Another, Bigger, D&D Family Tree

Back in October I pointed out a D&D Family Tree presented by Nerd is the word.  Well since then, Jason Paul McCartan has created yet another one but this one is bigger and far more expensive than the last.  Check it out on Dropbox as a PDF here! (Link died.  Post a comment if you find a new one!)

10 Questions for Sir Ian McKellen from Time Mag Online

In a recent interview with Time Magazine for their online iteration, Ian McKellen answered ten question,  Watch it here!

Top Ten Medieval Stories of 2012

Over on the tremendous Forgotten DM blog is a list of the Top Ten Medieval Stories of 2102.  Read more here!

Foxit PDF Reader

I've had some inquires in the past regarding alternate PDF Readers, particularly for those who would like to save filled-in PDF form, like for character sheets.  Some folks have told me that the Foxit software does the job.  If you try it, or you already do, let me know what you think.  See more here!

Dungeon Wallet

A G+ Friend recently pointed out this interesting wallet idea from MightyWallets.com.  It's a graph paper wallet, apparently very long lasting but also recyclable, on which one might draw a dungeon level or two.  Add a folded up dungeon key and encounter notes into one of the pockets and you'll always being ready to game.  See more here!

TARDIS, Bigger on the Inside

There is a very cool video no YouTube by someone who has made a model TARDIS and with the magic of a phone app, has made it bigger on the inside.  Enjoy!

Merry Christmas to All! And to All Some Cool Dice!

Just a note to wish all of my friends who celebrate Christmas a very, merry one, indeed!  And just to go a little further, here is a place on Etsy where someone is selling stained glass d20s in holiday colors, or any colors you choose.  I think they'd make great tree ornaments for next year!

Allen Turner Interview

Over on The Admiration Society website is an excellent interview with American storyteller and game designer, Allen Turner.  You can also check out his Council of Fools website and get more information on the Ehdrigohr RPG here.   Read the interview here!

Jack the Giant Slayer, Man of Steel Movie Trailers

Here are a couple more movie trailers for upcoming 2013 films.  First, in March, will come the release of Jack the Giant Slayer, then in Summer comes Man of Steel, the new Superman film.  Enjoy!

NASA - Why the World Didn't End Yesterday

NASA has a video on their YouTube channel titled "Why the World Didn't End Yesterday."  Enjoy, if you were spared!

Biblio-Mat

Last month on NPR, they did a story about an Ontario bookstore called The Monkey's Paw, which had a book vending machine built to sell their bargain bin titles.  See and hear more here and the video below from Craig Smalls shows the machine in action and the inner-workings!

Ancient d20

About a month or so ago, cnet.com.au had an article about what might be the oldest d20 known.  Read more here!

Paper Artwork

Over on TwentyTwoWords.com is a recent pictorial of artwork of animals made with paper and an X-Acto Knife.  See more here!

Oblivion, Star Trek, After Earth, Pacific Rim Movie Trailers

There is a recently-released trailer for the Tom Cruise science fiction film, Oblivion, due out next April, for Star Trek Into Darkness, due in May, and a new trailer for After Earth due in June, as well as a Pacific Rim trailer which is due for a July release.  Looks like it will be a good year for science fiction films.  Enjoy!

"You Are the Hero" Kickstarter

There is a very cool Kickstarter in progress attempting to fund a coffee table book that will recount 30 years of the Fighting Fantasy book series.  See more on the book here and the Kickstarter here!

Also, Russ of EN World was able to upload an interview with the Final Fantasy creators as well as a seminar from Dragon Meet to his YouTube channel.  Enjoy!

Leonard Nimoy's Ballad of Bilbo Baggins

As we approach the opening of The Hobbit, it seems only fitting to trot out Leonard Nimoy's Ballad of Bilbo Baggins.  Enjoy!

Pennsylvania Hutch

There is a real life Hobbit home built in Pennsylvania that was highlighted in a recent Telegraph.co.uk article. See more here!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Opens Today

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens today, so go out and see it once or twice this weekend in one of its formats.  Enjoy!

Sword & Laser Chooses The Hobbit

Sword & Laser kicked off their December Book Club last Friday with J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.  Perhaps not their most surprising pick but obviously fitting with the movie opening this Friday.  Enjoy!

The Littlest Shoggoth Kickstarter

Just to break up the onslaught of Hobbit news a bit, check out the Kickstarter for The Littlest Shoggoth.  Looks like fun and you can find out more here!

The Magic Making of Middle-Earth Video

Air New Zealand has another video posted to their YouTube channel late last week called "The Magic Making of Middle-Earth."  Enjoy!

CMG Half-Off Sale and eBay Offerings

Since it is the CMG 11th Anniversary, Creative Mountain Games is briefly continuing a Half-Off Sale on all of it's PDF offerings on RPGNow.com which you can view here!  Also, many additional eBay auctions with Free Shipping have been included on the Creative Mountain Games eBay eStore here!

Ray Bradbury Tribute

Last Thursday, officials in Los Angeles named an intersection near their library after Ray Bradbury.  Read more here!

EN World Returns

Congrats to those working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring EN World back from a devastating attack on the website.  See the new front page here!

LEGO The Battle of Helm's Deep

Over on the BrotherhoodWorkshop YouTube channel is a humorous video take on The Battle of Helm's Deep.  Enjoy!

Star Trek Into Darkness - Official Teaser

There is a new Star Trek Into Darkness Official Teaser making the rounds which can be viewed on YouTube.  Enjoy!

George Lucas Gives Disney Money to Charity

It was reported all over the place early last month the the windfall George Lucas got from signing over Star Wars to Disney for $4 Billion was given to charity.  What a guy!  Read more here!

The Colbert Report Hobbit Week

All this week is Hobbit Week on The Colbert Report.  Last night he interviewed Sir Ian McKellen.  Later this week are Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis and Peter Jackson on Tuesday , Wednesday, and Thursday respectively.  His set is all done up with proper thematic accouterments as are the opening title sequences.  Be sure to go to ComedyCentral.com to watch the videos if you cannot catch them when they air.  Huzzah!

Larry Elmore Artwork Book Kickstarter

There is a month left in the already well-funded Larry Elmore Artwork book Kickstarter.  See more here!

Neil Finn - Dwarven Musician

There is a recent Rolling Stone article on musician Neil Finn and his contributions to the new Hobbit movies.  Read more here!

Ian McKellen's Hobbit Blog

An interesting way to follow the happenings in the run up to the first Hobbit film might be to keep tabs on it through the blogging of Sir Ian McKellen.  Read more here!

Matrix Test

An article last month on phys.org highlights a proposed test to determine if we are, in fact, living in a Matrix-style universe.  Read more here!

Radio Rivendell

I haven't had the chance to check it out too closely but there is a website called Radio Rivendell that purportedly boasts an Internet radio station that plays only fantasy music.  Read more here!

The Hobbit New Zealand Premiere

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey premiered in New Zealand last night and they rolled out the red carpet for the many cast members and crew in attendance.  There was music and excellent weather in Wellington and it appeared everyone was in high spirits.  Peter Jackson and his, now-grown-up, daughter Katie were there along with so many others.  I grabbed some screen caps from the live feed (which seems to be looping as a rebroadcast, so check some of it out for yourselves, though it is a few hours long!) for reportage purposes. Enjoy!