It's the Cool Little Things

Yesterday +Thaumiel Nerub shared a cast of characters sheet he created based off my adventure, Where is Margesh Blackblood?  It's cool little things like this that make gaming a blast.  Especially with folks in the OSR.  I printed a copy on card stock and I'll keep it around for the next time I run the adventure. 

Here's a shot of the picture next to the printed source material.

What I Love About the OSR

This isn't going to be one of those, 'let me count the ways' kinda post.  Eww.  But seriously, as a whole, the OSR is made up of some very cool individuals.  Many are doing their own thing, being creative, producing amazing stuff.  Others supporting, helping and being generous.  Look at the recent support that Mandy Morbid received and is receiving from a bunch of people from the OSR.  It makes is a pleasure to read and support others in the group because of this.

Recently I was the beneficiary of a act of generosity.  I'm not sure what spurred it on, but wow, I appreciate it.  +Tim Knight sent me a copy of Dungeon World and some little Dungeon World booklets.  Look at those pretty books.

Dungeon World is one of the games I've been wanting to get for a while, but for some reason never got around to getting.  I was looking forward to playing a game last con I attended, to check out the system, but missed the session.  Now I've got brand new copies of the rule book and those little books.  I remember seeing them, but haven't looked at them closely enough to see exactly what they are.  They remind me of +matt jackson Edge of Space booklets.

Thank you +Tim Knight for such a generous gift.  I appreciate you taking the time and effort.  I'll be reading through these over the weekend.  I got plans for these bad boys.

Project Idea...Sending Up an OSR Flare

As if I didn't have enough to do. 

I've been thinking about this idea for a while.  I want to do a magazine of gaming, short stories.  Yeah I know, fiction doesn't do all that well in the OSR, but I'm too damn stubborn not to do it.  I won't go into any details because I have none.  Why do I want to do this?  'Cause I like to read.  I think it might be interesting to collect a bunch of gaming stories from folks I know.

Let me know what you think.  And really let me know if you'd be interested in contributing.  

Where most of us will probably read it.

1000 Posts - OSR Mega Bundle Giveaway

Here it is.  I hit 4 digits worth of posts.  It took me nearly 4 years, but I did it.  Fuck'n hell.  And because I hit 1000 posts, 4 of you are going to be very happy.  How do you get happy?

You comment about how wonderful I am and you're entered.  Or if you prefer to take a shot that would count to.

I've got a fantastic mega PDF bundle of OSR products to giveaway.  All were generously donated to help me thank all of you.

So you're wondering what's in the PDF bundle?

+Joseph Bloch  is offering Adventures Dark and Deep Players Manual.  I don't know Joesph that well, but he was the first one who volunteered to donate and got the ball rolling.  I'm looking forward to getting a copy for myself.  And, Joseph's got a fantastic hairstyle.

  

 +matt jackson  added Vol. 1 of his Moleskin Maps.  I've always been a fan of Matt's maps.  I've bought everything he's done and never been disappointed.  He drew maps for Manor #2 and I know if I needed a emergency map, he'd be right on it.  

+Dak Ultimak offers any issue of his Crawl! zine.  He's got six great issues that took on WotC and managed to have all six zines on the top list on RPGNow even though WotC released all the old products.  

No easy feat.  The zine is that good. 

+Peter Regan is offering any issue of his incredible Oublitte magazine.  This is a great zine.  I love the artwork of The Marg.  Her dark images suit the tone of the magazine.  There is a ton of great content inside, including a few comics.

+Paolo Greco donated a PDF copy of Adventure Fantasy Game.  Paolo is not someone I know well, but this is what I like best about the OSR, there is a ton of great products being produced and most are generous.  

Adventure Fantasy Game is a fantastic addition to anyone's PDF library.

Dylan Hartwell was gracious enough to donate his fantastic adventure Menagerie of the Ice Lord.  This is not only a kickass adventure it's also a mini monster manual.  Dylan does all his own artwork and did all the artwork for my adventure Knowledge Illuminates.  He's been a big supporter of my blog and his donation is much appreciated. 

