tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36999252012-02-09T11:46:29.769-05:00For special friend of Rick's, 200 francs.Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.comBlogger711100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1111180754691024102005-03-18T16:14:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:19:14.693-05:00

The Omniscient Eye: Everything You Wanted to Know About Silver (But Were Afraid to Hack)Pyramid sez: If a chemist is born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he just might say, "Ag me with a spoon . . ." I sez: The question is, basically, how much can a bunch of adventurers debase precious metal (in order to make it look like they've got more money) before it becomes obvious. The answer, in

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1111180424797929702005-03-18T16:09:00.000-05:002005-03-18T16:13:44.800-05:00

Caerceol: Palace of the Queen of the Mist ElvesPyramid sez: This castle, suitable for many generic fantasy campaigns, is just waiting for a story to be woven around it. I sez: This location article was inspired by an all-too-brief stay at Ashford Castle, a 13th century castle in County Mayo converted into a luxury hotel. By a peculiar coincidence, it was three years ago this very week that the

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1110380295631423532005-03-04T09:50:00.000-05:002005-03-09T09:58:15.633-05:00

Buzzkill: Drug Development and Side Effects for GURPS Fourth EditionPyramid sez: Warning: This article may cause nausea, restlessness, and light sensitivity. Women who are or may become pregnant should not read this article. This article is made of an unknown material which fell to Earth, presumably from space. Do not taunt this article.I sez: Another long-list article, this was inspired by a

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1108735435960667162005-02-18T08:55:00.000-05:002005-02-18T09:03:55.966-05:00

The Omniscient Eye: The Gameable ArchaeologistPyramid sez: Throw me the idol, I give you the column! I sez: This is a brief description of what archaeologists do and how they work, from historical adventurers to modern scientists. Smarsh's blurbs rock.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1108049948610355132005-02-09T10:36:00.000-05:002005-02-10T10:39:08.610-05:00

My parents had their 42nd wedding anniversary. The lovely and talented spouse has already blogged about it. I'll add that dinner was ragu bolognese over a spinach pasta (all of which was made at home; Dad's been making pasta frequently after their recent trip to italy), but despite being presented with green pasta, Alex wasn't terribly interested.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1107957127623724932005-02-08T08:41:00.000-05:002005-02-09T09:44:35.170-05:00

While digging through some old files, I came across some half-finished articles I lost track of somewhere along the way: a history of money with brief speculation on alternative currencies, an arena for Car Wars, and an adventure based on Buddhist spiritual quests. All are viable and could be resurrected, finished, and sent off. And then there's that vague idea for a Dead Inside adventure.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1107791535760028512005-02-05T10:43:00.000-05:002005-02-07T10:52:15.760-05:00

My grandmother turned 90 today. She may not make it to 91, given her declining health and already very advanced age, but she's made it far enough that my son will be able to say that he met someone who had been through two world wars and the Great Depression, never had the need or, for the vast majority of her life, even the theoretical opportunity to own a personal computer or cell phone, and

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1107540207591532032005-02-04T13:00:00.000-05:002005-02-04T13:03:27.590-05:00

A quick glance over my list of publications will turn up very little that isn't an article published in Pyramid, Steve Jackson Games' on-line magazine. Why, one might wonder, should I put so much effort into such a niche-within-a-niche venue as a periodical for the gaming industry? After all, the pay sucks (3 cents a word) and the audience is small (circa 3k subscribers) and largely indifferent

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1107442624242030882005-02-03T09:54:00.000-05:002005-02-03T09:57:04.243-05:00

UPN has announced that Enterprise, after this season, is dead. About time. I should mention that I don't actually hate Enterprise, but I don't like it either. It's not Voyager, but if that's the best you can say about something, where does that get you? I watched most of season one and saw a few episodes of the next two, but the show completely failed to make any kind of impression on me.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1107268247559494032005-02-01T08:56:00.000-05:002005-02-04T14:46:11.260-05:00

There aren't enough hours in the day. I'm close to done, albeit moving very, very slowly, on "Atomic Zombies Of The Pacific," and I've got an expanding list of semi-finished articles to submit to Pyramid and a handful of other things to write. Pyramid articles in the process include: Amadan: a fantasy city with parts linked by magic portals. Uxuloth: a fantasy city populated by undead. The Great

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106932050709307522005-01-28T13:05:00.000-05:002005-01-28T12:07:30.710-05:00

