Not Really a Missed Opportunity to Grab a Book I Wanted....

I know this is late in the day and truth be told it's a bit later than I would like it to be, but I had to do a bit of travelling and some of the logistics took longer than expected.

Today started out with a bunch of promise and I was really hoping to be able to post pics of one of a new acquisition for my RPG collection: a 1st Printing of Deities & Demigods. Someone in my gaming group gave me a head's up that there was a decent copy in Denton, TX and although I had to wait a painful week before I'd be driving by Denton, today was the day.

The good news is that they had three copies of the Deities & Demigods book, but they were from the 2nd/3rd printing. Now I am not 100% sure if this checks out (I'm sure someone here will set me straight if I'm wrong), but it has been explained to me that the 1st printing had the Cthulhu mythos in it, with no "Thanks Chaosium" statement in it. The 2nd printing did have a thanks statement and the 3rd just removed the Cthulhu mythos altogether. 

I think that's well documented enough, but what I heard, and could be 110% bullshit, is that the 2nd and 3rd printings are really the same print run. Somewhere along the line of the second printing they basically stopped the presses and inserted (however that happens) the new whatever-it-was-they used (plates?) and started the presses up again. It was all one print run, just broken up what was actually printed and shipped.

Anyway, this store had two of the 2nd edition(?) and one 3rd. One looked pretty good, but they actually penciled in the price on the front leaf page. WTF, who does that? I get it in some rinky-dink mom & pop booth at an antique mall, but a bookstore with a no-shit "rare book" section that's not only locked but you need a fricken escort? The other one had a huge ugly ownership label badly glued to the inside cover. The real problem was that they wanted $170 each for what was at best a Very Fine (and I doubt they'd actually make that grade) copy.

That was way overpriced for what they had, enough that I wasn't even willing to bother to see if they'd come down. IIRC that value was more than a Near Mint copy.

I did end up finding a Endless Quest D&D book I didn't have and a couple Blu-Ray/4K movies, but the hunt for a 1st printing Deities & Demigods continues on for another day.....

State of The Tavern Keeper - Turning 55 and All That Jazz

Yes, it's that time, when your OSR Tavern Keeper celebrates yet another year. I turned 55 today, and I'm truly at a loss for words. Just over 2 years ago, I wasn't sure if 53 was going to make the cut, and here I am, 60 pounds lighter and likely healthier than I have been in years.

I plan on sticking around for a few more decades, and I know there are some groans when I say that, but tough! They know who they are ;)

Birthday wishes have been coming in via FB, email, discord, and text. I can't thank you all enough.

Now, on to bookkeeping. I've unlaunched my Patreon. It never served the purpose I had imagined it would and I never really had a handle on it as a creator. It's time to reevaluate and potentially reimagine. For those that simply want to support what I do, there is a Paypal subscription button on the top of this page. Even better, shop using The Tavern's affiliate links listed at the bottom of every post. 

We've surpassed 1,500 Subscribers on The Tavern's Youtube Channel. That means that next Wednesday on the Talking Crit Livestream (which airs every Wednesday Night at 8 PM Eastern) we are giving away at least $250 in DTRPG Gift Certificates.

I've been asked why I don't watch many gaming-oriented Youtube channels, and the simple answer is, that I like my content much like I make my content - unscripted, not pushing products, not a game session recording, and simply not fake. Often the fewer bells and whistles, the more I like a channel, as it simply feels less rehearsed and planned. There are exceptions to these rules, of course, but I tend to prefer the feel of the "cable public access" vibe ;)

Alright, getting close to dinner with the family, so I should wrap this up. Tonight at 8 PM Eastern Rach and I will be doing our weekly Gamers' Health Livestream. I can think of no better way to spend my birthday ;)

The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. DTRPG, Amazon, and Humble Bundle are affiliate programs that support The Tavern.  You can catch the daily Tavern Chat cast on Anchor, YouTube,  or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar

Humble Bundle - Two, yes TWO, Image Comics Bundles (90s & 2000s)

I was an avid comic book collector from the 80s through the late 90s. As much as the "then new" Image Comics interested me and their lineup of creators, I just couldn't justify the additional hit to my wallet.

