Everything is on hold as I continue to fight the flu (my parents are also sick with Influenza A - Rach is as yet untouched).
I think the headache and the brain fog are worse than the congestion, hacking, and body aches - but that's from a productivity standpoint. It's hard to concentrate when your head is pounding, AND you're in a fog.
Hopefully I'm feeling better in time for Wed's livestreams...
We are kicking OSR Christmas 2025 off today - Christmas itself.
How do you get into the "gift receiving" mix?
Email OSRChristmasATgmailDOTcom (trying not to get hit by spam from email scrapers) with some variation of "Days 1 to 3" in the subject.
Let me know if you are in the US or outside the US - some physical gifts won't ship outside the states, as shipping is literally cost-prohibitive.
Note #1 - for physical gifts (including, but not limited to Arduin's Portal to Adventure, a $180 value), some may not ship until late January / February due to projects still waiting to be fulfilled.
Note #2 - all emails during OSR Christmas will be included in the random drawing for Arduin's Portal to Adventure, the final drawing for OSR Christmas.
Days One to Three wrap up Dec 27th @ Midnite. Emails must be received by midnight, Dec 27th, 2025. Gift recipients will be notified here at TenkarsTavern.com on Dec 28th, when Days Four to Six go live.
Here are the gifts for OSR Christmas, Days One to Three, 2025:
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
While I'm not a frequent player of Savage Worlds, it's a solid, flexible system that should be in every RPG player's (and GM's) collection, IMHO. Well, today's Deal of the Day is Savage Worlds Adventure Edition. Usually $9.99 in PDF, until Christmas morning, SWADE is on sale for $3. That is NOT a typo ;)
Create your own setting, convert an existing one, or pick up one of our amazing settings like Deadlands, Rippers, or 50 Fathoms. The rules give players plenty of depth to create their characters and keep bookkeeping to a minimum for the Game Master. If you’re looking for a game that’s fast and easy to set up, run, and play, Savage Worlds is for you!
Savage Worlds handles pulp action, gritty noir, supers, hard scifi, space opera, horror, and anything you can imagine!
Savage Worlds Adventure Edition is the latest version of Savage Worlds. It does not, however, invalidate prior printings of the rules, which you can continue to enjoy.
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
.jpg)
I'm a sucker for RPG settings. Those who lean dark? Even better! It means conflict is baked into the setting, the engine that drives campaigns. Formoria: The Dark Age is written for Shadowdark, but should be easy enough to convert to the OSR system of your choice, likely on the fly. Formoria is Today's Deal of the Day and is priced at $9.50 in PDF until tomorrow morning (the usual price is $ 29).
Formoria: The Dark Age is a Platinum Best Seller on DTRPG.
Rune & Relic Press invites you to the Lands of Formoria; a campaign setting in the world of Asterra with a rich history that has been developed through decades of game play. This guide offers a detailed milieu in which to place your adventures. It has a particular flavor, detailed locations, cultures, religions, politics, npc’s, and history. Although this book was written for use with Shadowdark the RPG. Most of the content here is system agnostic and entirely usable in other systems.
The setting of Formoria echoes 4th century dark ages Europe in flavor and theme. It lies on the northern fringes of “civilization” having been settled and colonized by civilized peoples from the Katalian Empire roughly 150 years ago. The world of Asterra was developed and written by Bryan O'Doherty over the span of two decades of actual game-play. The history of heroes and great deeds, magical items and artifacts and the current state of cultures, kingdoms and empires is the result of actual at-the-table gameplay since '99.
!The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
OSR Santa has been slow at getting things organized - again - this year. It's simply incredible how many distractions the world throws at you during December.
The year's BIG GIFT is again from the guys at Emperors Choice are gifting a copy of Portal to Adventure in its protective case from their recent Kickstarter.
This is a biggie - so we are going to remind folks REPEATEDLY, and set up a special email where folks can enter to be gifted - I think we'll leave that up for a few weeks so everyone gets a chance to enter.
We also have dice, books, DTRPG Gift Certs, and a few other things in the works to be gifted.
