Tenkar Household Medical Drama Continues - Gonna Need to Start a Triage Soon ;)

First it was colds and sinus infections for everyone around Christmas.

Then my son got diagnosed with "post concussion syndrome".

Last night, my wife broke out with a rash on her stomach.

Today, she was diagnosed with shingles.

And the guy with unlimited sick time?

Health as an ox.

For now ;)

Awarding the Day 9 OSR Christmas Swag - Cards, Cards and Reference Sheets

It's about time, right? The end of 2015 was one heck of a ride, but I've finally gotten around to awarding the SBA cards, business card character sheets and combat reference cards. These will be going out to the gift receivers in legal sized envelopes - they are small ;)

So, who are the five fine folks that need to send their snail mail addresses to tenkarsDOTtavern at that Gmail thing?

Five random folks are:

Stu Ordana

Nick 'Volrath'

Will Tijerina

Dak Ultimak

Peter V. Dell'Orto

Woot! to all :)

OSR Christmas 2015 - Finale - Remix Mini - Android PC - (US Only)

Found pic online

Time to wrap up OSR Christmas as best I can. I still have to award some gifts to award (business card sized character sheets and such - will do so later today) but here's the final offering from The Tavern: a Remix Mini. It's an Android PC that fits in your hand (size is 5" x 3 1/2" x 1"). Just add monitor, keyboard and mouse and you have a fully working PC. It should be low power consumption for those that worry about such.

Actual back of box being offered

For me, mine is going to be set up on the mini bar we'll have built into our living room in late spring.

How do you get your hands possibly on one?

Just comment on this post with "how I use computers with my gaming". Comment by January 6th, 1PM Eastern or so. I'll pick a person to receive the gift at that time. Remember, US only.

Winding Down OSR Christmas - or - How this Most Generous Community Overwhelmed Me - Again!

I know there are gifts that were offered up that never got posted. Simply put, the amount of generosity from members of the OSR community and beyond simply overwhelmed me. It's not the first time you folks have done so, but the new work schedule and other issues away from work have cut into my free time - severely.

So, I'm winding down OSR Christmas 2015. If you have gifts that you still want to give out, post it up (or send me the post - someone offered to do so - I'll need to look in the AM) and I'll amplify the signal. I still have some gifts to award that should be able to be shipped out this weekend - I'll award those tomorrow.

Oh, and I still have the Remix Mini to give away. That post should also be coming tomorrow. An Android PC with the following specs:

Sure, you'll need a monitor, keyboard and mouse, but for that secondary (or tertiary) computer station, this little piece should fit the bill. Mine will be set up in the living room in late spring when we build in the little corner bar ;)

This was $30 on Kickstarter and the 2GB version goes for $70 on Amazon. Pretty solid 4.3 Star rating on Amazon.

Alright, time for bed.

Kickstarter - Ultimate NPCs: Skulduggery for 5e, Pathfinder and S&W

My first Kickstarter post of 2016. I figured it should be for something good (I'll save the Nystulian drama for the SECOND post ;)

So, what is that good Kickstarter release? Ultimate NPCs: Skulduggery for 5e, Pathfinder and S&W. You probably already know of +Christopher Haskins . He's one of the Frogs over at Frog God Games. Unknown to many (including me until recently) he's also one of the main honcho over at Nord Games. Ultimate NPCs: Skulduggery is Chris' baby and I was lucky enough to get a preview of this product (I posted about it here) Quick summary of the post - this is good shit.

A bit from the Kickstarter page:

The book has 30 uniquely designed characters at levels 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20. This gives maximum versatility for minimal cost and shelf space. Some of the characters are ones that we, the designers, have run in our campaigns for years, some are NPCs we've used to challenge or aid our players, and others are brand new builds incorporating the newest concepts from 5th Edition.

Why did we choose levels 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20? Well, it seemed to us that these specific levels allow for the maximum options for the Game Master or player, with the minimum amount of pages. 

Now, I'm a Swords & Wizardry kinda guy, so the 16th and 20th level builds (do we even call it that in S&W?) will probably be more "personalities pulling strings behind the scenes", but it's still good info to have.

Did I mention it's over halfway to it's $10k goal with only half a day into it's funding?

