The GROGNARD Files (Dirk the Dice)

Download Episode RSS Feed So, after we’ve covered the Dungeon Masters Guide it’s time for us to get to the nitty-gritty of the core rules. INTRODUCTION 0:19 The story so far and a review from iTunes. Please review us too, if you haven’t already. WHITE DWARF SCENARIOS (Part 1) 4:54 @dailydwarf makes his first, controversial, pick from … Continue reading "Episode 6 (Part 2) AD&D RPG The Player’s Handbook"

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The second part of Episode 1 of the GROGNARD files which covers the potted history of the games.

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Download Episode 2 RSS Feed Introduction – The origin of the game Section One – Open Box – reliving the memories of playing the game for the first time and the faltering start. Section Two – Judge Blythy Rules! – The Armchair Adventurers’ Resident Rules Lawyer discusses the finer points of the rules and style of … Continue reading "Episode 2 (Part 1) Call of Cthulhu RPG"

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Download Episode RSS Feed The saga continues … Intro: 0:18 There’s been another review on iTunes. Dirk reveals his love of monsters. Open Box: 4:37 Dirk and Blythy get all nostalgic about 5e that they started playing 3 months ago. White Dwarf: 24:42 @dailydwarf has scrutinised every single monster produced in the FIEND FACTORY to … Continue reading "Episode 6 (Part 3) AD&D RPG Monster Manual"

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This is a supplement to the Second Episode of The GROGNARD RPG Files – Call of Cthulhu. Download Episode RSS Feed GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN Behind the screen I have a table of Call of Cthulhu supplements. I’m joined by Judge Blythy who rolls the 1D100 to select 5 for detailed discussion. ED’S BARGAIN SHED Ed, The … Continue reading "Episode 2 (Part 2) Call of Cthulhu RPG Micro-Grog Pod"

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    Download Episode   RSS Feed This episode includes odds n’ sods, Old Scroates and Points of View about AD&D. Introduction 00.15  Dirk muses over the ridiculous, complicated numbering strategy adopted by the podcast and introduces Ric and Tim, the stars of this part of the episode. Old Scroates (Part 1) 04.15 It’s not … Continue reading "Episode 6 (Part 4) AD&D RPG UnEarthed Arcana"

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    Download Episode RSS Feed Introduction – The origin of the game Section One – Open Box – reliving the memories of playing the game for the first time with Blythy, who was our referee back in the day. We introduce ‘the prime directive’ and Blythy has a black mark on his wall. Section … Continue reading "Episode 3 (Part 1) Traveller RPG"

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Download Episode RSS Feed Yes, it’s time for Solos and … satisfaction? It’s time for Tunnels and Trolls. Intro: Caroline is in big hair and specs, because we’ve had another iTunes in America! Potted History (4.00): A quick run through of the origin story of T&T. Open Box (8.23): Brought to you from a replica of … Continue reading "Episode 7 (Part 1) Tunnels and Trolls RPG"

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    Download Episode RSS Feed We return to ‘blast away the fiends of boredom’ with another T&T episode. This time we are joined by Big Jack Brass, Jon Hancock. 0.15 Introduction. We had feedback from non-other than Ken St Andre himself… 4.05 Open Box. Jon talks about his early life in role playing and … Continue reading "Episode 7 (Part 2) Tunnels and Trolls RPG"

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Download Episode RSS Feed Wednesdays 21:00 – 23:00 Fortnightly, between Sept 15 and July 16 was Traveller Time. During this period we played Traveller online using Roll 20. INTRO: I put out an advert for players on the site to play the classic 1983 adventure from GDW. OPEN BOX: 4:27 We discuss some of the … Continue reading "Episode 8 The Traveller Adventure"

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Download Episode RSS Feed 0 INTRO We have been hard at work producing the GROGNARD files fanzine for Patreon backers. There are still a few hard copies available for new $3.50 backers. They are limited. Once they’re gone they’re gone. PDFs are available for download for $1 backers from 21st November. 6:33 SHOW AND TELL … Continue reading "Episode 9 (Part 1) Imagine Magazine (Paul Cockburn)"

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Download Episode RSS Feed In this episode, we return to Traveller, and look at some of the supplements for the game. When it comes to politics, we are as woolly as John Stewart Mill riding a sheep and wearing cardigans, so we examine our attitudes towards the politics of the Imperium. Games master’s Screen: Judge … Continue reading "Episode 3 (Part 2) Traveller RPG Micro-Grog Pod"

