Showing posts with label KAMB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KAMB. Show all posts

Kobolds Ate My Baby: Quickstart Adventure: You Iz Kobolds?!

Posted by: Jason Silverain / Category: , , , ,



Greetings and salutations the first thing I wish to say that today's post is only possible due to a kind soul sending me a copy of a homemade PDF of this free adventure by 9th Level Games, I have been searching for copy of You Iz Kobolds?! for several years and even tried contacting 9th Level games directly but like every other enquiry I have made to their customer service email there has been no reply but stony silence.

You may be wondering just why I have been trying so hard to obtain it, for the last few years I have own both KAMB Deluxx Edition and more recently in KAMB in Colour, while I love the concept and the system itself I had issues when trying to introduce the system to others or create games.

The game has practically no online community in spite of its generally well known brand due to its Beer and Pretzels "make it up as you go" nature and the developers have offered little to aid this. The Kobolds Ate My Baby website has been a abandoned mess for years and while 9th Level games have been updating their blog it acts as nothing more as a shout for "Buy Our Stuff" and ignore all contact that is not directly about giving them money for Kickstarter or booking conventions.

The biggest hurdles I have found in the past are that:

  • The lack of consistency in map scale examples and player movement makes it difficult to design locations for players to explore, thankfully this has been addressed in KAMB in Colour. (1 big square on a large map or 25ft on a standard map)
  • A complete lack of Free Pre written adventures and quick start rules to act as an example for beginning DMs and to introduce new players to the game. Whilst trying to create my own quick start rules I found that it ended up a bloated mess due to the large range of skills available.
I discovered in 2016 that 9th Level released a Kobolds Ate My Baby Adventure “YOU IZ KOBOLD!” a year earlier but it wasn't available in my area and there didn't seem to be a PDF of it available anywhere. Why 9th Level haven't supplied it on their website themselves I don't know as it would help attract people to purchase their game, but then again it smacks of laziness and greedy businesses practices not supporting the game past its initial burst of sales to instead focused on creating many other short lived products through Kickstarter.

My goal with all my previous is to give this game at least some support here on my own blog, to help people who bought a copy of KAMB but were never sure how to run it or were always interested in trying their hand at DMing. If I help even one group have a try at this fun little system then I consider it a succcess.

So today as 9th Level games have failed to do so I am giving them the middle finger salute and hosting a copy of You Iz Kobolds?! because they are too caught up in making a quick buck to do so themselves. 
Even if you already own a copy of Kobolds Ate My Baby In Colour I recommend taking a look at You Iz Kobolds?!, the general rules are much clearer in than in the main book and it makes a excellent player reference guide.  

Download Here or from the Downloads page.



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Kobolds Ate My Baby: Snack Bowl Outfits

Posted by: Jason Silverain / Category: , , , , ,



"I'm Jamie Dodger and with me as always is former Snack Bowl Legend Duncan Bisket. For those of you joining us for the post game analysis of Tabriz Terrors versus the Cube Crushers you missed a heck of a game.. How would you describe it Duncan?" “Delicious Dodger, simply delicious.” “From the happy look on the faces of the crowd I think they agree with you Duncan, most of them will be going home with a full stomach today.” “Indeed, Snack Bowl fans are nothing if not voracious, something the teams learned today. Lets hope there is enough left of them for the rest of the season, or seasoning's for that matter.”

Greetings and salutations and welcome to another Kobolds Ate My Baby special, this article will be expanding upon the Snack Bowl adventure for those of you wanting more Kobold sports mayhem.
Specifically I'll be covering the Star Player Outfits, while in future updates this will be expanded with several alternative game rule sets and finally a few particular opposing teams.

As always I'd love to hear feedback, ideas and comments below for further rule sets or adventure hooks you'd like to see in the future.

I don't believe my eyes, it looks like one of the Tabriz Terrors thrown out of the arena earlier has made his way back!” “Wasn't he the one that got snatched by by that pair of orc fans?” “Yes he was Jamie and he looks like he brought what is left of them back for a snack, now there is Star Muncher material right there.” “Well lets hope the furry blighter does just as well on the pitch in the future Duncan, the Tabriz Terrors really need that iron stomach if they want to reach the finals again this year.”

The Outfits for Snack Bowl work in a similar way to regular Kobold outfits though with somewhat narrower requirements and a progression system though they still cost 9 Victory Points.
While Evil Apprentices, Kobold Veterans, Short Order Cooks and the other various skilled Kobolds are always welcomed by any Snack Bowl Coach, would be Snack Bowl Pros are those Kobolds willing to live (& die) on the pitch for the reward of tasty food and the cheers of the crowd (though the wild after game parties are also a big incentive).
This does not stop Snack Bowl players getting into between game mischief and disaster however because if King Torg (All Hail King Torg) says “Fetch Baby” you fetch baby.

Pro Rookie

Congratulations you beat the cut (or the chomp if the case may be) and manage to survive at least half a game, that makes you superior to 75% of other kobolds and worth been given an actual uniform. Keep it up and you might even get your own playing card but be careful your new status will attract plenty of jealous attention.

Requires: Surviving half a Snack Bowl game (Been sent off or taken out of the match counts if you make it back alive for the next game.)

