Random Expedition Groups for BM

I'm drafting four sets on Acolytes of Orcus and Necromancers of Set for BM. These were done using the monster entires (and the odd personal tweak). I figured I would make them available when they are ready for anyone who doesn't want to do it themselves.

Also, I'd like to expand the random adventuring parties. Perhaps at roughly odd levels through level seven. If you have an old dead character, or just want to role one up, or name and role up a group, note it here or email me. I'll add this to the above as a single resource supplement for everybody.

Barrowmaze Sale Ends Tonight 8pm

Be advised, I'll be taking the BM Thanksgiving Sale tonight at 8pm.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Barrowmaze Thanksgiving Sale

The Thanksgiving Barrowmaze Sale is here!

There's 10% off all pdf and print products on rpgnow. The sale will run through the weekend so please pass the word across your networks.

Happy Thanksgiving and Go Cowboys!

http://www.rpgnow.com/index.php?x=0&y=0&author=Greg%20Gillespie

Upcoming Barrowmaze Sale

Just a quick note to say I'll be running a special sale to mark the Thanksgiving holiday. I'll sort out the details and have that set-up on Wednesday.

Save or Die #60

Save or Die #60

The Save or Die Podcast is now available on iTunes or at the below address.

I joined DMs Mike, Liz, and Glen for a long discussion of Barrowmaze.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

http://saveordie.info

Rpg Circus Podcast

Hung out with Jeff and George on the RPG Circus podcast. Check it out:

http://www.rpgcircus.com/node/155

Otherworld Indiegogo Closing, time to Get Involved

http://www.indiegogo.com/otherworldDA?c=home&a=533405

Review: Dungeon! 2012

I've eagerly awaited the new Dungeon! Boardgame. Yes, I knew it would have some WotC silliness (and it does) but I still have my original copy in great shape (Roslof cover) and have enjoyed it a great deal over the years. It's a nice alternative when you want a break from a regular D&D campaign.

I like the new board. I would have liked more of a distinction between light orange and dark orange for levels 2 and 3. That should have been cleaned up. I also would have preferred true purple over pink for level 4. It doesn't have the monster illustrations on the board like the older version. I like those fanciful but meaningful aesthetic additions. It gave the game a certain charm. I did appreciate male and female characters, even though I think the over-produced, over-posed 4e art is terrible.

I have gripes with the monster/treasure/spell cards. The stock won't accomodate regular usage. They are simply too thin and won't hold up with regular wear and tear. Also, I found the cards too busy. They just don't need that much information. I want big monster illos, not boring stats. As I normally say with most WotC items, for-the-love-of-the-gods keep it simple. The cardstock character pieces are too tall, tip over, and make no sense. The pawns in the old game (although not very cool) were far more practical than the tall character stand-ins. We, as you can see, used some mins instead (you know, the ones with the decomposing plastic).

Finally, some of the logic of the game bugs me. For example, if you are republishing Dungeon! you are saying, very clearly, THIS IS A NOSTALGIA GAME and we are targeting a certain demographic. Yes, other folks might buy the game but - odds are - the target audience has played the original game at some point. With that in mind, why is a Gelatinous Cube located on level 5? Why is a Carrion Crawler located on level 6 along with a Purple Worm and the Red/Black/Blue Dragons? Similarly, for a nostalgia game why use the terrible monster and PC aesthetic of 4e? If Elmore was good enough for the the cover of the 4e redbox then I would have gone a different direction with this game. If you are going to be a bear, then be a grizzly, so to speak.

The board of my game was/is bowed pretty badly. That sucks.

In sum, I appreciate WotC republishing this game. So much so I bought two as my kids are young and will no doubt destroy the first copy over time (I'm realistic). Being completely honest, I am more inclined to use the board and reprint the cards from the original game, than use the monster cards provided. They are more simple and easier for the kids to read. In all I'm underwhelmed. If you have no other options and want to play then buy a copy, if you have the old game, stick with that one.

BM Treasure

Well, from the posts on google+ folks have started receiving their Barrowmaze campaign packages. Remind me to tell you the human interest story about the elaborate shipping plan lol

Here's what some of the treasure looks like. I hope it meets expectations and people can have fun with it.

As an aside, I picked up a copy of the new Dungeon! Game and played with my kids after school. I'm going to post on it shortly.

B-Day

“You are about to embark upon a grand megadungeon under which I have striven these many months. The eyes of the realm are upon you…I have full confidence in your capacity to pilfer loot, your devotion to XP, and your capacity to flee ravenous monsters.”

That’s right folks – Barrowmaze II has shipped for all those living in the US. The packages will be coming USPS. I have personally packed and shipped each box (with an assist from Dan Proctor). Canadian and international orders will be posted this coming week.