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Saturday, September 2, 2017

Jeff Dee's Mighty Protectors (Villains & Vigilantes V3) on Sale in PDF



I never owned Villains & Vigilantes growing up as a gamer but I sure played it. We tried about every supers game in the late 70s and early 80s and while none stuck around and were played for any length of time, V & V stuck around in our minds. How could it not? The ads in Dragon Magazine just looked so damn cool.

Well, the latest edition of Villains & Vigilantes just released in PDF and its called Mighty Protectors.
You can combat the forces of evil! Find their hidden enclaves with your super-senses, and bust your way in with powerful fists! Use your incredible agility or invulnerability to ward off their attacks as you blast away with energy bolts, or confront them with your martial arts or weapon skills! Drag them squirming and cursing to prison, to be brought to justice! Become a champion of truth and an idol of millions! 
Villains and Vigilantes TM - the world’s first complete superhero role-playing game - is back again. V&V 3.0 Mighty Protectors® features dynamic random & point-balanced character creation, accessible fast-paced rules, brand new powers, streamlined mechanics, all-new illustrations, and an imaginative, far-ranging campaign setting - The Mighty Protectors® Multiverse - created by Jack Herman and Jeff Dee! 
Mighty Protectors is a registered trademark of Monkey House games. Villains and Vigilantes is a trademark of Scott Bizar, used with permission.
Mighty Protectors is $14.99 in PDF.

All sales generated via The Tavern's Affiliate Links earns a small income for The Tavern and lets us do what we do best. What do we do best? Drink beer and...

Barrel Rider Games - 20% Off PDFs Sale - White Star / White Box / Labyrinth Lord


Now +James Spahn has done it. His Barrel Rider Games publishing company is running a 20% off sale on EVERYTHING James has for sale in PDF. Well, except for PWYW offerings. Hard to discount that. Just give 20% less than you had planned to give in that case I guess ;p

James is one of the reasons I did Swords & Wizardry Light as he proved how successful Swords & Wizardry White Box could be.

Barrel Rider Games 20% off sale.

Remember, every purchase made via The Tavern's Affiliate links returns a small percentage to The Tavern's coffers. Keep the lights burning and the taps flowing with your patronage.

James is a true friend. Even if I thought he were an ass, his writing is amazing. 'Nuff said ;)

Friday, September 1, 2017

Kickstarter - Raids: The storytelling RPG (so different its just like the others)



So, Raids: The storytelling RPG bills itself as different from other RPGs, but in the end the only thing it differs from is D&D in its various forms.


No character levels? Okay, so that could be anything from RuneQuest to CoC to FATE to whatever.

No classes? Okay, so that could be anything from RuneQuest to CoC to FATE to whatever.

Actively block attacks? Okay, so that could be anything from RuneQuest to CoC to FATE (or not FATE) to whatever.

So in reality, the only thing Raids has going for it is its NOT D&D.

Oh, solo adventures? That's never been done before, right?

But at least we have t-shirts for add-ons:


Don't forget the buttons:


When your only comment is from someone who backed for a buck to tell you what I basically just said above? Yeah, not looking good.

There's a video. I tapped out early on. Ah well.




Some Further Links for Folks in Need due to Superstorm Harvey

This is far from a complete list. It is, quite simply, a start. Harvey has left a trail of destruction and many in our community and beyond will need our help. I've never been more proud to be a gamer when than when I've seen the community pull together for those in need.


Link to the Sgt. Steve Perez GoFundMe page

Gamers on Games is collecting for the Texas Diaper Bank for Harvey.


"Many folks got flooded.  I have several strong boys (Eagle Scouts) who are slogging through chin deep water to help folks salvage what they can.  The president of our company (Illusionists - Parent company of Tenkar's Tavern Crate, Mythoard and other monthly gaming boxes), Trina Burns lost everything.  Two cars, all their furniture and she has 5 small babies that had to be evacuated to Dallas. Everyone is fine but we are doing a fundraiser for them at https://paypal.me/FUZIONAgency if anyone is inclined to help out." Jared Nielsen

"Jason Yarnell, the boss over at RPG publisher D3 Adventures, and his family had their house flooded and have suffered a major loss of most of their stuff and much of his office is still under water. They are safely staying with friends currently, but the road to recovery is going to be a long one. His sister put up a GoFundMe campaign if anyone wants to help." Matt McElroy 
https://www.gofundme.com/3quu2d-hurricane-harvey-recovery



https://www.paypal.me/MMMBooks

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iFHP5iIpvCdkg_EpVKHkPbbnuP7IlPXoDVLkntK2Cgo/edit#gid=0

Open Letter to #ConManKen - When the Walls Come Tumbling, Tumbling Down!

