Torchlight #1 Will be Available in Print at GameHole!

Thanks to the talents of Jeff Jones, a limited print run of Torchlight Issue #1 will be available at GameHole Con later this month. Seek out Jeff or myself to purchase a copy.

Work continues on Swords & Wizardry Continual Light Digest Edition. Hopefully, it will be ready by Christmas. We also plan to do a limited print run before moving to POD in 2022.

As SWCL wraps up, work will commence on Torchlight Issue #2.

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  

Torchlight Issue #1 has Released (Swords & Wizardry / SWL / SWCL Zine)

Well, it's finally here. All delays are mine and mine alone. There is a reason this will never be a Kickstarter project run by myself ;)

Torchlight Issue #1 has been released in PDF, with the hope of a limited run of print copies available at Shire Con. Definitely in time for GameHole. These will be printed by Mixam and the quality should be outstanding.

The cover price for Torchlight Issue #1 in PDF is 3 bucks for 36 pages, cover to cover. We have articles (and an adventure) from James Spahn, Michael "Bad Mike" Badolato, and John Healy II.

Glen Hallstrom did the cover and Jeff Jones did the layout.

Unlike the Torchlight Premiere Issue, this is a full-size zine :)

If you buy it via this link: Torchlight Issue #1 - you can snag a copy for 2 bucks. If you have purchased prior S&W releases from me, check your DTRPG email for potentially a deeper discount.

Additionally, I'm putting Swords & Wizardry Continual Light on sale for a buck via the link above - also normally 3 bucks. Work is commencing on a digest-sized version of SWCL - new layout, new art, new cover art, and a micro setting and adventure from James Spahn. Phew. Again, hoping to release it in time for GameHole with a limited print run, again via Mixam.

As always, thank you for the support. Work on Torchlight Issue #2 will commence after we wrap up the Digest Sized Edition of S&W Continual Light :)

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  

Torchlight - 11 Days Later, Hanging on at Number 5 in Hottest Small Press on DTRPG

I need to seriously thank this community. Because of y'all, Torchlight's Premiere Issue (snag a copy for a buck at this link) is a Silver Best Seller, and 11 days after launch is still hanging on at #5 in the Hottest Small Press Category over at DTRPG.com 

Work has commenced on the next issue of Torchlight, currently aiming for an early September release. If you have a Swords & Wizardry article or content you'd like to submit, we would need to be received by August 15th. The plan is to offer Torchlight on a quarterly basis, so we'll be happy to look at articles after the August 15th deadline for later issues. We offer a percentage of royalties based on sales, and if you are lucky you may earn enough to buy yourself a beer with those monies - domestic only ;)

Yes, that is an affiliate link above. The best and easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. I thank you for your support.

An Analysis of Torchlight Sales (Currently #1 in Small Press)

Torchlight is currently the #1 Hottest Seller in Small Press on DTRPG and #2 under 5 bucks (it held #1 very briefly). This is the first time I've released a product with discount coupons and I've found the results to be eye-opening.

In the 36 hours or so that Torchlight has been available for sale, it has sold 108 copies. 78 copies were sold via the discount code shared here and on the Discord Server. 20 copies were sold via the discount code that went out via email to purchasers of prior releases, mostly SWCL (there were over 700 emails sent). 10 copies have been sold at full price, theoretically organic sales for placing high on the DTRPG sales charts.

The numbers in the wishlist and carts are interesting but little more. Clicking a DTRPG coupon code puts the title in your cart automatically.

What is the takeaway? Successful sales on DTRPG require a lot more than placing high on a sales chart. It requires an audience and community looking forward to your release. Without this very community, Torchlight would be withering on the vine right now.

It also means The Tavern has a responsibility to share and highlight new OSR releases as they come out. Sadly, I don't have the time to constantly scour the interwebs looking for new releases and many will pass me by. You can, however, email me, whether you are a publisher or just a fan. I can't guarantee I'll get to them all, but I will certainly give it the yeoman's try.

I can be emailed at:
tenkarsDOTtavernATgmail.com 

Torchlight Zine is Currently Number 2 on the DTRPG Hottest Small Press

Talk about humbling. I want to thank everyone for the support and please, don't stop ;)

Want to grab Torchlight for a buck? Just use this link!

The next issue is planned for September and then the intention is to go quarterly, but we may do special issues in addition to the usual ones.

Oh, and a Copper Best Seller too!

The Premier Issue of Torchlight is LIVE - Discount Code For Taverners Below!

