Three great things in this podcast episode:

Three great things in this podcast episode:
1. We learn Laura Hickman was the first of the pair to play D&D.
2. We lean Tracy Hickman's first D&D was the Holmes box set.
3. Tracy and Laura Hickman talk about developing the I6 Ravenloft module and more.

The Hickman's interview starts about halfway in.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/plot-points/id768952889?mt=2&i=1000361457863
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/plot-points/id768952889?mt=2&i=1000361457863

Jon Peterson's latest on D&D history, including the original combat algorithm.

Jon Peterson's latest on D&D history, including the original combat algorithm. Two new glimpses of Gygax's pre-publication draft, "Guidon D&D", including an earlier version of the combat table.

http://playingattheworld.blogspot.com/2018/09/why-did-armor-class-descend-from-9-to-2.html

Armor class 2 originally meant two increments of 1-20, i.e. a 10% chance of being hit by a first level fighter!

Armor class 2 originally meant two increments of 1-20, i.e. a 10% chance of being hit by a first level fighter!

Originally shared by Jon Peterson

Why did armor class in original D&D descend from 9 to 2 instead of increasing as it gets better? The answer is spelled out in the first draft of D&D: if you were a first-level fighter rolling to hit, the number you needed was equivalent to 20 minus the armor class of your target.

Per Luke Gygax, the Gary Con dice this year will be a tribute to the original D&D dice...!

Per Luke Gygax, the Gary Con dice this year will be a tribute to the original D&D dice...!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/58339157369/permalink/10156772102037370/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/58339157369/permalink/10156772102037370/

Gygax tribute mini from Bear Miniatures. h/t Mark Hunt

Gygax tribute mini from Bear Miniatures. h/t Mark Hunt
This is a painted version of the unpainted resin mini. Unfortunately appears to be out-of-stock. edit: unpainted mini appears to be metal, see video below.

https://www.bearsheadminis.com/store/p35/Games_Knight._Dungeon_Master_miniature..html

Bigfoot for Holmes Basic

Tristan Tanner wrote:

Unlike most of the other cryptids so far, this one is the most modified from its original source material. While I have read an article and seen theories from bigfoot enthusiasts claiming the being may be extradimensional, the connection to the Dimensional Shambler is wholly my own, and may not fit for the typical game. In such a case where a more mundane bigfoot is desired, simply use the combat statistics of a bugbear, but with 2 claws and a bite attack, dealing 1-4 damage and 1-6 damage respectively.

https://bogeymanscave.blogspot.com/2018/09/bigfoot-for-holmes-basic.html

The Mad Gasser of Mattoon and the Mongolian Death Worm for Holmes Basic

Tristan Tanner wrote:

Two creatures that are completely unrelated, aside from maybe some relation to poison/venom. The death worm is more suited for a more typical D&D scenario, though the Phantom Anesthetist would be an interesting monster to prowl the streets of Portown by night.

https://bogeymanscave.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-mad-gasser-of-mattoon-and-mongolian.html

Scott Mob started a "Do you own a Holmes box set" poll/thread over on ODD74.

Scott Mob started a "Do you own a Holmes box set" poll/thread over on ODD74. The poll options are Yes, Nyet, or Just the rulebook, no box. Feel free to answer here or there.

http://odd74.proboards.com/thread/13154/own-holmes-box-set
(you need to be a member and logged in to see this part of the board now)
http://odd74.proboards.com/thread/13154/own-holmes-box-set

The Hopkinsville Goblins for Holmes Basic

Tristan Tanner wrote:

The original "Little Green Men" that allegedly terrorized a small farm in Kentucky during the August of 1955. I'd think they'd work well in a small, somewhat humorous scenario, where the adventurers are hired to help protect a farm house that is being invaded by these odd creatures.

https://bogeymanscave.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-hopkinsville-goblins.html

A new photo for the photo gallery --- the oldest one yet, from his senior HS yearbook.

The Flatwoods Monster for Holmes Basic

Tristan Tanner wrote:

A meteor crashed down into the nearby woods, and there has been an unearthly pungent mist around the crash site. Local kids in the area who went to take a look, report seeing two glowing eyes, peering at them from the woods...

https://bogeymanscave.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-flatwoods-monster-for-holmes-basic.html

April 1976 Gygax Correspondence

April 1976 Gygax correspondence posted on the Acaeum (with the recipient's info redacted). Dig the Lizard Logo letterhead!

