A Pirate on the Prairie

“What is that metallic taste in my mouth? That’s weird.” — me earlier today (Not really.) Driving back to the distribution center with my load of refrigerated food, I was passed by two tractor-trailers placarded to identify them as hauling radioactive material. I didn’t notice any obvious accompanying security presence, so I don’t expect that it was something that would constitute a national emergency if it was briefly held up by traffic or an accident. I doubt that what they

I wasn’t looking for a video regarding the Shadowdark tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG), but I came across an interesting one from the TechDweeb YouTube channel and I decided to share it. It’s entertaining and it provides both a glimpse at Shadowdark and an example of play for those new to TTRPGs. Shadowdark is a relatively new game that has received a lot of critical acclaim and a number of awards. It reportedly takes many of the best rules and mechanics of Dungeon & Dragon

It’s a different experience, but a rewarding one. In two of my previous posts, “Journeying Solo” ( https://www.apirateontheprairie.com/post/journeying-solo ) and “I’m Playing a Game” ( https://www.apirateontheprairie.com/post/i-m-playing-a-game ), I mentioned the Geek Gamers YouTube channel and the Geek Gamers’ book, Solo Game Master’s Guide . I recently watched the Geek Gamers video, “Easy and cheap fantasy RPG rules for solo play” (link is provided below), and I perused the

Professor DM of the Dungeon Craft YouTube channel gives a glowing review of the Mythic Bastionland tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) in his latest video. And while it doesn’t really speak to me in spite of it being an award-winning game, this rules-light game MIGHT be an excellent choice for you and the people that you game with or that you hope to game with in the future. If you’re curious, watch the video (click on the first link below) so that you are better informed abou

This is, as the title implies, an addendum to a previous post, “I Don’t Fight for Sport” ( https://www.apirateontheprairie.com/post/i-don-t-fight-for-sport ). I don’t want to hurt or kill anyone. But if you put me in the position to where I reasonably believe that you intend to do me or someone that I love great bodily harm, your health, safety, and welfare have just become a distant, insignificant concern to me. I have casually followed martial artist, Paul Vunak, for decade

I am willing to risk going to jail or prison if you “seriously” fuck with me or someone that I like or love. The prospect of a social media suspension or a ban is just baby time frolics. 😄 “Baretta's Theme” https://youtu.be/6sHA7Uuz4oY

“There are two kinds of pain in this world. Pain that hurts. Pain that alters.” — Denzel Washington as Robert McCall in The Equalizer 2 Very true, although one might choose to differentiate between being hurt and being injured (which reminds me of the 1993 film, The Program , where James Caan’s Coach Sam Winters explains the difference to Omar Epps’ freshman football player, Darnell Jefferson). I have been hurt and I have been injured. Sprained ankles. A broken finger. Such p

This song is playing in a scene of one of my favorite films, Bull Durham , but it didn’t end up on the soundtrack album/cassette/CD. 🐂⚾️🎬🎥🎞️🎶😃 “The Smithereens - Only A Memory” https://youtu.be/DHYkYYikewU

I recently watched the film adaptation of “The Whisperer in Darkness” short story by H. P. Lovecraft. It’s entertaining and well-worth a viewing, particularly if you like the author’s work or you enjoy cosmic horror/Lovecraftian horror and/or classic horror “monster” films. You can watch the film on Tubi or you pick up a copy of the film on DVD or BluRay disc via the link below. I enjoyed the film. Now I need to get around to reading the original short story which evidently

“The One You Love” https://youtu.be/_z-I8OpCnv4

😎 “ Glenn Frey - Smuggler's Blues” https://youtu.be/LSXKyHM133c

The six shorts released in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Alien film are officially part of the established canon for the franchise ( https://www.apirateontheprairie.com/post/what-is-canon-in-the-nightmare-world-of-the-xenomorph ). And they are great little glimpses into the Alien setting/universe outside of the films and other official media. If you haven’t seen them before, I would highly recommend that you take a few minutes and watch them… particularly if you

On this blog I have previously shared my desire to play in some solo roleplaying games and my experiences thus far engaging in solo play with traditional tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs). In this video from 2024, Maddie Cullen of the Just for Fun! YouTube channel shares some of her recommendations for solo roleplaying games. In addition to a number of other games, she references Pirate Borg and other games from Free League Publishing that have solo rules. I happen to have

Maddie Cullen (formerly of Dicebreaker) shares some ideas for your spooky game nights. Click on the links below to get her recommendations for some games that will bring the thrills and chills to your Halloween gaming table and any game night where horror is on the menu. “6 horror RPGs to terrify your players” https://youtu.be/CRaYle31028 “9 spooky games for every games night” https://youtu.be/k3RpCfoU-4M

I have shared in a previous post ( https://www.apirateontheprairie.com/post/what-is-canon-in-the-nightmare-world-of-the-xenomorph ) what is considered canonical in the Alien franchise with its signature “Xenomorph.” This, ladies and gentlemen, is NOT canonical. Still, great work by the late Sir John Vincent Hurt. 🎬🎥🎞️👏😂 “Spaceballs (1987) | Space Diner Scene | MGM Studios” https://youtu.be/otJ2rXMuLno

I am really looking forward to getting my books and accessories for the new “Evolved” edition of ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game , as well as the new Rapture Protocol cinematic adventure for the game. I am admittedly a big fan of the Alien film franchise. ALIEN: The Roleplaying Game is an officially licensed product and the contents are in line with the franchise’s canon ( https://www.apirateontheprairie.com/post/what-is-canon-in-the-nightmare-world-of-the-xenomorphppl ). If you

While not exactly a Halloween story, the historical account of the disastrous ordeal that befell the Donner Party is truly horrific. In a time when the lives and the achievements of many of our national heroes, historic figures, and ordinary Americans of previous generations are routinely and reflexively denigrated, dismissed, mocked, rejected, and vilified by today’s generations of supposedly “enlightened” Americans, it should be recognized and remembered that previous gener

https://x.com/sandyofcthulhu/status/1977534645597356300?s=46 Sandy Peterson is the designer of the popular Call of Cthulhu tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) published by Chaosium Inc. Call of Cthulhu is a game of Lovecraftian or cosmic horror where the player characters are ordinary people facing down inhuman foes (and quite possibly their very-human followers). In addition to the physical dangers that these inhuman foes (and their followers) pose to the player characters, th

“ The Romantics - What I Like About You (Video)” https://youtu.be/Rqnw5IfbZOU