Russ Taylor's page

Typical 8mm film will not hold more detail than HD - the emulsion isn't fine enough to support that kind of detail. But it still supports more detail than you can get on a non-HD TV signal. So there's reason to broadcast it in HD.

Might even be more than 720p can show, which is what broadcasts are. Digging into it, it seemed like typical 8mm emulsions are close to what 720p can show.

I have to say, of the "marketable" stars, Hiro is the only one I think has an interesting story. Claire might be interesting if she had better writing or a better actress. Sylar has a good actor behind him, just so little to work with, as you said. Not sure if Milo is considered one of the marketable stars or not at this point (obviously was at the beginning), but he's usually not give much to work with beyond "whiny Peter". His story is probably the most boring this season...

I am really really sick of Sylar.

And I think this would have been a good end for the character who "died", and it is a shame the writers aren't going to let it stick. It would have wrapped up his story in heroic fashion.

Heroes lacks self-sacrifice and consequence too much of the time.

So who's more of a horse's rear end, Telford or Rush? Personally, I say Telford.

Rush is a jerk, but he has redeeming qualities.

Jan of the Jungle, by Otis Adelbert Kline. Tarzan pastiche, but with one of the most bizarre beginnings I've ever read.

Ship of Ishtar, after finishing Codex Alera in about a week. Hmm...that takes me back to Diamond Lake...

I'm having quite a bit of fun with Champions Online. Servers aren't really down very often other than for scheduled updates (which can sometimes be most weekdays at 3-5AM block Pacific time). It is a shame they didn't do a new build for the free weekend, though, since slow patching is an issue. But even so, lots of new players were online over the weekend, so it obviously works for some.

I wouldn't want to do an MMO in today's market - MMO players appear to be among the whiniest of all nerd cliques.

I'm impressed the OP got both parts of Erik's name wrong :) Though maybe it is some sort of banquet-related joke.

I thought this was coming out in November

Ship of Ishtar, after finishing Codex Alera in about a week. Hmm...that takes me back to Diamond Lake...

Cute. I'll get it, but I can't imagine I'll be holding a pitched battle in the belly...but worth it for the laughs when I tile-down in the appropriate fights.

Especially after the Halloween episode of Castle where Nathan FIllian's character Castle is dressed as Malcom Renolds for Halloween.

I'd give it a 6/10. Perfunctory - touched all the bases without doing anything unexpected. I think it was a pacing mistake to reveal so many of the plot elements of the original so soon.

Also, tying it into terrorism frankly just seems...trendy.

I expected more. I'll probably keep watching, but this is not groundbreaking, and the original was.

Russ Taylor wrote:

Decorus wrote:

It also helps Druids or Clerics who picked the Animal domain and I assume oracles as well....

True. That wrinkle didn't exist at the time of writing :)

Does it actually do that though? Because as it is written, the abilities of your animal companion is treated as if your class were four levels higher to a maximum bonus equal to your character level.

So, as an example a level 6 ranger who has a class level of 6, would have an animal companion that is equal to "effective druid level 3." The feat as its written would boost the ranger level, not the "effective level" which will always be ranger level-3. As a result since the ranger in question is already at maximum class level she would not really benefit from the feat, unles of course she multi-class to another class later.

The same would be applied to druids with the animal domain I presume?

Don't overthink the feat :)

Student of War: (for 3.5 splatbook types: this is the Knowledge Devotion as a PrC.) Full BAB class with 6 skills/level, focused on getting bonuses against monsters that you can make a successful Knowledge check about. (Seems made for the Dilletante feat.)

I like to sum up the student as "know thy enemy".

Hey gang, responses to Wayfinder will be slow going. I have been struck with one of Urgathoa's plagues and will be delayed in finalizing the Wayfinder #2 article list.

It also helps Druids or Clerics who picked the Animal domain and I assume oracles as well....

There's also stone salve, which only costs 2,000 gp, and given that a 7th-level PC's wealth is 23,500gp, that's quite affordable.

Just wanted to confirm the reading of Boon Companion. It was designed with rangers and muticlassed characters in mind.

I will be there, barring the unforseen.

Tearing through the Codex Alera. Really good series.

Now that we have a date and time for our next victory, we must ensure that we reconstitute the same winning team that trounced the Brazen Strumpets last June. My ticket's bought, so who else is on board to once again Row Like You Believe?

Pizza is too small a thanks for all you've done for fans of the game. :)

Yeah, "The Coldest Place" was the first for Niven. And while you're right that some of these have seen print in anthologies, quite a few of them have never been collected before and were exceedingly hard to find (see: hunting down expensive, 20-year-old fanzines on used book sites), and one author gave me a story so rare that I couldn't find mention of it anywhere on the internet... I'm excited to see what people think!

I'm happy to see a second anthology from Planet Stories, and I like the continued attention on the history of the writers. Short stories are one of my favorite formats, and I have a preference for a mixture of authors as opposed to just one. Not that I haven't enjoyed the single author collections as well.

Sounds like a great fit! Good luck, Rob.

Hmm. Looks like for Niven it is going to be "The Coldest Place". I wasn't sure if that or "Becalmed in Hell" (same cast) was earlier, but both are up there for stories I have in the most collections :)

I quite liked it, though I stopped not long after Marathon's return. Ahead of its time. And it would definitely make a fun Champions campaign.

