UNDERWORLD INK

Zine alert!

2012-01-30T18:23:00.001-05:00

ZINE ALERT! Inspired by Christian Walker's thoroughly enjoyable Loviatar zine, I thought I'd take a crack at a zine/module hybrid. Zogorion Lord of the Hippogriffs is a micro-sized adventure written for the Swords & Wizardry rules (which means almost interchangeable with any Oe or Basic-style version of the original role playing game). The module features a detached card stock cover/map and a digest sized 16 page booklet published using old fashioned copy shop technologies and mailed to you (in the US) for the sub-break-even price of $2.00.

My secondary aim in writing this module was to present an adventure that could be played to completion in under two hours (google+ style), with a little wiggle room for player/character intros, loot division, funeral arrangements, etc.

Blurb:

While aimlessly wandering from hex to hex, your motley assortment of ne'er-do-wells receives an unusual invitation to dinner from an even more unusual individual. He calls himself Mighty Zog, Lord of the Hippogriffs. Preposterous, perhaps, but given your typically impecunious position and the complete absence of anywhere else to stay for the night in the gods-forsaken wilderness, you may wish to take him up on the offer...and then rob him blind. Would that it were so easy!

To order go to The Dungeon Dozen and click on the Buy It Now button on the left sidebar of the page...
Thanks!

Page 29

2012-01-07T10:19:00.000-05:00

This is from one of our old comics, specifically Monsterwar Mystery Stories issue 2, self-published back in 2005. John did the pencils, Jason inked it, Jason and Craig B. wrote it.

Fight On! #13

2011-12-18T09:34:00.001-05:00

The new issue is out now, featuring some of our art and a mini-adventure by UNDERWORLD INK's own John Larrey.
Go get!

Demonspore!

2011-11-29T21:54:00.000-05:00

Adventurers probe away at the unknown, in defiance of their dungeon-honed instincts.

Matt Finch brings the weirdness with this remarkable new megamodule featuring the adventures Thone of the Toad King and Stone Cyst of the Shroom Priests. Besides being excellent, its got some pictures by yours truly. Go get!

Demonspore PDF

Demonspore PRINT

Random NPCs

2011-11-26T10:01:00.000-05:00

Roll 1d6!

Result: 1. Wizard-Lord Zandros Glorr: Nihilistic fighting-mage on a doom quest of self-destruction, adventuring recklessly to quiet the voices of his dark masters.

2. Kran Grizzlebeard: Savage tracker of the Saber-tooth clan: expert woodsman, fearless warrior, smilodon wrestler. Kran hopes to one day return to his clan with accumulated might and experience to usurp chiefdom from his depraved rival Frolax the Severer.

3. Sky Captain Brox Themeron: dirigible pilot, devout worshipper of the wind gods, needs men and gold to outfit expedition to the Cloud Mines of the Strato-lords.

4. Kalimidos, Wizard of the Opaque Circle, recently discovered map yields the location of Lost Diurnia, the Sleeping City, and its most fabulous treasure, The Diamond Mind.

5. Ranger X: A nameless wanderer whose memories have been erased by an unfortunate encounter with a Mind Eater. Formerly a man of enlightenment and serenity, his brain injury has made him prone to unpredictable barbarian-like rages.

6. All five have somehow formed a temporary alliance.

The Bewilderer

2011-11-06T11:29:00.002-05:00

We're hard at work on new illustrations for a few exciting projects, so watch this space for vital updates over the next couple of weeks. Thanks for looking, everybody.

Additional Witchery

2011-10-31T17:50:00.000-04:00

Pure evil, ladies and gentlemen (see previous post for pluggery).

Must be the Season of the Witch

2011-10-30T09:35:00.000-04:00

Happy (almost) Halloween, you devils! And watch out for The Witch, a new Darker Paths supplement by Joseph Bloch. Now available: check his blog for the details.

One Hell of a Round

2011-10-16T15:11:00.000-04:00

Illustrating higher level fighter vs. foes of less than one hit die....for Fight On!

Okay, who's got the best charisma?

