Casual Gamers

#67 - Who Really Killed Laura Palmer?

2007-06-02T13:18:00.000-04:00

Members of the University of Ottawa Gaming Club gently reminded me that nobody remembers who the heck Laura Palmer is.
Being the lazy bastard that I am, I didn't change my comic for a silly little detail like that! Google is our friend. :)

I recently had the chance to go see an old acquaintance of mine's band a few weeks ago, and they did kick some ass. Except for her stage appearance, I hadn't seen Régine for years (at least 12), but hey. I'll still plug her band because I like it, not because they really need it. Buy their latest album "Neon Bible" and visit their site: Arcade Fire.

So, I'm now off to Norway, folks. I'll be back sometime in July, I'm not sure exactly when. 'Till then, do read the other most awesome comics Eyeskream has to offer!

---> Chris "Flouzemaker" Shill, Casual Gamers

#66 - But... We Always Pack a Rope!

2007-04-20T03:19:00.000-04:00

We're all Hokies, these days. My most sincere thoughts to the families and friends of all VT victims.

Ok... go read the darned toon before I spoil everything for you with my oen spoilers!

Done?

Good!

You know that piece of equipement that every player always buys for all his (or her) PC's? Like, say, rope?
What if one day you decide not to purchase any, thinking everyone else will have some anyways?
And most especially, what it everyone else in the group had the same idea? Well, that's what happened here, sadly enough.

Oh. And I guess Thieves might be useful, maybe, in certain very special circumstances, sometimes, I guess.

But not bards.
They suck.
(Now, before you complain about that statement, know that my most recent character was a bard.)

-----> Chris "Flouzemaker" Shill, Casual Gamers

#65 - Good is the New Evil

2007-03-31T14:08:00.000-04:00

Oy!

It's (yet again) been a while, huh?

Thankfully, I have no plans of ever stopping Casual Gamers until the "story" is done, even if I'm forced to pause the updates from time to time. But now, I do have more free time than I used to these past few months, leading to more frequent updates.
Notably, my frikkin' teeth are finally fixed!

Ok. Go read the new toon, I'll be waiting right here.

Done?
Awesome.

For all you GMs out there, here's a tip. Good Dragons really should fork over their treasure to any PC they meet. Otherwise, they are way too lame. That said, I'm sure an imaginative GM can find a use for them (notably in an evil PC campaign).
But if there's one thing players hate more than uppity zero-level NPCs, it's being overshadowed by an ally, a dragons cast a pretty large shadow. No party wants to be second fiddle to anyone, no matter how shiny they are.

There might be a few days, in the near future, when the site isn't quite online while it's being moved. Also, this here blog will probably get the axe.
The silver-lining? Strip #66 is already half done and it should be online soon. :D

-----> Chris "Flouzemaker" Shill, Casual Gamers

#64 - The Final Encounters.

2006-11-09T01:43:00.000-05:00

"We penetrate inside Lady Drakka's secret tunnel."
Man, some people might misinterpret that quote...

Ok... I admit it, I was a little overdue for an update. Blame midterms for that one.

*spoiler*
I did lie a little in this strip. By 1991, in fact, my English had become quite good. But that doesn't mean I used my knowledge to read stuff. So, indeed, I made the players go through all the random encounters consecutively, and it barely made any sense. Thankfully, we were all mostly concerned about the XP's we'd get, so making any sense at all wasn't a priority.

In other news, the future webcomic legend that is Gun Baby has made it's debut. Go read the first pages and oogle at the artwork!
Also...
It eats brains yet isn't a zombie. What is it? Find out by reading the funny webcomic called Mind Flayed! I swear, if you like Casual Gamers, chances are you'll like Mind Flayed as well, buddy.

------> Chris "Flouzemaker" Shill, Casual Gamers

#63 - Weight is a State of Mind.

2006-10-11T20:51:00.000-04:00

Yay!
The website's redesign is almost done! I think I only need to fix some slight problems with the F.A.Q. and Links pages, which is no big deal. Unfortunately, since I'm heading back to Montreal for the rest of the week and week-end, I'll only be able to fix it sometime next week.
As this new design required technical expertise way beyond what I know and understand, it couldn't have been done at all without Fodi's Matthew Buchwald. In fact, he did it for me. So please, do what I did and convert to FODIANITY! If there are enough of us, and become a legitimate religion, Matt'll be able to save a hefty sum on his income taxes!

