Full disclosure before I launch into my review of the promo issue of Shadowcat Magazine: I received the PDF for free (you can too!) from Chaz Kemp, the creator of the magazine. Additional disclosure: Chaz and I have been good friends for a number of years now, but that has not colored my review and introduction to the Shadowcat Magazine Promo Issue. Chaz has always done great work, and I’ve been impressed with everything he’s done. While Chaz’s primary skills lie in being in artist, he’s no slouch when it comes to role playing games. I’ve been on panels with him (and been in the audience while he’s been on panels) related to the RPG sphere. He’s been a gamer for a long time, and has great insights about gaming and what it takes to help out GMs of all levels across the lands.
Enough about Chaz, though. I’m here to talk about his latest venture: Shadowcat Magazine.
Click to enlarge
The magazine itself will be a collection of evocative art pieces tied with random generation tables that are related to the artwork. These elements will be split up between characters, locations, creatures, items, and other goodies found within RPG settings and adventures. The generation tables will always have 20 options to either pick from or to roll that trusty d20 on. There is always guidance in the magazine on how to use the elements you randomly generate (or pick). These include rumors (unverified information), lore (verified information), tales (exaggerated information), and obscura (unknown information) about the element depicted in the artwork. You can roll/choose as many elements from the table as you desire for each category.
Click to enlarge
Of course, with all randomly generated ideas, it’s best to let your imagination run wild based on what comes up. If the literal text behind the generated idea fits you, your game, and your world perfectly, use it! If not, there are usually ways to twist things around to make it fit. Of course, if the concept just plain doesn’t fit or make sense, discard it and roll again.
I love Chaz’s artwork that he’s included in the promo PDF (more on how you can get it yourself at the end of the article), but his true genius shines in the brief descriptions of the random ideas attached to each element. They’re truly beyond the generic concepts typically found in most random tables. He’s put quite a bit of thought into these.
Let’s put the rubber to the road. In the promo PDF, there’s a two-page spread for an Arena of Dalubar. I decided to snag four random ideas (on for each type of information) and see how it’ll fit into my world. Here goes:
- Rumor: There is an air of wariness here, almost as if you are being watched.
- Lore: You see the bones of long-dead gladiators in the fighting pit. If you enter the pit, skeletons will attack you.
- Tale: Anyone stepping into the pit will suddenly be surrounded by long-dead gladiators that must be defeated in order to leave this place. If you win, however, you will be showered with money.
- Obscura: There is an aura of caution here, bordering on fear.
So, putting these four ideas together, I’ve come up with the following:
The Arena of Dalubar sits at the heart of of an abandoned city, and anyone entering will find themselves watched by the spirits of the long-dead gladiators. Anyone showing fear will rouse the barely-buried skeletons that will rise from the arena’s sands. If the skeletons are attacked, then combat ensues. However, if the people inside the arena put aside their fear of being attacked, the skeletons will stand guard over the living for three rounds. If no combat happens at the end of the third round, the skeletons fall inert. The disturbed sands from the skeletons’ rise reveal scattered handfuls of coins.
This is a pretty cool location that I could use in almost any fantasy game. I like it, and it only took me a few minutes (with the help of the magazine) to put it all together.
Click to enlarge
Of course, this is a fantasy (or some other magical/supernatural) setting item, but Chaz isn’t going to lock himself into just doing fantasy items. In the promo magazine, he has a two-page spread for the “Widowmaker MK-03” which is strange future-horror bioengineered creature that really doesn’t like humanity much at all. It makes for a great antagonist for an encounter (or full adventure if you make it the boss) in a strange, futuristic setting.
Enough of me blathering on about the quality of Chaz’s work. It’s time for you to experience it yourself! You can do so by sharing your email address with the Shadowcat Magazine mailing list. Chaz won’t give away, rent, sell, or otherwise share your email address. Once you sign up for the mailing list to find out about future releases, you’ll automatically receive a link via email that will allow you to download the PDF for yourself. Within the promo magazine, you’ll find spreads for Widowmaker MK-03 (adversary), Arena of Dalubar (location), Raina (character), and The Swindler’s Pen (item).
If you’re interested, you can find the mailing list sign up form here.
I hope you check out the Shadowcat Magazine promo issue and continue to follow Chaz for his future works.
