Comments on: Chatty DM Presents: Grognardia http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gnome Rodeo: Saddle Up for GMing Links - Gnome Stew, the Game Mastering Blog http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54172 Gnome Rodeo: Saddle Up for GMing Links - Gnome Stew, the Game Mastering Blog Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:45:19 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54172 [...] → Musings of the Chatty DM: Phil’s too wrapped up in his copy of the PHB 2 (which he will also be blogging about on 3/13) to post much at the moment, but a little while back he did a nice writeup of Grognardia. [...] [...] → Musings of the Chatty DM: Phil’s too wrapped up in his copy of the PHB 2 (which he will also be blogging about on 3/13) to post much at the moment, but a little while back he did a nice writeup of Grognardia. [...]

]]> By: Graham http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54171 Graham Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:21:05 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54171 My comment got far too long. It is now a <a href="http://criticalanklebites.com/2009/02/23/musings-on-the-ages-of-rpgs/" rel="nofollow">blog post</a>. My comment got far too long. It is now a blog post.

]]> By: criticalanklebites.com » Musings on the Ages of RPGs http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54170 criticalanklebites.com » Musings on the Ages of RPGs Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:19:43 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54170 [...] through Phil, I was pointed to an article on the “Ages of D&D” by James at [...] [...] through Phil, I was pointed to an article on the “Ages of D&D” by James at [...]

]]> By: Jimmy http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54169 Jimmy Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:23:19 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54169 I was interested to read his post on the "ages of D&D". Due to my age I got into D&D during the bronze age and really started playing seriously during the dark ages. (As he calls them). I think getting into D&D late into second edition is why I really enjoy the third edition rules. It's like a cleaned up, well organized version of second edition AD&D. These articles make me want to look into getting some old rule books and playing earlier editions, just to see what all the fuss is about. I was interested to read his post on the “ages of D&D”. Due to my age I got into D&D during the bronze age and really started playing seriously during the dark ages. (As he calls them). I think getting into D&D late into second edition is why I really enjoy the third edition rules. It’s like a cleaned up, well organized version of second edition AD&D.

These articles make me want to look into getting some old rule books and playing earlier editions, just to see what all the fuss is about.

]]> By: Tavis http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54168 Tavis Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:59:21 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54168 in a 1979 article in Dragon magazine Gygax himself said that "The ADVANCED DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS rules comprise a different game [than original 1974-edition D&D]. It is neither an expansion nor a revision of the old game: It is a new game." If the differences between one "old-school" edition and the next are enough to warrant that distinction even though Gygax was part of them both, how much more so now after a half-dozen complete changes of personnel? I'm going to be running some '74-era D&D at Gen Con - a session on Wednesday yet to be scheduled, and another on Saturday from midnight to 4 - and would love to have y'all at the table. in a 1979 article in Dragon magazine Gygax himself said that “The ADVANCED DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS rules comprise a different game [than original 1974-edition D&D]. It is neither an expansion nor a revision of the old game: It is a new game.” If the differences between one “old-school” edition and the next are enough to warrant that distinction even though Gygax was part of them both, how much more so now after a half-dozen complete changes of personnel?

I’m going to be running some ’74-era D&D at Gen Con – a session on Wednesday yet to be scheduled, and another on Saturday from midnight to 4 – and would love to have y’all at the table.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54167 ChattyDM Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:54:45 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54167 Get off my lawnism! I love that term Linneus! Consider it adopted here! @Graham: As you know, I really don't much care for bloggers with axes to grind. Old School blogs have their fair share of those too. Fortunately James manages to avoid sounding like a grumpy grognard (maybe it's part of the job description) mot of the time, which is fine by me. @Wimwick: Hey, thanks for the kudos. I too play 4e exclusively yet I enjoy seeing how lively the renaissance movement is. I'll try to get into an old school game at a Con over the next year. I'm eager to see how the play style will mesh with my impatient psychodrama hungry instigator style. @Anarkeith: I know enough of the old school movement to say that it's harder to define than it seems. But the attitude does figure a lot into it. Get off my lawnism! I love that term Linneus! Consider it adopted here!

