I was a Guest on the Rollin' Bones Vidcast with Ryan Howard - We Discussed the Next Generation of OSR Gamers

I sat down a week ago with Ryan Howard of the Rollin' Bones Vidcast. We talked mostly about bringing in younger gamers, the next generation if you will, into tabletop gaming and the OSR in particular.

I had a great time :)

It's funny. I've been involved with podcasting for about 7 years. Sadly, The Brainstorm Podcast, my first regular podcast as a host, only lasted about 50 episodes. And look, it's still available!

https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-brainstorm-think-tank-podcast

Anyhow, it was a great experience to be a guest on the cast of another. No show prep, no need to keep a conversation going, just in for the ride and none of the hard work involved ;)

You can catch the episode of Rollin' Bones where I was a guest below. Huge thanks to Ryan for inviting me on. I had a great time!

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 

Tonight at 8 PM Eastern - Talking Crit LiveStream with Special Guest Alex Kammer (GameHole Con)

I'm pleased to announce that joining myself and Bad Mike on the Taking Crit Livestream tonight will be none other than Alex Kammer. Most of us know Alex as the main man behind the "runs like clockwork" GameHole Convention held every November (pandemic willing), but he also own a gaming themed pub, writes D&D adventures, is an avid collector of gaming releases and so much more.

Join us tonight at 8 PM Eastern as Mike & I sit down with Alex on Talking Crit.

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

We'll Be Adding YouTube Videos to The Tavern's Mix Next Week

Yep, The Tavern has a YouTube Channel and it's fairly easy to remember the URL: YouTube.com/ErikTenkar

At the moment its some old videos and a reposting of The Tavern Chat Podcast, but starting next week (or sooner) I'll be adding regular, exclusive material. Games From the Basement, a series of posts here at The Tavern, known for highlighting RPGs and other tabletop games that have been in my collection since the 1980s, will return as a video series. Its a visual thing, so the podcast doesn't work so well, but its also sentimental, which doesn't always convey well with the written word.

Additionally, the initial plan is to record two episodes of the Tavern Chat Podcast each week, live-streamed via YouTube, for real-time feedback and interaction from the viewers. I'll announce days / times shortly. Afterwards, it will then be uploaded to the podcast feed. Additionally, I'd like to move future Fireside Chats / Interviews to a Livestream format. Again, this will allow for more immediate feedback and interaction from the viewers.

So, subscribe to The Tavern's Official YouTube Chanel at YouTube.com/ErikTenkar to never miss an episode.

As we get closer to Christmas, I suspect that OSR Christmas will intersect with The Tavern's YouTube Channel. I heard it from some elf that was talking to this dwarf...

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 the 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.

More info here at The Tavern Chat Podcast

Tavern Chat - Tonight's Episode was 365 is 365 Days!

I figured I should share this over on the blog side (Tenkar's Tavern has a huge milestone later this month but I digress) Tonight was the 365th episode of the Tavern Chat Podcast. 365 episodes in 365 days. I never would have guessed when I recorded the first episode that not only would Tavern Chat be around a year later, but it would have such a large and loyal following.

Truly I am blessed.

Additionally, today Anchor (my podcast host / service) added a new feature - Voicemails for All. Prior to today if you wanted to leave a voicemail you needed to use the Anchor app on your cellphone or tablet.

Now, all you need do is go here: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/message

Pretty damn cool. I look forward to hearing from you all calling in ;)

Tonight @ 9 PM Eastern - Strange Murmerings Podcast Recording LIVE on the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server with Guest Tom Knauss (Frog God Games)

I'm excited to announce a new regular live show on the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server. Strange Murmurings is a twice-monthly podcast where the hosts (@melkor @BearEclai and @የሁዕዕረቿነ  from the Strange Gods podcast) sit down and talk with TTRPG content creators and designers and find out what makes them tick.

