Joseph Samaniego's Blog

Potion Craft is a new game from Niceplay Games and published by tinyBuild.

You assume the role of an alchemist/herbalist, trying to fulfill the needs of the town with all sorts of aliments. All the while trying to unlock the secrets of the potions and formulas.  

Finding an abandoned house in the outskirts of town, with an enchanted garden, you begin by brewing a simple healing potion. This is sold to a new customer, then you can move on to other formulas. Poisons, fire and frost tonics, light potions, and many more. You take the ingredients from your garden each day, or you purchase from a traveling salesmen. Once these ingredients are in your stock, you can begin brewing.

Adding a little of this can take the potion into various directions, as noted on your potion map. Grind the materials in the mortal to get more out of them or a quick toss into the cauldron to just get the minimum effect. Stir and then heat. Boom! You got a potion.  Watch out for the bones on the map because that will destroy the mixture.

Soon you can work your way up to get more machines to brew more cool stuff. That will take time but having some common recipes or the more complicated ones saved up will help. Experimenting with some to get more effects or another path to a needed potion also helps.

All in all, Potion Craft is a simple but fun game that let’s your imagination do most of the work. It can be tedious with the stirring and adding the same stuff to the potions each time, but discovering a new potion or a stronger one is worth it. Plus the customers coming with different reasons for needing potions will give you a smile at the lightheartedness of the game.

For me, it is one of the better minimalistic style games around. The graphics are beautiful with a medieval feeling to them. The music gives off that same vibe and isn’t distracting. It is very well thought out and gets the creativity flowing.

5 out of 5!

The time has come to dive into another gme review! This time I am playing Crusader Kings III from Paradox.

A sequel to the classic series, you assume the role of a noble in medieval Europe. What noble is entirely up to you, and in this game, it is very much up to you! Now you are able to design your own character, much like RPG games. Male, female, several orientation options, height, weight, and different traits. I created my character and of course he had a big ol’ beard. I took on the role of the Norman Duke of Sicily in 1066.

Keeping my focus on gaining wealth and prestige, it wasn’t long before I was able to establish the Duchy of Sicily, which soon became the Kingdom of Sicily. Though, a few counties were missing and annexing them would cause a war. Crusades are going on, and some of my vassals joined, but I didn’t. Don’t agree with the needless wars.

Yet, that is part of the game. The vassals in some kingdoms remain relatively independent and free to do their own thing. That is a fairly realistic representation of the court and noble life in Europe during the middle ages. In that way, this game does a great job of depicting the difficult aspect of diplomacy of the time. It was a thin line to walk, and not walking it well could hae deadly consequences. My first in game wife, was a victim of someone’s plot. Anything thing to look out for, the court intrigue that could leave people dead or imprisoned.

Your council is there to help out but be careful that you don’t load up your council with favorites. You NEED people that have skills. Your goal is to survive, thrive, and build a legacy. Your family name and their future are built from day one. That is why playing the game of medieval diplomacy is so important.

Graphically CK III is much more visual than the second game and feels more interactive, as well. What sets this game apart from other similar games is the ease of play right from the beginning. Like other Paradox games, you can pause it to stop the game down and work through a scenario. You can also speed it up or slow it down and then play at your own pace.

In all, I can’t say much negative about CK III. There is the more difficult scenarios where you’re stacked up against heavy odds, and your levies are not showing up as much as your enemy’s. I would have loved to have more control over vassals, but that will come with more diplomacy.

Overall, I have to say Crusader Kings III is a 5 out of 5!

Have you ever wanted to be an archaeologist? How about travel around a nebula? Well, now’s your chance. Thanks to Inkle Studios, we can take the role of Aliya Elasra, searching for a robiticist named Janniqi Renba. Along with your robot companion, Six, your task is to discover Renba’s whereabouts and why he disappeared. All the while, you’re sailing (yes, sailing) across the nebula’s rivers to different moons and archaeological locations.

Your ship is a wonderfully decorated sailing vessel made of wood. Fun to steer and rather cozy within.

