Happy Halloween

 Found this image online, don't know who the artist is or I'd give them credit. But this is kind of awesome. I wrote up a fitting description designed for B/X or BECMI.

Pumpkin Beholder

HD (Hit Dice): 11 
HP (Hit Points ):75
AC (Armor Class): 2
Move: 9" (levitate up to 10 feet off the ground)
Attacks: 1 bite + 10 eye rays
Damage: 1d6 (bite)
No. Appearing: 1
Save As: Magic-User 11
Morale: 9
Treasure Type: H
Alignment: Chaotic

Special Attacks & Defenses:

Bite: The Pumpkin Beholder can attempt to bite a nearby opponent with its jagged toothed mouth, dealing 1d6 damage.

Eye Stalks: Each of the ten smaller squash eyes can shoot a different magical ray once per round. These rays function similarly to the traditional Beholder's eye stalks, but with a thematic twist appropriate for its pumpkin nature:

• Withering Ray: Target must save vs. Spells or age rapidly, losing 1d6 strength points temporarily.
• Fire Ray: Shoots a flame, igniting a target for 1d8 fire damage.
• Petrification Ray: Turns the target into a pumpkin statue unless they save vs. Petrification.
• Sleep Ray: Puts the target into a deep slumber unless they save vs. Spells.
• Fear Ray: Causes the target to flee in terror for 1d4 rounds unless they save vs. Spells.
• Charm Ray: Bewitches the target to view the Beholder as a friendly ally unless they save vs. Spells.
• Slowing Ray: Reduces the target's speed by half for 1d6 rounds.
• Paralysis Ray: Paralyzes the target for 1d4 rounds unless they save vs. Paralysis.
• Anti-Magic Ray: Creates an anti-magic cone in front of the eye, nullifying all magic in its path.
• Confusion Ray: Disorients the target, causing them to act unpredictably unless they save vs. Spells.
• Central Eye: The large central eye emits a continuous anti-magic cone in a 60-foot range in the direction it's facing, nullifying all magic within its gaze.

Description:

The Pumpkin Beholder is an aberration formed when malevolent magic fuses with the essence of Halloween. This creature is made entirely of an animated pumpkin, carved with a sinister, glowing face. The central eye casts an eerie orange light in its vicinity, while the ten smaller stalks, each bearing a squash, radiate out from its body, swaying with malevolent intent. The smell of burning candles and rotting vegetable matter accompanies its presence.

Habitat & Society:

Pumpkin Beholders are rare and are often associated with places of dark magic or cursed lands, especially those linked to the spirit of Halloween. They might be found guarding ancient Halloween relics or terrorizing villages that have forgotten the old ways of All Hallows' Eve.

Ecology:

These creatures do not eat or drink in the traditional sense. Instead, they draw sustenance from the fear and magic of the lands they inhabit. If a Pumpkin Beholder is slain, its body decomposes rapidly, leaving behind seeds that, if planted, can grow into regular pumpkins. However, legends say that on the night of Halloween, these pumpkins can come to life, hinting at the possible return of the Pumpkin Beholder.

Gunslinger KS Edition Pre-Orders

A limited number of pre-orders of the Kickstarter edition of Gunslinger are now available.

Gunslinger RPG Pre-Order

This edition includes color inside covers and the introductory adventure On The Arizona Hills inspired by the classic Sword & Planet novel by ERB. (features any future POD version will not have)

D&D Action Figures

 

So these toys arrived a couple weeks ago. These are the action figures I wish were made back in 1982.

Gunslinger PDF (Beta) Available

 Hello Pardners!

The Gunslinger RPG writing and design is complete. I'm still polishing the art and layout, but didn't want to make you wait any longer. So I've posted a BETA editions of the PDF. The only thing missing is final art which will be completed quite soon.

This gives you an opportunity to comment on any typos you might catch before we make the print edition (hopefully we got them all, but those nasty buggers always seem to make their way in). If you're so inclined you can head over to the Night Owl forums and give your feedback.

Pile of sketches on my drawing table

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/435804/Gunslinger-Roleplaying-Game

TSR's Top 100 on DriveThru

As of June 24, 2023, the top 100 best-selling TSR products on DriveThru RPG paints an intriguing picture. It is noteworthy to say TSR here because the vast majority of these entries date back to the era before Wizards of the Coast's acquisition, a topic that could undoubtedly fuel an in-depth blogpost in its own right.

