Guest Post: Is North Texas RPG Convention Still Happening

Ok, right off the bat big disclaimer: I'm not Erik. He's busy doing things none of us would want to be occupied doing and I volunteered to post on his behalf until he can resume.

I apologize in advance.

Yeah..right. I've finally got a captive audience of more than 12 13 readers and you'll just have to suck it up.

So here we are, mid-May, with a scant three weeks before North Texas RPG Con and the big question is really if the con is going to happen or not this year. It's obviously a complicated question and the answer is a definitive Yes and No, which I personally find a bit infuriating.

Nothing on the con at all, but really the hotel. Now I used to travel a lot for work, allegedly still do, and I'm very much a Marriott guy. I used to be Hilton all the way, but one horrific stay and I turned my back on them. I'm fast on my way to Lifetime Titanium with Marriott and if I never stay in another Hilton again in my life, I'm good.

Yeah, I know...you don't care. You probably shouldn't. I mention this because as a frequent business traveler Marriott is bending over backwards to cater to it's individual guests. I haven't spent a night on the road this year (unfortunately), but Marriott is carrying over my status, my earned rewards, and I can cancel any of my upcoming reservations as little as 24 hours prior to a visit.

Business (Corporate) events have their own set of rules events are under contract with deposits, along with fees and fines. Marriott is NOT catering to these guests, which makes little to no sense to me. As a business client, NTRPG cannot simply cancel or move back the con because of the contract, which makes sense.....in a normal year. As of now nobody knows if Texas is even going to allow events like NTPRG to occur.

I get that, BUT........Marriott is already catering to some guests and let's be blunt, they largely cater to travelers and allegedly have a clue about travel. I mean, this location is an airport hotel for a reason, right?

For those of you who do not travel frequently, or travel by air frequently. There are normally specific gates (as in timelines) when it comes to purchasing airline tickets. You'll generally see a price spike a two months to six weeks before the date of travel, again a month out, two weeks out, three days out....you get the point. Realistically we've already approached the appropriate gate for deciding to get tickets to NTRPG Con. If people were going to come, they need to have made the decision already. You cannot count on last-minute plane tickets.

Now I'm still online to come, but I'm within driving distance. I'll be cancelling one of my reserved rooms, because the guy I reserved it for isn't coming. Marriott is taking care of me because they want my future business......

See where I'm going with this? Marriott has to know that realistically NTRPG Con isn't going to happen, but instead of taking care of this customer, and their future business, they seem to be more concerned with this single transaction. This is the kind of thing that can make or break a convention.....and any decent Business Manager (basically the Hotel's Business-to-Business liaison) is going to know this.

Now Bad Mike and NTRPG really hasn't been complaining (I've seen none), but they have been clear what is going on. From today on Facebook (about an hour ago): "The state of Texas is unclear at this time whether gatherings of over 10 people who are not relatives are allowed, so we are proceeding with both virtual and face to face cons. If the face to face con is cancelled, we will have games virtual. If not, we will still have games virtual, with some at a tabletop. Flexibility."

Clearly they con is going on in some capacity, but the staff is having to jump through a bunch of hoops needlessly. If there is no call now, when really the majority of travelers have already had to make the decision to go/not go, Marriott should really step up and take care of their business partner. You want to now what is harder than organizing a convention? Organizing two conventions, one physical that may or may not happen, and a virtual convention.

Now all this is clearly my opinion, but I'm guessing a few people would share my sentiment. It's really a shame that Marriott would do this to a business customer and through them, to all of the other customer who would otherwise be spending time & money on their properties. Sure you'll take care of my room this year, but you're ok with making it so I don't need a room next year or the years after that because you ran the con into the ground?

I'm thinking someone needs to re-read The Spirit to Serve.

Some Thoughts on Blind Hero Worship

We have a Blind Hero Worship issue in the gaming community. The problem isn’t unique to RPGs, but it is very prevalent in old school gaming.

Why?

Because exposing our childhood heroes as imperfect threatens those perfect memories of our childhood.

Surprise! Those memories aren’t as perfect as you think and neither are your heroes. And that’s okay.

Game designers are people too, like you and I, and putting them on pedestals they are ill suited for does neither them nor the community a favor.

Sticking fingers in your ears and going Ting a Ling a Loo isn’t going to change the truth about your heroes being mere mortals.

As an aside, 9 more pounds off at this mornings weigh in. 41 pounds in total in seven days. I’m guessing 10 more before all is saiid and done.

Because Hospitalization Demands Silence Apparently

I’m glad Frank is consistent with his story. At some point, someone besides Duane may actually believe the story of the mysterious house guest that “supposedly” impersonated Frank via Frank’s own office computer. A story that was not Frank’s initial defense, which was pure denial against overwhelming evidence that the offensive material originated from Frank’s desktop.

Or Bob II, who for years turned a blind eye to his own son’s malfeasance running the CSIO Kickstarter, before taking the project away from Bob III. The career suicide via Facebook was Bob II’s own doing. Creative partners wanting to distance themselves from such toxicity is only natural.

But I digress.

