Pre-Order - Against the Giants Walkthrough Maps - In Print - Today - G2 - Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl

Jason Thompson, he of the amazing walkthrough maps of various classic modules from the AD&D 1e era, is taking preorders for movie poster sized prints of G1 through G3 at his online store ($60 for the trilogy) and he was kind enough to share with me some of the amazing artwork. Tonight, I share with you, G2 - Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl (with close ups)

Kickstarter - BLUEHOLME™ Journeymanne Rules

I'm a sucker for OSR rulesets. There is just something special about them. Eh, what can I say? A grognard am I ;)

The BLUEHOLME™ Journeymanne Rules (does it really need a "TM" to make it official?) is being Kickstarted and its looking good. The rules are written and the funding will go for art.

You can download the BLUEHOLME Prentice Rules at RPGNow priced at PWYW. It covers levels 1 to 3. The Journeymanne Rules cover through level 20.

10 bucks gets you the Journeymanne rules PDF, 15 PDF plus voucher at RPGNow for at cost softcover and 26 bucks gets you a hardcover voucher instead.

If you are an OSR completist, you know you need this ;)

BLUEHOLME™ Journeymanne Rules
Back in the beginning of 2013, Dreamscape Design launched a little retroclone intended to faithfully model the "Holmes" edition of the worlds best-known role-playing game. The BLUEHOLME™ Prentice Rules, like the original Holmes Basic book, only covered character levels 1 through 3.
The stand-alone BLUEHOLME™ Journeymanne Rules go much further than that.
-Character levels 1 through 20
-Over 230 spells for clerics and magic-users
-Over 120 creatures, including may sub-types
-Over 250 magic items
-Rules for combining character classes
-Rules for playing any species in the creature chapter
-Rules for adventuring in the Wilderness and in the Realm
-115 pages in 8.5" x 11" format
The Journeymanne Rules are more just than an accurate rendition of "Holmes" edition game-play, they draw from a wide range of sources to more closely model the eclectic and unique approach to the game promoted by Dr J. Eric Holmes himself. In BLUEHOLME™, anything goes - but the dice never lie!

He, just norice. No "TM on the cover. What's up with that? ;P

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.

Kickstarter Roundup for April 6, 2017 - Heroic Folios Pioneering on Mars Playing in Castles for all Alternity

Sometimes there's just too much going on to highlight Kickstarters in their own posts, so I'm going to highlight a handful this morning in one post. this might become a weekly feature (and I might do something similar with podcasts)

Heroic Fantasy & Barbarian Conquerors Collection - Somehow the latest Kickstarter from Autarch nearly passed me by. Known for quality writing, solid rules and excellent art, heroic and pulp fantasy are both things that interest me dearly. Funded with 13 days to go, I am sorely tempted to back this one. Even if its just to inspire my own future projects.


The Folio #14, 1E/5E Format Adventure Module - Yep, I literally just posted about this but I thought I'd throw a reminder out there as it has 3 days left to fund. Still needs just under 1k to fund and I hope it does. I need some dinosaurs in my SWL campaign ;)

Pioneers of Mars - not an RPG but a card based table top game. Color me intrigued. "You are the Base Commander reporting to a Government or Corporate entity, with the intent of establishing yourself as the most prestigious and powerful faction. Over the course of four Generations, you will gain prestige by celebrating Mars culture, (Tourism and Olympus Mons cards) using your influence and resources to build out your main base, monitor and manipulate the media (Communications Relay), invest in research (Labratories), and train and develop your colonists. In the end, only one individual will be elected as The First President of Mars!

Castles & Crusades Players Handbook #7 - What's that, you say? Another C&C Player's Handbook KS? Aye, but this time there are bargains to be had. A single copy is $15 for print and PDF but $60 covers your group with 5 copies. Although not my system of choice C&C is a very solid option for the OSR gamer, especially one transitioning from 3x or Pathfinder. 6 days to go, just under $3k needed to fund.

Alternity 2017 - A Science Fiction Roleplaying Game - remember Alternity from the days of the TSR implosion? I do. How do I feel about its spiritual return? Surprisingly non-pulsed as there are simply better choices coming up from bigger franchises  - Starfinder (I was going to call it "math in space" but I'll get accused of system bashing ;), the new Star Trek game and we already have more variations of Traveller than any system should have. Oh, and the OSR has White Star and Stars Without Number. So, uhm, yeah. saving my money.

