Date: 2009-10-01 00:18 Subject: Armitage Files Security: Public Tags: armitage files, pelgrane, trail of cthulhu

4 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-09-18 15:50 Subject: Arkham Detective Tales and Rough Magicks Security: Public Tags: arkham detective tales, gumshoe, pelgrane, rough magicks, trail of cthulhu

The latest Trail of Cthulhu releases are now available from Indie Press Revolution as PDF and PDF+Print versions. The PDF is free with the print version. Arkham is here, Rough Magicks here.

1 Comment | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-09-16 14:04 Subject: Trail of Cthulhu Security: Public Tags: gumshoe, i'll show you mine, pelgrane

Here are a couple of graphs for GUMSHOE sales. They are monthly cumulative sales from the first date of release, through the distribution channel (that is via Impressions). This excludes retail and mail order sales through IPR, conventions and direct mail order (in total, over 20% of total print sales). PDFs and foreign licenses are a post for another day.

The non-Trail sales are swamped by Trail, so the second one details the sales without Trail.

• The continuing sales of Trail, and the total number of copies sold. mean the market for supplements is sufficient for me to do offset print runs.
• I took a risk with Shadows Over Filmland, doing it hard cover, and I think it will take about three years to sell through the print run.
• The Screen and Resource Book, I am very happy with. I think it means people are playing the game, unless there are screen collectors out there. I couldn't have done this non-offset
• Esoterrorists continues to sell reliably - the same every month for 18 months now. It will be interesting to see how the FactBook does.
• Distributors and retailers have more confidence in the ability of a Trail supplement to sell than Mutant City Blues. The sales for MCB are a little flatter than I would have liked, but the confidence inspired by previous GUMSHOE releases meant a reasonable initial order. The MCB graph is a little flat for my liking, but it's a little early to say. I think Hard Helix, the MCB supplement will help - it was released much more quickly after MCB than we've managed with other lines.

When I run out of the second Trail print run, I'm going to have a difficult printing choice. Risk another hard back?  Switch to perfect bound? Should I do a minor edition update?

5 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-09-16 13:29 Subject: Rough Magicks Review Security: Public Tags: pelgrane, review, rough magicks

A review of Rough Magicks by Dan Harms.

Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-09-14 11:53 Subject: I GUMSHOE, he GUMSHOEs, you GUMSHOE Security: Public Tags: gumshoe, pelgrane

Overheard in a 4th Edition D&D game, when PCs were looking for info leading them to the next stage of the adventure. The player had dice in about to roll against an information skill.
The DM said: "Actually, you need the info to continue. Why don't we just GUMSHOE it?"

You know you are having an impact, when they start using you as a verb.

9 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-09-11 15:21 Subject: Pour Encourager Les Autres Security: Public Tags: actual play, gumshoe, pelgrane

gbsteve point me at a lovelyGUMSHOE thread on rpg.net. It's gratifying that we've reached the stage where there are some people I've never heard of being enthusiatic enough about the actual play resulting from the game to encourage others to try it. Wonderful.

2 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-09-10 18:19 Subject: GenCon Photos Security: Public Tags: conventions, gencon, pelgrane, profantasy

Photos of GenCon behind the cut, courtesy of  Jerome.

( Read more... )

11 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-09-03 17:36 Subject: Watching for Playtesters Security: Public Tags: pelgrane, playtesting, trail of cthulhu

We are looking for playtesters for a new Purist Trail adventure,Watchers in the Sky the follow-up to the excellent Dying of St Margaret's. Email me simon@dyingearth.com if you are interested.

1 Comment | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-08-07 12:54 Subject: See Page XX Security: Public Tags: gumshoe, page xx, pelgrane

We've got a new Page XX up which uses Wordpress. It's not linked into the main website yet. If you see any errors, or have any comments, please let me know so we can make changes.

