Village of Hommlet Walk Through Map Posted by WotC

I love the series of AD&D walk through maps that WotC has been posting, although from what I can tell it's been a bit of a break before we got The Village of Hommlet map.

The original WotC post includes the original maps for comparison, which is really sweet.

What I'd really like is T1-4 ;)

NTRPG Con - Day 4 - What I Learned at NTRPG Con 2015 - A series of observations

From +Doug Kovacs DCC Lankmar session Saturday afternoon.

There are still more NTRPG Con posts to come, as I need to share some of pics of my newly acquired loot as well as some some donated for future giveaways. Still, I learned some interesting and occasionally amazing things - some of which I'm going to actually share ;)

1 - NTRPG Con is THE PLACE to be if you want a chance to meet, great and occasionally eat with members of the old guard (and even some more recent members of the OSR guard.) Other cons may have special guests that you can wait in line to talk with for a few seconds - at NTRPG Con the old guard is running in and playing in games with you. Special guests to attendees ratio is about 10 attendees to one special guest. I'm not going to name them all, as I'm sure I'd miss a few, but they include those that I met and spoke with, like Frank Mentzer, Diesel, Janelle Jaquays, Jeff Grubb, Zeb Cook, Tim Kask and others. So many others.

2 - Doug Rhea and Bad Mike lose money on this con every year, but that isn't the point of the con. They want to present a gaming con that THEY would want to be at, and this is the one. I can't think of a better place to be the first week of June, even if it is in Dallas ;)

3 - The publishers, both big and small, are also extremely approachable. Ask them questions about their products or advice about publishing and you will get honest answers and useful advice.

4 - I didn't realize how closely some of those same publishers follow what so far is a dip of a toe by me into the world of self / small press publishing. The advice given by those such as +Matt Finch , +Richard LeBlanc , +Zach Glazar and others will be invaluable as I slowly enter the "kiddie pool" of self publishing.

5 - Friends, both old and new. I could probably spend all four days of the con without playing in a single game and still be completely happy and satisfied. That kind of an atmosphere is hard to find anywhere. That is NTRPG Con.

6. NTRPG Con is where "deals" get made. If you are a content creator for the old school - artist, writer, layout - whatever - this is where you need to be. It is such a relaxed atmosphere, you may hear verbal contracts and see handshakes at a table next to you in the hotel restaurant - just don't talk business with Frank Mentzer over breakfast - breakfast is for breakfast (not me - just a witness ;)

NTRPG Con - Day Four - And We Still Haven't Left the Hotel

Rach and I have some friends that are fairly local to NTRPG Con, but regretfully none of us were able to sync schedules. Still, not as bad as it sounds, as we've kept ourselves busy at the con.

I finally got to send some time talking with +Jeff Talanian . He currently has a Kickstarter running for three new AS&SH adventures. It's funded with 8 days to go. If you know Jeff's work, you know these are going to be "astonishing." I know, but I couldn't help myself.

Probably most of my non-art purchases were made at the Black Blade / OSR Booth. So much good stuff, and Rach even got me a Judges Guild golf shirt. Time to mess with my bosses when I get back to work on Tuesday.

I took multiple shots of the Lesser Gnome booth but I think Thopas has cursed my phone. Each shot was killed by motion. I'll try again before tear down later this afternoon.

Yesterday kicked off with a small press / indie publishers panel. Extremely well done. Extra points of you can name the entire panel.

NTRPG Con - Day Three - The Devil Went Down to Dallas Looking to Make a Deal

There was a midnight madness auction a minute after midnight. It was awesome ;)

+Michael Badolato you look marvelous!

NTRPG Con - Day Three - Free Signed Goodies Giveaway (US Only)

Now, I say US Only, but if you are willing to pay shipping up front via Paypal, we'll make it work to most places this side of the pond and across.

+Zach Glazar and +Lloyd Metcalf were immensely generous tonight, as they both offered signed books for the kind readers of The Tavern. These books are being given away as a bundle. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Bird of a Feather

Roadside Respite

Yep, two signed books, to be given away to one of you fine folks.

Just comment on this post before midnite, Tuesday June 9th, 2016.

Actually all the 5k / NTRPG Con giveaways are extended to Tuesday, as I don't expect to get to awarding prizes until Wednesday ;)

Oh, and more to come...