Tonight on Strange Murmurings, we have @Tom Knauss (Frog God Games) .. feel free to jump in the conversation at 9pm EST!  (yes, audience participation is encouraged) If you miss it, you can download it tomorrow on the Strange Murmurings podcast:  https://anchor.fm/strange-murmurings

You can find the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server at the following link:

https://discord.gg/fReGmuD

In addition to the above podcasts, you may enjoy Swords & Misery, an actual play podcast using the Swords & Wizardry rules. Same great folks. More great content.

Unofficial Tavern Face-to-Face Hangout with JoeTheLawyer results in "The Not So Wondrous Tavern Chat Episode One" ;)

We had an unofficial Tavern Face-to-Face Hangout earlier today, which kicked off at the Compleat Strategist in Manhatten and followed up with brunch at the Faile Pub.

JoeTheLawyer, Judd Karlman (podcaster, blogger and RPG writer) Rach (my lovely wife) and I recorded the episode you'll find linked below over some fine pints of cider and beer. The waitstaff was on point (and can be heard on occasions making sure our glasses were properly filled).

Joe and I would like to do a similar type of gathering every few months. Kind of a "face to face" meeting of the local NYC area community.

We had a great time and we hope that shows in the episode.

Link:  https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E200---The-Not-So-Wondrous-Tavern-Chat-Episode-One--With-Special-Guest-JoeTheLawyer-e2m7qf

Podcast - Old School Blues - Episode 13 - Vince Florio & Yours Truly

Last week Vince and I recorded Episode 13 of the Old School Blues Podcast.

Its available via Ancor and Youtube - yes, there is a video :)

As if you didn't have enough of me unscripted - heh.

More to come. Maybe even with Old Man Grognard.

Anchor Link: https://anchor.fm/oldschoolblues/episodes/Old-School-Blues-The-Revival-Live----Episode-12-e2a7ms

Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/6NNTw5mJiqA

Podcast - Game School - Swords & Wizardry Light - Your Bartender is the Special Guest

Wow. I was surprised to get the notification that the Swords & Wizardry Light episode of the Game School Podcast was live. We recorded it mid-summer and it kind of fell off my radar, but its here.

Want to hear me talk about Swords & Wizardry Light? Here's your chance.

If you are playing in my game at ShireCon this Saturday morning, you might want to wait until Saturday Night before you listen ;)

The Tavern Chat Podcast - Episode 76 - Kickstarter Roundup for July 31, 2018

Time for another weekly Kickstarter Roundup. The Good, the Bad and the downright UGLY ;)

Yep, today is a Tuesday and we have the latest Kickstarter Roundup. Eldritch Century: Monsters Wave 1, Void RPG Logo, Dice Tube - All Weather, Fantasy World Creator, and THE FANTASY TRIP – Old-School Roleplaying!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dracostudios/eldritch-century-resin-miniatures-wave-1?ref=newest&ref=discovery&term=rpg

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/alithnul/void-rpg-logo?ref=discovery&term=rpg

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1871496317/all-weather-dice-tube?ref=discovery&term=rpg

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2031918013/fantasy-world-creator?ref=discovery&term=rpg

tenkars-tavern.games/TheFantasyTrip

We're Back! Old School Blues: The Revival! (Podcast)

We're back! Yep, the old School Blues podcast is BACK! Join Vince, Glen and your's truly as we discuss NTRPG Con.

God, it feels great to be back :)

Remember when you were kid, and you ate, drank and slept D&D in the '80s? Well maybe you have been doing that all these years or simply found your way back into the fold of gaming! Join us each episode as we sit around and chat about various D&D games, our experiences and open your eyes to new things in the OSR (Old School Roleplaying)! Want to know about the latest product out from Swords and Wizardry? Labyrinth Lord? Mazes & Perils? or maybe you want to know about something someone wrote, about the original games you loved to play for D&D, Marvel, Star Trek, Star Wars and anything else!

Link to the Podcast: https://anchor.fm/oldschoolblues/episodes/Old-School-Blues-Podcast-Episode-11---Season-2-Starts-here-e1lvov

Tavern Chat Podcast - Over 600 Plays in 10 Days

Thank you.

