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Writer Q & A - Adrian Pommier

Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:11 pm
by Jengenritz
Hey folks,

I thought I'd join some of the other fine authors in this thread and share some of my writing bio with the fans here on the board.

Odds are, you're only going to be aware of my name if you've really been paying attention or if you've played in our annual DCC tournament at Gen Con Indy. Most of what I've written has been part of a larger project (as I've told others before, I'm a collaborator at heart), and most of that has been for the DCC tournament we hold each year at Gen Con Indy.

My sig line lists the books where I appear as a contributor...if you own or have read those books, feel free to post comments or questions here or through PM.

In the meantime, I'll be posting more detailed info on my projects and contributions in other threads in this forum. If there's a specific topic or adventure you'd like me to address, let me know.

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:57 am
by Argamae
Just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed FATE OF THE VIGILANT from DCC#29.

I ran it as part of an ongoing campaign (which includes DCC#14). The characters were all third level so I had to adjust the adventure a bit. They fared quite well against the pirates and the final confrontation with Lórethel nearly spelled doom for two party members. Sadly, the discussion started in the middle of the fight by our elven sorceress with Lórethel was never finished - the elven pirate leader was slain before he could relate parts of the tragic history. The elven sorceress carries the small phial with the ashes around her neck ever since - without knowing its meaning, that is.
Fun thing is that the party "saved" Jessa and nearly fell for her guiles. They took her to shore and she nearly escaped with a horse, then was brought low by a guest player playing a female barbarian. Very very dirty girlie-infight, I can tell! As Jessa died she cursed the party. Nevertheless, they buried her properly outside of town. I have yet to decide whether this is the end of it or not. :)
Maybe in her deep loathing of the player characters lies the power to return from the dead to avenge her slain lover (which, I must add, the party dumped unceremoniously overboard).

I also ran OLD FEODOL'S BASEMENT, albeit with a different group. It is a very fun adventure and a nice break from the uniform "treasure haul motivation". Unfortunately we haven't finished it yet.

So, thanks for writing them and keep up the good work! I am looking VERY VERY MUCH forward to Castle Whiterock!!! :D

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 8:13 am
by Jengenritz
Hey, glad you liked them.

Jessa Smiles was based off "Saffron" (or "Yo/Saff/Bridge") from Firefly...the perfect manipulative femme fatale redhead. It made her a lot of fun to write. Sounds like a good setup for a ghost, if you ask me!

That's a cool memento your sorceress carries around. For Lórethel I was going for a bishonen (maybe that's the term?) Japanese-style pretty boy who's weary of life.

"Old Feodol's Basement" was another fun one to write. My playtesters learned to fear rock-throwing monkeys pretty quickly!

When you get there, let me know how things go with the baboons...I'm curious if anyone figures out to refer to them by their names...that's a pretty vague clue I put in the letter.

And, of course, when you finish it, let me know which side, if any, they choose. I'm a big fan of giving the players choices and then having the consequences (and rewards, of course, but mostly the consequences) visit them afterward.

I hope Castle Whiterock also meets your approval! Chris and I put a lot of love in that bad boy!

Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:15 am
by Argamae
Jengenritz wrote:Jessa Smiles was based off "Saffron" (or "Yo/Saff/Bridge") from Firefly...the perfect manipulative femme fatale redhead.

"Old Feodol's Basement" was another fun one to write. My playtesters learned to fear rock-throwing monkeys pretty quickly!
No kidding! I just watched the Firefly episodes with "Saffron". And she is exactly what I had in mind when I portrayed Jessa!! Unfortunately, players seem to have a much harder time giving in to certain feminine guiles, because they always expect a TRAP somewhere along. Since the roleplaying part is a bit underdeveloped with this particular group of players, I couldn't portray Jessa to the fullest of her abilites because it would have meant for the players to play along. I personally love to have players that act-out their emotions a little more.

And now that you mention the rock-throwing monkeys - they were driving the players MAD! It was hilarious - the heroes being chased out of the room by little monkeys! Fun thing is: they didn't know that this were monkeys. I described the creatures without making references to "monkeys" or using the word. So I believe they still take them for strange creatures with uncertain powers... :)
If we get to continue this adventure, I will keep you posted. In any case this was one of the most humorous little adventures I have ever read! I really love it. :!:

Concerning CASTLE WHITEROCK: I bet you put a lot of love into it. With 700+ pages of material - how could you not?! I will reserve this baby for a handpicked gaming group and then have a go at it. Man, I can hardly wait!