Why America Is The Greatest Country In The World

He failed to mention that America is also number one ... in guns per capita.

Appendix N: Display Bookcases That Almost Were

With birthdays fast approaching, a decision had to be made whether to buy ten of these Costco bookcases for my Appendix N paperback, Microgame, RPG, LOTR Strategy Battle Game miniatures, and boardgames collections, or buy a new iPad for the wife.

The manufacturer would have even shipped me two FREE shelves per bookcase, giving me seven shelves per bookcase.  All I`d be required to do is pay for the shipping.

That would have worked out to 70 shelves on which to display my various collections.

But in the end the iPad won out, which is as it should be. 

Sigh.  I`m consoled by the knowledge that slightly superior bookcases were on sale at Costco about six months ago, so it seems probable that the opportunity to purchase some nice bookcases will come around, again, in the not-to-distant future.

DnD Spells: Massmorph

Messenger To Macbeth

As I did stand my watch upon the hill,
I look'd toward Birnam, and anon, methought,
The wood began to move.

MACBETH

Liar and slave!

Messenger

Let me endure your wrath, if't be not so:
Within this three mile may you see it coming;
I say, a moving grove.

MACBETH

If thou speak'st false,
Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive,
Till famine cling thee: if thy speech be sooth,
I care not if thou dost for me as much.
I pull in resolution, and begin
To doubt the equivocation of the fiend
That lies like truth: 'Fear not, till Birnam wood
Do come to Dunsinane:' and now a wood
Comes toward Dunsinane. Arm, arm, and out!
If this which he avouches does appear,
There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here.
I gin to be aweary of the sun,
And wish the estate o' the world were now undone.
Ring the alarum-bell! Blow, wind! come, wrack!
At least we'll die with harness on our back.

While Shakespeare's march of Birnam Wood was an effective, if mundane, ruse, Gygax and Company give us the magical alternative:  Massmorph. 

This is yet another of the many utlility and miscellaneous spells that provide early versions of Dungeons and Dragons with their richness and depth. 

While my preference leans towards the player-created or organically-introduced spells, the existence of Massmorph and other non-combat spells within the DnD lexicon is welcomed. 

And it doesn't hurt that the apparent inspiration for this spell is found within the works of one of the greatest playwrights of western civilization.

House For Sale In Citadel

My neighbor (the house on the far left side of the picture) is selling her house, as she is downsizing and wants to move to a house closer to where she works.  Great opportunity for one of you folks to move into Citadel ...

Okay, truth be told, i'm just looking for more gamers to move onto the culdesac.  I was complaining yesterday to Timeshadows of The Grand Tapestry that i'm not getting much in the way of gaming these days. 

Maybe some more die-hard gamers on the culdesac would help!

That's my house, the one the far right-hand side of the picture, with the silver car in the driveway.  Cloudy day today, which is fine by me, it's been a sweltering week and i'm glad of the respite.

Happy Canada Day

In Canada, we celebrate the 4th of July three days early.  Happy Canada Day, fellow DnD bloggers!