Free Hoard of the Dragon Queen Supplement for 5e at WotC (who thought hot pink was a good choice?)

Not friendly to ANY sensibilities

Looking for some magic items, monsters and even new spells for use with the free 5e Basic Set? Look no further.

WotC has a downloadable document for use with Hoard of the Dragon Queen. Good, usable stuff even on it's own.

Grab the printer friendly copy or your eyes will bleed ;)

Much more friendly version, printer or otherwise

Goodman Games to Release 5e Adventures at Gen Con

5e OGL? 5e OGL! We don't need no steenkin' 5e OGL!

Goodman Games (much like Frog God / Necromancer) has apparently decided there is no need to wait on a specific 5e OGL / GSL / whatever may be down the road. Instead, Goodman Games is releasing two 5e adventures at next week's Gen Con.

Fifth Edition Fantasy #1: Glitterdoom

A Level 3 Adventure for 5E

Fifth Edition Fantasy is here! This level 3 adventure module is fully compatible with the fifth edition of the world’s first fantasy RPG, and ready to play in your home campaign!

Centuries ago, the glitterdoom came to the dwarves of Steelhand Clan! This divine curse transformed the dwarves into hellish forms with an insatiable greed for gold. Now, a chance encounter breaks open long-sealed gates to unleash the glitterdoom again. Can your adventurers delve into the forgotten halls to confront the subterranean menace?

This all-new 5E adventure module includes a new dwarf sub-race and a new PC background!

Digital Edition: All print purchases of this module include a code to download a free digital edition. This digital edition will be updated regularly as needed to remain current with 5E rules and learnings. As a print purchaser you will always have access to the latest edition of this module! (The author is Michael Curtis, so it should be good regardless of system)

Fifth Edition Fantasy #2: The Fey Sisters’ Fate


A Level 1 Adventure for 5E

Fifth Edition Fantasy is here! This level 1 adventure module is fully compatible with the fifth edition of the world’s first fantasy RPG, and ready to play in your home campaign!

The cries of battle echo in the rustic wilderness, as a pair of fey sisters defend the ancient Briarwood against invaders. When the town of Bur Hollow sends militia men to support their fey allies, they disappear without a trace. The adventurers must enter the Briarwood and save them!

This all-new 5E adventure module includes two new spells and a new PC background!

Digital Edition: All print purchases of this module include a code to download a free digital edition. This digital edition will be updated regularly as needed to remain current with 5E rules and learnings. As a print purchaser you will always have access to the latest edition of this module! (The writer of this one is Chris Doyle)

On Air Hangout with the Man Behind "Adventures in the East Mark" - and we have Prizes!

The Tenkar & The Badger Podcast, in conjunction with eXtra-Dimensional Publishing's David Wilson Brown, is going to do an On Air Hangout (G+) on Sunday, August 10th at 3pm Eastern.

David will be fielding questions in regards to Adventures in the East Mark, an OSR retroclone that has come to us via Spain.

Consider this episode 1.5 of the podcast.

There will be prizes randomly awarded to those that participate in the Hangout, both in PDF and print (the cost to mail the print copy of Adventures in the East Mark will be covered by the podcast, but the prizes are being provided by eXtra-Dimensional Publishing).

Further details will be provided at the Tavern Radio G+ Community page.

Holy Sh!t! The First Episode of Tenkar & The Badger is Available for Download (iTunes Forthcoming)

From the TavernRadio website:

Behold! For you listening pleasure (or pain), you can now download the inaugural episode of Tenkar & The Badger with our very special guest Matt Finch. In this introductory episode, we talk to Matt about his Quick Primer to Old School Gaming, as well as cover a lot of ground as to what we all think the OSR is and isn’t. Your mileage may vary. 

Also in the podcast, we give special mention to a special Hangout On Air that we’re doing at 3pm EDT on Sunday August 10th with David Wilson Brown of Extra Dimensional Publishing, where we’ll be talking to him about the new Adventures in the East Mark game. We’ll be looking for lots of questions to be able to present to David about the game, but you’ll want to hangout with us and ask questions live on air as there’s going to be some special rewards for doing so.

There may be some adult (juvenile) language involved. I haven't had a chance to listen yet, but knowing my potty mouth, consider yourself warned.

