(BHP) Confessions of a RPG Publisher

Delving Deeper Update

2012-01-28T22:12:00.001-06:00

Here is an update from Simon:

On the 4th of December 2011 I began editing Delving Deeper. I knew from the outset it would be a big job; I knew also it was a worthy cause and a rare privilege.

While John encouraged me to take whatever time was necessary to get it right, we all knew there would be some time pressure, eventually. Paying customers had already paid, after all.

So I set about it. Paragraph by paragraph, word by word I went, paying special attention to what does and does not appear in the SRD.

In the month that followed, Cameron and I (and the rest of the team) discussed scores of the finer details on the Delving Deeper development forum (I just checked; it says that I have made 4.3 posts per day since joining, in December, and the others have done likewise). All with the goal of making DD the best we can make it.

On the 7th of January the first edit of Volume 1 was declared "done", and right now John is putting it up for our proofers.

In the meanwhile, I have been working my way through Volumes 2 and 3 in parallel.

Volume 2 is proving to be, perhaps, the easiest of the three. It consists mainly of short, standalone sections describing monsters and items which can be tackled individually -- though each must be painstakingly checked against the SRD.

On the other hand, volume 3 is perhaps the most challenging. It is being largely reorganized such that material is presented in the order it might be required in the regular campaign life-cycle, and many clarifications from the earliest sources must be conscientiously handled.

And so we progress.

In all I feel that DD is coming along smartly, though I appreciate that those who purchased their boxed sets before I even began might be justified in thinking otherwise. All I can say is; please be patient for a few weeks more -- DD will be worth the wait! Simon

DCC RPG Part 1: The Funky Dice and Plethora of Tables

2012-01-16T08:50:00.001-06:00

Make no mistake, I am enamored with the Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG! Sure, I will be publishing support material for DCC RPG (I am a publisher after all), but even if I wasn't, I would still be playing the game.

In fact, I have already been playing it for nearly a year now at home with my boys. Each and every time I play DCC RPG, it feels like I am back with a bunch of buddies in high school, staying up all night on a Friday playing 1E in somebody's kitchen or basement and where every unexplored dungeon passageway or room holds unknown monsters, wonders and excitement!I suspect I may have been one of the first (if not the first) third party publisher to sign up to support the DCC RPG back in early 2011. One of the perks of doing so is that I got to see much more of the text of the game as it was being developed than most other folks. I enjoyed reading the text, even in those early stages, but I loved actually playing the game - and especially with Joseph, Harley and Doug! I was honored (okay, geeked-out) when Harley introduced me to Doug as, "you know, the halfling guy." But I was even more touched when they invited me to be present as they worked out the rules for Spell Duels and Counter Spells.

In this first installment, I want to talk about the "Funky Dice" and plethora of tables that DCC RPG uses.I love the way it uses "funky dice" (the technical term Joseph uses in the text) and its plethora of tables. The DCC RPG is a very simple game with quick and intuitive mechanical resolution that old and new gamers pick up on in no time all. If it was not so simple, I would not be playing it - PERIOD. Complicated rpgs hurt my head. In my opinion, DCC RPG's funky dice and plethora of tables do not add any complication to playing the game at all. Instead, they spice up the dice action and only add to the fun of playing the game. Indeed, most of the time the funky dice and tables are only used to help add a bit of fantastic, Appendix N flavor to typical character actions like attacking a monster, casting a spell or when when one rolls a natural "1" or "20" on a d20. These kinds of funky dice rolls and the accompanying tables really make gaming with DCC RPG so special.

Sure, a good imagination can add atmosphere and flavor to any game, but the funky dice and tables of the DCC RPG are a key tool in helping evoke an overflow of that inspiration right at the game table - one roll at a time!Next, I will offer some examples of exactly how the funky dice and tables of DCC RPG add Appendix N flavor and atmosphere to actual game play. :)

You can download a free Beta copy of the rules or even place your pre-order for the hard cover version of the rules and the first several official modules here.

3 Unopned S&W:WhiteBox Boxed Sets Available

2012-01-06T11:52:00.002-06:00

Hey guys.

I am willing to part with three Sword & Wizardry:WhiteBox Boxed Sets (BHP's Third Print Edition from 2011) from my personal collection (I have four altogether). They are completely unused, unopened and in mint condition. They have shrink-wrap protection as well.

Times are hard for the halfling and his family (unemployed for seven months, but actively looking for a new church to pastor now) and I need to generate some money to pay a few bills.

You can email any offers (for 1, 2 or all 3) to john@bravehalfling.com

Thanks!

2011-12-28T19:34:00.000-06:00

Here is a sneak peak at the cover for BHP's first X-plorers adventure by Bill De Franza with art by Steve Zieser.

Merry Christmas! (LARM PRODUCT BUNDLE FOR FREE)

2011-12-25T18:51:00.000-06:00

Hey folks!

I hope you are having an excellent holiday season!

I got busy with church services and neglected to get this posted sooner. From now until January 2, I am giving the "Village of Larm" PDF PRODUCT BUNDLE away for free! That's a detailed village with three starter adventures and three full-sized adventures. I know some of these books go back to the very beginning of BHP (and they look like it too!) while LARM was updated last year - but for folks just getting into OSR gaming, they can be very helpful.

You can get it here: LARM Trilogy [BUNDLE]: LARM Trilogy [BUNDLE]

One Last Edit of Delving Deeper RPG

2011-12-10T09:08:00.001-06:00

As the proofing suggestions for thefirst booklet came in, it became clear to the Delving Deeper RPGDevelopment Team that the entire text of the game needed one more,complete edit. To do this, we have added a new team member – SimonBull (“Waysoftheearth”) who shares our love for Original Editionand has excellent editing skills. Having a fresh set of eyes andanother heart for Original Edition on board at the very end of thisproject is exactly what Delving Deeper RPG needs.

Simon's edit is already in progress andwe really like the results we are seeing! The language of the text isbeing perfected, excess descriptions and commentary are being removedand few mechanics are being tweaked to be even more reminiscent ofthe earliest version of Original Edition.

Most of us have purchased rpg productsin the past where one last, solid edit would have made a great dealof difference. Who likes to buy a print product only to see anup-dated version released a week or even a month later? I know thatreally bothers me and I am sure it does most gamers as well. As apublisher, I know that no product is ever perfect and you can spendan eternity trying to get it that way. At some point, you do have torelease a product or it is essentially vaporware. Those of you whowent through the “box ordeal” with me a few years ago know that Ican be trusted to deliver this game very soon.

Personally, Delving Deeper RPG hasbecome a sacrifice of love for me. I have continued to fund thedevelopment even during the last seven months of my unemployment.When decisions had to be made about the game, every choice I havemade has been for the long haul – even if it meant spending theprecious few dollars I was earning from rpgs sales. In other words, I have not cut any corners nor tried to push the product out-the-door before it was ready. Seeing this gamecompleted, released and shipped will be a milestone in my life.Believe me, know one wants to see Delving Deeper RPG finished morethan me!