NTRPG Con - Day Three - The Three Castles Award for 2015 Goes To...

Sure, it's a horrible shot, but it's there.
Doug, as always, looks great in purple :)

The Three Castles Award for 2015 goes to +Kevin Crawford for Scarlet Heroes. Well done Kevin. We really need to get you out to NTRPG Con in 2016 ;)

NTRPG Con - Day Two - We Were Victorious!

Rach and I played in Mike Stewart's Victorious game session (Steampunked C&C) this afternoon. God bless any man who can ham it up in costume AND run an amazing game session at the same time.

And look, my PC even arrived in costume ;)

We followed that up with +James Aulds excellent Stars Without Number session (no photos cause I forgot) which Rach and I were a few minutes late to due to the restaurant being over run my famished gamers. Which was okay, as we got to spend some quality time with +Vincent Florio and his wife Randy over dinner. I really think we need to plan for an OSR couples dinner at NTRPG Con 2016.

Everyone I've spoken too can't speak highly enough about Bad Mike and Doug for the running of the con and even the hotel staff. Such an awesome time, we don't want it to end.

NTRPG Con - Day Two - Post 5k - Starter Adventures - Print Ships Anywhere Giveaway

+Tim Shorts is donating to the Post 5k celebration and gifting 2 copies of his excellent Starter Adventures to the cause of celebration.

Tim will be shipping these himself - God bless the man and Gothridge Manor - and Ivy too :)

So, you should know the deal by now - add a comment to this post by Monday Night, June 8th, 2016 and you'll have a chance to have your very own copy of Starter Adventures shipped to your very home, even if that home is not anywhere near mine ;)

No, back to gaming at NTRPG Con.

NTRPG Con - Day Two - Post 5k - The Ogress of Anubis - US Only Giveaway

+Richard LeBlanc of New Big Dragon Games donated three copies of The Ogress of Anubis to the 5k Post celebrations. One copy is going into the NTRPG Con goodies bag. You can also get The Ogress of Anubis for free in PDF at RPGNow.

So, how do you get a chance to be gifted one of the two remaining copies?

Comment on this post before midnite, Sunday June 7th, 2015.

Hopefully sometime next weekend I'll get all of these prizes in the mail ;)

US only for the print version, but all can grab the PDF for free.

NTRPG Con - Day Two - Kovacian Art Purchases

If you ask me what most of my purchases were at NTRPG Con in 2014, the quick answer would be "art." The more detailed answer would be +Doug Kovacs art - both originals and print. My only regret is that we sill need to finish renovating the living room before we can properly display some of the amazing pieces.

Now, if you ask me what most of my purchases are thus far at NTRPG Con in 2015, I'm going going to go straight to +Doug Kovacs art again. With few exceptions, much of the gaming product available at NTRPG Con is available for purchase online. You can't talk to Doug and peruse his wares from the computer like you can in person. I knew coming out I'd be heading immediately to Doug's table, and that's what Rach and I did yesterday.

Doug hat put this print aside for me
He knows my taste almost too well ;)

The wizard is flat out cool and the hanged man has so much going on in the details

There is something peaceful about both of these

NTRPG Con - Day One - And There was Much Killing and Embarassed Stammeriing

More amazing art from none other than +Doug Kovacs 

Tonight Rach and I played in +James Aulds Labyrinth Lord / ASE session. We had a blast.

I never expected Rach to be the one to say:

"Hey, I've got flasks! I want some of that frogshit creature poison!"

"Maybe we can cut the poison and sell it for good cash!" I had to ask her if she thought she was cutting heroin. Couldn't help myself.

"I want to throw the poison in their eyes!" Yes, I married a bloodthirsty woman. Thankfully it only seems to play out that way at cons ;)

Prior to the game he had dinner and beers with +Doug Kovacs . The best part of conventions like NTRPG Con is the friends you get to spend time with. Gaming is secondary to socialization.

After the game, Rach and I headed to the hotel bar, where I finally got to meet +Mark Hassman face to face for the first time. Of course, the bar itself was filled with a literal who's who of gaming, from OD&D to 5e.