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Download Episode RSS Feed INTRO Special thanks to Paul Cockburn for his contribution to these podcasts. This podcast is dedicated to Joe Dever, creator of The Lone Wolf adventure books, who sadly passed away in November. GAMESMASTERS’ SCREEN with Paul Cockburn Paul Cockburn is behind The GamesMaster’s Screen to pick out some of the regular … Continue reading "Episode 9 (Part 2) Imagine Magazine (Paul Cockburn) and RPG Review 2016"

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Download Episode INTRO We’re back for more podcasts in 2017! We’re returning to our origins and looking again at the game that we began with back in 1981. OPEN BOX 4.31 – the only President from the USA who really matters is the President of Chaosium, Rick Meints, who joins us to open the box … Continue reading "Episode 10 (Part 1)More RuneQuest RPG (with Rick Meints)"

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Download Episode INTRO Blimey Charlie! This is the twentieth podcast! 1:53 GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN Rick Meints, President of Chaosium, joins us once again. This time we roll on a special ‘plunder’ table to search his fabled collection as he recounts past adventures from back in the day. 42:08 OPEN BOX Borderlands is Chaosium’s classic campaign from 1982 – … Continue reading "Episode 10 (Part 2) More RuneQuest RPG (with Rick Meints)"

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Download Episode For your eyes only. Don’t accept this Podcast if the seal is broken. INTRO: I love the world of espionage and this is the first in our ‘Spy Sequence’ that we’ll be peppering through the next year. We’ve had another iTunes review too – please give us one if you haven’t already. OPEN … Continue reading "Episode 11 – Top Secret RPG"

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Download Episode INTRO (15 secs) This is an unusual episode as it is about a place more than a thing. This is about the remembered place that was Games Workshop, when we were kids, and the magical lead figures we found there. POTTED HISTORY (6.32) The story about how school friends came together to form … Continue reading "Episode 12 (Part 1) Games Workshop & Citadel (with Tim Olsen)"

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Download Episode INTRO – We’re still taken aback at the scale of response to the first part of this episode, but we’re conscious enough to issue a warning about Hob Nob balls. POTTED HISTORY (3.49) – Kindly provided by @hobgoblinorange  who provides an overview of the major players and developments in the miniature figure art in … Continue reading "Episode 12 (Part 2) Games Workshop & Citadel (with Tim Olsen)"

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Download Episode INTRO 00:05 By a strange quirk of fate, Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes has suddenly become available as a PDF from Drive Thru RPG. We’ve had another five star review on iTunes, this time it’s from Baz, of The Smart Party podcast. OPEN BOX 05:30 Dirk returns to Whartson Hall to visit Big … Continue reading "Episode 13 – Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes (with Jon Hancock)"

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Download Episode RSS Feed   In a break with the usual format, The Armchair Adventurers are at risk of disappearing up their own fundament. It’s too short to break in two, too long to listen in one go, so disappointing either way. Take your time, pause a little, as you listen to the blow by … Continue reading "Episode 4 – RPG Games Cons Dragonmeet"

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Download Episode INTRO Welcome to the world of fanzines. OPEN BOX (with Ian Marsh) The first part of an interview with Ian Marsh, who was the editor of DragonLords fanzine and went on to become the editor of White Dwarf. DAILY DWARF For one episode only @dailydwarf becomes the Daily Dagon as he looks at … Continue reading "Episode 14 (Part 1) RPG Fanzines (with Ian Marsh)"

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Download Episode INTRO: News about a new PBM ‘zine that we’ve inspired – Bones of the Lost God – if you like Phil’s monsters, he’s put some of his art on Red Bubble. GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN (with Ian Marsh): Ian Marsh returns to talk about his editorial-ship at White Dwarf and his involvement in Games Workshop. He … Continue reading "Episode 14 (Part 2) RPG Fanzines (with Ian Marsh)"

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Download Episode INTRO This time we are looking at James Bond 007, a game we didn’t play back in the day, but the GROGSQUAD suggested that we should give it the once over. We had a great review from Mike Hobbs from Meeples and Miniatures POTTED HISTORY 03:43 This is the story of Chris Klug realising … Continue reading "Episode 15 – James Bond 007 RPG"

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Download Episode INTRO 00.00.16 We are returning to one of our favourite games, Call of Cthulhu, to consider what has changed for the game over the past 2 years, since the last episode. OPEN BOX (with Mike Mason) 06.00 At the time of recording, Mike had just returned from his trip to NECRONOMICON and was … Continue reading "Episode 16 (Part 1) More Call of Cthulhu (with Mike Mason)"