Pre-Order - Against the Giants Walkthrough Maps - In Print - Tonight - G1 - Steading of the Hill Giant Chief

Jason Thompson, he of the amazing walkthrough maps of various classic modules from the AD&D 1e era, is taking preorders for movie poster sized prints of G1 through G3 at his online store ($60 for the trilogy) and he was kind enough to share with me some of the amazing artwork. Tonight, I share with you, G1 - Steading of the Hill Giant Chief (with close ups)

(I think I need more wall space)

Reminder - Tavern Chat Tonight - 9 PM Eastern - Beware the Crow That Caws at Midnight!

I have no idea what the above actually means. Maybe its a new adventure I'll write for SWL ;)

Anyhow, 9 PM tonight is Tavern Chat. You literally do not know who will drop in, and not to drop names, we usually have name droppable visitors ;)

Use the Chatwing widget on the right side of the page to participate. Have an Android or IOS device? There's an app for that.

See you tonight!

Kickstarter - The Folio #14, 1E/5E Format Adventure Module

I've been keeping up with The Folio series of releases since the beginning. Quality art, strong writing and high production values, I haven't missed a release yet. I've also yet to use The Folio in whole, using bits and pieces to drop into my own adventures and such. Yeah, I'm not normal. Or maybe I am.

The Folio #14 really scratches my itch, as it takes inspiration from the classic AD&D adventure, X1- the Isle of Dread. If you are going to go back and find an old module to be inspired by, that is certainly one to draw upon. I mean, it has dinosaurs! Who knows, maybe I'll start using the new set of releases in whole cloth ;)

As usually, The Folio comes stated for 1e (OSRIC) and 5e, so it should be an easy fit for most GMs.

The Folio #14 is a 1st Edition AD&D & 5th Edition D&D combined gaming module. It will be produced as an 8x11”, removable cover [11x17" once removed], adventure with mostly b/w interior artwork. There are two interior booklets, The Gazetteer and The Dungeon, with the final size being roughly 32 pages of content. 

Who’s it for? ALL gamers, both new gamers and old gamers as it is easily expandable or playable as is.The concept is to allow gamers a starting point for adventure that can be modified to their liking while providing excellent reference content and framework.The base mechanic will be for 1st Edition with 5th Edition insets, but I’ve designed it to be readily modified to any fantasy game, and don't forget the PDF! 

What’s in it? All original content built in the Art of the Genre world of the Nameless Realms. Incorporating tidbits from previous Folios such as Roslof Keep and the Taux Trilogy, this new adventure will allow players to start at 1st level as they set out in search of the notorious necromancer Molo of the Thirteen wives.  Incorporating my love of ocean adventures, epic exploration of distant cultures, and delving into the past with cursed ships and rampaging dinosaurs, this adventure is everything I ever wanted TSR's X1 The Isle of Dread to be, but was disappointed in upon playing it.

We HAVE a Gygax Memorial! No Silly, Not THAT One!

A few quick comments, because otherwise the quote from the Gygax Memorial Fund speaks for itself:

1 - As someone else just said to me, thank God Alex designed the plaque and not his mother.

2 - Didn't see Gail but I heard she was there. Met Alex. His heart's in the right place. If there is going to be a Hail Mary with this fiasco, Alex will be the one throwing it.

3 - "This is NOT the memorial you are looking for. Please move along."

Can You Map the OSR by "The Politics of Personalities?"

Here we are, a week after my return from Gary Con and I find I'm still playing catch up, this time with blog reading.

It's funny that I didn't cut my hair for nearly 11 months in the hopes of growing a ponytail - hint: it never got long enough so I cut it short right before the con. I almost went hipster ;)

Anyhow, I find it interesting that instead of focusing on actual blog content or community building, Patrick Stewart instead focused on things like politics and geography.

Really, when it comes down to it, what does politics have to do with gaming or the OSR? Does it matter who at what publisher voted for who (because yes, even publishers have questions about their political leanings)

As for geography, the internet and VTTs blur the line of distance and location, so it seems pointless to even attempt to do so. It is literally making assumptions based on little, if any, facts.

