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I wish the review process included getting the material to the table, but that's something I'd like to see more of in the overall RPG space, not just from B2C. However, I also understand the constraints preventing reviewers from doing so -- time, and a willing group of players.

000

B2C brings a well-rounded perspective -- they have a wealth of experience both playing and designing in the OSR space -- and are able to inform and entertain with their reviews.

100

But only relative to breezing through earlier encounters. One of the optional items included in the opening room made the encounter much easier. Still, I could see this being a challenging, even frustrating, encounter for a smaller group, or one lacking the optional items.

100

They also bring up the ability for the party to change size early in the adventure, and the "winnability" of each option. The encounter that they identify as a chokepoint for one of the options is the one that gave my players (a party of 6) the most trouble...

100

I've not yet played Troika, but the tone of the module seems to be in line with the material I've read for that system. The suggestion may have been a joke but it could work?

100

I had thought briefly about converting the adventure to another system, but hadn't considered Shadowdark (it seems to be a hard sell at the one-shot events). At some point, I may take my notes and see if I can work out a conversion.

100

While researching/learning T&T, I came across several mentions of 5th ed as the "best" or "preferred" edition. Curiously, it wasn't included in the T&T bundle I bought earlier this year. I'll have to check it out at some point.

100

Some interesting, if brief, talk about systems. Brad Kerr mentions his preference for T&T 5e (as opposed to 7.5, which Stuart references in his notes for the module), while Skullboy suggests that the real-time element might make it a good fit for Shadowdark (and also jokingly suggests Troika).

100

"Right group" being the key - I wouldn't want to pitch an OD&D or B/X campaign to strangers and casual acquaintances at the local meetup and then spring DCO on them. Anyway, back to The Doom of the Dark and B2C...

100

As an aside, I've since gone back and read Stuart's original version of Deep Carbon Observatory. I think it's wildly imaginative and would provide a variety of challenges for the right group.

100

I think it speaks to the quality of the writing and overall presentation that I was inspired enough to want to run it at a local open-table / one-shot event, and learned a new system (Tunnels & Trolls) in order to do so.

110

When I first read through the module, I knew of Patrick Stuart by reputation only, and was otherwise unfamiliar with his work. Amanda Lee Franck's artwork was the initial draw for me.

100

If someone's previous work knocked your socks off, I think it's fair to approach the next one with a level of enthusiasm that you wouldn't necessarily have for a random thing by John Q. Public or Jane Doe. I appreciate that the B2C team recognized this and talked through it on the show.

100

I'm sure there's some element of bias, unconscious or otherwise, but I would expect that to be the case as they look at the work of other highly-regarded, high-profile, or prolific creators. (We're all human!)

100

They discuss whether they approach Patrick Stuart's writing with a different perspective than they would have for that of other creators, because of their experiences with his previous work.

100

Mike Palumbo @mikepalumbo.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Having just run The Doom of the Dark a few weeks back, I was curious to hear the experts weigh in on the module. Several points from the episodes stuck with me afterwards... #RPG #TTRPG #OSR #TunnelsAndTrolls

141

Your video inspired me to make my own chits. I put together a sheet of monsters from B1, using LibreOffice and art from Wikimedia Commons. Really happy with how they came out. I always find a great deal of old-school DIY inspiration in your videos. Looking forward to the next one!

A collection of colored chits on a vinyl grid mat, intended for use in a tabletop RPG, depicting monsters and their statistics.

192

Having run multiple games now, and using material that’s easy to understand and use, I feel like I’m starting to shake the rust off when it comes to GMing. Not sure I’m ready to commit to running a lengthy campaign, but excited to bring another game to the table next month. [/end]

000

The most difficulty I had with the game last night was making sure I got the combat sequence right. Nothing to do with how the rules are written or presented. I’ve just grown so accustomed to the B/X campaign that I play in, where, for whatever reason, we go in a different sequence. [9/]

100

The module also subtly communicates the intended style of play to the GM and players. Multiple paths and ways to resolve situations, even in a relatively small location. Rewarding players who interact cautiously with the environment, and challenging those who rush headlong into danger. [8/]

100

The adventure was a breeze to run. There’s a lot to be said for the style of writing/layout that Necrotic Gnome has developed for OSE/Dolmenwood. The information was easy to follow and describe to players, and dive further into as they choose to engage with certain elements of the adventure. [7/]