If you are a publisher, big or small, and want to get involved with OSR Christmas, we are looking for physical and digital gifts: Email tenkarsDOTtavern at that Gmail thing. Put OSR Christmas in the subject if you have gifts to donate!
Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Tenkar
I still remember the tag line of Talislanta from the ads in Dragon Magazine: "No elves!"
Today's Deal of the Day is the Talislanta Player's Guide - Epic Edition, the latest version of Talislanta. Usually $24.99 in PDF, until tomorrow morning, the Talislanta Player's Guide - Epic Edition is on sale for $7.50
Embark on an adventure through the unparalleled universe of Talislanta, where the boundaries of high fantasy are reimagined. The Talislanta Player’s Guide is your key to a realm filled with over 100 archetypes (class/race combinations) from the formidable Thrall Warriors and cunning Kang Trackers to the mystical Cymrillian Swordmages, enchanting Ariane Druas, fierce Jaka Beastmasters and the enigmatic Wizard Hunters. Each archetype invites you on a journey of discovery and heroism in a world where every character is a doorway to a new adventure. This guide is a visual masterpiece featuring stunning, full-color art that breathes life into the diverse and alien landscapes of Talislanta. The vivid illustrations serve not just to beautify but to inspire, drawing you deeper into the lore and majesty of this expansive world.
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
If you haven't yet snagged one or more of Kevin Crawford's "Without Number" rulesets, do yourself a favor and do so. Kevin is very generous with the free rulesets he gives to the community.
Currently, Kevin has a Worlds Without Number Bundle on Bundle of Holding.
For just US$12.95 you get all three titles in our Numberless Worlds Collection (retail value $55) as DRM-free ebooks in both .PDF and ePub formats, including the complete 400-page Worlds Without Number Deluxe Edition corebook (previously in our November 2023 Sine Nomine Corebooks offer) along with two supplements new to the Bundle of Holding: the 223-page gazetteer Atlas of the Latter Earth and the introductory campaign setting Diocesi of Montfroid.
Even if you don't run it "as is", the tools included will help ANY DM looking to run a sandbox campaign.
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
Fight On! #17 (recent release) delivers exactly what longtime OSR fans crave: a massive, creativity-packed issue overflowing with fresh classes, monsters, adventures, tables, and setting material. Calithena kicks things off with a thoughtful breakdown of Reptile Men and Samurai design, a great peek into how broad-stroke class concepts can be shaped for old-school play. From there, the issue launches into a rich mix of articles, including martial options, grimoire lore, and a flavorful Knight & Knaves scenario, all packed with gameable ideas.
One of the standout features is James Maliszewski’s Eshkom District, a full hexcrawl dripping with atmospheric detail—settlements on the brink, strange wilderness threats, and classic exploration hooks that practically beg to be dropped into a campaign. Philipp H.’s Under Samora: Al’Murtok’s Refuge adds a compelling dungeon expansion full of memorable rooms, clever items, and encounters that feel straight out of the best early megadungeon traditions. Grodog’s deep dive into the myth and evolution of the Thoul is another highlight, blending RPG archaeology with a fresh monster variant ready for the table.
The middle and later portions of the issue serve up a treasure trove of random tables, adventures, setting snippets, and RPG wisdom. Attronarch shares practical advice for running online games (mt bladder won't last 3 hours without a break, but otherwise good advice ;). Bill Webb covers techniques for large groups (I've experienced Bill running large groups - he's spot on with his advice). The Tables for Fables section delivers a joyous variety of tavern events, strange books, and situational prompts ideal for improvisational refereeing. Fiction, lore pieces, and tributes—such as Michael Mornard’s heartfelt memories of Dave Sutherland—add depth and warmth to the issue.
Rounding things out are adventures like Demonweb Savanna and the Rose Bush Hedge Maze, along with the wargaming-focused Chainmail/Sarissa content and a wonderfully quirky Random RPG Name Generator that captures Fight On!’s playful spirit. Taken as a whole, Issue 17 is a vibrant celebration of the OSR’s do-it-yourself heart—packed with material you can run tonight, mine for ideas, or simply enjoy as a love letter to the hobby’s roots.
At $4.99 in PDF, Fight On! #17 is a treasure trove of OSR goodness.