As for the OSR being driven by personalities, no more so than any other hobby. I'm fairly sure the majority of old school gamers have no idea who I am, not do they care to do so. (case in point, NTRPG 2015, where my wife Rach was astounded that someone as the Con had no clue who I was ;)

You can read more at the False Machine Blog

How the F' is This a Kickstarter? Really funny group of friends new to Pathfinder Tabletop RPG

Where is the project?

What is actually being produced?

How is this literally not a cash grab?

Wouldn't this be better as a GoFundMe?

  My name is Abe and I'm a disabled Army veteran that recently floated the idea to a friend about starting up a Pathfinder RPG campaign and before we knew it had a group of 5 awesome and funny friends ready for me to be their Game Master.  Character creation is still a work in progress be so far we have an Investigator and a Magus.   

     The reason I'm asking for funding is because the 5 of them live roughly 85 miles away from me and I'd like to drive to their house(s) once or twice a month.  Obviously the gas prices are a burden but also any funding I have left over I wanted to spread between the group for notepads, mechanical pencils, sticky notes, dice sets, and official Piazo Pathfinder Core Rulebooks.  Our first game session will be the first week of May 2017. 

     I'm considering, if there are no objections in group, recording our game sessions with audio (or video if I can manage to raise enough funds) and post them online for public entertainment.  I'll post links if I do this. 

Some of us have TONS of video game experience, a couple have no RPG experience at all, but we are guaranteed to have fun and plenty of laughs.  I thank you in advance and greatly appreciate any and all donations.  Be sure to check out the rewards section for added incentive! 

Risks and challenges 

The adventuring party will risk their very made-up and completely fictional lives battling the forces of evil in the pursuit of fame and glory. We really risk having a good time and developing a habit of meeting on a regular basis to develop lifelong bonds and memories.
My challenges include being creative enough to fabricate an epic and intriguing tale, organizing our meetings, and getting the party involved and engaged enough to want to do this over a year or more.

My God! Does Kickstarter even look at the shit that's submitted these days? I mean, the title itself should have been a warning.

Why not grab a system that's free for fuck's sake! Pathfinder is a money sink anyway.

Really funny group of friends new to Pathfinder Tabletop RPG

Kickstarter - Frog God Games Starfinder Roleplaying Game Compatible Line (Frawgs in Spaaaace!)

God but I love the above screenshot. Its just so... so damn frog-like :)

Anyhow, Frog God Games will be supporting Paizo's soon to be released Starfinder game with their very own Frog God Games Starfinder Roleplaying Game Compatible Line. Yep, its a mouthful, so lets see what it actually entails:

Paizo, the powers behind the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, are completing the final system check on the highly anticipated release of The Starfinder Roleplaying Game. Based on the robust, yet familiar The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, The Starfinder Roleplaying Game will be taking fans of The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game forward in time and to the edge of space where familiar races, powers and creatures have been unleashed.   

Now beyond the bounds of their home world they traverse and expand into the dark reaches. Where cryptic cultures, xenomorphic horrors, and merciless enemies are scattered across alien worlds. New technologies, arcana and untapped alien arcana can be discovered in the vastness of space.   

Which is where we come in...   

Science Fantasy Frog God Style   

Frog God Games is pleased to present to you its Starfinder Roleplaying Game Compatible Line, which, with your help, will release alongside Paizo's highly anticipated Starfinder Roleplaying Game: Core Rulebook ™ (expected August 2017). Frog God Games is pleased to present to you its Starfinder Compatible Line, which, with your help, will release alongside the core Starfinder rules (expected August 2017). We have seen the rules and are very excited to be supporting Paizo's foray into Science Fantasy.
The Starfinder Roleplaying Game compatible releases from Frog God Games consists of 2 Full-Color, 8.5 x 11 Hardcover Books: The Planetarium and the Tome of Aliens and a folio of six poster maps all available in both print and PDF format.

So, first thing to note is that it Starfinder isn't a Sci-Fi game, its Science Fantasy. I guess that means more Star Wars and less Star Trek. I actually hadn't realized it wasn't going to be Sci-Fi. Go figure.

Second, if you look at the pledge levels, you'll notice there are some systemless options - specifically deck plans.

So, if you are an old school game whose preference is White Star or Stars Without Number, you can just snag the deck plans. Want Print plus PDF deck plans? 30 bucks.