Read more here -
https://www.acaeum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?cache=1&p=293693&c=1#p293693

The Jersey/Leeds Devil for Holmes Basic

Tristan Tanner wrote:

As per the request of Chris Holmes, I present the Jersey/Leeds Devil for Holmes basic!

https://bogeymanscave.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-jerseyleeds-devil-for-holmes-basic.html

The Chupacabra for Holmes Basic

Tristan Tanner wrote:

The ranchers near Portown have been finding their livestock dead, with puncture wounds in their necks and their bodies drained of blood. Most believe it to be the work of a cult, while others think it is the work of juvenile delinquents. A few, older, more superstitious townsfolk know the dark truth...

https://bogeymanscave.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-chupacabra-for-holmes-basic.html

Book of Delves by Tristan Tanner

Tristan Tanner wrote:

Not strictly Holmes basic, but might be useful if anyone is in need of some short dungeon delves for their games! The monster statistics included in the book are roughly compatible with the Holmes rules, though armor is listed as "Leather" or "Chain" instead of 8 and 6.

https://bogeymanscave.blogspot.com/2018/09/book-of-delves-released.html

If you'd like to pick up PDF or print copies of Fantastic!

If you'd like to pick up PDF or print copies of Fantastic! Exciting! Imaginative! both volumes can be got at a discount.

And there aren't a lot of copies of Volume 2 left...

Originally shared by Jon Wilson (bygrinstow)

Inner Ham items for DCC and for the OSR are discounted NOW!

PDFs go on sale Saturday morning via RPGNow: https://www.rpgnow.com/browse/pub/8543/Inner-Ham?term=inner+ham&test_epoch=0

Print versions are discounted right now as part of my eBay listings: https://www.ebay.com/sch/bygrinstow/m.html?_trksid=p3692

(If for some reason you want the full-priced print versions, you can grab those via my site: https://www.bygrinstow.com)

Jump on in! Pick up what you're missing! Sample something you haven't seen before! Make me stop using exclamation points!

All orders of physical product will come with the little monster stat card pictured below.

If you've got any questions on any of these products, ask here...

Formally announcing the J. Eric Holmes Photo Gallery ---

Formally announcing the J. Eric Holmes Photo Gallery ---

http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2018/09/the-j-eric-holmes-photo-gallery.html?m=1

This beauty came in the mail today!

Will Tijernia wrote:

This beauty came in the mail today! Words cannot adequately describe how wonderful this book is. Time to dive right in!

A set of officially licensed figures by Grenadier for the Dungeonboardgame.

A set of officially licensed figures by Grenadier for the Dungeon boardgame. From 1979 or 1980. The board shown in the advertisement is the older version with tiny cards that you could fit on each room. Looks like the set had 8 figures, 2 each for Hero, Elf, Superhero, Wizard, probably recycled from their other products. #dungeonboardgame

Pic is from Lost Minis wiki -
http://www.miniatures-workshop.com/lostminiswiki/index.php?title=Dungeon%21

This page has a lot of info on Quag Keep, including a copy of Norton's original contract with the publisher for the...

This page has a lot of info on Quag Keep, including a copy of Norton's original contract with the publisher for the novel, which is dated Sep 13, 1977 and acknowledges receipt of the typescript. So we know it was completed before that date. So she possibly had Holmes Basic (published July '77) while working on the novel, but not the published Monster Manual (late Dec '77), although she could have had a draft of it. #quagkeep

http://andre-norton-books.com/index.php/worlds-of-andre/series-by-andre-l-thru-z/quag-keep-series/232-quag-keep
http://andre-norton-books.com/index.php/worlds-of-andre/series-by-andre-l-thru-z/quag-keep-series/232-quag-keep

Last night I was checking the partially filled-out Gary Con XI schedule, trying to decide when to schedule my games...

Last night I was checking the partially filled-out Gary Con XI schedule, trying to decide when to schedule my games to run, when I did a double take. There is already a Return to the Tower of Zenopus game on the schedule! Now there were three different Zenopus events at NTX last year, so it's not completely surprising, although they all had slightly different titles. It turns out that this one is being run by Mike Mearls, the guy who is basically in charge of 5E D&D design...! #brazenheadofzenopus

https://tabletop.events/conventions/gary-con-xi/schedule/123
https://tabletop.events/conventions/gary-con-xi/schedule/123

The Living Dead for Holmes Basic

Tristan Tanner wrote:

They're coming to get you Barbara!

https://bogeymanscave.blogspot.com/2018/09/living-dead-for-holmes-basic.html

Skull-Gated Mountain Fortress of Telemark

Just spotted this skull-gated mountain fortress of the evil wizard Telemark in the strip Finieous Fingers in Dragon #12, Feb 1978. #skullmountain

Here is another example of a D&D Lizardman character from fiction.

