OSR Christmas Starts in a Week - Mark your Calendars ;)

Next Thursday we kick off OSR Christmas. I'll work on the actual gift giving breakdown for the 12 days this weekend, but in the mix thus far are:

Frog God Games: (1) Copy of The Bight - for Swords & Wizardry - Hardcover / Print
                                (2) $20 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store
                                (4) $10 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store

Silver Bulette        (2) Copies Orb of Undying Discord (PDF)
                               (2) Copies of their next release (PDF)

Gaming Ballistic   (2) Copies Dungeon Grappling in Print - (6) Copies of DG in PDF
                               (2) Copies Lost Hall of Tyr in Print - (6) Copies of LHoT in PDF

Precis Intermedia(1) Choice of one issue of RPG Pundit Presents in PDF
(Brett Bernstein)   (1) Supergame: Super-Powered RPG (Classic Reprint) in PDF   

Crossplanes          (6) Copies Wizardry Unearthed in PDF

The Tavern           (6) Copies Swords & Wizardry Continual Light in Print

The Tavern
Monkeyblood Design (1) Copy Midderlands  in Print

More to come...

                    

Nerdarchy Live Chat at Noon Eastern - Frog God Games' Zach Glazar is the Guest

In case you've been under a rock the last 21 hours or so, Frog God Games released a 5e Humble Bundle bundle of the year. Alright, that's some hyperbole added by me ;) It IS an AMAZING value no matter what edition you play - and its already raised over $100k in less than 24 hours.

Zach will be talking about the Bundle, the current Frog God Games 5e Kickstarter and other Froggieness that may leak out.

I'll be abusing him via chat...

Drop on in. Tell them The Tavern sent you. Oh, and abuse Zach ;)

Reminder - Tavern Chat Tonight - 9 PM Eastern - Where the Cool Grogs Will Be ;)

Real life has been busy but I won't miss Tavern Chat ;)

9 PM Tonight - Right here at The Tavern. Well, more accurately The Tenkar's Tavern Live Discord Server, which you can reach via the following invite:

https://discord.gg/fReGmuD

Join in on the voice chat or just lurk - we don't bite - and if we did, everyone should have their shots already.

HUGE 5e Humble Bundle from Frog God Games / Kobold Press!

When a single buck can get you so much, does game system even matter? I find myself asking this question today, as the Frog God / Kobold Press 5e Humble Bundle offers so much for 5e for so little, its a no brainer to convert some of this to Old School Gaming. Heck, a buck for a 30% off coupon ain't bad either.

Besides, sourcebooks are effectively systemless anyway. Its the words that matter, not the numbers. And adventure ideas are easy enough to convert on the fly.

Do I see maps of the Lost Lands in there at 17 bucks? Why yes I do!

I have a lot of this stuff for S&W but I don't have most of it. Looks like I will now :)

This went up 3 hours ago. Lets look at the figures:

Holy shit!

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay First Edition Core Rulebook releases in PDF on RPGNow - 9.99

As promised, the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay First Edition Core Rulebook has released in PDF on RPGNow. Priced at $9.99 it makes claims to be an accurate representation of the printed original.

Bookmarks alone make this awesome.

Fully OCR'd, bookmarked and cleaned up to look amazing, the first edition of the seminal Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay comes to PDF! 

We’ve painstakingly scanned every page, and created a PDF that maintains the appearance of the original. This does make for a slightly larger file than we’d normally produce, but on this occasion, we think it’s worth it for all the great First Edition feel! The PDF is also extensively bookmarked for ease of reference. 

We released a version earlier in the year via Humble Bundle that did not have the colour plates of the Games Workshop edition, but this new PDF does have all those glorious colour plates we know so well.

Note - file size is 154 mb

Observant readers will recognize the affiliate link above (if you aren't that observant, we've now told you) - Affiliate links keep the lights on here at The Tavern and we thank you.

TSR Tuesday - Star Frontiers: (SF1) Volturnus, Planet of Mystery (and SF2 and Character Sheets)

So, WotC has now released some classic adventures for the Star Frontiers RPG in PDF format (I had overlooked this as it actually released last week - thankfully I got pinged by a Taverner via email)

What just released?