Yes, I am sitting in a hospital, 8 days in and probably another week to go before, God willing, I can return home. And yes, there is no guarantee that next week’s procedure will be successful. If next week is my sunset, I will not go quietly into the night. Cons, thieves, slackers, harassers, bigots and more deserve to be exposed for what they are, whether I am home or in hospital.

Should I make it home, I expect to hold the torch high as ever before. Should I fail, I pray someone picks up the torch and forges their own path.

State of the Tavern Keeper - Peed Away 10 Pounds and Going

Day7 of my heart hospitalization. I dropped about 10 pounds from Wednesday morning’s weigh in and this morning’s weigh in. What a pisser ;P

Still megadosing furosemide. Peed about 1/2 a gallon between lunch and dinner. Goal is one to two gallons per day.

Monday or Tuesday should be The Stenting. Multiple stents for multiple blockages.

The Temptation is There...

To simply quit posting for a few days. I had an MRI of my heart today (angioplasty yesterday) and have been told we won’t even be making a decision on how to proceed until Monday /  Tuesday at best - because I still have a few gallons of water to piss out first.

Ah well. Maybe there is a hornet’s nest I can kick over tomorrow ;)

State of theTavern Keeper - More Questions

Today’s procedure revealed some blockages in the heart.

Tomorrow, an MRI for further details.

Send those prayers :)

Wayward Kickstarter - CSIO Excuses

Offered without comment:

Stormy Weather but Pushing Onward

Judges GuildCreator

May 11, 2020

Backers and Friends (I hope we still have some), as help from other sources never seem to come forth as promised, the going is slow, but I have not given up. Progress is being made and print funds are still being raised. This is largely due to our new website store and new book (Badabaskor) financed by son Aaron Bledsaw, who is granting 50% of the proceeds from the site to the CSIO/KS print-fund.

   Also, additional material is still going into the CSIO from Bob Bledsaw's own material... if you see how Badabaskor has expanded from 30 to 70 pages, the material used is much of the same which has added an additional 30+ pages to CSIO. This material is Bob Sr's unfinished draft material, edited of course. Those of you who would like to see samples of the expanded Streets can email me at jgww@comcast.net, and I will gladly drop a large Street (text only) for you to see. Maps (interior) and artwork is also being polished and cleaned by Aaron Bledsaw. 

I wish you all to know that I am not squandering any cash here, nor have I used any Judges Guild cash for my own purposes since 2015. I had a cardiac incident in 2018, and have not sought treatment, my sole vehicle quit on me in 2018, so I did not have it repaired, I need eye surgery, but rather than have it, I did not renew my drivers license the same year. I have not driven in 2 years. Also in 2018 the furnace in my home quit, it too has not been repaired, and in 2019, my water-heater stopped lighting... so no, I am not spending the cash for anything here until this project is fulfilled. This is me being honest about my situation, I do have a modest living, and anyone who doubts this can ask my immediate family. I tell you all this because I am in your debt, and you should know how I do thereby.

I was asked to address allegations that I am a racist (I am not), or if I am an anti-semite (again, I am not). Anyone who sees the posts they selected for that narrative ignored the many other posts made to the contrary. There are many reasons to rake me over the coals, and I understand that, but anyone who knows me, or with eyes to see, can be judge. Just because I criticize, jest, or lampoon, does not mean I am any of the things I am being labeled as. If all you see are those selected posts, and ignore that those posts were liked by others, you will be angry. Give me the space you afford Mel Brooks. (and they will run with that quote also). As it is, I run the Guild as my father instructed me, non-political, non-biased... so years back when the LGBTQ asked us to openly endorse them as other companies openly did, I refused, and maybe that marked the Guild in the modern climate... it had nothing to do with my personal position, in fact, I posted that we make games for everyone, why choose sides on an issue like that? So, I guess that was not enough and I was informed in 2016 that the Guild was labeled an "Orange Business" (meaning a pro-Trump pox). I tried to inform people that I did not support Trump, but as my personal wall showed posts critical of the Left, some just assumed I was a liar. I did make insensitive posts, but a search of my wall shows jabs at everyone; preachers, popes, musicians, politicians, AND Trump!  In 2014 I created a Photo Album on FB singing the praise of my favorite Blues musicians, many are black, and yet they would rather see me as Hitler for a few critical posts. As I said, all those posts were liked my someone, so we are talking "taste." I can accept that I am in bad taste sometimes.

Again, I ramble, and I would update more if more was to tell. If you re-read this, you will see how the Guild is doing... for the last 10 years, other companies have made money on the Guild, but that has changed. Our sales are up on the new book, and Aaron has others soon to be released, when he has the capital to print. I hope you all do give those books a chance. Reviews have been very good so far, and that is encouraging to me as to how you will like the City State, as it draws from the same Bob Sr draft material. The fact that it is being well-received and re-ordered, tells me that using it as the filler was the right move. I do believe you will be happy with the words.

Please remember to update your addresses, this will get done! 

Some of the minis are yet to go out, if you wish them sent prior to the book, send me your address along with backer # and I will send them in order of request. Otherwise. they will be mailed along with the printed book and maps. Also, any other issues I can help with, feel free to ask, I will help as I can. My health is not the greatest now, but if you consider the sacrifices I have confided to you above, you know my heart is still with this project, and seeing it thru. All the polish will show.

