Kickstarter - Myth & Magic Player's Guide - New Update Breaks 13 Months of Silence - Complete With Grumpy Dwarf Commentary

Over 13 months of radio silence on the Myth & Magic Player's Guide Kickstarter. 13 fucking months. Then today, we get two updates (the second was a link to get a no cost PDF of the M&M PG at RPGNow. That link and update are NOT being posted here)

So, why has Tom been silent for over 13 months? Damned if I know. It wasn't addressed. However, if Tom wasn't getting your messages via Kickstarter, it's because they had an old email addy. I kid you not.

Here's the "Backers Only"update from today. I woke up Grumpy to assist and he's in a foul mood. I'd ask you to forgive him ahead of time but he just told me to "fuck off ya lazy sod!" - Tenkar


Update on PG and GMG - 2016


Hi All,

I just wanted everyone to know that I'm still here and Jeff (who the hell is Jeff?) and I are working hard to get a finalized PDF of the GMG to the GMG backers (wait! this shite is STILL hanging? I thought this was ready to be printed years ago! WTF? Who can throw a grumpy dwarf a lifeline and give me an update on this project that's been comatose for a year), as well as to ensure that all backers are shipped their Player's Guides if they ordered one (this is a joke, right? the list of those that aven't received what they paid for is longer the line outside Tom tax office - wait, it's tax season! expect nothing to ship for 3 to 6 months, then not at all) We've had additional setbacks on the GMG side of things but a new artist is trying to wrap it up. Over the last few months though we have made great strides to complete the book. (where were the updates? Nothing since July 2015 on the GM book side of this KS fiasco)

I thought we tackled the shipping issues back in '15 (and 2013 and 2014 - what a load of fooking shite!), but I guess not. After the last round of shipments, the focus shifted to the GMG (sure), but I understand now from a backer (a single backer! more shite!) that I need to look into the orders again and pour through the emails/comments here to see who legitimately needs a PG shipped out. (ack! just from the comments on this update there are 9 10 backers, overseas or those that ordered 4 copies, that never got their shite! I call shenanigans on Tom for being so full of shite that the gas station bathroom would turn him away!)

I changed the settings here on KS to ensure that all emails and notifications go to the right email address now, which was not the case apparently. (The lack of logging in for so long meant KS had a defunct email address - not good and I apologize for that.) (how the fook can ya not log into your KS account if you aven't fullfilled yer fooking KS!?! My God man, we're choking on shite now! it's an excuse written like a lawyer)

The GMG is almost done. We're waiting on the last round of the art before compiling the PDF. (the check's in the mail and I swear she said she's on the pill!)

I know this certainly doesn't stand as a hugely informative and earth-shattering update, but I wanted to simply let everyone know that I'm still here and still working on things, albeit slowly. You should know that. (bloody fucking silence for over a year and a quick stroke job!?!  Ya can explain away being slow as shite. Ya can explain away you failures in shipping. Ya can't explain away 13 months of friggin' silence by "I had a bad email addy, but it's all fixed now. Yep, all done. We're good. No worries. If you didn't get your ghost shipment in 2013 I'll get you now. Carry on." Christ, I need a drink! - Grumpy)

-T

Wherein I Offend & Apologize

Part of the responsibility of having a bully pulpit such as The Tavern is to acknowledge mistakes through actions not completely thought out. It has come to my attention that my previous post has caused distress for some. It wasn't my intention. I was objectively commenting on a product pulled from OBS' virtual shelves (temporarily at the moment) for being flagged as offensive. My suggested solution, half in jest, was to point out the poor choice of wording in the first place.

I had no intention to be insensitive to the horrors of rape, and having personal knowledge of rape survivors (my son's mother was one, God rest her soul) I have seen the pain that never fully heals first hand.

Sometimes being an objective voice lends one to fail to hear the more personal experiences others have had to suffer through.

Where I might not find offense, others may and will and my voice is certainly not more valid than any other in this or any discussion.

As always, The Tavern is open to any who desire to post their thoughtful opinions.

So, Just How Offensive is Alpha Blue?

How offensive is Alpha Blue to my eyes? Not very.

Sure, the subject matter may seem juvenile to me (and I'm going to still run with the tagline Porky's meets Babylon 5 / Deep Space 9) and it might not be something I'd run, but on the offensive meter it doesn't hit the level I'd expected. Alpha Blue does not go to Eleven. Maybe six or a rounded up seven.

Now, while there is a noticeable amount of outrage for the inclusion of the poorly named Rape Machine (easy enough to find as it's listed in the nicely hyperlinked Table of Contents and then sits by it's lonesome on the page you are taken to) the description of the use of the machine is actually fairly tame. I suspect if +Venger Satanis had named in the Unwilling Fuck Machine it would have both fit the setting better AND not have generated the amount of outrage we're seeing.

Hell, maybe the Rape Machine is not what generated the complaint that has temporarily (thus far) removed Alpha Blue from the virtual shelves of OBS. Maybe it was someone offended by The Interstellar Caliphate.

Interstellar Caliphate you say? That is so Politically Incorrect. It's there, over the top, campy and politically incorrect as hell like the rest of Alpha Blue:

According to the Interstellar Caliphate, those who refuse
to submit before the will of Allah are considered infidels
and shall be made to suffer. And suffer they do under the
oppressive, religious imperialism carried out by their
ghazi troopers. 

While the entire faction does not go to such ideological
lengths, the Interstellar Caliphate is full of extremists.
Many of whom believe that if they die in service to their
"holy war", they'll be granted 72 cyber virgins in paradise.

Color me not offended but I'm sure some would be. It is a work of fiction and I suspect no infidels were made to suffer in the writing of this work. Oh, and it's a decent hook for an evil cult. BTW, my great aunt was a Catholic Nun and I wasn't offended by their depiction in Far Away Land, which also went with a humorous approach.

