The GROGNARD Files

  The cover on the copy we read in the library “I think of myself as a bad writer with big ideas, but I’d rather be that than a big writer with bad ideas.”  – Michael  Moorcock   https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/episode-5-stormbringer-21_02_2016-09-55.m4a Download Episode RSS Feed   The subject of this episode is STORMBRINGER – Fantasy Role Playing in the world of Elric. We have also opened a Patreon campaign to support the development of the podcast, and to help towards the production of The GROGNARD files fanzine. If you would like to tip a few coins in the beret, then please go to this site: The GROGNARD files patreon SECTION 1: POTTED HISTORY (6:03) Some background to the Elric stories. The story of STORMBRINGER’s origins with new material from Ken St Andre – look out for a transcript of the conversation we had with him on theGROGNARDfiles.com, coming soon. SECTION 2: OPEN BOX (16:59) Blythy joins me in a faithful reconstruction of his teenage bedroom to discuss the early games we played of STORMBRINGER. SECTION 3: THE WHITE DWARF (35:41) A magnificent contribution by @dailydwarf about the dog-days of White Dwarf’s hey day and the brilliant The Madcap Laughs adventure for STORMBRINGER that appeared in the august journal. SECTION 4: JUDGE BLYTHY RULES! (51:36) The resident Agent of Law, Judge Blythy takes on the chaotic ‘Guantlet of Hand-Waving’ during an analysis of the rules SECTION 5: THERE ISN’T ONE (01:23:00) What to look forward to in Part 2 (supplements, a ‘show and tell’ of Moorcock miscellany’ and listener post bag). Please write to us by commenting on the site or sticking a review on iTunes.    The post Episode 5 (Part 1) Stormbringer RPG first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dragonmeet-grog-pod-15_01_2016-00-32.m4a Download Episode RSS Feed   In a break with the usual format, The Armchair Adventurers are at risk of disappearing up their own fundament. It’s too short to break in two, too long to listen in one go, so disappointing either way. Take your time, pause a little, as you listen to the blow by blow account of our big day out. INTRODUCTION It’s 30 years since we last went to a Games Convention. We went to Dragonmeet ’15 in December, this is a reflection on what we did when we were there and how things have changed in gaming in the meantime. This introduction includes a A brief potted history of Dragonmeet, with extra bits of information provided by Modiphius. OPEN BOX The morning of the day before, Judge Blythy joins Dirk as we plan the trip and reminisce about Games Cons of the past. WHITE DWARF Everything comes back to White Dwarf and it’s coverage of Games Conventions back in the day were our way of enjoying them vicariously. There’s a quote from Scott Dorwood who reviewed the podcast. GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN Some general reflections on our observations while we were there as well as a blow by blow account of some of the experiences we had. Under discussion: Call of Cthulhu Dreamlands using 7th Edition Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 rules distilled into 52 pages How the market has changed, stuff we bought, and the apparent controversy around the benign Chaosium seminar. We attend seminars featuring Ken and Robin Talk Quickly About Stuff and the “Is there too much Cthulhu” debate between The Good Friends … and The Smart Party. While we were there, we interviewed Mike Cule, star of the stage and screen, and the author of RUMBLE AT THE TIN INN (amongst others) and one of the hosts of Improvised Radio Theatre with Dice. ED’S BARGAIN SHED Eddy, the resident bargain-hunter in chief, shares his Dragonmeet haul and takes on the 20 quid challenge. POSTBAG Listeners share their convention experiences. Normal service will be resumed next time when we discuss STORMBRINGER.  The post Episode 4 – RPG Games Cons Dragonmeet first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/traveller-micro-grog-pod-18_12_2015-18-57.m4a Download Episode RSS Feed In this episode, we return to Traveller, and look at some of the supplements for the game. When it comes to politics, we are as woolly as John Stewart Mill riding a sheep and wearing cardigans, so we examine our attitudes towards the politics of the Imperium. Games master’s Screen: Judge Blythy enjoys the benefit of High Passage, as his status demands, however he is less enamoured the concept of the D66. The usual memories and discussion around the selected supplements take place. Postbag: There’s been much interest in Traveller including a game description by Andrew Cousins. I also reflect upon the recent Runequest Classic kickstarter. The post Episode 3 (Part 2) Traveller RPG Micro-Grog Pod first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

