ISSUE 3 of the Ashcan Edition is getting set to drop after a few setbacks. I am getting emails from the four fans of the magazine that i have asking why the June issue didn't drop. If I were a full time publisher or had a regular jobby job in the AM and then came home to nothing but publishing... I could get everything out on a regular basis.
But since that is not going to happen due to the fact that i have HLD (Hyper Life Disorder), I get the stuff out when I can. So, hopefully this month will see the release of two issues of the Ashcan before we take a small break for August (silly Military).
This month's edition will focus on the weird sciences. Those things that could be plausible even if they are not that possible. We have a nice line up as far as features and goodies for the mag as well as a nice showing of current and upcoming products. The magazine drops on July 13th.
The first two Ashcan's as well as a image portfolio can be downloaded from the HAZARD studio web store (run through LuLu). The store address is http://lulu.com/hazardstudio. Please stop by and take a peak as we have a nice little selection of stuff building (as well as the magazine being handled for free).
If you are interested in writing or drawing for the Ashcans Edition, please send me a note at kroh@hazardstudio.net . We would love to see more folks contributing their talents to the mag. so if you have a new product coming out that you would like to debut in the magazine, or you just want more folks to see your mad skill with your pencil... ahem... then shoot me a note so we can make you just shy of famous.
Lots of good things happening around the HAZARD house at the moment... So much fun... so little time...
The Ashcan Edition, Issue 2 is out! Focusing on the normal folks in extraordinary circumstances, the issue has a lot of fun art and some cool features. Rounding out our guest section this month is the Threat Record. James Keck brings us a short adventure from his upcoming product, The Threat Record, where we get to use the villain, Flash Blind. The issue tops out at 19 pages and is a free release from Hazard Studios through LULU.COM. Hop on over to HAZARD Studio to get it from the main page!
Those publishers that want to advertise in the Ashcan Edition, the ad space is VERY reasonable. When you advertise in the Magazine, we guarantee a full page add with any supplemental art needed to fill the space constructed by us. Interested folks should go to the HAZARD Studio web page and send us an email.
HAZARD continues to spotlight martial arts by throwing out links to cool Youtube videos. This weeks edition features the martial art of Shorinji Kempo. Mixing religion with fighting style, this martial art preaches peace through hard contact. Works for us!
Leave it to the military to start breaking the Sci-Fi barrier and bring the things we used to read about as kids into the mainstream. Watch the video at the bottom of the page... WOW...
Martial Minute returns! Every week HAZARD Studio will post a different video or series of videos to the site to give people a taste of martial arts they might not normally have heard of. We might show off ones that everyone has heard of and just show it in a different light.
For this week's Martial Minute, we have the clinch drill from a system that is near and dear to my heart... Modern Army Combatives. Enjoy!
So I finally had five minutes to spend to post twice to this mayhem of randomness I call a journal (as well as smack down the two expansions for Fallout 3!). It feels nice to not be so insanely busy as to have free time for not only myself but also for the stuff I enjoy...
Now with that all said and done... ONTO THE BUSINESS!
The first Issue of Ashcan Edition is set to drop next week and we already have piqued (yeah I use words like pique... you got a problem with that) some interest via the net and we have had several offers for folks to not only contribute but also for advertising. The advertising is not so much for the advertisers as it is for the advertise "e's." The magazine is going to be free in PDF format as well as having an HTML (that's like internet for you people stuck in 1994) mirror for select articles. If you pick up the magazine in print (at Lulu for the moment), it will be sold at cost to the customer. Thus, we are doing this as a labor of love as well as to promote the 4C system and to an extent, super hero gaming in general. All the ads will be geared toward giving the players more choice and resources when playing these types of games, hopefully increasing the fun factor.
For those Advertisers out there... If you want to pick up some space in the magazine to promote your Super Hero or 4C themed projects, just visit the HAZARD Studio web page and shoot me an email with the associated graphics. There is no cost for advertising in the Ashcan Edition so if you have something you want noticed get it to me. Well fit it in there for you.
For folks looking to contribute, submissions will be accepted until tomorrow night and then I start compiling.
Welcome to HAZARD Studio 2009... Which is pretty much the same as it was in 2008 only with less sand. So in the the past few months we have been VERY busy. There was a lot in the beginning of the year to hold our attention and we are just starting to crawl out from under.