As for the Unwilling Fuck Machine (Trademark Pending) -

Originally built as an automated penetration device, the
templars of a dark god modified it to rape unwilling
subjects. These templars used the device as punishment
for disobedience, but soon the rape unwilling fuck machine

became a public spectacle that satiated their twisted lust for                                           pain and degradation. 

There are certainly templars aboard Alpha Blue - some
probably worship demonic deities. Chances are that one
of those cults will have a rape unwilling fuck machine for

"cleansing the palate".

(edit - we have some formatting issues - live with it ;)

Not there for PC use, it's there as a plot hook. An evil device used by templars of a dark god. Kinda like a sacrificial altar in the fantasy game / dungeon of your choice. No detailed description of how it works. Four simple sentences.

Now rape is and of itself is a four letter word and I'm sure just the word itself is offensive and hurtful to some. I understand that. I do think Half-Orcs in AD&D are far more offensive than this, as Half-Orcs are the result of the forcible rape of another race by an orc. A player race whose whole existence is based on rape. It sure as hell isn't love.

What does offend me in Alpha Blue is the amount of "white space" left unused on many of the pages. Oh, and the women with the 70's hairdos. My God what a painful recollection to have forced on one unwillingly. That which is seen can not be unseen.

I may mine Alpha Blue for some of it's tamer random tables but on the whole it probably won't see much use at my gaming table. I do, however understand the appeal it has for others. Porky's meets Babylon 5 / Deep Space 9 certainly has an audience even if it isn't me.

edit: DungeonMastahWieg - Bingo!

Kickstarter - Rodger Deering's Dungeon Crusade - Book I: Genesis of Evil

If Dungeon Crusade sounds familiar, you're probably a long time reader of The Tavern. This is the third incarnation of Dungeon Crusade, and it is huge.

First, I'm already out as I certainly don't have the table space to hold half this game. It's impressive. Hell, the Rodger Deering's Dungeon Crusade - Book I: Genesis of Evil Kickstarter page is impressive to the point of sensory overkill - there's just too much to read and too many pictures. Yes, too much can be an issue.

As for the video, the sound quality is worse than the video quality shown in this pic. It also clocks in at over 14 minutes. Make your sales pitch and be done.

I like Roger. I've been following the various incarnations of this project for years. His passion for his creation shows vividly.

There are some issues with the current version's funding, like the $25 funding level that offers something that can only be used with the $100 and $150 funding levels. What's up with that?

There are typos and grammatical errors in the KS text. Nothing show stopping but jarring when you compare it to the sheer amount of sample pics for the game. The visual overstimulation makes your eyes seek out simple text for a safety zone. 35 photos of the game board and pieces and at least as many images of cards, stretch goals, characters, game rules... make that at least twice as many. There has to be at least 100 images on the page. Less would certainly be more in this case. I have Fios, so the page loaded fine for me, but if your bandwidth is limited, beware.

Should you back this? God only knows. I have way too many fantasy board games I'll never play already stealing space on my shelves. For Dungeon Crusade I'd need to set aside a whole room...

No More "Deal of the Day" at RPGNow?

The last Deal of the Day email I received was on March 19th. I haven't received an email for such since and the upper right of the RPGNow home page is blank.

Did RPGNow just kill the promotion?

Question for the publishers that use the feature for their products: Did it capture sales and did it help with long term sales? Did it get eyes on your back catalogue?

Bundle of Holding - OpenQuest 2

I'm a huge fan of OpenQuest and have been since I first found the first edition of the rules. Clean, concise with much of the feel of the classic RuneQuest Chaosium rules of old.

I'd be all over this Bundle if I didn't already own it al in PDF (and most of it in print)

The Bonus Collection is just under 20 bucks.

Wizards of Aus - (webseries)

I didn't know what to expect when my Saturday Night Gaming Group drop this link on me. I kinda imagined some weird Wizard of Oz take off.

Not even close.

Funny as hell, decent effects and quality acting.

I'm loving the juxtaposition between the fantasy world and "the real world"

Ah, just watch it. Give the first episode a try. You'll thank me. Probably.

Why You Should be Concerned that Alpha Blue got Temporarily Pulled From OBS

If you read The Tavern you probably already know my opinion of +Venger Satanis 's Alpha Blue. Based upon the blurb alone - juvenile, sexually oriented campy humor done in poor taste - Porkey's meets Deep Space 9 I'd guess. No, never read it. Until last week I didn't have time to read the RPGs I was deeply interested, let alone those I wasn't. It simply wasn't "my bag" as presented, but it did appeal to a sizable audience.

Still, this in no Tournament of Rapists, whose very blurb made it seem like the PCs were supposed to be rapists (yes, the author explained how that perception was wrong but he wrote the very words that led to that perception)

You can't miss the fact that Alpha Blue (dead link for now) is over the top in it's campy portrayal of sex. It doesn't hide the fact. Shit, look at the cover.

It was, however, available on OneBookShelf for MONTHS and sold relatively well (after a successful Kickstarter campaign). Pulling it now for review (and taking up to 2 weeks to review it) seems half assed.

Now, OBS does have an "adult content" filter and I have no idea if Alpha Blue was behind that or not. I generally see their filter at the R rating area - be an adult or let your parent buy it for you section. If it was behind that restriction already and it's been pulled now, I'd be really pissed if I were Venger.

This is not censorship in the "free speech" sort one usually thinks of. OBS is not the government. It is, however a slippery slope and one where I'd prefer the content stay live and a review be conducted expeditiously in the meantime. I suspect on some level the new closeness between OBS and WotC had something to do with this.

Edit - Girls Gone Rogue IS NOT suspended. Go figure.

Mini Review - Albatross Hexbook (Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make me a Map...)

Damn dog! Placed it on the bed for
a minute and she thought it was
a new chew toy ;)

I recently came into possession of an Albatross Hexbook (thanks +Jed McClure ) It is, quite simply, a map maker's joy. Hex map on half the pages, standard grid on the other half. Lines are nice and light so they should fade to the background mostly when used.

