Madame Hydra is a near ageless villain devoted to, you guessed it, Hydra. She’s been a constant villain of Captain America, The Avengers, Spider-Man, the X-Men, and was even once married to Wolverine!

The Hand is an order of ninjas who worship a demon. They’ve actual come into conflict with Madame Hydra before (a fact that heroes could try to exploit), and they have a very rich history with Daredevil.

~  ~  ~

These are Watcher files, as opposed to my last two files. Heroes might try to redeem Madame Hydra and unlock her with XP. Feel free to edit the file, following the instructions in the Marvel Basic game, and make sure to remove the Hand from the sheet. They are their own mob (not a sidekick power set), no matter how much your player begs.

This is my first dual stat page, so let me know what you think! Download the Word file or PDF File.

Orcish Honor & Customs

Orcs don’t claim to have a system of law.  They simply react as duty tells them to.  What is orcish duty?  Basically, it’s anything they’ve been punished for not doing in the past.  The clan chief sets the unspoken rules.  His senior thugs, the bar-shar (see below), enforce those rules. 

Not all orcs live up to an honorable code and some don’t even try.  But even the most treacherous orc knows the rules are enforced with everything from punches to execution.  If they don’t believe in honor, they learn to act as if they do.

The Bar-Shar

In orcish communities there isn’t any regular, full-time law enforcement.  Instead, there are bar-shar.  This rank is granted by chiefs to favored warriors who are known for enforcing the chief’s will accurately and effectively.  Bar-shar often have considerable power, acting as sheriff, magistrate, and executioner for their clan.  There is no office or jail or assigned duty post for these thugs:  Their “office” is wherever they happen to be standing, sitting, or carousing.  They are never on duty and always on duty.

It’s a bar-shar’s business to confront and correct anybody who is doing something that, in the bar-shar’s opinion, the clan chief wouldn’t approve of.   For example, one particular chief doesn’t like long arguments or any kind of debate.  So his bar-shar, overhearing an argument between two tables at a bar, demands they fight to resolve their differences, instead of just talking about it.

Because this code can vary from chief to chief, actual standards of conduct can vary in different districts, based on which chief is considered to hold power there.  The rank of Bar-shar is granted to favored warriors who are known for dispensing justice effectively.  These bar-shar can have considerable power locally, becoming sheriff, magistrate, and executioner for their chief.

Common Codes

Most clan territories have some behavior codes in common.  The chiefs are thoroughly versed in tradition, and most follow the ways of past orcish heroes and leaders.  Here’s a couple of examples of “laws” that are likely to be found in any orcish community:

Might makes Right:  Martial strength carries a lot of influence among the orcs.  It is acceptable to use threats of violence against other people, and to enforce those threats as long as you don’t kill or maim them.  It is very common for a merchant’s thugs to stand outside the store, chasing off all other customers until their master (leader, employer) has finished his business.  Likewise, one group of orcs will happily stop a deal in progress and eject the previous customer, if they think they can get away with it.  If you can’t intimidate the orc standing in line ahead of you, stay away until they are gone.

Theft is dishonorable, but demanding to buy something from another party is not.  If you can pay market rate for an item and back up your offer with sufficient threat, you can buy an item right off someone’s person, even against their will.  Just tell them you like that earring, toss some coins at them, and pull it off their ear.  If an orc wants something you have, you can either accept a reasonable offer or get ready to fight them.  If they are with a gang and you are not, better accept their offer.  This includes anything – their home, their slave, their weapon, or whatever.  It must be done face-to-face, wherever the item is.  You can’t take someone’s home behind their back and leave a pile of gold outside the locked door.  That would be cowardly.

A personal insult is the same as a challenge to a fight.  Note that boasting is not an insult.  You can say, “My blade is better than yours,” and that doesn’t justify being attacked.  Orcs frequently go back and forth with boasts as a social contest.  It can be something done in good spirit between friends, with the loser buying the next round of drinks.  On the other hand, if you tell an orc, “You smell pretty, like an elf,” that is definitely a challenge.  A nearby bar-shar might have a problem with you if you fail to defend your own honor.  Orcs are very cagey with insults.  Here’s a variation on the elf insult that invites conflict without demanding it:  “I once saw an elf who had an earring like that.”  This is a light slap.  It isn’t a direct comment at the person with the earring and doesn’t require a defending comment.  It’s a way of asking, “Do you want to fight?  We could take this a step further if you wanted to.”

