The GROGNARD Files

September and October have been replete with gaming sessions. Can you have too much of a good thing? That’s the question we ask this episode. Dirk is joined in the Zoom of Role-Playing Rambling by Graham Bottley from Arion Games, which is celebrating 20 years publishing games and supplements. It has had the licence for Advanced Fighting Fantasy, Mealstrum and more, so continues to publish vintage RPG material. In September, we participated in Glorantha Games, Owl Bear and the Wizard’s Staff, and MORPcon as well as playing loads of games. We talk about Hidden Isles, Blade Runner RPG as the NEW games that we have played. We are trapped in the worlds of Gareth Ryder Hanrahan as we are playing in Pirates of Drinax for Traveller, The Borellus Connection for Fall of Delta Green and Dirk is about to do Dracula Dossier in 24 Hours. The conversation also covers Planescape and much more. An advert for Mason and Fricker’s Eldritch Tales. To support the podcast, you can tip some coins in the beret over at Partreon The post Arion Games and other RPGs (with Graham Bottley) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

This time we return to the topic of Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) with Judge Blythy, our resident zealot. Appendix G, our never-ending list of influences, expands with the wonderful Swords Series from Fritz Leiber nominated by Dave Paterson. We talk about our preparation for a busy September of gaming. Paul Fricker has released Gatsby and The Great Race for 7th Edition Call of Cthulhu. Please support us on Patreon.The post Dungeon Crawl Classics Continued (Ep.85) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

It was 10 years ago today, that we first came out to play! In this episode we jump every shark in sight by reflecting on the past ten years of the podcast. We invited listeners to ask us anything, as long as it was looking back over the past 10 years, so we could lean back in our armchairs and reflect on what we have done. Also, joining the fun is @dailydwarf, who looks back on Small Ads and letters in White Dwarf, in an adapted essay that first appeared in the GROGZINE. We head to the shed at the end of the garden to see Eddy the Armchair Collector in Chief, who hasn’t appeared for a while. Meanwhile in the Room of Role-Playing Rambling Judge Blythy works through the Thunderphase questions at a medium-fire pace. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years. Especially anyone who has contributed to the Patreon, or commented, given us a review and passed it on. The post 10 Years of The GROGNARD Files first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

In this GROGPOD, Judge Blythy talks about his initiation into the cult of DCC. We look at what makes it work. Goodman Games, the publisher of DCC, is hosting DCC Day on 19th July 2025. We are joined by Brendan LaSalle who talks about DCC and his futuristic variant, XCrawl Classics where you can have a spectator sport in the dungeon. Next time we will look at some more settings. You can support the GROGNARD Files on Patreon.The post Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG (with Brendan LaSalle) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

In this episode, we continue our examination of magic in Role-Playing Games with a look at Ars Magica with Science Fiction author Adrian Tchaikovsky. He talks to us about the setting, the rules and the way that magic works in the game. We haven’t had chance to play it yet, so Dirk and Blythy meet in the Lass O Gowrie pub in Manchester and discuss the difficulties of ‘fitting it all in’. We have been to UK Games Expo so we give our initial views of attending the event this year. Dirk has been on Orlanth Rexes Gaming Vexes and What Would the Smart Party Do? recently. Patreon has been refreshed – annual contribution at discount and ‘it’s your birthday’ award for the top level of support. Thanks for all who listen and contribute. The post Ars Magica RPG (with Adrian Tchaikovsky) Ep 82 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Returning guest Stephen Brotherstone, co-author of the Scarred for Life series of books and shows, joins us in the zoom of Role Playing Rambling to examine the witchcraft and horrors that haunted our childhood years. You can see Ste as his show is on the road during 2025 and the latest volume of the series is now available. Highly recommended as it is packed with gaming nostalgia content. Also in this episode, Dirk and Blythy watch The Hammer House of Horror (1980) together and consider what impact it had on them at the time and how it can inform our games now. We also reflect on the games that we played at virtual GROGMEET, including Liminal, Mutant Year Zero, The Dee Sanction and Savage Worlds. You can see Tim Olsen interviewed by Toni Arthur. If you want to support the podcast and get access to additional podcast content, then please consider supporting us at Patreon.The post Scarred by Magic in the 70s & 80s (with Stephen Brotherstone) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

In this engaging discussion, China Miéville, celebrated author of works like Podido Street Station and The City and the City, shares his insights on the magic of RPGs. The conversation dives into nostalgic memories of early 2000s gaming, exploring the balance of creativity and game mechanics. They unpack unique magical systems, pondering the relationship between ritual and storytelling. Miéville also reflects on the evolution of RPGs and the emotional connections they forge, particularly as he brings up his own creative projects like 'Tales of Argosia.'

It’s a kind of magic, in RPGs. This time we are joined by Stu Horvath, podcaster (Vintage RPG Podcast) and writer, who talks about his book Monsters, Aliens and Holes in the Ground, which takes us decade by decade through the history of RPGs. He also contributes to our discussion about magic in RPGs. What would we like to play, stay on our shelves or give away? Virtual GROGMEET is available to register on Warhorn. Support us on Patreon.The post Magic in RPGs (with Stu Horvath) Ep.79 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

This time we are talking about GROGMEET our annual Role Playing Games meet up in Manchester. We were joined by game designer, publisher and entrepreneur Paul Baldowski who talks about Dangerous Journeys, PBMs and his game Sanction. Blythy shares his experiences and how we played Gatsby and The Great Race by Paul Fricker. If you want to find out more about Dice on the Borderlands you can find it at Warhorn. Please support what we do at Patreon, thanks.The post Sanction RPG (with Paul Baldowski) Ep 78 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Join us in the Room of Role-Playing Rambling as we investigate the highs and lows of role-playing in 2024. Thanks for supporting us. Why not consider tipping a couple of coins in the beret over at Patreon. The post 2024: A Year in RPGs Ep. 77 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.