My apologies. The damn web page screwed up the beautiful outline format and I have no clue how to make it look nice again. The info is all there though. It will be updated with all of your comments.
Ultimate OSR Video
1. What is the OSR?
a. Brief D&D/TSR Design History
b. Great Overview here, even mentions my blog Wondrous Imaginings as one of the “pivotal early blogs” of the OSR. https://osrsimulacrum.blogspot.com/2021/02/a-historical-look-at-osr-part-i.html
c. Helpful Links:
ii. Code of ethics https://shaneplays.com/rpg-history-tsr-code-of-ethics-dd-comics-code-authority-rules/#codeofethicsimages
iii. Grognardia on pulp influences https://grognardia.blogspot.com/2008/10/picaro-and-story-of-d.html
iv. Raggi’s I Hate Fun https://lotfp.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-hate-fun.html
v. He later turned it into a video https://youtu.be/dxyhZ-rmV3g?si=rrp1PogPLFWbW-Z6
d. Matt Finch’s Primer: free version here but get the updated one in S&W Complete Book of Options https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-finch/quick-primer-for-old-school-gaming/ebook/product-1qm8y7m.html?srsltid=AfmBOop0zSMDg9LRbQAGJUsRQEpgEyNv8mLwSnjjf6LW1VPejPa6C636&page=1&pageSize=4
2. The Old School Games
a. TSR Games
ii. Holmes
iv. BECMI https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/116578/d-d-basic-set-player-s-manual-becmi-ed-basic
v. Rules Cyclopedia https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/17171/d-d-rules-cyclopedia-basic
b. Other Game Systems that are were Old School:
i. Tunnels and Trolls https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/210996/tunnels-trolls-rules-5th-editon
ii. GURPS third edition, get compendium 1 and 2 as well. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/243336/gurps-basic-set-third-edition-revised
iii. Stormbringer Chaosium version. Red Box. https://www.nobleknight.com/
iv. Pendragon https://www.nobleknight.com/
v. Thieves World https://www.nobleknight.com/
vi. Rolemaster/MERPS https://www.nobleknight.com/
vii. Warhammer (2nd ed is best). Adventure series Enemy Within https://www.nobleknight.com/
viii. Tekumel/Empire of the Petal Throne https://www.nobleknight.com/
ix. Palladium https://www.nobleknight.com/
x. Arduin https://www.nobleknight.com/
xi. Runequest https://www.nobleknight.com/
3. Message Boards
a. Don’t go to ENWorld and RPGNet
b. TheRPGSite Sometimes described as the Mos Eisley Spaceport of the OSR. Not that bad. Like the two guys from Second Hand Lions. https://www.therpgsite.com/
c. Dragonsfoot https://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=11
d. Knights and Knaves Alehouse https://www.knights-n-knaves.com/phpbb3/index.php
e. ODD74 https://odd74.proboards.com/
g. The Piazza...focused on old school settings. https://www.thepiazza.org.uk/bb/index.php?sid=106138b7f9b03410a3704899aa558a26
4. Blogs and Transition to Google+
a. Mine, Wondrous Imaginings
b. Grognardia https://grognardia.blogspot.com/
c. Tenkar’s Tavern https://www.tenkarstavern.com/
d. Gothridge Manor https://gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/
e. Bat in the Attic https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/
f. Rusty Battle Axe https://therustybattleaxe.blogspot.com/
g. Leicester's Ramble https://leicestersramble.blogspot.com/
h. MSJX https://www.msjx.org/
i. The Alexandrian https://thealexandrian.net/
j. Hack and Slash CC’s Blog https://hackslashmaster.blogspot.com/
k. Jeff’s Gameblog https://jrients.blogspot.com/
l. D&D With Porn Stars https://dndwithpornstars.blogspot.com/?zx=3bf6d542c211e06d
m. Hill Cantons https://hillcantons.blogspot.com/
n. Matt Finch’s S&W Blog https://swordsandwizardry.blogspot.com/
o. A Paladin in Citadel https://apaladinincitadel.blogspot.com/
p. Raggi’s LOTFP Blog https://lotfp.blogspot.com/?zx=9c8dd48d4207c1ec
q. A bit about 2000 Coppers
5. OSR Games
a. Matt Finch and the Retroclones
b. OSRIC https://osricrpg.com/
c. BFRPG https://www.basicfantasy.org/
d. Castles and Crusades https://trolllord.com/castles-crusades/
e. Hackmaster Check out Hackmaster Basic especially. https://kenzerco.com/hackmaster/
f. Retroclones
i. Blueholme https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/109409/blueholme-prentice-rules?filters=0_0_1300_0_0&affiliate_id=1446
ii. Labyrinth Lord https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/64332/labyrinth-lord-revised-edition
iii. OSE get the advanced fantasy rules. Used to be B/X Essentials https://necroticgnome.com/pages/about-old-school-essentials
iv. Osric for AD&D Link above
v. Swords and Wizardry Complete https://www.mythmeregames.com/
