Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Playing D&D again. One shot Greenscale Mansion

 

As the intrepid band of adventurers approached Greenscale Mansion, a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air. The once-grand estate stood as a testament to its former glory, now shrouded in decay and whispers of haunting legends. Komodo, the formidable lizard man fighter led the way, followed closely by Binga, the stout dwarf barbarian, Buttercup, a wise Druid, Theron, a devout elven Cleric, Eisen, the enigmatic Wizard, and Zulu, a fierce Half-Orc barbarian.




As they stepped inside, the mansion's interior revealed its age, with crumbling walls and sagging floors. Their first challenge emerged in the form of the library, where Zulu stumbled upon a nest of aggressive Stirges, grotesque mosquito-like creatures hungry for blood. With practiced coordination, the group dispatched the vile creatures, wasting no time in pressing forward into the mansion's depths.



In their exploration, Theron uncovered a locket, its delicate chain tarnished with time. Within, a faded portrait depicted a somber-looking girl in a wedding gown, accompanied by the inscription "To Violetta." The discovery hinted at untold secrets within Greenscale Mansion's walls.

Buttercup's exploration led him into the treacherous confines of an overgrown greenhouse, where deadly flora threatened to ensnare him in their toxic embrace. Through careful navigation, Druidic prowess, and Theron's help, he emerged unscathed, his senses heightened to the dangers lurking within the mansion's halls.


Meanwhile, Komodo stumbled upon a dusty sheet of music and approached a grand piano nestled in the parlor's shadows. With practiced fingers, he brought the notes to life, filling the room with a haunting melody that seemed to lift the spirits of all who heard it, bestowing a subtle blessing upon the party.
 

Descending into the attic, Komodo awoke the dead.  Theron faced the chilling confrontation with the skeletal suitors, their hollow eyes fixed upon him with malevolent intent. Drawing upon his divine powers, Theron invoked a potent "turn undead" spell, banishing the restless spirits with a radiant burst of energy.



Binga discovered a dilapedated bedroom, and in it a spectral child, her form flickering with ethereal light. Seeking answers, Binga questioned the spirit, only to be met with deception as the ghost claimed familiarity with her father. However, the facade shattered when Violetta's true nature was revealed, her vengeful spirit animating her doll companions to assail Binga. With decisive blows, Binga dispatched the malevolent dolls, leaving the spirit seething in his wake.




Recalling the locket's significance, Theron approached Violetta once more, presenting her with the precious memento. As the locket returned to her possession, a sense of tranquility washed over the spectral girl, allowing her to recount the tragic tale of her demise. Violetta revealed the dark intentions of her father, who sought to bind her in unholy matrimony to a monstrous entity lurking in the mansion's depths.

With newfound resolve, the group set their sights on unraveling the mansion's final mystery. Guided by another piece of sheet music, they returned to the parlor and resumed their place before the piano. As the final notes echoed through the mansion's halls, a hidden passage revealed itself, leading down into the heart of darkness beneath Greenscale Mansion. With courage and determination, the adventurers descended into the depths, prepared to confront the ancient evils lurking within.



Before them lay the remains of an ancient dragon, its massive corpse long since deceased, adorned with a gleaming spear embedded deeply within its cranial cavity. Komodo, spurred to action, hastened forward and extracted the spear. His actions, however, stirred three wyrmlings from the depths of the cave's lake. 



Rising to assail the party, the wyrmlings were met with a flurry of attacks from all present. Yet it was Komodo, wielding the legendary spear known as "Vanguard," who dealt the decisive blows that vanquished the wyrmlings.


Thursday, January 4, 2024

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Holy Snap!

 Jonny Quest Production Drawings.  Be still my beating heart.  

http://www.classicjq.com/art/production/JQSketches.aspx



Monday, December 18, 2023

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin fan art


 Seeing fan art of a game you worked on is always an incredible gift.





Okay, that last one was by our Art Director at the time, Cory Allemeier, created for marketing purposes, but still really cool. 


Monday, December 11, 2023

The Game Awards 2023

 Here's the full list of winners from The Game Awards 2023:


Game of the Year: Baldur's Gate 3 (Larian Studios)

Best Game Direction: Alan Wake II (Remedy Entertainment)

Best Narrative: Alan Wake II (Remedy Entertainment)

Best Art Direction: Alan Wake II (Remedy Entertainment)

Best Score and Music: Final Fantasy XVI (Masayoshi Soken)

Best Audio Design: Hi-Fi Rush (Tango Gameworks)

Best Performance: Baldur's Gate 3 (Neil Newbon)

Innovation in Accessibility: Forza Motorsport (Turn 10)

Games for Impact: Tchia (Awaceb)

Best Ongoing: Cyberpunk 2077 (CD Projekt Red)

Best Community Support: Baldur's Gate 3 (Larian Studios)

Best Independent Game: Sea of Stars (Sabotage Studio)

Best Debut Indie Game: Cocoon (Geometric Interactive)

Best Mobile Game: Honkai: Star Rail (HoYoverse)

Best AR / VR: Resident Evil Village VR Mode (Capcom)

Best Action Game: Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (FromSoftware)

Best Action / Adventure: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo EPD)

Best RPG: Baldur's Gate 3 (Larian Studios)

Best Fighting: Street Fighter 6 (Capcom)

Best Family: Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Nintendo EPD)

Best Sim / Strategy: Pikmin 4 (Nintendo EPD)

Best Sports / Racing: Forza Motorsport (Turn 10)

Best Multiplayer: Baldur's Gate 3 (Larian Studios)

Best Adaptation: The Last of Us (PlayStation Productions/HBO)

Most Anticipated Game: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Square Enix)

Content Creator of the Year: IronMouse

Best Esports Game: Valorant (Riot Games)

Best Esports Athlete: Lee 'Faker' Sang-Hyeok

Best Esports Team: JD Gaming

Best Esports Coach: Christine "Potter" Chi

Best Esports Event: 2023 League of Legends World Championship