You’ll collect a wide range of artifacts all in your pursuit. However, you’ll need to put your archaeological skills to good use as you attempt to decipher a long forgotten language.

The language itself can be a bit daunting at first. However, clues begin to take shape as more of the etchings become similar. This leads to you being able to correct of confirm your findings. Also the word groupings start to form with the shape of the words or lettings. While this is a key part of the mystery to the game, the time deciphering the words gives a nice break within the games itself.

Traveling to new moons, gathering clues, and learning about the ancient civilization that used to live in the nebula is just part of the fun. There is a whole lore behind the game that becomes more apparent as you play through.

The fundamental belief is that we are all within a loop and that our actions and lives are just part of a loop. Some don’t believe that, however. Yet, the motion within the controls can lead you to believe that maybe Aliya is indeed part of said loop. As she walks, some part of her lingers for a second. Could this be part of that loop? Was she already there? Will she be there again?

Robots play an essential role in this story, however, it seems Six is the only one that is complete or at least he is unique. He can be helpful and their dialog is comical at times. His role seems to be more in line with keeping the protagonist moving forward. However, Six is going through something of a memory wipe and that feels like it will play into the story. Early on a message comes that the robots know something. That feels ominous, and yet others give that same vibe.

While not large, there is a cast of characters that you encounter. Some seems to be allies while others might want to look like allies but they don’t give off that vibe.

While this is a fun and adventurous game worthy of praise, I do have to say that I found the controllers to be a bit hard to get used to. The camera movement could get away from you, and feel hard to control. However, that is just one con in a game full of pros. The soundtrack is flawless. The music immerses you in a different universe, while providing the appropriate background for your adventure. The voice acting, though only in short narrations every now and then, is done magnificently. The replay value of Heaven’s Vault is 100% there and replayable. The open world (nebula) feel is truly yours to explore. The options are rather limitless.

For historians, cartographers, and anthropologists (I’m 2 out of 3), this is the game for you. Dig into the past while uncovering the future. Discover the loop and unlock secrets long forgotten.

A definite 5 out of 5!

All images belong to Inkle Studios

For many scholars and readers of medieval history, Thomas F. Madden is well-known for his work concerning the Crusades and the cultures that inhabited the Mediterranean of the middle ages. As a historian, he has written and discussed at length the crusades and in particular the Fourth Crusade and the Republic of Venice. It is in his fifth book, the 2005 Otto Grundler Award winning and 2007 Haskins Medal of the Medieval Academy of America, Enrico Dandolo and the Rise of Venice that he delves into the man who many think of as the one who set into motion the events that would bring Constantinople to an end for roughly 60 years.

Madden’s book on Enrico Dandolo fits right in with his other work which deals with other topics related to the Crusades, in particular the Fourth Crusade, but also with medieval Venice. We all know of Venice as it relates to gondolas and the Venetian celebration of Carnival, but outside the academic world, the Republic of Venice during the Middle Ages is an often forgotten subject. Madden writes to change that in this work that goes into a broader detail of the rise that Venice experienced after the 11th century.

The description of the Dandolo family focused on at the beginning of the book. Right away we have information that it was through infighting throughout the republic during the 10th century that saw the rise of the family. It gives us a timeline of the family’s good political fortune, mostly through the eyes of Doge Andrea Dandolo in the 14th century and Venetian genealogist Marco Barbaro during the 16th century. While Andrea Dandolo does not write of it in his work, the 1360s manuscript of Venetiarum Historia mentions the Dandolo family as a founding member of Venice.[1] Throughout the opening passages, we can see how the affairs of the state and the installed Patriarch, Enrico, helped shape the Dandolo family and set the stage for Doge Enrico Dandolo to come in and make his mark on history.[2]

Further reading details the exile and then return to prominence of the family and shows how Doge Enrico came to the political game. This is want the chief argument of the book is about. Doge Enrico, the key player of the Fourth Crusade, is coming to power and now we have the basis for what his forebears set up for him. The Dogeship of Enrico was a public one. He held court and sought to be a man who would break any deadlock vote. While not trying to take sides, they knew him as the conduit between the government of Venice, the people of Venice and Heaven. Dandolo quickly becomes known for his reforms, much like his uncle Patriarch Enrico was, notably in the legal and administrative system.[3]