I'm going to put this through it's paces when the weather warms up and i spend my mornings in the back yard.

The Albatross Hexbook is $6.95 on Lulu. It's about 6" x 8" in size, 64 pages in total. Simply put, it is what it says on the tin. (and yes, as it is Lulu, wait for a code to appear before buying)

A handy pocket sized notebook with 64 pages of hex and graph paper for sketching out your campaign ideas on the go. The hexes are 1/2 inch and the graph paper is 4 squares to the inch.  since it is saddle-stitched, the notebook can be laid flat.

Monday Morning Kickstarter Update - Conan Conquers A Godbound Drunken Quest for a Classic Screen Folio

One thing I'm guilty of is highlighting Kickstarters, good or bad, and then never returning them to the spotlight, which I think is a shame. Most of the good ones deserve a second look and some of the bad ones certainly have more sacrifices to make to the community on our behalf. The Monday Morning Kickstarter Update should be a weekly feature (although the title itself is subject to change).

Without further ado...

Robert E. Howard's Conan Roleplaying Game - how many 112 page sourcebooks were funded by stretch goals? Fifteen!. If that doesn't get a "Holy Shit!" I don't know what does and it ain't over yet. They're still taking funding at their company website via Paypal and the next book in the stretch goals is none other that the Kull sourcebook. Oh, and you can grab the free Conan Quickstart here.

Classic Edition GM Screen - +Richard LeBlanc steps into the crazy world of Kickstarter and it's a beauty. Two screens, reference booklet, class master cards (don't leave home without it), spell record sheets, spell summary booklets and a character record log. Buy in is as low as $7 in PDF for the lot. Seriously, it's a steal. Me? I'm in for 2 sets in print. I'm building a fortress...

Drinking Quest: Journey into Draught - it fucking more Drinking Quest! Do you need to know more than that? Holy shit! I need to run a weekly session online or something. No, seriously. Not that the sessions would be all that serious, but I'm serious.

Godbound: A Game of Divine Heroes - +Kevin Crawford . Need I say more? Don't forget to read Kevin's update where he discussing the whole time sink involved in running and completing a Kickstarter. (His previous update is about the funds themselves) It's a good and necessary read for ANYONE looking to run a Kickstarter.

The Folio #8 The Hidden Valoria - I've posted about the previous releases in the Folio series but this one is special. It's actually has Dwarven Forge's stamp of approval and is set in Dwarven Forge's World of Mythras. Yes, THAT Dwarven Forge. If you are looking to get a chance to play in +Stefan Pokorny 's campaign world, here's your chance. The adventure and accompanying material are written for use with AD&D 1e and D&D 5e, so you're covered if you are a regular reader of The Tavern.

Kickstarter - Strange World Cthulhu: Shadow Over Texas (Horror RPG with Amazing Video)

Didn't he play BJ on M.A.S.H.?

Tag line from the video: "Intrigued? Please contribute early and often." How the bloody hell do you contribute "often" to a Kickstarter? Do you need to create multiple accounts? And why the fuck would anyone do so in the first place? Grrrr.

Alright, what else can I say about the Strange World Cthulhu: Shadow Over Texas Kickstarter?

Simply this.

Watch the video.

Start at the beginning, and after the female narrator drones you nearly to sleep, skip ahead to 5:57. Seriously, you can skip the rest. From here, hang on for a thrilling ride. You may need to increase the volume a bit, as Donald Saxman is a soft spoken man. Maybe wear your headphones and crank it to the max. It's not like the end credits haven't had their volume equalized to the rest of this exciting video.

Wait. What about the RPG itself?

Shadow Over Texas is a major new role playing campaign based on monster hunting in Texas in the Roaring Twenties. It is based on the Strange World game engine and is compatible with a variety of game systems including Dungeons and Dragons, Call of Cthulhu, and These Strange Worlds. 

Yep, simply put, Shadow Over Texas is the swiss army knife of horror RPGs - at least the ones set in Texas in the Roaring 20's with Dark Ones and such.

What's that? You suffered hearing loss by listening to the credits? Fuck dude, it's a horror game. Be glad you didn't lose sanity points...

Print to Play EMAIL?

Looking at the Sanctum Secorum Podcast (DCC RPG Related)

I've been long overdue in highlighting the various podcasts that I listen to and I do listen to a large number (unlike many other podcasters I know). Part of the reason I listen to so many is was my daily commute. It's a fairly effortless manner to do something game related while doing something that is mostly mindless (driving). Now that I no longer have a daily commute I'll need to a substitute a different mindless activity, but I digress.

One of the recent additions to my podcast list is Sanctum Secorum. It's a DCC RPG related podcast in that the themes that come up are often referred to in DCC RPG terms, but that's just the surface. What Sanctum Secorum truly is is a podcast about gaming related fiction and it just oozes with inspiration.

Your hosts +Bob Brinkman , +Jen Brinkman and +David Baity are knowledgable of their source material and have excellent chemistry amongst the three of them. Favorite episode thus far? Episode #07 – Who Fears the Devil? Manly Wade Wellman's works are the topic of conversation and +Michael Curtis makes an appearance as guest host (I so dearly need to run The Chained Coffin). Seriously, if there is an episode to be a "first time listener" this is the one. All the episodes are good to great but #7 goes to 11 ;)

If I have a quibble, and it's minor, it's that the background / mood music, which is barely perceptible, would give me motion sickness on more than one occasion while driving and listening. As I no longer commute, the quibble is moot... heh

Ken Whitman - Criminal Defense Civil Attorney at Law (or does he just play one on TV?)

This should be the last post sharing this thread disturbing thread, as Ken blocked the other half of it immediately after this conversation. BTW, Ken has gone from saying he is going to file Criminal charges to Civil charges now.

