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Saturday, January 22, 2022

Free Quickstart - Dune: Adventures in the Imperium Wormsign

Another thing I want to refocus on in 2022 is the free games and resources that are available to the gaming community. Today, I'm highlighting Dune: Adventures in the Imperium Wormsign.

So, what do you get for the investment of your time and bandwidth?

The Dune: Adventures in the Imperium roleplaying game takes you into a far future beyond anything you have imagined, where fear is the mind killer so be sure to keep your wits about you. The Imperium is a place of deadly duels, feudal politics, and mysterious abilities, noble Houses politic constantly for power, influence, and vengeance in a universe where a blade can change the fortunes of millions. 

Sent out to investigate beyond the shield wall for your House, you know deadly dangers await you on the sands of Arrakis. Can you locate the smugglers stealing your House's spice? Or will you run afoul of the mysterious and territorial Fremen who live out in the deep desert? Out here you only have yourselves to rely on, and there is no power greater than the vast worms who jealously guard the spice.

 Whatever you do, remember that those that control the spice control the universe. 

 ‘Wormsign’, the Dune: Adventures in the Imperium quickstart:

  • Introduces you to the byzantine world of the Imperium, putting you in the heart of events set to change the universe.
  • Offers you the basic rules you need to play, including both physical and social forms of conflict.
  • A complete adventure designed specially to introduce the rules and the incredible science-fiction setting of Frank Herbert's Dune.
  • 6 elite agents as pregenerated characters to let you get playing as quickly as possible.

Note: This uses Modiphius' 2D20 System. For some, that's a selling point. For others, that a deal-breaker - Tenkar

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

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Friday, January 21, 2022

Kickstarter - Rancid Canyons of the Floating Death Sheep (S&W, 5e, DCC)

It used to be, the trifecta of RPG systems one released a product for, hoping to cover all markets was Swords & Wizardry, Dungeons & Dragons 5e, and Pathfinder 1e. Frog God Games is no longer producing products for Pathfinder, and Glynn Seal has put the Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG into that third position. Interesting turn of events.

Short FYI: I've known Glynn for a number of years. He produces amazing stuff for Swords & Wizardry and his Midderlands setting. If you haven't read any of his prior work, you really should.

This all brings us to the Rancid Canyons of the Floating Death Sheep, a Kickstarter for S&W, 5e, and the DCC RPG brought to you by Glynn Seal.

Rancid Canyons of the Floating Death Sheep is a low level adventure available in three rule variants: Fifth Edition (5E), Swords & Wizardry* (S&W), and Dungeon Crawl Classics** (DCC) and therefore can be used in all retro-clones and old school role-playing games with little or no work.

The adventure features the following.

  • The detailed village of Yarrowbone featuring NPCs and 22 locations (can be used as a base for any future adventure).
  • Immersive NPC and building art.
  • Six pieces of cool cartography.
  • Three new juicy magic items.
  • Seven tricky new adversaries.
  • Five engaging mapped encounter locations.
  • Table of additonal adventure hooks.
  • Table of NPC names.
  • Information on fitting the adventure into the Lost Wyrld setting of The Midderlands.

I love drop-in pieces like this.

PDF for one system is 11 bucks. Print plus PDF (not including shipping) is about 28 bucks.

I'm in for the Print plus PDf myself, as Glynn's print products are second to none.



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

You can catch the daily Tavern Chat podcast on AnchorYouTube
or wherever you listen to your podcast collection.

 


Thursday, January 20, 2022

News - Marmoreal Tomb Kickstarter PDFs for Backers Are LIVE

I forget to post this earlier in the week:

Link to the original Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1709227718/ernest-gary-gygax-jrs-marmoreal-tomb-campaign-star

Greetings! As Steve mentioned in updates over the past few days, we have a couple more PDF rewards for you. They are the wilderness expansion and the appendices. You can download them here: (note - not the full links below - backers, check your emails)

Wilderness -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php…

Appendices -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php…

Most of you have downloaded the original book, but if you have not, here is that link again: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php…

Hope you all have a great Sunday and we will be back as soon as we have more, I think the underworld is up next. A huge hand and thanks to our editor, Wayne Tripp, for stepping up and taking these on. Trollzah Wayne!

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

The Tavern.  

You can catch the daily Tavern Chat podcast on AnchorYouTube
or wherever you listen to your podcast collection.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Indiegogo - Shepherd’s Bane: An adventure for 5e and OSR games (OSR & 5e)


The moon is full! Can you protect the villagers from the teeth and claws of the Shepherd’s Bane?

