Event Time: Friday (7/9), 8 pm – 2 am
Game Title: A Surprise for General Gage
Game System: Colonial Gothic
Minimum Players: 3
Maximum Players: 6
Maturity: Serious tone; teen and up

It is 1775, and the flames of independence begin to catch in Colonial America. Boston, one of the world’s greatest trading ports, is under siege. The Massachusetts Militia controls the land surrounding the city, while the Royal Navy controls the sea and British troops fill the streets.

Odd circumstances cause your strange band to be in place to lend a hand to the fledgling Revolution – or deal it a setback. From the Old Post Road to the streets of Boston, it’s a small thing that might be heard ’round the world; a surprise for General Thomas Gage.

PCs provided; rules taught.

and

Event Time: Saturday (7/10), 8 pm – 2 am
Game Title: Carrion Hill
Game System: Dragon Age / AGE
Minimum Players: 3
Maximum Players: 6
Maturity: Serious tone; teen and up

By salty winds and odd stars, a dreadful recrudescence rises from the depths of buried nightmare in the vaults below the strange coastal city of Carrion Hill. Recently arrived from Freeport, your band of buccaneers and rogues are pulled into the nightmare which has a monster stalking the twisted alleys of the city, spreading panic before it and leaving destruction in its wake. Can you solve the mystery of Carrion Hill before it ends you?

PCs provides; rules taught.

About this adventure: Carrion Hill is originally an Pathfinder adventure by Richard Pett, and inspired from the popular writings of H. P. Lovecraft. This adventure adventure has been adapted to use Green Ronin’s AGE / Dragon Age rules, and set in the world of Freeport. The stars are right, matey. Yarrrrr!

Scenario Name: A Surprise for General Gage
Game System: Colonial Gothic
Characters Provided: Yes
Variations (if any): n/a
Power Level (if relevant): Low but Strange
Time slot (morning, afternoon or evening): Morning
Number of Players: 5
Description: It is 1775, and the flames of independence begin to catch in Colonial America. Boston, one of the world’s greatest trading ports, is under siege. The Massachusetts Militia controls the land surrounding the city, while the Royal Navy controls the sea and British troops fill the streets.

Odd circumstances cause your strange band to be in place to lend a hand to the fledgling Revolution – or deal it a setback. From the Old Post Road to the streets of Boston, it’s a small thing that might be heard ’round the world; a surprise for General Thomas Gage. 

If you’re going to be in town for the 17th, I highly recommend attending the minicon.

Scenario Name: The Five Elemental Apes of Ancient China
Game System: Heroquest
Variations: n/a
Power Level: n/a
Number of Players: 6 of 6 Seats Available (zero people on waitlist)
Characters provided? Yes, and finished at the table

Thousands of years ago, in an ancient China only somewhat like our own, the 1000 Provinces were ruled by Bandit Kings and worse. There, the Five Elemental Apes – raised from babies and trained by their Kindly Shaolin Master in elemental kung fu – deliver justice for the people, and righteous-ass-kicking to the wicked. By Fire, Water, Metal, Air and Wood; Fist, Foot, and … Tail!?

About this game: The Five Elemental Apes of Ancient China is an original scenario of kung fu, magic and mayhem in bandit ridden ancient fantasy China. The Heroquest rpg is one of the founding games in the story-game movement, and is newly rewritten and refined by Robin Laws, the original author.

And:

Scenario Name: With the Band
Game System: Chronica Feudalis
Variations: n/a
Power Level: Rising Stars
Number of Players: 6 of 6 Seats Available (zero people on waitlist)
Characters provided? Characters quickly generated at table.

“We’re an American Band,
We’re coming to your town,
We’ll help you party it down!
We’re an American Band”

Groupies, roadies, and record contracts. Sex, drugs, rock’n'roll; wine, women, and song. Rising stars – booking arenas and clubs, riding into town and committing musical mayhem.

All the perfect cover for fighting crime, solving mysteries, and investigating the supernatural. Crazed cultists, maniacal monsters, and savage slashers – the Band hunts them down and takes them out. Have fun, rock out – and kick supernatural ass!

About this Game: With the Band is a player-driven scenario in the theme of Scooby-Doo, Josie and the Pussycats, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It uses (misappropriates might be the better term) the Chronica Feudalis rules engine to facilitate some fast and fun play.

Rise from the Ashes

The Dark God has been thrown back, leaving the world in ashes. The Kami have departed. There remain many places where the taint must be cleansed and the land purified.

The Phoenix must rise from the ashes.

Set in the early days of the Emerald Empire, this game will involve two table groups of Phoenix Clan players competing to reclaim “tainted” land for their families. The game will contain both cooperative as well as competitive elements between the groups. Players will have opportunity to customize the pre-generated characters  to their preferences.

