Lore of the Geeks

LORE OF THE GEEKS

A MAGAZINE FOR GEEKS OF ALL KINDS MAY 2022

NAT20 FOR LEGEND OF VOX MACHINA Check out this review of the widely popular animation series

COSPLAY, D&D VIDEO GAMES & MORE The perfect magazine for a a geek of all trades

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Ever thought of trying LARP? Check out leo's advice for beginners

This magazine has been created for Assignment 3 of LING5300- Writing In The Media: A Practical Approach (2021/2022) at the University of Kent.

Editor’s Note I have always been a massive geek and loved everything from comics and graphic novels to TTRPGs and cosplay. Blend that with my massive reading habit and my love for writing and push from a uni course and bam! You get this! A magazine about anything and everything the geeky, nerdy sphere that I can wrap my head around. So expect some cosplay advice, a few recommendations and my love for smaller creators to shine through!

And who knows I might make a second one of these!

Any and all links referred to in this publication

Lida Bayat

Editor-in-Chief

scanning the LinkTree QR code on the page.

All the articles have been written by me so

Or just scan the one

feel free to get in

right here to check

contact if you have any

out all the info early!

Front and inside page credit- ooceey Pixybay

questions!

MAY 2022 | ISSUE 1

will either be linked to the page or available by

LORE OF THE GEEKS

CONTENTS 1 Editor's Note 3 Nat 20 for The Legend of Vox Machina Review 5 Cosplays, Cons & Crunch Time 7 Kickstarters That have me hooked!

12 Netflix? Nah I've got RPGs 13 Swords and strategy ... after chaos of course 18 Animal crossing Puzzle 19 Perfect Pizza Recipe

The Legend of Vox Machina’s animated series is a new wonder to hit your screen as it fantasy story makes its magical debut.

Every Dungeons and Dragons player’s dream of having their home game become an adult animate series has come true for the multitalented voice actor cast of Critical Role, as their original campaign debuts its first series on Amazon Prime. Following their immensely successful Kickstarter raising over 11 million dollars, they are lifting their narrative improv game streamed to millions on Twitch weekly to the screen with massive acclaim and success for its 3 released episodes so far.

3

The Legend of Vox Machina party facing off their opponents animated by Titmouse inc. Catch the series on Amazon Prime

Made for new and old adult viewers alike, The Legend of Vox Machina follows the party of Pike, Grog, Percy, Keyleth, Scanlan and the twins Vex and Vax(and Trinket the bear) as they trip, fall and fail in their role as accomplished mercenaries for hire, let alone the legends of Exandria they later become.

Watch the series over on Amazon Prime Video

Critical Role has characters I love The show’s award-winning and industry heavyweights voice acting cast, from Matt Mercer, Marisha Ray, Laura Bailey, Sam Riegel and more reprising their characters, as well as newcomers from Darin De Paul, Indira Varma and David Tennant, it is no wonder the show has been greenlit for a second season before it even aired its first.

The animation is top tier, as expected of Titmouse inc, perfectly illustrates the fantasy and mechanical elements of such a richly written world.

With such a big cast of 8 (plus a bear) main characters, there is always the fear one will not be highlighted enough or too much. But every episode gives each character a beautiful moment to shine and make the audience laugh as you fall in love with them all.

The Legend of Vox Machina is well worth the watch for anyone craving a new animation obsession.

meant a lot to me, and to see these shown and done so well is awesome - Praises superfan Frankie As a fan of Critical Role who has watched all of Campaigns 2 and 3, so far, and is making their way through the first, and is an even bigger fan of RPG games, I will admit I had high expectations, even though I knew I would love it regardless. And yet somehow, they still blew all these out of the water and made me fall in love with the story once more.

The first 3 episodes, with the rest to be released in 3 episode chunks each week, were as action-packed and narrative-driven as real dungeons and dragons sessions are, filled with the stupid and hilarious jokes and moments that can only arise amongst the best improv groups and spaces.

