New Art

Not sure who did the original B/W.

Here's the Color.

Mmmmm, Fermented Honey

Something I've wanted to do but never got around to do was make mead. (What kind of Skald would I be if I didn't know how to make Mead.) So last night I finally did it. Yesterday after work I went to a local homebrew place picked up the essential supplies. Then went and picked up the honey and other items we needed. Then went to a friends house and started brewing. After we sanitized the equipment, pasteurized the honey and mixed everything together a few hours had past. We needed the temp. of the must to be 80º. And being the impatient type that I am, it was cooling fast enough. So it was moved to a tub with cold water and late packed with ice. Finally around 4 AM it reach the desired temp. The yeast was added and went home to go to bed.

The following are notes I took.

Mead
Makes 5 Gallons
15 lbs. of Mrs. Crockett's Country Hill Honey
4 Gallons of water
2 tsp Irish Moss
1 tsp Gypsum
1 tsp Stale hops
1 capsule of servomyces

Heated 2 gallons of water as honey was mixed in. When temp. reached 170 remove pot from and mixed in Irish Moss, Gypsum, Stale Hops, and servomyces. After 5 mins rack must into carboy with 2 gallons of water and aerated. When the temp dropped to 80 added yeast. (Which was about 4 am) Getting the must to drop to 80 degrees was a long wait. We placed carboy into tub and filled the tub with cold water and pack ice around carboy. Later more ice was added and a towel soaked with cold water was place to help with the cooling process. Next time we will place 2 gallons of ice instead of water.

11/10/07 Pitched yeast. O.G. 1.1045

One Small step towards Liberty

I finally did it. Before today I have never donated anything to a political canidate. Mostly because I didn't have the time or money. I'm not in a different boat. I still don't the have the time or money, but this is the ONLY canidate that speaks the message that I believe in. FREEDOM from Big Govnerment. (Yes, I'm looking at you Republicans that speak of small government but have expanded the government more then LBJ) Freedom to pursue the things that makes me happy. So even though I don't have the money to spend, I gave all I could and will have do without a little happiness for a while. Because Ron Paul is America's last hope for Freedom and Liberty.

Game 1 NLDS DBacks vs Cubs

Post Season Baseball Begins
Thanks to my Uncle, we went to the DBacks game last night. It was good game with the DBacks winning 3-1. The score was 0-0 through the third inner until Stephen Drew #6 hit a home run in the fourth. Then in the 6th with bases loaded, 2 outs, when R. Theriot of Chicago hit a single to the 3rd basesman. The DBacks had a chance to end the inning but pitcher Brandon Webb #17 didn't cover 3rd base, where the 3rd out could have been made. All the runners advanced, allowing D. Lee to tie the score. The DBacks took the lead with a homer in the 7th inner by Mark Reynolds #27. Later in the 7th with Chris Snyder #19 on 3rd, Pinch hitter Conor Jackson #16 hit a sacrifice fly allowing Snyder to score. The DBacks went on to hold the lead and win. Although in the 9th with two outs, Relief Pitcher José Valverde #47 walked pinch hitter D. Ward of Chicago. Next up, A. Soriano of Chicago. Probably Chicago's best hitter. But managed to close the inning with Sorino hitting to the 2nd baseman, and him tagging 2nd base forcing the 3rd out.

CGS Coloring Contest

Here's the finished coloring of DC Comic's Countdown 36 cover, as part of the coloring contest over at the
Comic Geek Speak Forums.

Summer Actions

Harvest
The summer harvest was good and plentiful. The hunters in Leszek Forest cut down the finest trees. Again, both Grego and Brynnmor Farms had good crop production. Doino Plains were in full production of their Wined Spices. The miners in the Morywyn Mountains delivered the finest stones. The village turned over some fine spears for the Valru Guard. Kalisa introduced me to our Spy Master, Senka Yvarai. As I introduced her to Decebal Thorne, the former Headman of Leszek Forest as our new Master of the Roads. Both were given there yearly payment of food up front.