Disputes

What if the value of an item that one orc wants to take can’t be determined?  What if a comment is overheard that may or may not be an insult?  That’s when someone runs for the bar-shar, usually a youth or other non-combatant.  There is usually somebody around who wants to see the bar-shar intervene.  The bar-shar will “teach” custom and honor to his clan.

The bar-shar’s word is final.  Nobody will openly disagree with his judgment.  A bar-shar who makes bad judgments will find himself having a “friendly chat” with his clan chief before long.  There are only a few penalties the bar-shar can inflict, but they serve well enough:  Fighting, combat, and death:

• Fighting:  Non-lethal, one-on-one conflict between the disputing parties.  Anybody present is more or less required to gather around and act as a living arena wall for the people involved.  Missile weapons and magic are not allowed.  Thrown weapons and holy magic from the god(s) worshiped by orcs is okay. 
• The fighting judgment is used for any kind of minor dispute where the truth is unclear.  If there is obvious evidence that one party has already been victimized, a bar-shar can injure the other party before combat begins using a blunt weapon.  Killing your opponent in this kind of fight usually results in a death sentence for you.  The idea is to disable them as much as possible so that, in addition to being proven wrong, they are unable to do anything for hours or days.  For this reason, the fighter with the advantage will often make called shots on his opponent, inflicting maximum damage before the judge (usually the local bar-shar) announces a winner.
• If there is only one party involved (there is no victim, but someone was found acting dishonorably), the bar-shar himself fights for the theoretical “other side”.
• If one party cannot be expected to fight, they can take a few minutes to try and find someone to represent them.  If they can’t find someone, or if they refuse to try, they automatically lose the dispute.
• Combat:  This is similar to Fighting but allows the use of weapons.  The bout can be immediate or as late as the next morning – no later than that.  This punishment is used to resolve serious disputes, such as accusations of murder, dishonor, or grand theft.
• Killing one’s opponent is acceptable, but sometimes an orc gains honor or additional concessions by sparing the opponent.  It is acceptable to hold the defeated opponent at sword point asking for an apology and one of his donkeys, in exchange for his life.  Any such deal must be announced openly.  If the loser accepts, his life is protected.  The judge of the fight can also declare a winner and an end, if neither side seems fit to make a determination (for example, if they are both too weakened or too drunk to speak).  In this case, the declared winner has the right to execute the loser or to have the bar-shar perform the execution.
• As with fighting, the bar-shar is sometimes obliged to become the opponent.  An unjustified murder is a good example of this.
• Death:  This is reserved for cases where the accused has fled a previous legal combat, has been declared a disgrace, is a known cheater, argues too much with the bar-shar, or otherwise is not suitable for combat.  A peaceful priest or very feeble person would also fall into this category.  In this case, the bar-shar or his subordinate will simply drive a dagger through the chest or neck of the accused.  If the accused is somehow able to escape or avoid death, they become a fugitive and anyone can kill them for a reward.

About doubles:  Doubles (champions, a second, a bodyguard, or whatever) can freely be used in judicial combats.  The exception is that bar-shard and chiefs may challenge an accused individual directly.  In that case, the accused must fight for themselves personally.  However, the chief or bar-shar must be careful to avoid the appearance of cowardice here.  If the accused has a very strong bodyguard, the best action is to fight the bodyguard.  The purpose of the direct challenge privilege is to resolve situations that can’t, for some reason, be resolved by the normal rules.  An example would be a wrongdoer who keeps returning with different hired seconds and committing more offenses.

In most cases, a bar-shar will accept a fight with a double.  Of course, they will do their best to kill the double, so as to send a message to the master.  Honor is at serious risk if a chief or bar-shar makes a direct challenge to someone obviously weaker.  Sometimes a bar-shar will insist that a double be found, maybe even calling on a subordinate orc to take up the cause, in order to avoid having to slay an inferior opponent.