First off... I want to take a moment to wish my friend Brian good luck. Brian is going to be leaving for Army Basic Training next week. He has decided to enter the National Guard and take on some of the toughest training the Army has to offer (and then let it go to hell when he comes home as we in the Guard only have to work once a month... GO TEAM!). Any one who wants to pick up Brian as a Pen pal need only shoot me an email and we can work out his address from there. Good luck Brian! Starting in April, the Ashcan Edition will return with a brand new look. Transforming into its alter ego as a monthly mag for the supers set, Ashcan will have several features to get the super powered crowd going... Some things to look for in the mag will be: · A monthly column about aspects of super hero RPG’s · Wanted Poster: Featuring a new villain or group to harass your players with. · Net News: info about current and future Super RPG’s
Ashcan Edition will be put out low rent in “Ashcan” style, just like the comics we used to see back in the day. This will be mostly black and white and done with just enough fun to warrant a place on the shelf. This will be a monthly free e-zine that will be available on the HAZARD Stds. Website as well as in PDF format.
If you are a publisher looking for art flunkies… you could do a lot worse than looking on the HOOLIGANS page on the Hazard Website. We have several talented folks that like to sling ink and they are waiting to land that big job that allows them to kick off their skills. Anyone interested can shoot me a note and we can set up a game of tag between publisher and artist.
The next few months are going to be very exciting for us as we have a TON going on. From working for the National Guard to slinging ink and lead for ourselves, we look forward to seeing what trouble 2009 gets us into…
In Japan, the arts involving the sword are very fast with little "flair". All business. One Cut. One Kill. However, the Korean Art of Haedong Kumdo, resembles kenjutsu (Japanese swordsmanship) with slight differences. Using lightning fast cutting and demonstrating confidence around a blade, here is a small selection to wet your martial knowledge appetite.
This one is in Korean but I think most folks will get the gist:
For the next installment we have the sinister thugs that serve the whim of Shogun 0. Of course this group can be thrown into any 4C game to swarm the heroes and give them a hard time. Enter...
Scion Fist
(Criminal Organization / unknown)
M:10C:20B:10 F:10I:10A:10 W:10
Damage:50, Fortune:30, Lifestyle: (50 see below), Reputation:0
Powers:
Mindlink (10): The members of the Scion Fist have the ability to speak with each other telepathically. This power only works with other members of The Fist. At the same time, they also share their thoughts, thus becoming a hive mind when working together (+1 RS to feat rolls when working with two or more members). Shogun 0 has taught them this ability so as to be in contact with them at anytime anywhere in the world.
Blink (Teleportation - 4): Through intense training, The Fist can move over short distances faster than the human eye can see. This often times allows them to instantaneously get the drop on someone by jumping behind them or blinking out of the way of an attack.
Ki Blast (10): In the event The Fist find themselves unarmed, the can summon a blast of concentrated force. As this attack takes immense concentration, The Fist cannot take any action other than dodging in the previous turn. This attack is most often used to blow open doors and smash through locks but in a pinch can be used as a surprise attack or for them to escape when captured.
Equipment: Typical Equipment Carried
Armor (4): Armored vest
Pistol (10) (4 clips of 15 shots each)
Sword (10) (material strength 30)
Throwing Spikes (4) (Set of 10)
Smoke Bomb (Invisibility 10 - only to sight - 4 sectors - effect may be blown or washed away) (set of 4)
Climbing Cord (50 ft) and hook
Skills: Acrobatics (C), Climbing (C), Security Systems (I), Martial Arts (C)
Lifestyle Note: Shogun 0 supplies the Fist with anything they might need for a successful mission. In the event that an item is so rare that it is beyond the Shogun's means to acquire it, he can appeal to his master Dominus. If that route fails, the Fist could always acquire what they need the old fashioned way... They can just take it!
Background: As Shogun 0 clawed his way from obscurity to the top ranking official of Omnisci Corporation, not only did he dispose of his enemies, he also rewarded his allies. The Scion Fist began as a small group of corporate spies recruited by Shogun 0. As the Shogun began to shape his destiny, he also shaped the Scion Fist to become an instrument of his will. Specializing in corporate and clandestine espionage, smuggling, and assassination, The Scion Fist has become one of the leading shadow organizations in the world.
Identifying Quote: "There is no escape. Accept your fate."
The holiday season is upon us and that means that it takes all that much longer to get anywhere thanks to little old ladies gripping the steering wheel for dear life. Of course... all bets are off when you enter the malls and shops and they get in your path... Don't let the white hair fool you! These fiends are in pursuit of the latest "you know that guitar game," and will do anything to get it.
