Playing It Wrong (C. Thorin)

Yes, everything is crazy.  So here's a little update.  Busy with day job and doing my best to keep things going with the Podcast and Blog.  I just may do some at the desk ramble casts as Bonus Episodes.  We shall see. Stay safe out there.

This episode is a total ramble cast. I hate "some people". You know that mythical bunch that is always cited by someone in online arguments. It's always "some people". Not much going on in the way of gaming but got lots of ideas bouncing around inside my head. But that's for a later blog post. Plus a shout out to the new Kickstarter by Bloat Games, Survive This Fantasy. And there's some other stuff too. No Tomes of Ancient Forbidden Knowledge. That'll be next episode.

Remember: Roll Dice. Kill Monsters. Take Their Stuff. And Have Fun.

Check out the Patreon.

Or just like the Facebook Page. One more Like and it means bonus episodes.  Heck, I might even set something up one MeWe. We shall see.

 Don't over think it. Let the dice, the story, and the Player Characters determine what's important. And don't go into detail that you don't need to. Plus a call in from Gothridge Manor, I continue reading from Supplement I Greyhawk.  And Old School Essentials is  in the hands of the Kickstarter backers (like me) and available to general public now.

I travel back in time and talk about world building again.  This time it's all about the player characters.  Go ahead and mess around with Races & Classes and all that player facing stuff.  And we've got a call-in from The Yawning Owlbear himself. Thanks, Mark.

Well, made it to the 50 Likes on the Facebook page. So that means Bonus Episodes every week.  As the first one, I'm complain about Lulu's major screw up.  And send out some Get Well Soon vibes to Erik Tenkar.

In this episode, I have a long rant about Labyrinth Lord and BX Essentials all thanks to a very good question from Joe the Lawyer. I have a sad moment about annoying and bad people at the table. And in the episode I finish up Volume 1 Men & Magic from the Little Brown Books.

And stop by the blog at https://theymightbgazebos.blog/

An encounter should be more than just a PC's and monsters attacking each other.  Those some interesting terrain or environmental hazards into the mix.   Also, this episode the "new" cleric spells in Greyhawk and a little rant for beginners trying to play a magic-user.

"Take the Lead" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

You don't eat pizza everyday so why play the same game all the time.  Not only that changes are coming to this Podcast and the good old blog.  Thanks for listen and stay tuned!

More rants about gaming.  Previously, I talked about how adventures are guidelines. Guess what?  They are setting too.  And all the usual features.  What been happening around my game table and more readings from the Little Brown Books.

Just started my Swords & Wizardry game in The Blight. Say hi to the new characters.  The story is just starting.  Big shout outs to for the Heroes Journey Kickstarter and starting this week Ain't Slayed Nobody, a Wild West Call of Cthulhu Actual Play Podcast.  Believe it or not, I actually got something done and released on Drivethru, the Gazebo Gazette Issue No 2. And of course the usual rants.

And don't forget to check out the Patreon. 

Happy New Year, dear listeners!  Hopefully, you're not hungover.  It's a new year and time for more attitude.  Thanks to everyone. Now roll initiative against the New Year.  Let's get this party started.

"Take the Lead" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This episode I rekindle my love for Swords & Wizardry.  I've talked that much about it recently but then there was an epiphany.  It makes the perfect game as a gateway and bridge between the old-school games and the current editions.  You can check out more about Swords & Wizardry at Frog God Games.  For some fun listening check out the Swords & Misery Podcast for some actual play. And check out Matt Finch's Patreon too.

This episode also debuts a new segment, D&D Boot Camp. Advice and wisdom to new players and game masters. And as usual there's the reading from the original old books.

And you can support the podcast too. You can subscribe or join the Patreon.

Intro Music: "Take the Lead" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Yes, we're back after a week's break.  Life is hectic but we're working around it.  This week, it's a rant about Magic Guilds, or Wizards' Guilds or whatever you want to call them.  What place do they hold in  your world? Or do the they even have a place?

And I try to read some more from  Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry. If you thought the psionics were crazy then check out the option rules for combat.

Thanks for listen.  And check us out on Patreon.

A quick and rambling episode. I talk a little about the new game from Old Skull Publishing, Solar Blades & Cosmic Spells. Complain about OBS's server migration. Read from the Little Brown Books and jump thru hoops to get ready for my next campaign.

In this episode, I go on a little rant about the Cepheus Engine( old-school Traveler) and more specifically about Sword of Cepheus. It's a pretty darned good Sword & Sorcery RPG.  A more detailed review is forth coming  on the blog. Plus there's a good chance you'll more about some of the games running off these rules. I've already done a review of Zaibatsu.