Sincerely, 

Bob Bledsaw II

Procedure Tomorrow or Tuesday

Yes, it’s been awhile since I shaved. At least my hair was combed. ;)

Tomorrow or Tuesday will be the procedure to look at my heart from the inside. Need to pass more water to get to that point. Yes, knots of peeing.

I’ll keep you all updated.

Hospitalized - The Urination

So, I was hospitalized yesterday for water retention and an as yet to be determined heart issue. Before we can do the angioplasty I need to pee about 2 1/2 gallons. Not a bad job if you can snag it :)

So far, about a bit over 2 quarts thus far today. About 2 quarts made a mess of the ER yesterday. Oops ie

Hospitalized!

We’ll see if I can get Rach to bring in my iPad :)

New Release: Grimtooth's Tomb of the Warhammer T&T GM Adventure

Grimtooth's Tomb of the Warhammer T&T GM Adventure - 3.95

Can you go where no Trolls dare to tread? 

Long ago, the elves killed Grimtooth's father in a great battle, They hid the troll leader's body and his mystic warhammer somewhere in the vast plains beyond the Forest of Doom. After Years of searching, Grimtooth the Troll has finally located his Father's tomb, but the elves have magically rigged it so that no troll can enter. Now Grimtooth (ruler of his own kingdom Trapsylvania) is looking for a party of foolhardy adventurers to enter Grimfang's Tomb and return with the legendary warhammer. 

This adventure has been converted for use in Tunnels & Trolls and includes a copy of the T&T Mini-Rules, allowing Grimtooth fans learn T&T as well get this GM adventure. 

Originally written by Ken St Andre & Steve Crompton it was published by Goodman Games as a DCC rpg adventure. Goodman Games has graciously given Flying Buffalo permission to put this T&T converted version of Tomb of the Warhammer on Drive-thru. We've added some more art and more details on where in Trollworld this adventure takes place. (If you've played Vaults of K'Horror this adventure is nearby and makes for a worthy continuations of that campaign.) Note that this adventure is for higher level T&T characters of 9th level & up - so you have been warned! "Grimtooth is not for sissies bub!" (as the Troll himself might say)

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Humble Bundle - WARHAMMER 40K RPG DEATHWATCH BY CUBICLE 7

I have the Warhammer 40k Deathwatch Core rulebook and it is a beast of a book. I'm already all in at 18 bucks ;)

Link to Warhammer 40k RPG Bundle here

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Indiegogo - Grimmsgate

A low-level adventure for Swords & Wizardry, 5e D&D and Pathfinder 1e, written by Matt Finch.

Yes, I already have the original printing of Grimmsgate for Swords & Wizardry. Forgive me if I want the new, snazzy printing ;)

NOTE: Thank you to the many fans who requested a Swords & Wizardry option for this book. That option is now available as its own perk. To receive your copy of Grimmsgate in the Swords & Wizardry version, please select S&W PDF Only or S&W Softcover Book + PDF.  To make a change your existing order please contact pexx@froggodgames.com for assistance.

An Adventure for 5th Edition D&D and Pathfinder First Edition, for Characters Level 1-3

Deep in the wooded wilderness, the village of Grimmsgate is an outpost town on a seldom-traveled trail, right at the edge of nowhere. The village’s half-ruined temple of Law, dilapidated inn, drunken blacksmith, exiled trader and a few fur-trappers are enough to keep the bloody-minded denizens of the dark forest at bay, but nobody really expects the village to still be there in another ten years. The woods have become too dangerous for the trappers who once caught animals for fur, and merchants no longer travel the poorly-maintained road.

What great evil and what fabulous treasures are to be found in these lands? A brave band of adventurers might make their fortunes here. Or perhaps they might never return …

What's Inside?

A small village with map, key, and information for the characters to learn about the area
A wilderness map and key for outdoor adventures
A temple and underground complex with a dark mystery
A variety of new monsters

News - Kickstarter Prepares to Shed 'Up to 45-Percent' Of Staff -

I talked about this a bi6 on tonight's Tavern Chat podcast, but I thought it was important enough to touch on here.

Original Gizmodo article

“While people are continuing to support live projects on Kickstarter as normal, the COVID crisis has led to a 35% drop in live projects from a year ago,” David Gallagher, Kickstarter’s senior communications officer, told Gizmodo in an email. (Less than a month ago, the company stated that “the number of live projects on Kickstarter is down about 25% from this time last year,” suggesting the financial situation is continuing to worsen.) “Fees on funded projects are our only source of income. Our margins were already thin before the crisis, and we don’t know when this situation will turn around,” Gallagher stated. 

The news of potential layoffs were reported last month, but the size of those reductions staff reductions was only made public last night by OPEIU, the union which Kickstarter employees successfully joined in February, becoming the first major tech company to organize. According to the union, members “voted tonight to ratify a lay-off agreement with the crowdfunding company after CEO Aziz Hasan announced sweeping layoffs of up to 45 percent of employees.”

257 employees. 117 on the chopping block.