Demented and Sad, But Social: Social Characters for Antisocial Players -- Part II Pyramid sez: The second part of this generic article gives more pointers for how folks in the real world make friends and influence people. I sez: This one discusses seduction, bribery, political and diplomatic negotiation, and interrogation.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106585989993734062005-01-21T11:56:00.000-05:002005-01-28T12:05:44.963-05:00

Demented and Sad, But Social: Social Characters for Antisocial Players -- Part I Pyramid sez: The first of a two-part generic article with insight for characters who can win friends and influence people . . . even if the players can't. I sez: This combines things like Dale Carnegie, anthropological field guides, true crime accounts, histories of diplomacy, and other guides to how people can

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106666382313154352005-01-19T10:09:00.000-05:002005-01-25T10:19:42.326-05:00

Steve Jackson Games has finally launched e23, their entry into the PDF market. With the various reduced costs and lack of other constraints, they can sell riskier and less broadly popular works than they could in print. Perhaps I'll have to consider finally getting around to constructing an outline for GURPS Byzantium.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106230049480982162004-12-24T09:06:00.000-05:002005-01-20T09:07:29.480-05:00

Appendix Z: Bureaucratic Runaround Pyramid sez: Bureaucracies are like dealing with Murphy's Law in triplicate and standing in a two-hour line to do so . . .

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106230010706540672004-11-19T09:06:00.000-05:002005-01-25T10:39:17.056-05:00

The Omniscient Eye: When Buying a Kingdom, Who Do I Make the Check Out To? Pyramid sez: So who do I have to bribe to be the king, anyway?! I sez: The short answer is that you don't. Monetary exchange can be a feature of transfering power in a feudal setting, but the process is infinitely complicated by social and political maneuvering, so you can't just trade cash for a kingdom.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106229964858925472004-09-17T09:05:00.000-04:002005-01-25T10:26:17.683-05:00

The Omniscient Eye: What Would a Cart-Load of Treasure Do to a Fantasy World? Pyramid sez: The heroes are rich, rich, rich!!! . . . So now what? I sez: The short answer is that a large influx of treasure won't cause massive inflation. It just puts the economy in high gear for a while.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106229934306654982004-07-23T09:02:00.000-04:002005-01-25T10:32:21.820-05:00

Terra Incognita: The Goblin Market Pyramid sez: Is it possible for a place to be too magical? I sez: This is a magical marketplace, like the markets in Neil Gaiman's Stardust and Jack Vance's Lyonesse trilogy.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106229746166299172004-05-14T09:01:00.000-04:002005-01-25T10:47:52.586-05:00

The Last Cold War Spy Adventure Pyramid sez: We're rushing to the end of the Cold War with this tale. Complete with stats for GURPS, but with a plot and characters that can be liberated for any spy game! I sez: This is part of a series of "The Last ________ Adventure" articles, adventures set at the end of a historical period or at a turning point of a campaign's genre. For example, the last

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106229692327079212003-11-21T09:00:00.000-05:002005-01-20T09:01:32.326-05:00

Master Twillik's Academy Pyramid sez: This adventure for the Dying Earth RPG has the heroes breaking into something more potentially terrifying than any fortress.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106229541066450182003-08-29T08:58:00.000-04:002005-01-25T12:23:58.763-05:00

Istanbul Pyramid sez: In this generic follow-up to a previous article we take you back to Constantinople. No, wait . . . you can't go back to Constantinople. I sez: This is a sort of sequel to the article on Constantinople. Same place, some centuries on.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106229418888771592003-07-18T08:56:00.000-04:002005-01-20T08:56:58.886-05:00

Playing to the Crowd: Influencing Groups and Societies in GURPS Pyramid sez: Friends, Romans, countrymen . . . lend me your ears for 3d6 minutes!

