I wrote this partially in an attempt to "Holmes-ify" the classes in LotFP. Not sure how well I succeeded.

I wrote this partially in an attempt to "Holmes-ify" the classes in LotFP. Not sure how well I succeeded.
Does this idea appeal to anyone else besides me? Additionally, do you think these house rules could actually meet the intended goals? Anyone want to talk class design?
http://dragonsgonnadrag.blogspot.com/2016/12/lotfp-and-classic-trio-possible-house.html

Lemunda the Lovely is the Princess Leia of the Sample Dungeon.

Lemunda the Lovely is the Princess Leia of the Sample Dungeon. You free her, but then she gets you out of the dungeon since she's a 2nd level fighter.

Time for a Bunnies & Burrows tribute game?

Time for a Bunnies & Burrows tribute game? I was enthralled by the animated Watership Down as a boy. That General rabbit was almost as scary as Darth Vader.

Originally shared by Andrew Shields

Sad news.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38446309
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38446309

Reading through Holmes again it suggests using dexterity for initiative order, but then I noticed none of the...

Reading through Holmes again it suggests using dexterity for initiative order, but then I noticed none of the creatures in the monster section have that stat...what is the assumed dexterity per creature?

Holmes Basic was released the same year as Star Wars.

Holmes Basic was released the same year as Star Wars. Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford were probably the first actors that I knew by name.

Originally shared by James Spahn

Thanks, Carrie.
http://people.com/movies/carrie-fisher-dies/
http://people.com/movies/carrie-fisher-dies

Interesting way of reframing the past. Though I'd then put the 1975 Warlock ahead of Holmes Basic #completewarlock

Interesting way of reframing the past. Though I'd then put the 1975 Warlock ahead of Holmes Basic #completewarlock

Originally shared by James V West

It just dawned on me that Holmes' 1977 Basic Set was the first retroclone.

Accidentally referred to a "plot elephant" today when talking about Howard's Tower of the Elephant

2011 interview with Will McLean, noted for his comic art in the Dragon and the the DMG ("Papers & Paychecks", for...

2011 interview with Will McLean, noted for his comic art in the Dragon and the the DMG ("Papers & Paychecks", for example). He passed away in Oct 2015.

Originally shared by Olde House Rules

An unsung hero of old-school art: Will McLean...
https://www.blackgate.com/2011/05/11/art-of-the-genre-an-inteview-with-will-mclean/

Scored a critical hit for Xmas!

Scored a critical hit for Xmas!

Just finished running U1 for my 9yo & his two cousins.

Just finished running U1 for my 9yo & his two cousins. They took control of the Sea Ghost after a desperate battle on the deck. This is a continuation of a campaign we started in the summer of 2015. They've finished the Zenopus & Mentzer Sample Dungeons, Quest for the Silver Sword, the Blizzard Pass group adventure and U1. I use BECMI with a Holmes influence; I often run combat by DEX. For Xmas, I gave my niece the BECMI Master Set books (she has the lower levels rulebooks already). She's been running her younger brother, his friend and the two dads thru Palace of the Silver Princess.

Let your brains ruminate over these images, and see if somethingdoesn't pop into existence that would be a great...

Let your brains ruminate over these images, and see if something doesn't pop into existence that would be a great fit for FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE! ...

— There are already some creative uses for hydra heads in the pile, but there could be more.

I'll leave this portion open til after New Year's Eve.

As ever, the mails of e is: wilson 4 6 8 12 20 at gmail

A baddie from some alternate Holmes...

Olde House Rules wrote:

A baddie from some alternate Holmes...

What did YOUR Holmes Basic come with?

What is FANTASTIC!

What is FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE! going to look like...? What are some of the entries like...? How am I (you) going to be credited for my (your) submissions?

And most importantly: Is there any of it I can start using in games right now?

Find out via this link...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BynzHVcHd0PQMEhSQnJlWVlSUHM/view?usp=sharing

Very Fiend Folio-esque!

Very Fiend Folio-esque!

Originally shared by russ nicholson

Thanks to the great Ian Livingston reminding me; attached a White Dwarf Christmas Card I produced in the early 80's. Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays, have a good one!

FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE!

FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE!
The Plan Going Forward...

So, a couple of days ago, I posted about how art on pages 16 and 18 hadn't gotten any love... They have gotten some attention so far (and I think some is in progress). Sometime next week (or maybe after Christmas), I will 'shut down' those pages. Submissions I know are "en route" will still be fine. I will then "open up" a new set of two or three pages of art that haven't gotten much attention, and we can tinker with those...

I suppose we'll just go along like that until the zine is full.

[That earlier post: https://plus.google.com/118236109732656640763/posts/5tZT73HwU16 ]

[One other: https://plus.google.com/118236109732656640763/posts/7AYRhT6ujcN ]

On the subject of the Dungeon Masters Adventure Log, here are theweapon illustrations included in the book.

Tony Rowe wrote:

On the subject of the Dungeon Masters Adventure Log, here are the weapon illustrations included in the book. A vital reference for all those weapons on the AD&D weapon chart that you passed over for the familiar "Sword, Long."

Gygaxian Armor types, as described in the DMG and illustrated in the Dungeon Masters Adventure Log (1980).

Gygaxian Armor types, as described in the DMG and illustrated in the Dungeon Masters Adventure Log (1980). Includes an adaptation for Holmes Basic/OD&D, based on some clues from the Monster Manual.
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/12/gygaxian-armor.html

No entries yet for these pages...

No entries yet for these pages...

Some idea-sparks:

Page 16
• What's that staff?
• NPC stats (monster-style) for the magic-user?

Page 18
• Any special stats for that minotaur or his axe, or for that fighting man (as an NPC perhaps?)

[To give you a concrete example of what the "art-inspired" project is:below is the selection of entries for page 38...

[To give you a concrete example of what the "art-inspired" project is: below is the selection of entries for page 38 of the Holmes rules. The "crystal ball" and the wand have not been covered yet. Items that have been covered, can be covered again. Each of the four "items" below is a single entry, so your job (should you choose to accept it) is short and sweet... a couple of game-worthy ideas, inspired by the art and bashed out into sentences, and you're done.]

SAMPLE of what's being sought from the community (illustration from page 38):

Lhankmharrian Distillation
This special tincture is a great boon to Thieves and of special import to Halflings and Dwarves. For those with Thief's Abilities, it improves them all by 20% for a duration of 1d4 turns ("hear noise" is improved by 1). For Halflings and Dwarves who have pursued the Fighting Man class, it grants them Thief's Abilities equivalent to the first level for 1 turn.


Fake-Out Poison
Used by unscrupulous Thieves to run scams, the bottle actually contains ghost pepper-infused vodka. The Thief will have it tested by some stout local individual, who, once having touched it to their tongue, will confirm that it must surely be poisonous. However the Thief has made himself immune to the fiery alcohol and can drink it in gulps and collect all the money bet upon the feat.