Clan Rivalry

Insulting someone else’s chief is a very dangerous act, and you are likely to be severely punished by your own chief for doing so, even if the insulted chief is an enemy.  This is because such behavior can cause open vendetta between clans. 

Rather than risk chaos, the preferred method of ruffling feathers is simply to claim that your clan is better than theirs.  This works like boasting, mentioned above, except the target is an entire clan, not an individual.  As long as you keep your language in the positive (“My clan is stronger and bigger”) and away from the negative (“Your clan is weak like goblins”), you are safe.  Safe from your own chief, that is.  Sometimes influence over a street or shop will be in dispute, or there is simply very bad feeling between two clans.  In this case, such rivalry is likely to occur until one side withdraws.  Deaths must be kept to a minimum, to avoid drawing the attention of other chiefs or even an overlord.  A chief is free to expand his holdings in any honorable way, so long as it does not threaten overall stability.

If you are in trouble in one part of an orcish city, head down the street to another part.  Look for imposing warriors with different markings from the ones you insulted.  They might protect you by challenging any other clan who comes near.  Oh, but don’t let them think you are using them that way, or they might escort you straight back to your enemies.

Drusenna the Vigilant from Blizzard Entertainment
Orc Raid by PatLeeArt
Orc by brettbbean
Orc Archer by Sumerky

Horatio was a lowly goblin, drifting in what was left of a wrecked lifeboat. He couldn’t remember what had happened, and couldn’t speak most languages anyway. The lifeboat was orcish though. All he can ever recall starts from this moment forward.

Weeks went by out in the Void, and while thirst and hunger fought for attention in his mind, he also noticed a strange shifting going on within. Bones made snapping sounds and moved. Stuff…inside, that he was vaguely aware that he needed, began to move. His breathing came hard and shallow, and then shot down him in blissful gasps. His legs and arms became longer, stronger. His thinking…things became clearer and a haze he never realized was there…lifted. It was as though he could ‘see’ for the first time. He saw a version of himself as a marauding beast, fangs and claws drenched in blood and wanting more…but he passed it by in his mind, to something else.  One day, he woke to the sound of laughter and singing in a hoarse voice and looked around with a start, only to realize it was himself. Speaking like the Masters used to, and laughing, came easily because of the sheer knowing. These days were filled with bright light, pain, and a birth.

A blessing sent a small shower of rain his way shortly after, and he had enough thought now to capture the water with sailcloth and a chipped bowl. Days more passed before he felt a lurch and heard cracking wood. Looking up in alarm, he found his ravaged craft had hit a tiny island, no bigger than a few hundred feet. He tried to reach out to a passing bush as he drifted passed, but missed. With a cry of frustration, he tried once more to catch something, and yelped in surprise when a strong grip hauled him bodily out of his boat. The sound of deep-throated laughter caused panic and he almost fell off the island as he saw his savoir, a ragged looking human leaning out to him with a grin, several teeth shod in silver.

Months went by. The human pirate known as Blue John took the goblin in, letting him share a corner of the tiny cave on their island, where a natural pool caught the sporadic rains and air ferns frequently came near. He had a quick temper, but a gentle way most of the time, and his long fall from a stricken ship far above left him without working legs. He taught the goblin many things, including giving him his name…said to have been after a buccaneer with a famous sense of humour, since the goblin always made Blue laugh. He explained about the rare Glowborn. He taught him the common tongue, and basic numbers.

And he was there the night Horatio woke up screaming from nightmares, to find the goblin glowing with arcane fire that seemed to be consuming him. Without a thought for himself, Blue straddled him and held him down till the fits and flashes of burning fire passed. Both were injured, but Horatio never forgot this gift of caring, something he had never had…or his given name.

Blue regaled Horatio with tales of daring pirate raids and buccaneers leaping nimbly from rope and crow’s nest, sweeping away foes and stealing their booty and women. Blue also told of his hatred for slavers and how his band was fighting for their lives against a bigger ship when he fell into the Void. Memories of his own hardships as a slave flashed vaguely through Horatio’s mind.

