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Kenzer And Company
Kenzer & Company (KenzerCo) is a Waukegan, Illinois based publisher of comic books, role-playing games, board games, card games, and miniature games. They are known for the ''Kingdoms of Kalamar'' campaign setting and for their own ''HackMaster'' and '' Aces & Eights: Shattered Frontier'' role-playing games (RPGs). Perhaps their best known product is the ''Knights of the Dinner Table'' (''KoDT'') magazine, which is a monthly publication that is part comic book and part RPG magazine. KenzerCo's line of comics now includes spinoffs such as ''Knights of the Dinner Table Illustrated'' and ''Spacehack'', licensed comics in the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' line, and the fantasy literature magazine ''Black Gate''. Other products include the ''Fairy Meat'' miniatures game, the ''Fuzzy Knights'' web strips, the ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail'' card game and board games such as ''Dwarven Dig'', ''Elemental'', and ''The Great Space Race''. Notable employees * Barbara Blackburn - Assistant Edi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Waukegan, Illinois
''(Fortress or Trading Post)'' , image_flag = , image_seal = , blank_emblem_size = 150 , blank_emblem_type = Logo , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_type1 = State , subdivision_type2 = Counties , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_name1 = Illinois , subdivision_name2 = Lake , government_type = Mayor–council , leader_title = Mayor , leader_name = Ann B. Taylor , area_magnitude = , area_total_sq_mi = 24.47 , area_land_sq_mi = 24.22 , area_water_sq_mi = 0.26 , area_water_percent = 0.99 , area_urban_sq_mi = , area_metro_sq_mi = , population_as_of = 2020 , population_total = 89321 , population_rank = 10th largest in Illinois390th largest in U.S. , population_footnotes = , population_density_sq_mi = 3688.36 , population_metro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Role-playing Game
A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting or through a process of structured decision-making regarding character development. Actions taken within many games succeed or fail according to a formal role-playing game system, system of rules and guidelines. There are several forms of role-playing games. The original form, sometimes called the tabletop role-playing game (TRPG), is conducted through discussion, whereas in live action role-playing game, live action role-playing (LARP), players physically perform their characters' actions.(Tychsen et al. 2006:255) "LARPs can be viewed as forming a distinct category of RPG because of two unique features: (a) The players physically embody their characters, and (b) the game takes place in a physica ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
TSR, Inc
TSR, Inc. was an American game publishing company, best known as the original publisher of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D''). Its earliest incarnation, Tactical Studies Rules, was founded in October 1973 by Gary Gygax and Don Kaye. Gygax had been unable to find a publisher for ''D&D'', a new type of game he and Dave Arneson were co-developing, so founded the new company with Kaye to self-publish their products. Needing financing to bring their new game to market, Gygax and Kaye brought in Brian Blume in December as an equal partner. ''Dungeons & Dragons'' is generally considered the first tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG), and established the genre. When Kaye died suddenly in 1975, the Tactical Studies Rules partnership restructured into TSR Hobbies, Inc. and accepted investment from Blume's father Melvin. With the popular ''D&D'' as its main product, TSR Hobbies became a major force in the games industry by the late 1970s. Melvin Blume eventually transferred his shares to his ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
Several different editions of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D'') fantasy role-playing game have been produced since 1974. The current publisher of ''D&D'', Wizards of the Coast, produces new materials only for the most current edition of the game. However, many ''D&D'' fans continue to play older versions of the game and some third-party companies continue to publish materials compatible with these older editions. After the original edition of ''D&D'' was introduced in 1974, the game was split into two branches in 1977: the rules-light system of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and the more complex, rules-heavy system of ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' (''AD&D''). The standard game was eventually expanded into a series of five box sets by the mid-1980s before being compiled and slightly revised in 1991 as the ''Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia''. Meanwhile, the 2nd edition of ''AD&D'' was published in 1989. In 2000 the two-branch split was ended when a new version was designated the 3r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Campaign Setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A ''campaign'' is a series of individual adventures, and a ''campaign setting'' is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place. Usually a campaign setting is designed for a specific game (such as the ''Forgotten Realms'' setting for ''Dungeons & Dragons'') or a specific genre of game (such as medieval fantasy, or outer space/science fiction adventure). There are numerous campaign settings available both in print and online. In addition to published campaign settings available for purchase, many game masters create their own settings, often referred to as "homebrew" settings or worlds. While obviously connected to game materials, campaign settings are supported also by other media, such as novels and comic books. Examples of major campaign settings include numerous settings within the ''Dungeons & Dragons'', as well others such as ''Battletech' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and drama. From the twentieth century, it has expanded further into various media, including film, television, graphic novels, manga, animations and video games. Fantasy is distinguished from the genres of science fiction and horror fiction, horror by the respective absence of scientific or macabre themes, although these genres overlap. In popular culture, the fantasy genre predominantly features settings that emulate Earth, but with a sense of otherness. In its broadest sense, however, fantasy consists of works by many writers, artists, filmmakers, and musicians from ancient mythology, myths and legends to many recent and popular works. Traits Most fantasy uses magic (paranormal), magic or other supernatural elements as a ma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Kingdoms Of Kalamar
