Gaming in the Universe of… The Watchmen Part 6: Ozmandyus
The Watchmen as reviewed by the family
Part one: Tropes from the movie
Part two: Doctor Manhattan
Part three: The Comedian
Part four: Nite Owl
Part five: Silk Spectre
Ozmandyus is an easy person and a hard one all at the same time to integrate into your game. He’s royalty in your high fantasy setting. Or better yet, the true power behind the throne making everything work. He is THE richest man in whatever universe you are playing. Esy to add, harder for your characters to meet, unless they are HEROES, the type of character that royalty demands to see and be seen with.
In the back however, it’s a different story. Adrian is the string puller. He has access to the highest technology your world has available. In a high fantasy setting he may even have some magical abilities. He believes, no scratch that, he KNOWS that what he is doing is the best possible course of action for saving his world.
If your players decide to help him out they might be cast away as mere pawns in his over-arching plans. If your players elect to oppose him, Adrian will not only have factored in their betrayal but may have figured that their “betrayal” is the best way to keep them out of his hair.
His only true friend is Bubastis, his magical a/o genetically modified lynx.
Name: Adrian Veidt/Ozmandyus
Race: Human
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d12, Spirit d8, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Skills: Climbing d6, Fighting d10, Guts d6, Healing d4, Investigation d8, Notice d10, Persuasion d6, Streetwise d8, Survival d6, Throwing d6
Charisma: 7; Pace: 6; Parry: 7; Toughness: 5;
Hindrances: Filthy Rich, Invent, Investigator
Edges: Arrogant, Code of Honor
Name: Bubastis
Race: Lynx (Genetic Modification or Magical depending on setting)
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6 (A), Spirit d10, Strength d12, Vigor d8
Skills: Fighting d8, Guts d10, Notice d8
Pace: 8; Parry: 6; Toughness: 8;
Special Abilities:
Bite or Claw: Str + d6
Improved Frenzy: May make two fighting attacks each action at no penalty
Pounce: Bubastis can pounce on its prey to best bring its mass and claws to bear. It can leap 1d6″ and gains a +4 to its attack and damage. However its parry is reduce -2 until the next action when using this maneuver
Size: +2, Bubastis is the size of an adult male lion
Free Comic Book Day May 2
My Favorite Local Gaming Store (FLGS), The Core in Cedar Falls, Iowa is a celebrating Free Comic Book Day on May 2 from 9:00 – 6:00. If I can get the Can Company shut down in time, I’ll be there. Make it a point to be there early because the best stuff goes fast.
While supplies last, The Core will have free issues of: Green Lantern, Batman, Star Wars, Transformers, Archie, Justice League, Simpsons, Sonic The Hedgehog, Avengers, Disney, and more. There will be age appropriate comics for all reading levels.
Mike Blanchard, the owner, wants to remind everyone to get there as early as possible for best selection. Mike also told me that WotC is sponsoring another D&D Day. This one is to promote the all new Monster Manual more details forthcoming.
Vulcan Stev Family Movie Review: The Transporter
Starring:
Jason Statham … Frank Martin
Qi Shu … Lai (as Shu Qi)
Matt Schulze … Wall Street
François Berléand … Inspector Tarconi
Ric Young … Mr. Kwai
Doug Rand … Leader
Didier Saint Melin … Boss
Tonio Descanvelle … Thug 1
Laurent Desponds … Thug 2
Matthieu Albertini … Thug 3
Vincent Nemeth … Pilot
Jean-Yves Bilien … Little Thug
Jean-Marie Paris … Giant Thug
Adrian Dearnell … Newscaster
Alfred Lot … Cop 1
Synopsis from IMDB: Ex-Special Forces operator Frank Martin lives what seems to be a quiet life along the French Mediterranean, hiring himself out as a mercenary “transporter” who moves goods–human or otherwise–from one place to another. No questions asked. Carrying out mysterious and sometimes dangerous tasks in his tricked-out BMW, Frank adheres to a strict set of rules, which he never breaks. Rule One: Never change the deal. Rule Two: No names–Frank doesn’t want to know whom he’s working for, or what he’s transporting. Rule Three: never look in the package. Frank’s newest transport seems no different from the countless ones he’s done in the past. He’s been hired by an American known only as “Wall Street” to make a delivery; but when Frank stops along the route, he notices his package is moving. Violating Rule Three, Frank looks inside the bag, finding its contents to be a beautiful, gagged woman. Frank’s steadfast adherence to his other two rules–which make up his basic code of survival–also quickly fails, hurtling him and his new companion on a road leading to shocking secrets, deadly complications, and the last thing that Frank ever expected to come to believe: that rules are made to be broken.
