2081 Trailer

2081 Trailer from 2081 on Vimeo.

Wiki Film Link

Hypatia of Alexandria

Some quotes by Hypatia:

"Life is an unfoldment, and the further we travel the more truth we can comprehend. To understand the things that are at our door is the best preparation for understanding those that lie beyond."

"All formal dogmatic religions are fallacious and must never be accepted by self-respecting persons as final."

"Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all."

Hypatia Link.

Eric Pape

My Adventure Thru Fairyland...

More news later on Black Festival, all of the copies which I signed and numbered today.  But this in between.  Now if this is not a major reason to evoke wonder and stretch the limits of creativity, nothing is. I have a poster-copy on my wall and it does nothing but inspire me to greater heights.

More Inspirational Art

Black Festival Received From Printer

Black Festival was received from the printer today and I will be traveling to Noble Knight Games and autographing and numbering these some time this week.  This may occur Tuesday or Wednesday.  I say "May" because our area of Wisconsin is under a winter storm advisory which would make extended travel (like this 120 mile round trip) dicey.  In any case, the likelihood that these will be available some time during the week end or slightly afterwards is very high.  I will provide specifics as my fight with Wisconsin weather unfolds.  These Chapbooks look really cool, btw.  :)

Three Versions of the "Spore Room"

As some may know, I get inspired now and then to "play" with Photoshop.  In designing a particularly weird encounter for the Castle El Raja Key product release, I was inspired to render these images.  I am not giving away the encounter details, but let's say it is a rather unusual encounter.

Gary's Ghosts

From my gathering Memoirs.  ©2010. Robert J. Kuntz

Gary Gygax was not only a great story teller, but he had some real scary stories that would keep you at the edge of your seat.  And he insisted that they were real.  He had convinced his daughters and son, Ernest, of these, and when I was about 14 years of age he related them to me.  Without going into extravagant detail, these all transpired at his mother's house on Dodge Street in Lake Geneva, just a block away from where I lived on Madison Street.

They included a friend (Tom Keogh, c.f., OD&D credits list) sleeping over and feeling a horned hand pressing down upon his back as he slept, which he later accused Gary of doing, and which Gary denied any part in.  The hand kept his friend pinned down.  The way EGG told this really effected me and I would not sleep on my stomach for months thereafter.

Another involves him being at home alone at night with his cat.  He is reading at the front living room table by dim light.  The door to the kitchen opens of its own accord and creaking noises, as made by approaching footsteps, come from that direction and proceed across the room towards him.  At mid point they reach a position parallel with the chair on which the cat is sleeping. The cat immediately wakes up and stands, arching its body upwards in a hair-raising scene.  The footsteps stop right before the table he is siting at, stunned.  The cat lays back down.

And the last is the sound of something very heavy falling in the attic with a great booming noise and then proceeding to make this same dreadful sound as if something were walking across the attic floor from one side of the house to the other.  Upon investigation by himself and Don Kaye, they found nothing moved or unordinary.

To say the least, I was never too thrilled being in that house at night when we visited his mom, or later, when Ernie Gygax was the soul occupant after her death. It had a very spooky quality to it.

At Milwaukee Gamefest 2004 EGG and I met to co-DM again and BS over old times, him just having suffered a stroke and myself a broken left leg.  While gathered afterwards at his Hilton Hotel room I reminded him of those stories he used to tell.   A twinkle grew in his eyes as he regarded the others present, and through no more encouragement on my part, out they came again, for the "amusement" of all.  I often wondered how many who heard these told in that same serious tone, in that same air of truth that cannot be confounded by doubt, actually slept on their stomachs that night...

Some Images That Have Recently Inspired This Writer

Is it Science Fiction or Reality?

© JournalizeThis 2010. Please ask to use.

