Dragon #37May 1980 Time for another Dragon issue. I read it mostly for the adventure but #37 has some decent articles, especially for 1980. We start off on a sour note, with very long letters discussing the topic of realism. The topic is especially bittersweet for although both parties can clearly see the nuance and … More [Review] Dragon #37; The Pit of the Oracle
[Adventure]Beneath the Ruins (2012)Alex Fotinakes (Psychedelic Fantasies)Lvl ??? (est. 1-3) Another entry in the Psychedelic Fantasy series comissioned by Carcosa author Geoffrey Mckinney. The idea of the psychedelic fantasy series was a sort of proto-artpunk. The idea was to make an adventure for OD&D using all new creatures, items and powers, with minimalist presentation and … More [Review] Psychedelic Fantasies #1; Beneath the Ruins (OD&D); Science Fantasy
[Adventure]The Mausolean Maze of Mondulac the Mad (2023)Eric Hoffman (Castellan Publishing)Lvl 1 – 5 Taking a break from the great work to check out some modern OSE. I was enticed by the promise of good vanilla fantasy and a reference to Melan’s probably foundational blog post for the new and improved actual/traditionalist OSR. I am … More [Review] The Mausolean Maze of Mondulac the Mad (OSE); Minor Restoration
[Adventure]Within the Radiant Dome (2012)Gavin Norman (Psychedelic Fantasy Series)Lvl 4 (6 characters) It is easy to lose track of the fact that before Gavin Norman became the inheritor of the kingdom of B/X, he once had serious design chops. Mark well that it requires more then ambition alone to sit on the twenty-sided throne. This … More [Review] Within the Radiant Dome (OD&D); Directed Energy
[Adventure]AX2 Secrets of the Nethercity (2018)Alexander Macris & Newton Grant Lvl 3 – 8 The ACKsination is underway. As the ACKs kickstarter (banned by the pretender OSR reddit) grinds its way towards the 300k mark, I have taken it upon myself to dedicate November to the adventures of this most dense, serious, advanced and autistic … More [Review] AX2 Secrets of the Nethercity (ACKS); The ACKs Tax
[Adventure]AX1 The Sinister Stone of Sakkara (2015)Matthew Skail & Alexander Macris Lvl 1 – 3Summary: B2 + T1 + Conan The month of the ACKs has begun. In celebration of the grand success of the ACKs II Kickstarter, every second review will be an ACKs adventure. This first effort serves as an introductory adventure for … More [Review] AX1 – The Sinister Stone of Sakkara (ACKs); Coverage
[Adventure]Trick Mission: Butchering Basement (2023)Unbalanced Dice GamesLvl ??? (1-3) The following review contains spoilers. Please do not read this if you are a member of the Pedantic gaming discord. He’s back and he’s writing again! The strangest, most eccentric creator in the OSR has once again busted out of the asylum and is publishing material. … More [Review] Tricky Mission: Butchering Basement (LL); Tricks only
Habitual disclaimer: I do not own any of this, I have neither asked nor received official permission and this translation and critique is done for educational and entertainment purposes only. Occasionally some liberties have been taken with the translation to improve legibility and trim some of the fat but in all cases effort has been expended … More [Ludeoarcheology] Casus Belli #007: Le Couer de la Mort + Original Samurai Class
A proto-samurai class in this issue and Ungoliant as a monster entry? Habitual disclaimer: I do not own any of this, I have neither asked nor received official permission and this translation and critique is done for educational and entertainment purposes only. Occasionally some liberties have been taken with the translation to improve legibility and trim … More [Ludeoarcheology] Casus Belli #006; Le Roc Des Vautours
“No more leisurely walks in serene dungeons, your adventures are now certainly seasoned and fierce, and must claim a journey to their measure.” Some notes about the GM being free to expand or add context or a legend about this area of their own, very nice. The gloves come off in this one. Essentially a … More [Ludoarcheology] Casus Belli #04; La Gorge du Fafnir
Age of Dusk 