By Lida Bayat 3 February, 2022 @lida_bayat on Medium

Check Critical Role out on their socials Critical Role @CriticalRole https://critrole.com/ criticalrole

4

Cosplays, Cons & Crunch Time As more and more conventions are starting up again and we are getting closer to the true summer con time, some of you may be nervous for your first big conversion. So I thought this may be the best time to share some of my conventions and cosplay wisdom a someone who has been going to these in varying levels of good cosplay for the last 10ish years.

Pre-Con Checks Be realistic- if you are going to cosplay, make sure you know your time scale and access to materials. Don’t plan something massive that you have no time to make or are able to and get stuck with hald a project the day of that you can’t year. Plan it out and know you limits. You can always go bigger next time!

Hot glue is a cosplayer’s best friend Make sure you know where the repair booth in the con is, if there is one.

You are not always going to finish it, and that’s okay!

Always have a backup repair kits/items and such… or a lot of glue.

Plan the next day’s trip you can do it with -3 hours sleep.And also the trip back, Know your budget! Make sure you know how much you can and want to spend.

Bag Basics Snacks, snacks, snacks you need them, you share them, and you will go through them like crazy. I promise Make sure you have water with you and know if you can refill it or can buy some extra.

Know your budget!

Plan out your footwear. If you are wearing heels all way, bring backups and flats for your aching toes at the end of the day Are you bringing lunch?

Sometimes they have some brilliant food there but you can’t budget it in properly if you wanna get those extra posters and chibis.

Set out some money only for food or bring some lunch!

Bring card and cash. More people are getting card reader but not everything!

Last-Minute Cosplay Crunch Here is what to do There is a lot of advice I could give you the night before a con/your last-minute crunch but here are my top 6 tips for when you are rush

01. Get any last-minute materials in the morning It’s the worst thing to realise you need stuff 5 minutes before shops close and the nearest hardware store is over 10 minutes away. And that’s if you are lucky

02. Keep extra shines’ around.

From extra stuff to put on the cosplay or a thing you don’t think your gonna get to but thought looked pretty. Keep it around cause you never know when you need an extra piece to cover up a fault or empty place.

03.

Know the route Make sure you know where and how you are getting there even if you aren’t driving yourself. Prepare for the worst case scenario because you never know with traffic or trains. There will always be someone sewing and finishing something off in full cosplay on the train with a needle and thread, blaring music in their headphones, just make sure you get off at the right stop if its you! Also make sure you know you know the trip back, whenever that will be!

04. Get that wake up playlist going no nice

calm music that will get you to sleep. Turn up that rock and pop and get that beat as you dance around the threads and gears across the floor.

05.

Set a deadline If you know you cant do all righters and function the next day don’t. You don’t want to ruin the way so get a deadline at least an hour before you need to sleep. Because we all know we will say “oh 5 more minutes” and 30 will pass. But at least this way, you still have time and can unwind.

06. Get that coffee brewing and that water boiling Trust me snacks, food and water are essential when you are trying to get everything ready. Coffee is great to keep you up but some of you may prefer tea so go get your beverage of choose for your late night work.

That have me hooked!

Okay, so I can’t stay away from Kickstarter! Maybe it’s a problem, but I’ve got so many great rewards appearing at some point in the future that it more than makes up for eating away at my fun money budget. But hey! Some of this stuff is pretty cool!

So, in an attempt to convince you to find some hidden or well-loved gems that are going to be made and possibly coming to you soon, I have decided to give you a few recommendations for stuff to check out before they are gone!

But first, a quick crash course on Kickstarter for the uninitiated!

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform that is used to allow creative projects of all kinds from short films, tarot decks, video games, books, cooking and home appliances and so much more to be funded by its supporters.

According to the website, as of today 26/03/2022: Since our launch, on April 28, 2009, 21 million people have backed a project, $6.5 billion has been pledged, and 217,662 projects have been successfully funded.

This site allows creators to not only see the support for these projects but also be created by them as additional support past the 100% mark can lead to some amazing stretch goals.

