Star Hat Miniatures for DuckQuest Fantasy Role Playing Games

DuckQuest Fantasy Roleplay!

Time to explore Duckwyrld... where four valiant Heroes of Quackmoor have been summoned by Mandrake, founder of the Guild of Delvers, to do battle with the nefarious Mordux and his evil minions. Seated upon the legendary Throne of Bones, the power of the Duck Lord grows with each passing night. You must boldly descend into the darkest dungeons of Castle Greyduck, defeat the Champions of Chaos and end the wicked rule of Mordux!

What's this you ask? More ducks?! Yes!!

My latest range of miniatures will now have their very own game. 

A couple of years ago I sculpted my first duck knight, Sir Drake. That diminutive miniature took me on the journey of a lifetime. A noble crested duck (and the small party that followed him) brought me to the attention of duck-loving gamers around the world. In particular, legendary (Hall of Fame) game designer and artist, Jennell Jaquays. Together we worked on Quack Keep and the small party of ducks grew to a village of quacky characters, Reedy Bend. 

The Original Party of Five, Painted by Claire van der Goes.

Yes, you can paint and play with these miniatures in your own quest games (and especially with settings like Quack Keep!) but after multiple messages asking for more information about Duckwyrld, Quackmoorand Greyduck... I have brought a personal project to this campaign. 

Four Valiant Heroes of Quackmoor!

It's the thought that came with that original duck knight. What if the ducks of a fantasy world were the main characters? It's what made Quack Keep unique. I called the original party of five "Duck Quest". Like the nursery rhyme; five little ducks went out one day, over the hills and far away. That's a quest, right? Unlike other games where ducks are relegated as side-kicks or comic relief, imagine they're the star players; the heroic explorers on an epic adventure. 

Champions of Castle Greyduck!

It's an idea that didn't go away. The more I looked around, the more I noticed that ducks got a raw deal. Something had to be done. So combining the need for ducks to be represented in a better light and a lifelong dream of writing my own fantasy heartbreaker RPG. I took the plunge and dived in! This is the cover to DuckQuest, with gratitude to Jon Hodgeson for his stunning illustration and Rom Brown (Whippersnapper Artworkz) for the brilliant logo design and layout.

Illustration by Jon Hodgeson. Logo and layout by Rom Brown.

 What will be beyond the cover? As much as we can pack into it! This is the opportunity to indulge in a world that takes nothing too seriously but delivers on high adventure and the occasional fowl pun.

But wait, there's more...

Magic Mushrooms!

Mercenaries!

Minions!

Crows!

Turtle Warriors!

So what are you waiting for? Come join in the DuckQuest!

Dungeons of Doom: Law Vs Chaos

Greetings Delvers! With the last of the Duck Dragons flying to new homes around the world, it’s time for the next Kickstarter campaign. Delvers Lost in the Dungeons of Doom V: Law Vs Chaos!

In preparation for the launch I have been sharing photos and video clips of the new sculpts, mainly on the Book of Faces. However, for those who have found my humble gaming blog, here is a Hits To Kill exclusive peek.

As you can see, I have done my best to capture the theme of a great battle between the forces of Law and Chaos. Yes, Rom Brown from WhipperSnapper Artworks and Cult of Game is back to help me with my banners.

Ok, yes, so there is one duck... and a Fowlbear of course - but why wouldn't they turn up to an "end of the world" party? Suffice to say, it's the ultimate battle of Law Vs Chaos and you're all invited! There is a draft campaign page for the next Kickstarter here. Please, do stop by and check it out. You can even leave comments, as I am still fine-tuning it.

Finally, you may have noted I spend a lot of time thanking people? Well, I have a lot to be thankful for. Nothing would've happened two years ago without people around the world backing my first Kickstarter. We certainly wouldn't be here now! Over those two years, I have made new friends (and relied heavily on old friends) who have shared the Star Hat Vision and helped create a place where "Little Things Bring Big Grins!"

For everyone who backed Quack Keep - A thousand thank you's! Everyone of you! And especially...
Jennell Jaquays for the amazing Quack Keep journey.
Ian and Allan Farelly at Regal Enterprises.
Elton Waters at Scotia Grendel.
Rom Brown at Whippersnapper Artworkz.
Lewis Morgan (aka Zebong).
Grant Stone (Archchancellor of Star Hat University).
Anton Ducrot (FlyTrap Factory).
The Box Trolls!
My beloved wife Deb and our wonderful children.

