Influential Blogs, what say you?

[gonyaulax]

I know that there's a thread under "Links and Resources" about Favorite Blogs, but I'd like to know what people here think are the most "influential" blogs.

I've been skating around here and Dragonsfoot for over a decade and reading a lot of blogs. I've found a LOT of quite valuable posts and downloads and found out about some wonderful products in the process. But I still feel like I've missed the meat of the OSR (at least at times). I guess that comes from not "being there" when it all was really happening.

In any case, what do you think are the most influential (for good or ill) blogs?

I realize that this may stir up some things that maybe should be left alone, but I'm curious.

I'll start.

James Maliszewski's GROGNARDIA blog is really great, a fount of good ideas and a real prod to deeper thought. Some people might be affected by how the Dwimmermount Kickstarter was handled, but for me, that doesn't take away from the value of his blog. And I've read enough other blogs to see that his influence was widespread.

grognardia.blogspot.com/

Next?

[gonyaulax]

Oh, yeah. I forgot to include this.

I found this when I was searching for Finarvyn's House Rules.

Be warned! I really did not expect the scope of this and I'm still barely scratching the surface of it!

campaignwiki.org/osr/

Good Lord!  Think of all the sleep I'm going to give up . . .  @;^)

[captainjapan]

Jeff's Gameblog

[Deleted]

Don't know who is most influential. I found the bloggers in the link useful for my book - Dice or Die bloggers

[captainjapan]

The Alexandrian

[Finarvyn]

I definitely agree with Grognardia and the Alexandrian, but in general I don't read that many blogs because I spend most of my time reading message boards when I want current opinions. (Here, Dragonsfoot, RPG pub.) The blogs I poke through the most are ones which focus on the history of the game.

So, a couple more to add:

Jon Peterson's blog is full of D&D history.
playingattheworld.blogspot.com/

"Hidden in Shadows" is full of Blackmoor goodness.
boggswood.blogspot.com/

[Greyharp]

Well gonyaulax, if you're talking greatly influential at the time, there's probably quite a long list. Some of those are still active and influential now. Others have drifted from the collective consciousness but still going. It's always worth looking through the blogger lists of older blogs to see who they were following, as you'll find a few early OSR gems that way, including blogs that are no longer around. And for those that have disappeared, you can often still check them out using the Wayback Machine. Here's some I think are/were particularly influential (in no particular order), although not all of them would identify with the OSR label I imagine:

zenopusarchives.blogspot.com/
tenfootpole.org/ironspike/
dysonlogos.blog/
deltasdnd.blogspot.com/
shamsgrog.blogspot.com/
www.tenkarstavern.com/

And there's a long list of blogs who at various stages have been quite influential in the scene for a lot of people. There's lots missing from this list. It's pleasing to see the longevity of many of these. Look through their archives at the early years posts pre-Google Plus to get a good idea of the original OSR scene and its development. There's a mountain of creativity buried in many of these blogs:

aeonsnaugauries.blogspot.com/
akraticwizardry.blogspot.com/
ancientvaults.wordpress.com/
batintheattic.blogspot.com/
theotherside.timsbrannan.com/
sorcerersskull.blogspot.com/
gothridgemanor.blogspot.com/
lordgwydion.blogspot.com/
inplacesdeep.blogspot.com/
towerofthearchmage.blogspot.com/
the-disoriented-ranger.blogspot.com/
www.trollishdelver.com/
talesofthegrotesqueanddungeonesque.blogspot.com/
bxblackrazor.blogspot.com/
www.necropraxis.com/
poleandrope.blogspot.com/
trollsmyth.blogspot.com/
monstersandmanuals.blogspot.com/
hackslashmaster.blogspot.com/
dreamsinthelichhouse.blogspot.com/
the-city-of-iron.blogspot.com/
hillcantons.blogspot.com/

[Finarvyn]

Thank you, Greyharp, for such an extensive list. I have probably visited most of those at one time or another and it's great to have the list all in one place.

