Harvesting a good story.

007

My d20 rendition of James Bond, hewing closer to Ian Fleming's original literary character (and perhaps even to Timothy Dalton's portrayal).

Royal Navy Commander JAMES BOND, CMG, RNVR ("007") 
Male Human Legendary Strong Hero 2/Fast Hero 2/Smart Hero 1/Soldier 4/Infiltrator 7; CR 16; Medium Humanoid (height 6', weight 167 lb.); Age early 40s

Init +7; Senses (core) Listen +8, Search +8, Spot +9; Senses (house) Listen/Spot +14, Search +14
Languages English, French, German

Defense 26, touch 26, flat-footed 26; Defensive Martial Arts, Dodge (+3 Dex, +13 class)
hp 110 (16 HD); Mas 14
Fort +8, Ref +12, Will +6
Action Points 15

Speed 30 ft.
Melee unarmed strike +11/+6 (1d4+3 lethal/nonlethal, 20) or
Melee by weapon +11/+6
Ranged Walther PPK +14/+9 (2d4+3 ballistic, 20, 30 ft., S, 7 box) or
Ranged Walther PPK +12 (3d4+3, double tap) or
Ranged by weapon +12/+7
Space 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +9; Grp +13
Atk Options Agile Riposte, Double Tap, Point Blank Shot
Special Qualities legend traits (1)

Abilities Str 15, Dex 16 (15), Con 14, Int 16 (14), Wis 14 (13), Cha 13
'(-)' indicate original ability scores.
Allegiances himself, MI6, good, justice, chaos; Rep +9; San 59
Feats Advanced Firearms Proficiency, Agile Riposte*, Armor Proficiency (light), Combat Martial Arts, Combat Throw, Defensive Martial Arts, Dodge, Double Tap, Educated (civics, history), Improved Initiative, Personal Firearms Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Renown, Simple Weapons Proficiency, Vehicle Expert
* Bonus feats acquired from the Legend template.
          Note: As a member of MI6, James receives the bonus feat Point Blank Shot as his membership perk.
Skills (core) Balance +8, Climb +7, Computer Use +4, Demolitions +8, Disable Device +9, Disguise +6, Drive +10, Escape Artist +10, Hide +11, Intimidate +11, Investigate +10, Jump +6, Knowledge (civics) +6, Knowledge (current events) +10, Knowledge (history) +8, Knowledge (streetwise) +12, Knowledge (tactics) +9, Knowledge (technology) +4, Listen +8, Move Silently +11, Navigate +4, Pilot +7, Read/Write English, Read/Write French, Read/Write German, Repair +4, Research +4, Ride +6, Search +8, Sleight of Hand +10, Speak English, Speak French, Speak German, Spot +8, Survival +5, Swim +9, Tumble +8
Skills (house) Athletics +16, Computer Use +4, Control +8, Deduce +14 (+1 on Investigate), Demolitions +8, Disable Device +11, Disguise +6, Drive +12, Escape Artist +11, Knowledge (civics) +6, Knowledge (current events) +11, Knowledge (history) +8, Knowledge (streetwise) +12, Knowledge (tactics) +10, Knowledge (technology) +4, Navigate +4, Perceive +14, Persuade +11, Pilot +7, Read/Write English, Read/Write French, Read/Write German, Repair +4, Research +4, Ride +6, Sneak +19 (+1 on Hide, Move Silently), Speak English, Speak French, Speak German, Survival +5, Tumble +9
Talents (Strong Hero) Melee Smash
Talents (Fast Hero) Evasion
Talents (Smart Hero) Savant (Investigate)
Talents (Soldier) Weapon Focus (autoloader), Weapon Specialization (autoloader)
Talents (Infiltrator) Improved Evasion, Improvised Implements, Improvised Weapon Damage, Skill Mastery (Disable Device, Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Sleight of Hand, Spot), Sweep
Starting Occupation Military (+1 on Hide, Move Silently; Personal Firearms Proficiency)
Possessions (total weight 6.5 lb.) mastercraft [+1] Walther PPK (1 lb.), formal outfit (business suit w/tie; 4 lb.), custom Morland & Co gunmetal cigarette case (carries 50 high-nicotine cigarettes), holster (concealed carry; 0.5 lb.), suppressor (pistol; 1 lb.), various personal items
Wealth Bonus +13

"Shaken not stirred." –Bond

In the News: "Come for the collusion, stay for the Quixote reference!"

A bit of fun and weirdly creepy…

This time, Homebrew reads…

Homebrew Productions Begins…

"Dark Magic in the Root Cellar"

This sinister little tale I wrote can be found in Dreamless Roads - a fantasy anthology, a collection of wonderfully imaginative short stories by a group of talented writers that I am humbled to be a part of. You can find it at these vendors in different formats:

Amazon - paperback or Kindle

Barnes & Noble - both paperback and Nook editions

"Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!"

I just finished reading the definitive collection of Robert E. Howard's Conan works. Conan is a bit of an acquired taste for those of us raised today on The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, but long before either of these franchises were even out of the box, Howard's sandaled Cimmerian was winning damsels and slaying fell beasts in all manner of daring-do and far-flung tales! Good stuff!

Re-watched Conan the Barbarian to boot; and I can honestly say there are quality fantasy films that predate the current batch of the last decade (see also: Willow (Special Edition)). It's not for children and strays from the source material, but the film has great emotion – it's felt more than understood – and champions the idea that less is more, as compared to most of the bloated ideas that float around in movies today. Fine performances are delivered by James Earl Jones and the Governator both, (with solid bit players rounding out the cast in an unobtrusive way). It's great kindling to get the fire going in anticipation for D&D too! (Though, for those of you playing the at-home version, don't go watching if you think it will give anything away in my on-going game. Cause it won't! ;)

"I give you this!"