E233 - Designers & Makers - I Sit Down with Ian McGarty of Silver Bulette Publishing

In this episode, I speak with Sean of Smunchy Games. We talk about an upcoming KS (Paths: Temple of Ukro’Kaahto) give players "a GM in a box." Color me VERY intrigued. We also talk about Kickstarter in general, surveying the marketplace, lowering the bar to the entry to RPGs and much more. https://smunchygames.com/ Support Tavern Chat - https://anchor.fm/tavernchat/support https://anchor.fm/rich-fraser Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

In this episode I sit down with Rich Fraser (podcaster and small publisher) We talk D&D from Basic to 5e and points between, podcasting (and Rich's podcast Cockatrice Nuggets) and other sundries. Links: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/256659/Nuggets-1?affiliate_id=1446 (note - affiliate link but product is free) https://anchor.fm/rich-fraser Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

Yep, Roll20 (and a bunch of other sites) got hacked. 4 million Roll20 accounts are for sale (the bundle has a total of 127 million records for the bargain price of $14,500 in bitcoin.) Roll20 says passwords are safe and no financial data was stolen. https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/14/hacker-strikes-again/ https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/7209691/roll20-security-breach Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

Yep, its still going on. Zak S responded to Mandy's accusations late last night. A defense of Zak by Stacy D from Feb 2017 resurfaces. Hypocricy at its best. https://archive.is/cPSMA#selection-865.0-869.184 (Stacy D) https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/350822570058055701/545467418265255938/unknown.png?width=333&height=536 (Stacy D) https://officialzsannouncements.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-statement.html (Zak S) Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

Today I sit down with Rob Conley of Bat in the Attic (both blog and publisher). We talk Traveller, Swords & Wizardry, Points of Light, Blackmarsh, Judges Guild, Wilderlands, LARPS, blogs and the like. http://batintheattic.blogspot.com/ http://www.batintheattic.com/ https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/2993/Bat-in-the-Attic-Games?affiliate_id=1446 (note - affiliate link - a portion of purchases help to support The Tavern) Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

Yep, the title says it all. The fallout continues. https://oneblogshelf.blogspot.com/2019/02/drivethrurpg-responds-to-current.html http://www.contessa.rocks/blog/contessa-statement-on-zak-smith?fbclid=IwAR2AGCWjowuYL4ly7UrStkKRNJku0TcaqetMgKuP7_9xpqSleW5Zy-kj7Pk Links to all things Tavern: Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

I was all psyched to talk VTTs with a developer of the D20Pro VTT when we had to reschedule. So, why not talk VTTs anyhow ;) Excellent listing of VTTs - http://rpgvirtualtabletop.wikidot.com/the-vts Links to all things Tavern: Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

Seems like you can't spit without finding allegations of abuse by an RPG creator underneath where your spittle lands. Earlier this evening, Morbid Mandy, Zak S' recently ex-girlfriend, posted a very personal and revealing post of the abuse she claims to have suffered at the hands of Zak. You can find the claims here:  https://www.facebook.com/amandapatricianagy/posts/10215845527064252 In today's episode, I talk a bit about the interactions I've had with Zak S online and why my experiences with Zak make Mandy's claims likely to be accurate in my view. Links to all things Tavern: Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

Today I sat down for a fireside chat with Puddles of the Strange Gods Podcast (and soon to be released Swords & Wizardry / Blight Podcast). We talk gaming, cops shows, free range chickens, campaigns, TPKs and more. Oh, and I blush loud enough you should be able to hear it on the podcast. That's a first ;) Strange Gods Podcast - https://strangegodspodcast.com/ Links to all things Tavern: Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

In today's episode of Tavern Chat I have a virtual fireside chat with SagaNick of Saga RPG Publishing. We discuss some Kickstarter strategies, Rappan Athuk and more. Link to Saga RPG products on RPGNow (note - affiliate link) https://www.rpgnow.com/browse/pub/6808/SagaRPG?affiliate_id=1446 Links to all things Tavern: Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

With this episode I have a fireside chat with Courtney Campbell of the Hack & Slash blog (among many other avenues of creativity.) We talk multiple income streams, creativity, love & hate, real life, drive, emotion, kickstarters, Con Man Ken, Gail, Gareth and everything under the sun. If you listen to only one episode on the Designers & Makers series of fireside chats, this might be the one to listen to.  Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast Courtney Campbell Writer/Illustrator  Support and Follow me!  Hack & Slash Blog: http://hackslashmaster.blogspot.com/  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hackandslash  Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/agonarchartist/  DrivethruRPG Storefront: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/5597/Hack--Slash-Publishing  Lulu Storefront: http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?contributorId=1205064   Keep up with what's going on!  Newsletter: https://tinyletter.com/Hackandslash  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hack.Slash.Master  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cccampbell/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hackslashmaster  MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/courtney.campbell1

Yep. Anchor is now part of Spotify. Holy shit, right? Then a reporter wants to interview me about Gail Gygax. Yep, its a fun ride ;) https://adexchanger.com/podcast/spotify-buys-two-podcasting-companies-anchor-and-gimlet-in-major-foray-into-the-space/ http://www.tenkarstavern.com/2019/02/interesting-exchange-i-had-with.html Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

Today I had a fireside chat with Jerry - Noble Herald Frog of Frog God Games. We had some technical difficulties in the beginning, but thanks to Jerry switching to his cell phone and Pexx adjusting the bitrate we recovered. Jerry is a fine example of backing into a position with a gaming company. I happen to be another example ;) Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

I look at 11 Zines releasing during Kickstarter's Zine Quest Month. There are some must haves in the bunch. https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/advanced?woe_id=0&tag_id=346&sort=magic&seed=2582226&page=2 Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

Yep, Google has a new update on the G+ shutdown on April 2, 2019 and its a doozy. Remember when Google pushed integrating G+ and Blogger comments? Well, bend over if you did because it aint pretty. Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

Yesterday was the new high water mark as far as the Tavern Chat Podcast goes - over 1700 plays. The Tenkar's Tavern Discord server, where all of the live interviews take place is knocking on 1500 members. Oh, and the crowdsourced setting book, The Black Isle Gazetteer is now available in print for cost. Woot!  Support the Tavern Chat Podcast on Patreon Read the Tenkar's Tavern Blog Join the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server RPG Breakfast Club Coast to Coast Podcast

There are interviews and there are "interviews". I prefer to call what I do Fireside Chats as interviews seem both more formal and intrusive. When the press wants to interview you, even if it seems informal it WILL be intrusive. They have a story to sell and clicks to get clicked.

Its becoming rarer and rarer to find interesting articles on ENWorld. Not saying I found such today, but I might have ;)

In today's episode of The Tavern Chat podcast, I hang out with Tyson of Smunchy Games. I'm eagerly awaiting the board game/RPG hybrid.  https://smunchygames.com/

In this installment of the Designers & Makers series of fireside chats I sit down with Alex Macris, the main man at Autarch publishing and best known for the Adventurer Conquerer King System (ACKS). We talk awards, projects past and present, old Commodore 64 video games and more :)

This past weekend - according to many on social media - Dungeons & Dragons celebrated its 45th birthday.  11 official versions (and countless hacks, clones and derivatives later) it is still going strong. Link to the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server  https://discord.gg/aEMemPf

Spent the late morning and much of the afternoon dealing with a backed up sewer pipe. Ick! Voicemails from Joethelawyer Jeremy "frothof" regarding the aging table in the AD&D 1e DMG and the Savage Worlds Community program respectively.