State of The Tavern Keeper - Breathing Easier but Moving Slower

I have a number of recent inquiries as to my current health. Although I give a more or less daily update on the podcast side over at Tavern Chat, it's about half a month since I touched upon it here. Recovery from pneumonia and sepsis is a long process marked with irregular improvements.

That being said I'm excited. My breathing (and associated exhaustion) are much improved this weekend. It may be linked in part to new allergy meds. Whatever the reason, I'll take it and pray it continues.

The water retention remains. Feet, legs (mostly thighs), and midsection. It literally slows me down and appears to be a fairly common after-effect of sepsis. We may change the current meds addressing that later this week after talking with my doc.

There you go. The current state of your Tavernkeeper. I'll keep you updated with any major changes. I thank you all for your kind words and inquiries.

Free Castles & Crusades - Players Handbook 7th Printing and Monsters & Treasures 3rd Printing

From Troll Lord Games:

While the world is making progress on Covid-19, a lot of us are still sheltering in place and find more time on our hands than we know what to do with. You can only rearrange the furniture so many times... 

Why not do some gaming? We've been offering the two books below for free for over a month and continue to do so, but wouldn't you like some free monsters too? 

We have resurrected the 3rd printing of the Monsters & Treasure! We offer this digital copy for free. We hope this helps alleviate the tedious side of the Pandemic and Quarantine. Enjoy! Stay safe and keep those hands clean!

Here's your link to C&C goodness :)

Deal of th Day - Axes and Anvils: Under the Mountain

Longtime readers of The Tavern will remember the saga of Axes & Anvils and the Wandering Wizard. I won't recount the drama, but Andrew Shields came in as the savior and did a wonderful job giving the community a complete game. Axes and Anvils: Under the Mountain is that game. Normally 15 bucks in PDF, as the Deal of the Day it is on sale for 6 bucks.

The rulebook is the first half, including the same page numbers for easy coordination with the players. The second half is a collection tools and essays to expand your game. Involve player creativity and decisions to design settlements ruled by the clanhome, neighboring factions, the clan ruler, mountain roads, and more. Descriptions of traditional dwarven practices including naming conventions, sports, relationships, enchanted weapons (as well as more sets of runes). Base plots around character skills, use the mission generator, randomize ideas for what characters were up to while their players weren’t around, use loot generators (for cash, valuables, and magic), add rules for playing elves and humans, and more.

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Deal of the Day - Black Pudding Heavy Helping Vol. One

Today's Deal of the Day is Black Pudding Heavy Helping Vol. One. Normally 6 bucks in PDF, it is on sale for a day for 2.40

It glorps! It shlorps! It absolutely bevoorps! It is the first official Black Pudding zine collection, available in glorious print! 

This collection features everything from the first four issues of Black Pudding, a zine of OSR RPG gaming goodies. Monsters, spells, character classes, character sheets, adventures, and more! 

The materials from each issue are presented here in categories. Flip to the classes section and roll up a Black Knight or a Summoner. Scoot over to the monsters and stock your dungeon with a horde horror or a gravity guard. Drop the Glittering Tome of the Silver Sage into your adventure and make the wizard drool with anticipation. Send the PCs to the Bleeding Ox to hire Jilliantha Stormshot or Father Mug to join them on the quest. 

You can use this tome to enhance your old school dice rolling adventure sessions but remember... do not EVER strike the tome! If you must kill the pudding, kill it with fire. 

Size: 8.5" x 11", 120 pgs.

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News - Amargosa Press Acquires Dark Conspiracy License

Tip of the hat to Paul
RGhttps://www.facebook.com/106764544062823/photos/a.250896519649624/250896262982983/?type=3&theater&ifg=1

Amargosa Press Acquires Dark Conspiracy License

Amargosa Press has signed a multiyear licensing deal with GDW to create, support and publish a new edition of the Dark Conspiracy Tabletop Role-Playing Game.

Dark Conspiracy is a near future horror role-playing that was originally published by Games Design Workshop (GDW) in 1991, followed by a second edition in 1997 and a third in 2012. Most recently a new fourth edition was being developed by Clockwork Publishing before the company went into administration last year.

“It was important for us to make sure that the backers, artists and writers that had invested time and/or money in the Clockwork Publishing campaign were not left out of pocket. With this in mind we’re reviewing the work done to date under Clockwork Publishing and will be using as much as possible in the new Amargosa Press edition, making sure that the artists and authors are fully paid. All backers of Uhrwerks Game On Tabletop crowdfunding campaign will also receive copies of the new edition, and appropriate supplements, so they are not out of pocket. Amargosa Press has not, and will not, be receiving any money from the Game On Tabletop campaign but will be looking at supporting those backers, many of whom have been core supporters of Dark Conspiracy for ears, and will hopefully continue to be for years to come.”

“We have not put any provisional dates on the completion of the new rulebook, and supplements as yet, as we evaluate the existing manuscripts, art, and the plans that Clockwork Publishing had in place for the game. Obviously no work has taken place since Clockwork Publishing went into administration in June 2019, but we hope to move quickly now that the license has been agreed and assets have been transferred. Amargosa Press now also has access to the Game On Tabletop crowdfunding campaign platform so can keep backers updated directly going forward and build up engagement with the community and fanbase.”

