Write Up Jus'Tinlau the Master Baker of Clan Nassa and You Could Receive a $25 DTRPG GC

Fugli has been gifting The Tavern with unique artwork for a while now. I am always impressed by his work, and his latest piece even includes a 3d file for the figure to have your own Jus'Tinlau the Master Baker of Clan Nassa.

https://www.heroforge.com/load_config%3D30949702/

So, we are doing another giveaway.

What do you need to do?

Write up Jus'Tinlau the Master Baker of Clan Nassa. Justin is an Ogre, but you can stat him out as you would like, using the OSR system of your choice. Write a paragraph or three describing his motivations and goals, and I'll use him as the BBEG for an off-the-grid adventure for this year's NTRPG Con. The adventure will also be shared here at The Tavern and likely published in a future issue of Torchlight.

The best entry (enter by leaving a comment below) will be awarded a $25 DTRPG GC and co-author credit on the adventure when published. (Note, by entering you agree to have your entry potentially published in a future issue of Torchlight)

Enter by 1159 PM, Sunday, May 22, 2022, to have your entry considered. The winner will be announced Monday, May 23, 2022.

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 YouTube - Tenkar

The Winners of the Lanasian Craptor Contest Are...

The quality of the entries for the Design a Lanasian Craptor Contest was simply stunning. I received entries via TenkarsTavern.com, Facebook PMs, and Discord PMs. Some folks wished to remain anonymous. Our first-place winner is such an entry. But the quality of the entries meant there HAD to be some runner-ups. All of the entries were good, and choosing the top three was not an easy task. IMHO, all are of publishable quality and you can read all of the entries that were submitted to this blog at the above link. - Tenkar

Winners need to email me at tenkarsDOTtavernAT that gmail thing. Please put Lanasian Craptor in the subject of your email.

Coming in First Place, and receiving a $60 DTRPG Gift Certificate is the entry from an Anonymous Discord User (but sure as hell I know who they are ;)

Yep, you can print out the page and place it in your Monstrous Compendium. Holy shit, but Rach and I were rolling with the text of this one.

The First runner-up, receiving a $20 DTRPG Gift Certificate is from stavag. Stavag gives you enough to design an adventure around.

Lanasacraptor

FREQUENCY: Unique

NO. APPEARING: 1

ARMOR CLASS: 5

MOVE: 15

HIT DICE: 6

% IN LAIR: 100

TREASURE TYPE: C,U,N,T

NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 + SPECIAL

DAMAGE/ATTACK: Bite (d6+1) or kick (2d4)

SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below

SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil

MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard

INTELLIGENCE: No

ALIGNMENT: Chaotic

SIZE: VS trapped in a M body

PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil

Found naturally in derelict ruins. Occasionally attempts to infiltrate the subterranean levels of wealthy occupied properties and feed off of scraps from the oblivious owners. Unfortunately it is compelled to call to others of its kind once per day with a shrill, terrible screech and anyone within 300’ must save vs. spell. If they make the check, they are alerted to the presence of the Lanasacraptor. Combat with a Lansacraptor results in it immediately calling for help, resulting in a cacophony of noises and stunned incomprehension without much actual action. The gravest threat from the Lanasacraptor is to hear it’s call to the point that one is rendered mentally incompetent.

Combat abilities:

Once per round, Lanasaraptor can make one attack AND use it’s special call. A natural attack roll of 10 or lower results in the Lanasacraptor doing the damage to itself, regardless of target roll.

Special Calls: roll d20 to determine its outcome:

1-8 A low, repeated guttural grunt that sounds almost like laughing- Summons d6 Lesser Grognards

9-11 A long, loud roar- Summons 1 Greater Grognard. Only one Greater Grognard can be summoned per combat. Reroll if the Greater Grognard has already been summoned.

12-13 A series of short chirps- Summons 1 Lesser Lawyerdactyl who will join combat until injured and then flee.

