I've always enjoyed GURPS for its sourcebooks. It's a solid system and well balanced. The sourcebooks are amazing, and often can carry over to other systems without too much work.
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One of the players I infrequently game with, but frequently bust balls with is none other than OSR Mapper extraordinaire, Matt Jackson. Matt is a HUGE fan of the Index Card RPG. I guess it is time to see what his words of praise are all about.
Index Card RPG has slowly built a die-hard following of DIY RPG creators and players over the past 5 years. Until now, it has been found in 3 hardcopy books and numerous PDF's published by Runehammer.
This newest edition, the MASTER EDITION, combines ICRPG's numerous worlds, streamlined D20 rules and critically acclaimed GM know-how all in one PDF, all revised and updated with its latest playtest data, magic system, LOOT tables and so much more.
-400 pages of DIY goodness: a D20 system YOU command
-Free PDF updates for life (all ICRPG past buyers will receive a FREE core rules update PDF)
-All 5 main ICRPG worlds: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Weird West, Superheroes and Ice Age
-Newly rebuilt advanced magic system
-Huge monster listing
-Collection of d100 LOOT tables and content creation tables
-Includes FREE 150 page ADVENTURES supplement: all previously published adventures in one
-Includes portrait and landscape character sheets
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In case you've missed it, Black Pudding is a well-done OSR Zine. So, what is Black Pudding Heavy Helping Volume One? It is the current Deal of the Day and marked down from 6 bucks to 3.00
It glorps! It shlorps! It absolutely bevoorps! It is the first official Black Pudding zine collection, available in glorious print!
This collection features everything from the first four issues of Black Pudding, a zine of OSR RPG gaming goodies. Monsters, spells, character classes, character sheets, adventures, and more!
The materials from each issue are presented here in categories. Flip to the classes section and roll up a Black Knight or a Summoner. Scoot over to the monsters and stock your dungeon with a horde horror or a gravity guard. Drop the Glittering Tome of the Silver Sage into your adventure and make the wizard drool with anticipation. Send the PCs to the Bleeding Ox to hire Jilliantha Stormshot or Father Mug to join them on the quest.
You can use this tome to enhance your old school dice rolling adventure sessions but remember... do not EVER strike the tome! If you must kill the pudding, kill it with fire.
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There are no prior pages saved on the Wayback Machine BTW
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While I technically started playing something akin to D&D in the winter of 78/79, I'm probably better off saying that my first "real" D&D experience was in 6th grade....so spring 1983? We had some weird elective period thing where I elected to sling dice out of the Magenta box.
My first PC was an Elf and he should have died in the first adventure when some Green Slime landed on him. The GM was rather gracious and treated the slime attack more like a degenerative disease and allowed my PC to continue adventuring as the slime slowly overtook his body. In retrospect a good idea to not kill off a newb's character in the first session, but....
...well I've NEVER liked Green Slime and I've only used it a couple of times as a GM. Both times I telegraphed it's presence big time and the best I did, adversarial-speaking, was get a Magic-User to voluntarily have the Ranger lop off his (MU's) hand at the wrist. That was actually good times as a GM, but the player did that to his own PC....as that interaction was completely avoidable.
All of this is more of a related side-note to a larger issue I've always had with essentially instant-death. Now if a PC jumps off a big-assed cliff unprepared and plummets hundreds of feet to the ground....splat-city and no sweat off my ass. Suck it up and start rolling 3d6.
Right up there is the whole idea of Save vs. Death. Seriously? I've got an AD&D 20th level Magic User and his Save vs. Death is 10......so outside of having a Ring of Protection or some magical aids, he's got a 50/50 shot at surviving. Years of me playing this guy and some event comes down to a single die roll? Sure lots of crap comes down to a single die roll, but usually it's really more like a series of die rolls. A monster has to hit and has to roll high enough to do the PC in, but some random creature has an overpowered effect and your PC just happens to be nearby? Roll that d20 and hope it rolls high.....
OK, clearly something happened in last night's game.....
My group was fighting some plant-based monster and it had a spore attack that was Save vs. Death. Half of the party died, well would have if the GM didn't roll it back. Statistically it should have killed half the party and I don't think he expected that. Now I'll admit I didn't have a huge attachment to this PC, so death was no big deal, and even if I had said attachment......I know I should have taken my own advice and reached for the d6's.