Holy crap! I can't believe the premier issue of Torchlight is LIVE! This has been weighing me down for ages and its here, Now. Woot!

Torchlight will be a quarterly zine, but the next issue, Issue #1 is planned for the end of the summer. We have some great contributors lined up.

The premier issue is priced at $2.00, but if you use the code below, you can snag it for a measly buck:

Snag Torchlight's Premiere Issue for a buck

I seriously can't thank this community enough for the support you all have given me, especially in the trying times I went through earlier this year with my health.

Torchlight - The Zine in support of all things Swords & Wizardry

Words Whispered in a Tavern

What was imagined as a small zine grew into the idea of a quarterly magazine. My personal health issues earlier this year caused that to implode on itself, so I decided to return to the small zine format as initially imagined. Will we stay small? Too early to tell, but at this time and place in my life, this is a size I think I can handle. Please do join me for the ride - Tenkar

Yep, that's an affiliate link above. Affiliate links keep the lights on and the beers cold at The Tavern.

Torchlight Peek - We Are Getting Close...

I'm really psyched. It's like a weight is being lifted off my back as the premiere issue of Torchlight comes closer to release. Jeff is doing some amazing work laying out my thoughts in a presentable manner.

We are hoping to release by the 30th of the month, which coincidentally both Jeff & I's 53rd birthday ;)

Sneak Peek - The Crypt of the Skull Walker

Work continues on the first issue of the Torchlight Zine. While the layout is ongoing I'm writing up a short adventure for the zine. Here's a sneak peek at The Crypt of the Skull Walker:

Crypt of the Skull Walker

A group of goblins discovered a crypt in the Grey Hills a few weeks back. Protection from the elements and a freshwater source (room 8) as well as incidentals to loot (and a place to store loot) have encouraged them to set up residence. Three nights ago, one of the goblins on sentry duty (room 1) was found, its corpse a dry husk. Sentries were doubled. Last night another sentry was killed, but this time there was a witness - a surviving goblin. He ran to his chief, screaming and ranting about the “skull that walks!” Now, the remaining goblins are hunkering down and establishing defensive positions. Nerves are on edge. Such is the situation your small party of adventurers stumbles into...

1 - There are the remains of a small bonfire in the south-east corner of this room. The embers are still warm. The single door to the north is ajar. The double doors to the south are closed (and barred from the room 4 side). There is the dried husk of a goblin corpse just north of the west entryway. A short sword, short box with 8 arrows and a pouch with 7 silvers are on the body.

2 - Old storage room. In the north-east corner of the room is a crate holding old mining tools. Also in this room is some odds and ends the goblins have looted from various travelers and caravans. Hidden underneath a blanket on the ground in front of the north wall is a silver dagger with a pommel encrusted with crude red gems. Value 100 gp. The rest the loot, if sorted, would be worth about 75 gp and weighs about 30 pounds. There is a secret door on the west wall, which can be opened by placing a torch into the single wall sconce of the west wall.

3 - True Crypt. This is the real burial chamber of a chaotic priest named Nabulis. He prayed for eternal life and his spider god granted it. Well, a form of eternal life. His soul gives energy that powers the Skull Walker - Nabulis’ Skull with the legs of a spider. The goblins woke the Skull Walker with their presence, and it hungers. If the party finds this room and haven’t yet encountered the Skull Walker, it is here.

end sneak peek...

Skull Walker art courtesy of Frog God Games. It will be a new creature written for Torchlight.

Map thanks to https://watabou.itch.io/one-page-dungeon.

Looks Like This Sh!t is Getting Real! Torchlight is Relit!

Huge thanks to Old Man Grognard for the cover!

I'm expecting 16 to 20 pages of content. Patreon backers will get it free. The Tavern's Community will get at least a 50% discount.

Work continues on Torchlight today...

Raising the Torchlight Zine from the Dead

Torchlight, the Zine for Swords & Wizardry, has gone through a shitload of bumps and bruises. My health issues earlier this year put this very far back on the pile of things to do, and thoughts of jumping back into it at the size it morphed into was intimidating as all hell.

So I scaled Torchlight back to its original vision - a small, amateur zine, initially using much of the OGL content I've already published here at The Tavern.

I printed out a current "work in progress" to get a better feel. Not the final cover, nor the final Table of Contents. More a proof of concept.

I do hope to have something up by the end of the week. We shall see.

