WFRP: Reckless dice

A few weeks go I sat down and figured that chatter about WFRP was at its lowest ever! Then, I really started looking at what was happening on the net and realised that I had to stop only going to the usual places looking for WFRP talk, I had to cast my net wider!

So I found Reckless Dice, which is chatter about the current edition of WFRP in podcast format. And there's a lot of chatter going on! The guys behind the podcast are up to the tenth installment (released two days ago) as well as having a play-by-play podcast of them playing Eye for an Eye, the introductory adventure found in the WFRP box and Game Master Guide.

I've now listened to the episodes I found (missing number one and two in iTunes for some reason). It is a lot of talk about rules and how to play, and interlaced with that are comments on the Old World and its denizens.

Well worth a listen!

/Magnus

WFRP: Best of the fans (9)

This spring the A to Z blogging challenge was brought to my attention. I could never ever in my imagination seeing myself contributing to posting one post every day, for a month. So I wrote it off.

Then Tim at Another Caffienated Day showed me how it's done! He stepped up to the plate, and delivered 26 blog posts, from A to Z, about WFRP.

A mighty deed, indeed. Impressive and invigorating. And absolutely worthy of a Best of the Fans mention!

But I have to beat an old drum of mine. Hearing from readers is one of the most fun parts of writing a blog, and if you drop by and read Tim's posts, drop him a "hello" and "well played, good chap" or what passses as a cheer in your part of the world.

For I would very much like him to continue blogging, even if it's not one post a day. So remember Another Caffienated Day when you think about what's the best among WFRP fans. 

/Magnus

WFRP: Cemetary Polka

In my mind, Altdorf is a mad place, a cacaphony of bizarre antics of depraved individuals with warped motivations set against the backdrop of a world insane. And on top of that people are stupid and greedy. And there is no one better to capture that than Tom Waits. An acquired taste, I guarantee you, but to me  nothing says WFRP in Altdorf in music more than the Cemetary Polka.

And now the lyrics, adapted to the Old World

Cemetary Polka, by Thomas Warten

Uncle Werner, uncle Werner, independent as a hog on ice

He's a big shot down there at the slaughterhouse

Plays accordion for old Herr Weiss

Uncle Berthold, uncle Wilhelm

Made a fortune selling halfling pies

But they're tightwads and they're cheapskates

And they'll never give a klank to us 

Auntie Mame has gone insane

She lives in the doorway of an old hostel

And the guests are singing opera

All she ever says is "Go to hell!"

Uncle Violet sailed as a pilot

Never gave the pretty girls a glance

Now he runs a tiny little book shop

They say he never keeps it in his pants

Uncle Schill will never leave a will

And the tumor is as big as an egg

He has a mistress, she is Kislevitan

And I heard she has a wooden leg

Uncle Willi can't live without his pills

He is hard of hearing and he's almost blind

And we must find out where the money is

Get it now before he loses his mind

Uncle Werner, uncle Werner, independent as a hog on ice

He's a big shot down there at the slaughterhouse

He plays accordion for old Herr Weiss

/Magnus

WFRP: Altdorf in Warhammer Online

I haven't tried Warhammer Online, since I haven't had the time or inclination. About the only reason I have any interest is that I want to walk the virtual streets of Altdorf. I found the video below that shows a bit what it's about.

It looks ok to me, but the streets feel too wide and clean, and it's not a very bustling environment. I had hoped for a more busy Altdorf. I realise that there are techincal limitations today, so my dream of a crowded Altdorf might just be a pie in the sky.

Still, it's an interesting look at the streets of Altdorf, albeit not something that entices me to look further at Warhammer Online.

UPDATE: Myrgrim posted a link to another, much more interesting video of Altdorf. So now I'm a little bit confused. Does anyone know if the first video above is from WAR? I believe it is, since the plaza with the statues in it is in there, but Myrgrim's link seems more like the real deal.

/Magnus

WFRP: Help wanted (19)

"Have lost heirloom in River Reik. Dropped from Reiksbrücke. Will pay 100 Gold Crowns for retrieval. Contact Jürgen Vasser at the Hangman's Tavern."

- A difficult job indeed. Notice posted at several inns along the river Reik.

This little job could open up for splendid opportunities for the players to show their ingenuity. Will they try to find a submersible boat? Or invent a diving bell? Or simply dive from a boat? And what is it that's been lost? It might indeed be Herr Vasser's heirloom, but more probably something he has stolen. Maybe from a mage?

So decide what's been lost, toss this note out to the players and things will roll along nicely from there. Don't forget that the Niederhafen Pike should play a part in this adventure!

/Magnus

WFRP: Scenic views of Altdorf

On this page I have gathered all black and white pictures that I have keyed to places in Altdorf. If you are strapped for inspiration when describing the city to your players, just pop into this page and describe what you see in one or more of the pictures.

The North Gate.

View of the Königstrasse, seen from the North Gate.

The University.

Inside the Temple of Sigmar.

Die Volksoper.

Otto Stierne's Observatory.

One of many minor bridges around the Eastender Bridge. These smaller bridges often lead
to equally small islands located in the Reik.

Reiksport Bezirk, as viewed when entering Altdorf from the north.

WFRP: The Reiksport Bezirk

A view over the Reiksport Bezirk, as seen 

entering from the north.

The Reiksport Bezirk, which lies just outside the northeast walls of Altdorf, is the newest part of the city. It has grown from being a humble gathering of sheds and jetties, to become one of the capitals most important defenses against invaders, smugglers and Marien-burgers. The district has benefited greatly from the military prescence of the Imperial Navy, and the fact that the Emperor raised funds to extend the walls of the city to encompass most of Reiksport.

It is a rough and tumble area, and one has to keep a sharp eye out for thugs and cutthroats. The district is made up mostly of docks, warehouses, barracks and living quarters for the navy and those civilians who make their living off servicing the large merchant and army vessels that moor there.

Adolphus Altdorfer

Konistag, Sigmarzeit 2

Go here to download the complete iAltdorf map!

/Magnus