Many of these can make the project leagues better than it originally was advertised and shows the creator the love people have for this idea.

Not all projects are successful though, and if the one you have chosen to support and pledged money to does not reach its target goal, you aren’t charged.

And if it does work out, be mindful that in many cases, these are made by small-time creators, though not always, so the time it takes to get the rewards might take a little longer than advertised. And of course, be mindful of your money! Kickstarter has a lovely little disclaimer that explains itself better than I can, so here it goes: To learn more about their Trust and accountability, check out the Linktree.

“Kickstarter isn’t a store. We don’t guarantee projects or investigate a creator’s ability to complete them. It’s the responsibility of the creator to complete their project as promised, and the claims of the project are theirs alone.”

Check out all kickstarters, socials and links on the Linktree link below Or scan the QR code

https://linktr.ee/Lida_B

So! With the disclaimers and info out of the way! Here are some recommendations!

Previous Campigns

Surprise! Four Secret Novels by Brandon Sanderson Brandon Sanderson is a more than well-known author, and over 2020 till early 2022, he had a secret. On March 1st 2022 he stunned the internet with his announcement in a video titled "It's Time to Come Clean." Fans sat in shock, expecting a delay on all further projects, only to be told another story.

He had in secret, telling no one but his wife, not even his publisher, written FOUR new books! 3 of them take place in the Cosmere universe that he has been building for years, but on new worlds with the last being something completely different.

If you love Sanderson’s work, this Kickstarter gives you a chance to get a new book in January, April and July of 2023! Get an ebook or an audiobook, or maybe one of the premium hardcovers? Or maybe grab some swag boxes for the rest of the month of the year? It's definitely something to check out!

© From the Kickstarter. Mockup art or the books

by Steve Argyle, Howard Lyon, and Geoff Shupe

THE EXILES A dark fantasy RPG Blight-touched exiles crawl their way out of hell in this CRESCENT MOON ☾ expansion.

© The Exiles: A Crescent Moon Expansion by Pocket Compass Co.

This is an expansion to the Crescent Moons RPG, also created and fully supported on Kickstarter, and don’t worry you can get both with some of the high pledge tiers.

You can check out a preview of this amazing RPG in the Linktree. There are 3 days left and it's over 200% funded!!

Explore the story of young outcasts that have been forced into The Below- a hellscape no one escapes from. Crawl your way out and watch your back, who knows if you can trust your allies? This RPG is awesome, and I am a little biased as I got Crescent Moon originally when it was on Kickstarter.

Check out all kickstarters, socials and links on the Linktree link below or scan the QR code

Find them on their socials@spookymeal and @pocketcompassco on Twitter and their website.

https://linktr.ee/Lida_B

I Just Want to be Single!!

Anti-Dating Sim Visual Novel

© From Kickstarter- I Just Want to be Single!!

by Tsundere Studio

The anti-dating sim where you make friends instead of girlfriends!

Play as Aya, an anxious teen just trying to make friends in her final year of high school. Except everyone seems to have fallen in love with you! The problem? Aya is Aromatic and really just wants to make friends, not romance! So, try and navigate through school as you doge, outrun and avoid love that is chasing you around every corner.

Tsundere Studio has an awesome 40-minute demo that you can try on Steam!

Their Kickstarter has got another 16 days to go and is over 140% funded, so please check them out!

Find them on their socials- @StudioTsundere on Twitter and Tsundere Studio on Itch.io or check out the Linktree below to get links to all their info and demo.

Afterimage Afterimage is a 2D side-scrolling ARPG Metroidvania, all designed using a gorgeous hand-drawn art style. Playing as Renee, an amnesiac who is trying to get their memories back, not understanding or knowing what she is doing is changing the world. Explore this world previously torn apart by war as the age of humanity is coming to a close.