This month we have GM advice from Adrian Bott and Belinda Kelly, Marcus Bone delivers the first two installments of his new irregular GUMSHOE zine, Rap Sheet, Jérome Hugeunin gives us an insight into his amazing photomontage technique with the cover from our forthcoming Rough Magicks, and Robin tells us what he’d do with a million bucks.

• View from the Pelgrane’s Nest by Simon Rogers
• See Page XX by Robin D Laws
• Cthulhu Playtesting Article by Belinda Kelly
• Antagonists and Motivations: giving enemy NPCs depth by Adrian Bott
• The Invitation a pick a path adventure for Call of Cthulu by Sam Friedman
• The Rap Sheet Gumshoe Fanzine by Marcus Bone
• Photomontage Technique for a Trail of Cthulhu Cover by Jérôme Huguenin

7 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-08-06 18:26 Subject: Esoterror Factbook Competition Security: Public Tags: competition, esoterror fact book, esoterrorists, pelgrane

Due to an oversight, we missed an important clue from the Esoterror Factbook competition. I've extended the deadline to the end of August. Here it is:

Original Briefing

This briefing was conveyed to Agents Roark and Losada by their Mr. Verity on assignment to Operation Marble Shanty, Phase One:

You are tasked with an investigation into the deaths of self-styled guerrilla artist SELMA POOLE. POOLE was murdered in a courthouse confrontation by pool cleaner ZEKE KULA, in an apparently unmotivated incident. POOLE had been arrested for a disturbance created through an unauthorized art installation project held at the FAIRBORN GALLERY MALL in FAIRBORN, CT. Although we have no concrete confirmation of supernatural or Esoterror involvement, our media team analysis has flagged the case for the following reasons:

* Psychologically destabilizing nature of POOLE’s art installation

* Potential example of heightening anxiety surrounding a news event already generating considerable anxiety and cognitive dissonance

* Use of Esoterror keywords in POOLE’s press statements

* Shocking public nature of POOLE’s death

* Puzzling lack of motivation on part of KULA, opening possibility of arcane influence

You will be provided with identification & clearance as FBI agents following up details of case on a supporting basis. Like any case assigned as MTA work product, may prove entirely innocuous. Potential for Schrödinger backlash is high; observe requisite protocols and exercise extreme caution. Deflect and dampen case’s inherent drama, laying preliminary groundwork for veil-out throughout investigative phase. Do not allow your investigation to contribute to conspiracy theories or other psychologically troubling rumors. Avoid media attention!!

3 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-07-31 11:17 Subject: Esoterrorists Competition Update Security: Public Tags: competition, esoterror fact book, esoterrorists, pelgrane

We've extended the deadline for the Esoterrorists competition, as we missed out the original briefing document. We'll update the competition website next week.

Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-07-23 15:15 Subject: Hard Helix Released Security: Public Tags: hard helix, mutant city blues, pelgrane

Hard Helix has been released. It's a set of four adventures for Mutant City Blues, and you can get it in the Pelgrane Press Store. It'll soon be available on IPR, rpgnow.com and your local game store.

THERE’S MURDER AND MAYHEM IN MUTANT CITY...

...and you’ve got four tough new cases to clear.

Mutant City Blues creator Robin D Laws brings you four ready-to-play case
files to puzzle and challenge your local Heightened Crimes Investigative
Unit.

• The Hard Helix: A controversial researcher into mutant
  powers Sidney Dorris is found murdered the evening before his scheduled
  announcement of a stunning scientific breakthrough. What was his secret, and
  who was willing to kill him for it?


• The Vanishers: The squad’s intervention in a jewelry
  store robbery leads them into an operation against the new school,
  mutant-bolstered forces of organized crime.


• Super Squad: A sudden death at a mutant-related riot
  leads the unit into the twisted world of the Super Squad, an elite policing
  group who work the city’s toughest streets—and have, in the process, gotten
  more than a little dirty.


• Cell Division: The detectives confront a homegrown
  terrorist threat from a previously unknown group of mutant supremacists. Can
  they uncover the truth behind the Mutant Revolutionary Front — one that
  remains shrouded even from its own suicidally indoctrinated followers?

