Articles by
The Main Event is an alumni of Dickinson College and The University of Miami Law School. He writes dungeon mastering advice in his Pain of Campaigning series. Now a practicing attorney in Maryland specializing in Wills, Trusts, and Estates, The Main Event is an aspiring author and always looking for new clients or avenues of publication. Email him or follow him on Twitter.
Review: The Hero of Ages
(Note: Some Spoilers for both Mistborn and Well of Ascension included)
Background: The third and final book of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Trilogy explores the aftermath of the protagonist’s unintentional freeing of the being of pure destruction, Ruin. The world they now live in seems headedtowards the apocalypse. The heroes are virtually unable to fight against Ruin as every word they say aloud or write on paper is vulnerable to manipulation is subject to being heard or tampered with. Sanderson’s finale manages to both showcases the favorites in the series, shine light on characters that had previous escaped the limelight, and end the series with a enormous finale that both surprises but stays completely within the rules that Sanderson has set for himself in his wonderful world.
Setting: The world had once been governed by the immortal Lord Ruler, but no longer. He sought to use the power of the Well of Ascension to contain the entity Ruin and fix some of the damage he had done in his first attempt to bind Ruin. With his overthrow, the protagonist have denied themselves their most knowledgeable and powerful ally against the dark force of Ruin. They continue to rely on the magic of Allomancy which holds up an impressive and versatile creation. Sanderson explores some other logical extensions of the magic system and use it effectively as a great source of action and suspense. He also aptly considers its ramifications on a society in upheaval and reveals a sensible and satisfying explanation behind the power of the feared Inquisitors. Finally, his examination of a budding religion and a world bereft of its millennia old stabilizing force manages to ring true despite its fantastic premise.
Story: Vin and her companions must use all their powers and cunning to both face off against Ruin and its minions and remnants of the Lord Rule’s former regime. Vin plays a major role and stays true to her excellent origin tale. Her husband, the Emperor Elend trials as a leader and learning curve as a Mistborn are well done and competently handled. However, I felt like book truly excels when it explores the once-quiet Spook, Sazed’s crisis of faith, and Marsh’s attempt to regain his humanity despite being forced into being an Inquisitor. Perhaps even more satisfying is that the plot twists truly and honestly blew me away. As a seasoned troper, it’s often easy to spot plot developments coming, but Sanderson both surprises and explains things so adeptly that he manages to balance the nearly impossible task of adequate foreshadowing and true delightful surprise. My hats off to him for managing to tie up the loose ends and end a trilogy so strongly!
Overall: A. Critical Hit! Truly one of the best trilogies I have read in a long time. What Sanderson lacks in the size of cast (only a few characters get true three dimensional treatment) he makes up for in depth of each focus character and a truly well realized world and plot.
Take a trip down to Fabletown
Legends In Exile
This project has really high potential, but I fear could easily suffer from a serious watering down that would make the show revolve around a “fable of the week” concept at the expense of its excellent overall plot line. For those who do not know, the comic revolves around exiled fables that set up in New York after an evil empire conquers their homelands. Major characters include Snow White, the Big Bad Wolf, Jack of Fables, Little Boy Blue, and Prince Charming.
Online Game Wrap Up: Status Ailments and Saving Throws
Our first RPG bloggers adventure is in the books, and despite a TPK it was a really fun time. The party was thrown into a CR: 6 encounter followed up by a rolling skirmish into CR: 9 encounter. Considering our healer had mostly blown his surge wad, that the party was riddled with wounds, that I forgot one of my better magic items, and the lingering status ailments, the fact that we had the big bad Dragon down to his last 20 hit points wasn’t bad. However, this brings up a 4E mechanic that I have decidedly mixed feelings about: saving throws and ongoing conditions (which I’ll just refer to as status ailments.) [Read the rest of this article]
Winter is Coming (to HBO)
George R.R. Martin’s fantasy epic has been greenlighted.