vi. For Gold and Glory: 2e clone. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/156530/for-gold-glory
g. Raggi—breaking the mold with LOTFP https://lotfp.com/RPG/
h. New ones:
i. Rules Light:
1. Shadowdark https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/pages/shadowdark?srsltid=AfmBOop_pjIN-2-iKc1SqnNe8wuM76TvjSWrIBhnIlAd6jv0a4kLRMtt
2. Deathbringer https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/396879/deathbringer-rpg
5. Five Torches Deep https://www.fivetorchesdeep.com/
6. Savage Worlds https://peginc.com/savage-settings/savage-worlds/
7. Blood and Treasure https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/189591/blood-treasure-2nd-edition-rulebook
8. Low Fantasy Gaming---borders between rules light and rules heavy. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/265388/low-fantasy-gaming-deluxe-edition
10. S&W Light https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/219477/swords-wizardry-light?cPath=8020_10020&filters=0_2140_0_0_0&affiliate_id=1446
11. S&W Continual Light https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/223909/swords-wizardry-continual-light
ii. More intensive rulesets:
1. Joe Bloch’s Adventures Dark and Deep 2nd edition just finished the kickstarter https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/3728/brw-games
2. Hyperborea https://www.hyperborea.tv/
3. Ambition and Avarice https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/359780/ambition-avarice-2nd-edition
4. Adventurer Conqueror King--ACKs 2nd ed just finished kickstarter https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/99123/adventurer-conqueror-king-system
5. Majestic Fantasy RPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/2993/bat-in-the-attic-games
6. Adventures
a. Modules/Adventure publishers
i. TSR
ii. Judges Guild
iii. Mayfair Games: Lich Lords https://www.nobleknight.com/Search?text=lich+lords
b. Adventure Styles:
i. Light, like Shadowdark and OSE
ii. More old school like Joe Bloch and Talanian—Boxed Text FTW
iii. Jaquaysing/Xandering the Dungeon https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/13085/roleplaying-games/xandering-the-dungeon
c. Best Modules
i. Best OG ones
1. Keep on the Borderlands https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/17158/b2-the-keep-on-the-borderlands-basic
2. Temple of Elemental Evil, Slavelords, Giants, Drow https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/44/wizards-of-the-coast/category/9734/ad-d-1st-ed
3. Dark Tower https://goodman-games.com/store/product/dark-tower/
4. Caverns of Thracia Goodman Games Kickstarter ended recently.
6. Worst: Forest Oracle. https://www.youtube.com/live/mf9_U5BumSg?si=cwy1TjCwbBAT8d8d
7. Dragon Mag’s Top 30 https://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/2015/03/the-30-greatest-d-adventures-of-all-time.html
ii. Best new ones
1. Death Frost Doom https://www.lotfp.com/store/DeathFrostDoom
2. Tomb of the Iron God https://www.mythmeregames.com/
3. Hole in the Oak https://necroticgnome.com/products/the-hole-in-the-oak
4. All of the Hyperborea modules https://www.hyperborea.tv/store/c4/HYPERBOREA_Adventures.html
5. Anomalous Subsurface Environment 1 and 2. Like Expedition to the Barrier Peaks https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/PatW
d. Megadungeons
ii. Undermountain:
iii. Zagyg https://trolllord.com/
iv. Greg Gillespie and Barrowmaze https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/139762/barrowmaze-complete
v. Castle of the Mad Archmage https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/3728/BRW-Games/category/45474/Castle-of-the-Mad-Archmage
vi. Rappan Athuk---don’t forget to get the maps! https://www.froggodgames.com/products/16140?srsltid=AfmBOorYnhKQ1zXBO8qX7ur96VGcOcmDIqN1RWf3Srd0QPXzpmTbj5pg
7. Settings
a. Greyhawk
ii. Sargent-- Also get from The Marklands and Iuz the Evil and City of Skulls https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/17399/from-the-ashes-2e
b. Forgotten Realms 1e https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/16782/forgotten-realms-campaign-set-1e
c. Mystara: Gazetteers and Hollow Earth https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/16974/gaz1-the-grand-duchy-of-karameikos-basic
d. Tekumel https://www.nobleknight.com/
e. Wilderlands of High Fantasy: https://www.nobleknight.com/Publisher/Judges-Guild
g. Lankhmar
ii. DCC---Mongoose had a line but it sucked https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/36/goodman-games/category/23966/dcc-lankhmar?keyword=lankhmar
