tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post1428176757113604001..comments2024-03-18T20:22:06.331-04:00Comments on GROGNARDIA: Review SuggestionsJames Maliszewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-60586168091106292662009-01-22T18:51:00.000-05:002009-01-22T18:51:00.000-05:00And yes, if Mongoose knew what was good for them t...<I>And yes, if Mongoose knew what was good for them they'd send you a review copy post-haste! :D</I><BR/><BR/>I don't seek out review copies; I always feel a bit cheap doing that and goodness knows I already own more RPG stuff than I ought to. Still, I'm always grateful when people send stuff my way to look at and I'd be happy to review anything Mongoose might send me, but I'm not holding my breath.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-35915630205716951872009-01-22T11:31:00.000-05:002009-01-22T11:31:00.000-05:00I'll second Dragon Warriors. First of all, there a...I'll second <I>Dragon Warriors</I>. First of all, there are few to no reviews of the Mongoose edition, and secondly, the one (incomplete) review I could find (over on ENworld) contained a note on the cover art that I think you'd find interesting:<BR/><BR/><I>"cover is done in color and depicts 4 adventurers (presumably a knight, barbarian, sorcerer and mystic) on guard as they descend cracked stone stairs into the unknown depths of some crumbling ruin. The art is old school in flavor but very evocative of a more dark and subdued adventurers than the wahoo style of more modern games...these adventurers look like they really don't want to be doing this and actually fear what lurks in the darkness before them."</I><BR/><BR/>And yes, if Mongoose knew what was good for them they'd send you a review copy post-haste! :DDavid Larkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04133630988557116729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-37629682085388898192009-01-20T07:49:00.000-05:002009-01-20T07:49:00.000-05:00What about Barbarians of Lemuria? It seems to me t...What about Barbarians of Lemuria? It seems to me that it has the best parts of the Old School and the New Wave.Slaughtermillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11970436092152284178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-64186895408759872272009-01-19T19:27:00.000-05:002009-01-19T19:27:00.000-05:00I'd like to see some of Oone's products and maps r...<I>I'd like to see some of Oone's products and maps reviewed.</I><BR/><BR/>I wasn't even aware of these. Which ones are you thinking about?James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-44374888569394238302009-01-19T11:42:00.000-05:002009-01-19T11:42:00.000-05:00...Dragon Warriors...We should write Mongoose and ...<I>...Dragon Warriors...</I><BR/><BR/>We should write Mongoose and tell them to send him review copies of everything. ^_^Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733274876782876659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-84309301488986593452009-01-19T07:59:00.000-05:002009-01-19T07:59:00.000-05:00Have you covered the old Flying Buffalo systemless...Have you covered the old Flying Buffalo systemless books, the "Catalyst" series including Maps, Grimtooth's and the Citybooks? The Citybooks, in particular, are wonderful material for any campaign and the list of authors is quite an old school "Who's Who".Big Jack Brasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12685412912767965560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-88058383104747179392009-01-19T07:54:00.000-05:002009-01-19T07:54:00.000-05:00I'd be curious to know your thoughts on Dragon...I'd be curious to know your thoughts on Dragon Warriors, the recently reprinted 80s RPG that is sort of like a British answer to B/X D&D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-21893838288356911602009-01-18T20:33:00.000-05:002009-01-18T20:33:00.000-05:00AC9: Creature CatalogueAC9: Creature CatalogueWill Mistrettahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18403399118961902073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-90301513723157873302009-01-18T19:14:00.000-05:002009-01-18T19:14:00.000-05:00I'd like to see some of Oone's products and maps r...I'd like to see some of Oone's products and maps reviewed. They're short, and many have a cool blueprint feel to them. Again,not sure if that's too far outside, but the price is right. Heck, I'll buy one and send it to you, just to get it started.Zachary Houghtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01166638173640517627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-50025576417668414162009-01-18T18:15:00.000-05:002009-01-18T18:15:00.000-05:00I wouldn't mind if you touched a bit more on the F...I wouldn't mind if you touched a bit more on the Forgotten Realms 1E boxed set. (The set itself as opposed to Greenwood or FR in general.)nothinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07988753905326172273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-33632358775528286032009-01-18T17:51:00.000-05:002009-01-18T17:51:00.000-05:00(cough)...Otherworld Minis...