Thomas Madden points out that most of the scholar views that have focused on Enrico has been on the Fourth Crusade. He does not go into as much detail into the infamous Fourth Crusade as he does with Doge Enrico. We learn that much of the more prominent view of the crusade and the doge comes from Byzantine nobleman Nicetas Choniates, a man who never the Doge who he famously defames. Madden uses Choniates as a source of the Byzantine perspective. It is in this area that we gain valuable insight into the mind and views of the Doge. We gain both sides of the argument of the crusade that brought ruin to the Byzantine Empire.[4] We also can read from the viewpoint that many historians fell on the piety of Venetians in their continued sea trade with the Muslim east before, during and after the crusades.[5] This, however, is what they had known the Venetian economy for; sea merchants who relied on the Mediterranean Sea for a way of life, even renting out their ships to transport Crusaders.[6]

Soon we see the picture of the Fourth Crusade and the effects it would have, not only on the medieval world but also on Mediterranean history. Much of the story is told from an exiled prince to political power plays. Madden discusses the Franks who journeyed to Venice, hoping to reach Jerusalem but also he gives the details of how the fleet and war effort shifted to Constantinople, due in part to Frankish debts.[7] Madden also paints a picture that the Venetians have built a history for themselves, that they would forsake faith if it meant to recoup a monetary loss.[8] The long history of the Dandolo family’s rise to power and the details of how Doge Enrico used that power to help Venice succeed financially greets us in this book, even if that meant excommunication of the entire populace.

Throughout Enrico Dandolo & the rise of Venice, we see multiple viewpoints on not only Doge Enrico but also of Venice during the time of the Crusades and a few instances prior to the wars. These views help to shape the man and republic into what we might not have known already. Madden does not shy away from pointing out points that have been made on the negative aspects of Doge Enrico in his book. This helps to take away some of the bias for Venice and their political stance in the work. However, Madden does not interject much of his own personal views which can be seen as helpful to fully grasp an accurate history. However, many of his sources rely on personal feelings to pass judgements on Venice and Doge Enrico.

While the central argument of the work is mostly on the Dandolo family and more precisely Enrico, we get a larger feel that much of the work leads up to how these actions lead to larger maritime empire of Venice. In fact, Madden places the outcome of the Fourth Crusade and its results almost entirely on Dandolo’s shoulders.[9]

As mentioned previously, Madden used sources for this work that showcased the opinions that many historians have had for many years. These sources range from family and Venetian records to enemy testimonials. Each brings a new viewpoint to the table but they also rely on personal feelings and attitudes which might not be the most accurate. Could it be said that Andrea Dandolo, a future Doge himself, wrote about his work while wearing rose-colored glasses? We certainly can understand the anger that Choniates feels when writing about Dandolo. The latter’s army had conquered his homeland. These two views reflect the world views of the republic. Within this work and the sources used to compile it, we get a sense that Venice during the Crusades was a polarizing republic.

Bibliography

1. Madden, Thomas F. Enrico Dandolo & the Rise of Venice. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins     University, 2003.

[1] Madden, 2-3.

[2] Madden, 24.

[3] Ibid, 105-108.

[4] Ibid, 118-120.

[5] Ibid, 121.

[6] Madden, 124.

[7] Ibid, 134-135.

[8] Ibid, 151-153.

[9] Madden, 195.

This was a wonderful read. I’ve been wanting to read it for some time but never bought it until recently. A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent was in my TBR for over 4 years….4 years!

I’m sorry I took so long. Isabella is a fascinating character and wonderfully written. Her first adventures within A Natural History of Dragons are fun, exciting and sometimes edge of your seat.

The Victorian setting in a fantasy world is brilliant! Just brilliant! Brennan molds the two in a way that few could do successfully and holds true to what we have come to expect in Victorian style. Lords, Ladies and the manners that went along with them are all present and wonderfully presented.

