I've stepped away from doing reviews over the past few years, as I always felt conflicted about doing reviews for products that I could financially benefit from via affiliate sales.
Over the past few months, I've picked up (or ordered in the case of GiantLands) a number of RPG products directly from the publisher. Good or bad, the best deals for these products likely will be directly from the publisher (as the price will often include PDFs for instant gratification (GiantLands is an exception - no PDF).
I want to start delving through these acquisitions with a critical eye. The first will likely be the RuneQuest Starter Set, which is looking really good to my initial eyes.
More in the next few days :)
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 podcast on Anchor, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar
Holy Christmas! I can't believe we are actually here. OSR Christmas Day 13, Three Kings Day!
Today is a HUGE day. Lots of Gifts. And to be honest, I may have forgotten one or two with the Omicron brain fog. So, if you are donating for OSR Christmas, and I've missed something, PLEASE PM me on Facebook or email me and I'll add it to the list of gifts.
But first, we need to gift the gifts from OSR Christmas Day 12:
Emperors Choice Games and Miniatures is giving away Volumes IV through IX of Arduin (six books!), in print, to one lucky gift receiver (US ONLY for this package)
Mickey G!
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North Texas RPG Convention Mystery Gift Bundle (US Only - direct from the NTRPG Warehouse)
Torchlight Issue #1 - Print (Limited Print Run - Signed by Tenkar if Requested - US Only)
dogrodeo
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ONE $10 DTRPG Gift Certificate to one non-US commenter.
IL
Now, on to OSR Christmas Day 13!
Emperors Choice Games and Miniatures is giving away One of Nearly Everything Arduin, in print, to one lucky gift receiver (US ONLY for this package) This is THE ARDUIN PACKAGE!
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Frog God Games Gift Bundle - Stoneheart Value and 4 Modules for Swords & Wizardry (US Only - direct from the NTRPG Warehouse)
FloofQuest in Print by Lloyd Metcalf (US Only - Shipped by Tenkar, so figure in COVID delay ;)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Torchlight Issue #1 - Print (Limited Print Run - Signed by Tenkar if Requested - US Only)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ONE $10 DTRPG Gift Certificate to one non-US commenter.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
One $25 DTRPG Gift Certificate - Anywhere
Comment below, indicating if you are within the US or outside the US (sadly, it matters for certain things that are shipped) by 9 PM Eastern, Thursday, January 13th, 2022 to be considered for a gift.
Yes, a full week to enter.
Seriously, thanks to all, the gifters and commenters both, for making this the best OSR Christmas ever.
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 podcast on Anchor, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar
The Expanse on Amazon Prime is wrapping up its final season, and damn what a wonderful ride it has been. So, it's no surprise that Bundle of Holding has relaunched The Expanse RPG and Modern AGE Bundle of Holding.
Now, you should note that although The Expanse RPG takes the first position in this offering's title, you'll need to kick in at the higher LEVEL UP pricing to get The Expanse Material (currently nearly 31 bucks).
There's talk in my Monday group about running an Expanse game arc next month. Exciting times :)
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 podcast on Anchor, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar
For those following at home, Rach and I started coming down with Omicron symptoms last Wednesday, and Rach tested positive last Thursday. The worst has been the brain fog. It cleared for a few hours late yesterday afternoon, but returned last night. I HAVE NOT looked at/read/forwarded ANY emails since, and likely will not until it clears again.
Thankfully I used the hours of clarity to clear out a huge backlog of OSR Christmas emailed gift claims.
If you claimed a gift from OSR Christmas Day 10 or before and don't hear anything in the next 5 days or so, email me again. I'm currently a bit addled ;)
Now I need to truly focus and award the gifts for OSR Christmas Day 11.
Emperors Choice Games and Miniatures is giving away Volumes IV through IX of Arduin (six books!), in print, to one lucky gift receiver (US ONLY for this package)
Torchlight Issue #1 - Print (Limited Print Run - Signed by Tenkar if Requested - US Only)
Doug
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ONE $10 DTRPG Gift Certificate to one non-US commenter.
Dave Thompson
Note, the above need to email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing with OSR Christmas Day 11 in the subject and the gift you are claiming in the body of the email. Anything that will help my brain fogged mind ;)
Addendum - Torchlight mailings are likely delayed due to brain fog and quarantining.