Between Blue’s scavenged belongings and the debris that fell with him, and what was left of Horatio’s lifeboat, the two managed to lash together a real chance at escaping. With excitement dancing in his eyes, Horatio loaded up the raft and came back for Blue. “Father! Today is our day! I can feel it! We will be out of here in…” …But Blue was sitting up with his big grin and eyes glazed. A note was grasped in his scarred hand. His weapons and tricorn hat were neatly set before him. With eyes wide and breath coming heavy, Horatio approached the dead man with huge tears in his eyes, kneeling down and kissing his forehead as he closed his eyelids. With a stifled sob, Horatio took the note and began to read…

“Horatio, I never did knows the likes of someone like yerself. I knows what ye were but ye’ve turned into somethin’ new. Somethin’ I don’t rightly understand. Ye’ve got magic in ye, and ye’ve survived the Glow. Yer smarter than I ever was an’ have a buccaneer’s spirit t’boot. I ain’t ashamed to say I think of ye as me son after what we’ve been through. But I can’t be goin’ with ye. I started feelin’ poorly in me broke legs ‘while back but it’s took hold now, I kin feel me heart actin’ bad sore. Take me things, from one outcast to ‘nother. Make yerself into what ye want t’be. Create yerself. Only you kin decide what you’ll look like t’others, don’t EVER let them decide for ye. Kick arse when it needs kickin’ and grin and be a man t’rest ‘o the time. I’m proud ‘o you. – Blue”

With a heavy heart, Horatio cast off, a flintlock pistol and sabre at his belt, and a battered but well-made tricorn seaman’s hat on his head. In a short time, the once-goblin had transformed in several ways, but the biggest he had yet to realize. The set of pride in his jaw and shoulders, the confident stance in his now-upright frame and sure movements spoke more than anything else. The Skies now were the home of Horatio the Red.

Appearance:
Horatio seems to be a well-groomed goblin with a pale tinge of green to his skin. Large, leaf-shaped ears with several earrings can be seen, as well as small lower fangs and at least three silver capped teeth. A battered tricorn hat with a faded insignia and raven’s feather rests on his head, a second-hand velvet red doublet and pants with faded silver filigree is worn, along with a sash and weapons belt of black. A well-used flintlock pistol and sabre ride his hips, ending in scuffed knee-length boots…all much mended and patched. He grins a lot, especially when someone is startled by his obvious non-human looks, or to mask his anger when he sees an orc or elf. He often wears random rings and bracers, the shinier the better.

Personality:
A lighthearted rogue, Horatio commonly uses the speech of those who travel the Void a lot (be they sailor or pirate). Despite the usual repugnance he receives, he’s always courteous and especially flirtatious to women (of any race). Usually easy going, he can have a temper that flashes suddenly in his big eyes, followed by a flourish of flintlock or sabre and some unseen flash. He has a soft spot for children and those who are helpless or being maltreated though, and will usually come to their aid whenever possible. The same can be said for ‘saving’ any cogs he can get away with as well. He loves climbing and can often be seen using a handy rope, chandelier, or inattentive brigand to swing into a fray.

Goblin Pirate image by Dennis Booth (devillo)

How many times have you tried to influence how your players play their characters? 

• “You need to get into character more.”
• “Give him a background.”
• “Give him goals.”
• “Give him morals.”
• “Give him quirks.”
• “Make him different from your last ten characters.”
• “Just… roleplay more.”

A few months ago I had the opportunity to join a new group.  It’s a great group, and I’m happy to be here.  I was basically put in as a rotating GM, so I’ll be running one week and playing the next.  It’s a great set-up, and I’m getting to know the players and their playing styles fairly well.  

“I’ve never played a character with this much depth before.”

My game of of choice for this group is the Serenity Roleplaying Game, using the fantastic Savage Worlds system.  We’re all familiar with the Serenity ‘verse, and we all enjoy some Savage Worlds, so this seems like a good fit for me to run.

