Gygax Magazine #4 is Here - in PDF at Least

I haven't done more than a quick scan of the PDF, so all I can do is bring up some observations that come to mind.

The cover literally screams Dragon Magazine from the rooftop of the hobby in the loudest of all possible voices. Which usually leads to disappointment when one reads the table of contents, and is reminded that Gygax Magazine isn't the old school magazine whose trade dress it apes, from cover to font to presentation.

All of which leads me to a mild surprise with Issue #4 - there is a decent amount within that is applicable to "old school" D&D. It does seem, however, the system used for reference varies with each article (AD&D, S&W, RuneQuest, Top Secret, AD&D 2e(?) 13th Age). The various Classic / OSR systems used are not labeled but are obviously not the same system in each article. I'm assuming this is to avoid saying "Dungeon & Dragons", but it's awkward. There are enough clones to use as reference, and the Necromancer's Cookbook is obviously using the S&W format with both ascending and descending AC. Just say such.

Which leads me to yet another observation - the OSR's lack of an "in print" magazine is noticeable, and Gygax Magazine is an inconsistent filler of the gap. We do have a wealth of 'zines, but the lack of a true magazine in our corner of the hobby (Fight On! and KnockSpell seem like faded dreams at this point) is noticeable. It's a shame, because one of the things the OSR does not lack in is creativity (as evidenced by the 'zine and the abundance of small press publishers).

Issue contents are:

Operation: Rendevous Oasis (A Top Secret adventure) by Merle M. Rasmussen

Men and monsters of Polynesia by Michael O. Varhola

Leomund's Secure Shelter by Lenard Lakofka

Adventuring without the magic by Jon Peterson

The Necromancer's Cookbook by Dave Olson

Djinn by Lawrence Whitaker & Pete Nash

Randomize your realm by Timothy Connolly

Psionics without the points by Bill McDonald

Ed’s Effulgent Euphuism by Ed Greenwood

Melee Masters by Brian Liberge

Comics:

Full Frontal Nerdity by Aaron Williams

Order of the Stick by Rich Burlew

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D&D 5e to Include Video Tutorials - Chris Perkins Will School You (maybe)

This could be very good, or very bad. Such is the word of online videos.

We decided early on that any materials likely to be used only once had to be eliminated from the set or kept to a minimum. One example would be a tutorial that teaches the rules through a scripted adventure. And in deciding that such a tutorial is something we didn’t want, we were able to think about how that kind of resource would be much better suited to other media—such as online video. Because we’re giving players the opportunity to learn the game without investing any money in it (with our move to make Basic D&D a free download), a new player who downloads the rules can then make use of video tutorials that provide a much better experience of how D&D works. This approach would be like packaging a master DM like Chris Perkins in every Starter Set.

As a side note, I have some thoughts on jagoffs that refer to those in the OSR that aren't falling all over 5e prior to release (in other words - "sight unseen") as "OSR Taliban", but I'll probably need to put that post to virtual paper when I'm a tad more sober. I'd hate for anyone to get butt hurt too badly.

Back in NYC - Already Told Work I'm Extending Vacation by a Day

We flew back to NYC today. I reached out to my staff while we were awaiting our flight from Dallas to NYC and asked them to ask my boss if I could take another day. None of that infamous "Con Crud" - probably because as a New Yorker I am exposed to germs from around the world on a daily basis - but I seriously need to catch up on sleep.

And look, Lady Ashely forgave me for being away for the better part of six days - but she had no patience to pose next to any of the RPG loot that was waiting for me upon my return.

Look! A Kickstarter in my hands! The Covetous Poet's Adventure Creator and Solo GM Guidebook

And another Kickstarter! Three Days Until Retirement (actually, for me it is 769 days, but who's counting? ')

Reviews of the above will have to wait for me to finish reading and reviewing the items I picked up over at NTRPG Con.

Time to Head Back to NYC

Our time in Texas is about to come to a close. Heading down for breakfast, then check out, shuttle to airport and flight back to NYC.

Yep, I'm sure there are a few more embarrassing pictures to post over the next few days, but for the most part, we'll be back to standard Tavern operating procedures ;)

Free RuneQuest 6 Essentials (fully usable RPG ruleset)

Huge props to +Nicholas Bergquist for linking to the Free RuneQuest 6 Essentials rules over at his Realms of Chirak blog. 

I'm pretty sure free RPG rules is not a new trend, but WotC stating that the core rules of D&D 5e will be free to download have certainly drawn attention to the concept.

Very cool. Now maybe I'll be able to read through the RQ rules without dozing off (they are just super detailed ;)

At over 200 pages, this is still a vary complete ruleset.

Quotes From the Con

"I think we need to do a drive by on Skylab."

"You find 2,000 coppers. Wait, what do you mean Erik went to the bathroom?"

