The Black Notebook Podcast

This is kind of a follow up episode where I am talking about some of the comments I've been seeing about the thief class and pondering about it. Low hit points, weak armor, and a skill list that rarely worked… the AD&D 1st Edition Thief had a rough start. But was it really useless, or just misunderstood? In this episode, I look at the numbers, the role at the table, and why the Thief may have been more important than people gave it credit for. From constant failure to rare moments of glory, let’s figure out if this class deserved a second chance—or a replacement.

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You earned the XP. You survived the dungeon. You're ready to level up. Not so fast, this is AD&D 1st Edition. In today’s episode, we take a look at the infamous training cost rules buried in the DMG. Gold, time, instructors... and even alignment-based fees? I break down what the rule actually said, why it made sense on paper, and why most tables completely ignored it. Was it genius, nonsense, or both? Tune in and decide for yourself.

#ADnD1e #AdvancedDungeonsAndDragons #ADnDTrainingCosts #OldSchoolDnD

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In this episode, I take a hard look at the original AD&D 1st Edition Fighter. No spells. No tricks. Just steel, grit, and hit points. Was it enough? Or did the Fighter fall behind as the game scaled up? I’ll break down what made the Fighter strong, where it stumbled, and why it’s still worth playing when the dice hit the table. Whether you’re rolling 3d6 down the line or wielding a vorpal sword, this one’s for the old-school bruisers.

In this episode, I crack open Deities & Demigods and dig into those legendary stat blocks, from Strength 19 to a god-tier 25... and what those numbers actually do. Then we head to Dragon Magazine #67, where Gygax updates the standard powers of the gods. To top it off, I share a tale from my campaign about the time my character took the long, divine road to demigod-hood under the guidance of the one and only Joe DM.

#ADnD #OldSchoolDND #DeitiesAndDemigods #DragonMagazine #Gygax #TTRPGLore #DungeonsAndDragons #OSR #Demigod #TabletopRPG #ClassicDND

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In this episode, I spotlight one of AD&D’s most gruesome and underused monsters—the Assassin Bug. It paralyzes victims, implants eggs, and unleashes a swarm of death from the inside out. I break down how to use it for maximum dread, from cursed noble houses to larval horrors in the city sewers. Perfect for DMs who want body horror without homebrewing a thing.

#ADnD #TTRPGHorror #OSRGaming #OldSchoolMonsters #MonsterSpotlight #DungeonMasterTools

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Today’s episode is about the enchanting (or annoying) leprechauns! These small, magical beings are known for their mischievous nature and love for lush, green landscapes. With a unique ability to become invisible and create illusions, leprechauns are never easy to catch! Did you know they snatch valuable objects from unsuspecting adventurers with a 75% success rate? Even more fascinating is their cleverness, if you find them in their lair, be careful! They’re experts at tricking captors into believing they’re handing over their treasure when they really aren’t. Plus, leprechauns adore wine, which may help you outsmart them. Join us as we explore their traits, defenses, and the playful, mischievous character that makes leprechauns a beloved figure in folklore!

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Today is a follow up to the podcast on Monday about the thief abilities. Today we look at the DMG, where it clarifies how some of the abilities CAN be used, to prevent some "abuse" by players.

#TSR #PHB #Thief #Adnd

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In today's episode, I received an email from Tom asking me to take a look at the abilities of the Thief from the PHB and give some commentary on how I'd handle somethings.

#TSR #PHB #Thief #Adnd

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In today’s episode, I flip open the DMG and talk about tribal spell casters. These magical beings exist among various races, including bugbears, cavemen, and trolls. First I go over the two main types of tribal spell casters: shamans and witch doctors. Shamans are spiritual clerics who practice powerful healing and protective spells. They’re known for their connection to nature and the spiritual realm. On the other hand, witch doctors blend clerical and magic-user abilities, wielding a variety of spells from illusions to enhancements. Whether you’re a fan of fantasy games or just curious about magical lore, this episode will give you insight into life as a tribal spell caster, their powers, and how they fit into their clans. Stick around for an exciting journey into the spellbinding world of tribal magic!

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#adnd #osr #shaman #greyhawk #gygax

I got an email from Jeff (another Jeff), who wanted to know about Hub campaigns, so I decided to do a podcast on his email.

SO... in today’s episode, I am diving head first into the concept of mission-based worlds in tabletop role-playing games, or RPGs. A hub or mission-based campaign serves as a central base where characters can regroup, heal, and gather supplies after their adventures. This approach isn’t just for video games; it can be incredibly effective in RPGs too!

#rpg #TTRPG #adnd #tsr #gygax