However, as I am wont to do, I tinkered with the rules – particularly with the Bennies (they’re like luck points or action points).  If you know me at all, then you know that I really like the Aspect concept from the FATE system (we even have a nice series on it).  Basically, the players added a few aspects to their characters, giving them automatic backgrounds, personalities, and traits.  Their characters were instantly fleshed out and had tons of, well, character.  The players could use their bennies normally, or use them as normal FATE points (gain a +2 bonus after a roll, or invoke for effect). 

The curve ball, though, was that in order for them to gain new bennies they had to have their aspects compelled against them.  This naturally brings into the story all of the characters’ backgrounds, personalities, and traits, making the story that much richer.

Well, after our second session, one of our players said to me, “I’ve never played a character with this much depth before.”  I was immediately happy to hear these words, because (to me) that meant that he was changing how he role-played.  He was moving on from the strong, silent type into a character that was a little more unique, one that had to make difficult decisions based on his convictions, morals, and beliefs.  The player had been pushed out of his comfort zone, and in that endeavor, had found a little bit of role-playing reward and satisfaction because of it.  In essence, he was evolving.

Yes!  I’ve done it!  I’ve improved a player’s approach as to how they are to play the game!

Annnnnnd then I realized that I am really just full of shit.

I’ve sat back these past couple of days reveling in smug.  I was so happy about getting this player to conform to my way of gaming that I actually kind of felt a little stupid.  Did I introduce the Aspects into the game because I thought it was going to be more fun, or because I wanted players to play more my style?

There I was, a brand new player and GM to this group, and I was thinking they have things to learn from me.  I’d like to say that I introduced the Aspects to make the game more fun, but I think I did it to make the game more fun for me.  Ergo, if it’s fun for me, it will be fun for them. 

Who the hell am I to suppose that my way is better?

Sure, everyone seems to be having a good time, but I wonder, should I have just run Savage Worlds per the rules, should I get off my high horse, am I even on a high horse?

I don’t know, what do you think?

I’m very happy to announce that The Id DM is the 2012 RPG Site of the Year!

Out of 34 contestants, readers voted online to come up with five finalists. After that, the judges had an entire week to go over those finalists to determine their favorite. Points were tallied (twice!), and the winner was determined. While everyone certainly had a strong showing, it was The Id DM that finally took the lead. They win the prizes (shown below), the SOTY Shield, and the title of 2012 RPG Site of the Year!

Here are a few words about the finalists (they are not especially indicative of a judge’s 1st choice, though):

Robin Stacey

On The Id DM: “…It’s the quality of writing that made The Id DM stand out. The posts are intelligent, thought-provoking and deserve far more exposure than they have right now. The focus here is the content, and that more than speaks for itself.”

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Dave Chalker

On Gnome Stew: “Gnome Stew is a site I consistently look up to in terms of focus of content and breadth of topics. Nearly any subject, large or small, that matters to GMs is covered by the team of gnomes, and their vast experience on the subject of GMing is seen most clearly by looking at projects like their books to know that they are serious.”

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Anthony Laffan

On Nearly Enough Dice: “I’m not usually one to listen to podcasts, but there is a lot to like here. It is easy to see how Nearly Enough Dice made it to the final round. They cover a fairly wide range of topics and while informative do also have a casual air that can make it easy to listen to. Definitely something to start following if you’re not already.”

.

Adam Bragg

On the Id DM: “One would be hard pressed to find a single site with such a wealth of material as cleanly presented, well written, creatively inspiring, or just plain fun to read as The Id DM. If you’re not reading it regularly, you’re overdue to regret this – stop depriving yourself and start reading now.”

.

Marc Talbot

On Dungeon’s Master: “Great usefulness for 4^th edition in particular. Also, most of the articles are transferable to other games.”

.

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Cheri Arbuckle

On G*M*S Magazine: “I loved the writing on this blog – accessible, entertaining, and very friendly. Probably one of the best written sites I’ve read.”

.

.

The RPG Site of the Year contest and award was thought up and implemented with three goals in mind:

1. To provide a fun event that readers and bloggers can take part in,
2. To bring to light some interesting blogs that readers may not have seen before,
3. And to award that one gaming blog for a job very well done.

