

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

Jun 8, 2019 • 1h 12min
EXTRA – A RPG GamesMaster Prepares (UK Games Expo 19)
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This is a GROGPOD extra, made possible thanks to the generosity of the GROGSQUAD patreons. This is a Newstalgia podcast talking about the things we are playing now.
It is focused on the preparations for the RPGs played at UK Games Expo: Savage Worlds, PSI World and Lyonesse.
Here are some links mentioned in the pod:
Role-Play Rescue: Che Webster’s GM Journal inspired the approach to this podcast
Keehar’s Blog: An occasional blog where Keehar shares his preparation and play reports.
The Smart Party: Listen to the full seminar ‘How to GM at Conventions.
Bud’s RPG Reviews: I met the man behind ‘the hands’ check out his channel.
The Design Mechanism: Follow them to catch the Lyonesse preview when it comes available
The post EXTRA – A RPG GamesMaster Prepares (UK Games Expo 19) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

May 20, 2019 • 1h 30min
Episode 28 (Part 2) More Tunnels & Trolls RPG (with Ken St Andre)
More Tunnels & Trolls (with Ken St Andre)
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INTRO: A new review of The GROGNARD files
INTERVIEW: A list of interesting things referred to by Ken: His mini, Trollhala Press, Fours, and Big Jack Brass
ACTUAL PLAY: Hook up with The Smart Party to hear more
FIRST, LAST, EVERYTHING: This time : Steve Ray
GROGGLEBOX: At The Earth’s Core
Outro: Thanks for supportingThe post Episode 28 (Part 2) More Tunnels & Trolls RPG (with Ken St Andre) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Apr 22, 2019 • 1h 30min
Episode 28 (Part 1) Monsters! Monsters! RPG (with Ken St Andre)
Monsters! Monsters! RPG with Ken St Andre
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INTRO: 00:00:16 – This is the first part of a two part episode looking at the games and worlds created by Ken St Andre. He’s one of the founders of the hobby and tremendously influential on the development of RPGS.
OPEN BOX: 00:04:40 – Live from his Troll Cave in Arizona, The Trollgodfather tells the story of his origins and influences. Find Ken St Andre works at Trollhalla.
WHITE DWARF: 00:40:40 @dailydwarf is back! He’s looking at how White Dwarf provided advice on how to get the best out of your monsters!
FIRST, LAST, EVERYTHING: 00:55:10 A brand new feature for the GROGPOD – a member of the GROGSQUAD selects three of their favourite games – the first they played, the last game that got them excited and the game that means everything to them. James Holloway from the Monster Man podcast is up first.
GAMESMASTERS’ SCREEN 01:03:40 Blythy and Dirk in the room of roleplaying rambling playing monsters.
OUTRO: Check out Save for Half and their episode about Monsters! Monsters! The most recent edition of What would the Smart Party do? podcast covers 70s games. If you’d like to hear a Monsters! Monsters! actual play, go to Whartson Hall.
The GROGZINE is coming as a gift for Patreons.The post Episode 28 (Part 1) Monsters! Monsters! RPG (with Ken St Andre) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Apr 12, 2019 • 1h 55min
EXTRA – Stormbringer Actual Play (with Red Moon Role-playing)
Stormbringer Actual Play
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I was kindly invited to Games Master a game of Stormbringer by the wonderfully macabre actual play podcast Red Moon Roleplaying.
These is a teaser for an upcoming special guest, listen to the show to find out more …
Adventure: The Fang and the Fountain from Perils of the Young KingdomsMusic by: Ager Sonus, Cryo ChamberThe post EXTRA – Stormbringer Actual Play (with Red Moon Role-playing) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Mar 19, 2019 • 1h 46min
Episode 27 (Part 2) Fate (with Robin of Sherwood actual play)
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We’re continuing our Robin of Sherwood theme. We discuss Fate and use it to provide a sample play in Sherwood Forest created by the TV series.
We hope that it will inspire you to invest in some FUDGE dice and have a go at creating your own worlds.The post Episode 27 (Part 2) Fate (with Robin of Sherwood actual play) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Feb 26, 2019 • 1h 19min
EXTRA – Call of Cthulhu Actual Play (with How We Roll and Scott Dorwood)
The auditorium was massive!
Call of Cthulhu Actual Play (with How We Roll and Scott Dorwood)
