Down in a Heap

Release the Metal Mummy! A horror themed metal mashup mix tape tribute to Boris Karloff.

Remember mixed tapes? Here’s the first installment of a few favorites.

I have a bundle of calls in the hopper plus an “uneveloping “ from Wayne’s Books: Thieves’ Guild VI

Stream of consciousness nuggets are raked up along with the leaves in my backyard. Topics: My definitions of gritty, low fantasy, high fantasy; some Thieves’ Guild thoughts and other nonsense.

I muse about a side project campaign: probably an urban game with thieves as the centerpiece.

Evil Jeff from the excellent Minions & Musings podcast joins me for the latest B/X D&D deep dive on monsters. We discuss layout, stat blocks (lines), what’s different from AD&D, art, and some that are unique to B/X. Settle in...

After gaming for 30 years, you accumulate a lot of gaming stuff. A trip up to my attic reveals buried “treasures”. Do you have any? Plus calls from Jason, Joe, and Roy.

Have you played RPGs where magic effects end when the caster is knocked out or dies? What are the ramifications? Plus calls from Roy & Jason and health progress report.

I recount some of my Covid experiences and share a “review” of a couple zines I received when I was still deeper in the Covid fog.

How the hell did I wash ashore on this forsaken island? Why am I still here?

A look at handling poison in your game, and what I’m using in my B/X hack, Wasteland Wanderers. Save or die? Hit point damage? Ability score damage? Pick your poison.

Calls from Jason & Joe and the evaluation of OD&D from 1980’s The Complete Book of Wargames. Get the bandages - it stings :)

I reply to and noodle about Colin Green’s episode of Spikepit where he discusses changes in design philosophy in versions of D&D; specifically the Hold Person spell and players missed turns.

I found an error in my B/X Deep Dive plus Jason’s request to read the Boot Hill RPG evaluation from The Complete Book of Wargames.

I read the intro to the RPG section. What did some groggy old Wargame designers have to say about the new fangled RPG scene back in 1980? Listen to find out :)

Calls reacting to the B/X Deep Dive on Encounters: from Joe of Hindsightless, Jason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast, and Evil Jeff of Minions & Musings. Settle in!

A true bonanza of calls from Roy of Chaoses Limb, Jason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast, Joe from Hindsightless, ShandyAndy from Unguarded Treasure, and Evil Jeff from Minions & Musings. Thanks everyone!

I read the example of combat from page B28 of the Moldvay Basic D&D rules. What does it tell us, directly and indirectly?

After a long hiatus, I resume the series: This time a deep look into the micro elements of the B/X D&D game: reactions, combat, evasion, morale, etc.

Inspired by some episodes of Random Screed by Jason Hobbs - a ramble about moderation in setting design and an example from Wasteland Wanderers.

How does your game incentivize the themes and activities you want emphasized? Do you try to incentivize out of game activities? If so, how? And does it work? Please call in with your experiences.

A quick cast from a north woods cabin about Spellcasting in my reimagining of B/X D&D: Wasteland Wanderers.

A quick taste of my post apocalyptic reimagining of B/X: focusing on determining ability scores, hit points, death & dying, and healing.

Legendary Anchorite Froth joins me to talk about our personal Appendix N’s, but we ramble on a range of topics, including...what side of fries means!

Our foray into online gaming, a turn to the Post Apocalyptic, and casting a wide net for inspiration.