Please stay with us just a bit longer.For everyone who has (or will) order a Delving Deeper Boxed Set, I amadding (in addition, to the many booklets already part of the DelvingDeeper Boxed Set) the first three Delving Deeper adventure modules.Plus, I am also going to send a free pdf (with art) of the game withevery purchase until in ships.

Thank you. :)

X-plorers Referee Bundle

2011-11-26T21:24:00.001-06:00

X-plorers Referee Bundle

BHP 5001

So you've got an X-plorer boxed set and you want to get your gaming group set up to play but you don't want to buy five more boxed sets or five full-size X-plorers rule sets POD. What are you to do? Grab an X-plorers Referee Bundle!

Included in the bundle are: (Pictures coming on Sunday)

5 Digest Player's Guide Booklets
3 Ship Deck Plans Printed on Cardstock (Serrona Class Scout, Mastodon Freighter & Cleopatra Station
Pad of 50 Character Sheets

Shipping is: $3.50 (US) & $12.00 (Canada & World-Wide)

X-plorers Referee Bundle $24.95

Get them here.

This product is in stock and available for immediate shipping.

All BHP products are shipped protected from moisture and in sturdy packaging.

Delving Deeper Booklet Covers

2011-11-23T19:01:00.001-06:00

Hey folks!

It is time for a quick preview of the Delving Deeper booklet covers in the Boxed Set!
Mark Allen has really done a fantastic job with the art and we could not be happier about it. :)
Half of our team has some real-life stuff to deal with this week, so we have delayed shipping the boxed sets to December 9. This is the final shipping date and we will hit it. Thank you all for your patience! I have kept the price of the boxed sets down to $39.95, but they will go up to $49.95 when they start shipping. PDFs (and a free, no-art pdf) and print-on-demand versions of Delving Deeper will be available in mid-January.

Delving Deeper RPG Boxed Sets are available here.

Old-School Gaming Box with Erol Otus Art!

2011-11-18T19:09:00.001-06:00

Old-School Gaming Box with Erol OtusArt!

You asked for it, and here it is!

YOU NEED TWO OF THESE – one to putyou favorite OSR material in (or your precious stuff fromback-in-the-day) and another to leave in the shrink wrap to admiresetting on your gaming shelf. ;)

This product is a 9" wide x 12"long x 3" deep, sturdy box (aqueous protective coating)featuring a brand-new, full-color cover by Erol Otus! That's plentyof room for 2-3 retro-clone hardcovers, soft covers and a few dozen modules.

Today's major rpg publishers don't liketo offer boxed sets anymore because they cost too much and are toomuch trouble to put together. When they do off, they are often verycheap boxes made in China. Hard work doesn't scare this halfling andwe are proud to make our game boxes in the USA!

Shipping costs are: (US) $3.50 forone or $5.00 for two or more

(Canada) $5.50 for one, $8.00 fortwo and $10 for three or more

(World-Wide) $5.50 for one, $12.00for two and $20 for three or more

*All proceeds go towards clothing and feeding my children for the winter.

X-plorers Boxed Sets Available Again

2011-11-17T19:19:00.001-06:00

I had planned on saving these to sell at some conventions this summer, but folks keep asking for them. So I have opened up this product for sale again. I have about two dozen of these limited edition (part of the 200 print run) boxed sets left.

http://www.bravehalfling.com/page13.html

Me Too

2011-11-16T20:38:00.001-06:00

I Am A: Lawful Good Human Paladin/Cleric (3rd/3rd Level)

Ability Scores:
Strength-12
Dexterity-12
Constitution-16
Intelligence-12
Wisdom-19
Charisma-17

Alignment:
Lawful Good A lawful good character acts as a good person is expected or required to act. He combines a commitment to oppose evil with the discipline to fight relentlessly. He tells the truth, keeps his word, helps those in need, and speaks out against injustice. A lawful good character hates to see the guilty go unpunished. Lawful good is the best alignment you can be because it combines honor and compassion. However, lawful good can be a dangerous alignment when it restricts freedom and criminalizes self-interest.

Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.

Primary Class:
Paladins take their adventures seriously, and even a mundane mission is, in the heart of the paladin, a personal test an opportunity to demonstrate bravery, to learn tactics, and to find ways to do good. Divine power protects these warriors of virtue, warding off harm, protecting from disease, healing, and guarding against fear. The paladin can also direct this power to help others, healing wounds or curing diseases, and also use it to destroy evil. Experienced paladins can smite evil foes and turn away undead. A paladin's Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that they can cast. Many of the paladin's special abilities also benefit from a high Charisma score.

Secondary Class:
Clerics act as intermediaries between the earthly and the divine (or infernal) worlds. A good cleric helps those in need, while an evil cleric seeks to spread his patron's vision of evil across the world. All clerics can heal wounds and bring people back from the brink of death, and powerful clerics can even raise the dead. Likewise, all clerics have authority over undead creatures, and they can turn away or even destroy these creatures. Clerics are trained in the use of simple weapons, and can use all forms of armor and shields without penalty, since armor does not interfere with the casting of divine spells. In addition to his normal complement of spells, every cleric chooses to focus on two of his deity's domains. These domains grants the cleric special powers, and give him access to spells that he might otherwise never learn. A cleric's Wisdom score should be high, since this determines the maximum spell level that he can cast.

Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)

Old-School Gaming Box with Erol Otus Art!

2011-11-14T08:06:00.000-06:00

Old-School Gaming Box with Erol OtusArt!

You asked for it, and here it is!

YOU NEED TWO OF THESE – one to putyou favorite OSR material in (or your precious stuff fromback-in-the-day) and another to leave in the shrink wrap to admiresetting on your gaming shelf. ;)

Shipping costs are: (US) $3.50 forone or $5.00 for two or more

(Canada) $5.50 for one, $8.00 fortwo and $10 for three or more

(World-Wide) $5.50 for one, $12.00for two and $20 for three or more

*All proceeds go towards clothing and feeding my children for the winter.

Just a Friendly Reminder...

2011-11-10T04:57:00.000-06:00

The price of Delving Deeper Boxed Sets will go up from $39.95 to $49.95 in just a few days and I do not want you to miss out. Details on why I am having to do this are posted here.

Delving Deeper Boxed Sets are available here.

Plus, no one has guessed what BHP's biggest, new mystery product coming out next week is yet. I will give a free one to anyone who can figure it out!

X-plorers RPG: Winner of the X-plorers Character Sheet Contest!

2011-11-08T13:33:00.000-06:00

X-plorers RPG: Winner of the X-plorers Character Sheet Contest!: Hey folks, it is way overdue, but I am proud to announce that Anders Bohlin won the X-plorers Character Sheet Contest! While we had all kind...

BIGGEST BHP PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT COMING NOVEMBER 14!

2011-11-06T09:09:00.001-06:00

That's right - Brave HalflingPublishing will announce the release of our biggest product onMonday, November 14!

Here are a few hints. :)

Is it old-school? Oh, so much so!

Is it a new retro/neo-clone? No.

Is it something other publishers are doing? No.

Will everyone and their cousin want one? Yes.

Will it ship before the holidays? Yes (in production right now)

Did BHP get the rights to publish Gary's Castle Greyhawk notes? No.