On today's episode I hang out with Melkor of the Strange Gods Podcast (and the fairly soon to be released Swords & Wizardry powered and Blight setting podcast) We talk old school, new school, OSR, Pathfinder ! & 2, 5e and more. Houserules and on the fly conversions. We forgot to bring the beer :(

Anchor now limits recording made via the web app to 30 minutes (doesn't effect mobile apps nor recording made with outside software) Pinnacle launches the Savage Worlds Adventurers Guild a bit differently then similar programs - less IP available for use but creators retain more of the royalties.  https://support.drivethrurpg.com/hc/en-us/articles/360020874952-Savage-Worlds-Adventure-s-Guild-SWAG-Content-Guidelines

Today I look at the Aging section on page 16 of the AD&D 1e DMG. I don't ever recall moving my newly rolled characters through the Age Categories for ability score adjustments. Do you?

In the latest episode in the Designers & Makers series of fireside chat I get to sit down with Kevin Watson of Dark Naga Games. We talk OSR & 5e as well as Kickstarters past, present and future.

With this episode we present the latest in the Designers & Makers series of fireside chats. This time I chat with Elfstar, adventure and computer game designer. We hit on some hexcrawl/sandbox points of interest that may be of interest to others ;)

Yep, this is the 250th episode of the Tavern Chat podcast. We have a voicemail from JoeTheLawyer and I talk about what's currently in the hopper.

In the latest of the Designer's & Makers series of interviews / fireside chat, I talk with Robert/Sizzoul of the Strange Gods Podcast and we learn more about the upcoming Blight/Swords & Wizardry podcast they have in the hopper ;)

After two miserable weeks I'm finally feeling more like my old self. Catching up on all things Tavern related. Spikepit and Tim Shorts call the show. I mention some sources for old school styled adventures - detached covers and such.

In this episode of the Tavern Chat Podcast, we continue with the Designers & Makers series of "fireside chats". This time I sit down with Humble Joe / Izzy of the Strange Gods Podcast, am actual play podcast featuring Pathfinder (and soon to include a sister podcast featuring Swords & Wizardry). Join us, won't you? :)

The AD&D 1e Dungeon Master's Guide is glorious in the haphazard array of information that is presented within. One fine example of such is hidden on page 39 - ACQUISITION OF MAGIC-USER SPELLS - and the tables given for starting spells. Join me as I take a peek.

Today I sat down with Skeeter Green, formerly of Frog God Games and currently with Skeeter Green Publishing. Skeet wraps up talking about his upcoming Kickstarter. Take my money already...

I was asked privately what my New Year's gaming resolutions were for this year and they are simple - sorta. More gaming, more creating, simply more :)

Damn it but the Anchor web interface for recording is still offline. So, to my phone I do go. The latest Mythoard arrived today and it includes issue #1 of Gygax magazine signed by the whole crew. Woot!

In today' s episode of the Tavern Chat Podcast we have the latest in the series of Designers & Makers "fireside chats". That's what we are calling it now. Josh talks about his venture into gaming, his relative youth, why one sheet adventures are a passion of his and future plans. 

Thank you all! Your support is and was amazing. Gareth's comment was deleted from Facebook but the screenshot lives forever at TenkarsTavern.com ;) Voicemails from Spikepit, JoeTheLawyer, Old Man Grognard and Chris Clark.

Ah, good old Gareth Skarka. He has more empty promises than a politician. Now, on social media, he has alluded to punching me "in the fucking throat" in addition to calling me some choice names. Why is he so upset? Because for the same seven years Far West has been late I've been publicly throwing his own words back at him. Guess that makes me a c-word ;P   https://www.mutedhorn.net/far-west-delivery-estimates

Final(?) follow up to the Vince Florio interview. Voicemails from Spikepit and JoeTheLawyer. Your host is now on antibiotics. Yes, its been that kind of a week.

Yesterday's interview with Vince Florio has certainly been a discussion generator when it comes to the Anchor Podcast Community. Obviously, I use Anchor and I'm in its debt, as it lowered the entry bar to podcasting, much like Blogger lowered the entry bar to blogging. I suspect the influx of Anchor podcasts will level out once the new shiny has worn off. In this episode, I talk about where I think the Anchor community is right now and where I suspect it will eventually be.

In the latest Designers & Makers entry, I hang out with Vince Florio, podcaster, Youtube and game designer, Vince is the main man at Wild Game Productions and is the main designer of the ENnie award winning Mazes & Perils. He is also the man that introduced me to the world of podcasting. See, now you know who to blame ;)   http://www.wildgamesproductions.com/

In today's follow up to Episode 231, Rich Frasier calls in to discuss parley and xp for gold. Is this where the rules as written encouraged a certain type of gameplay, and did the transition from 1e to 2e change the dynamic?

Some quick (and incomplete) thoughts on the Amazon Prime series Man in the High Castle. Last night's stomach bug may have enlightened me - or maybe that was just the fever and sweats ;)

In today's episode of The Tavern Chat Podcast I hang out with Omer Golan of Stellagama Publishing. Omer has a number of releases in support Stars Without Number and White Star but is perhaps best known currently for Cepheus Light, a reworked and reedited version of Cepheus, which is itself an OGL clone of Mongoose Traveller 1e. Come for the Traveller talk, stay for the AD&D 2e observations ;) . Above includes an affiliate link. Affiliate links keep the beer cold at all things Tavern.

Today we have the next installment in the Designers & Makers series of interviews. I am actually loath to call them interviews at this point, as they have turned more into friendly chats than scripted interviews. This time I sit down with Ia McGarty of Silver Bulette Publishing. You can find their releases here - https://www.rpgnow.com/browse/pub/11366/Silver-Bulette?affiliate_id=1446 And yes, that is an affiliate link. When you use our affiliate links, your purchases help support The Tavern.

JoeTheLawyer, Rach and myself had lunch at my local pub, which is also the possible location to host a potential Pub Con. Hilarity ensues ;)

As was discussed earlier in the Tavern Chat weekly hangout on our Discord server, too often we see character defeat equal death. Retreat and capture rarely if ever seem like options and perhaps they should be.

Happy New Year! The first week of 2019 will include more Designers & Makers interviews, hanging with JoeTheLawyer to scout out a potential Pub Con location and apparently also included my cat Ashley pooping a big one as I look to wrap up the episode. I hope that a good sign for the rest of the year ;P

Time to wrap up 2018 and look forward to 2019. A look at where we are and where we are going with all things Tavern related.

Tim Shorts calls in with his thoughts on artifacts and I use Avengers Infinity War as an example as to how to use use an artifact as a campaign plot device. Then i go off the rails and discuss why I think defeat shouldn't always mean PC death.

This morning we recorded another in a series of interviews with Designers & Makers in tabletop gaming. With this episode I hang with Jason Hobbs, of the Ennie nominated Hobbs & Friends of the OSR, Hex Talk and Random Screed podcasts. Jason and I have been friends for a while and it was great to catch up with him :)

In my experience, one of the most abused aspects of AD&D 1e was the Artifacts & Relics in the DMG. While the DMG was often treated like a Sear Catalogue among many players, the Artifacts & Relics section took that to 11 (Spinal Tap for the win) 

Intelligent Swords were both boon and bane in my early days of gaming.

Christmas is now in the rearview mirror and we're catching up on voicemails. JoeTheLayer and Laramie the Tavern Mensch call the show.

