The GROGNARD Files

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/episode-17-review-of-2017-16_12_2017-21-501.m4a Download Episode Intro: For this GROGPOD, we take a break from the usual format, instead of concentrating on a single subject, we are looking back at some of the experiences that we have had over the year. Thanks to Phil the Dice Mechanic for his review Groggies Pt 1: Our annual awards are determined by the random subjects written on the spurious envelopes. In this section we look back on the year in games mastering – some of the highs and lows – we award the Messianic Megalomaniac award for the year. The Trial of RuneQuest: Earlier in the year, Dirk took the RPG Academy to Apple Lane. This is an edited extract. You can find the full version here and the you tube video here (if you really need to). Groggies Pt 2: This is the Olive Kinnisberg Memorial Award for players, playing and players and the games that we play. There’s a mention of UK Games Expo, The Heroes Journey and Star Trek Adventures. Postbag Pt1: Mark Hides has written a memoir of his experiences of RPGs in Sheffield. You can get his book here. Groggies Pt 3 There have been lows as well as highs Postbag Pt2 Rog Coe and Wayne Peters are regular correspondents to this site. Groggies Pt 4 The new game that we have been playing and some of the hopes for the new year. Outro: Thanks to Patreons and you’ll find details about the Spaghetti Conjunction here The post Episode 17 – Review of 2017 in RPGs first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/episode-16-part-2-more-call-of-cthulhu-with-mike-mason-22_11_2017-18-22.m4a Download Episode INTRO: A dedication to Carl T. Ford, the publisher/ editor of Dagon Fanzine. GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN 00:02:20 (With Mike Mason) Mike faces the Keeper’s Screen to talk about Traveller, D&D and the all new Masks of Nyarlathotep (coming soon). DAILY DWARF 00:40:00 @dailydwarf does an incisive assessment of the scenarios that appeared in White Dwarf. CURSE OF THE BONE was the winner of his 2015 Scenario Slam JUDGE BLYTHY RULES! 01:00:00 We take a look at some of the changes in the 7th Edition rules. OUTRO: 01:40:00 More news about the Patreon Campaign.The post Episode 16 (Part 2) More Call of Cthulhu (with Mike Mason) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/episode-16-more-call-of-cthulhu-with-mike-mason-20_10_2017-23-251.m4a Download Episode INTRO 00.00.16 We are returning to one of our favourite games, Call of Cthulhu, to consider what has changed for the game over the past 2 years, since the last episode. OPEN BOX (with Mike Mason) 06.00 At the time of recording, Mike had just returned from his trip to NECRONOMICON and was fresh with the news of the great success for Call of Cthulhu at GENCON. Mike shares his experiences from his formative years of role-playing and how his fascination with horror, drew him towards Call of Cthulhu. ED’S BRAND NEW SHED 50.00 Ed is the first of us to hit 50 and his family have treated him to a brand-new metal shed. He talks us through his Fungi From Yuggoth scrapbook. You can get Mutable Deception from Drive Thru RPG. GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN 01.08.00 We’re on a Jolly Boys outing – this is the player reflections on playing the Fungi … campaign. OUTRO 01.33.00 We had many new Patreons joining us in September. Thanks to you all – sorry for mangling your names – we are very grateful for your contributions and look forward to making the ‘zine available in the next couple of months.The post Episode 16 (Part 1) More Call of Cthulhu (with Mike Mason) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/episode-15-james-bond-007-rpg-19_09_2017-20-10.m4a Download Episode INTRO This time we are looking at James Bond 007, a game we didn’t play back in the day, but the GROGSQUAD suggested that we should give it the once over. We had a great review from Mike Hobbs from Meeples and Miniatures POTTED HISTORY 03:43 This is the story of Chris Klug realising his vision of an espionage game that wasn’t simulationist in its approach. JUDGE BLYTHY RULES 09:53 Our resident rules lawyer, the man with the Golden Gavel, checks out the finer points of the rules. ACTUAL PLAY GOLDFINGER 40:38 An extract from our game of Goldfinger. STARBURST MEMORIES 01:08 Learning from the Bond Villains OUTRO 01:43 The new GROGZINE is coming! Sign up now.   