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Creature Feature: Cloudhaunts

Another "Hey, I haven't done this in a while" type of post, in this case a Creature Feature to fill out the Bestiary of Frozen Skies a little bit more. The subject for this week is a creature dreaded and cursed by aviators all over Darmonica, it is a bane for those who often fly in skies frequently shrouded by clod or fog.

Meet the Cloudhaunt.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/07/creature-feature-cloudhaunts.html

Aircraft of the Commonwealth Air Force

The Commonwealth Air Force is probably the more visible aspect of the Commonwealth's military in Alyeska, its aircraft can be seen in the skies and at countless airfields across the Continent. Many different types of aircraft are operated by the CAF ranging from fighters through to transports and heavy bombers as well as the Commonwealth's military skyships. This week we'll take a look at the aircraft the CAF uses in Alyeska.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/07/aircraft-of-commonwealth-air-force.html

Skies of Crimson

Its been mentioned countless times that sky piracy exists in Darmonica, not surprising that the Crimson Skies series of games was a big inspiration for Frozen Skies. Though I've never really gone into much detail about them, how they operate or covered some of the (in)famous scoundrels of the wild blue yonder.

Keep yer eyes sharp as we head off into skies of crimson.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/07/skies-of-crimson.html

Royal Aero-Marines

Getting skyjacked by air pirates is constant threat for those that fly the skies of Darmonica, especially since during the War it was not unheard of military skyships being boarded. Much like the sailing ships of old, skyships can often be seen carrying a detachment of soldiers known as 'aero-marines'. These aero-marines serve on both military and civilian skyships, though the latter tends to belong to private security companies or corporate militias.

The best known of all of the aero-marine forces that exist in Darmonica is the Commonwealth's Royal Aero-Marines.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/07/royal-aero-marines.html

Rogue's Gallery: Madame Orla

In Alyeska there but a handful of individuals who wield great influence yet lie a step away from the public limelight, preferring to work partially behind the scenes. Madame Orla is one such person, well known as both the owner of a certain infamous 'house' and information broker.

There is more to the Madame than meets the eye.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/08/rogues-gallery-madame-orla.html

Alyeskan Tales: Wulf's Cry

This week is something a little different and quite possibly the start of another anti-series of posts much like the Gazetteer and Rogue's Gallery posts. 'Alyeskan Tales', as this new series is going to be called, is intended to cover the various adventure ideas I have for the Frozen Skies setting. These adventures will be a bit rough and ready, though they probably will be polished up at a later date especially if I get feedback.

So without further ado allow me to introduce...

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/08/alyeskan-tales-wulfs-cry.html

Commonwealth Rocket Group

Weird Science has already been mentioned as being the main Arcane Background in the Frozen Skies setting, there are possibly others that may be covered at a later date. Course using Arcane Backgrounds in Frozen Skies will be optional depending on what sort of game the GM wishes to run, though I still wish for there to play up the 'Pulp Science' aspect.

Enter the Commonwealth Rocket Group.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/08/commonwealth-rocket-group.html

Setting Idea: Keep The Home Fires Burning

Another setting idea and thus entry on the 'Would Like To Do Someday' list.

This one is fairly similar to the concept of the Weird Wars: Home Front idea, arguably it can be said it is aside from some minor details. The main difference would be the backdrop of 1918 London at the end of the First World War and the Spanish Flu epidemic.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/08/setting-idea-keep-home-fires-burning.html

An Aviator's Rest

The main focus of Frozen Skies is unsurprisingly aviators and their aircraft, plus a fair amount of time spent in the wild blue yonder. There are going to be times when the characters will find themselves with their feet firmly rooted on the ground over the course of their adventures, a good part of that will probably be at various different aerodromes. These aerodromes can range from the 'air stations' of the Commonwealth Air Force through to airstrips serving remote settlements in the Alyeskan wilderness, but the PCs can expect to visit each type at one time or another.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/08/an-aviators-rest.html

Crime Is Our Business

Where there is law there will most certainly be crime despite the best efforts of the authorities. Crime also has a habit of thriving where the law is weak, particularly frontier areas like Alyeska for example. Pickpockets and house burglars tend to be expected in civilised areas, but these are often low key and could sometimes be a lone operators. Criminal groups tend to be responsible for a wider range and higher level of crime, one such organisation is infamous amongst Darmonica's criminal underworld.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/09/crime-is-our-business.html

Alyeskan Tales: Fool's Errand Part 1

This is a multi-part Alyeskan Tales with a new part going up each week until the campaign is finished.