Thanks for listening. Roll Dice. Kill Monsters. Take Their Stuff. And Have Fun.

Oh.  And I've just joined up on Buy Me a Coffee if you want to help support the blog and podcast.

Thanks for listening

In case you haven't noticed the blog domain is updated!  And yes it's been a busy weekend but I've squeezed in an episode.  This week I talk about Super Hero RPG's and dang it they are tough to run.  I talk about some of the problems and the two best games that fight my tastes depending on what kind of campaign I want to run.   The top contenders are Supers: Revised Edition and Vigilante City.  Plus stayed  to the blog for a review Gangbusters BX Edition.

What else?  I offer up a little wisdom to new DM's and rant about the "new" monsters from Supplement 1: Greyhawk.

Don't cross the streams.  Yes, cross the streams and by streams I mean genres. Hack away to heart's content.  Random settings. Random rants. And more reading from the Little Brown Books.

You don't need any special certificate, accreditation, or license to make RPG stuff. Just do it. A lot of us older folks in the OSR get the label and I think we subconsciously follow that label that we are "The Establishment.  We aren't we're the underground comics. We're punk rock.  So let's go out there and make cool stuff and share it. Let others know about the cool stuff others are making. Personally, I have to get off my butt and get more done. More blog posts. More episodes of the pod cast. And just get a lot of that stuff that's been in my head out. And share it.

This episode I talk about initiative and high some interesting methods I've seen over the years in such games as TWERPS, The Hero System, Shadowrun, and Savage Worlds.  Find out where I stole my house rule from.  And finally back to reading from the Tomes of Ancient Forbidden Knowledge.  This time Druid Spells from Eldritch Wizardry, Supplement III. 

This week we're back to normal with a brief summary of the Labyrinth Lord game where in I ran a nice little adventure by Tim Shorts (The Demon Baboon of Porters Crown). Also, I go into a little rant on Thieves' Skills on old school games. And we've finally made it to the treasure part of Monters & Treasure in the Little Brown Books.

I rant about my "system neutral" DM Notebook and how it's important and it's important to clean the thing out every once in a while. Also, continue with the reading from the Little Brown Books. This time up: 1st Level Magic-User spells.

Hey, all those old-school games out there are mostly compatible. So go ahead and mix and match and make the game you want to play. There's nothing stopping you.   Also, Swords & Wizardry Appreciation Day is coming soon! Congrats to every one who did the Zine Quest.  And roll those dice.  Thanks for listening.

Lot's is going on this week. The biggest news is that Issue 2 of Gazebo Gazette is out to Patrons and should be coming out on Drivethru soon. What else? I start my Swords & Wizardry campaign in The Blight this week.  And I've been having some real bad dice mojo in 5E. It's time to roll up another character. And possibly the most boring reading of Tomes of Ancient Knowledge.

And don't forgot to check out the Patreon.

Thanks for listening.

This episode I continue my rant on Swords & Wizardry making it more palatable to those who are used the current editions of the game.  Plus your usual favorites!  D&D Boot Camp: What Should A New Player Play?; and  Readings from the Ancient Tomes and talking about Supplement 1: Greyhawk and the birth of variable weapon damage and Hit Dice! 

Thanks for listening.  Please check out the Patreon if you feel so inclined.

"Take the Lead" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week is a little rant on players doing prep.  It's not just the DM folks.  You should do some prep too.  Some fun from last week's session of Labyrinth Lord. If you find a Ring of Wishes. Just walk away.  And an intro for Volume 3 of the Little Brown Books.  And a follow up on last week's quest for some actual play podcasts.  Check out Not Another D&D Podcast and Swords & Misery

I ramble about the best campaign ever. For me, that's the next one.  It's a time to get the creative juices flowing and play around with new ideas.  I talk about some of the possibles in the future and rant about Dark Streets & Darker Secrets a bit and it's Kickstarter. And this week we start reading from Volume 2: Monsters & Treasure of the Little Brown Books.

I got call ins from Gothridge Manor and three podcast unboxings!  DCC Lankhmar.  Tegel Manor, and The Blight.  Give it a listen. All good stuff and so glad that I bought.  And heck I couldn't resist doing an unboxing video too.  You can check that out over at the fledgling Youtube channel.  Please subscribe over there.

And if you liked this episode. Then you can subscribe on Anchor.fm or visit the Patreon.