Flair: Team Jersey (3 Armour Hits), this can be worn in addition to a helmet.

Bonus: You gain the Perform Skill and can perform Grandstanding to gain a Victory Point, if you do this after performing a feat of remarkable skill (or more likely luck) such as eating a giant creature, fighting off multiple foes alone and winning or preventing a opponents Chow Down you don't take a Horrible Death Check. If you already have the Perform Skill gain 2 Luck instead for actually having this normally useless skill.

Bonus: If your armour is destroyed you can get a new Team Jersey at half time, otherwise you'll have to wait until after the game or can sneak back to the locker rooms.

Penalty: While Grandstanding anyone trying to hit/shoot you gets a 1 die bonus to clobber your smug little face.

Pro ?

Wow your still alive and you've been pushed to your limits time and time again, but you've made it out there by been tougher, stronger, faster, HUNGRIER than all those others. The fans know who you are and cheer your name, while your rivals want to Chow Down.. on your skull.

Each Pro speciality has its own unique additional requirement but below is the general bonus and flair all PRO's receive.

Requires: Surviving a Snack Bowl game as a Pro Rookie (Been sent off or taken out of the match counts if you make it back alive for the next game.)

Flair: You've got your own Snack Bowl collectors card and collectable card case necklace. It is worth 2VP if traded in to any Cave Bazaare Shops but you'll have to spend 4VP if you want a new one. (This can be stolen or taken from your still warm corpse). You also keep your Team Jersey.

Bonus: You remove 1 Horrible Death Check as Snack Bowls greatest patron Vor The Big Red Angry God takes an interest in your career (for better or worse).

Pro Dinesman

Everyone knows that Kobold is tasty and after years of trying to resist the urge to devour those around you the life of a Snack Bowl player gives you all the excuse you need to let loose, in any other civilisation you'd be recognised as the cannibalistic little monster you are but here the fans love it.

Requires: Eat 3 other players (either side, the fans ain't picky).

Flair: Great Spork (Dam 4, +Cook +Bash -Big -Bulky) or Wok Shield (Armour 4, +Cook +Bash -Item), the referee would argue your breaching rule 4 'Teams will not bring weapons onto the pitch' but since you debated/threatened that eating contests are a sport this is been overlooked for now.

Bonus: You gain a additional 3 Hits whenever you eat Kobolds (instead of 2) or + 2 Hit for any other small races such as Halflings, Goblins and midget clowns.

Penalty: Taste like Kobold checks are now a 2 Die Ego roll, you horrible little creature.

Pro Muncher

The Dinesmen may get to eat first, the Rollers may get the glory and the Flingers may get to stay the heck out of danger but you are the mighty serving dish of the team upon which all other ingredients for success are placed. If it wasn't for you chomping down on those pesky opposing Rollers and all those wanting to squish your Rollers and Flingers you'd all end up in the coaches cook pot after losing the game.

Requires: Prevent a opposing Chow Down within 2 squares of the scoring area or Wrassle 2 other players attacking your teams Roller or Flinger into your mouth. (Not necessarily at the same time but if you do gain a VP for enthusiasm.)

Flair: Spiky Shoulder Pads ( 2 Armour Hits, + Pokey), this can be worn in addition to other armour. Also between games your given access to special treatment to ensure those fangs and claws of yours stay in perfect condition for maximum chomp to surface area ratio.

Bonus: Gain a bonus Die to all Wrassle Checks, you also do +1 Dam whenever you use your teeth or claws to attack or chew.

Pro Flinger

It may have been fluke, it may have been skill (come on we all know it was a fluke) but your well timed boot of the ball has brought you fame and a significant confidence boost. For whatever reason you seem to have gotten much better at hitting your mark, maybe you just needed to believe or perhaps its these new glasses making everything much less fuzzy?

Requires: Score a Chow Down by Shooting the ball to a fellow Kobold in the scoring area.

Flair: Oversized Goggles or Glasses.

Bonus: Gain a bonus Die to all Shoot Checks and now can shoot 4 squares before taking penalty Dice.

Pro Roller

Your in this game for one thing and one thing only, those glorious moments when you Chow Down. Whether its Baby, Badger or some poor bugger stuffed into the ball your going to eat them all and your not going to let anyone stop (or catch) you before you can. So you been working out sprinting through the cavern between games and even managed to make yourself a pair of running sandals to avoid anything nasty underfoot.

Requires: Score 3 Chow Downs.

Flair: Running shoes or Sandals

Bonus: You can now move 6 squares as normal movement instead of 5.

Bonus: Gain a bonus Die to all Wiggle Checks and ignore minor foot hazards like sharp rocks and caltrops.

Pro Cheat

Deception, theft and downright dirty deeds are your weapons of choice and lets be honest you love every moment of it as does the crowd, the referees may hate you but with your life (and dinner) on the line your willing to do whatever it takes. Taking inspiration from other dastardly plotters you've grown quite the impressive moustache and find the occasional twirl helps you think of all new ways to confound your fellow Kobolds.

Requires: Cheat 3 times.

Flair: A long handlebar moustache.