Thursday
Ken Whitman
3/18, 4:24am
Ken Whitman

Sufflatus Lorem
3/18, 4:37am
Sufflatus Lorem

Hey, Kenny! Missed ya man!
Ken Whitman
3/18, 4:37am
Ken Whitman

http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/georgia-defamation-law
Attachment Unavailable
This attachment may have been removed or the person who shared it may not have permission to share it with you.
Ken Whitman
3/18, 4:38am
Ken Whitman

"refers to the trade, office, or profession of another person, and is calculated to injure him."
Sufflatus Lorem
3/18, 4:39am
Sufflatus Lorem

" In Georgia, the elements of a defamation claim are:

    a false statement about the plaintiff; "

Nothing I have said is false.

However, each moment spent by you doing 'legal research' is another moment you wont be scamming people out of their money.

State of the Tavern - What a Beautiful State it Is :)

Know what the hardest part of retirement mode is thus far? Returning to normal sleeping habits, or at least, the sleeping habits of normal people. I did midnights for nearly the last seven months and even sleeping normal hours (such as they are) still hits me for a late afternoon nap. That too, shall change.

So, here's the Monday thru Thursday breakdown for my time sinks:

- 2 hours a day of game related reading. I am SO behind on reading my gaming purchases and review copies that I've accumulated. Current goal is 3 to 4 mini reviews a week.

- 2 hours a day devoted to the 3 blogs - The Tavern, The Taproom and Saturday Knight Special - posts, research, and the like. These have the greatest chance to be multiple post days.

- 2 hours a day to creating - StarSlinger, random tables, maps, items, spells, classes - the intent is to build a slush pile of content without forcing myself into one type of content. Of course, much of this will be going up on The Tavern and out to my Paetreons.

So, in a way, it's 6 hours a day 4 days a week related to the 3 blogs and gaming material, directly or indirectly. Obviously, 90% of the time will be related to The Tavern and gaming.

Fridays are "Uncle & Pinky Day". So it is written, so it will be done. Probably a single post day.

Saturday will be the day Rach and I scout out local NY Breweries and Brew Pubs. Saturday night is my gaming night. Again, single post day most likely.

Sundays are a bit of everything. Podcast recording every other Sunday. Maybe more often in other podcast come to light. I'd really like to do a weekly OSR News podcast that hits the 15 minute mark, but we'll see. I expect a morning post and a later day post.

As for a series of posts with a specific theme (thank you for some awesome ideas everyone who commented here):

- I'd like to do a series of posts where I informally interview some of the movers and shakers, big and small, in the OSR. This might be done as a podcast with posted transcript. I need to figure this out.

- I like the idea of mining (for lack of a better term :) obscure rules from the early editions of the D&D / AD&D. This might also make an appearance in some form on the Path of Legends Podcast.

- Giving the various neighborhoods of NYC a fantasy rewrite is an awesome idea. Will take some work and research to kick this off properly. Of course, this ties in with the idea of a series of city articles as well as some law enforcement articles.

- I like random tables. I don't much like writing them ;)

- Stories from the Gaming Table. God, yes but then I become the guy at the Con everyone wants to walk away from :)

- Obscure OSR genres? Hmmmm

Alright, I'm thinking about them all. More then one will come to be. Some may be limited in scope, others might be indefinite. God, I do so love it when there's a plan. Even when it's written on a paper napkin ;)

Kickstarter - Robert E. Howard's Conan Roleplaying Game

Wow.

Simply wow.

The numbers raised. Wow.

With just over a day to go in it's funding, Robert E. Howard's Conan Roleplaying Game raised over half a million dollars. Over $500,000 for those that need it in numeral form.

Amazing numbers, and it's not just the licensed property itself that is driving those figures. What you can get for you money as a backer is, quite simply amazing.

For $58 you can get the core book and all the stretch goals in PDF format. Right now, the stretch goals account for 11 112-page sourcebook and adventure books (with more to be added if further stretch goals are met. $87 gets you the core book in print and PDF and all the stretch goals in PDF. I just need the core in Print personally - the rest in PDF is fine and dandy. There are levels to get all stretch goals announce in Print and PDF but I don't see the same value as the $87 level.

Did I mention they are also including the Mongoose D20 releases of Conan to PDF for everyone at the "everything" levels as well as a D20 to 2D20 (the system Conan will be using) conversion booklet. Hell, I'm tempted to use the material I'll be getting in PDF to covert to an OSR system or 5e.

In any case, amazing value to be had and impossible to pass up if you are a Conan fan.

Tales from the Game Tavern: Issue #3 is Out (System Neutral)

This probably should have been posted on St Patrick's Day, but things have been busy here at The Tavern. Still playing catch up on all things gaming related, Tavern related, other blogs related. Soon ;)

The contents of the latest Tales from the Game Tavern include:

    Ecology of the Redcap: Murderous wee folk that haunt ruined places.

    Sídhe Fungus Gardens: Strange fungi and bacteria of the faerie mounds.

    Crock of Gold: A drop die table for use in your campaign.

    Mr. Tweed’s Spectacles: A mid-level adventure involving a leprechaun.

    Beer Bread: They will be begging for it every game session (mmmmm... beer)

So yes, very St Paddy's Day in flavor. All you need is some green beer.

(edit - no affiliation to Tenkar's Tavern - but a damn cool name for a zine none the less)

Tales from the Game Tavern is 6 bucks in Print and 3 bucks in PDF

Middle Earth Coming to D&D 5e This Summer (Gollum!)

As announced over at the Escapist, EnWorld and other places online, Cubicle 7 is bringing the world of Middle Earth to D&D 5e (which, by extension and minimal tweaking means it should be accessible to every edition except 4th)

"We're all very excited to be building on the success of The One Ring Roleplaying Game and bringing Middle-earth to D&D players," Cubicle 7 CEO Dominic McDowall said in a statement. "Uniting two things very close to the hearts of gamers, me included, is very cool - I can't wait for the summer." 