Then, in the elevator coming up to our room, none other than +Jeff Grubb read my name tag and said "Tenkar's Tavern. I read it all the time." Yep, a police sergeant with 19 years on the job can still get flustered when his gaming heroes of old recognize him for something as small as this blog. I think I was introduced to Zeb Cook, but I was too busy being embarrassed to be sure ;)

NTRPG Con Day One - And Much Shopping Was Done, and Gifting Too

Rach and I don't have a game to play in until 6 PM tonight - +James Aulds Labyrinth Lord session. So we did what any rational adult with way too much money in their pocket would do - went shopping ;)

Rach bought another plaster jewelry box from Diesel (I'm already looking forward to Rach getting stopped by the TSA like last year when she made a similar purchase from Diesel.) I bought more prints and an original piece of art from +Doug Kovacs (if you are at NTRPG Con and haven't checked out Doug's table and at the very least, picked up some prints you are a bloody fool.) Then I raided +Michael Badolato 's tables for some Judges Guild stuff.

+Michael Badolato gifted Rach with a Mythus Tower shirt. Yes, I am jealous. Rach also got a gnomish mug from +Zach Glazar last night. Zach gave me a spongey die. Damn lady has all the luck.

Actually, I did get gifted a mini and a Lesser Gnome button by Edwin Nagy. He was the gnome whose name escaped me last night ;)

Oh, and +Richard LeBlanc of New Big Dragon Games gave me some stuff to give away. One piece will go in the NTRGP Con Swag Bag Giveaway and the other two will find a post either later today or tomorrow where you folks can try and get lucky :)

I've got lots of pics to take of the art and such for a later post.

Almost dinner time :)

Post 5k - Castle of the Mad Archmage - PDF Bundle Giveaway - (Open to All)

So, +Joseph Bloch asked me "Would you like something to give away with your 5,000th post?" Not being a fool, I said yes :)

Joe is giving away a complete PDF bundle of Castle of the Mad Archmage. Yes, that includes Castle of the Mad Archmage Expansion - Level Three East that just went #1 on RPGNow's Hottest Selling list, bumping White Star from a position it held for a month. Nicely played Joseph, nicely played.

How do you enter to win this bundle of awesomeness? Post a comment below before midnite Texas time, Saturday June 6th. Good luck to all. We'll pick a random lucky winner Sunday ;)

More about Level Three East:

Confound your players with a whole new level to add to your Castle of the Mad Archmage™ adventure. Level Three East describes the wonders of the Mad Archmage’s own museum, which contains curiosities and treasures from all over the multiverse, and the challenges of the Watery Caves, which are a series of living caves connected by an underground river.

This module features 74 new encounter areas and 6 new monsters, a full two-page map, plus new magic items, new rumors, an explanation of how this module fits into the whole Castle structure, and the impact it will have on the inhabitants of the central third level of the dungeon. There are also tips for game masters who would like to run this level as a stand-alone adventure.

Levels in the dungeon roughly comport to suitable character levels, to this module is best suited for PCs of approximately 3rd level. However, there are (intentionally) some encounters that only more powerful characters can expect to handle.

Note: This is an expansion of the original Castle of the Mad Archmage™ megadungeon adventure. Although it can be run on its own, you will greatly add to your enjoyment of the module if you also have the original Castle.

Castle of the Mad Archmage is written using the Adventures Dark and Deep™ rules, and is compatible with most Old School type rules with little or no conversion needed.

Post 5k - NTRPG Con Swag Giveaway - US Only (NTRPG Con Day 1)

So, your mom wouldn't let you attend NTRPG Con because of all the "undesirables" in attendance. Or your job wouldn't give you the time off to game and drink. Finances were short this year and the economy is still in the crapped despite what the government says.

Well, you too can have a set of NTRPG Con swag (sans Attendee Badge, as I need that to do Con Things.)

How can you get this awesome set of swag?

First, you MUST have a US shipping address. I'd go broke shipping outside the states.

Second, comment on this very post before 1159 Friday Night, June 5th, 2015 (tomorrow.)

Third - be lucky. I'm only picking one person for the swag.

edit - Fouth - you can't be a NTRPG Con attendee - let others play ;)

I MAY add a thing or two from the con inside this package. I will throw in a Far Away Land Quickstart Rule booklet and a beer mat with grid, because that's the kinda guy I am.

Oh, did I mention? Happy 5,000th post to The Tavern? Woot!