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Download Episode INTRO: A dedication to Carl T. Ford, the publisher/ editor of Dagon Fanzine. GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN 00:02:20 (With Mike Mason) Mike faces the Keeper’s Screen to talk about Traveller, D&D and the all new Masks of Nyarlathotep (coming soon). DAILY DWARF 00:40:00 @dailydwarf does an incisive assessment of the scenarios that appeared in White Dwarf. CURSE … Continue reading "Episode 16 (Part 2) More Call of Cthulhu (with Mike Mason)"

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Download Episode Intro: For this GROGPOD, we take a break from the usual format, instead of concentrating on a single subject, we are looking back at some of the experiences that we have had over the year. Thanks to Phil the Dice Mechanic for his review Groggies Pt 1: Our annual awards are determined by … Continue reading "Episode 17 – Review of 2017 in RPGs"

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Download Episode INTRO: Warning, there’s an unnecessary David Bowie impression in this bit, as the Judge Dredd Board Game appeared in Labyrinth. POTTED HISTORY: (00:05:00) A brief publication history of Judge in RPGs and news of the forthcoming game from EN Publishing. OPEN BOX (with Marc Gascoigne): (10:44) We are joined by a giant in … Continue reading "Episode 18 (Part 1) Judge Dredd RPG (with Marc Gascoigne)"

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Download Episode INTRO A new review on iTunes WHITE DWARF @dailydwarf “2000ad and Me” a personal reflection on the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic GAMES MASTER’s SCREEN Marc Gascoigne returns to talk about Fighting Fantasy, EarthDawn (!), The Black Library and Angry Robot. Also, the famous ‘lost’ RPG – Dark Future. JUDGE BLYTHY RULES an examination of … Continue reading "Episode 18 (Part 2) Judge Dredd RPG (with Marc Gascoigne)"

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Download Episode INTRO: Thanks to a Poll of Patreons, we are examining a game that we never played back in the day … PARANOIA. OPEN BOX: (with Paul Baldowski): Paul Baldowski was a writer for the Mongoose edition. He’s also runs Just Crunch which publishes The Cthulhu Hack. Also, make sure you check out the … Continue reading "Episode 19 – Paranoia RPG (with Paul Baldowski)"

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Download Episode INTRO: This is a game that embodies the spirit of the podcast. It belongs to a period when the players were informing the gaming industry. Games Workshop decided to do a big budget version of the game. You can see the short film I made here (it’s less than 5 minutes) OPEN BOX … Continue reading "Episode 20 (Part 1) Golden Heroes RPG (with Simon Burley)"

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Download Episode   INTRO We’ve had a great, positive response to the first part of the episode, and a new iTunes review from Steve Race, host of Squadron Chatter, the Unofficial Podcast for Squadron UK RPG. GM SCREEN (with Simon Burley) Simon Burley returns, to talk about Imagine magazine, his role as a ‘zine editor, … Continue reading "Episode 20 (Part 2) Golden Heroes RPG (with Simon Burley)"

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Download Episode INTRO (00:00) The GROGNARD files finally sells out to one of those new fangled games. There’s a new iTunes review too, that compares us to Ridley Scott’s Hovis advert.  OPEN BOX (with Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan) (0:07) We are joined by Gar who tells us about his formative years in RPGs, his role in relaunching … Continue reading "Episode 21 – Night’s Black Agents RPG (with Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan)"

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  “I think of myself as a bad writer with big ideas, but I’d rather be that than a big writer with bad ideas.”  – Michael  Moorcock   Download Episode RSS Feed   The subject of this episode is STORMBRINGER – Fantasy Role Playing in the world of Elric. We have also opened a Patreon … Continue reading "Episode 5 (Part 1) Stormbringer RPG"

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Download Episode RSS Feed INTRODUCTION  This is the supplement to the first part … a companion which is all about STORMBRINGER supplements. We have had some encouraging iTunes reviews … if you haven’t done one, then please do because it will tax all those Apple algorithms. GAME-MASTERS SCREEN (4:46) Blythy joins me in the Octagon … Continue reading "Episode 5 (Part 2) Stormbringer RPG Micro-Grog Pod"

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  Download Episode RSS Feed Roll up! Roll up! Finally, the GROGNARD files turns it’s attention to the grand daddy of them all. Make some space in your pod box for a 2 hour spectacular. Introduction. Dirk shows off his new turn table and invites you to add songs to his RPG playlist 1. Daily … Continue reading "Episode 6 (Part 1) AD&D RPG Dungeon Master’s Guide"

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This is where the GROGPOD began. We started playing RPGs with RuneQuest, so we start with the podcast with a history of the game.