The post Episode 15 – James Bond 007 RPG first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/episode-14-part-2-rpg-fanzines-with-ian-marsh-19_08_2017-08-22.m4a Download Episode INTRO: News about a new PBM ‘zine that we’ve inspired – Bones of the Lost God – if you like Phil’s monsters, he’s put some of his art on Red Bubble. GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN (with Ian Marsh): Ian Marsh returns to talk about his editorial-ship at White Dwarf and his involvement in Games Workshop. He also talks about Dr Who and his TimeLord game, before bringing us up to date with his latest endeavours.  DAGON (with @dailydwarf): @dailydwarf gives his usual insightful analysis of literary criticism covered in Dagon ‘zine. ATTIC ATTACK: Blythy joins me in the attic to talk about ‘zines and comments provided by listeners. I mention Monster Man, a new podcast that is being developed by James Holloway, check out progress at his site. OUTRO: We’re making a ‘zine – sign up at Patreon – before the end of September 2017 to get a copy. Thank you to all our Patreons for your continued support; without you, we would not have been going for so long. If you would like a PDF of the last GROGZINE you can get it at Drive Thru RPG and The Complete Daily Dwarf too. All proceeds will go to YSDC to support the community there.The post Episode 14 (Part 2) RPG Fanzines (with Ian Marsh) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/episode-14-part-1-rpg-fanzines-with-ian-marsh-15_07_2017-03-38.m4a Download Episode INTRO Welcome to the world of fanzines. OPEN BOX (with Ian Marsh) The first part of an interview with Ian Marsh, who was the editor of DragonLords fanzine and went on to become the editor of White Dwarf. DAILY DWARF For one episode only @dailydwarf becomes the Daily Dagon as he looks at Dagon and why he thinks is was such a special zine. OPEN BOX Another one? This time it’s with Blythy as we look at our experience in the world of PBMs. OUTRO: Thanks to Shop on the Borderlands for providing a copy of DragonLords issue 7 for discussion. Let us know your favourite ‘zine and send us pictures for discussion in the next episode. Why not show your love for the podcast, and join the activities of the GROGSQUAD by becoming a Patreon?  The post Episode 14 (Part 1) RPG Fanzines (with Ian Marsh) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/episode-13-mercenaries-spies-and-private-eyes-with-jon-hancock-17_06_2017-03-45.m4a Download Episode INTRO 00:05 By a strange quirk of fate, Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes has suddenly become available as a PDF from Drive Thru RPG. We’ve had another five star review on iTunes, this time it’s from Baz, of The Smart Party podcast. OPEN BOX 05:30 Dirk returns to Whartson Hall to visit Big Jack Brass, our Flying Buffalo correspondent. He talks about his twitter hash tag #overlookedrpgs and provides a potted history of MSPE. STARBURST MEMORIES 30:00 Following the Top Secret episode, we’ve had some correspondence from DM Mike from the new old-school podcast Save for Half. Dirk talks about Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Blythy introduces Spooks. BIG JACK BRASS, RULES! 01:00:00 Wearing the wig this episode is the locum Judge Big Jack Brass, looking at the ins and outs of the MSPE rules. OUTRO 01:23:00 Jon will be appearing on Desert Island Dungeons very soon The GROGNARD Files 2017 annual fanzine and The Collected Daily Dwarf are now available on Drive Thru RPG. Dirk gives news of the next ‘zine and thanks new Patreons. Why not join.The post Episode 13 – Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes (with Jon Hancock) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/episode-12-part2-games-workshop-and-citadel-with-tim-olsen-16_05_2017-22-291.m4a Download Episode INTRO – We’re still taken aback at the scale of response to the first part of this episode, but we’re conscious enough to issue a warning about Hob Nob balls. POTTED HISTORY (3.49) – Kindly provided by @hobgoblinorange  who provides an overview of the major players and