Its Christmas Day. Time to thank those that have added positively to your experience. No, I'm not referring to XP either ;)

My niece Pinky joins me on this episode of Tavern Chat to talk about some of the gifts she has received thus far (dice!) and somme of her plans for 2019. Hint: it includes Swords & Wizardry Light

Sadly, it doesn't stop. Since yesterday's episode, Stacy has now gone so far as to insinuate that violence maybe be used to achieve her goals (what those goals are exactly, aside from attacking Gary Con, Bill Webb and the OSR are ill defined. We've allowed her to be the only voice for too long. Its time to defend our hobby, our creators, our publishers, our conventions and our communities. Speak up!

The attempted boycott of Gary Con continues. The target is no longer one guest, or one convention - the whole of the OSR is under attack by Stacy Dellorfano. You can stand by and do nothing, or you can support the creators, conventions and communities that are part of the larger OSR.

Paizo is releasing a Starfinder Beginner Box. I love the format and its something we've seen in the hobby since D&D Basic. I want mores! https://paizo.com/products/btq01wrs?Starfinder-Beginner-Box

In this episode of the Designers & Makers series of interviews, I talk with Douglas Cole of Gaming Ballistic. We talk GURPS, OSR, Kickstarter, usable unarmed combat rules for OSR gaming, as well as Doug's current Kickstarter - Lost Hall of Tyr (2nd Edition) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2101297466/lost-hall-of-tyr-2nd-edition-maps-and-print-run

Today I interviewed Zach Glazar (Frog God Games). No Hawk the Slayer question, because the man has never seen the movie. Sigh. Support The Tavern at https://www.patreon.com/tenkarstavern.

I received the new Call of Cthulhu Starter Set today. Its Tavern Chat's first unboxing and it's an awesome product. 24.95 for the box with free PDFs with purchase.

In this instalment of the Designers & Makers series of interviews, I talk with Carl Heyl of the Save or Die and The Crusader Podcast. Yes, we even talk Hawk the Slayer ;)

Someone pointed me to a blogpost from Stacy D of Contessa from 2016 and I found myself nodding my head in agreement. But then I was reminded of her current call to boycott Gary Con and I realized she lacked the conviction to follow her own words and stated rules. http://www.contessa.rocks/blog/founders-forum-the-future-of-contessa

On today's episode of the Tavern Chat Podcast, I talk sit down across the virtual table with Tom Knauss, best known for his work as a writer for Frog God Games. We talk RPGs, art, Hawk the Slayer and more ;)

Tim Shorts calls the podcast. Designers & Makers Networking Group kicks off on the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server. Daredevil’s Deborah Ann Woll to headline a new D&D show for streaming. New drama, same drumbeat. Link to the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server: https://discord.gg/fReGmuD

Yep, apparently I never actually watch Hawk the Slayer in its entirety until this morning. You can find it to stream on Amazon (3 bucks to rent / 10 to buy) Its a fun movie so long as you go into it accepting its limitations - low budget, poor acting, lame special effects, and a horrid script. Pass me the beer and popcorn please!

Today we kick off the Designers & Makers series of interviews (with about 40 interviews currently on the grid over the next three months). Michael "BadMike" Badolato has the notoriety of being our first guest in the series. BadMike is one of the main guys behind the NTRPG Con, works for Frog God Games and does his own business selling old school games on eBay. Join us as BadMike answers "Ths Five Questions" after which we free range a bit ;)

We'll be kicking off the Designers& Makers series of interviews in the next couple of days, but to prepare folks for what's in store, I asked myself (and answered) the five questions that will be asked of all. These are not the be all and end all of the questions, but simply a common baseline. Enjoy :)

Google has proven to be an unreliable custodian of personal data, with 52.5 million accounts' personal data exposed.

ENWorld is looking for nominations of the Best Podcasts of 2018. I rant a bit about the LotFP Referee Book and Far West, then look at the POD of the AD&D 2e rulebooks on DriveThruRPG.

Last night was the first annual Tavern meeting. We are on pace for an amazing 2019. ENWorld has posted the results of its most anticipated games of 2019 - any wonder the pic on the ENWorld splash page is number 10 on the list - but their own release.

Much like Hit Points, Experience Points do not have a direct relationship with the real world. Sometimes a game must be seen from the game's perspective.

Today we look at page 82 of the AD&D 1e DMG and discuss Hit Points. If the class will open their DMGs and follow along ;)

Ever since last night, some of the language rules in AD&D 1e have been irking me. Alignment tongues, Druid and Thief languages, nine starting languages for elves (ten if they are a thief) - this and more make me question how language was used in 1e.

James Raggi gives us an update on the She Bleeds controversy and I have some issues with a current OSR survey.

I posted about the alleged destruction of Zero or more copies of the LotFP release of She Bleeds by an unidentified warehouse (Raggi claims he knows the warehouse and the numbers are unknown and could be Zero). With some additional information I dig deeper, and the more we know, the less we know.

Join JoeTheLawyer, Rach, Judd & myself as we record a live episode of The Not So Wondrous Tavern Chat at the Faile Pun on West 33rd Street in NYC. We had a great time recording this episode and we hope you'll have a great time listening :)

Yep, OSR Christmas kicked off today. Go to tenkarstavern.com for more details on how to be gifted. Also, I read some comments from the blog side about the common tongue.

I talk about my thoughts on the Common Tongue as it is used in most "Old School" RPGs

Pexx brought this up earlier today on The Tavern's Discord Sever - Favorite mundane items and why? I poke around the topic a bit.

JoeTheLawyer calls in with an interesting observation regarding spells with no saves (Cloudkill, Powerword Kill, Sleep, etc). I respond with thoughts of my own.

Save of Die sounds great, but it takes some of the true challenges out of the game IMHO. Character death generally needs more meaning, and random death by Save or Die lacks that in my eyes

JoeTheLawyer and I have finalized plans for a Tenkar's Tavern Pub Gathering on Sunday, Dec 2 at Noon. We move to Stout across the street after a wee bit of shopping. First round is on me. We are at 10 gifters for OSR Christmas and the emails keep coming in. I talk a bit about the Dreams of Mythic Fantasy OSR News Blog and a bundle price on the Far Away Land RPG.

JoeTheLawyer and I plan to hit the Complete Strat in Manhattan next Sunday, December 2, and then follow up with some beers at a local pub - and record a podcast episode. Join us if you can. Also, OSR Christmas is coming up. Don't be left out.

Voicemails and then a peek at the brand new Gygax Games website. What it doesn't say speaks volumes...

Tegel Manor is live on Kickstarter, raising over 17k in less than 3 1/2 hours. Give it a peek - it looks damn good. Also, some more Black Friday sales for your shopping pleasure.

It's Thanksgiving. Do you use holidays and their associated celebrations in your RPG Campaigns? Also, its time for some Black Friday sales :)

I sat down with Pexx today to go over some of the plans for all things Tavern in 2019. It should be a good year :)

Its a news episode of sorts. I discuss a future crossover episode that will be recorded with JoeTheLawyer and others, the return of the Dreams of Mythic Fantasy blog and the soon to be closing of the RPGNow Storefront. https://dreamsofmythicfantasy.blogspot.com/

I blame Joe the Lawyer for today's topic. I own far more RPG material than I will ever play or even read for that matter and yet have games I want to play that I have yet to do so.

