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Tales from the Sanctum

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The Sanctum Secorum podcast plumbs the depths of Appendix N as it applies to DCC RPG. Each show reviews one piece of Appendix N media — be it literature or film — and then discusses how to bring aspects of it to the table for your DCC game. We explore how the selected piece might already easily fit into particular modules and DCC settings, and we highlight one specific DCC module that really ties into the Appendix N material.

Enter the Sanctum Secorum… and be inspired.

News: Abasezi

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Sanctum Media, in its partnership with Ugandan game designer, Ashraf Braden, is pleased to announce the fifth in our line of ongoing monthly DCC micro-releases. These mini-zines cost only $1, and are appropriate for printing and folding.

This month we present the abasezi…

There are things that move by night, feasting on flesh, and forcing others to do their bidding. These are a cursed people, the abasezi, cursed to dance through the night, digging up corpses, and ever gathering more power. Pulled directly from African folklore, even modern African media discusses the Night Dancers and spreads their infamy.

This month’s release features a blood-chilling for for Dungeon Crawl Classics. Able to craft diabolical traps, and able to weidl a number of unearthly powers, whether facing off against one (a musezi), or a band of them (basezi), the abasezi are a foe to truly be feared. Also included are pronunciation notes and audio clips provided by the author, for those wanting to get the most out of these Ugandan creations.

Also included with your drivethrurpg purchase are pronunciation notes and audio clips by Ashraf himself, providing the Ugandan pronunciation for a number of new terms, and the whole is brought to life with another evocative piece by cover artist Ari-Matti Piippo.

Ashraf is already at work on next month’s release, and there are other potential projects in the works, beyond the scope of we here at Sanctum Media, that are all quite exciting. So, join us in celebrating new content from a new voice in the RPG community.

All of Sanctum Media’s proceeds from the purchase of this, and future releases created by Ashraf, go directly to the author. You can purchase it here!

Did you miss a prior release? Get them at the links below, still only $1 each!
ASH001 – The Kakondo
ASH002 – Lukwata
ASH003 – The Bachwezi
ASH004 – Kamila

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Sanctum Secorum #52 – The Hounds of Skaith

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This week, the Keepers of Mystery discuss a work by the Queen of Space Opera, Leigh Brackett, as they dive into The Hounds of Skaith.

In this second volume of Leigh Brackett’s exemplary trilogy The Book of Skaith, Eric John Stark, having expelled the Lords Protector from their northern Citadel and released his friend and mentor galactic ambassador Ashton, heads south to find the wise woman Gerrith, to foment rebellion, and –in spite of the Wandsmen and the Lords Protector’s wishes—to open the dying planet to star travel. Although he is outnumbered, he possesses one extraordinary advantage: he now holds mental mastery over the Hounds of Skaith, fierce mutant beasts that paralyze their enemies by the power of fear alone.

This show originally aired live on the Goodman Games twitch channel on May 23, 2023.

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News: Kamila

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Sanctum Media, in its partnership with Ugandan game designer, Ashraf Braden, is pleased to announce the fourth in our line of ongoing monthly DCC micro-releases. These mini-zines cost only $1, and are appropriate for printing and folding.

This month we present Kamila, the watery enforcer of Nalubaale, the mother of the gods. Capable of destroying an entire villages overnight, Kamila is a sentient river tributary. This piece of folklore is re-imagined for the gaming table as a river elemental, a rare form of water elemental, fully statted and ready for use. Also included with your drivethrurpg purchase are pronunciation notes and audio clips by Ashraf himself, providing the Ugandan pronunciation for a number of new terms, and the whole is brought to life by returning cover artist Ari-Matti Piippo.

Ashraf is already at work on next month’s release, and there are other potential projects in the works, beyond the scope of we here at Sanctum Media, that are all quite exciting. So, join us in celebrating new content from a new voice in the RPG community.

All of Sanctum Media’s proceeds from the purchase of this, and future releases created by Ashraf, go directly to the author. You can purchase it here!

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NEWS: Sanctum Secorum Quarterly #1

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Yes, we know, today is the day where people tend to make outrageous claims in the name of April Fool’s Day. Well, we here at the Sanctum Secorum were hard at work on March 31st and, just under the wire, released the premiere issue of Sanctum Secorum Quarterly (the March 2023 issue), in the nick of time.

It is loaded with great gameable content such as monsters and spells, and also includes film and fiction reviews and a brand new adventure – The Pillar of the Pachyderm – based on Robert E Howard’s The Tower of the Elephant. It is a hefty PDF and, as always, it is completely free!