I want to thank all of those that were involved in the attempt earlier this year to put Torchlight together. The dream of a larger, more professional zine isn't quite dead, but I need to crawl before I can run ;)

State of the Tavern - Torchlight Zine Recruitment Started Without Me ;)

Low and behold, over the past weekend, over on the MeWe social media platform, someone inquired in the group chat of the Inglorious OSR Group, if I was looking for artists for the upcoming "Unofficial" Swords & Wizardry zine, Torchlight.

Within the next day or so, we now have 3 confirmed, highly talented artists on board. I guess it is time to put out the general recruitment call for those looking to provide content for or help with the Torchlight Zine.

We are looking for writers and artists, and I suspect someone who can layout 8 to 12 pages - potentially more, per month. The size of the zine is digest-sized.

When it was going to be a mere 4 pages a month, I was thinking I'd do the layout with my pedestrian at best skills, but I don't want to take the work of skilled contributors and lower them to my layout ability (or lack there off)

I believe in compensating my contributors, even with small projects like this.

The first issue will be PWYW. Later issues will be a buck or 1.50 depending on the number of pages. PDF only initially.

65% of the sale price is what we get to play with. 10% to the publisher, 55% to be split between the artists, writers and (hopefully) layout person. I do believe I should be able to set things to automatically send shares to each contributor's DTRPG account.

Contributors retain all rights to their work. The publisher retains perpetual rights to include the work in Torchlight and potential annual POD compilations of the work. If I would like to use your work in a separate publication (monster book, etc) we will negotiate new compensation if you wish to allow your work to be reused.

Customers will have express permission to print at home for their own personal use, and I may print limited numbers for distribution at conventions I attend.

Yes, we are not talking much in the way of monetary compensation, but hopefully, we get to bathe in the glory of a thankful Swords & Wizardry Community.

All contributors will have links to their storefront / etc hyperlinked to their name in the credits.

As for content? 1 or 2-page adventures, short encounters, adventure hooks, monsters, spells, magic items, new classes - if in doubt, make a pitch ;)

As an aside, Triumvulate Tavern Publications is now Tenkar's Tavern Gamen (olde English for "games"). Figure that should help with visibility ;)

So, if you want to contribute, email me at tenkarsDOTtavernATgmailDOTcom, put Torchlight in the subject and let me know what you are offering to do. Looking forward to hearing from you :)

State of The Tavern - Layout, Torchlight Zine and Swords & Wizardry

As I mentioned last week I'm gearing I'm behind the scenes in preparation for the Kickstarting of the new Swords & Wizardry Boxed Set, due to launch sooner than later (I'm not privy to a more exact time frame).

One of the things I have to do is get my barely serviceable layout skills out of retirement. I haven't laid out a product since Swords & Wizardry Continual Light, and while it did the job, the app I used, Lucid Press, did not embed fonts, so no POD on DTRPG or Lulu, although it is up on Amazon, go figure ;)

Now I am playing with Swift Publisher 5, and it seems to do what I want without the overwhelming complexity and limitless options of InDesign. I am playing with the layout of Torchlight Issue #0, intended to launch in conjunction with the upcoming Kickstarter (with Issue #1 planned for right before the closing of the Kickstarter).

Here are the current plans for my approach to Torchlight:

It is currently planned to be a 4 page, digest-sized, Pay What You Want (PWYW) monthly zine for Swords & Wizardry. Content will begin on the front (cover page) and run through page four. The OGL will be attached as a 5th page. Those printing at home simply won't print that final page.

Issue #0 will likely include a rewrite of the Elementalist Class I wrote for Swords & Wizardry Light a few years back for Swords & Wizardry Appreciation Day as well as monsters and magic items released on the blogside for SWL, updated and tweaked for the full Swords & Wizardry rules.

The great thing about Torchlight releasing as a PDF zine meant to be printed at home is that the page-count can accommodate additional submissions. If others submit material, we could include a dungeon level or outdoor encounter in the center spread and simply more content (and more voices). Moving the page-count to 8 pages allows for a true front cover. I see page-count as fluid myself. Besides, 8 pages are still only 2 sheets of paper ;)

The plan is to collect a year's worth of zine material and release it as a POD release yearly.

I may print at home some copies of the zine for distribution at the various conventions I attend with the Frogs.

Alright, that the skinny as of right now. More when I have more :)

Clan & Hammer Question - What Class do You Wish to See Previewed First (and other SWCL News)

I've been in a creative glut the past two months or so. Lingering cold symptoms off and on during those two months hasn't helped much. What did help? Actually playing Swords & Wizardry Continual Light as a player yesterday. Its about time. Batteries Recharged!