Now, on to the gifting for OSR Christmas Day 12!
Woot!
Emperors Choice Games and Miniatures is giving away Volumes IV through IX of Arduin (six books!), in print, to one lucky gift receiver (US ONLY for this package)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
North Texas RPG Convention Mystery Gift Bundle (US Only - direct from the NTRPG Warehouse)
Torchlight Issue #1 - Print (Limited Print Run - Signed by Tenkar if Requested - US Only)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ONE $10 DTRPG Gift Certificate to one non-US commenter.
Comment below, indicating if you are within the US or outside the US (sadly, it matters for certain things that are shipped) by 9 PM Eastern, Thursday, January 6th, 2022 to be considered for a gift.
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 podcast on Anchor, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar
For those following at home, Rach and I started coming down with Omicron symptoms last Wednesday, and Rach tested positive last Thursday. The worst has been the brain fog, which lifted late this afternoon, but seems to be returning as I type this.
Thankfully I used the hours of clarity to clear out a huge backlog of OSR Christmas emailed gift claims.
If you claimed a gift from OSR Christmas Day 9 or before and don't hear anything in the next 48 hours or so, email me again. I'm currently a bit addled ;)
Now I need to truly focus and award the gifts for OSR Christmas Day 10.
Emperors Choice Games and Miniatures is giving away Volumes IV through IX of Arduin (six books!), in print, to one lucky gift receiver (US ONLY for this package)
Torchlight Issue #1 - Print (Limited Print Run - Signed by Tenkar if Requested - US Only)
Vance A
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ONE $10 DTRPG Gift Certificate to one non-US commenter.
macloud
Note, the above need to email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing with OSR Christmas Day 10 in the subject and the gift you are claiming in the body of the email. Anything that will help my brain fogged mind ;)
Addendum - Torchlight mailings are likely delayed due to brain fog and quarantining.
Now, on to the gifting for OSR Christmas Day 11!
Woot!
(Day 11 looks much like Day 10 ;)
Emperors Choice Games and Miniatures is giving away Volumes IV through IX of Arduin (six books!), in print, to one lucky gift receiver (US ONLY for this package)
Torchlight Issue #1 - Print (Limited Print Run - Signed by Tenkar if Requested - US Only)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ONE $10 DTRPG Gift Certificate to one non-US commenter.
Comment below, indicating if you are within the US or outside the US (sadly, it matters for certain things that are shipped) by 9 PM Eastern, Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 to be considered for a gift.
Yes, it is a quick turn around, but Days 12 and 13 are coming up and you don't want to miss out :)
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 podcast on Anchor, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar
Today I'm travelling for work and I'd normally pre-load a post or ask Erik to cover, but he's sick and since it's been more than a year since I've traveled (thanks Covid!) my ability to properly prep/manage my pre-trip time socks more than it should.
The great thing about travelling, gaming-wise, is that I get the chance to (hopefully) find some new game stores. My last trip I mentioned a cool couple of finds, one in Kansas City KS, and the other in Ames IA.
I've been to this location a few times before and there is a cool hole-in-the-wall store I like to drop by, but I'm hoping I get a chance to branch out a bit more.
The thing is, and this is something I really should bug Erik about, is that we need our own (managed) listing of Favorite Local Game Stores (FLGS). Probably something to go along with a convention listing. I've found some gems in my travels, but really only by dumb luck. I've always wondered how many great stores (and finds within!) I've just driven past. A couple of years ago I spent almost a month in Florida and I didn't find diddly-squat.....but I bet there was a great store I just couldn't locate.
I really miss the days of ads in the back of Dragon Magazine.....but those days I didn't travel very much.
I know there might be some listing to be had somewhere.....anyone care to share some links?
A Worldbuilding Aside
-
There's a Florida proverb that goes, "When you're up to your neck in
alligators, it's hard to remember that your initial objective was to drain
the swamp...
Why must you sell loot for XP in DF Felltower?
-
Why do PCs need to dispose of loot into cash in order to get the XP value
of it?
It provides the following benefits:
PCs don't get to have their cake and ...