SSQ wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic team that we’ve assembled: Daniel J. Bishop, Morten Braten, Bob Brinkman, Jen Brinkman, Marc Bruner, Blair DeMarco-Wettlaufer, Gord Hanson, Michael Harrington, Brett Hess, Ian McDonald, James A. Pozenel jr., Matt Robertson, Stefan Surratt, Joan Troyer, and Keepers Nafets & Zinolestimus. An amazing pool of talented individuals made this happen and, are already at work on the June issue.

Again, utterly free. Our gift to the community which we are all a part of.

You can get it HERE and, if you enjoy it, please write a review. It is a great way to thank the team for all of their hard work.

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News: The Bachwezi

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Sanctum Media, in its partnership with Ugandan game designer, Ashraf Braden, is pleased to announce the third in our line of DCC micro-releases. Issued monthly, these mini-zines cost only $1, and are appropriate for printing and folding.

This month we present the Bachwezi, a tribe of invisible herdsmen who roam the African plains. Descended from the ancient Batembuzi gods, the Bachwezi have strange powers that allow them to remain unseen and to force others to do their bidding. This release brings them to your table as a fully playable character class for your campaign. Also included with your drivethrurpg purchase are pronunciation notes and audio clips by Ashraf himself, providing the Ugandan pronunciation for 4 new terms.

Ashraf has been working on the next few months of releases, and there are other potential projects in the works, beyond the scope of we here at Sanctum Media, that are all quite exciting. So, join us in celebrating new content from a new voice in the RPG community.

All of Sanctum Media’s proceeds from the purchase of this, and future releases created by Ashraf, go directly to the author. You can purchase it here!

Additional Content, Ashraf Braden, Classes, News, Shameless Self-Promotion

Sanctum Secorum #50 – The Tower of the Elephant

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Tonight, in their 50th episode, the Keepers of Mystery are joined by guests Stephen Newton, Francis Roberts, and the Dark Master himself – Joseph Goodman. The Keepers and their guests discuss Joseph Goodman’s favorite Appendix N work, Robert E. Howard’s The Tower of the Elephant.

In the Zamorian city of Arenjun,also known as the “City of Thieves,” a young Conan  is drinking in a rowdy tavern when he overhears a Kothic rogue describe a fabulous jewel known as the “Heart of the Elephant,” which is kept in a tower by an evil sorcerer named Yara, of whom even the King of Zamora is afraid. Conan ventures into Yara’s garden to steal the jewel and encounters Taurus of Nemedia, known as the “Prince of Thieves,” who has the same agenda. Taurus is wily and fat, but amazingly agile. Impressed by Conan’s daring, Taurus agrees to work together.

Also, be sure not to miss the information on how you may win the very last unclaimed copy of the Shadowed Grimoire, #10 of 10.

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Sanctum Secorum #49 – The Charwoman’s Shadow

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Tonight the Keepers of Mystery discuss a work by Lord Dunsany, The Charwoman’s Shadow. Published in 1926, before the term “fantasy” had ever been used to describe the genre.

An old woman who spends her days scrubbing the floors might be an unlikely damsel in distress, but Lord Dunsany proves once again his mastery of the fantastical. The Charwoman’s Shadow is a beautiful tale of a sorcerer’s apprentice who discovers his master’s nefarious usage of stolen shadows, and vows to save the charwoman from her slavery.

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News: Lukwata

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Sanctum Media, in its partnership with Ugandan game designer, Ashraf Braden, has released the next in our line of DCC micro-releases. Issued monthly, each of these mini-zines is appropriate for printing and folding.

This month we present Lukwata, a lake monster who haunted the waters of Lake Victora. The release also includes write-ups on three weapons, and the most brutal Mighty Deed of Arms you are likely to come across (Dismembering Attack). Also included are pronunciation notes and the drivethrurpg purchase also comes with audio clips by Ashraf himself, providing the Ugandan pronunciation for 11 terms.

Ashraf has been working on the next few months of releases, and there are other potential projects in the works, beyond the scope of we here at Sanctum Media, that are all quite exciting. So, join us in celebrating new content from a new voice in the RPG community.

All of Sanctum Media’s proceeds from the purchase of this, and future releases created by Ashraf, go directly to the author. You can purchase it here!

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News: The Kakondo

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Sanctum Media is pleased to announce its partnership with Ugandan game designer, Ashraf Braden. The release of the Kakondo, a monster torn from African urban legends and folklore, is the first in what we hope to be a long line of $1 micro-releases. Also included is a short write-up on the yakoma, a Ugandan sickle-sword.

All of Sanctum Media’s proceeds from the purchase of this, and future releases created by Ashraf, go directly to the author. If you want to support a new voice in the RPG gaming sphere, you can purchase it here!

Ashraf Braden, Monsters, New Releases, News, Shameless Self-Promotion, Weapons,