Bonus: You ignore 1 Horrible Death Check for been spotted cheating, this recovers at half time (meaning you can reuse this ability if you already used it before half time).
To use this ability the player must pretend to twirl a long handlebar moustache, cackling is also advised.

Bonus: You gain an additional bonus VP for each new way you cheat.

Seasoned Pro

Some Kobolds tend to focus on a single role during a Snack Bowl game (usually eating) but you've shown that if push comes to shove and your teammates prove useless your going to step in and get things done. Coach has noticed your hard work and provided you some relaxing spar treatment or at least that is what he told you, your not sure how relaxed you are after been sat in a extremely tasty marinade overnight but your certainly hungry.

Requires: Own two different Pro Outfits

Flair: Both flairs of Owned Outfits and a tasty marinade rub down.

Bonus: You can wear both Pro Outfits and gain their bonuses and penalties.

Penalty: That seasoning smells sooo good, gain the bogie – Taste Like Baby also anyone who eats you gains 2 + 1d6 additional Hits.


Snack Bowl Legend

You done it, you've gone the distance with the eye of Owlbear, you float like a Beholder and sting like a Stirge or something like that. Regardless of just how you've managed to reach these lofty heights of stardom your name and deeds will be remembered in Snack Bowl records for all time including your future inevitable humourous and embarrassing death. For now however you plan to live large and eat well with all the meals and cheer squads you can get your hands on, enjoying your debauchery while it lasts. 
 
Requires: Survive 5 games of Snack Bowl and be a Seasoned Pro or Survive falling all the way into the Horrible Screaming Pit Of Tentacle Death.

Flair: Customised Snack Bowl Helmet (3 Armour Hits), this can be worn in addition to Armour that is not a helmet (no stacking hats). Your own Snack Bowl collectors card is now worth 4VP if traded in to any Cave Bazaare Shops but you'll have to spend 8VP if you want a new one. (This can be stolen or taken from your still warm corpse). You also keep your Team Jersey if you wish.

Bonus: For a single VP you may select any item on any of the Sports Equipment Charts while in the Locker Room though you still take a Horrible Death Check if you use the Dangerous! Charts.

Bonus: Gain the + Extra Padding Edge even if you already have it (yes you chubby Kobolds will roll 2d6 additional Hits).

Bonus: If you are a Seasoned Pro you retain your Seasoned Pro bonuses and penalties, if you got this outfit by surviving falling all the way into the Horrible Screaming Pit Of Tentacle Death you instead regain a single Luck point for each further game you survive (up to initial starting Luck determined by your Extraneous stat)

Bonus: Choose 2 stats to gain +1 Stat Point in as long as your a Snack Bowl Legend.

Bonus: You can choose to gain one of the following skills Bully, Duel, Shoot, Dungeon, Fast or Wiggle. Should you somehow already possess all these skills (you talented little Kobold you) pick a skill to gain a bonus Die in to all its checks, (this does not stack with other Outfit bonus die and anyone trying to minmax in such a fashion takes a Horrible Death Check).

Penalty: Vor The Big Red Angry God wants you for his personal star team collection, +1 on the result of any Horrible Death Check or Chart Roll.

Penalty: Should you be eaten (& presumably killed) during a Chow Down the opposing team gains 5 points.

Card Collector

Usually a hobby for those simply watching the game, your desire to complete your collection drove you to take to the pitch retrieving those First Edition Print cards from around the necks of the players themselves. After all its a dangerous game and these valuable pieces of Snack Bowl history would be much safer in your King Torg (ALL HAIL KING TORG) Certified Snack Bowl Collectors Cardbook tm.
 
Requires: Have 5 Snack Bowl collectors cards.

Flair: You gain a King Torg (ALL HAIL KING TORG) Certified Snack Bowl Collectors Cardbook tm (Dam 2, +Ricochet +Bash, -Big)

Bonus: You can choose to gain one of the following skills: Fear, Sage or Bard, you may also use Sage once a game without taking a Horrible Death Check (unless the other players give a thumbs down).

Bonus: You gain a Bonus die in against anyone whose card is in your collection.

Bonus: If you somehow receive a replica card you can trade this in for 1 addition VP to its normal worth.

Penalty: You can't bear to part with your collection and thus unable to trade unique cards in to any Cave Bazaare Shops and must attempt to recover your Snack Bowl Collectors Cardbook if you somehow lose it. (If it is lost permanently somehow you lose the ability to wear this outfit)


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Kobolds Ate My Baby Adventure: Snack Bowl

Posted by: Jason Silverain / Category: , , , , , ,



With 9th Level Games still lacking any support for KAMB beyond their paid content I've continued with creating further adventures in order to support the Kobolds Ate My Baby community.

While Kobolds Ate My Baby in Colour was used to design the encounters the adventure can easily be adapted for earlier editions or for the Home Brew Kobolds Ate My Baby (TG Edition) which is designed for play by post. For clarification like many publications by WOTC's or 3rd party writers italic paragraphs will sections to be read out to the players with alterations if needed while regular text is information for the Dungeon Master.

The maps in this adventure were created with the free online map maker of Ye Olde Map Maker.