DOWNLOAD TENKAR & THE BADGER EPISODE 1 in MP3

When Did Gaming Become a Hotbed for Social Issues? (Rant Warning)

When did gaming, RPGs in particular, become a hotbed for social issues?

Everyone with an agenda is trying to use the RPG hobby to spread theirs. No, not the writers or the publishers. I'm talking about the talking heads, the social media big shots (or so they see themselves) and the big mouths.

Do I need a set of gaming rules to let me play a transexual vampire, bisexual hobbit or lesbian dwarf?

Do I need to be told I need to add more women, more trans-genders, more Venusians to my gaming table?

These are all things that are covered by a "code of conduct". Play what you want, they way you want with who you want and all this takes care of itself.

I don't need this spelled out in a rulebook. RPGs are by their very nature social. If you have issues socializing with different types of folks that don't reflect your norms, find a group that does reflect such.

Gaming is not a right. It is not an agenda. It is a hobby and a pastime.

When the noise from agendas drown out the rolls of the dice, it's time to reassess.

Or perhaps I just need to trim my G+ feed a bit more...

Future Podcast Fodder - What Do You See as the Definitive OSR Product?

Just like it says on the tin - what do you see as the definitive OSR product? You'll need to go beyond your comfort zone on this, as we discuss +Matt Finch 's Quick Primer to Old School Gaming in episode 1 (and even this is an entry that people either agree with closely or disagree with strongly - I've noticed little middle ground.)

Is there a certain set of rules, adventure, setting, resource, etc that you can point to on your bookshelf (virtual is fine) that oozes OSR in your mind?

There are no wrong answers (except those that aren't posted ;)

I Have Listened to the First 11 Minutes of the Tenkar & The Badger Podcast, and it is Good

+Jason Paul McCartan did a great job getting rid of the background hiss that infected my side of the recording.

Do I sound a bit awkward? Sure, at points. First podcast episode and I expect much blood to be drawn. That which does not kill me just makes me stronger - or at least makes me a glutton for punishment.

If all goes well, we should be releasing the episode into the wilds later today. If not today, tomorrow.

You can't rush (im)perfection ;)

Kickstarter - Designers & Dragons - A History of RPGs (All initial stretch goals are funded)

I really enjoyed the PDF I have of the original, single volume Designers & Dragons. When I heard there was a 4 volume (possibly 1600 pages total) being worked on, I was thrilled.

It's here.

I'm thrilled :)

For a measly buck you can grab volume 1 in PDF, mobi or epub right now.

For $15, you'll get all 4 volumes in electronic format. Volume 2 should be ready for download by Friday.

For $85 your get all 4 volumes in softcover and electronic format.

Need I say more?

If nothing else, spend a buck and grab Volume 1, the 70's and read about the birth of our hobby.

Who Funds Their Convention Circuit by Begging for Other People's Dimes? (Rant Warning)

Earlier today +Vincent Florio and I had a conversation about folks basically asking for handouts so they can go to Gen Con or whatever con. We both agreed that this shit pisses us off.

I can afford one con a year that includes travel and hotel stay. One.

If I couldn't afford to go to NTRPG Con I simply wouldn't go.

Imagine that. Can't afford something that isn't a necessity in your life, you just don't get to do it.

Instead, there are folks that want others to pay for their frills. This isn't living expenses. It's not Nystul who can barely keep a roof above his head and is probably Ramen Noodles biggest non-college student customer. This isn't someone down on his luck, with medical bills or the like kicking their ass. It's not the vet bill from hell to keep a beloved pet alive.

No, it's folks like you and me - but they want you and me to pay for them to go on a vacation that we aren't going to because it doesn't fit our budget. We can't afford it either, so why should I give money so some other ass can go?

It takes fucking balls. And a certain lack of self respect.

If you want to go that badly, save your pennies or work a second job. Because my job is not going to pay for your fucking vacation.

Remember Those Classic TSR Module Cartoon Map Walkthroughs? You Can Now Buy Prints!

+Mock Man Press is offering preorders (they'll ship in September) of the series of Classic TSR Era Map Walkthroughs as a series of prints. They are as follows:

Expedition to the Barrier Peaks 11" x 22" ($20)

Tomb of Horrors 13" x 18" ($20)

White Plume Mountain 16" X 18" ($20)

Isle of Dread 18" x 24" ($30)

Slave Pits of the Undercity ($30)

Ravenloft 18" x 36" ($30)

Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth Walkthrough Map 18" x 27" ($30)

or all the above bundles for $150

Above prices include a $5 discount on the individual pieces which will be in effect for the next 2 weeks, then they go up.

