State of The Tavern - Happy Holidays, Emails, Freebies Oh My!

As I sit here on Saturday Night, December 23rd, I have finally caught up with emails through December 20th - Wednesday. So, if you emailed me on Wednesday or prior in regards to an OSR Christmas Gift - your info has been acted upon (info forwarded and such)

I'll try to act upon the 21st and 22nd tomorrow. In any case, everything should be caught up by Wednesday, the 28th.

Pete Spahn is adding the following to the mix:

WWII: Operation WhiteBox
-5 PDF copies (exchanged for any mission pack if already owned)
-2 black and white print copies + PDF
-1 color soft cover + PDF

The next two days are going to be huge :)

I really hope folks have been grabbing the Frog God Freebies. The past two days have been Lost Lands bundles with maps and players guide. Good stuff. Grab it. Reminder, OSR Christmas Gifts from Frog God Games will be taken care of after the New Year.

Then there are the recent releases I haven't gotten to. Next week. Physical CSIO maps, RPG books, PDFs and more.

From the Tenkar Household, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a Joyous New Year. May that which you find holy bless you in the year to come - Erik & Rach

RPGNow Deal of the Day - Mortzengersturm, The Mad Manticore of the Prismatic Peak (5e)

Today's Deal of the Day is Mortzengersturm, The Mad Manticore of the Prismatic Peak by +trey causey . Normally $7.99 in PDF, until 11 AM tomorrow morning (Eastern Time) it is one sale for $2.65.

From the blurb:

After turning himself into a manticore, the self-style wizard-artiste, Mortzengersturm, moved to the crystalline peak of Mount Geegaw to practice his transformation magic without interference. You've been hired to snatch his most prized artifact, the Whim-Wham Stone--or at least some of its eldritch light. A menagerie of magic hybrids, a self-absorbed vampire, more than a few hippogriffs, and of course, the mad manticore himself await! 

It's like a Rankin-Bass stop motion special--except it could end in a total party kill. Are you up to the challenge? 

Mortzengersturm, The Mad Manticore of the Prismatic Peak is a 5e-compatible adventure for 5-6 players of 3-4th level set in the Land of Azurth. This digital edition contains exclusive extras: a map and brief gazetteer of Yanth Country (the locaiton of Mount Geegaw), and a short excerpt from an upcoming Land of Azurth adventure.

On the Tenth Day of OSR Christmas My God How Many Days? ;)

I have caught up with emails through Sunday. This afternoon will be emails as Rach wraps...

So, this year will be giving the previous day's gift giving with the announcement of the new gifts in the mix. Trying to keep the post spam to a minimum.

Those being gifted from yesterdays post are:

faoladh - Choice of one issue of RPG Pundit Presents - PDF

Denis McCarthy - The Petal Hack - Print copy (note - I screwed up and offered this twice - Brett Slocum is generously covering the 2nd copy)

Maurice Tousignant - The Hero's Journey - PDF  

Evan Lindsey - Wizardry Unearthed - PDF

The above need to email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing with "I've been gifted!" in the subject - state your name / pseudonym and the gift you are receiving. 

Now for today's gifts:

1 - Dice Roll Zine - PDF

1 - Dice Roll Zine - Print copy

1 - White Star Galaxy Edition - PDF  

1 - Wizardry Unearthed - PDF 

1 - $10 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store 

1 - Swords & Wizardry Continual Light  

For the above, comment below with your Holiday Wishes before 11 AM Eastern, Sunday, December 24th 2017. Gift receivers will be randomly chosen from the comments placed in that time.

Remember, Gaming Ballistic is hosting their own daily OSR Christmas Giveaway. So, leave your daily comments at Gaming Ballistic and get in the mix!

Note - I'm receiving your emails but this has been a busy weekend  still busy but catching up- three birthday celebrations and mouse infestation cleanup in the Tenkar kitchen. Communication catch up commences tonight / tomorrow morning soon! I apologize for the email silence.

Santa's Bag

Tony T                   (1)  White Box: Fantastic Medieval Adventure Game - Print - US Only (original receiver is outside the US and will be receiving PayPal funds to purchase SWCL)

Paul Baldowski     (1) Chtulhu Hack Bundle in PDF (The Cthulhu Hack, From Unformed Realms,                                                             The Haunter of the Dark, Thro' Centuries Fixed, Three Faces of the Wendigo,                                                         The Dark Brood

Hog Town Games  (2)(3) Print and (2)(3) PDF Copies of Dice Roll Zine (OSR)

Monkeyblood Designs (4)(6) copies of The Midderlands in PDF each with The Midderlands                                                             Additions in PDF.
                                     (4)(6) copies of The Demon Stones (Swords & Wizardry version) in PDF.