Kobolds Ate My Baby Adventure: Snack Bowl


This short adventure is design for between 4 to 6 Kobolds but can easily support additional players in either Player V.S. Player scenario or players as a single team. The game should take approximately a hour to complete depending on how much trouble and chaos occurs, however with additional players this may increase.
 
This adventure contains several rule variants due to its unusual premise however each will be covered in the appropriate headings or after area descriptions.
Finally this adventure has been influence by Games Workshops Blood Bowl and like many KAMB adventures this is a parody work. 

Snack Bowl: Basic Premise

Snack Bowl is one of the few sports that kobolds enjoy been a combination of two of their favourite things, eating and inflicting violence to other critters (with another favourite; mating often taking place shortly after the game.. for the victorious survivors at least).

Snack Bowl is not just popular amongst kobolds as a spectator sport, its not unusual for the crowd to contain a variety of species from Goblins, Orks and Trolls to Humans, Halflings and Dwarves. While not as common various other races have been know to play against the kobolds on occasion.

The concept is simple (otherwise the kobold wouldn't be able to play it) two teams of either usually six to eight players line up on opposing areas of a field, a hollow ball stuffed with either a tasty meal or critter is then rolled between the teams by a referee who signals play to begin.
The two teams battle for possession of the ball attempting to capture it and take it to the far end of the opponents side of the field to score a Chow Down, when a Chow Down is achieved the scoring team gains points depending on what is inside the ball and the scoring player is allowed to eat it (along with anything/one else he was holding when he scored).    

After a Chow Down (and all the fights have been broken up) the teams return to their starting positions and play begins again. The game continues until either A) The games time runs out, B) A team forfeits by running out of players or C) There is nothing left to put in the ball.
It should be noted that C has never occurred when kobolds have hosted a Snack Bowl event partly due to their willingness to eat anything, their inventiveness in find food and finally a willingness to stuff other kobolds not playing into the ball.

Below is a example of a typical Snack Bowl Pitch:


 A: These are the teams dug outs where team coaches and substitute players can watch the game unfold from the sidelines, these dugouts are sunken into the ground with sheltered ceilings to protect them from objects thrown from crowds and kept separate to prevent brawling between the opposing team players (off the pitch at least). The door at the back leads to each teams locker room.

B: The scoring areas for a Chow Down.

C: Typically this is where the ball is placed before teams begin play, though depending what is inside the ball it may move out of place by its own actions.

The area surrounding the pitch is usually the crowd stands making it hazardous for any player knocked or thrown off the pitch. Finally given the scale of the pitch above a kobold can move up to 5 squares with a single move action.

The rules of Snack Bowl

While Snack Bowl at its heart is a organised brawl with the occasional fatality seen as just highlight to the game it does have several rules that enforced with a strong word, an iron stomach or giant tenderiser depending on the referees personal preference on mood.

  1. Obey the Referee for upon the pitch he is as Vor (The Big Red Angry God).
  2. Unless King Torg (All Hail King Torg) says otherwise or Vor smites him.
  3. All Players must have colours of their team clearly displayed.
  4. Teams will not bring weapons onto the pitch.
  5. All spell casting must be done on the pitch.
  6. Substitutions can happen any time and play will continue as they happen.   
  7. No eating the Ball or its contents before scoring a Chow Down, in the case of this the offending players team loses points and a FOWL Ball is declared.
  8. Chow Downs can only be done with the ball or its contents.
  9. If a opposing player is carried into a Chow Down with the ball he may be eaten for a bonus point.
  10. All fighting stops after a Chow Down.
  11. No entering Another Teams Dugout or Locker Room.
There are two final unwritten rules respected and understood by both the players and the fans of Snack Bowl; Firstly 'Its only cheating if you get caught.' and 'If you must cheat make it entertaining.'
Indeed cheating, bribery and dirty tactics are so common place that its really only the more obvious and boring cheaters that are punished harshly.

However even with all the power the referees processes on the field it is still a risky position, while distraction and bribery are common some teams are not above assaulting (and eating) a referee and indeed the crowd can often be a threat if they disagree with a ruling. As a result in some high stakes matches more referees than players are replaced.

A Typical Team

A typical Snack Bowl team consist of the following:

The Coach: Arguably the most important member of the team (or so they claim), responsible for the players training, feeding and that they turn up to the game on time, it can be said that the coach is the guiding hand (or fist) behind the team.

Dinesmen: The thin squishy front line the Dinesmen are named as such for often been the first players to eat another or be eaten themselves. Even in kobold terms the best Dinemen have short but often spectacular careers.

Munchers: Those kobolds with the sharpest teeth, strongest muscles or just lucky enough to find some proper armour survive long enough to become Munchers, their role is to guard the Rollers and the Flingers or to pummel the opponents who have the ball.

Rollers: Nimble, quick and able to focus on something other than food (or at least just focus on the food in the ball) the Rollers are the ball carriers or more often pushers, scoring Chow Downs as they flee for their lives from the opponent Munchers.

Flinger: Occasionally a kobold has some magical talent or a good aim that makes him more useful out of the messy melee, in those rare times the ball needs to be thrown its the Flingers job.The rest of the time they are happy to stand back and chuck whatever they can get their hands on at the other team, the crowd or even the referee.

