Everybody’s Doing It: Tunnels, Trolls and Kickstarter Projects … !

You know, it HAS to be said: Debbi — author and recovering lawyer that she is — does seem to be metaphorically leading the proverbial pack, bless her.

Mostly where she’s signed up with crowd-sourcing project, Kickstarter, to procure funding for her Sam McRæ series.

She’s not the only one, seemingly.

Did I ever tell you I used to play role-playing-games, many moons ago … ?

Well, I did: an especial favourite was the long since gone Tunnels & Trolls: the second such game ever published.

Cheap, cheerful … and leaving me, certainly, with a bucket of 6-sided dice that I’m fairly sure I’ve still got, somewhere … !

The thing is, though … ?

It’s not until I started veteran fantasy artist, Liz Danforth, on Twitter, that I found out something that interested me.

There’s a Deluxe Tunnels And Trolls reboot in the pipeline.

Well, THAT pleased me no end.

And even though I can’t contribute cash … ?

I can — if nothing else — plonk it in the sidebar, with Debbi and Kevin D’s Dropkixx poster.

Enjoy … !

The Daily Teaser — 29-12-2013

You, I have to admit, I’m a bit of an aging role-playing-game fan, I really am.

And one that played Tunnels & Trolls, many years ago.

The game was the second hit for a then comparatively then gaming genre: and always left those in the industry thankful.   

Because it proved Dungeons and Dragons success wasn’t a fluke: and that you could make an RPG that was a heck of a lot less clunky … !

Well … I got chatting to Liz Danforth on Twitter, last night: the gaming industry veteran artist, without whom many games — including T&T — would’ve looked very different.

And according to her — someone who definitely knows — the game’s soon to be republished: by original publishers, Flying Buffalo, and its original creative team.   (Including Ms Danforth, herself.)

Think I’ll be keeping my eyes open for THAT … !