100

The experience levels of the players at the table ranged from “brand new, has never played a TTRPG before” to “travels to conventions and has played many different games”. [6/]

100

Asking the Magician and Priest to pick one of three spells, of varying utility, is probably too much complexity for newer players. Fortunately, the players that chose these classes were familiar enough with D&D and TTRPGs to pick the “right” spells. [5/]

100

Also, only having six pre-gens doesn’t provide enough backups in case of character death. The module states the redcaps deal non-lethal damage, but there are plenty of other things that will kill the party. [4/]

100

The six pre-gens form a solid party. This results in some of the more unique kindreds/classes being left out. I appreciate that it reduces complexity and ensures balance, but leaving these elements out gives the impression that the setting is closer to bog-standard D&D than it is. [3/]

100

Had fun running the new quick-start zine, The Weaver & The Redcaps. Just add dice/minis, and it’s got everything else you need to play. Some minor quibbles about design choices (more below) but otherwise this is an excellent introduction to the #OSR style of play. [2/]

100

Mike Palumbo @mikepalumbo.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

GMed a game of #Dolmenwood at last night’s open table #TTRPG event -- third game I’ve run at these events in the last four months. (Opted to play instead last month - PF2E, which was a good time with a great group, but confirmed that systems like PF and 5E are just too crunchy for me) [1/]

110

Not sure if they can't read, or think it doesn't apply to them...

010

Mike Palumbo @mikepalumbo.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

I ran it in Shadowdark, but The Waking of Willowby Hall was written for OSR systems and might fit your criteria. PCs are trapped in a haunted mansion with a rival party, while a rampaging giant demands the return of his golden goose. Things get increasingly weird as the giant damages the mansion.

010

Not sure if I'll offer to GM at the next event, or simply attend as a player. I know the only way to get better at GMing is to keep doing it, but I think I need to do some work to figure out my approach. [/end]

000

Wondering, as I read the modules to prep, if I need to re-organize/re-write the info to make it work for me? What that looks like remains to be seen. Or, do I need to generate a more homebrewed adventure? Borrowing pieces from individual modules, but not following any single one as written. [7/]

100

Not specific to Willowby but an observation of my GM abilities after running modules at two of these events. Having a hard time interpreting the worlds/NPCs for the players, having to flip through the modules to find info. I'm sure running a system for the first time isn't helping, but... [6/]

100

re: real-time - the torch timer created tension at first, but once the giant started smashing things, and the party moved to the 2nd floor gallery/roof, with a clear view of outside, felt like the timer wasn't needed. I'd be interested to try the torch mechanic in a traditional dungeon crawl. [5/]

100

Advanced the giant/sigils every 15 minutes of real-time, and rolled on the random encounter table every time the party did something noisy/disruptive. I think this worked better than rolling a d6 every time and only acting on a 1-2. [4/]

100

The Wizard and Priest made short work of the rival wizard, took her staff, and used it to wipe out the death knight and skeletons from a distance. I think LV2 would have been a better choice - they'd have some extra HP over starting characters, but not the additional talents/bonuses at LV3. [3/]

100

Willowby is suggested for LV3, which probably works well in an actual old-school system like B/X, but LV3 Shadowdark characters felt a bit too powerful. The Fighter took some damage in an encounter with the giant, but survived, and the Priest had him mostly back to full health shortly after. [2/]

100

Ended up running The Waking of Willowby Hall in #Shadowdark, for 4 players, at the local open table #TTRPG event on Friday. I had never played or run Shadowdark (or the adventure) before. I thought it was a lot of fun, and got a similar impression from the players. Main takeaways -- [1/]

120

Edit -- breaking a sigil every ~15 minutes so that a change triggers every hour. Sleeping to restless after the first hour, restless to awake after the second, end all effects after the third hour, shortly after which we'd need to wrap up. Definitely not going through all 12 sigils in 30 minutes.

000

What have other GMs experienced with using real-time intervals to trigger the sleeping/restless/awake statuses? Was thinking of automatically moving to the next status every 10-15 minutes of real-time. Am I on the right track, or is this a bad idea? [/end]

200

Planning to use pre-gens. The module recommends 3rd level for OSR systems - does this apply to Shadowdark? Gear or magic items beyond what a PC could get with 2d6x5 gp at 1st level? Use the one-shot hook to get the entire party into the adventure, or assign each pre-gen their own? [2/]

100