Yeah, I paraphrased from a John Cougar song. Heh



So, Kenny-boy!

You are a month late on your self imposed punted to the future Kickstarter deadline for all of your projects and you couldn't even get your pencils done. Even the Gygax Memorial Fund now has pencils! And yes, I know how you tried to pass that one off to another AND make money off "the sale" and transfer of YOUR obligations. What balls.

See, that's what you do #ConManKen - you try to scam others and pass off YOUR obligations. Those Kickstarters that you have fucked folks over on, many of them your own fans (do you have any left?) - those are obligations.

Don't worry too much Ken. My understanding is that your world is going to get real small real soon and your obligations - well, lets just say, your obligations are coming due.

Ah, a new month. So sweet. I can almost taste fall in the air. Can you taste it Kenny?

Talk to you again soon, Ken. Love ya. Wouldn't want to be you...

Signed,
Poo Poo Face


Thursday, August 31, 2017

Swords & Wizardry Light to Swords & Wizardry Complete Conversion Guide - Ability Score & Classes


Yep, here's the first part of the Swords & Wizardry Light to Swords & Wizardry Complete Conversion Guide. As always, feel free to give feedback. This document will be for you to use and should supply enough information to transition as seamlessly as possible. If there is detail lacking please comment below. The second part will address races, weapons & spells.


Lets address the Ability Scores first.

Strength - Use the chart given on page 7 of the SWC rulebook. Low strength score may now have a penalty. Bonuses for Fighters now kick in a a Str of 13.

Intelligence - Use the chart given on page 8 of the SWC to determine languages, max spell level, percentage chance to know spells and min / max number of spells per spell level known. Keep all spells currently known and use the version in SWC going forward. High Int no longer gives a penalty of -1 to the saves of opponents.

Wisdom - As per page 8 of the SWC rulebook, a Wis of 13+ grants a 5% experience bonus. Clerics with a Wis of 15+ retain their 1st level bonus spell.

Dexterity - As per page 8 of the SWC rulebook, Dexterity Bonus kicks in at Dex 13. Low dexterity score may now have a penalty.

Constitution - As per page 8 of the SWC rulebook, Constitution Bonus kicks in at Con 13. Low constitution score may now have a penalty.

Charisma - If you have a Torchbearer they are now a Hireling. Max hirelings is as per table on page 8 of the SWC rulebook. Note, a Cha score of 13+ grants a 5% experience bonus.


Now we'll peek at Classes. Remember, conversion assumes Swords & Wizardry Light level 3 characters to same level in Swords & Wizardry Complete.

Fighter - Add 2 HP to your 3rd level fighter's HP total. Use the BAB chart on page 38 of the SWC rulebook to calculate new BAB. Remember to adjust for new Str Bonus if applicable. Str score of 13+ offers a 5% experience bonus.

Cleric - HP remain the same. Bonus to Saves is now +2 bonus on saving throw rolls against being paralyzed or poisoned. New Turn Undead Table is on page 43 of the SWC Rulebook. Wis score of 13+ offers a 5% experience bonus.

Magic-user - HP remain the same. Intelligence now determines chance to learn new spells going forward. Darts may now be used as a weapon. Int  score of 13+ offers a 5% experience bonus. High Int no longer gives opponents a penalty to their save against magic.

Thieves - HP remain the same.  Still can use any weapon but note, only magic weapons available are swords and daggers. Convert thief skills to percentage based skills using table on page 24 of the SWC rulebook. Dex score of 13+ offers a 5% experience bonus.




Swords & Wizardry Light / Swords & Wizardry Complete Conversion Document being Prepared



Its been requested for a while and I've addressed it in pieces, but this weekend I'll be working on putting together a conversion document for Characters going from Swords & Wizardry Light to Swords & Wizardry Complete and for monsters and spells going from SWC to SWL.

It may initially release as separate posts here at The Tavern.

Character conversion will be specifically for 3rd level characters as that is where the core Swords & Wizardry Light rules top out at. If you stick with SWL and move on to the soon to be released Swords & Wizardry Continual Light rules, the conversion document for material from Swords & Wizardry Complete will be quite useful.

Alright, back to slaving away at my desk ;)

Frog God Games - 30% off Coupon for PDF Purchases - Benefits Catholic Charities Houston - First in a Series of Superstorm Harvey Posts

This is the first in a series of posts highlighting ways to help folks impacted by the floods in Texas / Louisiana.