Planning
For the Autumn harvest I gave orders for Miners to collect more metals for the sword Duchess Mira will be crafting. Some of the finest woods from the harvest were given to Crina village to produce a fine walking staff. Grego farms were asked to grow crops and Brynnmor was asked to spine wool. Leszek Forests will be cutting down more trees for regional upgrade. Doino Plains will produce more of their famous Wined Spice.

Trouble
The headmen of two regions reported trouble. Crina Village and Doino Plains.

Actions
Kalisa was sent out to Quell the trouble in the Village. As Decebal was sent to quell the trouble in Doino Plains. Alvosis continued to train my wife and the Valru Guard. The Shades and Senka increased Security of the Veles. With my research done, I left for Morgana Castle to start process of crafting the sword. When I returned I started train Alvosis.

Some of the Wined Spices were given to Alvosis, the Shades for their loyal service. The spears were also given to Valru Guard.

Spring Actions

Harvest
The spring harvest was good and plentiful. The hunters in Leszek Forest trapped and/or hunted many animals. It will keep the food stores full for some time. Both Grego and Brynnmor Farms had good crop production. Doino Plains were in full production of their Wined Spices. The miners in the Morywyn Mountains filled their carts with metals.

Planning
For the next season I gave orders for Miners to change to cutting stone for upgrades to the region. The some of the metal was handed over to Crina village to produce spears for the Valru Guard. Both farms were asked to grow crops again. The men of Leszek Forests were ask to cut down and plant trees. Doino Plains were ask to produce more of their famous Wined Spice.

Trouble
The headmen of the regions were happy to report no trouble was reported.

Actions
Since I took control of the Veles Province, I have made many improvements and stabilized the region. But there is still many progresses that need to be made. I asked my wife, Kalisa, to hire a Master Spy. Alvosis, my senechal, was asked to train my wife and train my personal guard, the Valru Guard. The Shades, my spynetwork, increased Security of the Veles. I took to finding a Master of the Roads. Last year I performed that duty, my I was asked by Duchess Mira Yvarai to be her Master of the Roads. She is my Duchess, I am her vassal, so I could not turn down the privilege to be her Road Man.
In exchange for my service, she will craft me a sword. I have research I need to do before the sword can be created.

Food was paid to The Shades, Alvosis, and the Valru Guard.

Yet another

Image pulled from
Comic Geek Speak Forums.

More Works

Original
Line Art taken from a friend's RPG supplement from I.C.E. Rolemaster's Pirate's book.

Final Color

Signatures & Other Works

Baron Iver Thorne
Here is an image I've colored as an image to represent my Houses character. To give credit where credit is do, the line drawing was taken from Larry Elmore's website. It was taken from a couple of his drawing and I combined the two. The colors where then done in Photoshop as a practice of my coloring technique. The Forest was a Google image that I applied some effects too.



Houses Signature

7th Sea Signature
Both signatures where inspired by the AEG signatures available at the AEG Forums for L5R. I was jealous that they didn't have any 7th Sea Signature so I made my own.

Every Gamer must have one.

Make a Rubik's Cube Out of Dice

Spring Story II

Spring
In the morning the Duchess Mira Yvari (Played by Renee) joined us. We continued following the tracks. The tracks lead out of Gregor's Mountain and into one Count Kether's regions. The tracks lead to a village, Eriksburgor.
Things we know about the Village
Known for Silk
Direct trade route to Count Kether's Castle
Village is small

As we are on a bluff that over looks the village a carriage pulled by fine ponies exits the forest. They stop at the largest building of the village and a large man comes out to greet the carriage. Two people step out of the carriage a man and a woman. They enter the building.

We make our way into the village and the large man too greets us. He is Grunholt the headman of the village. He welcomes us to stay and rest. As he talks he makes wild exaggerated jesters. We explain the nature of our visit and Timus was called over to see to our needs as Grunholt flabbgasterly runs to make inquires.

