Cavern Map-in-Progress (With Free Map)

I'm trying to put a small series of Tweak &Toss adventures out for possible publication, more of an attempt to see if the idea has any merit outside of putting it up on DriveThruRPG. While I have some base ideas in my head I usually prefer to work on the maps 1st, so I'm alternating between my normal "publication" cycle and work on these alternate maps.

Worst case the publisher goes, "Thanks but no thanks" and all I have to do is reformat for my normal audience.

For a while I think I'm going to be sticking to the cavern maps because I enjoy them and there are still some things I can learn from doing them, or at least I think there are still some things to be learned. It has occurred to me that some may find value in the work-in-progress map as it is during the process, so even though this is technically a work-in-progress, I've decided I could make it available on my Patreon page.

This is the low-res version and here is the link to the high-resolution version. When I'm done I expect to have a color and a crisp black and white version, but those will probably be reserved for my Patrons and the Tweak & Toss (respectively).

FGM031c: Smack-Down Table (Free d30 Table)

I've just finished up a new d30 table that was suggested by a buddy of mine. I have it up for a free download over at my Patreon site and I'll probably get it up to DriveThruRPG in "a while".

This table is listed as FGM031c: d30 Smack-Down Table and it a decedent, of sorts, of the old HackMaster Smartass Smackdown Table (HSST). For those familiar with the HSST, this is obviously inspired by version 4.1a and not version 2.1.

I hope at least a few folks understand that reference....

While I think the simple existence of such a smack-down table has some merit of its own, I tried to write this up with the thought of actually using this in play (as needed). A couple of options for use have been given for implementation, even if you don't have a d30...but you really should have a d30......

Click here to go to the Patreon Page

Free GM Resource: The Gongfarmer's Almanac

Thanks to the head's up on this one from Erik (over at Tenkar's Tavern) I can share these first five issues of this "Free and Unnofficial Zine for DCC RPG".

It is shared via a Google Drive account and consists of the five issues and their covers. Honestly, from what I've seen so far, I have no idea why this is free, but you know......I don't care!

I don't think I've heard of this on the Spellburn podcast and it isn't even linked from that podcast's site, so for me coming across this was just dumb luck.

Click on the graphic above to go to the shared drive or use this link. If you already have Google Drive, downloading all this stuff is a single click away.

Frugal GM Essential Gamemaster Gear: Chessex Battlemats

I heard a rumor yesterday that Chessex might be getting involved in a business deal that caused my wife to say, "Well I guess that means I won't be buying any more of their product." I only know one person who has more dice than my wife and that is Kevin Cook (yes, that Kevin Cook). She buys several sets, lots of new "singles" and often buckets of loose dice every convention she goes to.

While prefers Crystal Caste dice she buys a lot of Chessex dice so this is not an insignificant statement. Choosing to not buy dice at a con could literally mean we can afford to stay and extra night at the hotel.....

Before the self-imposed ban comes, or in case it comes, I wanted to get out there one of my big GM Essentials: Chessex Battlemats. Now I wish I could say I bring this with me to every con, but more often than not if I know Chessex was a vendor I'd leave this at home just so I had an excuse to pick up another one. I currently have about 6 of these battlemats in various sizes and configurations.

Now I do prefer the square ones, but the hexes aren't bad either. I know the single sided mats are going away (I only have two), but Chessex pretty much has whatever size and shape you need. The prices aren't bad at all when you compare them to the other types of battlemats on the market and if you can get to a Chessex booth at a con they usually have a pile of factory seconds. The seconds are usually a bit dirty and may have blemishes, but I've yet to see one that wouldn't clean up nice or had a blemish that was significant enough to be a factor.