Join The Tavern on December 17th @ 8PM ET, as Jim, Bad Mike, and Tenkar will be joined by Ignatious Umlaut to discuss Fight On! #17 and more!
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
I touched on HexCrawls recently on The Tavern's YouTube Channel. Done right, they are one of the most enjoyable aspects of campaign play IMHO. The FlexTale Hexcrawl Toolkit is a fantastic tool for the toolbox of any GM seeking to run a hexcrawl or a sandbox.
Usually, $19.99 in PDF, the 400+ pages of the FlexTale Hexcrawl Toolkit is $4.00 in PDF until 11 AM ET December 8th.
This book was designed to be the most complete, most comprehensive, most innovative authority on hexcrawl roleplaying game adventuring ever produced.
After more than 35 years of gaming, both old-school through to today's most popular systems, the Hexcrawl Toolkit takes one of the hobby's oldest and most enduring concepts, and provides a passionate and well-organized guide for running hexcrawls, either as part of your campaign, or as the focus of them. Designed to be used by new players, veteran G/DMs, those entirely new to hexcrawls, and solo players alike, this book will be immediately useful to any gaming group, in any context, using any rules system, for campaigns of any length--even those already in progress!
The goal of the book is to guide readers through the concepts at the reader's own pace and preference.
If you've ever seen a module or other book with a hex map, and thought to yourself, how do I make one of those? How do I make the one that's there better? This book is for you.
What is This Thing?
The Hexcrawl Toolkit contains dozens of topics, organized into the following sections:
- Introduction, QuickStart, & Checklists
- Planning
- Movement, Speed, & Visibility
- Navigation & Long Journies
- Points of Interest
- Encounters & Combat
- Survival
- Mapping & Cartography
- Appendix: Utility Tables, Visual Reference, & Blank Hex Grids
- Why Do You Care?
This book was written to contain any and all of the rules a G/DM or solo adventurer could possibly want or need to run their own hexcrawl campaign, design and build their own hexcrawl map, or even author and publish their own hexcrawl worlds.
This book will help you if:
- If you're new to TTRPGs entirely.
- If you're new to hexcrawls and have never seen a map with hexes.
- If you're a veteran G/DM who wants to elevate the scope and scale of their adventures.
- If you're an experienced hexcrawler who wants to take the detail, realism, scalability, or thoroughness of their approach to the next level.
- If you're designing your own fantasy world, and want to use a hex map to represent your vision.
- If you have no time before the next gaming session, and the PCs are traveling across the wilderness.
- If you want to dynamically generate an infinite diversity of adventure content on a continental scale.
- If you're a solo player who's looking for that ever-elusive element of surprise and inspiration for massively-detailed, ever-unfolding adventures on a realm-wide scale.
The FlexTale Difference
The goal here is that if you have ten minutes, or ten weeks, to prepare for a game session, there's something in this book that will help you out enormously.
The Hexcrawl Toolkit features the FlexTale approach to gaming design: the content herein supports ANY set of PCs of ANY level, and scales accordingly. No two adventures or quests are the same.
The majority of the book is system-agnostic, and can be used easily with any TTRPG system. Some specific tools and elements contain rules language tailored to 5E, Pathfinder, Pathfinder Second Edition (P2E), OSR, and Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC).
What's Included
The Hexcrawl Toolkit features:
- Over 190 tables, each designed to take minimal time to randomly determine dynamic adventure content or select from amongst well-described and easy-to-implement options.
- Simplified FlexAI rules to drive dynamic and interesting creature behavior in combat and in social interactions.
- And much, much more!
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
I've known Glen for nearly 15 years. He's been a fellow podcaster, vidcast partner, and, more importantly, a good friend. Now, he's also an author.
Glen sent me a digital copy of When The Fat Orc Sings: A Lumpers Adventure, about a month ago. I sat in for about a week, not because I wasn't interested, but because I've been having trouble reading books these days. Chemo from 20 years ago rewired my brain - reading 2 books a week (on average) has become less than 2 books a year for me. Less ability to concentrate, traded for more creativity.