h. Dragonlance Get the Atlas and the Adventures hardcover book. Most of it is through the modules. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/44/wizards-of-the-coast/category/322/dragonlance
i. Middle Earth—MERPS based on Rolemaster https://ironcrown.co.uk/merp/
k. Harnworld https://columbiagames.com/harnworld/
l. Hyperborea https://www.hyperborea.tv/
m. Midderlands https://monkeyblooddesign.co.uk/the-midderlands/
n. Dolmenwood https://necroticgnome.com/collections/dolmenwood
o. Blackmarsh—FREE Gold best seller, number one selling setting on DTRPG I think. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/89944/blackmarsh
8. Zines
a. What are they…link to our zine video. https://www.youtube.com/live/PdlEMkAiYew?si=w77FAjuCJ4Pw3GlY
i. Styles of zines
b. Notable OSR Zines
ii. Raggi: Green Devil Face https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147405143/Green-Devil-Face-1
vii. Nod---also made Blood and Treasure James Stater https://www.lulu.com/shop/john-stater/nod-1/paperback/product-12v5pnrj.html?q=nod&page=1&pageSize=4
viii. Knockspell https://www.mythmeregames.com/collections/knockspell-magazine
ix. Crit Happens https://flintfireforge.gumroad.com/
c. Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/rpgzines/
d. Zinequest https://www.kickstarter.com/zinequest
9. Conventions
a. NTRPG https://ntrpgcon.com/
b. Shirecon https://throwigames.com/ShireCon6.html
c. Garycon https://garycon.com/
d. Gamehole Con https://www.gameholecon.com/
e. Totalcon https://www.totalcon.com/
f. CNY RPG Con https://tabletop.events/conventions/cnyrpgcon
10. OSR Resources Everyone Should Have
b. Tome of Adventure Design https://www.mythmeregames.com/products/tome-of-adventure-design-hardcover-book
c. D30 Sandbox Companion--honorable mention https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/124392/d30-sandbox-companion
d. Dungeon Alphabet https://goodman-games.com/store/product/the-dungeon-alphabet-fourth-printing-color-cover/
e. How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/470041/how-to-make-a-fantasy-sandbox
f. Blackmarsh https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/89944/blackmarsh
g. Stronghold Builder’s Guidebook https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/25107/stronghold-builders-guidebook-3e
h. City Encounters—S&W https://www.mythmeregames.com/products/city-encounters-for-swords-wizardry-pdf
i. AD&D 2e Campaign Sourcebook and Catacomb Guide https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/16887/dmgr1-campaign-sourcebook-and-catacomb-guide-2e
j. Aurora’s Whole Realms Catalog https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/16834/aurora-s-whole-realms-catalogue-2e
k. Tome of Horrors Complete S&W https://www.froggodgames.com/products/tome-of-horrors-complete?srsltid=AfmBOop79GZFCC52InzVvddRx7T3CbqiRpwMParPTYw8jtKeb7ATnyRV
l. Tome of Beasts Kobold Press its 5e but good https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/434286/tome-of-beasts-for-5th-edition
m. Monstrosities S&W https://www.amazon.com/Monstrosities-Swords-Wizardry-Matt-Finch/dp/1943067317
n. Goods and Gear: Kenzer and Co. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/54244/goods-and-gear-the-ultimate-adventurer-s-guide
o. A Magical Medieval Society: Western Europe. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/192370/a-magical-medieval-society-western-europe-third-edition
p. Magical Society: Silk Road https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/12185/a-magical-society-silk-road
q. Magical Society: Ecology and Culture https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/2019/a-magical-society-ecology-and-culture
r. Herbalist’s Primer https://renegadegamestudios.com/herbalists-primer/
s. Geologist’s Primer https://renegadegamestudios.com/geologists-primer/
t. Mycologist’s Primer https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/huntersbooks/mycologists-primer-by-double-proficiency?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=mycologist&total_hits=4
u. 2e Compendiums
i. Priest Spell Compendium https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/17382/priest-s-spell-compendium-vol-1-2e
iii. Encyclopedia Magica https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/17450/encyclopedia-magica-vol-1-a-d-2e
v. Thieves of Lankhmar: Nigel Findley https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2000/Thieves-of-Lankhmar
w. Thief’s Handbook: 2e https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/16886/phbr2-complete-thief-s-handbook-2e
x. AC1 Shady Dragon Inn---NPC’s and inn map https://www.nobleknight.com/P/1823/Shady-Dragon-Inn-The