I only have three bits of advice when it comes to using these mats. The 1st is to just get the biggest mat you can obtain because I've yet to see someone say "Gee I really wish I had gotten the smaller mat..." The larger ones might be a bit of a hassle to travel with, but in my experience they can handle some minor folding long enough to shove in a suitcase for a flight. The second bit of advice is to invest in some clear vinyl as an overlay. You can get this at most larger fabric stores that would also carry upholstery material. Some use an overlay all the time, but I like to use it occasionally during game prep and when running multiple tables at a tournament (when I'm the Head GM). You can basically lay the vinyl down on the mat and draw out your rooms so they are prepped ahead of time. The last bit of advice I have is to clean your mats immediately after use. Don't let your markers permanently stain the mat! Sure, the stuff from last week will mostly come off, but there will be some ghosting that gets annoying over time. I like to use some 70% Rubbing Alcohol and go over my mats a couple times to get them as clean as possible.

Frugal GM Review: Inkwell Ideas Monster Stand-Ins (GenCon Special)

First off, I want to apologize for not getting this review up yesterday on its regular schedule. I got back from my one-day excursion to GenCon on Thursday (included a side visit to the family farm) and yesterday I was busy with internet drama. I normally avoid that sort of thing, but when I see family and friends being taken advantage of....well, I'm not going to idly sit by.

Of course this is neither here nor there, so on to the review!

Now I've pretty much sworn off of using paper minis anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still like them and think they are a tremendous value. It is just that I have something like 4,032 metal and plastic minis collected over the years that need some attention. In some ways the paper minis were a "gateway drug" into the absurdity that became both the Mrs. and I buying into some Reaper Kickstarters.

Although we were there for only a day, we braved the lines for the swag bag (just an actual bag) and the coupon book. When I flipped through the coupon book I saw some sweet deals from the folks over at Inkwell Ideas. Honestly, I just wanted the "free" die....with purchase. Although I'm a dice snob when it comes to playing, I do pick up interesting dice here & there and the Mrs.......let's just say I couldn't call her Mrs. Frugal GM. She'd lose any cred if her massive dice collection was ever discovered. We might actually be at the point where I need to get an insurance rider to cover them....

...anyway I digress...again. I know I'm headed to the Inkwell Ideas booth and I'm picking something up. I really had three choices of stuff I was willing to get, but was instantly sold on the Con-Special for the Monster Stand Ins. For $15 I get 600 paper minis. Not bad.....2.5¢ per mini. Oh, but hold on a second........if I toss in another $5 I get a case, and some mini bases.

Some Adventures Seeds Inspired by the Family Farm

After a one-day trip to GenCon, primarily to see the Knights of the Dinner Table: Live Action Series*, Mrs. Frugal GM (She probably hates that) and I headed off to NE Iowa to visit the family farm. My mother and step-father have probably 800 or so acres complete with a cool creek, orchard, and lots of “nothing” (outside of farm chores).

Believe me, “nothing” can be a lot of fun, the lack of distractions can really let the mind wander and I was thinking of numerous adventure seeds based around the farm and the surrounding locale:

Frugal GM Essential Gamemaster Gear: Alea Tools

As part of a small series of posts I'm outlying what I consider some "essential" GM kit that I have found necessary to be able to run a game. I'm shying away from dice....for reasons...and I don't expect my opinions to be the end-all of the topic, but instead the beginning of a larger conversation.

I know I stated that I use generic tokens all the time, and I do, but I also use Alea Tools "markers" all the time and it pains me to see GMs not using this awesome product. These guys aren't top on the list of "+12 Links of Helpfulness" for nothing. How I've used these things has changed greatly over the years, but I keep them around for all my games and the few times I've forgotten them they have been missed.

Free GM Resource: Tunnels and Trolls Random Dungeon Generator

I know...two Dungeon Generators in a row for the Free GM Resource.

This Tunnels and Trolls Random Dungeon Generator seems rather simple on the surface and it makes a rather straight-forward procedurally-generated adventure, but it is a HUGE adventure.

I did what I thought would be a quick cut & paste of the generated web page adventure into Microsoft Word and it was 31,000 words long on 93 pages!

That was the default setting of 4 levels for a group of 4 1st level adventurers.

Now I don't play Tunnels and Trolls, but with something like this, which is geared for 4th, 5th, and 7th edition use......I might give it a go. A lot of work went into this for certain.