94 Comments
User's avatar
Alison Jones's avatar

Features on particular monsters and how they are dealt with differently in various games or in versions of the same game. Including a focus on the art for them

Heavy Cavalry's avatar

like "The Ecology of..." from Dragon would be great

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

Good idea, thank you, Alison!

Eric Green's avatar

Great idea

GMaia's avatar

An idea is to have a review of contemporary fantasy works, those published now, be them rpgs, novels, games. This could put under the lights some new authors (like me...) to your audience!

May the fun be always at your table!

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

I like that, GMaia - thank you! 🧙‍♂️

GMaia's avatar

Thanks to you! I sent you a message via chat about that!

May the fun be always at your table!

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

Awesome, thank you. (I've been TERRIBLE at checking the chats lately, but promise to catch-up after this week when I get some time off from work.)

Nicholas Ahlhelm's avatar

I'd like to see a little bit of modern books/media coverage that takes inspiration from older works.

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

I like that idea, thank you, Nicholas!

David Rollins's avatar

All the best in the new year!

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

Thank you Dave - and the best to you, too!

Jason's avatar

I love the mythic of why a creature exists. Sometimes it is a just because, but for me I want to know the why, the how, the when, the where. Also love trying to draw the beasts from its descriptions . Anyways thank you for your time.

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

Oh wow, Jason, that's a really cool idea - about drawing beasts from their written descriptions! This makes descriptions, lore & ecology much more important for the proper context. Thanks for sharing!

Randy Smith's avatar

Sure. Old School like 3D6 Down the Like.

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

Good suggestion - I now have a tab open with their podcast to do some discovery. Thanks Randy!

Tom Grant's avatar

More coverage of older RPG systems.

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

Thanks for the suggestion, Tom. Also - great job on your Ancient Geeks Substack - I just subscribed!

Tommy Rutledge's avatar

I love looking back at where we've been and how that has influenced where we currently are in the landscape. Nostalgia can be a good thing. Thanks for all the content.

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

Thank you for that, Tommy! I'm a soul who also likes to reflect and connect the dots wherever possible. Nostalgia gets a bad name in certain circles because some feel that it leads to dwelling and inactivity in the here and now, but to me as with most things with proper measure, Nostalgia can be uplifting, soothing, motivating as well as historically illustrative.

Leigh Ann Hornbuckle's avatar

I love the art, interviews and learning about the history. I also love some new stuff. Just like you have introduced that world to me, maybe new upcoming artists, authors, and creators too.

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

I appreciate your feedback, Leigh Ann! It's been on my list to feature upcoming fantasy creators - I definitely need to make the time for it.

Hanrahan Highland's avatar

Hi! How about looking back at some interesting adventures (from modules or Dungeon magazine), highlighting the features that made them stand out, and offering (or asking for) recollections of how they played out in your own game?

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

That's a sound idea, Hanrahan, thank you! It sounds like you're a serious gamer. Would love to hear from you and others about their epic gaming recollections!

Nikhil Saxena's avatar

This isn’t the best idea, it’s really out there, but I feel like there aren’t a lot of ways for new authors to be seen and so any attempt to facilitate that would be really cool, like competitions here and there or features on places taking submissions. Same goes for aspiring fantasy artists imo, especially if the emphasis is on traditional art, the only forum I can think of that strictly values that these days is the Sorcery TCG

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

I'm digging that idea about creator submissions and competitions, Nikhil, thanks!

Scott's avatar

Coverage of some of the other RPGs from back in the day, like Traveller and Powers and Perils.

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

Thanks, Scott! Those are 2 games I never personally played, but can get behind finding fun ways to showcase them at some point.

Mr. E's avatar

I would love to see some more about 1980's fantasy authors.

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

I like that idea, Mr. E. Who are some of your favorite fantasy authors from that era?

Mr. E's avatar

Anne McCaffrey

Robert Aspirin

Brian Jacques

Terry Pratchett

Terry Brooks

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

Great list - thank you, Mr. E!

Matthew Morgan's avatar

Im newer to this newsletter. I played D&D for awhile, then switched to Pathfinder for awhile. Haven't played anything for a few years and really want to get back into D&D. I joined this recently for inspiration!. Aside from the adventures themselves, my favorite part of the game has been building broken characters by meticulously spending hours going through dozens of books picking new skills, feats, and gear. ImEven though broken character drive DMs crazy, (mine have always made it a mission to try and kill me 🤣🤣🤣) Id love to see guides on building power characters that will make grown DMs cry 😋

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

LOL - I'm not sure it's a good strategy to make the Dungeon Master cry, but I applaud your enthusiasm, Matthew! I hadn't thought of that angle - thanks for sharing. 🧙‍♂️

Matthew Morgan's avatar

Thanks. Always another angle! 😋🤣

Nick Monitto's avatar

Hello! There's several great suggestions here already, not sure of any to add off the top of my head right now. Especially liking the comment about podcasts and actual plays. There's 3 game related ones I follow right now (along with a few YT'ers) and I'm nearly caught up to current on them all, so it's nice to get recommendations on ones I can add to the queue. They are much of what I consume when I'm driving or traveling.

Keep up the great content, looking forward to the new year!

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

That's really good insight, thanks Nick! I was keeping tabs on a bunch of cool fantasy podcasts the last couple years, but hadn't made the time to revisit them. I'll have to find that list and see who's still in the game. Thanks for your encouragement, too!

James Heiney's avatar

You have a pretty good mix that keeps me more than satisfied. I can't think of anything to add.

J.Q. Graziano's avatar

Right on, James! I'm glad you like the mix. Let me know if there's ever anything you'd like me to consider covering in the future.