Brett Slocum           (1) The Petal Hack - Print

Grim & Perilous      (1) Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG - core book PDF
                                 (1) Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG - GM screen PDF
                                 and possibly Arcane and Divine Magick cards PDF

Barrel Rider Games  (3)(4) White Star Galaxy Edition PDFs
                                  (1)(2) The Hero's Journey PDFs

@Padre's                (1) $25 RPGNow Gift Certificate

Edwin Nagy            (1) Return From Dragonmount - Print      Gifted


Frog God Games:   (1) Copy of The Blight - for Swords & Wizardry - Hardcover / Print
                                (1) (2) $20 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store
                                (1) (3) $10 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store

Silver Bulette        (1)(2) Copies Orb of Undying Discord (PDF)
                             (1)(2) Copies of their next release (PDF)

Gaming Ballistic   (2) Copies Dungeon Grappling in Print - (6) Copies of DG in PDF (note - handled
                               (2) Copies Lost Hall of Tyr in Print - (6) Copies of LHoT in PDF (at                                                                                                                                              (www.Gamingblastic.com)

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         (4) (6) Copies Wizardry Unearthed in PDF

The Tavern           (3) (6) Copies Swords & Wizardry Continual Light in Print

The Tavern
Monkeyblood Design (1) Copy Midderlands in Print

As a side note, don't expect print copies to ship prior to Christmas. Frog God Gifts will be sorted after the New Year.

Frog God Games - Holiday Freebies - Day 10 - Tour de Northlands PDF Bundle - Another Must Have!

Two bundles in two days - what are the Frogs thinking off?

The Tour de Northlands PDF Bundle ($14 value) is the latest Frog God Holiday freebie.

What's included?

• the Northlands Map
• the Players Guide to the Northlands.
• Tales of the Lost Lands: Northland Short Stories

Now, if you also grabbed yesterday's Tour de Sinnar Coast Bundle (still available as I type this and a $25 value)) you would have 5 Lost Lands Player's Guides, 2 regional maps and some Lost Lands fiction.

You could treat this as a free introduction to the Lost Lands setting. I know that's how I see it :)

Frog God Games - Holiday Freebies - Day 9 - Tour De Sinnar Coast PDF Bundle - Must Have!

Alright, I don't say this much but here it is - The Tour De Sinnar Coast PDF Bundle is a MUST HAVE. No excuses, grab it.

It is in many ways pieces of the puzzle of what is the Lost Lands.

It is also systemless, so no matter what system you prefer this bundle fits your needs.

Did I mention its free?

You get the Sinnar Coast map and Players Guides for:

Cults of the Sundered Kingdoms
Rappan Athuk
Lost City of Barakus
Borderlands Provinces

On the Ninth Day of OSR Christmas, My Gaming Community Gave to Me....

I have caught up with emails through Sunday. The work continues ;)

So, this year will be giving the previous day's gift giving with the announcement of the new gifts in the mix. Trying to keep the post spam to a minimum.

Those being gifted from yesterdays post are:

Michael Gross - White Box: Fantastic Medieval Adventure Game - Print - US Only (original receiver is outside the US and will be receiving PayPal funds to purchase SWCL / whatever they wish)

Drew - Orb of Undying Discord (PDF) and 1 Copy of Silver Bulette's next release (PDF)

Ryan Hixson - The Blight - Frog God - Print - US Only

Now for today's gifts:

1 - Choice of one issue of RPG Pundit Presents - PDF

1 - The Petal Hack - Print copy

1 - The Hero's Journey - PDF  

1 - Wizardry Unearthed - PDF

For the above, comment below with your Holiday Wishes before 11 AM Eastern, Saturday, December 23rd, 2017. Gift receivers will be randomly chosen from the comments placed in that time.

Remember, Gaming Ballistic is hosting their own daily OSR Christmas Giveaway. So, leave your daily comments at Gaming Ballistic and get in the mix!