Skull Dweller
Move: 30 feet/turn                Alignment: neutral
Hit Dice: 1/2 (1-4 hit points)            Attacks: special
Armor Class: 8                    Damage: none
Treasure Type: N

Small, resilient imps that make their homes inside of skulls, a skull dweller will fight fiercely to protect their claimed homes. They fight by scurrying over the bodies of those disturbing them, and their touch causes numbness in flesh-and-blood creatures and characters. The affect of this numbness is down the referee's interpretation of the circumstances, but could be expressed as a rising penalty to attacks and other actions, all the way up to complete immobility, given enough contact with the skull dweller.


Candle of Recall
This simple-looking candle can open new vistas for magic-users... By placing the candle on a skull and lighting it, it emits a scent related to that the life of the former 'inhabitant' of the skull, a spice of their homeland, the timber of their frequented forests, or the like. Any magic-user sleeping in proximity to this candle and its scent will awaken with new knowledge! They may gain an extra chance at a spell they previously missed out on if the candle rests on a magic-user's skull (e.g., another roll on the % Chance To Know Any Given Spell chart). The sleeper may gain insight into a dungeon or wilderness region they themselves have not explored, if the deceased had visited the site during their life. They may learn how to contact beings of power, demi-gods, or extra-planar allies if the deceased had contact with such creatures. The possibilities are as endless as the knowledge of those passed....
    The magic-user should begin the session of use with a question in mind, based on what they know of the deceased. If the area of knowledge sought turns out to not be within the experience of the deceased no knowledge is gained. Each candle will only work for a 1d6 sessions, and each use subtracts a year from the end of the magic-user's life span (represented, if you like, as a 1% chance of death when using the candle).

New Holmes fan started a new thread on DF.

New Holmes fan started a new thread on DF.

http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=75847

Shoot straight with me, please.

Shoot straight with me, please.

There are five contributors beyond myself for the "Holmes Art" zine. I am very happy with what I've received so far, and I think you'll find that it's good, fun stuff — but I find I'm at a bit of a crossroads...

If more folks want to pitch in, I'm all for that.

But if there are no more pitches coming in, then I need to know that so I can re-group and plan for the completion of this project accordingly.

This zine will be coming out, one way or the other, even I have to finish it up all on my own — it'll just take a bit longer than way.

So:

If anyone that wants to contribute text or art hasn't contacted me yet, post a reply so we can discuss going forward (i.e., I can post "assignments" if that's any help, etc.).

If you're interested in the free zine pdf, but aren't contributing, post a reply! Knowing there's an audience for this is helpful.

If you have any questions at all about the project — yes, you guessed it — post a reply here.

If you have nothing to say about any of this, post a re- - oh, wait, no — you don't have to post anything...

Ebay auction for 1st print OD&D set sold for over $22K....!

Ebay auction for 1st print OD&D set sold for over $22K....!
See also this Acaeum thread: https://www.acaeum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?cache=1&f=1&t=16157&c=1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172430642326?orig_cvip=true

Do you thrive on tight deadlines?

Do you thrive on tight deadlines?

The first deadline for
FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE!
The Holmes Art-inspired Project Zine
—an all-new fan-generated supplement for this groups' favorite game—
is coming up fast!

Saturday the 10th is the main deadline for articles. I say articles, but they're almost more like classified ads... 500 words or less is all you need commit to putting together. My bajillion other recent posts have more details, or you can ask again here...

Jump on in, the game is fine!

Send submissions to wilson 4681220 at the gmails (or post 'em here, if you prefer).
You'll be glad you did.

I remember being misinformed by a friend back when I only had Holmes & believing there were multiple platinum...

I remember being misinformed by a friend back when I only had Holmes & believing there were multiple platinum dragons. Now there are!

Originally shared by Jeff Rients

A plurality of platinum and chromatic dragons
In my previous post I mentioned in passing that Uncle Gary's prototype alignment chart from Strategic Review #6 mentions Platinum Dragon s , plural.  It also mentions the existence of more than one Chromatic Dragon.  I've not seen stats for non-unique drago...
http://jrients.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-plurality-of-platinum-and-chromatic.html

Ebay auction for beautiful 1st printing Woodgrain set (just sharing this for fun, I have no stake in the auction and...

Ebay auction for beautiful 1st printing Woodgrain set (just sharing this for fun, I have no stake in the auction and won't be bidding). See also this Acaeum thread: https://www.acaeum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?cache=1&f=1&t=16157&c=1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172430642326?rmvSB=true

Jeff Rients on the alignment chart in Strategic Review #6, which is 5-point but pre-figures the 9-point alignment...

Jeff Rients on the alignment chart in Strategic Review #6, which is 5-point but pre-figures the 9-point alignment system.

Originally shared by Jeff Rients

Do the alignment shuffle
"The Meaning of Law and Chaos in Dungeons & Dragons And Their Relationships to Good and Evil" first appeared in issue #6 of The Strategic Review , the predecessor to Dragon magazine, but I first encountered it in the first Best of Dragon . This essay is par...
http://jrients.blogspot.com/2016/12/do-alignment-shuffle.html

FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE! Update:

FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE! Update:

I'm excited by what's been sent in already, and looking forward to seeing more from you all. Remember, it's just 500 words or less. There is no big commitment here. Scratch down an idea that someone else might get a kick out of for their Holmes game and you're done!

We have until the 10th for YOUR entry for the zine!

But I've had a further thought....

I'd really like to see ALL of the illustrations covered, at least by a little something or other, so I'll tell you what I'ma gonna do...

After the 10th, I'll compile what's been sent in/posted to that point, and if there are any "unloved" illustrations with zero submissions, I will post here as to which those are and open up a week or so for new submissions based on those particular illustrations.

So the 10th is still the text deadline (art deadline is later). But there may be a "Round Two," for pick-up articles.

Sound fair?

Revised Title for the Character Sheet, using the QuentinCaps font tofor "Holmes Basic".

Revised Title for the Character Sheet, using the QuentinCaps font to for "Holmes Basic". This font is close to that of the original "Dungeons & Dragons" title (see https://www.kirith.com/tsr-fonts/), found in OD&D but also on the cover, title page and, importantly, the "Reference Tables" sheet of Holmes Basic. I figured that since I'm already recreating the feel by using Futura for the text, I might as go all the way.

Hola!

Hola! I'm new here, but I've been following the Zenopus Archives for several years now. this recent blog post should give some insight as to why I'm here. :)

Joe Dever author of the Lone Wolf gamebooks has passed away.

Joe Dever author of the Lone Wolf gamebooks has passed away. There were a few years in the 80s when I was really into these, I probably read the first 15 or so. I remember the first, Flight From Darkness, very well. Lots of memorable names: Kai / Magnakai Lord, Sommerland, Magnamund, Laumspur (healing potion).
http://www.lloydofgamebooks.com/2016/11/rip-joe-dever.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/dkAgi+(Lloyd+of+Gamebooks)&m=1

The original D2 now available in print-on-demand from WOTC!

The original D2 now available in print-on-demand from WOTC!
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/11/monochrome-d2-print-on-demand.html

New acquisition for my OD&D collection!

New acquisition for my OD&D collection!
TSR's Monster & Treasure Assortment, Set One: Levels One-Three (1977). These are all loose pages. Love the DCSIII artwork!