I apologize in advance for the extra-long episode. As I was putting the pieces of the episode together, I discovered a post on our very own TenkarsTavern.com from 2014 that shed further light on the battle for the soul of TARGA, from the one that fought said battle. Additional material is at the end of the episode. It was too relevant to not include. I touch upon the current OSR logo drama too.

Voicemails on Mundane Magic kick us off. It really seems to have an audience. Then we address Stuart R's OSR Logo / Graphic and whether it was ever really needed. I think a TARGA follow up episode will be needed.

I got it into my head today to think about mundane magic. I understand why RPG rulebooks focus on the magic aimed for adventuring, but in societies where magic replaces technologoy, wouldnt there be more mundane uses?

I'm not sure if I actually made my save vs Con Crud. It may be a delayed reaction. Back in 86 or 87, I went to my first gaming convention at Columbia University in Manhattan. It was one of the few times I've up and up "rules lawyered" and I probably use my druid's Rock to Mud spell in a way the rules as written did not expect.

Its not often that I talk about something that is time sensitive, but both the Warhammer / Warhammer 40k Audio Collection and the Warhammer / Warhammer Digital Games Collection have about 6 days left as this episode releases. If you enjoy the fiction or the digital games set in the Warhammer settings, it's hard to pass up. https://tenkars-tavern.games/warhammer - A portion of sales made via this link goes to support The Tavern

The adventures of a gamer going to and returning from a game convention. Someone made a huge luck roll - allegedly...

I flew home from Madison and boy are my arms tired. My legs, back, and body overall have joined in. I have some ideas on how to combat Con Crud as well as some ideas on personal hygiene at cons. Stinking Cloud spell is not the effect you want.

Gamehole Con has wrapped up. As we await the yearly Frog God Dinner, I give my final thoughts on Gamehole VI.

Gamehole day three is coming to an end. Huge thank you to Phil Reed of Steve Jackson Games for adding goodies to The OSR Christmas Swag Bag. I had a blast running The Mouth of Doom this morning with a truly challenging group. Shout outs to everyone that took the time to say hello.

I hang out and discuss Gamehole and related stuff with Bad Mike, Ben Barsh, Zach Glazer and my wife Rach. Ambient noise supplied by Dwarven Forge ;)

Day One of GameHole Con is wrapping up. I’m blessed to have met many members of the Tavern’s community today. Oh, and nice S&W sales. Did I mention cider?

More follow up on game balance with two new voicemails. Then it's on to running games and conventions and how it differs from home campaigns.

Yesterday's episode about game balance was well received. We have four voicemails on the topic, or rather, two voicemails each from two listeners. They both make good points and I follow up on both.

Love me some Moody Blues. I talk a bit about game balance and why I think the true balance belongs not in the rules but in the adventures.

Wow. Some amazing feedback on yesterdays episode about music and ambient audio at the RPG table. I respond to some voicemails from the listeners.

JoeTheLawyer had an interesting question - do you use music and or sound effects in your RPG sessions? I talk about my experiences, my thoughts and I seek your feedback.

It has finally happened. There has been a melding of worlds. A mashing of podcasts. Yep, this is the first in a series of "podcast crossovers". Today, I hang with Colin "SpikePit" Green. We touch on many topics related to gaming, geekdom and beyond. Enjoy the podcast that spans both sides of the "pond" ;)

Wow. Three voicemails, all enthusiastic about the cross promotion idea for the various OSR podcasts. Can I get a Huzzah!?! Did I mention tomorrow's episode will kick the whole thing off? Welcome to TavernSpike :)

Joe the Lawyer left me a voicemail on my cell phone asking questions about Anchor and its ease of use. Sadly, the voicemail is not downloadable, but it did lead me to answer Joe's inquiry in today's episode. Simply put, Anchor is downright simple - or as complicated as you want to make it,

Tim Shorts follows up on my idea of cross-promoting the various OSR podcasts. On the news side of things. DnD Sports is now RPG Sports, supposedly because there is such a huge push to expand beyond D&D. Don't you beleive it...

Colin (AKA Spikepit) asks a question about self-promotion. I answer with some thoughts on cross-promotion. Let me know what you think about the ideas I through out.

Ont the blog side I asked about folks running horror-themed games for the Halloween season. Tonight, I spitball some ideas to add some OSR horror, via Joe Salvador's Eldritch Tales, to a more standard fantasy setting. Lets see where I meander to...

I still have my AD&D 1e Player's Handbook by my desk. Today, I look at multi and dual classing in the 1e rules (as well as question why certain races had NPC clerics only) - edit - episode was blank - re-recorded with my niece ;)

We have two voicemails in response to reading history from your old gamebooks. Then I look at Starships & Spacemen 2e - the OSR Star Trek substitute.

I pulled my original copy of the AD&D 1e Player's Handbook off my shelves to "read its history." Some pieces it revealed surprise even me ;)

Glen Halstrom left a voicemail with an interesting note - he picked up an RPG book second hand and it included the prior owner's unique map for their fantasy world. I find that the little extras - notes, remarks, names and even underlining, imparts a sense of history with some second-hand RPG purchases. What are your thoughts? You can leave a voicemail at (347) 509-5168

We have voicemails from Glen Halstrom and Chris Clark. We peek at Island of Blight, In Vino Gigantus and Dice of Unusual Size. I then rant about Far West. Ah, sweet ranting, you will be mine! ;)

Yep, I commented on a thread over on ENWorld yesterday, because inaccurate statements regarding D&D editions really annoy me. Lo and behold, I never knew I had a "chit sheet" in one of my Basic Boxes.

This episode is going up late because this morning was the first RPG Breakfast Club hosted chat on the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server. I talk about this morning's chat as well as other hosted chat's throughout the week (and more in the future) on The Tavern's Discord Server. If you enjoy this podcast, you'll probably enjoy popping into a scheduled chat or two with us ;)

Man, the amount of tinfoil hats in our corner of the hobby is simply amazing at times. No, Swords & Wizardry Light was not written to usurp legitimacy and authority from Swords & Wizardry Complete. How could it? They are both published by the same company. No, Swords & Wizardry Light was not written to "dumb down" the OSR and lead to its destruction from within. It was written to lower the barriers of entry to the OSR. Gather around children and your bartender will tell you the true story of the Origins of Swords & Wizardry Light...

Shannon has been asking Uncle to interview her on the podcast pretty much since i kicked off the podcast. Today was another day of Uncle duties, as Shannon has an ear infection to go along with her chest cold. We decided to do the "interview" today. She had so much fun, she wants to do it monthly ;)

My niece has gotten me to go hot-n-heavy when it comes to cleaning out the living room. In doing such, I've unearthed a large amount of partially forgotten RPG material I've acquired as well as identified a significant amount of duplicates. Do you have RPG hoarding tendencies? How do you cope with such if you do?

Still fighting a cold. Currently serving out my Uncle Duties. Thanks to Colin, I talk about Swords & Wizardry ;)

Way back in Episode 70, I talked about how Hasbro's CEO mentioned D&D eSports, and everyone said that the CEO didn't know what he was talking about and I was being foolish for even mentioning it. Well, take a peek - https://dndsports.tv/news/what-is-dndsports/

Yep, I'm still a miserable fuck, having woken up 1130 in the morning - damn cold. The Tavern has been around for nearly 10 years. I expect it will be around for many more 10s of years. If you look at the history of the Tenkar's Tavern blog, you'll see it has always been in a process of change. Pexx over on the Discord side of all things Tavern is indexing those nearly 10 years of blog posts, and just a few months in he's already seeing changes. Growths. Missteps. All part of the process. All that which will bring us where we are, not just yesterday, but today and tomorrow too. Yes, change sucks. Yes, change is great.