Remember, if you're painting these miniatures and posting photos online, please tag #StarHatMiniatures so I can see them! Star Hat Miniatures is also on Facebook.

I hope to welcome you back soon for Law Vs Chaos! The Kickstarter campaign launches in a week from now and I have a few surprises in store! Maybe this deserves a fresh blog post? Stay tuned...

Petty Gods + Revised & Expanded Edition

Petty Gods: Revised and Expanded Edition. 

My hardback copy of Petty Gods arrived yesterday and it really is amazing! I have the first copy to reach New Zealand. Almost 400 pages of magnificent creativity with enough juice to power a lifetime worth of fantasy campaigns. Packed full of gorgeous illustrations, Petty Gods really is a beautiful beast of a book.

As a fan of the more legendary contributors, it's humbling to have my own art and prose in print along with grandmasters of the hobby. James Ward and Erol Otus for example, who were playing the game when Dungeons & Dragons was born over forty years ago!

Ravel/Unravel by James Ward, illustrated by Darcy Perry.

I became involved in this project two years ago and the mammoth size of Petty Gods is only matched by the generosity of everyone that contributed to the book. A sign that the hobby is truly alive and well. The logo on the cover sums it up succinctly. ORC: Old-school Role-playing Community.

Having this book in my hands has also inspired me to write an Old School book in collaboration with some of the authors and artists, including fellow kiwis, Grant Stone and Rom Brown. It will feature characters and creations of the science-fantasy world of Blackhawk, my D&D campaign.

You can get Petty Gods here:

CASEWRAP HARDBACK
(sold at cost for $22.47 USD
through Lulu.com)
Click Here

PREMIUM SOFTCOVER
(sold at cost for $13.22 USD
through Lulu.com)
Click Here

PDF - without watermark!
(FREE through RPGNow)
Click Here

Petty Gods Artwork + Verlore + Petty God of the Lost

Velore, Petty God of the lost.

Here is my latest artwork for the Petty Gods project.

Verlore
petty god of lost people and lost things

Verlore is a minor deity who deals with the lost, be they people or things. Though a very minor power, his influence on dungeon explorers and his nature is such that he’s placated with offerings at crossroads or cast overboard on boats. Verlore’s appearance varies but often manifests as a human male with a worn-looking staff, often a beggar or traveller. He will often be seen walking with the calm surety of someone who appears to know exactly where he’s going (which is untrue) or resting on a broken signpost or milestone.

Thanks to Richard LeBlanc at New Big Dragon for keeping this project alive and kicking.

I was surprised to get this commission for Petty Gods because my good friend +Rom Brown had already drawn (masterfully, I might add) another minor deity of the lost, Feloren, Astrayed Patron of the Lost and The Idol of Misdirection. However, +Richard LeBlanc cleared this up for me:

Superb artwork by Rom Brown.

"Because a lot of people submitted similar, but slightly different listings, +Greg Gorgonmilk  suggested we make them "competing" gods. For example, there are several gods of darkness or underground passages. It's not unlike the Romans adapting the greek gods and making their own versions. Or different mythologies all having gods of love, war, mischief, etc."

+Jens D. (The Disorientated Ranger) submitted Feloren "...a lost god, only worshipped by a very small congregate of daoist cultists that describe him as The-One-That-Is-Lost-But-Everywhere and apply a twisted logic to explain how he exists because he doesn't (or the other way around). Just like the wrong path one takes still is a path nonetheless. Finding him is, paradoxically, taking a wrong turn. And being lost in a paradox, he is a lonely petty god indeed."

Despite Verlore and (the trinity of) Feloren sharing similar attributes, their powers are different and it's highly unlikely they'll ever find themselves at the same crossroads! Although, that could be an amusing encounter. 

Petty Gods Artwork + Fimtakar + Goddess of Spices

Here is my latest artwork for the Petty Gods project.

Fimtakar

The Great Traderess, Goddess of Spices Yet-to-be and Spices Long Forgotten.

Petty goddess of spices known & unknown, spice traders, and sea travelers... it is said that she carries around two clay jugs, one in each hand - one that pours out spices yet-to-be, and the other which pours out spices forever forgotten by modern civilization.