@Graham: As you know, I really don’t much care for bloggers with axes to grind. Old School blogs have their fair share of those too. Fortunately James manages to avoid sounding like a grumpy grognard (maybe it’s part of the job description) mot of the time, which is fine by me.

@Wimwick: Hey, thanks for the kudos. I too play 4e exclusively yet I enjoy seeing how lively the renaissance movement is. I’ll try to get into an old school game at a Con over the next year. I’m eager to see how the play style will mesh with my impatient psychodrama hungry instigator style.

@Anarkeith: I know enough of the old school movement to say that it’s harder to define than it seems. But the attitude does figure a lot into it.

]]> By: Anarkeith http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54166 Anarkeith Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:40:14 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54166 Nice links, thanks for collecting 'em! With a little help from one of the editors at GAMES magazine, I recently tracked down an article on D&D from 1979 that got me into the game. I'm playing/DMing in a 4e game currently, as well as some homebrew systems that'd be classified as 3e variants. They all have their moments. "Old school" seems to be more a play attitude than anything else, IMHO. Focusing on classic dungeon crawls, character development (not necessarily level advancement), and the story/adventure seem to be key elements independent of rule systems. Nice links, thanks for collecting ‘em!

With a little help from one of the editors at GAMES magazine, I recently tracked down an article on D&D from 1979 that got me into the game. I’m playing/DMing in a 4e game currently, as well as some homebrew systems that’d be classified as 3e variants. They all have their moments. “Old school” seems to be more a play attitude than anything else, IMHO.

Focusing on classic dungeon crawls, character development (not necessarily level advancement), and the story/adventure seem to be key elements independent of rule systems.

]]> By: Wimwick http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54165 Wimwick Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:40:53 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54165 Chatty, thanks for pointing out a great site. While I don't play anything other than 4e now, I do occassionaly like to read about the older editions. It's amazing what tidbits will inspire a new idea. Thanks, Grongnardia is now in my reader. <abbr><em>Wimwicks last blog post..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DungeonsMaster/~3/vkR2I7ntHxE/" rel="nofollow">Skill Focus: Perception</a></em></abbr> Chatty, thanks for pointing out a great site. While I don’t play anything other than 4e now, I do occassionaly like to read about the older editions. It’s amazing what tidbits will inspire a new idea. Thanks, Grongnardia is now in my reader.

Wimwicks last blog post..Skill Focus: Perception

]]> By: Graham http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54164 Graham Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:24:15 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54164 "get off my lawnism"... That's a very good term for what keeps me from being a regular reader of many of the big old-school blogs. Grognardia included, unfortunately, though it seems to be better for it than a lot of others. “get off my lawnism”…

That’s a very good term for what keeps me from being a regular reader of many of the big old-school blogs. Grognardia included, unfortunately, though it seems to be better for it than a lot of others.

]]> By: Linnaeus http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54163 Linnaeus Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:58:27 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54163 While his "get off my lawnism" rubs me the wrong way sometimes, James's blog is definitely required reading for any DM that wants some of that old time pulpy goodness in his game. I have no desire to play old school (again), but there is certainly a lot of wisdom that the old school keeps that is useful in any edition of D&D. <abbr><em>Linnaeuss last blog post..<a href="http://linnaeus.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/rftg-strategy-phase-selection/" rel="nofollow">Race for the Galaxy Strategy – Phase Selection</a></em></abbr> While his “get off my lawnism” rubs me the wrong way sometimes, James’s blog is definitely required reading for any DM that wants some of that old time pulpy goodness in his game. I have no desire to play old school (again), but there is certainly a lot of wisdom that the old school keeps that is useful in any edition of D&D.