So for this weeks Martial Minute, We present the Marine Corps Martial Art Program (MCMAP). Severe in practice and deadly in execution, the Marines have put together a program that instills warrior mindset and killer instincts. Perfect for the battlefields overseas and the shopping malls against Aunt Edna!
DISCLAIMER: Aunt Edna is not an enemy combatant and should not be treated as such... if white hair and knuckles get in the way... let them be and count to 10. Honor a Marine this year by donating to their favorite charity:
http://www.toysfortots.org/
Honor any other service member by saying happy holidays and "thank you" for their service.
"We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm..."
Kalari or sometimes called Kalariprayat is an old martial art coming out of Southern India. Highly systemized and taught to many Indians, Kalari contains a myriad of hand and weapon techniques. Enjoy:
I cannot believe how the time has been flying by since we have been back. Already November and I think I have more on my plate now than when I left. All good though... At least I am not bored.
One of the things I am really enjoying is the coffee shops I have in my town. They offer a usually quiet place to hang out while getting a nice cup of joe whatever it is that tickles you pallette. That means I have a place to sketch away from the chaos that are my dogs and get caffeinated at the same time. I think I am going to head to one tonight to finish the latest project I got from Arbor Productions. If you haven't heard or checked out their products you should give them a whirl. Hot off the heals of Halt Evil Doer!, a M&M Superlink product, Arbor is now getting Savage and moving into the world of Publishing suppliments for the Savage Worlds Role Playing game. Take a peek...
Please keep an eye on the blog in the upcoming weeks to see updates for our weekly feature on martial arts. Not only are the videos we are finding very informative, but you can use them as inspiration for your games as well as to show perspective players what what system or another look like. While you are sitting there checking out the blog, take note of the styles that we are showing off and give one of them a try. I have been doing martial arts for a while now and there is not a day that goes by that I am not glad that I started.
I wanted to finsh up by saying thanks to some of the folks who took the time to write in and let me know that instead of signing up to "follow" the blog, some folks are putting it into their feed readers and going that road. Thanks for checking in regularly and thanks for all the support. P.S. The monkey says "Hi"... you know who you are...
Up next, Martial Minute and then another episode of Ashcan Edition. Thanks for stopping by, Walt
Archery has been a prime component of the combat arts since people have been people. In this week's Martial Minute, The Atienza family show us how their family blend of archery can be brought into the modern age with the use of current technology.
(Supernatural Metahuman, known by General Public, Ruler of Marazul)
M:30 C:20 B:30 F:30 I:30 A:20 W:20
Damage:110, Fortune:80, Lifestyle:75, Rep:0
Powers:
Immortality:Dominus is immune to aging, disease, and can heal from any wound, however he can still be hurt and incapacitated. Bringing Dominus' Damage and Fortitude to 0 will effectively kill him. At this point, unless he is impaled or receiving a constant stream of damage he will begin to regenerate and reanimate.
Armor: Dominus wears armor made of power rank 40 material that conveys the following abilities.
Armor (40)
Flight (20)
Life Support: Dominus is protected from Pressure, environment (including lack of air and the presence of toxins), and radiation while in his armor.
The Way of Triad Sight: Dominus is extremely talented in the Arcane Arts and has the ability to work magic at power rank (50). This allows him a vast variety of powers at his disposal. His most common castings include:
Power Bolt: Energy generation
Power Shield: Force Field
Ghost Walk: Phasing
Eagle Walk: Teleportation
Skills: Knowledge:Arcane (I), Bio-engineering (I), Engineering (I), Leadership (I), Military (I), Martial Arts (M),
Background: Azrael Dominus is part of an ancient race who came to earth to conquer. Although he and his kind spread terror over the ancient world, it was the people of the Middle East that gave him the name, Azrael, The Angel of Death. As culture after culture fell under his heel, it looked as though Azrael and his kind would rule over mankind.
Unknown to the invaders, an ancient race had already taken residence on Earth and had looked fondly on the race of man, The Atlanteans. With legions of troops and technologies that dwarfed human understanding, the Atlantean war machine stormed out of the ocean to drive out the hellish invaders. One by one Dominus' people were either captured or killed by the might of Atlantis.
The true extent of the final battles are lost to the oceans of time, however, it was certain that Dominus was captured and imprisoned. Their victory in hand, the Atlanteans withdrew back to their nation to let the race of man make his way in the world.
Throughout the millennia, Dominus called across the ages to anyone who would listen. Although there were many promising attempts to free him, his liberation came in the present age. A young boy with amazing mental abilities heard his calls from the ether and decided to listen. Throughout his youth, Dominus guided and tutored the youth until he became a titan of industry. Using his wealth, Brian Takashi, sought out the mystic prison and shattered its seals. Dominus strode into the world with a terrible purpose. He would be the lord and master of this world and crush the ancestors of his enemies.