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Download Episode INTRO: Three years of GROGPODing and Forty Years of RuneQuest seems like a great point in time to revisit the game that we played the most back in the day. RQ3 contributed to us stopping playing, so this is a chance to revisit the game and see what happened when we stopped playing. … Continue reading "Episode 22 (Part 1) RuneQuest RPG Renaissance (with Michael O’Brien aka MOB)"

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Download Episode INTRO: I’ve got one of those blowers with a feather on the end to celebrate our anniversary and the release of RuneQuest RolePlaying in Glorantha. MOB RETURNS: MOB talks about all the different ways that you can play in Glorantha: 13th Age, HeroQuest, but especially RuneQuest. Here he talks about how RuneQuest appeals … Continue reading "Episode 22 (Part 2) RuneQuest RolePlaying in Glorantha (with Michael O’Brien aka MOB)"

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Download Episode Intro: It has been a summer of love for the library – there’s too much on there! Open Box: We’re in Port Street in Manchester reflecting on the campaign The White Dwarf: Daily Dwarf goes Against the Giants. Games Master’s Screen: What’s our favourite class? Ed’s Shed: Ed decides to ‘bring out the Gimp‘ when he creates … Continue reading "Episode 23 – Dungeons & Dragons, Storm King’s Thunder"

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Download Episode INTRO: The GROGNARD files is dedicated to Greg Stafford (1948-2018) OPEN BOX: Graeme Davis talks to us about the genesis of the 1st edition of WARHAMMER and some of the plans for the new edition. You find out more about his long and distinguished career in gaming on his website. WHITE DWARF: The … Continue reading "Episode 24 (Part 1) WARHAMMER Fantasy Role Play (with Graeme Davis)"

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Download Episode INTRO: We’ve had another iTunes review (we’d love to get more!) GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN: Graeme Davis takes us on a whistle stop tour around his career so far: check out this book-listing  at Graeme’s site for all the references mentioned. WHITE DWARF: @dailydwarf has given another insightful perspective of all of the adventures that … Continue reading "Episode 24 (Part 2) WARHAMMER Fantasy Role Play (with Graeme Davis)"

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Download Episode In this episode we review our year in gaming and dish out our GROGGIE awards. It also features WFRP actual play, hosted by The Smart Party. Subscribe to their feed to catch the rest of it, when it is released. Podcast recommendations: How we Roll, The Chimpions, Vintage RPG podcast, and Appendix N.

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Download Episode   INTRO: This is an unusual GROGPOD as it was recorded live at GROGMEET 18. Ian Cooper talks about HeroQuest and there’s a chance for you to win a copy of the game thanks to our friends at bonhomiegames.uk Show us your favourite handout, character sheet, floor plan, prop, mini or any other … Continue reading "Episode 26 – HeroQuest RPG (with Ian Cooper) from GROGMEET 18"

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Download Episode INTRO: In this episode we are continuing our exploration of the context of gaming in the eighties, by looking at one of the TV series that influenced how we played. POTTED HISTORY: This is a quick summary of how the programme came to be made and a bit of background about Richard Carpenter. … Continue reading "Episode 27 (Part One) Robin of Sherwood (with Graham Staplehurst)"

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Download Episode I attended the first ever PodUk Convention in Birmingham and appeared in a live show. How We Roll podcast hosted a live, actual play, with Scott Dorwood (from The Good Friends of Jackson Ellias) as the keeper. Hope that you enjoy listening to The Necropolis.

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Download Episode We’re continuing our Robin of Sherwood theme. We discuss Fate and use it to provide a sample play in Sherwood Forest created by the TV series. We hope that it will inspire you to invest in some FUDGE dice and have a go at creating your own worlds.

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Download Episode I was kindly invited to Games Master a game of Stormbringer by the wonderfully macabre actual play podcast Red Moon Roleplaying. These is a teaser for an upcoming special guest, listen to the show to find out more … Adventure: The Fang and the Fountain from Perils of the Young KingdomsMusic by: Ager Sonus, Cryo … Continue reading "EXTRA – Stormbringer Actual Play (with Red Moon Role-playing)"

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Download Episode INTRO: 00:00:16 – This is the first part of a two part episode looking at the games and worlds created by Ken St Andre. He’s one of the founders of the hobby and tremendously influential on the development of RPGS. OPEN BOX: 00:04:40 – Live from his Troll Cave in Arizona, The Trollgodfather … Continue reading "Episode 28 (Part 1) Monsters! Monsters! RPG (with Ken St Andre)"

