I intended to have an ashcan of M’Alice ready for GenCon 2008, but I’m going to put it aside for a little while. I like how it’s developing, but a couple of weeks ago, I was attacked by a very aggressive idea and this idea held me down and forced me to design a game called Tales of the Fisherman’s Wife. I have worked out enough kinks that I can spend the next few months writing and doing layout, and should have something ready for GenCon. I’m not giving up on M’Alice. Last week Fisherman’s Wife and M’Alice were in the same stage of development, but a few days ago I had another burst of inspiration (and 3 excellent playtests) and Fisherman’s Wife is 89% functional, whereas M’Alice is about 75% functional and has been play tested once. M’Alice needs about 8 more months of work.
I should have a second draft of Fisherman’s Wife ready for your viewing pleasure in the next week or so.
Brennen sent me the links to this interesting historical site in Opelika, AL, and I’m sharing to inspire folks who might want to use the legend as a Steal Away Jordan ghost story. Thanks, Brennen!
…I remembered a bit of local supernatural folklore regarding a historical landmark where I spent much time as a child. Here are a couple of links that gloss over the legend as I remember it:
Official Spring Villa Parks and Recreation Page
The reason for the murder, as I recall, is that Penn Yonge sold the murderer’s wife and child. The other omitted part of the legend: if you step on the 13th step, you’ll be dead within a year. Perhaps this will seed an idea, perhaps not, but I thought you might find it interesting.
It’s a really creepy house, in a really creepy bit of woods. If nothing else, Alabama can be really good for creepy.
- Brennen
…was jam packed with fun and excitement. I made new friends, hung out with old ones, and gave a good presentation.
Thank you Ayo, Yvonne, and Charles for making my trip so wonderful. I look forward to meeting with you all again.
Thanks, Sam Chupp for recording the presentation, and posting it on your podcast website (Bear’s Grove). I’ve never had a chance to hear what players do when I as GM leaves the room, until now. Randi, Oje, and Sam were awesome players. They got into their characters while deciding on their goals, and started role playing before the game even began. Exactly the kind of thing I wanted to hear.
Thanks to everyone who attended!
Clyde interviewed me at Dreamation 2008. Listen to it here.
I got to hear this just before I left to give my presentation at Spelman. (More on that soon!)
One of these days I’ll learn to talk slower. Check out Vincent Baker and Luke Crane’s fascinating interview, too.
Thank you, Clyde for giving me the mic!
This is short notice, but if you’re in the Atlanta area, I’m giving a presentation on Steal Away Jordan and game design at Spelman College Monday, March 24 at 6 pm in the Ennis Cosby Reading Room.
I’m going to talk about how I came to design a role playing game about slavery, about story games, the community, being an “only” in the community, and anything else that’s relevent. I’m also going to do a brief demo of Steal Away Jordan.