 +Alyssa Faden deck plans for the win!

Not sure I'll be picking up Starfinder (Pathfinder has WAY to much crunch for me) but deck plans like those sampled? Hell yeah!

Now to just hack Swords & Wizardry Light for some Sci-Fi or Sci-Fantasy gaming :)

The Tavern By The Numbers - Downloads, Members and More

Art by +Craig Brasco , Cover Artist for Issue #1 of Torchlight Magazine

Just so the paying folks know, monies spent on PWYW products released by Triumvirate Tavern Publishing go towards paying the cover artist of the  Torchlight magazine for Swords & Wizardry. So, if you like the art of +Craig Brasco , tip your barman.

Now, for the numbers relating to Pocket Creatures Volume 1 and 2. 135 downloads of Volume 1, and 76 downloads of Volume 2. I'm impressed and I thank you for the support. So far, $23.59 raised for the cover art of Torchlight but we haven't even started.

1297 members of the Tenkar's Tavern Facebook Community. Sometimes members get information minutes before it goes out on the blogside. Other times it is hours. In any case, it is an active community and certainly a place for all old school gamers to be.

Currently I'm working on a PWYW compilation / conversion / quasi-professional release of Beneath the Battered Dwarf Tavern to be released as PWYW. If we happen to hit 1300 hundred members by tomorrow, I will attempt to submit it my the end of the week to OBS. Mind you, I am learning InDesign and I can't predict my progress. I am, after all, a mere retired Civil Servant ;)

Thanks to all! You make this a sandbox worth playing in :)

On Zines and Readership and Monies, Oh My!

I love me a good gaming zine. Really, I do.

Whether its The Manor, Black Pudding, The Excellent Traveling Volume, Crawl, the Undercroft, Under a Broken Moon, The Wizard's Scroll or any other one that I am quite sure I've missed going off the top of my head, they are all special to me.

Why?

Because they are labors of love and they speak with the voice of the one that publishes it. They are, in some ways, intimate and personal.

You won't make a lot of money publishing a zine (or most anything else in the RPG industry) but you have the reward of loyal and vocal readership. There is nothing quite so loud as someone advocating for a zine they love.

Also, zines tend to be published irregularly. Yep, I can buy all of the above and more and not dent my wallet.

What we need is more zines. Truly. There was a time when blogs were all the rage and The Tavern is certainly a good source of gaming news with its finger on the pulse of old school gaming, but it generally can't be read on the train, the bus, while sitting in the doctor's office or taking a bath. Zines, especially those in print, are special and should be cherished.

When Torchlight releases, I want it to be but one of many RPG periodicals from self publishers that the community supports.

I Want more Zines in my Time!  ;)

Kickstarter - Talislanta: The Savage Land (and No F@cking Elves!)

I remember the Talislanta ads in Dragon Magazine. The tagline was always "No Elves..."

Well, I bought a copy and although I never played it, i enjoyed reading about this fantasy world that was certain not filled with hobbits and elves and such.

Heck, even when I packed the game away for its trip to storage, ads like the one above were still burned into my synapsis.

Well, Talislanta is back and West End Games has it. Yep, another resurrection from the past, both the game and the publisher.

Talislanta: The Savage Land is the new iteration of Talislanta, coming in three flavors: revised original, D&D 5e and Open d6. Buy in for PDF versions is 5 bucks a system or all three for 10 bucks. Print for one system plus PDF for one is 40 and print for one and PDF for all three is 50.

I'm actually tempted to back for the PDF of the Open d6 version. Ah, who am I kidding? For 5 bucks, I'm backing. ;)

Frog God Games 35% Off Sale

Yep, Frog God Games has hit its 7th Anniversary and they are running a 35% off sale. My suggestions? Lost City of Baracus and Bard's Gate for Swords & Wizardry, but that's just me ;)

(Sure, they have stuff in Pathfinder and 5e flavors too)

Save 35% on all orders! (that's 5% for every year we've been in business)

Seven years ago today, Greg Vaughan, Charles Wright, Rick Sardinha and I formed Frog God Games out of the ashes of Necromancer Games. 

Our intent was to sell enough pdf books to print a single book, now known as the Slumbering Tsar Saga. 

Oops, we did a few more books. 