Take the Lead" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Congratulations to Gavin Norman on a successful Kickstarter of Old School Essentials.  Also throwing out hopes for great kickstarters for Faraway Land Old School Version and The Crypt in Cadaver Canyon.  Plus I do a little review of Crypt of the Science Wizard by Skeeter Green Productions.  And do a total mind raving rant on choosing the next game and Dragons from the little brown books.

I'm all over the map on this one.  New 5e book is set in Critical Role's world. Meh. And long rant on minimalist games, missing games, and finding something to do. And a little shout out to Steve Cook's Dice Roll Zine.  And this week, I finish up reading Greyhawk: Supplement 1.

Like this episode or others?  Then check out the They Might Be Gazebos Patreon.

Last episode ran really long so this one we're catching up.  We've the Session Summary and I forgot that damage from Clay Golems takes a 17th level Cleric to heal it. I like everybody else mentions Feast of Legends.  Talk about playing a Fighter in D&D Boot Camp.  Read from the original Greyhawk and the insanely powered 9th level Magic-User Spells.  And shout outs about The Egyptian Situation From Outer Time by Old Skull Games and a new Kickstarter by Elf Lair Games: Night Shift: Veterans of the Supernatural Wars.

Mark Wallring of The Yawning Owlbear Anchorcast sent in an email on lethality in 5E so I rant more on that.  It's about system mastery.  I got lots of goodies this weekend.  Kickstarters are starting to come in and I got some cool stuff. And as usual even more readings from the Little Brown Books. Yep, still on Monsters & Treasure.

This week's episode is a bit short and a day behind.  Sorry about that.  In this episode, meet the characters from my Labyrinth Lord game. and their initial trials. Plus I rant a little bit about 6th level magic user spells from the Little Brown Books.

A bit of ramble this week.  I talk a little about Thieves Guilds, Ethiopian Food, and we get a Call In!  Bonus still reading from the Little Brown Book. 

Erik Tenkar and Gothridge Manor have already talked about this stuff. Since I'm preparing to run The Blight by Frog God Games, I figured it's time I share my initial thoughts. Don't fear the city. Be ready to improvise. And too many details will just bog you down. Plus the usual features. D&D Boot Camp and Reading from the Ancient Tomes.  Roll dice, kill monsters, take their stuff, and have fun.

If you like this episode please visit The Patreon. 

"Take the Lead" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Best wishes to all the listeners out there. Thanks and let's have a great 2019.

New year, new beginnings.  Let us make 2019 the year of sharing the fun. Be excellent out there.  

Like just about everyone else I start thinking about this year and plans for the next.  So give it listen and hear what's coming up.  But I'll give this clue, there's lots of shout outs to some folks producing cool stuff.

Cool stuff this year goes to Old Skull Publishing (and his great games Sharp Swords & Sinister Spells, Dark Streets & Darker Secrets, Solar Blades & Cosmic Spells). Also Old Essentials from Necrotic Gnome wonderfully organized and easy to use take on BX D&D. Then there's Goodman Games. DCC Lankhmar. Hell yeah! And Frog God Games. Great Kickstarters like Tegel Manor and small print run Indiegogo campaigns for some neat adventures. And then there's Skeeter Green and his new entry into publishing.

With that. Roll Dice. Kill Monsters. Take their stuff. And have fun!

I've got shout to Happy Whisk and emails from the Yawning Owlbear.  And I go off on  a little rant on actual play podcasts and streams.  And I finish up on Volume 2: Monsters & Treasures of the Little Brown Books.

It's a short episode this week. A little bit of self critique here. I've been lazy in DMing of late.  Simple monsters without flair.  But also being reactive to those crazy things that the players do or the dice cause.  

I've got so much going on.  I need to ramp up on the old blog, a handful of RPG projects to get done, and some DIY projects around the house. So what takes up the most time for the least return? Well, that's the podcast.  I'm done just taking a couple weeks off of the podcast. But there's going to be more on the blog and some neat stuff coming out soon.  Thanks and I'll be back.  I really do enjoy this.

It's all about mixing, matching, and melding the things you like into something grand.  Plus more advice for newbies and experienced players in D&D Boot Camp.   I start going over the 3rd Level Magic-User spells in Greyhawk.  Oh yeah.  And there's probably a Swords & Wizardry Kickstarter in the future.

Don't forget you can support us on Anchor.fm or over on Patreon.

Intro Music: "Take the Lead" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week is a little rant about Bodaks and how they changed. Plus in D&D Bootcamp: Wizard Vs Sorcerer Vs Warlock.  And the Cleric spells in Supplement 1 Greyhawk. Plus it's time to start decluttering around the house.  Join in on the fun!