Thing is it's not the PC loss that bugs me, it's the unexpected sudden and seemingly randomness that gets me. I just don't like that at all.
My thoughts on this aren't just to complain, otherwise this would be just a whiner post.
Harkening back to my earliest experiences, I think that the results of a Save vs. Death shouldn't be just straight up death. At a minimum I'd add in another die roll. If you fail the initial Save, do a 3d6 CON check. If you fail that, then kill off the PC. Otherwise, the PC's hit-point maximum is halved, and increases back to normal at the rate of level per day (i.e. a 6th level Fighter PC currently at 25hp, but has a maximum of 60hp, fails the Save vs. Death, but makes the CON check, his new maximum HP is now 30hp. He still only has 25hp and magical healing will only bring him to 30hp. The next day his maximum will be 36hp, the next day 42hp, etc.) The GM should describe the degradation to the PC appropriately and the nature of the injury should be such that magical aid (specifically healing spells) will not restore the damage, but it will bring the hit points back up to the current maximum.
My thought is that a Save vs. Death should be serious, but not detrimental to the point that a single die roll will doom the PC. The PC might luck out and make the Save, but if that is failed there is still a chance that the PC takes a serious blow that might very well lead to its death....., but if the PC is careful, the damage can be overcome.
I don't know about you, but I spent many an afternoon in high school and college playing Talisman. There was just enough "role play" for a lazy afternoon where your regular DM had to bow out or there wasn't a full group to conquer the next dungeon.
Talisman: The Complete Collection is available on Humble Bundle for the next 12 days as I type this. If you've never played Talisman and aren't looking to take a huge plunge, the core game is just a buck. If you've got the 11 bucks or so to beat the average price paid, you get everything - expansions, extra characters, simply extra of everything ;)
Did I mention you can get it in Windows AND OSX? Yes, as a Apple user I am very happy :)
or pay a buck...
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Frog God Games and a number of fellow publishers have a new 5e bundle on Humble Bundle - Treasures and Tehuatl Book Bundle. I must say, the content included is awesome. Tuhuatl is an extremely well-executed homage to ancient Central American cultures. The Folio R01-06 is a nice campaign for any edition of the rules. The Airde setting from Troll Lord is one of my favorite RPG settings of all time. The Tome of Treasures will convert easily to the OSR. Plus all the other adventures and material.
In my opinion, 18 bucks is the sweet point for the Treasures & Tehuatl Bundle as it gets you everything but The Tome of Treasures in print. It's 43 plus shipping if you want ToT in print.
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Below is a press release from earlier today from OneBookShelf:
Recently we announced a substantial increase in book printing prices, originally expected to be implemented on July 13th. We are very pleased to inform you that this increase is no longer going to happen.
As we stated a few weeks ago, our printing partner Lightning Source/Ingram had informed us of pending price increases that would affect the entire range of our print book format offerings. This change was to take place in early July.
Since that time, we have met with Lightning Source and were able to secure better pricing options from them. As a result, we are able to forego the expected 2022 price increase to publishers and creators on OneBookShelf marketplaces.
We continue to negotiate with Lightning Source and to investigate alternative book printers.
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Time is running out to back the Fantastic Geographic Issue #2 Kickstarter for the Silver Bulette folk (who WILL be on the Talking Crit Livestream tomorrow night June 22, 8 PM Eastern). Compatible with Mork Borg, but easily used with the OSR system of your choice. 6 bucks in PDF, 22 bucks - shipped for print plus PDF.
Fantastic Geographic Issue 2 is chock full of articles and is weighing it at over 60 black and white pages printed on 60# paper with an 80# glossy cover, just like issue 1.
This issue is focused on the APOCALYPSE theme and you will find everything from techno-zombies compatible with way too many RPG systems to an Apocalypse Generator. We have RPG design greats, like Skeeter Green, discussing mixing fantasy and sci-fi because he digs peanut butter with his chocolate as much as we do.
This issue features a wrap around cover by Dan Smith and some interiors. Other interior artists include David SImpson, Ed Bickford of Metal Robot, Del Teigeler, and more.