Now I can justify the one-time hit to my wallet ;)

The Image Comics 30th Anniversary The 90s Bundle includes over 200 issues (possibly 400 or so if you count the collected Spawn Volumes as individual comics) for 25 bucks.

The Image Comics 30th Anniversary The 2000s Bundle is a more eclectic collection of 400? 500? issues of various comic series from the 2000s, including the first Walking Dead collection.

Thank god these are digital or I'd have no room to store them ;)

The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. DTRPG, Amazon, and Humble Bundle are affiliate programs that support The Tavern.  You can catch the daily Tavern Chat cast on Anchor, YouTube,  or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar

I Almost Forgot There Was a Christmas in July Sale at DTRPG!

I've been otherwise occupied recently, and I totally failed to notice that DTRPG was running its annual Christmas in July Sale.

There are discounts running from 15-25% off for the titles in the sale. There are also a handful of titles that are 50% off, but they are not OSR and aren't much of an interest to me ;)

\

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Bundle of Holding - Halls of Arden Vul (OSR Mega Dungeon)

When it comes to published megadungeons, nothing comes close in size or scope to Halls of Ardun Vul. I actually own Arden Vul in print, which is a many-volume hardcover set. I have yet to give it the complete reading it deserves.

Halls of Ardun Vul is a current offering on Bundle of Holding. Normally $109, and currently on sale for $81.75 in PDF, you can get Halls of Ardun Vul for $24.95 via Bundle of Holding. At that price, every old-school gamer should own a copy.

Arden Vul is the most ambitious megadungeon ever created, with over 1,100 Pages of Incredible Adventure. This First Edition compatible fully-bookmarked PDF product features:

• 2,162 Encounter Descriptions
• 14 NPC Factions
• 10 Massive Levels
• 15 Extensive Sub-levels
• 7 Dangerous Exterior locations
• 149 New Monsters
• 332 New Magic Items
• 69 New Technological Items
• 44 New Spells
• 189 New Books through which PCs can gain a deep understanding of the dungeon
• A full NPC appendix with 10 competing parties at 3 levels of power 
• Over 140 original pieces of art, including 28 full-page illustrations!

The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. DTRPG, Amazon, and Humble Bundle are affiliate programs that support The Tavern.  You can catch the daily Tavern Chat cast on Anchor, YouTube,  or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar

Humble Bundle - Judge Dredd: Perps, Punks, and Partners (Comics)

I used to be a huge collector of comic books in my teens and 20s. There was just something about reading books with art that was special. My local comic book store didn't carry Judge Dredd or the 2000 AD titles, because those weren't "American", but I would make occasional trips to Forbidden Planet on 13th Street in Manhattan and I'd always leave with some Judge Dredd and the like to fill the holes in my collection.

Most of those comics are gone now, either by choice (and downsizing purge) or by fate (a flood in the basement). I'm building my new comic book collection digitally. It stores much easier ;)

The Humble Bundle - Judge Dredd: Perps, Punks, and Partners is 25 bucks for 54 items. Its the pricepoint I'm jumping in at, but you can grab a smaller selection for as little as a buck.

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GoFundMe - Save Queen Anne! - Darlene Needs Our Help!

I shared this on The Tavern's Youtube Channel this morning and offered to match the first $250 raised by Tavern Members. That was hit with the first donation of $250!

So now here's the new goal. If members of The Tavern can get us to $1000 or more raised for Darlene by this community, The Tavern will donate $500 total in the name of the members of The Tavern.

Skip your next cup of Starbucks coffee and give it to Darlene and save her home.

https://gofund.me/9e7c994b (I wish I had figured out how to do a team link earlier)

Queen Anne is dying. She was born in 1901 in a small town in North Carolina. I’m doing all I can to save her, but I need your help.

I am a retired artist whose claim to fame is being the first woman artist for Dungeons and Dragons. Choosing a life devoted to art cost me financial security. I’ve always lived close to the bone and have no means to help her.

Queen Anne is my house, a Victorian lady in serious trouble. Your contribution will help to repair her windows (so she can see); remove the overgrown vines, bushes and branches (they scratch her); a new roof (her hair is falling out); along with mold remediation from a leak (the result of her tears); and a new coat of paint (to protect her skin and restore her beautiful face).