Depending on the success of the team they may have several additional members of staff such as the all important team chief, various cheer leaders, a mascot or a band for example. Kobold teams or their coaches rarely invest in apothecaries as kobolds often have few people skilled in such areas and there are plenty of eager kobolds waiting for their chance to be a player.

GMing Snack Bowl

Due to its unusual style of play compared to a normal game of KAMB this section is to help give a breakdown of a game.

First of all Snack Bowl is a game of two halves with 8 rounds of play in each half meaning each player should 8 turns per half if there no interruptions. Play is only typically paused after a Chow Down or during a Referees interference e.g. Make a call, punish a cheater, replace the ball etc.

So a typical games flow would be:
  • Initial set-up And Roll Off.
  • 8 Rounds Of Play.
  • Half Time.
  • 8 Rounds Of Play.
  • Optional: Sudden Death!
During Half Time the players leave the pitch as a half time show begins, during this time the Kobolds can rest up, spend personal Victory Points or even substitute to another character.

For those players of a more diabolical nature they may wish to use the Half Time as a chance to sabotage the opponents team, lay traps on the pitch or enact other schemes, in this regard treat this like a normal KAMB game and use your best judgement on how long they would have to enact a plan. If the players are eager to get back on the pitch however don't feel forced to slow the game and just skim over the evens of half time.

On returning to the pitch the teams swap sides before resuming play and the game continues as normal.

Number of Players

A typical game of Snack Bowl requires 6 to 8 players on the pitch for each team, if you have only 3 to 4 players consider having the players control 2 kobolds each.
An alternative is to use the generic player stats for any additional kobolds required on a team and have a alternative player control them each round.

Snack Ball can be played as a Player V.s. Player adventure if your players are feeling competitive though this can make the game take longer so be warned.

The Ball & Scoring

In Snack Bowl the ball is usually stuff with some kind of tasty critter and come in 3 sizes:
  • Small: These grant 1 Point on Chow Down and can be easily carried in a single paw, usually contains a small meal such as a sandwich/mixed salad or a tiny critter like a Chicken, Cat, Giant Rat.
  • Medium: These grant 2 Points on Chow Down and are about the size of a kobold usually containing a critter like a large dog, goat, sheep or pig.
  • Large: Granting 4 points on a Chow Down, these heavy balls are the size of a human adult and need to be pushed (or carried by a Hefting kobold) these contain the largest/tastiest monsters the kobolds can find.      
If left unattended a ball with a critter inside will move 2 squares away from the nearest person except in the case of a big ball which will roll towards the nearest player in an attempt to crush them (treat as a attack from the creature inside).
If a kobold is inside the ball they can only move 2 squares but can direct the ball and use Fast to move an additional 3 Squares and attempt Brawn Checks at a 1 Die penalty to roll free of someone's grip if been carried.

The balls are rather robust but can be broken open with a 2 die Break Roll though each scoring area usually includes various tools (giant nut crackers been favour) that can be used for a 1 die bonus. Should a ball roll off the pitch it will be tossed towards the nearest player by the fans (treat as a Shoot attack).

Finally in order to score a Chow Down a kobold must be holding the ball in the appropriate scoring area for their team even if it is just clinging to the ball as it rolls over them it counts. If a ball is opened after scoring and the critter inside is eaten the team gains points equal to the critters VP (the player still gains VP) however the player could literally bite off more than they can chew if not careful.

For best affect don't let the players know what exactly is in the ball until it is opened.

For ease of use a quick play chart has been included:

Basic Ball Quick Chart
D6 Type Filling Dam Special
1 Big Adventurer Or Bear
4

- Big
- Bulky
2 Medium Dog 2 - Big
+ Bootable
3 Medium Sheep 2 - Big
+ Bootable
4 Small Chicken or Kobold 0 + Bootable
5 Small Giant Rat 0 + Bootable
6 Small Small Starter or Baby 0 + Bootable

 In the all too likely event that the ball is opened or smashed and the creature within eaten before a Chow Down the offending players team loses score equal to the creatures victory points and a FOWL Ball is declared.

During a FOWL Ball four chickens are released onto the pitch, two opposite each teams dugout is the typical pattern but occasionally they thrown in by the crowd of simply released in the centre of the pitch. Only one of these chickens is marked with a small black spot on its breast and counts towards scoring while the others serve as a distraction, should this chicken also be eaten the offending player is tackled by the referees and is placed inside the next ball.
The poor kobold in question now risks been by not only the opposition but his own team mates as well. 

The other method to score points is to Wrassle opponents into the scoring area while scoring a Chow Down, this allows the players to gang up on the unfortunate souls without interference and the team gain a point for each opponent slain and eaten in this manner.
    
If the teams have matching scores by the end of a game then either Sudden Death! begins or a Tie is declared (which can be worse depending on the crowds reaction or their coaches temperament).
In Sudden Death! play continues until either a player is killed causing that ex-players team to forfeit or a Chow Down is scored. 

Cheating

Inevitably someone will cheat but this shouldn't be discouraged (unless they are breaking KAMB rules rather than Snack Bowls), in fact for every unique method of cheating the players succeed at then the first time the player gains 1 VP however they also take a Horrible Death Check unless the Referee is been distracted or bribed in some fashion or they are making attempts to Hide their actions.
 