Anyhow, the game plan right now is to put one of the following classes planned for Clan & Hammer (the work in progress Dwarven themed SWCL game) into releasable form in the next week or so:

Rune-Caster - dwarven runes and wards are their specialty
Brewmeister - while there are no dwarven clerics (by the book) in SWL / SWCL, there is still a need for community, healing and spirituality
Troubleshooter - it takes a thief to catch a thief
Axe-Thain - a warrior with a singular focus and high sense of honor
Teutatle - a religious warrior on a holy mission to protect the dwarven race
Skald - stories and songs of dwarven heroics are the bedrock that dwarven society is built upon

Figure they will be in a format similar to that of last year's Elementalist class. Which one(s) strike your fancy?

Now, some Torchlight news. Things have been on hold recently with some interesting events behind the scenes that will be revealed sooner than later. It doesn't mean we can't start releasing some teasers to highlight the type of content one might find within.

Torchlight Teaser #1 will be +James Spahn 's excellent article expanding upon Torchbearers. With a high enough Charisma your torchbearer may do more than simply hold your torch.

Torchlight Teaser #2 will be the above linked Elementalist class, slightly tweaked from the original.

Expect them to release as PWYW on RPGNow in the next few weeks

We Have the Cover for the First Issue of Torchlight Magazine (Craig Brasco)

When I asked +Craig Brasco if he would be interested in doing the cover for the first issue of Torchlight, I really hoped he would say yes. Craig is an amazing artist and a friend and I've followed his work for years (its even used on my profile pic on G plus)

Obviously, Craig said yes. When he asked me what I wanted on the cover, I said there needs to be a torch. The rest is up to you.

I think I can say this for all my readers: "Holy Shit!" My God man, but this is beyond amazing.

More examples of Craig's art can be found here.

There will be an announcement about Torchlight submissions in the next day or so.

Torchlight Will be Taking Submissions Starting August 1st - Plan is for a Gamehole Con Release (Swords & Wizardry)

Damn, I need a shave. I should be lucky Rach lets me in bed each night ;)

Yes, that's a Torchlight hat. I ordered from Vistaprint and one other. Wouldn't mind having a few on hand to give away. There MIGHT be something in the works for Swords & Wizardry Light hats, but all I'll say for now is "its being looked at."

Alright, so we are reopening Torchlight for submissions come August 1st. Submissions will be open for the first issue through September 15th. I'll be putting together some guidelines. Basic rule is, articles must be either system neutral or for Swords & Wizardry. The preference is for SWC and SWL / SWCL as they are the editions in print with Frog God Games, but we'll be open to all.

Of course, I don't know when SWCL will be releasing, but one can hope - soon ;)

Hat without my head:

What's in the Swords & Wizardry Light "Pipe" from The Tavern Master?

Time to just "Let Go!"

I've almost caught up from last week. I've sent contact info of publishers onto those that will be doing fulfillment on the Tenkar's Tavern Crate. I now need to reach out to all that expressed interest in being part of the Crate and let them know where we are at.

Phew. Tomorrow will be busy too I see. Who said retirement was easy? Shit! That was me at this time last year ;)

Today was an "Uncle Day" which was good. It forced me to step away from all things gaming related for most of the afternoon and a good chunk of the evening. Clearing the mind worked wonders.

So, Torchlight is about two months out, give or take. In the meantime I need to create content so I can:

A- Continue in the habit of making content

B - Learn and hone my InDesign skills

C - make millions from this hobby of ours!

Last one is a joke - obviously :)

Anyhow, here are some of the ideas I've currently outlined. Feedback is certainly appreciated.

1 - Continue with more Pocket Creatures releases. I enjoy them and they practically write themselves.

2 - Revisit Demi-Options - Classes specific tailored for the race in question. Have it in both Swords & Wizardry Light and Swords & Wizardry Complete flavors, preferably in the same package.

3 - Some unique magic items, compatible with both SWL and SWC. Another topic I've addressed in the past and enjoyed doing.

4 - Pocket Settings / Pocket Genres - Maybe a Western / Eastern mashup or some SciFi or Swords & Dinosaurs, etc. Two pages of classes and spells or powers, two pages of monsters and items and four pages of maps and settings. This is where I find out if SWL / SWCL is as easy to hack as I think it is. I've seen some hacking for Supers already and it has be all fired up.