Recap of a Journal Entry
Journalizer's email to a friend on January 13, 2010

On July 21st 2008 I had an experience that changed my life and made me question all I've ever known. This experience made me realize my vision is different from other people and maybe even significant. A friend of mine thought I "lost energy" during trauma I experienced and suggested I have three Shamans she knows, that are Reiki Healers, “journey” to my energy and reclaim it for me. I agreed to meet with the Shamans out of curiosity, however, I did not really take any of it seriously. I mean, I wanted to believe it, but I was pretty sure it's just "hocus pocus." in fact, when my friend told me about her Shamanic adventures I kept thinking to myself, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Long story short: While the Shamans journeyed to my energy I lied down with my eyes closed and watched the "glowing pixels" in my vision do stuff. It is not until the Shamans were finished that they told me what they did on their journey. This discussion completely and utterly shocked and amazed me because everything they did, down to very specific details, was exactly what the "glowing pixels" did in my vision.

This event absolutely astonished me. I walked through that Shaman’s house afterwards in a daze. My brain could not process what had happened because it did not align with my concept of reality. I was completely floored.

The first thing I did was google "reiki healing" and then I discovered a Reiki School where I attended class shortly there after. The same thing continued to happen in these classes. Each time someone did Reiki I "saw" the things they intended with the energy.

I have a background of disbelief and ignorance to spirituality (public education) and so I could not believe that this was something real and I wondered why I was never told about this. And what are the possibilities? I obsessed and painted paintings and wrote about my experience.

I was eager to meet someone who has similar eyesight/vision than I. I met people at Reiki school that have seen ghosts and we all experienced intuition with our "third eye" (more stuff not mentioned in public education) but the "glowing pixels" I see are in my "real", "earthly" vision and I could not find anyone who relates.

However, I recently discovered examples of people who see the "glowing pixels." There is a website called isitnormal.com where people can ask if other people relate to the world similarly or not. Here is a link to a page where someone asked "Is it normal to see colorful dots?" My comment is under the handle "astralvision."

Is it Science Fiction or Reality?

Up on A Tree Stump™ #5: Creative Exceptionalism & Asking "Why"?

Up on a Tree Stump™
(or) All I Know about D&D™ I Learned From Life


©2010 Robert J. Kuntz

"The root cause of any problem is the key to a lasting solution." -- Taiichi Ohno, pioneer of the Toyota Production System in the 1950s. Link to full article.

I have the greatest respect for SF/Fantasy writers and their past and future involvement in the craft. It is indeed they along with the historians and other great artists and authors who have given us by adaptation Role Playing Games, for without their ideas, their time devoted to such imaginative and enlightening subject matter, none of it would exist, there would not have been an RPG, or at least not as we now know it. These authors made leaps in exposing new ideas and in challenging stereotypes in all fields of knowledge and social context, and often with a critical eye brought us profound concepts and new ways of seeing the world through the focused lens of their stories.

The majority of good literature has stood upon a spacious ground of perceptive social critique and in this case SF/Fantasy, in the main, has been no different. By transference, then, we can rightly assume that RPG designs that in whole or part emulate speculative fiction have at least that same range of possible articulation. Even though we can choose to separate an RPG from speculative fiction to the point where it becomes a mere vehicle of entertainment amid flourishes of creative addition by its author (in this case, the game designer and/or GM), there is no denying that pushing the bar of its application can expose ranges that contribute to honoring its fullest potential just as any piece of fiction can.

Thus the creation of more challenging forms of design that reach beyond tired and over-tested varieties indeed marks solidly the reason "why" they are conceived of and then produced to begin with, as these literally go hand in hand with the progressive ideal of design. But it also makes for a unique challenge to take fiction and games and weave them together into a unique tapestry that makes not only sense to the designer but to the players of such scenarios or games. And every great designer, and for that matter, great player, loves a challenge.

We have noted a plethora of titles and themes from past and present authors of speculative fiction, so we know that "whys" in our cousin-market can vary tremendously and often do. Such diversity not only promotes a wider range of interesting product but introduces a wider range of readers while expanding these boundaries. In essence it feeds the industry with new blood through fresh approaches which in turn furthers continued sustainability of creative exchange. That is then good for the industry that such writers or designers are deeply involved in.