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I attended the first ever PodUk Convention in Birmingham and appeared in a live show. How We Roll podcast hosted a live, actual play, with Scott Dorwood (from The Good Friends of Jackson Ellias) as the keeper.
Hope that you enjoy listening to The Necropolis.The post EXTRA – Call of Cthulhu Actual Play (with How We Roll and Scott Dorwood) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Feb 17, 2019 • 1h 33min
Episode 27 (Part One) Robin of Sherwood (with Graham Staplehurst)
Robin of Sherwood (with Graham Staplehurst)
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INTRO: In this episode we are continuing our exploration of the context of gaming in the eighties, by looking at one of the TV series that influenced how we played.
POTTED HISTORY: This is a quick summary of how the programme came to be made and a bit of background about Richard Carpenter. If you’d like to know more, I recommend the wonderful, comprehensive books by Andrew Orton
OPEN BOX: Graham Staplehurst talks about his writing in fanzines, for MERP and his role in bringing Robin of Sherwood to life in RPGs. He mentions Other Minds magazine and the audio dramas available from Spiteful Puppet.
GROGGLEBOX: A new feature. Blythy and Ed join Dirk to do a commentary on The Seven Poor Knights from Acre episode.
OUTRO: A quick update on our latest projects. Also a shout out for The Lost Art of Ray Willner: The Adventures of Robin Hood. The post Episode 27 (Part One) Robin of Sherwood (with Graham Staplehurst) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Jan 21, 2019 • 1h 46min
Episode 26 – HeroQuest RPG (with Ian Cooper) from GROGMEET 18
https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Episode-26-HeroQuest-RPG-with-Ian-Cooper-21_01_2019-10.46.m4a
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INTRO: This is an unusual GROGPOD as it was recorded live at GROGMEET 18. Ian Cooper talks about HeroQuest and there’s a chance for you to win a copy of the game thanks to our friends at bonhomiegames.uk
Show us your favourite handout, character sheet, floor plan, prop, mini or any other physical item you’ve produced for your gaming before the end of Feb to be in with a chance of winning.
INTERVIEW: Ian Cooper talks about his formative years in gaming, oral story telling, Greg Stafford, HeroQuest and his Coming Storm campaign.
GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN: Blythy joins me in the Room of Role-Playing Rambling to talk about generic systems. Want to know more about Judge Dredd in the world of GUMSHOE? Then check out Steve Ray’s play reports.
OUTRO: Patreon thanks, the latest news about the GROGZINE and the plans for the next episode.The post Episode 26 – HeroQuest RPG (with Ian Cooper) from GROGMEET 18 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Dec 20, 2018 • 1h 30min
Episode 25 – Review of 2018 (Featuring WFRP actual play)
https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Episode-25-Review-of-2018-featuring-WFRP-actual-play-20_12_2018-08.20.m4a
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In this episode we review our year in gaming and dish out our GROGGIE awards.
It also features WFRP actual play, hosted by The Smart Party.
Subscribe to their feed to catch the rest of it, when it is released.
Podcast recommendations: How we Roll, The Chimpions, Vintage RPG podcast, and Appendix N.The post Episode 25 – Review of 2018 (Featuring WFRP actual play) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Nov 25, 2018 • 1h 23min
Episode 24 (Part 2) WARHAMMER Fantasy Role Play (with Graeme Davis)
https://thegrognardfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Episode-24-Part-2-WARHAMMER-Fantasy-Role-Play-with-Graeme-Davies-25_11_2018-15.25.m4a
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INTRO: We’ve had another iTunes review (we’d love to get more!)
GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN: Graeme Davis takes us on a whistle stop tour around his career so far: check out this book-listing at Graeme’s site for all the references mentioned.
WHITE DWARF: @dailydwarf has given another insightful perspective of all of the adventures that appeared White Dwarf for the game.
OPEN BOX: Blythy and Dirk talk about Warhammer and how they can fit it in their gaming repertoire.
OUTRO: Only a few days left to register for a hard copy of the GROGZINE 2019.The post Episode 24 (Part 2) WARHAMMER Fantasy Role Play (with Graeme Davis) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.