ABOUT DARK CONSPIRACY
In the all-too-near future, the world slides into the Greater Depression, the United States affected most dramatically. Nationalism surges, and the social safety net is in tatters. Corporations control governments openly, corruption is commonplace, and the citizenry is starkly divided between those who have and those who go without. Urban sprawl runs amok, and great metroplexes connect the great cities into teeming, soulless metropolises, their lights shining across the countryside.

The heartland of America is largely abandoned, the bread basket now empty. Law enforcement and the government have given up on these regions, and utilities are scarce and unreliable. Few can survive within these outlaw areas. Few humans, that is.

For in these forgotten and empty places in the rust belt, the tissue of reality tears wide, and energy from nightmare dimensions and planes of utter terror seep into this world. These places, called demongrounds, grow more substantial, expanding each day, and creatures from these hell-places walk freely there, and from the demongrounds they infiltrate the metroplexes to feed their inhuman hungers and bring ruin to all.

Some of these strange and terrible creatures are remembered through folklore and legend — monsters such as vampires, demons, ghouls, and their like — while others are utterly fantastic, extradimensional and alien beings from beyond time and space. Together, these minions of darkness are opposed to all life, and they struggle to extinguish the last lights of human civilization.

Some few stand against them, humans banded together and armed against these dreadful forces of darkness. These minion hunters stalk them in the cities and even in the demongrounds, but the greatest challenge they face is the realization that these monsters do not work alone: they are aided by humans who have made terrible pacts with the forces of darkness, selling out their own kind for power and survival.

This is the world of DARK CONSPIRACY.

ABOUT AMARGOSA PRESS
Amargosa Press are a British based design studio headed by Angus Abranson (co-founder of Cubicle 7) which has provided design work, and consultation, for a number of tabletop RPP publishers. Dark Conspiracy is the first game to be announced that will be published by the company.

Free RPG - John Carter of Mars

Details below:

Greetings!

I wanted to send you all an update on Modiphius during the lockdown and have something special for our community to say thanks for all your support. I've long been passionate about John Carter of Mars since I was a kid so if you head over to our webstore and use the code BARSOOM at checkout you can score yourself a free copy of the John Carter of Mars RPG core book in PDF before the end of April. It's a really streamlined version of our 2d20 system so if you like what you see the code VIRGINIA will get you 20% off anything in the John Carter RPG & miniatures collection.

Best wishes,
Chris & Rita, Modiphius Entertainment

News - Marmoreal Tomb Beta Release in Digital to Kickstarter Backers

The rumors of its death were greatly exaggerated ;) - Tenkar

Greetings from the Dens,

Today we release the DIGITAL version of the main adventure The Marmoreal Tomb. We have it laid out and it looks really good. It has all the handouts in it BUT it still needs some fine-tuning and it still needs the appendices added. We are unleashing this DIGITAL version so you can dive in and see the mountains of progress made.

PLEASE READ: This BETA version does NOT include the Maps nor the Appendices. The Appendices are largely done (there are 5 of them) but need some cleaning up and fine-tuning. The maps are done; they will be released very soon.

NOTE: I think I told Peter the wrong or incomplete title. I did not want him to go back in and fix it as he is wrapping up Codex Eygptium today and I don't want to interrupt that. But rest assured we will get all this fixed.

Look for the coupon code to download your copy, coming your way via messages in Kickstarter!

Enjoy!!

Steve & The Troll Lords

Humble Bundle Book Bundle: Warhammer 40,000 Series Starters by Black Library

I don't read much fiction these days. Prior to chemo, I would read a book a week. These days, its a book a year more or less. That being said, the fiction I do read is usually either Warhammer or Warhammer 40k. For me, the Warhammer 40,000 Series Starters is an awesome value.

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HUMBLE BOOK BUNDLE: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS - READ THE REALMS BY WIZARDS OF THE COAST

I must confess, I haven't read Forgotten Realms fiction in close to 25 years. I may just need to give the Humble Book Bundle: Dungeons & Dragons - Read The Realms By Wizards Of The Coast a chance and do some catching up.

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Deal of the Day - Tiny Dungeon: Second Edition

Given the choice between simplicity and complexity in the RPGs I play, I'll always err on the side of simplicity. After all, I did put together Swords & Wizardry Light. Tiny Dungeon is the ruleset I would go with if I were not running Swords & Wizardry. Normally 18 bucks for the PDF, you can currently grab it for 5.40

Tiny Dungeon: Second Edition is the newest iteration of the minimalist fantasy roleplaying game!  

Powered by the TinyD6 engine, with streamlined mechanics that utilize only one to three single six-sided dice on every action, characters that can be written on a 3x5 notecard, and easy to understand and teach rules, Tiny Dungeon 2e is great for all groups, ages, and experience levels! 

Included are over a dozen lightly detailed settings, written by some of the best authors out there. These “micro-settings” are light-weight, open-ended and designed to be inspirational for your games and provide a fast, easy jumping point for your campaign! Covering a wide selection of fantasy genres and ideas, there's something for everyone in Tiny Dungeon 2e! 