+Rob Conley my good friend and partner in gaming crimes allowed me to place his adventure, Scourge of the Demon Wolf, within the bundle.  After much hair pulling and name calling Rob relented. 

 +Jason Sholtis and +John Larrey did the amazing artwork for this and the guy who edited this must be a wizard.  The words are magic!  

Thanks Rob.

**New Entry**

+Timothy Brannan just now offered copies of The Witch!  Thanks a lot Tim.  What a great addition.

***ANOTHER NEW ENTRY***

+Tim Snider  just entered DEVIANT DATABASE.  Entered his Deviant Database.  I have no read this one, but with a name like Tim it must be brilliant.  

Most generous offering are pouring in.  +Zzarchov Kowolski has added The Gnomes of Levnec.  I have been a long time fan his Neoclassic Geek Revival ruleset.  And I've had the pleasure of gaming with him on one occasion.  I got a very nice ruby.  Thanks Z!

The ever eloquent Porky has entered the fray with a copy of Triffles: Abandon Space.  Porky has been a long time supporter of this blog and the Whisk's.  It's always a pleasure to get comments from Porky and a big thanks for the donation.  

+Johnathan Bingham (AKA Pie, Hot Elf Chick, Bearded Dude Who Can Draw Crazy Good)  I think that last alias is his Indian name.  Delve! is a zine adventure that mixes a lot of cool elements creating a unique setting.  Oh, and I heard the art isn't half bad.  Thanks Johnathan.

**Holy Crappy Harpies Batman, There is More!**

  

+Jason Sholtis another amazing OSR artist has enter his fantastic adventure Zogorion: Lord of the Hippogriffs.  Jason is a huge reason why the Manor has been a success.  He's been my go to guy when I need emergency art.  And if you haven't gamed with Jason you've got to.  You will never be bored, I promise you that.

And lastly, I can't do this without offering something of my own.  You can choose any Manor or Knowledge Illuminates on PDF.  Should you have all the issues you can opt to wait til issue #4 is done. 

But wait, that's not all.  Winners also get a $5 gift card from RPGNow.  A cherry on top of this massive mound of OSR PDF goodness. 

I think its an impressive bundle.  I know I would want to win this one myself.  So all you need do is comment to enter.  I'm hoping to get 100 entries.  On Saturday I'll select the four winners and contact you. 

Again, a huge thanks to all those who donated their hard work.  And thanks to those who stop by and take a look around.  

1000 posts.  Let the praising begin.

A Peek at Inside Issue #4

Here is a fantastic picture drawn by none other than Jason Sholtis for issue #4 of the Manor.  Yeah, it looks like this one is going to be out much quicker than the last one.  Of course that wouldn't be tough to do.  Jason is really helping out in this issue with art and I've recruited some of my gaming friends to help contribute content.  In this issue there will me a mini monster manual that Jason came up with the title, From Beneath the Manor.  I like it.  Because of the extra contributions and the fantastic art I'm thinking this might be a larger issue.  Not sure yet, but I'm pretty sure it will be expanded to 28 pages.

Dak of CRAWL! fame and I have started a zine community on Google+ and I think its going well.  There are some people just starting out or having trouble connecting with the proper talents.  I guess I would divide talents into content contributor, artists, proof readers and in some cases layout assistance.  If you have one or all of these skill and you have a spare moment to help someone stop on over to the RPG Zine community and let them know you're available.  I know my zine wouldn't exist without the help of others in the OSR community. 

Off to work.  Which sucks.  Paperwork up to my ass, convicts waiting to lie to me, homeless families scrambling for a moment of my time and my workers are thinking up excuses of why they can't come in.  But, it keep the lights and heat on and on occasion it allows me to buy something fun.  I got my eye on a Tardis.  Because Tardis's are cool.

Okay, I'm In Again

I'm a White Dragon Slayer. So I'll get the books and the dice and the DM screen and the...a lot of stuff. Really looking forward to seeing what they do with the Monster Book. It's one on my favorite monster manuals.

