The New D&D Movie has it's Title - Hands of Chaos

I know you are all looking forward to the future blockbuster titled Dungeons & Dragons: Hands of Chaos, right?

Ain't it Cool has what details there are. It will star Ansel Elgort (who?) as Raven Hightower.

Sigh. Maybe it will be as entertaining as the first Police Academy movie was.

Tavern Cards Have Started Their Journeys - May the USPS Be a Kind Benefactor

I have a bad habit of adding projects in the midst of projects. Swords & Wizardry: Light drew me away from adding everything to the spreadsheet and getting the cards out, and the surprise overwhelming reaction to the Tavern Cards interrupted me in the midst of matching up the last half of gifters and gift receivers for Chucks fundraising.

Anyhow, today a batch of cards went out. It is a bit time consuming, as I'm adding to the spreadsheet and addressing the envelopes by hand. Ah well, keeps me outa trouble, right? I'm going to try and set a minimum of 20 cards a day, hopefully more, in addition to the rest of the stuff on the plate (the upcoming 3 day weekend is NOT included in those numbers). I decided NOT to put names or nicknames on the card - you will need to do that on your end. Signing the cards, dating them and numbering them I can do without making a mistake, but the names are not mine and while practicing on scratch paper, that is where I saw mistakes (and potentially wasted cards).

I'm in NYC, so I'm hopeful the international cards will ship faster than they might otherwise have done so. We literally have worldwide requests, from every continent aside from Antartica. When the database is complete, I'll do a breakdown by general location and post it up.

I'm hoping to start playtesting the Swords & Wizardry: Light rules in about 2 weeks time, but that is not set in stone. Playtesters will be initially drawn from my current gaming group, but will expand as the summer grows and the project gets closer to completion. I suspect the initial call will go out over the Tavern's Google Group Community before opening up as a post here at The Tavern.

Dragonwars of Trayth, Now With 3d Gaming Boards

Dragonwars of Trayth. Remember it? The classic meltdown that was witnessed here at The Tavern. It seems like it was yesterday.

Well, I gotta give credit where credit is due. They are still working on their epic 25 episode adventure path.

Heck, they even have 3d gaming boards that they'll lug to stores or even cons (more on the cons later)

From their website it looks like the first 6 adventures are written. So, 19 to go?

Screenshot of a sample page of the first adventure in the Adventure Path
I fully expect a threat if I don't take this down immediately

Anyhow, they really love their YouTube videos.

This is the one from May where they show off their handmade gaming boards:

And then here is the one from today, which tells you they will be at GaryCon next year and you can reserve a gaming board for your game:

BTW, it's the exact same video, same music, different subtitles.

I also failed to find the link mentioned to download the digital maps. Of course, that could be my fault.

I find it strange that a 25 part adventure path for Pathfinder (oh, and OSRIC, but they don't seem to be available in OSRIC stats yet) is aiming it's marketing at Gary Con. Adventure paths are generally not what one thinks of when one thinks of old school gaming these days (nor is Pathfinder for that matter) And yes, I do remember Dragonlance. I suspect the folks behind Dragonwars of Trayth remember it too.

After reviewing the Kickstarter in question, they offered the same 6 adventures in the Kickstarter. I guess they were building 3d game boards over the last 20 months.

Anyhow, here's the pitch (note, nothing in this post should be construed as a threat to Epic Quest Publishing's IP, Trademarks, Copyright or any such nonsense. Really. It's a gaming related newsworthy post. So let's just skip the legal threats all together this time around)

I thought Dragonlance... never mind.

Props to the Taverner that brought this to my attention.

Swords & Wizardry: Light - Choosing Some Dyson Maps for the First Four Page Adventure

Every ruleset needs a kick ass adventure to go with it right from the beginning, and there is no better selection of adventure maps than those offered up by +Dyson Logos . I've been backing Dyson's Patreon since forever and it is because of that Patreon that the following maps are offered with a free commercial license.

We need to start with a Tavern, right? Hell, it might even be run by a surly dwarf. Cenkar Talishun or some such nonsense. And we know there are going to be rats in the basement. Maybe even coppers ;)

Then, after the party gets their feet wet in the basement of the tavern, they can move on to bigger and more rewarding dangers:

At the moment I'm hoping to have the S&W: Light rules, the GM's pamphlet (Deadly Machinations) and the first 4 page adventure all ready around the same time. All free to DL with permission to print and distribute.

Far West - Late May to Late June is Yet ANOTHER Missed Release Date

Far West. It's getting to the point that I no longer care about seeing the project reach completion. Now, it's all about "how many more excuses and missed delivery dates does Gareth have left in him before he finally admits he has nothing?"