With micro-settings by: Tobie Abad, Marie Brennan, Shawn Carmen, Elizabeth Chaipraditkul, Steve Diamond, Miguel Espinoza, Dianna Gunn, John Kennedy, Melanie Meadors, Mari Murdock, Darren Pearce, jim pinto, Steve Radabaugh, Wendelyn Reischel, Ryan Schoon, Howard Tayler, Randy Tayler, Sandra Tayler, and Ben Woerner 

So grab some dice, some pencils, some friends, and get ready for some minimalist, straight-forward, fantasy roleplaying!

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Kickstarter - Tiny Taverns

Taverns. I like Taverns. Gallant Knight Games. I like Gallant Knight Games. Tiny Taverns by Gallant Knight Games? Simple perfection :)

The latest entry in the TinyD6 family of minimalist tabletop roleplaying games, Tiny Taverns is a roleplaying game about slice-of-life melodrama in a high fantasy tavern. Players create proprietors of a tavern (or hotel, or pub, or resort, or anything hospitality-related) which they invent together. Each game focuses on their daily lives, their evolving relationships, dealing with guests (some who may be adventurers), doing chores, defending the tavern from monsters and other threats, and trying to figure out if this really is all you want out of life.  

Using the rules in this book, you can tell new heartwarming stories with a revised iteration of the TinyD6 system, more akin to Fate or Powered by the Apocalypse, but still the same minimalist framework you love! With a focus on collaborative storytelling, adventure hooks seeded throughout, and an improvised setting that evolves as you play, Tiny Taverns provides hours of collaborative storytelling fun and a brand new way to play a TinyD6 game. 

 And continuing the tradition of TinyD6, the interior art is filled with gorgeous black and white art from the very talented Nicolás Giacondino, who also did the beautiful full-color cover! 

Is Judges Guild F'ing CSIO Backers YET Again?

Ah, the fiasco best known as the CSIO Kickstarter by Judges Guild. Misspent monies, mismanagement, and other stupidity all were blamed on Bob III. Well, guess what? The current "fuck you" is from Bob II.

Only one map has been released to backers by Judges Guild - Map1. If you want maps II, XI or XII expect to pay Bob II for the privilege.

Bob II, go fuck yourself.

Deal of the Day - A Magical Society: Ecology and Culture

It is the rare gaming supplement that holds up to the ravages of time. A Magical Society: Ecology and Culture (with a Mithral sales ranking on DTRPG) is one of the few.

He killed the God of War. He ascended into his divinity. No one told him that was the easy part. Look into the inner workings of gods and how they build worlds. From a divine perch, map your world and experience tectonics, magical geography, predation, ecological conflict, and cultural development. Following in the foodsteps of A Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe (Gen Con ENnies 2003 Best Setting Supplement), A Magical Society: Ecology and Culture provides real-world phenomena for a fantasy game. 

Build Your World. Better.

Yes, that is an affiliate link above. Affiliate links keep the beer old and the lights on at The Tavern. I appreciate all of the support. 

Bundle of Holding - Star Trek Adventures

Interestingly enough, I actually ordered the new Star Trek Adventures rulebook on Amazon just the other week. Now I need to put some time aside to read it ;)

Link to the Star Trek Adventures Bundle of Holding

Star Trek Adventures is a faithful and fascinating tribute to all the TV shows from The Original Series through Voyager and Enterprise, as well as all the original and Next Generation films. In Star Trek Adventures the ability to solve problems, deal with moral dilemmas, unearth ancient mysteries, and conduct diplomacy is just as important as being able to command a ship in action or lead an Away Team under fire. 

This all-new offer lets you beam most of the STA line into your personal loading bay for an unbeatable bargain price. For just US$19.95 you get all seven titles in our Player Collection (retail value $80) as DRM-free .PDF ebooks, including the complete 374-page Star Trek Adventures core rulebook, three Starfleet division books (Command Division, Operations Division, and Sciences Division), and three sets of ready-to-play characters drawn from the TV shows: The Original Series, The Next Generation, and Deep Space 9. 

And if you pay more than the threshold price of $40.58, you'll level up and also get our entire Gamemaster Collection with seven more supplements and missions worth an additional $75, including the Beta Quadrant Sourcebook, the mission collection These Are the Voyages Volume 1, the introductory campaign A Star Beyond the Stars, several shorter adventures, and the Gamemaster Screen & Player References.

Yep, that is an affiliate link above.

Frog God Games 50% Off Nearly All PDFs

When I say "nearly all" PDFs, it means there are a handful of exceptions. Basically, anything uploaded in the last 30 days isn't included. Forgive me for mentioning that is for Pathfinder, but The Slumbering Tsar is $2.50. Over 950 pages. I can convert that to Swords & Wizardry ;)

Frog God 50% Sale

Yep, that is an affiliate link above. Affiliate links keep the beer old and the taps flowing here at The Tavern. I thank you in advance.

James Mishler Games 50% Off

I was introduced to James' work when he published a licensed, alternate version of the classic Judges Guild Wildlands that was better than the source material. To get James' current work at 50% off simply should not be missed.

