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Friday, September 21, 2018

The Tavern Chat Podcast - E129 - Podcast & Blog - Mutually Exclusive or Complimentary?



The Tavern Chat Podcast has achieved strong downloads numbers. The blogside has maintained very strong traffic numbers. Can the two work together in harmony without driving everybody crazy?
In the past few days, there has been some concern over the perceived lack of content on the blogside (tenkarstavern.com) and the moving of much of my gaming talk to the podcast. I address the concerns while offering no true solutions. Sucks, don't it? ;)
Link to Episode 129https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E129---Podcast--Blog---Mutually-Exclusive-or-Complimentary-e292m4

My kingdom for transcription / voice to tet software for OSX that is both inexpensive and relatively accurate ;P

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Podcast - Game School - Swords & Wizardry Light - Your Bartender is the Special Guest



Wow. I was surprised to get the notification that the Swords & Wizardry Light episode of the Game School Podcast was live. We recorded it mid-summer and it kind of fell off my radar, but its here.

Want to hear me talk about Swords & Wizardry Light? Here's your chance.

If you are playing in my game at ShireCon this Saturday morning, you might want to wait until Saturday Night before you listen ;)


Kickstarter - Ral Partha’s Chaos Wars - Wave 3


Damn it! More minis. I love minis, even if I hardly ever use them in game and I haven't painted any in over 25 years.

Ral Partha era minis are so damn cool. Grenadier and Ral Partha were my go-to miniature lines in my teens and early 20s. The Ral Partha's Chaos War - Wave 3 Kickstarter looks damn cool.

Interestingly there is only one backer level - a buck. You find a pledge you like and simply pledge that amount. Want more than one set? Add up the costs for each set. Not a bad way to do it.




The Tavern Chat Podcast - E127 - Is the Journey or the Destination More Important?



Christmas was always the most exciting in the days before the actual gift giving when I was a kid. The expectations I had in my head were nearly always more exciting than the actual gifts, even when I got the ones I wanted. Same for D&D campaigns for me, I enjoy the journey far more than getting to the destination - or the play to get to the end over achieving the end goal. I guess that's why I prefer open-ended campaigns ;)
I ramble on about the importance of the journey (playing the campaign) and the destination (completing the campaign) in my games.
Link to Episode 127 - https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E127---Is-the-Journey-or-the-Destination-More-Important-e28sgf

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Reminder - Tavern Chat Live! Tonight - 9 PM Eastern - Now with Over 1k Discord Members!



Yep. Happened earlier today. What happened? The Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server surpassed 1k members.

Mike drop! ;)

Seriously, I'm hugely excited. It's a 24/7 live community where members of The Tavern can shoot the shit back and forth. While most of the activity happens in the "text channels", Wednesday Nights are special. Wednesday Nights are Tavern Chat nights.

Tavern Chat Live! has been likened to a live, unrecorded podcast with numerous guests. Its voice-chat and its a blast. Your regular hosts are Glen Hallstrom (he of many podcasts and Youtube) as well as myself. Its held from 9 PM Eastern until 11ish - the ish meaning more or less, and we've gone past 3 AM in the morning at rare times.

Here's the link to join us:

https://discord.gg/Y9prQr

See y'all tonight!

Kickstarter - Impact! Miniatures Presents: The Lost KS Mini Project



OK. I must admit. I find the Impact! Miniatures Presents: The Lost KS Mini Project Kickstarter very interesting.

Instead of sculpting their own line of miniatures, Impact! Miniatures has instead licensed or bought the rights to the minis from prior Kickstarters. Those that funded and only had a single run made, those that failed to fund and in one case, those that funded and failed to produce (more on the Torn Armor KS later in this post).