Although her foundation is sound, and she’s paid for, Queen Anne sadly faces a point of no return. Repairs need to be done ASAP while they can still be easily managed. Also, the town is after her, insisting she be brought up to what they call “minimum standards.” They mostly don’t like to see windows without sills… Thus, my immediate need.

The amount I’m asking will take care of the minimum requirements so I’m not in trouble with the town. Anything over this amount will help defray the costs of a new roof and, hopefully, a paint job.

I hold out the hope someday soon she will again be the beautiful southern belle she once was. Won’t you help me refurbish this grand dame?

 

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New D&D Movie: Honor Among Thieves

I really haven't been a fan of the "Dungeons & Dragons" movies out there. The first one was, maybe OK, but the second one......yes, there was a second pretty-much-straight-to-DVD second film, well let's just say I know I watched it, but I remember jack squat about it.

I do watch a lot of movies, but to basically purge it from memory except for my recollection of the perception (I don't remember anything about Eragon, except for the abrupt ending and me thinking, "Where the F*%k is the rest of this shitty movie?!"

No, the best D&D movies, to me, were so NOT D&D movies....well at least not outright:

• In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
• The Gamers
• That other Gamers movie (The Gamers: Dorkness Rising)
• Willow
• The Last Witch Hunter
• Conan the Barbarian
• Dragonslayer
• Ladyhawke
• Time Bandits

OK, I added Time Bandits to see if you were still with me here, BUT it did have a bunch of time & space jumping Dwarves stealing everything in sight. It fits with the Fantasy and SciFi mashup that a lot of those early guys seemed to enjoy.....

So I'm not super excited about the new Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves movie that was just announced as the track record isn't that great. I mean the first one had some big names and fancy (for the time) special effects too. It's not like Jeremy Irons phoned it in or anything, but the movie was...again, just OK. I think the problem was that instead of telling a good story with some D&D elements they went with D&D-ish elements that were more important than the story.

Remember the Beholder?

Yep, a Beholder running around acting as an overgrown guard dog. New one for me.

Still, I'm holding out a little hope for this movie, even if my expectations are low. There really isn't much to go on right now but the trailer. I'm guessing the lead character is a Bard, but the others....no clue. Just seems like generic fighter-type, maybe thief-type, maybe a paladin-ish-type, a magic-user-type, and....druid-type? Actual classes, who knows. Is that one PC, er character, actually a high-level druid that can shape-shift into an Owlbear, or is there a weird new lycanthropy in the newest edition? Hell if I know.....just hits me a bit like the D&D-ish elements of the previous attempts. 

The basic plot seems like some type of redemption story, with the idea that the main character recovered a super-powerful magic relic and handed it over to the bad guy who does bad things and now he's forming a group to get the macguffin back? Interesting putting the lewt acquisition way up-front like that, but if it works....

...if.

I want to be optimistic because if they do a good job and the movie makes money outside of the nerdcore audience, maybe we can get more? I'm thinking if it does good, maybe not great, we can at least get a few more definitely-not-D&D-type movies out of the deal, and some of those might make it to the short list right above Time Bandits....

Here is a little info from a SDCC Panel.

Special Note: I started this post on Friday before Erik posted this same movie clip...and I finished it before he finished his post, but it was scheduled for "my day". I already gave him crap, so no need to bug him (or me) about that fact......instead bug him about other stupid shit. He just loves that!

Update - Tenkar's Minions Shirt has Arrived - Should be Available for the Masses Before the End of Summer

I very much like the quality of the Tenkar's Minions shirt I received, but the vendor I used does not have its own marketplace. Still, it showed me that the art will reproduce well. The next step is to try RedBubble or the like.

I will likely take orders for pick-up at Shire Con in September from the original vendor, but they only offered up to 2x, and as gamers that is similar to a Gamers' Large ;) Another reason to use RedBubble is they offer up to 5x.

As the art was donated to the community, all shirts will be sold AT COST when they are available. There are other ways to support The Tavern and they are linked below.

The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. DTRPG, Amazon, and Humble Bundle are affiliate programs that support The Tavern. 

You can catch the daily Tavern Chat vidcast on YouTube - Tenkar 

New Dungeons & Dragons Movie Trailer is Live

 

A fine-looking Mimic

The new trailer has been released for the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons movie starring Chris Pine. I am pleasantly surprised to say "it looks fun" and possibly even good. I know, go figure.