I posted on Saturday Night on the blog side about some enhancements I'm looking to do on the blogside of things to help the community get more involved. Feedback was great, especially in regards to the future platform(s) I should explore.

Voicemails, emails and Groo talk. What better way to celebrate 150 episodes of Tavern Chat?

There was a lot of feedback to E148 was passionate. Three comments on the blogside and a phone call from Chris Clark himself. Guess I need a Google Number for longer voicemails :) I respond to all.

Fourth time is the charm ;) I delve into the preface of the AD&D 1e DMG, an interesting read, even if it appears a bit contradictory.

Our Kickstarter Roundup is a day late, so we cover not five, not six, but seven current Kickstarters: Bunnies and Burrows, Phantasmagoria #1, Dragon-Slayer: RPG & Cosplay Wands, Dragon Scales - Dual Drake Metal Gaming Dice, Calidar "On Wings of Darkness", Mutant Mayhem Minis, and "Table Breakers" - Super Heavy Solid Metal Poly Dice Set.

What do you do if you expose the user info of half a million of your users? Shut down the service, that's what. Google has given G+ users a 10-month warning that its social media platform is going the way of the dodo. Most migration in the OSR Community appears to be heading towards MeWe. https://www.tenkarstavern.com/2018/10/google-plus-to-come-to-end-august-2019.html https://www.tenkarstavern.com/2018/10/the-mass-migration-of-osr-from-google.html

Level Drain - never liked it, never will. In today's episode, I discuss some alternatives to the classic level drain threat.

I try to avoid the F-bombs today. No idea if I succeeded ;) I talk about unexpected actions, thinking out of the box, freedom to do what you want and social norms at the game table.

I received review copies of Dungeons & Dragons - Art and Arcana: A Visual History yesterday and they look amazing. Doesn't translate well to a podcast though ;) Black Hat is laying off stay and canceling some planned releases. They are hoping to be back in "the black" in 2019, which means they are "in the red" for 2018...

We have some voicemails related to Episode 141 and the Tome of Adventure Design. Afterward, I talk about steps you can take to protect yourself and your reputation from groundless accusations on social media. Quite simply, screenshot anything and everything in a conversation online that may go south.

Last night, while recording the latest episode of The Old School Blues podcast (here on Anchor) we touched on the topic of "adventure inspiration" and I totally forgot to mention the Tome of Adventure Design

I had put a call out for mapping programs that were easy to use and the results were usable commercially. Illwinter's Floorplan Generator fits the bill perfectly. Its affordable (7 bucks) and cross-platform )PC/Mac/Linux.

Back in early June of this year, Alex Gygax messaged me to let me know that the latest filed tax return was being updated and refiled. I thought that meant an accounting of the monies WotC indicated it had been forwarding to the Fund since 2015 for the 1e reprints. I thought wrong...

I've been meaning to so this episode for a couple of days now. I guess I was kinda busy ;) I talk about the following Kickstarters: Yarr! The Pirate ArrPG Hardcover : Make 100 Edition, Far West: Western/Wuxia Mashup adventure game, Artisan Dice Does Handcrafted Polyhedrals, and Appendix N Adventure Toolkits (DCC RPG Modules).

First, thank you for all of the support. It means more than you know. We have voicemails from Jason Hobbs and Old Man Grognard. The news section is about Roll20 moderator, cofounder and manager Nolan T banning a Reddit user, the backlash and dumpster fire that resulted and the actions taken to resolve the public relations nightmare.

Stacy Dellorfano unmasked herself as the individual referred to in episodes 134 and 135. While doing so, she makes some fairly nasty and unfounded accusations against me. Here's my response, along with a transcript of sorts to follow along with at https://www.tenkarstavern.com/2018/09/the-tavern-chat-podcast-episode-136.html

Wow. Yesterday's episode was well received. Lots of feedback, much direct, some by voicemail and comments on the blog side. I share and respond to some of the feedback.

I kinda got worked up on last night's weekly Tavern Chat hangout on The Tavern's Discord Server. Today I rant about the idea of telling people who they can and can not follow on social media and the danger that comes with it. Which gaming books will you burn?

I take a first peek at The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide (releasing October 2nd, 2018). Review to come later. Excellent tool for sandbox campaigns BTW. Also, how to get banned from Gen Con for being punched in the face.

We've got it all! Midderlands patch info, a Tim Shorts voicemail and a peek at four Kickstarters: Svilland: The Norse Mythology Setting for DnD 5E, Dortoka: an OSR + PbtA City Module, Bunnies and Burrows, and Bloodwraith: A Fantasy World of Survival and Torment.

Yesterday's episode about Gamemaster Anxiety struck a nerve with The Tavern's Community. We listen to voicemails and read some comments and I give my feedback to all. Community rules!

I know I suffer from Gamemaster Anxiety. Right before I have to run a session, that feeling of dread, nervousness, and fear slips in - and immediately leaves the moment I start running the game. Do you suffer the same or similar? How do you handle it?

Today was the ShireCon #1, and it was a blast. Huge props to Thom Wilson. I ran a game of Swords & Wizardry Light today and I discuss on this episode my thoughts on running a successful convention RPG session.

In the past few days, there has been some concern over the perceived lack of content on the blogside (tenkarstavern.com) and the moving of much of my gaming talk to the podcast. I address the concerns while offering no true solutions. Sucks, don't it? ;)

I ramble on about the importance of the journey (playing the campaign) and the destination (completing the campaign) in my games.

In Episode 124 I discussed my thoughts on henchmen and hirelings in RPG campaigns. Today, we listen to some feedback from The Tavern's community. Huzzah!

Tuesdays are Kickstarter day here at The Tavern Chat Podcast. We look at 5E Stat Appendix for Fiendish Monster Hardcover, Adventure Realm RPG Tiles - Village and Riverland set, Gorgeous RPG Dice Sets for DnD and other roleplaying games, Mutant Mayhem Minis - RPG Post-Apocalyptic Figures for MCC, and Pirates of the Undead Seas: Fantasy Pirate Miniatures. Oh, and I rant about Far West and Gareth.

In this episode, I discuss the use (or lack thereof) of henchmen, hirelings and followers in fantasy RPG campaigns.

Another peek and reaction to a handful of questions from the Dungeons & Dragons Survey. I also talk a wee bit about the new MidderZine #1 release. https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4495590/ddsurvey https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/251643/Midderzine-Issue-1?affiliate_id=1446 (affiliate link) http://monkeyblooddesign.co.uk/The-Midderlands/

I'm really enjoying the D&D survey posted by WotC. Some of the questions are thought-provoking. They certainly drive the conversation. I'd love to hear some community response to the questions I covered on this episode :)

WotC has an in-depth survey up about tabletop Dungeons & Dragons, the editions you play, how you play and such. There are a number of questions that may even lead to their own podcast episodes. http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/news/dd-survey-1

In today's episode, we listen to a voicemail, read some emails and discuss art preferences in the OSR - B&W vs Color. Oh my!

There isn't much in the way of Kickstarters that excite me much this week, but there is a ton of excitement with the idea of a Transdimensional Tenkar's Tavern. Woot!

This is NOT a Kickstarter Round-up episode. This is an episode recounting my experiences on 9-11 as a NYC Police Officer. This episode is dedicated to Paul Benedetti - Husband, son, gamer.