Normally, I would have titled strip #63 "Encumbrance Only Matters When You Remember it Exists," but I ran out of room. Of course, a player only remembers it when it adversely affects monsters and NPCs. GMs just don't remember period. There's a lot of other stuff to think about than a character's weight allowance, most especially if you suck as a GM to begin with.
And I do enjoy how Thoar's attacking with his spetum like it's some sort of pogo stick. That's cool. Had I a spetum, you can bet that's how I'd be attacking!

-----> Chris "Flouzemaker" Shill, Casual Gamers

#62 - Encounters of the Ninth Kind

2006-10-03T08:39:00.000-04:00

Phew!

This newest comic was supposed to be online yesterday, but it was so damn long to draw, ink and color, it needed an extra day to complete. In fact, from now on, there'll be a new comic published every Monday... unless they're particularly long to draw... in which case they'll be published on Tuesdays.
So I guess the site'll be updated on Mondays or Tuesdays. My shedule up until roughly Christmas allows me to do that, I believe. Except for a possible exception when the mid-terms'll come around. Anyhow, enough about that!

On to the actual comic!
In the 3rd panel... Tygrib's facial expression is pretty much stolen from the repertoire of another Eyeskream cartoonist. Can you guess who? ;)
So I guess you'd like to know. Exactly how many chapters WERE skipped? Well... a good number of them, I guess. But fear not, the quest is in three adventure modules! :D
Discuss this comic in the forum.

-----> Chris "Flouzemaker" Shill, Casual Gamers

#61 - Eyeskream Swap II

2006-09-25T04:20:00.000-04:00

It's the swap!
Here's the game plan:
- Correctly identify the Eyeskream member who drew Casual Gamers #61
- Then, correctly identify who drew what in every other Eyeskream Swap
- Fill out this page with your answers.
- Comfortably wait for your prize. ;-)

Obviously, also take the time to enjoy all the swap strips, most notably the funny one on this site right here! I do feel remorseful about laughing, though, seeing as Dan is a 12 year old... it just ain't right!

In other news, I've posted a potential T-shirt idea on the forum. Please do tell me if I'm on the right track or not, even if you don't ever plan on buying a Casual Gamers themed shirt, ever. ;-)

And in more news, I'm busily translating the whole site to make a twin version of it in French. It won't make a difference to you, but they'll having riots in France!

-----> Chris, Casual Gamers

#60 - Go Directly to Encounter Nine.

2006-09-20T17:20:00.000-04:00

Yes.
It happened just like that. Strip #60 is absolutely faithful to the dreaded events that unfolded on that fateful day of 1991. I was that stupid.
Thankfully, I only have to make a mistake once... er... twice...
I only have to make the same mistake a few times before I finally learn my lesson.
Discuss the strip and Chris' blatant stupidity on the forum!

Now, folks, mark your calendars because September 25th is Eyeskream's Swap Day II! Most of Eyeskream's cartoonists will be drawing each other's strips. If you're the first to guess who drew whom's strip correctly - all of them - you'll win a commissioned drawing by the participating Eyeskream cartoonist of yout choice!
Which means you could win commissioned art by yours truly... or one of Eyeskream's cartoonists that is actually talented!
See that conspicuous lime green banner at the top of the site? Click on it for all the juicy* details!

*: May not actually be juicy.

-----> Chris. Casual Gamers

August 31st - #59 - The Plot Hooker

2006-08-31T11:44:00.000-04:00

Hi folks!
Not used to such a fast update from me these last few months, huh? Well, still, the new strip is here!
Not only did I have the time to produce this latest Casual Gamers, I also had the time to add a little tribute of my own to Hellbound's 100th strip. Check it out here: Hellbound.
Or, if you prefer, check out my guest strip here. But just so you know, it's well worth checking out Hellbound from one to one hundred!

Now, many of you may know, Casual Gamers is inspired from real events/games. Now, before you start searching for an adventure module featuring a certain Lady Drakka, you'll have to know that I opted to pretty much make it all up. While I am cherry picking some elements from various Dragonlance modules, I invent most of the "adventure" stuff. So nobody can sue me for copyright infringement or something. So IF there really is a Lady Drakka somewhere, that's a total coincidence, and a testament to how unoriginal her name is (which is the whole point).

