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Showing posts with label greyhawk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label greyhawk. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

New Release - Greyhawk Campaign Guide (by Joesph Bloch)

As stated earlier, Greyhawk has opened up to third-party publishers via the DM's Guild, and one of the first releases is the Greyhawk Campaign Guide by the OSR's very own Joe Bloch.

The Greyhawk Campaign Guide hit "Copper" on DTRPG in six hours. When it hits Gold, it can be offered as a POD. The Greyhawk Campaign Guide is 14.95 in PDF.

Behold, Greyhawk!

A land of magic, mystery, and mayhem, where ancient dungeons contain vast treasures and infinite dangers, where great armies march across the land, and where bands of adventurers seek to maintain the balance, or help the innocent, but are never above making a quick profit.

This book gives the dungeon master a wealth of information to run a campaign in this venerable fantasy setting, with information on history, the calendar, weather, the inhabitants of the land, descriptions of the lands and wildernesses that make up the Flanaess, and more.

The accompanying Greyhawk Player's Guide will be published soon.


 

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Tuesday, October 15, 2024

News - Greyhawk Now an Approved Official Setting at DMs Guild

As per the DM's Guild Content Guidelines, Greyhawk is now an Approved Official Setting:

Approved Official Settings for Dungeon Masters Guild Products

DMsGuild creators are allowed to use the following official Dungeons & Dragons settings:

  • Forgotten Realms
  • Ravenloft
  • Eberron
  • Spelljammer
  • Planescape
  • Dragonlance
  • Radiant Citadel
  • The Magic: The Gathering settings of:
    • Ravnica, Theros, Arcavios/Strixhaven

  • Greyhawk

Other official settings cannot be used in DMsGuild products at this time. This list includes but is not limited to Dark Sun, Mystara, etc.

If an NPC, location, monster, or item from an unapproved setting appears in an approved setting it may be used in your DMsGuild product as long as it is set in an approved setting.

Click here for the Greyhawk Section at the DM's Guild.



The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. The Tavern DOES NOT do "Paid For" Articles and discloses personal connections to products and creators written about when applicable.

DTRPGAmazon, and Humble Bundle are affiliate programs that support The Tavern.  You can catch the daily Tavern Chat cast on Rumble or YouTube - Tenkar  

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Christmas in July Sale - WotC / TSR Picks


It never ceases to amaze me the amount of classic TSR Era releases that are now available in PDF and often POD via DTRPG. All of the TSR Era PDFs are on sale for the Christmas in July Sale, and I'm going to pick out a few favs and notable ones.

Gamma World (1e) - My first (and only - in my heart of hearts) version of Gamma World, this holds a very special place in my gaming collection as the first RPG I owned after getting my core AD&D 1e books. Never like Constitution for Hit Dice though - This is the setting for a GAMMA WORLD™ campaign, with players taking on the persona of an individual character somewhere in this forbidding locale. In a quest for survival and in search of a better future, the players adventure across the land, enduring hardships and encountering dangerous obstacles and mysterious foes - never knowing quite what to expect. The result is a game which can go in many directions, but which will be challenging and fascinating no matter what the outcome. 9.99  7.49

Boot Hill Wild West Role-Playing Game (2nd Edition) - Another of my early RPG purchases, I learned about Boot Hill from the AD&D 1e DMG. Sadly, my group didn't express much interest in playing it - You step from the cool shade of the Long Branch Saloon into the midday heat of Promise City. Loosening your Colt in its holster, you look down Main Street and spot the leather and denim-clad stranger who called you out. Citizens of the town scramble for cover as they sense the forthcoming battle. The outlaw doesn't look fast enough to match your draw, but ... wait! Your keen eyes catch the unmistakable glint of the sun against gun metal from the roof of the dance hall—the yellow coward has a buddy who's going to shoot you in the back! What will you do? Think fast. or you'll be the next resident of ... BOOT HILL! 4.99  3.74