Star Frontiers: (SF1) Volturnus, Planet of Mystery (I had no idea Tom Moldvay was involved with SF until now) - 4.99

Star Frontiers: (SF2) Starspawn of Volturnus - 4.99

Star Frontiers: (SF AC-1) Official Character Record Sheets - Free

You can snag the remastered rules for free at http://www.starfrontiersman.com/remastered.php

Sorry for the late and lonely post today - it was a busy day ;)

There are some affiliate links above. Affiliate links keep the taps flowing and the lights lit here at The Tavern. I thank you.

Troll Lord Games "Advent Calendar Sale" with Bonus Flash Sale to 8 PM Eastern Tonight!

First, the flash sale, which was posted earlier today on The Tavern's Discord Channel by one of the Taverners:

Castles and Crusades is really cheap today if anyone is interested. 

Looks like you can get a Player's Handbook, Monsters & Treasures, Castle Keeper's Guide, CK Screen, Lion in the Ropes Adventure Modules, Character Reference Sheets and Arms & Armor for about $58 plus shipping. 

Valid until 8pm EST, code FLASH50NOW and it's applicable on the bundles.

The Troll Lord Games Advent Calendar Sale reveals a new sale every day for the month of December until Christmas. Prior day's sales do NOT appear to expire.

Merry Christmas :)

To Grow the OSR the Youth are the Key

Just a quick observation.

ENWorld has about 32% of its readership in the 16 to 24 age group.

RPGNet has about 37% of its readership in the 16 to 24 age group.

The Tavern's Facebook Community comes in at 2.4% of its membership in the 16 to 24 age group.

The Swords & Wizardry Facebook Community comes in at 4.9% of its membership in the 16 to 24 age group.

Those younger gamers will be older gamers at some point. Current older gamers will age out and pass on at some point.

Maybe the OSR needs to find a way to tap into the younger player demographic.

(original demographics post with charts is here)

Kickstarter - Those Dam Goblins (LL & 5e)

If you've been following my Kickstarter posts, you would know that +Lloyd Metcalf / Fail Squad Games is always on time if not early AND backing Lloyd's KSs doesn't break the bank. They are old school friendly while still being a perfect fit for 5e. In other words, they are Win / Win and I expect more of the same from Those Dam Goblins.

Several years ago human settlers discovered a marsh covered valley which they knew would provide fertile crop land if only the marsh could be drained. The settlers dammed the river and may have damned themselves! The diverted river has awoken the cliffs themselves. Strange rumblings in the earth and smoke from the cliff tops are sure signs of trouble. The residents of Fertile Valley need some heroes, can you save Fertile Valley before it’s too late? 

This adventure is written for the Labyrinth Lord (LL) game system compatible with BECMI or B/X with Fifth Edition rules of the world’s most popular tabletop RPG included.

Written by Chris Clark with additional work and art by Lloyd himself, Those Dam Goblin's is the latest release from Fail Squad Games.

Buy in is 7 bucks in PDF, 15 in Print at 23 in Print / PDF. (The print plus PDF includes Crypt on Keeper Hill - a 5e Interlude)

Kickstarter Update - Tome of Horrors: Reborn for Fifth Edition - New Content Option Now with Swords & Wizardry and Pathfinder Flavors!

Ask and ye shall receive!

Hey! I'm new!

There was a large amount of feedback from Swords & Wizardry and Pathfinder fans asking for system specific content for their rulesets of choice from the Tome of Horrors: Reborn for Fifth Edition Kickstarter. I know, because I was one of those giving such feedback. I want the new never before published content and so should you. There are creatures in this Kickstarter that are been brought to life / undeath / demonic birth for the first time in the new Tome of Horrors and why should 5e fans have all the fun?

Well, now the rest of us can have some fun too!

New - $10 Pledge Option 

$10—SW/PF ONLY Never Published Creatures PDF.  

Get a PDF of creatures that have never before been published in any system by Frog God Games. The PDF is available in either Pathfinder or Swords & Wizardry and is available at this pledge level AND is also included with all pledges $40 and higher. The rules system choice will happen in Backerkit. This level has been added by popular request from our loyal backers who use Swords & Wizardry and Pathfinder but NOTE these creatures may be included in future volumes for these systems. These will have a print on demand softcover option if the $10 pledge level gets 75 pledges or the total funding level equals $45,000. If unlocked that option will be available with an minimal additional cost added during backerkit for all backers who want a printed copy. There is NO Fifth Edition content at this pledge level.

