done before it was the big questions mark hanging over the project, well success on that front.

Now just have to build a new body for the beast. All steel this time, why not?
With access to the drill press and the cutter/grinder this should move along pretty quick. I've already built three of these before, they're the easy part.

Still only get a few hours each week to work on it though so it will still be awhile till complete.

Wish me luck!

Also on the book front...

I've got all the separate issues uploaded to Drive Thru RPG, the compilation pdf will be coming down once they are all approved for sale.

I'm also waiting on file conversion over at Lulu.com to try to get a print version of the Compilation working over there. Better for the international customers anyway.

Hard copy versions of the first 5 issues are still available for order here until  can get Lulu or Drive Thru Sorted out.for print copies.

On that note a few of you were good enough to donate a few bucks for the pay what you want downloads, thanks much guys! Now I can afford to get a preview copy of the compilation from Lulu, Nice and muchly appreciated.

Sorceress of Zhaan is also back from the editors but will have to wait for layout while I paint miniatures, seems weird but that's the way it is, it's all connected, in beautiful circle of gaming life.

Rock the weekend hard Blood Reavers!

~Ripley

Injection Molder progress.

Got a little time to sneak into the home workshop yesterday and finally got the melting chamber completed.
Since I finally have access to the proper tools it looks like this one's going to be a winner!
All the really hard tasks are complete and now there's just the easier stuff.
Have to drill out the holes for the heaters, and finish off the plunger and we I can move on to actually putting this machine together.
Still looking at a long amount of time since I can only get to the workshop once every couple of weeks but damn it looks like this one is going to finally happen.

Wish me luck!

~Ripley

LoSS Weekend Update, Injection Molder update, Finally progress!

Hail my Blood Reavers!
I admit I've been a little scarce for the past couple of months.

All of my projects seemed to hit brick walls simultaneously, that's the price you pay for always pushing the envelope and trying new things I guess.

Apart from all the fun Lair projects going on I also have many many real life jobs, some pay the bills and some are just commitments that I'm required to keep. All of them conspired to get very complicated very quickly which also ate up any of the usual free time I use for LoSS.

But all of the insane obstacles are falling away now,

Back on the Loss Train and feeling fine.

Here's your weekend update on the many projects on the go...

Lair Issue 6: Sorceress of Zhaan

Writing is about half done for the Sorceress issue. There's a large 3d dungeon build for this one as well that got stuck in the mud as I just didn't have a space to do builds anymore. Well the new studio is built and while it's technically smaller than the last one it's space is used much better so I've got room to build again.

The writing is held up only due to time, time, need more time.

This issue is going to be the first print product done out of house using Drive Thru Rpg and Lulu.

The other 5 issues are still printed and shipped from the Spooky Room Office for now...

Lair of Sword & Sorcery Redux

The core book of Lair has come back from the editor with the green flag for writing. Lot's or writing rewriting and more writing for this one. 

The pdfs of the first 5 "core" issues of LoSS containing the Core rules are still available as a compilation at Drive Thru RPG, and from Gumroad as seperate issues.

East Coast Comic Expo

Tables are booked, tickets bought, and rides arranged for East Coast Comic Expo. I'll be there with books on sale, package deals and hopefully some fun giveaways for the game.

Injection Molder

No more messing about and experimenting! I have access to a full machine shop (The machines are all small but they are all present). After 3 years of noodling I'm building the MarkIV and this build should be the final. 

The lathe and the Drill press are all working fine and final parts are beginning to stack up on the desk. Machining steel to a tolerance of .0001 inches has been a challenge but the internet has provided more than enough info and the parts are fitting together perfectly. I still have weeks to go on this project but it's looking like this final one is a go!

More...

There's still plenty more I'm working on but it's swirling around the proverbial "for later" pile. Time, time, time.

So nothing new to show you today, sorry about that guys but at least we're back in business and the usual train of products should start chugging along soon.

~Ripley

Not Dead yet!

Sorry everyone about the lack of updates for the last month or so. Real life is rearing it's ugly head and intruding on my little universe here.