I think we’ve nailed each of these goals, and it’s been a blast. I’ve especially liked seeing the good spirit shown by all, and meeting all the sites that I’ve never seen before. Just good times.

I have to say, last year – when we had our first RPG Site of the Year contest, I was also having a blast. I was enjoying the contest’s first year, and was really looking forward to it growing. Well, this year the SOTY Award has grown by leaps and bounds, and I wanted to thank everyone that has been associated with it. The sponsors, judges, voters, and contestants – it’s just been great working with you all to make this happen, so thank you.

I have a request: please take a moment to congratulate The Id DM on a site well-done. Please take a moment to visit our sponsors (shown below) – they have made the contest more exciting by donating prizes and showing support. And please take a moment to check out the contestants listed below. They may not have all made it to the final round, but they’re all unique and add valuable gaming material to our hobby (and come on, Cheese Shop? That deserves a click simply because of their name alone – and I like cheese).

• This is my game
• Daily Encounter
• The Free RPG Blog
• Paper & Plastic
• G*M*S Magazine
• The Other Side
• The Artifact RPG
• Dungeon’s Master
• Shaper and Maker
• The RPG Athenaeum
• Troll in the Corner
• The Player’s Side of the Screen
• Wombat’s Gaming Den of Iniquity
• Rising Phoenix Games
• Gaming Tonic
• Leonine Roar
• Between are the Doors
• The Black Campbell
• Hereticwerks
• Game Knight Reviews
• Life and Times of a Philippine Gamer
• Stargazer’s World
• Roving Band of Misfits
• The Id DM
• Menage a Monster
• Geek Native
• Cheese Shop
• Quirky DM
• Big Ball of No Fun
• Gamemasters.com
• Gnome Stew
• Glimm’s Workshop>
• Nearly Enough Dice
• Kobold Quarterly

Id DM – you win all of the following…

Q-Workshop has provided five sets of their awesome and unusual gaming dice

5d6 Metal Steampunk Dice

5d6 Metal Dwarven Dice

Click for bigger!

Click for bigger!

Click for bigger!

Dragon Chow is providing one of their awesome Tall Pencil dice bags

STUFFER SHACK is providing our Deluxe Adventurer’s Bundle

Mini Counters 1-20

10 Bloodied Markers

All 12 Horse Minis

Roving Band of Misfits is providing the amazing Dice Tower

The actual prize may look slightly different

Chaotic Shiny is providing a City Builder Generator Pack

DriveThruRPG has provided a $50 Gift Certificate

Two hardcover books from VoidStar Games (Strands of Fate and Strands of Power)

A 1-year print subscription to Kobold Quarterly

A copy of the hardcover book “Complete Kobold Guide to Game Design” by Baur, Stackpole, Cook, Greenwood, etc.

A copy of the ultra-rare print edition of “Red Eye of Azathoth” for Call of Cthulhu

Our sponsors were fantastic! Please take a moment to thank them by visiting their sites!

Thank you to everyone!

We’ve announced our five finalists: Gnome Stew, Dungeon’s Master, G*M*S Magazine, The Id DM, and Nearly Enough Dice …and on Monday, April 30th, the winner (as determined by the SOTY Judges) will be announced.

I have to say, last year – when Critical Hits (a great site) won the award, I was having a blast.  I was enjoying the contest’s first year, and was really looking forward to it growing.  Well, this year the SOTY Award has grown by leaps and bounds, and I wanted to thank everyone that has been associated with it.  Specifically, the sponsors, judges, voters, and contestants (ok, that’s everyone!).  Even though things went much more smoothly this time around, I still wanted to thank everyone for their help with the contest, participation, and patience.  It’s been great working with others to make this happen.  so thank you all.

Now, come back on Monday to see who the winner will be – I know I will…! 

Q-Workshop has provided five sets of their awesome and unusual gaming dice…

5d6 Metal Steampunk Dice

5d6 Metal Dwarven Dice

Click for bigger!

Click for bigger!

Click for bigger!

Dragon Chow is providing one of their awesome Tall Pencil dice bags.