Frog God Games has one of our owner/partners in Houston. Although he is safe we wanted to do something, even if it is small. Customer PDF purchases through September 4th will get a 30% discount. ALL proceeds on coupon sales after expenses and royalties will go to (Frog God Games store):  
https://www.catholiccharities.org/catholic-charities-hurricane-harvey-updates/
Coupon Code- HOU-STON-HELP

Last Night's Tavern Chat - Most Attended - Ever - With Voice Option Too



Last night was quite simply the most active and attended Tavern Chat that The Tavern has hosted. Voice chat alone (which kicked off shortly before 10 PM Eastern) had nearly 18 in the channel last night. Text chat had more (there was an overlap)

Wow. Simply wow. Discord is living up to its reputation of being an amazing community builder. In just over a week we already have over 120 members at The Tenkar's Tavern Live Discord server and chat going on nearly 24/7.

I'd like to add chat sessions that are staggered to allow doe easier access to the chat for those across the pond or down under. I'm open to suggestions (remember, I'm NYC / Eastern Time Zone) for times / days for such an endeavor.

As an enticement to join The Tenkar's Tavern Live Discord server I've pinned the Swords & Wizardry Continual Light Beta rules for easy download in the swords-wizardry-light channel.  Work commences on final layout with edits next week.

Need an invite?

https://discord.gg/tdVSQeG

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Tavern Chat Tonight - 9PM - We've Moved it to the Tenkar's Tavern Live Discord Server



Yep, Chatwing served its purpose but its time to move on to newer and better things.

Tonight's Tavern Chat will be hosted on the Tenkar's Tavern Live Discord Server from 9PM to 11PM--ish.

First, login into the Tavern Chat Live Discord Server. The link will be below but its also on the right side of this page.

   Invite -  https://discord.gg/fReGmuD

When you log into the server, you start out in the common-room.thats where general chat and daily hanging out takes place. For tonight though, we will be using the tavern-chat-wed-9pm channel.

At 10PM I'll be dropping into the Open Bar voice channel until 11PM or so. Feel free to join me.




Wayward Kickstarter - Dice and Danger Dragon's Lair (It Simply Doesn't Add Up)


There are multiple problems with the Dice & Danger Kickstarter, but I'll stick with the obvious one. Math. Seriously, when your funding is simply based on "hidden monies" I don't care how cool your project looks, your dishonesty leads the way.

So, lets look at the math, shall we?

Average backer is in for $91.67

Total backing according to backer levels is $1,220

Backing according to Kickstarter is $2,750

Goal is $2,500

Miracle and unaccounted for backing is $1,530

So, what percentage of the backing of this project can't be accounted for?

56%

Holy shit! What a fucking facade!

Fuck the rest. This by and of itself is an obvious sign of bullshit backing.





Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Livestream - Zach Glazer, Bad Mike and Myself - Kinda Like NOW! (FGG Announcements)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybT0_3FM4iVfqE8b8-eFLg

Above is the link to the soon to be live livestream with Zack, Mike and myself.

Some Frog God Announcements incoming imminently.

Far West - Forlorn & Forgotten - Funded Six Years and Four Days Ago


Thanks to +Eric Franklin for reminding me that Far West, the dead albatross around the neck of Gareth Sharka and everything he touches, funded six years and four days ago. Over six fucking years ago. Shit!

Does Gareth even have the balls to update his Kickstarter backers? No. and since Gareth is "holding off on updating until I have something major & concrete to deliver" you can expect the next update to be... never.

But yeah, keep writing those adventures for Star Trek and let your own IP lie fallow. Because, you know, people that believed in you and put money in your hands should be alternately ignored, lied to and spit upon for six years. Now THAT is some sort of customer service...


Marcus King has a $200k Job just for YOU! (and MAYBE Kenny never actually bought a store...)