But for the moment all seems to be at least OK so I'm back.

But it hasn't been all wasted time.

Injection Molder

One of the big things grabbing attention was work on the injection molder, my three year mission is finally approaching completion as I've given up and called in some reinforcements.
Time wasn't spent so much gathering supplies and tools but on poring through many many manuals on machining steel.
Now we're just waiting for the post office to drop off some tools and the build can begin!

Core Rules Compilation

Work on the print version of the rules compilation was what took the other big chunk of time, unfortunately it turned out to be wasted time.  Sorry guys it will be a long time before print copies will be available from Drivethru, likely not until the new version of the rulebook is completed sometime in the Winter.

But print copies are still available here on the LoSS site (Buy LoSS Prints)

Core rule-book redux back from the editors

I've gotten the thumbs up from by fantastic editor on the Core Rulebooks rewrite.

All completely reorganized now it's time to dive in and rewrite all the content in the new edition.

After my experience with DriveThrus preview copy of the compilation it is pretty apparent I will have to redo most of the art in the book, 

Which is just fine with me, and if any of you would like to donate some art to the book throw it on in. I can't pay you a thing but don't worry, you likely won't get any exposure either.

Sorceress of Zhaan issue

Issue 6 is puttering along nicely with lots of new background rules and adventures for the LoSS game. This one hasn't gone into design yet so I'm hoping I can get it up on DriveThru. I'm thinking it will be a stapled booklet with card cover like a classic OSR adventure.

But wait there's more!

Lot's of little things are still being contemplated,

I still can't seem to get a regular LoSS game going but it's been awhile since I was able to schedule any time for it.So I'm thinking about putting together a few one-shot games so that people can try out the system and have a little fun. If you have a group of players and want to try it out then send me a note with when you would to play at spookyroomproductions@gmail.com

Weekend Update...Finally!

Whooh it's been a wild few weeks, but not here on the Loss hub, on the hub it's been tumbleweeds and crickets.
Suffice to say a few things came up that took up all my attention for the last few weeks but good news abounds finally.

Issue 6: The Sorceress of Zhaan

The next issue is well under way, Issue 6: The Sorceress of Zhaan is well in the works.
It's definately not what I would call a typical LoSS adventure but it happened to be the next one I was working on so there you go.

Also included are alot of articles on the Winterlands which pertain to the Adventure.
Lots of Winterland background is going into this one and it takes place in bustling  Stroh-Branoch, center of the Valley of Fangs.

In this issue is also an article on "sneaky things" lockpicking, sneaking, stabbing your enemy in the back when he's not looking, all those fun things that you do instead of just charging in. It's all here. Mostly because the Sorceress adventure lends itself way to a bit of subterfuge.

I'm also working on a massive custom Demonboard for that this one and the build details and photos will all be included.

Injection Molder

After way too many years of messing about with hand tools and scraps from around the house I'm giving in and just going for it!  I've got some good steel mill stock winging it's way to me and now have access to a Drill press and Metal lathe. this thing is getting done this time!

Convention Time

On May 21st LoSS is headed to the East Coast Comic Expo in Moncton! All the issues will be for sale there as well as any original art from the game.

Yeah it's a little weird that the convention debut of LoSS is a comic con and not a gaming con but what are you gonna do? That's how schedules go.

LoSS core Reprint collection 

Any day now my review copy of the collection of the first 5 issues of LoSS will arrive in the Mail. As soon as it does we should be good to go to sell the print copies through DriveThruRPG.
The pwyw pdf is already there and yes I would love a review on DriveThru if any of you have a couple of minutes.LoSS on DriveThru

Rock on Blood Reavers and hope to see you in May.

~Ripley

Injection Molder Progress

Got to fire up the new heat chamber in the injection molder.
Brought her up to 275 with no problems, no heat stress explosions yet!
One side welded airtight, the other side not so much, 4 or 5  leaks. Nozzle seam also leaking on one side.
But even with those problems I was still actually able to extrude plastic through the nozzle this time unlike other experiments with the longer brass nozzle.
So after some welding fixes I should be able to bring it all the way up to full heat and achieve full liquid, then we see how well it fares under full pressure.
If all goes well it's moving on to building a frame and lever (again) and then on to building some molds!

