Two quick things:

A spot has opened up, and I will in fact have a table at Archon , on October 2nd-4th.  Clockworks art will also be projected on the wall during Friday night’s dance, and possibly during the steampunk fashion show as well.

If you’re going to be at Archon, please come by and say hi.  I will have prints for sale, as well as a few shirts, original artwork, and other things.  I’ll also be more than happy to chat with you about the comic, the game, or whatever.  (So long as I don’t have a line of people who want to throw money at me in exchange for stuff.)

This will be my first con as “Dude who makes a comic” as opposed to “Dude who is hanging out”, so I’m going to be fairly conservative with how much stuff I’m bringing.  Hopefully it will all sell out, but if there are shirts and prints and things left, they’ll be available here.

I’m sure I will post my reflections and thoughts and tips after it’s over.

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Great Art Swap 0f 2009!

A few facts:

1: I recently moved, and my decoration to space ratio is pretty sad.

2: Between things like buying my own couch, buying lamps, buying clocks, buying pillow cases and sheets etc, I have very little money to buy cool stuff to hang on my walls.

3: I have a bunch of cool artist friends

4: I can make cool art.

5: I’d much rather cover my walls in your cool art than mine.

So, I’m announcing the Great Art Swap of 2009!  Here’s how it works:  I mail you a print or original artwork, you mail me a print or piece of original artwork!  Easy enough.   I’m not really worried if you are more famous or less famous than I am, but I’m not likely to send out a painting in exchange for a stick figure on a piece of office paper.  (Unless that is one awesome stick figure…)

If you’d like to be part of the Great Art Swap of 2009, shoot me an email.

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Last night’s Clockworks game was pretty rocking.  In about two years or so the comic version will come up, and you guys will be be frightened and excited and on the edge of your seat.  I continue to be amazed at how much stuff we can get through in one night with Savage Worlds.  Makes me happy.  I’m also really impressed at the resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming odds and horrible dice rolling my players showed last night.

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That’s it for today.  World building stuff on Wednesday.   I have today off, and plan on knocking out as much as possible for this week’s comics.  Maybe, just maybe, I’ll get them both done today.

I

I’m printing up a very small number of Clockworks logo shirts.  I’ll have them at Archon, and if there are any left I’ll let you guys know here.  There will eventually be more shirts.

II

If you have any requests for stuff you’d like to see available in prints, please leave a comment.  I’m already planning on a largish version of the Teenage Ophelia & The Rookery Miscreants panel from 0021, as well as a print of Is Your Neighbor A Danger To Your Children?, and a few other secret things.  If there are any panels or comic pages you’d like to own a print of, please let me know.  I will also be drawing up some special new stuff soon.  Shockingly, this stuff will be for sale first at Archon.

III

If you’re a fan of Clockworks on Facebook, you got to see a special sneak peak for something that will show up in the comic eventually.  More I can not say.

IV

You are by now sick of hearing about the I <3 Steampunk shirt?  Too bad, one last time.  I may be wrong, but I believe preorders close today.

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In completely unrelated news: if you’re in St. Louis, come out to Urban tonight or Conspiracy at the Atomic Cowboy on Saturday night.  I will be DJing at both events, and both events are free (and 21+).  Also, keep your eyes peeled for a steampunk related DJ announcement in the not too distant future…

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That’s it for today!  See you on Tuesday for the next part of our thrilling adventure, Wednesday for the next part of the ongoing series of Character Creation, Thursday for even more excitement, and maybe even Monday or Friday for another thrilling blog post.

Two quick links:

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I:

Listen to me say “umm…” roughly a thousand times as I’m the guest star in the Podge Cast: an Evening With Shawn Gaston

http://podgecast.com/archives/tpc-057-aneveningwithshawngaston

The Clockworks related stuff is mostly from about 15:00 to 40:00 or so.  Before that is news, after that we end up cracking ourselves up talking about Sandwich Tacos, I have no idea if it will be amusing to anyone else.

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II:

Chainmail Bikini is coming back!  The D&D parody comic I did with Shamus “DM of the Rings” Young will finally be back online!

http://www.shawntionary.com/chainmailbikini/

New (old) comics appear every MWF, starting October 2nd.  We’re going to repost the entire run with all new bonus commentary, and then do one new comic as a thank you to the fans and to leave off with something a bit extra.  Once it’s done, there will be no more updates (unless Shamus and I get an idea for an awesome bonus strip), but the archives will at least have a permanent home.

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I might do a livestream of tomorrow’s comic, if I do it will be insanely late tonight.  At the very earliest 10PM Central Time.   Keep an eye on Twitter or the Facebook group.

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That’s it for today, see you guys tomorrow!

First up, looking back at Tuesday’s comic, I was inspired to create this.

My apologies.