New 'Modular' column on Black Gate.

New 'Modular' column on Black Gate. This one is about T1. Nothing new, but a nice overview of the history of the module and its sequels.
https://www.blackgate.com/2016/11/29/modular-a-brand-new-column-and-about-t1-the-village-of-hommlet/

4-Armed Horror by Troy L. Hughes from 1977's Manual of Aurania

Andy Action wrote:

4-Armed Horror by Troy L. Hughes from 1977's Manual of Aurania

Interesting Q&A with Allen Hammack, former TSR editor and author, conducted by James Mishler & posted on his blog.

Interesting Q&A with Allen Hammack, former TSR editor and author, conducted by James Mishler & posted on his blog. Of note here, it mentions he worked on edited the Holmes Basic Set (likely the later printings/editions).
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/11/allen-hammack-q-with-james-mishler.html

Draft of a new version of the character sheet for Holmes Ref. Let meknow what you think.

Draft of a new version of the character sheet for Holmes Ref. Let me know what you think.

Had a wonderful time taking my 3 youngest kids and their cousin through the sample dungeon tonight.

Had a wonderful time taking my 3 youngest kids and their cousin through the sample dungeon tonight. Jeweled dagger in the catacombs killed off a character and it was awesome how well they reacted.

Inspired by Wayne Rossi, another 1970s California-native gaming set.Starting with the left column:

Inspired by Wayne Rossi, another 1970s California-native gaming set. Starting with the left column:
- The original Warlock rules printed in The Spartan #9 (#10 behind it has Thief ability charts)
- Warlock's Tower
- Instant Bad Guys
- The Warlock Menagerie (from 1980, but I'll slip it in here)
- The Complete Warlock
- Holmes Basic (naturally)
- The Manual of Aurania
- The Spellcaster's Bible (for a crazy variety of spells)
- Chaosium's All the World's Monsters volumes 1-3 (vol. 2 contains the Perrin Conventions)
- Booty and the Beasts (for high weirdness in monsters and treasures. I only have a facsimile copy, I'm afraid)

Missing from my collection: anything Arduin :(

#completewarlock

#completewarlock

Originally shared by Wayne Rossi

Am I the only one who is sometimes tempted to try running 1978 California D&D?

Nice round-up of OD&D links by EdOWar:

Nice round-up of OD&D links by EdOWar:
https://edowarsblog.wordpress.com/2016/11/23/odd-links/
https://edowarsblog.wordpress.com/2016/11/23/odd-links

New Holmes/OD&D campaign report by Demos Sachlas​ on DF.

New Holmes/OD&D campaign report by Demos Sachlas​ on DF. Starting G1. Also has links to prior reports if you missed them.
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=75703

Nothing too exciting in the print-on-demand new releases this week.

Nothing too exciting in the print-on-demand new releases this week. The oldest product is one of the 1992 Thunder Rift D&D Basic modules, Assault on Raven's Ruin. I like this product line (the last line of modules for D&D Basic), and they are good choice for print-on-demand since each module comes with fold-up-miniatures and a poster map for play. The miniatures are often missing in resale and drive the prices up. The pdf preview shows a nice scan but the stand-up minis and poster are not shown, so it's hard to judge how they will print. Also if the whole document is received bound you'll have to cut out page(s) to assemble to maps/minis.
https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?745901-D-amp-D-Classics-Thread-of-DOOM!&p=20612151#post20612151

I had a request for the Holmes Basic Character Creation Worksheet without line shading, so it could used better with...

I had a request for the Holmes Basic Character Creation Worksheet without line shading, so it could used better with a highlighter. It's now available:
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/11/character-creation-worksheet-without.html

FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE! needs your entries!

FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE! needs your entries!

The fan-sourced free fanzine needs your entries based on the art found in the "Holmes" basic edition. Earlier posts in this community can give you the details (or you can ask questions here).

Here are several sparks to jog your creativity...


Cover

• What's that wand?

• That shield has a dragon on it that looks kind of like the dragon in the scene. Connection?

• Is there any treasure there that is more than it might first appear to be?


Page 1 (title page)

• What spell is the magic-user casting? It doesn't seem to line up with any spell a "Holmes" wizard would be able to cast from the text.

• What's special about that band of orcs?


Page 3

• Stats for the humanoid or the mount.

• What is that region? Any unique features or history?


Page 16

• What's that staff?


Page 18

• Any special stats for that minotaur, or for that fighting man (as an NPC perhaps?)


Page 25

• Special Dwarven items, perhaps? Alternate Dwarf stats?


Page 27

• Truckin' Wizard stats as an NPC (something different than a PC magic-user?)? Gnoll tribe details?


Page 28

• Why are the harpies attacking? One or two are attacking with a bone; is that a magic item? or something else??


Page 29

• What would make a hydra encounter more than expected or what is it guarding so fiercely?


Page 30

• Manticore lore... Why is their favorite prey man? Have they always had a human face?


Page 32

• Why are those weapons left behind?


Page 36

• New magic sword idea? Does each do-dad have a different single-use power?


Page 38

• Crystal ball, or is it?

• What's in the bottle?

• Is that really poison?

• What's that wand?

• Is the skull alive, or is something living within it?

• Is that an ordinary candle?


Page 45

• Got a twist to invigorate a skeletons-in-sarcophagi encounter?

Half of a day (12 hours) to back the new hardcover edition of the Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea...

Half of a day (12 hours) to back the new hardcover edition of the Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea RPG by Jeff Talanian (member here). I'm a backer for a hard copy & wrote a blog post about the kickstarter.
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/11/astonishing-swordsmen-sorcerers-of.html

Watching a George Miller double feature tonight Babe (he cowrote and produced) followed by Fury Road.

Watching a George Miller double feature tonight Babe (he cowrote and produced) followed by Fury Road. Each movie features a character wearing a muzzle.

Cover-in-progress for the Holmes Art-Inspired Supplement Project...

Jon Wilson wrote:

Cover-in-progress for the Holmes Art-Inspired Supplement Project...

Haven't received any submissions yet. Do you need more time? Did you just forget? Something else?

Let's talk.

Also: another sample entry below...

I found this an entertaining read today: Johnn Four on Why Do You Love Dungeons?

I found this an entertaining read today: Johnn Four on Why Do You Love Dungeons?
https://roleplayingtips.com/campaigns/why-love-dungeons

Print on demand TSR modules! Still no Holmes Basic pdf yet, but hopefully the OD&D reprints will be POD soon.

Print on demand TSR modules! Still no Holmes Basic pdf yet, but hopefully the OD&D reprints will be POD soon.

Originally shared by Zenopus Archives

If you missed it yesterday, WOTC is starting to add a print-on-demand option to various pdf products available through DMsGuild.com
Limited selection right now, but more will be added each week.
Direct link for currently available: http://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?filters=45471_0_0_0_0_0_45547_0
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/11/tsr-print-on-demand.html

If you missed it yesterday, WOTC is starting to add a print-on-demand option to various pdf products available...