Uncover the ruins and their secrets to see if you can change what is to come. © From Kickstarter- Afterimage’s Kickstarter trailer

Check out all kickstarters, socials and links on the Linktree link Or scan the QR code

https://linktr.ee/Lida_B

© From KickstarterAfterimage’s gameplay demo

Check out some gameplay on their youtube channel

This game is planned to come out on multiple platforms -PC/Steam, Xbox, PlayStation and Switch, and it's hoping to come out this October! You can play the demo on Steam and check out a gameplay sneak peek on their YouTube Afterimage!

There are 24 days left to go and this game is already lover 165% funded!

Find them on their socials- @PlayAfterimage and Steam! Or just check out the Linktree over on the side!

Sometimes you just don't want to watch another film or start another Netflix marathon because you have already seen everything twice, but silence is too loud and boring. Or maybe you want to start a new campaign but have no energy because creating a story and the setting is hard. Or maybe you want to try out a new system but have no experience or feel out of your depth.

So what should you do when you want your RPG fix but can't even get it from the video games, solo and side quests you have competed to death? Well maybe check out an RPG series online.

Thousands of people are playing, streaming or uploading their games online across every platform you can think of, showing off systems you have never dreamed of. Want to play a dark exploration of how being a vampire has cursed your existence, making you question your morality as you crave blood?

Find a vampire the masquerade series on youtube. Want to watch some teenage superheroes falling at saving the city as they race to get their homework done before the apocalypse they may have created? Find a Masks series online and vicariously live out your Marvel/DC dreams.

Look shows are great but sometimes, sometimes I just want to be so sucked into a story its impossible to fall out until 3 years later coloured in march and a thousand new RPG books Or maybe you want a shorter game, check out the hundreds of one-shots across the internet using anything from Honey Heist to Ten Candles to official Dungeons and Dragons source material like a Strixhaven Oneshot.

These are perfect things to watch when you don't want to get too attached or start watching a 30 episode+ ongoing series.

There are thousands of series online and they are a great way to not only get your RPG buzz and fall in love with a new piece of media but these series are a great way to learn and get inspired by new players, DM and games.

Or they can just be great to watch instead of the same old movie for the 40th time or the latest Netflix series everyone else is obsessed with.

So now I have convinced you to watch something, are you going to go watch?

Psssst if you need some ideas search one of these: Critical Role, Dimension 20, LA by Night, Sounds of Silence, Sagas of Sundry, High Rollers

INTRO TO LARP AND LEO

INTERVIEW

SWORDS AND STRATEGY ...

AFTER CHAOS OF COURSE AN INTERVIEW WITH LEO If you could go back and relive one moment from your LARP adventures, what would it be?

There was one time my priestess Echo (she/her) helped commit genocide. That was a very satisfying game.

So before we really start lets explain what LARP is for the uninitiated. LARP stands of “Live Action Role Play” and comes in a variety of styles and genres. It’s widely known for being high fantasy (D&D come to life) but basically, any setting or Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TTRPG) can be turned into a LARP.

Image Credit: @compositionlife instagram Okay, then lets start with the basics, if that’s

There are two main types of LARPs, combat and parlour

alright? How long have you been doing LARP?

LARPs. Re-enactment or cosplay societies (like the SCA or

I’ve been doing LARP for about 5 years now? I started

501st) are a bit of a grey zone, whereas some of them will get

when I was 13, turning 14 and am now 18 turning 19.

cranky if they’re called a LARP and others won’t mind. A

I’ve been with one group through this time and only

combat LARP is a kind you see in Role Models or Knights of

recently started branching out as most LARPs in my

Badassdom, where you use foam weapons (or otherwise non-

area are 18+ due to cover the themes/content and

dangerous props such as Nerf guns) to fight and resolve

public liability regulations.

conflicts where words fail. A Parlour LARP is one without live combat, where you resolve conflict by rolling dice, drawing

What type of LARP have you done?

cards, or any other means of acting and chance. There’s also a

I’ve attended a Vampire the Requiem parlour LARP

sliding scale of combat LARPs, which can range from battle

and a high fantasy combat LARP, but there are

games without stories/acting or a fully immersive experience

countless others, including pirates, wizard academy,

with characters and plots.

superheroes, post-apocalypse, and more inspired by history and fiction!

