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Review: Pirate Borg Starter Set:: Ring Side Report: RPG Review of PIRATE BORG Starter Set
Posted: Sun, 06 Sep 21:56:38
Product- PIRATE BORG Starter Set
System- PIRATE BORG
Producer- Free League
Price- $19.99 here https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/555993/pirate-borg-star...
TL; DR- My favorite intro box. 99%
Basics: Welcome to the Dark Caribbean! This box set has a ton of stuff and enough to help you get playing quickly. Check out our unboxing video here: https://youtu.be/FgXEPdMvink . Let's dig into this game and box set.
Mechanics or Crunch: How much crunch do you need? This box set has a small rulebook and enough tokens, player sheets, and maps to get you playing in all of 10 minutes. This ruleset is d20+ a number between -3 and +6 to hit a 12. That's most of the actions. The rules explain that well and get you building characters in about 10 minutes. I love the Borg mechanics and simplicity. And this box set teaches that well and quickly. 5/5
Theme or Fluff- I love all the stuff in the story here, but I the story has a small plot hole. The basics of the story are: you are hired to find a thing, get marooned, find half the map, learn the rest is in a British anti-pirate port, and then go find the thing. It's fun and teaches the basic rules well, but I think the link to the British is a bit light. That said, I love what's here. Sure, its a bit of a knockoff of Pirates of the Caribbean, but I DON'T CARE! It's just fun, especially when you mix in the fact that there is magic dead guy drugs that can make you a god running around. 4.9/5
Execution: I do love me some intro boxes, and honestly I think this might be my favorite. Why? Sure, this, like any other good intro box, has dice, maps, tokens, a small intro book, character sheets, and an adventure, but it's also got DRY ERASE MARKERS! You build a character in about 10 minutes, and they can die fast. This gives you dry erase markers and laminated character sheets. That right there in this kind of game is a godsend. 5/5
Summary: You want some crazy Pirate fun in the Caribbean? Here you go. The system is fast, fun, and low rules. The story is good. And the box itself is my ABSOLUTE favorite. And the physical box is about 40 bucks. The PDFs are a solid value at 20 bucks too. This is something you need to get and have fun with. 99%
Posted: Sun, 06 Sep 21:56:38
by Biotech66
Originally posted at www.throatpunchgames.com - A new idea every day!Product- PIRATE BORG Starter Set
System- PIRATE BORG
Producer- Free League
Price- $19.99 here https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/555993/pirate-borg-star...
TL; DR- My favorite intro box. 99%
Basics: Welcome to the Dark Caribbean! This box set has a ton of stuff and enough to help you get playing quickly. Check out our unboxing video here: https://youtu.be/FgXEPdMvink . Let's dig into this game and box set.
Mechanics or Crunch: How much crunch do you need? This box set has a small rulebook and enough tokens, player sheets, and maps to get you playing in all of 10 minutes. This ruleset is d20+ a number between -3 and +6 to hit a 12. That's most of the actions. The rules explain that well and get you building characters in about 10 minutes. I love the Borg mechanics and simplicity. And this box set teaches that well and quickly. 5/5
Theme or Fluff- I love all the stuff in the story here, but I the story has a small plot hole. The basics of the story are: you are hired to find a thing, get marooned, find half the map, learn the rest is in a British anti-pirate port, and then go find the thing. It's fun and teaches the basic rules well, but I think the link to the British is a bit light. That said, I love what's here. Sure, its a bit of a knockoff of Pirates of the Caribbean, but I DON'T CARE! It's just fun, especially when you mix in the fact that there is magic dead guy drugs that can make you a god running around. 4.9/5
Execution: I do love me some intro boxes, and honestly I think this might be my favorite. Why? Sure, this, like any other good intro box, has dice, maps, tokens, a small intro book, character sheets, and an adventure, but it's also got DRY ERASE MARKERS! You build a character in about 10 minutes, and they can die fast. This gives you dry erase markers and laminated character sheets. That right there in this kind of game is a godsend. 5/5
Summary: You want some crazy Pirate fun in the Caribbean? Here you go. The system is fast, fun, and low rules. The story is good. And the box itself is my ABSOLUTE favorite. And the physical box is about 40 bucks. The PDFs are a solid value at 20 bucks too. This is something you need to get and have fun with. 99%
Session: Midnight Melodies:: Midnight Melodies - 3rd Chord
Posted: Sun, 06 Sep 21:55:51
Look here for part 1 of this story: Midnight Melodies - 1st Chord
And here is part 2: Midnight Melodies - 2nd Chord
Charakter: Taylor Calloway, the Echo.