I should note, these minis are 3d prints. They are not metal and are not Reaper Bones either. I've seen some recent 3d printed mins and ecept for the color I couldnt tell a difference in detail between them and metal (that being said, my eyes aren't what they used to be ;)

So, which miniatures lines are available in this Kickstarter?
  • Miniatures from the discontinued board game Wizard's Academy
  • Miniatures from the closed company ZN Games
  • Miniatures from the discontinued line for Breachworld by Jason Richards
  • Miniatures from the discontinued line by Hivetrygon Minis
  • Miniatures from closed company Soul Jar
  • Miniatures from the failed to fund KickStarter Dawn of the Archmage
  • Miniatures from the failed KickStarter Torn Armor 
I'm seriously tempted by the Breachworld minis myself. Damn it! heh

For those asking "what's the deal with the Torn Armor minis and Kickstarter?"
One of the group of STL files I was able to purchase was the STLs from the Torn Armor KS project that funded but failed to deliver.   While I have no connection to that project at all, I will work with you to get you some/all of the miniatures at cost + shipping.   I set up a special $2 reward level to assist with handling this.
Note: the "I" referred to above is Tom Anders, not your bartender :)



The Tavern Chat Podcast - E126 - Voicemails & Comments regarding Henchmen & Hirelings



I've always had issues with henchmen. They were oft forgotten when an area effect spell was cast but always remembered when the party was hurting and needed some fresh meat to throw at the enemy. Not quite a PC and yet not quite a DM-PC. Has their time come and passed?
In Episode 124 I discussed my thoughts on henchmen and hirelings in RPG campaigns. Today, we listen to some feedback from The Tavern's community. Huzzah!
Link to Episode 126 - https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E126---Voicemails--Comments-regarding-Henchmen--Hirelings-e28lus

Link to Episode 124 - https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E124---Henchmen--Hirelings--Followers---Yea-or-Nay-e288t9

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

World of Darkness Sale - 75% Off



Back in my earlier days in the hobby, Werewolf and Mage were RPGs / settings that really struck a note with me (Vampire less so). Never fully grasping the mechanics (and lacking a group that had any interest in the system) I jumped at the opportunity when GURPS editions of the World of Darkness settings were released. I REALLY wanted to run a GURPS Mage game back in the day.

In any case, for the next two days, there is a sale on all things World of Darkness over on RPGNow. Nearly 650 releases are on sale, nearly all at 75% off (community releases are 25% off)

Damn tempting.

Yep, that's an affiliate link. More beer for your Tavern Keeper, please!

The Tavern Chat Podcast - E125 - Kickstarter Roundup for September 18, 2018


Ah, Tuesday. That means Kickstarter Day here at The Tavern Chat Podcast. The good, the bad and the outright Far West.
Tuesdays are Kickstarter day here at The Tavern Chat Podcast. We look at 5E Stat Appendix for Fiendish Monster Hardcover, Adventure Realm RPG Tiles - Village and Riverland set, Gorgeous RPG Dice Sets for DnD and other roleplaying games, Mutant Mayhem Minis - RPG Post-Apocalyptic Figures for MCC, and Pirates of the Undead Seas: Fantasy Pirate Miniatures. Oh, and I rant about Far West and Gareth.
Link to Episode 125 - https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E125---Kickstarter-Roundup-for-September-18--2018-e28g2l

Links to Kickstarters:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/563681582/5e-stat-appendix-for-fiendish-monster-hardcover

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/Adamant/far-west-western-wuxia-mashup-adventure-game/comments

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/776630342/adventure-realm-rpg-tiles-village-and-riverland-se

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/344923518/gorgeous-rpg-dice-sets-for-dnd-and-other-roleplayi

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/806737090/mutant-mayhem-minis-rpg-post-apocalyptic-figures-f

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chappellm/pirates-of-the-undead-seas-fantasy-pirate-miniatur

Monday, September 17, 2018

Kindle Books -The Adventures of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser: Swords and Deviltry, Swords Against Death, and Swords in the Mist - 3.99 for the Set



A tip of the hat to Joe K over at The Tavern's Facebook Community for bringing this to my attention.

The Adventures of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser: Swords and Deviltry, Swords Against Death, and Swords in the Mist is $3.99 for the set.

I really hope Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser need no introduction, but if they do:
Many decades before George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones, Grand Master Fritz Leiber ruled the sword-and-sorcery universe. These three short story collections chronicle the unconventional adventures of Leiber’s endearing antiheroes: barbarian Fafhrd and former wizard’s apprentice, the Gray Mouser.