He's about to "wiggle" himself out of the month of June.

This is what I'm supposed to get for my $150:

Now, I MAY at some point see a PDF out of this. Maybe.

Limited Edition hardcover? Please! With what money? Same goes for T-shirt and Art Prints. The money has been spent long ago on none Kickstarter related expenses.

My suspicion? Gareth does not want to release the PDF because then more than 420 folks will be looking for their hardcovers not to mention the more than 460 that will be demanding their t-shirts. Oh, and the art prints.

After nearly 5 years of this shit, I'm beginning to consider my $150 investment a lifetime investment in the drama machine known as Far West, The Gareth Sharka Kickstarter Lifetime Movie Event of the Half Decade.

edit: maybe I could get a Producer credit...

Free Mutant Crawl Classics Preview and 0-Level Adventure Available for Download

As highlighted at the Mutant Crawl Classics Kickstarter, there are some free downloads you can use to get an early look at MCC.

There's a 29 page preview from last year's Gen Con Program Guide and this year's Free RPG Day release has the 13 page adventure Museum at the End of Time (yes, if you missed it in print, it's here in PDF)

Come to think of it, there ares some more Free DCC RPG releases. I'll link them in a follow up post.

In the meantime, enjoy :)

Always a Kerfuffle at The Tavern - Some More Thoughts on Free RPG Day.

So, Gamerati interviewed Aldo Ghiozzi about Free RPG Day and The Tavern got a mention. Now, Aldo may be trying to play down his comment at The Tavern:

but the reality is, he's right - Free RPG Day does nothing to bring anyone into the hobby. Not new gamers, not lapsed gamers, not even gaming spouses (unless they are tagging along to grab more free loot).

Now, here's my question: What value does Free RPG Day have for most publishers? Aldo mentions the free Call of Cthulhu adventure later in the interview. How many brick and mortar stores that had the free adventure actually carry the game? How many carry the DCC RPG? 13th Age? LotFP products? Castles & Crusades? How are you rewarding your customers by giving them free stuff for games you don't even carry?

As a retailer, you know what's coming in the box. Why aren't you at least carrying a product or two that links to the items you are giving away? Because you probably figure they won't sell anyway. If so, what good are the free items? At best, your customers will pick it up as a novelty. At worst, they'll find what they need at an online retailer. Is that really what you want?

I really fail to understand why most publishers kick into this program aside from Paizo. I do understand why Frog God Games didn't release anything this year. It's not even a "loss leader" for most publishers, it's just a loss, especially when the stores in question don't even carry your line of releases.

I'm not knocking "free", I just don't see this as a very effective use of the concept. Not for publishers, not for retailers and not for the customers.

Oh, and I never mentioned "OSRIC". The post title in question was: An Underwhelming Free RPG Day 2016 From an Old School Perspective

I did love the question about "Pencil Dice" ;)

Trimmed Swords & Wizardry: Light to Four Pages - Now to Rewrite & Rebuild

I do believe that is 18 monsters, all on one sheet. You should note that four pages is without an item list (weapons and armor are chosen by class and an adventurer's pack will cover the other items). Magic items are also not included, as they are meant to be special and unique and to be explained in the 4 page adventures meant to accompany the Light rules (and possible elsewhere, see below)

Spell lists are whittled down, but again, new spells from the various Swords & Wizardry rules can be introduced via adventures.

I am considering an optional Deadly Machinations four page pamphlet, which would offer GMing advice, sample magic items, random encounter charts, adding in alignment and languages and other ways to get your PCs in trouble. For the folks looking for a Thief class, this would be where they'd make an appearance, assuming they did.

The whole key to this is keeping the releases at four pages, so you can print it on one sheet at booklet settings.

Simple, short, cheap to print and viral in distribution ;)

Kickstarter - Mutant Crawl Classics - (New DCC Engined RPG)

Awesome +Doug Kovacs art

Yep, the long awaited Mutant Crawl Classics Kickstarter is live!

In less than 12 hrs it's nearly met it's $20k funding goal (it's at $19k) as I write this.

So, what is Mutant Crawl Classics?

Mutant Crawl Classics (MCC RPG) is a stand-alone setting that applies the DCC RPG rules to a post-apocalyptic setting. You'll love MCC if you like Gamma World, Metamorphosis Alpha, or DCC RPG. You don't need to own DCC to play MCC. 

I'm excited. I enjoy the DCC RPG and my 2nd RPG (and the first paid for with my own money( was 1st Edition Gamma World. That, and +Jim Wampler writes some damn good DCC RPG material.

