The last episode of this podcast. I share some thoughts on why I'm ending the podcast. Thank you for listening!Credits Intro music - Dragonaut by Bradley The Buyer (⁠bit.ly/2ASpAlF⁠) / Outro music - Dream by Wild Shores (⁠bit.ly/2jbJehK⁠) / All music used with permission.By Michael S / Chgowiz

A quick year-end update, since I’ve been busy with holiday and hunting season activities. I want to wish all of you a very Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! If you celebrate, have yourself a Merry Christmas!I did finish my Dungeon23 project! Here’s the details: https://chgowiz-games.etinerra.com/wp/2023/12/16/finishing-dungeon23-i-did-it/-----Want…

October was a much busier month than I anticipated, so these Q/A call-in answers are a bit late, my apologies!I answer questions/comments about OSR October, OD&D alignment, and module deconstruction from:Jason of Nerd’s RPG Varietycast podcast ( )Bosman Bos of Tales from the Border Baronies ( https://borderbaronies.bearblog.dev/blog/ )Menion/Rob of…

In this episode, I go over how I deconstruct modules for my own use, whether in my campaign or as one-shots. This is how I get around the linear (and sometimes railroad) designs of many modules.I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get to call-ins, as this was recorded while I was attending GameHoleCon in mid October 2023.Full credit for the phrase “Chgowiz’s…

I’m in the middle of a physical move from one side of Illinois to the other, so this is just a quick update and some thoughts on what I’ll talk about in October.Full credit for the phrase “Chgowiz’s Infinite Barrel of Monkeys” goes to Menion/Rob of the podcast “Confessions of a Wee Tim'rous Bushi” (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/menion)---…

This episode, I ask what YOU want to hear about in OSR October, and I discuss some great call-ins with more about Holmes Basic and OD&D. Help! I’d like to participate in OSR October, but I’m not sure what you’d like to hear about! If you have ideas, suggestions - please let me know by leaving a voice comment (see below). Thank you!-----Call-in gues…

This episode, I take a look at how I’ve used Holmes Basic with my OD&D (and AD&D) games, and a quick comparison of differences between the influential Basic set and the original game.Links mentioned:The Zenopus Archives - a fantastic resource of all things Holmes! https://sites.google.com/site/zenopusarchives/----Want to comment/ask questions? Leav…

I answer an email with questions about running my D&D campaign, with some thoughts on 3 hexes and classes. I also answer Chainmail callins! Call in guests: Jason of Nerds RPG Variety Cast, John of Red Dice Diaries, Daniel of Bandits Keep.Referenced resourcesGrognard - a “retroclone” of Chainmail, organizing the rules into a more coherent and modern…

In this episode, I talk about how I adapted the Classic Traveller chargen to my Battlestar Galactica universe. Mentions:Joe/Dekahedron Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/48PrG9H7mDbdzdxtET1sI6----Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to us…

In this episode, I share how I do missile fire in my adaptation of Chainmail for OD&D. Plus, call-ins!Show NotesOld School RPG Planet: https://campaignwiki.org/osr/Call in guestsDaniel of Bandit's Keep podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/daniel-nortonJason of Nerds RPG Variety Cast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason376⁠…

I share four key resources that I think will help anyone who is trying to learn how to play along with the original three little brown books of Dungeons & Dragons as printed back in 1974. Plus, probably one of the most unusual call-ins from a fellow podcaster that you’ll hear!----OD&D Proboards Forum - https://odd74.proboards.com/Philotomy’s Musing…

AD&D can be confusing on how to place treasures with creatures in the wilderness and dungeons, and what's up with all those letters for Treasure Types? In this episode, I go over how AD&D tries to lay this out, and what tips/tricks I use to make the process simple -- at least for me!Plus, I have a great call in from a new listener, Trevor!----Sword…

Third time's the charm! I finally was able to get this episode recorded! In this episode, rather than talking about how I use Chainmail, I give some thoughts on how Chainmail, in some way, expects you to mold it into what you want to do with it.The companion blog post to this episode goes into some specifics of how I use Chainmail in my OD&D games:…

This episode - I've recently started diving into the three 1977 Classic Traveler "little black books" and I'm finding some surprising similarities and philosophies to the earlier 1974 Original Dungeons & Dragons. I'll talk about those similarities and take some call-ins from folks with questions and comments!----My call-in guests:Daniel of Bandit's…

In this episode, I answer a great question from Daniel Norton (Bandit's Keep podcast) about how I manage time and calendars across the three separate player groups and wargame campaigns I have within my AD&D world of Etinerra.------Bandit's Keep podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/02QTUpzgKCv2aT6sH6G5rk------Want to comment/ask questions? Leave …

In this episode, I talk about how good things come to an end… or at least an end of how they’ve been. This is all about an 8 year play by post AD&D campaign that just wrapped up a major story arc and could potentially be the end of the campaign itself, depending on what the players want to do.I also briefly touch on how Dungeon23 is going for me, a…