Ok. That said... PLEASE come talk to us on the forum! Be cool! Be hip! Be the shizzit!
-----> Flouzemaker. Casual Gamers

August 25th - Prizes You're Just Bound to Use

2006-08-25T07:23:00.000-04:00

Yes! FINALLY!
I'm done moving from Montreal to Ottawa (or rather Gatineau), resolved my computer problems, and paid my outstanding debts to the phone/internet company so I can get online again!
In 12 days, I officially begin my Bachelor's degree in Art & Design: Cartoons. I do not kid, such a programme exists. Why do I return to college (yet again) in such a programme?
Because it looks like fun, and it beats finding a real job.
:D

And so, the final version of strip # 58 is finally published. It had been written ages ago, as you can guess, but did change a lot over time. What has changed the most are the prizes themselves, obviously. Over the months, I thought of countless useless and pointless magic items. Evidently, I've forgotten almost all of them. I do enjoy that Chastity Belt of Sardonic Castration, though.
If you have a player who loves to hit on the NPC wenches, it just seems like the perfect magic item to start including in your campaign.

Meanwhile, even though I lost my internet over the last months, they were kind enough to archive all the mail I got. I'd like to thank Ron, Allen, Erik, Pinot Noir, The Duke of URL, Adriana, Frank, Caroline of "Gamers: The Podcasting," and Heavybolter for the emails of worried encouragement and/or indignation at the lack of updates. In some cases, I received the emails very late, but it looks like I finally received them all! So, I'll be answering soon!

December 27th - Korbin's on a Roll!

2005-12-27T16:24:00.000-05:00

Hey peeps!
Time is short for me today, so I'll be brief:
The new toon is up... and it's all (mostly) true!!! J.P.'s lame character did make a pretty impressive debut during that adventure's introductory stages... wether that lucky streak lasts or not may or may not be an entirely different matter!
Of course, I have to wish a happy holiday season to everyone (yes, even you!). Eyeskream's got a gift for everyone: new member Crashlander! Beautiful and funny, just the way we like it!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm leaving for the circus. No, I'm not kidding. ;-)

December 8th - Strip #56

2005-12-08T16:47:00.000-05:00

IT WAS ABOUT TIME!!!
Dang! Who knew the grim-reaper could screw up someone's schedule that way! With a little helping hand from Civ IV, he sure can!
Anyhow, Strip #56 is finally posted, and you won't have to wait as long to get #57, that's for sure! Hope you won't find that "Fair Shooting at Stale-Bromide Fair" sucks too much! ;-)

I also took the time to redo the site's header a little bit, and reconfigure it so that the initial page viewed is this one. It just saves a whole big bunch of bandwidth. If you knew how much it costs, you'd do it too! But don't worry: Top left is a little image that takes you right to the new strip with one click, and can also quickly tell you if there's been a new update.

I've also taken the time to update my links page, to add such new Eyeskream webcomics like Canadaman, My Nemesis, Pinch of the Glass and Fat Cat Online to the fold! (All great reads, by the way).

I'll also take the time to wish Nicolas, modern day Casual Gamer, a very happy birthday! :D Because it just so happens that it's today.

About the new strip? Well, I'm quite happy about the penultimate frame - just love seeing Tygrib taking careful aim, dunno why. And on a side note... ever notice how, more often than not, it's the bored player who suffers the most from the results of a fumble? Maybe it's just how we game 'round these parts! ;-)

October 23rd - Strip #55 - Eyeskream Swap!

2005-10-23T16:08:00.000-04:00

Yup, now you have it - Strip 55 - Part of the Eyeskream Webcomic Swap Extravaganza!
In my opinion, I just lucked out and received the single most hilarious RPG-related comic ever created! I'm just jealous I didn't think of it myself!
Strap Medyk the Cleric to his other arm for the healing, and a couple of thieves to his boots to make him walk silently wherever he goes, and you've got an unstoppeable one man army (with live armor and equipment)!
Now here comes the harder part. Correctly guess who made this Swap strip, and correctly guess who's done who's strip for every Eyeskream Swap participant, then fill out this form with your answers, and you could earn yourself a wonderful prize:
A (potentially) beautiful commissionned drawing by the participating artist of your choice!

Btw, good luck guessing which one I did! Ha! Ha! (more evil laughter)
-----> Flouzemaker, Casual Gamers

Temporary pause in updates...

2005-10-21T21:01:00.000-04:00

Save for the Eyeskream Swap on oct 23/24, don't expect a Casual Gamers update until November.
Today, my schizophrenic cousin killed my godmother and godfather. I'm not dealing with it all too well at the moment. I especially don't like the fact the local/provincial news keep airing the story every thirty minutes.
As it's 75% finished, I'll probably be able to complete my Eyeskream Swap strip - maybe it'll keep my mind off things. I'll also be able to upload the Casual Gamers swap strip at approximatively the right date, on oct 23/24. Make sure you check out the Eyeskream Swap stuff - you could earn yourself a commissionned drawing!

