Skip to main content

Tales from the Sanctum

Card Catalog

Welcome

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.

Sanctum Live with author Zachary Rosenberg – Tonight – Tuesday, May 9 at 9pm EST

Written by Gatekeeper
Leave a Comment

You certainly don’t want to miss out on our live interview with author Zachary Rosenberg. Hisdebut novella, Hungers as Old as This Land, is Amazon’s #1 New Release in Western Horror Fiction. The story is a gripping weird western that tells the tale of the intersection of a Jewish community with something truly sinister…. as well as the dark and furtive secrets which lurk within the mountains referred to as “The Hungers”. Come meet this new genre author and learn what he has planned for the future.

Join us on the Goodman Games twitch channel at 9pm est.

Interview, News, podcast,

Sanctum Live with author Zachary Rosenberg

Written by Gatekeeper
Leave a Comment

The Sanctum Secorum returns with a special episode where the Keepers of Mysteries sit down with author Zachary Rosenberg about his debut novella, Hungers as Old as This Land. The story is a gripping weird western that tells the tale of the intersection of a Jewish community with something truly sinister…. as well as the dark and furtive secrets which lurk within the mountains referred to as “The Hungers”.

Join us on the Goodman Games twitch channel at 9pm est.

 

Interview, News, Podcasts

The Sanctum Secorum Reading Room: Red Nails

Written by Gatekeeper
1 Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS

Join two of our Keepers of Mysteries as they dive into Red Nails, by Robert E. Howard.

Red Nails begins in the jungles far to the south of any known civilized or barbarian kingdoms. Valeria of the Red Brotherhood is fleeing persecution and is followed into the wilderness by Conan, a fellow adventurer who wishes for an alliance with Valeria. The pair journey towards a mysterious walled city, which appears deserted. The city, which is known as Xuchotl, is a massive structure completely enclosed and roofed off by an emerald dome. A single great hallway runs across the entire city. However, no streets or open courtyards are present. 

The two separate and search the city’s empty corridors. Valeria encounters a man named Techotl, who she joins in his feud between two factions which dwell in the once populous city. Soon, Techotl invites Conan and Valeria into the stronghold of his tribe, the Tecuhltli. Eventually, the couple are welcomed by the rulers of Xuchotl, Olmec and Tascela. After a ritual, Olmec reveals the history of his civilization and its ancient war with the other inhabitants of Xuchotl and the meaning of the red nails driven into a pillar within the Olmec stronghold.

For those wishing to support Ashraf Braden’s RPG releases – click here and here!
Plus, tune in for our latest fantasy book give away!

Originally broadcast live on the Goodman Games twitch channel on April 25, 2023.

Robert E Howard’s suicide was a tragic loss. If you are in distress you can call, text, or chat 988, to be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how your problems are affecting you, provide support, and connect you to resources if necessary. Additionally the Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) remains available to people in emotional distress or crisis.

 

podcast, ,

Sanctum Secorum Reading Room – Tuesday, April 25 at 9pm EST

Written by Gatekeeper
Leave a Comment


Exhausted by Gary Con travel,the Keepers of Mysteries missed their scheduled appointment with you, their fellow readers. However, this week they return to the Goodman Games Twitch channel for the postponed episode of The Sanctum Secorum Reading Room! This month, Jen and Bob Brinkman explore and discuss the final published Conan story of author Robert E. Howard, Red Nails.

Robert E. Howard described the story as,

“A Conan yarn, and the grimmest, bloodiest and most merciless story of the series so far. Too much raw meat, maybe, but I merely portrayed what I honestly believe would be the reactions of certain types of people in the situations on which the plot of the story hung…”

Join us as we dive into this classic piece of Sword & Sorcery literature and uncover the mystery of the Red Nails.

Enter the Sanctum Secorum… and be inspired.

Uncategorized

News: Kamila

Written by Gatekeeper
Leave a Comment

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!