Is it something folks have been asking BHP to do for the last four years? Yes.

Will James Maliszewski like it? Yes.

Is it a fake-leather, 500 page, monster book? Nope (but those are pretty cool).

Let the rumors abound!

Alchemical Synergy: A Swords & Wizardry:Whitebox Player's Guide for Delving Deeper RPG

2011-11-04T17:33:00.002-05:00

It is time I update folks on how compatible Delving Deeper RPG will be with Swords & Wizardry: Whitebox.

Alchemical Synergy: A Swords & Wizardry:Whitebox Player's Guide for Delving Deeper RPG.

Over the last few years, I have come to appreciate some of the innovations Swords & Wizardry has introduced into the mainstream of the OSR. Most notably of these is the single saving throw along with its accompanying class bonuses and ascending armor class. However, our desire with Delving Deeper RPG has been from the beginning to be as faithful to the very earliest version of original edition's feel and play of as possible and we have not compromised on that on bit.

So in order to keep Delving Deeper RPG as pure to the earliest version of original edition as possible, but also allow WB gamers to easily and quickly play the Delving Deeper RPG using their favorite things about WB, we have created an optional booklet for Delving Deeper, “Alchemical Synergy.”

“Alchemical Synergy: A Swords & Wizardry:Whitebox Player's Guide for Delving Deeper RPG” is a booklet that allows WB gamers to easily and quickly play Delving Deeper RPG using their favorite WB character classes, the single-saving throw along with the class bonuses as well as ascending armor class. Basically, this booklet just replaces the corresponding, Delving Deeper booklet, “Volume I: Forging a Hero” that describes how gamers can create Delving Deeper characters.

A copy of this Whitebox Player's Guide for Delving Deeper booklet will ship with every Delving Deeper Boxed Set and will also be available as a free pdf, by POD and in print directly from BHP in the next few weeks.

Oh yes, one last thing. I have also added the ascending armor class for each monster listed in Delving Deeper RPG.

Delving Deeper Boxed Sets are available here.

Swords & Wizardry, S&W, and Mythmere Gamesare trademarks of Matthew J. Finch,” and Brave Halfling Publishing is not affiliated withMatthew J. Finch, Mythmere Games™, or Frog God Games.

Final Form of Delving Deeper Boxed Sets Set

2011-10-31T08:43:00.000-05:00

Hey folks!

The development of Delving Deeper iscoming to a close and the final form of the product has taken shape!For the boxed sets, the games has been separated into five, digest volumes. But rather than just slashing up Delving Deeper into fivebooklets, we have instead chosen to treat each volume as a product inits own right. Each Delving Deeper booklet ranges from 40-60 pages inlength, is highly illustrated and contains both a table of contentsand an index. Mark Allen is creating unique cover art for each volumeright now and I will have samples as soon as they are available.Samples from Volume II decorate this post. The five volumes that makeup Delving Deeper RPG are:

Volume One: Forging a Hero

VolumeTwo: Codex of the Divine and the Arcane

Volume Three: Index ofthe Fiendish and Malign

Volume Four: Vault of Treasures

Volume Five: Delving Deeper and Blazing New Trails

So in all, the Delving Deeper BoxedSets will contain the five volumes of Delving Deeper RPG, a digestcopy Robert Conley's, Blackmarsh Campaign Setting (that's nearly 300pages in all!), nine dice (3d6, 2d10, 1d20, 1d12, 1d8 and 1d4) and a pad of 25 digest character sheets.

Because of the size of the fivebooklets and because I create each one carefully by hand (evenscoring each page so that the booklets will fold over correctly)using the highest quality materials, I am going to have to raisethe price of the boxed sets from $39.95 to $49.95. However, I am notgoing to raise the price until November 15, so that folks willhave a chance to purchase a boxed set at the lower price. Plus, thiscan also be seen as a way of rewarding all the people who pre-ordereda boxed set months ago at a much lower price.

We are proud of Delving Deeper RPG andwe think you will love it as well.

Delving Deeper Boxed Sets may be purchased here.

Delving Deeper RPG Monsters Preview

2011-10-23T08:51:00.002-05:00

Hey folks!

As the BHP team is putting the finishing touches on Delving Deeper RPG over the next couple of weeks, I will be showing some long-overdue previews. Today we have a couple pages out of the Monsters section. Please remember that not all monsters have accompaning art and we have still to do the final proofing.

Delving Deeper Boxed sets are available to order here.

X-plorers actual play with my 7 year old.

2011-10-19T20:02:00.000-05:00

Team Member Aidan Examines the Scout Ship

Aidan (my youngest boy) absolutely loves X-plorers. He took my full-sized rule book and my boxed set. He lives it and breathes it! He has already made me promise to give him the publishing rights when I die. :) We got to play last Sunday evening, just the two of us. Our team was sent to Outpost 3552, because Conglom (the mega-corporation our X-plorers Team works for) had lost all contact with the family of four that maintains the facility (which conducts deep-space telemetry (or some such thing). We arrived only to discover that some strange energy beings had come up through the outpost's reactor and attacked the family. We rescued the family by holding the creatures off with a sonic weapon and then finished cleaning the outpost by nuking it from orbit (he has never seen the movie, but he sure makes me so proud!)
Of course, there are more details, but I wanted to share with you a few quotes from Aidan during the game. The are worth every minute I have spent working on X-plorers. Thanks Dave!

"Plasma shot all over the energy creatures."

Quotes from Aidan:

"Sheesh, Dad. Only stupid X-plorers leave the ship without their their enviro suits."

"Martians are good aliens."

"Don't we have jet packs? What kind of X-plorer Team doesn't have a jet pack?"

"You're injured and I don't want to put you into the fight..."

"Check the surveillance in the hanger."

Very precious memories. :)

BHP: Bigger and Better!

2011-10-14T20:17:00.000-05:00

Aidan & Riley: "We're not astronauts, we are X-plorers!"

This halfing has been hard at work! Letme try and catch you up on some of the many things BHP is up to rightnow.

X-plorers

Almost all of the X-plorer LimitedEdition Boxed Sets are on their way! I will be shipping all theorders from October in the morning (Saturday) and I still have toupdate the paypal shipping status of all the international orders. Anumber of of boxed sets are on their way to Noble Knight Games too! Avery large order of the full-size version of X-plorers is headed tomy distributor and into game store shelves in December. I have manyproducts for X-P that will start coming out regularly (and even PLAYREPORTS with my boys!) just as soon as I can get all the DelvingDeeper Boxed sets shipped.

Delving Deeper

Jesse (Verahden) had some real lifestuff (good things) cause him to be unable to finish the layout ofDelving Deeper. I sure do appreciate Jesse's help and I hope we canwork together again down the road. As a result, I am working likemadman to finish up the layout (so much so, my wife and kids arecomplaining – as they should!). I have set November 1-3 as myshipping deadline and I intend to keep it. All the folks whopre-ordered Delving Deeper (some many months ago) have been sopatient and I am not going to make them wait any longer. I will startposting samples from the text next week. I think folks are going toreally like Delving Deeper. I love the way it is written andillustrated.

