Critical Hits
I'm curious how you or your DM runs critical hits in your game?In my BX/LL game, a roll of 20 indicates a critical hit and the PCs can double their rolled damage. We also play with critical fumbles. If PCs roll a 1 they [...]Read on >>
From the Attic: The Computation Book
The best cool tool for creating dungeons is a really big sheet of graph paper. The only problem is that it is too cool. You want to save it for the extra special dungeon that never seems to get done. But back in the 80s [...]Read on >>
Random Idol Generator
Need a quick and (moderately) interesting idol for that forgotten temple? How about this ...Size (d8)1. Tiny (1-ft. tall)2. Small (3-ft. tall)3-6. Medium (6 to 9 ft. tall)7. Large (12 to 15 ft. tall)8. Huge (20+ ft. tall[...]Read on >>
Barrowmaze Cover Art Revealed!
Here's the cover art for Barrowmaze.I think Stefan Poag has really captured the essence of the dungeon.The flagstone dungeon, mold, and the burial alcoves set the tone.The scene depicts a zombie battle that apparently is[...]Read on >>
Jean Wells 1955-2012
Jean Wells, one of the early pioneers of gaming and long time TSR developer has passed.Here are some of the links that can better explain her contributions than I can.http://poleandrope.blogspot.com/2012/01/jean-wells-19[...]Read on >>
Hellcrawl! – Abaddon Preview 3
One month. Thirty days. I've spent thirty days trudging through the third circle of Hell, the circle of gluttons that is, by Dante's description, a giant sewer in which the damned souls lie on their backs in the raw sewa[...]Read on >>
Barrowmaze: Interior Art VI
The mongrelmen are another faction trying to survive in the Barrowmaze.This fellow, an interesting NPC, was illustrated by John Larrey and Jason Sholtis.Update: I just received the colour cover from Stefan Poag last nigh[...]Read on >>
WotC: New for 2012 with Translations!
I've enjoyed reading the updates from DDXP recently.Normally I wouldn't give a rat's arse, but 1) I'm interested in the old edition reprints, 2) WotC is always good for entertainment value.Some of their new crap from 201[...]Read on >>
Hail the Evolutionary [New Class]
I had reason this week to think about the old science-fiction novel Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon. In this seminal work, Stapledon explores the future evolution of mankind, through 18 different forms, many of them[...]Read on >>
Barrowmaze: Interior Art V
Here's a look at a key faction operating in the Barrowmaze - The Acolytes of Orcus, illustrated by Stefan Poag.The Acolytes are looking for something hidden in the Barrowmaze and won't let anyone, or anything, stand in t[...]Read on >>
Help with NPC Spellcasters
In Kellri Classic Dungeon Designer Netbook #4 there is an very useful table for generating spellbooks. From it I can make a NPC Magic User with the spells he has memorized and have it differ from NPC to NPC.While Cleri[...]Read on >>
Hell Hexcrawl – Abaddon Preview 2: Death Temples, Diggers and Wailing Infants
20.59 Death Temple: A low, round hill rising from the muck here is covered by giant mushrooms. The mush-rooms grow around and through dozens of humanoid corpses, rotting timbers and rubble. Rising above these mushrooms t[...]Read on >>
Eternal Keep?
So am I correct that blogger has managed to derail the Eternal Keep?I use that site and Old School RPG Planet, to catch up on stuff I've missed.Blogger keeps messing me over too, I can only see comments if I view through[...]Read on >>
Help with maps
I need some help with a map but my graphics-fu is not strong.I want to take the map, cut it into three equal sections, and paste those into my word document.It needs to be such that all the squares line up exactly, so fo[...]Read on >>
5E and Monsters
Two things about the new edition that I don't understand:1.If they aren't keen on Fifth Edition or 5E, and lets face it nobody will call it D&D Next for any length of time, why didn't they label the edition their pre[...]Read on >>
Mummified Cats
Somewhere, either on the interwebs or in a fanzine, I recall seeing a monster entry for mummified cats but with a more exotic name. Can anybody throw me a bone?[...]Read on >>
Mearls Interview
I have to admit, I do get a kick out of some of the stuff that comes out of WotC - if only for entertainment value.Mearls is quoted here in a 5E interview as saying the following:The D&D Fantasy Roleplaying Game Star[...]Read on >>
Google+
I know, I know, I'm late in the game but I just added myself to Google+Feel free to add me there.[...]Read on >>
Munchkin and Dungeon!
