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Dirk the Dice

@thegrognardfiles

The GROGNARD files filling the blue sky with bobbins about tabletop RPGs from back in the day and today.

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Latest posts by Dirk the Dice @thegrognardfiles

Fuck yes @leisuregames.bsky.social

11.03.2026 21:40 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Chaos in RPGs and beyond (with Tomas Rawlings) Podcast Episode Β· The GROGNARD Files Β· 8 March Β· 1h 37m

Sounding like a scratched record here but the latest Grognard Files is an another absolute treat with @thegrognardfiles.bsky.social chatting with @tomasrawlings.bsky.social about Games Workshop, Warhammer & chaos. Can’t wait to read Tomas’s book on it all when it drops.

11.03.2026 18:31 πŸ‘ 20 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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White Dwarf's first #WFRP cover was WD82 (October 1986).

10.03.2026 20:56 πŸ‘ 36 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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White Dwarf's first #WH40K cover came in WD93 (September 1987).

10.03.2026 20:57 πŸ‘ 28 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Very enjoyable interview with @tomasrawlings.bsky.social in the latest Grogpod - looking forward to the WH40K book when it arrives!

10.03.2026 16:31 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Chaos in RPGs and beyond (with Tomas Rawlings) In the latest episode of the podcast, we look at the use of chaos in RPGs. The post Chaos in RPGs and beyond (with Tomas Rawlings) first appeared on The GROGNARD Files.

Feed: "The GROGNARD Files"
By: Dirk on Sunday, March 8, 2026

10.03.2026 00:59 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
First page of the Skirmish on Rynn's World scenario, featuring an illustration of some Space Orks - spikey armour, big guns - by Tony Hough.

First page of the Skirmish on Rynn's World scenario, featuring an illustration of some Space Orks - spikey armour, big guns - by Tony Hough.

#94 Skirmish on Rynn's World, a Warhammer 40000 scenario by Rick Priestley.
It's the classic Space Orks with guns versus techno womble Space Marines.

09.03.2026 20:24 πŸ‘ 25 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
First page of the On the Road feature for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay.

First page of the On the Road feature for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay.

#85 On the Road, two atmospheric #WFRP encounters by @graemedavis.bsky.social for travellers in the Old World.
(There was an AD&D scenario - The Black Knight - that was also statted for WFRP in issue #83, but I'm not counting that.)

09.03.2026 20:23 πŸ‘ 16 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
First page of the Thistlewood scenario, featuring a map of the battlefield, and a photo of Joe Dever's battle table; looks awesome.

First page of the Thistlewood scenario, featuring a map of the battlefield, and a photo of Joe Dever's battle table; looks awesome.

#45 Thistlewood, a Warhammer Fantasy Battle scenario by Joe Dever.
Opposing forces battle for a magical chalice - on my signal, unleash hell!

09.03.2026 20:22 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

After @awesomeliesblog.bsky.social's posts earlier today of the first adverts for #WFB, #WFRP and #WH40K, I know what you're wondering: what were the first White Dwarf features for those three games? Well...

09.03.2026 20:22 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The first advert for #WH40K

09.03.2026 08:45 πŸ‘ 44 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 1
Dolmenwood character sheet

Dolmenwood character sheet

Rice and three curries

Rice and three curries

Enjoyed my first trip into Dolmenwood with Blythy and some inventive play from @andyhemming.bsky.social @jonac.bsky.social and Wayne

Good to get a This and That curry too.

08.03.2026 22:37 πŸ‘ 21 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Chaos in RPGs and beyond (with Tomas Rawlings) - The GROGNARD Files In the latest episode of the podcast, we look at the use of chaos in RPGs.

In the latest GROGPOD, we talk chaos in RPGs and beyond with @tomasrawlings.bsky.social thegrognardfiles.com/2026/03/08/c...

08.03.2026 22:13 πŸ‘ 29 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 6 πŸ“Œ 1
Post it notes of the best picture nominees and the thematic links

Post it notes of the best picture nominees and the thematic links

Me and my daughter cork-boarded the connections between the best picture nominees on the back of the kitchen door.

Send help.

08.03.2026 11:13 πŸ‘ 23 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Idiot standing next to a poster for Road at The Royal Exchange Manchester

Idiot standing next to a poster for Road at The Royal Exchange Manchester

About to enter Road at The Royal Exchange, Manchester

07.03.2026 13:27 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

Sorry - that’s capitalism for you!

07.03.2026 12:07 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Red Bord The Revolution’s RPG

Red Bord The Revolution’s RPG

New arrival at the Den and added to The Great Library of RPGs.

"Vive la rΓ©volution!”

07.03.2026 11:51 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Unbearable - Vaesen - Free League Publishing | Free League Work Shop | DriveThruRPG.com UNBEARABLE: If You Go Down To The Woods Today The small village of Alsen has enjoyed a peaceful and traditional existenc

Those tinkers at Drivethru have put my stuff on sale at 40% off for GMs thingymibob. Much cheapness! Grab yourself some awesome one shots and spend the money you saved on a bag of crisps or something.

legacy.drivethrurpg.com/product/3638...

05.03.2026 16:55 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Happy birthday Andy! Look forward to playing with you tomorrow

07.03.2026 11:15 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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In which Paul McCartney takes a photograph, 1964.

07.03.2026 11:14 πŸ‘ 27 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
At the top, an illustration from the cover of Blade's 68 for Blades in the Dark. Various 60s-inspired characters appear in concentric rings of grey, blue, orange, and yellow. This is followed by a manifesto of player advice.

