OSR D&D, B/X Dungeons and Dragons, and old-school tabletop RPG coverage from Tenkar's Tavern — honest, no-corporate-spin analysis of the hobby since 2009.
Hosted by Tenkar, a retired NYPD investigative sergeant and gamer since 1980. No corporate gloss — just straight, unfiltered OSR news and RPG investigations into the hobby we love.
Videos: 5 days a week
Lives: Wed & Sat nights (and some Sundays)
The Open Table: A persistent world for members
Thumbnails on this channel are generated using AI, prompted specifically to replicate the illustration style of TSR-era Dungeons and Dragons products from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The aesthetic is intentional — it reflects the creative tradition this channel is part of.
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Tenkar's Tavern
Reminder for the players in this past Friday's Open Table game: we wrap up the adventure tonight @ 8PM ET.
I'll likely be recruiting for the next Open Table session in early September
16 hours ago | [YT] | 29
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Tenkar's Tavern
Been getting the same message for a few weeks now — folks asking why Master Minion tops out at $9.99 when they want to put in more.
Fair complaint ;)
Added a fifth tier: Immortal Minion, $24.99/month.
Rounds out the set the way the actual BECMI boxes ran — Basic, Expert, Companion, Master, Immortal.
A video pitch every month that we work out together, with an Inspired By credit when it goes live, a first shot at an Open Table seat, and early looks at upcoming written projects like the next Tavern’s Handbook revision.
Links are in the About tab if you want in.
1 day ago | [YT] | 32
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Tenkar's Tavern
For those in tonight's Open Table, the Job Board has been updated on the Discord Server - but here are the postings that can be found
2 days ago | [YT] | 22
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Tenkar's Tavern
I wrote Swords & Wizardry Light.
Four pages. Three levels. Four classes. Four races.
Zero built-in procedures.
It went flat at my own table by the third session.
The fix wasn't more rules.
It was four specific ones — turn procedure, wandering monster check, reaction roll, morale — stolen straight out of B/X.
Page count was never the variable.
Procedures were.
4 days ago | [YT] | 85
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Tenkar's Tavern
This is the FINAL recruitment post for the Basic Minions (and above) for Friday, August 21st @ 7PM ET - Open Table B/X 1st Level. The FIRST TWO comments get the remaining Slots. Each round is "first to comment is in".
My goal is to run the Open Table every two weeks or so. Time and day will likely change with each session. If this time and/or day do not work for you, don't fret. If you miss out on this session, there will be more.
I do ask that you only claim a spot if you plan to attend. Sessions will be held via Discord for voice (video optional) and Roll20 for the VTT
5 days ago | [YT] | 79
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Tenkar's Tavern
A rulebook from 1981 already ran the math on your fantasy map, and it proves the scale is wrong.
A normal day's march covers 24 miles. If your capital and your rival's stronghold aren't built around that number, they're too far apart to trade or too close together to matter.
New video's live: the math behind it, a four-step fix for the map you've already drawn, and why that same number sets your stronghold's patrol radius too.
How far apart are your two biggest cities — have you ever actually counted the days? 🍺
5 days ago | [YT] | 88
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Tenkar's Tavern
Tomb of Horrors wasn't built to kill you. It was built to grade you. The 1975 tournament scoresheet had one criterion: how much loot you carried out. That's the whole test. Everything people call 'unfair' about that dungeon is the curve.
6 days ago | [YT] | 92
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