After 18 years in the business and 7 of those in our current incarnation, I am humbled and honored by the support we have gotten from our friends and fans. 

As we move ahead, on the day of our 7th anniversary as FGG, I can say that I am proud to lead on of the most talented teams of game designers, artists and cartographers in our industry. 

Look for big things coming soon (one in about 4 hours) over the next few years.
Bill 

Go to www.froggodgames.com and use coupon code ANNIV7 at checkout.

Sale ends April 7, 2017

Tavern Weekend Update for April 1st, 2017 - Downloads, Signups and Assorted Minutiae

Volume 2 of Pocket Creatures has 56 downloads since Thursday night, which is faster than Volume 1, but its only sitting in 48th place for Hottest Small Press at RPGNow. Still trying to figure out how that all works but I must say, it's a wonderful feeling to see so many copies download this quickly.

Volume 1 of Pocket Creatures is sitting at 36th place with 127 downloads. Volume 3 is probably two weeks out as I start learning InDesign.

We have a half dozen people signed up at the Swords & Wizardry Slack Community for those looking to contribute to Torchlight, the Official Swords & Wizardry Magazine, from Light to Complete. We are looking to compensate contributors with a percentage of sales at OBS (hopefully I'll have that feature unlocked at RPGNow when we go live) No one is getting rich in the OSR but everyone should be paid for their work. Most of the art we'll be using is stock art but we are considering selling some ads (no more than 10% of the total page count per issue) to commission original art as needed.

Still working on the Torchlight guidelines (uncle duties commenced today and I should be running a game tonight, so we'll work on getting that hashed out tomorrow.) One thing to note is that creatures / characters / adventures will be dual stated for Light and Complete flavors of Swords & Wizardry, in order to give the greatest compatibility not just for S&W but other OSR systems as well.

Swords & Wizardry Continual Light will be releasing in PDF on April 22nd - three weeks from today, priced at PWYW. Layout by the amazingly talented +Zach Glazar . It will be followed later this year by a print run funded by Frog God Games. Print copies will be distributed for free. SWCL covers 7 levels of play, optional classes, new spells, new monsters, magic items - a complete game in 16 pages (current layout - subject to change but not by much ;)

There's more in the works (I need to put Beneath the Battered Dwarf Tavern into a PWYW PDF) that we'll post more on as we get closer ;)

DCC Lankhmar releases in PDF Just 2 Bucks Each at RPGNow

Two bucks a piece for the Goodman Games DCC Lankhmar releases? If I didn't already have them in print I'd be all over this ;)

DCC Lankhmar: Masks of Lankhmar - A level 1 adventure for DCC RPG - A heist gone wrong brings an unlikely group of thieves together and sets off a search for forgotten treasures hidden in the City of the Black Toga! Can our heroes of questionable moral character survive the twisting chase that leads through the Plaza of Dark Delights, crosses paths with Sheelba of the Eyeless Face, and delves into one of the oddest tenements in Lankhmar? Not if the Thieves’ Guild has their way!

DCC Lankhmar: Through Ningauble's Cave - Tread in the footsteps of the legendary Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser! - Through Ningauble’s Cave is the first release in the Dungeon Crawl Classics line of Lankhmar supplements. As we build toward a large boxed set, this “first-look” sourcebook provides DCC RPG judges with all the information needed to journey to the world of Nehwon, home to Lankhmar, the fabled City of the Black Toga. - Through Ningauble’s Gate details the secrets of Ningauble of the Seven Eyes. It includes rules for using him as a patron, as well as information on his fantastic cave that touches multiple worlds. With the material in this book, your players can journey to Nehwon…or have Nehwon come to your campaign world!

DCC Lankhmar: Patrons of Lankhmar - From beneath the Outer Ocean, from out of the depths of the Great Salt Marsh, and from the odd fanes of the Street of the Gods, they come: the Patrons of Lankhmar! With the information contained in this tome, a judge can introduce such formidable beings as the Sea King, Mog the Spider God, Sheelba of the Eyeless Face, and even Death himself into any DCC RPG campaign setting. - This early look at the upcoming Dungeon Crawl Classics Lankhmar line introduces a half-dozen supernatural powers and eerie entities for use in your DCC RPG or Lankhmar campaign. Each power’s entry includes details on the entity and their role in Nehwon, tables for invoking that power’s aid, corruption charts for when things go wrong, and new spellburn possibilities. Are you ready to serve the Patrons of Lankhmar?