Cubicle 7 will base its new Middle-earth game around The One Ring, and has brought designer Francesco Nepitello on as a consultant. Presumably the games won't have too many content differences, but simply give D&D players a chance to play using a more familiar rules system. Details will be announced soon, but we're expecting an initial release date sometime in Summer 2016.

The driving question will be, as always: is Gandalf a 4th Level Magic-user?

Ken Whitman and the Wall of Text (Grab your reading glasses)

As a follow up to yesterday's post of screenshots of a conversation on Facebook between Ken Whitman and an anonymous third party, I have now been given the text file of the conversation in full. Be warned, it is huge. It is long. It is crass and rude and full of legal threats that just aren't valid IMHO. No one is getting extradited across state lines nor even county lines for Ken's complaints. Just ain't happening.

I've been offered access to the Facebook account of the anonymous user to verify the conversation was, in fact, with Ken. I have not yet accepted said request. I don't see a need. That may change. Actually, my mind may be changing already, as the linked conversation would go back to Ken's account with the new photo, if he did in fact change it. Hmmmm.

I am not cleaning this up or making it easier to read. There simply is too much. It can get confusing at times. Again, it is long.

BTW, I'm not looking to prevent Ken from making money (one of the frequent theme's contained in the conversation.) I'm just trying to provide folks that are out of their money, their pockets, accurate information on the status of the projects they backed AND give future backers enough information so they can do due diligence on any projects in the future. 

Ken says KotDT LAS is DONE. Ready to go. No hard drive needed apparently. Huzzah! Announcement in a few weeks, so figure around April 1st I'm guessing. Fitting.

Ken, if you want to tell your side of the story, I'm all ears. Not giving you a dime to pay for an interview but if you are up for one I guarantee it will deal only with FACTS and be as vulgarity free as you can make it. The questions will be tough but fair. Your call.

Edit - seems like Ken is still leaving destruction in his wake. See NotAnotherDime

Alright. Get a glass of water. Put on those reading glasses. Strap yourself in so you don't fall over from vertigo...

Ken Whitman - A Facebook Conversation with Sufflatus Lorem

Someone (Sufflatus Lorem) sent me screenshots of a conversation they had with Ken Whitman on Facebook. Now, the person conversing with Ken is obviously using a fake name (even Ken calls him on it) but Ken apparently can't help being Ken.

Of course, the boogeyman in the closet is none other than +Jolly Blackburn . Yep, can't make this shit up if I tried.

Quick synopsis - there is a mysterious cabal of six business (men? -es? no idea) helping Ken from behind the scenes, but they don't want to be ID'ed for fear of being targeted by Jolly and his posse. Oh, and the failure of Jolly to provide a hard drive (as opposed to the failure of an unbacked up hard drive with all the video for the KotDT Live Action Series) is what is preventing this whole project from moving forward. 500 GB HDs externals start at 50 bucks at Best Buy. Yes, the mysterious benefactors can't afford 50 bucks for a hard drive...

Be warned, Kenny is a potty mouth. Not safe for work if someone is looking over your shoulder and I suspect not safe to work with as Kenny appears a bit spontaneous. He does seem to have a mother fixation, just not on his own.

edit: The anonymous half of this conversation is not Jolly or anyone else I personally know. Ken is just good at making friends apparently.

Reminder - Tavern Chat Tomorrow - 9PM Eastern - Elvis has Left the Building

Tavern Chat is tomorrow night, Thursday, March 17th at 9PM Eastern. It will be my first Tavern Chat post quasi-retirement (I started running time when i got off this morning at 605 AM.

There's a bunch of stuff I'd like to get going now that time is on my side - time to discuss the future of The Tavern tomorrow night (and the soon to be resurrected sister blogs of Saturday Knight Special and Tenkar's Taproom)

To infinity and beyond!

Kickstarter - Classic Edition GM Screen by New Big Dragon Games Unlimited

+Richard LeBlanc is one of my favorite creators in the OSR corner of the hobby. His D30 Sandbox Companion is THE go to product on my gaming shelf when I'm short on adventure ideas. Rich knows his gaming stuff, knows his art, knows his layout... yes, he simply knows his shit and it shows.

Rich's New Big Dragon Games Unlimited is running a Kickstarter for a Classic Edition GM Screen. It's what you see above. I actually got to handle a beta version of the screen last June at NTRPG Con and I was very impressed. I can only imagine how much nicer it is with 8 more months of development.

But wait. Your not just getting 2 3-panel GM screens:

6-panel (12-page) BX Game Masters Screen (in two 3-panel pieces) 

This is the most comprehensive GM screen ever created for BX editions of the original RPG and comparable retro-clones. The inside and outside faces of each screen will be printed on 15 pt. cover stock, and glued together to create 30 pt. thickness!!! Additionally, the entire screen will be protected with a UV coating for resistance to abrasion and staining. The exterior of this 6-panel (12-page) screen features artwork by the legendary artist Arthur Rackham, and content panels include all the pertinent information any Classic (BX/LL) GM needs to run their game, including:

-Experience point & spell level progressions for each character class
-Class-based combat & saving throw tables
-Class abilities & attribute adjustments
-Tables for Clerical turning and Thieves' abilities
-Variable damage by weapon; missile fire ranges; AC by armor type
-Step-by-step outlines for both turn sequence & combat sequence
-A simplified Treasure Types table
-Comprehensive cost lists for weapons, equipment, and animals
-Complete movement information (including dungeon, wilderness, airborne, and encumbered movement)
-Henchmen/hirelings, mercenaries & specialists (recruitment, requirements, salaries, and abilities)
-8-page GM Table Reference Document: This 8-page letter-sized piece includes all of the tables from the GM screens in a handle table-ready format. Features additional cover art by Arthur Rackham. Printed on a 60# uncoated cover stock and saddle-stitched.

