Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
@zenopus.bsky.social
Exploring the Underworld of the original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set aka #HolmesBasic. Doomed wizard. Here for excavating cellars for fabulous treasures.
https://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/
(Also bands: indie rock, shoegaze, new wave, punk, post-punk)
https://zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/
(Also bands: indie rock, shoegaze, new wave, punk, post-punk)
Pinned
"Introduce yourself with your Top 5 #TTRPG picks!"
---Any old D&D (OD&D, Holmes, AD&D 1E, B/X, BECMI, AD&D 2E)
---Call of Cthulhu
---Gamma World 1E/2E
---TSR Marvel Superheroes
---Savage Worlds
---Any old D&D (OD&D, Holmes, AD&D 1E, B/X, BECMI, AD&D 2E)
---Call of Cthulhu
---Gamma World 1E/2E
---TSR Marvel Superheroes
---Savage Worlds
🔥 Awesome blog post alert. My favorite kind of historical analysis of old D&D books ⤵️
Given common complaints against starting MUs, I wondered what the starting spells were for early D&D pre-gens so I took a look at the B-series: icastlight.blogspot.com/2025/11/basi...
BASIC MAGIC: What Was Top Choice Among Starting Spells for Early Module MUs?
from Wizard of Barge Due to playing a long-running, well, 6th level anyway, BX magic-user , I've had a lot of thoughts over the years abo...
icastlight.blogspot.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
🔥 Awesome blog post alert. My favorite kind of historical analysis of old D&D books ⤵️
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
Given common complaints against starting MUs, I wondered what the starting spells were for early D&D pre-gens so I took a look at the B-series: icastlight.blogspot.com/2025/11/basi...
BASIC MAGIC: What Was Top Choice Among Starting Spells for Early Module MUs?
from Wizard of Barge Due to playing a long-running, well, 6th level anyway, BX magic-user , I've had a lot of thoughts over the years abo...
icastlight.blogspot.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Given common complaints against starting MUs, I wondered what the starting spells were for early D&D pre-gens so I took a look at the B-series: icastlight.blogspot.com/2025/11/basi...
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
Overall, it's neat to see someone recognizing gaps in the rules and filling them in themselves. I did this myself in the same place in my original Holmes Basic rules, adding things like a Grappling Hook, Bracers and Scroll Tube. Some of which I had come across in other sources like AD&D.
November 12, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Overall, it's neat to see someone recognizing gaps in the rules and filling them in themselves. I did this myself in the same place in my original Holmes Basic rules, adding things like a Grappling Hook, Bracers and Scroll Tube. Some of which I had come across in other sources like AD&D.
New on the Zenopus Archives, more about the forthcoming metal minis set based on the #HolmesBasic cover from Sirius miniatures:
zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2025/10/meta...
zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2025/10/meta...
Metal Minis based on the Holmes Basic Set Cover are Forthcoming
zenopusarchives.blogspot.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:19 PM
New on the Zenopus Archives, more about the forthcoming metal minis set based on the #HolmesBasic cover from Sirius miniatures:
zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2025/10/meta...
zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2025/10/meta...
New metal minis based on Sutherland's art for the #HolmesBasic cover are forthcoming! See this post & discussion thread on EnWorld:
October 30, 2025 at 8:30 PM
New metal minis based on Sutherland's art for the #HolmesBasic cover are forthcoming! See this post & discussion thread on EnWorld:
🔥 Cool blog post alert:
Microblog: A simple, two-row combat matrix which highlights the contrast between mortals and the unknown!
dungeondoll.blogspot.com/2025/09/a-sm...
dungeondoll.blogspot.com/2025/09/a-sm...
A Small Combat Matrix
This was inspired by my recent read-through of Holmes Basic. When I've played older versions of d&d previousl...
dungeondoll.blogspot.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
🔥 Cool blog post alert:
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
drew my friends character, we're playing as cowboys but in B2 Keep on the Borderlands
he's a lizardman hireling called Henry who got upgraded to player character and ended up taming a giant ant
he's a lizardman hireling called Henry who got upgraded to player character and ended up taming a giant ant
October 10, 2025 at 8:18 AM
drew my friends character, we're playing as cowboys but in B2 Keep on the Borderlands
he's a lizardman hireling called Henry who got upgraded to player character and ended up taming a giant ant
he's a lizardman hireling called Henry who got upgraded to player character and ended up taming a giant ant
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
I love this era when half of natural history books were based on scientific observations and half of them were straight-up cryptids
🧜♀️ Historiae naturalis de quadrupedibus libri: .