''The Kingdoms of Kalamar'' is a fantasy role-playing game campaign setting published by Kenzer & Company in 1994 that is compatible with the second edition of ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' published by TSR. Contents ''The Kingdoms of Kalamar'' describes the Kingdoms of Kalamar on the planet Tellene, providing details of its inhabitants, flora and fauna, geography, religions, and nations. Because Kenzer & Co. did not have a license to produce material for TSR games, the book was advertised as a generic setting that could be adapted to any role-playing game system. However a note on the back cover of the original edition clarified that the setting was "suitable for use with Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" with a disclaimer "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons is a registered trademark of TSR Hobbies, Inc. Use of this trademark is NOT sanctioned by the holder." The material was originally published as two books: *''Volume 1: Sourcebook of the Sovereign Lands'' detailed the people and pla ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jolly Blackburn
Jolly Randall Blackburn is best known as the creator of the comic strip ''Knights of the Dinner Table''. Biography Jolly Blackburn went to Ball State University. Jolly Blackburn majored in anthropology, history, and classical cultures in college. Blackburn later joined the Army, and launched both the gaming magazine ''Shadis'' and his company Alderac Entertainment Group (named after his ''AD&D'' campaign world) while still in the Army. The original ''Shadis'' was a black-and-white digest featured gaming articles largely written by Blackburn, and each issue featured several pieces of fiction collectively called the "Alderac Anthonology" which detailed Blackburn's world of Alderac (one of Alderac's moons was Shadis, from which the magazine borrowed its name). He conceived of having a comic strip that became ''Knights of the Dinner Table'' (''KoDT'') in 1990 as part of ''Shadis'': "I had been a great fan of J.D. Webster's ''Finieous Fingers'' from the early ''Dragon Magazine'', an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Monty Python And The Holy Grail Collectible Card Game
Monty Python and the Holy Grail Collectible Card Game is an out-of-print collectible card game (CCG) by Kenzer & Company based on the Monty Python and the Holy Grail movie. Brian Jelke was the designer. It was first released in June 1996 and noted as one of the more popular CCGs at that time due to being based on a movie franchise. The original set had 314 cards plus 3 promo cards. An expansion called ''Taunt You a Second Time'' was released in August 2000 and contained 158 cards. In 2006, the game was considered a "dead" CCG but with a niche following due to the "hilarious" gameplay in which the rules directed the player to speak in authentic movie accents and similar actions. The game is set during the time of King Henry VIII. Each player starts the game by facing off, shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries, and commencing the card game. Each player builds a game state representing their own England out of 12 cards face down from his own deck. Each player supplies two cards to bu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fuzzy Knights
Fuzzy Knights was an online comic created by Noah J.D. Chinn and published by Kenzer & Company. It starred stuffed animals who enjoy role-playing games such as ''HackMaster'' and ''Dungeons & Dragons''. What started out as a simple one-shot tribute to the Kenzer gamer comic series, Knights of the Dinner Table, turned into a cult hit that continues to gain new fans. Gary Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, was an admitted fan of the Fuzzy Knights and wrote a promo for the trade paperbacks (see below). Production The first online strip appeared on Noah's personal website on December 8, 2002. Not long after, it was given a print strip within the Knights of the Dinner Table magazine itself, starting with issue 75. The Fuzzy Knights Online strips moved to the Kenzer & Company website on April 8, 2003, with updates twice a week. The Fuzzy Knights cast and crew started production in facilities in Tokyo, Japan but in late 2004 made the move to a new studio in London, England. After ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fairy Meat
Fairy Meat is a warband-based tabletop game first published by Kenzer & Company in 2000, written and designed by Scott Leaton and illustrated by Manny Vega. The game revolves around the battles of a pack (Circle) of vicious, cannibal fairies. Gameplay is conducted with 1:1 miniatures and a deck of cards. Story Long ago, fairies were peaceful, mischievous, happy-go-lucky creatures who spent most of their time dancing, playing, singing, and eating honey and fruit. That all changed when a foolish fairy by the name of Merryzot decided to try eating the meat of a dead mouse. The never-before-tasted substance proved addictive, and soon all fairies, being as amoral as they are adventurous, were carving up all manner of flesh to discover the best tasting. Eventually it was discovered that the best-tasting meat of all was the meat of the fairy, and their society was plunged into chaos as they devoured one another, with the old fairy nobility fleeing to the Moon and the Gnomic races (gn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Knights Of The Dinner Table Illustrated
Knights of the Dinner Table Illustrated (a.k.a. ''K.ILL'') is a comic book created by Jolly R. Blackburn and is published by Kenzer & Company. It portrays many of the same stories as Knights of the Dinner Table (KODT) but from the point of view of the player characters. The first monthly issue was published in June 2000. The comic was suddenly cancelled seemingly mid-story with issue #41 when suddenly (in strip) the "set" which the characters were "acting" on was knocked over. The "director" then informs the "cast" that the series was cancelled due to a lack of sales. There was no other explanation listed within the book other than the movie set parody listed in strip. Characters The comic centers on the ''Untouchable Trio (plus one)'': the battlemage Teflon Billy, the fighter El Ravager and the thief Knuckles, King of the Wallclimbers. Initially the ''plus one'' was the barbarian Zayre, who eventually departed and was replaced by Thorina. The comic occasionally follows the adv ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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