This episode, I’m going to talk about assumptions and expectations that we often have about the rules and the ways things should work - and I think that sometimes takes away from the experience of just being “in” the rules and the game and experiencing it for what it is. Then I’ll answer two call-ins.-----Nerds RPG Variety Cast: ⁠https://podcasters…

Yay! I hit the big Five-Oh episode with a look back at where I've been, what I've learned and what might be coming next. Plus, call-ins from Jason of Nerd's RPG Variety Cast podcast, and Daniel of Bandit's Keep podcast.-----Link to blogpost of the new Swords & Wizardry Treasure Generator:https://chgowiz-games.blogspot.com/2023/03/new-release-swords…

I recently took up a project to convert my GM preparation tools to a web-based table generator system called Hex-Describe. What started as just taking spreadsheet tables to text tables ended up being a journey through the AD&D core books. This episode, I share some of that journey and just some thoughts/blathering about AD&D and topics. -----Hex-De…

There are some hidden directions and implications in OD&D and AD&D on XP and leveling beyond just killing things and taking their stuff. Not quest XP, exactly, but the implication of power and influence. I ramble on a bit about that and how I handle it in my OD&D and AD&D games. Also, Dungeon23 continues!Sorry for the road noise! Commuting episodes…

As folks are busy creating dungeons for Dungeon23, they're asking about what to do with empty rooms! This episode, I share some thoughts about how to embrace the art of empty rooms and how I approach them.-----Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Disc…

Merry Christmas! It's Christmas Eve and I have a few minutes to answer some great call-ins. We continue the discussion and thoughts on DIY rules versus published rules.Thank you to Daniel Norton of Bandits Keep ( https://anchor.fm/daniel-norton ) and Jason of Nerd's RPG Variety Cast ( https://anchor.fm/jason376 ) for calling in!-----Want to comment…

It was The Way for Gary/David in 1974, hopefully it could still be considered for today's games? In this episode, I share my thoughts and opinions on houseruling and thinking outside the rules - how that has changed from early D&D versions to today's games. I also share progress on my Dungeon23 megadungeon!-----Want to comment/ask questions? Leave …

An interesting project is taking shape in the social media-sphere of the TTRPG world - Dungeon23! The idea is to create a room a day, completing a level a month, so that at the end of the year, you'll have a megadungeon of 12 levels, roughly 30 rooms each level. Neat!In a "commute episode", with the expected audio quality (or lack-thereof), I talk …

For many, miniatures on the gaming table is a special part of the experience. One of the original names in Dungeons & Dragons gaming (and wargaming!) is Ral Partha. This storied name and many of the figures are now owned by Jacob Fathbruckner. During the 'teens, he ran three Kickstarters which put many old and some new Ral Partha figures back in pr…

Running a heist game in D&D isn't as easy/clear-cut as running a dungeon or wilderness adventure. This episode, I cover how I did it, in response to a vlog by Todd of Hexed Press, and because I intended on making this episode TWO YEARS AGO!----Link to Hexed Press vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R7atzWaaVILink to "Kidnap the Archpriest": http…

I learn lessons from all my games, whether Play-by-Post, online or tabletop/face-to-face. This episode, I talk about how I took the druid from 1st Edition AD&D and made their initiation/level-up more about player choice than relying on combat or skill challenge rolls. Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.s…

Achievement unlocked! Post-COVID tabletop gaming resumed! In this episode, I talk about how the recent face-to-face game went and a few things to come out of it. Link to my campaign website: https://etinerra.com/index.html Link to Berthier wargames campaign manager: https://sites.google.com/site/berthiercampaignmanager/home Want to comment/ask ques…

Later this month, I'll restart my tabletop game - the third game in my AD&D campaign world. I'm also looking to restart my 1x1 game with my wife.In this episode, we discuss how I'm doing all that - how can you pick up the pieces and have a smooth transition when months, or even years, has passed? Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message…

Keeping the Chronicles of Etinerra campaign alive! Two of my games have fully restarted, and I'm looking to restart my tabletop campaign. A quick update! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz@gmail.c…

So the pandemic is winding down in the United States, but how am I doing with my campaign and gaming?Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I blog/podcast at: https://chgowiz-games.et…

After hitting a point in May, I've been taking care of my mental health. Slowly getting back into gaming. Plus, No Man's Sky!Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I blog/podcast at: …

By Crom, I've finally reached the (infamous) Barbarian class as I read through 1st edition AD&D's Unearthed Arcana! This episode, I review the class and share if I'd use it in my campaign.Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz E…

Join me as I continue my a series of episodes where I read through the (in)famous supplement to AD&D: Unearthed Arcana! Will I use UA in my campaign? Let's find out! This episode, I cover the Paladin, the Druid and the Fighter. I found some surprising elements in each, see what I think about the changes to each class!Show Notes Links:Con of Champio…

