The megapack has almost 200 RPG books in it. Many of them are supplements, unsurprisingly, but there are several complete systems in there as well, and the usual total value of the pack’s products is well over $1000.

RPG books are typically packed with all sorts of ideas, so as well as gamers, writers, world-builders and creatives of all types could stand to pick up a very useful resource here for really not very much money.

To quote from the site itself:

DriveThruRPG announced a major incentive to the roleplaying gamer community today (Jan 19th – T.) to incite donations to aid in rescue and recovery in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Called the “Gamers Helping Haiti Bundle,” the product includes over a hundred products totaling over $1000.00 in retail value. For a simple donation of $20 – all of which goes to Doctors Without Borders to support their post-earthquake Haiti relief efforts – RPG fans can have this once-in-a-lifetime collection of gaming products.

DriveThruRPG already had opportunities to donate up and running within a day of the disaster. When publishers began asking how they could support the cause, the bundle was created to be an all-inclusive shared effort. Those who donated at the lesser levels won’t be left out, however; gamers who have already donated $5 or $10 will be receiving a special coupon code that lets them pay the difference from their initial donation to get the bundle.

…

There is no set date for terminating the donation efforts, though the bundle will only be available until the end of January.

Please give it a thought, at least.

Whilst I’m on the topic of unhappy events, there’s also this:

“The control mechanism of a ‘mass-surveillance prison’ is being developed within society, so that all citizens are gradually being transformed into suspects who need to be monitored.“

Please go check out the new home of the Game, and let me know what you think!

As the story progresses, I'll keep a summary on the Great Game tab, as well as links in order to the whole, ongoing saga.]

"cheap-a$$ hotel room in michigan" by the Doodler

I wake up like a gunshot. There’s no hint of lingering drowsiness or dream’s feather-light intoxication. Just reality, as sharp-edged and dreary as ever. The room is just this side of cold, and smells faintly of something unpleasant. It’s dark outside, and I can see the glow of cheap lighting reflected off the wall outside my window. I fumble with the lights for a minute, and then slip out of bed. There isn’t even a TV in here. I rake my hands through my hair and make for the bathroom.

It is every bit as unappetising as the rest of the suite, of course. There’s a dirty sink beneath a dirty mirror, but when I turn the faucet, clean, cold water gushes out. I splash a handful into my face, and look into the mirror.

There I am, looking straight back at me.

Edit: You chose to be relieved that you were still made of flesh and blood and bone, you strange people.

The Great Game continues at its permanent home, http://www.ghostwoods.com/greatgame. You’ll always find the most recent installment there, along with links to the story so far.