Some of the articles include:
A post apocalyptic jungle lab adventure
The Laboratory of Thom Barker
Otto's Muffins: the next episode of the Turf War adventure path
The Junk Dragon
Techno-zombies
An apocalypse generator
A Night at the Lamb's Bray Inn
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I know that Erik is rather forgiving with me here at the Tavern and I don't shill here too often, but when a friend comes out with something cool, I'm going to shill. Hell this time I even have a special mention on the project because the author is not just a friend, but my GM.......so I kind of helped playtest this thing.*
I'm certain everyone here will be relieved to know that my PC survived, thanks for thinking of him/me.
If you were a participant last year at NTRPG you might have seen the three-volume Creature Cache set that Richard LeBlanc Jr. had put out special for the con. If you weren't a participant Bad Mike *may* have some copies available for a future auction if you have to have the special edition pre-release.
Again, if you were at NTRPG you'd have gotten the spiel from one of the folks thanked in the book (Richard was largely missing from the con due to a surgery) that there was a 4th volume coming. Well it has come, but not as a separate volume. Instead Richard and New Big Dragon Games Unlimited (say that five times fast!) complied all four volumes into a single book, available as a softcover, hardcover, and (now) PDF (Lulu link for the printed books and DriveThruRPG for the PDF).
Now I'm a fan of the digest-sized (ok, 6x9 so US Trade?) hardcover myself, but folks seemed to prefer the softcover. I know if I asked Richard really nice he'd gift me the PDF, but I'm not a big asker, so I went ahead and used this PDF link and a virtual Alexander Hamilton to get it off of DTRPG. Well I had to make sure the link worked anyway.....
So if you've picked up the Creature Compendium 1, which is free/PWYW on DTRG by the way, you know what you're in for and this is a no-brainer. Now CC2 (which is the Creature Cache) is a little different, largely because while every monster still has a pic, Richard didn't do all the art (actually any of the art) himself. Instead he combed through a bunch of old pulp comics and magazines and used art that is now public-domain.
I did something similar once myself when I found and old book of western Folk-lore creatures.....yeah not as easy as it sounds, well it wasn't for me. Richard does a good job and who doesn't want a bunch (200ish) new monsters for their OSR campaign?
Highly recommended and something I'm willing to spend my money on.......and I'm willing to bet more than a few folks here would be interested in this as well.
Gamelords is a company I knew about in the 80's era of my gaming, but not one that I had purchased content from. My Traveller purchases were all from GDW. God, but I was focused on purchasing supplements from the actual game publisher only in those days ;)
Traveller! This Gamelords Traveller Bundle presents .PDF ebooks of 1980s Classic Traveller tabletop roleplaying supplements from two of Traveller's earliest third-party publishers: Gamelords Ltd and Marischal Adventures. These primordial indies published many sourcebooks and scenarios by two of Traveller's most prolific designers: J. Andrew Keith and William H. Keith. Though later known for Traveller landmarks like Murder on Arcturus Station, Nomads of the World Ocean, the Alien Modules, and much more, the prolific Keith brothers started by self-publishing their own short "Folio" mini-scenarios (1981-82), followed by ten impressive booklets through Gamelords (1982-84).These titles date from the time publishers printed their books on dot-matrix printers, yet this timeless material can still freshen any space-opera roleplaying campaign.
For just US$12.95 you get all ten ebooks in our Gamelords Collection (retail value $60) as DRM-free ebooks, including A Pilot's Guide to the Drexilthar Subsector; The Desert, Mountain, and Undersea Environments survival guides; three adventures keyed to the Environments terrains Ascent to Anekthor, The Drenslaar Quest, and Duneraiders); and three anthologies of short scenarios (Lee's Guide to Interstellar Adventure, Startown Liberty, and Wanted: Adventurers).
Traveller scenario Trading Team from Marischal AdventuresAnd if you pay more than the threshold price of $24.10, you'll level up and also get our entire Lost Supplements Collection with seventeen more titles, including eight of the Keiths' early Marischal Folio mini-scenarios and nine titles that lay neglected until 2000, when Traveller fan Paul Sanders founded a company called Cargonauts specifically to publish them. The "Lost Supplements" sold out their 500-copy run almost immediately -- but now you can get them in .PDF for a bargain price.
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It is with great sadness that I must report that Terry Pavlet, artist extraordinaire, passed on June 12th, 2022. I remember a number of special conversations with Terry at conventions over the years and regret not having had the opportunity to visit with him since 2019.