Both a combat LARP or Parlour LARP can come in a variety of genres and settings, from high fantasy to cyberpunk to vampires hiding in plain sight.

Check out some of Leo's cosplays @lions_n_lichen

FAVOURITE MEMORIES What do you typically do during LARP?

INTERVIEW

What’s your favourite idiotic moment from one of

That really depends on the LARP itself; for the fantasy group the events?

I’m most familiar with and in which I play an evil priestess,

This one isn’t my crowning achievement, but it’s a fun

my time is split between intimidating people into doing

story. I was playing a character named Atticus

what I want, manipulating people into doing what I want,

(he/him), who was a compulsive liar, pyromaniac, and

or stopping my fellow cultists from dying. My character is

sadist. He worshipped a dragon (which is incredibly

the second-in-command of her cult and has a fair bit of

bad) and had managed to infiltrate the camp that

infamy among the player base.

worshipped the divine gods who were framed as the ‘heroes’ of our setting. Ironically, Atticus was

How did you find out about it, and what first interested

pretending to worship the god of valour, honour,

you in about it?

victory, and courage.

Before I started LARPing, I had been playing D&D for about a year and learned what LARP was through a Momo O’brien At one of our weekend-long camping events, Atticus video. I looked up for LARP groups in my area and dragged

and a trio of squishy healers (who genuinely

my dad to one the next week, where we’ve been a part of

worshipped the gods and were unaware of Atticus’

the community ever since.

treachery) managed to take the fort and claim its reward, narrowly defeating the two burly warriors that guarded it. We raced back to the Sentinel of the gods in high spirits with our reward in tow to allow him to decide who received a holy relic. All was going well, until the Sentinel decided that Atticus should have the relic for embodying the fiery courage of Balrof and being victorious against a stronger foe. This was a problem, because Atticus was not actually a divine healer and holding the relic would hurt him.

Atticus tried to weasel out of the reward with excuses and lies, saying that “it’s only expected that I show courage, it’s what my god embodies! Surely someone who doesn’t worship Balrof should have the reward?

Courage isn’t in their nature, making it even more impressive how they fought!” but the Sentinel wasn’t having it and insisted that Atticus take the reward.

When Atticus continued to refuse, the Sentinel grew suspicious and cast a truth spell to ask Atticus why he was refusing the divine blessing. Atticus had acquired a magic item that contested exact this spell earlier in the day, so he used it. He won the contest and managed to keep his secrets from the Sentinel for now... and he was never asked about it again because the Sentinel and other godly characters were too

Image Credit: unknown photographer @lions_n_lichen instagram

oblivious to think it was weird. It was a hilariously frustrating moment.

ADVICE

INTERVIEW

What should people be prepared to encounter during

How do you build a great character to play as that

their first adventure?

balances both mechanics and RP?

The physical side of what to expect really depends on the

It really depends on what kind of LARP you’re attending.

genre and type of LARP you’re attending. You are as

Something that focuses on combat is probably going to

unlikely to be expected to roll dice at a combat LARP as

have simpler mechanics and rules than something like

you are to actually throw hands at a parlour LARP.

a parlour LARP which may provide you with an entire character sheet to use and refer to.

What advice would you give someone nervous to try it out?

My advice would always be to start from your character

It can help to do it with a friend or two – bring along your

concept and work outwards. Starting with a statement

friends to an event and make a thing of it. If the physical

of “I would like to play a...” is always going to lend itself

nature of the event makes you nervous, check with the

better to a character-driven experience. Some players

organisers if they allow for out of character observers or

with backgrounds in cosplay, sewing or SFX makeup

“civilian characters” who can’t be attacked. Some groups

start from a key prop/weapon, historical period/style of

may not allow that because it can mess with immersion

clothing or makeup technique they’d like to try and

of other participants, so it’s always good to check before

build the character around that. There’s no real ‘right’ or

rocking up in civvie clothes with an intention to spectate.

