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