The supporting characters felt more like MCs than support and that helped to paint a broader picture of the story. While this is a story with a happy ending, it isn’t without sadness. That part hurt too, but as an adventure unfolds, danger around every rock, things can go wrong. Brennan didn’t dwell on the sadness but made something of a triumph with it. It will be great to read how Isabella’s career plays out and she becomes the world’s preeminent dragon naturalist.

As a father of 2 daughters, I really appreciated how Isabella began her journey. She explored and then hit a low point where she didn’t explore. However, her father help her find a way to explore again (although, he helped that low point begin). There is a fine line for parents where we want to protect our children and let them go off and make mistakes. Isabella needed to experience her life as she did so that she can grow. I enjoyed reading about her emotions during all of it. Gaining the understanding of someone that is wanting to learn and see but unable to do so. Very eye opening.

While the story is amazing and the adventures are fun and tense at the same time, there was one drawback I felt. I would have liked more dragon info but for the first book and one meant to be an adventure memoir rather than a textbook, this had a good intro into the subject.

I’ve recommended this book to my teenage daughter to read (the youngest can read it in a few years) and I’d recommend it to anyone else.
I will be continuing the series asap!

Gear up historians and history buffs, it is our time to shine!

This review is focusing on the strategy game Ultimate General: American Civil War brought to us by the good people at Game-Labs LLC. Here you take on the role of a Mexican-American War veteran fighting either for the Union or the Confederacy. Obviously, I chose the Union.

The back story of your character is pretty simple and straight forward but pretty important. You have a specific specialty and training from your days in the Mexican-American War. Tactician, Logistics or Strategist. These give you skill points in organization, reconnaissance, training and or logistics. Then you pick a military classification from Artillery, Infantry or Cavalry. This again will give you skill points in the above plus medicine. Then you’re given the choice of what you did after that war. Politics, business or staying in the army. Each has more skills, politics and economics will be new choices. The last choice is picking a side. Union for me.

You start as a colonel and your first battle is a must win or the game is over. As a union officer you have to secure Philippi in West Virginia. You start off with the superior numbers but that changes once the rebels are moved out of the town and begin a counterattack. This battle is much more difficult than I’d expect for a “tutorial” style opening. However, once this battle is complete you get to begin building your corps and divisions. After each battle you are given reputation points for a victory or draw, loss of points with a defeat, and money plus spoils of the battle.

You have a camp to recruit soldiers and officers, purchase arms, spend skill points and use your reputation points for favors. As your skill points grow, typical 1 point for every minor battle and 2 for the major battles, your talents grow. Added organization will let build a larger army, reconnaissance will allow you to see more enemy info prior to battles, medicine helps heal troops faster and logistics helps build your ammo supply. This is a key factor in many early battles as your battalions will run out of ammo fast until you develop your logistical score. Building the army is a fun process as you outfit your battalions with the best arms you can afford from rifles, swords, csnnons and small arms. Lots to choose from with different attributes and bonuses.

Once your army is ready and replenished as much as you can afford after each battle, then you head out to do it all again until the war is won…or lost.

For my take, this is a great historical strategy game that requires a lot of fast thinking and adapting. Your men will fight and act independently at times which can be frustrating but that’s where you come in. Your corps generals and you will provide morale boosts. Also the supply will help them stay heathy and loaded. Still, in the course of the battle you might have troops retreat but in most cases it temporary and they can regroup and attack again. It’s about lessons learned and adapting to the environment.

One of the best parts of this game is the chance to rewrite history but from a realistic stand point. Fans of alternative history novels will enjoy this but this is nothing like giving modern weapons to 19th century soldiers. This is the Union winning a battle it lost. Such as in my play-through, the Union won the first battle of Bull Run. In real life the Confederacy won. However, the course of the war isn’t changed too much. Though, I decimated the Confederacy during the Peninsula Campaign, McClellan still pulled his forces and any ground gained was lost such as in real life. This is interesting because it would change the war but at the same time you might not get to play in the later battles. So this is an interesting feature.