"We have to kill these kids."

"You're NOT with me."

"You're a lot scruffier than that interview on Youtube I saw you in."

"Shit. How many beers is that?"

"Okay, you are now going for a Quadruple Nelson."

"Sweet! I Won! What do I do with this?"

"Hey, you're that guy from Tenkar's Tavern!" followed by "Never heard of it. Should I have?"

"You have Shiner in New York?"

"That's right. You're a cop. It's a good thing I already like you, or I'd think less of you."

"She looks like a little brown turd" after seeing a puppy pic.

I've Been to (North) Texas (RPG Con) and I Will Be Back

Rachel and I were taken out this afternoon by some of our friends that are local to the Dallas / Fort Worth area. Now we can officially say we've been to Texas, as we had some excellent BBQ in Fort Worth.

I really can't stress how amazing a time we had here at NTRPG Con 2014. The hotel staff were excellent, the convention breakfast buffet special was amazing, every game we participated in was a home run, we made and met some amazing friends, got to see some of the local scenery  - when we come back next year (and Rachel has already told me that we are coming back next year ;) we'll probably stay Monday thru Monday and use the days up front to explore the Dallas / Fort Worth area on our own.

I shook many hands, and a handshake or two may bear some fruit down the line. More on such later, if and when I have something to announce.

In the meantime, you can expect reviews of all three Three Castle Award finalists over the next week or two. Sure, I already gave Whisper & Venom glowing reviews, but I can always do so again ;)

I'm currently reading through Valley of the Five Fires (2014 Three Castles Award winner) and will be picking thru The Blood Cult box during the upcoming week.

Last Day of NTRPG Con - and I'm Hurting. It's a "Good" Hurt

The plan was to be in another session of +Matt Finch 's Swords & Wizardry game this morning, but that ain't happening. Partially because Rach and I never had our post dinner nap - instead we hung out with +Richard LeBlanc , David Welborn, +James Aulds and even +Michael Curtis for a bit before heading over to the Midnight Auctions. We spent the evening in a much more enjoyable manner than napping ;)

All of which means I'm typing this a half hour before game time, dopey and hungry, and +Rachel Griffin is still sleeping. Yeah, not happening.

I think next year, just one game a night and no morning sessions. The games have all rocked, but the most fun we've had has been hanging out with other members of the OSR community that I've known but had never met face to face prior to NTRPG Con. The time spent turning "online" friendships into getting to truly know them as friends has made my time here at NTRPG Con priceless.

Midnight Auction Madness - The Devil is a !0th Level D... (NTRPG Con)

The midnight auction was a crapload of fun. Not only did "The Devil Himself" make an appearance, I also snagged some loot - some was strange and some was good, but it was all for a good cause ;)

Some of my loot:

at 10 bucks it was a steal

my soul for a buck

35, so I paid too much, still cool

7 bucks - Rach thought it was interesting

Just a sample of a bunch of crappy bumper stickers ;)

How Does a Master DM Handle a Table with 16 Players?

It's all about having the height advantage like +Matt Finch ;)

New Big Dragon Wins the Three Castles Award for Valley of the Five Fires (NTRPG Con)

Quick post before heading down to our evening game.

+Richard LeBlanc AKA New Big Dragon Games Unlimited won the Three Castles Award for Valley of the Five Fires.

Congrats to Rich and his editor David Welborn.

I'll have an interview with Rich sometime next week to discuss Valley of the Fire Fires, other products he currently has out and find out what in the hopper over at New Big Dragon.

3d6 in Order - Natural 18 Right Out of the Box - Matt Finch's Mythus Tower (NTRPG Con)

I rolled an 18 for my strength in +Matt Finch 's Mythus Tower (Swords & Wizardry) this morning using "3d6 in order"- and actually had witnesses. Now, I'm pretty sure I haven't done that in 20 years or more. It really was a "holy shit!" moment ;)

Matt runs a really fun game and manages an insanely large group of players with a skill I have never seen before. We actually hit 16 players at one point and Matt handled it as if it were six - or even less. Simply amazing to see in action. Strangely enough, the only things I killed in this morning's session was giant rats. Weird how that worked out ;)

Rach and I bowed out when we hit town for xp and a long break - we closed the bar out the night before and I really was feeling it. Food and caffeine helped the cause.

Rachel got to play in her 2nd ever OSR game and decided to spread her wings a bit - she chose a human cleric. She didn't get a chance to cast any spells, but she did okay bashing with her mace.

After lunch I sat down with +Vincent Florio and DM Glenn for a short interview, some post interview bullshitting and beer.

Good times.

From the Con - Lloyd Metcalf - Original Ink and Print - Whisper & Venom

I'm just scoffing up art here at the NTRPG Con, aren't I? First it was a +Doug Kovacs original pencils and some prints, and now it's a Lloyd Metcalf original ink (with watercolors) and a print from Whisper & Venom.