Reveiwers: VS, Mrs. VS, PIT #1, PIT #2, PIT #3
VS – 1.75 pointed ears
This was the first Jason Statham movie I ever saw. He’s got the makings of being the Steven Segal or Jean-Claude Van Damme for the 21st century. The action scenes were believable and did not feel shoehorned into the movie. The trope of the protagonist having a code of ethics and then being thrown into conflict with his own rules has been done before and since (see our scathing review of Bangkok Dangerous). However, Frank does not throw his rules out the window and even comments that breaking his rule was a bad idea. He is given a logical reason for violating Rule #3, curiosity.
Mrs. VS – 1 pointed ear
Not a bad movie as far as “hubby movies” go. [editor's note: A hubby movie is classed as anything with action and car chases and one that Mrs. VS would NOT go see on her own]. Yes there was some violence and sensuality but both were subdued. The love scene was not gratuitous. The fist-fights and gunplay are pretty standard for this type of film but were not excessive.
PIT #1 – 2 pointed ears
An interesting story. I really like the concept of a driver for hire who’ll do any job without questions as long as you keep to the deal. The violence was at an acceptable level.
PIT #2 – 1.9 pointed ears
Overall a good story but it jumped around too much for my tastes. I don’t think the writer adequately explained why a simple transporter would suddenly take up the cause of his former cargo.
PIT #3 – 1.8 pointed ears
This movie had kissing and implied sex. Having icky stuff like that in a movie is a complete waste of screen time in an otherwise good action movie.
Overall 8.45 pointed ears out of 10.
Rentable, definitely worth watching if you like Action Adventure. If you’re a Jason Statham fan then it’s a must own. A nice adult-themed film without needing to be viewed after the kids go to bed.
The P.I.T.s Can’t Agree on the Next Movie.
Regular readers of this blog know that the family will watch a movie for review and then I will pull tropes from the movie for use in your games. Recently reviewed movies with GitUo (Gaming in the Universe of…) articles in the works are:
Tron
Big Trouble in Little China
Buckaroo Banzai
Race to Witch Mountain.
The PITs (Paladins In Training) have not been agreeing over which Movie to watch/review next. I’m turning it over to you. Leave me a list of the top ten movies you’d like to see reviewed. The top vote getters (if they are in the VS film collection) will be watched/reviewed/mined.
Gaming in the Universe of… The Watchmen: Part 5 Silk Specter II
The Watchmen as reviewed by the family
Part one: Tropes from the movie
Part two: Doctor Manhattan
Part three: The Comedian
Part four: Nite Owl
The Watchmen are not super heroes (with the exception of Doctor Manhattan). The characters in this series of articles were built using standard Savage World rules and as such can be dropped into any campaign without much difficulty.
Laurie Jupiter is a second generation hero who is primarily involved in the heroing life to please her mother. She captured the attention of Doctor Manhattan when his first love began to age. When the Keene Act was passed, Laurie happily packed up her costume and moved with Doctor Manhattan to his government laboratory. She later leaves Doc when he begins to grow distant from her. Laurie re-enters the sporting life to be with her new love, Dan Drieberg.
In your game Laurie is the reluctant woman behind the power. She’s the person who keeps the wizard focused. She is the woman who convinces the hero to go on one more adventure. She’s the woman who is on the adventure to please her parents.
Name:Laurie Jupiter/Silk Spectre II/Sandra Hollis
Race: Human
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d6, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Skills: Climbing d6, Fighting d8, Guts d6, Healing d4, Persuasion d6, Throwing d6
Charisma: 3; Pace: 6; Parry: 6; Toughness: 5;
Hindrances: Curious, Quirk (does not like the hero life, gets involved over the men in her life), Wanted
Edges: Attractive
Quest for the Staff of Genesis: Game Day 4-26-09
When we last checked in with the party Rididdlethumb found himself stuck in the floor. Before the party could do anything a dozen Bugbears attacked. The party fought back. Nevets cast Befriend Animal and now has a pet Bugbear. R-thumb tried his level best to attack while stuck in the floor. Andrea and Rayne used their cloaks of invisibility. Aria wasn’t very successful in her attacks but her Drow bodyguard beheaded one. Bawb toasted one with a fireball. Hawrayn cast Thunderbolt indoors, killing three. Rayne and Andrea while invisible managed to dispatch one each.
The remaining Bugbears took the better part of valor and retreated. After defeating the Bugbears the team debated whether or not to rescue R-thumb. The Lawful Good characters swayed the vote and eventually R-thumb was rescued from his rocky trap.
The party continued on into the next room, continuing their search for the next piece of the staff. Entering the room they discovered the remaining Bugbears and two Beholders performing a ritualistic human sacrifice. The beheaded Paladin (I’d love to tell you about him but he was dead), on the altar was wearing the same Eye-of-the-Tiger symbol given to the members of our party. Nevets wondered just how many different parties had been sent out to recover the staff as this was at least the fifth failure his current party had stumbled across.
