The Wisdom of Tonisborg - Part II

[@brianevans9719]

I have really been enjoying reading my copy of Tonisborg. Thank you again for bringing this wonderful treasure to my attention. I have been taking my time with it and really digesting the great advice in it. I believe it should be read by all referees, whether experienced or just beginning. Thank y'all again for your videos and the subjects that is covered. It is refreshing to find D&D content that hasn't been covered repeatedly by so many other contributors out there. Looking forward to sporting my The Old Warlock tshirt and try to bring more awareness of the channel.

[@theoldwarlock]

Thanks, Brian! As you can see, we haven't managed to develop a real big following after 5 years so every effort that spreads awareness of the channel helps. All the best and Keep Your Sword Arm Free!

[@99zxk]

I'm super burnt out on RPGs and so I've been playing tons of Battletech. I've been ignoring everything RPG related, but never this channel.

[@theoldwarlock]

This is one of the best comments we've ever had. Thank you.

[@mjcook7863]

These video's are great. I'm really enjoying them. This company also put out the documentary "The Secrets of Blackmore". It's a must watch for anybody interested in the history of D&D. Keep up the good work guys!!

[@theoldwarlock]

Thanks! And, yes, Secrets of Blackmoor is a must watch. Gives great insights into the early days of the game.

[@ken.droid-the-unique]

Have to admit that I love The Old Warlock videos. They find the most interesting material to share. Bravo!

[@theoldwarlock]

Thanks, Ken. We really appreciate it!

[@mightyeroc7284]

Reading Tonisborg, it was interesting seeing how many things i was doing the same as they were.

[@theoldwarlock]

Agreed - it was part of the overall approach to gaming at the time I guess.

[@Robocopster]

Y’all pointed in the right direction. That was pretty cool.

[@theoldwarlock]

He'll say it was skill - it was luck.

[@raff3486]

Great video!

[@theoldwarlock]

Thanks, Raff!

[@FinieousFingers1976]

That was a wonderful pair of videos on Tonisborg. A bit of history I do not remember. Blackmoor yes, but somehow I missed Tonisborg back in the day. Thanks for sharing that.

[@alaharon1233]

Tonisborg was basically a playtest dungeon created by a player of Dave Arneson's. It's not something that's ever been a well-known thing like Blackmoor and Greyhawk

[@theoldwarlock]

Hey FF - It was never really anything you could have seen back in the day. There was never a publication of any sort prior to the 2023 Kickstarter (as far as I know).

[@FinieousFingers1976]

@@theoldwarlock I was a big reader of Dragon magazine and White Dwarf magazine way back in those days and just figured somewhere, someone might have mentioned it in a column, or article, or even a letter to the editor. Pining for the fjords ... I was team Greyhawk. Now I just had to go back and pull out my old D&D box set to check on Blackmoor. Aside from the 3 original volumes and reference sheets, I have the Greyhawk, the 2 Blackmoor supplements, Eldritch Wizardry, and the Gods, Demi-gods, and Heroes supplements. And for some reason 2 copies of Chainmail. Those were fun times. Never really used them after AD&D 1e came out sadly. I went all in on AD&D.

[@yourbusinessvalue]

Thanks for the review - i just bought the paperback copy.

[@brianevans9719]

I bought my copy from Amazon a few days ago

[@theoldwarlock]

I hope you enjoy it. I think it's a must read if you like the history of the game.

[@theoldwarlock]

Let us know how you like it.

[@yourbusinessvalue]

I’ll will and I’ll let you know. Love your show. Keep it up!

[@roumonada]

13:43 The modern term for this is Co-GM. It's essentially a player who, rather than play a character, will run the bulk of the monsters during combat.

[@tombraider862]

My favorite rpg channel doing quirky, but not lacking in qualitiy or content. Appreciate it as always

[@theoldwarlock]

Thanks, Tombraider! We appreciate it!

[@mordrene]

My copy arrived yesterday> I cannot wait to read it this weekend

[@theoldwarlock]

Let us know what you think!