The World of Greyhawk (1e) - This was all the setting we needed back in the early 80s. Heck, my original maps still have stains from the grease pencils we used to mark the territory my gaming group was conquering in the Wild Coast ;) - So the players have been complaining that the campaign is too dull, eh? Not enough detail? Why is this country at war with its neighbors? How can trade routes exist with all those wandering monsters? Most importantly, why do all of those unsacked, unlooted dungeons and ruins stand so close to the one big city all of the adventurers in the world hail from? Rejoice, Dungeon Masters, and relax! All of these questions can be answered by following the example of the volume in your hands. The World of Greyhawk is here, and is suitable for use as the backdrop of a new campaign without changes; or, as an alternative, city, country or geographical descriptions can be used to fill in details for existing campaigns. The World of Greyhawk is in the form of a gazetteer written by a historian native to the region, and as such includes the calendar systems used by the peoples of Oerth, a history of the major nations over the last thousand years, a discussion of climate in the different regions of the world, and even an appendix listing many runes and symbols (and their meanings) which are found in ancient and magical writings. 4.99  3.74


Fiend Folio (1e) - Before I owned a copy of the Monster Manual, I snagged a copy of the Fiend Folio. It was here that I learned that HDstood for Hit Dice, and WAS NOT synonymous with HP. Damn, my group was disappointed when the monsters started having more than 1 HP per HD :)  A Guidebook of Creatures Malevolent and Benign. This tome contains alphabetical listings of monsters designed for use with the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game system. Each creature is described and most are illustrated for easy identification. Using the new encounter tables contained herein, this work is sure to add new excitement to any AD&D game. 9.99  7.49

T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil (1e) - I've heard it claimed that ToEE is not a megadungeon, and I would have to disagree. I ran it was a campaign at least three times in my high school and college years, and any dungeon that can keep a group running for months is mega in my eyes - A sinister force, long thought destroyed, stirs from the black hole that spawned it. Like an ebony darkness it prowls the land and safety is but an illusion, for it watches from every shadow and ponders possibilities. What began years ago, with the introduction of the players to the quiet village of Hommlet and the amazing lands of Greyhawk, at last is complete. Here is the long-awaited campaign adventure, featuring the ruins of the Temple of Elemental Evil, where a great evil broods and grows beneath its blasted stones. This is your chance to drive it back and scatter its force again. This product includes the village of Hommlet, the filthy shire of Nulb, and reveals the ruins of the Temple of Elemental Evil and the labyrinths that lie beneath, a warren of darkness. And beyond these ruins, even more, is revealed. For the first time, this product provides a complete campaign adventure, which will take beginning characters from 1st all the way to 8th level and possibly beyond! Hours of adventuring await you! 9.99  7.49

D&D Basic Set Rulebook - Moldvay Basic. This was the Basic Set of rules as I knew them and of course, teenage me was not impressed with anything named "Basic" as we played "Advanced". I'll admit it now, I was a fool - This is the 1981 edition of the D&D Basic Rulebook, which was sold as part of the boxed D&D Basic Set and also on its own. It was the first true standalone edition of what became "Basic D&D" as previous editions had instead been based on OD&D play. 4.99  3.74

You can also snag the D&D Expert Set Rulebook for 3.74



B2 The Keep on the Borderlands - Although I refused to play or run Basic D&D "back in the day" I had no problem running The Keep on the Borderlands with the AD&D rules. An adventure as well as a sandbox setting (and home base), it has been a go-to for me for many years -This module includes a cover folder with maps and a complete description booklet to form a ready-made scenario for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® Basic Set. It has been specially designed for use by beginning Dungeon Masters so that they may begin play with a minimum of preparations. Within are many features to aid novice players and Dungeon Masters: legends, history and background information, a list of adventuring characters, tips on how to be an effective Dungeon Master, plus an interesting area for characters to base themselves in (the Keep) before setting out to explore the Caves of Chaos. 4.99  3.74

Yep, those are affiliate links above. By shopping via The Tavern's affiliate links, you help support The Tavern by doing what you were already going to do - buy cool shit! 

