Thursday, August 13, 2026

What is Rob Kuntz up to?

 


Rob J Kuntz and Three Lines Studios are still active it seems, announcing something that could pass for a book cover? A game supplement or a novel? Will WotC be happy that he is using the Robilar character?


In any case, Rob Kuntz has always been kind to me and I wish him well! 



This second image is credited to Richard Whitters, who will also appear at ArneCon this year. 

Do you know more about any of this? Let me know.



-Havard



Wednesday, August 12, 2026

ArneCon 2026 Announcement

 


ArneCon, one of the annual gaming events associated with Dave Arneson's legacy has recently made an announcement regarding this year's convention as reported via their Facebook page:

Special Events Schedule: 
1. Events with Jeffrey Talanian (Creator of Hyperborea) HYPERBOREA: The Oblation Slab of the Hepatomancer An Ixian necromancer and a Keltic witch occupy an ancient stronghold carved into an oceanfront cliff between the Gal Hills and New Vinland. From this hidden base—aided by a squad of berserkers—they have been abducting and enslaving young victims from villages near and far. Refereed by Jeffrey Talanian. 
 
2. Events with Richard Whitters (Creator of Ruttigers) Ruttigers TTRPG – Foray into the Stonewaste Foray into the accursed necropolis of the Stonewaste and attempt to free a chained Demon! Refereed by Richard Whitters. Ruttigers TTRPG – Foray into the Stonewaste (additional session) 
Foray into the accursed necropolis of the Stonewaste and attempt to free a chained Demon! Refereed by Richard Whitters. 
 
3. Events with Alexander Macris (Creator of ACKS – Adventurer Conqueror King System™, ACKS II, & Ascendant) ACKS II: Before All Others Before All Others is the new elven sourcebook for Adventurer Conqueror King System II. Play one of the new elven character classes and embark on a sylvan adventure that explores the marvelous new mechanics found in BAO. Refereed by Alexander Macris. Domains at War: Battles Domains at War: Battles is the tabletop battle system for mass combat in the world of Adventurer Conqueror King System (ACKS). Lead designer Alexander Macris will referee a 6-player pitched battle. 

 4. Events with Matthew Tapp (Creator of Barrows & Borderlands) Barrows & Borderlands – Dungeon of the Fel LordA Weird Science Fantasy Old-School Style Role Playing Game set in a Dark Radioactive Wasteland of Magic, Black-powder, and Dragons. Enter the Dungeon of the Fel Lord, a massive mega-dungeon filled with the most horrifying creations of Matthew Tapp. Refereed by Matthew Tapp. 

 5. Panel: Creating Arc Story for an RPG Campaign Have you ever wondered how to make your campaign into an epic arc story like your favorite novel? A Panel Session with ArneCon Special Guests Jeffrey Talanian (Creator of HYPERBOREA), Richard Whitters (Ruttigers), and Alexander Macris (Adventurer Conqueror King System / ACKS II, Ascendant) Hosted discussion on building long-term campaign arcs, story structure, and world-spanning narratives in RPGs. This seminar is just for you as we explore ways to expand RPG settings by adding arc stories to them.” Hosted by Griffith Morgan (Secrets of Blackmoor, The Lost Dungeons of Tonisborg). 

 6. Events with Ronin Wong (Co-author of “Paradise Lost” for Shadowrun 2nd Edition, and actor “The Man in the High Castle”) Mutant: Awakening!You wake up from a cryogenic sleep, unaware of who you are and what you are. Gradually, you realize you’ve awakened in the world, where most realities, including your own body, may be very different from the life you led before. Now, you have to survive a hostile terrain which has left you behind. Written and Refereed by Ronin Wong. Once Upon a Spacetime (Cypher 2)It’s here! The day we unveil the STM (Spacetime Modulator) which promises FTL (faster than light) travel within our lifetimes. What could go wrong? We have a rock solid security team with a spotless record, and top marks from all safety tests. The protestors are posers! Onward and Upward! Refereed by Ronin Wong. 

 7. Events with David Megarry (Creator of Dungeon! Fantasy Boardgame) Join us for some sessions of “Dungeon!” with David. This event is part seminar, part play session. David will share the story of how he invented the game, including his first demonstration of the game to the Blackmoor Bunch in Arneson’s basement. Learn about the challenges he faced, such as being rejected by major game companies, and how he ultimately secured an agreement with Gary Gygax to publish the game – and more! 

 8. Events with David Wesely (Inventor of Braunstein: the First RPG) Braunstein and Banania: Play the very first RPG and its variant with the inventor of the RPG, David Wesely. 