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Download Episode INTRO: A new review of The GROGNARD files INTERVIEW: A list of interesting things referred to by Ken: His mini, Trollhala Press, Fours, and Big Jack Brass ACTUAL PLAY: Hook up with The Smart Party to hear more FIRST, LAST, EVERYTHING: This time : Steve Ray GROGGLEBOX: At The Earth’s Core Outro: Thanks … Continue reading "Episode 28 (Part 2) More Tunnels & Trolls RPG (with Ken St Andre)"

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Download Episode This is a GROGPOD extra, made possible thanks to the generosity of the GROGSQUAD patreons. This is a Newstalgia podcast talking about the things we are playing now. It is focused on the preparations for the RPGs played at UK Games Expo: Savage Worlds, PSI World and Lyonesse. Here are some links mentioned … Continue reading "EXTRA – A RPG GamesMaster Prepares (UK Games Expo 19)"

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It’s taken us 50 podcasts to dedicate an episode to White Dwarf. It was the centre of our RPG lives when we were teenagers. In this episode Mike Brunton tells us how he got into RPGs and worked with TSR UK and Imagine magazine. Next time he will be relating his experiences as editor of … Continue reading "Episode 29 (Part 1) White Dwarf the RPG years"

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Download Episode Mike Brunton, our special guest for Episode 29, suddenly passed away on 18th July 2019. This is the interview in full, released as a celebration of his gaming career. It also features Paul Cockburn adding a tribute to his old friend and colleague.

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Download Episode In this episode we discover the seven ages of White Dwarf with @DailyDwarf and the First Last and everything from Nick Edwards. We also bang on a bit about the Patreon which has got some new goals.

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Download Episode INTRO: This time we are looking at Blake’s 7 and its influence on our gaming. GROGGLEBOX: Eddy joins us in a noisy Port Street Beer House in Manchester to discuss ‘Project Avalon’ ACTUAL PLAY: Thanks to Andrew Cousins of lending me his copy of the rules to play. Blythy as Avon, Doc Con … Continue reading "Episode 30 – Blake’s Seven RPG"

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Download Episode As an extra to Episode 30, here’s the rest of the Actual Play. It also features a ‘Games Master Prepares’ segment about using The Five Room Dungeon.

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Download Episode The GROGNARD files is back with the latest episode which looks in-depth at Numenera RPG based on the Cypher System which was the first new-fangled game that we played when we returned to the hobby. There’s a great First, Last and Everything from Kaye Elling (make sure you follow the progress of her … Continue reading "Episode 31 – Numenera RPG"

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Download Episode INTRO: It’s the first anniversary of Greg Stafford’s passing and to recognise the event, we are celebrating one of his greatest, collaborative creations: Thieves’ World. There’s a quick potted history featured here, if you want to see the supplement for yourself, I’ve made a short unboxing film. OPEN BOX: Eddy has managed to … Continue reading "Episode 32 – Thieves’ World"

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Download Episode INTRO: We are still recovering from a successful GROGMEET19. I picked up some new games along the way, including Pendragon and the new Eberron supplement for D&D (thanks to the coverage that they received on The Smart Party). OPEN BOX (with Jamie Thomson): Features editor for White Dwarf between 1981-84, author of Fighting … Continue reading "Episode 33 – Live Action RPG (with Jamie Thomson)"

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Download Episode It’s the end of the world as we know it, but we feel fine, because we’ve been gaming, a lot. We review the year in gaming over a pint with Clint, the pub dog. Jamie Thomson is back looking over his career in Fighting Fantasy, The Way of the Tiger game books, The … Continue reading "Episode 34 – Review of 2019 (with Jamie Thomson)"

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Download Episode What makes Pulp “pulp” we ask ourselves in this episode. It features the interview with Paul Fricker that we recorded at GROGMEET19. He’s one of the hosts of The Good Friends of Jackson Ellias, who we joined in the E.N.World Hall of Fame, thanks to the generous votes from the GROGSQUAD. There’s also … Continue reading "Episode 35 – Pulp Cthulhu (with Paul Fricker) recorded at GROGMEET19"

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Download Episode Popular demand has insisted that we look at MERP from Iron Crown (1984). In this first part we come to terms with Tolkien and our relationship to Middle Earth. Thanks to Liz Danforth, Daily Dwarf , Graham Kinniburgh, and Steve Ray for their help in putting this Episode together. Support us on Patreon

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Download Episode Welcome to the second part of the MERP episode. I recommend Menion (AKA Rob’s) podcast ; we speak to Liz Danforth – why not support her on Patreon? Thanks to Per Broden for his excellent First, Last and Everything, the an ad for our good friends at The Good Friends …. and we … Continue reading "Episode 36 (Part 2) Middle Earth Role-Playing (MERP) (with Liz Danforth)"

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Download Episode Welcome to the post apocalypse with Pookie from Reviews from R’lyeh. We talk about how RPGs taught us everything we need to know about the apocalypse. Old Scouse Role Player shares his first, last and everything. Please support what we do on Patreon.

