D&D and the picaresque

Among the many things Mr. Zak S. does well is Dungeon-Mastering. I played a few games with him when he was in New York last summer, the first time I'd played non-computer D&D since high school. It was excellent: look, we set on fire a minotaur that obviously outclassed our characters, and it fled, shrieking, from its chamber. Electric Wizard was playing. Or maybe Bolt Thrower. It ruled.

Anyway, since October Zak's been blogging at Playing D&D With Porn Stars, recounting his ongoing game in LA and ruminating over game mechanics and design, among other stuff. It's my new favorite blog, rewarding on so many levels that it is totally interrupting the work I am supposed to be getting done right now (sorry).

(goblin, by Zak)

-Here he is on how D&D campaigns, as they unfold, parallel the picaresque, and on how picaresques function in general.

-Here's the sad story of Charles the Pig.

-And here's some things folks have drawn during his games, including a picture of my guy, the late Horst Von Chasm: (toad, poison)

(sorry I only rolled you 1 hit point, Horst)

Hoi Polloi

New daily drawing up at Partyka: Hoi Polloi.

Bees Attack the Battleship

New daily drawing at Partyka: "Bees Attack the Battleship 1:"

Glare Brothers/Natalie Collette Wood

New daily drawings up at Partyka. Here's "The Glare Brothers:"

Also, Partyka's guest this month is Natalie Collette Wood, checking in with a selection of her sculptures made from recycled thingnesses and whatnots. Here's "PVC Love Beast:"

Good to have you with us, Natalie!

Hourly Comics Day

I did hourly comics for today/yesterday, February 1. Because it was Hourly Comics Day. Featured besides me: Liz Baillie, Sally Bloodbath, MK Reed and the broccoli juice left behind by my roommate Melissa. Liz and Sally were also doing hourlies today, so I'll link to theirs once they go up.

Is there a holiday after Hourly Comics Day, like Boxing Day? There should be. Maybe it'll work just like hourly comics day, but instead of doing a comic every hour, you just get drunk or eat a poundcake every hour or something.