The GROGNARD RPG files is a podcast that looks at RPGs from 'back in the day and today'. Each episode concentrates on the original rules of a featured game, our experiences of playing the game, PLUS excellent contributions from @dailydwarf selecting highlights from the halcyon days of White Dwarf magazine.
The GROGNARD Files podcast is a delightful trip down memory lane for fans of role-playing games from the 80s. Hosted by Dirk and his friends, the show focuses on classic games like Runequest, Stormbringer, and Traveller, offering a British perspective on these beloved titles. The podcast not only provides nostalgic fun but also explores the differences in gaming experiences between the UK and California. Dirk and the gang are entertaining to listen to, with their relaxed and funny banter keeping listeners engaged throughout each episode.
One of the best aspects of The GROGNARD Files is its in-depth reviews and discussions about the games they cover. The hosts provide insightful analysis of the rules systems, sharing their thoughts on what worked well and what didn't. They also offer personal anecdotes and memories related to each game, creating a sense of camaraderie among listeners who may have felt alone in their hobby during their younger years. Additionally, the chemistry between Dirk and Blythy adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the podcast, as their affection for each other shines through in their conversations.
While The GROGNARD Files is an excellent podcast overall, one potential downside is that it may not appeal to listeners who are not familiar with or interested in RPGs from the 80s. The show's laser-focused approach on this specific era of gaming may limit its audience slightly. However, for those who have a fondness for these classic games or want to learn more about them, this podcast is a treasure trove of information.
In conclusion, The GROGNARD Files is a must-listen for fans of RPGs from the 80s looking for an engaging and nostalgic experience. Dirk and his friends bring humor, insightfulness, and passion to each episode as they delve into the history and mechanics of these beloved games. Whether you're reliving your own gaming memories or discovering new gems from the past, this podcast is a delightful journey into the world of tabletop gaming.
We're still talking and not talking about magic at the same time. Ars Magica seems a fascinating game, but how do we fit it in? The post Ars Magica RPG (with Adrian Tchaikovsky) Ep 82 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Where did our idea of magic come from back in the day? We look at witchcraft and folk horror of the 70's and 80s. The post Scarred by Magic in the 70s & 80s (with Stephen Brotherstone) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Back in the room of roleplaying rambling, still banging on about playing magic. The post More Magic in RPGs (with China Miéville) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
What do we want to Play, Stay or Giveaway when it comes to Magic in RPGs? Stu Horvath adds his thoughts too. The post Magic in RPGs (with Stu Horvath) Ep.79 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Join us in the Room of Role-Playing Rambling with Paul Baldowski talking about Dangerous Journeys RPG, Play by Mail and Sanction. The post Sanction RPG (with Paul Baldowski) Ep 78 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Join us in the Room of Role-Playing Rambling as we investigate the highs and lows of role-playing in 2024. Thanks for supporting us. Why not consider tipping a couple of coins in the beret over at Patreon. The post 2024: A Year in RPGs Ep. 77 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
This GROGPOD features a special recording of an interview with writer Ben Aaronovitch, the creator of The Rivers of London series of books. An RPG has been developed by the team at Chaosium. Ben talks about the project, his formative years in gaming and gives insight into his creative process. The interview was recorded live … Continue reading "Rivers of London RPG (with Ben Aaronovitch) Ep76" The post Rivers of London RPG (with Ben Aaronovitch) Ep76 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Following Part 1, we are now ready to open the spurious envelopes on our 1984 experiences. We also issue a challenge to listeners to help us discover new enthusiasms. At Daily Dwarf returns with an overview of what was happening in the pages of White Dwarf. Please pass on The GROGNARD files to your RPG … Continue reading "1984: A Year in RPGs Ep75 Pt2" The post 1984: A Year in RPGs Ep75 Pt2 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Welcome to the zoom of role-playing rambling where we are looking backwards to look forwards. This time we are transporting you back to the heady days of 1984. We are joined by the fabulous Bob Fischer who shares the highlights from his 1984 diaries. Judge Blythy, our resident rules lawyer, joins Dirk to determine the … Continue reading "1984: a year in RPGs (with Bob Fischer) Ep75 Pt 1" The post 1984: a year in RPGs (with Bob Fischer) Ep75 Pt 1 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
All for one and one for all! We are swashbuckling into this episode with a flurry of our blades and a jaunty feather in our hat. The post Flashing Blades RPG Ep. 74 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
The final part of the epic Monster episode features Free League's Tomas Harenstam. The post Bestiaries in Role Playing Games (with Tomas Harenstam) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
We are still looking at the role of monsters and how we can learn from screen monsters in our TTRPGs The post More Monsters in RPGs Ep 73 Pt 2 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