System: Samurai Tales (Fate)
Time: TBD (but hopefully Saturday night)
GM: Wayne Ogle and Brian Isikoff
PCs: All characters provided by GM and rules will be taught.
Power Level: Phoenix Clan
Variations: historical, non-canonical, Rokugan (L5R)

Program Book Description

Crops spoil and animals are stillborn. Screams and battle sounds echo from the woods. The land must be cleansed by the Phoenix, claimed by your family. The little girl watches.

About This Game

Rise from the Ashes is tabletop game, with some elements of tabletop and strategic gaming. This is a two GM event. Rules will be taught as needed. Costumes are not required.  The game is based on a non-canonical version of the Legends of the Five Rings setting, Rokugan – the Emerald Empire. The rules, Samurai Tales, are a variant of the Fate / Spirit of the Century games.

About the GMs

Rise from the Ashes is produced by Wayne Ogle and Brian Isikoff. Producers of previous successful convention events Test of Might, Lion at Autumn’s Gate, The Eaters of Sin, and Gift of Earth, Wayne and Brian have returned with a new tale of the Emerald Empire.

A Gift of Earth is sponsored by EndGame and 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction podcast.

It’s been some time since the House of the Jade Lantern (HoJL) has been updated, outside of the occasional convention posting. With the loss of our long-time web host (and the move to Word Press), I’m viewing this as an opportunity to dust off, update, and repurpose the HoJL.

The House of the Jade Lantern has been around since at least 1998. The site was launched in the early days of the first edition of the Legends of the Five Rings rpg as a campaign site and general L5R support site. A static website, HoJL was one of the oldest L5R sites, and contemporaries with long-lost sites such as Shinjo Killbeggar’s Palace and Scott Gearin’s Phoenix Palace. Part of the reason HoJL as remained up has been out of tribute to such contemporaries.

However, I have also been running L5R – or more properly L5R-themed – games using Spirit of the Century, and now our own house Samurai Tales rpg rules – at local DundraCon and KublaCon conventions.

With the desire to continue to develop and produce successful fantasy samurai-themed rpg events, and retain the existing long time campaign documentation, the site will be retooled to support my Jade Lantern Productions efforts.

I look forward to future updates here and successful rpg events throughout the Bay Area California.

Thanks for your continued support!

Brian (aka “The Monk”)

Opportunity and Danger are two sides of the same coin. The Emperor, the Great Hantei, has unvielded the presence of a new jade mine. Located in the Biwa Valley, this jade mine requires stewardship, most likely drawn from one of the minor clans with lands along the Valley. It would greatly enhance the prestige of your clan to win this stewardship, but others seek the honor. Minor clans, great clans, even bureaucrats. Who will gain the Emperor’s favor?
The Story

A Gift of Earth is a classical tale of honor, glory, greed and betrayal. Set within the lush Biwa Valley, our tale focuses on the machinations of several minor clans as they seek fortune and prestige.

“All Under Heaven“: all land within the Empire is owned by the Great Hantei. With the discovery of an previously unknown jade mine, revealed to the people by the will of the Great Hantei, a new opportunity opens for the small minor clans of the Biwa Vallley. Stewardship of the Emperor’s jade mine would open new opportunities for a minor clan. But old clan rivalries breed treacheries, and there is only one jade mine.

About This Game

A Gift of Earth is live action rpg, with elements of tabletop and strategic gaming. This is a two GM event. Rules will be taught as needed. Costumes are not required. This game does blend live action with table top gaming.

About the GMs

A Gift of Earth is produced by Wayne Ogle and Brian Isikoff. Producers of previous, highly successful convention events Test of Might, Lion at Autumn’s Gate, and The Eaters of Sin, Wayne and Brian have returned with their classic tale of honor and treachery.

A Gift of Earth is sponsored by EndGame and 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction podcast.

What Rots from Within?

“There is Purity of Purpose in the Faith of the Just”

An Acolyte in the service of the Inquisition, your duty is to root out the foul stench of heresy, hunt the vile alien, and purge the twisted influence of Chaos. You will tread where others fear, venturing to distant planets, ancient space hulks and the unsavory depths of the hive cities.

Newly pressed into the service of the Emperors’ Inquisition, you are charged to assist and protect a senior Inquisitorial agent in an investigation. You will travel by the ship the Brazen Sky to the barbarian world of Iocanthus, where you will meet Agent Nicodemus.

About this Game

Dark Heresy: Roleplaying in the Grim Darkness of the 41st Millennium. Newly released from Black Industries, Dark Heresy is the much awaited game set in the dark, gothic future of Warhammer 40,000. Similar in tone and system to Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Dark Heresy features investigations, action, horror and combat in a dark future.

The game has theme and setting similarities to Call of Cthulhu, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, and Mutant Chronicles.