~Ripley

Making my own MIniatures!

It's hard to tell but that horrible looking think is the heat chamber for my injection molder.

I've had lot's of problems mounting the heaters to the block and the block to the machine before so now I'm trying out this box construction.

Lot of finicky tiny welding on this as it's only about 6 inches long but it's together and ready for testing.

With the shaft already welded and ready to go tests can continue!

Soon the minis will be on the march!

Mwa hahahaha ha!

~Ripley

Next issue announced!

Well it's been a little quiet on the LoSS magazine front lately.
Sorry guys little bit of the Holiday monster rearing it's head.

But now that the home game is back on track I know at least a few people can take advantage of me writing up some new stuff!

Issue 6(?) Brytax

So concurrent with the big redesign of the Core rules I'm now circling back to work on the Brytax issue.

I finally getting around to filling in some big open places on the map. The Brytax issue will take the heroes through a big chunk of the Winterlands to investigate the great Tree Brytax by finding the lost pass through the foothills and peaks Zolar, the dark summit.

There's lots of great horribleness waiting for them on the way as they travel roads only remembered in forgotten legend.

It'll probably be issue 6 or 7 depending on when the Core rules are finished up.

LoSS redux (issue 7?)

Speaking of the Core rules, they are shaping up nicely.
I'm still in the lengthy process of reorganizing everything. It looks like there will be a lot of new writing to be done, no rules are getting added to the game but presentation will be alot more orderly (the game is not referred to as a fever dream by more then one reviewer for no reason).
And a lot of the material will need to be rewritten to fit the format of a single book.

I'm also thinking about including all the extra material from the lairs and articles of interest from the website just to have everything in one place.

But not to worry all, the pdf's will still be pay what you wants so you can all pick up the new version of LoSS without breaking the bank.

Injection molder moving forward!

This one has been in the works even longer than LoSS itself.

I've got a new chamber for the injection molder and a new shaft.

I still have a lot of welding to do but this one's shaping up to have a chance of working.

Of course so have the last 3 prototypes but it's the adventure we're here for right!

So rock on my Blood Reavers! Ripley is energized and ready for the New Year and lot's of new LoSS stuff.

Happy New Year! (an update post)

Happy New year to you all, followers of the LoSS site and on Google+.

And what has the year wrought for LoSS?

Stats

LoSS has been publishing for 1 year and 1 month!

166 posts

5 issues published representing the Core game rules of LoSS.

10,429 Views! 

150 Followers.

An interview on the illustrious Drink Spin Run podcast.

5 pwyw pdfs on Gumroad

5 hardcopy issues available through the website

And what does the New Year hold for the game?

Drive Thru RPG

Well after much thought the LoSS materials will be switching over to Drive Thru RPG. Both the print and digital versions of future issues of Loss will be available there.

"Revised" core rules

As for the first 5 issues, they will be combined into a single game book for release on DriveThru. The pdfs will still be pay what you want and the overall price of the hardcopy should be the same or less than buying the 5 issues here.

This won't be a "second" edition though. The compiled version won't contain any new rules, background or artwork that weren't in the first 5 issues. It'll just be compiled into a letter size format, will have a full table of contents and all the rules will be organized into their own sections. So all you people who bought the first issues, thanks for the support but don't worry, the new drive thru version won't have anything new so you won't be missing out if you decide to give it a pass.

New Issues of LoSS

As for new issues? They will continue to be released, probably with a longer page count per issue with more time between issues. They will be the Letter size format with Black and white interiors.

The first few issues will be primarily adventures and campaign material for the world of Kartharka.

Play some games

My 2016 will hopefully be full of gaming. I didn't get in a lot of actual table time with LoSS this year what with peoples schedules and all so I hope to have a regular game going soon. Still plenty of slots available for people to try the LoSS game so let me know if you want to play in the next session.