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Download Episode Hello, my name is Dirk the Dice and this is the GROGNARD files podcast. If you are new here, then this is the place to begin as it provides a quick overview of what to expect from the GROGPOD. It’s probably best to start at the beginning, but time is precious, so this … Continue reading "Start Here – The GROGNARD Files – Session Zero"

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Download Episode Welcome to a new GROGPOD about a new game that we are very excited about. Lyonesse, Fantasy Role-Playing based on the novels by Jack Vance has been released by The Design Mechanism. We are joined by Lawrence Whitaker who tells us about the project and his formative years in role-playing. Daily Dwarf looks … Continue reading "Episode 38 – Lyonesse RPG (with Lawrence Whitaker)"

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Download Episode Loz Whitaker from The Design Mechanism returns to face The GamesMaster’s screen. He talks about The Eternal Champion, Strontium Dog and Mythras. We have been enjoying a Hawkmoon series of adventures using Mythras using elements of Chaosium’s Hawkmoon and the Mongoose version. Doc ‘Con’ Cowie shares his First, Last and Everything. In a … Continue reading "Episode 39 – Hawkmoon RPG (with Lawrence Whitaker)"

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Download Episode Know o prince … the GROGNARD files produces another epic (take your time …). We’ve been playing Conan: Adventures in an Age Undreamed of, by Modiphius and having great fun emulating the Hyborian world of Robert E Howard. Jason Durall is an enthusiastic player as well as designer and he gives a great … Continue reading "Episode 40 – Conan RPG (with Jason Durall)"

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Download Episode Blimey, we’ve been doing this bobbins for five years! Good grief! In this episode, we go back to the beginning to look at RuneQuest with Jason Durall, as well as other highlights from his career in role-playing. Blythy and I face the randomly selected Thunder Phase suggested by Patreons. First, last and everything … Continue reading "Episode 41 – Five Years of The GROGNARD Files (with Jason Durall)"

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Download Episode Welcome to the end of the world! In the latest episode we look at the FGU RPG Aftermath!, a game that is still supported by useful online resources. I ran a one-shot for GrimCon but working out the rules was a challenge. Thankfully Doc Cowie is on hand to help me through the … Continue reading "Episode 42 – Aftermath! RPG (with Doc Cowie)"

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Download Episode We knew we’d get there eventually. This episode is dedicated to Basic Dungeons and Dragons. Our guest is Lew Pulsipher who was a regular contributor to the Golden Era of White Dwarf. He talks about his formative years in role-playing. He is still contributing to EN World and has a Video channel all … Continue reading "Episode 43 (Part 1) Dungeons & Dragons (with Lew Pulsipher)"

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GROGMEET2020, the fifth annual meet-up of the GROGSQUAD, had to be held online to avoid pathogens. It didn’t stop us having a fantastic weekend which included a Pub Quiz, a Mausritter Tournament Dungeon, and an eclectic mix of games over four time-slots: seventy sessions in total. To end the event we recorded this live panel … Continue reading "Extra – Thunder Phase! at GROGMEETish2020 (with Paul & Gaz)"

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This is the second part of the Dungeons and Dragons Episode. Lew Pulsipher returns to talk more about his contributions to White Dwarf, his strategy game Britannia and his contributions to EN World. Daily Dwarf revisits Holmes Basic D&D and tries to revive the magic. Cris Watkins from Bonhomie Games shares his First, Last and … Continue reading "Episode 43 (Part 2) Dungeons and Dragons (with Lew Pulsipher)"

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This is a bonus episode featuring a ‘Library Use’ segment that we recorded which looks in detail at issue 52 of Dragon Magazine (published in August 1981). The publication was around the same time as the launch of the Moldvay edition of Basic D&D. We discuss an article where the new edition is discussed in … Continue reading "Episode 43 (Bonus) Dungeons and Dragons"

