The Black Notebook Podcast

In AD&D 1st Edition, the Cleric was built as something much bigger: part warrior, part miracle worker, part religious authority, and eventually someone capable of becoming a major force in the campaign world. In this episode of The Black Notebook, I look at what the Cleric was actually supposed to represent, how First Edition connected divine magic to faith and conduct, why higher level Clerics became religious leaders, and what modern Dungeon Masters and players can still learn from that design today.This episode was suggested by channel supporter Loyd B. Thanks for the idea and for supporting the channel.

In this episode, we look at why Gary Gygax designed dungeons as living environments, how wandering monsters, torchlight, spell durations, and exploration all worked together, and why this old-school philosophy can make any dungeon feel more dangerous and believable, no matter what edition you play. Whether you’re an AD&D veteran or a 5E Dungeon Master looking for new ideas, this is one classic design philosophy worth stealing.

I’m at Gen Con 2026! In this special episode of The Black Notebook, I talk about the games I played, including HARP and Rolemaster Unified, what I picked up from Palladium, Catalyst and others, and what the convention looks like for an old-school gamer in 2026. I also talk about the surprising lack of classic RPG material, meeting listeners who recognized me, and a very unexpected moment with the folks at Palladium Books. This one is just me, my notebook, and a few days at Gen Con.

In this episode, I look at what made the AD&D 1st Edition troll such an unforgettable monster. We’ll dig into its frightening regeneration, surprising speed, brutal attacks, and the psychology behind why experienced players feared them. We’ll also compare how trolls have changed over the years and why the original version still deserves its reputation as one of fantasy gaming’s greatest nightmares.If you’ve ever watched your party panic as a troll’s wounds closed before your eyes, this episode is for you.

That’s one of the most common claims you’ll hear, but it’s not what Gary Gygax actually wrote. In this video, we go back to the original AD&D books to see what Deities & Demigods really says about divine beings, their avatars, and why so many people have misunderstood these rules for decades. We’ll look at why gods were given game statistics, what an avatar actually is, and why those hit points were never meant to represent a true deity. If you’ve only heard the internet’s version of this debate, you may be surprised by what the original books actually say.