2011-10-11T20:04:00.000-04:00

Or, Shall we try the nearest adjacent hex?

War Shaman of the Snow Badger Clan

2011-10-09T14:38:00.002-04:00

One of a series of character portraits for the Hide in Shadows zine.

Krugah's Helm Emporium

2011-10-04T17:48:00.000-04:00

With apologies to Erol Otus...

Save vs. Madness

2011-10-02T14:06:00.000-04:00

The Necromancer

2011-09-30T16:01:00.000-04:00

Just in time for the Halloween season, we have this illustration for the estimable Joseph Bloch's new supplement The Necromancer. See his blog for details.

A Map Imponderable

2011-09-21T18:45:00.000-04:00

Here's an unkeyed map sampler from John L.'s recent Fight On! submission. Upon publication it will become decidedly more ponderable.

Always look up.

2011-09-19T09:37:00.000-04:00

For Matt Finch's Throne of the Toad King module (Mythmere Games).

Knockspell #6

2011-09-16T18:41:00.000-04:00

An old school fantasy gaming magazine of the highest order that also has some of our artwork inside.
Order a physical copy made out of real paper and ink!
Get the PDF (cheaper but made out of pixels)!
Also the PDF but at RPGnow for your shopping convenience!

Eldritch Eruption

2011-09-04T13:50:00.000-04:00

This is an amended version of an illustration done for Rob Conley's Scourge of the Demon Wolf. I can't seem to leave the grey tones alone these days...chalk it up to the enthusiasm of the learning process!

We have several irons in the fire right now, but not much to post just yet. Thanks for looking anyway!

Wolf Spiders of the Veldt

2011-08-17T19:50:00.000-04:00

Lute of Annihilation

2011-08-09T19:31:00.000-04:00

Bards take note! For Knockspell #6, which could be released anytime now...

Mind Blast

2011-07-30T08:23:00.000-04:00

This picture will accompany an article on psionics in Knockspell #6.

The Ancient Lord

2011-07-19T19:10:00.000-04:00

Here's a quick one from an upcoming project still too upcoming to talk about.

Fight On! #12

2011-07-14T20:25:00.000-04:00

Out now! Go get... PDF: http://www.lulu.com/product/16258563
Print: http://www.lulu.com/product/16258333

Necromantic Struggle

2011-07-09T09:56:00.000-04:00

Just what is going on here? Only readers of Fight On #12 can know for sure.

Stirged!

2011-06-23T18:54:00.001-04:00

A shame about this poor fellow who, like many others starting out in the adventuring field, made the fatal error of underestimating his somewhat ridiculous-looking opponents. Another preview for GM Games' Starter Adventures.

The Perils of First Level

2011-06-17T18:54:00.000-04:00

Yes, the big strong guy in the armor stands a good chance of getting killed dead by the destitute goblin armed only with a stick. Another preview from Tim Shorts' Starter Adventures.

Wererat and Friends

2011-06-12T13:53:00.000-04:00

Here be another illustration from Dennis Sustare's Tourist Traps module for Swords & Wizardry. There may still be a (scant!) few copies of the NTRPGCon edition for sale at RPGMarketplace.

Beholder!

2011-06-09T17:17:00.000-04:00

For Fight On! #12.

Pencils and Inks (and ghosts)

2011-06-08T14:16:00.000-04:00

Today's post shows a pencil drawing before it is utterly annihilated (except for this digital relic) by the final inking stage. The illustration is from Dennis Sustare's Tourist Traps module from this year's North Texas RPGcon and depicts a pair of ghosts, a tragically slain cleric and a perhaps thankfully deceased actor (note his fake armor and scenery-chewing emoting).

10 ft. pole in action!

2011-06-03T22:47:00.001-04:00

Sadly, this otherwise vital bit of dungeon equipment is an ineffective defence against arachno-worm ambush.

Child of the Raven Gods

2011-06-01T21:03:00.000-04:00

Here's the cover image from RPG legend Dennis Sustare's new module, premiering at this weekend's North Texas RPGcon.