If you missed it yesterday, WOTC is starting to add a print-on-demand option to various pdf products available through DMsGuild.com
Limited selection right now, but more will be added each week.
Direct link for currently available: http://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?filters=45471_0_0_0_0_0_45547_0
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/11/tsr-print-on-demand.html

Today, a big thank you to the veterans among us!

Today, a big thank you to the veterans among us!
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2012/11/veterans-day-2012.html

D&D kinda WASN'T derived from war-games...

D&D kinda WASN'T derived from war-games...

NOTE: This is a link to a blog post and NOT a stand-alone graphic, so click and read the context!
http://pitsperilous.blogspot.com/

Do you use the Greyhawk Exceptional/Extraordinary Strength bonuses in your Holmes/OD&D games?

Do you use the Greyhawk Exceptional/Extraordinary Strength bonuses in your Holmes/OD&D games? See this thread on DF for discussion of this:
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=75579
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=75579

Thought this would be about Arduin, but actually it's an interesting fact about the etymology of wizard

Thought this would be about Arduin, but actually it's an interesting fact about the etymology of wizard
http://jrients.blogspot.com/2016/11/ard-times-for-mus.html?m=1

From the year of Holmes Basic, a forgotten Grinch sequel. Happy Halloween!

From the year of Holmes Basic, a forgotten Grinch sequel. Happy Halloween!

Originally shared by Zenopus Archives

The awesome yet now forgotten Grinch sequel from 1977. Written by Dr Seuss himself, and won an Emmy! Chock full of monsters & expands the Whoville setting of the original.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygSEkwRCQPM

The awesome yet now forgotten Grinch sequel from 1977.

The awesome yet now forgotten Grinch sequel from 1977. Written by Dr Seuss himself, and won an Emmy! Chock full of monsters & expands the Whoville setting of the original.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygSEkwRCQPM

Found this while cleaning the garage this weekend.

Theron Bretz wrote:

Found this while cleaning the garage this weekend.

Wikipedia has a List of Lists of Lists.

Wikipedia has a List of Lists of Lists. One is for D&D monsters. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lists_of_lists
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lists_of_lists

Rob Kuntz's new product, the El Raja Key Archive DVD (or flash drive) of over 1000 scanned maps & keys is now...

Rob Kuntz's new product, the El Raja Key Archive DVD (or flash drive) of over 1000 scanned maps & keys is now available via a new website: threelinestudio.com

Originally shared by Allan Grohe

Rob Kuntz's new company, Three Line Studio, is going live today with the launch of his El Raja Key Archive DVD: The Collected Maps, Manuscripts & RPG Artifacts of Robert J. Kuntz!

Details @ http://lakegenevaoriginalrpg.blogspot.com/2016/10/three-line-studiothree-little-books_26.html and http://www.threelinestudio.com
http://www.threelinestudio.com

Greetings, I'm sure this has been discussed before - so all apologies...How many different versions (more fleshed...

Greetings, I'm sure this has been discussed before - so all apologies...How many different versions (more fleshed out, added to) of Sample dungeon/Tower of Zenopus have been done up and posted or printed in various places. And does anyone have any links...thanks! Was thinking of running such a thing as a one shot over Halloween.

A photo of a collection of all of the games reviewed in Holmes' 1981book, Fantasy Role Playing Games.

A photo of a collection of all of the games reviewed in Holmes' 1981 book, Fantasy Role Playing Games.

Originally shared by Shawn Sanford

1000 Bonus Geek Points to whomever can identify the significance of this collection of games. James Maliszewski , Will Douglas , and Doyle Tavener  are disqualified, and may not give hints!!!

Giant Crabs: a must in every Holmes inspired setting.

Giant Crabs: a must in every Holmes inspired setting.
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2013/05/holmes-harryhausen-tribute.html

Originally shared by Alex Schroeder

Did I skip the Giant Crab? 🦀 I was never a friend of giant crabs. But I ran Darkness Beneath, those upper levels in Fight On! magazine with the crab cultists and Garaskis the sea mother or whatever she was – that was great. They are all part of my campaigns, now.
Also, those giant crabs in Mouse Guard are awesome! https://goo.gl/images/FlPJ3m
https://campaignwiki.org/wiki/Halberds%C2%A0and%C2%A0Helmets/Crab%2c_Giant

Ebay Holmes British GW blue book

Ebay Holmes British GW blue book

I want this but may well be outbid

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152285432113?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIThttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152285432113?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152285432113?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIThttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152285432113?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Tolkien's "Beren and Luthien" story to be published in stand alone format next year, edited by Christopher Tolkien...

Tolkien's "Beren and Luthien" story to be published in stand alone format next year, edited by Christopher Tolkien and fully illustrated by Alan Lee. Per a Harpercollins press release, as found on the Too Many Books blog (Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull, who have written many annotated Tolkien books)
https://wayneandchristina.wordpress.com/2016/10/19/beren-and-luthien/

Playing the perhaps last game of a six year, 110+ session AD&D campaign tonight.

Playing the perhaps last game of a six year, 110+ session AD&D campaign tonight. One original player moves out of town later this month, so we may retire the PCs. The campaign set in Greyhawk has been centered around a single module, T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil. We hope to finally defeat the Temple forces tonight.

FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE!

FANTASTIC! EXCITING! IMAGINATIVE!
The "Basic" Art-Inspired Supplement Project


The goal of this project is to compile as many alternate stats and encounter ideas as possible based on the art from the JEH edited edition of The World's Most Famous Roleplaying Game, and to publish these in zine-format for free. In short, the aim is to create a compendium anyone can use to populate and enhance their Holmes-based adventure games!

Contributors! Base your work on any illustration from any published variant of the Basic rules, be that a printing variation or non-U.S. edition. This would either be all-new game stats for who or what is featured in the illustration (everyone that is depicted or just one creature) OR an idea for a creatively unique roleplaying encounter featuring the illustrated creature. To do both of those things for the same illustration would be two contributions (and perfectly welcome).

There is no need to ask what has already been done — for example, there are many bands of orcs, so 'duplication' should be no issue. If one person's minotaur encounter doesn't thrill a DM, maybe another's will... Write up what it most excites you to share!

Contributions should include the edition date for U.S. printings (e.g., Dec '79), or the Nation of Origin for other editions (and if there are variations thereof[?], then please include the year as well), along with the page number of the illustration that inspired the entry. Contributions should not exceed 500 words (but I don't expect to be draconian about that; but please keep your entries concise). [For quick reference, this entire proposal is about 500 words.]

New drawings inspired by the originals are also welcome. I will be providing a cover image and whatever any art we are short. If you've got a variant harpy attack rattling in your brain, or an alternate vision of a wizard bumping into gnolls, let's see it! Just remember the zine format (8.5" x 5.5") is smaller than the original book we're inspired by when creating your art.

I will do my best as editor to include everything submitted. I hope it will be as little as possible, but I may need to wave my editorial pen here and there; were there 15 variant illustrations of page 36, they may not all get in...

The resultant pdf when completed will be readily available from whatever pdf sources it winds up in/at (a google drive file linked in this community? RPGnow? elsewhere?).


TIMELINE

December 10th — Last Day to submit an article

December 20th — Last Day for art

January — Finalizing Layout and adding finishing touches

February — This Beast is let loose into the Wilds...