This truly is an amazing convention for fantasy art.

Whisper & Venom and some Red Dragon Inn with Doug Kovacs Himself

Tonight was a damn good night of gaming... and beers afterwards with +James Aulds ;)

+Zach Glazar ran a Labyrinth Lord adventure in his Whisper & Venom campaign setting. Strangely enough, I have a real distaste for gnomes now ;)

In all seriousness, Zach ran an excellent session, and Rachel now how her first D&D clone under her belt.

+Doug Kovacs then invited Rachel and myself for a game of Red Dragon Inn. It was a blast, and in the end I was victorious. This is a game Rach and I may need to pick up for play with the family.

Oh, before I forget, some more of +Doug Kovacs's work that we picked up, although this time it's only prints. Still some amazing work. The last two pieces my wife picked out.

From the Con - The One Who Watches - Original Pencils and Color Print - (Doug Kovacs)

Art.

Good art.

There is little like it.

+Doug Kovacs does some damn good art.

Above are the the original pencils and the print of the final color version of Doug Kovac's cover to The One Who Watches.

I'm simply in awe of the work this man does. I'm proud and thrilled to have picked this set up.

Rachel and I bought some other prints as well as placed a down payment on an unfinished piece that Rachel simply fell for. More pics later.

See, I can buy 99% of my gaming goodies online, but art I need to see in person.

NTRPG Con is full of damn good art.

If Something is "Intentionally Leaked" by a Company, is it Really a "Leak"?

Despite what I've seen on various blogs, the above is not a "leak". It's a good, old fashioned,  publicity shot, with a cute note to make it even more... something or other... cuter perhaps.

Mearls did not "leak" the above without knowing full well what he was doing and did so with the blessings of the powers that be at WotC / Hasbro. Therefore, it is not a leak.

From Wikipedia: A news leak is a disclosure of embargoed information in advance of its official release, or the unsanctioned release of confidential information.

In any case, at least they seem to be avoiding having art behind the text (for the most part it seems).

The Point at Which You Know a New RPG Player "Get's It"

As I mentioned last night, +Tim Snider 's Timemaster game was my wife Rachel's first RPG session in a group setting (back when we were dating I ran a Tunnels & Trolls session for her one on one, but that was more mechanics of an RPG than actually understanding how an RPG works).

The magical moment when I knew it had all clicked for my wife was when she said: "We need to interrogate the last one. We need to know what he knows. I want to know how many are waiting for us on Skylab". This after she had wrestled the four armed alien into a Half Nelson.

She just remarked to me as I type this "It's a good thing I didn't use a Pile Driver, or else we wouldn't have learned anything."

Yep, she get's it ;)

Wherein We Fixed Time and then Found Time for Awesome Kovacs' Art Pics

Tonight Rachel and I played in +Tim Snider 's excellent Timemaster game session. I chose this as the first slot for Rach and I to play in at NTRPG Con for two reasons: I strongly suspected Tim would run an excellent game (he surpassed that expectation by far) and Timemaster was obscure enough a system that Rachel's lack of experience with RPGs wouldn't really be much of a hinderance. Rach had a blast.

You can catch Tim's write up of the sessions highlights over at his Savage Afterworld blog. Check it out. We'll wait for you here ;)

Did I mention that +Paul Wolfe 's wife Brenda was in the Timemaster game with us and that she crochets dice bags?  Well, she does, and Rachel now has one of her own to prove it.

And now for some +Doug Kovacs art porn. I won't be able to leave without a purchase or three...

New Big Dragon Is at the NTRPG Con

I never realized how much quality stuff +Richard LeBlanc had put out for old School Gaming under his New Big Dragon label until I actually looked at it all at his table. The fact that I had a majority of it in print already struck me, as I tend to go heavy on the PDFs these days.

Rich had a prototype of a B/X DM's screen that literally rocks. If and when he puts it up for sale I'm buying. I'll try to get a pic of it for a later blog post.

Posting this under the influence of Commotion American Pale Ale, courtesy of +James Aulds . Might need to pop open another, as I need more beer influence.

Dinner in a few, and the a game of Timemaster run by +Tim Snider .

Fun times, and it's been great meeting folks face to face that I've known online for years.

I'll try to have a review of The Dragon Horde #2 up on Monday, when it releases on RPGNow

Alright, It's Official Now - We Have our Goodie Bag

Yep, decent loot.

Large dice bag, large drawstring bag (or huger dice bag ;), NTRPG Con guide and ID Card with holder.

Art is by Jennell Jacquays

After we digest some of our breakfast we'll walk around the con a bit. First game is +Tim Snider 's at 6pm tonight.