5 - One Sheet Adventures, meant to be slipped into your SWL folder. Come on! How sweet is that!

Just think, if I write too much, just more content for Torchlight. For those asking, I'm thinking "Magic" for the first issue of Torchlight's main theme. New spells, new casting classes, new magic items and maybe even some magical traps - and of course all the other goodness that gets submitted.

Shining some Continual Light on the status of the Torchlight Mag

I've been asked what the status of the Torchlight Magazine is and the simplest answer is "Delayed for a good reason".

Actually, there are multiple reasons. All good.

First is that I'm currently focused on a project that will be announced in two weeks. To the day. I'm very excited and also fairly distracted.

Second. Swords & Wizardry Continual Light is getting the full Frog God Treatment. So, instead of 20 some odd pages printed on my laser printer with some basic layout, it is currently in the hands of the Frogs for a nice layout and second editing run. SWCL will be available free in PDF and free in Print, just like the four page folder of SWL is.

Third. The Frogs are doing a full court press on The Blight readying it for release. Continual Light is waiting in the wings.

Fourth. Torchlight is a magazine for all flavors of Swords & Wizardry, but much of its initial focus is on Continual Light / Complete articles, adventures, optional rules. With the delay in the release of Continual Light it simply makes sense to delay the release of Torchlight. I'm going to guess that Torchlight will follow the PDF release of Continual Light by four to six weeks, allowing a few weeks for the rules to circulate.

So, there you have it. If it is any consolation, at least I'm getting to practice my layout skills ;)

Torchlight - Cover Art Tease - Work in Progress - Craig Brasco

+Craig Brasco sent me the latest "work in progress" of the cover art for Torchlight issue #1. I hope no one get's offended when I say "holy shit!" Alright, I need to write a short adventure to go along with this art. It screams for it. Or maybe I'm hearing the screams of the adventuring party. I'm not quite sure ;)

You can view some of Craig's portfolio here: https://www.artstation.com/artist/orgosan

Full Size or Digest? Torchlight Will Be...

map by +Dyson Logos 

So, I threw the question out to the masses: should Torchlight, the upcoming magazine for Swords & Wizardry, be full sized or digest sized and explain your answer. Interestingly, those that desired magazine size usually explained their answer. The vast majority of those desiring digest sized just voted "Digest!" Not sure exactly what that means, but I suspect that the bulk of OSR zines being in digest sized format has something to do with it.

There certainly is love of the digest size but there is a practicality that comes with the full size - maps like the one by +Dyson Logos above are damn near useless at digest size (I printed out a test page.) Someone suggested the possibility of offering full and digest sized releases, and while that MIGHT be a possibility down the line it will not be feasible out of the gate - simply too much time invested in doing the same work twice. Adventures large and small will make up a large portion of the magazine and the maps do need to be readable to be useable.

What does all that mean? Torchlight will be a full sized, color cover, PDF and Print on Demand magazine upon release. If there is enough demand, we MAY offer digest sized versions down the line, but the content might be slightly different, as maps like the one above work in one format but not the other.

However, it does mean that with the possible exception of stand alone adventures, the rest of the Triumvirate Tavern Publishing releases will continue to be in digest / booklet format. Meaning releases such as the ongoing Pocket Creature Collection and the upcoming Multifarious Marvelous Items releases will be released in digest format.

Thanks for your input, one and all. Now if they only offered digest sized printing with fold out maps...

Torchlight - Digest Sized or Full Sized?

Not going to run this as a survey as answering a survey question doesn't allow one to explain their choice. Instead, I'm going to throw this out to the community at large:

Digest Sized or Full Sized when Torchlight goes to print?

Its an important question.

Some folks prefer digest sized because it is smaller, and thus more easy to carry around. Others prefer full sized pages for ease of reading and whatnot.

We are aiming for 32 to 40 pages (assuming full sized) per issue - probably twice that if we were to opt for digest sized. Which is an artificial page inflation, but when its PDF and POD, really, who's counting? ;)

I'm leaning towards full size, as the cover and some interior art will be in color, and I think that adventure maps will be more readable, but I do understand the arguments in favor of the smaller size.

Now is the chance to voice your opinion.

Oh, Torchlight content will include - adventures (long and short), encounters, locations, npcs, new monsters, new classes, magic items, rules hacks, micro settings and whatever else fits the bill. Where stats are needed, they will be supplied in both Swords & Wizardry Light as well as Swords & Wizardry Complete flavors and should be compatible with the vast majority of OSR rulesets.