Terry H. Pavlet, age 65, passed away at his home in Dousman, Wisconsin on Sunday, June 12, 2022. He was born on August 24, 1956 to Howard and Ruth (Meier) and grew up in Muskego.
Terry attended MIAD (Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design) and went on to be a freelance illustrator. He was known in the Milwaukee market for his rock band posters back in the 80’s but mostly worked in the RPG gaming and comic book industries, which he loved. He produced two graphic novels, Dakota and Strange Detective Mysteries, and contributed to many other publications and projects. He regularly showcased his work at Gary Con, Gamehole Con, as well as many other conventions. He felt privileged and grateful for the support of his many friends and colleagues, and always enjoyed connecting with his strong supportive fan base.
Terry is survived by his wife, Kathryn; his daughters, Maya and Lauren Pavlet; his father, Howard Pavlet; his sister, Sue (Bob) Fink; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frederick and Mary Ellen Schnell; his brothers-in-law, Fred (Jan) Schnell and Jay (Ann) Schnell; and his nieces and nephews, Jacob (Shelly) Fink, Jared (Abbey) Fink, Anna (Andrew) Hill, Jocelynn (Ryan) Stewart, Erich (Shelby) Schnell, Karlee Schnell, Conrad Schnell; his great-nephews and niece, Jayson Apple, Axis Stewart, and Effie Fink; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Pavlet.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 800 Lake Drive in Oconomowoc, with a visitation an hour prior to the service.
Terry Pavlet passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 12th. His family needs financial assistance to cover his funeral and final expenses.
Terry was a devoted husband to Kathy, his wife of 34 years, and the proud, loving father of daughters Maya and Lauren. True artistic talent and a creative soul led to a career as a freelance illustrator working mostly in the RPG gaming and comic book industries. Showcasing his work at Gary Con, Gamehole Con, and many other conventions gave Terry great joy, but he was especially thrilled to meet the people who really connected with the characters he created. Please show your love and support to Terry’s family by donating today. Any and all gifts are greatly appreciated.
Note: The Tavern will match the first $250 donated by members of this community by the end of the day, June 20th, 2022. Just let me know via a comment below how much you donated so I can keep a tally. Or, if you would rather, email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing to keep it more private. I thank everyone in advance. Terry was a good man - Tenkar
As Erika Reich/Justin LaNasa challenged my $43k figure for owed sales taxes, penalties, and interest owed by Justin Lanasa (on last night's livestream), I felt it was prudent to share the documentation I was referencing. Having done an accurate accounting of monies due, I stand corrected. It is not approximately $43k, instead, it is more accurately reflected as $45,128.38.
I appreciate being challenged for a figure that was inaccurate, and I'm happy to provide the accurate total and the accompanying documentation.
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In the common rooms of the great city’s countless inns, in the bathhouses of the merchant quarter, and before the altars of a thousand gods, brave and desperate adventurers meet and make plans. They leave every day and seek their fortunes in the Sunken Lands.
Not only do I own Through Sunken Lands and Other Adventures in print, but I also gave out 4 print copies to members of my old gaming group this May. It really is that good. If you enjoyed Beyond the Wall, you'll love Through Sunken Lands and Other Adventures.
Lots of times, we want to play a roleplaying game but just don’t have the time for all the prep work involved. No more. Through Sunken Lands is a kit to make a motley crew of ruthless sellswords, gifted sorceresses, and cunning thieves, and send them off in search of gold and glory. Now we have this simple swords and sorcery roleplaying game that gives a group all the tools they need to play an exciting adventure in a single evening, no homework, no fuss.
Anyone with a background in OSR games will already be comfortable with the core rules of Through Sunken Lands.
• Inspired by the works of Michael Moorcock, Fritz Leiber, and Robert E. Howard.
• Character Playbooks and Scenario Packs for play in a single evening with no prep.
• Player driven setting design for fleshing out the great city and the world beyond.
• A sample sword and sorcery setting: the impossible city of Jundarr and the Hundred Seas.
• Nine Character Playbooks, including the Spell Thief and the Eldritch Sorcerer King.
• Three Scenario Packs: the Mysterious Island, the Treasure Hunt, and the Wizard’s Tower.
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A revised re-release of this highly acclaimed original OSRIC/1e/2e compatible OSR fantasy role-playing game adventure.
