The first in a deep dive series looking at the OSR game, Ambition & Avarice 1e by Greg Christopher of Chubby Funster Games published in 2012. I’m delving into what’s different about this compared to a more traditional TSR era game like Moldvay Cook/Marsh B/X (or Old School Essentials if you prefer). There are substantial differences, yet this is still very compatible with your old school adventures and supplements. In this episode, I focus on base task resolutions, and player characters. Both Ambition & Avarice 1e and 2e are available in print and pdf via DrivethruRPG. I’m confident you can all find them easily :).

When I recorded this, there wasn’t a real object, but after listening back, this is the start of a series I’ll keep doing as a sort of campaign diary. This will entail both the planning for The Forsaken North, and discussions about the new (for me) system I’ll be using: Ambition & Avarice 1e by Greg Christopher of Chubby Funster Games. Later entries might include session recaps or updates that develop out of our game sessions. Enjoy!

Calls from Mirke, Jason, Daniel, and Joe react to and spark conversation about: character attribute generation in B/X: OSE and AD&D; Animal Companions in games and a potential method to mechanize their use in B/X; the Compleat Adventurer classes and how exclusive should “class abilities” be; a pack of monkeys on Planet Eris; How optimal character abilities can lead to boring encounters; the Creature From The Black Lagoon; Boat Nerd action from Duluth, MN; Thanks guys!

Talkings discretionary special abilities that players choose for their PC in DiaH, the RPG. I call them Advances (for now). Plus a new Midderzine contest giveaway and calls from Daniel, Jason, and Menion (aka Rob). Enjoy!

A gap in gaming has me rambling on my commute to work. Self reflection about why I play TTRPGs and what do I hope to get out of them?

The holiday rush hasn’t finished me...yet. And with lots of help from my podcasting friends, another bonanza is here, and another year of podcasting is in the books. Calls about advancement in the DiaH RPG and damage rolls in Into the Odd. Happy New Year!

How do PCs advance in level in DiaH? Plus a new theme song rendition, a heretical combat option for Into the Odd, and calls and conversation from Jason, Rich, Joe, Daniel, & Evil Jeff. Enjoy!

Design goals plus calls from Daniel, Jason, and Taylor discussing movement, charges, reach weapons, parrying, ganging up, encumbrance, Xpts, and magic systems. Plus another musical entry!

2nd part of the DiaH RPG development focusing on encounters, action, and combat. Plus calls from Jason, Joe, and Daniel...and who is singing the theme song this episode? Tune in to see 😁.

I discuss the attributes and base mechanics of my Frankenstein game inspired by Into the Odd (Chris McDowall), Maze Rats & Knave (Ben Milton), and Best Left Buried (Zachary Cox). Plus calls from Safer, Jason, and Daniel.

Calls about Paladins, small scope games and their potential, and reactions to my current dissatisfaction with classic D&D and my interest in designing a new game. What will it be called? Listen to find out...😁. Plus BluRay Otus styling the theme song!

Jason from Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast poses the question: what is it about B/X (classic D&D) that isn’t working- what are you unsatisfied with? Look me in the eye and tell me - I’m Satisfied. 😉

Calls and Anchor conversation with Taylor, Karl, Jason, & Daniel plus Smokey Joe Richter belts out a tune! It’s got it all! 🤪

Once again I’m joined by Jason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast to talk about our beloved Universal Monsters! This time we dive into the Black Lagoon to swim with the iconic gill-man. Load up your speargun, check your air tanks, and grab a bag of rotenone (just don’t sprinkle it on your popcorn), and join us one last time. Enjoy!

Seven callers give some of their favorite monster/horror movies for the latest Midderzine contest drawing. Plus my favorite. One that involves a really BIG fish. Enjoy!

What does this idle Referee’s mind turn to: tinkering! And specifically thinking about smaller scope rules sets: Into the Odd, Maze Rats, Knave, Best Left Buried. My likes & dislikes, and how I might brew them together in a stew.

Calls about the last few gaming episodes from Joe of Hindsightless, Jason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast, and Daniel of Bandit’s Keep - mostly regarding Paladins & Rangers, but a dash of other topics too.

We take the bandages off the 1932 classic, the Mummy. It’s got it all: eternal love, exotic talented (and effective!) heroine, tyrannical director, curses, cats, dogs, a magic jacuzzi, and Boris Karloff in a fez! Plus a hidden gem that Jason dug up for intermission. Enjoy!

I ramble about the motivation conundrum for Paladins & Rangers in S&W and how they may differ significantly from other classes. Also, the restriction/benefit analysis. Plus a dash of initiative.

Jason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast again joins me for more classic monster movie talk. This time, it’s The Bride of Frankenstein from 1935. Enjoy!

Listening to Barry’s Shadow of the GM podcast episode S2:E17 has me thinking about PC advancement rates in classic D&D games. And what motivates the players?

I roll up a new PC for Whispered Tales of Gore after a near TPK, plus calls from Joe, Jason, Daniel, and Tim and a new Midderzine contest announcement.

I’m joined again by Jason from Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast as we discuss the 1931 classic, Frankenstein. Just two fans rambling about something they love. Plus pirate singing?!?