I also want to actually "play" some games this year. I've been wanting to get some time in on the other side of the ol' DM screen for the past couple of years so I'm looking forward to logging some time in as a player.

Demonboard

When I first published the Demonbaord issue (over a year ago now!) I wanted to show people that making a 3d dungeon was easy, cheap, and fast!

So you've seen a lot of that board over the past year. And while it admittedly looks great, plays fine and has held up well, I really want to improve it.

I've held off on using standard gaming miniatures, and using more advanced modelling techniques for the past year because I wanted players to see how much you could do with so little, that every single person could have an awesome 3d dungeon of their own with no skill whatsoever. 

Well over the next year I'm going to show you all just how far you can push the limits of the demonboard quality if you are willing to invest a little more time, and learn a few more tricks.

Fortunately for you all I'm still far too broke to attempt anything that isn't also "cheap". But keep your eyes peeled for details on the new improved Demonboard I'm working on.

Let's get this stuff done proper!

When Loss started out it was just a throwaway idea that I did on a whim. I wanted to put out a quick and dirty zine of my own to have a place to drop some ideas I was working on and give me something to do.

Well it's certainly grown from there and it's time to start really making it shine.

Things like: editing, spell checking, tables of contents and page numbers. Making the text easy to read and refer to, organizing things in a way that makes sense, actually having some kind of consistent layout design between issues. 

You know those things that make something look, ummm, good.

Usually my goal is to just get it out there and have fun but now I'm looking to grow the audience a bit and clean, organized, and edited books are the way to do it. So you may see a bit of a gap before the next issue of adventures comes out as I'm also compiling the first book but when they do they should be pretty sharp so hopefully worth the wait.

Honestly, what it LoSS?

Over the past year I've been trying to write that same paragraph again and again. What is the game?

I've tried to put out something new, crazy, different, energetic and fun, but when you get down to brass tacks and put it in terms of rules...

LoSS is a roleplaying game.

The players take the role of heroes looking to make their mark on the world.

They are a a little stronger, faster, and wiser than the average citizen.

The characters can increase their power by earning favors for completing adventures.

Favours can be cashed in for money, equipment, or to have something done for them.

The characters have a fame and infamy score. These affect the world around them either making the people they encounter help them, or hurt them.

Fame is earned by completing adventures and performing heroic deeds. Infamy is earned by failing at adventures or performing evil deeds.

The combat system in LoSS is simple. Everyone starts a combat with an amount of Endurance. This represents how long they can fight before they let down their guard. Once their endurance is gone they are left open to a killing blow. Endurance is lost by losing a combat or by making an attack as both things will tire a character.

To attack you roll 2 dice and add your attack score, the defender rolls two dice and adds their attack score. The higher number wins the combat.

Endurance is regained between encounters by "resting". There is no healing magic.

The LoSS experience system awards "veteran" points for surviving dangerous combats, performing dangerous deeds, completing an adventure, or for roleplaying.

Veteran points can be spent to purchase increases in stats, or new skills which the character may use.

The magic system in Loss consists of "sorcerers" summoning spirits and demons. These spirits and demons may then perform tasks for the summoner. This may be something "magical" such as breathing fire or flying, opening a door, or even attacking their enemies.

Magic items are essentially special items with spirits trapped within them that are still able to perform some magical power. Such as shooting fire, creating light, or causing the bearer of the item to fly.

If a character wishes to do something other than attacking, for example, climbing a wall. They roll 2d6 and add any applicable stat. They will be trying to beat a number determined by the Demonlord deciding if the task is simple, difficult, or very difficult.

That pretty much sums up the game. Not too wild or different from other rules lite games. The rules are very similar to most other Old School Roleplaying games. The way they are balanced and work together makes for a good system though I think and lends itself well to "adventure" gaming based on trying to accomplish a specific goal.

Other Stuff for the year

Oh yes, there's still plenty more other stuff going on. I'm starting to paint up some more miniatures for the game (it is nice to be painting some old lead again).

The Lair synth continues on as well, I hope to get some actual music done this year but we'll have to wait and see.

