Down in a Heap

My Planet Eris game finally started and I share a moment that came up while finishing PC creation. What would you have done? Plus calls from James Knight, Jason, Daniel and a Rogue transmission from Planet Eris.

A look at the rest of the optional rules in the Character book from OSE Advanced Fantasy by Gavin Norman of Necrotic Gnome: separate race & class, multi-class, learning spells, combat, etc. Plus calls from Jason and Daniel.

Wrapping up the remainder of PC classes outlined in Necrotic Gnome’s OSE Advanced Fantasy by Gavin Norman: Half-elf, Half-Orc, Illusionist, Knight, Paladin, Ranger, and Svirfneblin. Plus a call from Jason. Enjoy!

Calls from Jason & Joe and a close looks at Bards, Drow, Druids, Duergar, and Gnomes in OSE Advanced Fantasy by Gavin Norman of Necrotic Gnome.

The first Deep Dive episode of the Old School Essentials Advanced Fantasy Box set by Gavin Norman of Necrotic Gnome covers an overview of the line, a look at the box set, and the elements of the Acrobat, Assassin, and Barbarian PC classes.

What was planned as the 1st episode of the OSE Advanced Deep Dive morphs into a straight call-in bonanza ramble featuring Jason, Daniel, Pink Phantom, and Spencer. Dungeon23, OGL, Spirit of the Rules, AD&D Nostalgia, Separate attribute adjustments for fighters, Pets, and gaming gifts. Settle in. OSE Advanced Deep Dive will commence next episode. 👍

Calls from Keith and Daniel about The School of Hard Knocks; Gaming goodies from Christmas; Kickstarter goodness Hyperborea 3E and OSE Advanced, and a look ahead at podcasting and gaming in 2023. Happy New Year!

I offer up a potential new house rule for those who enroll at The School of Hard Knocks. Crazy, really crazy, or crazy good? YOU decide. Plus calls about Planet Eris & OSR October. 👍

Spotlight on a great World Setting, Planet Eris, by Jimm Johnson of the Scribes of Sparn. While intended for OD&D, this could easily be used for any Fantasy RPG. Get the PDF or Print + PDF at DrivethruRPG.com. World map can be viewed at: cubeofquazar.blogspot.com and http://knights-n-knaves.com/thescribesofsparn/planet-eris-map.jpg

Calls from the last week of OSR October featuring Jason, Aaron the NPC, Goblin’s Henchman, and Joe.

The last Thursday Theory in October ends with the closing line of my theme song: “Try not to go, Down in a Heap.” Character death is part of the deal in old adventure games. Long-term survival is a badge of honor (and a sign of good luck 😉).

This Wednesday Wandering leads to the mini setting and adventure book, Whisper & Venom by Zach Glazar. Originally published by his company, Lesser Gnome, it was recently on KS with a new edition through Necromancer Games in both an OSE and 5e version.

Tired of that humdrum +1 weapon or scroll? Crack open a Midderzine from Monkeyblood Design and roll for a “Slightly Less Shit” one! 😆. Midderzines are available at Monkeyblooddesign.co.uk or through DrivethruRPG.com.

I take a trip through the way-back machine to the earliest time I can recall trying to stat out a unique monster. Can you name it? You probably won’t be surprised where I stole it from...😉

Lots of calls about lots of topics fielded by a grumpy host who had just returned to work after an all-too-brief vacation. Sound fun? Woo hoo! Hey Ho, let’s GO!

Thursday Theories addresses the importance of equipment, exploration, and resource management in OSR games. Plus, was there a “Proto-OSR” that started way back in the early 1980’s?

My Wednesday Wandering shoots us towards the moon in this unique mega dungeon adventure setting: Highfell, The Drifting Dungeon by Greg Gillespie. Available at DrivethruRPG. Check out all four of Greg’s mega dungeons. They’re fantastic! 👍

For Tidbit Tuesday I dive into Dice Roll Zine #3 from Steve C of Hog Town Games. I really like the quick random tables here to generate a beginning character’s background. Check out all three issues of Dice Roll Zine. They’re great!

The recording I did with my old friend I thought lost was found! And we’re discussing monsters; reskinning them, and thoughts about player knowledge about monsters powers & vulnerabilities. It’s a Monster Monday/ Friend Friday mashup!

Supplement Sunday is looking at the compilation of the 1st ten issues of the Back to BasiX Zine by Thom Wilson of ThrowiGames. It’s available on DrivethruRPG for $15 (pdf) or $25 (Hardcover + PDF). Great B/X material!

An Anchor conversation with Rich, Jason, Kevin, and The Pink Phantom about the d30, OSR Generations, early Domain Play, Zombies & The Night Stalker, playstyle preferences and other assorted bric a brac. Contact me at bigbalboni at gmail or via Discord where I’m RC/DowninaHeap. Thanks!

I delve further into my Theme Song outlining how I view “Old School Style” play. Today, don’t be a Dope. Don’t pull punches based on PC attributes. War not sport. PC roles in party vs. PC persona. Lore, not Intelligence. But that’s, like, just my opinion Man. 😉

This quick adventure review looks at The Fungus Forest by Nash Press from 2016. Available as a PWYW PDF at DrivethruRPG. It’s a large cavern system filled with unusual creatures and (of course!) weird fungi of every imaginable type. Potentially months of exciting play for $3 (recommended price)? What are you waiting for?!?

Blurring the lines between Tidbits and Theories, I talk about the Stages of an Adventuring Party, and how I Can’t Wait for “Name” level to begin the Domain building phase of the game. Plus a Replacement’s song makes anything better...😃

It’s Monster Monday #2 and getting into the spooky October feel, I’m choosing a different spin on a classic Undead monster from Barrowmaze Complete by Greg Gillespie. Brains good....