Sep 02
Even though Familiar Ground is primarily a gag-a-day type of comic, there is an overall story which might be confusing for newcomers.
Here’s a summary of what’s happened so far:
- The story starts in the middle of a quest for an artifact, near the gate of bones and cave of whispers
- Toad has revealed that he doesn’t know everything about his hat
- Their humans have disappeared after being attacked by elemental creatures
- Sasha reveals that she and her human were sent to secretly watch over Toad’s wizard
- Apparently there’s an apocalypse coming up and Toad’s wizard is involved, but the prophecy is not clear exactly how
- The group found a possible clue to an apothecary in Tuskany
- They traveled several weeks to get to the city
- Sasha splits from the party to secretly follow her human husband
- Toad and Coco encounter a strange seer that revealed where their humans are, as well as impart a warning about needing to leave the city by nightfall
- Toad and Coco sell some of Coco’s hair to earn some gold and buy a ritual book and other supplies
- Coco encounters a “doll” named Tony that warns him that Toad’s wizard is not to be trusted
- Toad recruits the help of a Gnome Artificer(?)
- Toad and Coco unwittingly frees a fiery giant-like spirit that grants wishes
- Coco makes a wish to be able to shapeshift without his human’s help and loses his celestial nature
- Toad makes a wish to restore Coco’s celestial nature, but he promises to deny mercy to the next god that begs it from him
- A street bard reveals Sasha’s story that she used to be an elven princess that was trapped in a cat’s body
- Sasha’s husband, a Soul Harvester, is apparently working for one of the Councilors and has been drinking himself to a stupor on a regular basis
- Coco and Toad notices that many of those attending the festival are…odd
- The gang reunites at dusk at the apothecary’s place
I think that about summarizes what’s happened so far in terms of story. Did I miss anything?
”Comment
GenCon Celebrity D&D Game
By Cedric on September 1st, 2010Posted In: Blog, Gamer News, RPG News and Discussion
This might be of interest to some of you.
Larry Elmore, R.A. Salvatore, and Ed Greenwood play D&D using the essentials rules with Chris Perkins DMing.
D&D Free Village of Hommlet 4e adventure
By Cedric on August 17th, 2010Posted In: Blog, Gamer News, RPG News and Discussion
I was clearing some shelf space in my room when I came across this:
It’s still in its shrink wrap. It’s an RPGA reward that I got some time ago and I just haven’t had time to play it. Since I have a standing invite from a couple of groups to play it, and the DMs of those groups already have a copy, I figure I might as well give it away to a lucky reader.
The blurb on the back reads:
“Hommlet has grown up around a crossroads. Once far from any important activity, the village became embroiled in the struggle between gods and primordials when the Temple of Elemental Evil arose but a few leagues away. Luckily for the village’s inhabitants, the Temple and its evil hordes were destroyed a decade ago, but Hommlet still suffers from incursions of badits and strange monsters….
The Village of Hommlet is designed for five characters of 4th level and is inspired by Gary Gygax’s classic adventure of the same name. This Dungeons & Dragons adventure includes a full-color battle map, ready-to-play encounters, and information on the Village of Hommlet-and excellent base of operations for heroic-tier characters.”
Rules: Respond to THIS article in the comments section and tell me a gaming or RPG related joke or funny incident. I’ll pick a winner randomly from all the people that comment. All responses must be in by the end of August, midnight PST. I’ll do the random selection Sept 1st and email the winner for a mailing address. One entry per person please.
Feel free to forward this to your friends or whatever forums/newsgroups you belong to.
Oh, and feel free to let me know what you think about the comic! 
***Dungeons & Dragons is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast LLC, and they are not affiliated with Familiar Ground.
Congratulations to Adam D. of Owing Mills, MD! The patron deity of d100 rolls have looked upon his entry with favor and he won this giveaway.
World of Warcraft Cataclysm Screenshots
By Cedric on August 16th, 2010Posted In: Blog, World of Warcraft
I took a few screenshots of the Cataclysm beta as I played recently.
Here’s my 13th level worgen warlock with his Felguard! Apparently, you can get it as early as 10th level now.
Here’s my Worgen again riding into Gilneas.
Look! You can fly in the old world areas now! This one is from Wailing Caverns in the Barrens.
Part of the Barrens is now full of greenery and new wildlife. Notice the tauren caught in the tentacle? Why use cow dung for fertilizer when you can use the whole cow?
I also dropped by Mount Hyjal, but forgot to take pictures of the big tree. Saw the well of eternity though. I decided to see what was at the bottom of it.
If you attempt to do this, keep in mind that you can drown. It took more than half my breath bar to get to the bottom, so you can’t make it down and back up. You’ll need some waterbreathing magic (or use a hearthstone once you’re at the bottom which is what I did).
Oh, and this glowing blue stone was at the bottom. Don’t know the lore behind it though.
I’ll try to take more screenshots later.