We enter the building we see the woman from the earlier carriage. She’s Lady Shara Yvari from the Far, Far East and cousin to Duchess Mira. As we talk with Lady Shara, Crav comes in to the common room.
Things we know about Crav
Lady Shara's Swordsman
Bald and Shaved
Big as a Bear
Mountain Man

We speak with Lady Shara until Grunholt returns. He asks if the tracks were strange. The tracks were strange. The men were on horseback. Grunholt, Lysandra, and Crav for the stables. As the go to the stable Grunholt explains they breed horse for Count Kether. Pievu, the stable keeper, was called for. Pievu is short, and has little blue eyes. Crav and Lysandra examine the stables. The last stable was missing a horse. After further questioning and examining, they discover the missing horse was a mare, a bay coloring with star marking on her forehead and was here two days ago. Pievu was discovered to be lying about the horse presence earlier today. Pievu was then taken back to main house for further questioning. It was revealed that Pievu was lying and that Grunholt has the horse. Lady Shara looks to the headman and plainly says "Your in trouble." Grunholt confesses to having the horse. He was going to tell Count Kether that the horse was stolen. The man that took the horse was wearing a mask and threatened to kill everyone in the village if Grunholt report this to Count Kether. After he left, all the cattle started to bleed. The Masked Man was tall, strong and had the regalness of the blooded. When asked, Count Kether was described as Dark, Tall and Handsome, you don't want him to ever touch sort of way. After some discussion we decided to leave for Count Kether's castle.

Count Kether's Castle
Because of our hasty departure, we arrived to Count Kether's place well after dark. Torches light the path as we ride. Count Kether's Castle was built on top of the remains of the ruins of the Sorcerer-Kings. The castle gate rises and we enter into the courtyard. Which was designed for killing. Ernst, Count Kether’s Seneschal, greeted us. Ernst speaks with a high voice and informs us we are early for the party that is to take place to tomorrow night, but will arrange rooms for us in the east wing of the castle. We are shown to our room and give time to eat and wash up before meeting with Count Kether. During this time there was a knock at our door. There’s a young lady at the door, after some stammering, the young lady manages to invite us to a meeting with Lady Niassa. As the young lady leaves, Lady Shara enters. The Duchess MIra and Lady Shara discuss fashion that is to be worn at the party when a loud BANG interrupts the meeting. Our impulsive nature urges us to go investigate the noise, but Count Kether’s guards stop us. We tried to talk our away past the guards or at best look past them, when Ernst finds us. He informs us that Count Kether was ready to see us and we were escorted to a sitting room. After some time passes, Count Kether enters. Pleasantries were exchanged, an explanation as to the nature of the meeting was given. A quill was called for and brought in.
Grunholt was then asked to write, “My name is Tomas” .

Grunholt writes, “My name is… Grunholt”

He was then asked to write, “I am not responsible for the horse’s theft.”

Grunholt writes, “I am… responsible for the horse’s theft.”

Kether then asks Grunholt to write, “I do not know who threatened the village.”

Grunholt writes, “I… know who threatened the village.”

Grunholt was then asked to write the name of the man.

Grunholt writes, “Duke Dannon.”

After Grunholt was finish writing, Count Kether draws his sword and kills Grunholt. Count Kether then picks up the quill, asks Gregor to pay close attention, and then writes, “I am not responsible for poisoning your lands.”

Gregor replies with, “We now know who our common enemy is.”

Count Kether then places the quill back into the box and the Seneschal departs. Count Kether then says that he has a guest has violated his hospitality but wishes to speak with us tomorrow about the letter sent to Gregor. Count Kether then stands and leaves. Ernst then sees us back to our rooms. Before Ernst leaves, Duchess Mira tells him that we were ready to see Lady Niassa. To which Ernst gives her a surprised look and says, “Lady Niassa is not here.”

