Step back to April 1982, when every turn of a White Dwarf page revealed a new world to explore - not just in the articles, but in the ads themselves! Miniature makers, RPG publishers, and even castles opened their gates to adventurers through bold artwork and quirky pitches. These weren’t just advertisements; they were portals into the imagination.
Come flip through the vintage fantasy classifieds with Rediscovered Realms, where even the magazine margins sparkle with wonder.
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This Week’s Rediscovered Realms Theme Song:
Heroic Echoes drifts like a bard’s lament carried on the wind, weaving a ballad of ages long past. Wistful verses recall fallen halls and forgotten laughter, swelling into a triumphant finish — passing the torch of legend from old heroes to new. A Celtic fantasy ballad of memory, courage, and the songs that outlast time.
I just love looking through classic fantasy ads. Seeing the creativity of our fellow adventurers from the past always brings joy to my heart. (Seeing how inexpensive the prices were, on the other hand, brings my heart a lot of pain!)
When White Dwarf #30 (April 1982) was published, Games Workshop was still an exciting and rising force in the RPG world.
Let’s peek inside to expose some of the fun treasures that could have been had for a pocketful of pence.
I so appreciate how many of the early fantasy ads used hand-drawn art rather than photography - cheaper at the time, but also more evocative!
Now this is something else! LARPing and Cosplay eons ahead of its time. I can’t help but imagine how fun this must have been to dress-up, arm yourselves in a real castle to play your favorite RPG.
So many game shoppes to explore. <sighs with profound longing>
Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.
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Never saw that cover art to RuneQuest, but I absolutely love it!
RPG shop ads in early White Dwarf often listed contact addresses where you’d mail order by sending cash or postal orders - no internet required (just a loooooooooong wait!)
How cool that Ian Livingstone personally opened his new shops! I wonder how many of these are still around to this day?
Speaking of Sir Ian, I got a kick out of his editorial intro in this edition of White Dwarf. Merchandising has always been king, it seems. I wonder what movie (and with who) they were planning. Only took about 4 decades for that to come to fruition!
If you’d like to see more about some of the electronic games and colouring books Sir Ian mentioned:
From orc miniatures to real-life castle quests, these old-school ads remind us that fantasy has always thrived on creativity, daring, and sometimes a touch of the absurd. May their charm inspire your next adventure, Bold Adventurer . . . and may you always find treasure in the most unexpected corners of the realm. Keep the adventure going STRONG!
Which of these vintage ads would you have answered back in 1982?
Have you ever bought something fantasy-related because of a quirky magazine ad?
If you could revive one of these products or experiences today, which would it be?
Would you have been bold enough to roleplay in a real castle?
I just realized that September is at a close and we did not do the quarterly “EPIC FANTASY LOOT GIVEAWAY CONTEST!” But avail not! - I will handpick the treasures to publish next week. We’ll combine it with the October “DriveThruRPG DRAGON’S DRAW” so at least 2 members of THE 300 and ELITE ADVENTURER groups will win big!
Other Rediscovered Realms editions related to this one you may enjoy:
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Heroic Echoes [Verse 1] The leaves have fallen, gravestones still stand, Echoes of heroes across these lands. Years like rivers, they slip away, Yet still the song keeps dark at bay. [Chorus] Sing, oh sing, of the days long gone, Strength and heart weave the ancient song. Time may fade, but the tale will rise, Like dawn reborn in morning skies. [Verse 2] The fires cold ashes, the halls are bare, Shadows of laughter yet linger there. But from the silence, the chords remain, Binding the past to the world again. [Bridge (crescendo toward heroic finish)] Seasons turning, hope still burns, From every ending, we return. Though time may steal, though night may fall, The voice of heroes outlasts them all! Final Chorus (heroic) Sing, oh sing, let the ages hear, Stories woven from loss and cheer. Time may falter, but songs endure, The torch is now yours, be brave and sure!