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True Fact:  I use CSI: Miami as my baseline for what is acceptable in the comic.

I had to decide early on what sort of “rating” to give to the comic, and how I was going to write and draw it.  Over the next few years, Clockworks should unfold in to a pulpy steampunk action/adventure fantasy epic, full of lots of two fisted action and high flying excitement.  Sin City level violence and sex really wouldn’t fit, but then neither would say GI Joe the cartoon level sex and violence.

Somewhere along strip #4 or so, I settled on the idea that CSI: Miami would be my baseline.  It’s a popular show, beloved by millions, that runs on a broadcast tv station as opposed to HBO or whatever.  So clearly, the level of violence and sex on CSI: Miami is acceptable to most Americans.  (No idea what the ratings are in other countries.  And I should note CSI: Miami is a horrible, horrible show, only watchable because it’s So Bad It’s Good.)

So this means cleavage is to be expected, sexualized nudity not so much.  Violence tends to be somewhat hollywoodized, but blood and guts are also present.  Language tends to remain fairly PG, aside from on my Twitter feed.

The Rule of CSI: Miami also gives me a decent baseline for realism.  As long as the BS spouted out sounds decent, actual physics and biology and all of that can be ignored whole heartedly.  The Rule of Cool is very much in effect in Clockworks.  (Oh no! Three TV Tropes links in one blog post!  Your day is ruined!)

And now you know.

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Let’s see, Steampunk links and news:

She’s linked on the blogroll, but I don’t think I’ve mentioned here that Winona Cookie’s collages are my new favorite anything ever.  Seriously, I need about 5 of those in my place.

Lex Machina is a photographer, and all around cool guy awesome chick.  Throughout the day she collects random bits of awesomeness and posts them to Tumblr as Random Inspiration.  They’re sometimes NSFW, but always really, really cool.  Go, bookmark it or follow her on Twitter or Tumblr to see the updates throughout the day.

The US is building an airship to spy on Afghanistan! I don’t care what you think about politics or wars or whatever, but we can all agree that more airships is a good thing.  Sadly, this looks more like a UFO than something from Final Fantasy, but it’s a step in the right direction.

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In gamer geek news, the all new all Savage Worlds podcast premiered this week:

Smilin’ Jack’s Bar and Grill.

Go. Listen.

In other gamer geek news, D&D Online is free to play now.  DDO was an attempt to tap in to that huge tabletop gamer market to be the next WoW.  It failed miserably.  I never played it when it was a subscription based game, but I’ve spent a few hours the last few days now that it’s free, and it’s a surprisingly decent game.  My only real complaint is that I have a long, deep rooted aversion to WASD (I know! Sacrilige!) and DDO doesn’t really support my standard mode from WoW which was to use the mouse to move, and bind my entire keyboard to different actions.

It occurs to me that this is really the catch 22 of any MMO. I want a game that is different enough from WoW that I have some reason to play it instead of WoW, but I want a game that allows me to use the exact same highly personalized control scheme I’d gotten in the habit of using in my time on WoW.

That said, DDO is pretty damned good.  You can set all of the dungeons to Solo difficulty, so Terrala the elven barbarian has been running around slaughtering Sauhagin, giant spiders, and undead without me having to find a group. The Free to Play, Spend Money To Buy Cool Upgrades And Higher Level Content is a business plan I’m a fan of, especially because I’m a cheap bastard.

Anyway, go check it out.

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Only one week until Archon.  If you’re within driving distance of St. Louis, you should totally go.  I will be there, with a table featuring cool art stuffs for sale, as well as I <3 Steampunk shirts and a (very) limited number of Clockworks shirts.

I’ll also be talking in panels for the first time, which should be fun.  Saturday I’m yapping about webcomics, and Sunday I’ll be talking about steampunk.  There’s also a steampunk tea party/fashion show thing that I will be attending but likely not actually dressing up for.

AND! I will be running a pick up game of Clockworks: the Body at some point in the weekend, most likely Sunday afternoon.

It should be a rocking time, and if you can make it out, please do so.  This will be my first convention as a Professional Artist Guy as opposed to Random Gamer Nerd, so if you can come out and help make it awesome, you would in fact be awesome.

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I posted a new sneak peak to the Facebook page.  Those of you who are not fans on Facebook will just have to wait a month or two for these characters to show up in the comic.

Today is my birthday! Happy birthday to me!

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I have a birthday present for you, because I’m nice like that.

Chainmail Bikini: Special Edition.

Enjoy.

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The Mini Fund Raiser/Clockworks Walk On Auction has already hit the goal of $110!  Thank you everyone!  What really impressed me were the people who donated $1 or $5 or whatever after the high bid to win a walk on had already passed that mark.  I’m glad all of you are enjoying the comic so far, this really was a great way to kick off a big weekend.