Its envisioned for there to be three parts covering an adventure where the players are first hired to track down an item out in the Wulflands, only for them to get double crossed. The second act will see the players trying to get even and track down their rivals who stole the item in question, eventually ending up in the sky pirate haven of Broken Spires. Final act will hopefully see the players recover the item and attempt to flee the Spires as other parties move in to gain the item for their own ends.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/09/alyeskan-tales-fools-errand-part-1.html

September 2016 Update

Update time!

Basically a quick roundup of whats happening with Utherwald Press at the moment, whats in the works and final conventions of the year.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/09/september-2016-update.html

Alyeskan Tales: Fool's Errand Part 2

Part Two of the Alyeskan Tales: Fool's Errand series.

In the first instalment the players were commissioned by the crime boss Ferret to retrieve an item from a ghost town out in the Wulflands. Though despite finding the item in question the players will return empty handed, leaving their employer less than impressed.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/09/alyeskan-tales-fools-errand-part-2.html

Alyeskan Tales: Fool's Errand Part 3

Part Three of the Alyeskan Tales: Fool's Errand series.

Originally commissioned to retrieve an item from a ghost town in the Wulflands, the team have found itself betrayed after said item was stolen from them. Facing a crime lord's wrath unless they could get the item back the characters have been on the trial of the thief, though they have learnt that there are other interested parties also looking for the item.

Now the character's path leads them to the Bastion Peaks.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/10/alyeskan-tales-fools-errand-part-3.html

Also, come visit us at NOR-CON in Norwich this Saturday (8th October).

Alyeskan Tales: Fool's Errand Part 4

Here be the fourth and final instalment of the Fool's Errand series of adventures.

We have seen our heroes sent out to the Wulflands to retrieve an item only for the job to go south when a rival crew and some even less friendly critters showed up. Forced to return empty handed to their crime lord employer, our heroes were given the chance of redemption (in their boss' eyes at least) and tasked with recovering the item. Their chase has led them on a path of peril to the Bastion Peaks and to the hive of scum and villainy known as Broken Spires...

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/10/alyeskan-tales-fools-errand-part-4.html

More Aircraft Thoughts

Work on Frozen Skies has admittedly slowed down a bit over the summer due to various factors, least with the blog I've still been able to produce content and ideas. The recent Fool's Errand adventure series is a prime example of this and I'm looking to do a few more adventures of varying lengths to give people more options to play with. Though this week's topic is prompted by a recent question over on the Savage Worlds Google+ group.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/10/more-aircraft-thoughts.html

Come and see us at Exilicon in Cambridge this Saturday!

The Cloud Runner

Back in the mists of time I put together a book of short stories called Alyeskan Tales, a sort of fiction companion for Frozen Skies if you will. One of the stories was called 'The Alyeskan Job' and concerned the crew of a cargo plane called the Grey Bonxie and was intended to be the beginnings of a series that would be called 'Tales of the Grey Bonxie'. Well time moves on and ideas change, prompting a retcon of the original Grey Bonxie idea.

So this week we're meeting the crew of the...

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/10/the-cloud-runner.html

Going Gyro

Conventional aircraft have been covered along with airships of various descriptions, yet there is a type that has only been mentioned but never given much detail. In Darmonica these aircraft are known collectively as 'gyros' but they are effectively helicopters. They aren't that common in Alyeska and the few examples that do exist are in military service, primarily for the use of the Wulfbane Commandos.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/11/going-gyro.html

November 2016 Update

Been a couple of months since the last update and people have been asking how things are going.

So heres a round-up of things, thats also a day early!