13-14 An angry scream- Attracts 1 Greater Lawyerdactyl who will fight AGAINST the Lanasacraptor

15-17 Similar to the first call, a low guttural HURR-HURR sound- All PCs within range must make save or lose -1 INT until the Lanasacraptor is defeated.

18-19 An extremely high-pitched wail- All creatures within range (allied or enemy) must make save or be stunned for 1 round

20 A strained choking cry- Stuns itself for one round

Lesser Grognard

ARMOR CLASS: 10

MOVE: 6

HIT DICE: 1/2

NO. OF ATTACKS: 1

DAMAGE/ATTACK: Headbutt 1

These tiny, hairy humanoid creatures stand only about 12” tall and blindly attack the party with their unusually large and bony foreheads until they are defeated.

Greater Grognard

ARMOR CLASS: 6

MOVE: 6

HIT DICE: 6

NO. OF ATTACKS: Nil

DAMAGE/ATTACK: Nil

Normal-sized humanoid, its only function is to place itself between the Lanasacraptor and its attackers and absorb damage. Anyone attacking the Greater Grognard must make a save vs. spell or the player must hold their action for the round.

Lesser Lawyerdactyl

ARMOR CLASS: 8

MOVE: 30

HIT DICE: 2

NO. OF ATTACKS: 1

DAMAGE/ATTACK: Nil

SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below

Flies above the party and emits a sonic attack once per round. Players save vs. spell or be stunned for 1 round. The Lesser Lawyerdactyl will cease attacks and attempt to flee as soon as it takes any damage.

Greater Lawyerdactyl

ARMOR CLASS: 6

MOVE: 30

HIT DICE: 2

NO. OF ATTACKS: 1

DAMAGE/ATTACK: Nil

SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below

Unlike the other creatures summoned by the Lanasacraptor, this creature is attracted as its enemy. The Greater Lawyerdactyl will make two attacks and then depart. First, it will attempt to stun the Lanasacraptor (save vs. breath weapon) then the following round it will use a diving melee attack. If successful, it deals 2d8 damage but takes all the treasure from the Lanasacraptor and its lair, leaving none for the party.

Our Second Runner-Up is Shakeshift. Shakeshift receives a $10 DTRPG Gift Certificate. This entry truly made me smile.

LanasaCraptor

Terrain: Tattoo Parlors, Military Weapon Expos

Diet: Taunts

Activity Cycle: Night (Only When Intoxicated and also on Twitter)

ARMOR CLASS : 9

HIT DICE: 2+1

MOVEMENT RATE: 12"

# of ATTACKS: 5

THAC0 19

DMG: 1-2/1-2/1-2/1-2/1-2

SPECIAL ATTACKS: Doxxing

SPECIAL DEFENSES: Deceptive Illusion, Blocking Aura, Fear-Based Teleport

MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil

TREASURE TYPE: E (see below)

INTELLIGENCE: Low (5-7)

ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Annoying

The Lanasacraptor is a weird cryptozoological marvel of engineering. Borne from a test tube when alchemists combined an otyugh, a brain-damaged owlbear, a second-level fighter, and a used sheepskin condom together to see what its gestalt form would be, and what came forth forever would be known as... "The Lanasacraptor!"

This pitiful excuse for a monster will never leave its own lair for fear of being compared to every other monster (which is honestly superior to it in every way.) Instead, this pathetic excuse for a humanoid will pretend to be other monsters far more dangerous than itself by using its natural CHANGE SELF ability of illusion. It will approach prey and pretend to be the monster it has used as a disguise, claiming to be the authentic monster and that ".....It is back, and better than ever!" - Anyone with a WIS score of 9 or higher though can see through this poorly-crafted disguise and will be able to recognize this monster for what it is.... a jealous pretender. This will not stop the Lanasacraptor though from threatening legal action against any and all nonbelievers if anyone starts to point out that the illusion is now revealed.

