DTRPG Site Was Hacked on Friday, May 20th, 2022

I was wondering why DTRPG was down on the evening of May 20th, 2022. Then I had the following forwarded to me:

Meredith Gerber (She/Her) — Today at 10:27 PM

MAY 2022 SECURITY UPDATE

In the afternoon of May 20th, 2022, we had a security incident on site that we continue to actively investigate. We have no evidence that any customer account data was compromised.

A third party was able to set prices on titles that they were not authorized to modify, and they set the prices of many titles on site to free which led to some customers placing orders for free titles that were not meant to be free. We shut down the site shortly after this began to happen.

@Publisher & @CC Creator:

We are restoring the site to service, however, for the time being, there will be no access to the normal tool pages to enter or edit titles or to manage bundle titles. We continue to investigate these pages for any security issues and will restore them as soon as we can. Files can still be updated with the normal update file tool page.

Publishers may still use the main publisher hub title search to find and make some edits to titles.

In the coming week, we will analyze any titles that were ordered at incorrect prices and make restitution to publishers and creators whose titles were affected.

We will continue to post messages to Discord, publisher hub, and social media as our investigation continues.

Interestingly enough, there was no mention of this incident on the DTRPG Facebook page.

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Humble Bundle - Heavy Metal Comics Bundle

I remember Heavy Metal Magazine from back in my teens years, and it always had and least one comic story that blew me away. For the time, it certainly pushed the envelope, and to find it still being published 45 years after its debut in digital format is nothing short of amazing.

Issue 316 is the latest issue of Heavy Metal, and the bundle includes issues 307-315 as well as a large number of trade paperback collections. I'm in for 25 bucks for the Heavy Metal Comics Humble Bundle. I've got a few weeks of comics reading ahead of me it seems. 51 titles will last a long time ;)

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Write Up Jus'Tinlau the Master Baker of Clan Nassa and You Could Receive a $25 DTRPG GC

Fugli has been gifting The Tavern with unique artwork for a while now. I am always impressed by his work, and his latest piece even includes a 3d file for the figure to have your own Jus'Tinlau the Master Baker of Clan Nassa.

https://www.heroforge.com/load_config%3D30949702/

So, we are doing another giveaway.

What do you need to do?

Write up Jus'Tinlau the Master Baker of Clan Nassa. Justin is an Ogre, but you can stat him out as you would like, using the OSR system of your choice. Write a paragraph or three describing his motivations and goals, and I'll use him as the BBEG for an off-the-grid adventure for this year's NTRPG Con. The adventure will also be shared here at The Tavern and likely published in a future issue of Torchlight.

The best entry (enter by leaving a comment below) will be awarded a $25 DTRPG GC and co-author credit on the adventure when published. (Note, by entering you agree to have your entry potentially published in a future issue of Torchlight)

Enter by 1159 PM, Sunday, May 22, 2022, to have your entry considered. The winner will be announced Monday, May 23, 2022.

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Kickstarter - A Good Book for Bad GMs and a Book of GM Inspiration

I've been a fan of Jim Pinto's work for years. Always creative, always intriguing. His latest Kickstarter, A Good Book for Bad GMs and a Book of GM Inspiration has sparked my interest, as it isn't game material or a new system, but advice. I may be an old dog and a decent GM, but I can still learn new tricks.

This is exactly what it sounds like: a comprehensive guide to gamemastering advice. The book walks the reader, step-by-step through all the roles the gamemaster takes on, all of the players they will encounter, and all the pitfalls that can trip up even the best gamemasters. Each section details advice on how to deal with disruptive players, shy people, slow adventures, boring plots, and bad habits that follow you from game to game. The book compiles over 40 years of gamemastering after attending over 100 game conventions with hundreds of strangers with some of the worst behavior you've ever seen, including other gamemasters who forced me to walk away from their tables. The book even talks about how to avoid those situations in the first place, and how to correct those behaviors if you yourself are one of those types of gamemasters.

To get both books in PDF is 19 bucks, and I really think that is the sweet point. I'll put these on my tablet for leisure reading and inspiration.

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Kickstarter - Original Adventures Reincarnated #7: Dark Tower

I must say, when Goodman Games puts together a Kickstarter, they go all out. Judging from the monies already raised in less than 48 hours - over $287k as I type this and still growing, the Original Adventures Reincarnated #7: Dark Tower Kickstarter is going to kick ass for the DCC RPG and 5e fans out there.

If you don't have a copy of the originals, this 3 volume set for $100 bucks is likely a bargain. Were I a DCC RPG player or D&D 5e gamer I'd likely be all in. I'm not sure I will personally pull the trigger on this as I have the originals, but it certainly is tempting.