To this purpose, he raised the island of Marazul in the southern Pacific near the nation of Indonesia. He has taken in many of the undesirables of the world and turned them into a driven people. At his side, Brian Takashi, the man who granted Dominus his freedom, now serves as his Minister of Security under the guise of Shogun 0. Only Takashi is aware of his true origins as the rest of the world sees him as a powerful despot. From his new nation he plots and waits for a time to strike.
Identifying Quote: "I am Dominus... you are finished!"
For this week's Martial Minute, We deviate from the normal flavor of Asiatic Martial Arts and go for the Western. Nova Scrimia is a time tested art form that mixes elements of fist, blade, and stick to form a fantastic martial blend. People familiar with the Martial Arts of the Philippines will recognize much from this art as Filipino Arts draw heavily from Spanish Fencing for some of their technique. Enjoy:
Telepathy (50): Shogun is a powerful telepath and always uses his ability to read the minds of those around him.
Mind Control (50)
Combat Awareness (30)
Warlord Armor: Takashi knows that his "minions" can sometimes be traced back to him. For this reason, he created his Warlord Armor for use in "operations" where raw psychic ability would not be enough.
Trait Boost: Shogun's armor boosts his physical ability. His normal stats are M:6 C:6 B:10 F:6 I:20A:20 W:40
Psi-Boost: The armor can also "ride the signal" of active satellites to transmit Shogun's psychic abilities across the globe.
Psycho-blast (30):Takashi can power psychic rotors inside the armor by charging it with mental energy. He can then shoot a concentrated wave of force.
Flight (10)
Armor (20/10): The armor provides power rank 20 protection against physical attacks and rank 10 against energy attacks.
Skills: Pyschiatry (I), Business (I), Engineering (I)
Background: Brian Takashi was a boy when he first started hearing voices that weren't there. It was some years before the lad figured out they were the thoughts of the people around him. His parents sent him to an isolated monastery in upstate California to be away from people and learn to control his power. While in seclusion, he managed to learn to tune out all the voices except one. The Voice he could hear belonged to no one he could see and whispered promises of power and destiny.
Some years later, Brian had graduated at the top of his class and began to work at a technology company. He fell in love with a young co-worker and the two intended to marry. He caught her having an affair with one of his managers and was grief stricken. The mysterious voice he had heard all those years ago spoke of revenge and how to take it. Using his powers to ruin the lives of his betrayers, this would be the event that solidified his persona as Shogun Zero as well as giving himself to the Voice.
Many more years passed, having witnessed to the rise in power of Brian Takashi as CEO of Omnisci, a massive corporate machine that creates everything from powerful government computers to electric toothbrushes. His corporate facade hides the truth that Brian Takashi is really Shogun Zero, a criminal mastermind that has been secretly building his power. Hidden in corporate shadow, Takashi has amassed wealth, contacts, favors, and using his powers, sleeper agents all over the world.
For now, Shogun Zero and his organization, The Scion's Fist, has been content with black market sales of technology, corporate espionage, and assassination. Only Shogun Zero knows his true goals, as dark and sinister as they may be...
Identifying Quote: "I am the voice of your destiny..."
For those that have not been following at home, HAZARD Studio is doing a weekly series of releases up to the month of December.
The Series is called Ashcan Edition and will be the pilot for a quarterly series that will be released for free on the web. The basic premise of the posts will allow a weekly posting of a piece of an adventure for the superhero Genre. Each week another piece will be released to add to the puzzle of the adventure. On the final week, the PDF will drop at fine E-tailers everywhere. The completed and compiled adventure will contain all the characters and encounters from the web series. They will be updated with full color art as well as stats to allow you to use the adventure with your favorite game system of choice.
To commemorate our first bite at this apple, HAZARD is taking any proceeds that we make and donating it to the Toys for Tots charity.
In other news... My dentist is an idiot. While I was away I found out my dental work that i had done is faulty and ALL of has to be redone. Grrrrr! In any case, I am missing a tooth, High on Novocaine, and just waiting around to take some pills. Wish me luck.
ISSUE 3 of the Ashcan Edition is getting set to drop after a few setbacks. I am getting emails from the four fans of the magazine that i have asking why the June issue didn't drop. If I were a full time publisher or had a regular jobby job in the AM and then came home to nothing but publishing... I could get everything out on a regular basis.