STUFFER SHACK is providing our Deluxe Adventurer’s Bundle…

Mini Counters 1-20

10 Bloodied Markers

All 12 Horse Minis

Roving Band of Misfits is providing the amazing Dice Tower…

The actual prize may look slightly different

Chaotic Shiny is providing a City Builder Generator Pack.

DriveThruRPG has provided a $50 Gift Certificate.

Two hardcover books from VoidStar Games, Strands of Fate, and Strands of Power

A 1-year print subscription to Kobold Quarterly in the US, or a PDF subscription anywhere in the world.

A copy of the hardcover book “Complete Kobold Guide to Game Design” by Baur, Stackpole, Cook, Greenwood, etc.

A copy of the ultra-rare print edition of “Red Eye of Azathoth” for Call of Cthulhu

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Deadpool’s abilities haven’t changed too much over the years, but the way that writers treat him has. I’ve tried to create a version here that rewards players for playing into Deadpool’s madness, while slowly building the doom pool as a result. Hopefully, people can play him as either a crazed loon or as lovable satire with the same sheet. Check out his full history on the Marvel Database.

You can download and print the PDF or download the .doc (note, no longer a .docx) to edit your own version.

1. To provide a fun event that readers and bloggers can take part in,
2. To bring to light some interesting blogs that readers may not have seen before,
3. And to award that one gaming blog for a job very well done.

Well, I think we’ve accomplished the first two goals, so all that remains is for the 2012 RPG SOTY judges to look over the five finalists to determine the winner!

Oh wait, I guess I should list the finalists…

Listed in order of their competition days, the five finalists for the 2012 RPG SOTY are:

Gnome Stew
Dungeon’s Master
G*M*S Magazine
The Id DM
Nearly Enough Dice

Day 1 voting – This was fun to watch because the first day of voting really set the tone for the rest of the week, in my opinion. Watching Kobold Quarterly and Gnome Stew go for the win was like watching a couple of buddies going after the last slice of pizza. Maybe the folks behind those two blogs really are close buddies, maybe not, but the light-hearted rivalry I saw posted in various places was both respectful and fun to read.

• Gnome Stew collected 44% of the votes for this day.

Day 2 voting – On this day we saw a good line-up of gaming blogs, and (at first) the lead changed a few times. What I like most about this competition, though, is discovering blogs that I’ve never seen before, and for this day of voting there were two.

• Dungeon’s Master collected 50% of the votes for this day.

Day 3 voting – I don’t really want to mirror what I said about Day 2 voting, but man! Were there a lot of cool sites never before seen or what? [ok, I may be a hermit] I’m familiar with only two of the sites for this day, and all I can say is that my RSS list grew five sites bigger.

• G*M*S Magazine collected 55% of the votes.

Day 4 voting – I really had no clue who was going to become the finalist for this day of voting. No clue at all. I read several of the sites for this day of voting pretty regularly, so I was really curious. This day, though, had the most narrow margin of success. The Id DM took a very late lead to win by only one vote.

• The Id DM collected 40% of the votes.

Day 5 voting – This year we expanded our contest entries to podcasts and webcasts, and for this day of voting we had a podcast take the win. To be honest, I have yet to start listening to podcasts regularly, but with their proliferation these past couple of years, I think it’s imperative to start making more time.  I’m definitely looking forward to reading – um… listening to Nearly Enough Dice…

• Nearly Enough Dice collected a whopping 62% of the votes.

The judges for the 2012 RPG SOTY will be reading the five finalists over the course of this week.  From their efforts a winner will emerge as their collected favorite, which will be posted this Monday (April 30th).  The judges each have a set of guidelines with which to use (if they wish), but ultimately, it all simply boils down to which gaming site ends up being their favorite.  Of course, if any readers out there would like to show some positive support for their favorite, please do so in the comments below!

See you on Monday, April 30!

We’ll announce the five finalists on Monday, April 23rd, and then our judges will evaluate each of those five sites over the course of a week to determine their favorite.

So, check back on Monday to see who the finalists are!  But for now, please take a moment or two to visit one of our sponsors.  They are great bunch of gamers who have helped make this contest possible, as well as even more fun than last year!

See you on Monday!