A quick mind (or +Winning Smile) a silver tongued kobold should be given the chance to save themselves however like in this example:
The rules state clearly that teams can't bring weapons onto the pitch but lets say the crowd hurl daggers at a few players and a ambitious kobold picks one up (or yanks its out the corpse of their buddy) and proceeds to get rather stabby with the opposition. Once the referee catches up if our kobold makes the point that he didn't break the rules as he didn't bring the weapon onto the pitch he should be let off (after turning over the dagger) and a FOWL Ball declared.

Of course such excuses only work once and anyone attempting to cheat in the same way takes an additional Horrible Death Check for each time the cheat has been repeated.

To continue our example our stabby little kobold thinking he has found a loophole in the rules decides to Hide in the crowd Stealing weapons to throw to his friends on the pitch while one of his team Cher distracts the Referee with the left over chicken from the Chow Down and his Winning Smile.

Cher rolls his 7 Ego opposed the Referees 2 Cunning, Cher succeeds with a 5 (2 and 3 on the dice respectively), meanwhile our Stabby friend has been busy and managed to throw two more weapons onto the pitch. The painful whimpers of a kobold been impaled and the crowd booing bring the Referee's attract their attention back to the pitch and they now notice two more armed kobolds on the field.
The armed Kobolds now take 2 Horrible Death Checks, 1 for been spotted cheating and a additional check as this is the second time this cheat has occurred in this match. 

For those kobolds caught cheating there is a special Horrible Death Chart below:

Kobold Horrible Death Chart: Cheaters Never Prosper
D6:
Event
1 Mob Justice!: Your not quite sure what set it off, your obvious cheating, the Ref's call or maybe its just the crowd had finally worked itself up into a frenzy but a horde of disgruntled fans have jumped the barriers and are coming for both you and Ref.
1D6 + 2 Enraged Fans charge for you and the Referee from the nearest Pitch edge attacking anyone who gets in their way, they won't be satisfied until they get their hands on one of you and not even a +Winning Smile will save you this time.

Enraged Fans: 6B, 6E, 6E, 6R/2 Agl / Wrassle / Punch 2 DAM / 1VP
2 Red Card!: With a shrill whistle the Ref slaps you with a troll sized red card, for 2 DAM while you can keep playing your stuck holding the thing.
Red Card: 1 DAM – Big, - Bulky, - Flail.
If you drop the card for any reason, gain 1 Horrible Death Check each round until you pick it up again.
3 Extra Fowl!: Your deed is so dark that its is considered extra foul thus extra Fowl will be needed. 4 + 1D3 Chickens are released onto the field but amongst them is the bane of all kobolds CLUCKY , The Dark Rook. CLUCKY will attempt to kill all kobolds one at a time starting with those that have harmed chickens.

4B, 4E, 4E,15R,/ 5 Agl / Sport / Beak 1 DAM, Egg 2 DAM + Throw / 6 VP
4 Benched!: You don't believe it you've been kicked out the game, some might think that not been squished, eaten or shoved into a ball would be a good thing but this happens so rarely it embarrassing. Lose 4 VP for this shameful way to survive the match.
5 New Ball!: You admit you were distracted, the crowd cheering your name, stomping their feet in approval it was all overwhelming that you didn't even hear what the Ref said or see the ball case until it was too late. Now your the ball and everyone wants to get their hands on you, hopefully it will be someone friendly (and not too hungry) that gets you out.
6 Vor The Big Red Angry Referee!: Rule 1 of Snack Bowl is 'Obey the Referee for upon the pitch he is as Vor (The Big Red Angry God)' but people tend to forget Rule 2 'Unless King Torg (All Hail King Torg) says otherwise or Vor smites him.' Well Vor was watching the today and he has a few disputes to make with the Referee.

Everyone who has cheated in this game rolls a D6 + amount of times they have cheated, On a total of 6 + they are flash fried by lightning along with the Referee, any kobolds that survive gain 2 VP and remove a Horrible Death Check for you have been judged worthy (or not worth the effort) in the big angry gods eyes.


Don't be afraid to make up your own punishments for cheating if the kobolds are caught Snack Bowl Referees tend to be both power hungry and quirky individuals.

Finally typical stats of a kobold Referee are:
4B, 8E, 8E, 8R/ 2 Agl / Bully / Rule Book 1 DAM / 2VP 
If your players are chewing through referees (especially if it literally) then bring on replacements with a bit more clout, I personally like a Minotaur with a taste for kobold using the Bear stats or a large burly Ork and use the Adventurer stat block.


The Pitch & Events

Below is the layout of a blank Snack Bowl Pitch:


While few lairs contain a dedicated Snack Bowl pitch Kobolds are happy to play Snack Bowl wherever there is enough room, so here are some ideas of typical locations and ways it can affect the terrain of the pitch:

Large Cavern: Columns of natural stone block areas of the pitch (and support the roof), stalactites and stalagmites create regions of dangerous spikes, critters such as bats or giant cave spiders occasionally wander onto the pitch. 