The plan is to adapt one novel each season, starting with 1996’s “A Game of Thrones.” - AintitCool
Martin himself will be doing some of the writing chores (further pushing back Dance of Dragons, eh?) along with others. Frankly, I’m really excited. After seeing Rome/Deadwood I have faith in HBO doing a multitude of eras… so the medieval War of the Rose inspired Game of Thrones should be no problem. Moreover, the lengthy treatment of each book really ought to do the series justice. Finally, the complexity of the books translates well to HBO as series such as The Wire and The Sopranos have found success whilst juggling a cast of characters comparable to the immensity of Martin’s works.
The Pain of Campaigning IV: Put a Little Politics in it
This is a rerun. It originally ran May 14th, 2008.
One of the hallmarks of my DMing style is the political element. My games tend to focus on character development and overarching story, with combats serving to accentuate those aspects. One of the key fuels for this kind of game are nations, kings, countries and gods all jockeying for position. It is crucial in this style of game to involve the players in the details without overshadowing them. This can be challenging at times: how do you make 1st level characters jockey for importance with high priests? The answer is complicated, but rewarding. I’ve listed some tips below.
1. Figure out the Political Climate: You need to know what exactly the politics ARE before you put the PCs into the thick of it. This seems simple, but it warrants mentioning. Are nation-states gearing up for war? Is an evil force infiltrating the government? These are questions you must answer, both on the nitty-gritty (who are the opposing force and their leaders) and the general (is this a good-evil conflict, shades of grey, and do you care where the PCs fall in the whole affair?) If you’re stumped, pick your favorite period of history and twist it around. I’ve run games that started as the New World Age of Discovery, World War I, World War 2, and filed the serial numbers off. [Read the rest of this article]
Review: "Well of Ascension"
(Note: Spoilers for Mistborn included)
Background: Initially taking up Brandon Sanderson’s novels as a means to gain an insight into the impending finale of Wheel of Time, I found an author with both a fertile imagination and a true appreciation for the craft of storytelling. Having finished The Well of Ascension, his third novel, and the second of the Mistborn trilogy, I can say with confidence that Sanderson is poised to take a place amongst today’s fantasy luminaries. [Read the rest of this article]
Pain of Campaigning VII: The Finale (Part I: What You Want the Adventure to be)
Well, if you’re reading this with a finale on the horizon, first, let me say: Congratulations! I can honestly say that amongst the best DMs I know that the prospect of actually having a campaign reaching a conclusion, rather than dying out, is no greater than 50%… and that’s a generous estimate. Personally, my latest endeavor (online) died after a single adventure due to lack of player availability (sniff, sniff). Even so, the lows of failed campaigns ought to be used to crystallize in your mind the potential awesomeness of a good finale. So, without further adieu, we dive right in! [Read the rest of this article]
The Amazing Graysons: Baby Nightwing?
In honor of our Inquisition:
It looks like the CW doesn’t want to leave a void when comic book inspired Smallville finally ends…
But, really though, I wonder how interesting a bunch of circus performer will be? Surely we won’t have Dick flying around a trapeze for 8 whole seasons? The actor would age past his origin as Robin…
Review: "Mistborn"
Background: When Robert Jordan died I was surprised to hear the decision regarding finishing up his final novel, Memories of Light, was made so quickly. It fell to Brandon Sanderson, a young writer I had never heard of. Fast-forward a year or so later, and after stumbling upon his insightful blog, I took up reading his books. His first novel, Elantris, was a nice little piece of one and done fantasy, but not groundbreaking. His follow up, Mistborn is the first of a trilogy that thunders onto the fantasy landscape with such refreshing force that its echoes are likely being felt by readers and authors everywhere. [Read the rest of this article]
Green Lantern Next Mega Franchise?
- In brightest day, in blackest night,
- No evil shall escape my sight
- Let those who worship evil’s might,
- Beware my power…Green Lantern’s light!
So, an epic superhero space movie that draws out the Sinestro/Hal Jordan relationship and seeds the beginnings of Guy Gardner?? Seriously, Green Lantern is perhaps the best established comic franchise yet to be exploited by the movie industry. It has the potential to be a Star Wars esq hit with the right creative team.
Loading ...