While there are rumors and rumblings that the OSR failed its saving throw vs. complacency there are a lot of Kickstaters and Indiegogos and conventions that would disagree. We're just tired that's all. After a little nap we'll be back causing trouble.

The OSR Newsletter of Stuff

Wow.  I've been reading blogs a lot lately and was astounded by how much stuff is released or just about to be released.  I hope you have deep pockets OSRers because there is a ton of great stuff.  There are so many that I've broken it up into sections. 

Kickstarter/Indiegogo
I've been plopping money down on these lately.  At first I was a bit resistant.  I don't know why.  I guess it was a new concept for me, pay for something that doesn't exist? not a chance.  But that's all over with now since I have currently backed four projects...maybe its more...just don't tell Ivy.

Joseph Browning offers an OSR calander.  I love the concept of this.  And I really want to get in on this one, but I'll probably wait and hop on at the end.  And Joseph stuff has never disappointed.  Always quality stuff.

Tabletop Forge is churning out a Kickstarter to give players a lot of tools to enhance their game while using Tabletop Forge.  It's already funded and climbing closer to its final goal. 

Jon Marr is giving us The Crawler's Companion.  I recently got in on this one.  Last week I got my big fat DCC rule book and although I think its pretty cool there will be a lot of page flipping during a game.  In come the Crawler Companion which will simplify this and keep the game flow going. There is still time on this one to get in.

Appendix N Adventure Toolkit comes to us from John Adams.  This one is funded.  You really get a bang for your buck in the one.  I got in on this one also.  I'm not even sure how much I'm getting with this one.  It seems like I am going to need to clear a shelf just for it.

Oublieditor has created OSR character sheets for Indiegogo.  Get a couple tablets of character sheets so the next time your at a con or GMing a pick up game it makes it a ton easier to get people ready to go with these.  Very affordable.

Goblinoid Games is getting closer to fully funding Starships & Spacemen.   As it stands now they are $820 from hitting their $5000 set goal with 33 days left.  I love the bonus goal rewards on this one.  The little sickbay cracks me up.  If you need to explore the Final Frontier than get in on this one.

Then there is this beast called Rappan Athuk from Frog God Games.  Was it fully funded?  Yeah, just a little bit.  It has become the highest RPG product ever funded on Kickstarter.  Over a 1000 people got in on this one.  Amazing.

James Mal came out with his own megadungeon Dwimmermount.  No doubt this one was being funded.  I've been reading about it for a while on his blog and this was the first Kickstarter/Indiegogo I participated in.  He's been teasing us with pictures and updates lately so I am hoping to have that badboy in my hands soon.

Another megadungeon that is hugely popular is Greg Gillespie's Barrowmaze II.  This one was easily funded with many of the bonus goals met.  Yep, got in on this one also.  I think it was pretty smart for Greg to follow up so quickly behind the hugely successful original Barrowmaze.  Iv'e used it a couple times in my own campaign already.

Then we have James Raggi who always takes it to 11.  Or in this case he takes it to 19 with his Grand Adventures Campaign.  He's got 19 adventures from a ton of talented people on Indiegogo.  This campaign of adventures has just begun so there is plenty of time to get in on any of them. There are more than a few that interest me.

Zines!

There are zines a plenty in the OSR.  Those little digest sized pieces of mail are the best.  I look forward going to the post office now.  

I have to start out with Loviatar.  Christian is ready to release his 12th issue.  Wow.  I got them all.  I'm glad he decided to keep the subscription and up the price.  Need to make it cost effective and a little money to kick back with a pizza once in while.  

Oubilieditor with his second entry has announced the 8th issue of Oubliette is available for print.  This is a magazine I've grown to appreciate and plan on getting the 4-8 issue compilation in print to add to my other.  He gets over 1500 downloads or more from his free PDF offering.  1500!  It is a great magazine to add to your collection.