8 Individual Card Stock Master Character Sheets (1 Generic Sheet + 7 Class-specific Sheets): Each of the 7 class-specific character record sheet contains the most pertinent information each player needs (e.g., notes on which types of weapons & armor may be used by the class, additional experience earned based on prime requisites, and special abilities like clerics' turning and thieves' abilities). In addition to the 7 classic character class sheets (cleric, dwarf, elf, fighter, halfling, magic-user, and thief), an 8th "generic" sheet is usable by any character class. Printed on an 80# uncoated cover stock.

Spells Record Sheet: This record sheet is usable by any spellcasting PC, and includes places to list each known spell's name, range, duration, and area of effect, as well as other pertinent notes. Printed on an 80# uncoated cover stock.

Character Record Log: This record sheet provides a place to write the information a GM needs for up to 6 PCs or NPCs, including the basics (name, class, hp, level, AC, etc.) as well as ability scores, saving throws, equipment/inventory, and other notes. Printed on an 80# uncoated cover stock.

4-page Cleric Spell Handout: The cover of this digest-sized piece notes spells gained by level, and the inside includes all the key information (e.g., range, duration, spell notes, etc.) for all the cleric spells contained in the classic red and blue rule books (plus a few additional core spells from other early editions). Printed on a 60# uncoated cover stock.

8-page Magic-user Spell Handout: The cover of this digest-sized piece notes spells gained by level, and the inside includes all the key information (e.g., range, duration, spell notes, etc.) for all the magic-user spells contained in the classic red and blue rule books (plus a few additional core spells from other early editions). Printed on a 60# uncoated cover stock and saddle-stitched.

That's a lot of stuff for your $43 investment and you get it all in PDF too. If print isn't your preferred media (or if your budget is tight) you can get the total package in PDF for a mere 7 bucks.

Did I mention I love the art used?

Barrel Rider Games Releases "The Hero's Journey" RPG as PWYW

+James Spahn had shown me an early beta version of The Hero's Journey. I liked what I saw, but lack of free time prevented me from giving it a proper review. Now that time is freeing up, I should get to that review in the next week or so. Which is good, as James has released The Hero's Journey as a PWYW product on RPGNow.

Here's the blurb:

The Hero's Journey Fantasy Roleplaying™ is a complete tabletop roleplaying game based on and compatible with Swords & Wizardry WhiteBox™. It provides fourteen classes, a complete bestiary, rules for adventuring, with optional rules to help you tailor your gaming experience and tell the legendary stories that you've always imagined. All you need is this book, a few dice, and a stout heart. 

Inside these pages you've find information from previous supplements in the White Box line of products published by Barrel Rider Games that have been compiled, updated, streamlined and integrated with the material found in Swords & Wizardry WhiteBox™ to create a complete roleplaying game. This information has been packaged in a clean, visually appealing design to create a game with the options of fantasy gaming from the 1980s and 1990s while holding to the simplicity and flexibility of the early days of the hobby. 

Download it. Use it whole or use pieces of it.

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 :)

Real Life Intrudes on the Muse

This is one of those rare days I'm literally at a loss for what to post. Sometimes, the muse does not awake when I do in the morning (er, afternoon for at least 2 more days)

At least, I'm at a loss as to what to post gaming related, but as for life and death, real life, I do have something to say.

My last shift I can damn close to losing someone I know. Not through the actions of another, not through carelessness nor the vagaries of fate, but through his own actions. Intentional actions.

I know very well that threats of suicide are most often calls for help but I've seen too often the impulse succeed before the calls are heard, let alone answered.

Thankfully this morning ended well or as well as can be under the circumstances.

There are places to call, people that listen. Nothing is worth losing a life over. Especially not your own.

These last few days are proving rougher than expected...

(As for the local PD whose actions saved this life, my heartfelt thanks)

Kickstarter - City State of the Invincible Overlord - Not so Invincible Anymore

City State of the Invincible Overlord (reprint / revision) Kickstarter - everything was fine until it actually funded.

Lost main author? Check

Maps taking longer to produce than expected? Check

Spent money on add on miniatures before setting aside enough funds to actually produce the funded project and stretch goals? Check! (minis are a money sink - only one man can pull them off successful as part of a non-mini project. He's named below)

Senior generation calling out the younger generation and assigning blame? Check and check.

Spent money on hookers and blow? Er, no. At least, not yet. Give it time. Wait, project is in the red. Do they take credit? Edit - direct reference to a statement made by Tavis Allison in regards to the Dwimmermount fiasco. Said in jest then, said in jest now. Just adding context for those who might need it. 

I've seen melt downs on Kickstarters before, but I'm ready to wash my hands of this one.

As of February 2015, it was already potentially 12k in the RED. Shipping has only gone up I'm sure. And why does anyone except for +Zach Glazar include minis with their Kickstarter? It's insane!

Then there was Bob II and his quasi public posting last week criticizing Bob III.

Out of context? That's what they say. It's also a severe case of hoping that folks understand that Goodman Games is running the current reprint Kickstarter for Judges Guild, not Judges Guild themselves. BTW, from what I've been told the Bledsaws are fine folk. It's just that Kickstarter is a dangerous mistress that can turn on one without warning. Boon and curse, it's all one and the same. Sometimes you need money just to lose it.

Goal was $28k. Over $85k was raised. If they'd raised less money, maybe the amount of red would have been less.

A WTF Kickstarter - wasteland tabletop game (Think of it as tabletop version of D&D meets fallout meets Warhammer)

As is often the case, a tip of the hat to the fine folks in the Kicksnarker Community on G+. My God, what a gem.

So, what sets this "wasteland tabletop game" apart from other games?

Let me show you in pictures:

BTW, that is the ONLY reward level.

So, it's a joke, right?

Watch the video, because it is truly incisive. As an aside, do not post video selfies to Kickstarter, as the motion you bring to the table makes me want to rip your beard off.

But hey, he's got the right motivation:

He's the guy on the left. The other two would probably prefer not to be recognized or identified.

Real glad Kickstarter has such a strong vetting process...

Shit, almost forgot his OTHER project, running at the same time - One Piece RPG

TableTopLibrary.com Goes Live - PDF and Print - Competition is Good!