Red Box Niagara met last night. We were going to continue with the Barrowmaze sessions but, because we didn't play in December, we thought we would have a shoot-the-shit session and play some different games.I'm a pretty[...]Read on >>
The 1e Re-release is a Census
News that the 5th edition is in the pipe has arrived. On its heels is the news that Wizards of the Coast is releasing 1e with original interior art and new covers in a special direct to game store printing with a charit[...]Read on >>
Into the Land of Nod
And so it has begun!Last weekend, I officially started two things - my Blood and Treasure playtest and a foray into the hex crawls I've written for the Land of Nod using Google +. The games are play-by-post - maybe somed[...]Read on >>
If I were an OSR publisher…
Then I would be looking at my upcoming catalog and seeing what I have that is remotely AD&D like and get it out in time for the reprints.Think of the ads you could use. You never have to claim compatibility exc[...]Read on >>
The Mother of All Size Charts
Cobbled this up over the last couple of days using the silhouettes created by Telecanter.Click to see full size and enjoy!EDIT: Made some adjustments to the chart, and I added a storm giant and gelatinous cube. I was way[...]Read on >>
AD&D Hardbacks Reprinted
Looks like WotC will reprint the AD&D core books for release on April 17th in North America. This will help support the Gygax Memorial.Interesting the timing of it - right after the death knell of 4E :)I wonder if th[...]Read on >>
WotC to do Old School
Woke up this morning from a crappy night's sleep to find this."Wizards of the Coast to produce First Edition Premium AD&D books"http://www.wizards.com/ContentResources/Wizards/Sales/Solicitations/2012_04_17_dd_1stED_[...]Read on >>
Original Advanced Dungeons and Dragons is Back!
Wow.First Edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons -- yes, the version penned by the Grand Sorcerer Gary Gygax himself -- will be sold by Wizards of the Coast again.Think I've been sniffing too much of the black lotus leave[...]Read on >>
AD&D survives it’s System Shock Roll!
In 1974, the world changed forever when Gary Gygax introduced the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The legacy of his innovative ideas and the extensive reach of his powerful influence can be seen in virtua[...]Read on >>
Barrowmaze: Interior Art IV
Just received this illustration for the Barrowmaze from Toren Atkinson, who did a great job on Meatshields! and is a fellow Red Boxer.This is a Blood Thirsty Spider - I'll say no more. I don't want to spoil all the surpr[...]Read on >>
Give the Hollywood Lawyers What They Want …
... and stop talking about Hollywood's intellectual property.Instead, you can give all that free publicity to me! Come on - NOD, Pars Fortuna, Mystery Men!, Mutant Truckers, 1800-American Empires, Blood and Treasure[...]Read on >>
OSR Conservation / Best Thing I’ve Seen Today
1. OSR CONSERVATION If you haven't already, you might want to check out the OSR Conservation project. Basically, folks like me can upload some of the gaming stuff we've created to make sure it is preserved even if we dis[...]Read on >>
From the Attic: Why D&D is the way it is; The Different Versions
Wizards is getting the word out that a major goal of the new edition is to reunite the D&D fan base. I figure it would be useful to list all the distinct versions of D&D that are out there. This list focuses on t[...]Read on >>
Simple-yet-Wahoo? Seriously?
Based on everyone else's post I read the Full Monte post and have two questions:1. Why the hell would I want to play a character that didn't match what the DM wanted to do with their game/campaign? That doesn't seem like[...]Read on >>
Hell – Abaddon Preview 1: Overview
The wind and rain swept circle of Erebus gradually gives way to Abaddon. Unlike the mile high clffs that separate Asphodel and Erebus, the border between Erebus and Abaddon is a more gradual, though slippery, slope.In Ab[...]Read on >>
I (Really) Hate Character Builds
I was reading an interesting post on Mythmere's blog about some of the differences between OE through 2E and the follow-up comments.One of the comments (by Brendan) struck a note with me, part of which I cite here:"[...]Read on >>
5E and the FR
From the EnWorld 5E thread:"The Forgotten Realms will be supported from the start, and a video game art studio from China has been hired to fully detail the Realms. We asked if going forward support would be continu[...]Read on >>
Lulu and/or RPGnow?