Here's the link to the video. Enjoy:

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Humble Bundle - Star Trek Adventures - RPG from Modiphius

Star Trek recently returned to my must-watch franchises, with the Brave New Worlds series. Discovery and Picard didn't seem like Star Trek to me, but Brave New Worlds scratches that itch.

Star Trek in its current incarnation is an RPG that I've yet to pick up. I think that's about to change.

The Star Trek Adventures Humble Bundle has two sweet points in my opinion. For a buck, you can get the Starter Set. For 30 bucks you get 32 titles, including the core books. I think that's a decent return on my gaming dollars ;)

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News - Goblinoid Games Starts to Shut Down - Suspends Social Media Presence

"Hi everyone, all Goblinoid Games social presences are hereby suspended. Basic sales operations and all products currently available will remain for sale and in print at this time.

This page will remain active for now, but the Goblinoid Games page is deactivated.

My sincere apologies if these developments cause any distress. I appreciate and am grateful to have had your support over the last 15 years.

Please hang tight, additional information will surface in the coming weeks." 

Dan Proctor

The above was shared on Facebook earlier today. I have no further information (trust me, many have asked throughout the day). Whatever is in the works, I wish Dan only the very best.

The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. DTRPG, Amazon, and Humble Bundle are affiliate programs that support The Tavern. 

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Wait! Star Frontiers: New Genesis is for Realz?!? And Who is Mario Real?

Yep, Star Frontiers: New Genesis is "for realz". I have a PDF copy and my God, it is a steaming mess. It's written as if its sole purpose is to troll WotC and embarrass them to the point they pay nuTSR  to simply make SFNG and nuTSR go away. Far away.

I strongly suspect that is NOT going to happen.

That being said, it appears either Dave J or Justin L wishes to threaten yours truly with "slander" and I ("Tenkarp") run the risk of being "sude". Someone is calling "lawers". I hope they are Bar certified "lawers".

Did you notice the comment above by "Mario Real"? It just validated the content of the PDF I was given. Talk about sinking your own ship.

In any case, the comment was deleted shortly after I posted my comment. I wonder why that would be?

You can view the first installment of what will surely be a many-part series below.

As an aside, if I do get "sude", I may seek funding to hire an attorney. Hopefully, it will have more success funding than nuTSR had in funding their lawsuit against WotC ;) In any case, I suspect the WotC suit will settle first, and any "discovery" would be totally to my advantage, and not just for the reasons stated above. Any such filing would likely fall under NYS's Frivolous Conduct Sanctions. I could always use a tattoo parlor or two, but I'll pass on the grits ;)

The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. DTRPG, Amazon, and Humble Bundle are affiliate programs that support The Tavern. 

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Humble Bundle - Shadow Run (Sixth Edition)

I remember the first edition of Shadowrun. It was exciting. Elves and other fantasy races in a cyberpunk world. sadly, none of the regular players in my gaming group at the time gave a shit. Ah well, such is the life of a tabletop RPG gamer.

Shadowrun Sixth Edition is the latest Humble Bundle RPG Bundle. For 18 bucks you get a fairly complete set of books, including the core rules. It certainly is a bargain at that price. Still, I'll be honest, any price point under 18 bucks does not get you the core rulebook, and if you are grabbing this on Humble Bundle, you likely want the rules in PDF. I'm going to call that a bad decision by Catalyst Games, but it is what it is.

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Too Much RPG Drama

The topic of this post has been sitting in my head all weekend and I've sat down to type this a couple of times now and the first few times I keep thinking that it looks too much like a commentary regarding either Erik's "recent" dealings with the Evil DM, or Satine Phoenix drama....hell maybe even Zak Smith bullshit.

No....this is about my own personal RPG bully and as much as I'd love to put this asshole on full blast, I have to realize that this is clearly a double dumb-ass on me situation. I let this fucker move into my head and set up shop rent-free. I thought that I managed to evict him, but evidently he had a key to the back door.

Now I'm not sure how much to share here, mostly because it's a lot of "who gives a shit" for Tavern Patrons. The TL;DR version is I had someone in my old gaming community bully me online to the point where I had to take the nuclear option and quit. I spent all of my vacations, and a LOT of money, volunteering for this company/community, for friends (I thought) and in the end it didn't matter for shit......