Russ Taylor wrote:

With my own product(Seekers of Secrets) and the Bestiary held up waiting for Pathfinder #27, I'm wondering if there is any way to bump my subscription so that everything pending ships to me this week. I'm aware that means another shipping charge.

Thanks!

Did you want any of your store credit applied to this order or would you like to save it for later?

thanks,
sara marie

With my own product(Seekers of Secrets) and the Bestiary held up waiting for Pathfinder #27, I'm wondering if there is any way to bump my subscription so that everything pending ships to me this week. I'm aware that means another shipping charge.

Thanks!

Great news. It's been far too long since I've received a volume!

SKR posted on Twitter that SoS is out the door (to the printers, I presume).

While GMing or playing Pathfinder Society at Gen Con, a black and red runic D6 made it home with me. Hoping that by some lucky chance, the owner will speak up and I can send it home, since it is a pretty spiffy die.

We got the best space we could while staying in the convention center. I have plans to perhaps get us out of the convention center and into a space with higher ceilings next year. It's really the ceilings that make all the difference--a small room with low ceilings, not bad. A large room with low ceilings, really bad. A large room with high ceilings, perfect. Unfortunately, that space just does not exist in the convention center yet and won't until they finish the expansion in 2011.

This set has me buying cases again. Yes, there are less minis per pack, but for the first time ever I got no repeat rares! What I did get was a full set of huges (no repeats), 8 large rares (no repeats), 8 medium rares (no repeats), and 2 of each common. Best distribution ever!

I'd hope people could see how running an illegal gambling operation (among other things) has a bearing on professional sport :)

Gamma World
Greyhawk
Golarion (probably will displace Greyhawk at some point)
The Shadowrun future
Al-Qadim

Al-Qadim edges out Dragonlance (the original era) and Dark Sun

If you feel his criminal status doesn't make a difference as to his character, the next time you're in a position to hire a convicted felon, do so. Interestingly enough, most people have issue with doing just that, even with tax credit incentives.

In Vick's case, his involvement with torturing animals to death make me wish he had had to spend a few years proving he can be a decent human being *out* of jail. Especially given that as a celebrity, he's something of a role model. Make him live up to his promises to campaign against animal cruelty before rewarding him with his chosen career.

For folks who *really* believe in redemption and second chances, put your money where your mouth is. Give a felon who isn't famous a second chance.

Felicitations from me as well. Hope you got some wonderful surprises!

Nope, we moved from our original offices in September of 2004. Five years ago already. Boy, does time fly.

-Lisa

Just wanted to throw out there that this is how 3/3.5E always worked, as far as picking a grid intersection...line areas did change.

I am with you there. But I gotta say, I don't think ANY evil creature can go toe-to-toe with a paladin anymore, in high levels I mean.

Right now the leading contender for a change is making it apply to the first hit in a round only. And probably taking away party smite. But I will try it as written first, and for more than one fight.

The blue book edition of D&D Basic would probably top the list as the most life-altering book I've read, given I've enjoyed this hobby ever since.

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress comes to mind as well.

Russ Taylor wrote:

Finding a good meatloaf sandwich.

How could I have forgotten the Claddagh?! I ate there three times in three days and could have probably gone back more had I not, you know, had to return to my real life in a city far from Indianapolis. Had a great time with you for two of those three meals, Russ.

Seeing Pathfinder RPG being the release of the show. Getting a free resurrection sticker in my own copy, along with a pile of signatures. Finding a good meatloaf sandwich.

Probably the best thing was talking with people, though. Did my best to be my own little envoy for Paizo's product when I wasn't bothering the staff. I also pushed RPG Superstar, wonder if any of those folks will submit when the contest next roles around.

And yeah, the blazing saddles crew was great. First saw them in my hotel going to my room to check out, and made the comment "even for Gen Con, this is a bit surreal". :)

See, that's the thing. Crits are perfectly fine. It works for everyone, is rarer, and fun.

I'm hoping for a more low-key Gen Con next year, one reflecting a maturing system. There will surely be sassy new releases and some special Pathfinder stuff, but I'd rather not see the company kick it into a new direction like they did this year and two years ago. Hope that makes sense.

2011 can kick it up a notch again. But you have to bring it back down once in a while :)

Hmm. The etymology of cavalier makes me think it would be rather silly to *not* have it based on horses, or at least the generic concept of riding (which is typified by horses for humans). It means "horseman", after all. Be rather like having a "fighter" that wasn't based on fighting.

I'd be hopeful it would embrace the rest of the chivalric tradition, though - and not just the frilly parts.

There is some literary precedent in terms of the musketeers not having a whole lot to do with muskets.

Wow, am I the only one who doesn't like the ability to sneak attack (corporeal) undead, (some) constructs, and plant creatures? Guess I lean towards the Simulationist side of things.

This will be my 1st houserule; keeping sneak attack like it used to be.

Plants definitely should be crittable too.

The Moon Pool, by A. Merritt. Really interesting so far. There's lots of atmosphere for your Pathfinder game in this book!

Yum. Reapers are the only minis I've bought sight unseen. The best partnering with the best.

Edit: *Does a little dance and wonders when his contributor tag showed up*