However, what is important to some may not be so for others. This re-poses the "Why" in a different light, for a truly intransigent creator looks to outdo past designs to make his or her mark. They are the ones who will ultimately, in many cases, deserve the accolades of informed fans and valued critics. Unfortunately, most beginning writers and designers often fail to realize that ongoing homework is needed to succeed in such markets. Homework can here be roughly defined as necessary planning but takes into effect an ongoing challenge he or she envelopes themselves in. This includes innovative story, plot and character development; and in the case of RPG scenarios this will include what might be unique among its parts and how these do or do not compare to previous designs. In either case, creating unique inroads may require more planning and/or reading past examples or primary texts depending upon the proposed story's/scenario's specifics and depth.

To successfully pursue a career in speculative fiction or with any of its related by-products attaching to the RPG industry, writers should not cast their works in a mould that will more often be viewed as mere imitation. Indeed the challenge for those intransigent few who see such investments as a continued test of their creative metal is to continue outdoing themselves and others, and by correspondence greatly influencing all of what they value.

The Lake Geneva Tactical Studies Association as a group had a no holds barred approach to design. We were all very opinionated--I argued with EGG over points that I fet strongly about. I was in fact looking for "Whys". His previous tutoring of me when I was age 13 finally found purchase around age 16 in exactly the entire realm as he had projected it, which was to be unique, not just to follow his example only. EGG was a strong supporter of investigating possibilities and absracting "what ifs" from anything before him. Given that mindset we were as a whole disposed to sliding this way or that on issues of creative departure but more often found ourselves in agreement through such exchanges. Don Kaye, his childhood friend and co-founder of TSR Rules, summarized his perspective on this differently but with the same open respect for EGG: "Rob, I argue with him not so much because I think he's wrong, but just to keep him honest."

This working idea of open discourse which always fed creative rumination and critical departures from the norm or "fashionable" worked itself into D&D's play-test and design, as I've noted elsewhere, and became a very important notation for me when considering how this now relates to the whole idea of design and thereby learned artistc processes of that time. In consideration of this ongoing impact, I feel that designers should look as hard at their sources for inspiration as many like myself have done: EGG was a prolific writer, inspired game designer, trenchant humorist, avid and informed critic, amateur artist, animated story teller, superlative editor, and the list goes on. But above all EGG was an outspoken individual, and that added continuous depth of expression to his designs. There was no middle ground as he always attempted to go beyond what was being presented. When faced with design hurdles he was not shy (that word does not figure into his make-up at all) to call upon the LGTSA members to discuss options, or to play-test an idea. When faced with creative challenges (as in his Alexander he Great board game) he advanced innovative system design. Throughout all of his creative phases his voice was heard and his opinions were felt loud and clear and were for the most part respected (except by certain fragile and sensitive egos); and he was highly regarded as a designer who pushed the limits of design.

Part of the reason why this played out so was in fact due to a non-competetive arrangement between us. We were not competing with one another but in fact contesting to see who could contribute to making whatever design was before us better. In essence no one then had any time to be offended or put off by all of the flurry of debate and criticisms and play-tests and the holistic parts that were constantly being interchanged. This wasn't outwardly about ego, though of course ego is vested in design at some level, but most certainly about creation and the creative ideal. As Dave Hickey points out in my recent video post, creators, especially truly unique ones, should be allowed to express their opinions in open discourse without somebody being offended. Creativity is about reaching outwards and beyond and that is done at a sustainable level which is as unique as the artist doing so.