When I finally got around to reading that first page, I was surprised to find myself suddenly nearly ten pages into the book without even realizing it. Glen drags you into the story so painlessly that you feel you are part of it. Glen is truly a great storyteller (as those who have followed Glen on podcasts and YouTube over the years probably already know.
It makes an excellent gift for the fantasy game during the holidays - hint, hint!
When The Fat Orc Sings: A Lumpers Adventure is $10.99. Ships free with Amazon Prime.
It was a grey day in Puddleton when she glided into the office. Seems her husband went out with a merchant caravan and
never returned. What unfolded was typical but dangerous. Dragons, gnolls, fat orcs and a nasty little transmuter gave the Lumpers quite a ride. In a story more Chandler than Tolkien, Lojak, Byron and Dinkus try to make sense of this case which involves dark magic and shady characters. A tale of pulpy goodness full of action, humor and the answer to the question: what's a Moobit? Just make sure your sword is sharp and you got paid upfront When the Fat Orc Sings.
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
The new edition of Labyrinth Lord was released last week. Whether you refer to it as its official title, Labyrinth Lord: Revised & Expanded, or more commonly, Labyrinth Lord 2e, it is different from its more classic (and nearly 20-year-old) predecessor.
It should be noted that there is a bit of a price war going on in the OSR right now.
Labyrinth Lord: Revised & Expanded - $10
Labyrinth Lord: Revised Edition - $8 (classic rules)
Labyrinth Lord: Advanced Edition Characters - $6.99 (Likely Black Friday Pricing)
It's a great time to explore the OSR :)
Back to the Basics of Fantasy Gaming
Enter a world filled with labyrinths, magic, and monsters!
You take the role of a burglar, cleric, cyclops, brownie, dwarf, elf, fighter, hobfolk, or wizard, on your quest for glory, treasure, and adventure!
This is a complete roleplaying game. All you need are a few sheets of paper and some dice.
The Labyrinth Lord awaits your arrival. Can you survive the dangers of the labyrinth?
Revised & Expanded!
• Two new classes
• More monsters
• Expanded play advice
• New adventure by Pauli Kidd!
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
.jpg)
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the DragonSlayer RPG PDF has been marked down from $30 to $9.99 in PDF. That is awesome! DragonSlayer is a great game, but I found it difficult to recommend the PDF to people at the old $30 price point. At 9.99? All day, every day.
Now, the DragonSlayer PDF is a penny cheaper than the newly released Labyrinth Lord 2e PDF ($10). Looks like I'll need to grab the LL2e PDF and do a straight-up comparison video.
Did I mention there's a Black Friday Sale at DTRPG?
Step into the Golden Age of Role-Playing Games with Dragonslayer, an OSR (Old-School Renaissance) game system that brings the classic magic, adventure, and wonder of 1980s tabletop RPGs to life! Built for fans of D&D-inspired OSR gameplay, Dragonslayer combines the streamlined rules of B/X with the tactical depth and flair of First Edition, offering a single-volume ruleset packed with everything needed to fuel your fantasy TTRPG campaigns.
Dragonslayer includes all the core elements of the classic fantasy RPG experience: distinct races, iconic classes, powerful spells, terrifying monsters, and hoards of treasure — all meticulously curated for OSR-style adventures. Immerse yourself in a world where myths come alive, terrifying monsters roam, and every quest could be your last.
This beautifully designed book also features exclusive artwork by notable artists like Kennon James (cover art), Darlene, Diesel, Peter Pagano, and more, adding vivid visuals to your tabletop experience.
Unleash the true spirit of old-school RPGs with Dragonslayer, the OSR ruleset that brings high-fantasy adventures and timeless dungeon delves to your table.
Adventure awaits: Embrace the legend of Dragonslayer today!
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
Today's Deal of the Day is Summer's End and Other One-Page Adventures by Ben Minton/Questing Beast. For the next 24 hrs or so, you can grab Summer's End for $3, usually $7.50. Pretty good deal for a dozen 1-page adventures.
Summer's End is a 24-page zine containing 12 one-page adventures for Knave 2e and other OSR systems, each contained on a single spread. Six of these are dungeons to drop into your campaign, while the other six are "Six-Mile Adventure Hexes," local areas packed with action and mystery to spice up a hexcrawl.
