The Queen of Halloween, that is...
Happy Halloween, Blessed Samhain, etc. everybody!
Happy Halloween, Blessed Samhain, etc. everybody!
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Monday, 29 October 2012
On this date in 1938, many parts of the country were thrown into a panic by a broadcast of an adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds. Orson Welles produced the adaptation for the Mercury Theater of the Air, framed as a series of fictional news bulletins simulating an invasion of the Earth by invaders from Mars.
People have debated for decades just why the country was so willing to be fooled by the broadcast, and the question of whether or not Welles had an inkling of what would happen was never answered. It is certain that he denied it at a later Congressional hearing, but in subsequent interviews he answered the question rather coyly, implying that he might have known what could happen.
Here is the 1938 broadcast, in its entirety:
People have debated for decades just why the country was so willing to be fooled by the broadcast, and the question of whether or not Welles had an inkling of what would happen was never answered. It is certain that he denied it at a later Congressional hearing, but in subsequent interviews he answered the question rather coyly, implying that he might have known what could happen.
Here is the 1938 broadcast, in its entirety:
For those of you who, like me, are following or participating in the open playtest for D&D Next, there's a new playtest packet available for download. The new packet takes the characters to level 10, makes some changes to spells and the rogue class, adds new monsters, and skills, backgrounds, and specialties have been tweaked. The packet also includes a rework of the classic adventure X1: The Isle of Dread.You can download the latest packet here, and you can find a fuller description of the changes that it contains here.
Enjoy!
Today, the memento mori, a genre of art and music that spans history from the Middle Ages through today. It was particularly in vogue in times when death was of particular concern to people; during the Black Death, for example, or in Puritan times. It was also said that the phrase "memento mori"-- which means "remember you are mortal"-- was repeated by a servant to Roman generals receiving a triumph. They often consisted of depictions of Death personified as a skeleton, skulls and bones in general, and images related to time, such as hour glasses.
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Today I thought I'd give a quick run-down on real-world occult books that an enterprising game master might find of use when putting a game together. Whether you want to make your demonology in a fantasy game more true-to-life, or need some background for Call of Cthulhu, hopefully you'll find these of interest. All are still in print or available as free electronic editions somewhere online.
The Key of Solomon the King (aka "Clavicula Salomonis"). There are a bunch of translations out there, but this is one of the basic texts on summoning and controlling demons and angels.
The Lesser Key of Solomon (aka "The Goetia"). Along the same lines as the Key of Solomon above, but this one is actually a different book. This is the one that has the 72 Goetic demons, along with their various seals. Alistair Crowley did his own edited translation of this book, which was quite different from the original text (some say it's much more practical in terms of application).
The Black Pullet. Another early-modern grimoire, covering much the same material of the two Keys of Solomon, but with it's own details and symbols. Personally, I think this is one of the best names for a book of magic ever.
Futhark, A Handbook of Rune Magic by Edred Thorsson. This was one of the first books to popularize the runes within the pagan and occult communities, and remains one of the best in terms of the quality of the scholarship (the author holds a PhD in Germanic Languages and Medieval Studies) and accessibility. It covers all of the historically-known runic alphabets (there are more than just one) and describes magical uses for the runes including divination, magic, etc. If you get one book on runes, make it this one.
The Black Books of Elverum. This is a nicely different pair of magical books; two grimoires from Norway. The book gives hundreds of charms and spells to find stolen objects, get a lover, etc. etc.
The Magician's Companion by Bill Whitcomb. A pretty comprehensive encyclopedia of everything to do with ritual magic, broken up into a number of different magical models; 4 elements, 7 planets, 28 lunar mansions, etc. An excellent source-book that you can just open up at random and find inspiration.
The Anglo-Saxon Metrical Charms. Want to know what folk-charms and spells look like? Go to the source. Here you'll find what the ancient Anglo-Saxons did to cure various diseases, find lost cattle, etc.
The Key of Solomon the King (aka "Clavicula Salomonis"). There are a bunch of translations out there, but this is one of the basic texts on summoning and controlling demons and angels.
The Lesser Key of Solomon (aka "The Goetia"). Along the same lines as the Key of Solomon above, but this one is actually a different book. This is the one that has the 72 Goetic demons, along with their various seals. Alistair Crowley did his own edited translation of this book, which was quite different from the original text (some say it's much more practical in terms of application).
The Black Pullet. Another early-modern grimoire, covering much the same material of the two Keys of Solomon, but with it's own details and symbols. Personally, I think this is one of the best names for a book of magic ever.
Futhark, A Handbook of Rune Magic by Edred Thorsson. This was one of the first books to popularize the runes within the pagan and occult communities, and remains one of the best in terms of the quality of the scholarship (the author holds a PhD in Germanic Languages and Medieval Studies) and accessibility. It covers all of the historically-known runic alphabets (there are more than just one) and describes magical uses for the runes including divination, magic, etc. If you get one book on runes, make it this one.
The Black Books of Elverum. This is a nicely different pair of magical books; two grimoires from Norway. The book gives hundreds of charms and spells to find stolen objects, get a lover, etc. etc.
The Magician's Companion by Bill Whitcomb. A pretty comprehensive encyclopedia of everything to do with ritual magic, broken up into a number of different magical models; 4 elements, 7 planets, 28 lunar mansions, etc. An excellent source-book that you can just open up at random and find inspiration.
The Anglo-Saxon Metrical Charms. Want to know what folk-charms and spells look like? Go to the source. Here you'll find what the ancient Anglo-Saxons did to cure various diseases, find lost cattle, etc.
Saturday, 27 October 2012
Just in time for Halloween, I'd like to remind you, my loyal readers, of a pair of NPC *cough* character classes suitable for use with AD&D, Adventures Dark and Deep, OSRIC, etc.
The Necromancer is a master of death and the undead, and possesses scores of new and unique spells designed to control and mimic the undead, and enter their haunted crypts and graves. He has more than 75 new spells including Funeral Shroud, Living Death, and Kiss of the Vampire. The pdf is 20 pages.
The Witch is an outcast from society, weaving malevolent magic in order to take her revenge on those who have wronged her. She has more than 50 new spells, including Hand of Glory, Blight Field, and Candle Magic. The pdf is 26 pages.
Each can be introduced into your campaign either as a villainous NPC or, if you choose, as a new character class for your players. Each costs $5 individually, or you can buy both together for $8.
Happy Halloween!
The Necromancer is a master of death and the undead, and possesses scores of new and unique spells designed to control and mimic the undead, and enter their haunted crypts and graves. He has more than 75 new spells including Funeral Shroud, Living Death, and Kiss of the Vampire. The pdf is 20 pages.
The Witch is an outcast from society, weaving malevolent magic in order to take her revenge on those who have wronged her. She has more than 50 new spells, including Hand of Glory, Blight Field, and Candle Magic. The pdf is 26 pages.
Each can be introduced into your campaign either as a villainous NPC or, if you choose, as a new character class for your players. Each costs $5 individually, or you can buy both together for $8.
Happy Halloween!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