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106229372521958872003-07-11T08:55:00.000-04:002005-01-20T08:56:12.520-05:00

Appendix Z: What Happened Today? Pyramid sez: Random things happen every day; this table will give you some concrete ideas.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106229325633516432003-06-13T08:54:00.000-04:002005-01-25T12:19:01.406-05:00

The Extraordinarily Classified Adventures of Troubleshooter Munch-O-SEN Pyramid sez: Combining The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen with Paranoia?!? What will become of the Computer? I sez: Imagine a game of The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen, but with the players acting as Troubleshooters in a post-mission briefing rather than as 18th century aristocrats. There are

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106229266141862682003-04-11T08:50:00.000-04:002005-01-25T10:55:41.533-05:00

Kongo Pyramid sez: With this real-world guide, the mysteries of this African kingdom no longer need seem so impenetrable. I sez: Africa is an underused area as game settings go. The kingdom of Kongo is, so far as I can tell, fairly typical. Or, at least, faces cultural and technological issues similar to those of most other African kingdoms.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106229037259724412003-02-28T08:50:00.000-05:002005-01-25T12:36:48.003-05:00

Pretty Things Pyramid sez: Games can always use more treasures, goodies, and items of wealth. Here, then, are plenty of tables for generating mundane loot. Written for GURPS, but useful for lots of games. I sez: The longer I game, the more I like long lists. I can come up with grand campaign ideas, cultures, plots, and the like on my own, but it's always nice to have lists of things to provide

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106228292378644042003-02-21T08:37:00.000-05:002005-01-20T08:38:12.376-05:00

Appendix Z: Shiny! -- Random Gemstone Table Pyramid sez: Everyone love random sparklies . . . especially when they include interesting information behind them.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106228247491534762003-01-31T08:36:00.000-05:002005-01-20T08:37:27.490-05:00

How To Make Friends And Influence People In GURPS Pyramid sez: There are combat and tactical decisions for many other aspects of RPGs . . . so why not some optional rules for social interactions?

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106228212995614202003-01-24T08:36:00.000-05:002005-01-20T08:36:52.996-05:00

Bangkok Pyramid sez: With this generic guide, let adventurers visit an exotic place with everything but Yul Brynner . . .

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106072556039053672003-01-01T13:21:00.000-05:002005-01-18T13:22:36.040-05:00

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106228168890890262002-08-30T08:35:00.000-04:002005-01-20T08:36:08.890-05:00

Appendix Z: What's Wrong With It? Pyramid sez: All great machines and gadgets have personality (and by "personality" we mean, "Why isn't the dang thing working?!?").

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106228110719458232002-08-16T08:34:00.000-04:002005-01-20T08:35:10.720-05:00

Thrust! Parry! Spin!: Tactics for Cinematic Combat Pyramid sez: Players . . . the environment is there for your cinematic hero to exploit!

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106228025807538052002-07-26T08:32:00.000-04:002005-01-20T08:33:45.806-05:00

When, Where, and How Much?: Early Scientific Instruments Pyramid sez: Measuring devices were bigger then; 140-feet long telescopes, instruments built into houses, gigantic sundials where gnomon is an island . . .

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106171799319887682002-05-17T16:55:00.000-04:002005-01-19T16:56:39.320-05:00

Terra Incognita: Aulos -- City in the Sky Pyramid sez: Don't give any thought to the giant city floating over your head . . . what could possibly happen? A setting suitable for any Fantasy world. I sez: There's also an MPEG flyby of the city here.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106169768716372062002-04-12T16:20:00.000-04:002005-01-19T16:22:48.740-05:00

Terra Incognita: Joe's Oxygen Shack Pyramid sez: Every frontiersman needs a place they can relax . . . no matter where that frontier is.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106169515530557972002-03-29T16:17:00.000-05:002005-01-19T16:18:35.530-05:00

Primary Sources: Duck Soup and The Mouse That Roared Pyramid sez: Two fake nations that are sure to confound your travelers. Their lives aren't in danger, but their sanity is.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106169244129646962002-02-15T16:11:00.000-05:002005-01-19T16:14:04.130-05:00

Magic Ingredients Revisited: Spell Ingredients for GURPS Pyramid sez: Are you looking for some optional rules to add a pinch of this and a dash of that to your magic?