Actions: Talk, Move, Force (-), Handle (+), Discern (+)
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Scene 7 (3/6 Blue Notes)
Note: It’s about time that creature turned up. I go through the list of inspirations in the zine and decide on Qriptog.
As I sit up, I spot a sphere floating in the air in front of me, constantly changing colour. As the Grim Reaper’s assistant, I’ve seen too much to greet the sphere with any real sense of wonder or horror. Nevertheless, it surprises me that I feel practically nothing in the presence of the sphere. Even for me, who is generally unaccustomed to intense emotions, this is unusual. But at least it means I can observe the sphere undisturbed by distracting emotions.
Gradually, my eyes adjust to the constantly shifting colours and I can make out that the entity is likely gaseous. That also explains how it was able to get in here so easily (as I’ve said, I never believed in the deterrent power of the wall graffiti anyway). However, I spot a patch on the sphere that remains black at all times. Is this the spot where Dexter’s sword struck it? The source of the bestial stench that is visibly spreading through the rehearsal room.
I watch as the sphere changes colours ever more rapidly and begins to tremble. And then, as if out of nowhere, it lunges at me.
Move: Will I manage to dodge the creature? 5 → Yes, but...
I leap to the side, stumble and crash into an acoustic guitar leaning against the wall. Strings snap, wood splinters as the guitar emits a final, off-key note (which burns itself into my memory). My left wrist is in agony and I don’t dare try to see if I can still move my fingers. But at least I managed to dodge the creature – for now.
7th note: G#
Scene 8 (4/6 Blue Notes)
I’m already bracing myself for the next attack when I realise that the orb is hovering motionless in the air once more. I should probably seize the opportunity and make my escape – but I have a mission to fulfil.
Discern: Can I discern its motivation by observing the orb? 2 -> No, but...
I slowly circle the orb. I notice that its colours are no longer pulsating quite so wildly. And it seems more powerful than before. Its nature is too alien, too different from anything I know, for me to make sense of it. But at least it isn’t attacking me again and shows little interest in me otherwise. That gives me the courage to move closer to it and try to make contact.
Talk: Will I manage to talk to Qriptog? 2 -> No, but
I address Qriptog. At first cautiously, then I speak to him with increasing urgency. But nothing happens. Can he even hear me? Eventually I give up, and as my monologue draws to a close, an angry “Go to hell!” slips out. At that moment, a brief vibration runs through the orb. I pause, because I hadn’t expected the creature to react to that very curse. But then an idea strikes me: perhaps Qriptog wasn’t reacting to my words at all, but to the anger and despair in my voice?
Talk: Can I make contact with Qriptog through singing about emotions? 4 -> Yes, but
I start snapping my fingers to a rhythm, moving slowly to it. Then I start humming a tune, tentatively at first, then with increasing confidence. I think of Alex, of the long conversations we often had that stretched into the early hours, of his endearing smile. I try to imagine what a different future might have looked like for him, and the musical motifs just bubble out of me. The same goes for my tears, which stream down my cheeks as I try to convey everything about Alex to Qriptog, so that he can leave his body in peace.
My performance is wearing me out. Physically. Creatively. But not emotionally. On the contrary: the longer I think of Alex, the more my memory of him fades. The tears dry up. And at some point, I realise that I have no connection whatsoever to the dead man lying on the floor of the rehearsal room. Intellectually, I know that he is a barman called Alex, but emotionally I feel no connection to him, and the sight of him no longer stirs a single note within me.
When I notice that Qriptog is disappearing into the night, glowing wildly, I know that my work is done. I set off for home, though – as I’ll only realise many hours later – it doesn’t even occur to me to do anything about Alex’s body. That’s how indifferent I’ve become to this man with whom I spent countless nights in the jazz bar.
At least I remember to note down the note on which I ended my performance in front of Qriptog.
8th note: C#
Scene 9 (3/6 Blue Notes)
When I get home, I pour myself a glass of whisky and reflect on what I’ve been through.