Johnathan Bingham has announced he's in the final stage of editing Delve!  This is his first crack at zine writing.  I've had the privileged of to get an early peek at it (without all the fantastic artwork I know that's going to be included) and he better buy a lot of Italian postage and a very good printer.  This zine is going to get popular very quickly.  Its getting a final edit and should be out soon.

Matt Borselli over at Asshat Paladins is offering a free zone called Switching to Guns, Issue 33.  Head on over to his blog for the download.  Just seeing it tonight I haven't had a chance to look it over.  If you like it please give a shout out to Matt and let him know.  

Dak Ultimak the mad mind behind the thunderously popular DCC zine, has real the Issue 2 of Crawl!  I got the first one and now I am a subscriber.  This issue is the loot issue.  I'm hoping my copy is in my mailbox tomorrow. 

Oh yeah, and Manor #2 should be out by the end of this week.  Doing some editing and waiting on one final piece and it should be ready to go.  You'll be able to buy it in print or PDF.  And I have a 6 issue subscription button working if you fancy.  

Just for Fun

Tenkar over at his tavern has decided to run a monthly DCC RPG contest.  He's getting a lot of excellent backers for prizes.   The a fore mentioned Delve! zine is offering free copies and the a fore mentioned Purple Scourer Games is offering adventures.  Check out Tenkar's blog for details.  And who knows, by this time tomorrow night he may have Goodman agreeing to GM a game for the winner.

Rended Press is doing a month of monsters.  Create a critter and submit it and mwschmeer is going to make a cool little PDF for everyone to use.   I'm planning on contributing.  I just have to decide...tentacles or no tentacles.  

Independent Projects

I want to start off with Time Shadows world Urutusk.  I've been following her blog for years and looking forward to the chance of getting a copy of what she's come up with.  This has been a long time project of her's and now its at the editor.  The time for Urutusk is near.  UNtil then she has some downloads at her blog to get a taste of what's to come.

Omlet just released Towers of Krshal in print and pdf.  I have to admit I haven't too many details about it, but I've always been a fan of Underworld Kingdom and I really dig the title.  This one might be the sleeper of the this group.  

Matt Stater announced that Blood & Treasure is nearly done.  Matt is a writing machine.  I think he writes in his sleep.  This offering looks to be a game system.  He provides a list of the contents.  Another RPG for the OSR.  There always seems to be room for another.

JB announced (besides him being a slacker with blogging) that his second book is about to be unleashed.  And he's released the PDF version of his B/X Companion.  If you got the first one then I know you'll get the second.  I know I do and I will.

And last, but not least is my good friend Rob Conley mailed me over a copy of Scourge of the Demon Wolf the other night to edit.  I made him format it so I could do it proper.  It a big son of a bitch.  He's been working away at this one for a long time.  Its an adventure that takes full advantage of his Majestic Wilderlands supplement.  I haven't even looked at it yet, but very excited to start digging through. 

My god that's a ton of stuff the OSR is up to and I know I've missed stuff.  I tried to be as complete as possible.  If I've misspelled or misrepresented something please let me know so I can correct my error.  All the projects I've mentioned are all worthy of notice and success.  Good luck to all of them. 

Two OSR Indiegogo Projects and an Orc

Not much going on in the Manor these days.  So I thought I would post some links to some OSR indiegogo projects.

Greg announced on his Discourse & Dragons blog he started a pledge drive for Barrowmaze II.  Smart move.  With the huge success of the the original Barrowmaze I think he'll have an easy time reaching his goal.  I'm curious to see how far over his goal he'll get.

Stuart Robertson, creator of the Weird West RPG announced he started a pledge drive to create six miniatures for his game.  The six miniatures include, Abraham Lincoln, Billy the Kid, American Werewolf, Victorian Vampire, Indian Princess and the Mummy Outlaw.  For some reason I've been digging western themes, probably in part I've been playing a lot of Red Dead Redemption.  So the timing of this one sounds cool.  I'm hoping to see sketches of the proposed miniatures.  The mummy outlaw...I gotta see that one.