The Tavern Chat Podcast has over 600 plays across various platforms in 10 days of existence - not too bad :)

More importantly, I’ve noticed an uptick in new OSR podcast over the past few days. Folks like Matt Jackson, Jason Hobbs and Tim Shorts are the ones that cleared the trail for folks like James Spahn, Glen Hallstrom, myself ad others who have followed their footsteps while also forging new paths. None of this would be possible without the support of the community.

Again, thank you.

When I return to my home office after this holiday weekend, I’ll put together a list of Old School Games that are using the Anchor.fm platform to put more gaming goodness into your hands via podcasting.

I’ll be back in the AM with another cast :)

State of The Tavern - Gathering of Fools and Further Foolishness

Art by Craig Brasco
Somehow he captured Tenkar the Dwarf when I wasn't looking ;)

Today is the annual Gathering of Fools, where my old gaming group from the High School and College years gather to remember our friend Paul, who we lost on 9-11. Paul's birthday was in late May, so May or early June is when we usually gather.

I always distribute gaming goodness to the group. The first year I gave out goodies, it was first printings of the Castles & Crusades Player's Handbook. This year will be Swords & Wizardry Continual Light copies being handed out. What a surprise ;)

On the blog side, the plan is to start pushing out the Tenkar's Tavern Kickstarter Do's and Don'ts posts sometime next week.

On the podcast side, expect the Hero's Brew Podcast to make a triumphant return after the three of us (James, Glen and myself) work out the logistics at NTRPG in a few weeks.

Also on the podcast side, The Tavern Chat Podcast will be doing a series of posts catching people up on certain long-running themes, such as the Gygax Memorial Fund and #ConManKen. I find myself being asked for recaps, and I figure the podcast is an excellent way to do so. I'm planning on starting the Gygax Memorial Fund background episodes tomorrow and see how it goes from there.

I appreciate the support Y'all have given the Tavern Chat Podcast already. The way I see it, by keeping the majority of the episodes between 10 and 15 minutes, you can listen in daily chunks or treat it as a longer episode and just listen to a series of releases at once. Best of both worlds. Remember to leave voicemails using the Anchor App if you want to participate. This is your podcast and I want to be responsive to The Tavern's Community.

To see more samples of Craig Brasco's artwork, go here:  https://www.artstation.com/orgosan

Podcast - Gothridge Manor - Tim Shorts Speaks

I'm annoyed I only came across this today (as it's been going since at least April 23rd). Damn you, Tim! Keep me in the loop next time, damn it!

Here's the link to the Gothridge Manor Podcast.

Episodes are, for the most part, 15 minutes or less, which is about my sweet point these days. Long episodes are ideal for driving, but for listening at home, 10 to 15 minutes is ideal.

Tim uses Anchor.fm, which is not just free but looks damn simple to use. I've been thinking about doing Vidcasts, but podcasting with Anchor seems ideal. More thoughts on that later today.

In the meantime, catch Tim's Gotheridge Manor Podcast.

I Plan on Doing a Bunch of 5 Minute Audio Interviews at Gary Con X

I picked up a Zoom ZH1 H1 Handy Portable Digital Recorder with the intention of seeking out members of the OSR Community (known and less known) for a series of 5 minute interviews. Now, it sounds really good in theory but 5 minutes can be really long of the conversation doesn't flow.

That's where you, The Tavern's Readers, come in. I need some general questions I can refer to get the interviews flowing. Add your questions to the comments below. Tuesday night around 9 PM Eastern I'll pick two random commenters. They'll each receive a $5 RPGNow Gift Certificate.

I'll print out the list of questions and bring it with my to Gary Con.

When I return back to New York it may go up as a special episode of the Hero's Brew podcast.

What are you waiting for? ;)

Hero's Brew Podcast - Episode # 2 - Dark & Sundry

The Grognardy Trio have served up another episode of the Hero's Brew Podcast. Episode #2 - Dark & Sundry is available for your enjoyment. Yes, we're extra grumpy at NO extra charge for you ;)

Oh, and we earned our explicit label this time :)

You can play it from the player below or give it a few hours to get served through iTunes, Google Play and other podcast players.