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Dave Johnson's (Star Frontiers New Genesis/nuTSR Writer) Has a Website (apparently created by a third-party) Devoted to His Hateful & Bigoted Tweets

I was shown the below link late this afternoon. It took me a while to digest what I was seeing and to reconcile how any sane individual could share so much hateful and bigoted content.

I'm not going to share the content on The Tavern, but I will link to the site below, as well as Dave's Twitter account, which as I type this still has the tweets collected on the below website.

https://nohateingames.wixsite.com/home

https://twitter.com/DavefilmsUs

A Sunday Post By Not "Not Erik" ;)

I'm sure most of you expect to see Chris writing today's post. I know I look forward to it every week. Chris had to take today off, as he is traveling home followed by traveling away from home, things that those of us (well, not me) often have to cope with due to work responsibilities.

Today, I thought I'd mention how big a favor Chris does for me every week, and has been doing for years, ever since I was hospitalized in 2020 with Congestive Heart Failure. I've known Chris for a number of years, and he understands my compulsion to have a daily post (as well as video) up at The Tavern. Before my bout with illnesses in 2020 and my trifecta of hospitalizations, I hadn't missed a day of blogging in years. When life and fate lined up to end that streak, Chris reached out to me and gracefully stepped in to shoulder the load. It wasn't just a favor for me, but it was a favor for each one of you too.

For far too long this blog had only one voice and Chris showed me how important it was to ensure I was not the only voice heard. Sure, I had guest posters on occasions, but Chris is the only one to step in with his own voice that also felt 100% comfortable and true to The Tavern. Chris and his posts belong here as much as I do. If I'd known earlier what a great addition he would become, I'd have invited him years before The Year of Trials ;)

I've been toying for the last year with the idea of handing off Wednesday's regular posting to another. I haven't found such yet, but Chris has proven on a weekly basis that such an addition could only make The Tavern an even better place.

Thank you Chris, and thank you to all the readers. 2022 will be a big year at The Tavern, and when the time is right we'll have some announcements you should enjoy.

Oh, and Chris should return next week :)

Note: Above art by Fugli

Tenkar Not "Not Erik"

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Free OSR Rulesets - Science Fiction - Looking for More Titles

Compared to the Free Fantasy OSR Rulesets, the Science Fiction Collection of Free OSR Rulesets is very much smaller. Perhaps my Google-Fu has failed. 

If you know of Free Science Fiction OSR Rulesets that aren't yet in this collection, leave a comment below and I will be glad to update this page.

Note: I'll be working on Free OSR Adventures next.

Stars Without Number - Revised Edition - "Stars Without Number: Revised Edition is an old-school-inspired game of sci-fi adventure, one built from the ground up to encourage sandbox play and simplify a GM's job in providing it. Familiar mechanics are employed to forge new worlds and explore new possibilities, guidelines built on long experience used to help a group venture in wholly new directions."

Mutant Future: Revised Edition (no-art version) - "Mutant Future is a post-apocalyptic science fantasy RPG, in the same flavor of similar genre games from the late 70s and early 80s. The game is almost entirely open game content, and a free trademark license allows anyone to publish materials compatible with Mutant Future."

X-plorers - "Here is a simple RPG of interplanetary adventure, rules-lite, fast-paced, and inspired by a passion for science fiction. In X-plorers, you're part of a group of galactic troubleshooters on the look out for the next job-whether it be salvage, search, or rescue on an alien world."

D6 Space - "This book provides the fundamentals necessary to play in nearly any type of science fiction setting using West End Games' famous D6 System roleplaying game rules." Aliens, Androids, Space Opera and Space Ships

Septimus (d6 system) - "The game of Septimus takes place in a galactic civilization that has run its course and now Is going through an extended death spasm. This civilization Is the vaunted Seventh Empire, the greatest single political entity ever crafted by humanity."

Hulks and Horrors - Basic Black Edition - "We are the Surveyors. We explore the uncharted sectors of space and hunt these ruins for the treasures they contain and the riches they might bring to what sentient life remains. We are not brave, merely foolhardy and desperate. Those who survive become rich beyond dreams. Very few survive. Hulks & Horrors is a science-fiction roleplaying game of galactic exploration and adventure for 2 or more players ages 13 and up."

Cepheus Engine System Reference Document - "The Cepheus Engine System Reference Document comprises the core rules for a Classic Era Science Fiction 2D6-Based Open Gaming System. Inspired by the original three books of the oldest 2D6-based science fiction roleplaying game, the Cepheus Engine system incorporates elements of Open Game Content from previous releases of that game of intergalactic drifters and wanderers to create a basic system that will allow players and Referees alike to create their own science fiction universes or play in the ones they are already familiar with."