I got this forwarded to me last week and it was a fairly busy week of posting, so it kept sliding back. But then the thought occurred to me: "What if one of the Tavern's readers were to miss out on this amazing opportunity because I failed to share it! They could miss out on the job of their lifetime and I'd be at fault." So, here it is - with commentary!
Website Developer Sought: 
Pay is $8 an hour + 2% of revenue for new site (Gross, not net). No maximum commission.  (Now, don't expect to actually receive said commission, as it will be help against potential returns into perpetuity) 
Goal is $10,000,000.00 revenue a year (thus $200,000.00 in commissions, annually).(yeah, and reality MIGHT be 100k a year and thus a commission of 2k - feel free to relocate for this amazing job)
Duties: Develop website to sell comics. Facilitate and assist staff in posting photos, descriptions and other information vital to customers desire to buy. Oversee repricing of product to keep product fresh. Promote site for consumer awareness. Manage other unforeseen aspects we may encounter. (in other words, man the register and sweep the floors)
Vision: Mostly back issues, but also some new comics sales to start, and growing each week through historical sales effecting future orders and needs. We have over 700,000 comics to populate store with - in stock now! We receive hundreds of new comics every week, and thousands of back issues. (please - we are drowning in this shit!)
We have space to put your desk, and will provide work station for you to start immediately. (yes, we actually have a desk and a laptop for you. we were going to ask you to bring your own, but then i realized i could just stock the boxes higher and bamn! - room for your desk. it was salvaged from a school and has they little flip top. you'll love it!)
Website Specifics: Customers can auto check out via paypal. Daily updates by staff for new arrivals and back issues. Subscriber options for people who want to be updated when a particular title is available; new arrivals are input, or specific product type is listed. 
Employee Pay is bi-weekly. Work environment is close knit, and friendly. (we will be sharing your desk) Must fit company dynamic, and be a team oriented individual. 
All top people in the company receive the same hourly wage (and 8 bucks an hour is the top wage - better stock up on Raman Noodles), so your hourly wage can increase, but your real income will come from your commissions. This is an ideal situation for an established website developer who can get us up and running fast, and understand the implications of being the person who gets the commissions in perpetuity (as long as you work for the company) (and if you start earning too much, I'll fire you and hire someone for 8 bucks an hour AND no commissions) for administering the website, and fixing the issues that arise as we grow. 
Additional products we deal in, and can be put on the store’s site once comics are running, include: Action Figures, Sports Cards, Collectible Cards, CCG’s, POP! Figures, Classic Video Games, Graphic Novels, Collectible Coins, Collectors Supplies and much more. How much you make is only determined by your skill and dedication to improving this company. Tired of being under appreciated, under compensated, while others benefit more from your work? (work here and we'll give you more of the same - for less!)
Our website will not be the cheapest price for anything (wait - that seems like an honest statement), but rather a completist site, with a devout-level dedication to customer service and brand loyalty. 
To join our team, apply with resume to: 
TheMadOx@MadOxComics.com 
Or, in person with resume to
Marcus King
Senior Partner
Mad Ox Games & Comics
205 North Hill Street (Corner of N Hill and E 7th Ave)
London, KY 40741
606-877-xxxx
Here's the interesting part. #ConManKen supposedly BOUGHT Mad Ox Games & Comics LAST month. Yet somehow Marcus is a "Senior Partner." Of a business that Marcus was about to close and somehow now expects to make $10m a year in online sales. Anyone else see what I see? A shell game and nothing more.


Monday, August 28, 2017

Bundle of Holding - The 20th Anniversary edition of the WEREWOLF: THE APOCALYPSE


Ah, Werewolf: The Apocalypse. My entry into the World of Darkness. See, I liked Werewolf because it didn't have all the angst and overwhelming politics of Vampire. Eh, maybe it was violent enough it kind of reminded me of D&D.

In any case, I owned a lot of Werewolf back in the day simply to read it. Never ran it. Never played it. Never will. But the reading was damn good. I may need to read some more.
For just US$14.95 you get all three titles in our Garou Collection (retail value $55) as DRM-free .PDF ebooks, including the complete full-color 555-page Werewolf 20th Anniversary corebook and the W20 update of the essential Changing Breeds player's guide, as well as the beautiful Art of the Changing Breeds illustration book. 
And if you pay more than the threshold price of $25.81, you'll level up and also get our entire Storyteller Collection with five more W20 supplements worth an additional $50, including Rage Across the World (retail price $13), Umbra: The Velvet Shadow (retail $15), the Storytelling Adventure System scenario Skinner (retail $7), Kinfolk: A Breed Apart (retail $13), and the W20 Storyteller Screen (retail $2).
Not the best value I've seen on Bundle of Holding but not too bad.

Inkwell Designs - Creature Decks for 0e / 1e - On Sale



So, I was speaking with +Joe Wetzel over the weekend. Joe is the man behind Inkwell Designs. In addition to some amazing mapping software, Joe does card decks to support RPG Campaigns. Last week he put on sale his SideQuest Decks and the response was damn good.

