dresden files

35: Every Star a Destination

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Never tell us the odds; it’s the new episode of Geek at Arms! In this episode we welcome writer, editor, graphic designer, and all-around cool guy Eric Trautmann to the show! In Geek out, Eric shares how designing a multitude of miniatures with Hero Forge has been very therapeutic and how much he’s loving the series Cobra Kai. Next, James and Bryan give an emotional review of the latest novel in the Dresden Files series, Battle Ground. James then shares how much he’s enjoying The Witcher 3 on Xbox. After receiving many recommendations Mike gives us his take on the anime Re:Zero, and closing out the segment Bryan describes publishing a special 1st Edition D&D module written by Mike Garcia for The Christian Gamers Guild. Finally, Eric recounts his experience working on the Star Wars D6 system for West End Games, giving us a brief glimpse into the RPG industry. We then discuss his latest project, the Star System supplement Every Star a Destination from Adamant Entertainment!

32: Cinematic Sword Fights

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Here to help you keep cool, it’s the newest episode of Geek at Arms! In Geek Out James describes how the watching the recent streaming movie of the musical Hamilton changed his perception of musical theatre. He and Bryan also rejoice that latest book of The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher, Peace Talks, has finally been released. Next Mike shares how much he’s enjoyed introducing his daughter, albeit by guilt trip, to the Star Wars Miniatures game from Wizards of the Coast and how much she’s enjoyed it. Bryan continues his trek through the MCU with the series Cloak & Dagger. He admits that it surprised him with it’s high quality storytelling and he enjoyed it as much if not more than Runaways! Finally, the guys delve deep into cinematic swords fights, how they compare to actual historical combat, and what is required to make an on screen sword fight look good.

Aragorn vs Lurtz in Fellowship of the Ring succeeds in the realms of drama and believability, but the camera work and a lack of contrast between costuming and set make it difficult for the audience to understand the fight.

In The Empire Strikes Back, the silhouettes of Luke and Vader against a bright yet indistinct background emphasize the stances and forms of the characters.

Jack and Will are back-lit against a set that, while detailed, is obscured by dust. The lighting and camera work allow the audience to clearly see the actors and understand the fight.

The Princess Bride’s choreography and drama is top-notch. Camera placement is generally adequate, but the lighting is flat, which allows the earth-tones of Inigo’s costume to blend with the set. Note that the colors are very similar to the Pirates shot above. The differences are almost entirely in lighting and atmosphere.

Good camera work and art direction—the forms are clear, but nobody believes Kylo has ever had any training.

Whose idea was it to put red-armored combatants against a red background, then hit them with a red weapon? Rey, also, blends into only non-red part of the set. Rey’s stance is at least reasonable, but who knows what Kylo’s doing?

Bees! Bees!

30: The Geeks in Quarantine

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Stay inside and listen to the newest episode of Geek at Arms! James starts Geek Out with a review of the historical fiction novel The Ill-Made Knight by Christian Cameron which leads to a long discussion with Mike about medieval archery and it’s effectiveness against armor. James also describe show much he’s enjoyed playing Magic the Gathering: Arena with Bryan and replaying the classic Star Wars: Battlefront on XBox with his wife. Next Mike shares his enjoyment at reading The Lord of The Rings with his daughters and the ups and downs of replaying the platforming game Hollow Knight. Bryan wraps things up with how eager he is for Peace Talks, the newest book in The Dresden Files from author Jim Butcher. He also shares how much he enjoyed playing a Scooby Doo/Call of Cthulhu game GM’ed by the GeekPreacher himself, Derek White. Finally, the guys discuss how they have been dealing with the current Quarantine.

18: PAX East, Captain Marvel, and Upcoming Book-to-Film Adaptations

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Geek at Arms is back again! Mike kicks things off with his report on PAX East, and then describes the new love of his life, Betrayal: Legacy. James explains how his new game Kingdom Come: Deliverance feels like stepping into 15th century Bohemia and how much he and his wife enjoyed Captain Marvel. Next, Bryan deep dives us into his latest math interest with the Mandelbrot Set and math comedian Matt Parker. He and James also share how their latest rpg session with City on A Hill Gaming podcast went with fellow players Kyle from the Min/Max podcast and Mike from Innroads Ministries. The guys then have a discussion about all the upcoming film and TV adaptations that will hit the screens in the days to come: from the Lord of The Rings to Discworld to The Wheel of Time and many more!

Errata: Bryan said Good Omens was either already out or coming within the next week (of the recording). He was wrong. It becomes available beginning May 31. Bryan also attributed the Wheel of Time television movie to a company called Red Sky, but it was actually Red Eagle. And the Lord of the Rings TV Series may, in fact, not follow Aragorn, but be set instead in the Second Age. Bryan obviously needs a fact-checker. But to be fair, that LotR stuff is still largely conjecture!

We discussed these things:

 

14: The Dragon Prince, Scott Pilgrim, and Time Travel

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The guys are back with a new episode! In Geek Out, James describes his family trip to Silver Dollar City and how much he and his wife have enjoyed the shows The Librarians and The Dragon Prince. Bryan expresses his continued delight in having a new computer and how much he’s enjoyed playing Civilization 6. He also shares his thoughts on his first viewing of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Next Mike tells us all about the various board games he and his family have recently played: from Machi Koro to Forbidden Sky and more. Finally, Bryan leads a discussion on the subject of time travel. From how it’s used as a plot device in movies and TV shows to story elements in RPG’s, they delve into the time vortex for answers!

Bryan refers to M.J. Young’s Temporal Anomalies articles for The Examiner. Those articles can be found here.

Erratum: Turtles in Time was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video game. The title of the sourcebook Bryan refers to for the TMNT RPG is Transdimensional Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

Discussed in this episode:

                                                                                          

Geek at Arms Episode 4: Good Books, RPGs for Newcomers & the Morality of Hacking a Video Game?

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Mike rejoins the podcast, James shares the books he’s recently plowed through, the guys answer a listener question about suggested RPGs for newcomers, and they tackle the question “Is hacking a video game a sin for Christians?”

Mike wishes to to issue a correction: I had a brain glitch during recording and I claimed that the Greek word “hamartia” was a Hebrew word from the Old Testament. The translation and theology is correct, just not the source.

In this episode:

A couple of days after this episode recorded, Bioware fulfilled James’ prophecy by announcing that there would be no single-player DLC for Andromeda. Disappointment abounds, but perhaps an energetic modding community can find ways to fill in the holes.

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Geek at Arms Episode 3: Oculus Rift, DLC, and RPGs

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Bryan joins James in person to talk about his new Oculus Rift. We also discuss swordplay, the value of DLC, and all of the roleplaying games we wish we could find an opportunity to play. Regrettably, Mike couldn’t join us for this episode, but we’re sure he’ll be back with us next time.

One small correction: James mentioned a Hero Clix game based on Mage: The Ascension. He was thinking of Mage Knight: Resurrection.

In this episode: