State of The Tavern Update, August 2019

Just some quick notes and updates.

You probably don't realize it because I never missed a day posting or podcasting, but July was a rough month for me. Not bad, necessarily, but rough. Lots of time sinks, both physical and mental. Much that I wanted to get done, did not get done.

Well, as of this past Tuesday (August 6th) the last of my mental time sinks are completed. One of the more major time sinks was actually preparing for the New York State Notary Public Exam. Long story short, both Rach and I both passed and in about 2 months we should officially be Notaries Public. It should help Rach at her new job, and as for me, it was on my bucket list. No idea why. Seriously. Heh.

I've been neglecting the Tenkar's One Shot Roleplaying Facebook Community (trying to free up time) and I hope to run a playtest of next month's ShireCon adventure in a few weeks via the Facebook community. I'm getting there ;)

Yes, I'm behind on mapping, especially the rest of the adventure in question. Work commences tomorrow.

Gaming content for the blog - I've got a ton of shit sketched out and outlined, and now is the time to start finishing stuff off and posting it up. So, hopefully, I get a piece or two up this week.

New blog host / Tavern 2.0 - can keeps getting kicked down the road. It will happen. No longer predicting when. Soonish.

I will be attempting to put up a blog post in the AM hours. Possibly a second in the PM hours. Podcasts will release in the PM hours. Attempting a schedule. Time is always the enemy ;)

As always, thank you all for your support. It literally means the world to me :)

New PWYW - Boons for Swords & Wizardry Core Rules

Hmmm. This looks interesting. Let's read the pitch for Boons for Swords & Wizardry Core Rules:

This is a D60 table I created for my home game of core S&W but it will work with any OSR style game. The idea was to expand on the class system using a random table. Players roll on the table at 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th levels. I found I wanted to jazz up the core rules a little without overcomplicating things and this table did just the trick. It adds depth to characters without the need for more complicated classes. This is exactly what I wanted. I love the simplicity and ease of play S&W offers but missed some of the elements in more complicated games. This table gave me the best of both worlds. Some of the boons can be stacked (GM’s option) if a player finds they have rolled the same boon twice.

Alright, I'm curious. Its PWYW, so you can peek for free. Let's peek (note - screenshot is for review purposes only)

Holy shit. I LIKE this. Even if only used at first level, this is pretty damn cool. It's not overpowering and adds flavor and uniqueness to PCs. I just went back and gave a buck.

Note, although it specifically calls out the S&W Core Rules, it should work fine with any flavor of S&W. Heck, pretty much any OSR ruleset too.

Yep, affiliate links keep The Tavern going strong and that's an affiliate link above. Help a tavern keeper out ;)

Deal of the Day - Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting

I've heard good things about the Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting. As a Deal of the Day special, I may just need to pick this up. Yes, I am a setting junkie.

Normally 19.98 in PDF, until 11 AM tomorrow morning Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting on sale for 7.99 - 60% off.

Welcome to the Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting, a swords-and-sorcery milieu set in a Dark Ages fantasy version of the Mediterranean and the lands surrounding it! It is set a century after a Great Cataclysm destroyed the old world, plunged it into chaos, and reawakened magic and all form of ancient races and monsters. Now, the agents of Gods and Titans struggle against each other on behalf of their masters, nations strive to survive or dominate one another, and adventurers descend into the ruins in search of wealth and lost technology.  

This universal campaign setting, which represents 14 years of development and has roots in the early 1980s, is ideal for adventures of the sorts inspired by the works of Fritz Leiber, Robert E. Howard, and Jack Vance. It has deliberately been designed to be system free and compatible with any set of role-playing game rules suitable for ancient, medieval, or fantasy venues. It is the "Bible" of its world and its contents can be used either as part of a cohesive milieu or individually to enhance other campaign settings or adventures, and both by game designers and writers interested in authoring fantasy fiction. In that this setting was used as the playtest backdrop for games using the OGL/d20, Pathfinder, “Basic” Dungeons & Dragons and Labyrinth Lord retroclone, and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules, it is an especially ideal setting for them.  

