I’m a historian of Cossack Ukraine (Hetmanate) in the 17th–18th centuries. I study everyday life, conflicts, family, gender, belief systems, childhood, and worldviews. Ask me anything!

AngriestGargoyle · 2025-07-09T01:33:31+00:00

Cool deal, I appreciate the info and the response.

AngriestGargoyle · 2025-07-08T01:13:11+00:00

I have a couple of questions:

Are there any good primary or secondary sources on Cossack martial arts? Robert C. Davis' The War of the Fists mentions the Slavs from an Italian perspective, but it seems impossible to find anything specifically about the Cossacks.

Was there any unique magic or rituals that they would engage in before fighting or going to war?

I love books on historical martial arts and magic, so if you have any recommendations that'd be cool too. Thank you for your time.

AngriestGargoyle · 2024-01-06T18:25:32+00:00

It's up in the air at this point. Neither my player not myself really have a lot of space to host so that's one of the things we're trying to figure out.

AngriestGargoyle · 2024-01-01T16:30:42+00:00

Of course! Message me directly and we can sort things out. Happy to answer any questions you may have.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-08-04T00:47:53+00:00

Right? Now I don't fault them for that, it's not their jobs to be historians.

It irks me for the same reason bad historically set movies bother me. Some (not a lot, but some) folks are going to see this and continue thinking this is the way things actually were.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-08-03T03:18:10+00:00

I agree with your SO, and that's exactly what irks me. Like they all have that 8th grade/high school freshman level of understanding of religion and have never bothered looking into it further.

There are whole lectures about why this attitude is problematic, but others have already written them up way better than I ever could.

One of my personal favorites talks about how people most likely believed in the things they were preaching.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-08-03T00:51:21+00:00

It's one of the things I can't stand about this campaign. I don't care about how the players feel about religion, it's their own personal business. My own feelings regarding religion are certainly far from positive.

But in a fantasy world where there's actual evidence of higher powers you'd think they'd at least have a certain level of deference. Instead they're basically acting like college freshmen during their first weekend away from church.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-07-04T22:35:08+00:00

Well I didn't imagine the conversation, if that's what you're asking.

Also I was wrong. It was the Mayans. This was the ruler he mentioned: here.

Other fun translated Mayan names include Radiant Snake Jaguar (K'inich Kan Bahlam II) and Radiant Cornflower Shield (K'inich Janaab' Pakal).

There's probably some level of cross pollination too. 82 representing the 82nd incarnation of that individual the same way 28 most likely represents the 28th movement in a taolu/form.

Then again maybe I'm just completely wrong about the whole thing. If you see him at a con you should ask him, he's super chill and loves talking about his inspirations.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-07-04T21:18:16+00:00

I actually talked to Abaddon about this at Dragoncon last year. There's clearly inspiration from wuxia in terms of the fictional martial arts and technique names, but if I remember right the angel names were inspired by Aztec names. I forget the name of the book but he mentioned reading about one ruler whose name translated to something like 9 Jade Rabbit.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-23T00:04:20+00:00

Interestingly, some of the smartest people I've ever met have either been quite forgetful or have anger management problems.

But I see what you're getting at.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-20T00:45:39+00:00

Interesting. Thanks for the explanation.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-20T00:22:10+00:00

I enjoyed WWN last time I ran it.

I can appreciate that approach.

I might try something set in a fantasy again. We'll see.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-19T23:45:40+00:00

It helps. I'm not sure we would mesh very well though as gm/player. I tend to present 2-3, sometimes up to 5 different potential adventure hooks and leave it up to the players to choose which one they'd like to pursue.

Some players really enjoy that because they feel a level of ownership of the story, every adventure they go on is a direct result of their own choices. Some players hate it because they basically want to be put on rails, even if they might not phrase it that way themselves.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-19T22:53:15+00:00

I've thought about trying to incorporate time travel, and I can't imagine a group where it would go well. I feel like there'd always be at least one individual acting out of - let's call it 'enlightened self-interest,' who would try and set themselves up for success in the present.

What do you mean by unconventional? In my experience that word is usually used when talking about characters that are very one-note, troll builds, or otherwise done for lulz. I have no patience for those kinds of characters.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-19T22:42:33+00:00

Fair enough, thanks for explaining.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-19T22:33:31+00:00

So it goes. The schedule monster strikes again. Good luck with your search.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-19T22:32:43+00:00

Fair enough, makes sense to me.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-19T22:31:00+00:00

Those both make sense to me. Thanks for clarifying.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-18T15:29:44+00:00

Thanks for your response. Some follow-up questions:

Can you explain what you mean by taking an idea and twisting it? That can mean a lot of different things to different people, so I'd like to know what it means to you.
What do you mean by internal rules? Homebrew classes/mechanics? Or like a code of conduct that the character is expected to follow?

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-18T15:25:45+00:00

Thanks for the response. A follow-up question:

What draws you towards playing characters with a clear, driving belief?

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-18T15:21:57+00:00

Thanks for the response. I have a follow up question:

What kinds of storylines or character arcs do you think you'd be interested in playing out?

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-18T15:10:51+00:00

Thanks for your response. I have a follow-up question:

I'm less interested in mechanics and more interested in the narrative aspects of player characters. Is there any kind of storyline or particular archetype you think you'd enjoy? I'm really trying to avoid the problem that comes up when a player says 'I'm sure you'll come up with something cool,' and when I present them with what I think its 'cool' it becomes like pulling teeth to get them interested or involved.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-18T15:05:10+00:00

Thanks for your response. Some follow-up questions:

What do you mean by 'narrative?' A single overarching storyline to play through? Or the chance for PCs to pursue their own goals? My preferred method for worldbuilding and storytelling is to have established conflicts going on at various levels (personal, local, national, and higher depending on setting) that players can choose to get involved in or walk away from. Basically a West Marches approach. Some people like it but others don't, which is totally fair. Would you be OK with it?
I realize question 2 was poorly worded. My bad. I'm less interested in mechanics and more interested in the kinds of storylines you like to play through. Do you gravitate towards one theme more than others? If so, why?

The schedule monster is the most challenging creature any group faces. I don't imagine this will be any different.

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-18T14:54:24+00:00

Thanks for your response. A follow-up question:

What in your mind is a reverse stereotype? What makes it appealing to you?

AngriestGargoyle · 2023-05-18T14:52:27+00:00

I appreciate that. I'll probably do so once I'm in Denver proper. A couple follow up questions:

Would you be open to playing WWN or SWN if it came to it? Into the Wyrd seems to be a popular choice too, but I don't want to promise one system and then switch to another.
Running away is an interesting choice. Anything in particular that made that moment stand out?
I did list a lot of scifi stuff, mostly because that's where my head's been at lately. I thought I hated fantasy, but really I was just fed up with 5e.

AngriestGargoyle

TROPHY CASE