‘wrong’ way to build a LARP character, provided that you enjoy the final product and they fit within the

What would you recommend beginners come into this

world.

experience with? Both attitude and materials wise.

Always say ‘yes’ to the offers other players make you. You

And finally, what’s the best tip you could give someone

might feel a little ridiculous or shy at your first event, but

just starting or trying out LARP?

veteran players are generally nice and welcoming of

Just get out there and try it! Don’t worry about not

newbies and it’ll feel so much more engaging when

having the perfect costume or being out of place or not

you’re involved in the plotlines the game presents you.

‘keeping in character’ enough. Just don’t be a dick, get

Aside from that, remember that it’s all a game and

involved, and if you enjoy it come back for more.

everyone is here to have fun. People often play characters that don’t correlate to their personalities, beliefs, moralities, or gender. As someone who frequently plays villains (or characters that are really weird), just because I play a manipulative and highly feminine cult leader, doesn’t mean I believe or condone the things my character does or that my gender aligns with hers.

There have been some pretty good moments, My other character Wyl poisoned 70% of the player base with magic cake (pinned it on someone else and still hasn’t been caught... this was about three years ago) was pretty fun.

How can people find LARP spaces?

Facebook, the plain old google search bar, medieval fairs, there are lots of ways to find people interested in or running LARPs. Typing “LARP groups in [insert city/state/country here]” is a pretty solid start!

Image Credit: @matthudsonphotographyr @lions_n_lichen instagram

Animal Crossing Puzzel

Able Sisters Animal Crossing Apple Peach Beach Bells Blackbass Sable Blanca Blathers Brewster Tommy Celestia Cherry Coconut Villager Cyrus Expansion Fishing Wasps Flowers Fossils Guliver Happy Home Paradise Harvey Isabelle Kappn Katrina KK Slider Labelle Leif Loan Mabel New Horizons Nooks Cranny Orange Pascal Pear Redd Shampoodle Timmy Tom Nook Turnips

PERFECT PIZZA Make your own pizza just like in animal crossing!

Not as quick though!

Photographer: Lillian Bayat © INGRIDIENTS

Dough 10ml lukewarm water 400 g strong white bread flour 1 packet of dried yeast ½ teaspoon salt 100 g fine ground semolina flour Sauce 1 clove of garlic 1 bunch of fresh basil olive oil 1 x 400 g tin of whole tomatoes Toppings 85g mozzarella cheese Your own toppings

Assembely Preheat the oven to 250°C/500°F/gas 9.

Dust either a clean surface or the oven tray with a bit of flour or semolina.

Carefully unwrap the dough, and roll it out into a rough circle with a roundabout ½cm thickness.

Spread the tomato sauce over the base, spreading it out to the edges. Tear the mozzarella into pieces and scatters them across and afterwards add your preferred toppings.

Cook for 7-10mins, until it is bubbling on the top and the crust is golden and crispy.

Take it out of the oven, drizzle with a tiny bit of olive/chilli oil and cut it into pieces.

Instructions

Dough Mix lukewarm water and a bag of yeast in a mixing bowl.

Add a teaspoon of salt and some olive oil and then add the strong bread flour.

Knead the dough rolling it backwards and forwards till you have a smooth, nice and elastic dough. Around 10 minutes.

Cut into 4 pieces, wrap in cling film and leave it to prove for around 45 minutes or till it has doubled in size.

Sauce Peel and finely slice the garlic, separate the baile leaves and stalks finely chop the stalks.

Heat a pan on medium-low heat, adding oil, garlic and basil stalks, cooking till the garlic is slightly golden, then add most of the basil leaves, the tomatoes, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Cook the sauce for circa 20 minutes, mixing and crushing any whole tomatoes left. Afterwards, taste, season and take it off the heat.

picture taken by me ©