This book includes:

• * MAPS of Kos City, Kos Island, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean. 
• * WORLD OF KOS, overview of the world, the impact upon it of the Great Cataclysm, and a timeline; sections on Languages, Clothing, Wealth & Money, Entertainment, Military Organizations, and Adventurer Culture. 
• * KOS CITY, an overview of the community that will be the starting point for many adventures and 50 specific places adventurers might visit in it, to include taverns, training halls, and temples (and which was designed to parallel the general sorts of places described in Skirmisher's Gold-bestselling City Builder). 
• * KOS ISLAND, detailed descriptions of the island of Kos, what lies around it, of its 12 major towns and villages, and of 10 specific places located on the island or smaller islets in the waters surrounding it. 
• * LANDS BEYOND KOS, detailed descriptions of 16 different nations, brief entries on nine regions, and writeups on three specific places. 
• * ENCOUNTERS, 21 encounter tables — 14 nation-based and seven terrain-based — that storytellers can use for inspiration and game masters can use to determine what things characters might encounter in the course of their adventures.  
• * LIVES, 118 system-free biographies of personages who live on the island of Kos or the lands surrounding it and are mentioned or appear as characters in the related sourcebooks or stories about the campaign setting. 
• * RACES, 17 species of people native to the world of Kos, including Antaeans, Arachneans, Bull Centaurs, Cynocephalians, and Myrmidons (along with more familiar Humans, Centaurs, Dwarves, Elves, Gnolls, Gnomes, Goblinoids, Half-Elves, Halflings, Lizardfolk, Merfolk, and Orcs). 
• * MONSTERS, a section on creatures that dwell in the world of Kos and and their roles in it. 
• * DEITIES & RELIGION, a section on gods and godesses, their worship, and the ongoing war between the Olympian Gods and the primordial Titans. 
• * GLOSSARY of terms useful for storytellers and gamemasters using this book. 

Yep, there is an affiliate link above. Affiliate links keep the beer cold and the taps flowing here at The Tavern. 

Kickstarter - DESTINATION FANTASTIC - A Kickstarter Favorite

"Enjoy travel? Fantasy? Sci-Fi? Watch this preview of the world’s first fantasy-oriented travel show, hosted by top D&D game masters."

I must say in all honesty, Destination Fantastic has missed my radar until now, and that's a shame, as the trailer makes this something I'd certainly enjoy watching.

Stefan Pokorny & Satine Phoenix are entertaining personalities and know how to ham things up. It looks like they had fun filming the pilot episode and it shows. Seriously, watch the video ;)

There are many pledge levels (too many if you ask me) but 15 bucks seems to be the sweet spot to me. It doesn't look like it's going to fund more than the pilot episode right now, but that is certainly n episode I'd like to see.

Reminder - Tavern Chat Tonight - 9 PM Eastern

Ah, sweet Wednesday. Hump Day. Also known as Tavern Chat Day, although we actually have the chat at night, 9 PM Eastern.

One to two dozen of your fellow gamers, bloggers, podcasters and more dropping into our virtual "Speakeasy" to share tales of gaming and geekdom with each other. I look forward to it every week.

Use the following link to join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server, head into the Speakeasy at 9PM tonight:

https://discord.gg/swrF8Aq

Hobbs & Friends Podcast Rereleases the Alexander Macris Interview Episode

On a personal note, I think this was one of the stronger interviews Jason did on the Hobbs & Friends Podcast. I'm glad to see Jason has released it again. The initial drama passed over a year ago and I think this is a good move and I applaud Jason. I'm quite sure he will get push back too, but such is the way of the world these days.

Here's the Hobb's & Friends Announcement:

Hello. After much soul searching I’ve decided it is time to re-release this episode. I’m certain this will cause some undue stress for some people and bring smiles to the faces of others. If it disappoints you, I’m sorry, but I think this deserves to be out there. I have not changed my stance on playing or purchasing ACKS. If I do, you’ll be the second to know. 