HOW TO PLAY HARD AND HAVE FUN IN '68

1. GO IN BOOTS AND ALL. The campaign will be shorter than you think. Make stuff happen now. Don't wait, pull the trigger.

2. DIG THE OTHER CHARACTERS. Dial in on the other player characters, pay attention to their narrative, and get your own character involved. Be their fan, or be their foil.

3. MAKE THE GM SWEAT. Think of the game like a physics toy, and push the levers you have as hard as you can, just to see what happens. Rattle the cage, jump out the window, don't look down. Move so fast the GM can't keep up.

4. SELL THE PUNCHES. Always choose the bigger reaction. Let your character be changed by the world and by other characters. Let them be upset, emotional, irrational.

5. FUCK AROUND AND FIND OUT. If your character dies, they can come back as an echo. If they have to retire, you can always make a new character. The crew cannot be stopped. Act first and think later, make bad decisions, let the chips fall where they may.

6. LEARN TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE CONSEQUENCES. Most rolls are going to have consequences. Wouldn't it be boring to succeed all the time? Embrace consequences, and create consequences, then roll them up in a giant ball of chaos and surf on top.

Following this manifesto is an illustration in monotone orange, yellow, and black of a muscle car jumping in front of a speeding tractor-trailer. A woman brandishing a pistol leans out the window of the muscle car and fires toward the truck.

At the top, an illustration from the cover of Blade's 68 for Blades in the Dark. Various 60s-inspired characters appear in concentric rings of grey, blue, orange, and yellow. This is followed by a manifesto of player advice. HOW TO PLAY HARD AND HAVE FUN IN '68 1. GO IN BOOTS AND ALL. The campaign will be shorter than you think. Make stuff happen now. Don't wait, pull the trigger. 2. DIG THE OTHER CHARACTERS. Dial in on the other player characters, pay attention to their narrative, and get your own character involved. Be their fan, or be their foil. 3. MAKE THE GM SWEAT. Think of the game like a physics toy, and push the levers you have as hard as you can, just to see what happens. Rattle the cage, jump out the window, don't look down. Move so fast the GM can't keep up. 4. SELL THE PUNCHES. Always choose the bigger reaction. Let your character be changed by the world and by other characters. Let them be upset, emotional, irrational. 5. FUCK AROUND AND FIND OUT. If your character dies, they can come back as an echo. If they have to retire, you can always make a new character. The crew cannot be stopped. Act first and think later, make bad decisions, let the chips fall where they may. 6. LEARN TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE CONSEQUENCES. Most rolls are going to have consequences. Wouldn't it be boring to succeed all the time? Embrace consequences, and create consequences, then roll them up in a giant ball of chaos and surf on top. Following this manifesto is an illustration in monotone orange, yellow, and black of a muscle car jumping in front of a speeding tractor-trailer. A woman brandishing a pistol leans out the window of the muscle car and fires toward the truck.

Listen, it wouldn't be the radical, swinging 60s if there wasn't a manifesto.
Blades '68.
Get in, buckle up, and lean forward.
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/e...

06.03.2026 13:42 πŸ‘ 75 πŸ” 22 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2
The cover of Citadel Miniatures boxed set showing a warrior with a warhammer smashing a skeleton warrior

The cover of Citadel Miniatures boxed set showing a warrior with a warhammer smashing a skeleton warrior

Rear of Citadel Miniatures boxed set showing smaller images of all the minatures in it.

Rear of Citadel Miniatures boxed set showing smaller images of all the minatures in it.

The inside of Citadel Miniatures boxed set showing the minatures.

The inside of Citadel Miniatures boxed set showing the minatures.

Got a great gift yesterday, a friend who was clearing out an old box of stuff, gave me this!

They also appear in White Dwarf 43, July of '83 where pics of five unpainted miniatures include 'Uthmog Elvenblade' whose pose, armour and helmet bore a strong resemblance to the iconic Harry the Hammer.

28.02.2026 10:54 πŸ‘ 36 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
An advert for the play-by-mail fantasy game Crasimoff's World, from White Dwarf issue #27.
And an excuse for me to make a very weak joke.

An advert for the play-by-mail fantasy game Crasimoff's World, from White Dwarf issue #27. And an excuse for me to make a very weak joke.

#27 It's Crasimoff's World (we only live in it).

06.03.2026 17:53 πŸ‘ 18 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 0

The drawing for this (and some other pieces are) up now at: www.tomgauld.com/art-for-sale

06.03.2026 16:50 πŸ‘ 284 πŸ” 58 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 2

Also … a dragon with hair

06.03.2026 16:01 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Lukewarm at best

06.03.2026 08:07 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

There’s too many takes in ttrpg

06.03.2026 07:52 πŸ‘ 72 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 1

How will we know?

05.03.2026 08:33 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Full page from the new Brink story, The Call of the Void, showing Luna Habitat Moltke, a base on the moon, with a ruined Earth in the distance.

Full page from the new Brink story, The Call of the Void, showing Luna Habitat Moltke, a base on the moon, with a ruined Earth in the distance.

Brink is back in the prog!
Dan Abnett and @injculbard.bsky.social at the top of their games.
Let joy be unconfined.

04.03.2026 12:50 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
Blades '68 : One Shot | The Alluvium Affair | Blades in The Dark | Actual Play
Blades '68 : One Shot | The Alluvium Affair | Blades in The Dark | Actual Play YouTube video by Unconventional GMs

You can see our groovy actual play of Blades '68 over on Unconventional GMs!

02.03.2026 20:52 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0