Yep, ENWorld has news. Helton is officially gone and Mike Tresca is now managing editor of the ENWorld Columnist program. I have some thoughts on a Transdimensional Tenkar's Tavern.

Listen to this episode to learn how you could receive a month of Humble Bundle Monthly (9 games) - I talk about classic CRPGs. https://www.humblebundle.com/monthly?partner=tenkar (affiliate link)

News and observations. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay is 2 months late in print. ENWorld no longer lists dates or authors with articles linked on the main page. Is this due (in part) to Chris Helton leaving?

Goodman Games is now the distributor of Thom Wilson's Back to BasiX zine in print. Victorious and Amazing Adventures Bundle. Barrel Rider Games 25% off sale for all PDFs. http://goodman-games.com/store/product/back-to-basix-issue-1/ https://www.rpgnow.com/product/215938/Back-to-BasiX--Issue-1?affiliate_id=1446 https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/123060?affiliate_id=1446 https://www.rpgnow.com/browse/pub/4417/Barrel-Rider-Games?affiliate_id=1446 (rpgnow and drivethrurpg include affiliate links)

Tim Shorts drops in with his thoughts on how much magic he likes in fantasy settings. Your Tavern Keeper has been diagnosed with "Chemo Brain" related symptoms. Don't blame me if I forget your name ;)

Wow. Three voicemails and an email. I guess the episode 110 discussing "How much fantasy do you like in your settings" was a good discussion driving episode. This was a blast to respond to and record :)

Time to dig into some Kickstarters! Triskelion Space Tabletop RPG, Jungle Tomb of the Mummy Bride, Outdoor Encounter Cards, Atmar's Cardography: Full RPG Modules & Random Dungeon Decks, True Level Adventures for 1E and 5E gaming, Metal, Magic and Lore Fantasy RPG - Revised Edition!, and Dice Adventures.

Looks like the new Endless Quest Books have released. More importantly, I talk about fantasy settings and how much fantasy is right for me - and would like to know how much is right for you. Link to the Endless Quest book release on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2wCP1DS (affiliate link)

Whether in retail or law enforcement, I used skills learned in my formative roleplaying game years to help me in my chosen careers. I'd love to hear from others how RPGs have impacted their lives, in employment and beyond. tenkars-tavern.games/patreon

Its the first day of September, which means its the anniversary of the Invasion of Poland. Pete Spahn has put WWII: Operation White Box at PWYW pricing to commemorate. It also means the anniversary of 9-11 is sneaking up, and I use it as an example of a real-life moral check as well as how to use it as an example of how to adjust morale checks in game. https://www.rpgnow.com/product/251318/OWB001-WWII-Operation-WhiteBox-FREE?affiliate_id=1446 (affiliate link)

Recorded on the back porch in The Poconos. I talk about the benefits of using dogs over henchmen for low-level PCs as well as critical fumbles.

Critical hits are something I've always loved and hated as a player of RPGs. Today, I explain why that is. https://www.humblebundle.com/games/digital-tabletop-bundle?partner=tenkar (affiliate link)

The most memorable magic items your players' characters will find in their travels are the ones the players haven't seen before. Unique and useful magic items will stay with the characters even as they grow in level.

Time to dig into some Kickstarters! Dungeons of Doom V: Law Vs Chaos, Modular Dungeon Rooms, TROIKA! RPG: Numinous Edition, Create Your Own Fantasy RPG Adventure - RPG Resources Books, and a shout out to The LotR Humble Bundle - tenkars-tavern.games/LotR-RPG-Bundle

I was on, of all places, a police forum when I found a link to apply to write for Cards against humanity. I give you the pitch and a link: https://submissions.cardsagainsthumanity.com/

I've really been enjoying the time I've spent so far reading Joe Salvador's Eldritch Tales: Lovecraftian White Box Role-Playing. It's inspired me to think of ways to bring the game's insanity rules and class skills to both fantasy and sci-fi themed OSR rules. I may be insane myself? ;) https://www.rpgnow.com/product/250356/Eldritch-Tales-Lovecraftian-White-Box-RolePlaying&affiliate_id=1446 (affiliate link) tenkars-tavern.games/patreon

Are good and evil simply matters of perspective? Different sides of the same coin? Does evil see itself as "evil?" Can a church in schism view the breakway as evil? Gaming thoughts with your old school bartender. tenkars-tavern.games/LotR-RPG-Bundle

Woot! 100 episodes in 100 days. I never expected that when I kicked off this little podcast. We also hit some other milestones this week. September 22, 2018 is Shire Con. Guess who is a "notable industry guest"? Really. Guess ;) . http://throwigames.com/shirecon.html

My internal clock is doing a flashback of two years and thinks I'm working overnights - oh my! Humble Bundle has a LotR RPG Bundle as well as a Torchwood / Dr Who Audio Book Bundle. Did I mention there is a Munchkin StarFinder release on the horizon? tenkars-tavern.games/LotR-RPG-Bundle

In this episode, I have a (virtual) fireside chat with Darcy Perry of Star Hat Miniatures. Darcy is the sculptor of the official Tenkar miniature. The episode runs 57 minutes and was recorded in front of a live audience with questions and comments via text chat.

Time to dig into some Kickstarters! Dungeons of Doom V: Law Vs Chaos, The City that Dripped Blood: A Fantasy Adventure, Dungeon Challenge Cards, THE FANTASY TRIP – Old-School Roleplaying!, MAIN GAUCHE, and Precision Milled Metal 60-Sided D20 and Full Set of RPG Dice.

The Tavern Chat Podcast hit over 20k downloads total last night. Can I get a Woot Woot!?! Ken Whitman "allegedly" has a foil machine to make pencils. Of course, earlier in the year he claimed to have two such machines. Also, tonight (Monday, August 20th - 830 PM Eastern - Live Interview with Darcy Perry, The Interview Room on the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server - you can listen and ask questions via text chat) . Invite: https://discord.gg/v2j6ph

Sometimes you need to think out of the box. A suggestion at The Tavern's Discord server led to some ideas of how to crowdsource monsters and magic items via The Tavern in its many forms, but especially the blogside. tenkars-tavern.games/JBfund tenkars-tavern.games/Discord tenkars-tavern.games/patreon

Somethings take precedence. Taking care of a member of The Tavern's Community in need is certainly a precedence. Josh is looking to get his car running and family to doc appointments and himself to work. The Tavern will match the first $250 raised by The Tavern's community. tenkars-tavern.games/JBfund

With this episode, we are starting a new weekly feature highlighting various free OSR releases. Today we look at the Free Fantasy OSR Rulesets listing at Tenkar's Tavern. tenkars-tavern.games/freeOSRfantasy

Follow up on yesterday's ENnies episode as I answer a voicemail from Glen. Then I discuss Steve Jackson Games opening up the setting for The Fantasy Trip to 3rd Parties. My, the world is a' changing. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sjgames/the-fantasy-trip-old-school-roleplaying/description

The ENnies Awards blog has posted that there will be upcoming changes in how the winners get picked (few details if any) in response to the "gaming" of the vote by Zak S and James Raggi. The same "gaming" of the vote they tell you not to do while telling you exactly how to do it. The same "gaming" of the vote that has been done for years by others, including major publishers, I am sure. The ENnies are not an industry Award, they are a rigged popularity contest. It just that the wrong folks rigged the contest this year. http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/ennie-awards-time-for-change/

Yep, it's a Tuesday, so that means Crowdfunding projects get a peek. But first, an update on Gail Gygax and her "30-year company". Here's are the projects I look at in today's episode: The City that Dripped Blood: A Fantasy Adventure, The Year of Cthulhu - A 2019 Calendar, Dungeon Delve #2: Dungeons of the Dread Wyrm, Brindlemarsh, a 1E & 5E adventure of Dragons and Dungeons, Dungeons of Doom V: Law Vs Chaos + Star Hat Miniatures, and Birthday Gemstone Dice.