While Ultimate General: American Civil War has many positives, the only real drawback is the cost to outfit an army gets tougher as the game goes on and this will impact your battles. However, as you play you learn the mechanics of moving your troops and this too can be adapted towards victory.

In all, I give Ultimate General: American Civil War 4.5 STARS of of 5!

Helpless by Tiffany Christina Lewis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Multiple genres, strong and fierce female protagonists and a variety of storylines! Helpless has it all and something for everyone. Please be mindful of the trigger warnings.

This new collection from crime author Tiffany Christina Lewis is the prefect addition to a summer reading list. Quick reads and exciting stories will leave you wanting more.

As a sci-fi fan and writer, I appreciated Tiffany’s take on an extraterrestrial horror/mystery short story. It was exciting and a bit nerve wrecking, but it took me right into 1980’s sci-fi horror films with the campy, scary fun.
Other stories threw me for loops while coming out in a whole new direction.

Still, the women in these stories take the forefront and lead the way with courage and determination. At the end of the day these are some righteous tales that will keep the reader on the edge of their seats!
This is a highly recommended collection!



View all my reviews

Throughout my years, especially in my youth, my father and I didn’t see eye to eye on much. We argued a lot and still argue to this day, actually. Sure, we liked sports and had the same favorite football team but there was nothing that brought us together like fishing.

He is more of a inshore fisherman. Dad liked to fish rivers mostly. That was what he grew up with and was taught by his father. Getting in an old green painted, plywood boat that would hold 3 people safely. This was their weekend, weekday and whenever activity.

Dad taught my brother and I those skills. I learned how to make the best knot for the size of line, the best spots to catch certain fish and the best times of day. It even came down to what sort of weather was best for bass or brim. Filleting and cooking was next obviously. Frying was always the preferred method. These are skills that are still with me and that I share with my kids.

I didn’t take to the freshwater fishing like he did, though. For me, the saltwater was were my heart was at. Fishing on the surf or a pier was my home with a rod and reel. Dad liked it too but not like freshwater. Still, we had fun. That was what I remembered the most. Hitting the surf of Pine Knoll Shores, and throwing out lines in the hopes of pulling in some bluefish. Typical catches were spot, mullet or the occasional pompano as they make their way south. Sometimes, we get a flounder or even a ray. The blues were harder to catch and a tougher fight. One time when I hooked one, dad was watching along, I spent 10 mins reeling it in. The tide was in my favor or that would have been a tougher fight.

My father enjoyed that more than fishing, to be honest. He loved to catch the fish and often we threw back what we caught because of the smaller size. However, he enjoyed watching his sons fish, whether we caught anything or not. To be able to go out there and be with him was like sharing a triumph. One such time was when he, my brother and I caught nearly 20 fish in one day. Each of us catching a black drum and several large spots and mullets. We found new piers and we had great success in time. It allowed us time to talk, to share techniques and to relax.

The secret of those trips weren’t the fish we’d catch or didn’t catch. The secret was that we were able to do something together that we both enjoyed. So, I think that as I am now passing that on to my daughters and I remember how my dad passed the joys on to me, I can smile.

The sad thing is now that he is reaching 80 and he uses a cane more and more, maybe those days of surf fishing for him are done. Sure he can watch and maybe he’ll enjoy that. I wonder, however, if I will. I’ll come to that point too one day but for now I’ll enjoy the memories that I have and continue fishing like he taught me. Maybe, there will be one last cast for us soon or maybe that has come and gone with little fanfare. I think he’d want it like that anyway.

Historically speaking beards have always been awesome. Sure some guys have the chiseled jaw that should not be hidden by a beard but if they do, they still look awesome!

In the first days of mankind walking upright, beards were worn because they were simply there. The benefits that they gave to men were immeasurable. Warmth for the more sensitive skin of the face in the winter months and colder climates. This also meant that during the summer months and in the warmer climates, beards heled protect the skin from the sun’s rays. (Horvatin) What should be considered in all of this is that beards have a function apart from helping men look rugged or cool. That’s just the byproduct.