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106169054972733652001-11-02T16:09:00.000-05:002005-01-19T16:10:54.973-05:00

Sailing To Byzantium: Byzantine Government and Religion Pyramid sez: You're looking for a big, meaty, generic look into the grandest bureaucracy of the medieval world? Look no further.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106163264934599262001-08-17T14:22:00.000-04:002005-01-19T14:34:24.933-05:00

Appendix Z: Desk of Many Things -- Random Office Contents Pyramid sez: Wondering what's in that random desk the heroes are ransacking? Here are some ideas to get you thinking. I sez: In response to some wishes for more genre-specific guidance for this rather generic article, I put together this addendum: Historical Desks European and Near Eastern desks will use parchment or papyrus until late

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106162337319457282001-06-29T14:17:00.000-04:002005-01-19T14:18:57.320-05:00

Constantinople Pyramid sez: In this generic Medieval historical article, why did Constantinople get the works? That's nobody's business but the Turks.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106156170558960662001-05-25T12:35:00.000-04:002005-01-19T12:36:10.563-05:00

For A Few Ducats More: Low-Tech Economies, Part 2 Pyramid sez: Back then, a merchant's life was at least as dangerous and interesting as a knight's . . .

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106155417763741912001-03-23T12:23:00.000-05:002005-01-19T12:23:37.763-05:00

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?: Food in Roleplaying Games Pyramid sez: Everyone eats; so why deny your characters the same opportunities?

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1110379843247917852001-02-01T09:46:00.000-05:002005-03-09T09:50:43.250-05:00

In E-Pro magazineA rather positive review. He's got two criticisms, both of which are reasonable but fairly minor, and I can only provide a bit of detail about how they came about:1. The book is labeled "intermediate," but it's really for beginning Notes developers. That's true as far as it goes, but the level of complexity was assigned in the context of the publisher's entire product line.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106155380072592072000-12-29T12:22:00.000-05:002005-01-19T12:23:00.073-05:00

Power Unto Itself Most Commendable: Using Power and Faction in Roleplaying Campaigns Pyramid sez: This generic article examines why the Northern Bleemians dislike the Southern Bleemians, and how you can use that tension in your games.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106070473002556472000-11-01T12:44:00.000-05:002005-01-18T12:48:15.483-05:00

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106071220884561742000-05-06T12:59:00.000-04:002005-01-18T13:49:44.820-05:00

Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna range, is sort of a Nepali Gatlinburg, amply furnished with locally-flavored tourist shops with trinkets and postcards. However, since they see a lot of trekkers, there's also a lot of mountaineering gear for sale. It's mostly overpriced, but I pick up some postcards. The area also features some restaurants with overambitious menus. Our guide, Naba Raj

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106071116139714002000-05-05T12:57:00.000-04:002005-01-18T15:06:43.966-05:00

Back when he was funny, Gallagher had a line something like "Why do they call them buildings when they're done building them? They ought to call them 'builts.' Or maybe 'crumblings.'" That pretty much describes the most common architectural style in Katmandu. Most buildings are made from lightly mortared brick or cinder block, three or four stories tall, and look to be falling apart. The bricks

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106071043693892352000-05-04T12:56:00.000-04:002005-01-18T13:36:45.616-05:00

Jaipur is known for being a pink city because of a coat of pink paint covering every building in the older parts of the city. The tradition dates back to about a hundred years ago, when it was the only color which could be obtained in sufficient quantity to paint the entire city. About fifteen kilometers from Jaipur proper is the Amber fort. Although its name might be derived from its vaguely

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106070945622646242000-05-03T12:54:00.000-04:002005-01-18T15:08:03.670-05:00

"Y'know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in New Delhi?" "They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?" "No, man, they don't eat beef." "Well, what's a Big Mac?" "Big Mac's a Big Mac, 'cept in New Delhi, they call it a Maharaja Mac." "Maharaja Mac...what do they call a Whopper?" "I dunno, man; didn't go to Burger King." Being Americans, what's the first thing

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106070808459170892000-05-02T12:51:00.000-04:002005-01-18T12:53:28.460-05:00

Or, more accurately, ESCAPE FROM CHITWAN! Chitwan is a town between Pokhara and Katmandu which is near a large nature preserve. The drive from Pokhara to Chitwan is quite pleasant. The first half is through steep, green hills broken by the occasional river valley. The vegetation is nicely jungle-like, with broad-leaved trees and tall grass, all of it vibrantly alive after the

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106070649132019872000-05-01T12:49:00.000-04:002005-01-18T15:12:38.113-05:00

The Taj. Need more be said? Probably not, but, like Victoria Falls, one may legitimately say "Damn." The Indians are taking a very careful approach to the Taj, realizing its profound cultural and economic power, and since it's not in the middle of a city (unlike, say, the Colosseum or the Athenian Acropolis), they can do some remarkable things to keep it together. Gas-powered vehicles can't