I'm a sucker for old-school adventures, and I have a weakness for low-level adventures. They just fit perfectly with Swords & Wizardry Light.
The Kickstarter for Watchtower on the Hill is a reissue of an adventure initially published a decade ago to strong reviews. As its for levels 1-2, I'm happy to snag the new printing with the classic style removable cover ;)
Digital is 10 bucks, and Print is 15 plus shipping. I would have preferred to see a discount for a Print / PDF combo, but alas, it is not to be. 25 bucks for both formats, full boat. I'm in for a print copy :)
There are just over 2 weeks left in the funding campaign as I type this.
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I've covered this mostly on the YouTube Channel side of things, but the Jamison Stone / Satine Phoenix "bag of shit" has reached a new apex, with Satine firmly throwing her husband under the bus.
Sadly, people like this are firmly entrenched in the larger gaming conventions in the gaming industry. It's something that needs to change. Special Guests should be at conventions because of their accomplishments in the gaming industry, not because of the number of social media followers.
I have some ideas kicking around as to how to accomplish this. I need to think further about it.
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He Cooked – Zaan, Olo Malan.
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*Hugh Cook’s Chronicle of a World of Darkness, Part 2*
I return to you for the end of the tale. Hugh Cooks intended-sixty,
planned-twenty, published-ten F...
GURPS Cyberpunk Adventures (1992)
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From the web:
The gritty world of GURPS Cyberpunk is filled with danger, violence and
exotic beauty. This book presents three adventures that capture the...
Quick Convention Report: LongCon 2024
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[image: Quick Convention Report: LongCon 2024]
Last weekend I was able to attend LongCon in Longview, TX. I had a work
trip to the Nashville area that en...
The Governess for the Doctor Who RPG 2nd Edition
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[image: The Governess]
This is something of a "low-hanging fruit" character. I am sure everyone
has at least considered this character at one time or anothe...
d20 Chagrinspire Zombies + Game Log
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*d12 Chagrinspire Alt Zombies*
1 Cursed Lurkers - blind with sewn-up eyes and mouths, sense life, normal
initiative and movement and able to track for up ...
Blaster & Hardpack: FKR scifi
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My buddy James released his Sword & Backpack: Reforged yesterday and I
decided I was happy enough with scifi hack to go ahead and release it. This
is my at...
A Walk in the Harwood
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By HilanderSelf PublishedOSELevel …? I guess we don’t use levels anymore?
The Big Bad is 10HD. The folk of Almsville enjoyed a quiet existence far
from the...
Juicy Details
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Nova wrote about the concept of *Hyperdiegesis*, teaching me a new word in
the process. I chimed in on discord, so I get a nice mention in there too.
I g...
Punch A Nazi Week - Baroness Blitzkrieg
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Today's Nazi bastard is another member of the Fourth Reich. Code Name:
Baroness Blitzkrieg Real Name: UnknownTeam Affiliation: Fourth ReichMedium
Humanoid,...
Felltower: Making Hirelings
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My players decided to hire a lot of hirelings for their next delve - a
handful of 125-pointers, and a few guards and laborers.
So my free time for the next...
Stonehell: Getting the tip of your pole slimy
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Session 269 was played on 10/13/24
Morgana, wizard (Rob)
Borumar, Triton Thief (Josh)
Blotto, Goblin Fighter (Lanse)
Nick, Fighter 7 (Me)
Koltic, Cleric 7...
Handley-Page Hampton (1/144)
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This is one of Roman Troyen's (*PlanePrinter *on Patreon) 1/200 scale
designs, up-scaled to 1/144 and printed on my elderly Ender 3 in PLA.
It's a Han...
Create a sandbox map in 7 easy steps (or 10)
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I've written several posts on similar subjects; they are mentioned below.
This is a compilation of sorts.
You only need a piece of paper and pen to start -...
Bitterblossom: The Small-Press Supremecy...
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Our hobby has always been a small-press thing. Even now, with modern,
corporate D&D, the pastime remains in the capable hands of the hobbyist,
empowered ...
Trail of Cthulhu 2e and Broken Empires
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I try not to back funding projects (on Kickstarter and the like) that often
these days. This is because I backed a few in recent years that I now kind
of r...
Welcome new Greyhawk Fans!
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With the publication of the new Dungeon Master’s Guide, there are doubtless
going to be a lot of new D&D players interested in my favorite setting, the
Wor...