Calls about narrative meta currency, and magic swords; responses to Melancholy Monday: Covid & why we’re podcasting (sorry for the delays); the Boy Who Could Fly, session recap, and marmalade.

A call from Jason and continuing the Compleat Adventurer deep dive with the Gladiator and Harlequin.

I ramble a bit about what I’ve been up to, gaming narrative currency, a magic weapon option, and a preview of the Back to BasiX compilation by Thom Wilson of Throwi Games

The anniversary of needing hospitalization for Covid has me feeling gloomy. But some listener calls help perk me up and I do a reading from the Referee section of Swords & Wizardry.

Calls about Kickstarter, Creativity, and Cartoons! And I add another tarnished nugget to my list of “gaming laws”. If you want to avoid Covid talk, skip in about 10 minutes.

Calls about cartoons, cereal, and more from Ray, Jason, Joe, Kevin, Taylor, Roy, Daniel, and Evil Jeff. Who is the big winner of the Midderzine from Glynn Seal of Monkeyblood Design?

I go through the setting doc for Middlemarch, my exploration S&W game set in Glynn Seal’s Midderlands. Plus calls from Daniel Norton and Goblin’s Henchman. Enjoy!

I procrastinated far too long, and wow!, 36 calls on this megalosaurus bonanza. Thanks everyone! And don’t forget: call me with something cartoon related by 8/6/21 for the next Midderzine giveaway.

Calls about henchmen and the “name that Henchman!” contest winner. Who just won an issue of the Midderzine by Monkeyblood Design? And how do you enter the next contest? Listen in...😉

June 24th was the 10-year anniversary from when creator Greg Gillespie started his Barrowmaze game. I give my top 5 features for Barrowmaze Complete and recount the after action reports from my Barrowmaze game in 2017-18.

A few calls from Roy of Chaoses Limb starts a chat on the mindset of players vs. referees as well as “letting the team down” in game. Playing low stats and having different agendas. Just let LeRoy Jenkins die...🤣

A response show of sorts to episodes by Colin Green of Spikepit, where he ponders whether or not a d20 is “swingy” and if that idea has been taken as collective wisdom. Plus calls from Ray Otus of Plundergrounds and Karl Rodriguez of GMologist.

Part 2 of the Deep Dive continues with a look at the Beastmaster & Buccaneer. Also calls from Daniel and Keith and a special big thank-you! to Jason of Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast who has announced the upcoming end of the show.

Calls from Jason and Daniel about the S&W box set review; how it compares with OSE and my additional thoughts on what worked and missed opportunities.

A few calls from Daniel of The Bandit’s Keep podcast & YouTube plus some quick thoughts on issues I hear some discuss about Thieves in Classic D&D. Too pathetic? System too wonky? Retries? Thieves’ Tools?

Send in the clowns, the Redshirts, the cannon fodder...or maybe the peeps that will save your bacon. Calls from John of Red Dice Diaries help me examine this fun aspect of classic D&D.

I review the new Swords & Wizardry box set edition from Frog God Games, and also give a brief comp to the popular Old School Essentials box set by Necrotic Gnome.

Back from vacation with a bunch of calls from Jason, BJ, Daniel, John Large, Lieren, and Logan with a wide range of topics. Some might prompt something akin to insight from me; some of my rambling might be drivel. You decide😂

My brain is already half on vacation. A ramble about that and what I’m noodling about for game campaign material and themes.

A call from Colin Green of Spikepit about the intent of his statement that “it’s all just D&D” prompts me to attempt a rambling (and hopefully coherent) continuation of the conversation. Thanks Colin!

Calls from Logan of Sword Breaker, Randy of Biggus Geekus, Randy of the Dice are Screaming, my friend Brian and some old favorites: Jason, Joe, Daniel, and B.J. plus...a preview of the next one - a call from Colin of Spikepit that requires me, the old wind bag, a separate episode to reply to.

What is this podcast about and where am I coming from? A peek back into the dusty archives - has anything changed? It’s still rubbish...😉

Listener calls doing their Bela Lugosi impersonation in a contest to win their choice of one of the five great Midderzines by Glynn Seal of Monkeyblood Design. Thanks everyone!

I begin a deep dive into an RPG supplement from Bard Games in 1983: The Compleat Adventurer. Plus a call from Spencer regarding my review of Cairn and Jason with a call on post apocalyptic gaming.

I delve into the nitty gritty to model a hypothetical fight as specified by Joe of the Hindsightless podcast between a 1st level 5e Fighter vs a 1st level B/X Fighter with 3 Men at Arms. Let’s get ready to rumble!

Calls from Jason, Daniel, Taylor, B.J., and Goblin’s Henchman about unarmed combat; multiple PCs and henchmen; the changes in D&D over time; B/X 1st level Fighter + Men-at-arms vs. a lone 5e 1st level Fighter; more input on “the Rant”.

Calls in response to my name names rant from: Jason (Nerd’s RPG Variety Cast), Spencer (Keep Off the Borderlands), Daniel (Bandit’s Keep), B.J. (Arcane Alienist), Evil Jeff (Minions & Musings), Menion (Confessions of a Wee Timrous Bushi).