Amstelodami: Apud Ioannem Iacobi Fil. Schipper, MDCLVII [1657].
[Source]
Amstelodami: Apud Ioannem Iacobi Fil. Schipper, MDCLVII [1657].
[Source]
October 6, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I love this era when half of natural history books were based on scientific observations and half of them were straight-up cryptids
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
a little wut from Das Schwarze Auge RPG
October 4, 2025 at 10:12 AM
a little wut from Das Schwarze Auge RPG
Zenopus Archives Flashback ⚡️ M1 Blizzard Pass: Dungeon Design. I wrote about my love for the short group D&D dungeon in the back of this solo module:
zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2020/11/m1-b...
zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2020/11/m1-b...
M1 Blizzard Pass: Dungeon Design
zenopusarchives.blogspot.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Zenopus Archives Flashback ⚡️ M1 Blizzard Pass: Dungeon Design. I wrote about my love for the short group D&D dungeon in the back of this solo module:
zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2020/11/m1-b...
zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/2020/11/m1-b...
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
In two hours, we'll get to chat with NY Times bestselling author @rasalvatore.bsky.social about playing D&D, the legend of Drizzt, and the new book about his daughter, THE FINEST EDGE OF TWILIGHT. Join us with questions in the live chat! #dnd #books #drizzt www.youtube.com/live/uyBVG-M...
R.A. Salvatore | The Finest Edge of Twilight | Wandering DMs S07 E32
YouTube video by Wandering DMs
www.youtube.com
September 28, 2025 at 3:19 PM
In two hours, we'll get to chat with NY Times bestselling author @rasalvatore.bsky.social about playing D&D, the legend of Drizzt, and the new book about his daughter, THE FINEST EDGE OF TWILIGHT. Join us with questions in the live chat! #dnd #books #drizzt www.youtube.com/live/uyBVG-M...
💡 Interesting idea for a wizard's abode ⤵️
One way to do a wizard's manse might be using modern floor plans in a "medieval" setting. This one might make a pretty good ~30-room dungeon.
@riseupcomus.bsky.social and I have just the course to help design it: dungeons.hismajestytheworm.games/docs/chapter1/
@riseupcomus.bsky.social and I have just the course to help design it: dungeons.hismajestytheworm.games/docs/chapter1/
September 27, 2025 at 8:08 PM
💡 Interesting idea for a wizard's abode ⤵️
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
PENDRAGON is Greg Stafford's masterpiece. 40 years after its debut, we're bringing the iconic Pendragon 1st Edition #TTRPG collection back to life - and the Kickstarter begins on October 14th!
Sign up to notified on launch and join our epic quest:
Sign up to notified on launch and join our epic quest:
Coming soon: Pendragon: Classic Edition
Bringing the iconic Pendragon 1st Edition collection back to life!
www.kickstarter.com
September 27, 2025 at 10:09 AM
PENDRAGON is Greg Stafford's masterpiece. 40 years after its debut, we're bringing the iconic Pendragon 1st Edition #TTRPG collection back to life - and the Kickstarter begins on October 14th!
Sign up to notified on launch and join our epic quest:
Sign up to notified on launch and join our epic quest:
New outtake from the Replacements' classic Let It Be album released today!
In writing the liner notes for the amazing 41st anniversary box set of the Replacements' 'Let It Be,' one of the true highlights was outtakes like the rad "Street Girl," featured today over at Rhino. I'll always feel gratitude for how Westerberg wrote about women. Listen here: tinyurl.com/mt7kujcj
September 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM
New outtake from the Replacements' classic Let It Be album released today!
💡 From the Sorcerer's Scroll, a cool idea for quick high-concept random campaign settings based on Appendix N authors. I've followed this blog since I started the Zenopus Archives ⤵️
For novel purposes only. Results may vary.
sorcerersskull.blogspot.com/2025/08/rand...
sorcerersskull.blogspot.com/2025/08/rand...
Random Appendix N Campaign Concept Generator
Need a campaign idea or at least a prompt to develop your own? Just roll on the following table based on the AD&D "Appendix N" and fill in t...
sorcerersskull.blogspot.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:10 PM
💡 From the Sorcerer's Scroll, a cool idea for quick high-concept random campaign settings based on Appendix N authors. I've followed this blog since I started the Zenopus Archives ⤵️
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
NEW FROM TTRPG INSIDER: I got to sit down and try @dndbeyond.com 's new starter set HEROES OF THE BORDERLANDS. Is it worth your time? www.ttrpginsider.news/p/news-round...