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

The Return of Greyhawk? - Ghosts of Saltmarsh coming in May 2019 (D&D 5e)


I generally don't get excited all that excited about D&D 5e releases but this is an exception. Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh is one of my favorite AD&D 1e modules and I've run it multiple times. Ghosts of Saltmarsh uses that module as the springboard to a whole campaign.
Ghosts of Saltmarsh brings classic adventures into fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons. This adventure book combines some of the most popular classic adventures from the first edition of Dungeons & Dragons including the classic “U” series, plus some of the best nautical adventures from the history of Dungeon Magazine: Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, Danger at Dunwater, Salvage Operation, Isle of the Abbey, The Final Enemy, Tammeraut’s Fate, The Styes.

• Ghosts of Salt Marsh includes a variety of seafaring adventures, enough to take characters from level 1 to level 12.

• This supplement introduces the port town of Saltmarsh, the perfect starting point for a nautical campaign.

• Each adventure can be played individually, inserted into your ongoing game or combined into a single epic nautical campaign.

• Dungeon Masters will find rules for ships and sea travel, deck plans for various vessels, an appendix with rules for new and classic monsters, and much more
Some observations/questions on my part:

  • Is it just me, or is WotC mining much of the 1e and prior era and updating it to 5e?
  • Goodman Games updated Isle of Dread to 5e. Definitely a pattern.
  • Amazon pre-order does not YET appear to be discounted. 
  • Does this mark the return of Greyhawk? Will the setting see a 5e update?
  • Reaching into old Dungeon Magazine for adventures leaves me concerned about the current creative ability at WotC's current design team
  • Wasn't Yawning Portal all rewrites too?

Ghosts of Saltmarsh is available on Amazon as a preorder for 49.99.

https://amzn.to/2U9WHqP (this is an affiliate link. by using affiliate links on The Tavern's various pages, a percentage of the purchase price goes to support The Tavern. And beer.)

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Petition to Make Aerdy (The World of Greyhawk) Great Again


Our very own +Joseph Bloch (aka The Greyhawk Grognard) has started a petition to have WotC officially support the World of Greyhawk with the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules.

Personally, I'd love to see some new Greyhawk material :)

You can sign the petition at:

https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bring-back-greyhawk

Friday, May 5, 2017

Ever Want to Live in Greyhawk? Well, now you Can! :)


The Taverner's are an awesome bunch, because 24 hours a day, 7 days a week they have their eyes open for interesting tidbits.

So, who wants to live in Greyhawk? Housing prices start at just under $400k. There's an onsite golf course. I can't speak about the thieves' guild, but I'm sure you can inquire ;)

Here's your map ;)


Saturday, December 20, 2014

Carl Sargent - Whatever Happened to the Man that last Defined Greyhawk 2e?


The great +Joe D asked the following question during tonight's game session:

What ever happened to Carl Sargent, the man who defined Greyhawk for AD&D 2e?

So, does anyone know?

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Why Greyhawk is "Better" than the Forgotten Realms

Why is Greyhawk is "Better" than the Forgotten Realms?

Simple - less canon.

The more canon one has built into a setting, the more restricted the paths of the players and the greater the chance they will be overshadowed by the setting's named NPCs.

Also, the more canon there is built into a setting, the greater the chance the players will know more than the DM about the setting, and that can never lead to a good ending. Going off the "canon tracks" can lead to push back.

Still, it does make the Forgotten Realms more ripe as a shared fiction world than Greyhawk, because there is enough canon to keep various writers on the same page.

Stupid shit that seeps into one's mind while trying to sleep at night...

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

What is Your Favorite Fantasy RPG Setting?

I made my argument for Greyhawk here. It was an easy choice for me, but I readily admit there are other strong choices:

Glorantha, Harn, Forgotten Realms, Birthright, Ravenloft, Whatever the world in Palladium Fantasy is called, Middle Earth, Spelljamer - they all had their own magic.

Favorite world I've never played in or run a game in? The Wilderlands.

Greyhawk was my first, and therefore my first love, if you will.

So, what's your favorite fantasy RPG setting? Is there a setting you want to play in but never have?

