| Jen Seiden |
So I was sitting here, deadline literally on the horizon, and I was drawing a complete blank as to what I can offer for anyone who’s been paying attention to these little news blurbs I post. And we all occasionally have this happen: we find ourselves needing to come up with a quick scenario/setting/adventure line, with little or no advanced warning, and… blank out.
Happens to me everyday.
So here’s some suggestions as to where you can find fast scenario write-ups when you’re in a pinch.
• Use a deck of Tarot or playing cards. Shuffle, then draw three. With the Tarot cards, see if the names of the cards or the images speak to you. With plain playing cards, diamonds means good/wealthy stuff, spades mean bad stuff, hearts mean emotional stuff, and clubs mean school/work/social life. The face cards represent people. There are all sorts of new Tarot decks as well that have slightly changed the meanings. My favorite for writing stories is called a Shapeshifter Deck.
• Find a tabloid, or the “bizarre stories” section of the news. Our world is full of strange and unsettling occurrences, paranormal or otherwise. People are just weird.
• Take a short story concept and introduce the beginning of it, but expect that it won’t go in the same direction. A lot of people have used older science fiction concepts to finish their masterpieces (see Star Wars; GL is a thief), or fairy tales to create completely “new” novels and sitcoms. No one’s going to blame you for doing the same for a scenario. You may even do it better than the professionals.
• If you have absolutely no time for research, use the players. As they start setting up their characters, have them describe their backgrounds. Crib from the characters’ history to make the next adventure.
Here’s some new Avalon Games products to help you out.
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Heroes Weekly
5 Pages plus
$3.99
Writer: Charles Smith
Each week Avalon Games offers a new issue of Heroes Weekly.
Packed full of great superhero fun, each issue will offer a short adventure, an NPC, or some game mechanics for the Heroes Wear Masks system. While compatible with the HWM system, you can always use the information presented in each issue for other superhero games—just monkey around with the stats and mechanics to fit the system you are using.
Don't miss an issue, they are super!
AVG4100-HW-45, Heroes Weekly, Vol 2, Issue #21, Greenhouse of Doctor X
This week’s adventure has the heroes dealing with a creepy garden and its alien master.
AVG4100-HW-46, Heroes Weekly, Vol 2, Issue #22, The Warewolf
Nazi assassin, occult leader, and all-around bad guy, the Warewolf makes a great villain for any games. This issue comes with his figure flats and some Nazi zombies.
AVG4100-HW-47, Heroes Weekly, Vol 2, Issue #23, The Animalist Advance Class
A great new advanced class for the game, the animalist taps into their inner beast and saves the day.
AVG4100-HW-48, Heroes Weekly, Vol 2, Issue #24, The Elemental Lords
A group of powerful mages who tap into the true fire of magic. Can your heroes defeat them and the elemental slaves?
***
Arcana Journal #50
AVG2300-13-50
58 Pages
$2.99
The true wonders of Arcana are explored in the monthly journals. Each issue focuses on a hex within the game world, offering rumors, hidden lore, and detailed descriptions of all the important sites and people of that area. Full color maps (also offered in print-easy black and white) are provided on the hex itself, plus all sites of worthwhile note, such as towns and major adventure sites. Floor plans of castles and other location are also offered.
In addition to this detailed write-up of the hex, each issue will also focus on other aspects of the game world, its history, important people, the Magi and gaming classes. When you add it all up, these journals take the mundane and make it magical. It is through the journals that the Arcana game world will grow, expand, and become a living place of adventure.
This issue of the Journal will cover the following aspects of the game world.
Hex 55
Nimma-Sharra
The Magi Asduren
***
Avalon Clip Art, Super Heroes 3
AVG 1653
18 pages
$4.50
Over the years, Avalon Games has collected a ton of artwork for use in various games. Well, we got to thinking: why couldn’t you use this great art in your products? So here it is, our most useful product—Avalon Clip Art. Each set within this series offers you a ton of great art and for a great price. Each product focuses on a set genre or character type and provides you with great filler and character art for your gaming products.
Look for new sets to come out all the time, as we have thousands of pictures to offer!
Usage Requirements/Limitations:
You may reduce, re-color, or crop any image included here. You may not resell these images in clip art packets or art collections.
If you use any of these images, in your product, you must include the statement:
Some artwork copyrighted by Avalon Games, used with permission.
By purchasing this product you agree to these terms.
All work has been scanned at 300 DPI.
***
Elemental Wars, Avalon Mini-Game #144
AVG1500-144
28 Pages
$5.99
A great expansion to the S&G battle system, this time around you get to battle elemental lords and their many allies. This first set offers forces of the fire and air elemental lords, as well as cards, counters, and battle maps for easy play and fun.
Everything you need to play is included and this, like all the S&G games, is fully compatible with other genre sets from the S&G line.
***
So roll for initiative, wear a towel, and keep your laser handy.
Jen Seiden
Promotional Manager for Avalon Games
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