Most of these adventures were originally released as Patreon exclusives, but have since been revised, redrawn, and redesigned to make the most use of the zine format.
Some of the adventures include:
- Summer's End: A mountain hex featuring rival factions, a tree of magic swords, and the lair of the Summer Worm.
- The Raiders of Wolfsea: An archipelago hex featuring weird pirate ships, fog wolves, civilized liches, and a treasure hunt.
- The Wizards of Sparrowkeep: A village hex surrounded by four wizard towers, whose occupants are engaged in a slow, passive-aggressive wizard battle for the affections of a local witch.
- The Alchemist's Repose: An abandoned laboratory overrun by fungal elves and programmable automatons.
- The Lair of the Keymaster: A puzzle dungeon with a chained, starving dragon and the schematics to the Lock Absolute.
- Drums in the Deep: A sewer dungeon featuring a hallucinogenic spider, three lost teenagers, and a cult attempting to summon the King of Nails
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
Apparently, Goodman's license for the Lankhmar setting is coming to an end, and it's a huge bargain for any who didn't back the Kickstarter years ago. I need to note, this is the ONLY time I can recall suggesting that anyone get the PHYSICAL offering in a Humble Bundle - usually, they are some nearly random "odd or end". NOT this time. This time, the physical offering is the actual Lankhmar Boxed Set, a Hardcover adventure compilation, and the final printed module in the series.
The Lankhmar DCC RPG Bundle is $40 with the printed collection, and $12 for just the PDFs. Perfect for any Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser fans out there.
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
Greg Christopher (AKA The Chubby Funster) is running a sale on his DTRPG Page.
All my POD ShadowDark content is on discount.
If you want Print-on-Demand from DriveThru RPG out for delivery by Christmas, the cut-offs are:
Order Hardcover by 11/22
Order Softcover by 12/6
I am cutting prices this week by around 20-25% for anyone looking to put a little Chubby in their stocking.
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
Where do I start? I first met Rocky at Gary Con in 2016. I had literally no idea who he was; I just knew that he had a larger-than-life personality, and I wanted to know more. Over the next few years, and well over a dozen various conventions, I came to find that Rocky and his wife, Kendra, (as well as their boys) had become friends and integral parts of this extended OSR family I find myself a part of.
Kendra reached out to me back in 2020 (yes, THAT year) to let me know about Rocky's health struggles, as I had recently had my own. What I went through is nothing compared to what Rocky, Kendrs, and their family have gone through over the last five years, let alone Rocky's recent Stage 4 cancer diagnosis.
As I've mentioned before, the funds raised through The Tavern's DTRPG Affiliate Program belong to the community, and this is one of those times I get to put those words into practice.
Here is a link to a GoFundMe Page set up to help the Gardner Family in their time of need.
The Tavern will match the first $250 raised by members of The Tavern's Community for the Gardner Family. Just make your donation, then leave a comment below indicating the amount you donated.
I thank you in advance. Any amount is appreciated.
Venger is infamous for publishing quality content that pushes the envelope - or even occasionally turns it inside out.
This time, Venger is doing something "completely different" and yet "done before". What, exactly? He plans to "Out Vorheim" Vornheim.
I created the campaign setting of Cha'alt because I wanted The Black Pyramid (that first book's gonzo, funhouse megadungeon) to be part of an entire world, not just on its own. And I was inspired to create The Black Pyramid and go with high-end production values because of Zak S' Maze of the Blue Medusa.
7 years later (and hopefully not my last Cha'alt book), I now go back to something else Zak made half a lifetime ago, Vornheim, to focus my tentacles on the various cities of Cha'alt. Again, this new book will be very loosely inspired, and will end up looking almost nothing like Vornheim or anything else you've ever seen.
Pulp-Drenched Cities of Cha'alt is $20 in PDF and $40 in Hardcover plus PDF.