Linnaeuss last blog post..Race for the Galaxy Strategy – Phase Selection

]]> By: jonathan http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54162 jonathan Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:36:54 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54162 The Naturalism article is also one that will be included in the RPG Blog Anthology. It's really top notch, and like Wyatt -- James' blog is a must read for me. <abbr><em>jonathans last blog post..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheCoreMechanic/~3/HSx75wvsM4c/open-game-table-weekly-update.html" rel="nofollow">Open Game Table - Weekly update</a></em></abbr> The Naturalism article is also one that will be included in the RPG Blog Anthology. It’s really top notch, and like Wyatt — James’ blog is a must read for me.

jonathans last blog post..Open Game Table – Weekly update

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54161 ChattyDM Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:45:44 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54161 @Wyatt: I totally agree. While I'm close to James' age, I decided to stay with the latest edition of the game, knowing that I would not probably enjoy DMing 0th or 1ed at all. Still reading what he has to say about it all (and other games like Traveller) is entertaining and informative. @Vulcan Stev: Well my job is done then! Thanks man! @Wyatt: I totally agree. While I’m close to James’ age, I decided to stay with the latest edition of the game, knowing that I would not probably enjoy DMing 0th or 1ed at all. Still reading what he has to say about it all (and other games like Traveller) is entertaining and informative.

@Vulcan Stev: Well my job is done then! Thanks man!

]]> By: Vulcan Stev http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54160 Vulcan Stev Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:17:27 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54160 Wow! Since I have recently begun playing 2e (after a 20+ year hiatus) this blog is a Godsend. Thank you Chatty. I'm adding it to my personal Blogroll. <abbr><em>Vulcan Stevs last blog post..<a href="http://vulcanstev.wordpress.com/2009/02/21/gaming-in-the-universe-of-pirates-of-the-caribbean/" rel="nofollow">Gaming in the Universe of: Pirates of the Caribbean</a></em></abbr> Wow! Since I have recently begun playing 2e (after a 20+ year hiatus) this blog is a Godsend. Thank you Chatty. I’m adding it to my personal Blogroll.

Vulcan Stevs last blog post..Gaming in the Universe of: Pirates of the Caribbean

]]> By: Wyatt http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/21/chatty-dm-presents-grognardia/#comment-54159 Wyatt Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:48:16 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=2310#comment-54159 Grognardia is the only old school blog even a complete and total New-Schooler like myself rushes to read every day without fail (and the only one where I go "No update today? Did Maliszewski DIE OR SOMETHING?!") During the part of my life wherein I wanted (and did) play every single old edition of D&D and learned about its history, Grognardia practically became my manual. I love any update where James talks enthusiastically about the modules he's played, and the pulp fantasy he's read. It's all very interesting, and though he'd probably be less than proud about this, one of the inspirations for my current satirical endeavors in 4e adventure writing. Not he himself, but all the old-school insight, ESPECIALLY the old-school modules. He was the reason I went out and sought a huge bunch of them. Great blog overall. <abbr><em>Wyatts last blog post..<a href="http://spiritsofeden.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/the-primus-libris-primer-and-background/" rel="nofollow">The Primus Libris: Primer And Background</a></em></abbr> Grognardia is the only old school blog even a complete and total New-Schooler like myself rushes to read every day without fail (and the only one where I go “No update today? Did Maliszewski DIE OR SOMETHING?!”)

During the part of my life wherein I wanted (and did) play every single old edition of D&D and learned about its history, Grognardia practically became my manual. I love any update where James talks enthusiastically about the modules he’s played, and the pulp fantasy he’s read. It’s all very interesting, and though he’d probably be less than proud about this, one of the inspirations for my current satirical endeavors in 4e adventure writing. Not he himself, but all the old-school insight, ESPECIALLY the old-school modules. He was the reason I went out and sought a huge bunch of them.

Great blog overall.

Wyatts last blog post..The Primus Libris: Primer And Background

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