5% of your purchases at RPGNow go to support The Tavern/

Kickstarter - DCC Lankmar

I've said it before and I'll say it again, although I support every DCC RPG Kickstarter, I do not play the system very much. I do, however, use the various adventures with the Swords & Wizardry rules, as good adventures transcend system.

There. I've said it. That all being said, having played DCC Lankmar at NTRPG Con with +Doug Kovacs , I'm damn tempted to give it a try with the system it was written for. It simply played that well.

You can back for the boxed set for as little as 50 bucks, but if you want the stretch goals that won't fit in the box you'll need to pony up 100. I'm in at 50 for now, but that may chance in the near future.

Did I mention the KS has already hit its second stretch goal and is knocking on its third?

Bundle of Holding - Advanced Fighting Fantasy

I've looked at Advanced Fighting Fantasy before before but never pulled the trigger. Now, I'm not saying I'd use the system, but I wonder how convertible the adventures would be to Swords & Wizardry.

In any case, $7.95 is certainly a fair buy in. Its about 20 bucks for the Bonus Collection. Very tempting.

Pocket Creatures Volume 2 is Live on RPGNow - PWYW

Yep, Pocket Creatures Volume 2 is now live on RPGNow. I'm very excited.

Pocket Creatures Volume 1 has been downloaded 113 times in a week and a half. That's in addition to the 50+ copies downloaded off the Dropbox link.

Did I mention we gave away over 40 copies each of Pocket Creatures Volumes 1 and 2 in print at Gary Con?

I'm dancing a happy dance :)

Torchlight Magazine - A Place for Slackers ;)

As I work on the writers' guidelines and such for Torchlight I wanted to mention something real quick. We'll be using an app called Slack for communication with contributors, whether its for Torchlight or with third parties that are working on independent Swords & Wizardry Light / Continual Light projects and want a link to myself and others to bounce questions / preview work / etc.

We will be using the free version of Slack, which I happen to think is pretty damn awesome.

It has Android and IOS apps as well as an app that runs on your browser, so we are well covered.

If you are a creative and wish to join the SWLight Slack Community, email me over at tenkarsDOTtavern at gmail. I'll get an invite to you within 24 hours.

RPGNow Deal of the Day - 2016 Dodecahedron Cartographic Review (Dyson Logos)

If you play RPGs, especially fantasy RPGs, you need the 2016 Dodecahedron Cartographic Review. I'm serious. Actually, you need just about all the maps that +Dyson Logos produces. They are, quite simply, amazing art that doubles as RPG maps.

This just released last week so this is fresh AND on sale! Normally $8.50 on sale for $4.25

From the blurb:

The 2016 Dodecahedron Cartographic Review is a 107-page curated collection of most of the maps and descriptions thereof that appeared on Dyson's Dodecahedron throughout 2016. Designed to be a letter-sized spiral bound book, this digital edition also includes a second version of the book where many of the maps have been resized (larger) to better fit the page once all the text has been removed.

Like the 2014 and 2015 Cartographic Reviews, this volume contains almost all the maps published to the website in 2016 except for one megadungeon map that is still incomplete at the time of publication. The PDF edition of these maps is provided as a convenience for readers of the blog and fans of RPG cartography and contains no exclusive content - everything in this PDF can be hunted down on the Dyson's Dodecahedron blog and downloaded at high resolution. What this collection gives you, however, is that material collected in one place, sequenced, and annotated from the notes on the blog.

5% of purchases made through The Tavern's affiliate links helps to fund The Tavern.

Kickstarter - Trinity of Awesome Returns! (Multiple Genre Adventure Collection)

For those following along at home, +Venger Satanis and I had a very nice breakfast and long talk at Gary Con. Surprisingly enough, or maybe not surprising at all, we have far more in common than we do differences. After all, gaming is the glue that binds us, one and all, as a community.

V's latest KS is Trinity of Awesome Returns! For as little as 7 bucks, you get three adventures in PDF format - "one eldritch science-fantasy scenario (Crimson Dragon Slayer), one retro sleazy sci-fi scenario (Alpha Blue), and one pulp / investigative horror scenario (The Outer Presence)."

