Down in a Heap

Oct 30 2024 302 ep. 34 mins 50

Down in a Heap Podcast artwork

A big pot of old school RPG stew. Cover art photo provided by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@cadop

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Ambition & Avarice 1e Deep Dive 1

Oct 30 2024 46 mins

The first in a deep dive series looking at the OSR game, Ambition & Avarice 1e by Greg Christopher of Chubby Funster Games published in 2012. I’m delving into what’s different about this compared to a more traditional TSR era game like Moldvay Cook/Marsh B/X (or Old School Essentials if you prefer). There are substantial differences, yet this is still very compatible with your

Campaign Diary 1: The Forsaken North

Oct 12 2024 18 mins

When I recorded this, there wasn’t a real object, but after listening back, this is the start of a series I’ll keep doing as a sort of campaign diary. This will entail both the planning for The Forsaken North, and discussions about the new (for me) system I’ll be using: Ambition & Avarice 1e by Greg Christopher of Chubby Funster Games. Later entries might include session reca

OSR October: Ambition & Avarice 1e

Oct 01 2024 7 mins

A tentative return to podcasting for OSR October, 2024. This is a rough one as I try to navigate the new recording approach without the benefit of my familiar Anchor app. A thumbnail look at the new system I’m going to try out: Ambition & Avarice by Greg Christopher.You can get a copy at DrivethruRPG: Chubby Funster Games.

Knave 2e Review: the Final Episode?

Jul 09 2024 75 mins

An armchair QB review of Knave 2e by Ben Milton of Questing Beast. It’s “ a flexible, classless rule set for players who scheme, strategize, and seek adventure.” It’s also closely compatible with most adventures and supplements of your favorite old school fantasy RPG. I go over the good, bad, and uncertain aspects I see (keeping in mind I haven’t played it) in this last r

Halberds & Henchmen: a Retrospective

Jul 07 2024 66 mins

I look back at my Frankenstein’s Monster of a hack from 2017, Halberds & Henchmen. What circumstances led to it, what the design goal was, what’s good, bad, and ugly about it? Also how I squandered the opportunity for it and what its future might be. Email me at bigbalboni “at” gmail to get any updates and/or PDFs of my work after the podcast.

Calamities!

Jun 30 2024 33 mins

Add depth and uncertainty to your game setting by throwing in an occasional calamity that changes the landscape (political or actual). Inspired by the Advanced Civilization board game. Also calls from Jason & Spencer. Check out current Kickstarters for Castles & Crusades “Reforged” by Troll Lord Games (ends 7/9/24) and Gary’s Appendix Issue 6 by Jeffrey Jones of RPG Ramblings

I’m Not Dead …I’m getting better :)

Jun 08 2024 43 mins

Spotify extended the mobile app life until July 9th, so Down in a Heap lives on for another month. Calls from Jason and Riley provide discussion on attribute gains & losses, training, what’s going to happen after the podcast, and just why the heck is wearing helmets and armor not cool, and when, how, and why did this trend emerge? Send messages to bigbalboni “at” gmail. Thank

Compleat Adventurer Deep Dive 6: and the rest…

May 30 2024 39 mins

I finally wrap up the deep dive into Bard Games’ Compleat Adventurer with MaryAnne, the Professor, and Wrongway Feldman: I mean the Knight, Martial Artist, and Swordsman. Definitely the weaker links in this supplement, but I promised a thorough deep dive, so….😁

Compleat Adventurer Deep Dive 5: Rogues & Spies

May 29 2024 53 mins

In this installment, I compare the Compleat Adventurer’s Rogue & Spy class to what we get in classic D&D from the Thief (and Assassin). What doesn’t work for some with the Thief, and are these alternatives any better? Will they spice up the criminal characters in your game? Listen and decide…

The Compleat Adventurer Deep Dive 4: The Hunters!

May 28 2024 52 mins

I get back to my deep dive into Bard Games’ The Compleat Adventurer from 1983. This time it’s the Hunters!: the Scout, Bounty Hunter, and Witch Hunter. Are these more interesting (or better fantasy archetypes) than the Ranger (which was essentially making Aragorn for D&D)? Listen up and decide for yourself. Last call for calls! Send by 5/30 to bigbalboni “at” gmail.