Old Graveyard: Dugouts are usually crypts, numerous tombstones or markers litter the pitch and players risk the occasional zombie or upset ghost attack.

Ruins: Remains of walls, doors and stairways make the pitch a interesting mix of different levels for the players to scurry across though often giant rats nest in such ruins which for kobolds are a bonus mid game snack.

If your having trouble of thinking of ideas then a favourite method of mine is to take a handful of dice and drop then in the centre of the board, once they have stopped rolling go round the players one by one and ask them to pick a dice and describe a terrain feature where it landed.

Regardless of the location the edge of the pitch is dangerous, waiting beyond that thin line is the frothing, ravenous horde that make up the fans, any kobold not Sneaking into the crowd and for example is barged into the crowd risks becoming a souvenir or a mid game snack for the fans (usually depending on when they to eat).

Any kobold knocked off the pitch rolls on the following table:

Crowd Control Table
D6:
Event
1
Get Back In There!: A particularly bulky member of the crowd (possibly a incredibly hairy dwarf or an exceptionally fat kobold) pries you from the hungry grasping hands of the crowd hurling you back onto the pitch in the direction you came from 1d6 squares. You and anything you collide with take 1 DAM.
2
Souvenirs!: Barely wriggling free from the multitude of hands tearing at your clothes you make it back to the pitch completely naked and paws empty.
3
Snack Time.: Obviously not enough people brought snacks today as numerous teeth bite into you. Take 5 DAM, each round until you escape with a 3 Die Wiggle or are – Foul Smelling and discarded in disgust.
4
Crowd Surf!: Riding the tide of tightly pressed bodies your tossed from person to person, Roll 1 dies, odds you head left, evens you head right, roll again and move that many squares down the pitch (+2 if you are +Bouncy ). If you leave the pitch entirely then you have been hurled outside the arena and are not coming back this game.
5
Chug Chug Chug.: Tossed left and right it seemed like you would be crushed in the crowd until you impacted with a plop into a food vendors open keg, with the option to drink or drown you drink, which was fine until attempting to climb out you fell into his other open casket. Roll twice on the random alcohol chart and take both effects before staggering back onto the field you lush. Oh and you also found yourself with a giant Foam Finger along the way: Foam Finger: DAM 2, - Bulky, + Pokey (extra square reach)
6
Brown Fluffy Heaven <3: Spinning and tumbling through the crowd you end up in the place you least expected as your tossed over the head of King Torgs (All Hail King Torg) Royale Guard and straight into the fuzzy embrace of his private cheer squad. Gain 2 VP for the confidence boost from their fluffy affection before you retreat back to your dugout next turn. Unless you - In Heat take 2 Horrible Death Checks and if you survive gain 5 VP as you abscond with several of the cheer squad, your not returning to the game but your going to have a great time anyway.

Snack Bowl is know for the random chaos which occurs each game and its highly recommended that if the players get too cocky or the action lulls that you encourage "random" spells striking the field, various snacks and items been tossed on the field or the fields own properties coming to play.

Below is handy quick table with some fun ideas:

Roll Off Events
D6:
Event
1
Multi-Ball: A firm fan favourite, intentional or not 1d6 additional balls spill onto the pitch. Play doesn't stop until all of them have been used to score or opened.
2
Feral Critter On The Pitch: It shouldn't be here but to the players and the fans its just another mid game snack, select a suitable critter for the setting and place in a random Chow Down zone. This critter moves to attack the nearest player or referee.
3
Get On With It!: The crowd growing restless begins hurling items onto the pitch at the players and referee. Each player rolls a Die, on a 1 or 2 an item from the Basic Gear Chart (or any other that catches your fancy) is thrown at them.
Crowd Reflexes: 7.
4
Referee Toilet Break?: Your not sure where they have gone but the referee seems to have vanished. Cheating is unpunished until next Chow Down or ball is needed.
5
Cheer Squad: King Torgs (All Hail King Torg) Private cheerers have begun a small show. - In Heat Kobolds must make a 2 Die check or run towards the crowd.
6
For The Glory Of Torg (All Hail King Torg): King Torg (All Hail King Torg) grows hungry and demands tribute, upon the next Chow Down whatever is inside the ball is confiscated by the Royale Guard to be served to his largeness but the scoring team gains double points.


Character Creation

When creating a kobold to play in Snack Bowl rather than using the Basic or Dangerous! equipment charts in the book please use the following tables:


The Basic Random Sports Gear Chart
D6 Type Armour Hits Special
1 Over Sized Hockey Mask 4 + Bully
- Face guard
2 Bike Helmet 3

3 Life Jacket & Floaties 2 + Bouncy
+ Swim
- Bulky
4 Kids Soccer Clothes 2

5 Jock Strap 1 - Foul Smelling
6 Boxing Shorts 0 + Fonzie
-1 If You Can Sport


The Dangerous! Star Player Sports Gear Chart
D6 Type Armour Hits Special
1 Kids Football Gear With Extra Spikes! 8 + Pokey
- Razor
2 Luchador Outfit 6 + Wrassle
+ Wiggle
3 Ice Hockey Goalie Gear 6 - Bulky
+ Ricochet
4 Cricket Gear 4 - Face guard
5 Adults Football Helmet 3 - Bulky
- Face guard
6 Cheerleader Outfit 2 + Attractive
-1 If You Can Sport