Galahad with an oath, launched himself at the Beholders. Nevets’ Bugbear attacked the Beholders as well now believing them to be her enemies. General pandemonium broke out as the remainder of the party joined the attack. Hawrayn blinded one of the Beholders which then ran around the room, hit the wall, and fell down dead. After defeating the Beholders and Bugbears, Galahad took his sword and drove it into the altar. In a puff of smoke, Molech and Azmandius, two demons appeared. The demons were upset over the fact that the party had interrupted their sacrifice.
Awash in self-assuredness after defeating the last demon they encountered, the team pressed on. Hawrayn sent his three bats in to attack at the same moment he did. Hawrayn missed but in the nexus created by the failed spell, a fourth bat was created. This bat sucked ALL the heat out of Molech and turned him into an ice statue. The rest of the party turned their attention towards Azmandius. The remaining demon was understandably upset over the fact that the team had incapacitated his cohort, “You will Die!” he told the party.
“You first,” Nevets replied as he cocked his fairy dust bow and let fly an arrow. The first arrow missed but the second connected. The resulting explosion caused the demon so much damage that he fled. The party’s armor all began to have ”A”s branded into them. Rididdlethumb and Neaferious Applegate attempted to move the Molech ice statue and became part of the statue. The party was puzzling over the rescue of their now frozen compatriots. Rayne discovered that of the the three doors exiting the room, two were locked and was very warm.
The party opened the warm door and levitated the ice statue through it. The Molech portion of the statue melted away to nothing. Rididdlethumb and Nefearious Applegate were freed, however R-thumb’s bow is now severely afraid of the cold and will refuse to work below 32F….
Vulcan Stev Family Movie Review: Race to Witch Mountain
Starring:
Dwayne Johnson … Jack Bruno
AnnaSophia Robb … Sara
Alexander Ludwig … Seth
Carla Gugino … Dr. Alex Friedman
Ciarán Hinds … Henry Burke
Tom Everett Scott … Matheson
Chris Marquette … Pope
Billy Brown … Carson
Garry Marshall … Dr. Donald Harlan
Kim Richards … Tina
Ike Eisenmann … Sheriff Antony
Tom Woodruff Jr. … Siphon
Synopsis – by VS
A Las Vegas cabbie, Jack Bruno, picks up two seemingly innocent children. These children request a ride out to the middle of nowhere, out that way. The cabbie brings them to their destination and discovers these children are not from our planet. In an effort to protect the children from the Siphon, our government, and his own past, Bruno signs on for the race to witch mountain. Aided by the beautiful physicist, Dr. Friedman, Jack protects the children and saves not one world but two in the process.
Reviewers VS, Mrs. VS, PIT #1, PIT #2, PIT #3
VS – 1.95 pointed ears
A fun film. The family enjoyed it. The only problem I had is with the SF convention in Vegas, the only costumes we see are Tron, generic aliens, and Stormtroopers? Seriously, the producers got permission to have stormtroopers in the movie, how hard would it have been to have Trekkers in there as well. This is only a minor quibble, however. This film had a decent plot, snappy dialogue that didn’t come off as cheesy (except in the places it was supposed to come off that way) and enough action to keep my young nephews and PIT #3 enthralled.
I never saw the original, so I cannot compare the two. However Dwayne Johnson has long left his wrestler days behind him. He’s found an acting niche, replacing Da Govinator. Bonus Mr. Johnson is understandable.
Mrs VS - 2 pointed ears
This is nice fun family film. I went to see this with my daughter while the boys stayed home to watch the NASCAR race. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. The title is completely misleading. There is no mention of witchcraft in the movie at all. Witch Mountain is an Area 51-like secret government facility. I never saw the original movies because of the titles but this movie has piqued my interest in these films from the 70′s. I recommend this movie as a nice family diversion and only wish that I had felt up to going with the whole family on Monday evening.
PIT #1 – 2 pointed ears
This was interesting twist on the “Aliens-are-trying-to-save-us” plot. The Aliens are trying to save both planets, theirs and ours. The military of both worlds are out to stop them. Dwayne Johnson has shed The Rock. I was able to watch this film not once but twice. The only downside is it won’t be out on DVD until after I ship out.
PIT #2 - 2 pointed ears
Awesome movie! Since the movie was about aliens I wanted to give it 4 appendages, but Dad wouldn’t let me. The action was very nicely handled. One thing I want to remind everyone is that if you see a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s probably an oncoming train.
PIT #3 – 2 pointed ears
Lots of action and no kissing make this a cool movie. I’d really like to see this film added to the next Kingdom Hearts game. I recognized Dr. Friedman as being the curator from Night in the Museum.
9.95 pointed ears out of 10
The VS Family heartily recommends this film as family friendly. Go see it in the theater if you can. Buy it when it comes out on DVD and add it to your collection.
