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The GROGNARD Files

Dirk the Dicethegrognardfiles.com
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.
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Episodes

Ars Magica RPG (with Adrian Tchaikovsky) Ep 82

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 .

Jun 15, 20251 hr 36 min

Scarred by Magic in the 70s & 80s (with Stephen Brotherstone)

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 .

May 17, 20251 hr 42 min

More Magic in RPGs (with China Miéville)

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 .

Apr 10, 20251 hr 28 min

Magic in RPGs (with Stu Horvath) Ep.79

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 .

Mar 17, 20251 hr 31 min

Sanction RPG (with Paul Baldowski) Ep 78

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 .

Feb 08, 20251 hr 13 min

2024: A Year in RPGs Ep. 77

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 .

Jan 12, 20251 hr 21 min

Rivers of London RPG (with Ben Aaronovitch) Ep76

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 ....

Dec 29, 20241 hr 8 min

1984: A Year in RPGs Ep75 Pt2

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 ....

Dec 18, 202459 min

1984: a year in RPGs (with Bob Fischer) Ep75 Pt 1

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 ....

Dec 04, 20241 hr 14 min

Flashing Blades RPG Ep. 74

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 .

Oct 31, 20241 hr 42 min

More Monsters in RPGs Ep 73 Pt 2

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 .

Aug 11, 20241 hr 26 min

Monsters in RPGs Ep.73 Pt.1

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 .

Jul 28, 20241 hr 18 min

Cyberpunk RPG Ep.72

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 .

Jun 15, 20241 hr 27 min

80s Computers and RPGs Ep71 Pt2

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 .

May 06, 202459 min

ZX Spectrum Games (with Dan Whitehead) Ep.71 Pt. 1

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 .

May 04, 20241 hr 2 min

Traveller RPG Revisited (with Marc Miller) Ep 69

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 ....

Mar 06, 20241 hr 37 min

Five Room Dungeons (with Johnn Four) Ep. 68

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 ....

Feb 03, 20241 hr 40 min

Review of 2023 in RPGs (with Gaz Bowerbank)

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 .

Dec 23, 20231 hr 35 min

Cults of Cthulhu (with Mike Mason) Ep 66

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 ....

Dec 02, 20231 hr 36 min

Glorantha (with Jeff Richard)

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 ....

Oct 31, 20231 hr 27 min

Michael Moorcock Ep. 64

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 ....

Oct 01, 20231 hr 48 min

Liminal Inspirations Ep.63 (with C.K.McDonnell) (Part 2)

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 .

Aug 31, 20231 hr 31 min

Liminal (with Paul Mitchener) Ep.63 (Part 1)

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 .

Jul 29, 20231 hr 9 min

Call of Cthulhu Ep.2 (Part 2) – REMASTERED

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 ....

Jul 22, 202355 min

UK Games Expo Report 2023

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. The post UK Games Expo Report 2023 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files .

Jun 22, 20231 hr 27 min

Tale of the Manticore (with Jon Cohen) ep.62

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 post Tale of the Manticore (with Jon Cohen) ep.62 first appeared on The GROGNARD Files ....

Jun 01, 20231 hr 47 min

Call of Cthulhu Ep.2 (Part 1) – REMASTERED

The early episodes are steadily being remastered with an extra segment reflecting on the episode eight years on. The post Call of Cthulhu Ep.2 (Part 1) – REMASTERED first appeared on The GROGNARD Files .

May 14, 20231 hr 21 min
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