Cascade Failure - "Cascade Failure is a post-apocalypse future RPG. Set in the aftermath of a devastating war that collapsed the interstellar economy, Cascade Failure is a survival RPG that casts the characters out into a dangerous and hostile universe. The game is built on a rugged OGL chassis that is melded with a variety of new subsystems to round out your character. You can jump into unique character classes like the Kinetic that can move objects with their mind or into a unique alien species like the insectoid Sahael with a hardened exoskeleton and powerful mandibles for biting attacks."

TERMINAL SPACE - "In the beginning (these rules) were to comprise a separate game partially based on simplified Moldvay / Cook edition of the game and partially on my own solutions. After some thought, I came to the conclusion that my works would be better suited as supplements for the Original Edition. The aim of this publication is to add a new rule set to help transfer the game to an entire new dimension which is space exploration. Thus these additional materials were created with the thought of settings more heavily based on Sci-Fi and Science Fantasy genres than most of the materials created for 0e so far. Even though this supplement is not complete I hope that somebody will find it useful."

The Frontier Starter Edition - Inspired by action roleplaying games, such as Borderlands and Destiny, The Frontier is a sci-fi game of hi-octane action that focuses on the simpler pleasures of life. Explore the alien ruins of a faraway world, fight a ton of nasties and baddies, and collect a boatload of loot as your reward!

Apes Victorious - Apes Victorious is a roleplaying game in which you take the role of an astronaut from the 1970’s who finds himself marooned on a future Earth ruled by intelligent apes. Players may also take the role of an ape, a degenerated human, or a psi-active underdweller. Fight to survive in this post-apocalyptic future ruled by four species of apes. Or play apes who hunt humans for sport. For a different kind of campaign, play highly intelligent but insane underdwellers who have advanced technology and powerful psi powers.

Mothership: Player's Survival Guide - Mothership is a sci-fi horror roleplaying game where you and your crew try to survive in the most inhospitable environment in the universe: outer space! You'll excavate dangerous derelict spacecraft, explore strange unknown worlds, exterminate hostile alien life, and examine the horrors that encroach upon your every move.

ICAR - Icar is a space opera, more light-hearted than hard science fiction. It is set in a distant future where a benevolent Imperium protects the human race, which is battling a race of killer robots it created!

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The Midnight Setting Returns Later this Month as a Kickstarter for 5e

By far my favorite setting from the 3rd Edition Era was Midnight by Fantasy Flight Games. It is essentially Middle Earth (with the serial numbers scratched off) and Sauron won, and it presented the concept so perfectly that it made me want to run D&D 3e. That says a lot.

Later this month, May 27, Midnight returns as a setting for D&D 5e via Kickstarter. I am extremely excited, as taking 5e material and converting it to the OSR is fairly easy. I just hope they keep true to the original. Heck, I've been eagerly awaiting Midnight since it was announced in 2020.

You can view the trailer below:

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OSR Bundle - 2022 Mega-Bundle Castle OldSkull - (OSR)

 

If you are an Old School Gamer, there is a good chance you have one or more Castle Oldskull releases. Castle Oldskull has some very solid old-school releases, and this is one hell of a bundle.

The current Castle OldSkull Bundle is originally $139.28, it is on sale with this bundle for 41.58.

For the completist, here it is at last. A colossal selection of over 50 titles from the Castle Oldskull, Hawk & Moor, and Old-School Essentials series!

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Highlighting Dragonlance on Sale during the D&D Sale

Dragonlance. If you were playing D&D in the 80s, you likely read the Dragonlance fiction and/or played the adventures. While I didn't much enjoy the Dragonlance modules (can you say "railroad"?) I thoroughly enjoyed the fiction, maybe too much, and enjoyed the Dragonlance Adventures Hardcover supplement for AD&D.

This week, DTRPG is highlighting Dragonlance during its site-wide D&D Sale.

Dragonlance Adventures (1e) gives you knew and revised classes and races for your AD&D campaign and is on sale for 2.99. Also clocking in at 2.99 is the Atlas of the Dragonlance World (1e). For less than six bucks that's a full on AD&D campaign. 

Ot, if you want a AD&D 2e supplement, snag PG1 Player's Guide to the Dragonlance Campaign (2e) for 2.99

Want to play though the original 14 adventures of the Dragonlance series?Dragonlance Classics: 15th Anniversary Edition (2e/SAGA) is 5.99.

Can't get enough Dragonlance? This link will take you to more Dragonlance than you can shake a stick at :)

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Deal of the Day - Fallen Justice (OSR)

In truth, I don't know much about Gallant Knight Games. I know they have an association with Barrel Rider Games, but beyond that, I know little of what they do, aside from the fact that much of it is OSR related.

Today's Deal of the Day is Fallen Justice. It is designed of a basic OSR style ruleset. Normally 9.99 in PDF, until tomorrow morning at 11 AM, Fallen Justice is a mere 2 bucks.