It Didn't Look Like That Much on the Menu (NTRPG Con Day Zero)

In the midst of the Tavern Chat, this is what the Mrs and I were chowing down on during the Tavern Chat. My God! Good food. Good beer. We couldn't finish.
ea
I was thrilled they had Shiner Bock on tap. Mmmmmmm.

And now, NTRPG Con banners from the last 2 years:

Where is 2015?

What for the next post - post 5k, for a cool giveaway :)

I Just Flew Into Dallas, and Boy Are My Arms Tired (NTRPG Con - Day Zero)

Yes, I do believe there is some flooding in the Dallas area

Rach and I arrived at the beautiful Marriott Airport South a little more than 2 hrs ago, which means we were about 3 hrs before check in time. The customer service rep at the reception desk remembered us from last June and found us a room in 2 minutes, if that. Heck, we are away from the Ice Machine and elevator this year too! ;)

After settling into our room we went down to the hotel restaurant for lunch. Guess what? The waiter remembered us (as we also remembered him.) I told Rach we must tip too well and may need to cut back - heh.

Then we caught the attention of +Zach Glazar and +Matt Finch (and another whose name escapes me at the moment.) A minute later, our waiter has the two tables next to each other and NTRPG Con kicked of for Rach and myself.

It's going to be an awesome con. I can feel it in my bones.

Remember, Tavern Chat tonight hosted from the hotel bar. I'll try and put up a post or two livish during the event.

Chaosium Reboots back to It's Roots - The Return of Stafford and Petersen

From the latest update: Project Update #129: Horror on the Orient Express: Call of Cthulhu by Chaosium by Chaosium Inc.

Greetings to all our Patient Backers,

We have pressed the reset button...

In 1975 Chaosium started out as a quirky boutique game company. We were all about creativity, artistry and craftsmanship. With every game we provided you with new realms of imagination and entertainment. Over the last few years we forgot that, and lost our way.

The Great Old Ones have Returned…

Greg Stafford, founder of Chaosium and creative force during its heyday, is now President. Sandy Petersen, world renowned game designer who brought Cthulhu into the light three decades ago, has rejoined the team as well.

Greg says: "Chaosium is part of my legacy. My intent is to restore it to its rightful place in the world of gaming. Something we can all take pride in, and something that fans will look forward to.Where 'what’s next?' is answered with 'I can’t wait'."

The Stars are Right…

Sandy says: "I am excited to return to active participation in the Call of Cthulhu line, and I’m eagerly looking forward to working directly with Greg again. We are Chaosium's original team from the 1980s. My first focus is going to be the Call of Cthulhu 7th edition Kickstarter campaign."

Our main plan is simple (but will be a lot of work):

Quickly sift and sort through the current company problems

Immediately ship the remaining Horror on the Orient Express backer rewards

Focus on the Call of Cthulhu 7th edition Kickstarter backer rewards

Return to regularly making awesome new games.

We offer new hope, and ask only for your patience."

Please visit Chaosium.com for regular news and updates. Contact us with questions, kudos, curses, or kindness. We are listening, and we will respond.

Greg Stafford, President and CEO of Chaosium Inc.
I’m puttin' the band back together.

Sixteen Far Away Land Quickstarts and One Tome of Awesome Head to NTRPG Con to Find New Homes

This pile you see is not returning with me from NTRPG Con. All will find new homes with attendees. Fun times :)

Remember, Tavern Chat Tomorrow Night at 830 PM Eastern, 730 PM Central. I'll be hosting from the hotel bar at NTRPG Con.

Packin' the Beer Mats for the Com

I'll be bringing 20 or so of +Peter Regan 's Beer Mats to the NTRPG Con. Hit me up and I'll give you one while supplies last. You need to be at the con to hit me up ;)

Con Alert! Full Prep Mode Engaged!

Today will consist of packing, printing, prepping, organizing, clothes washing and other assorted sundries that need to be accomplished before tomorrow morning's flight to Dallas and the NTRPG Con.

Remember, there WILL be a Tavern Chat tomorrow night - 830 PM Eastern, 730 PM Central. It will be hosted from the hotel's bar. If you are at the con tomorrow night, want to join the chat and don't have hotel internet nor a hotspot, I'll turn by phone into a hotspot for the duration of the chat.

Not sure what other posts will get up today. I do have a review or two to put up, I just need to write them. If I don't do it today, they probably won't get done until next week.

Expect lots of NTRPG Con pics on the blog this week :)