I'm glad this project is back on track, thanks to Richard LeBlanc at New Big Dragon! In the words of Greg Gorgonmilk, "He has singlehandedly rescued the PG project from its vicissitudes."

Here is the official announcement. 

Dungeon Of Doom + Ella's Map

Dungeon of Doom!

Here is the first dungeon from my 8 year old daughter. She named it the Dungeon of Doom!

Using the Key from the inside cover of Mentzer (Red Box) Basic DM book, you may notice there are plenty of beds. Even for the skeletons (the main inhabitants), ruled over by the Skeleton Master. His friend and close neighbor is the Goblin King. They both had a statue erected in their honour but the King's fell down a sinkhole!

This looks like a dangerous place to explore. The goblins set plenty of traps and snares. You can get away by heading down the river.

James Ward + Petty Gods + Artwork

Here is my latest artwork for the Petty Gods project. Ravel/Unravel is a god created by the legendary game designer and fantasy author, James Ward.

"Demi-god of both bad and good fortune, this being changes shape on a whim to move among the creatures of any race."

So I put pencil to paper, doing my best to follow his art order*. Here is the response:

What a wonderful piece of work. The image is exactly right. Please tell Darcy I think it's wonderful.

best regards,

Jim Ward

It's a very small world when the designer of the first science-fiction roleplaying game (Metamorphosis Alpha, 1976), various treasured roleplaying games and fiction (Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes, Gamma World, Pool of Radiance, Deities & Demigods, Greyhawk Adventures, etc.) and collectable card, computer, and miniature battle games (Dragon Ball Z, Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption, Westeros GAME OF THRONES), has art for one of his creations come from New Zealand.

I really am honoured. Thank you Gorgonmilk for making this happen. It's probably also a good excuse to play some Gamma World this month!

* [ ART ORDER: If I was asking for an image I would place two humans back to back. Ravel would be a wondrously pretty woman dressed in revealing sleepwear while Unravel would be a wrestler in size with black armor done in razors all over the armor with a sword larger than the image of the human.]

Finished Art 4 Petty Gods

As I posted earlier, I have been drawing for Petty Gods, a project now being edited by Greg Gorgonmilk as an homage to Judges Guild's Unknown Gods, which presented 83 minor gods -- complete with stats -- for use in D&D adventures and campaigns. In the words of James Maliszewski, "a 'Monster Manual' for swords-and-sorcery in the manner of Elric."

Here is the first piece:

I feel sorry for her hairdresser!

Name: Görgönmjölk [created by Jonas Mustonen, art by Darcy Perry]
Symbol: Soot covered smiling head of medusa
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 120' (40')
Armor Class: -3
Hit Points (Hit Dice): 50hp (12HD)
Attacks: 1 by flaming sword
Damage: 1d8 +4d6 of fire damage and decapitates on a natural roll 19-20
Save: F12
Morale: 10
Hoard Class: None
XP: 3500

I will post more finished art on this blog when I am done.

Artwork for Petty Gods

I have taken on an art project and will be submitting a couple of pieces for Petty Gods, a project originally conceived by Blair of Planet Algol and James Maliszewski of Grognardia. Greg Gorgonmilk has taken the reins of editor/layout chap and he's looking for new deity submissions to add to those being reassembled. Here's what James had to say when he announced the idea for the book:

...The working title is Petty Gods and it's intended as an homage to Judges Guild's awesome Unknown Gods, which presented 83 minor gods -- complete with stats -- for use in your D&D adventures and campaigns. 

And when I say "minor gods," I mean it: we're talking deities like the goddess of dancing girls, the god of summer storms, and the goddess of deep water fish, among others. That's the vibe I'm aiming for with this project too. If anything, I'd prefer that the divinities in Petty Gods be even more minor, esoteric, and obscure than those in Unknown Gods -- the kinds of beings worshiped only by a handful of devoted (and probably crazed) followers and whose power is limited enough that they could conceivably be offed by a party of appropriately bloody-minded PCs. In short, this is a "Monster Manual" for swords-and-sorcery in the manner of Elric.

I've just been informed that it made the MTV Geek website! My first few sketches are going well... I will post the finished art here when I am done.