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The last GROGPOD of 2020 features a classic British Old School RPG, Dragon Warriors. You can find out more about Dave Morris at his blog and his Patreon. Daily Dwarf has a blog too. Dave Paterson is about to launch a new podcast Frankenstein’s RPG and he’s a regular on Orlanth Rex’s Gaming Vexes. Dragon … Continue reading "Episode 44 – Dragon Warriors (with Dave Morris)"

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In this episode we review the games that we have played in 2020 – there were so many! During the discussion we cover our experiences of playing Lyonesse, Savage Worlds, Mutant Year Zero and many more. You can see the report on all the games we played by following this link. Dave Morris joins us … Continue reading "Episode 45 – Review of 2020 (with Dave Morris)"

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Download Episode The GROGNARD files opens on one of our favorites from back in the day. Blythy bought it from Northern Games Day while I was playing a great game of RuneQuest and he was feeling sorry for himself. We played a lot of this game as it was our swords and sorcery game of … Continue reading "Episode 46 (Part 1) DragonQuest RPG (with Chris Klug)"

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Download Episode Whatever happened to March 2021? We may never know, let’s hope that April restores normal service. In this episode we continue the discussion with Chris Klug about his career in game design: James Bond RPG (which we covered in Episode 15), Aidyn’s Chronicles, and his work for Chaosium, such as The Smoking Ruin … Continue reading "Episode 46 (Part 2) DragonQuest RPG (with Chris Klug)"

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Tim Harford, economist, columnist, broadcaster, best-selling author, podcaster and role-player was the very special guest at virtual GROGMEET 2021. There were a vast array of games available over the weekend, including a fiendish quiz set by Pookie from Reviews from R’lyeh – thank you to everyone who took part to make it a great event. … Continue reading "Extra – My Role-Playing Games First, Last and Everything (with Tim Harford)"

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As the Final Score recedes (great result between Arbroath and Queen of the South) it’s time to grab a Tizer and sit down to an episode all about Dr Who. We speak to Dave Chapman, who is the lead writer on Doctor Who Roleplaying Game from Cubicle 7 about his history with the Doctor, his … Continue reading "Episode 47 – Dr Who RPG (with Dave Chapman)"

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The Armchair Adventurers keep coming back to Call of Cthulhu and we are about to begin Children of Fear, written by our guest Lynne Hardy. In this episode we discuss Lynne’s formative years in role-playing and how she started work with Chaosium with a pitch for this richly detailed and horrific campaign. Tristan Narbrough is … Continue reading "Episode 48 (Part 1) Return to Call of Cthulhu (with Lynne Hardy)"

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The GROGNARD files returns with the Return of Call of Cthulhu with the return of Lynne Hardy. This time she faces the Keeper’s Screen to reveal her Arcane secrets. She talks about her contribution to the Dying Earth Role-Playing Game, Cogs, Cakes and Swordsticks, the game she designed, and more news about upcoming Chaosium releases … Continue reading "Episode 48 (Part 2) Return to Call of Cthulhu (with Lynne Hardy)"

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This is the 80th GROGPOD and there is a sense of celebration in the air. We are delighted to have Marcus L Rowland as our guest. He was a stalwart of Whit Dwarf during its hey day. Cthulhu Now! Green Horizon, To Live and Die in Mega City One and the Fear of Flying, his … Continue reading "Episode 49 – Marcus L. Rowland (with Thunder Phase!)"

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Forgotten Futures is the table-top RPG that is based on the scientific romances of the late Victorian and Edwardian period. Marcus L Rowland take us on a tour on his works and the ways that it has been distributed during its years of production. You can find a whole host of fascinating material on Marcus’ … Continue reading "Extra – Forgotten Futures (with Marcus L Rowland)"

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Armed with no more than 2 dice a pencil and eraser we are delighted to have special guest Ian Livingstone on Episode 50. Also in this episode, the return of face to face recording in the Las O Gowrie. Judge Blythy talks to Dirk about his experiences of Fighting Fantasy and reveals his thoughts of … Continue reading "Episode 50 (Part 1) Fighting Fantasy (with Ian Livingstone)"

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We are pleased to say that Ian Livingstone returns to the GROGPOD to face the Games Master’s Screen. He talks about the early days of White Dwarf and the upcoming book, Dice Men from Unbound, and he also talks about his role in shaping computer studies in the UK. Fabio Vollono shares the first game … Continue reading "Episode 50 (Part 2) Fighting Fantasy (with Ian Livingstone)"

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It’s that time of year when we are preparing for the GROGMEET convention in Manchester and, this time, online. Blythy and Dirk discuss the history of the meet-up, give some tips on how to start one yourself, discuss the thorny issue of ‘player sign-ups’ and run through the games they are running at the event. … Continue reading "Extra – It’s a con! GROGMEET preparation"