BHP Facilities and Equipment

Papa Hallfing Wrapping X-P Boxed Sets

Worth every penny!

Now that BHP has become my day job, Ispent much of September expanding my working space and my equipment.I have always tried to actually create as many BHP products aspossible with my own hands, but because of limited time, space andequipment I have had to settle for making only a handful of productsat a time. This worked well back when BHP would put out a new productevery three or four months and sell around 50 or less of them. Nowthat I get orders for hundreds of products from distributors, onlineretailers and pre-orders, this was just not going to work for me anylonger. Problem solved! With my expanded space and equipment, I havebeen able to create as many as 200 digest booklets a day (still byhand, of course). My favorite new toy is my own industrialshrink-wrap equipment which not only saves me hours and hours time,makes BHP products look like they belong on game-store shelves, italso helps protect them from moisture during shipping.

BHP has a bunch of productsin-the-works, but that is enough for now. I am getting all settled inback in the town I grew up in - expect to see lots of play reports,reviews, guest bloggers and more. I may have started BHP as a hobbypublisher over four years ago, but I am in RPG publishing for thelong haul now!

Thanks, guys!

Have fun gaming!

(PFRPG) The Vile Worm of the Eldritch Oak [BUNDLE]

2011-10-13T12:35:00.000-05:00

(PFRPG) The Vile Worm of the Eldritch Oak [BUNDLE]

Still shipping X-plorers boxed sets

2011-10-05T16:47:00.000-05:00

Hey guys,

Apparently my little virus breeders (beloved children) have passed on a really nasty virus to me. There is nothing like a new school year ;)

I am pretty groggy and my eyes keep watering, but X-plorers boxed sets are shipping out. I will post some pictures of my new print shop and shipping area on Thursday.

Major BHP Update!

2011-09-30T10:28:00.001-05:00

Hey folks!
Here is the latest update from the head halfling! BHP is moving full-steam ahead - but it has me working 12-16 hour days, so I haven't been able to keep up with emails, blogs and forums as much as I like - and it sure does not look like things are going to let up anytime soon! In fact, I really shouldn't have stopped to write this. ;)

X-plorers: The boxed sets are shipping and I am emailing everyone first to make sure I still have the correct address. This is slowing shipping down a bit, but it is making sure all the orders are correct. Plus, until yesterday, I just did not have the room or equipment to ship more than twenty or so boxes a day, but that has been fixed as BHP transitions into being a full-time publisher. Our first X-P digest module is getting art and layout right now and should be out in October.

Delving Deeper: With my move this summer and a couple of difficulties with the layout / final form, this project has suffered the most. However, Delving Deeper is now my first priority (after the X-P boxes ship this week) and I will stay with it until it is done. Baring any more barriers, I plan on shipping all of these boxed sets on November 1, 2 & 3. I will be re-starting the development blog and you will start seeing a bunch more activity with this great game.

BHP has partnered with Lord Zsezse Works do provide high-quality battlemaps for some of our modules. The first one comes out next week on RPGNOW.com. More on that this week.
BHP and Beyond Belief Games have struck a deal whereby BHP will be releasing a limited-run, digest boxed set for Woodland Warriors! I will have more detail about this in late October – but it is on!

Finally, I have something coming very soon for the OSR crowd – a very special box – bigger than any box we have ever done. This box can be used to store your favorite game books (originals or retro-clones), dice, notes, modules, etc. Or you can use it as a handy way to transport you gaming materials to game night or a con. Some guy with the initials EO is creating a special cover for it. Rumor is that it will focus upon a "halfling adventurer facing a horrific crazy monster in a cave tunnel." ;)

Oh yes, one last thing. BHP is going back to releasing the highest quality digest modules. It is how we roll.

Back to work...

Aidan took my X-plorers book!

2011-09-22T08:38:00.000-05:00

Yes, after running my boys through the free X-plorers adventure, "Cleopatra Station," my youngest took my X-P rulebook and kept it. He looked at it all evening, slept with it last night and put it in his backpack to take to school this morning. As he got out of the van to go to school, he asked me if he could publish X-plorers "when you pass." :)

I am thinking maybe it is time for a children's version of X-P!

The free pdf of Cleopatra Station can be found here: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=95003&filters=0_0_0_0&free=1

Who took my dice? (x-plorers Boxed Set Update)

2011-09-03T13:13:00.000-05:00

I have looked everywhere and I cannot find my stock of dice for the X-plorer Boxed Sets. It seems like they may have been misplaced during our recent move. We always loose something when we move - last time it was an entire set of dishes!

I have already ordered new dice for the sets and they should arrive early next week. I will film a video of what the boxed sets look like on Monday and ship them as soon as the dice arrive.

While we wait a couple of days for the dice, I have decided I do not like my digest-sized X-P character sheets. The are just too plain. Tell you what, I will send a free X-P boxed set to anyone who wows me with their digest-sized X-P character sheet I can use with the boxed sets. Email your entries to john@bravehalfling.com

X-plorers RPG Now in PDF & PRINT!

2011-08-29T08:40:00.000-05:00

X-plorers RPG

CALLING ALL X-PLORERS:

The Universe is a big place with big problems
—that’s where you come in!

Put on your space suit, charge your ray rifle, and flip ignition on an outer-space adventure!
Imagine if the first RPG had been one of interplanetary adventure—rules-light, fast-paced, and inspired by a passion for science fiction. In X-plorers, you’re part of a group of galactic troubleshooters on the look out for the next job—whether it be salvage, search, or rescue on an alien world.
Players: Explore, defend, and save the galaxy!
● Be a SCIENTIST: Unravel the mysteries of a new alien race!
● Be a SOLDIER: Take aim and defend against enemy invaders!
● Be a TECHNICIAN: Pilot a spaceship through imminent danger!
● Be a SCOUT: Foil the overlord’s plans using espionage!
Character generation is quick and easy so you can get to gallivanting around the galaxy.
Choose from four character types with a simplified four-attribute skill system. Then outfit your team and prepare to make planetfall!
Game Masters: Create a cosmic sandbox using basic rules.

This product is nothing more than a shinny new version of Dave Bezio’s original X-plorers final text. Everything you love about X-P is in here – we’ve just cleaned the text up a bit, given it a new layout, adorned it with fantastic new art by Pete Mullen and Steve Zieser and added a few extras to make this edition as easy-to-use and as helpful to gamers as possible. Fans of X-P will not be disappointed.

Print & PDF Versions

Free (no art) PDF

The Halfling is Completely Moved!

2011-08-15T20:46:00.000-05:00

Hey folks!

The head halfling is completely moved – FINALLY!

I would like to do two quick things with this post. First, I want to express my appreciation and my admiration to four different people for things they have done this summer that have really promoted the OSR movement. Second, I will update you on the Delving Deeper and X-plorers boxed sets.

First, there is Joseph Browning who organized and operated an OSR booth at GenCon this year. While real-life kept me from providing any products to the stand this year, BHP did help the cause out financially. But Joseph needs a BIG pat on his back for a job well done!

Second is Daniel Proctor who provided a free, one-page adventure for folks at GenCon. What a great idea and a fantastic way to share old-school rules gaming!