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

~~~~~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mr Strict, Debbi* and Andy putting in their answers: with Mr S bagging 9, and Debbi and Andy scoring 10, it also saw Debbi telling us she’s working on her memoirs, and Andy pointing out — in his answers — the Eon Productions almost postponed making Skyfall.

Let’s see how they — and you — do with todays questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, license and video … 

Q1) The night of the 29th December, 1940, saw the Second Great Fire Of London: caused by a bombing raid by whom … ?

Q2) More to the point, which London Cathedral famously survived that raid … ?

Q3) 29th December, 1959, saw the Lisbon Metro start operating.  How many stations are there on the Lisbon Metro … ?

Q4) More to the point, in which European country is Lisbon … ?

Q5) 29th December, 1860, saw the launch of the first Royal Navy ironclad: what was its name … ?

Q6) That ship’s completion and launch was in response to which country launching an ironclad … ?

Q7) And finally … 29th December, 1914, saw the first chapters of A Portrait of the the Artist As A Young Man serialized: who wrote A Portrait of the the Artist As A Young Man … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 28th December, 1895, saw the first fee paying film screening: by which brothers … ?

A1) Auguste and Louis Lumière.

Q2) That screening was in the basement of which Café … ?

A2) The Grand Café.

Q3) What did the brothers call their projector … ?

A3) The Cinématographe.

Q4) The word cinema comes from a Greek word that means what: marching, movement or dancing … ?

A4) Movement.

Q5) Nat Taylor is the man credited with inventing the Multiplex cinema: in which Canadian city was his first cinema … ?

A5) Ottawa.

Q6) What cinematic device did Charles Cretors invent: the movie camera, the popcorn machine or the clapboard … ?

A6) The popcorn machine.

Q7) As of 2012, what’s Britain’s highest grossing movie … ?

A7) Skyfall.

Q8) While we on the subject: there are three linked films on Wikipedia’s Highest Grossing UK Films list, at Eight, Nine and Ten.   Name one of them.

A8) The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings, The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord Of The Rings: The Return of the King.

Q9) Which Stanley Kubrick film did Stanley Kubrick describe as “the proverbial good science fiction movie” … ?

A9) 2001: A Space Odyssey.   (It, for my money, is still one of the best films ever made.)

Q10) And finally … which Orson Welles film was regarded — until 2012 — as the greatest film ever made … ?

A10) Citizen Kane.

Enjoy those, everyone: as today’s the birthday of Dr Who star, Bernard Cribbins, I’ll leave you with this quote from him.

“I remember my mother used to always make us a very special dish - string beans covered in marshmallows and cornflakes... fantastic!”

Bernard Cribbins, 29th December. 1928

And, of course with his two big UK hits … 

*        You DO realise, Debbi, I’m going to be wanting to add that to my collection … ?

The script …

You know, I think I’ve finally — ish — cracked what I set out to do. I’ve finally managed to finish … the Character Generator!

So you know, this is a Character Generation script for 5th Edition “Tunnels and Trolls”, written in Applescript on on Script Utility version 2.2.1, on a Mac Mini using Mac OS X 10.5.7

Now I could’ve probably used OS X’s onboard version’s of Java or Python for this; except I don’t actually know either.

And I’ve a little — very little — familiarity with Applescript to put this together. I think I can probably refine, but …

Well, here’s the first part, used to generate the random numbers that you’ll need as the basis for your character’s statistics, height, and weight, and finds out what sex, and species you want to be.

display dialog "Would you like to generate a T & T character?" buttons {"No", "Yes"} default button 2

if the button returned of the result is "No" then

say "Ok, that’s cool." using "Vicki"

else

set numberslist to {3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 13, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 16, 17, 17, 17, 18}

set Strength1 to some item of numberslist

set Intelligence1 to some item of numberslist

set Luck1 to some item of numberslist

set Constitution1 to some item of numberslist

set Dexterity1 to some item of numberslist

set Charisma1 to some item of numberslist

set Height1 to some item of numberslist

set Weight1 to some item of numberslist

end if

display dialog "Would you like to be Human, Elf, or Dwarf?" default answer "Your Character’s Race"

set playerRace to the text returned of result

The next part actually manipulates those figures, based on what you’ve told it, to find out what your actual characteristics will be.

if playerRace is "Human" or "human" then set Strength2 to Strength1

if playerRace is "Human" or "human" then set Intelligence2 to Intelligence1

if playerRace is "Human" or "human" then set Luck2 to Luck1

if playerRace is "Human" or "human" then set Constitution2 to Constitution1

if playerRace is "Human" or "human" then set Dexterity2 to Dexterity1

if playerRace is "Human" or "human" then set Charisma2 to Charisma1

if playerRace is "Human" or "human" then set Height2 to Height1

if playerRace is "Human" or "human" then set Weight2 to Weight1

if playerRace is "Elf" or "elf" then set Strength2 to Strength1

if playerRace is "Elf" or "elf" then set Intelligence2 to round (Intelligence1 * (3 / 2)) rounding down

if playerRace is "Elf" or "elf" then set Luck2 to Luck1

if playerRace is "Elf" or "elf" then set Constitution2 to round (Constitution1 * (2 / 3)) rounding down

if playerRace is "Elf" or "elf" then set Dexterity2 to round (Dexterity1 * (3 / 2)) rounding down

if playerRace is "Elf" or "elf" then set Charisma2 to (Charisma1 * 2)

if playerRace is "Elf" or "elf" then set Height2 to (round Height1 * (11 / 10) rounding down)

if playerRace is "Elf" or "elf" then set Weight2 to round (Weight1 * (7 / 8)) rounding down

if playerRace is "Dwarf" or "dwarf" then set Strength2 to (Strength1 * 2)

if playerRace is "Dwarf" or "dwarf" then set Intelligence2 to Intelligence1

if playerRace is "Dwarf" or "dwarf" then set Luck2 to Luck1

if playerRace is "Dwarf" or "dwarf" then set Constitution2 to (Constitution1 * 2)

if playerRace is "Dwarf" or "dwarf" then set Dexterity2 to Dexterity1

if playerRace is "Dwarf" or "dwarf" then set Charisma2 to round (Charisma1 * (2 / 3)) rounding down

if playerRace is "Dwarf" or "dwarf" then set Height2 to round (Height1 * (2 / 3)) rounding down

if playerRace is "Dwarf" or "dwarf" then set Weight2 to round (Weight1 * (7 / 8)) rounding down

display dialog "Would you like to be male or female?" default answer "Male"

set playerSex to the text returned of result

set w to 0

set x to 0

set y to 0

set z to 0

if Strength2 is greater than 12 then set w to Strength2 - 12

if Strength2 is less than 9 then set w to 9 - Strength2

if Intelligence2 is greater than 12 then set x to Intelligence2 - 12

if Intelligence2 is less than 9 then set x to 9 - Intelligence2

if Luck2 is greater than 12 then set y to Luck2 - 12

if Luck2 is less than 9 then set y to 9 - Luck2