(cough)!That reminds ...<I>(cough)...Otherworld Minis...(cough)!<BR/><BR/>That reminds me: I need to place an order with you soon for some more vermin. A pity the giant rats aren't available yet :)</I><BR/><BR/>The Giant Rats will be out on Wednesday 21st, and are available to order now. ;)otherworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10398059629991434265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-66444663742885457482009-01-18T13:50:00.000-05:002009-01-18T13:50:00.000-05:00It seems like a large part of Gary Gygax's later l...<I>It seems like a large part of Gary Gygax's later life and I'd be interested to know how his ideas about gaming evolved.</I><BR/><BR/>I've never even seen a copy of the game, unfortunately. It doesn't appear to have been much of a hit round these parts.<BR/><BR/><I>I'd also really like to see more reviews of system neutral products. Modules are okay, but I enjoyed the Classic Monsters Revisited, Points of Light, and Random Esoteric Creature products you looked at. More of those please!</I><BR/><BR/>If more of these kinds of products exist, I'll certainly review them.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-32629115406204453162009-01-18T13:49:00.000-05:002009-01-18T13:49:00.000-05:00I guess that's not technically a review reques...<I>I guess that's not technically a review request but it's something I've been thinking about. These books constituted a good deal of my 80s reading and much of what I tried to bring to D&D and other fantasy gaming in that period.</I><BR/><BR/>That's a really good suggestion, but I'm not sure I'm the one to write it, mostly because my acquaintance with most of the authors you cite is limited. I didn't really read a lot of contemporary fantasy during the Silver Age, since it (mostly) wasn't my cup of tea and I just kept re-reading the stuff I did like.<BR/><BR/>But what you suggest is a very interesting project and someone ought to do it.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-35466519615234312582009-01-18T13:46:00.000-05:002009-01-18T13:46:00.000-05:00I suggest The Spider God's Bride and Other Tales o...<I>I suggest The Spider God's Bride and Other Tales of Sword and Sorcery, a massive adventure module. I have a hunch you might like it: http://xoth.net/publishing/xp1/index.htm</I><BR/><BR/>This was suggested to me recently. I may have to give it a look, although it is a 3e collection, so I'm a bit wary.<BR/><BR/><I>Another potential candidate is this bad boy: http://mazesandminotaurs.free.fr/TOMB.html<BR/>Haven't read it yet, but it makes me quite curious.</I><BR/><BR/>That's a good suggestion. I have read the game and think very highly of it. It probably deserves a full review, though.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-35696182373684977912009-01-18T13:44:00.000-05:002009-01-18T13:44:00.000-05:00Why don't you share your opinion on T&T wi...<I>Why don't you share your opinion on T&T with us?</I><BR/><BR/>Oh, I certainly will do that. I'm waiting on a bunch of solo adventures I ordered before I start diving deeply into T&T. I'll post my thoughts on the game once I've had a chance to give it the attention it deserves.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-62008264675894527532009-01-18T13:43:00.000-05:002009-01-18T13:43:00.000-05:00What about the D&D adventures? They always see...<I>What about the D&D adventures? They always seemed great to me, but I would like to read more about them. I didnt have a chance to get my hands on most of them.</I><BR/><BR/>I already do quasi-reviews of them in my weekly Retrospective feature.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-77584577113301913722009-01-18T13:41:00.001-05:002009-01-18T13:41:00.001-05:00Perhaps the Return to the Keep on the Borderlands?...<I>Perhaps the Return to the Keep on the Borderlands?</I><BR/><BR/>I don't presently own a copy of it. I'd heard from various sources that it wasn't very good, but perhaps I ought to check it out for myself.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-89836770273143539452009-01-18T13:41:00.000-05:002009-01-18T13:41:00.000-05:00I think I’d really like to read your opinion of Mo...<I>I think I’d really like to read your opinion of Mongoose’s adaption of Lankhmar/Nehwon for RuneQuest. (From the perspective of using it with any system.)