Alright, here's the part where I pull back the Veil of Secrecy! Or not, as I don't think that what follows is a secret, but it does bear repeating. Necromancer Games is a publishing house wholely owned by Frog God Games. Frog God Games published Swords & Wizardry Light, written by myself with assists from James Spahn and Zach Glazar, and granted me permission to publish the expanded rules for SWL, Swords & Wizardry Continual Light (soon to be re-released in digest size as simply Continual Light). For a number of years, Rach and I helped run the Frog God Games table at various conventions. Oh, and I consider Pete Spahn a friend. Also, Tenkar's Tavern (as well as a version of one of its iconic banners) graced the contents of one of Pete's Amherth fantasy setting books under his Small Niche Games? Did I mention that Pete does some really strong old-school releases? He does! :)

So, where does that leave us? Oh yeah, that's right, Shepherd’s Bane: An adventure for 5e and OSR games is currently funding on Indiegogo. Written by Pete Spahn and published by Necromancer Games, it potentially has "conflict of interest" written all over this page. Except for the above paragraph, of course ;) 

Shepherd’s Bane is a freeform adventure that is centered around on the village of Harroch, which lies in the bleak hills and bogs of Sterling Moor. Dark forces beset the village. The trouble started with the arrival of a group of wandering entertainers known as the CalatorĂ©, one of whom was a werewolf. A fight occurred and the werewolf was driven off, but not before it infected the village priest and the many of the villagers with its disease. The village’s women and children know that something is wrong with their sons and husbands, but they believe they are just overwhelmed by the search for the werewolf that still prowls the moors.

Shepherd’s Bane, available in both 5e and OSR for characters of levels 1st to 3rd, takes our heroes from the fog shrouded Sterling Moor into the village of Harroch as they face off against a danger that stalks the night and takes the unwary or unlucky.

Shepard's Bane is 10 bucks in PDF, 22 bucks for the PDF plus print.

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

The Tavern.  

You can catch the daily Tavern Chat podcast on AnchorYouTube
or wherever you listen to your podcast collection.

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

State of the Tavern Keeper - Not Yet Clear of the Long Term Covid and Plans for The Tavern in 2022


For those following along at home, I've still got some lingering effects from COVID/Omicron. I'm sleeping a good 10 to 11 hours a day and I'm still combating brain fog. I'm quite grateful that I'm retired and I do not have to make any life or death decisions. My biggest one these days is "cook breakfast or pour a bowl of cereal". That one gets decided upon how late I stay in bed ;)

Seriously, the lethargy and brain fog are the real issues for me. Sinuses, congestion, and the like were less than prior colds.

I'm still far behind on OSR Christmas emails and matching up gifts. There are many moving parts and matching folks up involved in such, and just as I'm glad I'm not going to the range to qualify with my firearms in this state of mind. I've been avoiding said emails until my brain is just a bit more clear. Maybe I'll try to megadose on caffeine tomorrow morning. If nothing else, it will be tasty :)

As I've mentioned prior, I plan on returning to doing gaming reviews in 2022. These will not be technical reviews. They will not be scored with a point system. I'm leaning towards a Thumbs Down, Closed Fist, and Thumbs Up, but it's going to be based upon my reaction to the product in question. Nearly all such reviews will be products I paid for with monies Taverners have raised for the cause using The Tavern's affiliate links. I'll reveal any and all connections I may have to those involved in the product being reviewed and will be as transparent as I can be because it is what you deserve.

I also promise to NOT use my soapbox for any political or social issues. It isn't why you read this site, nor why others watch the youtube channel. If you are one of those that feel that I'm doing a disservice by NOT using my influence in such a manner, you can fuck off now, before you get truly upset :)

Gee, a few glasses of wine and some brain fog, and it's almost like a truth serum. LOL.


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

You can catch the daily Tavern Chat podcast on AnchorYouTube
or wherever you listen to your podcast collection.




Monday, January 17, 2022

Bundle of Holding - Palladium Fantasy RPG 1e (and Palladium FRPG 2e too)

I'm a huge fan of the Palladium Fantasy RPG. No, not for the system, which is obviously influenced by Dungeons & Dragons and is needlessly complicated and convoluted. I'm a fan of the alignment system. I really like the magic system, which is ripe for stealing from to use in the OSR system of your choice. I'm a HUGE fan of the setting material, the available playable races, and the like. There is just so much inspiration to borrow from.

Bundle of Holding has two Palladium Fantasy Bundles. The first Bundle is for Palladium FRPG 1e. The Starter Bundle is 12.95 and includes the following: The Palladium Role-Playing Game, Island at the Edge of the World, Arms of Nargash-Tor, Palladium Fantasy Game Master Kit, and Palladium FRPG Paper Miniatures - OCCs. 

The Bonus Collection currently stands a little over 25 bucks. It adds the following to the bundle: Old Ones, Adventures on the High Seas, Adventures in the Northern Wilderness 1-2, Yin-Sloth Jungles. and Palladium FRPG Miniatures - Monsters and NPCs.