The Lanasacraptor also has the ability to BLOCK any person who has angered it in any way by using an abjurative aura that lasts for a minimum of fourteen days. Anyone attempting to harm the Lanasacraptor when blocked by this aura must make a saving throw vs spells to even initiate hostilities. Failure means that the attacker simply cannot see or find the Lanasacraptor anywhere that they look, almost as if the monster has removed itself from the battlefield. The Lanasacraptor uses this tactic to launch a vicious first assault on round one (a series of five sissy slaps done with adrenaline-fueled fear) and then BLOCKS the individual afterward because it fears any and all forms of retaliation and will cower and hide like a little sissy bitch.

The creature's only real attack mode which is magical is the Doxxing power it has. By using weak-willed lackeys (those with a WIS score of 8 or less who are still affected by the illusory glamor) the Lanasacraptor can find information on its prey and use TRUENAME (as the 7th level wizard spell) as an attack form on its target if it has 1d6 days to prepare this special attack form. While vicious in nature, anyone who is affected by this spell may simply use a DISPEL MAGIC to negate the advantage. Without the help of a minion, however, the Lanasacraptor is incapable of using its doxxing power because it's not smart enough to be able to doxx victims on its own.

The only other defense the Lanasacraptor has happens when the creature loses more than half of its hit points from any attack. If it does get injured to this point, it can use TELEPORT WITHOUT ERROR to escape from harm's way, crawling back under the flat rock which is its normal home.

NOTE: The treasure type listed is for the Lanasacraptor under normal circumstances. However, if a Lanasacraptor foolishly decides to take action against any magic-using opponent of greater power, the chance of possessing this treasure suddenly becomes questionable. Lanasacraptors are annoying and dim-witted beasts, but in any engagement against magic-users, the Lanasacraptors forfeit all of their worldly wealth to the (far superior) intellect and power of any Wizards, and the treasure type of the Lanasacraptor may be permanently adjusted to (NIL) shortly afterward. There is no known way to offset this penalty. Woe to any foolish little Lanasacraptor who pisses off any Wizards!

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  

Contest - Write up the Lanasian Craptor and You May Win a $50 DTRPG Gift Certificate

Well, I've been parodied twice thus far by NuTSR - not that it matters much because apparently, TSR can't ship anything.

Fugli was kind enough to gift me with parody art of the LanasaCraptor Lanasian Craptor (edit - you can write for either title, but I like the second better ;), and I do think it captures a bit of Justin's inner self.

Not one to let a good piece of art go to waste, I've decided to run a contest to see who can do the best write-up of the above creature, using the OSR ruleset of their choice (or no ruleset - "generic" - if that is your choice).

To enter, simply comment below with a small stat block and at least a paragraph or two describing the Lanasian Craptor's habits, environment, tactics - whatever awaken's your inner muse.

Entries must be in by Noon Eastern, Friday, March 25th, 2022 - so you have four days. Results will be announced Saturday, March 26th, 2022 at 6 PM on the blog side and 8 PM on the Gamers' Health Livestream.

Note, entries will be judged for creativity and entertainment value, as well as in-game useability. You may enter more than once.

One winner will receive a $50 DTRPG Gift Certificate and possible inclusion in a future issue of Torchlight. The Tavern reserves the right to award additional prizes if so decided.

Good luck to all.

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  

Frog God Games Competition (500 bucks in "Frog Loot" up for Grabs)

Passing the word along...

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒈 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞: 400 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘨 𝘉𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘴 (400 dollars in store credit) & will put it up on our website for all to see.

𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞: 100 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑔 𝐵𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑠 (100 dollars in store credit).

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬: May 7th at 8:30amPST

𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐬: May 31st at 11:00pmPST

We want to hear from you our fans. Pick your favorite FGG product and tell us why you like it to so much in video, blog, or podcast format.

Enter as many times as you like!