Now, I have most of Joe's deck releases (which he offers for multiple systems) and they really are sweet. I use them for inspiration in session prep, but I'm sure one could use the various decks in play for seat of the pants inspiration.

Anyhow, I asked him if he had anything on sale that would be right up the alley of The Tavern's readers. He didn't, but then he did ;)

Creature Decks for 0e / 1e. The art is great and its damn convenient having all of a creatures stats, description and pic on a single card.

There are 5 decks in the series. $1.95 (normally $2.95) in PDF or $9.95 (normally $11.95) in Print plus PDF (except the Animals deck which is $8.95)

Remember, all purchases made via The Tavern's affiliate links goes to support The Tavern. There might appear to be a number of posts related to gaming products and their releases. The Tavern strives to make clear and unambiguous declarations of affiliate links and associations within the gaming industry. While it is difficult to be bias free, disclosing potential biases in the next best thing. Oh, and join The Tavern's Discord Server and head over to the swords - wizardry - light channel and download the Swords & Wizardry Continual Light Beta release, complete with typos and prior to edits and new layout ;)

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Discord Thoughts - An OSR Online Con - Dare I Say? TenKon!



So, this kept me up late on Friday night. At the moment we are nearing 90 members of the Tenkar's Tavern Live Discord Server. That got me thinking. I've toyed with the idea of an Online OSR Convention for the last 2 years. I just never saw all of the pieces in place to allow such to happen without major planning and software and associated costs

Discord plus Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds 2 is a viable solution.

So, here are the questions, not just for the Tenkar's Tavern Community but the OSR at large:

- Would you play a game session in an Online OSR Convention?

- Would you run a game session in an Online OSR Convention?

- Would you attend a panel discussion in an Online OSR Convention?

The cost to attend would be ZERO. The Tavern would offer some random gifts to attendees with perhaps further gifts offered from publishers.

I'm toying with the idea of calling such a potential convention TenKon but as all things that is subject to change ;)

What say you?

Spread the word on this post, because if there is enough interest we'll get the ball running.

Total side note - if you are a member of the Tenkar's Tavern Live Discord Server, drop into the swords - wizardry - light channel. The Swords & Wizardry Continual Light Beta Rules are linked there for your enjoyment. Not sure how long I'll leave them up there, so grab them soon. Work commences on laying out the SWCL rules via InDesign and with edits, corrections and clarifications this week and continues until completion.


Deal of the Day - Gary Gygax's Necropolis (Necromancer Games)


Gary Gygax's Necropolis is today's Deal of the Day at RPGNow. Amazing a company other than the Gygax Trust can still use the Gygax name on a product ;)

Normal sale price for Gary Gygax's Necropolis is $11.99, but as the Deal of the Day it is on sale for $6.00
Gary Gygax's Necropolis is a vast campaign scenario that sweeps the characters into an epic adventure across the magical desert kingdom of Khemit. From a hidden evil in a desert village, to the secrets of ancient tombs, Necropolis takes the characters on a dangerous mission to thwart the plans of an undying archpriest-wizard who would be a god! 
Necropolis is also a campaign sourcebook, detailing the lands of Khemit, new classes and prestige classes, new spells and more than 60 monsters unique to the desert lands. This book also details over 50 new gods and new cleric domains, allowing DMs to run extended campaigns in the desert kingdom. 
Players beware! Your characters will face certain death herein! 
This product requires use of the Dungeons and Dragons Players Handbook. 
Gary Gygax's Necropolis is a full length 288 page epic adventure and campaign sourcebook designed for 4 to 8 characters of 10th to 18th level. The source material and initial adventures can be used with lower level PCs as well, but no one under 10th level should attempt to enter Rahotep's tomb.
Note, this adventure is written for 3x.

Products purchased via The Tavern's affiliate links help to support The Tavern in all that is does. We thank you in advance. Join The Tavern's Discord Server! :) 

Anyone Know Where Charlie Mason Is?


We're almost a week later, so it's about 11 weeks since Charlie Mason was seen on G plus. Members of the community have grown concerned over his absence (and I've fielded a few inquiries over the last week.)

No one is looking to pry into any privacy issues, the concern is simply Charlie's well being. Its what community is all about and Charlie is a stalwart of the OSR community.

If you have info you can post it here or email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at gmail if you consider it sensitive. I won't share details of any sensitive information given.

Thanks in advance.
Tenkar's Tavern is supported by various affiliate programs, including Amazon, RPGNow,
and Humble Bundle as well as Patreon. Your patronage is appreciated and helps keep the
lights on and the taps flowing. Your Humble Bartender, Tenkar

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