I'm backing for the S&W HC. This will be on my desk along with my other go to gaming resources (the D30 product line by New Big Dragon comes directly to mind)

PS - I forgot to mention the Risks and Challenges:

All of the characters are well designed and finalized, and all of the artwork for the book is complete. That really only leaves stretch goals and production as the two variables that could delay us. We will be finishing the additional content unlocked by stretch goals as we achieve them, and we will be working with a printer with a good track record for on time delivery and excellent quality books.

Written except for stretch goal. All artwork accounted for. This is my kinda project ;)

 

 

Post 800 for 2015 - Lowest Tavern Post Tally Since 2010

Yeah, 2015 has been a hell of a year. Not necessarily bad, but life and work became much more time consuming than I can recall in a damn long time.

800 posts in a year may seem like a lot, but when you compare the total to 2012 (1115) and 2013 (1112) and even last year (920) it's a serious drop off.

2016 should be closer to the numbers of 2014 at least, or at least that's the plan.

There have been numerous requests for a return to a series of reviews and overviews of the various OSR rulesets, big and small, free and and not. Maybe I can scratch out an outline during the downtime of one of my night shifts ;)

New Year's Gaming Resolutions for 2016

I don't normally make New Year's resolutions, let alone ones that relate to gaming, but with the way the last half of 2015 kicked my gaming (and creative juices) in the privates, I figure I need some for 2016.

So, here it goes:

1 - Get back into active gaming - My gaming slowed down greatly from the beginning of July and shut down totally from the beginning of December. New work hours were to blame. Starting in January I've reserved four day weekends for every other week (my normal weekends ends ay 930 PM Saturday night these days.) Aim is to game every other Saturday Night and one Friday a month starting in January.

2 - Get creative again - My juices were flowing fairly well until the work schedule changed. I'll be putting aside Fridays for creative time, at least until the end of March. Starting April every day should be a creative day :)

3 - Podcasting - I enjoy it and miss it. It certainly doesn't mesh well with my current work hours. That being said, the four day weekends should help. I'm involved as a host in two forthcoming podcasts (both deeply gaming related) and an experimental gaming news podcast I'd like to kick off as a solo endeavor. The solo podcast may need to wait until the end of March.

4 - More Cons - I'm going to attempt to hit cons within about 250 miles or so from NYC when I can starting in April. We'll see how well this works out. I'll be retired. Rach will be working. I'll need to roll a high saving throw ;)

5 - An Online OSR Con - I've had this discussion with others in our corner of the gaming universe. Many would like it to happen. I'd like to see it happen. I won't even have the time to look at how to make it happen before spring of 2016.

That's enough for now I think.

To infinity and beyond!

What Does One Do When They Can Not Game? They...

buy more games ;)

That's what I've been doing recently. I've been stalking eBay for the old collectibles. Snagging an OCE White Box for $75 has just whetted the appetite ;)

My Tunnels & Trolls collection doesn't have too many holes. T&T 1e is impossible to find (so I'll settle for the reprint). I have Ken St. Andre's personal copy of 2e. I'm still looking for a 3e copy and from 4e on I have multiples and various variants.

So I think Judge's Guild will be my next target :)

Actually, I could target early RuneQuest releases, but I expect the time to do so is when the 2e reprints start hitting the market with the recently successful RQ2 Kickstarter.

I guess I could actually read the stuff I already own, but if I had the time for that I'd be gaming ;)

So, what do you do when you can't game for an extended period of time?

Last Tavern Chat of 2015 - 9PM to 11PM Eastern - Tonight

Yep, it's the last Tavern Chat of 2015. Time to escort the old year out the door and welcome in the New Year.

Wow.

2015 is certainly not ending like I had expected. This past week - especially the last 4 or 5 days or so, have been hectic. Yes, even today. My son has a new symptom of post concussion syndrome and is back in the ER getting checked out. So, I may pop out of the chat to pick him up when he's done. Thankfully, this too shall pass.

But on the gaming side the new year will mean new campaigns, new games and new podcasts - did I say "podcasts?" Yep, two different podcasts with two different sets of hosts AND work continues on getting the solo gaming news related podcast off the ground.

So, check into Tavern Chat tonight and help shuffle out the old and bring in the new. It's that chat box on the right side of this very page...

Troll Lord Games is Having a Scratch & Ding Sale - C&C Rulebooks for $10

Looking to play some Castles & Crusades on the cheap?

Well, The Trolls are having a sale on their slightly dinged and damaged books:

My picks?