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Welcome to another extra all about this year’s GROGMEET. This time it includes a live recording made at Fan Boy Three. Frankenstein’s RPG podcast has been pulling together the best bits of role-playing games this year to produce an epic monster of a game. We got together to decide which would be the best supplement … Continue reading "Extra – Dirk and Blythy grogMEET Frankenstein (with Ian Cooper and Paul Fricker)"

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We return to the subject of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks with our special guest Jonathan Green who has written a history of the publishing phenomena. He is an active gamebook designer with many projects in his repertoire. You’ll find his latest work Ronin 47 (late pledges) kickstarter. Judge Blythy joins me at the Las O Gowrie … Continue reading "Episode 50 (Part 3) Fighting Fantasy (with Jonathan Green)"

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It’s that time of the year again when our thoughts turn to The GROGGIES, our review of the year, with a series of special awards for the highlights. Get ready to open the spurious golden envelope to find the winners. We are delighted to have musical accompaniment by Paul Mitchener who also provides his First, … Continue reading "Episode 51 – Review of 2021"

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As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster in an RPG. This time we look back at a classic from back in the day. Pound the mean streets of LakeFront City as we look back to playing the game back in the 80s. Blythy opens up the box of delights … Continue reading "GangBusters RPG (with Mark Hunt) Ep.52 (Part 1)"

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“Get your trousers on, you’re nicked!” We are still in the mood for some old fashioned cops and robbers. In this part we look a bit more closely at how the rules work in GangBusters. Judge Blythy, our resident rules lawyer casts his eye over some of the highlights of the system. New in this … Continue reading "GangBusters Ep.52 (Part 2)"

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In this episode, we finally draw the sword from the stone and examine a game that had an enormous impact on gaming in the 80s: King Arthur Pendragon. David Larkins, the Pendragon line editor for Chaosium, joins us to tell us about the history of the game, how it works and the future developments. Judge … Continue reading "King Arthur Pendragon RPG (with David Larkins)"

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Join me as I take an idea for a walk across the Gangster RPG shelf in the GROGPOD den. It also features a sample actual play of GangBusters – The Vanishing Investigator. Games mentioned: GangBusters Gangster! Crime Fighter Fiasco Hillfolk Spirit of ’77 Cartel Blades in the Dark Wise Guys Also mentioned: Good Friends of … Continue reading "GangBusting RPGs (GROGPOD extra)"

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One of the foundational films that shaped the games that we played is Excalibur (1981). In this episode we look back on the film and consider how it can continue to inspire our gaming. To see some of the issues of Starburst that we refer to in this episode, you’ll find images over at Dirk … Continue reading "King Arthur Pendragon RPG (with David Larkins) Ep.53 (Part 2)"

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Welcome, this is an extra-GROGPOD which is from a live recording made at this year’s virtual GROGMEET. Every month, on the first Sunday, the GROGSQUAD meet to discuss books from The Great Library of RPGs. This time we read The Gutter Prayer and invited Gareth Hanrahan for a Q&A session. If you would like to … Continue reading "RPG Book Club GROGPOD Extra (with Gareth Hanrahan)"

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The 70s and 80s were the golden age of dark popular culture and Scarred for Life have chronicled the TV, comics, adverts, sweets and others of the period in a conversational but forensic style. There are two volumes available with a third on its way at the end of Summer ’22, which will feature role-playing … Continue reading "Scarred for Life by RPGs (with Stephen Brotherstone) Ep 54 (Part 1)"

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Here we go! After a two year break, Dirk and Blythy are back in Birmingham talking about RuneQuest, DCC, Traveller, Conan, Old School Essentials and into the Odd. It’s good to be back. Why not support us on Patreon?

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This is the second part of our exploration of Scarred for Life, the fantastic series of books about growing up in the dark decades of the seventies and eighties. Gen X-rated popular culture shaped our imaginations and informed our gaming. Buy the books here. Content warning for this one as we quote directly from a … Continue reading "Scarred for Life by RPGs (with Stephen Brotherstone) Ep. 54 (Part 2)"

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Exploring the very best that Savage Worlds RPG can offer the gamer. Personal insights from The Armchair Adventurers (Dirk, Blythy and The Daily Dwarf) and special guest Eric Lamoureux

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"Moby Dick as a Slasher pic" Paul Fricker talks to The Great Library of RPGs Book Club about Full Fathom Five for Call of Cthulhu.

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