  https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/traveller-episode-3-19_11_2015-00-39.m4a   Download Episode RSS Feed Introduction – The origin of the game Section One – Open Box – reliving the memories of playing the game for the first time with Blythy, who was our referee back in the day. We introduce ‘the prime directive’ and Blythy has a black mark on his wall. Section Two – White Dwarf – @dailydwarf talks about his early experiences of playing Traveller and makes a selection of an article, scenario and ‘Starbase’ column from the pages of the UK’s best gaming magazine. Section Three – Judge Blythy Rules – Listing three great mechanics and one that doesn’t quite work, the resident rules-lawyer goes ‘under the bonnet’. Section Four – An invitation to listeners to contribute their stories of playing Traveller. What’s your favourite supplement? Look out for a Micro Grog-Pod (Traveller – Part Two) coming soon featuring a list of our favourite Traveller supplements and a current online pricing guide.The post Episode 3 (Part 1) Traveller RPG first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

This is a supplement to the Second Episode of The GROGNARD RPG Files – Call of Cthulhu. https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/coc-micro-master-23_10_2015-03-01.m4a Download Episode RSS Feed GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN Behind the screen I have a table of Call of Cthulhu supplements. I’m joined by Judge Blythy who rolls the 1D100 to select 5 for detailed discussion. ED’S BARGAIN SHED Ed, The Armchair Adventurer’s Chief bargain-hunter provides an e-Bay price index for the supplements under discussion. POSTBAG A selection from listener comments, including a fascinating look at The Lovecraft Variant – an early Cthulhu adaptation for Tunnels and Trolls. Follow me on Twitter @theGROGNARDfileThe post Episode 2 (Part 2) Call of Cthulhu RPG Micro-Grog Pod first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/coc-grog-pod-episode-2-26_09_2015-03-50.m4a Download Episode 2 RSS Feed Introduction – The origin of the game Section One – Open Box – reliving the memories of playing the game for the first time and the faltering start. Section Two – Judge Blythy Rules! – The Armchair Adventurers’ Resident Rules Lawyer discusses the finer points of the rules and style of play. We also speculate on what horrors have faced British Prime Ministers. Section Three – White Dwarf – @dailydwarf talks about his early experiences of playing Call of Cthulhu and selects his favourite item from the pages from the halcyon days of the UK’s best gaming magazine. Section Four – An invitation to listeners to contribute their stories of playing Call of Cthulhu in the early days. Look out for a Micro Grod Pod coming soon featuring a list of our favourite CoC supplements and a current online pricing guide. Episode 3 will feature TRAVELLER RPGThe post Episode 2 (Part 1) Call of Cthulhu RPG first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

In the second episode of the GROGNARD files podcast, Dirk the Dice looks at the history of the game, where did it come from and where was it going back in 2015. Potted History: Glorantha was the glorious creation of Greg Stafford. This is the story how his creation became a fantastic role-playing world and spawned different editions of RuneQuest. Post Bag 27:00: People were actually listening to the first part of the episode. Dirk reviews some of the responses to the discussion about RuneQuest and the ‘duck’ issue. ReMaster Refelction 37:00 looking back on the first episode, eight years later. Support the GROGPOD on Patreon. The post Runequest RPG Ep. 1 (Part 2) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

  It was a steep learning curve, but this was where the GROGPOD first began. This is a remastered version of the original recording. Nothing has been re-recorded, but the levels have been balanced, some light editing of pauses, and chapters added. In this first episode, I open up the Runequest GROGNARD file, as it’s the game that we first played all those years ago. Open Box – revealing the content within the 2nd edition box set produced in the UK by Games Workshop The White Dwarf – @dailydwarf selects the best Runequest feature from White Dwarf magazine. Judge Blythy Rules! – @sjamb7 our resident rules lawyer talks through some of the finer points of Runequest and argues the toss over Ducks. Games Master’s Screen – Five Runequest supplements randomly selected using my Grognard table with a buyers guide from @Edinthesand Coming soon, a Micro Grog Pod containing the Origin Story  and complete history of Runequest. Until then – enjoy, and let me know what you think!The post Runequest RPG Ep. 1 (Part 1) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.