Download link for Episode # 2

State of The Tavern - Discord Meets Hero's Brew Equals Huge Distraction! Heh

Some quick updates:

- The Tavern's Discord server is a success. We've had over 60 Taverners sign in thus far and it only went live Wednesday night. There's even a widget on the right side of this very page to get you started. Join us and start your OSR pub crawl!

- The Discord server is such a success I was up past my bedtime chatting away with folks and it wasn't even a Tavern Chat night. Seriously considering dropping Chatwing and moving the chat to Discord.

- We, as in the Hero's Brew podcast, are seriously considering doing some round table discussions with members of the community via voice on Discord and adding them as episodes of the cast. One of us would host the discussion with 3 or 4 members of the community participating. More on that soon.

- The Hero's Brew podcast has lined up its first guests. You may already know them from another OSR podcast. I'm excited as a pig on poop :)

- As I type this, the first episode of the Hero's Brew podcast has 197 downloads. We're stoked!

Hero's Brew Podcast - Now Available at Google Play Music! (I think that covers all)

It appears that the Hero's Brew podcast is now available at Google Play Music. Its already up on iTunes.

The feed is:

http://HerosBrew.podbean.com/feed/

Alright, everything going forward should be smooth as silk, right? ;)

Oh, and thanks to all that have already given the first episode a listen!

Hero's Brew Podcast - Now Available at iTunes! (Google Play is pending)

Yep, iTunes just approved the Hero's Brew podcast. Please, download it and give it a rating. It's also been submitted to the Google Play store. We are waiting on approval at Google :)

Thank you all in advance!

Oh, find it on iTunes by searching for Hero's Brew.

Work Continues on Getting the Hero's Brew Podcast to Your Ears

As I mentioned in last night's Tavern Chat, I had to drop out 30 minutes early to join a Skype conversation with my fellow Hero's Brew conspirators, +James Spahn and +Glen Hallstrom . What were we discussing? All things Hero's Brew.

Now, if you don't know who James and Glenn are, let me give you their bonafides:

James is perhaps best know as the writer of White Star, an OSR scifi RPG based off of Swords & Wizardry White Box. He has self published over 100 releases for Labyrinth Lord, Swords & Wizardry and his own White Star RPG. He's also written for The One Ring RPG with over a half dozen writing credits for that system and of course, The Star Wars RPG for FFG.

Glen has been podcasting for ages. THAC0's Hammer, Save or Die, The Brainstorm and others I'm sure I have forgotten. Glen's done radio work and stage acting. He does voiceovers for numerous podcasts. He has his own YouTube channel - Old Man Grognard where he discusses topics relevant to the OSR.

The three of use were the hosts of Save or Die: Expert Edition. I consider them both close friends with whom the three of us share gaming chemistry.

As for me, I write a blog, have dabbled in podcasting and create some gaming content on an irregular basis.

Anyhow, these are your hosts for Hero's Brew.

Right now, we have the embedded player up on the right side of this page. All we have up is the intro, but soon - soon there will be more ;)

We will be posing questions to the community as this literally is a podcast for the OSR community. We want to be responsive and work hand in hand with our listeners. More on that soon.

Announcing the Hero's Brew - The Official Podcast of The Tenkar's Tavern Community

art by +Craig Brasco 

Yep. We done did it. We spread our wings and flew right here. The Tavern. What am I talking about?

Hero's Brew, The Official Podcast of the Tenkar's Tavern Community.

Here's the link to our opening. If this doesn't tell you the kind of podcast we plan to give to the community, I don't know what does.

It really is a podcast for the community. We plan to get y'all involved with the podcast. How? Heh. Trust us on this one.

We still have some stuff to hash out but this will be coming to your digital doorstep fairly soon.

So, join us for a Hero's Brew, relax and enjoy your time in The Digital Tavern ;)

edit - forgot the damn link and my partners in crime - +James Spahn and +Glen Hallstrom :)