There's a reason I pretty much stick with OSR games now, which is a shame 'cause I did really like that "old" system. It's literally been years since I've even picked up one of those game books, aside from when I reorganize my shelves....

Of course, the natural question is "Why is this even an issue this weekend?"

Well, glad you (didn't) ask. So my own personal dick-head popped up on social media....again probably my fault for even subbing to that group....and lamented the loss of the old gaming community, the same community he shit all over in an attempt to make my life hell while shoring his own ego up as some burgeoning RPG writer. Anyway, in this post he lamented the community's loss and propped up his statement by mentioning the passing of one of its members some years ago.

That add-on got a lot of traction, as one might expect. Thing is this kind of activity was in-line with the asshole's MO. The whole post was like ripping off a scab on a wound I thought had been healed....evidently not.

Now I don't know about everybody else, but I'm into playing RPGs because, well, it's fun. It should be fun!

Aside from those actually trying to make a living from producing RPG products (...and even then), do we really need people trying to make a name for themselves as some kind of RPG Persona? Most of these RPG bullies have this need for attention at the core of, well everything. At least that's my impression. If it was really about the game then they'd be, well gaming.

I'm not the guy for giving advice, but I can pass on something I've been told...and evidently can't remember without being reminded: "Resentment is like swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die." I know, I know....add this to the laundry list of things I need to work on.

Surprisingly enough I feel better getting this topic off my chest and hopefully off of my mind and get back to the only thing that I think might work, just ignoring these fuckers. I didn't engage my bully on social media and while I'm kind of fucking this up by posting here, but I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to vent.  

State of The Tavern - Minions of Tenkar, ShireCon, Tenkar's Thursday Night One Shots, and More

Wow. Things have gotten busy here at The Tavern. Let's talk about the balls being juggled ;)

Dungeon Crawl Cards should be going out in a few days. I did about 7 or 8 cards with pens that did a poor job leaving ink on the actual card, so I had to track down better silver ink pens. Ordered and crossing my fingers. Those receiving the first cards with the poorer ink will be getting a bonus to make up for it.

See that artwork/mock module cover above? That's from Fugli. Simply amazing. But it also inspired the adventure I'll be running at Shire Con on September 17th, 2022. Here's the pitch:

The Minions of Tenkar -The crazy dwarven bartender has left his Tavern and has taken up residence in the ruined abbey’s dungeons just outside of town. Over the past few months, a deformed tribe of goblins has heeded his call to extract revenge on his former town. Pets have disappeared. Someone peed in the brewery’s kegs. And now, old man Nasala has gone missing. Will you heed the call. Will you confront Tenkar’s Minions?

SWL levels 1-3. Characters rolled at table. Or bring you character back from a prior Shire Con and possibly level up.

I've got some twists and turns already mapped out in my head. Now to put it on paper.

I just ordered a Tenkar's Minions T-Shirt as well as an extra Torchlight hat. If the shirt meets my expectations, I'll order another as a giveaway at the Shire Con table, along with the extra Torchlight cap. There's a distant chance I may take orders for fulfillment at Shire Con. 

I'm thinking of using the following art for some Tenkar's Minions coffee mugs:

Starting in August, on the second Thursday of the month, instead of hosting the usual Tavern Chat Hangout on The Tavern's Discord Server, I'll be running a session of Tenkar's Thursday Night One Shots. These will use the Swords & Wizardry Light Rules with some options from Continual Light. We'll generate characters prior to the session, and characters that return from prior sessions can level up. It will be drop in - drop out and run from 8 PM Eastern till about 11 PM Eastern. The first session will be on the evening of Thursday, August 11th, 2022, and will use Discord for voice and Roll20 for the VTT. I am very much a VTT minimalist, so don't expect much more than for of war and online dice rolling It will be a playtest of The Minions of Tenkar, so if you plan on playing in my Shire Con game, I'll ask you to skip this session ;)

Oh, and no Livestream tonight for those wondering. Summers have a habit of f'n with expected scheduling.

K, time to get to work...

The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. DTRPG, Amazon, and Humble Bundle are affiliate programs that support The Tavern. 

You can catch the daily Tavern Chat vidcast on YouTube - Tenkar