This is a bonus episode featuring a ‘Library Use’ segment that we recorded which looks in detail at issue 52 of Dragon Magazine (published in August 1981). The publication was around the same time as the launch of the Moldvay edition of Basic D&D. We discuss an article where the new edition is discussed in comparison with the Holmes edition. We also review some of the other content in this feature rich issue.
This is the second part of the Dungeons and Dragons Episode. Lew Pulsipher returns to talk more about his contributions to White Dwarf, his strategy game Britannia and his contributions to EN World.
Daily Dwarf revisits Holmes Basic D&D and tries to revive the magic.
Cris Watkins from Bonhomie Games shares his First, Last and Everything.
Blythy and Dirk have a ‘cover off’ looking at some of the art that defined Dungeons and Dragons.
This episode is dedicated to Basic Dungeons and Dragons.
Our guest is Lew Pulsipher who was a regular contributor to the Golden Era of White Dwarf. He talks about his formative years in role-playing. He is still contributing to EN World and has a Video channel all about Games Design.
Blythy and I talk about finding players and how he fell in love with the game back in the day and his joy in rediscovering it now.
INTRO Blimey Charlie! This is the twentieth podcast!
1:53 GAMESMASTER’S SCREEN Rick Meints, President of Chaosium, joins us once again. This time we roll on a special ‘plunder’ table to search his fabled collection as he recounts past adventures from back in the day.
42:08 OPEN BOX Borderlands is Chaosium’s classic campaign from 1982 – we’ve played it twice, once in ’83 and again in ’13 – find out why this is very much our ‘foundational document’.
This episode includes odds n’ sods, Old Scroates and Points of View about AD&D.
Introduction 00.15
Dirk muses over the ridiculous, complicated numbering strategy adopted by the podcast and introduces Ric and Tim, the stars of this part of the episode.
Old Scroates (Part 1) 04.15
It’s not a proper theGROGNARDfiles episode without a cheeky mention of Runequest. Tim tells the story of playing with John Quaife, contributor to White Dwarf, back in the day.
Potted History (Part 1) 15.17
The original story of D&D.
Old Scroates (Part 2) D&D Tales 25.04
Tim and Ric share their experiences of playing D&D with reports of games they have played.
Potted History (Part 2) 36.29
What happened to D&D during our deep freeze.
Old Scroates (Part 3) 40.31
Tim and Ric address some of the issues that have been raised in our AD&D episode.
Post Bag 01.02
Blythy joins Dirk as we rifle through the bag of holding to pick out some interesting points of view. Please be aware that your head may rattle when the Demon Overlord appears.
Outro 01.28
Updates on the latest news from the Patreon projects. Please note that contrary to what is said in this bit, GROGMEET is not taking place 10 years ago.
Thank you to all of our supporters and listeners. If you get chance, please pop a review on iTunes. Thanks Dirk.
So, after we’ve covered the Dungeon Masters Guide it’s time for us to get to the nitty-gritty of the core rules.
INTRODUCTION 0:19
The story so far and a review from iTunes. Please review us too, if you haven’t already.
WHITE DWARF SCENARIOS (Part 1) 4:54
@dailydwarf makes his first, controversial, pick from his personal best AD&D scenarios in White Dwarf and lists the ‘also rans’.
JUDGE BLYTHY RULES! 13:24
We got a mention on the very entertaining Old School podcast SAVE OR DIE. They have an interview with Chris Holmes, son of Dr J. Eric Holmes, author of D&D Basic from back in the day.
WHITE DWARF SCENARIOS (Part 2) 44:54
GAMES MASTER’S SCREEN 50:22
Two wizards dual to the death on the blackened heath.
WHITE DWARF SCENARIOS (Part 3) 1:22
POST BAG 1:29
I’ve made a contribution to the Rolistes Podcast Foodie Special.
Last couple of tickets remain for Grog-Meet in November.
Become an honorary member of The Armchair Adventurers by putting a few coins in the beret as a tip, at the Patreon site. Watch the video I made too, I’m very proud of it.
Roll up! Roll up! Finally, the GROGNARD files turns it’s attention to the grand daddy of them all. Make some space in your pod box for a 2 hour spectacular.
Introduction. Dirk shows off his new turn table and invites you to add songs to his RPG playlist
1. Daily Dwarf Open Box. 7.04 – Find out how @dailydwarf was introduced to the hobby via Dungeons and Dragons.
2. Open Box. 11.08. The Armchair Adventurers talk about the early days of playing D&D with only one third of the rules and discovering the red box in ’83.
3. The White Dwarf. 32.39 @dailydwarf begins his personal selection of articles from the greatest RPG magazine of them all.
4. Open Box Again 41.00 The Armchair Adventurers rediscover AD&D in the early 21st Century.
5. The White Dwarf. 54.11 @dailydwarf continues his picks.
6. Judge Blythy Rules! 1.00 Judge Blythy pours over the finer details of The Dungeon Master’s Guide while Dirk rides in on a high horse.
7. The White Dwarf. @dailydwarf concludes his choices with praise for Lew Pulsipher’s contributions.
8. Thanks to new Patreons and a request for entries to our postbag. Next time we’ll be looking at The Player’s Handbook.