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106155326124938292000-04-14T12:21:00.000-04:002005-01-19T12:22:06.126-05:00

Venezia!: Roleplaying in Renaissance Venice Pyramid sez: Cornerstone of the Italian Renaissance, jewel of the Mediterranean, home of Leonardo da Vinci and Titian . . . Venice is an ideal place for an adventure or campaign, as this generic guide shows.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106155229863299481999-10-30T12:19:00.000-04:002005-01-19T12:20:29.863-05:00

Firenze! Pyramid sez: Matt Riggsby is back in the Pyramid with another look at history - but it's not the Middle Ages this time. Firenze! is a complete micro-worldbook for Renaissance Florence! Care to match wits with the Medicis? Now's your chance.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106155152220676601999-09-18T12:13:00.000-04:002005-01-19T12:19:12.220-05:00

Feudal Economies Revisited Pyramid sez: Back in Pyramid #26, author Matt Riggsby showed us how tricky it was to be a merchant in a low-tech society. Now, he takes us back for a primer on those who could make a buck - those who owned the land.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106155279942430321999-09-09T12:20:00.000-04:002005-01-19T12:21:19.943-05:00

A Wall Sufficient to Defend Pyramid sez: A look at fortifications through the ages, from the first earthen walls to hardened underground bunkers and beyond.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106069958422538051999-05-17T12:37:00.000-04:002005-01-18T12:39:18.423-05:00

Much travel, but not much else. Quick hop back across the border from South Africa to Botswana (Gaborone is right across the border), final shopping, final packing, and off to the airport for the trip back. Lovely place, southern Africa. I'd love to come back.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106069850262794461999-05-16T12:36:00.000-04:002005-01-18T15:19:08.583-05:00

Tau As we say a fond farewell to Pilanesberg, we take another drive through, albeit one not so roundabout as the last time through. This time through, we get remarkably close to some zebras. They're shy animals, but we seem to have caught them in a good mood. At least, they're in a good mood until some other tourists stop and get out of their car. As the doors slam, the zebras bolt. We hope the

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106069773193374621999-05-15T13:35:00.000-04:002005-01-20T11:55:58.960-05:00

Pilanesberg/Sun City Ken had been unable to make his tee time reservation for the Sun City golf course, so we were up shortly after the crack of dawn for him to make a call ahead. We were staying on the northern edge of the reserve, while Sun City is on the south (the reserve is in the remains of a very old, roughly circular volcanic caldera about forty kilometers across). To get there, then, we

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106069705773591361999-05-14T12:34:00.000-04:002005-01-18T12:35:05.773-05:00

Pilanesberg The day started with taking care of some tasks around Gaborone, mostly shopping. However, before going off to do that, we went into the embassy again with Helen and, because we were fortunate enough to catch him for a brief free moment, met the ambassador, Robert Kreuger, a former senator from Texas. The second time in the embassy, I began to notice how secure a place it really was.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106069665161027791999-05-13T12:34:00.000-04:002005-01-18T12:34:25.160-05:00

Gaborone A day spent mostly in transit: drive from Victoria Falls to Kisane, then fly from Kisane back to Gaborone. On our way back, Helen, discussing our plans for the next few days, mentioned that I would be making dinner that evening, which prompted an immediate and spontaneous "Yay!" from Antone and Callee. Most gratifying, particularly given my tremendous ego. On returning to Gaborone, I

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106069598392894671999-05-12T13:32:00.000-04:002005-01-20T11:50:53.666-05:00

Victoria Falls Ken went off to play golf at Elephant Hills (a course attached to the next hotel down the road) this morning, Helen and Naomi went to said hotel's casino, and the rest of us went riding elephants. After a drive of about a half hour mostly over dirt roads, we arrived at a small clearing furnished with a set of metal steps. In a few minutes, a string of four elephants and their

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106069427129870031999-05-11T13:29:00.000-04:002005-01-20T11:47:19.070-05:00

Victoria Falls Victoria Falls. Not the town, but the falls themselves. The falls are the result of a sort of crevice across the course of the Zambezi river. The water falls from eighty to a hundred meters to find a new course at the bottom of a deeply cut valley. May sees the high water mark of the Zambezi, and you can see the site of the falls from miles away. The spray from the falls rises

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106068974711012581999-05-10T13:21:00.000-04:002005-01-20T11:40:23.250-05:00