Once you have created your video, blog or podcast submit it to us as a Facebook comment to our main feed:   https://bit.ly/2Ws2au9

Please Read the Submission Policy before submitting located here: https://froggodgames.com/frogs/contest-policy/

Announcement - Goodman Games will be sponsoring the Rodneys Adventure Design Competition at GameHole 2017

Yep, neither a rumor nor some strange gaming related conspiracy, Goodman Games will be sponsoring the Rodney's Adventure Design Competition at GameHole 2017. This won't be the first time either. And yes, there will be a DCC RPG specific contest...

What exactly IS the Rodneys Adventure Design Competition? Well, take off your tinfoil hat and we'll tell you (its mostly a copy n paste from the GameHole website)

They are the name of the awards for our Gamehole Con game design contest. If you look at any of our annual logos, you will see an armored fellow squaring off against some foe. At Gamehole Con command central, we have always called that guy, Sir Rodney. So, "The Rodney" will be the name of the physical award given to the winners of our game design contest. 

There will be three separate awards handed out this year at Gamehole Con 2017. They will crown the best submission we receive is each of the three following categories - RPG Adventure (any setting), RPG Adventure (DCC Rules) and Board Game (Dungeon Crawl Simulation). The parameters for each are below. 

The Board Game design contest will be run through The Game Crafter's website.
Prizes 

The winner in each category will receive the following prizes: 

-$100 cash
-a hand crafted award created by Albion Swords with their names inscribed on it
-the right to display the following on their winning game product:

You can find the rules for each of the contest at the GameHole website.

Enter and enter often. Tell them "The Tavern sent me!" If a Tavern reader wins a prize I'll find something else to add to the prize pool but only if you let them know you came from here. Because, you know, secret handshakes and all that...

And the Winners of Last Week's Contest Are...

I apologize for the delay in awarding the prizes. Walking into retirement isn't always the smooth sailing you expect it to be. It's not Die Hard crazy, but it's been a busy couple of nights ;)

So, the winners of $10 RPGNow Gift Certificates are:

Linneman

Godzilla Geek

The above need to hit me up at tenkarsDOTtavern at that Gmail thing and I'll get them out to you :)

Playing Swag Catch Up - NTRPG Con Swag Goes to...

I've been busy since getting back from NTRPG Con - much busier than I expected. I'm playing catch up in many ways. Thankfully, I'm on vacation next week. Damn, but that came fast.

Tonight we're awarding a NTRPG Con swag bag. There may be more to this swag than pictured - I need to inventory all the goodies I returned with.

So, who gets this swag?

None other than...

+James Stanton

James, email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing with your snail mail and we'll get this out to you. Well, I'll get this out to you :)

Guidebook to The City of Dolmvay (Print) Goes to...

I got back from NTRPG Con last week and I'm finally playing catch up. Phew!

Anyhow, here goes the first gift to be given out for the Post 5k / NTRPG Con Celebration - it's a print copy of Guidebook to the City of Dolmvay:

After appealing to the Random Gods (or is that Petty Gods?):

+Allan Bray

Congrats! I'll need your snail mail address. Email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing.

(I'll be awarding one or two gifts a day until we get through the backlog - and then more gifts to give away ;)

NTRPG Con - Day Three - Free Signed Goodies Giveaway (US Only)

Now, I say US Only, but if you are willing to pay shipping up front via Paypal, we'll make it work to most places this side of the pond and across.

+Zach Glazar and +Lloyd Metcalf were immensely generous tonight, as they both offered signed books for the kind readers of The Tavern. These books are being given away as a bundle. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Bird of a Feather

Roadside Respite

Yep, two signed books, to be given away to one of you fine folks.

Just comment on this post before midnite, Tuesday June 9th, 2016.

Actually all the 5k / NTRPG Con giveaways are extended to Tuesday, as I don't expect to get to awarding prizes until Wednesday ;)

Oh, and more to come...