developments in the miniature figure art in the early 80s. He recommends the site The Stuff of Legends which features lots of images of Citadel miniatures from back in the day. GMSCREEN (11.29) We return to the wonderful Las O Gowrie in Manchester to continue the interview with Tim Olsen, the former manager of Dalling Road branch of Games Workshop. TV and ZZ Top emerge as he faces the annecdotamator. If you want to see Tim’s TV AM appearance you’ll find it here from 16:00 (John Noakes!) THE WHITE DWARF (25.45) @dailydwarf returns with the second part of his Small but Perfectly Formed essay, examining miniatures in White Dwarf before it became all about miniatures. ATTIC ATTACK (37.14) We climb into the attic of the all-new Dirk Towers to look at some of the interesting minis from our collection. POSTBAG (01.06.34) There’s been a great response from listeners to the last episode, share some of the game shop memories from all over the UK. Including Alegis Downport who did a great piece on Tunnels and Trolls on his blog. There’s also the last word from Tim Olsen. Thanks to everyone who joined the Patreon campaign this month. You’ll get a name check next time when I’ll share the details of the next ‘zine.    The post Episode 12 (Part 2) Games Workshop & Citadel (with Tim Olsen) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/episode-12-part-1-games-workshop-and-citadel-with-tim-olsen-31.m4a Download Episode INTRO (15 secs) This is an unusual episode as it is about a place more than a thing. This is about the remembered place that was Games Workshop, when we were kids, and the magical lead figures we found there. POTTED HISTORY (6.32) The story about how school friends came together to form Games Workshop and how it grew and grew … OPEN BOX (WITH TIM OLSEN) (10:17) I am joined by Tim Olsen who was instrumental in the early days of GW. He was the manager of Dalling Road branch, then Manchester, before taking the first stores to America. He is a fascinating and lovely guy. You’ll enjoy his contribution. WHITE DWARF (31:35) The first part of @dailydwarf ‘s contribution to the episode where he talks about his experience of using figures in his games. OPEN BOX (46:08) Blythy joins me to talk about minis, memories and how we consume games. There’s a riot going on in the background, sorry about that, it is the sound of Bolton I’m afraid. THERE ISN’T A LAST BIT (1:20) A call for the submission of your memories of Games Workshop and a thank you to Patreons.  The post Episode 12 (Part 1) Games Workshop & Citadel (with Tim Olsen) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/episode-11-top-secret-rpg-17_03_2017-23-07.m4a Download Episode For your eyes only. Don’t accept this Podcast if the seal is broken. INTRO: I love the world of espionage and this is the first in our ‘Spy Sequence’ that we’ll be peppering through the next year. We’ve had another iTunes review too – please give us one if you haven’t already. OPEN BOX: Top Secret was one of those games that we only played a few times, but it made a lasting impression on us. In this section we remember those early games and I challenge Blythy about whether or not he really likes spy-based games. POTTED HISTORY: The game emerged from a single vision, born from a college dorm, in this section I talk through the history of the game. If you want to hear the story from Merle Rasmussen’s mouth, then seek out The Dead Game’s society’s interview with him from 2014. JUDGE BLYTHY RULES!: We roll a character and Judge Blythy complains that there are far too many tables. In a thrilling exchange, there is a transformation as Judge Nutmeg transforms into Mr Hand-Wavey Davey. THE WHITE DWARF  DRAGON: Top Secret didn’t appear in White Dwarf, so we turn to Dragon – a magazine that fully supported the development of Top Secret. STARBURST MEMORIES: Blythy and I discuss our favourite spy moments from films and television in a brand new feature that includes an overly complicated audience participation feature. OUTRO: There’s a chance to play Top Secret if you join our Patreon campaign. This is a thank you bit for all those who are already supporting us.The post Episode 11 – Top Secret RPG first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.