Will the real Slim Shady please stand up! Wait! I mean the real Gail Gygax. Or Mrs E Gary Gygax. Last night (and overnight) Gail was taking the flames to Facebook. I guess this is what a $30 million lawsuit does to the person on the receiving end...

I talk briefly about Dirk Stanley's adventures for the Far Away Land RPG and using them with the ruleset of your choice. I also touch upon using Discord for running RPG sessions online. tenkars-tavern.games/Discord - tenkars-tavern.games/FALadventures (affiliate link)

In this episode, I talk a little bit about some of the local histories of Wayne County in the Pocono Mountains, and an idea to use it to inspire a fantasy-themed adventure. Also, let's talk Discord. tenkars-tavern.games/Discord

Some thoughts on the Watchmen, the Netflix Marvel Universe - especially The Punisher, Supers Gaming and such.

WotC has licensed a $500 "Platinum Edition" of its upcoming Waterdeep: Dragon Heist adventure, the same adventure that will release 2 months earlier in hardcover for 40 bucks - shipped - on Amazon - https://amzn.to/2vtsgSq (this is an affiliate link)

Today I talk about using voices - accents and catchphrases, to make your NPCs come to life. I also talk about how the Tenkar's Tavern Discord Server has channels for third-party publishers and content creators. tenkars-tavern.games/Discord tenkars-tavern.games/patreon

As we do every Tuesday, its time to look at some current Kickstarters (and one Indigogo) that strike my fancy. Oh, and a four year overdue KS from someone who shouldn't punch windows... MAIN GAUCHE, THE FANTASY TRIP, The Sinister Stone of Sakkara 5E, Dark Naga - OSR Haunting of Hastur Modules, and Glamazons vs The Curse of the Chainmail Bikini.

I got squirreled today. An email from Feedpsot drew me back into the rabbit hole of Top 100 RPG Blog Lists that only have 85 entries, where a good portion of the list is "pay to play". Grrrrrr!

Yep, its a bit of a smorgasbord with today's episode. An update on the "Gen Con assault", voicemails, highlighting some interesting posts from the blogside and and update on The Tavern's Discord Server (invite link: https://discord.gg/fReGmuD )

Gen Con is in full swing - literally. A Youtuber gets attacked at a local bar by a Gen Con exhibitor and Gen Con silences the discussion. The ENnies were announced and the OSR did very well.

All the news that's fit to yap. Freeport from Green Ronis is going to be a CRPG in late 2019, Robotech returns to RPGs in 2nd quarter of 2019 and the Pathfinder 2 playtest is available for download.

Yep, Gail is being sued by Tom DeSanto, the Transformers producer that signed a deal two years ago with Gail to market the Gary Gygax IP. Whatever could have gone wrong with that? Note - the Gygax Memorial Fund is back online.

Today was to be a trip for #ConManKen to NYC for some fun and a court appearance. Kenny dodged that by finally telling the truth. Also, a look at some sales figures and player stats for the RPG industry from ICv2 and Fantasy Grounds.

Yep, today is a Tuesday and we have the latest Kickstarter Roundup. Eldritch Century: Monsters Wave 1, Void RPG Logo, Dice Tube - All Weather, Fantasy World Creator, and THE FANTASY TRIP – Old-School Roleplaying!

I turn 51 today. A look back and a look forward to #ConManKen's court appearance in two days, August 1st, 2018.

It's never easy saying no to working on a project that looks to be very exciting, with a publisher that has a very strong Kickstarter history. Here's why I did so - for the second time. I blame you ;)

Ah yes, #ConManKen heads to NYC on Wednesday, August 1st to respond to his civil suit. Assuming he even goes, I remind Ken that IF his driver's license is suspended (likely) how best to avoid arrest. Also, Ken's plans for bankruptcy and submission of misleading documentation and evidence. Oh my!

Yep, I'm diving into the AD&D 1e Fiend Folio in this episode, looking for the silly, goofy and downright bizarre. Amazingly enough, I only made it as far as "Flumph".

The AD&D 1e Fiend Folio holds a special place in my personal gaming history - it was the first time I ever saw HD defined for monsters. My players never had it so good as when I thought 4+1 HD was 5 HP. Doh! The quality of the creatures included ranges from awesome to WTF!?!, but you knew that, right? :)

Hasbro's Chairman and CEO was on CNBC talking D&D growth figures and "e-Sports competition. Does this mean interparty conflict is now expected ;)

Yep, WotC has gone and done it. Eberron is the new setting up on the DM's Guild and Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica releases in hardcover in the fall. As far as Kickstarters, we look at City of Brass, The Fantasy Trip, The GM's Tarot and All Weather Dice Tubes. Oh My!

In today's episode, I describe the process I use to create creatures in Swords & Wizardry, in this instance, a #ConManKen inspired Marketing Genie.

You fiend! Yep, that IS a Succubus holding a Monster Manual. Who would have thought? With this episode, I look at demons & devils in the AD&D 1e Monster Manual and my personal experience with the Satanic Panic from back in the day ;)

In today's episode, I look at the Sleep spell in AD&D and how it is handled in some of the retroclones.

I talk about why The Tavern (in any of its forms) will never win an award. More importantly, I talk about the free, crowdsourced sandbox setting, The Gazetteer to Eilean Dubh: The Black Isle.

A little bit of this, a little bit of that. We look at the listener stats, some #ConManKen words from overnight and a look at the upcoming D&D 5e Core Book Boxed Set.

In classic #ConManKen mode, Kenny insists on continuing his conversation with Louis via email and The Tavern's Community via comments on a recent post. Go Kenny!

After tearing apart Arcana Stock Art for repackaging art freely available for use I touch on the following crowdfunding projects: The Forgotten Dungeon Mega Adventure - AD&D, D&D5e, Dice Tube - All Weather, DRINKAGE: The Tipsy Meadows - An RPG Drinking Card Game!, Tiny Dice Buddies | Hard Enamel Polyhedral RPG Pins, NERO Ellipsis Dice and SURVIVE THIS!! Vigilante City Tabletop Roleplaying Game.

The #ConManKen Saga just gets more and more entertaining. With today's episode, Ken's enabler Marcus reveals and confirms more than he planned in a series of emails with Louis.

You know in movies and comics, when the villain has to explain themselves, their motivation and the details fo their plan to the hero they are about to (attempt to) kill? Well, Ken's been having those moments. Stranger than fiction.

James Ohlen (lead designer Baldur's Gate 1&2 and Neverwinter Nights) has retired from Bioware and is publishing a Greek-themed setting for 5e called Odyssey.

In this episode, I look at the Barbarian class from the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1e Unearthed Arcana and why they are a party pooper ;)

Ah, #ConManKen. He never ceases to entertain. In this episode I "dramatically" read an email chain between Kenny and the man suing him in a New York court.

We all have gaming moments that are burned into our memories. I recount some of my earlier memories. Also, ENnies voting is now live!