Dylan Hartwell over at Digital Orc released his follow up project called the Horrendous Heap of Sixteen Cities.  He does his own artwork that I enjoy.  It's got a original angle for gaming.  At least one I have not heard of before.  I plan on snagging this one after I get done writing this post.  And if you get a chance download his Digital Orc fanzines.  They are on the right column to look at.

That's all for now.  Support these guys if you have the means and the desire to do so.  All three of them have proven to put out good, if not great products.

A Stellar Week for the OSR

It's been a pretty good release week for the OSR.  The long awaited Weird Adventures by Trey, From the Sorcerer's Skull blog.  It is available in PDF, but if you want it in print *raising my hand* then you'll have to  wait until after the New Year.  I plan on getting both.  This is one I've been waiting to get my hands on for some time.  The PDF runs $10.99.  No word on how much the print will be. 

Second, James Raggi had double release of Carcosa and The Isle of the Unknown.  There is a long line waiting to get these.  I think it's smart to do the double release.  More than likely gamers will purchase both and save on some shipping.  The LotFP machine rolls on.  I would give you the price, but its in euros and James is has discounts so go check it out and buy yourself a very cool Christmas present.

Third, lesser known than the two above, but I think just as significant, is the first release by Dylan Hartwell over at the Digital Orc blog.  He took the plunge and decided to produce and sell his product, The Blasphemous Brewery of Pilz!.  He wrote and did the art.  The artwork is great, reminds me of old Judges Guild drawings.  At $2.99 go check it out and let him know.  Support a fellow OSRer.  (OSRer? I'll go with it.) 
 
And I am so damn jealous I did not get in on those Dungeonmorph Dice.  Those look great.  Everyone involved in that project did an excellent job.

Have a great Saturday.  And don't forget the buy some OSR goodness for Christmas.

OSR Podcast?

I am about to throw this on the forum over at Hydra.  How about someone doing an OSR podcast?  I am not that person since I have no idea how to do it.  But I know how to listen to them.  There are a ton of podcasts out there, but I would like to see one that is more OSR centric.  Do what Underdark Gazette and more, interesting blog posts, current releases, announcements, interviews and general news.  Just curious what others thought? 

More OSR Products

Other items I would like to add to my list that I think are top notch products are:

The One-Page Dungeon Contest
I think most would agree this little contest brings out the best in the OSR.  Not only from the designers of the adventures, but the judges who donate their time, Alex who has coordinated it the past couple of years and the sponsors who offer some fantastic prizes. 

Beyond the Black Gate Compendium by Al
Beyond the Black Gate was one of the first OSR blogs I plugged into and had a pleasure of tossing some dice with Al.  For the past couple of years he has released compendiums which are fill with useful tables, article and ideas.  All free.  All Al.

Inns & Taverns by Satyre
Over at the Fame & Fortune Blog Satyre has been pumping out Inns & Taverns for a while.  I am a huge fan of them.  Can you ever have enough taverns?  I don't think so. 

Favorite OSR Products

James over at the Underdark Gazette asked what our top OSR products are.  So after failing to post yesterday due to technical difficulties and a light array of swearing I will bore you with them now.  Like most people said, these are in particular order. 

Points of Light by Rob Conley
I wasn't aware of the OSR at this time.  Forth edition D&D hadn't been released.  And every time I heard someone talk about being 'old school' it invoked my gag reflex. But as I look back I think this is an excellent OSR product to get campaigns started quickly.  I know I am partial to this because I helped in its creation, but I still refer to it today.

S&W Monster Book by Matt Finch
When I mention my favorite monster manuals this one right up at the top.  Before the Tome of Horrors and the new Hacklopedia of Beasts it was my favorite.  Those beautifully simple stat blocks.  Even with the two heavy weight tomes I mentioned I will still refer to this one often.

A Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe by Expeditious Retreat Press
If I were a professor of RPG Fantasy 101 this book would be required reading.  It breaks down the complexity of medieval society into a playable form.  It can add a depth to a campaign that will make it a rich place to adventure for years.