The first part of an Episode all about Monsters. Which Bestiary should stay? Which should we play? And which could go away? The post Monsters in RPGs Ep.73 Pt.1 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
In this episode we look at the culture of cyberspace and cyberpunk in the world of RPGs The post Cyberpunk RPG Ep.72 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Following the interview with Dan Whitehead, we discuss our formative years with computers The post 80s Computers and RPGs Ep71 Pt2 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Special Guest of virtual GROGMEET, Dan Whitehead takes us to the Speccy Nation The post ZX Spectrum Games (with Dan Whitehead) Ep.71 Pt. 1 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
More listener questions are answered by Dirk and Blythy. The post ThunderPhase! TTRPG Questions and Answers Ep.70 Pt.2 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Let's look back at the wonderful worlds created by White Dwarf covers. The post White Dwarf RPG Covers (with ThunderPhase) Ep. 70 Pt. 1 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
In this episode, we have a very special guest. Marc Miller is the creator of the Traveller Role-Playing game and in this interview he talks to Dirk the Dice about his first encounter with Dungeons and Dragons. He also talks about the origins of Traveller and his trip UK Games Day. Judge Blythy, our resident … Continue reading "Traveller RPG Revisited (with Marc Miller) Ep 69" The post Traveller RPG Revisited (with Marc Miller) Ep 69 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
This episode follows the theme of the previous one, where we looked at Adventure Design. This time at the book club we have the amazing Johnn Four who shares his Five Room Dungeon method and explains how story techniques can add to our gaming. Judge Blythy and Dirk the Dice look back at the games … Continue reading "Five Room Dungeons (with Johnn Four) Ep. 68" The post Five Room Dungeons (with Johnn Four) Ep. 68 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
A review of the highs and lows of gaming in 2023 with a Book Club visit from Gaz from The Smart Party podcast. The post Review of 2023 in RPGs (with Gaz Bowerbank) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Live from GROGMEET 23, join us as we roll back the years with Mike Mason. We look at the key moments in the history of Call of Cthulhu: its origins and its early campaigns. In Library Use, Blythy and Dirk look at Cults of Cthulhu and Different Worlds and consider the world populated by people … Continue reading "Cults of Cthulhu (with Mike Mason) Ep 66" The post Cults of Cthulhu (with Mike Mason) Ep 66 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
A homecoming. The GROGNARD files returns to Glorantha, the setting where our RPG life began. 4mins – Jeff Richard joins us at the Book Club to talk about The King of Sartar, Greg Stafford’s epic book of The Dragon Pass. The discussion also includes The Cults of RuneQuest. 26 mins – Judge Blythy and Dirk … Continue reading "Glorantha (with Jeff Richard)" The post Glorantha (with Jeff Richard) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Behold the man! Michael Moorcock joins us in the room of role-playing rambling to talk about memoir, the multiverse, movies and much more. I recommend Sanctom Secorum and Appendix N Bookclub interviews too. I have appeared on Breakfast in the Ruins talking about Letters from Hollywood. I recommend Moorcock’s latest trilogy The Sanctuary of the … Continue reading "Michael Moorcock Ep. 64" The post Michael Moorcock Ep. 64 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Continuing to find inspiration from urban horror/fantasy, in this episode we look at The Stranger Times and Children of the Stones The post Liminal Inspirations Ep.63 (with C.K.McDonnell) (Part 2) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Join us as we discover the places and people 'between' with Paul Mitchener, creator of Liminal RPG The post Liminal (with Paul Mitchener) Ep.63 (Part 1) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
Another repeat! This the next in the ongoing campaign to remaster the files from the early GROGPODs. Some of the early ones are difficult to hear, so this has been equalised. It does result in some strange gaps and distortions, but nothing too distracting I hope. The roll of dice are missing from here because … Continue reading "Call of Cthulhu Ep.2 (Part 2) – REMASTERED" The post Call of Cthulhu Ep.2 (Part 2) – REMASTERED first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.
You'll need at least two brews and a whole packet of Hob Nobs while we go on and on about UK Games Expo 2023.
Join Dirk the Dice, climbing to the top of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh for an episode that we used to label ‘extra’ but who cares if they have an episode number? Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore joins us to share his First, Last and Everything. He mentions Mythic and The Quiet Year in … Continue reading "Tale of the Manticore (with Jon Cohen) ep.62"
The early episodes are steadily being remastered with an extra segment reflecting on the episode eight years on.
Star Frontiers returns. This time we are looking for adventure!
This time we look at a TSR classic and consider the history of the company post Gygax
Don't panic, it's only a game, sit back have a hob nob, as we explore satan, RPGs and Tom Hanks .... Aye!
We enter the strange world of the cult movies and the macabre in this episode with the help of Hypnogoria Podcast.