Note - I'm receiving your emails but this has been a busy weekend  still busy but catching up- three birthday celebrations and mouse infestation cleanup in the Tenkar kitchen. Communication catch up commences tonight / tomorrow morning soon! I apologize for the email silence.

Santa's Bag

Tony T                   (1)  White Box: Fantastic Medieval Adventure Game - Print - US Only (original receiver is outside the US and will be receiving PayPal funds to purchase SWCL)

Paul Baldowski     (1) Chtulhu Hack Bundle in PDF (The Cthulhu Hack, From Unformed Realms,                                                             The Haunter of the Dark, Thro' Centuries Fixed, Three Faces of the Wendigo,                                                         The Dark Brood

Hog Town Games  (2)(3) Print and (2)(3) PDF Copies of Dice Roll Zine (OSR)

Monkeyblood Designs (4)(6) copies of The Midderlands in PDF each with The Midderlands                                                             Additions in PDF.
                                     (4)(6) copies of The Demon Stones (Swords & Wizardry version) in PDF.

Brett Slocum           (1) The Petal Hack - Print

Grim & Perilous      (1) Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG - core book PDF
                                 (1) Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG - GM screen PDF
                                 and possibly Arcane and Divine Magick cards PDF

Barrel Rider Games  (3)(4) White Star Galaxy Edition PDFs
                                 (2) The Hero's Journey PDFs

@Padre's                (1) $25 RPGNow Gift Certificate

Edwin Nagy            (1) Return From Dragonmount - Print      Gifted


Frog God Games:   (1) Copy of The Blight - for Swords & Wizardry - Hardcover / Print
                                (1) (2) $20 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store
                                (1) (3) $10 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store

Silver Bulette        (1)(2) Copies Orb of Undying Discord (PDF)
                             (1)(2) Copies of their next release (PDF)

Gaming Ballistic   (2) Copies Dungeon Grappling in Print - (6) Copies of DG in PDF (note - handled
                               (2) Copies Lost Hall of Tyr in Print - (6) Copies of LHoT in PDF (at                                                                                                                                              (www.Gamingblastic.com)

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         (5) (6) Copies Wizardry Unearthed in PDF

The Tavern           (3) (6) Copies Swords & Wizardry Continual Light in Print

The Tavern
Monkeyblood Design (1) Copy Midderlands in Print

As a side note, don't expect print copies to ship prior to Christmas. Frog God Gifts will be sorted after the New Year.

Jon Peterson Tracks Down Gary Gygax Interview from "Tomorrow" with Tom Snyder (1979) - Audio

When Jon Peterson strikes gold, the man strikes it by the pound.

Yesterday Jon shared the sound file of a TV interview from "Tomorrow" with Tom Snyder from back in 1979 in which Snyder interviews Gary Gygax. It is simply an amazing piece of history that probably hasnt been heard in 38 years.

While you can grab the file directly from Soundcloud I strongly recommend you go to Jon's site - Playing at the World - where he has published a full transcript of the interview.

Good stuff!

Tip of the hat to +Zach H for bringing this to my attention.

Frog God Games - Holiday Freebies - Days 7 & 8 - Swords & Wizardry and Pathfinder

I can't keep up with all the holiday goodness going on in the OSR and beyond.

Frog God Games has added two more PDF Freebies to their Holiday Gift Basket.

The Northlands Saga 1 and Cyclopean Deeps Chapters 1 & 2 are the latest adds.

You can find all of the Frog God Freebies here.

Grab them while you can.

On the Eight Day of OSR Christmas, My Gaming Group Gave to Me....

I have caught up with emails through Sunday. The work continues ;)

So, this year will be giving the previous day's gift giving with the announcement of the new gifts in the mix. Trying to keep the post spam to a minimum.

Those being gifted from yesterdays post are:

Joseph Bloch - The Midderlands in PDF each with The Midderlands Additions in PDF 

dogrodeo - The Demon Stones (Swords & Wizardry version) in PDF 

Jan Egil Bjune - $10 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store

Sarah Gilman - Swords & Wizardry Continual Light in Print (US Only - others will receive $7 US via Paypal)

Now for today's gifts:

1 - White Box: Fantastic Medieval Adventure Game - Print - US Only (original receiver is outside the US and will be receiving PayPal funds to purchase SWCL / whatever they wish)

1 - Orb of Undying Discord (PDF) and 1 Copy of Silver Bulette's next release (PDF)

1 - The Blight - Frog God - Print - US Only

For the above, comment below with your Holiday Wishes before 11 AM Eastern, Friday, December 22nd, 2017. Gift receivers will be randomly chosen from the comments placed in that time.

