The party quickly discovers that a maze of tunnels tends to attract a certain breed of wandering monster. Combine that with strange voices and deadly traps, and you've got yourself an adventure! Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basi...
Aug 08, 2023•1 hr 53 min•Season 3Ep. 38
SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch or listen to the full episode first! Video Audio Join the boyz as we wind down for a few minutes immediately after the session ended! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about fighting shadows, the issues with transporting large amounts of loot, how best to spend said loot, and 3d6 DTL at GaryCon XVI! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about the massive scope of Arden Vul, how Jon navigates the adventure on the fly, the evol...
Aug 04, 2023•11 min
Stone tunnels bore beneath the ruined city, silent and eerie. The crew of eight aims to plumb the depths, but not before stumbling upon a sight that causes all jaws to drop. Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets o...
Aug 01, 2023•2 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 37
SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch or listen to the full episode first! Video Audio Join the boyz as we wind down for a few minutes immediately after the session ended! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about combat as war, mutual trust between players and referee, free-form skills, traps as puzzles rather than surprises, recommended levels for Arden Vul, and high level domain play! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about the massive scope of Arden Vul, how Jo...
Jul 29, 2023•22 min
A gladiatorial school far to the west entices the party. An ill-fated dwarf spoke of access to the Halls via secret tunnels. Perhaps Gerrilad stalks these benighted passages... Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of...
Jul 25, 2023•1 hr 46 min•Season 3Ep. 36
SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch or listen to the full episode first! Video Audio Join the boyz as we wind down for a few minutes immediately after the session ended! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about the massive scope of Arden Vul, how Jon navigates the adventure on the fly, the evolution of Jon's refereeing style over the years, and Richard Barton's design intentions with this seminal megadungeon! If you'd like to not only listen to us, but also watch our ugly mugs, che...
Jul 22, 2023•23 min
The AV Club has "acquired" a lot of old books, and it's Reading Rainbow time! What ancient lore about the Halls of Arden Vul can they unearth? Watch the party realize that they are in WAY over their heads. Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic...
Jul 18, 2023•2 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 35
New bonus content: TACK-ON FX! Jon & David pore over the plethora of arcana accumulated since Anwir's spellbook was stolen by those damn dirty apes. Too specific for a session, but important info nonetheless! This is a content addendum to Ep 34, so please let us know if you enjoyed it! If you'd like to not only listen to us, but also watch our ugly mugs, check out the Delve Detox on YouTube . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Jos...
Jul 15, 2023•1 hr 15 min
SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch or listen to the full episode first! Video Audio Join the boyz as we wind down for a few minutes immediately after the session ended! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about the ramifications of stealing books, encumbrance management as an aspect of play, establishing safe havens, exploiting leverage, and enemy pressure points! If you'd like to not only listen to us, but also watch our ugly mugs, check out the Delve Detox on YouTube...
Jul 14, 2023•25 min
Thoroughly ensorcelled with silence and invisibility, the AV Club attempts to thread the needle of Plungertown with their pilfered literature. Shhh! Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dungeons & Dragons, originally ...
Jul 11, 2023•1 hr 54 min•Season 3Ep. 34
SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch or listen to the full episode first! Video Audio Join the boyz as we wind down for a few minutes immediately after the session ended! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about GM fiat and the need for mutual trust, diegetic telegraphing of danger, when to call for a roll, arbitration at the table, and combat as a puzzle to be solved! If you'd like to not only listen to us, but also watch our ugly mugs, check out the Delve Detox on YouTube...
Jun 23, 2023•27 min
All focus is on Anwir's stolen spellbook. The mission: yank the tome out of the Library of Thoth without incurring the wrath of a mad druid and powerful wizard. Godspeed, delvers. Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dungeo...
Jun 20, 2023•2 hr 51 min•Season 3Ep. 33
SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch or listen to the full episode first! Video Audio Join the boyz as we wind down for a few minutes immediately after the session ended! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about maintaining player focus on goals, analysis paralysis, bookkeeping as a worthwhile aspect of old-school play, and the world adapting to PC choices! If you'd like to not only listen to us, but also watch our ugly mugs, check out the Delve Detox on YouTube . The ...
Jun 16, 2023•19 min
The seeds of Avaracios' mischievous streak bear refulgent fruit. Goblins above ground, whispers of Wicktrimmer, glasses raised to Larel One-Eye, and the return of the Winedark Cohort! Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dung...
Jun 13, 2023•2 hr 25 min•Season 3Ep. 32
SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch or listen to the full episode first! Video Audio Only Join the boyz as we wind down for a few minutes immediately after the session ended! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about tactical choices in modern vs. classic D&D, strategies for getting the upper hand in combat, and the old-school focus on exploration over combat as the primary activity! If you'd like to not only listen to us, but also watch our ugly mugs, check out the Delve Detox on ...