Classic Monsters for 10 bucks is a steal. After Winter's Dark Campaign Setting for 5 bucks? That a gift. The C&C Flip Book (Player's Handbook and Monsters & Treasure in one package) for $10? How do you beat that?

My books get dinged after the first game session. Might as well save some time and a huge amount of cash ;)

Here's the link for the C&C Sale

Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men and all that shi... Two ER Trips in Three Days can be Damn Disruptive

I had things that were supposed to get done today on The Tavern side. Obviously, that didn't happen.

I awoke from a Nyquil enhanced slumber at 10 am (less then 3 hrs into my sleep) to my 22 y/o son complaining of a severe headache and light headedness. About 2 weeks ago he nearly got knocked out when luggage rolled off a higher rack, struck him in the head and on his ass (He's a Ramp Agent at one of the NTC area airports). No concussion diagnosed by the on duty PA at the time, but an ER visit the day after Christmas indicated he MIGHT have "post concussion syndrome." Today's ER visit has turned that into an actual diagnosis of "post concussion syndrome." Can last for weeks. Can last for a year. No cure but time.

Needless to say, it was a long day and my nap upon returning home was deep and short. I hear sleet hitting the window, so I may need to head in early for work.

If you are an OSR Christmas Gifter and we haven't set a day yet, feel free to post up and inform me of your post and I will link it here. If you put a post up overnight I will post the link here when I get home at 630 or so in the morning. You can see how my weekend (and today) got away from me.

Yes, I still owe five folks their GC for subscribing to Mythoard. Yes, I still need to give out my small gifts from the other day. I will attempt to be productive from my tablet during downtime at work tonight, but there are no guarantees.

Certainly closing out 2015 with drama ;)

PS - Tavern Chat will be WEDNESDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 30TH, 2015 AT PM EASTERN. Last Tavern Chat of 2015. Be there and learn of a new podcast... or is it two?

OSR Christmas - Day Ten - Post Two - Inspire and be Inspired

+Chris Stieha is running an OSR Christmas Giveaway today for RND, a resource for those that are looking to make their own adventures:

Win one of three copies (print+pdf) of RND issue 1, the make-your-own-adventure zine!  I will ship them anywhere in the world.  If you already own issue 1, I will send you issue 2 in February.

How do you enter? You need to go to THIS LINK ON G+ and describe your favorite inspiration for adventure. So, not only do you get a chance for some fine Christmas Loot, you also get a treasure trove of potential gaming inspiration. 

As for my nap? Didn't last long with my niece around but she's too damn cute to be annoyed at. Tonight will be a long night...

OSR Christmas Day Ten - Mind Your F'n Manors!

I saw +Tim Shorts had announced the third part of his OSR Christmas Giveaways last night right before I left for work. I didn't have the time to share it last night (then slept to 1 pm and watched the Jets beat the Pats this afternoon) so I'm sharing it now.

If you haven't had the opportunity to read the various issues of The Manor, you've been missing out. Fixing it now ;)

Go to the Gothridge Manor blog, follow the instructions and get a change to own a piece of OSR goodness.

I'm going back to sleep. Work hours and a cold make one a miserable fuck...

Fat Goblin Games is Running a $1 Sale on Nearly Everything - Stock Art Heaven

This Fat Goblin Games sale is only running until sometime tonight.

I'm more than happy to take suggestions for non-pathfinder supplements, but right now I am raiding the stock art.

At a buck a piece for everything but the stock art subscriptions it's hard to ho wrong.

OSR Christmas Should Continue on Monday (and other post Christmas Updates)

Cold from hell. Right foot is cramping. Go back to work tonight after being off for the last week and a half. Merry Day After Christmas ;)

Heh.

I have to send out the $5 RPGNow GCs to the first 5 who purchased the one month discounted Mythoard subscriptions. I know who you are. It should get done today or tomorrow. And yes, Peter, the "B Team" should be picking back up in January - February the latest. I'll try and solidify it after the New Year.

OSR Christmas still has a few days (and many gifts) left. It should resume on Monday, the 28th.

It's cooled off today in NYC. 52 degrees or so. No more shorts and Tevas for now ;)

Alright, back to draining the sinuses...