About the GM

An experienced local GM and co-host of the gaming podcast 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction, Brian has produced several successful DDC events, such as A Gift of Earth, Test of Might, Lion at Autumn’s Gate, and The Eaters of Sin.

and

In the Wake of Malice

“The difference between heresy and treachery is ignorance”

An Acolyte in the service of the Inquisition, your duty is to root out the foul stench of heresy, hunt the vile alien, and purge the twisted influence of Chaos. You will tread where others fear, venturing to distant planets, ancient space hulks and the unsavory depths of the hive cities.

Pursuing leads about the Brotherhood of Malice has led you the mining world of Sepheris Secundus. Before you can truly investigate, you must secure the goodwill of the Commissar of the Imperial Guard detachment which oversees the world – the man called Zurial.

About this Game

Dark Heresy: Roleplaying in the Grim Darkness of the 41st Millennium. Newly released from Black Industries, Dark Heresy is the much awaited game set in the dark, gothic future of Warhammer 40,000. Similar in tone and system to Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Dark Heresy features investigations, action, horror and combat in a dark future.

The game has theme and setting similarities to Call of Cthulhu, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, and Mutant Chronicles.

About the GM

An experienced local GM and co-host of the gaming podcast 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction, Brian has produced several successful DDC events, such as A Gift of Earth, Test of Might, Lion at Autumn’s Gate, and The Eaters of Sin.

If you’re are DDC and enjoy the WH40k setting, I hope you’ll consider one of the above games.

A Gift of Earth
The Emperor’s prize would greatly enhance the reputation of your small clan. But others seek the honor. Minor clans, great clans, even bureaucrats. To whom will the Emperor’s favor go?

Opportunity and Danger are two sides of the same coin. The Emperor, the Great Hantei, has unvielded the presence of a new silver mine. Located in the Biwa Valley, this silver mine requires stewardship, most likely drawn from one of the minor clans with lands along the Valley. It would greatly enhance the prestige of your clan to win this stewardship, but others seek the honor. Minor clans, great clans, even bureaucrats. Who will gain the Emperor’s favor?
The Story

A Gift of Earth is a classical tale of honor, glory, greed and betrayal. Set within the lush Biwa Valley, our tale focuses on the machinations of several minor clans as they seek fortune and prestige.

“All Under Heaven“: all land within the Empire is owned by the Great Hantei. With the discovery of an previously unknown silver mine, revealed to the people by the will of the Great Hantei, a new opportunity opens for the small minor clans of the Biwa Vallley. Stewardship of the Emperor’s silver mine would open new opportunities for a minor clan. But old clan rivalries breed treacheries, and there is only one silver mine.

About This Game

A Gift of Earth is live action rpg, with elements of tabletop and strategic gaming. This is a two GM event. Rules will be taught as needed. Costumes are not required. This game does blend live action with table top gaming.

About the GMs

A Gift of Earth is produced by Wayne Ogle and Brian Isikoff. Producers of previous, highly successful convention events Test of Might, Lion at Autumn’s Gate, and The Eaters of Sin, Wayne and Brian have returned with their classic tale of honor and treachery.

A Gift of Earth is sponsored by EndGame and 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction podcast.

Walls Crumble, Honor Endures

In the late summer of the 15th year of the 17th Hantei Emperor, Toma Sieko, daimyo of the Iron Cobra, pressed his clan’s advantage against Makira Toji, the aging daimyo of Raven Clan. With the siege of Kyuden Raven underway, Toji-sama comes to terms with the fate of his Clan.

What do loyal samurai do when surrounded without by a fierce enemy, and weighed down within by an incompetent lord?

Type: RPG
System: Samurai Tales (Fate)
Time: Saturday, 8:00 PM in 156 for 6 hours
GM: Wayne Ogle and Brian Isikoff
PCs: All characters provided by GM and rules will be taught.
Power Level: Minor Clan Bushi
Variations: historical, non-canonical, Rokugan (L5R)

About this Game: This is primarily a table-top rpg, with live action and strategic elements. The background is historical, non-canonical Rokugan (the L5R setting). Players who enjoy L5R, Bushido, Land of the Crane and other samurai-inspired games should enjoy this event.

Brian Isikoff and Wayne Ogle return to entertain with another epic tale of honor balanced on a razors edge. Sponsored by EndGame, in Oakland, CA and 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction podcast.

“The Land of the Crane setting can be found in the True20 Worlds of Adventure book published by Green Ronin Publishing. The Land of the Crane is a fantasy setting inspired by the folklore and mythology of feudal Japan.”

Land of the Crane is produced by Amalara. It was one of the Green Ronin setting contest winner for the True 20 rpg, and is one of the first licensed True 20 properties on the market. The 28 pages published in Green Ronin’s Worlds of Adventure are very accessible to players familiar with samurai-themed games as well as those new to the genre. Amalara has already released two free supplements: a glossary and a calendar.

Even more exciting (to this monk, at least) is the publication of our Castle of the Mountain Goblins article, and the announcement of the monk’s writing a samurai /code of bushido supplement for Land of the Crane.