 9. Meet & Greet + Autograph Session with all the special guests Saturday Afternoon Meet and Greet with all the special guests: Richard Whitters, Jeffrey Talanian , Alexander Macris, Matthew Tapp, David Megarry, David Wesely, Ronin Wong, Ross Maker, Malia Arneson & others Saturday at 5pm! Bring your books and games and get them signed! Malia will sign your Dave Arneson books with an "official faux Arneson autograph" (there's a story behind this- ask her)!

 

10. Minicon: A Convention within a Convention We’ve teamed up with Minicon to bring Dawn Patrol WWI aerial combat game sessions to ArneCon. There are many sessions of this game being offered. More to Come! Get your badges now at ArneCon.com


Many of the events at the convention seem less connected to Blackmoor than in the past, but it is nice to see Wesely, Megarry and other Arneson Alumni get a spot. Wish I could go to the US and meet them for myself, but I am stuck on a different continent for now. Let me know if you are planning to go!


-Havard

Comeback Inn and Blackmoor Archives Are Back Up

 

Dear friends of Blackmoor! As some of you noticed, The Comeback Inn forum for all things Blackmoor and the Blackmoor Archives website were both down briefly due to a minor technical glitch. I just wanted to tell everyone that the issues have been fixed and the site and forum are both back up again. 


Thanks to those who have asked about this. It is nice to know that so many people care about what we are doing. 


Visit the Comeback Inn here.


-Havard

Sunday, June 21, 2026

TSR's Roger E. Moore Writes for Blackmoor Themed issue of Threshold Magazine!

 

I almost cannot believe it, but the fan magazine for the D&D World of Mystara has just released its 38th issue. As always, the magazine, produced by the Mystara fan community in association with the Vaults of Pandius and The Piazza, is released as another massive Free PDF. While it remains a fan magazine, Threshold has consistently put out high quality content, professionally laid out, with a wide range of articles supporting both older and new editions of D&D. #38 includes an article by former editor of Dragon Magazine, Roger E. Moore, detailing a new solar system filled with worlds that can be explored by characters from Mystara. Although I don't want to blow my own horn too much, it has been a great pleasure to talk to Roger about this article and provide minor assistance in bringing the article into Threshold. Furthermore, I am excited to report that Roger E. Moore promises to bring more material to Threshold Magazine in the future. 


Threshold #38's theme  is Science Fantasy & Blackmoor and also includes a number of other great articles by recurring and new authors. Go and checkout your free PDF copy right now!


-Havard

Friday, April 24, 2026

DaveCon 2026 happening this Weekend

 

DaveCon 2026 takes place this weekend, April 24th-26th. Organised by its founder Victor Dorso, the list of special guests include Blackmoor alumni such as Dave Megarry, David Wesely, Bill Hoyt, Mike Carr, Ken Shepro and Ken Fletcher as well as other well known names from the hobby and industry. 

TSR legend Frank Mentzer was also announced as special guest, but had to cancel due to health reasons. Hopefully, he is doing okay. 

I hope the people attending the convention will have a great time this weekend. If you are at the convention, please let me know about your experiences!


-Havard

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Louis Zocchi Has Passed

 

I am sad to learn that Louis Zocchi has passed away. Perhaps best known for his dice and his Gamescience company, Zocchi was a well known hobbyist, game designer and publisher. His passing was reported by Victor Dorso who shared that the gaming legend passed away on April 16. 2026. 

My thoughts go to his friends and family

Sunday, October 12, 2025

ArneCon 2025 is a success organiseres say

 ArneCon 3 is a big success say organizers! The convention honoring the legacy of Dave Arneson took place this weekend in St. Paul Minnesota. 



Special Guests at this weekend's convention included:

Dave Arneson Alumni:
  • David Megarry
  • Malia Arneson Weinhagen
  • David Wesely
  • David Ross

Other special guests inlcude, but not limited to:
  • Sandy Petersen (Call of Cthulhu, Civilization, Doom, Quake), 
  • Ken St. Andre (Tunnels & Trolls, Monsters! Monsters!), 
  • Alexander Macris (Adventurer Conqueror King, Adventurer Conqueror King II, Ascendant, and Modern Spearhead)
  • Ronin Wong
  • Greg Gillespie
  • Paul Stormberg
Will try to share some more photos if people send them to me. In addition to the Arneson Alumni, I think it is awesome to see Sandy Peterson attend as he is a real legend in gaming. 

I don't know how many people made it there this year, but the organisers said they wanted to keep this a small and personal convention. 


Did you attend to ArneCon 3? I would love to hear about your experiences there!

More discussion of this topic and other Blackmoor News in this Comeback Inn Forum topic.

-Havard

What is Rob Kuntz up to?

  Rob J Kuntz and Three Lines Studios are still active it seems, announcing something that could pass for a book cover? A game supplement or...