Additional Content, Ashraf Braden, Monsters, New Releases, News

Sanctum Secorum #51 – The Broken Sword

Written by Gatekeeper
1 Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS


Tonight the Keepers of Mystery discuss one of the novels of Poul Anderson, The Broken Sword. Specifically cited on Appendix N, it has also been cited by author Michael Moorcock as having greatly influenced his stories.

The book tells the story of Skafloc, elven-fosterling and originally son of Orm the Strong. The story begins with the marriage of Orm the Strong and Aelfrida of the English. Orm kills a witch’s family on the land and later half-converts to Christianity, but quarrels with the local priest and sends him off the land. Meanwhile, an elf named Imric, with the help of the witch, seeks to capture the newly born son of Orm. In his place, Imric leaves a changeling called Valgard. The real son of Orm is taken away to elven lands and named Skafloc by the elves who raise him. As the story continues, both Skafloc and Valgard have significant roles in the war between the trolls and the elves as things escalate until the restoration of…the Broken Sword. 


Read More

podcast, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Obit: John Homan

Written by Gatekeeper
1 Comment


Our hearts grow heavy every time we announce sad news such as this, but another member of our community has gone from us.  John Homan was a member of the DCC RPG Rocks community as well as a stalwart at the gaming tables of Elkhart, IN. Beyond his life as a gamer, John was an MLL Paraprofessional/Teacher at Northridge Middle School who’s final words were written to protect the students at his school. He will be missed by our community, his students, and his family…and all who knew him.

In his memory, we ask that you join the members of the Elkhart Community Schools (ECS) Parent Coalition and voice your support for Indiana HB 1483 – Discipline rules regarding bullying.

News, Obituary

News: New Content from New Voices

Written by Gatekeeper
Leave a Comment

As we prepare the fourth release from Ugandan game designer Ashraf Braden, we feel it is important to remind you of the three existing releases:

The Kakondo: A monster which preys on children. The release also includes information on a new weapon, the yakoma, which comes with a weapon specific Might Deed of Arms.

Lukwata: A legendary lake monster found in Lake Victoria which also includes rules for three new weapons and the most blood-curdling Might Deed of Arms ever – Dismembering Attack. Additionally, starting with this release and going forward, we include a pronunciation guide for some of the Ugandan terms complete with audio clips of the designer speaking the terms.

The Bachwezi: A tribe of invisible herdsmen brought to life as a fully playable character class for DCC RPG. Also included are stats for Boer goats and Sanga cattle as well as a pronunciation guide with audio clips.

What’s next you ask? The tale of Kamila, a river elemental and servitor of divine vengeance.

In the meantime, if you haven’t already, please check out our current releases. All of Sanctum’s proceeds (including affiliate income) go directly to the author. For a mere $1 each, how can you go wrong? The answer is, you can’t!

 

Uncategorized

NEWS: Sanctum Secorum Quarterly #1

Written by Gatekeeper
Leave a Comment


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.

...and more, Additional Content, Adventures, Magic Items, Monsters, News, Reviews, Sanctum Secorum Quarterly, Shameless Self-Promotion, Spells, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sanctum Secorum Reading Room – Tonight, March 28 at 9pm EST

Written by Gatekeeper
Leave a Comment

Remember to be sure to join the Keepers of Mysteries tonight on the Goodman Games Twitch channel with an all-new episode of The Sanctum Secorum Reading Room! This month, Jen and Bob Brinkman explore and discuss the final published Conan story of author Robert E. Howard, Red Nails.

Robert E. Howard described the story as,

“A Conan yarn, and the grimmest, bloodiest and most merciless story of the series so far. Too much raw meat, maybe, but I merely portrayed what I honestly believe would be the reactions of certain types of people in the situations on which the plot of the story hung…”

Join us as we dive into this classic piece of Sword & Sorcery literature and uncover the mystery of the Red Nails.

Enter the Sanctum Secorum… and be inspired.

Uncategorized