James Misher Games

Yep, that's an affiliate link above. Affiliate links support The Tavern, and your bartender :)

Jason Hobbs has a GoFundMe

I've known Jason for years. He was a player in one of my earlier VTT campaigns. Hobbs and Friends is one of my favorite podcasts and his Anchor cast inspired my very own Tavern Chat.

Jason is looking to raise some cash to provide improved content, both podcast and video.

Hey everyone. I am Jason Hobbs, Host and Creator of the TTRPG podcast Hobbs & Friends. I've been podcasting for the RPG industry for a couple of years and have started streaming my tabletop role-playing games on Twitch. The stream and podcast are not living up to their potential because my equipment is garbage! My old laptop overheats and some of my streams have to be canceled in the middle of a show because of hardware issues. The sound quality of Hobbs & Friends is also not up to par and this new setup will help with that too! 

Here is what I have in mind: 

New PC Rig  

New audio interface, boom, and cords 

The sooner I get this equipment, the sooner the quality of the shows will improve. 

I feel a little uncomfortable about asking from help from you guys but I'm hoping I can make more content with higher quality with your assistance!  Instead of buying me a beer or coffee at a con, I'm asking if you could possibly help this way instead. Then, I'll buy you a beer or coffee at the next con!

Link to Jason's GoFundMe.

State of The Tavern Keeper - Current Holding Pattern

I've been asked about the current status of the various projects that have been announced and I am heavily involved in. Long story short, my participation is on hold, which means many of the projects are on hold.

Long story long. I caught a viral upper respiratory infection when I was at Total Con. 2 1/2 weeks later, it had progressed to viral and bacterial pneumonia as well as sepsis. 5 weeks ago I spent 2 days in the ICU. A month later, I was diagnosed with the return of pneumonia. That was last Tuesday. I'm now finished with the new antibiotics and slowly on the road to recovery. I still run out of breath walking from one end of the house to the other.

All of this means the following projects are currently on hold, or at least my involvement is:

Torchlight - this was suffering before my URI, as I had been sick off and on pretty much from Christmas 2019 on. Its very dear to my heart. It will happen. No idea when.

Swords & Wizardry Appreciation Day - I need the energy of a healthy person to organize this. Not there yet.

RFI Podcast - The return of this classic is currently on hold. I'd like to thank Vince for his patience. He's put no pressure on me and I appreciate it.

My As of Yet Unnamed Youtube - you guessed it, on hold. Daily blogs and podcasts are more than enough for now.

The Return of Fireside Chats on the Tavern Chat Podcast - when I can hold a conversation for 30 minutes or longer they will return.

If you have any questions ask away :)

Free Osprey eBooks - Week 4

Yes, they fixed the server :)

Tip of the hat to Thad.

Across the world, many people are staying at home to combat the spread of COVID-19. While self-isolation might be a bit daunting, it’s also a great opportunity to catch up on your reading. To help pass the time, we are giving customers five free eBooks each week for four weeks. Read through this week's options, add the eBook to your basket and use the code FREEBOOKS4 at checkout to get your free eBooks.

AEU 15: Jagdgeschwader 52 by John Weal
Artwork by John Weal

Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52) was the most successful and highest-scoring fighter unit, not just in Germany's World War 2 Luftwaffe, but in the entire annals of aviation history. No other fighter group has ever come close to matching its staggering total of around 9000 enemy aircraft shot down in combat. And yet, because much of that combat took place over the tractless wastes of the Russian front, very little has been written in English about the exploits of this charismatic unit. This book provides a full combat history of JG 52 and its members, including the three top-scoring aces of all time, who claimed a total of 900 victories between them.

CAM 200: Japan 1945 by Clayton K. S. Chun
Artwork by John White

In this 200th Campaign series title, Clayton Chun examines the final stages of World War II as the Allies debated how to bring about the surrender of Japan. He details Operation Downfall (the planned invasion of the Japanese home islands).Chun explains why these plans were never implemented, before examining the horrific alternative to military invasion - the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki with nuclear weapons. With a series of illustrations, including detailed diagrams of the atomic bombs, a depiction of the different stages of the explosions and maps of the original invasion plans, this book provides a unique perspective of a key event in world history.

CBT 27: Viking Warrior vs Anglo-Saxon Warrior by Gareth Williams
Artwork by Peter Dennis

In the two centuries before the Norman invasion of England, Anglo-Saxon and Viking forces clashed repeatedly in bloody battles across the country. Repeated Viking victories in the 9th century led to their settlement in the north of the country, but the tide of war ebbed and flowed until the final Anglo-Saxon victory before the Norman Conquest. Using stunning artwork, this book examines in detail three battles between the two deadly foes: Ashdown in 871 which involved the future Alfred the Great; Maldon in 991 where an Anglo-Saxon army sought to counter a renewed Viking threat; and Stamford Bridge in 1066, in which King Harold Godwinesson abandoned his preparations to repel the expected Norman invasion in order to fight off Harald Hard-Counsel of Norway.

