Ken Newquist

Game Day: A Death in Numenera

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We finished our second game of Numenera with our first character death. Talos, an Intelligent Nano Who Employs Magnetism, died at the tentacles of an alien horror while exploring a subterranean ruin. The survivors of the expedition, Deegan (a Stealthy Jack Who Commands Mental Powers) and my character, the Scorn of Dread Nazaar (a Stealthy Nano Who Exists Partially Out of Phase), did their best to fend off the beast, but when Talos fell, they fled to the surface.

Enter Zorro

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A black-and-white kitten sits on a bookshelf.

We got a new kitten and his name is “Zorro”. A kitten who thinks he’s a fox? Well, more like a kitten who thinks he’s a swashbuckler. He’s a spastic ball of furry who loves throwing himself off the the sofa, dueling with the Labrador, and taking running leaps at the curtains. It’s been more … Read more

iPad Board Gaming, Late 2013 edition

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One of the things I love most about the iPad is how many board games have made it to the iOS platform. Classics like Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, and Settlers of Catan blazed the trail, but now we’re seeing another wave of releases with games like Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy and Lords of … Read more

Kickstarting a Pathfinder version of Advanced Bestiary

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The kickstarter for Green Ronin’s Advanced Bestiary is in its final hours. The book, a creature compendium for the Pathfinder RPG, is funded with 901 backers and $41,000 (easily beating its goal of $20,000). The book was originally published in the waning days of D&D 3.5 and went on to provide inspiration for Paizo’s monstrous … Read more

Star Wars: Galaxy at War

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Star Wars is about conflict. From the Mandalorian Wars to the Rebellion to the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, war defines each era, and the characters roles within in them. Galaxy at War is a Star Wars: Saga Edition source book that puts players on the frontlines of these wars, offering new warlike (or wartorn) species, feats and talents, a martial arts prestige class and an arsenal new weapons and vehicles.

Off the Bookshelf: House of Suns, Ender’s Game, Atrocity Files

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The helmet of a space-suited child appears in front of several geometric shapes.

It’s a slow time for reading at Nuketown. The frenzy of the summer reading list has given way to the crush of my fall work load (and, if I’m honest, too much time spent playing Civilization 5). Much of my reading these days is of the audio variety, on my way back and forth from work, and it continues to be dominated by science fiction … though I have snuck in a Lovecraftian spy novel.

The New Backpack of Carrying

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I walk to work, and as such a good laptop back is a critical part of my commute. For the last few years I’ve used an L.L. Bean messenger bag, but it had become frayed and ink-stained from years of abuse. It’s form factor was also problematic, particularly when I fly, because it was difficult to stow under seats while still giving easy access to its contents. I also wanted easily stow cables, notebooks, pens, and other tools of the my trade. Oh, and a laptop as well.

Game Day: Numenera Likes and Dislikes

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A crystal-like monolith hovers over a river valley.

I’ve played through the first Numenra adventure as a player with my Sunday group, and we’ve just launched into our second full-blown adventure. Meanwhile I’m prepping to run the same introductory adventure for my lunchtime group. I’ve played Numenera enough to know I like it … but I don’t love it.