Retrospective: Tactics II
-
As some of my long-time readers may recall, I was a wargamer before I was a
role-player. Back then, there were two major wargame companies; Avalon Hill
and...
Character Creation Challenge - Day 18
-
Grab your tommy gun and illegal hootch. Today's character was created
using Gangbusters B/X Edition.Name: Dominic "Deuce" RichardsClass/Level:
Street Smart...
A Most Dangerous Library
-
This... actually kinda exists in one of my campaigns.
One of the new cool things in the 5e MM is that green dragons don't just
hoard art, they hoard ...
I; Midwit
-
Corrosive reality and the slow abandonment of my illusory self means I am
half-comfortably sinking back into midwitism. I can no longer be bothered
with th...
Character Creation Challenge: Virginia Dare
-
Continuing my "Spirit of '76" mini-campaign I want to get some more details
on who my "big bad" might be. I say might, because I am not 100% sure yet
wh...
d100 Tavern Entertainments
-
*d10 Quick Tavern Entertainments*
1 Games Night
2 Fresh Talent Night
3 Local Talent Night
4 Travelling Carny
5 Story Teller
6 B...
INTERGALACTIC PLANETARY
-
Last time I spoke about a modular approach I'm trying out for *Ask the
Stars*.
Well, this coincided with last week's dip into Classic Traveller, which of...
40k: HamWarmer 24.5 Update - v0.4
-
Here's another round of updated HamWarmer 24.5 PDFs. Testing will continue
until I lose interest, civilization collapses, or I achieve perfect
balance.
...
OpenQuest SRD now available from D101 Games
-
*OpenQuest *is the "rules light-ish" sibling of *Mythras *(and both are
descendants of *RuneQuest *and *Basic Role-playing*). It's a great system,
one th...
New Monster: Ethereal Dragon
-
My players finally faced the Ethereal Dragon I had take up residence in
Stonehell's Lost Level. Thankfully they'd come prepared with a Dimensional
Anchor...
Miskatonic Monday #93: The Hammersmith Haunting
-
Between October 2003 and October 2013, Chaosium, Inc. published a series of
books for *Call of Cthulhu* under the Miskatonic University Library
Associati...
Openquest SRD released!
-
Today the Openquest SRD was released by Newt of D101 Games. Openquest is an
D100 RPG based on the open content of the Legends RPG released by Mongoose.
I...
Tales from Titan: The Casual Serious RTT
-
Welcome back to the Vault! I'm taking the opportunity to write this post
whilst recovering from an epic weekend of Warhammer 40,000. Saturday
afternoon ...
Roseate Growth
-
By Jordan Boschman ATypicalFaux System Neutral "Low Levels" A labor dispute
at a valuable mine reveals the horrors that preceded it. The fossils of a
littl...
After the Lords of Memory v0.23
-
After a very long hiatus, here's a new version of my home system, After the
Lords of Memory.
After the Lords of Memory v0.23
If you haven't followed alo...
Dark Days in Whorle
-
After my successful little adventure I thought perhaps I might go on
another solo adventure. This time I opted to use my go-to system, White Box
FMAG. I gr...
Gygax Challenge Part 2
-
It's January of a new year. This means a new beginning! It's time to get
working on things. I know the hallowed halls of the 3 Toadstools pub &
eatery...
There Are Neither Gates Nor Keepers
-
[T]he outside world is subject to the law of imperfection; there it happens
time and again that one who gets bread is one who does not work, that one
...
Skill Rulings
-
Somehow I managed to run my last D&D campaign very successfully without
really paying much thought to skills. And I can’t even really remember any
specific...
Jumping Blind
-
A Shot in the Dark
A subsector contains about 40 worlds or star systems. That means it5 also
has about 40 empty hexes.
Or are they?
For many 2d6 refe...
Tonisborg Second Printing
-
For those who may not have heard, Greg Svenson's Tonisborg dungeon,
brought back to life by yours truly and Griffith Morgan with additional
commentary b...
Gorbels
-
Imagine a 2d wizard, living entirely in the photon-thin surface of your
television screen, who learns about the existence of a third
dimension--hitherto ...
WARPLAND (deal of the day)
-
WARPLAND is the deal of the day on DTRPG (affiliate link).