if Dexterity2 is greater than 12 then set z to Dexterity2 - 12

if Dexterity2 is less than 9 then set z to 9 - Dexterity2

set CombatAdds to w + x + y + z

if Height2 is 3 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "4 foot"

if Height2 is 3 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "3 foot 10"

if Height2 is 4 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "4 foot 3"

if Height2 is 4 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "4 foot 1"

if Height2 is 5 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "4 foot 5"

if Height2 is 5 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "4 foot 3"

if Height2 is 6 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "4 foot 8"

if Height2 is 6 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "4 foot 6"

if Height2 is 7 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "4 foot 10"

if Height2 is 7 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "4 foot 8"

if Height2 is 8 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "5 foot 1"

if Height2 is 8 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "4 foot 11"

if Height2 is 9 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "5 foot 3"

if Height2 is 9 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "5 foot 1"

if Height2 is 10 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "5 foot 6"

if Height2 is 10 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "5 foot 4"

if Height2 is 11 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "5 foot 8"

if Height2 is 11 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "5 foot 6"

if Height2 is 12 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "5 foot 11"

if Height2 is 12 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "5 foot 9"

if Height2 is 13 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "6 foot 1"

if Height2 is 13 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "5 foot 11"

if Height2 is 14 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "6 foot 4"

if Height2 is 14 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "6 foot 2"

if Height2 is 15 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "6 foot 6"

if Height2 is 15 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "6 foot 4"

if Height2 is 16 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "6 foot 9"

if Height2 is 16 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "6 foot 7"

if Height2 is 17 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "6 foot 11"

if Height2 is 17 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "6 foot 9"

if Height2 is 18 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "7 foot 2"

if Height2 is 18 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set height to "7 foot"

if Weight2 is 3 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "75"

if Weight2 is 3 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "65"

if Weight2 is 4 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "90"

if Weight2 is 4 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "80"

if Weight2 is 5 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "105"

if Weight2 is 5 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "95"

if Weight2 is 6 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "120"

if Weight2 is 6 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "110"

if Weight2 is 7 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "135"

if Weight2 is 7 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "125"

if Weight2 is 8 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "150"

if Weight2 is 8 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "140"

if Weight2 is 9 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "160"

if Weight2 is 9 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "150"

if Weight2 is 10 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "170"

if Weight2 is 10 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "160"

if Weight2 is 11 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "180"

if Weight2 is 11 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "170"

if Weight2 is 12 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set height to "190"

if Weight2 is 12 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "180"

if Weight2 is 13 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "200"

if Weight2 is 13 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "190"

if Weight2 is 14 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "225"

if Weight2 is 14 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "215"

if Weight2 is 15 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "250"

if Weight2 is 15 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "240"

if Weight2 is 16 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "280"

if Weight2 is 16 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "270"

if Weight2 is 17 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "310"

if Weight2 is 17 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "300"

if Weight2 is 18 and playerSex is "Male" or "male" then set weight to "350"

if Weight2 is 18 and playerSex is "Female" or "female" then set weight to "340"

As you can see, I’ve also included the basic calculation of your character’s combat adds; that’s the bonus — or negative number — that’s added to the amount of hits you roll, for your weapon in combat. It also generates your height and weight.

say "Your Strength is" using "Vicki"

say Strength2 using "Vicki"

say "Your Inteligence is" using "Vicki"

say Intelligence2 using "Vicki"

say "Your Luck is" using "Vicki"

say Luck2 using "Vicki"

say "Your Constitution is" using "Vicki"

say Constitution2 using "Vicki"

say "Your Dexterity is" using "Vicki"

say Dexterity2 using "Vicki"

say "Your Charisma is" using "Vicki"

say Charisma2 using "Vicki"

if CombatAdds is greater than 0 then say "You have a combat bonus of plus" using "Vicki"

if CombatAdds is greater than 0 then say CombatAdds using "Vicki"

if CombatAdds is less than 0 then say "You have a combat modifier of minus" using "Vicki"

if CombatAdds is less than 0 then say CombatAdds

if CombatAdds is equal to 0 then say "You do not have a combat modifier" using "Vicki"

set Gold to (some item of numberslist) * 10

say "You have " using "Vicki"

say Gold using "Vicki"

say " gold pieces" using "Vicki"

say "You are a " using "Vicki"

say height using "Vicki"

say weight using "Vicki"

say "pound" using "Vicki"

say playerSex using "Vicki"

say playerRace using "Vicki"

say "Please enjoy your" using "Vicki"

if playerRace is "Human" or "human" then say "fantasy adventure" using "Vicki"

if playerRace is "Elf" or "elf" then say "Elven adventure" using "Vicki"

if playerRace is "Dwarf" or "dwarf" then say "dwarven adventure" using "Vicki"

That final part tells you what your stats are, as well as your height, weight and sex. And how much money you’ve got.

Phew!

Now I know I could probably have handled the height and weight section a little better; I think it’s throwing up some oddities.

Like a female elf, and a male dwarf the same height and weight!

But feel free to copy and paste, folks!!!!

And I’m sorry about the adverts, but I always think they’re fun …