Note: The current title for the project — Fantastic! Exciting! Imaginative! — is taken from the first line of Holmes' description of the game, right there in his Introduction. There is probably a better title out there, drawn directly from the words of the good Doctor, and if you've spotted it, please let me know!

Had a great time at #tridentcon III this past Saturday!

Had a great time at #tridentcon III this past Saturday!

I was only made it for Saturday, but went to all three sessions.

My big accomplishment was running a con game for the first time, an OD&D adaptation of Corsairs of Tallibar by Judges Guild (1982). For a full table of 8 inc Paul Aparicio Eric Hoffman & his brother Kurt. I used the #holmesref sheets plus a new set of 3rd level pre-gens (coming soon). The group played well and finished the ~30 room dungeon just as the 4 hours were up, finding the pirate's treasure. I started the day with a sore throat and lost my voice by the end of the game. It's mostly back to normal as of today...

In the morning Larry Hollis introduced me to the world of Atomic Robo (FATE), along with John Appel and a Pathfinder-Card-Game kid Larry recruited. The setting reminded me of Agent Carter, investigating weird science just after WWII. The adventure, an original, had us exploring a deserted installation on a volcanic island in the South Pacific.

After dinner Charley Phipps ran nine of us including Paul and Rich McKee thru the first tournament section of I1 Dwellers of the Forbidden City, using the official pre-gens. I was Hieroman, 1/2 E Druid. I always loved this module but luckily hadn't read it in years. The party was successful until we ran out of time just as we were pursuing a Yuan-Ti into the city.

Zeb Cook was the special guest, and ran an improv D&D game that my friend Scott played in along with Noah Stevens. I talked to Zeb briefly and had him to sign a copy of A1 Slave Pits of the Undercity, joining those of cover artist Jeff Dee, interior artist Diesel and editor Frank Mentzer.

Thanks to Erik Jensen for much labor in organizing this con for us!

Detail from the Darlene Greyhawk map that appeared in the module WG11.

Detail from the Darlene Greyhawk map that appeared in the module WG11. Good slice of the map as it has Greyhawk, Maure Castle and Hommlet would be on the western edge of the Gnarley. Plus, Gary once suggested putting the Keep on the Borderlands on the edge of the Pomarj (Ulek would then be "The Realm"), so this map could serve as a larger area map for both B2 and T1. https://sites.google.com/site/zenopusarchives/home/modules-and-scenarios/b2-keep-on-the-borderlands/gygax-on-b2

Originally shared by Andy Action

Wild Coast & Woolly Bay B&W map from WG11 Puppets - at least something good came from this adventure!

For fun, today's blog entry has "Basic Stats" as well as the usual stuff.

For fun, today's blog entry has "Basic Stats" as well as the usual stuff. So if you need any Undead Lizardmen for a Halloween game, or a normal game, or a not-normal game, here you go.

I've had a request for an electronic copy of the Holmes Manuscript, which reminded me that I'd meant to release it...

I've had a request for an electronic copy of the Holmes Manuscript, which reminded me that I'd meant to release it (privately to interested parties, such as everyone here) after finishing the series. Billy Galaxy (owner of the actual document) said that was fine with him. I put it aside for two reasons:
(1) File size. Billy sent it to me as 138 jpg images, which I put together into a pdf. But it came out to be 175 MB. I seem to have later re-saved it at 37.8 MB (probably using my mac). But I'm still not sure if that's optimal.
(2) Page 67 is missing from the final draft of the manuscript. I now have a copy of the missing material from an earlier draft, and I've made a nice re-creation of the missing page as a one-page pdf. I need to insert this page into the pdf. I used to have a pdf editor but I think I deleted it at some point.
I thought I'd check with the group here and see if anyone here has more experience with optimizing/editing pdfs?

I DM'd my Holmes/OD&D group through the Gen Con IX Dungeons this past summer.

I DM'd my Holmes/OD&D group through the Gen Con IX Dungeons this past summer. Although designed for intermediate to high levels (part 1 for levels 6-8, and part 2 for levels 8-10) the dungeons could be pilfered for ideas to suit an expanded Holmes campaign.

Linked below is my review on Dragonsfoot, for those who wish to know more about this obscure tournament scenario.
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=75329&sid=9031f511b9c0297c34579524439222a1

Kickstarter for new printing of Swords & Wizardry with all new artwork.

Kickstarter for new printing of Swords & Wizardry with all new artwork. Interior text has a few just s few revisions/extras, and still cites the "1978 Holmes Blue Book" for "Alternate Combat Sequence Method #2". New monster illustrations by Gennifer Bone.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/froggodgames/swords-and-wizardry-complete-rulebook-3rd-printing

Here we go, the FULL and somewhat complete Hirst Arts/ Dwarven Forge recreation of the Tower of Zenopus!

Here we go, the FULL and somewhat complete Hirst Arts/ Dwarven Forge recreation of the Tower of Zenopus! http://thedicearealie.blogspot.com/2016/10/tower-of-zenopus-full-map-and-overview.html

New blog post on the orc tribes of Castle Greyhawk and early D&D in general.

New blog post on the orc tribes of Castle Greyhawk and early D&D in general. This grew out of some CG discussions on ODD74 and K&KA.

http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/10/gygaxian-orc-tribes.html
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/10/gygaxian-orc-tribes.html

For October Dyson Logos revisits his illuminated Monster Manual series.

For October Dyson Logos revisits his illuminated Monster Manual series.

Originally shared by Dyson Logos

Last year I tried my hand at #Drawlloween  and made it about half-way through the month before I became overwhelmed and lost track. (Which is typical of many projects I take on... if I can't finish it in a week, who knows when it will get done.)

So this year I decided to run with the #Inktober  crowd instead and instead of using any theme lists or other things, I'm going to use it to get 31 pages of my defaced Monster Manual finished.

So on this first day of Inktober, I present to you Page 46 of the 1977 AD&D1e Monster Manual.

Perhaps the origin of Fighting Men?

Denis McCarthy wrote:

Perhaps the origin of Fighting Men?

Last year I tried my hand at #Drawlloween and made it about half-way through the month before I became overwhelmed...

Last year I tried my hand at #Drawlloween  and made it about half-way through the month before I became overwhelmed and lost track. (Which is typical of many projects I take on... if I can't finish it in a week, who knows when it will get done.)

So this year I decided to run with the #Inktober  crowd instead and instead of using any theme lists or other things, I'm going to use it to get 31 pages of my defaced Monster Manual finished.

So on this first day of Inktober, I present to you Page 46 of the 1977 AD&D1e Monster Manual.

Today is #davearnesonday (anniversary of his birthday).

Today is #davearnesonday (anniversary of his birthday). Linked below is a post I made for his birthday five years ago with a mash-up image of his First Fantasy Campaign and the Holmes Basic Cover.
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2011/10/blackmoor-blue-book.html

Courtesy Havard's blog, a trailer for an upcoming documentary based around Dave Arneson and his original D&D group:

I have the maroon t-shirt with the cover art.