Third, Matt Finch for the Swords & Wizardry version of the Tome of Horrors Complete – what a mammoth resource! While I haven't had the time or means to purchase it yet, I always enjoy Matt's work and I am really looking forward to having it on my ipad!

Fourth, Father Dave for his continuing blog series on Holmes & Cook. I have been getting all kinds of inspiration from them!

Delving Deeper and X-plorer boxed sets - I go pick up the boxes for both on Thursday and I will start filling up the X-plorer boxes on Monday.

Jesse is finishing up the layout on Delving Deeper Volume II and will then start on volume III. Now that he has established a template and standards for the text, it should go much faster.

In the last few weeks I have received a flood of emails asking me to put both the X-plorers Boxed Set and the Delving Deeper Boxed Set back up for sale and I am happy to oblige! They will remain on sale until they sell out.

The bottom line is that I am now on the job at BHP everyday and you should see things coming together very quickly along will all kinds of new material I haven't even hinted at yet. ;)

Is "space-toilet" hypenated? Another X-plorers update!

2011-05-10T20:31:00.000-05:00

From Jay's Exonauts blog:

Monday, May 9, 2011
Is "space-toilet" hypenated? Another X-plorers update!
Over the course of the last few weeks I've been copy editing the latest version of the X-plorers Referee Guide rules. I did my best to catch everything I could, but I think I went a little crazy in the brain pan, staying up too late, listening to the sizzling of my own neurons. Things get wacky after midnight and you begin to wonder just whether that hyphen belongs there. Here's hoping it's at least a shade improved!

I am extremely happy to report that this post marks the sending of the edits to John over at Brave Halfling! (Man, it feels great to finally say that!). Now, to answer a few questions that I'm sure will crop up:

So, of which game is X-plorers a retro clone?
None! The short version is, Dave Bezio of Grey Area Games had an idea about creating an RPG in the old-school vein under the premise of "what if the first RPG had been based in science fiction, rather than fantasy?". He set out to write rules that were light on crunch and a quick read. The book was even written as if the reader was being introduced to RPGs (more on that in a second). The result was something that's takes into account the philosophy behind the original fantasy RPG, but uses original rules of Dave's own design--in other words it's not a straight port of D&D and into a sci-fi setting, or even an update of it. It's an animal unto itself.

What's updated in the new version?
This set is intended to be Dave Bezio's original rules with copy edits and revisions according to a new style guide I wrote. If any language was updated, it was for the sake of clarity only.

The book's format also saw revisions, making it easier to find information and more user-friendly, overall. There's a glossary now for common X-plorers terms. We also threw together a few appendices for information that took up the bulk of the beginning of the book. So now you can really dive in earlier, without having to read the "What's a Roleplaying Game" stuff unless you're really trying to teach someone the ropes.

Was anything left out?
We'd considered adding some expanded rules, but I think that would have meant we'd be rushing to squeeze those into the book without really having a chance to discuss them or test them out properly. I'm sure that material will surface in future supplements, but this gives us a chance to make sure they're going to work well with X-plorers. It's too early to really say what those rules discussed, but I'm glad we kept it simple for this release.

Then do the rules still constitute a complete game?
Absolutely! Just like Dave's original version, these are basic rules where you have the freedom to build your own outer-space playground. The goal was always to preserve the "take it and run with it right out of the box" style of the game. Which reminds me, John just announced it will have its own Box Set!! Which, as far as I'm aware, is the first sci-fi OSR game to be offered in this manner!

Is there a new look or feel to this version?
John's commissioned plenty of new artwork that I think will really set X-plorers apart from the other sci-fi OSR games out there. Pete Mullen has done a fabulous job with the cover and several other artists have lent their talents to the project. I think the overall presentation gives the game a distinct flavor now. It's a retro-style game with retro-styled art!

What's next?
Down the line we're looking at supplements, adventure modules--you name it. I know of several X-plorers projects already in the works, though I'll leave that to John to announce as they become ready since he's the mastermind behind it all. :)

Keep your hyperspace channel tuned for more to come....
Posted by Jay at 4:37 PM

Live from Gary Con

2011-03-26T16:27:00.000-05:00

I finally made it. So many folks I know!

Spent some time with Jon of Black Blade Publishing. You should see just how fantastic the new, hard cover version of OSRIC looks!

The first game for me today was a Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG adventure run by Joseph Goodman. The game itself plays fast and the little charts for critical hits, fumbles and spell effects really add a bunch of flavor to the game. My cleric character turned a huge, demonic frog. We even had a summoned billie goat as party scout for a while. Best line of the game, "If you eat a summoned goat, will it leave you feeling empty after the spell ends?"

The answer is, "yes."

More later!

Delving Deeper Development Blog #7

2011-03-16T05:38:00.000-05:00

[caption id="attachment_568" align="alignright" width="323" caption="Copyright Mark Allen (His re-imagining of the Juggernaut!)"][/caption]

Hey guys!

It has been a couple of weeks since my last Development Blog – real life and working on Delving Deeper RPG has kept me mighty busy lately. Besides, I did not want to post another entry until I had finalized the physical form the game is going to take. All those decisions have now been made, so I can share them with you.

Let me summarize them and then explain them.

Rather than being a boxed set, Delving Deeper will be released as three 6” x 9” volumes.

We will be (after all pre-orders are filled) transforming the Boxed Set into a Starter Set to go into retail distribution.

Delving Deeper as Three 6” x 9” Volumes

While we really had our hearts set on Delving Deeper RPG being a boxed set, we found this goal to be nearly impossible for two reasons: First, since Delving Deeper is a complete game (and not just a toolbox for building other games upon – although you can and are encouraged to do that), the text has turned out to be quite a bit longer that we had originally assumed. Indeed, the final form of Delving Deeper will be around 245 pages (6” x 9”), which makes it longer than the game it emulates. This is because we have tried to explain things in a more complete way and because Delving Deeper is lavishly illustrated. Second, my new position as pastor of the Christ Alive! Community Church is going so well (and the church is growing rapidly), I no longer have the time to create, pack and ship each boxed set myself.

Here are the three volumes that make up the game:

Volume I: Heroes (which has everything one needs to role up and play a character)

Volume II: Villains (which details many monsters and treasures)

Volume III: Delving Deeper and Blazing the Trail (which offers all kinds of information on gaming in dungeon and wilderness areas)

Only Referee's will “need” all three Volumes.

Each volume will be available as:

FREE PDF (no art)
PDF - $4.95
Soft Cover (includes free pdf) - $9.95
Hard Cover (includes free pdf) - $14.95

We will begin by releasing Volume I the first week of April with each of the other two volumes in turn a few weeks apart as they are completed. I have chosen to release Delving Deeper in this way because I think it will meet the varied needs of gamers. Plus, we are very excited about the game and want to push up the quality level as high as we can. And as you can see, one will be able to play Delving Deeper without paying a dime, or they can just purchase a pdf or softcover or hard cover of whatever books they want. I do not know about you, but money is mighty tight at my house and I would rather have the choice of buying only what I want and downloading for free anything else I need in order to play the game.