If you enjoy this trip into Mr Hobbs’ Gamerhood give us some feedback on what you think! Since the change to the new RSS we could use some review and subscriptions. Please spread the word again and let other folks know there are new episodes and where they can find them.

Even if you decide not to listen to this episode, you should give Hobbs & Friends a try. Overall, it's one of the best OSR Podcasts on the interwebs.

New Release - Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit (Platinum in 5 days)

Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit is the latest release from R. Talsorian Games Inc. Released on August 1st, it has hit Platinum levels in 5 days. Normally 29.99, it is currently on sale for 15 bucks.

Now, here's the weird part. DTRPG is advertising a Cyberpunk Sale in conjunction with the release of the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit:

Notice how it says "Get 60% off Cyberpunk Classic Titles." Well, the sale page it leads you to has 44 items listed - but only 6 are 60% off. The rest are 25% off. It should read "Get UP TO 60% off Cyberpunk Classic Title." It is misleading at the moment.

The 4th Corporate War’s over and the big dogs have retreated to their corners to lick their wounds. That leaves everyone else to fend for themselves in a shattered world.
And that’s just fine. ‘cause you’ve got interface plugs in your wrists, metal in your limbs, and chips in your skull. You’re wired in, loaded with chrome, and ready to take it to the Edge. 

There’s a world full of opportunities out there. Maybe this time you can do more than save yourself. Maybe. 

The Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit is the perfect introduction to the newest edition of the classic Cyberpunk tabletop roleplaying game and includes:

• Two booklets, one containing world lore and adventures and the other the essential rules needed to play. 
• Six pregenerated characters.
• Maps and standees to help bring the world of Cyberpunk to life!

The above includes affiliate links. Keep the lights on and the beer cold at The Tavern by using affiliate links. 

So, Who Won at the ENnies This Year? (Highlighting the ones I have interest in)

I had a couple of people reach out to me asking if I'd covered the 2019 ENnies winners on the blogside, and I hadn't - although I did give it a quick rundown on the Tavern Chat Podcast.

I snagged the list from the ENnies website, but the comments are mine alone ;)

Best Adventure
GOLD: Masks of Nyarlathotep (Chaosium Inc.) (Call of Cthulhu did very well this year, as did Chaosium overall - did they take a page from the Raggi Rulebook?)
SILVER: Mothership: Dead Planet (Tuesday Knight Games)

Best Aid/Accessory – Digital
GOLD: World Anvil Grandmaster Tier Worldbuilding & Campaign Management Platform (Both World Anvil and DUNGEONFOG are amazing products)
SILVER: DUNGEONFOG—Online Map Maker & Authoring Tool (I'll be back to using this to making more maps for personal and public consumption soon)

Best Aid/Accessory – Non-Digital
GOLD: Masks of Nyarlathotep Gamer Prop Set (H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society) (what I saw looked awesome if pricey)
SILVER: Dwarven Forge’s Dungeon of Doom Modular Terrain (Dwarven Forge) (good but pricey)

Best Art, Cover
GOLD: Call of Cthulhu – Terror Australis 2E (Chaosium Inc.) (there is a trend forming...)
SILVER: KULT: Divinity Lost, 4th Edition (Helmgast AB)

Best Art, Interior
GOLD: RuneQuest: Roleplaying in Glorantha Slipcase (Chaosium Inc.) (I'm a longtime RQ lover)
SILVER: Symbaroum Monster Codex (Free League Publishing)

Best Cartography
GOLD: Forbidden Lands (Free League Publishing)
SILVER: A New Map of Hot Springs Island (Swordfish Islands) (OSR representing)

Best Electronic Book
GOLD: Sly Flourish’s Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master (Last Word Audio)
SILVER: Fear’s Sharp Little Needles (Stygian Fox Publishing)

