I just finished adding in some Calendar features to the blog, with some plug-ins designed to integrate Google Calendar with the flow of the pages here. There’s now an agenda-style list on the right side of upcoming events, as well as an in-line display of our Google Calendar on our Events Schedule page.

- Nathanael Phillip Cole

I meant to post this on the day-of, but it totally slipped my mind. Here’s a recap of our very first Grind Night, May 26th 2007, and the various timed milestones. I’ve linked to pictures when I could find them.

Date: 05/26/2007
Game: Shadow of the Colossus
Grinders: Nathanael, Alex, Andrea
Goal: To defeat all 16 of the colossi in 6 hours.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been running a Little Fears game on alternating Wednesdays. This has been a new experience for me, and if any of you have a history with this particular game then you probably know what I’m talking about here. If you’re not familiar with the subject matter, then it’s a bit difficult to explain.

Anyway, one of my players has written an Actual Play report on our jam session which was over a month ago. It’s a good read, and I’m hoping there will be more in this series of posts.

Thanks, Kat!

- Nathanael Phillip Cole

(Update 6/17/2007: This post actually refers to a rpg system now called “Verses”.)

Two things to report:

First, I’ve finalized the arrangements to host the first play-test of the QUAD tabletop RPG system at the new FLGS Guardian Games here in Portland, OR. The play-test will take place on June 2nd, starting at 2 PM. I’ve got a few folks who say they can make it, and there’s room for two or three more. If you’re interested, leave a comment or send us an email.

This Saturday is the first in the Grind Nights I’ll be hosting at my house. The purpose is to get two-to-four players together with the purpose of picking a single video game and beating the hell out of it as quickly as possible. I’m expecting a total of four players this time, and we’ll be tagging off as we progress through the game.

Currently, the game is undecided. My vote is for Shadow of the Colossus, which I think is a truly thrilling game of epic intensity which might be beatable within a 4-10 hour span. We’ll see how it goes, though.

I will post some updates throughout the session, just to keep a record of how quickly we accomplish our goal.

– Nathanael Phillip Cole

(Update 6/17/2007: This post actually refers to a rpg system now called “Verses”.)

Two updates in this post.

Due to lack of responses, the playtest of the BMF LARP rules for this weekend in Portland has been canceled. I’m going to make another attempt to muster some interest in the next month, so more on that when it arises.

Additionally, I’m looking to organize a playtest for another gaming project of ours, a tabletop RPG system called QUAD. I’m looking to get a group of 3-6 players together to test character creation and mechanical concepts, and am looking at Saturday, June 2nd as the target date. I’ve contacted local gaming center Guardian Games to host it, but if they cannot then another location can be chosen. Again, I’ll update more as this arises.

Stay tuned!

- Nathanael Phillip Cole

“It’s 1899, and the most sinister figures of the Portland criminal underground have gathered to discuss the new century, and how their empire will stand up to the Times That Be a-Changin’…”

For two-to-four hours on Saturday, May 26th, I’ll be running the first round of playtests for the new Live-Action Role-Playing game system from Reality Merchants Games. The premise of the scenario involves characters from the Portland criminal underground at the twilight of the 19th century, with a hint of deeper darkness at the core of it all. Piracy, shanghaiing, white slavery, vice, and a sliver of the supernatural can be found in this open playtest of our brand new LARP.

I’m looking for 10-15 players who like LARPs and are willing to try and test something new. I’ll prolly order a lot of pizzas too. If the day is nice, we’ll be meeting at Pioneer Square. If the day is crappy, we’ll meet at my place. If you’re interested, comment here, or fill out one of the various contact forms on the left.

Thanks!

- Nathanael Phillip Cole