[Cryptworld] "Creepy Comic Conversion" Issue 5 Now Available

Once again Boils and Ghouls, it's time to crack open another terror tale from the 1940s-50s and see how your Cryptworld players manage to face their fears! In other words, a new issue of the Creepy Comic Conversion series for Cryptworld is now available!

I love horror comics, especially the long-forgotten ones that have entered the public domain. As a way to bring these amazing terror tales back to life, I’ve grabbed one at random and converted one of the stories as a mini-Cryptworld adventure. In this full-color 20-page zine, you first read the short comic story, then the back-half is that same tale now fleshed out and statted up for an evening’s gaming.

Presenting Issue 5 in the "Creepy Comic Conversion" series, this time featuring "The Subway Terror" from Mister Mystery Number 2 (1951):

In "The Subway Terror",  people have been vanishing from the manmade tunnels under the city for years: sewer workers, water and electrical linemen, and – more recently – subway patrons. Some theorize they’ve become lost in the maze-like depths. Others believe the legends of pets flushed long ago that grew to become giant alligators or snakes inhabiting the sewers. The truth is more disturbing…and dangerous. The players are tasked with investigating the disappearances with the assistance of the mysterious "Department G".

Issue 5 of the "Creepy Comic Conversion" series is now available in PDF at Drive Through RPG! (Full-color print copies will be available very soon there too!)

[MCC RPG] Mutant Menagerie: Gobbler

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Gobbler: Init +2; Atk bite +3 melee (1d6) or talon +2 melee (1d4); AC 12; HD 1d8; MV 20’; Act 1d20; SP blinding light; SV Fort +2, Ref +0, Will +2.

A Gobbler is a large carnivorous bird (2-3 feet tall) that roams the red-grassed plains of Terra AD. Although often found alone, the Gobbler can sometimes be encountered in a flock of 2-5 (1d4+1).

The Gobbler appears to be a large breasted avian with a large fan-like feathered tail. Its wings are too small to hold itself aloft in extended bouts of flight, but the Gobbler can use them to reach higher locations such as roof tops or tree boughs before it tires itself out. (In game terms, the Gobbler can use its wings to reach a height/distance of 50 feet aloft before needing to land again.

Upon first glance, a Gobbler appears to have a bulbous head dangling from a skinny curved neck. In actuality, this "head" is a vestigial organ that can release a dazzlingly bright flash of light when the Gobbler chooses. A victim who fails a DC 12 Fort check will be utterly blinded for 2d4 rounds while their eyes clear. During this period, all action rolls will be at -1d.

The Gobbler's true "head" is actually part of their large chest area, which will open to reveal a toothy voracious maw lined with razor-sharp teeth. The Gobbler's appearance typically lures in prey, which will believe it's just a large flightless lumbering bird. Once its victim gets close, the Gobbler will blind its target with light before descending on its prey to feed.

[Samson Sunday] Savage Menagerie: Liobear

Liobear: Init +1; Atk bite +6 melee (1d6+2) or claw +4 melee (1d8); AC 17; HD 3d8; MV 20’ or climb 10'; Act 2d20; SV Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +8.

A Liobear is one of the more fearsome creatures to encounter roaming the lands of Terra AD. The mutant mammal has the powerful body of a bear and the ferocious head of a lion. (It is unknown how these two animals were combined to form such a beast, but Ancient genetic experiment is assumed. ) The creature is also much larger than either of its Ancient cousins, standing nearly 12 feet tall when on its hind legs.

A Liobear attacks twice per round, typically using both of its paws to slash and batter an opponent. If the opportunity arises, it may also bite with its powerful jaws, holding its prey fast and gaining a +1d on consecutive attacks until the victim breaks free (DC 17 STR check).

NOTE: This creature was inspired by the cover and interior tale from Issue 1 of "Mighty Samson." Stay tuned each week for Samson Sunday!

Three Personal MCC RPG Milestones Achieved This Week

It's no secret that Goodman Games' Mutant Crawl Classics is a new passion of mine. (Truth be told, ALL post-apocalyptic RPGs are a passion of mine, as the very genesis of this blog was as a personal Mutant Future repository. Scroll through the first 5 years of posts here as proof.) However, this week I achieved three personal gaming goals all revolving around MCC RPG and my place in Terra AD. And now, on with the countdown...

NUMBER THREE: 

"Dead in the Water" breaks the Top 10 Hottest DCC RPG on Drive Through RPG

Earlier today, I discovered that my first publicly released MCC RPG adventure "Dead In The Water" now sits at the number 7 position on Drive Through RPG's hottest titles for DCC RPG.I'm very pleased that it's been so well received by the community and I thank everyone who's picked up a copy and those who've helped me playtest it over the years at numerous conventions.

And speaking of conventions...

NUMBER TWO:

The first public sighting of an MCC RPG adventure I've written being run at a convention...and not by me

Clayton Williams, one of the overseers of this year's Gongfarmer's Almanac, is running my contribution to this year's GFA at U-Con in Michigan this weekend. My adventure, "The Desert Gardens", has the players searching for a long-lost oasis of botanical bounty somewhere in the Sharpsand Desert. Clayton asked me a while back if he could run this at a future con, and I of course said "Sure!" But until I read through this year's U-Con program guide, I had forgotten all about it. I hope it goes well for you, Clayton!

And speaking of running games in public...

NUMBER ONE:

Running my 13th Road Crew game at a new event

Next weekend is Genghis Con in Cleveland. The event is a small press/independent comic publishers convention and one I've been wanting to attend for years. For the second year there, Weird Realms game store is hosting a game room where folks can try out indy RPGs, new board games, and self-published materials. I've signed on to run a playtest game of my next MCC RPG adventure, "The Desk in Room 8-10". I love introducing new players to games I love, so I'm really looking forward to this event. And, by happenstance, this will be my 13th Road Crew game, which means I'm now qualified for this:

Yup, I've reached the pinnacle of the Road Crew mountain and have earned my Judge Badge. Incredibly pleased I've reached this milestone and -- honestly -- was unaware I'd met the requirements until I went to order swag for the event. Heck of a way to round out 2019. On to 2020!