Obtaining concrete, reliable data from the world of tabletop gaming is a difficult task, yet the "Hottest Titles" feature on DriveThru RPG provides a somewhat transparent view into the fluctuating ranking of sales. This dynamic list reshapes itself daily, but amidst the fluctuation, some titles manage to consistently secure their places within the top rankings.

A casual perusal of the list yields predictable results, yet there are a few unexpected gems. To further delve into this intriguing panorama of gaming sales, here are some reflections on the top 12 items on the list:

1. D&D Rules Cyclopedia (Basic)

What does it reveal about the enduring appeal of the D&D Rules Cyclopedia, the only edition of Dungeons & Dragons ever to be published as a single, complete hardcover tome, that it consistently tops the sales chart? Its steadfast presence in the leading position is well-deserved. This is, after all, TSR's most outstanding creation, despite some of its imperfections.

2. Players Handbook (1e)

First published in 1978, the 1e AD&D Player's Handbook heralded a defining moment in tabletop role-playing game history. It was among the pioneer hardcover rulebooks for RPGs, establishing the foundation for many future iterations of fantasy gaming. Despite being reimagined through several subsequent editions, including 2e, 2e revised, 3e, 3.5e, 4e, and 5e, the 1st edition continues to reign as the highest on this list. Crafted in the high Gygaxian style and with all the organization of a collapsed Jenga pile, it remains the quintessential guide for players.

3. Dungeon Master's Guide (1e)

Perhaps the greatest RPG book ever written, it is no surprise it is in the top 3. The train-of-thought disorganization makes the player's handbook seem orderly in comparison. While it doesn't actually explain how to play or even run a game really, it is nonetheless inspirational. If you watched Empire Strikes Back never having seen A New Hope is what this book was like the first time I read it. Yet I was still entranced. To this day it is still enjoyable to read.

4. B2 The Keep on the Borderlands (Basic)

Rated on many "best of" lists as the greatest D&D adventure ever written. Many a D&D fan cut their teeth on this module, including me. I still use it to introduce players to D&D.

5. Monster Manual (1e)

Classic. The 1e Monster Manual, initially published in 1977, served as a crucial bridge from OD&D to AD&D. It introduced players to a wide array of monsters, each detailed and unique, ranging from common beasts like goblins and ogres to powerful dragons and otherworldly entities. Being the first of its kind it was able to lay claim to all the greatest creatures from mythology, as well as the fiendish creations Arneson and Gygax cooked up in their home games. Despite its age and the emergence of numerous revised editions, the 1st Edition AD&D Monster Manual maintains its popularity due to its comprehensive content, iconic artwork, and nostalgic value.

6. Planescape Campaign Setting (2e)

The settings explosion of the 90's led to the death of TSR. I've heard this is a great settings and it still has a vocal fanbase.

7. Player's Handbook, Revised (2e)

My gaming group and I never adopted 2e when it came out, and I wandered around trying out many other systems in the 90's. Only somewhat recently have I revisited this edition and have come to appreciate much of the excellent design work that was done.

8. Dungeon Master Guide, Revised (2e)

The 2e DMG, before this revised edition, was a large part of the reason we rejected 2e. This book corrects the main problem with that version (that it was useless to the DM) and is actually a fairly useful book.

9. T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil (1e)

The best supermodule, built off the bones of the 2nd greatest D&D module: The Village of Hommlet.

10. B10 Night's Dark Terror (Basic)

This is, to me, the one surprise in the top 10. I am not particularly familiar with this adventure, but now that it has my attention and I see that the reviews of it are very good, I might have to pick it up.

11. OD&D Dungeons & Dragons Original Edition (0e)

Not in the top 10? Still, it is something that the original, as janky as it is, to be the top 11 seller.

12. d20 Modern Core Rulebook (d20M)

Another surprise, my understanding was that d20 Modern didn't sell that well when first released, and Wizards quickly abandoned the line. Also of note, this is the highest Wizard's original product on the list.