I first heard about TableTopLibrary last month but had to keep my yap shut. I'm happy that OBS will finally have some competition and as publishers will retain 75% of the sale price of their PDF goods at TTL (at OBS, it's 65% or 70%), it will hopefully spur more quality self publishing - Your Humble Barkeep

PRESS RELEASE

Kobold Press, Frog God Games, Troll Lord Games, Green Ronin, Rite Publishing, Super Genius Games, Expeditious Retreat Games, Hero Games, Rogue Comet, Metallic Dice Games, Pacesetter Games and Simulations, Eldritch Enterprises, Far Future Enterprises and TableTopLibrary.com

March 10, 2016

Kobold Press, Frog God Games, Troll Lord Games, Green Ronin, Hero Games, Rogue Comet, Pacesetter Games and Simulations, Eldritch Enterprises, Far Future Enterprises and TableTopLibrary.com are jointly announcing that, effective immediately, our companies will all be offering our Fifth Edition, Pathfinder, Traveller, OSR, Hero System, Fate, and other products through a new RPG download store called TableTopLibrary, as a one-stop shop for OGL Fifth Edition products. TableTopLibrary, website https://tabletoplibrary.com/ is a newly-formed online store for RPG books and pdfs designed to offer both electronic versions and hard copy versions of books produced by your favorite publishers. TabletopLibrary will also offer a full slate of products and resources for other role-playing games, including Pathfinder and OSR-games. All of us will continue our own websites and stores, but TableTopLibrary offers a place to draw all these products together in one place for convenience.

At this time, by coming together as a consortium, we can offer the high-quality products we pride ourselves on; provide a one-stop shopping spot with outstanding customer service; and allow  a better experience for publishers, and more importantly, for customers . Centralized electronic book fulfillment, kickstarter fulfillment, and single-location warehousing will improve our delivery speed, accuracy, and customer service in the RPG download market.

Our reasons for setting up a consortium at this time include (1) each partner retains ownership and editorial control over the individual campaign worlds and other “intellectual property” that our fans have known and loved for years; (2) our desire to offer physically higher-quality printing, paper quality, and binding than print on demand outlets offer; and (3) the desire to continue drawing upon and increasing the vast resources of Open Game Content as opposed to other alternatives.

TableTopLibrary is committed to offering a deep and broad-based marketplace of Fifth Edition products, superior to any other online store, as well as many other game system products. We are joined in a partnership of many large publishers in this project, and expect many more to join us as time goes on. TableTopLibrary will be issuing its own press release soon, describing the advantages and the procedures involved in joining.

You can continue buying products directly from each of us, as always. But if you want to browse the whole library of Fifth Edition and other products produced under the Open Game License over the years, we’re letting you know that there’s a new online game store in town.

Check out TableTopLibrary at TableTopLibrary.com - The Leading Source for RPGs and watch us grow! We think you’ll be impressed.

Tavern Chat Tonight - 9 PM Eastern - Lets See Where the Tavern Goes "Post Retirement" :)

Today is Thursday.

Tonight. 9PM Eastern. Tavern Chat.

In a week, we will be in the "post retirement" stage for The Tavern.

Tonight is the night to make suggestions for any themes or post for future Tavern fodder ;)

Quick Tavern Update and Small Contest

So, earlier today I got an appointment for my "Administrative Day". That's the day where I turn in my Department property, finalize stuff with the pension section, turn in my shield and ID and get my retired ID - all that good stuff. It will be in early May. Very bitter sweet. Next Wednesday is my last working day before running accumulated time. I'll be on the books until mid July.

What does that mean for those that frequent The Tavern? My job starting March 17th - well, that's St. Patrick's Day, so maybe starting the following day - my job, starting March 18th will be "the Blogs" and writing gaming material. It's as simple as that. Oh, and podcasting.

The aim is to get posting at The Tavern back to two posts a day minimum, posts at Tenkar's Taproom (the beer blog on hiatus singe last September) back at a rate of 2 to 3 posts per week starting the week after next and Saturday Knight Special (stories mostly of my rookie years as a cop) back at a rate of 2 to 4 posts a month starting early April (I've identified stories that can be written and posted before the summer months)

The Path of Legends Podcast records every other Sunday. There are one or two other podcasts that may or may not come to fruition. Only time will tell and thankfully time will soon be on my side.

Now, here's where you, my kind readers come in. I'd like to start a series of posts here at The Tavern or more than one series of posts), something that would be weekly, but damned if I know what. Drop your ideas into the comments of this post and maybe you can spark some ideas. I'll choose 2 random commenters sometime after 3 pm eastern this Saturday afternoon (March 12th) to each receive $10 RPGNow Gift Certificates, perfect to use with RPGNow's current GM's Day Sale.

What Makes a Blogger / Blog Trusted?

What makes a blog / blogger trusted? It's an interesting question and one that was brought to my attention earlier today.

Is it social media views? Does 2 million views on G+ make you trusted as a blogger? Damned if I know, and I'm at over 20 million.

Does 2m views make "Somebody One Of The Most Trusted RPG Bloggers on Social Media"? That would make me infallible in comparison.

Views on G+ and likes on Facebook mean nothing.

Build a community. Allow yourself to be challenged by that community. Be as honest and true true to yourself as you can be. Earn respect and trust should follow.

Hell, 20 million views on G+ is nothing in the larger scheme of things, and I can easily count off multiple members of my Saturday Night gaming group that have more that 2.5 million views on G+ that also blog and I don't trust them ;)

Well, I trust them depending on the circumstances :)

edit: (the tag line I mention above is actually on a RPG blog - I just find the assumption of what views on G+ coverts to to be - inaccurate at best)

It's Official - The Path of Legends Podcast is Live! (Cue "Evil Laugh")

The announcement can now be officially made. The Path of Legends Podcast, a member of the TSR Podcast Network, is now available to download on iTunes or you favorite podcast catcher.