The Werewolf Rule
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Ever since the nose-blind apes succeeded in driving them away, wolves have
carried their hatred in their guts, like a cold embryo.
Humans are slow, stu...
Warsmith's Words: Traitor Guard
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Welcome back to the Vault! I've had a miserable snotty cold over the last
few days so I've hunkered down in the Vault and finished off a couple of
proje...
[BLOG] Year Eight: New Foundations
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The Hall of Mirrors stretches beyond the Two Infinities...This blog started
on 5 August 2016, making this part of the year a good time to take stock
and...
Psychotronic Gaming: The Basics
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Not too long ago I celebrated the 45th anniversary of me starting an AD&D
1e campaign. I started the campaign before I was a teenager and it is still
...
Knave Jammin’
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Ben Milton, Mr. Questing Beast, is holding an adventure jam for the release
of the much-celebrated second edition of his game, Knave. Short form,
October...
Lancer: 1:35 Swallowtail Scratchbuild
-
Back in the day, I suggested that the best mech system is a mechanics-heavy
RPG system, but scaled up.* D&D 4E *seemed like a good candidate. Mech
system...
D&D Player’s Handbook 2024
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Being an incomplete, visual review of the 2024 Player’s Handbook. I got a
copy of this almost entirely on the strength of the new cover art: (This is
the “...
Concerning the Future of Traveller
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I have been a fan of Traveller for a long time and have bought various
books over the years from just about every Traveller licensee, as well as
from Ma...
The Mystery of the First Blackmoor Map
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In this POST from a few years ago, I was concerned with the issue of scale
and distance in Blackmoor in the course of which I attempted to determine
the...
Far Away Land 2nd Edition Kickstarter is Amazing
-
Fay Away Land RPG Ed. 2 is now Kickstarting! It funded quick and has 22
days remaining as of this post. It is a unique setting and RPG that reeks
of fun....
Grimdark vs. Eucatastrophe
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Noisms has some interesting ideas in this post about his desire for some
depth to his grimdark, and turns to Gene Wolfe and Tolkien for relief.
Now, it ...
Musings on Sleep in OD&D – Is it Over-Powered?
-
Link to discussion
Let’s look at the sleep spell in Men & Magic:
>Sleep: A Sleep spell affects from 2–16 1st-level types (hit dice of up to
1 + 1), from...
It's been a bit
-
Hey everyone, I hope you are doing well! I've had a lot going on and
haven't had much time to blog lately. Heres a recap of gaming events and
other st...
Session #12 & Adventure Sites Compilation
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Firstly, I wanted to let everybody know that Adventure Sites I by Coldlight
Press is now available as a free download on DriveThruRPG. It includes my
own...
Improvised Awful Lights Missions
-
Asking about The Awful Lights, a commenter asks:
*I'd love to hear about how this is run - with the Handler determining
mission location and objectives ...
Jim Ward's Adventure in Gygax's Wonderland
-
Last weekend at GaryCon, many of us raised a glass to the memory of Jim
Ward, who passed away just days before the convention. Ward was very
helpful to m...
The Economy Engine, v0.2
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I made a thing. For D&D 3rd edition, so it might not be that interesting to
a lot of people. But I made it and I think it’s cool. The 3rd edition
Dungeon M...
*'s in SpaaaaaAaaaace
-
A lot of SF (including a certain 2D6 RPG grandaddy) deal with ancient
aliens taking humans from Earth and dropping them, fleas and all, on one or
more w...
Last move - to self-hosting!
-
As my vote regarding Substack in the “marketplace of ideas”, I’m moving to
self-hosting.
I’m now at (and hopefully staying for a long time at)
Blog: ht...
Time Rolls On
-
Today is December 31, 2023, in the mid-afternoon. In less than ten hours it
will be 2024. 2023 2023 was a good year. But all years are good years. Both
goo...
-
Heya folks, the 21st Salt Mine book, Import Export, has hit the digital
shelves! In the 21st book we follow Aaron Haddock-codename Stigma-as he
tries to ...
Moving On...
-
So, my D&D 5e experiment has blown up the lab in a puff of green smoke
leaving my face blackened like Wile E. Coyote after a failed roadrunner
Acme trap...
How to Keep Megadungeons Fresh
-
People often consider megadungeons boring. Not because the play style is
boring, but because they are in the same locale for a majority of the
campaign. If...