I have the maroon t-shirt with the cover art. I wore it to my FLGS this past wknd and got some compliments. Are these shirts still available does anyone know? My friend was wanting one. Thanks if anyone has info or link. Last time I remember they maybe only had S or M left but I don't recall where I got it from

Here is a slightly oddball question.

Here is a slightly oddball question.

What are your favourite Holmes-style adventures which aren't dungeons?

That is: in your opinion, are there any adventure modules out there which apply the ideas and elements of Holmes-era D&D outside dungeon exploration?

Re-sharing this post from yesterday for the Holmes Basic crowd:

Re-sharing this post from yesterday for the Holmes Basic crowd:

Originally shared by Zenopus Archives

Romantic landscape artist Thomas Cole as DM. Inspired by Joseph Manola #romanticism
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/09/thomas-cole-dm.html

Games Workshop (UK) Holmes Basic Book (1977) - cover artwork by John Blanche, page 45 artwork by Fangorn.

Games Workshop (UK) Holmes Basic Book (1977) - cover artwork by John Blanche, page 45 artwork by Fangorn.
https://www.acaeum.com/ddind…/setpages/foreign/basicfor.html

"Isle of the Abbey" by Randy Maxwell was originally published in Dungeon magazine #34 (March/April 1992) for 4-6...

"Isle of the Abbey" by Randy Maxwell was originally published in Dungeon magazine #34 (March/April 1992) for 4-6 characters of levels 1-3. It was also featured as the cover illustration for that issue.

Although written in the Rules Cyclopedia era, the adventure is a self-declared homage to the blue book. The author only used rules, monsters, and magical items from the Basic Set (Mentzer or the black box) but I took it a step further and performed a Holmes edit (attached).

You'll notice a B1/B2 feel to the font and layout. I also included some players maps near the end. The best part? All you'll need is your copy of Holmes to run this adventure. Enjoy!
https://3f932073-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/holmesgrimoire/IsleoftheAbbeyforHolmes.pdf?attachauth=ANoY7cr4w8xNRJORP9QhExHR6wYVRApfg-jAgoWit90VbDjIzUSYlQvXJrFZZRigpbtk6L0oXtV3LydZe0dIxuibst0zls3Zo3LEcFiPcrgfE9W4Fahr_RmorGmgoE1uXYOYf5-hVWibiJh0TFahAiIVZGUkgzXziT2E_S1UZFeyjVDJwOgJBFYCqCt6zJlEHJ9vy1VRgKSNyqMkQv6IGugWbYsZxSpJ9frGzreXXrw-PoZzSlWpj40%3D&attredirects=0

A fun What-If on the Against the Wicked City blog: "If Romantic-Era Artists Ran D&D Campaigns"

The first session in my Hirst Arts/ Tower of Zenopus recreation is in the can, and you can read about it here:...

The first session in my Hirst Arts/ Tower of Zenopus recreation is in the can, and you can read about it here: http://thedicearealie.blogspot.com/2016/09/ruins-of-zenopus-session-05.html

So last night I ran my #tridentcon adaptation of Corsairs of Tallibar (Judges Guild) for my regular game group.

So last night I ran my #tridentcon adaptation of Corsairs of Tallibar (Judges Guild) for my regular game group. Used #holmesref as my rules reference during the game (had Holmes Basic & the Monster Manual handy as well). It was fun & handy, as it forced me to get organized well in advance of the con & showed that I'm still using too much material for the 4 hour time slot.

Evocative Player's Map showing the way to Quasqueton, as mentioned in the module text, by austinjimm on the K&KA.

Evocative Player's Map showing the way to Quasqueton, as mentioned in the module text, by austinjimm on the K&KA.
http://knights-n-knaves.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?p=221884#p221884

Hirst Arts Sample Dungeon

Room B

Room B

Room D

Room F

Room H

Room J

Room M

Captcorajus wrote:

Well, I'm 95% Done with my 'Tower of Zenopus' Hirst arts dungeon. Of course, its not an EXACT recreation. Table space, and the number of actual pieces I have preclude that, but I have tried to maintain the core layout, and themes. Gone are the 'empty' rooms. The thaumaturgist in room F is now a Necromancer... which makes sense due to the catacombs, and Room B now is the 'guard room' for room F. The 'Charmed' smuggler has been changed into a zombie under the necromancer's control. The tower rooms of S1 and S2 have been combined into a single room, and yes, I have an ape in a cage!!

I altered Room J just a bit, to include a 'Mimic' treasure chest, so that the spider and the mimic sort of 'work together'.

Zenopus note --- See more here: https://thedicearealie.blogspot.com/2016/10/tower-of-zenopus-full-map-and-overview.html

Here is a question for the community:

Here is a question for the community:

How much monetary treasure would you expect to carry out of the dungeon on the average while playing Holmes-scaled characters (1st to 3rd level; the system I am using goes up to 6th)? Where would you draw the line between "this was a bad haul", "this was OK", and "this was more than we expected"?

I have a hunch I may be a bit too tight-fisted, and would like to know how much do you think is too little and too much.

Let's assume a party of 3-4 PCs with an average of two followers each.

1981 TSR UK flier that I've never seen before. Uses the TSR Face Logo. Some fun quotes:

1981 TSR UK flier that I've never seen before. Uses the TSR Face Logo. Some fun quotes:

"Welcome to a world where the Fantastic is Fact"

"The game that begins where others end"

"The D&D game does not belong to this world because it is a game where the imagination reigns supreme".

Plus a usage of the term "Fighting Man" - generally not seen anymore by 1981.

Originally shared by Paul Vermeren

A promotional leaflet from TSR UK, circa 1981, that I find fascinating. "...success depends on how wholeheartedly you throw yourself into the role."

I really like TSR UK stuff.
https://classicdndartwork.tumblr.com/post/149886413476/scan-of-1981-dd-promotional-leaflet-from-tsr-uk

Please welcome Gabor Lux (aka Melan on forums), author of a number of adventures for Fight On!

Please welcome Gabor Lux (aka Melan on forums), author of a number of adventures for Fight On! and other publications, and who has a new blog, Beyond Fomalhaut.
http://beyondfomalhaut.blogspot.com/

Monster Face Bookmark.

Monster Face Bookmark. Another one from the scanning backlog. This one was drawn in a blue ink pen I was using for a while.

Just thought I let you all know about a little project I've been working on.

Just thought I let you all know about a little project I've been working on. Been working with Hirst Arts dungeon pieces, and am putting together a 3d dungeon of Holme's Tower of Zenopus. Pics will follow!!

1979 D&D Article in Games Magazine

Tony Rowe wrote:

I tracked down this intro to D&D article by Jon Freeman in the September/October 1979 issue of GAMES magazine. Freeman wrote The Playboy Winner's Guide to Board Games (expanded from the earlier A Player's Guide to Table Games). The dungeon at the end of the article is designed by Freeman and Jeff Johnson, Freeman's co-creator of the Temple of Apshai computer game published by Epyx (also founded by Freeman). Freeman later teamed up with his wife, Anne Westfall, to found Free Fall Associates (Freeman + Westfall = Free Fall). With Paul Reiche III (GW1: Legion of Gold, Booty and the Beasts, The Necromican) they created the fantastic action/strategy game ARCHON in 1983.