I also hope that this is the year I get the injection molder actually up and running and then we'll really get some interesting stuff happening. Unfortunately my dreams of a Kartharka miniature line require a few hundred dollars more than I have lying around. If anyone's interested in buying original art from the first 5 issues for an exorbitant amount of cash let me know and maybe I can get this thing up and running.

Thanks!

To all of you who read, watch, listen and follow, thanks for giving a poor guy a break and a reason to keep playing with toys.

~Ripley Stonebrook

Giant Ants!

It's still Halloweeny time and still finding all sorts of great things at the dollar store. This package above is one of them.

100 ants! It's hard to tell from the pic but they are regular size ants to you and me. and look pretty good.

But to our intrepid heroes they are...

Cheap clay modeling for 3d dungeons

For all of you who really get behind clay, here's something very special.

My local dollar store has the usual "basic" clay molding and carving tools. For those in the know this means pPopsiclesticks, dental picks and regular craft knives. There are such things as "specialized" miniature clay modelling tools but I can tell you from experience that they don't accomplish anything you can't do with x-acto knives toothpicks and other home made tools.

But I found something exceptionally cool today.

Above you can see a picture of "cupcake decoration tools", for $1.50.

With some amazing round moulders, rakes, fine points and star points as well as a nice half round tool (far right on the picture below) that I haven't seen before.

What a great score. I think I might get around to finally making some clay doors for my demon board today.
Thank you gods of cheapness for awesome dolllar store stuff.

Painting "good enough" miniatures

It's miniature time again. As promised, here is how to paint miniatures (or toys) just good enough to get them on the table. Because let's face it. Taking weeks to paint up a few miniatures is a huge commitment of time to use them for only a few hours on the weekend. But they do look a little cooler so lets see how we can speed that up by just painting them good enough.

I also want to show you that you don't need to spend a lot to paint your miniatures. Really nice brushes cost money, really good miniature paints cost alot now too.

Updates...

Sorry for the lack of updates everyone, I've been completely sucked into making up this newest scenario for Lair, I'm writing up the new one in the new format and will go back and reformat burrower before publishing.
I've found a system that works finally and I'm loving it, I've also been highly distracted by the batch of mini's I got for Lair, I've been looking for the perfect, easily replicated by anyone, painting system for my Lair minis and I've hit something that works so good I'm shocked.

Instead of painting them like unique little snowflakes like I would for my Warhammer army I struck upon a technique that makes them look just like prepainted toy soldiers from the 70's. If we toys r us would have sold prepainted d&d minis back in the 70's, it would look just like this.

I'll post some pics once I'm through the next couple of batches, for now I'm off to finish up some maps!

I wish I could just put out burrower now so you guys could enjoy but the party hasn't "playtested" the last area yet.
And unfortunately it's only about an hour of content so I want to have the next adventures ready to go as soon as it's wrapped up so we don't just sit around for the rest of the night.

See you all soon!

~Ripley

Veteran issue heading to Layout!

Last call for anyone hoping to get any material into the Veteran issue!
Art is finished and all the articles are edited.
Tonight I start the might task of Layout, witness my copy/paste prowess!

I've got a few pictures to take on the weekend of the upgraded Demonboard and some great new toys to show off.

I got some great new minis from the Michigan Toy Soldier Company. Historical minis have been on my radar for some time now but I never realized just how cheap they are till I sat down and decided to drop 20 bucks on some. What with online sales I got 180 minis for 25 dollars. Even with extra shipping that's fantastic.

I wish a store around here carried these lines, I could buy a box a week.

The other great thing about Sword and Sorcery gaming is that all the Historical minis fit in perfectly. grab a few bags of animal toys from the dollar store and you can game to your hearts content for pennies.

I even picked up a box of "Gallic Command" minis that came with druid type looking guys. So now I have some great Sorceror minis in scale with the rest of my guys.

It's also nicely nostalgic to be playing with real 25mm scale minis again. You can fit 3 of these guys in a 1 inch square! I may tinker with the combat rules to take this into account in my own games. Chokepoints be dammed my guys are comin at cha!

~Ripley