Did I mention some of the original art is also for sale?

I may just have to risk drawing wife agro on this...

Not My Kinda Kickstarter but it May Scratch Your Itch - RPG Tees

So as to not have my only two posts for the weekend be Nystulian of nature, I present to you - RPG Tees.

I'm not a huge fan of T-shirts with graphics (although I did make a major exception for the awesome Barrowmaze T-shirts) but many people do like them. I can see the fine Knights of the Dinner table wearing such shirts.

Now, you can get these T's from Cafepress from the creators' own store front for as low as $18 plus shipping. Here your looking at $25 including shipping. Pretty much a toss up - except that you obviously have to wait a few months for the shirt from Kickstarter.

Wayward Kickstarter - More Infinite Dungeon - Mike Follows Up on D3 Kicking it to the Curb - Time to Put it All on "00"

Some people can handle running a Kickstarter. Some people see it as free money when it comes in, then get caught with their pants down when it comes time to fulfill the project, but they spent the money on hookers and blow funding a company and hiring staff when there is no cash flow coming in.

The Nystulian fiasco is a trifecta - or a hat trick, depending on the sport you follow.

I'm going to avoid commenting further, as Mike pretty much tells it as it is (although how he can afford to consult with an accountant and a lawyer when he has no money to fulfill the projects at hand is beyond me)

Update #66 - For backers only Aug 3 2014

D3 Bows Out / Next Steps

D3 Adventures is no longer going to be publishing this project.

I have to decide what to do now.

Where we stand: I will have an ashcan that I can work to complete. D3 had decided that pretty much all the art I originally commissioned (and paid for) wasn't up to their standards so I'd have to either fit what I had back in or find some more somehow. The development of that ashcan also represents a large portion of the investment of the monies I raised.

I have a box of resin minis. They are very nice but were waiting to be shipped until I had the rest of the physical stuff coming to you. Shipping is very expensive.

Some of you have mentioned refunds. At this point, I would be open to the idea but I am in no position to issue any. Between the failure of my Kickstarters, the company I started  (that also failed) and various medical expenses (nothing to do with the KS but party of what I'm up against). I am deep underwater and am barely covering my living expenses. None of the bills that aren't directly involved in keeping a roof over my head are being paid. Because of this I have been exploring bankruptcy but really don't want to take that step unless I have no other choice.

What I want to do is make good. I have been trying. That's what the D3 deal was about, that's why i have been plugging away at bits of this and why my recent efforts were a push to finally get this done.

The plan until D3 backed out was to get you everything but the game itself - they were covering that bit. It was going to be rough but i just might have pulled it off. That ship has sailed.

Option One: Admit defeat. Send the ashcan as close to done as i can get it quickly, send the minis, and gather refund requests and consult an accountant and a lawyer. I hate giving up but it may be the right move.

Option Two: Soldier on. I'd still send the ashcan but I would continue to send more material. The idea would be to get you enough stuff to make you feel like you got your money's worth or at least a hell of a lot closer than you are now.

I have several board and card game designs - some done and with art all ready to go. I have considered trying to sell one or more to cover things I need to do for this project. The tricky bit is my rep is (rightfully) in the shitter and there is no way I will ever use Kickstarter again (my fault but it is what it is) so I'm not sure how to go about it. If i figure something out I will let you know.

I got into this to get a fun idea into the hands of fellow gamers. I screwed up and chewed through the budget before I got it done. I failed and I'm sorry. I will continue to try to make good as long as you want me to.

I am soliciting feedback but keep it civil please. Anything nasty you have to say I have already heard and I may even agree with you. Point taken. Venom won't help us move forward.

To those of you who have remained supportive thank you. It means a lot to me.

EDIT: I need to make a comment after rereading this - at no point did Mike address failing to pay one of the writers on the project

From D3's earlier post:

The property has, from the beginning, incurred one unexpected roadblock after another. The most recent of these concerned a lack of payment for a completed chapter. I was not made aware of this issue when D3 Adventures picked up the IP, and as of this date, the writer has not received the promised payment.