Jun 09, 2023•10 min
The AV Club has a plan. A good plan. A solid plan. A plan with very few holes. How well does it hold up against ravening mutant baboons? That's a rhetorical question. Watch and listen to find out! Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rules...
Jun 06, 2023•2 hr 17 min•Season 3Ep. 31
SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch or listen to the full episode first! Video Audio Only Join the boyz as we wind down for a few minutes immediately after the session ended! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about out-of-the-box thinking to overcome hard obstacles, the satisfaction of finally being competent in combat, the use of retainers in improving action economy, feats of exploration as dangling carrots, and the nature of infravision in older editions of D&D! If you'd like to no...
May 26, 2023•9 min
It's what you've all been craving: Gorend Blackhood in all his hirsute glory! The campaign delivers the dwarven goods as the party's resident dwarf finds interesting ways to circumvent obstacles in his path. Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B...
May 23, 2023•2 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 30
SPOILERS ABOUND! Watch or listen to the full episode first! Video Audio Only Join the boyz as we wind down for a few minutes immediately after the session ended! In relation to the events of the session, we chat about the fear of death as character level increases, the pure simplicity of leveling up in OSE, and how easy it is to measure your character's survivability! If you'd like to not only listen to us, but also watch our ugly mugs, check out the Delve Detox on YouTube . ...
May 19, 2023•5 min
After some mischief at the Broken Head, the AV Club has its sights set on finding the man most likely to have the party's stolen spellbooks. Down, down to Plungertown! Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dungeons & Dragons, or...
May 16, 2023•2 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 29
The PCs retreat out of the Halls of Arden Vul, intent on proclaiming their victory. And with the Darlings exhausted but in control, what other factions assess the new dynamic with greedy gazes? Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Du...
May 09, 2023•2 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 28
In the aftermath of the Scouring, the AV Club and the Darlings stake their claims. A goblin envoy strikes a bargain, and Anwir pulls a classic Anwir in the Great Chasm. Delve 2 begins in the Halls of Arden Vul! Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X)...
May 02, 2023•1 hr 53 min•Season 3Ep. 27
The First Delve of Arden Vul culminates in all-out war 'neath the Great Pyramid! Mercs in tow, the party executes their plan to violently wrest control from the extortionist Plumthorn Gang. This episode features Chris Kutalik's excellent and succinct skirmish rules By This Poleaxe, published by Hydra Cooperative. Download it for free here . Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, pub...
Apr 25, 2023•2 hr 55 min•Season 2Ep. 26
The party returns to Arden Vul with an army, intent on combatting extortion with murderous violence. Justified? Doesn’t matter when you’ve got the numbers! Feats of Exploration achieved during this session can be perused here . The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dungeons & Dragons, originally published...
Apr 18, 2023•1 hr 55 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Note: There are some quiet but noticeable audio ghosting issues in this episode. We apologize for the trouble! More underhanded scheming in town! From fêted feasthalls to perilous places of political power, the AV Club makes itself the darling of Gosterwick's eye. The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dungeons &a...
Apr 10, 2023•2 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Let's spend some ill-gotten gains, shall we? The party is Gosterwick-bound, with fresh lewt and new friends(?). Can they keep the Darlings in line while curses are lifted and items are identified? The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dungeons & Dragons, originally published in 1981. Check it out at https://n...
Apr 03, 2023•2 hr 19 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Sunshine is a mere 275 feet of solid stone above their heads. Extortionist halflings stand in the way. The party is LOADED with sacks of coin, and the cleric is slowly dying. Go. The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dungeons & Dragons, originally published in 1981. Check it out at https://necroticgnome.com/ . ...
Mar 20, 2023•2 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Friggin' halflings forced a change of plans. The AV Club needs an alternate route back up to the surface. Did Dalton's Darlings find a way? Their tracks may tell a story. The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dungeons & Dragons, originally published in 1981. Check it out at https://necroticgnome.com/ . Feats of Exp...
Mar 13, 2023•2 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 21
The AV Club crawls their way to the Great Chasm, seeking sunlight and respite. Is Jost's faith in the escape route warranted? Maybe a little mischief is in order... The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dungeons & Dragons, originally published in 1981. Check it out at https://necroticgnome.com/ . Feats of Explorati...
Mar 06, 2023•2 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Mort's never seen a control panel he couldn't hack. He also doesn't know what any of those words mean. But first -- frickin' laser beams! The Halls of Arden Vul is by Richard Barton, Andreas Claren, and Joseph Browning, published by Expeditious Retreat Press. Purchase it here . Old School Essentials is a restatement of the Basic/Expert (B/X) rulesets of Dungeons & Dragons, originally published in 1981. Check it out at https://necroticgnome.com/ . Feats of Exploration achieved during this ses...
Feb 27, 2023•2 hr 29 min•Season 2Ep. 19