The Armchair Adventurers have had another incredible year of gaming. Dirk and Blythy roll out the red carpet to the GROGGIE awards. At the Book Club, Bud talks about Viral: A Modern Call of Cthulhu Scenario.
Join us at GROGMEET22 where we meet Chris McDowall, author of Into the Odd and Electric Bastionland.
This is the GROGPOD naked. There’s no interviews or GROGSQUAD sections, it is just Dirk and Blythy talking bobbins. Swordbearer was a game that we played a lot for a brief period. We liked it, but for some reason it didn’t connect and become a game that did not stick in our repertoire. Why not? … Continue reading "SwordBearer RPG Ep.56"
This time we explore the worlds of Savage Worlds from Deadlands to Slipstream and beyond.
"Moby Dick as a Slasher pic" Paul Fricker talks to The Great Library of RPGs Book Club about Full Fathom Five for Call of Cthulhu.
Exploring the very best that Savage Worlds RPG can offer the gamer. Personal insights from The Armchair Adventurers (Dirk, Blythy and The Daily Dwarf) and special guest Eric Lamoureux
This is the second part of our exploration of Scarred for Life, the fantastic series of books about growing up in the dark decades of the seventies and eighties. Gen X-rated popular culture shaped our imaginations and informed our gaming. Buy the books here. Content warning for this one as we quote directly from a … Continue reading "Scarred for Life by RPGs (with Stephen Brotherstone) Ep. 54 (Part 2)"
Here we go! After a two year break, Dirk and Blythy are back in Birmingham talking about RuneQuest, DCC, Traveller, Conan, Old School Essentials and into the Odd. It’s good to be back. Why not support us on Patreon?
The 70s and 80s were the golden age of dark popular culture and Scarred for Life have chronicled the TV, comics, adverts, sweets and others of the period in a conversational but forensic style. There are two volumes available with a third on its way at the end of Summer ’22, which will feature role-playing … Continue reading "Scarred for Life by RPGs (with Stephen Brotherstone) Ep 54 (Part 1)"
Welcome, this is an extra-GROGPOD which is from a live recording made at this year’s virtual GROGMEET. Every month, on the first Sunday, the GROGSQUAD meet to discuss books from The Great Library of RPGs. This time we read The Gutter Prayer and invited Gareth Hanrahan for a Q&A session. If you would like to … Continue reading "RPG Book Club GROGPOD Extra (with Gareth Hanrahan)"
One of the foundational films that shaped the games that we played is Excalibur (1981). In this episode we look back on the film and consider how it can continue to inspire our gaming. To see some of the issues of Starburst that we refer to in this episode, you’ll find images over at Dirk … Continue reading "King Arthur Pendragon RPG (with David Larkins) Ep.53 (Part 2)"
Join me as I take an idea for a walk across the Gangster RPG shelf in the GROGPOD den. It also features a sample actual play of GangBusters – The Vanishing Investigator. Games mentioned: GangBusters Gangster! Crime Fighter Fiasco Hillfolk Spirit of ’77 Cartel Blades in the Dark Wise Guys Also mentioned: Good Friends of … Continue reading "GangBusting RPGs (GROGPOD extra)"
In this episode, we finally draw the sword from the stone and examine a game that had an enormous impact on gaming in the 80s: King Arthur Pendragon. David Larkins, the Pendragon line editor for Chaosium, joins us to tell us about the history of the game, how it works and the future developments. Judge … Continue reading "King Arthur Pendragon RPG (with David Larkins)"
“Get your trousers on, you’re nicked!” We are still in the mood for some old fashioned cops and robbers. In this part we look a bit more closely at how the rules work in GangBusters. Judge Blythy, our resident rules lawyer casts his eye over some of the highlights of the system. New in this … Continue reading "GangBusters Ep.52 (Part 2)"
As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster in an RPG. This time we look back at a classic from back in the day. Pound the mean streets of LakeFront City as we look back to playing the game back in the 80s. Blythy opens up the box of delights … Continue reading "GangBusters RPG (with Mark Hunt) Ep.52 (Part 1)"
It’s that time of the year again when our thoughts turn to The GROGGIES, our review of the year, with a series of special awards for the highlights. Get ready to open the spurious golden envelope to find the winners. We are delighted to have musical accompaniment by Paul Mitchener who also provides his First, … Continue reading "Episode 51 – Review of 2021"
We return to the subject of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks with our special guest Jonathan Green who has written a history of the publishing phenomena. He is an active gamebook designer with many projects in his repertoire. You’ll find his latest work Ronin 47 (late pledges) kickstarter. Judge Blythy joins me at the Las O Gowrie … Continue reading "Episode 50 (Part 3) Fighting Fantasy (with Jonathan Green)"
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