Join me as I continue my a series of episodes where I read through the (in)famous supplement to AD&D: Unearthed Arcana! Will I use UA in my campaign? Let's find out!This episode gets into the classes section of UA, where I discover and consider the cavalier! I had a lot of fun considering the options presented, but let's see if it will make it into…

I've decided to pick up the (in)famous supplement to AD&D: Unearthed Arcana! Join me as I begin a series of episodes where I read through the book and see what all the controversy is about. Will I use UA in my campaign? Let's find out!This episode is the introduction to the series, and I go over the comeliness attribute option and the rules expansi…

It's been a month or so since I've caught up with my call-ins, and I have plenty of observations and questions from some other great podcasters! This is a bit longer than my usual episode, but I hope you enjoy!! Thanks to these great folks for the call-ins and messages!Nerds RPG Variety Cast - Jasonhttps://anchor.fm/jason376Gothridge Manor - Tim Sh…

A recent question on the AD&D subreddit (/r/adnd) serves as the topic for this episode - regarding the rules around pursuit and evasion in both the dungeon and wilderness.https://old.reddit.com/r/adnd/comments/fsnkzk/fleeing_and_pursuit_1e/This is also my first ever streamed recording session! I had two supporters ask some great questions after the…

A quick episode to talk about what's going on with my shelter-in-place gaming life. Lots of changes and I'm very busy these days! What do you think?!Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠…

My first guest on The Dungeon Master's Handbook! I interview my wife who has been the player in our 11 year one on one OD&D campaign. She talks about what makes it work for her and answers questions from redditors!Show NotesLink to a very old wiki I maintained for the 1 on 1 campaign: https://the-vale-solo-campaign.obsidianportal.com/Want to commen…

In this episode, I take a break from AD&D and talk about a different gaming love - how I combined OD&D and the Ultima CRPG setting from the early 80s into a great homebrew RPG game!Show NotesLinks to my Ultima/OD&D Game "Siege Perilous"Players Rulebook: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwiMsojGKI2KUldjYjRGRXhNWjgGame Referee's Guide: https://drive…

In this episode, I wrap up my attempt to demystify AD&D combat with a correction, some odds-ends and Weapons vs. AC! Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip on Discord to user: chgowiz Email me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chgowiz@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I blog/podcast at: https://…

There have been many attempts to house-rule and update AD&D Initiative/Surprise rules to make it more "realistic." I visit one of those alternative systems from an email I received, as well as talk about what happened with my player that I thought was leaving my campaign! Plus... I'm nervous about a new type of game!You can find the show notes with…

A lot of games over the past couple of weeks, and some lessons learned as a DM! Come listen as I share about running boss battles, using random events in interesting ways and how a big reveal had me worried that I'd lost a player!Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me a…

This is a VERY special episode and it's an experiment! David, player of Eadwig from my Etinerra campaign, submitted a fantastic adventurer's journal entry that I simply had to share. I've been listening to other spoken word/voice acting podcasts and thought I'd try my hand at reading the journal entry with some effects! I hope you enjoy it as much …

Mr. Goblin's Henchman of Goblins Henchmen Podcast (https://anchor.fm/ghench) sent a message with two questions about AD&D - Magic Resistance and how spellbooks work in my campaign. I had great fun sharing the answers!Want to comment/ask questions? Leave a voice message on Speakpipe: ⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/MichaelChgowiz⁠ Leave me an audio clip …

I'm challenging conventional wisdom that AD&D by-the-book combat is too difficult! In this episode, I visit initiative one more time to talk about melee with a spell-caster, and then I cover charging.Links from episode: My AD&D Combat Cheat Sheet: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1buc4Iubou-bH7V1Ud-h_4SkHm9wfm64aWant to comment/ask questions? Leave…

My thoughts on the OSR of the past 2019 and coming 2020. As well, I answer call-ins from listeners and other podcasters! John Alan Large of Red Dice Diaries (https://anchor.fm/the-red-dice-diaries) - Wargames in a D&D CampaignChe Webseter of Roleplay Rescue (https://anchor.fm/jbpublishing) - Thanks!Joe aka The Blind Rat of Hindsightless (https://an…

Taking a cue from how Tim Shorts of Gothridge Manor Podcast makes episodes in his car, I do some philosophizing about attracting players to old school games. I also talk about the difficulties of some of the elders of the RPG community have with the changing world.On behalf of the Shorten family, we want to wish each and everyone of you a very Happ…

Bonus episode with Call-ins from listeners and other podcasters! Josh Beckelhimer of JB Publishing (https://anchor.fm/jbpublishing) - Breaking assumptions John Alan Large of Red Dice Diaries (https://anchor.fm/the-red-dice-diaries) - How do I keep interest in a 10 year campaign Joe aka The Blind Rat of Hindsightless (https://anchor.fm/joe-richter9)…