Post 5k - Castle of the Mad Archmage - PDF Bundle Giveaway - (Open to All)

So, +Joseph Bloch asked me "Would you like something to give away with your 5,000th post?" Not being a fool, I said yes :)

Joe is giving away a complete PDF bundle of Castle of the Mad Archmage. Yes, that includes Castle of the Mad Archmage Expansion - Level Three East that just went #1 on RPGNow's Hottest Selling list, bumping White Star from a position it held for a month. Nicely played Joseph, nicely played.

How do you enter to win this bundle of awesomeness? Post a comment below before midnite Texas time, Saturday June 6th. Good luck to all. We'll pick a random lucky winner Sunday ;)

More about Level Three East:

Confound your players with a whole new level to add to your Castle of the Mad Archmage™ adventure. Level Three East describes the wonders of the Mad Archmage’s own museum, which contains curiosities and treasures from all over the multiverse, and the challenges of the Watery Caves, which are a series of living caves connected by an underground river.

This module features 74 new encounter areas and 6 new monsters, a full two-page map, plus new magic items, new rumors, an explanation of how this module fits into the whole Castle structure, and the impact it will have on the inhabitants of the central third level of the dungeon. There are also tips for game masters who would like to run this level as a stand-alone adventure.

Levels in the dungeon roughly comport to suitable character levels, to this module is best suited for PCs of approximately 3rd level. However, there are (intentionally) some encounters that only more powerful characters can expect to handle.

Note: This is an expansion of the original Castle of the Mad Archmage™ megadungeon adventure. Although it can be run on its own, you will greatly add to your enjoyment of the module if you also have the original Castle.

Castle of the Mad Archmage is written using the Adventures Dark and Deep™ rules, and is compatible with most Old School type rules with little or no conversion needed.

Post 5k - NTRPG Con Swag Giveaway - US Only (NTRPG Con Day 1)

So, your mom wouldn't let you attend NTRPG Con because of all the "undesirables" in attendance. Or your job wouldn't give you the time off to game and drink. Finances were short this year and the economy is still in the crapped despite what the government says.

Well, you too can have a set of NTRPG Con swag (sans Attendee Badge, as I need that to do Con Things.)

How can you get this awesome set of swag?

First, you MUST have a US shipping address. I'd go broke shipping outside the states.

Second, comment on this very post before 1159 Friday Night, June 5th, 2015 (tomorrow.)

Third - be lucky. I'm only picking one person for the swag.

edit - Fouth - you can't be a NTRPG Con attendee - let others play ;)

I MAY add a thing or two from the con inside this package. I will throw in a Far Away Land Quickstart Rule booklet and a beer mat with grid, because that's the kinda guy I am.

Oh, did I mention? Happy 5,000th post to The Tavern? Woot!

Second Session of Far Away Land in the Bag - Scything & Dicing

Last night was the second session of the Temple of Zoko, my Saturday Night group's introduction to Far Away Land and a testing of the system / gameplay prior to me running a session or two at NTRPG Con later this week.

My four player group survived without a casualty. That was due to smart play on the part of my players.

As far as I know (as I didn't see them in the FAL Quickstart and I didn't have time to refer back to The Tome of Awesome) there are no disarm / weapon grabbing rules for FAL. Well, one of my players, whose character was skilled in unarmed combat, decided he want to take away the BBEG's apparently magic scythe. The two wrestled over the scythe for two rounds, and the player's character gained control on the second round, which changed the dynamics of that final encounter. I'll post my house rule later.

Far Away Land is a big hit in my group, a grumpy set of grognards one and all. It's nothing like D&D and yet plays out very much like D&D. It also seems to encourage me to "ham it up" just a bit, which has gotten my wife laughing from the next room and entertained my players to no end.

We've pretty much agreed FAL is going to be the game we play to take breaks from ongoing campaigns, as the change of pace should keep everything fresh.

All I need to do is print up a dozen or so Far Away Land Quickstarts for NTRPG Con.

Now I'm going to sneak in yet another giveaway, also open until June 8th. On June 9th I'll pick a winner and mail them the self printed copy of the Far Away Land Quickstart that I used for the last 2 sessions (the very one pictured above). And yes, I'll mail it anywhere in the world on the following weekend.