The Duchess insists that she must be, because she had spoken to her lady. Ernst assures her that she isn't and then departs. As we prepare to bed down for the night. Alyss, Lady Niassa's lady was found hiding in the wardrobe. She asks for our help in hiding her. Alyss says, Count Kether has kidnapped her brother. He is being used as leverage so that Alyss will spy on Lady Niassa. Alyss plans on killing Count Kether before Lady Niassa arrives to the party. As we are discussing what to do with Alyss, there comes a knock at the door. It's Kether's guards and they are asking to search the rooms. When Alyss hears this she takes off running. Gregor's gives chase, but loses her. As Alyss was sneaking away, she runs into Lady Shara. Lady Shara exclaims "Alyss!" which causes the guards to run after Alyss. The guards catch her and beat her up and drag her away. Lady Shara was on her way to speak with us. Our conversation causes us to explore the castle further.

Secret Library
Lady Shara leads us to the library. Entering was a bit unnerving but we manage to summon up the courage to enter. As we explore the library Iver finds a book from the Sorcerer-King containing ritual that very few ven know about. Lysandra finds a hidden door and opens it. Hidden behind the door was a corridor, which has a slight decline and leads into a room. The room was filled with iron instruments. Each item was about 2 feet long and was used as a torturing devise. It's humming because it's been used recently. The item seems to be drawn towards the black table in the room. Just then Count Kether enters the room. He then locks us in the room as he leaves with Lady Shara. Lady Lysandra tries the door, its locked. Gregor looks for another hidden door. He finds one, the black table moves to reveal a ladder leading down and Count Kether doesn't know about it. We all climb down and Lady Lysandra covers the entrance. As she does, the table catches on something making it difficult to reopen. Then the humming instruments of torture fall silent. About midway down, the ladder stops. After some jumping down, some falling, we all make it too the bottom. Some better off then others. The room at the bottom was cooled and wet. A small stream of water flows down the path the leads up and out of here. Before heading up the path we tried healing ourselves as best as possible. The path twists and turns as we walk up the path. It leads to wrought iron spiral staircase that end at a landing. We are once again in Count Kether’s castles, standing in a corridor. As we walk down the corridor we see tiny pinholes. The pinholes look into a bedroom. We continue down the corridor peering through each new set of pinholes. As we move further we hear voices, the voices of Count Kether and Lady Shara. We peer into another pinhole and we see them in a bedroom.

”Do I please you my Lord?” Lady Shara asks

”More then that vacuous slutty whore.” Count Kether replies.

Lady Shara smiles, ”You are far too kind my Lord.”

”Put it away.”

Lady Shara flirts and teases him, ”Very well.”, she then pulls back a hood. Lady Shara appearance changes to that of Lady No.
3 Things we know about Lady No
Multiple Widow
Small, Petite, & Demure (So cute you just want hug her)
Houses of the Elk

Duchess Mira gasps then quickly covers her mouth. Count Kether and Lady No look towards the wall. Lady Lysandra takes the torch and quickly runs down the corridor leaving the rest of us in darkness.

”Did you hear that?” Count Kether asks Lady No.

”I did.”

Lady No then gets up and walks towards the wall. She then turns back to Count Kether. ”My Lord, is there a secret panel here?”

”There are many secrets panels in my castle. The Sorcerer-Kings have left me with a cache of secrets.”

Lady No asks how the secret panel works. As Count Kether explains how it works, Gregor and Drustan run away without being heard by Lady No. Iver uses his Greater Suaven ability to make him look like one of Kether’s guards. Lady Mira comes and stands next to him. As the panel opens Lady No stumbles. Iver goes to help but was quickly dismissed. Count Kether is called over. After some questioning he orders Iver to take the Duchess to the tower. As Iver escorts the Duchess to the tower, he rounds a corner, breaks off from the route, and backtracks towards where the others hopefully will be. As the others argued as too what their next move will be. Iver, still looking as a guard, rounds the corner. Lady Lysandra jumps on him. The disguise he was wearing fades to reveal Iver’s true appearance. Lady Lysandra stands in shock, then apologies and helps him up as the Duchess finishes rounding the corner.

