June Update, from a dark skinned reprobate...
almost 4 years ago
– Mon, Jun 08, 2020 at 01:00:47 AM
(as always, the views expressed below only reflect -Me, Jerry "Mud Foot" Grayson)
Black Lives Matter
I'm just going to leave this one right here and let it marinate.
No one here lives in a bubble, and I'm sure you're all aware of the state of America right now (since it's formation really). Some of you have experienced this firsthand; others may have a friend or only witnessed this on TV and in the media.
Some ask, "How is this happening?"
My answer is that its always been this way, its just that social media has caught up and shined alight on the bloated and bigoted face of America. It's sad, and it hurts. It's gross, and it's depressing. On the web, I try and keep a positive demeanor, but behind this screen is a chubby, scruffy faced ball of rage, anger, and despair. I'm also hopeful.
The cool part is that you all took a chance on a bunch of black creators, and we, in turn, hired other marginalized creators to help us. You're what's right in the world, and I thank you.
You believe in the dream, and you took the chance and put money where other's mouths are.
Again, Thank you.
Below is a small list of organization you can donate to
What's Up with Orun?
Nothing much at the moment. I have over 50 pieces of art to assign. It's massive! Look at your usual gamebooks and count how much art is in it. I mean real art. Not design work, or clip art place holder, but real art.
So really, at the moment, I'm just coasting and waiting for others to do their part. I get to be legitimately lazy.
That's it for now.
Keep your heads up, wear, and mask, and try to do what's right.
Be good humans and love one another
-Jerry
Diamond in the back, sunroof top…
almost 4 years ago
– Tue, May 12, 2020 at 12:29:03 AM
Jerry here again!
I have nothing of any relevance or pertinence to talk about, but I figured I’d share and post a ”non-update” update to keep you in the loop.
First off, 10 XPs to anyone that knows the original song the subject line of this post was taken from. It’s been sampled in several different songs, but the OG version is still the best.
Diggin the scene with a gangsta lean, wooh
Below is an illustration by Júlio Cesar Oliveira Rocha. It depicts a group of Djali traveling the Nla Okun (the cosmic undersea) using an Eshu drive. Ships in ORUN a subquantum realm of dream that only be traveled in a state of lucid sleep. To travel the Nla Okun while awake would break the psyche of any normal person, but the Djali are special. The mind of a Djali is conditioned to withstand psychic assaults unimaginable by rational lesser minds. The Djali are Woke (not sure if that made it in the book, but it was in the notes). It would make a good talent in the game Woke AF.
An excerpt from the book
“The Nla Okun is a dangerous place, and stray thoughts of the journey can manifest aberrant possibilities, which may also launch aggressive attacks on the ship. The possibilities may be sentient storms or dark creatures moving among the sleeping passengers to feed on their dreaming psyches. These diabolic entries are known as the Apaadi Ro, and it is not unheard of to encounter one during travels. Djali are also welcome aboard ships because they help prevent the Apaadi Ro by lulling the travelers into pleasant sleep with songs or pleasing poems. When this does not work, the Djali combat these creatures.”
Yeah…the Djali are cool as the other side of the pillow.
Ok, that’s all I have to share, unless you guys want to hear about the some of the comics I’ve been reading (old school Justice League of America #183- 185), or the music I’m listening to at the moment (T.I., PJ Harvey, and Portishead), the shows I've been watching (Doom Patrol and East Enders), or even the game I’m running (Horror on the Hill using the Rules Encyclopedia on Roll20).
Next update, I will detail how many nickels I can fit in my navel.
Thanks for allowing me to share.
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can…
The Ramblings of a dude called J-Nasty...
about 4 years ago
– Sun, Apr 19, 2020 at 06:29:51 PM
Hello Everyone,
Jerry speaking here today, I hope all is well in your small part of the universe. First off, I wanted to personally apologize for some of the hiccups this projects lack of communication may have caused. My update won’t be as polished as Misha’s or even Eloy’s… my updates are usually rambling train wrecks of unintelligible gibberish. Sometimes, as human beings, it’s easier to turtle up and say nothing than to give an update. But I do recognize that all of you were generous enough to believe in this project and to fund it with money that could have been spent elsewhere.
Thank you, I’m personally grateful to have you in my life in some small part.
The Impetus for this post came from a heartfelt comment made today by Stefan S Huddleston. You can find and read it, but the gist of the feedback was that we were dropping the ball and hurting potential future projects created by other people of color and us. I agreed and said as much. I don’t want to tarnish the burgeoning movement of Afrocentrism and the advent of POC creators. I don’t want to be an example of what to expect from a project, and I apologize for any part I may play in that.
Thanks for reading this far! I want to show you what I’ve been working on during the COVID-19 crisis. The following link is for a rough layout of the progress the book has made. Its missing a few chapters (still being edited) and a lot of art.
Now for 100% Jerry D. Grayson
Below are a few questions I’ve posed to myself for your edification:
- Who are you, and what do you do here?: I wrote a bit, and I’m doing the layout. I also complain and gripe a lot. I’m also highly opinionated and will share all my ill-conceived beliefs and ideas with anyone that will ask.
- Why isn’t all the art done?: Because I wasn’t sure what the layout would look like and what we would need.
- Why isn’t the layout done?: Because I don’t have all the word doc, some are still in editing.
- Why are we here?: To be good human beings and to make the world a better place.
- What does the D in your name stand for?: Darth, I was raised by Sith lords.
- When will the book be done?: I don’t know for sure. What I do know is that when I get the word doc, I will lay them out ASAP. I also need to tally up what I need in the form of artwork and commission it.
- What’s my favorite color?: Green, it’s the color of magic.
- Is the core writing done?: Yes, it's in editing now.
- What are Plantar Warts?: Small gross and painful warts that grow on the bottom of your foot- GROSS!
- Will I share or post any more updates?: I promise I will.
I want to end this with a kiss (like the one at the end of Superman 2). Hopefully, it will make you forget (or at least forgive) the lack of communication. Please believe that I won’t let you done and that the final product is coming.
The Link!
Below is a link to the work in progress ORUN layout. Please don’t share it and keep it to yourself. Its for your eyes, and your eyes only.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ph-TfbxLz3j6bu4w4cgzy4cTFDWdJjIY/view?usp=sharing
Thank you
Jerry D. Grayson
March Madness
about 4 years ago
– Thu, Mar 12, 2020 at 09:52:25 PM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
Chugging along!
over 4 years ago
– Wed, Jan 22, 2020 at 09:32:00 PM
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