Grab your coffee, scarf down a donut, and unpop your six-inch claws... it’s
time for the squad to hit the streets!

4 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-07-21 12:28 Subject: Trail of Cthulhu Review Security: Public Tags: pelgrane, review, trail of cthulhu

A new five-star review of Trail of Cthulhu by OBS staff reviewer, Megan Robertson.

Overall, this is a masterful melding of the Gumshoe system with classic Cthulhu Mythos gaming, an inspired match. There's so much goodness in this that I'll be back again and again, not just to play but to mine for ideas whatever I am doing.

1 Comment | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-07-20 17:20 Subject: Mutant City Blues Review Security: Public Tags: mutant city blues, pelgrane

A review of Mutant City Blues on rpg.net by L J Steele. Incidentally, Hard Helix will be out in the couple of days.

A great combination of superheros and dramatically-realistic policing highlighting the flexiblity of the GUMSHOE line and giving good advice on mystery-oriented games
Style: 4 (Classy & Well Done)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

PS: viktor_haag pointed out that the author, Lisa Steele wrote GURPS Cops, and she's a criminal defense attorney in Massachusetts, so she knows her stuff!

3 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-07-14 16:04 Subject: Graham's New Trail adventure Security: Public Tags: dying of st margaret's, pelgrane

A quote from Graham Walmsley's new adventure, Watchers in the Sky. I was concerned it might not be as bleak as The Dying of St Margaret's.

"The last clue is only available by dissecting Alice."

I needn't have worried.

6 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-07-10 10:39 Subject: Skulduggery Security: Public Tags: pelgrane, skulduggery

Robin is writing a series of development posts on Skulduggery, linked here for your reading pleasure.

Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-07-07 13:07 Subject: Skulduggery Security: Public Tags: pelgrane, skulduggery

We are looking for playtesters for a new release from Pelgrane Press, Skulduggery. Skulduggery is based on the Dying Earth rules, but is for any suitable setting. Settings are included with the rules.

The game can work over one session.

If you want to playtest, first get a firm commitment from your players. Then, email me simon@dyingearth.com subject "Skulduggery Playtest". Let me know if you want to run one setting or more than one.

2 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-07-01 10:34 Subject: Rough Magicks Security: Public Tags: gumshoe, pelgrane, trail of cthulhu

I just hope I can get it printed in time...

7 Comments | Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-06-30 17:13 Subject: Origins Security: Public Tags: awards, pelgrane, trail of cthulhu

Trail of Cthulhu was nominated for an Origins Award for Best RRG, but the honours were taken by Mouseguard. I must play it. Oh, there was another game nominated, but it was fairly obscure. Read more...

Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link

Date: 2009-06-30 14:29 Subject: Jerome Security: Public Tags: art, pelgrane, trail of cthulhu

You might consider friending Jérome's journal for regular art updates. I repost his latest post as a taster.





I just love drawing menacing cultist ! I like the enigmatic face, questionning the viewer, is it a mask ! A cthulhu face ? my grandma ?
This last pic is for the "suprise" book for Trail of Cthulhu that might be (if the stars are with us) at gencon indy.

I now have my plane tickets for gencon so you will see me there (well if you want to !)
I will be signing books at Pelgrane place. Well, maybe not all the time, as it is the first time I come to this great convention. Simon Rogers will plane some signing sessions I guess.
I am pretty excited, mostly because I will be with the Pelgrane team (Kenneth, Robin, Sacha, Ralf, Steve), not only job partners, but enjoyable fellows that I don't see enough... lost I am in the east of France...
I also hope to play some game, wich I never have a chance to busy drawing for enthousiastic fans !!! wich is a very enjoyable feeling too ! and a great exercice ! you have to creat a cool drawing in about 10 minutes with no computer help or image references...

Post A Comment | Add to Memories | Tell a Friend | Link