FIRE
Back together again, we plotted about either going and rescuing Alyss or escaping. We decided to set fire to Count Kether’s bedroom as a distraction for our escape. On our way out, we enter the courtyard. Across from the courtyard are the stables. We tell the stable boy that Count Kether wants to release the horses so they will not be harmed but the fire. The stable boy releases the horses as Gregor raised the gate. Once outside the castle, Iver shot an arrow to close the gate as the others collected the horses. We then rode towards Lady Niassa’s lands to tell her that Count Kether has Alyss.

Spring Story I

Spring
Our story starts in the spring. Baron Gregor Steele (Played by Matt) received a letter from Count Kether stating it was a matter of great importance and we all should come. But Gregor was also having troubles in his lands. So we decided to go and investigate the trouble on our way to Count Kether's. We were also invited to Lady Peacocks Late Spring Social. Baron Iver Thorne (Played by Me) sent his wife with his Seneschal and Personal Guard in his place. Some of the others sent their spouse as well.
3 Things about Lady Peacock
Blooded of the Elk
Called Lady Peacock because of her Outrages Dress
Has the Aspect of "I know everyone"
Also has the Aspect of "Matchmaker"

Trouble in Astrel Farms
Baron Gregor was having trouble in multiple regions but we could only visit one. So we went to his farms. We meant with Jack Coffin, the Head Man of Astrel Farms.
3 Things about Jack Coffin
Not Blooded
Tall
Walks with a Limp
Bald
Has a dog

Jack showed us the fields. When he placed a spade into the ground blood come out of the soil like the earth was bleeding from a cut.
Things about know about the blooded earth
Soil was cursed with a Vendetta ritual
Bad sorcery (Illegal)
To undo the curse you must salt the earth
Someone in towns knows who is behind this curse
Conclusion: Someone is after Gregor's land

As the people were looking onward, one fellow, Levlin, was trying not to be seen. His suspicious actions caused us to question him. When we asked him to come forward he ran. Baroness, Lysandra chased him as Baron Iver shot Levlin in the leg with an arrow. Baroness Lysandra Burghe (Played by Quin) dragged Levlin back and presented him to Baron Gregor. When questioned he revealed these truths.
Things we know about Levlin
Man dressed in black wearing masks
Gave Levlin and his brother pretty things, (Glass Beads, Worthless, From Kether's Lands)
Gave them vials of Blood to pore onto the fields
Men spoke like the Blooded, "Regal countenance"
Levlin and his Brother could not refuse them (Not sorcery, but supernatural)
Brother was killed by Orks 2 weeks ago

Levlin then salted the fields, Baron Drustan Mwrr (Played by Pam) helped with the task. Baron Gregor should mercy to Levlin, which cause the loyalty in the region to go up. Jack was then order to keep an eye on Levlin.

Track to the North
Baron Gregor's Roadman, Brian and his men found tracks to the North. The tracks lead into the "Bad Lands" and then into Baron Gregor's Mountains. The tracks then double backed and turned to the east as they lead out of Gregor's land. Wyr, Drustan's Swordsman, found us a good place to camp.
3 Things about Wyr
Autumn
Blooded
In love with Baron Drustan's Wife

Houses of the Blooded

My gaming group and I have been part of the play testing for John Wick's new game "Houses of the Blooded". We've had 3 stories so far and it's been a blast. I will be recapping all the action here. You can learn more about Houses at , www.housesoftheblooded.com Or click on the above image.

Found this HI-Larious

Found this over at indexed Check it out.

End of a Journy. Start of a New...

Nearly 6 months ago a gaming campaign that was going on for years came to an end. I had been with the game for nearly 4 years, and the game had started a year or so before I started. We didn't know this, at the time. We all thought it was going to continue. You see our friend, the GM, who runs the game, missed another session. No call, no explanation, no nothing. You have 5 gamers all sitting around waiting for him to show up so that we can indulge in our addiction. Well after a couple of hours, we decided to call it a night.(And many unanswered phone calls to his cell phone) These stand-ups happen with some regularity, and if he didn't spin such a good story, we would have dropped the game years ago. Although lately it was happening with more regularity, and when he did show up, it seemed as if he was just calling it in. The excitement of running a game had left him. Call it burnout. I understand that, but all we'd ask is that he be honest with us. Then, he dropped off the face of the earth. We all know the game had come to an end. Although we didn't want to admit it, but the writing on the wall and was all plain to see. Another disappointing conclusion to yet another unfinished campaign. This one had potential, if there was a campaign that would reach it's finally, this was the one, but in the end it too finished unresolved.