Inspired by gritty Iron Age comics, FALLEN JUSTICE is a no-holds barred, bloody knuckled homage to powerless vigilante stories. Powered by the Venerable Knight Classics chassis, this classically inspired d20 RPG is heavily based on White Box roleplaying, but features some modern narrative mechanics.

Take on the role of a brutal vigilante out to clean the streets by force and get ready to sink your fists into the faces of low-life criminals everywhere. This book contains no setting and is designed to be a toolbox to tell your own stories, but it is otherwise a complete game.

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Bundle of Holding - The Hero's Journey: Second Edition

Time to put my cards on the table. The latest offering at Bundle of Holding is The Hero's Journey, an amazing OSR fantasy game written by none other than James Spahn. James is a dear friend of mine and has been a great friend for years and he added some ideas from an "experienced game designer" when I was putting together Swords & Wizardry Light and also co-wrote Continual Light with me. James has worked on more IPs and game systems than I can remember, but his first out-of-the-ballpark hit was certainly White Star. Hero's Journey 2e is likely his finest work yet, but I certainly am biased :)

The Hero's Journey: Second Edition is 14.99 in PDF at DTRPG, but you can get a whole collection of releases for The Hero's Journey: 2e for 12.95 via Bundle of Holding.

The Hero’s Journey Fantasy Roleplaying, Second Edition is a fantasy roleplaying game that blends classic tradition and modern game design to bring you an experience where players take up the mantle of heroes in a world of danger and magic inspired by classic fairy stories and timeless fantasy literature.

Whether you’re taking a Knight clad in shining armor astride your grand steed, a cunning Burglar hoping to use your silver tongue to flatter a terrifying Elder Wyrm while your friends slip away, or a dedicated Yeoman who has given your heart and soul to defend the good and true people of the world from the strange dangers of Fairie and beyond, The Hero’s Journey, Second Edition creates a gaming experience firmly rooted traditional western folklore where the player characters are more than just sword-swinging mercenaries looking to kick in the door, kill the monster, and claim the loot. In The Hero’s Journey, Second Edition, they are all that stands between civilization and the unimaginable dangers just beyond the wild…

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Getting my Gaming Fix In by Any Means Possible

It's week four, or is it five(?), that I've been going sans dice as I'm overseas and my group is not playing during the lead-up to NTRPG. To say I've been jonesing for a game is a bit of an understatement. Luckily I did download Baldur's Gate off of steam and I'm on day 66 of my adventures along the Sword Coast. This go around....I've started the game maybe a half-dozen times but have only made it to Baldur's Gate once and never had finished the game.....this go around I just started off with an entirely custom party:

• Elven Ranger (Archer)
• Dwarven Defender
• Halfling Swashbuckler
• Human Mage
• Human Priest of Talos
• Half-Elf Skald (Bard)

I am totally cheesing this playthrough though in making sure every level-up has the PC's getting maximum HP. I'm doing my best to hoard every GP I can, even if that means selling off all of the potions, which I assume might bite me in the butt later...we'll see.

Even though it's a fun enough time-waster, it doesn't quite scratch that itch....

....so I'm starting to write/design a new adventure.

After getting to explore a bit of the local area I've come up with a mish-mash of ideas that I think could work well together for a written adventure. Right now I just have the shell of an idea....but it is written down, and I need to figure out the framework with which I'd like to work in.

Right off the bat I'm thinking I'd like this adventure to be a bit of a multi-purpose kind of thing, so I'm thinking I'll use something that already exists as a rough template. A1 Slave Pits of the Undercity works for me as said template because what I'm thinking of is a larger adventure that can be used, at least in part, as a tournament adventure. 

Since most of my more formal adventure writing is for tournaments, I've got that experience I can draw from. Of course, the adventure portion will literally just be part of the overall adventure.

Now my initial planning is to write this for Old School Essentials (OSE) as I think that'll be easy enough for GMs to flip over to any other flavor of OSR. Also I'm thinking levels 3-5, but I want to keep that a bit loose until I figure out the tournament portion of the adventure.

Since my initial inspiration came from a couple of local (well, currently local) places, I need/want to do what I can to import some historical maps from the area. Luckily I was able to find a German map website that had access to some old maps of the area. It's enough to start off with, but it's really misleading on just how the location itself looks. I'm hoping that with more time looking I can find a topographical map I can overlay on a homemade version of this old 1800-something map to strike a nice balance that shows just how much this one feature can be seen from even the far side of this rather large valley.

So the first phase of this project will be working on the larger overland map, tightening up the background story, and then writing the tournament portion of the adventure, along with any specific tournament requirements (special rules, pregens, etc.) Then I can work on "interior" maps, any special monsters, and overall tweaks. 

Then the real PITA work comes in: editing and playtesting.......luckily I have a few folks I can probably reach out to for assistance on that one.