Victoria Falls The trip from Kisane to the Zimbabwean border is ten or fifteen minutes. Zimbabwe is in dire need of hard currency, so they charge foreigners for visas and require that they pay in foreign currencies (it's $30 US, in case you're interested, with appropriate conversions for pound sterling, francs, and so on). At the border, we hit an interesting cultural filip. The customs guy

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106068826492018361999-05-09T13:19:00.000-04:002005-01-20T11:12:21.980-05:00

Chobe We got in too late yesterday to go out looking at animals, so today was our day to be out and about. In the morning, we hit the water for a boat ride up the Chobe. Among the interesting bits we passed was a patch of disputed territory, an island in the Chobe claimed by both Botswana and Zambia. The fight for possession is being carried out in the World Court, so they should have a decision

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106068630280094191999-05-08T13:16:00.000-04:002005-01-20T11:08:30.853-05:00

Chobe We spent most of the day in transit from Gaborone to Kisane on the banks of the Chobe river in the northeastern corner of Botswana, about where the country borders on Zimbabwe and Zambia. It feels somewhat cooler than Gaborone despite being many miles closer to the equator. There also appears to be a staff of warthogs helping out at the airport. Arriving at the airport around four, we

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106068291863708691999-05-07T12:11:00.000-04:002005-01-18T12:11:31.863-05:00

Gaborone and environs Today's cross-cultural experience was heading out to the village of Manyana (why a bunch of Setswana-speaking Africans would want to build a Spanish Village of Tomorrow is beyond us) to see some San rock art. Since our directions sucked, we undershot and had no clue where it was. The route we chose ended in a road being built, so we figured that wasn't the way to go. We

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106068239825451801999-05-06T12:10:00.000-04:002005-01-18T12:10:39.826-05:00

Gaborone and environs After a slow start, we get out today. First, off to downtown Gaborone to change dollars to pula. Gaborone looks a little like Davis might if it suffered a string of bad years. It looks to be a city of no more than moderate size, built low and wide with breathing room between buildings rather than dense and tall, and it's a bit run down with many stenciled and hand-lettered

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106068202194009401999-05-05T12:09:00.000-04:002005-01-18T12:10:02.196-05:00

Gaborone A quiet day at the house as we recover from travel and set up for the journeys ahead. One of the many pleasures afforded us here is a very large bathtub. Narrow, but I think it's a bit over six feet long. I can lie down in it with room to spare. It's also Cinco de Mayo, for which the Warrens are having a large party. We go from the US to Africa in order to celebrate a Mexican holiday.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106068147781149181999-05-04T13:04:00.000-04:002005-01-20T11:05:47.046-05:00

Johannesburg/Gaborone After touching down in Johannesburg, the Virgin Atlantic people looked at us as if to say "Are you still here?" while we waited for someone to help Naomi off the plane. The guy at the ticket counter for Air Botswana seemed nearly as clueless when confronted with a wheelchair, but throughout the trip the people sent to actually do things are quite good at them. We've been

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106067827122541601999-05-03T13:02:00.000-04:002005-01-20T11:02:44.780-05:00

London In retrospect, not the best idea in the world. We landed at Heathrow a little early, about 6:00 AM London time, and waited about an hour for Antone's plane from Boston. Most of us had managed to rest a bit on the plane ("sleep" would clearly be the wrong word), which took the edge off the fatigue, so we felt in good enough shape to stroll around town. We were, as it turned out, wrong.

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106067622001374191999-05-02T11:59:00.000-04:002005-01-18T12:00:22.000-05:00

We get started only a few minutes late. Shortly after hitting the highway (in this case, 24 on the way to the *80 junctions), Loren, who was driving us to the airport, expressed surprise that we were flying directly from Oakland to London. We were surprised ourselves at the observation, since we were flying out of San Francisco. We managed to change several lanes in the nick of time and got a

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3699925.post-1106164294178979091999-01-01T14:34:00.000-05:002005-01-19T14:51:59.980-05:00

My first commercial publication, a general description of pre-industrial economies with rules for GURPS. Silk and Spices: The Merchant Campaign in Fantasy To get away from hack-and-slash in fantasy campaigns, many gamers are turning to economic development, building modest feifs or engaging in trade. It's not a bad choice. After all, the life of a merchant and his companions combines travel to

Turhanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02005899703259604157noreply@blogger.com0