Another reason why we have decided to divide Delving Deeper up this way is to open the door for many options. We had intended to put two extra optional tracks right into the core text of Delving Deeper, but we chose to remove it because because we wanted to keep the game as true to the one it emulates as possible. Now BHP and publishers can develop and release (the trademark license will allow and encourage it) completely optional booklets to support the game. For example, optional booklets to take the place of Vol. I: Heroes can be created for Blue-Book Basic, Swords & Wizardry: WhiteBox, etc. This way, options can be provided without filling the core text with too many extras and options. Indeed, I am already putting together a S&W:WhiteBox Companion for Delving Deeper.

Delving Deeper Boxed Set Pre-Orders

Back to the box. Of course we are going to honor all of the pre-orders by shipping them as soon as possible with soft cover versions (perfect bound) of each of the three volumes. Plus, I am going to place a special sticker on the inside cover of the top box of each pre-orderd boxed set, numbering them from 1-125 (according to the order they were purchased), since they will be the only fully complete boxed set created for Delving Deeper. I still have around twenty of these pre-order boxed sets left and they will remain available until they are sold out.

Delving Deeper Starter Boxed Set

The new, Starter Set Boxed Set will go into game stores in June and consist of character sheets, a set of dice, a Player's Book, a Referee's Book and a book of 3-4 adventures with extra details, suggestions and ideas for beginning referees. It will cover levels 1-5 and retail for $24.95.

By Fall, we should have a full-color slip case to offer folks who want to house all three Delving Deeper hard covers together.

I will be attending a clergy training conference and Gary Con next week, so I will have a preview of Delving Deeper: Volume I in two weeks.

Thanks!

Pre-Orders for the Delving Deeper RPG Boxed Set can be found here.

Delving Deeper Development Blog #6

2011-03-01T17:21:00.000-06:00

Okay, this Development Blog is personal - but it is very important to me. The first part is mighty emotional for me and the second is uber-geeky. :)

For me, the best part about being active in the OSR is the life-long friends I have made. Indeed, Brave Halfling Publishing has always been something shared among friends. Three of my closest friends are helping put Delving Deeper RPG together, which is the main reason I am so pumped about it! Sure, I think it is going to be a great addition to the OSR, but there is so much more to this hobby than just the games. It is also about the people we game with! Whether we sit around a table with friends continuing a campaign started over twenty years ago, roll the dice in stand alone adventure with our children or even online at a virtual table gaming with friends on different continents, it is my hope that along with becoming a wonderful way of keeping Original Edition gaming alive, Delving Deeper RPG will also help us establish life-long friends with folks we may have never met otherwise.

I have never met Cameron, Dave or Mark in person yet, but I can't wait for the day when I will. Keep gaming guys. And keep gaming with friends!

And here is the uber-geeky part. Mark created a piece of art to celebrate all this hard work and friendship we are sharing while developing Delving Deeper RPG. :)

[caption id="attachment_510" align="aligncenter" width="621" caption="John, Dave, Cameron and Mark (Copyright Mark Allen)"][/caption]

Pre-Orders for the Delving Deeper RPG Boxed Set can be found here.

Delving Deeper Development Blog #3

2011-02-07T14:22:00.000-06:00

We are still recovering from last week's blizzard around here, so I cannot share much today, but I can reveal one, very important item - Marks Allen's new cover art for the Delving Deeper RPG digest, box cover.

Coming next week - a look at some of the character classes!

Delving Deeper RPG Development Blog #2

2011-02-01T13:26:00.000-06:00

[caption id="attachment_444" align="alignright" width="400" caption="by Mark Allen"][/caption]

Hey folks!

The plan was to discuss how Delving Deeper is handling the two optional tracks (Modern and Basic Tracks), but we are not quite ready to address the final form they will take yet. Here is why:

First, since our announcement of Delving Deeper RPG, the text of WB has been in a constant state of change. However, it looks like many of the proposed options and historical comparisons offered might just allow players to play WB in way that is much closer to 3LBBs than before. But until the text of WB becomes set, I do not know exactly how we will be handling the optional WB track for Delving Deeper.

Second, we have our first complete draft of Delving Deeper: Book I today, but it will take us a couple days to make sure that adding in the optional boxed texts for the Basic Track does not extend the page count too much nor disturb the layout of the core text. We assume that it will not, but if it does, we will remove the optional Basic Track material from the core text and place them in a separate, optional, Player's Guide booklet for the convenience of those who want to play Delving Deeper using those options. This proposed player's booklet would be entitled, "Perilous Mazes." My fingers are crossed for the separate booklet. ;)

Third, I'd like to introduce you to our "Master of the Game" options. From time to time throughout the text, ideas from the "Master of the Game" appear. These comments are from a fellow gamer, one who has spent many decades playing the 3LBBs and these comments are suggestions for additions to the rules only, and are thus completely optional. They are not part of the rules as written.

Here are a few of the "Master of the Game" options from the text of Book I:

The Master of the Game allowed players to roll 4d6 and drop the lowest of the four, boosting ability scores. He also allowed players to arrange these scores in the order desired, permitting the same set of scores to generate whatever profession the player desired.

The Master of the Game adds +1 damage for fighters with strength greater than 14.

The Master of the Game describes elves as averaging around 5 to 5½ feet tall, appearing much like slender humans of short stature. There are at least two distinct races of elves, those who make their home in remote meadows and those who prefer living in the forest. Fearful rumors persist among the commoners about a monstrous race of dark elves in a wretched city far beneath the surface.

And finally, with the blessing of Dan Proctor, Delving Deeper RPG will be extremely compatible with Labyrinth Lord. Apart from obviously emulating the rules of the same games-of-origin, we are intentionally using Labyrinth Lord mechanics and terminology so that Delving Deeper will be part of the Labyrinth Lord extended family. This means that modules and supplements produced for Delving Deeper will be easily compatible with Labyrinth Lord and vice versa.

That's it for this week. Now back to work!

Gaming Hobby Rituals that Feeds your Soul

2011-01-28T18:31:00.000-06:00

Way back in college, I started a gaming hobby ritual that I still engage in today - once a week if I can. It is something that feeds my soul. Here's how it goes: It begins with a trip to my local gaming store (which was Castle Perilous in my early college days) or bookstore where I pick something up, new or used. Next I go straight to a cheap, Chinese restaurant (New Kahala) - you know, the kind that isn't really that clean and they serve every dish in a styrofoam container? Those kinds of places have the best fried rice, IMHO. Then I read my new purchase while eating beef fried rice with a Mt. Dew.

Since moving to Peoria, IL I go to Barnes and Noble or Just for Fun gaming store and then to Ing's Chinese Express (which is remarkably clean, but they still serve food in styrofoam). Last week I perused a used copy of the 1st edition DMG. Today, I read two H.P. Lovecraft short stories.

So what kind of gaming/hobby rituals feed your soul?

A Couple of Quick Answers

2011-01-22T08:27:00.000-06:00

Hey Folks!

There are two questions most folks are asking me about Delving Deeper RPG, so I thought post my answers to them here.

Question #1: Will Delving Deeper RPG be the BHP version of Swords & Wizardry: WhiteBox?