News Roundup: First Impressions of Heroes of the Borderlands
TTRPG Insider got to play the new D&D Starter Set. Is it worth your time? Plus, Baldur's Gate 4 is all but confirmed.
www.ttrpginsider.news
August 16, 2025 at 5:26 PM
NEW FROM TTRPG INSIDER: I got to sit down and try @dndbeyond.com 's new starter set HEROES OF THE BORDERLANDS. Is it worth your time? www.ttrpginsider.news/p/news-round...
The Keep and the Cave of Chaos are back in the box of the newest D&D "basic", which is called "Heroes of the Borderlands"
The 2025 Starter Set unboxed. Lots of photos. #dnd #d&d #starterset #ttrpg www.tribality.com/2025/08/22/d...
D&D 5e 2024 Starter Set Unboxing - Tribality
My initial reactions… This box is heavy and there is a ton of stuff in here.
www.tribality.com
August 23, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The Keep and the Cave of Chaos are back in the box of the newest D&D "basic", which is called "Heroes of the Borderlands"
Mail call...the new #Superchunk CD has arrived! Officially out this Friday, it's called Songs in the Key of Yikes. Time for a spin on the vintage 3-disc changer. @superchunk.bsky.social
August 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Mail call...the new #Superchunk CD has arrived! Officially out this Friday, it's called Songs in the Key of Yikes. Time for a spin on the vintage 3-disc changer. @superchunk.bsky.social
Just heard about this: The World of #Greyhawk is returning as a setting for organized D&D play, and it begins with an adventure derived from the Village of Hommlet.
Legends of Greyhawk, the newest D&D organized play campaign, is coming to conventions all over the world starting with Gen Con.
August 16, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Just heard about this: The World of #Greyhawk is returning as a setting for organized D&D play, and it begins with an adventure derived from the Village of Hommlet.
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
DRAGONFLIGHT (1978)
Acrylic on Masonite - 20" X 30"
For the first book in Anne McCaffrey's now legendary Dragonriders of Pern series, I wanted to create a literal visualization of the title. I selected an aerial point-of-view and tilted the horizon to simulate the dizzying sensation of flight. 1/4
Acrylic on Masonite - 20" X 30"
For the first book in Anne McCaffrey's now legendary Dragonriders of Pern series, I wanted to create a literal visualization of the title. I selected an aerial point-of-view and tilted the horizon to simulate the dizzying sensation of flight. 1/4
August 4, 2025 at 11:49 AM
DRAGONFLIGHT (1978)
Acrylic on Masonite - 20" X 30"
For the first book in Anne McCaffrey's now legendary Dragonriders of Pern series, I wanted to create a literal visualization of the title. I selected an aerial point-of-view and tilted the horizon to simulate the dizzying sensation of flight. 1/4
Acrylic on Masonite - 20" X 30"
For the first book in Anne McCaffrey's now legendary Dragonriders of Pern series, I wanted to create a literal visualization of the title. I selected an aerial point-of-view and tilted the horizon to simulate the dizzying sensation of flight. 1/4
The first dragon I owned. From the Fisher Price Little People Castle set. It lived in a cave with a secret door that led into the castle.
August 4, 2025 at 3:21 AM
The first dragon I owned. From the Fisher Price Little People Castle set. It lived in a cave with a secret door that led into the castle.
Reposted by Zenopus Archives 🧙♂️
"The influence of Chaosium’s Call of Cthulhu has spanned more than 40 years..."
— The Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester, NY) looks at the enduring impact of #CallOfCthulhu on #TTRPGs and beyond.
— The Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester, NY) looks at the enduring impact of #CallOfCthulhu on #TTRPGs and beyond.
The Great Old One: Call of Cthulhu’s Rise and Influence in Games. - The Strong National Museum of Play
Within the last few years, tabletop roleplay games (TTRPGS) have seen a boost in popularity. And while Dungeons & Dragons has become the name synonymous with the game genre in the United States, many ...
www.museumofplay.org
July 23, 2025 at 7:26 AM
"The influence of Chaosium’s Call of Cthulhu has spanned more than 40 years..."
— The Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester, NY) looks at the enduring impact of #CallOfCthulhu on #TTRPGs and beyond.
— The Strong National Museum of Play (Rochester, NY) looks at the enduring impact of #CallOfCthulhu on #TTRPGs and beyond.