Looking at the Preview of Frog God's upcoming Ultimate NPCs: Skulduggery (Swords & Wizardry Version)

It figures. I'm off from work for a week and a half and the first time I get a chance to read my PDF preview of Nord Games' forthcoming Ultimate NPCs: Skulduggery was late on Christmas Eve. I guess it's only fitting that I mention it on late on Christmas Day.

I've made no secret that my current work hours have beat the crap out of my ability to game, let alone DM. Starting your work week at 930 PM Saturday night can do that to you. I'm itching to get back to getting back at the (virtual) gaming table and I think I've worked out a schedule to make it happen every other week starting the new year.

My prep time is pretty much non existent these days, so I'm looking to run something very sandboxie in style. I'll be putting together my list of resources for such and will talk about them on a later post, but part of that sandbox toolbox that I'll be putting together is going to include Ultimate NPCs: Skulduggery.

My Swords & Wizardry version of the preview may be only 22 pages long but I like what I see. NPCs presented at various levels in their careers with their history, personality traits, ideals, bonds, flaws and some basic roleplaying hints I have enough to bring an NPCs to life for my players with minimal effort on my end.

Oh, and a sample quote for the various characters. My favorite sample thus far?

“ That sword you carry. Fascinating inlay on the hilt. Were you looking to sell, perchance?”

I know EXACTLY how to roleplay this character from this quote alone.

I'm hoping to see more of a preview before this project goes live. Mostly because I don't want to wait too long before adding this to my toolbox ;)

As I said, it's just a preview, and although I'm not under any sort of NDA, what I'm looking at may change before it get's finalized. Still, I like what I've seen so far. I like it a lot.

If there is interest in it, I'll peek at the Pathfinder and 5e versions. Let me know.

The Gamers - The Series - Season 0 - Episode 1 - For Your Christmas Enjoyment

Merry Christmas to all!

Look What Was Waiting for me Tonight When I Got Home

Every once in a blue moon I check Ebay for some of the older TSR era releases. Occasionally I bid on something. Earlier this week I spotted an OCE White Box Dungeons & Dragons set - minimum bid $75.

This was the description:

Box shows some wear.  All books and reference sheets show some staining on the outside. Monsters and Treasure book has some staining inside as well.  See pics.  Names are written on the inside cover of each book. Rest of the interiors are in good shape.

I figured $75 for an OCE in okay condition? I'll bid on that. Well, no one else did. It's in better condition than the description would leave one to believe. Hell, the box itself is in better condition than the OCE I bought on Noble Knight for $175 five years ago.

A very decent Christmas Gift for myself ;)

Day Nine of OSR Christmas - Post 3 - Crawl! If Ye Want to be Gifted! (Worldwide)

I told you it would be hot & heavy today!

+Dak Ultimak really needs no introduction. He is the publisher of Crawl!, the first DCC RPG zine and an awesome editor of DCC products on top of that. Gee, I guess I introduced him ;)

Dak is the ultimate Santa too. Don't believe me? Here's what Dak's giving away for OSR Christmas:

To be given away (Anywhere in the world!): 

1 complete set of Crawl!, printed+PDF.  

2 complete sets of Crawl!, PDF editions. 

3 single copies of anything I publish, in print +PDF, winner's choice (including Hack: Firearms print ed.) 

4 copies of no.11 (Print + PDF). 

5+ copies of Dungeon Crawl Basics (proof of concept/beta/not final print copies, and free copies of the final edition when finished.)  

That's a LOT of stuff, 15 prizes! And yes, physical copies go anywhere a postman will go.

How do you get to be on Santa Dak's "Good List?"

Simply go to the Crawlzine! Blog and follow the simple instructions.

Don't forget, there are two other giveaways that kicked off today :)

OSR Christmas - Day Nine - Post 2 - Can You Break This Cypher? (Hardcover)

OSR Christmas - Morning of Day 9 - Cold is in full swing - All I want to do is sleep, but I have a full day planned - That full day includes - beer.

Ah, so what do we have in store for you this wonderful morning? (currently 67 degrees here in NYC)

+Mark Craddock , he of the Crossplanes blog, is putting a hardcover copy of Monte Cook's Cypher System into Santa's gift bag. How do you give yourself a chance to be gifted?

Simply head over to the Crossplanes blog and leave a comment. Damn, that's simple, ain't it?

Remember, it's not even 9am here in NYC and we already have our second OSR Christmas giveaway of the day. I'm giving something small to 5 random commenters on this post at The Tavern.