No, it will not. Delving Deeper will closely emulate the rules and style of play of the earliest version of Original Edition. However, it will include some options that will easily let folks play S&W:WB with Delving Deeper.

Question #2: Does my decision to only publish rule sets I have control over impact BHP's plans for X-plorers?

No, it does not. I aquired the complete rights to X-plorers from Daved last year. X-P will continue to follow the plans I shared acouple of weeks ago.

Back to work!

So many emails!

2011-01-20T19:17:00.000-06:00

The response to my announcements today were far greater that I could have imagined - thank you!

Please give me a few days to respond to all of your emails - my right eye is twitching from staring at the screen for too long.

DON’T STOP THE BOX!

2011-01-19T22:45:00.000-06:00

I respect Matt and Marv and I wish them every success, but it is time to go my own way. The events that took place online earlier this week were a clear wake-up call for me. They demonstrated first-hand just how how vital it is for me to be in control of any game I publish.

So, I have decided to cease being the official publisher of Swords & Wizardry: WhiteBox. I want to thank Matt and Marv for giving me the privilege of helping develop and support WhiteBox. During this time I learned a great deal about publishing and myself. I will stop selling WhiteBox rule sets in all forms on Monday, January 24. I will always cherish all the emails and pictures sent to me by folks displaying their new “box” and gaming with their children.

Thank you, my friends. :)

However, this isn't a farewell speech.

Brave Halfling Publishing is proud to announce “Delving Deeper RPG!”

Delving Deeper RPG closely emulates the rules of the earliest version of the world's most popular roleplaying game. Go back to a time when every weapon did d6 damage, clerics could cast no spell at first level, only fighters could use magic swords, and if you wanted a locked door opened you had to bash the thing in! It is difficult to imagine in a world where multiple, weighty tomes comprise the rules; but the these three small books contain all you need to build a campaign that can span decades of real time! If you're tired of trying to find the rule for determining whether your fighter is left-handed and is able to swim and just want to kill some goblins, have we got a game for you!

But wait, there's more! While Delving Deeper is a solid, rule set that closely emulates the rules of the earliest version of Original Edition, it also has a toolbox aspect to it as well. Running throughout the game are two separate tracks of options – little tweaks to the rules that help DD also emulate the rules of the First Basic Edition (“Track #1”) and the rules of the Third Print Edition of a modern rpg inspired by Original Edition that I used to publish (“Track #2”).

Delving Deeper RPG will be released directly from Brave Halfling Publishing as a digest boxed set of booklets, dice, character sheets, etc. the first week of April and in your local game store in May. We will be supporting Delving Deeper RPG with modules, supplements and campaigns. A free trademark license will also be available for third party publishers.

But there's no need to sit around and wait. Come on back next Monday afternoon for our weekly Development Blog. But do more than that, help us put this thing together! Not only will I be offering sneak peaks at the text and art, I'll be asking for your input too!

I will be in contact with everyone who has pre-ordered a new, WhiteBox Boxed Set. They can either receive a refund or have their order converted to pre-order of the Delving Deeper Boxed Set. I am also offering a free print copy if the new Sandbox / Starter Campaign Setting, “Tavern of the Twin Moons,” by James Boney to the first 50 Delving Deeper Boxed Set orders. Delving Deeper Boxed Sets are available for pre-order here.

Share in the anticipation and the excitement -

DON'T STOP THE BOX!

BHP and WB

2011-01-18T15:36:00.000-06:00

Hey folks,

I am very glad to see that Matt and Marv have resolved their differences.

This situation came totally unexpected and has had a powerful impact on me. I need take a few days to think it through, weighing the consequences it has on Brave Halfling Publishing and on my family.

I will let you know what my decision will be on Monday.

To WhiteBox Gamers-

2011-01-17T19:43:00.000-06:00

I have always had a good relationship with both Matt and Marv. I've spoken to both of them on the phone over the last year and also through many emails. I have been in contact with both of them via email over the last two days as well.

As this situation has exploded, it has become clear to me that while Matt and Marv are very angry with each other, two other parties have the most to lose: WB gamers and myself.

I really appreciate all the phone calls, PM's and emails from publishers, gamers and friends wishing me well. Thank you so much!

I had to work for over a year to get the privilege to publish WhiteBox (BHP wasn't professional enough back then). I had to make a deal with the fine (fantastic!) fellows at Black Blade Publishing back when they had the license to publish all of Swords & Wizardry. I had to find a new box maker when my first one could not fulfill their contract. And lately, I have had to deal with a suspicious local post office. No one has fought harder for WhiteBox than me and I am not ready to give up on her!

Being a reconciler by nature, I have privately offered a resolution that would keep Whitebox alive, be beneficial to Matt, Marv and WB gamers - but come as sacrifice to me. I hope they take some time to think about and accept my offer.

(Unpublished Cover Art by Mark Allen)

X-plorers Plans for 2011!

2011-01-07T14:40:00.000-06:00

(From the back cover of Dave Bezio's, "X-plorers")

X-plorers is just such a neat little science fiction roleplaying game, and we at BHP could not be happier getting to direct the future of the game! And, my friends, we have much planned for X-P!

The first thing I need to do is welcome a new cadet to the Brave Halfling cosmos. Part-time space cowboy, part-time copy wizard, and full-time geek, Jay MacBride of Exonauts is helping with the editing of X-plorers! You might recall a while back he published "Random Space Finds: The First 30 Posts," a series of free, randomized tables filled with some far-out space junk for RPG encounters. He's also working on his own "space pioneer" setting for the game and looking forward to penning additional X-plorers-related material later this year. Check out his blog at http://exonauts.blogspot.com! Jay is fantastic at perfecting a text and he is really going to be a vital part of BHP's publishing efforts on behalf of X-plorers.

Second, I want to let you know that the first thing BHP is going to release for X-P is a shinny new version of Dave Bezio's original X-plorers. Everything you love about X-P is in here - we've just cleaned the text up a bit, given it a new layout, adorned it with new art by Pete Mullen and added a few extras to make this edition as easy-to-use and as helpful to gamers as possible. In fact, I'm even going to call it, "Dave Bezio's X-plorers!" This is going to be (IMHO), the quinticential, grab your raygun, put on your bubble helmet, kill the bizarre aliens and take their stuff game!" Fans of X-P will not be disappointed. This is going to be a full-sized, saddle-stitched product that will hit your local game store shelves in March.

Third, we will quickly follow it with the release of our first X-P adventure module, "Wreck Tech," by Bill De Franza!

Fourth, one of the great things we have learned about X-P while working with Dave's original text, is that the possibilities for adventures, settings and supplements are as vast as the stars in the sky! Already in development are many new character classes, an Astrobiology Lab (where you can quickly and easily create interesting and detailed aliens), a campaign setting and both a hard scifi and space opera variants for X-plorers!

Plus, I haven't even mentioned the the fan-driven magazine, "Galactic Troubleshooters" that will let everyone join in the fun of playing, sharing, tweaking and expanding X-plorers!

This short geek is pretty excited - can't you tell? :)

Gotta go, my panel's indicator light says we have an intruder alert...