Zenopus note: I added a bunch of links to the people/items mentioned in Tony's excellent summary

Info on Tridentcon

Info on Tridentcon

Originally shared by Zenopus Archives

If you are in the DC/Baltimore area, consider attending Tridentcon 3 on Columbus Day weekend (Oct 8-9) in Severna Park, MD. Organized by Erik Jensen this con has both old & new school games. I'll be running an OD&D game in the afternoon on Sat. There are also games by other G+ers Eric Hoffman James Spahn Noah Stevens Humza K Pearce Shea Charley Phipps Reynaldo Madriñan Larry Hollis. The full game schedule can be seen on Warhorn (link below). #tridentcon  
https://warhorn.net/events/tridentcon-2016/schedule/2016/10/08

Jeff Talanian posted about this a few months ago, & I asked if I could post about it on my blog.

Jeff Talanian posted about this a few months ago, & I asked if I could post about it on my blog. After some delay, here is the promised post.
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/09/jeff-talanian-on-holmes-basic.html

Welcome Chris Holmes

Please welcome Chris Holmes​ to the Holmes Basic G+ group!

Working on my Corsairs of Tallibar ( #judgesguild ) adaptationfor #tridentcon

Working on my Corsairs of Tallibar ( #judgesguild ) adaptation for #tridentcon . The difficulty is paring this 45-page page adventure down to the 4 hour convention slot.  The dungeon alone has over 70 rooms, and they are very descriptive with regard to the decaying contents of the previously inhabited rooms; I think this was influenced by the description of the stronghold in B1 In Search of the Unknown.

Here's the teaser for my #tridentcon OD&D game.

Here's the teaser for my #tridentcon OD&D game. The first paragraph is from the module summary (with slight editing):
"The Corsairs of Tallibar were one of the most feared bands of pirates that ever sailed the Nydar Sea, but years have passed since any captain has quailed at the sight of that dreaded band at his bow. Were they defeated in some unknown battle or swallowed up by the sea?

On a previous adventure you found a map supposedly showing the location of the Corsairs' secret stronghold on an uncharted tropical island. Having braved sea and jungle, you now stand before the long-hidden entrance to their fortress. Is their treasure hoard still hidden within?

Corsairs of Tallibar is a low-level adventure written by Mike Wilson and published by Judges Guild in 1982 in a generic FRPG format, and will be run at TridentCon using the original Dungeons & Dragons rules from 1974, with some additions from the Greyhawk supplement and the original Basic Set."
https://warhorn.net/events/tridentcon-2016/schedule/2016/10/08

Collected some information on the supposed "Holmes Witch".

Collected some information on the supposed "Holmes Witch".
http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/2016/09/in-search-of-holmes-witch.html

Tonight I sketched an unofficial logo for the upcoming Trident Con.

Tonight I sketched an unofficial logo for the upcoming Trident Con. The creature is Chessie, the Chesapeake Bay monster. #tridentcon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chessie_(sea_monster)

The Man-Dragon Sage of the Chemical Wastes.

The Man-Dragon Sage of the Chemical Wastes. Another one from a while back; catching up on a scanning backlog. #ballpointpenart

A Wizard with a Jewel in Her Skull.

From the Archives: A Wizard with a Jewel in Her Skull. Drawn in ball point pen on the margin of my newspaper. #ballpointpenart #marginalia

An interesting challenge from Christopher Mennell: Make this drawing ofmine into a map.

An interesting challenge from Christopher Mennell: Make this drawing of mine into a map. He did an awesome job of coloring it.

Originally shared by Christopher Mennell

OKAY GOOGLE HIVEMIND:

Here is a drawing by Zach H that I asked if I could take it and turn it into a map. Zach agreed, and then I turned the image over to Christian Kessler to break up the picture into colored regions.

Now I'd like to fill each area in, like a hex crawl.

And then I thought, "Why not have people on Google do it?"

So Google: pick a numbered/colored region, pick one of the images, and describe what it represents.

Note: The castle at the center is underwater.

Have fun!

A new drawing built from monster faces.

A new drawing built from monster faces.
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/08/monster-face-montage.html

DM David with an interesting post on "lonely fun" and how its demise altered RPG publishing.

DM David with an interesting post on "lonely fun" and how its demise altered RPG publishing.
http://dmdavid.com/tag/how-the-end-of-lonely-fun-lead-to-todays-trickle-of-dd-books

A new drawing, made in pencil

A new drawing, made in pencil

Nonaris (No-Nose)

Nonaris (No-Nose)

Corsairs of Tallibar to be run at Tridentcon

I was planning on running the Zenopus dungeon at #tridentcon but since the theme is Tropical Terrors I thought I could do better. So I decided to adapt an obscure #judgesguild module called Corsairs of Tallibar. I wrote about it once: http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2013/09/talk-like-corsair.html?m=1
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2013/09/talk-like-corsair.html?m=1

The "lost" witch of Holmes Basic was mentioned on the Old School FRP tumblr today.

The "lost" witch of Holmes Basic was mentioned on the Old School FRP tumblr today.

Originally shared by Paul Vermeren

Evidence that a witch "subclass" was originally slated to appear in AD&D. It's interesting to think about what subsequent versions (and spinoffs) of AD&D would have been like with an additional class in the mix. Were any of the witch classes that appeared in Dragon written by Gygax?
http://oldschoolfrp.tumblr.com/post/149705739402/from-the-1977-blue-book-basic-dd-rules-which-j

DM best practices compiled by Chris Kutalik​ and Alex Schroeder

DM best practices compiled by Chris Kutalik​ and Alex Schroeder

Originally shared by Alex Schroeder

A 50-page PDF and Kindle compilation of GM best practices by a host of OSR early bloggers, from 2011, collected by Chris Kutalik. Download here: http://hillcantons.blogspot.ch/2011/08/now-playing-at-free-download-near-you.html

My own "wisdom" is in this blogpost: https://alexschroeder.ch/wiki/2011-08-20_Building_a_Better_GM
https://alexschroeder.ch/wiki/2011-08-20_Building_a_Better_GM

If you are in the DC/Baltimore area, consider attending Tridentcon 3 on Columbus Day weekend (Oct 8-9) in Severna...

If you are in the DC/Baltimore area, consider attending Tridentcon 3 on Columbus Day weekend (Oct 8-9) in Severna Park, MD. Organized by Erik Jensen, this con has both old & new school games. I'll be running an OD&D game in the afternoon on Sat. There are also games by other members here Eric Hoffman James Spahn Noah Stevens Humza K Pearce Shea Charley Phipps plus Reynaldo Madrinan & Larry Hollis. The full game schedule can be seen on Warhorn (link below). #tridentcon
https://warhorn.net/events/tridentcon-2016

"If the referee has put a lot of work into the creation of some of hismonster characters [such as] Cordan the space...