Now THIS is a deal!
This book looks amazing. I haven't finished reading it but it is old
schoo...
Humber Mk.II Armoured Car
-
Here's a WWII British armoured car, the Humber Mk.II in 15mm/1:100 scale.
It mounts a BESA 15mm heavy machine gun with a coaxial 7.92mm machine gun,
a...
[REVIEW] Seven Voyages of Zylarthen
-
*He Fights On!Seven Voyages of Zylarthen (2014/2017)*
by Oakes Spalding
Published by Campion & Clitherow
The list of old-school games is long, and even ...
Heritage Hafkungs, a Nostalgia Bit...
-
So a month or so ago, I gushed about Grenadier miniatures. But years before
I learned to love those delightfully ugly metal men (and monsters), my
heart ...
Happy Needfest and Merry New Year!
-
While life has continued to wear me out (in particular my day job*), with
the new year's turn, there's always a fresh bout of hope that seeps into my
fin...
The WASP War, an Atlantaverse Update
-
Strap in, folks, this is the summary of 8 years of roleplaying. Back in
2013 I started a new Champions campaign with my oldest sons and many of
their fr...
2021 Year End Review
-
Companion Podcast:
https://anchor.fm/follow-me-and-die/episodes/Episode-198—2021-Year-End-Review-e1ccin5
Companion Vidcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/M...
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 ...
D&D Christmas Carols: O Lantern Light
-
A Merry Christmas to all my fellow celebrants! To everyone else: I hope
this Saturday finds you well. As is tradition on this blog, I’ve spent the
last cou...
Private Rail Cars for All Occasions
-
Sorry to all and sundry that I’ve been AWOL, it’s been a rough couple of
months at the Genteel Magistrate’s abode, with some deaths in our
friends-family c...
Alternate Appendix P
-
Appendix P of the AD&D *Dungeon Masters Guide *is a set of instructions for
“Creating a Party on the Spur of the Moment” - generating pre-experienced
cha...
On the Edge of the Map
-
I still recall when I had to wait till Monday to call the Library of
Congress to find out things.
You don't really know what's out there. We see a lot m...
The Deadly Illusion of GenCon 1978
-
As much attention as *Game Wizards *lavishes on conventions, there was more
still before the manuscript was cut down to size. Convention tournaments in...
People of the World, Spice up Your Life
-
I have seen the *Dune*. It’s good, but, like all “content” now, too long.
The forms of many designs are quite nice (love the costumes of the imperial
de...
The Worm Ouroboros
-
The Worm Ouroboros is a proto-fantasy (the in the genre sense) novel by E.
R. Eddison, originally published in 1922. It is an amalgam of mythological
tradi...
This Google Doodle is freaking awesome
-
So I'm starting to write this post on Friday evening, and the week at work
was a bit stressful this time around, so you could probably put one of
those ...
This Blog has Moved!
-
I’ve moved this blog to a self-hosted one, on the same server running my
old-school gaming forum, this blog will …
Continue reading →
What's wrong with megadungeons?
-
I ran across a megadungeon article from last July. I know, I am a little
behind, as I was dealing with my cancer when it came out.
In the blog, DM David ...
Guess it's not meant to be - for now
-
Well, I tried.
I got some folks interested in possibly playing a run through the classic
module U1 - The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh.
I just could...
My RPG Zine Trilogy is on Kickstarter!
-
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...
A Campaign Begins for Newbies
-
Like many of you, the affects of the Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted how
hundreds of millions of us fellow mutants interact and function in our
jobs, co...
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...
Strange, Dangerous, and Inhuman: The Fey and Fairie
-
When I was a boy I loved fairy tales. Jack and the Beanstalk, Puss in
Boots, Rumpelstiltskin - I devoured all of it. My fascination that there
was a strang...
New AD&D Greyhawk Campaign Notes
-
I recently launched a new AD&D campaign on Fantasy Grounds. Although we're
using the 2e ruleset FG released earlier this year, my only books for
reference...
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
doin...
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...
How can We Destroy this Campaign World?
-
d12
1. You must trick a bard into strumming the *Chords of Fate* on the *Lute
of Annihilation*
2. Legends tell of thermonuclear weapons beneath megadungeo...
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...