October 9, 2005 (Strip 54)

2005-10-09T17:11:00.000-04:00

Whew! It was about time I updated, huh?
As you can immediately, I'm yet again in the midst of overhauling the site. I was especially fed up with that darned shoutbox that added lag to the site, bugged more often than not and was a basic pain in the derrière.
Hopefully, with the option of adding your own comments to this blogger, I'll still get to have some of your feedback! Plus, there's also the forum; filled with cool peeps including myself. This blog also has the double advantage of archiving my old news for me, and being less of a bandwidth leech.

That said, you've got to check out Goblins, Brave City and Sentimental Horde, three most excellent webcomics you've got to... err... check out. No, really, I swear! Worth a visit and a lengthy stay!

And now, on to strip 54! Yes, as a new GM, I was truly obsessed with the idea of also being a player at the same time, too. As you'll discover in later strips, I eventually learned my lesson, but it did take quite some time! As for the character, Jeromien the Red Wizard... what to say? I guess you'll see it all in due time.
I'll be less busy in the upcoming weeks, which will enable me to make quite a few more updates, especially if the website overhaul runs smoothly!
Please forgive me for killing off the shoutbox. Leave me comments to that effect if you really want it back!

Flouzemaker: Casual Gamers

September 25 2005 (Strip 53)

2005-09-25T16:58:00.000-04:00

In strip#53, we meet Korbin the cleric. Many other qualifiers could be added here, but who wants spoilers? Go read the strip, and get your derrière back here!

While you're reading the strip, lemme refresh your memory about David Reeder's "Wryneck's Wheelhouse: Mobile Home of Doom," a PDF HackMaster module now available for download! You can get a preview here: secondrat.com, and download it at RPGNow! Proceeds got to a military unit, so they can be properly equipped. That would not only increase their chances of getting back hom alive and well, but also helps then out they're called on to clean things up a bit after a hurricane, for instance.
Besides, that charming module includes illustrations by yours truly, and a special one-of-a-kind Casual Gamers strip.
While we're on the subject of begging for donations, after you've donated a bit to the Red Cross (or another reliable charity in regards to Katrina & Rita), click on the "Donate to Eyeskream" button right atop Korbin's bulbous head. Hosting Casual Gamers is getting increasingly expensive for Eyeskream, so any help is appreciated!

Now, back to the old, obese gnomish cleric, Korbin. Yup... nasty Dragon magazine articles toting the benefits of a flawed, non-munchkin character! Yes, I did say "old." While there wasn't room left in the strip to specify, Jeyps made Korbin old as well. In hindsight, the obvious goal was to add some extra wisdom. In reality, Korbin wasn't all that bad. Turns out that he's a normal, average character. The way they should be, with "normal" stats. We just never considered that "normal" characters were worth playing before then. ... Even AFTER, for some of us! ;-)

-----> Flouzemaker: Casual Gamers

September 22 2005 (Strip 52)

2005-09-22T16:45:00.000-04:00

I had some great fun drawing some of the new characters featured in strip 52, including Thoar. Man, I love his look! :D
So Tony retains his fixation for Elves, and Dan lovingly sticks to his fondness for heavily armored Lawful Good tanks. No matter how stupid they both actually are, at least they look cool, and that's half the battle!

As you can guess, been rather busy during the past week. So busy, in fact, that I didn't even get to visit the Eyeskream Forum in five days... that's saying a lot since I'm usually there at least two or three times a day!
Of all those busy days, the most important has to be last sunday, when our group finally gamed. All in all, it unfolded rather well, as I managed to off a character. That's always good! ;-) Plus, as a bonus, it was the newbie's character, so she's not a PC Death virgin anymore! Unfortunately, her new character is a horribly min-maxed meat shield. "Add more strength," the guys told her, "add more strength!" Well, they got it. STR: 19, INT & WIS: 4. And here I thought we grew beyond that over the years! ;-)

It's not like I can really complain, though. I still have some munchkin tendencies I can't always repress myself... like that Fighter/Thief/Magic-User I rolled up the other day. There isn't enough room on a standard character sheet to record all the bonuses and special abilities.

-----> Flouzemaker: Casual Gamers