"If the referee has put a lot of work into the creation of some of his monster characters [such as] Cordan the space pirate and his faster-than-light raiders in the space cutter Razor's Edge - he may find it difficult to stand by while the players slaughter them and plunder their ... asteroid bases" (pg 41, Holmes' FRPG book) #holmesinspace

From Holmes' FRPG book: "A player character sitting in the SpaceportCantina does not overlook a slighting remark...

From Holmes' FRPG book: "A player character sitting in the Spaceport Cantina does not overlook a slighting remark from the cat-man at the next table. His hand drops to the handle of his laser pistol. "When you say that, stranger, smile so your whiskers stick out!" (pg 23) #holmesinspace

Speaking of Holmes in space, I've been working on this.

Speaking of Holmes in space, I've been working on this.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-hlnlR7qn5XQlhpWE9JN0xjak0

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-hlnlR7qn5XQlhpWE9JN0xjak0

Holmes in Space cover mock-up

All this talk about #HolmesinSpace  reminded me that I fooled around with a Blue Star idea a couple of years ago for a little game I put together. I like Zach H's inclusion of more Lovecraft.

Cool flag for #HolmesInSpace (just coined that)

Cool flag for #HolmesInSpace (just coined that)

Originally shared by Moody Moose

The Galactic Flag of our Solar System.

Possibly where Haddock picked up his "Billions of bilious blueblistering barnacles" expression... #cthulhu

Possibly where Haddock picked up his "Billions of bilious blue blistering barnacles" expression... #cthulhu

Originally shared by Mark Hunt

I would so read this!

Xerxez on odd74 with a new Holmes game report.

Xerxez on odd74 with a new Holmes game report. He's also the author of the Nuromen dungeon for Blueholme. #sessionreport
http://jennerak.blogspot.com/2016/08/blue-book-dungeons-and-dragons-with-kids.html?m=1

#cross-section

#cross-section

Originally shared by Rodger Thorm

This is inspired by — and trying to replicate — old mining maps and geologic sections that used colors, as well as patterns, to show the different layers.  And, of course, there are all kinds of passages and wandering bits through it to make it moderately…
http://rthorm.wordpress.com/2016/08/13/final-trollbrucke

Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier kickstarter has funded.

Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier kickstarter has funded. 4 days left to get in. $35 +shipping for a print copy. The author confirmed it will include a pic of The Demogorgon from Stranger Things.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1155053944/the-fantastic-worlds-of-grenadier
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1155053944/the-fantastic-worlds-of-grenadier

More Holmes monster groupings by JD Jarvis:

More Holmes monster groupings by JD Jarvis:
http://aeonsnaugauries.blogspot.com/2016/08/more-holmes-era-monsters.html?m=1
http://aeonsnaugauries.blogspot.com/2016/08/more-holmes-era-monsters.html?m=1

The accidental poor production of the earliest RPGs was absolutely central to the hobby's greatness, or so we argue...

Originally shared by Olde House Rules

The accidental poor production of the earliest RPGs was absolutely central to the hobby's greatness, or so we argue here...

Did anyone here ever buy The Temple of Golthana?

Tony Rowe wrote:

Did anyone here ever buy The Temple of Golthana? (posting to a few communities, so pardon any duplication in your feeds)

This indie-published adventure was advertised in the back of Dragon #93 (Jan. 1985). Here, we see the "Mad Goddess," what looks like a medusa with teenage girl's locket around her neck.

By coincidence, I was on a cross-country drive with my uncle that same summer and I convinced him to stop at this address to visit RAVENSTORM PRODUCTIONS, what my 12-year-old assumed would be a professional game studio. Of course, it was just some guy's house. The owner talked to me about how he and some friends published the adventure but any remaining copies were in storage and that he'd have to mail me one. He never did and I've wondered about this adventure ever since.

Does anybody have an further information on this lost adventure?

JD Jarvis at Aeons & Augauries takes a look at the selection of monsters in Holmes Basic:...

JD Jarvis at Aeons & Augauries takes a look at the selection of monsters in Holmes Basic: http://aeonsnaugauries.blogspot.com/2016/08/holmes-monster-selection.html

A kickstarter for an expanded edition of a book covering the history of Grenadier. 10 days left.

A kickstarter for an expanded edition of a book covering the history of Grenadier. 10 days left.
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/08/fantastic-worlds-of-grenadier.html

Weresharks! No use running from these guys, they're gonna catch you ...

Weresharks! No use running from these guys, they're gonna catch you ...

"The Demogorgon" as featured in Stranger Things in its original packaging.

"The Demogorgon" as featured in Stranger Things in its original packaging. Grenadier, 1984, #321 - DEMON. Photo by Allan Grohe
https://www.acaeum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?cache=1&p=260467&c=1#p260467

Rob Kuntz will soon be releasing a DVD called "El Raja Key Archive" with scans of ~1,100 of his notes for D&D...

Rob Kuntz will soon be releasing a DVD called "El Raja Key Archive" with scans of ~1,100 of his notes for D&D adventures from the 70s onward (6.8 GB). Rob was a co-DM (with Gygax) of Castle Greyhawk in the 70s; hopefully this will include some of his CG material.

Originally shared by Rob Kuntz

El Raja Key Archive Sample Image
"The Mound" &" Ruins of Seer" Adoined Super Adventure This is from the "Ruins of Seer" a massive Greyhawk Adventure I had written BitD (1983-1985) and that was never published due to TSR's inimical stance with Gary and myself and the marginalization of Grey...

In case anyone wondered, I did not die. Here is an interim post while I work on more 3D.

In case anyone wondered, I did not die. Here is an interim post while I work on more 3D.

http://crierofkemen.blogspot.com/2016/08/elven-exotica.html

I believe Mike Carr has attended every Gen Con since 1968.

I believe Mike Carr has attended every Gen Con since 1968. Here is a photo from this year by Jon Peterson of him playing in his annual Fight in the Skies (aka Dawn Patrol).

Originally shared by Jon Peterson

Mike Carr playing Fight in the Skies at Gen Con - on the far right in both real life today and in the sepia picture from 1968. Gen Con has gotten a little bigger since then.

Investigative reporter Timrod follows a lead on one source of another classic low-level D&D module:

Investigative reporter Timrod follows a lead on one source of another classic low-level D&D module:

http://unfrozencavemandicechucker.blogspot.com/2016/07/sinister-source-material-of-saltmarsh.html

If you haven't heard, the original PLANET OF THE APES movie (1968) is back in select theatres tomorrow (and Wed),...

If you haven't heard, the original PLANET OF THE APES movie (1968) is back in select theatres tomorrow (and Wed), presented by Turner Classic Movies. 2 PM and 7 PM here, check your local listings.

http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/07/simian-conquest-2016.html
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2016/07/simian-conquest-2016.html

"HOPELESS CHARACTERS"

"HOPELESS CHARACTERS"
Sometimes the universe of chance allows a character to appear who is below average in everything. At the Dungeon Master's discretion, such a character might be declared unsuitable for dangerous adventures and left at home. Another character would then be rolled to take his place. There is enough chance in the dungeon encounters, however, that sometimes a character like this will survive and advance to a position of power and importance.

Originally shared by Jez Gordon

What's the term for a D&D character who's total ability modifiers is less than zero?