A Reply to Robert J. Kuntz’s Editorial about Hobby Publishers

2010-10-30T17:55:00.000-05:00

Normally, I pay little attention to editorial blog posts, but because I clearly fall into the group that Robert J. Kuntz is addressing in his editorial blog post, I decided to give it a close read. In fact, I read it several times to make sure that I understood his point. I have decided that he does indeed offer some sound advice on the subject. Thanks! I have said from day one of my hobby publishing that one should, “go with their heart.” Create and publish what you want to create and publish. (And if you read the comments, you will also see where he dismisses the validity of both of my points!)

As an Old-School Renaissance publisher (and I will not get into a debate about calling it that – it is the best phrase I have for it and I make no apologies for using it), I would like to humbly add two additional points to the good advice Robert J. Kuntz offers in his editorial. I believe many hobby publishers need to hear them from someone who is in their shoes. So here goes.

First, while some themes, monsters, setting, etc. are often repeated in OSR products (some are just too classic to let die), I find there to be a great deal of creativity and imagination as well. However - and it took me a while to come to terms with this as well – preserving the games we grew up playing and providing a legal means of supporting them with new products is a major foundation of the Old School Movement . I came to the OSR looking to create rpgs the way I wanted to play (and I continue to do so), but along the way I also learned how to love and appreciate the history and variety of expressions that make up First Edition Dungeons and Dragons. While there are a few in the OSR who proclaim that that “D&D is really just 1980- something and earlier” or that “Gary wasn't really Gary after 1980-something,” they are free to hold their opinion, express it and to also share a place in the OSR. They are indeed, “one-of-us.” But honestly, that kind of extreme attitude, thinking and pontification (I can use big words too! :) ) is a tiny minority in the OSR.

Second, there really is a place for hobby publishers right now. Call us amateur if you like, but we try our hardest (with lots of volunteer help) to create and publish the very best and most professional material we can. But we are faced with very real limitations that keep many of us firmly planted in our day-jobs. Honestly, the thing that holds most of us back from being as professional in our publishing as possible is that the up-front costs of publishing are just too high. Two quick examples: The price of professional publishing software is just too much (and especially in this economy). Many of us have learned how to get by using much cheaper (and often much more limited) programs. That often limits our ability to produce professional products. Although, it does make emulating 1970-80's rpg printing pretty easy. While digital printing does make printing easier for the hobby publisher by allowing us to have short print runs created (100-300 copies for example), it is far more costly that traditional printing. We usually make such short print runs because we know that in today's rpg market (even in distribution), publishers sell far fewer copies than they did just five years ago. Today, any OSR product that sells 100 or more copies in distribution, directly from a publisher's website or even in pdf form is considered a smashing success. Even then we usually only double the money we put into the product – which is sometimes just enough to purchase the art and the print run for the next product, but no more. Sure, most of the real publishers treat us kindly (sometimes even as equals), but until the economy picks up and if the OSR market grows substantially, most of us are always going to remain hobby publishers. And I think many of us are okay with it.

So to all you hobby publishers out there using a word processor, print-on-demand publishing or an online pdf outlet to publish your best un-tested authors and artists – go with your heart!

And if you only sell 25 copies of your product and it gets read, played and appreciated, you, my friend, are a successful OSR publisher! :)

Delving Deeper RPG Boxed Set Pre-Order

2010-01-12T19:02:00.001-06:00

Delving Deeper Boxed Set

Delving Deeper RPG closely emulates the rules of the earliest version of the world’s most popular roleplaying game. Go back to a time when every weapon did d6 damage, clerics could cast no spell at first level, only fighters could use magic swords, and if you wanted a locked door opened you had to bash the thing in! It is difficult to imagine in a world where multiple, weighty tomes comprise the rules; but this single, small book contains all you need to build a campaign that can span decades of real time! If you’re tired of trying to find the rule for determining whether your fighter is left-handed and is able to swim and just want to kill some goblins, have we got a game for you!

This Boxed Set Contains everything you need to play including the Official Rule Book, a copy of Rob Conley's excellent, "Blackmarsh" campaign setting, a set of Polyhedral Dice, a pad of Character Sheets and a pencil.

All BHP products are shipped protected from moisture and in sturdy packaging.

(BHP) Confessions of a RPG Publisher

Delving Deeper Update

DCC RPG Part 1: The Funky Dice and Plethora of Tables

3 Unopned S&W:WhiteBox Boxed Sets Available

Merry Christmas! (LARM PRODUCT BUNDLE FOR FREE)

One Last Edit of Delving Deeper RPG

X-plorers Referee Bundle

Delving Deeper Booklet Covers

Old-School Gaming Box with Erol Otus Art!

X-plorers Boxed Sets Available Again

Me Too

Old-School Gaming Box with Erol Otus Art!

Just a Friendly Reminder...

X-plorers RPG: Winner of the X-plorers Character Sheet Contest!

BIGGEST BHP PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT COMING NOVEMBER 14!

Alchemical Synergy: A Swords & Wizardry:Whitebox Player's Guide for Delving Deeper RPG

Final Form of Delving Deeper Boxed Sets Set

Delving Deeper RPG Monsters Preview

X-plorers actual play with my 7 year old.

BHP: Bigger and Better!

(PFRPG) The Vile Worm of the Eldritch Oak [BUNDLE]

Still shipping X-plorers boxed sets

Major BHP Update!

Aidan took my X-plorers book!

Who took my dice? (x-plorers Boxed Set Update)

X-plorers RPG Now in PDF & PRINT!

X-plorers RPG

The Halfling is Completely Moved!

Is "space-toilet" hypenated? Another X-plorers update!

Live from Gary Con

Delving Deeper Development Blog #7

Delving Deeper Development Blog #6

Delving Deeper Development Blog #3

Delving Deeper RPG Development Blog #2

Gaming Hobby Rituals that Feeds your Soul

A Couple of Quick Answers

Hey Folks!

There are two questions most folks are asking me about Delving Deeper RPG, so I thought post my answers to them here.

Question #1: Will Delving Deeper RPG be the BHP version of Swords & Wizardry: WhiteBox?

No, it will not. Delving Deeper will closely emulate the rules and style of play of the earliest version of Original Edition. However, it will include some options that will easily let folks play S&W:WB with Delving Deeper.

Question #2: Does my decision to only publish rule sets I have control over impact BHP's plans for X-plorers?

No, it does not. I aquired the complete rights to X-plorers from Daved last year. X-P will continue to follow the plans I shared acouple of weeks ago.

So many emails!

DON’T STOP THE BOX!

Brave Halfling Publishing is proud to announce “Delving Deeper RPG!”

DON'T STOP THE BOX!

BHP and WB

To WhiteBox Gamers-

X-plorers Plans for 2011!

(From the back cover of Dave Bezio's, "X-plorers")

A Reply to Robert J. Kuntz’s Editorial about Hobby Publishers

Delving Deeper RPG Boxed Set Pre-Order

Delving Deeper Boxed Set

Delving Deeper RPG Boxed (All pre-orders have ended, but they will be available again in late fall)