Wisely, the stretch goals are in PDF and list 4 potential adventures. Goodman Games has been spot on with it's Kickstarter projects and I have no hesitation backing their latest.

First Pass Done - S&W Light Distilled Down to Six Pages - Second Pass This Weekend

At the moment, I've distilled S&W Basic down to six pages for S&W Light. This is the first pass, there are still some tables that need editing and there is a bunch of stuff that needs rewriting for space and explanation purposes.

BTW, that's 6 pages using the Word document. Laid out properly it's probably around 4ish.

All 18 included monsters fit on one sheet. Most monsters took 2 lines but a few took 3, such as the Giant Fire Beetle.

There is no XP entry as we are leaving out the concept of XP. Two adventures to reach level 2, five more adventures to reach level 3, at which point the player is expected to move on to one of the three Swords & Wizardry rulesets with 5,000 XP

As I Was RedLining White Box, I Noticed a Problem With the Sleep Spell

I've been "red lining" a spare copy of Swords & Wizardry White Box for the S&W: Light project I'm working on. I stumbled across the Sleep Spell table, and noticed something wrong with it. Two somethings actually.

"1+" is on both the first and second line of the chart and "2+" isn't even taken into account. Now, for the purpose of White Box, I'd probably change the first line to "Less than 1 to 1" and the second line to "1+ to 2+". For S&W Light, I want to save space and do away with the chart all together.

So, I'm going with 2d6+3 HD of creatures, with less than 1HD counted as 1HD and ignoring "+'s". Any HD that can't be fully allocated are lost. Takes into account mixed groups fairly well and does away with the chart.

Snip snip...

Reminded - Tavern Chat Tonight = 9 PM Eastern - Yap it Up

It's Wednesday, so tonight is another Tavern Chat.

Tonight's topics?

Swords & Wizardry: Light and whatever else your little heart desires.

Really, we go without a script most every week. We also run with scissors, so you've been warned ;)

Girl Downtown has up and Gone! Quick Ken! Start Up Another!

Yep, it appears the fundraising for Girl Downtown has up and gone. Ken, what's the next scam?

Seriously, don't leave us in hanging. We're your fans. You are our entrainment - D20 Entertainment actually. Wait, that never existed actually...

At least we have the IMDB posting to look at:

Fuck, that's gone to.

Ah well, I'm sure it can be rebuilt...

Contest - OSRToday Turns Two, Win Two Classic Books

+Jason Paul McCartan , AKA The Badger and well known as my partner in crime, is celebrating the 2nd anniversary of his RPG News website, OSRToday.

Pssst! And he's has a contest to give away free loot.

What kind of loot?

Tunnels & Trolls loot, signed and personalized by +Ken St. Andre himself.

How might you come into possession of such sweet loot?

Here's the details from OSRToday:

On June 18th, 2016, OSRToday turned two years old, and to celebrate it we’re going to run a contest to celebrate. The prizes for the contest are listed below:

1st Edition Tunnels & Trolls & Saving Fang From The Pits of Morgul 

In the picture above, you can see reproductions of the 1st Edition of Tunnels & Trolls [AL] and Saving Fang From the Pits of Morgul [AL], the first full solo adventure for the 1st Edition of T&T . Both of these have been signed by Ken St. Andre, who very kindly personalized each of the inside covers of each of these books at Origins 2016. What did Ken write inside them? That’s a secret that will only be revealed once the competition is over and one lucky winner has received these books. 

So, how do you, our diligent OSRToday readers, get a chance to win both these books?
Simply post in the comments here on this post (at OSRToday mind you) either your first experience with Tunnels & Trolls or your first roleplaying game experience either as a player a GM, even if it’s not with Tunnels & Trolls! 

Everyone that posts at least one story by the deadline for the competition will be entered into the Hat of Potential Winners, and one lucky winner will receive both copies of the books shipped to them no matter where they are in the world, courtesy of OSRToday. The deadline to comment on this post will be midnight on July 6th, 2016, which is two weeks from when this post has gone up.

What are you waiting for? Go to OSRToday, drop a comment and get put in the running.

Sometimes Ken Makes Me Wonder if This is Actually What Happened

Thanks to +Lloyd Metcalf for the share.

It's a perfect Ken pic, with that smug smile we know so well.

Ah well. It will hold me over until the next Ken debacle...