In the third weekly installment of Kicking it with Kickstarter, we cover the following current Kickstarters: The Complete White Ship Campaign 1E&5E mega-adventure, City of Brass: Epic Adventure for 5e and Swords and Wizardry, SURVIVE THIS!! Vigilante City Tabletop Roleplaying Game, Hall of Judgment - a Dungeon Fantasy RPG Supplement, The RPG Coloring Book, Secrets of the Nethercity (ACKS) and The Mighty Dragon Bag for RPG

In this episode, I delve into OSRIC, which I see as the point in time where the OSR truly came into being. The first old school ruleset freely offered to the gaming community.

In this episode, I answer some voicemails, get distracted by Kickstarter failures and enter rant mode...

Time to start looking at the various OSR rulesets. First up is Swords & Wizardry. Also, the full listing of OSR nominations for the 2018 ENnies.

Timely News - ArenaNet fires two developers for getting into a pissing match with customers via Twitter on July 4th. Employees are accountable for their social media feed and interactions.

Yep, its that time of the year again and its time to offer The Tavern's picks and suggestions for the 2018 ENnies. Congrats to Jason Hobbs for the podcast Hobbs and Friends of the OSR making it to the final five.

The first in what will become an (ir)regular series of episodes. Hackmaster 4e to Castles & Crusades to OSRIC to Labyrinth Lord and Finally to Swords & Wizardry, its the birth of the OSR.

Its the second weekly Kickstarter Roundup. We look at City of Brass, Towns & Dungeons RPG Decks, Pocket Companion: A Tavern Guide, and All Weather Dice Tube. Yes, you read the last one correctly ;)

In this episode, I take a look at Cavaliers and why I think balancing in-game abilities with roleplay restrictions often fails in practice.

Ah yes, polearms. Often misunderstood and truthfully, rarely used in game, polearms get a special treatment in the AD&D 1e Unearthed Arcana. Why?

In this episode, I answer voicemail, email, comments and such regarding recent episodes. Danke makes an appearance. ShireCon is in September and I'll be there.

This is Part 1 of a series episodes digging into the AD&D 1e Unearthed Arcana. Today, we look at Method V of generating character stats.

Appendix 1, psionics - the bane of many a campaign. Yeah, we tried it.

Well, one of the Kickstarters I talked about yesterday got suspended an hour or so after the podcast went live. I did mention that the same creator had two projects funding at the same time. Oh, and the AD&D 1e Player's Handbook is 40 years old this month.

Some Kickstarters are amazing, some are "eh" and some hit the WTF level. We got you covered. City of Brass, The Forgotten Dungeon Mega adventure, Dragon scales Fantasy RPG and F@ck! Yeah! 20 Sided Dice.

I've been enjoying looking at the old D&D / AD&D rulebooks with fresh eyes. Today I look at the AD&D 1e Player's Handbook, starting with the back cover and then moving to the front. My God, Rangers are powerful at low levels (and powerful again at name level)

Tip of the hat to The Tavern's Discord Community for inadvertently giving me today's topic of discussion. Player's don't even roll their characters in OD&D - the DM does.

I chat with Ben Barsh of Pacesetter Games about the Rise of the Nefarious Kickstarter, the synergy between 5e and the OSR, bringing new and younger blood into old school gaming, Disney and other goodness

Yep, I screwed up some of the early episodes. Argh! I talk about the OSR and The Tavern as a Neutral Ground. Oh, and a free game for 24 hours only.

There's a new Top Secret adventure being Kickstarted. The Origins Best RPG Game Award Winner is none other than our own James Spahn (and a dozen others). A look at the Champions Now! Kickstarter.

I talk about three current Kickstarters you should think of backing and one that is six and a half years overdue. Also, the return of the Old School Blues podcast.

Tim Shorts leaves a voicemail. A look at the AD&D 1e Bard as presented in the Player's Handbook.

Yes, a classic rant complete with a warning. I don't appreciate bags of shit littering my social media threads overnight and say so. F-bomb carpet-bombing in effect.

It's Father's Day. I spew some gaming and other advice out of my ass and suggest some places where fathers can get free swag today ;)

A quick listing of what's available for Free RPG Day 2018. A short rant about blocking folks on social and then talking about them. Morrus enters the world of podcasting.

Wherein I read a thank you letter and talk about the need for patience when it comes to Kickstarter coverage at The Tavern in its many forms.

Ken is reflecting well in a selfie at his old/current store in Kentucky. More ways to listen to Tavern Chat. My Lord, what a 5e Humble Bundle.

It's a pretty full episode (and four full weeks of daily podcasts). We look at the Gygax Memorial Fund and the POD AD&D 1e reprints over at RPGNow - is there money going to the GMF from these sales? What's #ConManKen up to and where is he at? Oh, and Kickstarters. Can't forget the Kickstarters ;)

The Eagle landed last night and Rach and I are back in New York City. Some behind the scenes at NTRPG Con and some talk of returning to the focus of prior to the con.

It's always sad to wrap up a convention trip, but NTRPG Con is even more so, as you are truly saying goodbye to an amazing community for another year.

We stayed up for the midnight auction. James ran some SWL in the morning. Tenkar is tired and beat to hell ;)

James Spahn ran Rappan Athuk: Mouth of Doom this morning and the bodies hit the floor. The smell acrid was everywhere ;)

A quick recap of NTRPG Con Day One. Our first sponsor. Co-DMing

Yep, we had about 40 minutes without power last night at the Westin. We were wondering if Bad Mike forgot to pay a bill or something ;)

I'm her e!

FrDave left some interesting thoughts on Episode #18 on tenkarstavern.com about the 1e Thief.

A look at APPENDIX D: RANDOM GENERATION OF CREATURES FROM THE LOWER PLANES

In today's episode, I take a look at the AD&D 1e Thief class and why I think it was meant to keep players of demihuman races involved until "the end game" and has less value as a "solo class". Danke makes an appearance and Glen is nowhere to be found ;)

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.

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.

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

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.

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

I talk about the Warhammer for Kids fiction line, the use of Deal of the Days at OBS as a publisher and some thoughts on Kickstarter stretch goals.

A freebie for our active and former Military and Emergency Response personnel. Some thoughts on pricing and marketing at OneBookShelf

First episode recorded by phone. Enjoy the birds and the wind chime in the background. Some thoughts on the OSR market and publishing resources.

Allergies are in full gear this morning. Listen to Tenkar drown in phlegm. Inbetween throat clearing, I have thoughts on the sudden uptick in OSR podcasts and look at the Orc Stabr Kickstarter.

James Spahn has a new podcast, an update on the GMF and stock art goodness.

I was reminded (right before recording this episode) that I was running some Mouth of Doom sessions at NTRPG in two weeks. There are still slots open (9am F/S/S)

Tavern Chat has its first guest - James Shields. James was the art director for White Star and has a new stock art Kickstarter with a nice twist.

Tim Shorts leaves a message. The second part of the Gygax Memorial Fund recap.

In this episode, I answer a voicemail and begin a series of episodes recapping 2 1/2 years of investigative posts at tenkarstavern.com regarding the Gygax Memorial Fund.

We have voicemails from James Spahn and Tim Shorts, discuss Swords & Wizardry Light and mention the new OSR patches available for order (not from us ;)

There's a Humble Book Bundle, a Dave Arneson Documentary and some Inappropriate Characters.

Yep, first episode. Short and sweet and hopefully the start of something fun. Oh, and a last-minute update to today's Gygax Memorial Fund post.