

The GROGNARD Files
Dirk the Dice
The GROGNARD RPG files is a podcast that looks at RPGs from 'back in the day and today'.
Each episode concentrates on the original rules of a featured game, our experiences of playing the game, PLUS excellent contributions from @dailydwarf selecting highlights from the halcyon days of White Dwarf magazine.
Each episode concentrates on the original rules of a featured game, our experiences of playing the game, PLUS excellent contributions from @dailydwarf selecting highlights from the halcyon days of White Dwarf magazine.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 17, 2025 • 1h 31min
Magic in RPGs (with Stu Horvath) Ep.79
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.

Feb 8, 2025 • 1h 13min
Sanction RPG (with Paul Baldowski) Ep 78
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.

Jan 12, 2025 • 1h 21min
2024: A Year in RPGs Ep. 77
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.

Dec 29, 2024 • 1h 8min
Rivers of London RPG (with Ben Aaronovitch) Ep76
This GROGPOD features a special recording of an interview with writer Ben Aaronovitch, the creator of The Rivers of London series of books. An RPG has been developed by the team at Chaosium. Ben talks about the project, his formative years in gaming and gives insight into his creative process.
The interview was recorded live as part of GROGMEETish which took place in November. It features additional questions from the GROGSQUAD.
Dirk the Dice gives a quick review of the game based on his experience of playing the game over recent months.
Music is by Static Music Club.
Please support what we do at PatreonThe post Rivers of London RPG (with Ben Aaronovitch) Ep76 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Dec 18, 2024 • 59min
1984: A Year in RPGs Ep75 Pt2
Following Part 1, we are now ready to open the spurious envelopes on our 1984 experiences.
We also issue a challenge to listeners to help us discover new enthusiasms.
At Daily Dwarf returns with an overview of what was happening in the pages of White Dwarf.
Please pass on The GROGNARD files to your RPG friends and consider supporting us at Patreon.
The post 1984: A Year in RPGs Ep75 Pt2 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Dec 4, 2024 • 1h 14min
1984: a year in RPGs (with Bob Fischer) Ep75 Pt 1
Welcome to the zoom of role-playing rambling where we are looking backwards to look forwards. This time we are transporting you back to the heady days of 1984.
We are joined by the fabulous Bob Fischer who shares the highlights from his 1984 diaries.
Judge Blythy, our resident rules lawyer, joins Dirk to determine the RPG Highlights of 1984, but get distracted (see part 2)
Make sure you check out the wonderful projects from the Haunted Generation.
You can support the podcast at Patreon.The post 1984: a year in RPGs (with Bob Fischer) Ep75 Pt 1 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 42min
Flashing Blades RPG Ep. 74
En garde! Yes, this time we are investigating the worlds of 17th Century Europe and asking, “is this the true mode of all fantasy role-playing high-adventure?”
We are joined by Graham Kinniburgh, who tells us about his Oscar night triumph with An Irish Goodbye and what it was like being at The Battle of the Bastards.
He is adding The Three Musketeers to Appendix G.
In the Zoom of Role-Playing rambling we talk about Flashing Blades. You can read more from the author, Mark Pettigrew, in this interview.
We also cover En Garde!, 17th Century Minimalist, Seventh Sea, and Barbarians of Lumuria.
You can join the Patreon by following this link.The post Flashing Blades RPG Ep. 74 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Sep 17, 2024 • 1h 23min
Bestiaries in Role Playing Games (with Tomas Harenstam)
Welcome to the third and final part of our Monsters in Role Playing Games (RPGs) episode. This time we are joined in the Room of Role Playing rambling by Tomas Harenstam from Free League. He talks about his formative years in Swedish role playing and how to create a great Bestiary.
Dirk and Blythy answer listener Monster questions before having a chat about When we were Wizards.
Support the Patreon for access to exclusive content.The post Bestiaries in Role Playing Games (with Tomas Harenstam) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Aug 11, 2024 • 1h 26min
More Monsters in RPGs Ep 73 Pt 2
We continue to explore the worlds of monsters in role-playing games (RPGs). In this episode, we are joined by James Holloway, from the Monster Man podcast. He adds a new entry into the ever expanding Appendix G.
Judge Blythy and Dirk talk about the famous monsters of Hollywood and beyond and consider what we can learn from them.
The end music is Concrete by Omari, from Phunk Media
Please support us on Patreon and update your podcatcher feed with the Patreon audio – RSS feed to get some additional content.
The post More Monsters in RPGs Ep 73 Pt 2 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Jul 28, 2024 • 1h 18min
Monsters in RPGs Ep.73 Pt.1
This time we are looking at bestiaries from our book shelves. We talk about:
Numenera,
Forbidden Lands,
Call of Cthulhu,
Dragon Warriors,
13th Age,
Vaesen,
This was at the request of GROGSQUADer China Miéville who Dirk talked to at an RPG Symposium earlier this year.
Next time, James Holloway, Monster Man joins us, because monsters are great.
Support the podcast on Patreon.The post Monsters in RPGs Ep.73 Pt.1 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.