Drawing upon historical accounts from both English and Scandinavian sources and from archaeological evidence, Gareth Williams presents a detailed comparison of the weaponry, tactics, strategies and underlying military organization of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, and considers the developments which took place on both sides in the two centuries of Viking incursions into Anglo-Saxon England.

DUE 18: M1 Abrams vs T-72 Ural by Steven J. Zaloga
Artwork by Jim Laurier

The Gulf War bore witness to a number of deadly encounters between these two great adversaries. Heavily armoured, highly mobile and capable of killing at over 2500m the M1 Abrams is, to this day, a veritable fighting machine. Superior to both Iraq's Soviet era T-55 and T-62 tanks, nearly all sources claim that no Abrams tank has ever been destroyed by enemy fire. Despite entering service in 1980, the M1 Abrams remained untested in combat until the Gulf War in 1991, where it was to be confronted by its archenemy the Iraqi-assembled Soviet-designed T-72. Entering production in 1971, the T-72 arguably outstripped its contemporaries in a balance of mobility, protection and firepower. By the time of Operation Desert Storm, however, the tables had turned and the tank suffered due to low quality ammunition and poorly trained crews. In this fascinating study, Steven Zaloga pits these two great fighting machines against one another, plotting the development of the Cold War until both tanks met in combat in the deserts of Iraq and Kuwait.

CMD 17: Bill Slim by Robert Lyman
Artwork by Peter Denni

Bill' Slim was one of the greatest British generals of World War II. In a career that stretched from 1914 until 1958, Bill Slim's greatest triumphs came in India and Burma in the long war against the Japanese. Thrust into a desperate situation, he orchestrated the longest retreat in British Army history in the withdrawal from Burma. He then turned on the Japanese in India, shattered their army, and pursued them to destruction. Apart from his great military victories, Slim also left a legacy of training and morale building that endures in the British Army to this day. This book examines both Bill Slim's military career and his place in military history by examining some of his greatest battles and the strategy and tactics that set him apart from his contemporaries.

Indiegogo -Lost Menagerie (Mike Mearls)

This is the perfect tie for small, inexpensive crowdfunding projects. Lost Menagerie is from Necromancer Games - 8 bucks in PDF, 22 bucks in print plus PDF. Available in 5e, Pathfinder and Swords & Wizardry versions.

Lost Menagerie is a challenging adventure for characters of 7th to 9th level*, written by Mike Mearls, one of the two Lead Designers of Fifth Edition Dungeons & Dragons.

In the distant past, the great wizard Arfaleo the Seeker claimed favors from four mighty elemental lords to create a self-contained world. The wizard populated his microcosm with strange creatures, to monitor what changes might occur to them over time, even bringing a small settlement of humans into the interplanar cavern. Eventually, though, the wizard’s interest in his experiment waned and he moved on, leaving behind the bizarre anomaly he had created.

Since this time, the microcosm has changed in many ways, for it did not remain isolated from other planes of existence. New creatures have made their way into the wizard’s carefully-maintained experiment, and — there is no other way to say it — things have gone very wrong.

This adventure module is available for 5th edition, Pathfinder first edition, and Swords & Wizardry (OD&D).

*For Swords & Wizardry, the module is for characters level 6-8.

What's inside? Adventure!

• A lost plane of existence, abandoned for centuries by its creator
• Another sun, shining upon a strange, jungle oasis.
• The realm of a bizarre lich, and his twisted zoo, filled with mutated creatures
•  A sandbox adventure where terrible creatures dwell, and the tribes of the deep wander free
• Designed to fit into any fantasy setting
• Contains three adventure locations (all mapped), a small village under threat, and many challenges to overcome.

COVID-19 Effect: The printing for this adventure is done by a family-owned shop in Arizona, where a shelter-in-place order is in effect, making us one of their largest customers. Sales like this also allow us to keep a stream of income moving to our freelance artists, authors, layout artists, and editors during the shut-downs. Frog God will come out of this crisis intact, so this isn't a "keep the doors open" plea, but we want to let you know that your purchase is one that you can feel comfortable about. It directly affects small businesses and households. We hope that all of you remain safe and well for the duration!

Kickstarter - Dungeon Escape (Do NOT launch your KS like this)

Its been a while since I pointed out a Kickstarter that hit multiple "don't use this Kickstarter as an example of what to do with your Kickstarter" points. Ah, Dungeon Escape Kickstarter, let me count the ways...

1 - The sample art used for this Kickstarter is NOT what you want to use.

2 - Zero backed. If you can't spend a few dollars to learn how Kickstarter works, you don't deserve my money.

3 - First project, $30k goal. Does Not Compute.

4 - THIS is the sample game board!?!

5 - The game is aimed at parents to play with young childer. Again, look above.

6 This is what a marketing and PR professional offers?

The pandemic isn't causing this one to fail. It's doing fine on its own.

Happy Easter! Time to Give Thanks

Yew, we are in the midst of a pandemic, and yes - I am fighting my second bout with pneumonia in a month, but there is much to be thankful for.

First, I'm still kicking ;)

Second, I'm part of an amazing community.

Third, I expect the rest of 2020 can only be better.

Happy Easter and a Blessed Passover to all.