Kickstarter - Vikingr: A D6-based Viking RPG (Open d6)

This is going to be a "Kickstarter Weekend". I'm peeking at lots of them and more than a few have stuck out.

Vikingr: A D6-based Viking RPG Kickstarter

Why, when I've already backed Dragon Heresy (which I'm really looking forward to) would I be peeking at another Viking themed RPK Kickstarter?

First, it uses the Open d6 ruleset. I like the Open d6 ruleset.

Second, the PDF backing level is about 7 bucks. That's the price of a beer at my pub (thank God for buybacks ;)

Third - POD plus PDF is 12 bucks plus cost via OBS - about 18 total for the Soft Cover and 22 for the Hard Cover - plus shipping.

Vikingr 
n. Any of the Scandinavian pirates who plundered the coasts of Europe from the 8th to 10th centuries. 

The Vikings (as we now call them) have held a huge grip on the imaginations of writers, film makers and in fact everyone for many hundreds of years.  This makes the Vikings (or Vikingar as they were originally known) a rich source of inspiration for RPG's. 

Some people prefer a strictly historical game, others a semi-mystical game similar.  Yet others desire to run a game styled after Beowulf or maybe even a game set in a fairly standard fantasy world but in the northern "viking-like" regions.   

Whatever your preferred Viking game, this is the ruleset for you.  Based on the free D6 ruleset from West End Games, we give you all of the rules needed, Hero creation, Ships, Warbands, Gods, Omens and Runes, Scandinavian monsters and myths and much more.  Fast and cinematic, this game will see your Heroes pillaging, cleaving and rampaging in no time!

Kickstarter - Dark Naga - Carcosa for 5th Edition (sandbox style adventure)

I am finding more 5e adventures piquing my interest than Pathfinder ever did. I guess that just reinforces my thoughts that there is an amount of synergy between the OSR and 5e.

Case in point: Carcosa for 5th Edition from Dark Naga Games. While written for 5th edition it has some old school sensibilities: "A non-linear adventure in the classic Sandbox style where the party (Level 11-12) fights to escape the lair of an Old One--Hastur." Yeah, I can see myself running that for Swords & Wizardry.

The Premise  

Immediately following the events of Confronting Hastur, the characters wake up in Carcosa and are greeted by a broken man who tells them they only have a day to escape the plane before becoming permanent residents. The way home appears to require them to confront a demon lady and the three demon brothers who constantly vie for her attention and their domains within Carcosa. A land teeming with minor demons, humans, and three powerful Abrar, dreadful demon lords. Pressed for time, the party members find themselves pawns in the petty games of the brothers as they claw their way to worship before the lovely Grushka, the Abrar who runs Carcosa while Hastur slumbers. Their search for a way home reveals rumors of a way to trap Hastur in a longer, deeper slumber, giving their world peace from his attempts to invade for hundreds of millennia to come. Will they work to go home, or will they chance eternal damnation to save their world?

$10 for a digital copy with all digital stretch goals

$20 for Print plus digital with all stretch goals

The Tavern Chat Podcast - Episode #17 - The 1e DMG as a Solo Gaming Resource

Note, I didn't say the 1e DMG was a Solo RPG Resource, but there were "sub-games" of sorts within the DMG. The Deck of Many Things and the Random Dungeon Generation Tables are two such resources.

Link to Episode #17

News - Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana [Special Edition, Boxed Book & Ephemera Set]: A Visual History - Pre-Order Now for October Delivery

Tip of the hat to The Badger.

Link to the article at Boing Boing.

This is pretty damn cool. The sample pieces of art I found on the Amazon pages (for both the Special Edition and the standard release) are damn inspiring.

I do have a question about something the article said:

a reprint of the original module (sized to fit the original D&D box, with its center-stapled 8.5" x 11" booklets)

I don't think that will fit in the Original D&D Box. But the Amazon page has more details:

this special edition includes re-creations of classic DUNGEONS & DRAGONS artwork ready for framing, as well as a pamphlet-sized, unpublished original version of the game’s most infamous adventure module and deathtrap Tomb of Horrors, written by DUNGEONS & DRAGONS co-creator Gary Gygax. 

Very interesting.

Amazon Links:

Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana [Special Edition, Boxed Book & Ephemera Set]: A Visual History   List $125 / Amazon Price $100  

Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana: A Visual History List $50 / Amazon Price $40

Releases October 23, 2018

From the Amazon pre-order page (Special Edition):

A deluxe, special edition package containing posters, ephemera, and the illustrated guide to the history and evolution of the beloved role-playing game as told through the paintings, sketches, and illustrations behind its creation, growth, and continued popularity. 

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS is the one of the most iconic game brands in the world. This officially licensed illustrated history provides an unprecedented look at the visual evolution of the game brand, showing its continued influence on the worlds of pop culture and fantasy. It features more than seven hundred pieces of art—from each edition of the core role-playing books, supplements, and adventures; as well as Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance novels; decades of Dragon and Dungeon magazines; and classic advertisements and merchandise; plus never-before-seen concept sketches, large-format canvases, rare photographs, one-of-a-kind drafts, and more from the now-famous designers and artists associated with DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. The superstar author team gained unparalleled access to the archives of Wizards of the Coast and the personal collections of top collectors, as well as the designers and illustrators who created the distinctive characters, concepts, and visuals that have defined fantasy art and gameplay for generations.  

Contained inside a clamshell featuring original illustrations by superstar D&D artist Hydro74, this special edition includes re-creations of classic DUNGEONS & DRAGONS artwork ready for framing, as well as a pamphlet-sized, unpublished original version of the game’s most infamous adventure module and deathtrap Tomb of Horrors, written by DUNGEONS & DRAGONS co-creator Gary Gygax. 

Special Edition

Standard Edition

Those are affiliate links above. Affiliate links keep The Tavern's taps flowing cold ;)

The Tavern Chat Podcast - Episode #16 - Stock Settlements, Stock Art and Art of the Genre

Today we step away, briefly, from the 1e DMG and instead talk about some current Kickstarters - one of which IS for AD&D 1e ;)

Lets talk about some current (as of the morning of May 1st, 2018) Kickstarters - Spectacular Settlements for 5th Edition, The Curse of Roslof Keep high-level 1E & 5E gaming adventure, and Choose Your Own: Sci-Fi Stock Art.

Link to Episode #16

Links to the discussed Kickstarters:

The Curse of Roslof Keep high level 1E & 5E gaming adventure

Spectacular Settlements for 5th Edition!

Choose Your Own: Sci-Fi Stock Art

Remember folks, your feedback is priceless. Suggest future discussion topics, discuss recent topics and just tell me how you feel ;)

New POD - B1-9 In Search of Adventure (Basic D&D)

I have had B1-9: In Search of Adventure in PDF since the first era of TSR PDFs on OneBookShelf. It's good to see it is now available in PDF. If I don't snag an original copy of it at NTRPG Con next week I may have to grab a copy of the POD.

Threshold. The northernmost town in the Duchy?and your last stop before your adventures begin. Threshold, the gateway to mysterious castles, lost temples, deadly caves and caverns. You have heard the stories and legends now you wish to see for yourself.  

This product provides a complete campaign adventure that will take beginning characters from 1st all the way to 3rd level and possibly beyond, drawn from the first nine modules of the B-series adventures.

$9.99 in PDF, $19.99 in POD and $21.99 for the combo. 162 pages all told.

Aye, lads n' lassies. That be an affiliate link above ye. It allows The Tavern to keep its doors open, dontcha' know. 

New Release - Untold Adventures - PWYW (Swords & Wizardry)

As many of you know, I consider James Spahn a close and dear friend. Hell, he's more family than mere friend. He's also one of the most skilled AND prolific game designers I know.

James is well known for his series of releases in support of Swords & Wizardry White Box and now he's giving us his own take on the Swords & Wizardry White Box Rules - Untold Adventures is James' version of White Box.

Did I mention there are just two classes? It's almost heresy ;)

No fancy layout. No art. No distractions. Just raw potential. 

Untold Adventures: Minimalist Fantasy Roleplaying is a streamlined adaptation of Swords & Wizardry White Box. This complete game reimagines several core concepts of White Box to create an even faster gaming experience. Classes, races, equipment, weapons, armor, magic spells, encumbrance, and several other foundational elements are modified to create super-fast play where rulings (not rules) are the order of the day! 

Yet with all its changes, Untold Adventures is 100% compatible with Swords & Wizardry products with no adaptation! You can drop your favorite adventures, items, and monsters, on the table and go! 

Priced as Pay What You Want, there is simply no reason NOT to check these rules out. It is, after all, written by James Spahn ;)

Yep, that's there is an affiliate link, Hoss. Keep your Tavern with clean glassware and fresh whiskey by using our affiliate links ;)

Today The Tavern is Nine Years Old

Yeah, I can hardly believe it myself. Nine years ago I had this crazy idea to start blogging about gaming - the only problem is I had no idea what I was doing. Nine years later, here I am. Still blogging.

Nine years, 7,518 posts, A Facebook Community with over 2,100 members, a Discord server with over 500 members, a podcast with over 1,200 downloads... and I owe it all to you.

Don't look over your shoulder looking for someone else. This is, quite seriously, all because of YOU.

You read the blog.

You comment in the FB Community.

You participate in the Discord Server.

You listen to the podcasts.

"You" are the common denominator.

Thank you. Each and every one of you. It is an honor to be your OSR Bartender.

I want to specifically thank my wife Rach, who encouraged me to start blogging AND return to gaming when we were courting. If you are at NTRPG Con next week, you can thank her in person ;)

The Tavern Chat Podcast - Episode 15 - The AD&D 1e DMG is Overbearing ;)

Now available on Google Play Music

One thing that literally scared me as a teenaged DM was unarmed combat. While the regular combat rules were precise and clear, the unarmed combat rules were confusing and quirky with many variables - and they didn't use a d20 either.

"A look at unarmed combat in the AD&D 1e DMG. The Tavern celebrates its 9th anniversary."

Link to Episode #15:

https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/Episode-15---The-ADD-1e-DMG-is-Overbearing-e1igik

Reminder - Tavern Chat Live - Tonight on The Tavern's Discord Server - 9 PM Eastern

While I've been having a blast with the daily Tavern Chat Podcasts (almost at 1100 downloads in just less than two weeks) I enjoy the weekly Tavern Chat Lives sessions even more.

Why?

Live interaction with as many as 20 or more members of the community.

Some excellent inside stories of the hobby get shared.

Engaging topics and lively bullshit ;)

Join us. Lurkers are welcome :)

https://discord.gg/fReGmuD

496 Taverners can't be wrong...

Tavern Chat Podcast - Episode #14 - 1e DMG - Weapon Speed Just Slows Things Down

I always found it interesting that, for the most part, every group I played AD&D 1e with ignored the same rules. Weapon speed factor, simultaneous initiative, and multiple attacks were one such rule I NEVER saw in use, not even at Gen Con.

"A followup on disease in the DMG with Tim Shorts. A look at weapon speed factor and why none of my groups ever used it."

Link to Episode #14:

https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/Episode-14---1e-DMG---Weapon-Speed-Just-Slows-Things-Down-e1iap6

Note - some folks are having issues with the Anchor.fm web-based player and aren't able, in some cases, to listen to full episodes. Tavern Chat is also available on the following podcast players (and others)

Update - James Shields' Choose Your Own: Sci-Fi Stock Art Kickstarter - Now with Even More Free Sh!t

My goodness. James Shields' Choose Your Own: Sci-Fi Stock Art Kickstarter is an advertisement of how amazing the OSR creative community is. When other publishers and creators are volunteering to offer up their own work for free to support James' Kickstarter, it doesn't just tell you about James but about those offering their own works to support James.

Huzzah!

And there may be more added tomorrow ;)

Note - the free PDFs are cumulative:

Back at $15 - $16 value in PDFs.

Back at $25 - $35.50 value in PDFs.

Back at $50 - $61.50 value in PDFs.

Free PDFs at $15 backer level ($10 value)

Free PDFs at $15 backer level ($6+ value)

Free PDFs at $25 backer level ($14 value)

Free PDFs at $25 backer level ($11.50 value)

Free PDF at the $50 backer level ($9.99 value)

Free PDF at $50 backer level ($9.99 value)

Tavern Chat Podcast - Episode #13 - The 1e DMG is Diseased

Huzzah! Thirteen straight days of Tavern Chat Podcast episodes. Let's look at the book that was my first experience with roleplaying and the world of Dungeons & Dragons.

"Some memories, thoughts, and observations on the AD&D 1e Dungeon Master's Guide. Follow up on the Gygax Memorial Fund."

Link to the episode:

https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/Episode-13---The-1e-DMG-is-Diseased-e1i5dn

State of the Tavern Keeper - Back in New York City

Ah, the weekend is coming to a close. We're back from the country and settling in New York City again. When do we go away again? Doh! NTRPG Con in a week and a half ;)

I've been getting your Memorial Day emails (it's at about 2 dozen right now) and I'll start sending SWCL copies out tomorrow. I plan to answer each one personally - no BCCs and done, so this may take a day or two.

I'm very happy with the reception that The Tavern Chat Podcast has received and it's exciting to see others jumping into the Old School Gaming Podcasting Pool. I plan on putting together a static page here where you can grab links to the OSR Anchor.fm podcasts. In the meantime, all of you that use google plus really should check out the OSR Anchorites Community, as its where we are hanging out these days. We even answer technical questions to help you get started with your own cast.

Tavern Chat Podcast - Epsode #12 - Warhammer for Kids n’ More Stuff

Today I talk a bit about Warhammer Adventures for Kids, delve into using the Deal of the Days feature for marketing at RPGNow / DriveThruRPG and a bit on the dangers of Stretch Goals on your Kickstarters.

Link: https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/Episode-12---Warhammer-for-Kids-n-More-e1i06i

(100 downloads in the last 24 hours. Happy dance)

State of The Tavern - Remember, Diseminate, and Create

In my 20 years of service to the citizens of New York City, the loss of two sergeants sticks out to me on a personal level. Walker “Fitzy” Fitzgerald (my training sergeant when I was a rookie) and Paul Tuozzolo (Paul was in my squad as a PO when I was a rookie sergeant). May you both Rest In Peace. You served your city and your country with honor.

There’s a new Google Plus community for Taverners to peruse if they are so inclined. OSR Anchorites - https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/112512936376475095820. You guessed it, its where you can find OSR Podcasts, many of which are being hosted by Anchor.fm. It was just formed today, so give it time to fil up.

As I type this, The Tavern Chat Podcast is knocking on 700 downloads (696 to be exact). I am having a blast with the daily podcasts, as there are some topics / ideas / rants / whatever that simply translate better to the written word. And unlike a YouTube vid cast, my state of dress (or lack there of) doesn’t matter for shit ;)

I’ve been exclusively using my new iPad to post this weekends posts and my Pixel phone in combination with my iPad for the podcasts. I’ll post about the experience, pros and cons, tomorrow or Tuesday.

News - Warhammer Adventures - The Warhammer Settings Take Aim for Kids

Last week Games Workshop announced Warhammer Adventures - fiction set in the Warhammer settings for young readers (8 to 12 years of age). So, not teens, but preteens.

Warhammer, whether fantasy or sci-fantasy (40k) is a dark and dangerous setting. Tweaking it for the 8-12 y/o range is going to require ignoring much of the lore.

I’m sure it will be hugely marketable based on the “Warhammer” name alone.

Ah well,time will tell. The two Warhammer Adventures lines release in 2019.

The 41st Millennium and the Mortal Realms are fantastical places, ripe for adventure. 

Like you, we love these worlds, and we’re always looking for new ways to share them with all kinds of fans. Today, we’re delighted to announce a new type of Warhammer fiction and 2 new series that are sure to excite young readers and parents* eager to introduce the next generation to the joy of Warhammer. 

*Parents understandably unsure about recommending the Horus Heresy series to their children, it being a series about 9 sons trying to tear down their father’s empire…

Tavern Chat Podcast - Episode #11 - Memorial Weekend Freebie

Episode #11 of The Tavern Chat Podcast just went live. I talked a bit about the Memorial Day Freebie for active and former Military and Emergency Personnel as well as some marketing and pricing observations from putting Swords & Wizardry Continual Light on sale last fall.

https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/episodes/Episode-11---Memorial-Weekend-Freebie-e1hqie

Join me for 10 minutes this Sunday Morning :)