Metal Kings, New Orleans’ Beasts, and a 124 year old man

We’ve got a lot to cover today… First two new releases-

Cthulhu Reborn has unleashed The Machine King, a free Gaslight and Dreamlands scenario by Geoff Gillan.

Meanwhile Golden Goblin Press have released (to Kickstarter backers of Tales of the Crescent City only) The Black Goat of New Orleans, developed by New Orleans Mythos.

Gen Con is over and there are various after-action reports:

Speaking of Mr. Ivey, I’d like to note that, as per usual, I’ve been sent my payment for two pieces in the latest issue of the The Unspeakable Oath.  Arc Dream continues to be the most prompt-paying company I’ve written for.  Thanks!

A poster by Daniel Spitzer

Finally, today marks (among other things) two different anniversaries.  It is the 124th birthday of H.P. Lovecraft, without whom this blog would not exist. Here are few folks doing likewise:

I am of two mind about old Grandpa Howie.  On one hand he was a uniquely creative writer, synthesizing earlier horror writing with new fears and terrors of the 20th century, spawning not just the Cthulhu Mythos, but a community to foster his nightmare imaginings even after his death.  At the same time he was, even for his era, a racist and bigot, and wrote some pretty terrible things that we cannot wish away no matter to what degree these views may have softened or changed as he aged.  I think it is fitting, when we recall his good qualities we must also temper it by acknowledging his worst ones.   Today I think it best I have a small dish of ice cream (sorry, no beans and toast, my fandom only goes so far), think of HPL, and make a small donation in his name to a charity he would likely have despised.

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Twice the weight of a human brain!

A few quick items before you depart for GenCon (or look in the direction of Indianapolis with envy in your heart… or ignore the whole damn thing, make another cup of tea, and dive back into that book, it is all up to you…

There is a new episode of the Miskatonic University Podcast, covering among other topics, weapons. The MUP crew will be at GenCon; follow them on Twitter @mupgc. Don’t forget to ask Keeper Chad about his nightmare ride with Large Marge.

Cthulhu Reborn has announced their next upcoming free release – the Machine King, a scenario for Gaslight with an alternate Dreamlands. I look forward to seeing it!

If you (like me) missed it live, you can hear Dan Harms’ local radio interview all about Lovecraft from the show’s archives HERE.

Chaosium has also posted some additional information about the forthcoming(?) reprint of Horror on the Orient Express – it weighs 7 pounds; it is also now available for pre-order. Also be on the lookout for the print release of Ripples from Carcosa.

Blog recommendations

I’m still working on a draft of my next installment of “Memories of the Orient Express”, but in the mean time I thought I might suggest two other blogs to check out whilst I’m otherwise engaged.

Top of my list is Adam Gauntlett’s Ephemera.  Adam’s written for Call of Cthulhu (“Spare the Rod” and “See No Evil“) as well as for Trail of Cthulhu (“Not So Quiet“, “Flying Coffins“) but he is perhaps best known for his book reviews that appeared on the late lamented Yog Radio, “The Bookshelf“.  He’s well-read and offers a lot of great ideas, especially for for Trail of Cthulhu and Bookhounds of London.

I’ve talked about Dean Englehart’s Cthulhu Reborn (and especially his interview series “State of the Tentacle” interviews).  He is also put together loads of great free scenarios and an awesome program to create your own newspaper handouts.  His most recent post described his process in crafting newspaper articles and is a must read for those looking to make their own.

Enjoy.

News roundup

I’ve been lax in updating, my apologies for the delay.

Let’s hit the highlights, shall we?

  • The busy podcasting posse at the Miskatonic University Podcast have had at least one new episode since I’ve mentioned them last- this time featuring a lengthy interview with very Britishly named Graham Walmsley.  Definitely worth a listen.
  • More interviews have been added to the Cthulhu Reborn collection- Cynthia Celeste Miller and Kenneth Hite.
  • Oscar Rios (Legacy of Arrius Lurco) has joined the world of bloggers; he’s been added to the roster on the right side of the page.  Welcome!
  • Innsmouth House is clearing out all the physical merchandise (thanks postal rate increases!) by having a 50% off sale.  Even with shipping to the US, that’s some cheap fun, thought it has been picked over already, especially if you don’t have a copy of The Express Diaries… I snagged a couple issues of Dagon.
  • I’m sure I’ve forgotten something; if so, I’ll add it here.

I’ve been reading through Tales of the Sleepless City (excellent!) and Atomic Age Cthulhu (pretty good) and will post comments when I wrap them up.

 

Mixed Links

The Missing Link, like Rubik’s Cube but I could solve this one

Not much new to report on my own writings (sorry Dean, still inching forward on that what I owes ye) but I wanted to pass on a few links that may be of interest:

For those patiently awaiting the Masks of Nyarlathotep Companion, Dennis Detwiller has posted some helpful advice for Keepers running that storied campaign.

The roster of interviews at Cthulhu Reborn has grown by 1, this time with Cthulhu Mythos Encyclopedia author and friend of Tomes in Progress Dan Harms.

The merry Keepers of the Miskatonic University Podcast have released a new episode all about prop-making in CoC, including some advice on how to make your own faux documents.  The secret ingredient is coffee.

 

Missives from the Brain Cylinder of the Silent Ombudsman

A Mi-Go Brain cylinder (from Propnomicon)

Sorry for the delays in posting; events, as ever, have kept me busy.  Now on with the news round-up…

The Gaming Grunts have begun a play-through of Realm of Shadows, the Pagan campaign.  It’s an enjoyable listen to a lesser-known campaign; additionally, I loaned their Keeper Jeff Okamoto my copy, so it is nice that some of my books are getting used.’

Also in the auditory realms, the busy CoC beavers at the Miskatonic University Podcast posted a new episode (the theme this time is Cthulhu Invictus, but they cover a lot of ground), and I get name-checked.  Apparently Keeper Murph… or was the John?… think that I’m just a brain in the jar; (see around the 22 minute mark).  [Buzz Buzz {{statement of disbelief}} buZZZ]  They also say some nice things about my graveyards page; I should do something with that… Thanks guys.

Dean Englehart, of the Cthulhu Reborn website has begun a series of interviews with CoC authors; so far he’s talked to Brian Sammons and Stuart Boon. It’s a good series and worth checking out.

The team working on the revamped Horror on the Orient Express have started a blog- http://orientexpresswriters.wordpress.com/.  Definitely worth a look.

In book news, Chaosium have announced a publication date for Atomic Age Cthulhu and the suspicious Mr. Dan Harms has been asking around the YSDC forums about what readers might like out of a Boston Sourcebook.  We should keep an eye on that one.

That’s enough for now.  TTFN.