This is an Important Game Mechanic
-
*"That's the GM's Regional Map from my AOWG. And it's a damned good
regional map. It's not a good map for a Simple Homebrew Campaign. It does
some s$&...
Clean Your Room
-
Looking back at my little blog here. That last post… wow, I was having fun
playing WOW Classic! That was August of 1999 and I was having a blast… it
was ...
My RPG Zine Trilogy is on Kickstarter!
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I can't believe I didn't post about it here!
The Dead are Coming, Screams Amongst the Stars and Running Out of Time are
on *Kickstarter right now!* Thes...
Maximum HP 004, one week to go
-
Just one week to go for Maximum HP issue #004, the undead. We are pushing
through stretch goals and wracking up contributions for the best issue yet.
We...
Steve Jackson Interview
-
James Maliszewski recently did an interview with Steve Jackson over on his
Grognardia blog. Steve chats about the beginnings of The Fantasy Trip and
upcomi...
Undermountain Map Origins
-
As documented on the Ruins of Undermountain sales page, "TSR didn't
actually use Ed Greenwood's original maps," at least not in their entirety.
This post d...
WB:FMAG Total Print Sales
-
Hello Folks,
The last time I did a quick sales report was in September 2018.
I pulled reports from Amazon, Lulu and DrivethruRPG from October to current
fo...
The Minotaur for Old-School Essentials
-
*Minotaur*
*Requirements:* Minimum STR 9, Minimum CON 9
*Prime Requisite:* STR and CON
*Hit Dice:* 1d10
*Maximum Level:* 8
*Armor:* Leather, including shield...
WIZARDS OF POHJOLA
-
Init +0
Melee Atk
• sword or dagger +1 (1d5 or 1d3)
Ranged Atk
• hot iron sparks +3 (1d4+2 to two targets within 20' but not closer than
5')
AC 14
HD 12d...
Dungeons & Dragonmead Fall Schedule
-
*As you know, I run public classic Dungeons & Dragons games at **The Loaded
Die**/Metro Detroit Game Night's Board Game Nigh at **Dragonmead**, in
Warren...
D&D Sling Damage vs. Large Targets
-
In many early editions of D&D, weapons were assigned two damage values: one
for small/medium targets (i.e. man-sized) and one for large targets (giants
and...
James A. Smith, Jr. Memorial Video
-
A beloved father, devoted friend, and D&D Dungeon Master extraordinaire. We
miss you! To view video, click here Memorial Video
Note - The original video...
Let's Talk About Pacing!
-
The idea, I think, is that the RPG is ultimately about the long game. Even
rolling back to the early days of Basic & Expert, the goal of the player
was...
Profane and Profound Prep Part 2
-
This is part 2 of my work to edit my magic items for a DMsGuild release,
along with adding cursed items along the way. Here is part 1. Bone of a
Saint 8000...
SHORT BREAK.
-
I'm going to take a break for a week or so and will start up again in the
New Year. Thanks for reading and we'll start with Level 6 when I get back.
Iain Lovecraft, 3D Sculptor
-
Nope, it's got nothing to do with Cthulhu. I just did a video conversation
with Iain Lovecraft, who designs 3D miniatures and terrain. If you're not
doi...
New website!
-
Slowly but surely, all the content here will make its way — in updated
form! — to my new website: timbannock.com. For fairly obvious reasons, that
site wil...
Please Update Your Link!
-
If you're seeing this, it means your link to the Greyhawk Grognard blog is
out of date.
Please update your link to www.greyhawkgrognard.com (RSS feed is
h...
Mord Mar - Session 6
-
We weren't able to play Mord Mar last week, due to a family funeral. This
week we played on Monday for the first time, due to kids returning to
school and ...
A Small, Quiet Plea
-
There has been a great deal of discussing political agendas, social
grievances, and personal attacks within the little corner of gaming that is
my hobby....
Don’t Sleep It’s Broken
-
Expanding/editing my comments from What Makes Something Broken G+ thread:
“Broken”, for me, is anything that makes normal character choices, tactics,
or ro...
Swords & Wizardry Light-Themed Birthday Party
-
Last month, my wife and I helped our oldest to celebrate his birthday in
style. Ever since 2013, we have hosted a themed birthday party for our
now-15-ye...