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/11/november-2016-update.html

The Wild Blue Yonder

Mentioned that cargo planes are quite common in the skies of Alyeska, plus its envisioned that alot of Frozen Skies groups will be based around a cargo plane of some description. Originally I was looking at using the stats for a C-47 Dakota from Weird Wars, though with the aircraft creation rules its probably a better idea doing one or two from scratch.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/11/the-wild-blue-yonder.html

More Lurker Thoughts

The Ancient Terrans are a key part of Frozen Skies' background, primarily for the setting's history and as a source of adventure hooks. There is also the chance for players to actually meet some Ancient Terrans, known as 'Lurkers', though admittedly probably not in a friendly manner. Since the last post about them, I've had a few more thoughts regarding them.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/11/more-lurker-thoughts.html

Trail of Commerce

Though the main focus of Frozen Skies is obviously aviation, there are other aspects of Alyeska that may appeal to players and some have been mentioned previously. Though aviators and their aircraft are considered vital, there are those who consider themselves equally important if not more so at keeping the lifeblood of trade in Alyeska going. Theirs is a less glamorous life trekking across the frozen wastes, fending off beasts and raiders alike to help keep the flow of commerce open. These are men, and women, known as Free Traders.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/11/trial-of-commerce.html

Alyeskan Gazetteer: Fort Cathmore

In last week's post I mentioned about trading posts that are scattered across the length and breath of Alyeska. About how they're located along established routes and offer safe-havens, offering lodgings, warm meals and supplies to wary travellers. We're also a little overdue a Gazetteer post, so naturally the two seem to go together quite well.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/12/alyeskan-gazetteer-fort-cathmore.html

December 2016 Update

2016 is drawing to a close and soon we'll be in a brand new year, looking back I feel that I've made a bit of progress in getting Frozen Skies closer to release. This week's post is mainly about plans going forward and what to expect next year, and also a quick PSA that there won't be a post on the 28th December as I wish to take a break over the Festive period.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/12/december-2016-update.html

The Shrouded Days

As we enter the Winter Holidays, figured its a good a time as any to delve into Alyeska's equivalent known the Shrouded Days. The Shrouded Days are tied to the Midwinters Festival celebrated across the rest of Darmonica, in some respects they are considered to be the local Alyeskan observation of Midwinters.

Also, a reminder that there will be no post next week (28th Dec).

Whatever you celebrate this time of year, Happy Holidays!

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2016/12/the-shrouded-days.html

Creature Feature: Scavvers

We're kicking off the New Year with a new Creature Feature!

This week we'll be taking a look at a critter that can be found all over Darmonica, one that is widely as nuisance vermin. In the coming weeks I hope to get a posting schedule sorted, basically structure what I'm going to be posting each week. Monthly updates and planning notes/session reports of my Frozen Skies campaign will probably form the backbone of this with a mixture of new monsters, locations, setting notes, etc.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2017/01/creature-feature-scavvers.html

The Iron Road

Prior to the arrival of aircraft, another form of transport was expected to be king in Alyeska; Railways.

Though eclipsed by the raise of air travels, the railways made a mark on Alyeska's history and still plays a valuable role to this day. Whilst everyone agrees that aircraft can fly cargo almost anywhere throughout Alyeska, the railways can carry almost anything. There are some cargoes that are better suited to carriage along the iron road than through the air.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2017/01/the-iron-road.html

January 2017 Update

We're a few weeks into 2017 and already plans for the year are beginning to take shape.This week's post mainly concerns convention appearances, primarily trade stands and perhaps events I may run during the convention/show.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2017/01/january-2017-update.html

A Fool's Errand

Last night got to run the first part of my Fool's Errand campaign, though time constraints meant for a short gaming session. As ever there was one or two things that I didn't account for, though thankfully didn't have to wing things that much. Regardless heres the session report followed by some thoughts.

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2017/01/a-fools-errand.html

Alyeskan Tales: Wreck of the Skellig

It was a bit tricky trying to decide what category to fit this week's post under, ultimately went for an Alyeskan Tales post in the form of an adventure hook. This week's post is also part of a little experiment, mainly related to social media, but means going forward most posts will probably have a picture of some description attached.

Across Alyeska there are many tales and legends that grace the circuit of bar-room talks, typically spoken about on long dark evenings. Some are told as cautionary tales, others as some light entertainment to pass the time whilst the weather's foul. There is a kind of magic to these fables as a kind of hush falls upon the tavern as the drinkers listen to the words as they are spoken, for there is sometimes a grain of truth that may lead to a rich pay off.

One such tale is that of the...

http://www.utherwaldpress.com/2017/02/alyeskan-tales-wreck-of-skellig.html