Of late when I want to watch a film I've never seen before, I've been drawn more toward old movies than toward new ones. That's why, when browsing on a recent evening, I wound up watching 1973's The Three Musketeers. Everyone knows the basic shape of Dumas's tale—the young D'Artagnan goes to Paris to join … Continue reading REVIEW: The Three Musketeers (1973)
Author: Austin Conrad
Self-styled scholar and author. I read a lot and write occasionally.
Behind the Scenes #17
May's flown past, so it's time for our next "Behind the Scenes." Wild to believe that we're almost halfway through the year! As usual this week's article is over on my Patreon page. As is not usual, it's available for both free and paid members! Click here to read more! So if you want to … Continue reading Behind the Scenes #17
REVIEW: The Night Meeting
Two people sit by a fire, sharing the same night. For one, the huddle together in the forest by a campfire. For the other, the pair crouch over a burning barrel in a busy city. Despite coming from different times, different cultures, they understand one another clearly. Who is real? Who is the dream? To … Continue reading REVIEW: The Night Meeting
Why BWT is Awesome
It has come to my attention that there's a few important RuneQuest works I've not actually reviewed on this site. I mentioned this in passing—and in bafflement—in my review of Sacred Earth, Sacred Water. Somehow, I've not actually managed to discuss the excellent Cups of Clearwine and Dregs of Clearwine by Beer With Teeth (BWT). … Continue reading Why BWT is Awesome
REVIEW: Dragonbane Bestiary
Last year's boxed Core Set for Dragonbane was one of the best launch products I've ever bought. Its combination of clear rules and dozens of hours of playable content left me eager to see what's next! The latest book in Free League's game line is the Dragonbane Bestiary. This collection of new beasties excited me … Continue reading REVIEW: Dragonbane Bestiary
REVIEW: Edge of Empire
Ever wonder what life is like for the Orlanthi who live under the Lunar Empire's oft-oppressive rule? Edge of Empire is the supplement your RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha (RQG) campaign is seeking. Harald Smith's debut Jonstown Compendium release contains over 200 pages detailing life in the rustic kingdom of Imther in the Lunar Provinces. Like … Continue reading REVIEW: Edge of Empire
Behind the Scenes #16
April's in the rear-view mirror, which means it's time for another Behind the Scenes … over on my Patreon page! These monthly articles are my small way of showing gratitude to the people who're willing and able to give above-and-beyond support to my creative work. They basically fund me doing the articles here each week, … Continue reading Behind the Scenes #16
Vignettes in RuneQuest
The emphasis on communal obligations and day-to-day life is one strength of RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha (RQG). This is built into the game's religious expectations like tithing adventuring loot to one's temple, and in how the game's cults describe reciprocal relationships and social hierarchies. Despite these strengths actual RQG adventures tend to focus more on … Continue reading Vignettes in RuneQuest
The Esvulari & the Aeolians
The first RuneQuest character I ever played was a knight-sorcerer in RuneQuest 3. Coming from Pathfinder 1E and Dungeons & Dragons 3.5E I loved the idea that you could play anything you wanted due to the skills-based Basic Roleplaying (BRP) engine. Our game added in a bunch of insane spells from Sandy Petersen's RuneQuest sorcery … Continue reading The Esvulari & the Aeolians
REVIEW: Dune: Part Two
This review contains substantial spoilers for the 2021 film, the 2024 film, and Frank Herbert's original 1965 novel. Alteration is almost always necessary when adapting a book into a film. It's natural, really. Just compare the length of even a short audiobook to that of a typical short comedy or action movie. Even with film's … Continue reading REVIEW: Dune: Part Two
Akhelas 