In other news, Tim Shorts of Gothridge Manor honored Underworld Ink with his coveted Newbie Blogger Award.

And there was great rejoicing!

I love that the award is represented by a dead knight. He was probably a newbie. Thanks Tim!

Mo' Starter Adventures art

2011-05-30T12:14:00.000-04:00

This strange abomination is a kind of mystical forest guardian. Best to stay on his good side, I would imagine. See Gothridge Manor for information on the forthcoming Starter Adventures module (and Tim's always-enjoyable old school bloggery).

Starter Adventures art preview

2011-05-29T20:41:00.002-04:00

Tim at Gothridge Manor gave the okay to post a few pics from his upcoming module Starter Adventures. And so! Here we have a first level cleric pondering his future interactions with a pack of vicious kobolds.
More soon...

Unfortunate random encounter while searching for dungeon entrance...

2011-05-23T21:06:00.000-04:00

For Fight On #12. I think the dwarf hears something.

Alchemical Breakthrough

2011-05-16T17:42:00.000-04:00

This rather pleased looking sorcerer is slated to appear in Fight On! #12 for an article detailing new magic items.

Divine Succor

2011-05-05T18:57:00.000-04:00

Another pic from the new Swords & Wizardry Core Rules book.

S&W cleric

2011-05-04T16:10:00.000-04:00

This picture will adorn the new printing of the still-awesome Swords & Wizardry Core Rules book coming soon from Mythmere Games (see publishers links).

Sometimes Enlightenment Sucks...

2011-04-30T21:15:00.000-04:00

...and even quasi-dead necromancers get uncomfortable with the whole "correlating the contents" thing.
This picture once graced the cover of Monsterwar Mystery Stories #2, pencilled by John and inked by Jason. We've been (and remain) quite busy with projects new and old, but nothing to leak here yet. Soon, though. Thanks for looking!

Raid on the Castle of Evil

2011-04-24T23:07:00.000-04:00

For holiday filler, here's a panel from one of our comics, Monsterwar Mystery Stories issue #2 to be precise, from all the way back in 2005.

Another Mu-Pan Denizen

2011-04-24T11:57:00.000-04:00

This one is an unholy hybrid of Chinese river dolphin and dragon. Do you suppose it'll be all friendly and helpful like Flipper? Only NOD readers can know for certain...

A Monster of Mu-Pan

2011-04-12T19:09:00.002-04:00

For full gaming stats see John Stater's stupendous Land of Nod blog: http://matt-landofnod.blogspot.com/2011/04/monsters-of-mu-pan-iii.html

The Face of Evil

2011-04-11T19:26:00.003-04:00

Here's a micron marker portrait of Barbazoid Twelve the experimental demon/devil hybrid, an actual PC from an actual game.

underworld map

2011-04-10T10:33:00.003-04:00

Here's the original hand-drawn map for Operation Unfathomable (a rather gonzo S&W adventure in Knockspell #5). Rob Conley did a much cleaner version for the magazine. One square= 20 ft!

Undead Thrall Comes in Handy

2011-04-09T11:28:00.002-04:00

You probably had to be there. A pencil sketch from an actual gaming notebook.

One Last Potion

2011-04-07T12:15:00.004-04:00

Both of today's posts hail from the unpublished works heap. If anyone could use either for their old school project, drop us a line. This one I've been meaning to shunt into photoshop and lavish with color, but alas...not yet at least.

Edit: This picture has found a home and is now off to photoshop for a thorough CMYKing.

Vampire Lord and Minions

2011-04-07T06:48:00.001-04:00

Old School Art Book

2011-04-06T18:05:00.003-04:00

We're humbled by our inclusion in this showcase of old school rpg art! Check out the press release (with ordering info, if you're interested): http://swordsandwizardry.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-book-release-surge-of-wine-dark-sea.html

Watchflowers

2011-03-28T20:25:00.002-04:00

Game of Death

2011-03-27T08:37:00.002-04:00

From Weird Wilderness...with a respectful salute to J. D. Webster.

The god's imprint

2011-03-26T10:14:00.001-04:00

From the still-in-production supplement Weird Wilderness...