The Basic Random Sports Equipment Chart
D6 Type Dam Special
1 Kids Bike 4 - Big
+ Ride (Move 8)
2 Badminton Racket 2 + Stones
3 Rounders Bat 1 + Bash
4 Soccer Ball 1 + Bootable
5 Boxing Gloves 2

6 Nothing! 0

-1 If You Can Sport


The Dangerous! Star Player Sports Equipment Chart
D6 Type Dam Special
1 Caber 8
- Big
- HUGE
- Bulky
- Flail
+ Long
2 Kids Hockey Stick 4 -Big
- Bulky
3 Metal Baseball Bat 3 + Bash
4 Cricket Bat 4 - Big
5 Tennis Racket 3 + Stones
6 Fold Up Chair 2 - Big
+ Bash
-1 If You Can Sport


The Ranged Sports Equipment Chart
D6 Type Dam Special
1 Crossbow 3 + Arrows
+ Piercing
- Big
2 Bow 2 + Arrows
- Big
3 'Hammer' 3 - Heft
- Flail
4 Shot Put 2 - Heft
5 Discus 1
6 Tennis Ball 0

Use instead of The Basic Random Sports Equipment Chart If You Can Shoot



Item Edges and Bogies

+ Attractive: This item grants the +Winning Smile edge, also wear attracts -In Heat Kobolds.
+ Bootable: This item can be used as a range weapon using a Sport roll.
+ Long: Can strike at foes up to 2 squares away.

- Face guard: You are unable to Bite or Wrassle creatures into your mouth while wearing this item.
- HUGE: This item is so big that a Heft roll is needed not only to pick it up but also to move or attack while carrying it.

Beginning Play


The following paragraph should be read after character creation.

The air is tense in the locker room as you await to begin your first game with the long time Snack Bowl team Tabriz Terrors, around your your fellow kobolds buzz with excitement in the scrabble for equipment and last minute snacks. Tabriz Warlock (& Coach) Supreme watches you all usually that would be bad news for kobold minions but today is different, today you have a chance for food and glory that usually is only scene on the royal dining table of King Torg (All Hail King Torg).
A bell rings and the locker room grows silent, your coach gazes over you all once last time before pointing at you and several other teammates "You Will Be The First.. Do not disappoint me. Now get out there and eat the competition." With a cheer you all rush into the dugout, the sudden roar of the crowd at your arrival rolls over you in a deafening wave, this must be how the king feels as you chant his name in glory.

Now is a good time to quickly go over the basic rules with your players but don't worry too much if its a bit much for them to understand at first, it puts them in just the right state of mind to roleplay their kobolds.

As the teams line up:

As you take the field the crowd lets out another roar as the announcers begin the introductions "I'm Jamie Dodger and with me as always is former Snack Bowl Legend Duncan Bisket. What do you think of the Tabriz Terrors chances today Duncan?" "Well Dodger the Tabriz Terrors look great in their new black and scarlet uniforms but with no star players its really anyone's guess how they will play today. We will have to see if the Warlock Supreme has managed to find another set of kobolds that can take him to the cup finals again. As for the Cube Crushers they look as ready as ever but lets hope they not full before the match again." " True, true but the Crusher could never resist a ooze or jelly Duncan either way it looks like roll off is about to begin." 


From here on you should be ready to play, don't be afraid to add additional rounds to the game if you feel its going too quickly and play fast and loose with the statistics make teams of Hobbits using the Kid (Good) critter stats or Goblins with Kid (Bad), fling spells, have pitch invasions but most of all have fun. 


Stat Quick Reference:

Kobold Referee: 4B, 8E, 8E, 8R/ 2 Agl / Bully / Rule Book 1 DAM / 2VP

Opposing kobold team:

Team Starts with 4 Horrible Death Checks, overall number of checks are shared by the team and is reset to 0 whenever one of the team dies to a Horrible Death Check.
Teams of six have 1 Roller, 1 Flinger, 2 Munchers, 2 Dinesmen.
Teams of eight have 1 Roller, 1 Flinger, 2 Munchers, 4 Dinesmen.   
Generally Dinemen are worth 1 VP, Munchers and Flingers 2 VP and Rollers 3 VP 

Dinesmen: 8B, 5E, 10E, 8R/ 1 Agl / Wrassle / Boxing Gloves 2 DAM / Life Jacket & Floaties 2 Armour

Munchers:  10B, 5E, 8E, 8R/ 2 Agl / Sport / Metal Baseball Bat 3 DAM / Bike Helmet 3 Armour

Rollers: 5B, 8E, 8E, 10R/ 3 Agl / Fast / Rounders Bat 1 DAM / Kids Soccer Clothes 2 Armour

Flinger: 5B, 10E, 8E, 8R/ 2 Agl / Shoot or Lacky / Badminton Racket 2 DAM / Kids Soccer Clothes 2 Armour

I'm hoping to do a follow up post on Snack Bowl with new game types, a few special outfits and unique teams and star players.
If your looking for further adventure then please see my other works Trick & Treat Troubles and Short & Sweet


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