Swords and Deviltry: Fafhrd, a handsome barbarian of the Steppes, is seduced by a beautiful prostitute and her equally intoxicating city, while the Gray Mouser, a slum rat wizard-in-training, is tempted by the dark arts. The two men meet on a night of multiple thieveries and an enduring partnership is born.

Swords Against Death: Rogue swordsmen and devoted companions Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser pursue ill-gotten fortunes within the confines of Lankhmar. They cross paths with two wizards, Sheelba of the Eyeless Face and Ningauble of the Seven Eyes, and a most violent clash ensues. Eventually, following further adventures, the two antiheroes end up as indentured swordsman servants to their former foes.

Swords in the Mist: A cloud of concentrated hatred and lean times in Lankhmar compels Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser to temporarily depart the most corrupt metropolis in all of Nehwon as they seek adventure in the realm of the Sea-King—and on a different world entirely.

This must-read collection of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser short stories features multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–nominated tales, and includes the acclaimed novella Ill Met in Lankhmar.

https://amzn.to/2D7rK2y

Yep, that's an affiliate link. Keep the beer fresh and cold at The Tavern by using The Tavern's affiliate links.

The Tavern Chat Podcast - E124 - Henchmen, Hirelings & Followers - Yea or Nay?



I've found that the use of henchmen and hirelings in RPG campaigns has decreased since the early 80s. Is that also your experience? Why do you think that is?
In this episode, I discuss the use (or lack thereof) of henchmen, hirelings and followers in fantasy RPG campaigns.
Link to Episode 124https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E124---Henchmen--Hirelings--Followers---Yea-or-Nay-e288t9

https://www.patreon.com/tenkarstavern

Sunday, September 16, 2018

The Tavern Chat Podcast - E123 - How Important is it for U to Create a Homebrew World?



I really need to do a Midderlands episode. I'm just afraid I won't do the releases justice. In any case, tody's episode is again inspired by some questions on the current Dungeons & Dragons survey by WotC.
Another peek and reaction to a handful of questions from the Dungeons & Dragons Survey. I also talk a wee bit about the new MidderZine #1 release. 
Link to Episode 123 https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E123---How-Important-is-it-for-U-to-Create-a-Homebrew-World-e281d2

https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4495590/ddsurvey

www.drivethrurpg.com/product/251643/Midderzine-Issue-1?affiliate_id=1446 (affiliate link)

monkeyblooddesign.co.uk/The-Midderlands/

Saturday, September 15, 2018

New Release - Midderzine Issue #1 (Midderlands / S&W / OSR)

This popped up in my Facebook feed last night and I nearly lept out of bed to share it. Of course, that never happened as sleep overtook me ;)

In any case, I'm picking up Midderzine #1 in Print & PDF - because I can't wait on the mail to come to me...
This is a fanzine for The Midderlands campaign setting for old school games. Although The Midderlands was written for Swords & Wizardry Complete, it works with all the old school games and retroclones with little or no conversion. Hell, you can even adopt it for any fantasy roleplaying game. 
Within this issue you can find news articles, information about locations, NPCs, monsters, races, classes, oddities, spells, flora, fauna, and just about anything to do with the Midderlands, the Haven Isles, and further afield.  
IN THIS ISSUE: 
  • More fodder for your ‘The Midderlands’ OSR campaign setting.
  • Rumours from The Haven Gazette.
  • Details on the village of Stonecastle.
  • 3 new monsters: The Catvile, Gloomrat, and Devil’s Goat.
  • The Crowmaster class.
  • New Oddities, Flora, and Fauna including: Catvile Spittle, Demonfeathers, and Plague Flies.
  • Jim Magnusson: The Scandinavian Artist Sensation.
  • And more…
Midderzine #1 is $3.92 in PDF

Midderzine #1 is $9.14 in Print - Shipped (converted from 6.75 British Pounds)

Yep, PDF sales use an affiliate link. Put some beer in your bartender's fridge. :)

The Tavern Chat Podcast - E122 - Are Game Sessions with Constant Action Good Gaming?