Discern: Can I piece together the various puzzle pieces into a story that will satisfy the Grim Reaper? 5 -> Yes, but
I suspect that Qriptog is an entity that feeds on strong emotions. It took notice of Dexter Smith because he wrote very moving poems, though I cannot rule out the possibility that he himself drew upon supernatural powers to write such powerful texts. At the very least, I know that he invoked supernatural powers to win Alex’s love. So the supernatural was not entirely unknown to him, and he knew he was in danger and tried to protect his love for Alex. At first, he succeeded in doing so. However, Qriptog eventually became aware of Alex all the same. Whether this was because Alex bore Dexter’s words as a tattoo, because Dexter initially put a spell on Alex or because Alex's own intense heartbreak and pain attracted the entity.
By the time I finally understood what drives the creature, it was almost morning. I went to Dexter’s flat because I wanted to protect his poems from Qriptog – even if I hadn’t managed to protect Alex. However, I arrived too late: although I found numerous notebooks filled with writing, the texts they contained were terribly banal. They are so utterly superficial that I’m almost a little glad Alex no longer has to witness what has become of his friend’s thoughts, feelings and words.
In the end, I leave the notebooks where they are and take only one of the upturned photos of Alex with me as a memento. I place this on my piano at home, which I use to send my findings to the Grim Reaper.
9th note: B
3rd chord: G# C# B
Final chords: F# - D#(b5)sus - C#7sus
Well, my music knowledge and ears tell me, this story started out really nice, became quite spooky and a little flat in between and endet quite positive, though without a complete resolution.
Posted: Sun, 06 Sep 21:55:51
by KatharinaKuo
Midnight Melodies is a solo RPG in which you play as a jazz pianist. Each night, you find a scrap of paper in your tip jar -- the name of someone taken without Grim Reaper's consent. You must unravel the mystery of these unauthorised deaths, using your newfound supernatural talents, and perform an eerie harmony to report your findings to the Reaper before sunrise. The story unfolds over 9 scenes (equaling 3 chords with 3 notes each).Look here for part 1 of this story: Midnight Melodies - 1st Chord
And here is part 2: Midnight Melodies - 2nd Chord
Charakter: Taylor Calloway, the Echo.
Actions: Talk, Move, Force (-), Handle (+), Discern (+)
Scene 7 (3/6 Blue Notes)
Note: It’s about time that creature turned up. I go through the list of inspirations in the zine and decide on Qriptog.
As I sit up, I spot a sphere floating in the air in front of me, constantly changing colour. As the Grim Reaper’s assistant, I’ve seen too much to greet the sphere with any real sense of wonder or horror. Nevertheless, it surprises me that I feel practically nothing in the presence of the sphere. Even for me, who is generally unaccustomed to intense emotions, this is unusual. But at least it means I can observe the sphere undisturbed by distracting emotions.
Gradually, my eyes adjust to the constantly shifting colours and I can make out that the entity is likely gaseous. That also explains how it was able to get in here so easily (as I’ve said, I never believed in the deterrent power of the wall graffiti anyway). However, I spot a patch on the sphere that remains black at all times. Is this the spot where Dexter’s sword struck it? The source of the bestial stench that is visibly spreading through the rehearsal room.
I watch as the sphere changes colours ever more rapidly and begins to tremble. And then, as if out of nowhere, it lunges at me.
Move: Will I manage to dodge the creature? 5 → Yes, but...
I leap to the side, stumble and crash into an acoustic guitar leaning against the wall. Strings snap, wood splinters as the guitar emits a final, off-key note (which burns itself into my memory). My left wrist is in agony and I don’t dare try to see if I can still move my fingers. But at least I managed to dodge the creature – for now.
7th note: G#
Scene 8 (4/6 Blue Notes)
I’m already bracing myself for the next attack when I realise that the orb is hovering motionless in the air once more. I should probably seize the opportunity and make my escape – but I have a mission to fulfil.
Discern: Can I discern its motivation by observing the orb? 2 -> No, but...
I slowly circle the orb. I notice that its colours are no longer pulsating quite so wildly. And it seems more powerful than before. Its nature is too alien, too different from anything I know, for me to make sense of it. But at least it isn’t attacking me again and shows little interest in me otherwise. That gives me the courage to move closer to it and try to make contact.
