Free Tavern Maps for RPG

Happy Friday, folks!

I think it's about time I gave something back to the role playing scene instead of just talking about it.

So here, for all you role playing dudes and dudettes out there, I present to you some of my old rp tavern maps. Basic and generic, they can be used in any fantasy (or any other setting if so desired) rp system.

Scale used is 2 squares = 3 feet, or if you prefer to ignore that and convert the scale to 1 square = 1 foot, then be my guest.

Now the ' official ' bit:

Should you decide to download these and use them, just please be good enough to remember me and give credit where credit is due. These are by no means meant for commercial use and I do not give permission for them to be used for commercial purposes and they remain my intellectual property and all that entails. Enjoy : )

If you like these and would like more, I have some others on my USB stick I can post up, just let me know in the comments section. If there are problems with copy and paste, again, tell me and I'll see if I can get them in a different format for you all to enjoy.

Retiring

Today is a sad day for me - I have officially 'retired' myself from Sports Massage Therapy after a working career of just over 7 years. My last email to my clients went out before I logged onto blogger, so it is all done and dusted.

I can't even begin to imagine how many massages I have performed, how many bodies I have examined and how much massage oil I have gone through over a 7+ year period? But the time I have spent as a massage therapist and rehab trainer has been very rewarding and I have met some fantastic people along the way, and more importantly, been in the privileged position to have helped the majority of them.

Part of my reason for 'retiring' is a pending shoulder operation on the 28th November, which has been an ongoing issue for me, plus this afternoon I am going for a radioisotope scan of my lower legs; namely my tibia and fibula, again, for a pending operation on both legs, which will see me on crutches for the best part of 3 months - during which time I'll be in charge of my own rehab.

But, as one chapter closes, another one opens, or so it is said. So I am looking forward to the next new chapter in my life and whatever it may bring : )

(Music video care of ' In Tua Nua ', one of my favourite Irish bands of the 80s - I am the proud owner of two of their albums.)

Today's Song - Inspiration for Writing

Sigur Rós ~ a band discovered through a friend some time ago, but initially I ignored, though for the life of me I don't know why?

I now own three of their albums, and this particular track Ára Bátur is a wonderfully beautiful piece of music that I find immensely soothing, calming, emotional, uplifting and inspiring all at the same time. An excellent piece to listen to if you are sat trying to write a rather emotionally charged scene - it works for me every time, especially when the piece concerns love and/or loss. I can never help but weep slightly towards the mid point of this song. It just pulls me in, opens up my heart and allows me to let go, without fail.

Soppy old fart, I know. But when it comes to writing I am a firm believer in choosing whatever medium inspires you most and sets the tonality of your writing perfectly. Sigur Rós help me to achieve this wonderfully; be it a love scene or a scene where you require majesty of setting charged with emotional perspective from a character; for me, they always deliver.

I'd be interested to hear from any writers listening to this piece as to their thoughts on the matter. Enjoy.

NaNoWriMo

I started this NaNoWriMo malarkey in all good faith, hoping the challenge would spurn me into the realms of writing once again, and it has, albeit in a rather bumpy fashion - but at least I'm starting to feel my mind and imagination undergoing the mental equivalent of a thoroughly deep and intense stretching routine.

But as for NaNo, nah, it isn't working for me; or at least their site isn't. Each day my word count has been going up, but over the past couple of days it has been reducing!? No matter what I do, the NaNo word counter refuses to show the exact number of words I've written thus far, and seems to delight in actually subtracting them!

So, fook NaNo, I'll just continue to plod on regardless and withdraw from the race. Don't you just love technology - when it works!

The very best of luck to the rest of you NaNoites out there, my your mind pumps never run dry.

And on that thought I shall leave you with a song from one of  my favourite artists, Sting and ' Desert Rose ' ~ enjoy : )

Today's (other) Song

Sorry, but I couldn't help myself.

I dedicate this to those of you who can remember what it was like when you fell in love for the very first time and how amazingly special it felt.

This tune ' Innocente 'by Delerium does it for me. Enjoy : )

Today's Song

One of those tunes that you hear and like but find yourself wondering, 'Who is it singing that?', and vowing to look it up and add it to your collection. Well, done and dusted. Now it nestles snugly in my 'Training Beats' playlist on my iPad.

Hope you enjoy : )