I'm already backing for the tokens in Print and PDF. That $40 backing positions me perfectly for the POD Swords & Wizardry Tome of Horrors book of new creatures. Its a prefect bonus for my pledge.

Enemy Within Campaign - Director's Cut - Coming to WFRP 4e in 2018 (with 1e PDFs of original)

Holy crap! I mean, I seriously LOVED running the Enemy Within Campaign (until it ended with a TPK due to the party's Wizard exploding - I'll tell the story one day ;)

Now, Cubicle 7 is going to update it for the soon (ish) to be released Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4e (and PDFs for 1e):

“But we’re not stopping there. We’re creating some beautiful PDFs of the original WFRP super-campaign: the Enemy Within. Keep an eye on our newsletter, website and social media for more news!” 

The Enemy Within – Director’s Cut 

This brings us neatly round to yet another exciting piece of news. To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of The Enemy Within Campaign we’re going to be releasing an updated deluxe, “Directors Cut” edition of The Enemy Within Campaign for Fourth Edition!
The mighty Graeme Davis has joined the team to steer this ship (or should that be river barge?). The Enemy Within was one of the best-loved RPG campaigns ever made, and we want to give the shiny new anniversary edition it deserves!

For those that don't have a complete set, let Wikipedia remind you of what that entails:

This multi-part role playing adventure was made up of several linked adventures:

• The Enemy Within / Mistaken Identity Graeme Davis, Jim Bambra, Phil Gallagher
• Shadows Over Bögenhafen
• Death on the Reik
• Power Behind the Throne
• Something Rotten in Kislev Ken Rolston, Graeme Davis (editor)
• Empire in Flames

I'll fucking run this using Swords & Wizardry if I have to but I WILL run this!

And, as a side note, Cubicle 7 has lost the Call of Cthulhu license - so expect some sales this month:

Cubicle 7’s Call of Cthulhu license expires at the end of the year and by mutual agreement with Chaosium it is not going to be renewed. There are no hard feelings on either side, and we are still on great terms - these things happen. Call of Cthulhu is Chaosium’s baby and we wish them all the best. 

We’ve enjoyed working with Call of Cthulhu and Chaosium, but we’re also looking forward to the challenge of designing our own game systems for Cthulhu Britannica, World War Cthulhu and The Laundry. Putting together games that really showcase the themes of their setting is what we do best, after all! Keep an eye on the newsletter for more information in due course. 

Stay tuned - we'll be holding a sale on our Call of Cthulhu titles in December!

RPGNow Deal of the Day - Cryptworld

I was busy today binge watching the Shannara Chronicles on Netflix and scoping out the Farmingdale Library for twice a month Swords & Wizardry Continual Light gaming in the New Year. I nearly missed today's Deal of the Day.

CRYPTWORLD is a horror role-playing game in which you investigate and hunt the forces of the unexplained. The Crypt Master may design any world of horror he desires. Classic horror, slasher horror, alien menaces from the stars and interdimensional monsters. These horrors and more may greet you in CRYPTWORLD! 

CRYPTWORLD is a role-playing game complete in one volume. 

In this book you will find: 

• Rules for character generation
• Optional paranormal talents
• Creatures covering multiple horror genres
• Advice for running horror games
• An introductory adventure
• ...and more!

Normally $7.95 in PDF, on sale until tomorrow morning for $3.97

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like OSR Christmas...

Its that time of the year. The weather gets cold. Front yards get colored with festive lights. It must mean that OSR Christmas is around the corner ;)

Yep, OSR Christmas kicks off in about two weeks and its time to talk about the gifts that Santa will have for the good boys and girls, men and women of this thing we call "The OSR."

I'm tossing a half dozen print copies of Swords & Wizardry Continual Light into the pot along with a copy of Glynn Seal's amazing Midderlands (Glynn was generous enough to send me an extra copy)

As with last year, I will NOT be a centralized hub to mail out gifts in print - such is the way of madness. If you have something to gift and you want it given away at The Tavern during OSR Christmas you'll be sending the gift direct to the recipient - I'll do the matching up for ya.