Remember, Gaming Ballistic is hosting their own daily OSR Christmas Giveaway. So, leave your daily comments at Gaming Ballistic and get in the mix!

Note - I'm receiving your emails but this has been a busy weekend  still busy but catching up- three birthday celebrations and mouse infestation cleanup in the Tenkar kitchen. Communication catch up commences tonight / tomorrow morning soon! I apologize for the email silence.

Santa's Bag

Tony T                   (1)  White Box: Fantastic Medieval Adventure Game - Print - US Only (original receiver is outside the US and will be receiving PayPal funds to purchase SWCL)

Paul Baldowski     (1) Chtulhu Hack Bundle in PDF (The Cthulhu Hack, From Unformed Realms,                                                             The Haunter of the Dark, Thro' Centuries Fixed, Three Faces of the Wendigo,                                                         The Dark Brood

Hog Town Games  (2)(3) Print and (2)(3) PDF Copies of Dice Roll Zine (OSR)

Monkeyblood Designs (4)(6) copies of The Midderlands in PDF each with The Midderlands                                                             Additions in PDF.
                                     (4)(6) copies of The Demon Stones (Swords & Wizardry version) in PDF.

Brett Slocum           (1) The Petal Hack - Print

Grim & Perilous      (1) Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG - core book PDF
                                 (1) Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG - GM screen PDF
                                 and possibly Arcane and Divine Magick cards PDF

Barrel Rider Games  (3)(4) White Star Galaxy Edition PDFs
                                 (2) The Hero's Journey PDFs

@Padre's                (1) $25 RPGNow Gift Certificate

Edwin Nagy            (1) Return From Dragonmount - Print      Gifted


Frog God Games:   (1) Copy of The Blight - for Swords & Wizardry - Hardcover / Print
                                (1) (2) $20 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store
                                (1) (3) $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 (note - handled
                               (2) Copies Lost Hall of Tyr in Print - (6) Copies of LHoT in PDF (at                                                                                                                                              (www.Gamingblastic.com)

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         (5) (6) Copies Wizardry Unearthed in PDF

The Tavern           (3) (6) Copies Swords & Wizardry Continual Light in Print

The Tavern
Monkeyblood Design (1) Copy Midderlands in Print

As a side note, don't expect print copies to ship prior to Christmas ;)

Wherein I Receive a Surprisingly Honest Answer From Anuj (re: Top 100 RPG Blog List)

"Not everyone is paid. We compiled the list organically."

Which means, the top of the list is just that - and the rest of the list is paid for.

So, yes - ENWorld, The Pundit, Dieheart and others made the list legitimately - but sadly, the list itself is illegitimate.

You can't have a legit Top 100 of Anything list when part of the list is paid for. It should have stopped at top 20 or top 25.

What surprises me the most is that a site would give itself props for making a list without actually looking at the list. When a Top 100 List for RPG Blogs tops out at 75, when the bottom of the list has little if any actual web traffic, you think you might ask questions before patting yourself on the back.

The sad thing is, the top sites don't need the extra traffic, the bottom sites don't deserve it and the middle sites SHOULD be highlighted - but not this way.

Props to Anuj for being honest when asked. Shame he isn't as honest with the list itself.

Prior posts here and here.

Tavern Chat Tonight - 9 PM Eastern - Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

This will be the last Tavern Chat before Christmas. Yes, Santa Tenkar is STILL catching up on OSR Christmas Emails, so if I seem to lose my attention span tonight on occasions, I'm probably working on the emails.

Tavern Chat takes place on The Tavern's Discord Server at 9 PM Eastern and generally lasts until 11 PM and beyond.

Here's the invite if you need it: https://discord.gg/fReGmuD

When you log into the server, you want to go to tavern-chat-wed for the text chat room.

Voice chat is held in the Open Bar.

You can and probably should be in both text and voice chat, as the text chat often gets relevant links and images from the voice chat.

You don't need to speak in the voice chat if you don't want to. Many do lurk as listeners and that is fine.

Hopefully we'll "see you" tonight ;)

Follow Up to the Feedspot 100 Top RPG Blog List - New Email and ENWorld Denial

So, it looks like someone really wants my 3 bucks a month. This is from earlier today:

If you subscribe to Feedspot Gold, we will feature you in our Top 100 RPG Blogs post - which doesnt have 100 blogs / Reddits / Youtube Channels - whatever. Its sitting at 75.