</I><BR/><BR/>I'd honestly love to do that, but, barring Mongoose's sending me a review copy, that's not likely, since I'm not likely to buy it "cold" the way I would with other more obviously old school products.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-58618610504897692232009-01-18T13:39:00.000-05:002009-01-18T13:39:00.000-05:00If you're interested, I could send you the current...<I>If you're interested, I could send you the current issues of the Scribe of Orcus. They are short.</I><BR/><BR/>Are there any beyond issue 4? If not, I have them all already, but I probably should review them, since several of them are very good indeed.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-48344081288883741732009-01-18T12:49:00.000-05:002009-01-18T12:49:00.000-05:00I've always wanted to learn more Lejandary Adventu...I've always wanted to learn more Lejandary Adventures from someone who's better versed at analyzing rules that I am. It seems like a large part of Gary Gygax's later life and I'd be interested to know how his ideas about gaming evolved.<BR/><BR/>I'd also really like to see more reviews of system neutral products. Modules are okay, but I enjoyed the Classic Monsters Revisited, Points of Light, and Random Esoteric Creature products you looked at. More of those please!Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07997164906328234122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-28945562205077879542009-01-18T12:37:00.000-05:002009-01-18T12:37:00.000-05:00More novels from Gygax's Appendix N.More novels from Gygax's Appendix N.Red Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07238525970725782306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-41213072560498330372009-01-18T11:46:00.000-05:002009-01-18T11:46:00.000-05:00Another thought: The original (as opposed to spoof...Another thought: The original (as opposed to spoof) Hackmaster modules.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16733274876782876659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-73369773279941969542009-01-18T11:13:00.000-05:002009-01-18T11:13:00.000-05:00(cough)...Otherworld Minis...(cough)!That reminds ...<I>(cough)...Otherworld Minis...(cough)!</I><BR/><BR/>That reminds me: I need to place an order with you soon for some more vermin. A pity the giant rats aren't available yet :)James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-23955758959793063032009-01-18T10:26:00.000-05:002009-01-18T10:26:00.000-05:00(cough)...Otherworld Minis...(cough)!(cough)...Otherworld Minis...(cough)!otherworldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10398059629991434265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-56278459341800376472009-01-18T10:13:00.000-05:002009-01-18T10:13:00.000-05:00Such timing...I was getting ready to write a post ...Such timing...<BR/><BR/>I was getting ready to write a post in my blog asking about "all the other fantasy" that seems to be ignored when discussing early D&D. Most people are pretty conversant with the feedback loop between fantasy and D&D in the mid-80s on but there were lots of authors current at the founding whose work isn't epic Tolkien pastiche or weird fantasy descended. I'm thinking of things ranging from the early Xanth novels (the first was published in 1977) to Jo Clayton's works (first published in 1978 with "A Diadem of Stars") to Andre Norton's Witch World (first published 1963 and the majority in 1978 or earlier) to Kurtz's Deryni (first published 1970 and Kurtz was a member of SAGA) to Bradley's Darkover (science fantasy indeed). Some D&D influenced authors would go on to write books I consider outside of the modern fantasy epic Tolkien pastiche mainstream. Katherine Kerr's novels for example (although you could shoehorn her into "romantic fantasy" if you tried really, really hard).<BR/><BR/>Where was their influence, especially on the late Golden Age and Silver Age (when Kerr was writing for Dragon)? If there wasn't any, why not? Does it have to do with most of them being women?<BR/><BR/>The reason I ask is most of these books seem perfect examples of what the Silver age could/should have been. The plots do center on events with a much larger canvas than the typical S&S story and include many popular trappings such as prophecy, old troubles rising, etc. However, they lack the epic good versus evil in either the Tolkien (the long, twilight struggle) or post Tolkien (good triumphant) form and have many more everyman heroes and morally mixed heroes than modern epic fantasy does.<BR/><BR/>I guess that's not technically a review request but it's something I've been thinking about. These books constituted a good deal of my 80s reading and much of what I tried to bring to D&D and other fantasy gaming in that period.Pulp Herbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02486803457210325703noreply@blogger.com