Player's Map

2011-03-22T17:37:00.003-04:00

This is a player hand out for Operation: Unfathomable, an adventure for Swords & Wizardry featured in Knockspell #5.

Wilderness

2011-03-21T18:49:00.001-04:00

From Fight On! #11.

Dungeon oysters

2011-03-20T09:34:00.002-04:00

From Fight On! #11, an illustration for Erin "taichara" Bisson's new monster feature...

Priest of Dagon

2011-03-19T08:05:00.004-04:00

...from Fight On! #11.

Fight On!

2011-03-17T06:34:00.002-04:00

Congrats to Ignatius Umlaut and everyone involved with the release of Fight On! #11, which looks like another fun issue, this time dedicated to RPG demigod Greg Stafford. The above pic pits a Gloranthan duck against FO's penquin character type (presented in issue #2 I think).

Two from Knockspell...

2011-03-11T11:57:00.002-05:00

...number 3, that is, from the Font of Glee adventure. John pencils and Jason inks.

More art samples...

2011-03-11T11:32:00.003-05:00

Here's two more from the forthcoming Scourge of the Demon Wolf by Robert S. Conley.

Knockspell #5

2011-03-06T13:30:00.003-05:00

Well, we've been waiting for this one for a while. Praise be! Contains the adventure Operation Unfathomable by Jason with art by John and Jason and a map by Robert Conley. This issue's features include another adventure, Where Dwells the Mountain God, a collection of Dark Gods by Al Krombach of Beyond the Black Gate, and a slew of pretty cool articles pertaining to matters of Old School interest. Available in PDF or print from Mythmere Games on Lulu or from RPGNow.

Demonwolf pics

2011-01-29T11:59:00.008-05:00

Hurdling the Googolpede

2011-01-02T14:03:00.000-05:00

Can't we humans all just get along?

2011-01-02T13:28:00.003-05:00

Not even when there's Demon Wolves to worry about...

Bear-man from the Future

2011-01-02T13:26:00.000-05:00

For Knockspell #5.

Born to lose...

2011-01-02T12:15:00.003-05:00

Brave and noble Oothu volunteers to guide adventurers through the wilderness, seeking an entrance into the Underworld. Poor fellow doesn't realize he's an NPC.

Not your average wolf...

2011-01-02T12:11:00.001-05:00

From Rob Conley's Scourge of the Demonwolf. Rob's blog: http://batintheattic.blogspot.com

Weird Wilderness Villainy

2011-01-02T12:08:00.000-05:00

The Considerable Charms of Thrantrix

2011-01-02T12:06:00.000-05:00

A weird demigod from Knockspell #5.

A Weird Wilderness Encounter Indeed

2011-01-02T11:38:00.000-05:00

Kensla...

2011-01-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

...a picturesque little hamlet, menaced by the forces of darkness. From Rob Conley's Scourge of the Demon Wolf supplement for Majestic Wilderlands.

Bad Guys

2011-01-02T11:27:00.001-05:00

Slated to menace PCs in an adventure in Knockspell #5.

Fight On! #10 pics

2011-01-02T11:20:00.000-05:00

From Weird Wilderness...

2011-01-02T07:55:00.000-05:00

A semi-complete map from a mini-adventure in our upcoming source book.

mantipede!

2011-01-02T07:46:00.000-05:00

A monster for Fight On! designed by Kesher.

Worst Case Scenario

2011-01-02T07:43:00.000-05:00

Adventurers flee from the unspeakable Shaggath-Ka and his evil mermen minions in this shot from Knockspell #5.

Pegasus Unicorn

2011-01-02T07:36:00.001-05:00

Not a gaming pic at all, rather this one was done for a local rock band with a superbly D&Dish name. There's an intellect devourer (tm WoTC) in there, so it sort of counts.

map sample

2011-01-02T07:35:00.000-05:00

This map was originally intended to accompany the Font of Glee adventure in Knockspell #3, but didn't make the cut. The wilderness portion of that adventure makes a bit more sense with the map to reference...