30 Day D&D Challenge - Day Four - Give Me the World



Day Four is "Favorite Game World".

This really is a no brainer - the answer is "The World of Greyhawk". And not one of the boxed sets either, but the original folio.

Back in my High School years, the group I ran decided they wanted to take over the Wild Coast when they hit name level. We didn't have much in the way of rules for running battles and campaigns on the scale of major wars, so I had to scratch some rules out by hand. I wish I could find those rules now. I'm sure they sucked, but 17 and willing to take a chance and say "here ya go - lets do some strategic battles with these rules and random tables I just wrote up" impresses the 46 year old me ;)

They did conquer much of the Wild Coast, but they were never able to hold it. Greyhawk to the north didn't look kindly on a new a powerful southern neighbor, and the Pomarj certainly didn't like the happenings to their north.

Besides, it wasn't called "The Wild Coast" for nothing.

Good times :)

Friday, October 14, 2011

Occupy Greyhawk!

I so very much want to post about the Occupy Wall Street protest movement, but as I detest political (all talk about the protest seems to draw political comments from both / all / infinite sides) blog posts on gaming blogs, I'm leaving that my Google+ account (Erik Tenkar).

Still, it makes one (or at least me) think about such a movement in our standard fantasy worlds. I could see such a movement being quickly crushed in The City of Greyhawk if it got too large, but a small protest might be tolerated. It would probably be backed by the Scarlet Brotherhood, as they seemed to have their fingers in about every source of discontent in that area of the world.

In Ank-Morpok, I suspect the Patrician would allow the protest to run it's course, perceiving it as useful manner to let the populace let off some steam. Heck, he might even be the one pulling the strings behind it all, as causing the Guilds trouble would strengthen his already strong hand. You'd never be able to prove it tho'.

In the Forgotten Realms, a city the size of Waterdeep could have a movement like this going on and 90% of the populace would never know. It's just to large a city. Would the Lords try to put a lid on it? Maybe once it started hurting the city coffers.

The PCs could always be recruited to infiltrate such a movement or even used as muscle to shut it down. Perhaps they could be recruited by the movement leaders themselves (such as there are) to provide security against goons hired by various merchant and trading guilds looking to put an end to protests that are hurting their business.

Maybe the PCs get involved when the movement is just starting and they find it's direction is being usurped as it grows in size by unknown interests. Maybe they get recruited by one faction of the movement to spy on another faction.

Even better would be if their own actions inadvertently started the movement. They see the protesters with painted signs depicting members of the party. Maybe their actions were a positive influence, or maybe the protest sprouted in reaction to the party itself.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Two Minutes to Midnight

At the moment I have the Iron Maiden song mentioned above going thru my head.  I know I'm 43, and too old for metal, but when Maiden was hot, I was the right age for metal... I'm grandfathered in.

In any case, the kid is doing his auxiliary duty until midnight tonight.  The funny thing is, my worrying doesn't start until he gets off and has to come home.  Must be the years I've spent on "the job" myself has desensitized me to its danger, but the thought of my son on a NYC subway at midnight will keep me up... or wake me up, as I am ready to pass out now.

I can just see this in the fine World of Greyhawk:

"Maaaaahhh!  I'll be fine.  I've made the trip to Verbobonc so many times I could do it in my sleep."

"Ach!, But what about the highwaymen?  You could be laid on by highwaymen!"

"Maa!  I'll be Oh-Kay!  Remember how me and my party laid waste to Iuz and all his evil?"

"Yes, but you had that nice elf and the sour dwarf with you.  Fine men.  I trusted them to keep you safe."

"I think you mean 'dour' dwarf ma."

"Nope, he always smelled of soured beer that lad.  Musta been his beard.  Still, they kept you safe."

"Ma, I'm level 17 now!  I can hold my own against a small army.  I'll be fine."

"So says you!  Maybe I'll go with you.  I'd never let one of them highway men lay a hand on my little boy..."


If I sleep now, I have three hours before I have to start worrying ;)
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