Talk: Will I manage to talk to Qriptog? 2 -> No, but
I address Qriptog. At first cautiously, then I speak to him with increasing urgency. But nothing happens. Can he even hear me? Eventually I give up, and as my monologue draws to a close, an angry “Go to hell!” slips out. At that moment, a brief vibration runs through the orb. I pause, because I hadn’t expected the creature to react to that very curse. But then an idea strikes me: perhaps Qriptog wasn’t reacting to my words at all, but to the anger and despair in my voice?
Talk: Can I make contact with Qriptog through singing about emotions? 4 -> Yes, but
I start snapping my fingers to a rhythm, moving slowly to it. Then I start humming a tune, tentatively at first, then with increasing confidence. I think of Alex, of the long conversations we often had that stretched into the early hours, of his endearing smile. I try to imagine what a different future might have looked like for him, and the musical motifs just bubble out of me. The same goes for my tears, which stream down my cheeks as I try to convey everything about Alex to Qriptog, so that he can leave his body in peace.
My performance is wearing me out. Physically. Creatively. But not emotionally. On the contrary: the longer I think of Alex, the more my memory of him fades. The tears dry up. And at some point, I realise that I have no connection whatsoever to the dead man lying on the floor of the rehearsal room. Intellectually, I know that he is a barman called Alex, but emotionally I feel no connection to him, and the sight of him no longer stirs a single note within me.
When I notice that Qriptog is disappearing into the night, glowing wildly, I know that my work is done. I set off for home, though – as I’ll only realise many hours later – it doesn’t even occur to me to do anything about Alex’s body. That’s how indifferent I’ve become to this man with whom I spent countless nights in the jazz bar.
At least I remember to note down the note on which I ended my performance in front of Qriptog.
8th note: C#
Scene 9 (3/6 Blue Notes)
When I get home, I pour myself a glass of whisky and reflect on what I’ve been through.
Discern: Can I piece together the various puzzle pieces into a story that will satisfy the Grim Reaper? 5 -> Yes, but
I suspect that Qriptog is an entity that feeds on strong emotions. It took notice of Dexter Smith because he wrote very moving poems, though I cannot rule out the possibility that he himself drew upon supernatural powers to write such powerful texts. At the very least, I know that he invoked supernatural powers to win Alex’s love. So the supernatural was not entirely unknown to him, and he knew he was in danger and tried to protect his love for Alex. At first, he succeeded in doing so. However, Qriptog eventually became aware of Alex all the same. Whether this was because Alex bore Dexter’s words as a tattoo, because Dexter initially put a spell on Alex or because Alex's own intense heartbreak and pain attracted the entity.
By the time I finally understood what drives the creature, it was almost morning. I went to Dexter’s flat because I wanted to protect his poems from Qriptog – even if I hadn’t managed to protect Alex. However, I arrived too late: although I found numerous notebooks filled with writing, the texts they contained were terribly banal. They are so utterly superficial that I’m almost a little glad Alex no longer has to witness what has become of his friend’s thoughts, feelings and words.
In the end, I leave the notebooks where they are and take only one of the upturned photos of Alex with me as a memento. I place this on my piano at home, which I use to send my findings to the Grim Reaper.
9th note: B
3rd chord: G# C# B
Final chords: F# - D#(b5)sus - C#7sus
Well, my music knowledge and ears tell me, this story started out really nice, became quite spooky and a little flat in between and endet quite positive, though without a complete resolution.
Reply: The Tavern:: Re: RIP Tim Curry
Posted: Sun, 06 Sep 21:32:55
Posted: Sun, 06 Sep 21:32:55
by lgoldberg
I saw the movie at the Balboa Theater in Newport Beach at least twice. It had a stage in front of the screen because it used to be a regular stage theater, so people would come in costume and 'perform' in front of the screen. And lots of rise was thrown at the appropriate moment. I bet the employees hated us.
GeekList Item: Item for GeekList "September 2026 US Math Trade"
Posted: Sun, 06 Sep 21:19:29
Posted: Sun, 06 Sep 21:19:29
by BigRaccoon
An item RPG Item: The Wildsea has been added to the geeklist September 2026 US Math Trade