Knockspell
I only have Knockspell on this list because out of all the magazines I like this one the best.  Fight On! is a great mag, but Knockspell seems to geared more towards what I like in a gaming magazine. 

All My 1st Edition Books
I'm using them for a campaign right now.  We are having a blast.  Even after 30+ years I still love reading through them and finding new ways to surprise the players. 

Tome of Horrors by Frog God Games
The master of monster manuals.  This hefty book could kill a kobold.  With the addition of the lairs, the write ups and excellent art this book I think is a must.  I just miss those simple stat blocks from the Monster Book.

Neoclassical Geek Revival by Zzarchov
This is a nice hidden gem in the OSR.  What makes this rules variation so interesting are the sub-systems that he employs.  Zzarchov has a fresh and interesting way of looking at things that you may take for granted in your own game.  If you get a chance I urge you to check out NGR.

There are others.  Adventures I didn't even get to mention, but time has caught me up and I now must go to work.  And its only Tuesday. 

Neoclassical Geek Revival

I really do like getting things in the mail and lately the post office has been a candy shop.  The other day I go to the post office and another parcel waited for me.  This one was from Zzarchov over at Unofficial Games.  I received a copy of Neoclassical Geek Revival, it's his homebrew rules in a very old school style of book.  It is very cool.  He has a lot of good ideas about container rules and carrying capacity.  And some great ideas about armor and weapon tags.  I think he said he may have one or two left.  If you have a chance go ping him for one.  It's a good read and very old school.  I love the look of the book and the feel of the paper.  Thanks Zzarchov for sharing your homerules with me.  I learned a lot.

And now some seductive pictures (que the wah wah music):

The dent in the right corner was there when I got it.  Apparently there a still a few disgruntled Canadian postmen.

The simplicity of it has got a sex appeal and looks great in my OSR section.

The reveal.  A little taste of the goods.  But just a taste.

Mining the OSR for GURPS

So last night was a last game with Rusty for a while.  Our party managed to find the important things.  Though the adventure was built for six to eight players and three of them being fighter we did okay with four of us, with one NPC fighter who got beat up pretty bad by a ghoul.  I won't go into much detail as not to spoil the plot for the beginning of the Splinters of Faith series, but be prepared for a lot of round rooms.

The group discussed what we wanted to do next.  Everyone seems to have d20 fatigue so we are going back to GURPS.  I think for our group its always been the system of choice, for better or worse it fits us.  I will be GMing this time around which I am excited about.  Wasn't sure if I would be, but the more we talked about it the more ideas that came to my head.

Now just because we are playing GURPS does not mean I am not going to mine the shit out of OSR products.  Oh no, I plan on having a large pick-ax going to town.  Plus, Rob runs another Swords & Wizardry game on the side so I might do a few pick-up games there so I can throw a d20. 

While GURPS is a great system and has some of the best historical supplement books, the one thing it lacks, nah, I will even say sucks at is adventures and creatures.  Though they are making head way in this area SJG isn't about to expend resources on an ehhh selling product right now when they are riding the baloney pony of Munchkin all the way to the bank.  But with the Dungeon Fantasy series and recent release of Low Tech (which is interesting, but it makes me think too much) and Monster Hunters at least it doesn't feel abandon. 

This week the guys will make their characters.  Rob I think will be playing a city guard/mercenary spear man.  Dwayne has not unveiled his guy yet.  As a GM all I asked was they make the characters and figure out some back story on how they know each other and make them compatible.  Two man adventuring party leaves little room for error. 

I'll be using the Majestic Wilderlands as a setting.  I always tell Rob that think of it as a alternate universe from his own.  Since it was such quick notice it works out because of the history we have with it and there are several threads we can pick up on and get into depth without putting too much effort into it.  All of us know the Majestic Wilderlands, cultures, politics and legends.  So no need to feed the players information the only thing that needs monitoring sometimes is knowledge they would not know. 

Back to the OSR connection, I plan on going through some adventures, supplements and blogs and getting some good information gathered I can use.  Good gaming stuff doesn't have a system boundary, it'll work anywhere.