Now, Morrus over on ENWorld says you don't have to pay to make the list, and in his case, he might be right - but I've had confirmation from others that paying is what got them on the list. ENworld may have made the list legitimately but much (most? all?) of that list is paid for.

Alright, email sent. I'll share the answers I get.

and yes, a damn typo. doh!

edit: lets see the Alexa rankings of some of these top sites.

at #45

at #50

at #60

at #62 

at #63

#64

Now, here's an unlisted number that hasn't paid:

I'm not saying every site on the list has paid, but this fairly random sampling shows some obvious ones that did.

On the Sixth & Seventh Days of OSR Christmas my DM Gave to Meeeeeee....

I took yesterday off in the hopes of catching up on OSR Christmas emails - needless to say, I'm still catching up and today will be a busy day as well. You are not forgotten. I'll probably be working on emails during tonight's Tavern Chat ;)

So, this year will be giving the previous day's gift giving with the announcement of the new gifts in the mix. Trying to keep the post spam to a minimum.

Those being gifted from yesterdays post are:

Jay Murphy - The Petal Hack - Print- US Only

Michael Gross  - The Midderlands in PDF with The Midderlands  Additions in PDF

seaofstarsrpg - Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG - core book PDF with Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG - GM screen PDF and Arcane and Divine Magick cards PDF

The above need to email me at tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing with "I've been gifted!" in the subject - state your name / pseudonym and the gift you are receiving. 

Now for today's gifts:

1 - The Midderlands in PDF each with The Midderlands Additions in PDF 

1 - The Demon Stones (Swords & Wizardry version) in PDF 

1 - $10 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store

1 - Swords & Wizardry Continual Light in Print (US Only - others will receive $7 US via Paypal)

For the above, comment below with your Holiday Wishes before 11 AM Eastern, Thursday, December 21st, 2017. Gift receivers will be randomly chosen from the comments placed in that time.

Remember, Gaming Ballistic is hosting their own daily OSR Christmas Giveaway. So, leave your daily comments at Gaming Ballistic and get in the mix!

Note - I'm receiving your emails but this has been a busy weekend  still busy but catching up- three birthday celebrations and mouse infestation cleanup in the Tenkar kitchen. Communication catch up commences tonight / tomorrow morning soon! I apologize for the email silence.

Santa's Bag

Tony T                   (1)  White Box: Fantastic Medieval Adventure Game - Print - US Only 

Paul Baldowski     (1) Chtulhu Hack Bundle in PDF (The Cthulhu Hack, From Unformed Realms,                                                             The Haunter of the Dark, Thro' Centuries Fixed, Three Faces of the Wendigo,                                                         The Dark Brood

Hog Town Games  (2)(3) Print and (2)(3) PDF Copies of Dice Roll Zine (OSR)

Monkeyblood Designs (5)(6) copies of The Midderlands in PDF each with The Midderlands                                                             Additions in PDF.
                                     (5)(6) copies of The Demon Stones (Swords & Wizardry version) in PDF.

Brett Slocum           (1) The Petal Hack - Print

Grim & Perilous      (1) Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG - core book PDF
                                 (1) Zweihänder Grim & Perilous RPG - GM screen PDF
                                 and possibly Arcane and Divine Magick cards PDF

Barrel Rider Games  (3)(4) White Star Galaxy Edition PDFs
                                 (2) The Hero's Journey PDFs

@Padre's                (1) $25 RPGNow Gift Certificate

Edwin Nagy            (1) Return From Dragonmount - Print      Gifted


Frog God Games:   (1) Copy of The Blight - for Swords & Wizardry - Hardcover / Print
                                (1) (2) $20 Gift Certificates to the Frog God Store
                                (2) (3) $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 (note - handled
                               (2) Copies Lost Hall of Tyr in Print - (6) Copies of LHoT in PDF (at                                                                                                                                              (www.Gamingblastic.com)

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         (5) (6) Copies Wizardry Unearthed in PDF

The Tavern           (4) (6) Copies Swords & Wizardry Continual Light in Print

The Tavern
Monkeyblood Design (1) Copy Midderlands in Print

As a side note, don't expect print copies to ship prior to Christmas ;)