If V has a strength, it is most certainly adventure writing and art choice. His art may occasionally disgust or offend, but the quality is never less than top notch.

I convert other RPG ruleset adventures on the fly to Swords & Wizardry and this shouldn't be any more difficult, which isn't difficult at all.

About 12 hours left on the KS. Blame post con sleep recovery for the delay in me getting to this posting ;)

Reminder - Tavern Chat Tonight - 9 PM Eastern - Post Gary Con Recap

Yep, that's me at Gary Con, at the resort that used to be a Playboy resort. Woot!

I've got some Swords & Wizardry news to share with the peanut gallery before putting it into blog post form, so if you want to get some info and other GC updates, drop into Tavern Chat tonight.

Sadly, this is NOT the shirt I was wearing when the cops from Seattle and Los Angeles "kidnapped" me for drinks. Ah well ;)

Tavern Chat - 9 PM Tonight, Eastern Time - Chat Box on the right side of the page.

ConManKen Wants to Make YOU a TV Host

What a fucktard! Wait, is that even a word?

Somehow #ConManKen can hook you up with a full time job hosting a geek show on TV? Oh wait - that's a "maybe"

If this were true Ken would find a way to make money from it. As I'm sure he is asking for money to provide the application info, I guess he has found his latest money making scheme.

Classic Kenny. How many typos?

Hey Ken, how's Marcus doing?

Gygax Memorial Fund and the Gail C. Gygax Revocable Trust

It's frustrating when members of our community mix apples and oranges freely. The differences between the Gygax Memorial Fund and the Gail C. Gygax Revocable Trust couldn't be huger, but the main point is - they are completely separate and independent entities even if the one calling the shots behind both of them is the same person.

The Gygax Memorial Fund Inc "is a public charity non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are fully deductible to the extent allowed by law. The fund's tax identification number is 30-0580070." That's a mouthful but it establishes it as a public charity recognized by the US government and subject to Wisconsin laws.

What actually defines section 501(c)(3)?

Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Testing for Public Safety, to Foster National or International Amateur Sports Competition, or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals Organizations.

How does a memorial fall under this section? It's an interesting solution that was used for this.

The specific objectives and tax exempt purpose of this 501(C)(3) organization shall be:

• To commission and place a memorial in a public park of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to honor Gary Gygax by commemoration of literary achievement in the creation of Dungeons & Dragons and other published works
• To maintain this memorial in perpetuity
• To sponsor informational events open to the public which focus on his work
• To engage in other activities related to educating the public about his achievement
• And to establish a scholarship program in his name for students with a demonstrated need for assistance to study at an accredited college or university.

Notice those last two bullets? That firmly establishes and defines the Gygax Memorial Fund as a 501(c)(3) for IRS purposes. It would be interesting to see the monies spent on those last two bullet points as I have heard little if any discussion of efforts to fulfill those objectives. The scholarship program should have been an easy one to kick off.

The Gail C. Gygax Revocable Trust is a strange beast, but the very nature of Revocable Trusts in the State of Wisconsin is strange:

What is a revocable living trust? 

A trust is a written document that names someone to be responsible for managing property for the benefit of others. A revocable living trust (also called a "living trust" or "revocable trust") is one type of trust. 

It's a "living" trust because you create it while you're alive. It's "revocable" because, as long as you're mentally competent, you can change or end the trust at any time, for any reason. You need no one's permission to do so unless you have created a joint trust with your spouse. In Wisconsin, a trust is revocable unless it specifically states it is irrevocable in the trust document. Usually a living revocable trust becomes irrevocable (not open to changes) when you die. 

A trust involves three parties: 

The settlor or grantor is you, the person who creates the trust. 

The trustee is the person who agrees to accept your property and manage it as the trust agreement directs. You can name more than one trustee, thus creating co-trustees who must act together. Usually you are the trustee during your lifetime. 

The beneficiaries are those who will receive the income from the property in the trust and, with your direction, the property itself.

It is the Trust, not the Fund, that controls Gary's IP. While the Fund is subject to public scrutiny, the Trust is not. Do NOT confuse the two. Gary's IP is not linked to the memorial and it never has been. While the Trust could, in theory, donate money to the Fund, the Fund could not give monies to the Trust.

Is the Gygax Memorial Fund still Funded? Where is the Audit?