We can run the giveaway at The Tavern or your own website / blog / forum / etc. The Tavern can make the announcement and send folks to you.

If you want to participate as an OSR Christmas Gift Giver, email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing with OSR Christmas in the title.

Remember, PDFs do not have the added expense of being shipped outside of your country's borders. Gift certificates are a fine gift too :)

Lets have a Very Merry OSR Christmas this year!

Reminder - Tavern Chat - 9 PM Eastern - If I'm Late, Blame the OSR

So, I'm in a S&W / Ultima themed game from 730 pm to 9 pm Eastern. I may not be exactly on time for Tavern Chat. If I'm late, blame the DM ;)

As an aside, today marks the 2 year anniversary of The Tavern's Facebook Community. Huzzah!

Invite for The Tavern's Discord Channel:

https://discord.gg/fReGmuD

See ya tonight :)

The Tavern's Facebook Community is Two Years Old Today - 1974 Members

I remember creating The Tavern's Facebook Community 2 years ago today. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it earlier. When the thought did finally occur, it was literally a "duh!" moment ;)

1974 members at the moment. Not bad for two years. Hopefully we will surpass 2k before the year is out.

Of those 1974 members, 1745 are considered active in the community by Facebook. Build it and they will come :)

The community is yours. Enjoy it. Post. Comment. Discuss. Most of all - do.

Here's to an amazing first two years and many more to come!

Kickstarter - Appendix N Updates - I'm Still Confused

Here's the latest Appendix N Kickstarter update. I backed for $100. I got my first shipment (which didnt have the bells and whistles of the 2nd shipment) which was the first 2 adventures. Did every that was supposed to get their first 2 adventures?

So, I'm gathering from this update that the current shipment will include #3, 4 and 6 and some extras that were in the 2nd shipment of the first 2 adventures.

I like John. I really do. I almost wish he had just thrown in the towel on this. Because the endless stretch goals made this one hell of a money sink. This is a solidly in the red project. Again, in print stretch goals can kill a successfully funded Kickstarter. In this case, we ave folks that still haven't gotten their first shipment five years after it was supposed to ship

November 28, 2017
Posted by John Adams (Creator)
Hey Folks,

Full update today.

As I prepared the next two modules in print to ship, I was not happy with the amount of material in them as compared to the first two modules. I know it has been too long and I need to wrap up this project, but I went ahead and expanded the two adventures a bit and made them much deadlier too. I have also added almost all of the Add-On Adventures to these two modules as well. I know some folks did receive a couple Add-On Adventures in print during the second shipment, but not everyone. Now everyone will. And lastly, I have also included the Kickstarter-Only Add-On Adventure #6 by Michael Curtis, “Room and Boarded.” Pictures of each module packet are below with the details.

Each of these two module bundles have been made by hand in the BHP workshop (other than the thee covers) and each bundle has been signed and numbered by me.

I am currently shipping to the $500, $200, $100 pledge levels, to those who offered extra for shipping, and to the few folks who did not receive either one or both of the first two shipments. I will post the progress each week on Fridays.

Appendix N Adventures #5: "A Face to Face With Dzyvatz," by Yves Larochelle is a much larger module that is nearing completion (just waiting on cover and map art). The plan is to have it ready, released, and printed by Gary Con. Again, everyone will get a pdf of the module and those who gave extra for shipping and the pledge levels above $50 will get a copy of it in print.

Thank you for your continued patience. See you on Friday.

Appendix N Adventures #3: “The Treacherous Cobtraps” Bundleby Jimm Johnson
"Vance’s Merry Men" by Michael Curtis with Cover and map

Appendix N Adventures #4: “The Witch of Wyfield” Bundle by John Adams
"The Green Orb" by Sal Mac and John Adams (with Cardstock Map)
"Gifts of the Only" by Daniel J. Bishop
"The Perplexing Disappearances in Brambury" (with Card stock Map) by John Adams
"The Untimely End of Scaviolus Hitherhill" by Michael Curtis

New Release for Swords & Wizardry Light / Continual Light - The Orb of Undying Discord

I'm really enjoying the various releases for Swords & Wizardry Light / Continual Light. Each release in support of the system is like an angel getting their wings. Alright, maybe not quite that but it does give me the warm fuzzies ;)

The Orb of Undying Discord is the latest release in support of SWL / SWCL. Written by Ian McGarty, a longtime Swords & Wizardry GM / player, it is a fine addition to your Swords & Wizardry adventure collection, whether you run Light or Complete.

