A Deceptive Silence

It's been awfully quiet here at Barkley's Den lately, as I've been gearing up for a new campaign (or side campaign as it were) and preparing to demo a soon to be released RPG sometime in March (no not that one).

Add to that my Birthday, Dave's Birthday and a host of other birthday's and anniversaries and I just haven't have two seconds to myself to write anything of consequence (or better yet, entertainment!).

In truth, my days and nights, weekdays and weekends, have been whirlwinds of activity. The quiet on this blog masks a clandestine busy-ness.

So, sorry gang if the Barkster isn't barking so much at the moment. Hopefully they'll be tons of stuff to howl about soon.

Laters,

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Barking Alien

Happy Commercially Enforced Day of Romance

I dislike Valentine's Day and not because I am bitter or not a romantic. Rather, I dislike it because I am a romantic and it just seems to be far too arbitrary and commercial for a day that is supposed to celebrate love.

That said, I hope those who have someone special enjoy this day and those who don't realize it's OK and you will.

Peace and Love EVERYDay,

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Barking Alien

Star Wars Birthday and The Challenge of The Super Friends

So, yesterday (as of about a half an hour or so ago) was my birthday. Normally an event I dread, I actually really enjoyed it for once. I had breakfast/brunch with my Mom, my Sister, my Brother-In-Law and my Nephew. It was my Nephew's idea to throw Uncle Adam a Star Wars themed party, complete with paper plates and cups covered with images of Yoda and Darth Vader. It was very cool and I felt like I was his age for a bit (He's 5), instead of my age (Not 5).

Afterwards I went to Brooklyn to run my D&D-esque game for the kids at the Learning Center and review the RPG Journals they have to keep in order to make sure they are doing the learning assignment part of the deal. Some great, some not so much but I see progress in many so I'm happy and so is my ex-wife (whose Learning Center it is) and the parents.

This topped off a pretty cool Saturday (Feb. 11th), birthday of my pal, the oft-mentioned Dave.

We got to play a bit of our Champions game, though we had a slow start and an all to quick finish before we had to go our separate ways.

Two of the best parts of what was essentially an only OK game outting were...

The New Guy! Corey joined us for the very first time and I swear it was like we'd known and gamed with this guy for years. As Dave remarked, "Is it me or was he always a part of this group?". Definitely felt that way. The only bad news is that in two weeks he won't be available, although there is a silver lining. Before I tell you what that is I will go to the second awesome part of Saturday.

An Old Guy! Teasing 'Rad. My old pal Conrad got to join us. Turns out Conrad's schedule has changed somewhat enabling him to game with us on an irregularly regular basis.

Now wait...Conrad can't be there all the time and Corey can't be there all the time and sometimes it won't be the same time. Argh! Hold on...*RING*...here's that silver lining I promised...NEW INCREDIBLE IDEA!

When all are available (Me, Dave, Marcus, Conrad and Corey...and maybe even Jeff and/or a another possible player to be named later), we play Champions.

When only three or four are around we play a new campaign specifically designed to have players pop in and out. Very episodic. If you're there you play and at the end of the session the story is over. Next time, new story and if you're there you play, etc.

The vote is in for Mutants & Masterminds 3E, with the world being another pet project idea of mine. This time it's a twisted alternate history of a combined Timely/Atlas Comics (Pre-MARVEL Marvel) and National Comics (Pre-DC DC) universe. The idea was inspired by my love of Golden and Pre-Silver Age comics, the recent resurrection of many Public Domain Heroes by Dynamite Comics and Marvel and a firecracker-down-your-shorts crazy idea by one of the players (Marcus actually).

I think we have met and bested the conundrum of how to get more players and what to play and come up with something truly epic. The Challenge of The Super Friends has been won!


Stay tuned,

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Barking Alien

Five Guys Against Evil

Sorry posting has been light of late but my resurrected Champions campaign has demanded a lot of my attention (when I am not working and work has kept me very busy).

I had mentioned two new players...well make that three.

Now five guys are standing together against the forces of evil and I couldn't be happier. Hmm...'Five Guys Against Evil' sounds like a great name for a Kung-Fu movie. Or a band.

Anyway, play recap report sure to follow in a few days. Other then that, have a great weekend and good gaming all!

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Barking Alien

Ch-Ch-Changes Remain The Same

So it seems Champions is not dead...it was merely resting. Sort of like Superman.



It looks like Superhero campaigns don't go down easy. Good for them and good for me.

With the addition of not one but two new Player Character heroes, 'The New Champions' is set to return with a bang and one I'm pretty thankful for.

The threat of no regular game was starting to effect my mood something fierce. Now it wasn't the only facotr contributing to my feeling down but normally it's gaming that picks me up when I am depressed so I felt like I was waging a loosing battle.

Luckily, like my favorite 4-color heroes I refused to give up and as fate would have it I was introduced via email to a new player named Corey and was able to get ahold of an old friend and player named Conrad who is free to join us on game day.

More details as they come up. Watch out villainy...the boys are back in town.

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Barking Alien