The complete list:

1. D&D Rules Cyclopedia (Basic)

2. Players Handbook (1e)

3. Dungeon Master's Guide (1e)

4. B2 The Keep on the Borderlands (Basic)

5. Monster Manual (1e)

6. Planescape Campaign Setting (2e)

7. Player's Handbook, Revised (2e)

8. Dungeon Master Guide, Revised (2e)

9. T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil (1e)

10. B10 Night's Dark Terror (Basic)

11. OD&D Dungeons & Dragons Original Edition (0e)

12. d20 Modern Core Rulebook (d20M)

13. Unearthed Arcana (1e)

14. A0-A4: Against the Slave Lords (1e)

15. N1 Against the Cult of the Reptile God (1e)

16. Spelljammer: Adventures in Space (2e)

17. Gamma World (1e)

18. Monstrous Manual (2e)

19. Star Frontiers: Alpha Dawn

20. B4 The Lost City (Basic)

21. I6 Ravenloft (1e)

22. Player's Handbook (3.5)

23. GAZ10 The Orcs of Thar (Basic)

24. Chainmail: Rules for Medieval Miniatures (0e)

25. GAZ1 The Grand Duchy of Karameikos (Basic)

26. War of the Lance (3.5)

27. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1e)

28. D&D Basic Set Rulebook (B/X ed.) (Basic)

29. GAZ9 The Minrothad Guilds (Basic)

30. Red Hand of Doom (3e)

31. B1-9 In Search of Adventure (Basic)

32. Dark Sun Boxed Set (2e)

33. GAZ12 The Golden Khan of Ethengar (Basic)

34. GAZ11 The Republic of Darokin (Basic)

35. T1 The Village of Hommlet (1e)

36. The Planewalker's Handbook (2e)

37. G1-3 Against the Giants (1e)

38. Player's Handbook (4e)

39. D&D Basic Set - Player's Manual (BECMI ed.) (Basic)

40. In the Cage: A Guide to Sigil (2e)

41. Wilderness Survival Guide (1e)

42. B6 The Veiled Society (Basic)

43. Boot Hill Wild West Role-Playing Game (3rd Edition)

44. Fiend Folio (1e)

45. D3 Vault of the Drow (1e)

46. Dungeoneer's Survival Guide (1e)

47. D&D Expert Set Rulebook (B/X ed.) (Basic)

48. Dungeon Master's Guide 2 (4e)

49. U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh (1e)

50. B1 In Search of the Unknown (Basic)

51. Monster Manual II (1e)

52. Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide (4e)

53. Deities & Demigods (1e)

54. Player's Handbook 2 (4e)

55. Volo's Guide to Waterdeep (2e)

56. GAZ2 The Emirates of Ylaruam (Basic)

57. Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons (3.5)

58. B5 Horror on the Hill (Basic)

59. Rules Compendium (3.5)

60. GAZ8 The Five Shires (Basic)

61. Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (3e)

62. Planes of Law (2e)

63. L3 Deep Dwarven Delve (1e)

64. Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms

65. Night Below: An Underdark Campaign (2e)

66. Planes of Conflict (2e)

67. GAZ6 The Dwarves of Rockhome (Basic)

68. Neverwinter Campaign Setting (4e)

69. Dawn of the Emperors: Thyatis and Alphatia (Basic)

70. Grand History of the Realms (3.5)

71. D1-2 Descent into the Depths of the Earth (1e)

72. B11 King's Festival (Basic)

73. D&D Basic Set - DM's Rulebook (BECMI ed.) (Basic)

74. Gamma World Game Rules (4e)

75. Dark Sun Campaign Setting (4e)

76. GAZ13 The Shadow Elves (Basic)

77. Dungeon Master's Guide (3.5)

78. Greyhawk Adventures (1e/2e)

79. Dragonlance Campaign Setting (3.5)

80. Dragons of Autumn (3.5)

81. Monster Manual (3.5)

82. Magic Item Compendium (3.5)

83. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (3.0)

84. Return to the Keep on the Borderlands (2e)

85. B3 Palace of the Silver Princess (Basic)

86. Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (1e)

87. S1-4 Dungeons of Dread (1e)

88. B12 Queen's Harvest (Basic)

89. N4 Treasure Hunt (1e)

90. Urban Arcana (d20M)

91. Dungeon Master's Guide (4e)

92. d20 Weapons Locker

93. Monster Manual (4e)

94. The Ruins of Undermountain (2e)

95. WGA4 Vecna Lives! (2e)

96. Q1 Queen of the Demonweb Pits (1e)

97. D&D Gamma World RPG (GW7e)

98. Dungeons and Dragons Expert Set (Basic)

99. City of Splendors: Waterdeep (3.5)

 100. L1 The Secret of Bone Hill (1e)