[@Wraithing]

Saturday! 'cause every-other-day is a Friday!!! lol

[@Shamustodd1]

I like watching your videos because I feel an old school kinship through the style of play. I started in 83 and back then the game was played way different than today though the base game is pretty similar. I think most of the younger people today play the way they do because there dad or grand dad didn't teach them. Kids today are everyone is a super hero, kids in our day - everyone gets a spanking for being stupid! I don't have my 1E books anymore but I do have the big beautiful Black Blade Pub OSRIC book. I really like WhiteBox fmag but always catch myself in one of the many OSR books I own thinking I should tinker something into what is already near perfection. Thanks for the great review.

[@theoldwarlock]

Thanks for the comment. If you get the chance, pick up Tonisborg. It's a great read about those early days we played in.

[@paavohirn3728]

This is some of the most fascinating rpg discussion in a long time! Tonisborg is a treasure but at least as much is your experience! I think I've said it before but that's what I've must enjoyed on your channel. I'm here to learn and get ideas. I started with BECMI in the the late 80's but didn't run a ton of games as a kid. Also my 90's 2nd ed AD&D was about reading the books voraciously than having friends to play with. With the OSR philosophy and games in the last few years I've had most of my old school D&D experience but still it's just scratching the surface. I really hope I can convert my main group from 5e to an OSE based approach and I really appreciate your advice for how to get the best out of this style of playing. Thank you!

[@theoldwarlock]

Thanks, Paavo! We appreciate it. It's always good to hear from you.

[@paavohirn3728]

@@theoldwarlock Sure thing!

[@Marcus-ki1en]

I let / make players with unconscious or dead characters help roll combat for the monsters. I have to admit some of them have had more fun doing that than playing their character, and it speeds up combat greatly.

[@mightyeroc7284]

I do the same. Sometimes the player adds a level of threat to those monsters and the rest of the group has to change their tactics.

[@GMDM78]

Did you ever game down in Denver? circa '82 ish

[@theoldwarlock]

In '82 or so, no. We've played up and down the front range in the past several years but not that early.

[@GMDM78]

@@theoldwarlock ah ok. one of the guys who was DMing back then was named Bill and though that would be a huge coincidence.

[@roumonada]

7:27 Hurt Loam????

[@theoldwarlock]

Hurtloam. It's a gold-flecked mud with healing properties. Comes from the Thomas Covenant book series by Stephen Donaldson.

[@russellparker5043]

Watching on April 2nd, 2024 Two videos filmed one after the other on the same day? I was just figuring y’all only had one decent set of clothes… 😂

[@theoldwarlock]

Actually, you're close to the mark on the limited clothes thing.

[@JohnLee-cc4kx]

Own your Characters death! If you ask an Ogre if he's going to hurt you in lawful good, Own it, it can only happen once.

[@theoldwarlock]

Exactly!

[@FinieousFingers1976]

Just makes it up as he goes along doesn't he. 🤣

[@theoldwarlock]

Pretty much.

[@j.rinker4609]

If these were lectures, I'd be angry about the deliberate obsfuscation about when they were filmed. Since they are not, I'm okay with it.

[@theoldwarlock]

HAH! Thanks J.!

[@Marcus-ki1en]

So you mean to say you have been wearing that F1 shirt for a week?! > P Mom is going to be mad. She taught you better.

[@theoldwarlock]

A week? He wears shirts longer than that!

[@Mr_Welch]

I produce the Welcome to Mystara channel and I'm putting together a compilation video for the D&D 50th anniversary. Was hoping you would want to participate. Right now recruiting people for the project.

[@theoldwarlock]

When you have a chance, drop us an e-mail at [e-mail] and let us know what you would want us to do. We'd love to participate but would need to know what's needed before we can commit. Thanks for contacting us!

[@Mr_Welch]

@@theoldwarlock Email sent.

[@jestrogames5507]

Great video!

[@theoldwarlock]

Thanks so much!