I'm actually very happy with the Dungeons & Dragons Survey currently posted by WotC. Remember, under "other editions of D&D played", enter "OSR" ;)
I'm really enjoying the D&D survey posted by WotC. Some of the questions are thought-provoking. They certainly drive the conversation. I'd love to hear some community response to the questions I covered on this episode :)
Link to Episode 122https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E122---Are-Game-Sessions-with-Constant-Action-Good-Gaming-e27tit

Friday, September 14, 2018

Free Games on Humble Bundle - Through September 16th, 2018



Earlier today I received the following email from Humble Bundle:
From now until September 16 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time, the following DRM-free games will be available to the general public: 
  • Alan Wake's American Nightmare
  • Limbo
  • Uurnog
  • Fortune 499
  • Tiny Echo
  • Cat Girl Without Salad
  • Drawkanoid
  • THOR.N
  • Crescent Bay
Here's the link (yep, its a link to free stuff, but of course Humble Bundle hopes you subscribe to Humble Bundle Monthly, so yes, its an affiliate link):

https://www.humblebundle.com/monthly/trove?partner=tenkar

The Tavern Chat Podcast - E121 - WotC has a D&D Survey Up - I Encourage You to Take It



WotC has a Dungeons & Dragons Survey up on their site - it can take 25 minutes or more to take it. I started the survey on today's podcast and covered some of the early questions. Hint: when it asks for editions of D&D that you play, you can fill in OSR ;)
WotC has an in-depth survey up about tabletop Dungeons & Dragons, the editions you play, how you play and such. There are a number of questions that may even lead to their own podcast episodes.
Link to Episode 121 - https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E121---WotC-has-a-DD-Survey-Up---I-Encourage-You-to-Take-It-e277f3

Link to D&D Surveyhttp://dnd.wizards.com/articles/news/dd-survey-1

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Troll Lord Games Sale - 1.99 Adventures - 9.99 Core Books - PDF - C&C, 5e and More



Its been a busy day here at The Tavern, mostly doing non-Tavern activities. But fear not! We have a sale from Troll Lord Games that runs through tomorrow night at midnight.
Now through Friday night at midnight we are extending the sale on almost all our Castles & Crusades, Amazing Adventures, Victorious, Haunted Highlands, and 5th edition adventures.  Not only that, we are also extending the $9.99 sale on almost all core books, settings, etc.  You'll have to do a little digging around our publisher page to find all the nuggets, but at least now you have a little more time to do it, :-)
Here's the link to the Troll Lords Sale (yep, that's an affiliate link)

The Tavern Chat Podcast - E120 - Transdimensional Taverns, Unsung Heroes and Art



This episode went by in a flash. All of the sudden I was like "Shit! We're done!" ;)
In today's episode, we listen to a voicemail, read some emails and discuss art preferences in the OSR - B&W vs Color. Oh my!
Link to Episode 120https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E120---Transdimensional-Taverns--Unsung-Heroes-and-Art-e271bi

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Reminder - Tavern Chat Tonight - 9 PM Eastern - Transdimensional Taverns Anyone?



Sorry for the late reminder of tonight's Tavern Chat. I've been running around like a chicken without a head the past week or so :)

Link to the Chat:

https://discord.gg/jjCnvk

Voice chat will be in the Open Bar Channel

Huzzah!


The Tavern Chat Podcast - E119 - A Wee Bit of KS and Transdimensional Voicemails



It really is a slow week for Kickstarter. Thankfully, its been a busy few days for voicemails ;)
There isn't much in the way of Kickstarters that excite me much this week, but there is a ton of excitement with the idea of a Transdimensional Tenkar's Tavern. Woot!
Link to Episode 119 - https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/E119---A-Wee-Bit-of-KS-and-Transdimensional-Voicemails-e26rgr

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnwrot/reality-shard-supernova-and-neutron-rpg-dice-sets?ref=category&ref=discovery&term=rpg

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bookofdarksecrets/create-your-own-fantasy-rpg-adventure-rpg-resource?ref=category&ref=discovery&term=rpg
Tenkar's Tavern is supported by various affiliate programs, including Amazon, RPGNow,
and Humble Bundle as well as Patreon. Your patronage is appreciated and helps keep the
lights on and the taps flowing. Your Humble Bartender, Tenkar

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