Here is another example of a D&D Lizardman character from fiction. This is Gulth from Quag Keep by Andre Norton, from an illustration by David Sutherland on the cover of Dragon #12, Feb 1978. The issue contained an excerpt of the novel, and happens to be the same issue with Holmes' Lovecraftian Gods article. #quagkeep

"And this specimen of his race was formidable to look upon. He was fully as tall as Naile, and in addition to the wicked spear, the sword of bone, double-edged with teeth, which he carried, his natural armament of fang and claw were weapons even a hero might consider twice before facing."

https://www.cite-tapisserie.fr/en/contemporary-creation/aubusson-weaves-tolkien

https://www.cite-tapisserie.fr/en/contemporary-creation/aubusson-weaves-tolkien
https://www.cite-tapisserie.fr/en/contemporary-creation/aubusson-weaves-tolkien

The Battlegrip blog with a 1979 ad for Warlock's Tower, published by Balboa Game Company (the guy who ran the War...

The Battlegrip blog with a 1979 ad for Warlock's Tower, published by Balboa Game Company (the guy who ran the War House game store in Long Beach). This was part of the Complete Warlock trilogy. $9! #completewarlock
http://www.battlegrip.com/1979-ad-for-warlocks-tower-by-the-balboa-game-company/

Jeff with a chimeric megadungeon built of TSR maps including the Zenopus dungeon

Jeff with a chimeric megadungeon built of TSR maps including the Zenopus dungeon

Originally shared by Jeff Rients

how to make a megadungeon without really trying
So I've never found a commercially available megadungeon that really spoke to me, that made me say out loud "Yes! I want to spend the next fifty sessions running this bad boy again and again!"  There are lots of megadungeons out now with lots of good stuff ...
http://jrients.blogspot.com/2018/09/how-to-make-megadungeon-without-really.html

I recently mentioned that I'll be running the first part of the Gen Con X tournament at Gary Con this year, a town...

I recently mentioned that I'll be running the first part of the Gen Con X tournament at Gary Con this year, a town adventure in which the PCs need to locate the key to a long-dead wizard's tower. While not strictly Holmes, the tournament used OD&D+Greyhawk and was held the year the Holmes Basic Set was released at Gen Con.

So far, I've requested a 4-hour time slot on Thursday, from 10am-2pm, but I'm not sure where it will end up. I'd also like to run it a second time, probably during an evening time slot. I'll be using the original 4th level pre-gens, and perhaps run the other two rounds in subsequent years, using the same characters. Should be a lot of fun!

Wayne just got a copy of the 1975 Warlock. Includes a few pics ofpages. #completewarlock

Wayne just got a copy of the 1975 Warlock. Includes a few pics of pages. #completewarlock

Originally shared by Wayne Rossi

Dungeons & Beavers in my mailbox today.

Xenomorphs for Holmes Basic

Tristan Tanner wrote:

I already did the kruthiks, which were essentially xenomorph expys, so why not the real deal? Alien only came out a couple of years after the blue book, I imagine there may have been an alien or two stalking the underworld...

https://bogeymanscave.blogspot.com/2018/09/xenomorphs-for-holmes-basic.html

Found a Cthulhu-head mug for my HYPERBOREAN coffee.

Found a Cthulhu-head mug for my HYPERBOREAN coffee.

Just wanted to give this it's due in this community.

Just wanted to give this it's due in this community. I'm uncertain it's been specifically pointed out here in this group. This is apparently a Holmes 'supplement' for Holmes-style Middle-Earth campaigning. I apologize I do not know the source/author.
I do know it's good stuff. Great starting point at the VERY least. Fun.
http://swordplusone.com/Drums.pdf

Lizardmen PCs for Holmes Basic

I turned my comments from the previous post to a write-up of Lizardmen PCs for Holmes. Of note, Holmes had lizardmen guards in town in two different stories in Tales of Peril.

http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2018/09/lizardmen-pcs-for-holmes-basic.html
http://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2018/09/lizardmen-pcs-for-holmes-basic.html

What's next? Another book, of course!