When we were refining D&D through play-test--in fact when we play-tested and developed all games then--we were in DEEP and open discourse. Creativity and transformation cannot occur between others in closed discourse and every artist knows this. On the personal level I have always noted that strongly creative people have equally strong opinions. It is intrinsically part of their natures, or else they could not separate from a community standard and choose their own unique paths for expression. And if anyone believes that true creativity can aspire and grow and implant itself on one's doorstep and in their hearts, otherwise, they are mistaken. D&D separated from the wargames community and formed a totally new game concept and game type; and while doing so, it was at first ridiculed, misunderstood and often vilified. But its adherents stuck with it and proved that creative exceptionalism is the rule, not sameness.   What made RPG possible were select designers and play-testers who became responsible for the unlimited possibilities of human expression in a game where people, not standards, had recourse. In comparison, one cannot look at an artistic product because of this, and as Hickey noted in that video, again, and not see the artist or his kin. And in doing so, I might add, you cannot look at the best of these either without seeing, if only in some degree removed, what inspired that art, design, or writing.

Co-equal with that, certain art can be imitated, but artists cannot be. There will always be distinctions in this by their very acts, natures and beings; and more importantly, the fire of individual creation is not found in "grouping principles" but in standing away from said group and building one's own fire. Gary Gygax was, and still is, the prime example of outspoken individualism in our industry, and so too those whom he encouraged along such paths. It is a fundamental truth that an artist must have absolute freedom to be uniquely creative. This sometimes requires the interjections of others, but in the end, it most certainly requires that a true creator take his or her hammer and smash home the nail of self expression. Otherwise designers and writers adopt another's truth and with that lose their individual creativity and trim their capacity. And the latter in no way embraces what we--prior to and during the years of TSR--promoted while upon the unending search for creative exceptionalism.

"The New Book Banning"

Here's the link.

I say, save us from ourselves!!

Dave Hickey on The Evils of Creationism: Art History According to Darwin October 21, 2009

The title has less to do with the matter being discussed. As I cannot embed it here (for some reason) here is the video link at the Smithsonian.

Poul Anderson's "On Thud & Blunder"

While organizing files with a future mind to referencing I came across this gem which I have quoted from for one of my future essays. This is well worth reading for anyone crafting fantasy worlds, tales, fiction and/or FRPG related matter. From one of our undeniable Masters... Poul Anderson.  Here's a partial, then the link to the rest at SFWA.

... " With one stroke of his fifty-pound sword, Gnorts the Barbarian lopped off the head of Nialliv the Wizard. It flew through the air, still sneering, while Gnorts clove two royal guardsmen from vizor through breasplate to steel jockstrap. As he whirled to escape, an arrow glanced off his own chainmail. Then he was gone from the room, into the midnight city. Easily outrunning pursuit, he took a few sentries at the gate by surprise. For a moment, arms and legs hailed around him through showers of blood; then he had opened the gate and was free. A caravan of merchants, waiting to enter at dawn, was camped nearby. Seeing a magnificent stallion tethered, Gnorts released it, twisted the rope into a bridle, and rode it off bareback. After galloping several miles, he encountered a mounted patrol that challenged him. Immediately he plunged into the thick of the cavalrymen, swinging his blade right and left with deadly effect, rearing up his steed to bring its forefeet against one knight who dared to confront him directly. Then it was only to gallop onward. Winter winds lashed his body, attired in nothing more than a bearskin kilt, but he ignored the cold. Sunrise revealed the shore and his waiting longship. He knew the swift-sailing craft could bring him across five hundred leagues of monster-infested ocean in time for him to snatch the maiden princess Elamef away from evil Baron Rehcel while she remained a maiden — not that he intended to leave her in that condition … .

Exaggerated? Of course. But, unfortunately, not much, where some stories are concerned."...

SFWA Link.

DimeNovels

"The 2 May 1991 issue of The Washington Times reports that Randy Bird of Portland, Oregon is attempting to revive the "dime novel" paperback. He plans to publish 12 novellas each month, including pulp-type science fiction.

Bird's company, called DimeNovels, will pay $2000 for a completed manuscript plus 2% of the gross. He plans a press run of 100,000 copies per book.

DimeNovels has written guidance for wannabe authors. Who knows where this could lead!"...

This was a short-lived publishing attempt 1990-1992 that issued 18 imprints only.  They reprinted two novellas by the great Robert Sheckley: "Mind Warp and Alien Starswarm."  A selection from their covers: