Kickstarter - The Folio: Retro Classics, Ice on the Water Trilogy (1e & 5e)

Ah, 2022, The Year of Transparency here at The Tavern. I'm enjoying it thus far, as there is nothing quite as rewarding as being open and truthful. I've always been happy to be transparent, but in 2022 I'm making an extra effort.

I consider Scott Taylor a friend. I could see us swapping stories over pints of beer at the bar or pub, not that we have :) I've also enjoyed the prior The Folio releases, as they are very reminiscent of the modules of old. I've yet to use any whole cloth, but they are enjoyable to read and inspirational in the material I can steal for my own campaigns. In truth, I need to run more games in 2022.

Scott has a new Kickstarter, The Folio: Retro Classics, Ice on the Water Trilogy, and it looks like another Folio release that I'll be stealing liberally from. All three adventures are 20 bucks in PDF, or 50 bucks in Print plus PDF. In all seriousness, if you haven't picked up past Folio releases, you should consider doing so. The production quality is second to none.

In 1985 I took my first shot at being a game designer, and today, 37 years later, I'm finally trying to bring the dream of that 14 year old kid to reality.  After spending the past twenty years working in the gaming industry, and the past decade with my own company here at Art of the Genre, I think its finally time to bring the Ice on the Water trilogy to life for the general public.  Considering the success of Roslof Keep, my first such 'reanimation' of an old adventure campaign, I absolutely can't wait to let gamers into the workings of my mind as a teen in the 1980s.  Sure, the meat of the adventures will be updated, expanded, and re-imagined, but the bones of are the same.  So prepare yourself for a wondrous ride in the far north of the Nameless Realms, where characters levels 10+ will have a chance to test their metal against magic and monsters never before released to the general public.  Are you ready for Ice on the Water?  R Scott Taylor 

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Humble Bundle - Dragonlock and Ravenfell (2d & 3d printables from Fat Dragon Games)

Let me start this with some background. I've known Tom Tullis for years, and consider Tom a friend. For a number of years, I ran the 3d dungeon terrain for Frog God Games known as The Mouth of Doom at various conventions (a section of the mega-dungeon Rappan Athuk) and had a blast doing so. The terrain was 3d printed from Fat Dragon Games Dragonlock models. I do not own a 3d printer although I have backed Kickstarters that offer such as well as have purchased Humble Bundles for such in the past. Planning for the future I guess ;)

Earlier today, Tom, via his Fat Dragon Games company, launched a Humble Bundle for 2d and 3d printables for his Dragonlock and Ravenfell lines of terrain. Note, the 2d terrain is paper terrain, and printable on the typical home printer.

You can snag the Dragonlock and Ravenfell Humble Bundle for as little as a buck (miniature figures), or snag it all for $18.

The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. DTRPG, Amazon, and Humble Bundle are the affiliate programs that support 

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OSR Christmas Day 13 Gifting the Gifts - Gifts for Three Kings and Then Some - OSR Christmas Roars to the Finish Line!

Today marks two weeks after testing positive for COVID. Moments of true clarity in the brain fog are cherished, and during the next break in the fog I'll address the outstanding gift emails (there are enough moving parts that I'd like to avoid inevitable confusion.) I appreciate the patience and understanding. 

Now, on to OSR Christmas Day 13 Gift Giving!

Emperors Choice Games and Miniatures is giving away One of Nearly Everything Arduin, in print, to one lucky gift receiver (US ONLY for this package) This is THE ARDUIN PACKAGE!

FrDave

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Frog God Games Gift Bundle - Stoneheart Value and 4 Modules for Swords & Wizardry (US Only - direct from the NTRPG Warehouse)

Dan Delgado

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 DCC "Perils of the Sunken City" PDF (anywhere in the world)

ShadowStalker

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FloofQuest in Print by Lloyd Metcalf (US Only - Shipped by Tenkar, so figure in COVID delay ;)

AEIOU

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Torchlight Issue #1 - Print (Limited Print Run - Signed by Tenkar if Requested - US Only - Figure in COVID delay)

Allen Hammack

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 ONE $10 DTRPG Gift Certificate to one non-US commenter.

IL

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One $25 DTRPG Gift Certificate - Anywhere

Ikaros

The above need to email me at: tenkarsDOTtavern at that gmail thing with "OSR Christmas Day 13" in the subject. Included your handle used to post and the gift you are claiming.

Thanks to all, the gifters and commenters both, for making this the best OSR Christmas ever.

There may be some gifts that never made it to OSR Christmas Giveaways due to Santa's COVID confusion. There MAY be a catch up day later in the month.

Anything shipping from the Tenkar household will be delayed slightly, again due to COVID. Apologies in advance.

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You can catch the daily Tavern Chat podcast on Anchor, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar 

Deal of the Day - WARPLAND (Sci-Fantasy OSR Setting/OSR Rules)

Back to back OSR deals as Deal of the Day at DTRPG. What's going on? Not that I'm complaining ;)

This time the Deal of the Day is WARPLAND, and the deal being offered is a big one. Normally WARPLAND is 8.50 n PDF, but until tomorrow morning WARPLAND is on sale for 1.70 - 80% off!

Another future review...

An original dark sci-fantasy setting by Gavriel Quiroga, creator of the critically acclaimed Neurocity.

Enter the Land of the Warp at your own risk! A dark world where technology and science are anathema and dark magick is just being discovered!

This is the 1.1 corrected final version of the corebook. 150 pages of pure lysergic visuals! Almost 30 random tables for a sandbox approach! A fully inmersive setting 1500% funded through Kickstarter! A symmetric (8.5 x 8.5) beauty of an artbook!

 

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Deal of the Day - The High Moors (OSE Sandbox)

As I've stated elsewhere, reviews will be returning to The Tavern in 2022, and they will be paid for with your support. When you use one of The Tavern's affiliate links, you literally pay for review material.

Today's Deal of the Day is The High Moors for Old School Essentials, or really, any old school RPG systems based on AD&D 1e or earlier. Normally 10 bucks in PDF (no print version available) until tomorrow morning, you can grab The High Moors for a mere 5.20.

I've snagged my copy, and a review should be forthcoming in the next few days - or weeks. Hard to predict ;)

From the blurb:

The High Moors beckon...

Little is known of the Ieldra - a race of cruel and depraved elves that once ruled the northern tableland called The High Moors - and no one has seen an elf in living memory. Their civilisation is dead, destroyed by an incursion from the Far Realm brought about by their hubris.

The ruins of the High Moors have lain undisturbed for centuries. With news from a successful expedition, people have finally considered the treasures waiting to be discovered in the forgotten north.

A number of expeditions have now been dispatched to bring back magic and riches. Unfortunately, danger, horror and madness awaits most of them.

The High Moors is a freeform sandbox weirdcrawl campaign. It is presented for Old School Essentials Advanced Fantasy, but easily converted to any OSR edition of your choice.

The High Moors features:

• a huge wilderness sandbox ideal for a WEST MARCHES style campaign
• over 60 adventure locations, including three mapped and keyed dungeons
• 60 battlemaps for Virtual Table Top play!
• sufficient content to take a party of five adventurers from 1st to 8th level
• fully detailed and mapped town of Hob’s Lake for your party to use as a local base
• full colour hex maps of the three wilderness zones
• twenty new unique magic items
• nearly forty new unique monsters
• nine new playable races including bearfolk, owlfolk and uplifted apes!

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New Release - Ascendant (Supers RPG)

Let me get a few things out of the way. I'd rather be upfront than hear whispers in the dark.

1) Ascendant is written and published by Alexander Macris. I know there is a segment of the gaming community that has a hard-on for Alex. If you are covered by the prior statement, you can bugger off right now. This post isn't for you.

2) I consider Alex a friend. More than an acquaintance, less than a bestie. Still, it may color some of my observations, so you should be informed. Also, see Number 1, above.

3) Although I am a fan of the superhero genre, I've yet to find a supers RPG that I've felt comfortable with. At best, they've been "blah".

4) I literally just spent 55 bucks plus shipping for the Print plus PDF version of Ascendant. This is your money, the readers of this fine blog, as it was funded by affiliate monies. This is NOT a review copy. 

5) Alex DID send me the first chapter of his upcoming Ascendant graphic novel in PDF. I have done little more than look at some pretty pictures at this point. I'm impressed but need more Covid-free focus before actually reading it.

6) I wanted to let my readers know that Ascendant was on sale in PDF for the next 6 days, as part of the New Year, New Game Sale at DTRPG. There are many other fine RPGs for sale too. Your purchases will fund further reviews.

7) The fucker has gone Gold in less than a month. That's pretty impressive. It's also the #1 Bestseller as I type this.

K, enough of that. I'll need to read Ascendant before reviewing it (reviews return to The Tavern in 2022). Your money will be used to review books YOU may be interested in. No obligations to do a positive spin. No "reviewer's copy so no negative reviews" bullshit. Simply honest reactions.

Here's the sales blurb:

Ascendant is the superpowered role-playing game of infinite possibilities. In this 496-page standalone rulebook, you get:

• Elegant game mechanics that swiftly simulate the physics of a comic-book world using easy-to-reference real-life benchmarks
• Color-coded challenge action resolution tables that resolve complex actions with superspeed
• Infinitely scalable system lets you play heroes of any power level, from streetfighters to living gods – and replicate virtually any character from your favorite anime, comic, manga, or movie settings
• Countless powers all customizable with an easy-to-use system of modifier tags that lets you match your power’s specifics to your character concept
• Comprehensive detective mechanics for investigating crimes, interviewing witnesses, and finding clues
• Detailed options for super-geniuses to create inventions, cure diseases, and even bring their outlandish devices into mass production
• Extensive rules for responding to emergencies such as asteroid strikes, avalanches, disease outbreaks, earthquakes, fires, nuclear disasters, tornados, tsunamis, and volcanoes
• A huge catalog of pre-built characters and objects including major military vehicles such as aircraft carriers, attack submarines, and ballistic missiles
• A dynamic mission generation system to help you create challenges for your heroes
• An optional campaign setting with ready-to-use heroes, villains, and organizations
• Spectacular artwork by industry-leading pencilers, inkers, and colorists

The Tavern is supported by readers like you. The easiest way to support The Tavern is to shop via our affiliate links. DTRPG, Amazon, and Humble Bundle are affiliate programs that support The Tavern. 

You can catch the daily Tavern Chat podcast on Anchor, YouTube, or wherever you listen to your podcast collection. - Tenkar 

Just A Quick Thought About Growing Our Hobby

I'm so excited that we're finally into 2022, mostly 'cause I'm expecting it to totally be my year, but why TF would anyone at the Tavern except me care about that?

The cool thing, of course as I see it, is that we've finally put the holidays behind us and now we're able to get to the important thing: weekend gaming!  (well assuming that's when you sling dice.....)

My group started back up after the holidays, but since we're an online group we weren't meeting face-to-face and really we needed the first time after the holidays to sit around and catch up with each other since it's been a while.

This kind of thing doesn't happen often, but when it does it really reminds me that gaming is so much more than a hobby. Most of the gaming groups I've been in were kind of a second family of sorts and sitting around the table slinging dice is just as much about hearing about your friends' kids as they are about slaughtering orcs and collecting loot.

For my non-gamer friends and family, they see me as a big dork (they aren't wrong there) playing pretend fantasy.....I'm certain most think I dress up and LARP even though they don't know what a LARP is.

I've always wished that I could convey the friendships and comraderies I've experienced from this particular hobby, better yet if I could compare & contrast with other hobbies and even factor in the price! Sure I have spent a metric buttload of cash on RPGs, but most of that is just me being...well, me. As far as what's needed for my weekly game, that's pretty cheap/frugal.

Seriously though if you priced out a couple of game books, buying an adventure, getting everyone dice....divide by the number of players and game hours taken up by a campaign......downright cheap entertainment.

I'm reasonably certain that anyone reading the Tavern regularly already has a good opinion of RPGs and I'm not going to sell anyone here on the subject......BUT the frugality, ok potential frugality, of the hobby might be a good appeal to some for picking up the hobby.

As we all go into 2022 I'm suggesting that we all take the opportunity to strengthen out bonds within our community and reach out to non-gamers and see if we can wrap a few into the fold.