All you need to do to enter is comment on this post :)

The Tenkar's Tavern Tankard Goes to...

We gave away a Tenkar's Tavern Tankard in honor of Swords & Wizardry Appreciation Day this year and now it's time to award the fine drinking vessel.

May the gods of random generation shine upon thee!

The winner is:

+Wayne Humfleet

Wayne, email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing and we'll place your order :)

Thanks to all that commentred.

Giving Away a Tenkar's Tavern Tankard in Honor of Swords & Wizardry Appreciation Day!

You heard it right. We're giving away a Tenkar's Tavern Tankard in honor of Swords & Wizardry Appreciation Day. There is a catch however. It will only ship within the US. So, if we randomly pick a non US address, we will send that person a $20 RPGNow Gift Certificate. Spend it on some of the excellent Swords & Wizardry goodness.

You know the speil - add a comment on this very post before 9pm Eastern tomorrow night (Saturday, April 18th.)

Best of luck to all :)

and the Winner of a print copy of Quests fo Doom for D&D 5e is...

One of The Tavern's generous readers was lucky enough to receive 2 copies of Quests of Doom for 5e and now he is giving it away to a lucky tavern reader.

Just who will that reader be?

Grabbing a bucket of dice, as we have over 100 entries ;)

The Lucky Reader is:

Joel Watkins

Joel, email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing and I'll pass your snail mail info on.

Congrats and thanks to all :)

Giving Away a Print Copy of Quests of Doom for 5e - US Shipping Only

This is my copy. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

Thanks to the generosity of one of The Tavern's regulars (and the inadvertent generosity of Frog God Games, who mailed said Tavern regular an extra copy and said give it away) we are giving away a print copy of Quests of Doom for D&D 5e. Yes, it's a hard cover print copy. As such, this give away is open only to US mailing addresses. Sorry to those elsewhere :(

What do you need to do to enter and have a chance of snagging this fine book?

Just make a comment on this very post before 10 PM eastern, tomorrow, April 16th, 2015.

Do it! You know you want to :)

The Free PDF of the Creature Compendium Goes to...

the free PDF of the Creature Compendium goes to:

+Reese Laundry

Reese, email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing and we'll get you squared away :)

Giving Away a PDF Copy of the Creature Compendium by New Big Dragon Games

+Richard LeBlanc was nice enough to give me a PDF copy of his latest release, the Creature Compendium, to give away to one of The Tavern's lucky patrons.

What do you need to "be in to win?" Add a comment to this post before 10 AM Sunday morning (April 12th for those counting.)

While you are at it, you can snag a print copy of the Creature Compendium at Lulu for $7.99. If you use the coupon code:APRIL30 you get an additional 30% off.

Code should be good through Sunday, bringing the print price to $5.60.

The Winner of a Free Print Copy of Sword for Hire / Blue Frog Tavern is...

Wow. We really have had some cool giveaways in the last week. I tip my hat both to the generous donors and all those that have commented. Well done all :)

The dice have decided, and they have decided it is:

+Johua De Santo

Josh, email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing and I'll forward your snail mail address on to Vlark so he can get you your T&T goodness.

Giving Away a Free Print Copy of Sword for Hire / Blue Frog Tavern (Tunnels & Trolls Double Solo - US Only)

Thanks to the generosity of Tavern patron Vlark (a finer dwarf is hard to to find) and an extra copy being placed in a package by Flying Buffalo, we have a print copy of Sword for Hire / Blue Frog Tavern (Tunnels & Trolls double solo with a fairly complete version of the T&T 5e rules included.)

Vlark is willing to ship via media mail to any address in the United States, including Hawaii & Alaska.

If you are in the confines of the US and are looking to snag this, comment below. Tomorrow night, sometime after 8pm New York time I'll pick a random winner from the comments below.

Good luck to all :)