And if we get 50 "likes" on Facebook, that means Bonus Episodes for all.

Thanks for listening.

Coming Soon!  The Kickstarter for the new Swords & Wizardry Boxed Set from Frog God Games. I'm excited.  And do a little rant on the Blight campaign, you won't believe what the Druid befriended. And I'm thinking more about old West RPG's. Thanks to Mark Hunt's Tall Tales and the Podcast Ain't Slayed Nobody. And I start reading from Supplement 2: Blackmoor. Hello, Monks and Assassins.

Like this episode? Then check out the Patreon!

Make your own monsters or make your flavor of existing monsters.  As a DM you don't always have to follow exactly what the book says.  Remember rules are just guidelines and so are monster books.  Plus some interesting bits on Orcs from the original Little Brown Books. Roll Dice. Kill Monsters. Take Their Stuff. And Have Fun!

I really tried to delve into the Psionics in Supplement III: Eldritch Sorcery.  It just made my brain hurt.  But isn't that what Psionics is about?  Also, a call in and another tale from the Bag of Too Many Things.  

And we're one "Like" away on Facebook.  That means bonus episodes!

Thanks for listening.  Roll dice. Kill monsters. Take their stuff. And have fun!

This episode I channel my inner Glen Halstrom and talk about running mysteries in your game.  It isn't easy.  In D&D Boot Camp, what to do about jerks.  And from the Little Brown Books,  guess what spell you need snow for?  And remember. Not everybody likes the same pizza.

Check out the interview with Matt Finch on the upcoming Swords & Wizardry Kickstarter

And check out the They Might Be Gazebos Patreon.

Thanks for listening.

Take the Lead" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

May is going to be a busy month.  Teasers about what's going to happen.  Plus a little rant about the retroclone de jour and how we may change rules but still play the same game.  And VAMPIRES!  

It's OK to use the same setting with different genres.  Just do the extra work to tweak it what you want to do.  Plus hey there was some powered armor in old D&D.  It ain't all Tolkien. Also, GM's Day is coming on March 4.  And the Swords & Wizardry Boxed Set Kickstarter is still going on but only for a few more days. And I got some new D&D socks.  Thanks for listening.

I got a couple of pet peeves. So if you're publisher on Drivethru.  Please categorize your products accordingly. It's annoying. And here's another gaming confession. I dislike crafting when the PC's just sit around and make stuff, and domain play where they spend more time being bureaucrats then adventurers. Also, a long rant about the dumbest thing in Supplement 2: Black Moor.

Plus I'm still really excited about a few Kickstarters. So check those out.

Swords & Wizardry Boxed Set

Hunters in Death

The Phylactery

And don't forget to check out the Patreon.  Something interesting is happening soon!

Thanks for listening. Roll dice, kill monsters, take their stuff, and have fun!

It's a blast from the past and bit of software that I had totally forgotten about. The ePic Character Generator.  Check it out.

This episode is about keeping campaigns short. It avoids GM burn out and keeps things fresh.  It lets you play around with different games.  It lets other people take their turn in the GM seat.  All in all, it's something I dig.  I also have a thing about liking lots of different games and genres. So, there's the chance to play/run a more varied type of game. And do you have any idea how crazy the Holy Swords was in Original D&D? Wow.

Plus, Old School Essentials is on its way! 

I ramble on about grim dark and start thinking of running Zweihander, or Warhammer Fantasy or maybe something else in the future.  Plus a little update on the Labyrinth Lord game.   And we begin covering Cleric spells from the Little Brown Books.  

I go in a lot of different directions in this episode.  A little rant about communities (again).  The main rant which is all about adventures are guidelines too.  So change that stuff game masters.  Make it your own.  Sadly, there was no gaming this week due to puppy illness. (She's better now.)  And of course another reading from the Little Brown Books. This week I finish up the monster section in Volume 2: Monsters and Treasure. And a call in from Tim "Gothridge Manor" Shorts. Support his Patreon. He's a cool dude.

The landscape has changed. D&D is mainstream. Social media networks go away (looking at you G+). And some mystic cabal appoints the influencers. What's the common gamer to do?  Play it your way.   I know I have a "plan".  It's time to go Punk.

And here's the link to the old blog post mentioned in this episode.

Also, it's that time of year that I start setting the goals for next year so I took as a prefect time to put a new coat of paint on the podcast.  We have music and even a few bumpers.  So if you're a new listener start here. We've worked out a lot of kinks 

Intro Music: "Take the Lead" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/