So, what is the Path of Legends Podcast? It's three old school gamers talking about Dungeons & Dragons 5e from the old school perspective. We discuss ways to make 5e play out more like 1e, and even how to bring some 5e elements into your OSR gaming.

Who are the three old dudes? +Vincent Florio , +Sal Valente and myself. If the names look familiar, we were co-hosts on The Brainstorm podcast. Vince and Sal are also co-hosts on Roll For Initiative (where even I have made a guest appearance recently)

We're so legit, you can even leave us your feedback via voicemail ;)   702-744-PATH (7284)

Or email at PathOfLegendsPodcast@gmail.com

Give it a listen as we can only succeed with your feedback.

GM's Day Sale OSR Picks at RPGNow - 30% Off PDF Titles - Part 4

Yep, the GM's Day Sale keeps rolling along. Time for Post # 4 in the series of OSR Picks. You can catch the earlier GM's Day Sale posts here.

In no particular order:

Strange Stars by +trey causey "is a setting for any game where modern transhuman science fiction meets classic 70s space opera." Might be a good fit for your next White Star or Stars Without Number campaign.

The Dungeon Alphabet by +Michael Curtis (and art by Erol Otus). Random tables, amazing art, you really can't got wrong.

Of course, you can't have just one alphabet. The Monster Alphabet by +Jobe Bittman is also on sale (with a huge assortment of artists). More
tables, more better.

Starter Adventures by +Tim Shorts . An excellent way to introduce new players to old school gaming. Don't forget to pick up some copies of the Manor zine.

Did I mention that Purple Duck Games appears to have put it's entire catalogue of over 1,100 releases on sale. Find adventures for Labyrinth Lord, Dungeon Crawl Classics, Pathfinder, Stock Art and more on sale.

And Thus it Was - A New Podcast Was Recorded, and it Was Good

Earlier today, Vince, Sal and myself recorded the first episode of a new podcast. Its OSR without being OSR. New and Old. Yeah, we got it like that.

I can't say anything official until the first episode is published, so consider this a teaser.

Yes, occasionally I am a fucking ass.

Soon I should be following this with an "official" announcement, with links and all that jazzy shit.

Hopefully another podcast announcement or two are coming up. Time will soon be on my side...

Kickstarter - Judges Guild Deluxe Collector's Edition

At this rate I may have to postpone my retirement to pay for all of this "Kickstarter Goodness" ;) Seriously, there have been some amazingly cool gaming Kickstarters in the past week and the Judges Guild Deluxe Collector's Edition is certainly one of them.

I have a soft spot for Judges Guild. While the production value may have been on the lower end, the imagination and usefulness of their releases are second to none for the time they were initially released.

Goodman Games is producing this series of reprints (and they did an amazing job with the Metamorphosis Alpha reprint (that oversized book certainly stands out))

Here's the details of the Judges Guild reprints:

Quick Summary of the Kickstarter 

This Kickstarter funds the scanning, digital restoration, and print publication of classic Judges Guild RPG supplements. 

Our goal is to create two products. The first is the oversized 13"x18" hardcover Judges Guild Deluxe Collector's Edition. This huge compilation contains Tegel Manor, Thieves of Fortress Badabaskor, Citadel of Fire, five issues of the Judges Guild Journal, and additional articles and new game material. 

The second product is a series of four 8.5"x11" reprints of classic JG modules. We are calling these the tabletop editions. There is a tabletop edition reprinting each of these products: Tegel Manor, Thieves of Fortress Badabaskor, Citadel of Fire, and Dark Tower. 

The project is about 90% complete as of now. All scanning, art, and editing is complete, and a rough layout is complete.

I think I'm in for the Deluxe Collector's Edition...

Kickstarter- Drinking Quest: Journey into Draught (Drinking Quest IV)

My Gods, how did I miss this? Jason Anarchy is kickstarting Drinking Quest: Journey into Draught, which is actually Drinking Quest Volume IV. I'm so in!

Seriously, if we get to organize an informal PubCon spring / summer of 2016, Drinking Quest WILL be played.

Cards, dice, RPG elements and booze. What could be better?

Well, more content for DQ is always better. Instead of 4 quests like each of the original games consisted of, Drinking Quest IV has 6. 50% More drinking!

as for the Risk & Challenges:

Risks and challenges 

I do this for a living so my reputation is on the line if I don't keep backers happy. 

I'm very experienced with the printing and fulfillment process. 

The game is done but I'm just doing final text editing and formatting so the files will be ready for print with no delay after the campaign ends. 

It is my mission to keep backers happy and get them their games!

To think I actually played a session with Jason Anarchy himself of DQ Volume 1...

edit - did I mention it's funded and blowing away stretch goals with 24 days to go?

GM's Day Sale OSR Picks at RPGNow - 30% Off PDF Titles - Part 3

The more I look, the more I find.

Yep, RPGNow's GM's Day Sale is in full swing and The Tavern is picking out some of the OSR highlights. This is the third post in the series. Post One is here and Post 2 is here.

Goblinoid Games appears to have put it's entire catalogue on sale. That means titles such as Labyrinth Lord, Crypt World, Rot World, Starships & Spacemen, Realms of Crawling Chaos and others.

Kort'thalis Publishing has also put it's entire catalogue on sale. My picks would be Liberation of the Demon Slayer and Revelry in Torth.

Expeditious Retreat Press is another publisher that has put their entire catalogue on sale. Looking for OSR adventures? Look no further. ERP has you covered.

Kobold Press looks to have nearly it's entire line up on sale. Have holes in your Kobold's Guide to... series of releases? Now is the time to fill them.

How about +Kevin Crawford 's Sine Nomine Publishing collection? Yep, 30% off the lot of it. If you can get only one I suggest Red Tide: Campaign Sourcebook and Sandbox Toolkit

Purple Sorcerer Games has put 6 of it's 7 DCC RPG releases on sale. Sunken City Omnibus. Enough said.