A couple months ago, I was talking with another player. We were talking about how annoyed we were about not knowing the ending. I confided in her that the only reason I was still playing was because I wanted to know what happened to her character, Izzie. Her character was the star after all. The character I was playing had left the game to do his own thing. So I was without a character, and not wanting to leave the group, I started playing another character. The new character that was fun to play, but one I wasn't emotionally attached to it. After thinking about it for a few days, I decided I could pick up where our GM left off and at least finish the last adventure. When I proposed this to my friend, she was excited about the possibility. Asked if I was serious, and I said I was. About a month ago I ran the conclusion to the last adventure. Things when really well and added a little taste of things to come. After the session, I asked if they wanted to continue. And the response was yes.

After months of nothing (our last gaming session was on 1/20), we have revived it, and the story continues on...

Legend of Zelda Medley

Fun Stuff

New Favorite Comedian

See why.

Off-Topic Post, but this never gets old

Gaming Session 1/20

Sextus 22, 1671
In our continual hunt for Highway men. We traveled to Luthon.

Info we know about the Highway men:
Attacks are random for the most part.
Pattern to there attacks has been days to weeks.
Area to their attack has been all around Percis' Region.
They tend to attack merchants.
Merchants that are not well protected.
No more then 2-4 people per cart.
Items stolen has been cash or other small, easy to carry valuables.
Merchandise is usually left untouched.

We filled a cart with barrels, trunks and a tarp. Under the tarp was Gretal, Jacqueline, and Nicoletta. I drove the cart as Izzie rode next to me. Diego acted as our guard. We left at dawn and our trip took most of the day. Upon arriving in Luthon Izzie check in at the townhouse. I went to the House of the Harping Monkey. The other later joined me at the pub. We entertained ourselves with stories of Owlbears. We plan to return to Norfolk the next morning.

1/20 Recap

Sextus 19, 1671
Our last adventure had us tracking down Brigands. We rode the country side, trying to look like juicy targets for such men. We came upon a farm house that was pillaged and burned. After investigating the site, we determine that this attack was not the highway men, but a much large group of men. The apparently attack the residence, took what they could and burned the rest. They traveled southwesterly towards Wessex county. Gretal and I followed the trail as Izzie, Jacqueline, and Diego traveled back to Norfolk for more accommodating clothes. After scouting ahead, Gretal and I returned to the house and met back up with Izzie and gang.

We rode through the night and the next morning came to a town that was just hint by the traveling army. The army stopped, met up with another army and then rode in and pillage the place. After a brief investigation we determined that this town was hit because of it's gold mine. Very little was stolen, but the mines were sabotaged. We continued to follow until Izzie, Jacqueline, Gretal, and Diego decide to give up chase. I continued to follow. The armies split up, one group traveled towards Carleon as the other rode south towards Canguine. I followed the group towards Canguine and during the night had caught up with them. I noted my findings and sent a report to Izzie via one of her porté boxes. I rode ahead to warn the villages, town and farmhouses.

Izzie and group sent message to Wessex. Personly met with Duke of Precis to warn him. Set up messenger box for Percis.

When Izzie and group returned to Norfolk they heard that the Brigands had attacked again.

Info from the army I followed:
35-45 Men in the army I followed.
6-10 in a unit. Number of superiors match this number.
Avalon mostly, some Inish, some Eisen. All Pikemen and mounted horseman.
20-30 extra mounts. Fought on horseback. Very well train and organized.

Other Army appeared to have similar numbers.