The second Bundle is for Palladium FRPG 2e. The Starter Bundle is 17.95 and includes the following: Palladium Fantasy RPG® 2E, The Heart of Magic rules expansion, the sourcebooks Monsters and Animals and Dragons & Gods, The Western Empire, and Library of Bletherad. 

The Bonus Collection currently stands at 30 bucks plus change. It adds the following to the bundle: Wolfen Empire, Eastern Territory, both Land of the Damned sourcebooks (Chaos Lands and Eternal Torment), Mount Nimro, Baalgor Wastelands, Northern Hinterlands, and Bizantium and the Northern Islands.



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

You can catch the daily Tavern Chat podcast on AnchorYouTube
or wherever you listen to your podcast collection.

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Do You Hand-Wave Adventuring Economic Effects?

Do You Hand-Wave Adventuring Economic Effects?
Knowing I had to make a post today I spent the last couple of days brainstorming some big and/or cool thing to think about that would interest the patrons here at the Tavern.

Yeah.....I don't really know why I bother as that never seems to really work.

What it does do, however, is make me compare/contrast certain aspects of different games & game systems I have played and how I might be able to do a better job running my next game...or maybe come up with an idea for a game aid that would help other GMs.

Of course "better" is such a messed up adjective to be using because it's clearly a judgment call and what I think is better for my game may totally mess your game up, or just make it less fun than it was before. 

Don't fret, I didn't actually come up with some idea for you to potentially ruin your game. 

In my mental ramblings leading me up until typing out this post I was thinking a lot about in-game economies as it pertains to adventuring parties. Dungeon-delving can seriously mess up a local economy when PCs bring long-sequestered "loot" out of the ground. Of course everybody wants a piece of that action.....local governments/tax collectors, merchants, tavern owners, you name it.

Logistically how in the hell do you handle this? Requiring a license and/or local tax is relatively straight-forward, as is jacking up prices for the party, but there are also secondary logistical effects to think of as well. The party manages to snag 10,000 copper pieces from the dungeon, IIRC that's what?.......a thousand pounds of raw coinage to deal with? Sure the players may be considering the sheer weight of the haul and invested in a donkey cart, but who the heck wants to be on the receiving end of 10,000 copper coins? 

You ever go on a vacation and even think of paying your hotel bill in pennies? Of course you didn't!

Oh...BTW those thousand pounds of copper, yeah those were minted by like three monarch ago over in the next kingdom and are no longer considered valid currency if you were in that kingdom, which you aren't. So you're going to have to pay off someone, or maybe even a few someones, to take those coins off of your hands.

Now I've been in games, and I think this is the norm, that these adventuring issues with the economy get largely hand-waived. A coin is a coin is a coin and all of a sudden having a bunch of them doesn't get much traction with the locals, aside from now you can do more shopping......

I've played in....or run, games that were on the far side of the spectrum, where coins had different names and you needed to keep track of all the assorted coinage. As a GM I'd just skim off a simple percentage off of money exchanges as needed. I left the weight (encumbrance) and record keeping problems on the players.....but I had the power to do an audit and remove PC levels if numbers were out of whack.

Now as far as affecting the economy I'm sure that getting the PCs to buy magic items removes a lot of that cash and you can factor in all the overhead stuff into that particular bleeding-off of coinage. Even then though I've seen some games where the PCs are expected to spend a specific amounts of coinage as they level up in order to maintain their  adventuring social-status and as a price for schooling itself (basically another/additional version of buying magic items).

Once I had a campaign where I fully intended to go overly-complex with the coinage/economy aspects. Multiple coinage systems, taxes, required adventuring permits, you name it. To help facilitate everything and make my end a bit easier the party had a chartering organization that handled the fiddly aspects and acted as a bank, and more importantly, and anchor to the local community. That campaign only lasted a few games so I never got to see how my "experiment" would work.

I'm thinking the simplistic idea of basically taking a good percentage of loot "off the top" in form of a simple tax and explain that this is a roll-up of permits, taxes, and money handling issues. I'm thinking maybe as much as 50% is appropriate...to start. I can easily see 10% for permit fees, 25% for taxes, and 15% for money changing not being too much. If the players balk I can just cut back, like the 15% for money changing and start emphasizing that they keep looting old coins and make spending said coins a bit more a PITA.

Unfortunately I haven't had too many long-running campaigns as a player so my experience in the economics of a campaign under other GMs is rather limited. Might as well throw it out there and ask what other GMs do, if anything, to account for the (hopefully) HUGE amounts of loot their PCs haul out of the dungeons.

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lights on and the taps flowing. Your Humble Bartender, Tenkar

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