I’ll keep the drive going through the weekend, just in case anyone really wants that walk on.  As of the time of this writing, the current high bid is $20, but that may change at any moment.  Check Twitter for the current high bid.

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Have a great weekend, and see you next week!

As you may have read, this weekend was my first convention as a “pro”.  I went to Archon for the nth time, but this year I was a Dude With Webcomic To Promote And Stuff To Sell as opposed to a Dude Playing Games And Drinking.  I figured I’d write a a bit about my experiences, both to share them and for my own benefit.

This is mostly related to the comic, so I’m posting it here instead of the blog no one reads.  I will put it behind a read more cut though.

(Also, hello new readers who I met at Archon!  Feel free to leave a comment saying hi.)

(more…)

New bit of propaganda art from our friends in the Great Republic:

A bit about this one:

I’m a big fan of this one, no idea how well it will be received.  The phrase at the top is actually one of my favorite mantras for the comic.  It’s not enough that the comic is good, I have to do all the extra work outside of drawing and writing if I want it to be one day beloved by millions.   “Quality is Essential but not Sufficient” seemed like the exact sort of thing the Great Republic would plaster across town, and so this bit of propaganda was born.  I love how it’s inspiring and opressive at the same time.  (That’s right, this is the world’s first steampunk motivational poster.)

Prints will be available in a week or two. I will give +1,000 cool points to anyone who puts one in your cubicle.  Wallpapers will be available by the end of the week.

I have one more propaganda poster planned: one encouraging you to join the Great Republic army.

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I was writing a Why The Heck Is Steampunk The New Black All Of A Sudden section to this blog post.  But I think I’ve been back in school too long, as it was 500 words where I don’t think I actually said anything.  If anyone’s curious about my thoughts as to why goggles and brass are all over everything and what do I think about it, I’ll be happy to ramble on in the comments.

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Character creation continues later today, and I’ve got some wallpapers and avatars to post this week.  See you Thursday for the next comic.

Whole bunch of stuff I’ve been meaning to write about, but now finally have the time to do so.  Enjoy!

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I

Based on a random bit of joking during the Livestream last week, the lovely and talented Larry Wentzel created a series of Steampunk Rap Artist character sketches.

See more on his Deviant Art page.

You know, I doubt rap music actually exists in the Great Republic (the kids of today are rocking out to the steam guitar, much to the annoyance of their elders), I might have these guys show up in the background next time I do a crowd shot.

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II

The Clockworks Avatar Gallery is now live.  They’re the perfect size for Wordpress or Livejournal or most forums.  You’ll need to crop them down a bit for Twitter.

Be sure to point anyone to the comic when they ask where your awesome user icon came from.

If you’re going to use one of the avatars for your Wordpress Gravatar, please check that none of the regular commenters here are using the same picture, to avoid confusion.

(The other images on the Downloads page are temporarily off line.  They’ll be back soon.)

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III

After the minor reveal in yesterday’s comic and blurb about Clorencia  City in the comments, I figured I’d post something here, so someone can go update the Wiki.

Clorencia (City)

Clorencia City is the capital of the Great Republic of Roumion, and the greatest metropolis in the world.  Clorencia has a population of 15.7 million people, with 1.6 million more living in the surrounding area.

Clorencia City is unique among all of the cities of Vheld in that it is made up of 11 levels.  In 174 NDE construction on the second level began, allowing the royal family and government to move up from Old Clorencia.  Soon, other wealthy citizens of the Clorencia Empire followed suit, and in time the second level completely covered the first.  The third level was built in 33 NDE.  The fourth level was built soon after the New Dawn Revolution; and with the advent of ether technology, especially electromagnetic negativity, the city has reached ever upward.

Today, the 11 levels of the city reach from the mines and ruins of the first level, up through working class areas such as the 5th level, to the modern and wealthy heights of the 11th level.   It is the city’s unique construction and shape that have earned it the nickname “the Black Mountain”

The Great Machine is at the center of Clorencia City, stretching up from through all 11 levels.  Actually tens of thousands of devices, the Great Machine supplies power, plumbing, and communications throughout the city.

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III

Character Creation (finally!) Continues!

Background Edges

Arcane Background (Elemental Magic)
Prerequisites: Spirit d6
Arcane Skill: Each element uses it’s own skill. Characters begin with either Air, Earth, Fire, or Water.  All elmental magic skills are based off Spirit.
The magic of Laun is based on manipulating and controlling the four elements. Elemental Mages begin the game with a d4 skill in their chosen element, which may be raised normally.  New elements can only be learned once a Rank, and even then it is not easy.

Elemental Mages do not pick a limited number of spells they can cast, instead characters with this edge can cast any spell allowed by their element and rank.

(Full details on magic coming eventually.  If you’ve got 50 Fathoms, feel free to use that spell list.)