Time to "Red Ink" White Box - Trimming the Fat to Get to S&W: Light

A while back I stumbled across a really good deal on Swords & Wizardry White Box softcovers. I ordered a half dozen with the intention of giving out copies to my old face to face gaming group at our next annual gathering. Once I got them, it was kinda obvious they weren't being sold by Matt or Mythmere Games. I wish I had paid closer attention. I wasn't going to hand out bootlegs, but throwing away gaming material felt like just compounding a bad situation. So, I put them on a shelf and there they sat. Until now.

Now that I'm working on what is tentatively titled Swords & Wizardry: Light, these books are a boon. I get to "red ink" - in metallic no less - a hard copy of White Box. It's actually a thrill to go through and trim what isn't needed.

The idea is that some of the material trimmed could be added back in a series of adventures. The same adventures that will be written to help a lapsed gamer regain his game mastering footing.

Now to rewrite the Sleep spell...

Time to Start Processing Tavern Card Requests - Ashley Demands it Be So!

500 extra heavy Tenkar's Tavern Membership cards - check!

400 peel and seal envelopes - check!

300 US Postage Forever Stamps - check!

30 US Postage Global Forever Stamps - check!

A bunch of mini post it's for personal notes - check!

not pictured - metallic ink pens

Postage alone was $175.50 and with the requests over the weekend that I need to add to the Google Community, we'll need more postage ;)

Here's the Current Intro Hook for Swords & Wizardry: Light

Back home to my desk, refreshed and rejuvenated. I've got 20 requests to catch up with for The Tavern Membership Cards from the weekend, so there's some work to do.

I also plan to start posting the rule modifications and the like to The Tavern's Google Community either later tonight or tomorrow.

In the meantime, I've got the intro hook for S&W: Light (working title for now). The intro will certainly go through revisions, but does a decent job (INHO) of potentially evoking memories in lapsed gamers (which I think is a more viable target audience than totally new gamers).

Remember the days of yesteryear? When battles were won with sharp swords and well timed spells. When wit and daring could overcome most odds, and when they couldn’t, fast feet were worth more than any gold coin. These four pages of Swords & Wizardry: Light will awaken the long forgotten gamer in you with a call to arms! What are you waiting for? It’s time to roll them bones!

Alright, time to get to work crossing out text in my copy of Swords & Wizardry White Box...

What I Need to Clear My Mind for Writing - Nature

I'm in the Poconos for an extended weekend with Rach and my parents. I"m still amazed I spent nearly 10 months without spending a night out of the city.

For me to create and create effectively, I need to be in the right mindset. Nature not only recharges my batteries, but it invigorates my mind. I did a lot of brainstorming last night for the Swords & Wizardry 4 page / 1 sheet project. I need to update the Google Community with some of the changes / solutions that are likely to be used.

Now, a question that can come now or later, but must be addressed at some point is what do you call rules that are lighter than S&W White Box?

eXtra Light? Vanilla Unboxed? Pale Whiter? White Lite Rules? Simple & Succinct? God only knows...

Working on Distilling Swords & Wizardry White Box down to Four Pages / One Sheet

If you are part of The Tavern's Google Group Community, then you already know. If not, I'm now announcing it at The Tavern. I've been brainstorming with a writer / publisher to distill Swords & White Box down to four pages, printable on one sheet of paper in digest form.

This all came about with the conversation on Friday that A) OSR games are under represented on Free RPG Day; B) Free RPG Day isn't about growing the hobby but rewarding the current customer C) it's damn expensive for any publisher to participate in Free RPG Day.

What if you had a self contained OSR ruleset in 4 pages, that covered the core 3 classes, the first three levels of advancement, was able to be played WITHOUT a D20 if needed and was aimed not so much as the new player but the lapsed gamer? You now, what I was from 1997 to 2006 or so.

Free in PDF, printable at home, made to be evangelized. Leave a dozen copies at the game store or library, printed on colorful paper to grab the eyes. Maybe leave a stack at a comic con. Wherever you think a lapsed gamer may find it. Maybe left with different community written 4 page / 1 sheet adventures.

Compatible with Swords & Wizardry White Box and written that any of the Swords & Wizardry Rules are a natural progression, it's aim is to be the re-entry engine for the lapsed gamer.

Brainstorming has gone well and there is a lot to trim to bring this down to size but I think it can be done, and done effectively and still approachable and readable. Something that Rach, who it loathe to read any RPG rule book will look at and not feel intimidated by.

Progress reports and rules in progress will be posted on The Tavern's Google Community Group. There will be updates posted to the blog, but the bulk will be in the Community Group.

Ask for a free card and be part of the fun. Use the link in the upper right corner. I've been away for the weekend, so it might take 2 or 3 days before I answer your email (and a few weeks before you get your card - just bought 400 self sealing envelopes today)