Kickstarter - Trudvang Chronicles (Swedish Fantasy RPG translated to English)

The above graphic for the Trudvang Chronicles is needed, as the $70 support level doesn't really spell out that you are getting the game in print.

Oh, and of course, Pdf should be PDF, but that's nitpicking, right?

Apparently no, it's a "thing."

The below comment from the KS is from just over 2 hours ago:

So they are having a few issues with translation. Actually, it seems like a large amount of issues with translation, which makes me wonder who they hired to do the translation / editing.

It's not that the Trudvan Chronicles hasn't exploded:

Yes, I used a screenshot because I couldn't believe the numbers. Those are Monte Cook numbers without the accompanying attitude.

Trudvang Chronicles is an award-winning fantasy roleplaying game based on the mysterious and dark Nordic and Celtic sagas and myths. Enter a world of enchanted forests, trolls, dragons, spirits of nature, heroes and adventures. Trudvang is both grim and dark, epic and yet down to earth, with a melancholic tone of an ancient age when nature was a living creature and magic was wild and strong. Above all, Trudvang is a saga...

I'm interested. I'm intrigued. I'm terrified it will be a poorly translated mess.

The Tavern's readership spans the globe. Does anyone have first hand / second hand / long distance hand knowledge of the Trudvang Chronicles? Is it worth the leap of faith?

I fall in love with the above art, then I see the below in the video:

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Donation Fund - $500 Bundle for $40 (OSR Heavy Bundle)

One of many products offered in the bundle

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Donation Fund Bundle includes over $500 worth of gaming goodness for $40.

Direct link to the fund: STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE - DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE DONATION FUND

I advise you peek yourself if you want a full list of what is included but some highlights include:

Adventures in the East Mark - Basic Set

Age of Arthur

Atlantis: The 2nd Age

D6 Powers

Designers & Dragons: the 70s

Five Year Mission (for White Star)

Lots of classes and sups for Labyrinth Lord

Classes and sup for the Black Hack

Godsend (multiple products)

Hollow Earth Expedition

Mad Monks of Kwantoom

Mythic D6

Spirit of the Century Presents: Dinocalypse Now

and much more


Remember, all purchases using The Tavern's RPGNow affiliate links puts 5% of your purchase price into The Tavern's coffers. Don't leave that money on the table for the greedy corps! Tip your barman!  ;)

What am I Actually Looking At? Does this Wrestler Have Arms?

The above is the cover for The World Wide Wrestling Roleplaying Game: The Road. I can't speak for the game itself as I never really enjoyed professional wresting but what the fuck is it with this cover?

The left arm seems to be blocked by something in front of it but the right arm and his right side seem to have been disintegrated. Which could be cool if such were a power within the game, but I suspect there is not. And what's with the Gorbachev mark on his forehead?

How will he put his Mexican wrestling mask on without hands? How will he be able to tag in? Inquiring minds want to know...

edit: For Bob ;)

Troll Lords Sale - 35% off purchases $50 or More - 24 Hours Left

Yes, it's a 48 hour sale but I got the email 23 hours ago and didn't read it until now ;(

Anyhow, save up to 35% on your purchases at the Troll Lords store for the next 24 hours or so.

No, I don't get a penny for sending you there. I just get the satisfaction of knowing I found a decent deal for my readers. You can tell them you found their sale at The Tavern if you want. Won't do anything but make us look cool :)

Oh, and you don't need a code. Just fill up your shopping cart.

Wayward Kickstarter - Myth & Magic Player's Guide - Last Spotted April 26th, 2016

Ah, yes. The Myth & Magic Player's Guide. Not to be confused with an actual, for real, in the hands of the gaming public, Player's Guide. For most, it's still a myth.

Well, that's not 100% correct. I do have my copy (after Tom was nice enough to share my full name and shipping address in the comments section - oh, you so silly Tom!)

See, Tom's a lawyer (alternative spelling - "Liar" - is not approved but may be considered accurate in some circumstances) As such, Tom does the absolute minimum to keep legal repercussions at arms distance.

In other words, Tom is playing the vast majority of his backers.

You should also know the last communication from Tom was this:

Five months ago today. Comments since then from the backers? Still waiting on their shit.

Oh, I forgot, Tom is a "Tax Lawyer" by day. That means that, according to him, it's always tax season and he's always overwhelmed.

No worries, right? I mean, I'm sure he declared all of his tax liabilities for his 2 Kickstarters. It's not like he spent the money and there's no cash left to ship product. That would never happen.

BTW, his last communication prior to March 23, 2016 was this bit:

I may have been unfair with Gareth, as Tom is possibly the most distasteful project creator I've dealt with on Kickstarter. He must be a hoot to have as a lawyer: "No worries Mr Smith, I've told the IRS we'll be ready for your Audit on Tuesday. Now excuse me, I'll be out of the state for the next 13 months. Don't worry, I'll email. "

Kickstarter - Kaigaku, a Samurai RPG (A Black Hack hack)

"A high-drama samurai RPG where noble courtiers, devious ninja, heroic ascetics and mighty bushi all clash for the glory of their clan."

The above is the basic description of Kaigaku, a Samurai RPG. It's a hack of The Black Hack RPG (The Black Hack has spawned a plethora of of "hacks")

I haven't played in an asian flavored RPG since AD&D 1e's Oriental Adventures. So I find Kaigaku very intriguing.

What's very nice is that you can download a no frills version of the rules for free from the Kickstarter page. Kinda like "try before you buy."

From the KS page:

Where is it Now? 

Right now Kaigaku is available as a free, no-art, barebones game, which you can download from the link in the first paragraph. Since I released the game I've vastly expanded the manuscript (it's now more than three times as long as the original) and it's been professionally edited multiple times. The premium game also boasts beautiful work from such talented artists as Lord Zsezse Works, Gennifer Bone, Peter Frain and Enmanuel "Lema" Martinez. This is truly my favorite project, and I want it to be the best that it can be. 

What's New? 

The premium version of Kaigaku features lots of new content, including multiple NPC generators, a mass battle system, rules for using your honor as a weapon, 15 new ryu and more. 

What are the Design Principles? 

-Brevity and clear rules
-Easy enough to learn in a day
-Setting that fires up your imagination without dominating it
-Fun above all else

Kickstarter - Crypts of Indormancy (OSR Adventure)

If you don't know about the fine folks behind the Crypts of Indormancy may I suggest checking out an issue of The Undercroft Zine. High value of inspiration for your investment but little if any is straight up fantasy. Darker, stranger and off balance (not unbalanced), releases from The Melsonian Arts Council tend to push the envelope. What envelope that actual is is probably open to discussion.

How does Crypts of Indormancy differ from other old school adventures (or new school ones at that)?

“Crypts of Indormancy” is an evocative location-based adventure compatible with Lamentations of the Flame Princess and most other Dungeons & Dragons clones. The final book will be a saddle stitched, 40-odd page A5 affair with a gloriously coloured cover and black and white internal illustrations.

Features: 

-Set in a quasi-Polynesian island chain
-Dungeon fundamentals done fresh and right, evil wizard and all
-A backdrop of postcolonial elves digging through their imperial past
-Optional rules to help more fully and easily engage with the peculiar background of the world by incentivising culturally specific behavior
-Five memorable and perplexing new monsters
-A confident and distinct literary voice 

Yeah, this isn't your run of the mill dungeon.

It's already funded with 22 days left in the funding period.

About 7 bucks to back in PDF, you are looking at around 13 bucks for saddle stitched print plus PDF.

Come on. You know you want to.