Goober’s Words of Wisdom 4-26-09
Today Pastor talked about Peter’s reinstatement as written about in John chapter 21. His sermon title was “Preparing Peter for Penetecost.” Goober, Ricky and Mickey figured that Pastor Gary was pulling a Seasame Street. So Goober and the boys pulled out most of their toys and began handing them to Pastor Gary.
Pastor Gary did not understand as Goober handed up his piano, a Patton Tank, a pair of pants, pumpkins, pizza boxes, a picture book, a PC, a present, a Plymouth, a pipe, and his pet Peter Rabbit. When asked by Pastor Gary, Goober looked at the congregation and said “Pastor’s Sermon is brought to you today by the letter ‘P’”.
Pastor and Goober then add-libbed a five minute alliteration that I wish we had taped.
Pastor Gary managed to get the high points of outlined using mainly ‘P’ words. Goober managed to ask intelligent again using mainly ‘P’ words. Ricky and Mickey kept interjecting random ‘P’ words. Ricky kept handing up props and calling the by some ’P' equivalent.
Vulcan Stev Family Movie Review: Punisher War Zone
Starring:
Ray Stevenson … Frank Castle
Dominic West … Billy Russoti / Jigsaw
Doug Hutchison … Loony Bin Jim
Colin Salmon … Special Agent Paul Budiansky
Wayne Knight … Linus ‘Microchip’ Lieberman
Dash Mihok … Det. Martin Soap
Julie Benz … Angela Donatelli
Stephanie Janusauskas … Grace Donatelli
Mark Camacho … Pittsy
Romano Orzari … Nicky Donatelli
Synopsis from IMDb: Infamous vigilante, anti-hero Frank Castle (Ray Stevenson) is six years into his vengeance driven zeal as the Punisher when he brutally assaults a “beat the rap” party for notorious mob boss Gaitano Cesare. During the course of the massacre, he hideously disfigures overeager gangster Billy Russoti (Dominic West) and murders a mafia lackey who turns out to be an undercover FBI agent.
Distraught that he has now become the very evil he swore to battle, Castle is content to hang up his guns and quit the justice business for good. However, plans quickly change once he learns that Jigsaw has not only kidnapped the surviving wife and child of the dead federal agent but now has also freed his commited psychopathic brother, James (Doug Hutchison)…aka…”Loony Bin Jim.”
Reviewers: Vulcan Stev, PIT #1, PIT #2, PIT #3, Mrs. VS sat down to watch the movie with us but backed out after viewing the first scene.
VS – 1.1 pointed ears
Oh, I am so torn. Kudos to the producers for bringing back Frank Castle’s original backstory and origin. Kudos for bringing in Microchip. Kudos for bringing in Jigsaw. However, major disappointment in the use of language. The ‘F-bomb’ is used in this movie like punctuation. To me, that kind of gratuitous use of the word does not mirror society, but rather shows off weak writing skills.
Another problem I had with this flick, the violence was wa-a-ay too graphic. I understand that the Punisher is a ‘dark’ character. I understand that he ‘solves’ the problem of crime by killing off the criminals. But I wasn’t expecting a slasher film, I’ve seen less graphic killings in the Friday 13th series. The producers, went to great lengths to say how proud they were of the realistic details in the gore. After seeing the over-the-top violence of the Watchmen and then seeing this movie, I’m beginning to wonder if Hollywood is trying to mainstream violence.
PIT #1 – 1.5 pointed ears
This was a very accurate portrayal of the Punisher. However, the violence is way overboard. Dad called this a mainstream slasher flick. I’ve never seen a “slasher” film and asked Dad what he meant. When Dad described what I slasher flick was, I had to agree with him. I would not recommend this film for younger viewers. It earned it’s R rating. I was also put off by the language. I don’t need to hear the “f-word” used as punctuation.
PIT #2 – 1.25 pointed ears
This has all the makings of a great action movie. However the language and violence were way to excessive for my tastes. The Thomas Jayne Punisher movie was much better in terms of language and violence. I’ve never read the Punisher comics but I don’t need to see blood flying across the screen. I don’t need to hear the “f-word” in every single scene of a movie (don’t want to hear it at all but that’s pipe dream).
PIT #3 – 1 pointed ear.
The action in this film was great. There was NO kissing which was also nice. The gore used in the action scenes was too much. I don’t need to see blood flying all over the screen. Daddy apologized to me because he didn’t know that the gore was going to be so graphic. The language was bad. I think that the writer needs to have his keyboard’s mouth washed out with soap.
4.85 pointed ears out of 8 with an abstain from Mrs. VS
Overall this is a faithful adaptation of the Punisher character. This is NOT a family film. Not recommended for family viewing. Be forewarned the ‘F-bomb’ is liberally sprinkled throughout the picture.
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