We know beards have always been around and though some eras throughout history saw a decline in bearded men, beards are historically a staple of society. From ancient civilizations dying their beards or adorning them with jewelry (Hardy), having a beard is some work.

What it means to grow a beard begins with deciding that the initial itching and scruffiness is worth it. Let’s be honest here, the scruffiness that Hollywood says is handsome really looks terrible on most of us. However, get past those first couple of weeks and the beard will begin to take its awesome shape. That is where ore of the work comes in. The benefits that were discovered by the first humans still hold true today but like them, we have to care for these magnificent beards so they will care for us.

Since beards for many ancient cultures were a sign of virility, the better and thicker it looked, the better the man seemed. Of course, this meant that they were healthy because you can’t have a thick and healthy beard unless you have the right nutrients. Oils were discovered in ancient times as a way to help men and women care for their hair. Ancient Egypt used castor and almond oils for hair and skin care. (Eight Amazing Historical Hair Care Facts) One is important to remember is that hair care is also skin care. When we grow out our beards Vitamin E is taken from the skin and redirected to the beard. Therefore, adding Vitamin E rich oils to the beard grooming routine helps to keep need Vitamin E in the skin.

In Edo Japan and medieval Europe beards were a sign of masculinity and experience. (Horvatin). This idea continued until later in the years and until the 19th and 20th centuries when mustaches began to be more popular. While the military allowed beards for many years, the risk of it being pulled meant that it fell out of favor around the turn of the 20th century. Others in the political arena of the late 19th century saw beards as a sign that a candidate had something to hide. The days of Grant, Hayes Garfield and Lincoln were gone. Damn those were some mighty fine beards.

The invention of lye soap saw more harm than good come to our beards and hair. Lye is sodium hydroxide and it is the key ingredient of hot process soap. It is also caustic, meaning it burns and will damage hair and skin. Think that one scene in Fight Club. You know the scene. Lye needs dilution so it won’t burn and yet it is the main ingredient in soap. Other sulfates have been added in our body washes and soaps over the years. Some might not be as caustic but natural is always better. That’s what our grandfathers and their grandfathers knew.

Some have argued that beards are a relic of the old world and with the growth of Viking influenced culture that might not be far from the truth. But isn’t that a good thing? Sure beards were worn by our ancestors but for good reason. Why shy away from something that works? However, we are now experiencing a bearded renaissance. That means we have to be ready to care for our wonderful and protective facial hair. Oils, butters and balms help to protect our beards while giving them a healthy and stylish appearance. While growing a beard can seem daunting and there is a time commitment, remember that a healthy and good looking beard will do wonders for you!

Sources:

Hardy, James. A Short History of Beard Styles

Horvatin, Domen. The History of Beards: Facial Hair Throughout The Ages

Eight Amazing Historical Hair Care Facts

It’s been a while, I know, but things have been busy and I’ve been busy too. While the world has been adapting to the Covid vaccine rollout, and the weather, I’ve been adapting in my own way.

Very low-key and silently I’ve established a business. Mage’s Moon Publishing, LLC is officially open for business. However, I’ve decided that I won’t sorely focus on books. Yes, I’ll be releasing books and I’ll try to bring other indies into the company, but I also want to use Mage’s Moon for other ventures. One such venture is in the self-care field.

Self-care is very important to me, although I’ll admit that I do not do it enough, and I want to bring the joys of self-care to others. How Mage’s Moon is going to do that is first by cleansing products. We are offering beard care products for men. However, the wash can be used by anyone for skin or hair. These products will be history and fantasy inspired. That’s not all of the products though. We will also offer history and fantasy inspired scented candles. These will help with bringing relaxing scents to people. The hope is that these products, while connecting to the fantasy literature, will help bring good vides to people.

Yes, eventually, I’ll add more books to the company. I have one due out soon but I want to help other indie authors with their releases too. That will take some more time but it is in the works. This year has been a bit slower for me but it has been a slow busy. Busy is indeed good.

In the meantime, check out the Mage’s Moon site for more and updates as they come out!