Best Family Game / Product
GOLD: Kids on Bikes (Renegade Game Studios/Hunters Entertainment) (or is that "Kids on Pikes?)
SILVER: Dinosaur Princesses (Ardens Ludere)

Best Free Game / Product
GOLD: Ironsworn (Shawn Tomkin)
SILVER: The Ultraviolet Grasslands (Hydra Cooperative) (and available for download)

Best Game
GOLD: Mothership: Player’s Survival Guide (Tuesday Knight Games)
SILVER: Dialect: A Game about Language and How it Dies (Thorny Games)

Best Layout and Design
GOLD: Symbaroum Monster Codex (Free League Publishing)
SILVER: The Black Hack 2nd Edition (Squarehex) (I've never gotten into the Black Hack, but nice to see the OSR represent)

Best Monster/Adversary
GOLD: Sandy Petersen’s Cthulhu Mythos for 5E (Petersen Games) (CoC again...)
SILVER: Creature Codex for 5th Edition (Kobold Press)

Best Online Content
GOLD: Seth Skorkowsky
SILVER: The Alexandrian

Best Organized Play
GOLD: Cypher Play Numenera Season 18-2: Building Amber (Monte Cook Games)
SILVER: Minsc and Boo’s Guide to Stuff and Things (Greg Marks)

Best Podcast
GOLD: Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff (ever notice this scripted podcast is always on this list? excellent production values, I think it's less the hosts and more the team behind them that makes the mark)
SILVER: Red Moon Roleplaying

Best Production Values
GOLD: Forbidden Lands (Free League Publishing)
SILVER: Invisible Sun Black Box (Monte Cook Games)

Best RPG Related Product
GOLD: Dark Adventure Radio Theatre: Masks of Nyarlathotep (H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society) (CoC...)
SILVER: Miskatonic University: Restricted Collection (Chaosium Inc.) (CoC and Chaosium)

Best Rules
GOLD: Call of Cthulhu Starter Set (Chaosium Inc.) (CoC and Chaosium. Excellent product too)
SILVER: Forbidden Lands (Free League Publishing)

Best Setting
GOLD: The Fall of DELTA GREEN (Pelgrane Press) (Oh my. Is this still CoC?)
SILVER: Call of Cthulhu – Terror Australis 2e (Chaosium Inc.) (I know this is CoC)

Best Supplement
GOLD: The Glorantha Sourcebook (Chaosium Inc.) (ah, RQ and Chaosium)
SILVER: The 7th Ed. Guide to Cthulhu Invictus (Golden Goblin Press) (ah, yes, CoC)

Best Writing
GOLD: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Core Rulebook (Cubicle Seven) (I still want to play this. I still need to fully read the rules)
SILVER: KULT: Divinity Lost, 4th Edition (Helmgast AB)

Product of the Year
GOLD: Masks of Nyarlathotep Gamer Prop Set (H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society) (CoC? Again?)
SILVER: Forbidden Lands (Free League Publishing)

Fan’s Choice, Best Publisher
Chaosium Inc. (Chaosium - who would have thunk? ;)

Judges’ Spotlight Award
The Stygian Library (Dying Stylishly Games)
Archives of the Sky (Aaron A. Reed)
Sigmata: This Signal Kills Fascists (Land of NOP LLC)
plot ARMOR (Mostly Harmless Games)
The Elephant & Macaw Banner: Player’s Guide (Porcupine Publishing)

Best of Those Left Off This List (as per The Tavern)

The Midderlands Expanded, MonkeyBlood Design & Publishing
  Cartographer: Glynn Seal

Creature Codex for 5th Edition, Kobold Press
  Authors: Wolfgang Baur, Dan Dillon, Richard Green, James Haeck, Jeremy Hochhalter, James Introcaso, Jon Sawatsky, Chris Harris

Questing Beast Podcast, Questing Beast

So, why do you think Chaosium / Call of Cthulhu did so well this year?