Arcane Background (Weird Science)
Prerequisites: Smarts d6
Arcane Skill: Weird Science (Smarts)
Weird Science covers the creation and use of strange and powerful devices. The time of Clockworks is one of discovery and invention, and strange new devices are being built every day. Characters with Weird Science are masters at steam powered, clockwork and Etheric devices, often retooling them or creating strange new inventions.

A character need not be a mad scientist himself to take Weird Science.  Characters with this edge could easily be using experimental devices created by another ether technician or cutting edge inventor.

Combat Edges

Dirty Fighter
Requirements: Seasoned
There is no honor among thieves, and Vheld has more than its fair share of unscrupulous bastards. Those with this Edge will do anything to win a fight. This character is particularly deceitful in combat and good at tricks. He adds +2 to all Trick maneuver rolls.

Improved Dirty Fighter
Requirements: Seasoned, Dirty Fighter

This character is extremely skilled in tactical deceit. By describing the trick and spending a benny, he may automatically get the Drop on any single opponent.

Guardian
Requirements: Novice, Agility d8, Fighting d6, Notice d6+
This character might be a professional bodyguard or just intensely devoted, but in either case he can jump in front of attacks intended for another. A character with this Edge must declare whom he is guarding at the beginning of any combat. As long as the guardian stays within 1” of the chosen person, any attack aimed at that person is automatically rolled against the guardian instead. A guardian can switch charges during a battle, but doing so requires an action as the guardian re–focuses his attention.

The character receives a benny each time he takes a wound (not Shaken) while defending another character (Extra or Wild Card.).

Monster Hunter
Prerequisites: Fighting or Shooting d8, Guts d6, Knowledge (creature lore) d6, Tracking d6
Many strange creatures haunt the wilds of Vheld, and a few brave men and women make a living hunting these monsters. Some monster hunters travel the world as big game hunters, always in search of the biggest kill. Others are more localized, defending a certain area or town from insurgent monstrosities.

Monster Hunters gain +2 to hit any creature they’ve previously fought or studied in the field, as well as +2 to any Guts, Tracking, or Knowledge (creature lore) rolls vs. creatures they’ve previously fought.

Peasant Lore
Requirements: Novice, Outsider or Knowledge (Folklore d8+)
This hero has studied the local folklore and superstitions of the country folk of Irone, the Vori Islands, or elsewhere.

When fighting a supernatural creature, the hero can recall a tale about the beast. With a successful Smarts roll (–2), the hero remembers one Special Ability of that monster.

Whack!
Requirements: Seasoned, Engineer
The character can attempt to make an instant Repair roll at -2, by kicking a malfunctioning device or hitting it on the side etc. If the roll fails, the object must be repaired normally.

Improved Whack!
Requirements: Veteran, Whack!, Throwing d6+
The character can attempt to throw a wrench or other object to knock a malfunctioning device back into shape. This works as Whack! but the character can attempt the repair from up to 12″ away. In addition to the repair roll, the character must make a Throwing roll, with the standard penalties for range.

(Clockworks:the Game uses many, many more edges taken from other Savage Settings, but I figured I’d only paste here the ones that are new or our heroes have.)

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See you on Thursday, for another new comic!

Before we get to the gaming stuff, a few quick news items and links.

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I did a guest post  for Wrathofzombie’s gaming blog.  He asked me to talk about how Clockworks came to be and some of the influences and where it’s going, etc.  Read it here.

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Tomorrow’s comic kicks off the next big plot arc.  I’ll be doing a fairly lengthy livestream tonight, probably starting around 7 or 8 Eastern.  Keep an eye on Twitter or Facebook to know once it’s begun.

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Today’s Chainmail Bikini is one of my favorites.  That is all.

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Alright, gamer geekery!  We’ve finished character creation for the most part, although if you make a mage or weird scientist you’ll have to just use the normal rules for now.  It’s time to outfit your characters with some tools of the trade!

Gear

Money

The official currency of The Great Republic of Roumion is the Mark (Mk). Paper currency exists in 1, 10, 50, and 100 M denominations. Coins denoting ½ Mk, ¼ Mk and 1/10 Mk are also used.  All prices  in the Great Republic are rounded to the nearest 1/10 Mk.

Characters begin the game with 500 Marks, which can be increased by spending a Hindrance point or by purchasing the Rich, Filthy Rich or Noble Edges per usual. (Noble characters would come from other nations, such as Bralholme or Paravo.)

Melee Weapons

Firearms

Other Ranged Weapons

Note that in urban areas such as Clorencia, it is a crime to carry the vast majority of these weapons without the proper status applied to your ID papers.  In rural areas, restrictions are more lax.

(I really hope we can just copy these tables over to the Wiki without having to worry about the formatting.  Fingers crossed.)

Next week – armor and other equipment, then some notes!