[tdenmark]

elfmaidsandoctopi.blogspot.com/

I find this blog super useful.

[gonyaulax]

Thanks to all, especially Greyharp for the suggestions.

I've been to a few of them. Greyharp's list reminded me that it has been awhile since I've visited Dyson Logos' blog. Always lots to see there.

I should take all of these suggestions and put the links into a Word document that I can format as I'd like. I should then get in the habit of checking out, say, two per day until I get "caught up" and then move to four or five per day.

It just seems that there is so much to read (don't want to miss any of the 'good stuff') and so little time. I'm still trying to get caught up with all the forums here!

Thanks again!

[tdenmark]

Feb 4, 2024 13:08:30 GMT -6 gonyaulax said:

Thanks to all, especially Greyharp for the suggestions.

I've been to a few of them. Greyharp's list reminded me that it has been awhile since I've visited Dyson Logos' blog. Always lots to see there.

I should take all of these suggestions and put the links into a Word document that I can format as I'd like. I should then get in the habit of checking out, say, two per day until I get "caught up" and then move to four or five per day.

It just seems that there is so much to read (don't want to miss any of the 'good stuff') and so little time. I'm still trying to get caught up with all the forums here!

Thanks again!

I use Feedly, an RSS reader, and subscribe to each of the blogs I follow. Never miss a thing! (Almost never)

Back in the day when the OSR blogs were at their peak it was impossible to keep up, things have slowed down a lot, but can still get lively at times.

[grodog]

Feb 4, 2024 13:08:30 GMT -6 gonyaulax said:

I should take all of these suggestions and put the links into a Word document that I can format as I'd like. I should then get in the habit of checking out, say, two per day until I get "caught up" and then move to four or five per day.

These may save you a little time and effort:

- Links to Wisdom: campaignwiki.org/wiki/LinksToWisdom/HomePage
- OSR RPG Planet feed at campaignwiki.org/osr/
and explanation at campaignwiki.org/wiki/Planet/What_is_this%3f

To the general blogs above, I’ll add Rob Kuntz’s two at lordofthegreendragons.blogspot.com/ and lakegenevaoriginalrpg.blogspot.com/

A lot of older forums discussion has migrated from forums to G+ to Twitter/Facebook to Discord, too.

Allan.

[tdenmark]

Feb 4, 2024 22:51:28 GMT -6 grodog said:

- OSR RPG Planet feed at campaignwiki.org/osr/

Does not link to my blog, therefore is invalid.

[rredmond]

Feb 6, 2024 12:48:18 GMT -6 tdenmark said:

Feb 4, 2024 22:51:28 GMT -6 grodog said:

- OSR RPG Planet feed at campaignwiki.org/osr/

Does not link to my blog, therefore is invalid.

Howdy tdenmark
What does this mean? That link is valid, but it's not going where it is supposed to?

[grodog]

Feb 6, 2024 12:48:18 GMT -6 tdenmark said:

Feb 4, 2024 22:51:28 GMT -6 grodog said:

- OSR RPG Planet feed at campaignwiki.org/osr/

Does not link to my blog, therefore is invalid.

You can add your own links, Thomas (it’s what I did awhile ago too ).

Allan.

[tdenmark]

Feb 6, 2024 14:01:46 GMT -6 rredmond said:

Feb 6, 2024 12:48:18 GMT -6 tdenmark said:

Does not link to my blog, therefore is invalid.

Howdy tdenmark
What does this mean? That link is valid, but it's not going where it is supposed to?

No. It means my blog isn't important enough to be on OSR RPG Planet.

[rredmond]

Ah! Untrue sir! Important it is and chock full of the maps o’ blue!
And blue is how we like ‘em!

PS: looks like Allan is right, you have to add your blog yourself: campaignwiki.org/wiki/Planet/Please_join!

[captainjapan]

Havard's Blackmoor Blog

[captainjapan]

DM David