Does anyone have any insight or experience with either lulu or RPGnow? Experiences? Preferences? I know the Canadian shipping blows really hard via lulu. I'm unsure where to go with the Barrowmaze project...[...]Read on >>
Thor Dee-Lite!
A few months back I posted about backing Jeff Dee's project of re-producing his old TSR art that was apparently thrown away (God, to back in time to that day and dumpster dive!). A couple weeks ago I got this spiffy sign[...]Read on >>
If you don’t want to suck in older edition D&D then…
Start at 5th level.Why fifth level? Because from long years playing both older D&D and GURPS a 5th level character feels roughly as capable as a 150 pt GURPS Character (100 pts in 3rd edition GURPS). And starting GUR[...]Read on >>
Barrowmaze: Internal Art III
The Barrowmaze has sections for new spells, magic items, and monsters.Speaking of monsters, here's a fun one.These are Sapphire Skeletons, illustrated by Stefan Poag. Enjoy.[...]Read on >>
Dragons in Blood and Treasure
While this is a preview of the dragon stats in Blood and Treasure, it is really more of a question that I'm posing to you, the reader, about the format of the monster chapter in the book.Initially, I intended to do a fai[...]Read on >>
Barrowmaze: An Overview
One of my readers noted in the coments section that he'd like to hear a bit more information on the Barrowmaze. Ask and you shall receive!The Barrowmaze is an exploration style-megadungeon that emerged from play at Red B[...]Read on >>
Barrowmaze: Interior Art II
I've had my head down and my sleeves rolled up for the last 48 hours, working to edit and complete the first release of the Barrowmaze. This will be a two part release (basically character levels 1-4ish and then later mi[...]Read on >>
Big Announcement in the World of Fantasy RPGs!
I got the dragon art I commissioned a few weeks ago for one of the alternate blue dragons I published last year - indigo, to be precise. The artist is Marta S., and I think her dragon profiles are stunning. Check it out.[...]Read on >>
Wizards remakes D&D?
According to the NY Time Hasbro/Wizards is going to announce a new edition of D&D. NY Times article (login required). Brief Twitter MentionUPDATE: It official.Your Voice, Your Game.The article and even the twitter po[...]Read on >>
Astonishing Swordsmen and Sorcerers Need You!
Seven days left to back this baby on Kickstarter. I'm in, how about you?[...]Read on >>
Deviant Fri … Saturday – Francis Manapul Edition
Today, we'll be looking at some nice superhero art (plus a little more) from Francis Manapul. Check out his entire gallery for more!Shuster Awards Poster Final by ~manapul on deviantARTWonder Woman 600 by ~manapul on dev[...]Read on >>
Shout Outs!
I'll probably do a Deviant Friday post later, but at the moment I want to do a few "shout outs" (as the kids say these days).First, several months ago I was sent a gratis electronic copy of a comic book to review by Gera[...]Read on >>
Word to PDF
I'm using Word (I get it free through work) for the dungeon layout. I have it looking all swanky.But when I use adobe to create a pdf it Fs with spaces here and there. It's frustrating.Is there any rhyme or reason to thi[...]Read on >>
Dark World: Introducing The Traveler’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything
January 6, 2012 from A Rust Monster Ate My Sword
Filed under: Fluff/Inspiration, Legacy DnD, RPG Hub, Swords and Wizardry
A publication of Zuorn Press, The Traveler's Guide to Pretty Much Everything, often called the "TGPME," or simply, "The Guide," was first published in Zuorn in 935. Its authors, an enigmatic duo known only as "Egbert &am[...] Filed under: Fluff/Inspiration, Legacy DnD, RPG Hub, Swords and Wizardry
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Barrowmaze: Interior Art I
When I first thought of rewriting the Barrowmaze for publication, I had a short list of artists I wanted to help bring it to life. Stefan Poag was at the top of the list.Stefan is a wonderful person to work with, and we [...]Read on >>