y. Arbiter of Worlds https://www.amazon.com/Arbiter-Worlds-Gamemasters-Alexander-Macris/dp/1798570912/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
z. How to Write Adventure Modules that Don’t Suck—Original one is good, new one sucks. Have to buy the new one to get the original one. https://goodman-games.com/store/product/how-to-write-adventure-modules-that-dont-suck-pdf/
aa. Sly Flourish Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master https://a.co/d/aJlSgmM
bb. Bestial Ecosystems Courtney Campbell https://a.co/d/ekMrTJH
cc. Pirate’s Guide to Freeport: no crunch, all setting. https://www.amazon.com/Pirates-Guide-Freeport-Chris-Pramas/dp/1932442723
dd. C&C Codex Books https://trolllord.com/product-category/world-building/
ee. GURPS Cultures Books https://www.nobleknight.com/Products/GURPS-1st-3rd-Edition---History-and-Culture
ff. Call of Cthulhu: most old schoolers agree that the 5th edition is the best but here’s the latest, 7th edition. https://www.chaosium.com/7th-edition-pdfs/
gg. Trail of Cthulhu using the Gumshoe System—interpreting clues, not following them. https://pelgranepress.com/trail-of-cthulhu/
hh. C&C Yggsburgh Book https://trolllord.com/product/castles-crusades-castle-zagyg-yggsburgh-classic-reprint/
ii. Random Esoteric Creature Generator originally Goodman, now his own again: https://us.lotfp.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=61&search=esoteric
jj. Grimtooth’s Ultimate Traps https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147623451/Grimtooths-Ultimate-Traps-Collection?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SmartShoppingAds&utm_id=15774276657&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsc24BhDPARIsAFXqAB0nUU59lf2mbhrFGzHYGhUbmxJ7SwoMTduHiw9stXbcnSVjbYuU3iQaAugiEALw_wcB
kk. Folklore Mythology and Legend https://a.co/d/6SqSKRs
11. History of the Hobby
i. Playing at the world https://a.co/d/g1yA0EN
ii. Game Wizards https://a.co/d/4j9VN1m
iii. Elusive Shift https://a.co/d/hwXv1qy
iv. Judge’s World Deluxe Collector’s Edition Vol 1 https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147663110/Judges-Guild-Deluxe-1-Oversized-Collectors-Edition
v. Judge’s World Deluxe Collector’s Edition Vol 2 https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2147879820/Judges-Guild-Deluxe-2-Oversized-Collectors-Edition
vi. Goodman Games Original Adventures Reincarnated: TOEE, Keep on the Borderlands, Dark Tower, and more. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Goodman+Games
vii. Slaying the Dragon https://a.co/d/aG5jeYD
viii. Art and Arcana https://a.co/d/gcEOn9b
ix. Older Dragon Magazines, some Dungeon ones too.
12. Movies and TV
i. Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Destroyer
ii. Highlander
iii. Excalibur and Monty Python and the Holy Grail
iv. Tombstone w/ Val Kilmer as Doc
v. Seven Samurai
vi. LOTR…duh
vii. The Unforgiven
viii. Alien
ix. Terminator
x. First couple Indiana Jones movies
xi. Willow
xii. Heavy Metal
xiii. Clash of the Titans
xiv. D&D Cartoon and Thundarr the Barbarian
xv. Hawk the Slayer and Krull and Robin of Sherwood
13. How to get into the OSR? Where are your new Peeps?!
a. Blogs and Boards are still there. Dive in. Learn more of the history and theory and see how it came about. One newer one that’s OSR friendly is https://www.rpgpub.com/
b. Youtube channels like mine. Here’s a couple more:
i. Tenkar’s Tavern www.youtube.com/@TenkarsTavern
ii. Gothridge Manor https://www.youtube.com/@GothridgeManor
iii. Bandit’s Keep https://www.youtube.com/@BanditsKeep
iv. Flint Fireforge https://www.youtube.com/@FlintFireforge
c. Reddit: Skip it. So many assholes there its like a proctologist’s wet dream.
d. Facebook is the best place.
i. OSR Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oldschoolgaming/
ii. Tenkar’s Tavern: https://www.facebook.com/groups/tenkarstavern/
e. Liveplay videos
i. The Friday Night Random Party Generator Guys learning and playing their first session of Shadowdark. https://www.youtube.com/live/ZzACKIOLnAY?si=-6paf96U_izhxJPp
ii. Tim Shorts excellent Shadowdark Game. https://www.youtube.com/live/ElnYcbTyr-c?si=K_rnLkm8WCBsMQja
f. A couple of my best videos that might help
i. How to run your first OSR campaign if you’re coming from 5e https://youtu.be/bWRPXFJ8Bl8?si=dgOGD-a8KHIRRyII
ii. How to help 5e players adjust to your OSR style Old School Game https://youtu.be/1Jm_9WOo45g?si=oFcBh-P7d_hFM__O
iii. Setting Player Expectations for your Old School OSR Campaign https://youtu.be/cEUPoC9DYMY?si=dSh5F3T4ngfwwdM-
iv. Gary was Wrong! Where do the Orcs Crap? https://youtu.be/WXFMdGdFo6M?si=uy1ZINa1i5TEjN5B
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