This adventure is designed for use with Swords and Wizardry Light/Continual Light. It is compatible with Swords & Wizardry and other OSR systems. This adventure is for 4-6 characters of level 2-3. Can you brave the dangers and outsmart the puzzles to obtain the Orb of Undying Discord? This is the 3rd adventure in the Undying Orbs series. These will culminate in an anthology after the upcoming release of the Orb of Undying Law. 

Lulu Cyber Monday Coupon Code - 40% off

Lulu.com is running a Cyber Monday Sale with 40% off for those that use the coupon code CYBER40.

Shop and be merry ;)

Cyber Monday at the DMs Guild - AC4 The Book of Marvelous Magic (BECMI) 99 cents and Tome of Magic (2e) $1.99 - More...

There's a bunch of sales to highlight - I may miss some and if I do, please let me know:

Through tomorrow: AC4 - The Book of Marvelous Magic is on sale for 99 cents in PDF and The Tome of Magic for 2e is on sale for $1.99 in PDF. Oh, and there is some 3.5 release for Eberron also on sale.

The storewide OBS sale where the majority of releases are marked down by 17% also ends tomorrow.

For those into The New World of Darkness, there is also a bundle with a very decent markdown.

Zweihander is currently $2.99 in PDF. (49.99 in print)

A fan of Matt Forbeck or Margaret Weiss? Drive Thru Fiction has some bundles for Cyber Monday.

Now through Friday December 1st all Inkwell Ideas Card Decks & Dice are 25% off in our (Inkwell) store. Whether you've got your eye on our NPC Decks, Creature Decks (5e Stats or System Neutral or Fate), Dungeonmorph Dice & Cards, or Sidequest Decks, they're all 25% off.  Just use the code "cyber-monday" as you check out.

FROG GOD BLACK FRIDAY - 30% off EVERYTHING*, 40% off all Pathfinder*
* except the Blight, sorry

Here is to hoping you are having the Blackest of Black Fridays. To celebrate this macabre sounding shopping gala Frog God Games has 2 coupons (must be used on separate transactions) valid through Monday at midnight). Everything we sell is 30% off (except the Blight) using coupon code-

BLACK-FRI-30

Pathfinder fans get an even bigger bonus with all Pathfinder products (except the Blight).

PF-BLACK-FRI

Coupons cannot be combined but multiple transactions are encouraged.

We started Black Friday on Tuesday this year, but our sale is still going strong! Everything in our store is 40% off if you use the coupon code blackfriday2017. This applies to EVERYTHING. Print and PDF books alike, dice and accessories, all items in the Goodman Games Online Store are on sale!

While this sale runs through Cyber Monday (November 27th), do not hesitate! This has been a hugely popular sale and we don’t want you to miss out on some of your favorite items!

There are some affiliate links above to OneBookShelf storefronts. Others do not do affiliate sales but do give them your business as they are great companies that strongly support the hobby and the gaming community.

Its Been Two Years Since I Focused on the Gygax Memorial Funded - Oh, and the Death Knell of Gygax Magazine is Two Years Ago Too

Hard to believe its been two years (and a day) since I kicked the hornets nest known as the Gygax Memorial Fund.

Now, what did we accomplish?

• Posting of missing tax returns
• Promise of an audit (posting since deleted)
• Threat of legal action for saying something I never said
• Accused of harassing sweet little old lady over the mismanagement of nearly $250k of publicly donated money
• Pissed off the youngest child of said sweet old lady

No memorial. No bricks sold. Heck, Gail hasn't even presented in front of the Lake Geneva City Council or any of its sub boards in over 2 years (I know - I've checked the records) - last we heard the two sides were still in disagreement over the location of the monument.

Then there is the demise of Gygax Magazine due to legal actions taken by Gail Gygax / The Gary Gygax Irrevocable Trust. Two years and a day or two more ago.

Next book to be published by the Gygax Trust - How to Make Friends & Influence Others Through Threats of Legal Action. Wait, that would be the first book published by the Trust...