I woke up to phone calls and private messages in regards to +Tim Kask  's post on Facebook. "What do you know? What can you tell us? who are the sources?"

Well, I spoke with Tim a little while ago and he revealed to me, in confidence, one of his sources and exactly what was said. His source is certainly legit and honest, but would only have direct knowledge if Gail divulged directly or if the source had access to "the books". While the first is certainly a possibly the second is unlikely - hell, I'm still waiting on the Magical Mystery Audit that was promised last April.

If Gail would like to communicate with me directly to explain this current supposition I am all ears. She most certainly knows how to find me, but I suspect she will put her head in the sand as is her standard operating procedure.

Alex Gygax is more than welcome to communicate with me. I met him on Saturday night at the hotel bar (I am fairly sure he did not initially know who I was and if he did, avoid playing poker with him ;) Alex seems genuinely interested in the Gygax Memorial and the Gygax Memorial Fund and ensuring it bears fruit. At the very least, he should be taking over communications for the Fund, as he seems to have both the energy and the interest to do so effectively.

Questions that are left unanswered often breed their own answers. This issue could be easily put to bed if Gail were to open the books. I'd be willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement to view said records and be able to say "all the monies are accounted for" or "there is a discrepancy" with no further details divulged. I don't think such a legal step is necessary, but with lack of public disclosure being the Fund's standard operating procedure, I figured I'd offer a potential solution to finding the truth the community so desperately desires.

As I've stated before, the Fund and the Trust are two entirely separate entities. I'll do a follow up post to explain this in full, but for now, remember the Fund is just the Memorial, not the IP.

Home From Gary Con - The Good Lord Works in Mysterious Ways - Or Was it Just Fate?

So, I left Lake Geneva this morning. Over breakfast I noticed my flight was going to be delayed a half hour, so when Uber arrived and asked if I wanted the scenic tour for a 5 minute longer trip, I said yes. My driver was a retired pilot from SouthWest Airlines - very interesting trip.

I get to the airport and breeze through security. Get to my gate, and notice my plane is now running an hour late. Sigh.

Here an announcement that seemed to indicate my flight was changing gates. "What a PITA!"

Get to the new gate and I was wrong. Its the previous flight to NYC, also delayed, with seats available. They were rebooking people to the flight that was leaving NOW! Woot!

Get on the plane, find my seat and sit down next to a young woman who asked me "Did you enjoy the Con?"

Yep. I had to go to Gary Con, have my flight delayed and my departure moved up, to find an RPG player from Brooklyn that also reads The Tavern. Not even star struck - I have +Harley Stroh for that ;)

Needless to say the flight was over before I knew it. Gave out seven copies of Swords & Wizardry Light as we disembarked. Rach and I should be gaming in a few weeks in Brooklyn at the Hinterlands Bar.

See, +Bill Webb ? I even evangelize 15,000 feet in the air ;)

Gary Con - Gygax House

Gary Con wrapped up today. I'll be giving some observations and recaps throughout the coming week.

Tonight we did a "drive-by" of the old Gygax House. It was a bit foggy. so maybe that's where we got the halo effect on the left side of the page. Interesting in any case.

Spent the midnight hours last night  drinking with a handful of gamer cops from Seattle and Los Angeles. Never would have expected to find them, or should I say have them find me. +Zach Glazar and +Michael Badolato thought #ConManKen had hired some hitmen to take me out as I was "borrowed" for a few minutes. Damn good time had by all.

Gary Con - Breakfast With the Devil and Goodman Games News

+Venger Satanis and I had breakfast together this morning. It was a great time and he awesome company. Now I just need to convert V to Swords & Wizardry Light ;)

Goodman Games had a few announcements today:

-The Lankmar Kickstarter is live. Heck, its funded almost immediately.

- B1 & B2 - Classic adventures from Basic Dungeons & Dragons will be reprinted faithfully to their original releases AND converted to Dungeons & Dragons 5e,

Woot!

Huge Goodman Game Announcement Later This Morning - Gary Con

+Harley Stroh is Awesome!

Goodman Games is making a huge announcement later this morning. Actually, pretty much all of their announcements are huge ;)

I'll try and sneak away from the Frog God Booth and post it here when I have the info.

Did I mention +Harley Stroh is fucking awesome? He is :)