You know you want to ;)
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
It's no secret that I'm a fan of Shadowdark. In the eyes of some in the OSR, for that heresy alone, I should be forced to carry The Dice of Shame. I do strongly believe that Shadowdark has been a net boon to the OSR, and like it or not, as a system, it has brought fresh eyes and blood into the OSR. But I digress. :)
DarkSpace brings scifi to the Shadowdark system, and who doesn't want an opportunity to play some OSR (or OSR-adjacent) SciFi? It's kinda like peanut butter and chocolate.
DarkSpace is a sci-fi rules hack for the award-winning Shadowdark RPG! Use Shadowdark's lightweight rules to craft your own sci-fi adventures in whatever setting and genre of science fiction you want!
This 200-page, HARDBACK edition of DarkSpace expands on the best-selling DarkSpace Core Rules, giving GMs and Spacers many new options for their campaigns:
Revised Archetypes, including the all-new Machine-Based archetype, which expands on the Multi-Function Android archetype from the Core Rules and allows for tech-based spacers, including Power Armor!
DarkSpace PDFs are 19. Print (Hardback with Ribbon *NOT POD) plus PDF is 49. Reasonable pricing, especially for the Print version.
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
Truth be told, I don't know how much of a use jousting rules will be for the average player, but if I were playing an Unearthed Arcana Cavalier (or Paladin), Full Metal Tilt would have been a perfect fit.
Full Metal Tilt is a dynamic supplement for the Dragonslayer RPG, a classic fantasy role-playing game inspired by Moldvay Basic and First Edition AD&D, created by Greg Gillespie. It can also be used with other OSR systems. Published by Greycloak Publishing, this work is authored and designed by Travis Fauber, with editing by Fauber and Mariah Hinshaw. It introduces a detailed jousting system, allowing players to engage in thrilling medieval tournaments, jousts, and tourneys where knights compete to prove their martial prowess and honor. The supplement includes rules for jousting matches, melee combat, chivalric conduct, new equipment, ladies’ favors, heralds, crowd mechanics, two adventures, and much more. Alongside all of this are three new Dragonslayer RPG character classes (Knight and two updated optional Paladins), jousting tables, tournament brackets, and specialized Full Metal Tilt Cards for strategic gameplay. Featuring evocative cover art by Henrik Karppinen and contributions from illustrators like Frank Avila, Carlos Castilho, Del Teigeler, William McAusland, Ryan Nilsson, Paddy's Parlor, The Basic Expert, and others. Full Metal Tilt brings the excitement of lance-wielding combat to the tabletop, perfect for players seeking to test their mettle in the lists.
The list of artists is literally second to none.
Full Metal Tilt is available via Kickstarter for $20 in PDF and $30 (plus costs) for POD and PDF. You can also back it for additional adventures for Dragonslayer/OSR.
Full Metal Tilt stands out from other jousting systems in tabletop role-playing games by offering a highly strategic and immersive experience tailored for the Dragonslayer RPG and other OSR systems. Unlike other jousting mechanics that rely on basic combat system dice rolls or static outcomes, Full Metal Tilt introduces a dynamic, updated system inspired by the Jousting Matrix from Chainmail (Rules for Medieval Miniatures). You can use pencil and paper, the specialized Full Metal Tilt Cards, or The Knight Marshall to quickly determine results. The system has multiple jousting tables (Table O, A, B, C, D, and E), providing 288 unique outcomes. This variety ensures unpredictable and engaging matches. The system emphasizes tactical depth through Aiming Points and Defensive Maneuvers, where players must balance risky and safe strategies to outwit opponents, with outcomes such as Broken Lance, Crest Strike, Fumble, or Unhorse Checks adding narrative flair. Additionally, its integration of chivalric codes, detailed injury tables, crowd momentum, and the option for melee combat resolution sets it apart, creating a rich experience. Full Metal Tilt delivers a jousting simulation unmatched in its depth and replay ability.
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
Fat Dragon Games is Tom Tullis's print-on-demand miniatures company. I've known Tom for about a decade, and he is, despite appearances, one of the nicest people in our hobby. If you have questions about 3d printers, feel free to hit Tom up - he has the answers.
Crypt Classics Miniatures is Fat Dragon Games' latest Kickstarter. My 3d printer is still New-in-the-Box, but these minis are tempting me to find a place to set it up. Dwarves Ho!
To celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2025, we’re launching this Kickstarter with something truly extraordinary:
ALL stretch rewards are unlocked from day one! That’s right, every stretch goal for your chosen pledge level is already unlocked the moment you back.
Your incredible support over two decades made this possible, and this is our way of saying thank you.
This Kickstarter campaign offers 65 FDM-friendly 3D printable miniatures and also over 350 new Lost Sewers terrain models! Discover the exquisite craftsmanship of our new Crypt Classics sculpts, with intricate details and expertly crafted overhangs to eliminate the need for slicer supports. PLEDGE NOW AND GET OVER 400 MODELS FOR ONLY $49!
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
Surviving the Apocalypse is a print-and-play board game, currently funding on Kickstarter. I've been experimenting with some solo play over the past few months, and this one—loosely based on The Walking Dead and similar titles —looks to be a fun one.
I will admit, I would have preferred an option to get a deck of POD cards via DTRPG, but I'm sure my printer can handle the job. Still, a missed opportunity, I think.
"Surviving the Apocalypse" is the working title for a solitaire post-apocalyptic board game I am developing and will soon have finished.
While the game design is very far along (as you'll see), the purpose of this Kickstarter campaign is to fund the remainder of the design and playtesting process, to finalize the rulebook, and to publish the game as a print-and-play kit.
For those who would like to play the game but don't fancy having to print it out and do a little light "crafting", I will also be offering this game in a digitally playable format (more on that later).
The game has no fixed gameboard; instead, the gameboard is dynamically-generated each time you play with randomly-drawn Location Cards that are placed on the table orthogonally adjacent to each other.
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4
Castle of the Mad Archmage, or CotMa, is Joe Bloch's love letter to Greyhawk, and a suitable replacement for the infamous Castle Greyhawk. I ran an earlier version of CotMA for about a year, a decade ago—good stuff.
Until 11 AM Eastern Time or so, Castle of the Mad Archmage is the current Deal of the Day. Usually 24.95 in PDF, until the late AM on Nov 3, CotMA is on sale in PDF for 14.95.
But a few scant leagues from the walls of the bustling town of Greyheim lay the crumbling ruins known as the Castle of the Mad Archmage, Jophob Schlech, long shunned by the local townsfolk. Decades ago, a series of vast treasure hoards were discovered in the twisting mazes beneath the castle proper, along with hungry beasts and deadly traps aplenty. Legends were made in that time; the names of those early explorers will live on for centuries. Eventually, though, the dungeons lost their luster as the treasures became smaller and harder to win, the traps were dismantled, and the monsters slain; eventually only the desperate or jaded dared enter the dungeons beneath the castle.
Recently, however, reports have surfaced of renewed stockpiles of wealth in the dank passages and chambers beneath the hillock upon which the stillruined castle rests. Regions once deemed devoid of monstrous habitation have been reported to teem with renewed activity. Traps both magical and mundane have once more brought explorers to their doom. Changes both subtle and gross have been noted in the very layout of the passages and chambers, rendering old maps and knowledge dangerously unreliable if not outright useless. Something is definitely afoot, and most honest folk in the nearby city find the prospect an unnerving one indeed.
To the bold and daring, however, only one message needs to be heard. The castle and its dungeons are once more ripe for exploration, and new legends are ready to be made beneath The Castle of the Mad Archmage!
This new edition contains all 14 core levels, including the surface ruins, the wilderness immediately surrounding the castle, and several sub-levels. It also comes with VTT-friendly maps that don't show trap doors, sloping passages, secret doors, etc. (you'll still need to add your own "fog of war" according to the specific system you use). It is compatible with most old school games, specifically the first advanced edition of the world's most popular RPG.
Note: This is not the Kickstarter edition. This version does not include the various side levels, which must be purchased separately.
The Tavern uses affiliate links
Humble Bundle: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/da4WJ2
The Tavern’s Amazon Storefront: amzn.to/41Jm0oG
DriveThruRPG: drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1446
Join The Tavern’s Discord Server: discord.gg/q8PnrQrMt4