A Question For The Ancient Gamers Here ...

[TheNewGuy]

Does anyone remember the source of the spell "Hey Bartender"?

The long-time magic-user player in our group (yes, the quantum physics researcher/professor guy I keep mentioning) has had this spell in his signature character's spellbook forever ... and I suddenly realized that I no longer remember it's original source.

I wasn't DMing when he received the spell; I'm pretty sure I wasn't even playing that day. This would've been late-1970s, or the very early `80s.

I'm guessing that the "Hey Bartender" spell came from an original-version Judges Guild product, if only because the Judges Guild stuff was the only non-TSR D&D stuff we could find in our city back then.

Anybody remember the details surrounding "Hey Bartender" better than I do?

Thanks,

TheNewGuy
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"But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you"

[serleran]

It is a cantrip that by waving your hand in the air and shouting "Hey, Bartender!", a well stocked bar and bartender are summoned to wherever you are. You can order anything you like from the bar, but you always get flat, warm beer. On this, I am fairly confident - I do not think it was designed as a 1st level spell, which is a shame as that might help narrow it down better (see below.) Oh, and on duration, its one hour, and you have to leave a tip, at 1 sp per drink ordered.

It was inspired by a Blues Brother song of the same name, as I recall.

I do not recall the origin, but there are a few contenders: Arduin, Book of Spells, Judges Guild, Tunnels and Trolls, Dragon Tree Press, etc. The thing is, it would need to be after Unearthed Arcana existed (or the original cantrip rules in Dragon magazine), which makes it much harder, since there was a lot more stuff around then.

[Harry Joy]

Man, I've GOT to download Google Desktop Search again. This is one thing Vista simply cannot do well. I know I have something somewhere with the spell, but a quick search doesn't show it.

[TheNewGuy]

serleran wrote:
The thing is, it would need to be after Unearthed Arcana existed (or the original cantrip rules in Dragon magazine), which makes it much harder, since there was a lot more stuff around then.

The funny thing is, I'm pretty positive it was an actual spell, not a cantrip, in this case. Sort of a "create food and water" arcane spell with panache, creating a miniature feast, complete with liquor.

Perhaps the cantrip version was inspired (cough cough) by the earlier version?

The next time I see my pal, I'll ask to see the transcription in his notes again, but I don't think he's got the source cited. He's not the kind of fellow who would bother with that.

If memory serves, the guy who was DMing who gave my scientist pal the spell was our friend Paul and, unfortunately Paul died unexpectedly while living overseas a few years back. I don't think I can ask Paul now without a Divination spell (and Paul would probably be pissed if I disturbed him out on the Outer Planes with such a question )

I still think it was a Judges Guild product. I'll think on it some more, and see if the memory shakes itself loose.

Thanks for the input,

TheNewGuy
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"But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you"

[TheNewGuy]

Harry Joy wrote:
Man, I've GOT to download Google Desktop Search again. This is one thing Vista simply cannot do well. I know I have something somewhere with the spell, but a quick search doesn't show it.

No worries, Harry. I already did a Google Advanced Search, and all I turned up was a preponderance of really hackneyed D&D fanfic ...

One forum poster did cite the spell, but didn't elaborate on where he found it back in the day.

One of life's mysteries -- like why Paris Hilton is popular ...
TheNewGuy
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"But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you"

[serleran]

There were a few text files circulating in the mid-late 80s, if you really wanted to hunt for such things. I recall a Carnal Knowledge Guide and one on Alcohol. It may have come from an "unofficial" source. Most of these are long gone, or incorporated/expanded into "netbooks."

[Harry Joy]

serleran wrote:
There were a few text files circulating in the mid-late 80s, if you really wanted to hunt for such things. I recall a Carnal Knowledge Guide and one on Alcohol. It may have come from an "unofficial" source. Most of these are long gone, or incorporated/expanded into "netbooks."

Those "netbooks" are most definitely still around.

[Turanil]

Okay, I don't answer the original post, but...

serleran wrote:
It is a cantrip that by waving your hand in the air and shouting "Hey, Bartender!", a well stocked bar and bartender are summoned to wherever you are. You can order anything you like from the bar, but you always get flat, warm beer.

That as a cantrip is over-munchkinism in my opinion. I would only allow a cantrip related to beer to give the taste of beer to a glass of water, with a duration of a few minutes before it fades.

The spell you describes is a conjuration-summoning spell, IMO of at least 3rd level (but you would get whatever drink you want).
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[serleran]

Of course its powerful; its a "joke spell." Sort of like the weapon that deals 100d100 damage.

[magehammer]

Back in the 80s, there were a number of joke spells in Dragon Magazine in various April issues. Like Bigby's Insulting Hand, Summon Ants (set up a picnic) and what not. Maybe it was one of those?
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[Dragondaddy]

TheNewGuy wrote:
Does anyone remember the source of the spell "Hey Bartender"?

^#@& Kids... interesting me in a search the library of arcane and ancient gaming literature for an obscure reference. This isn't in any of the JG Dungeoneer magazines, nor in any of the JG adventures. Maybe City-State of the World Emperor? I would venture a guess an early Dragon mag spell for munchkins, or one of the Arduin Grimiores.

I did find out who was really responsible for the combat and skills systems in D&D 3.x looking through these olde tomes.

I also found the first reference to a Cave Troll (The Glory Hole Dwarven Mine, for those that need to know). The illustration of the Cave Troll looks eerily similar to a Wookie though...

Then of course there are the Hell Trees, The Were-Golems, The Swamp Apes, and the Killgazers... Ahhh. The memories...

And if he's around, you should ask Jim Ward if he remembers designing The Pharoah's Tomb way back when we used stone dice, and settled game table disagreements the old-fashioned way, whoever had the biggest club won ...

[magehammer]

Is it me or does Dragondaddy sound drunk?

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[Harry Joy]

Guess what I found:
http://patyrsun.tripod.com/spells/spell ... eation.htm

Quote:
Summon Bartender Regular

The spell summons a circular bar with six barstools spaced evenly around it. In the middle of the circle, behind the bar, it is a silent barkeep, who will produce and serve any drink that the caster can name.

Only the caster can request drinks, although he can "buy" for other characters. The bartender will pour or mix drinks at the normal rate. The bar is well stocked, although no one can see the actual ingredients since they are kept under the bar except when the barkeep is pouring them.

If the mage wishes, the bar can also be liberally stocked with pretzels and other munchies. He can also specify the appearance of the bar and the stools, and the appearance of the bartender. Balrogs, golems, gorillas dressed in tuxedos, and mustachioed men in bowler hats have all been reported.

It is advisable to tip the barkeep well, though what constitutes a good tip is up to the GM's whim. At the GM's option, an especially good tip (or an amusing one), results in the bartender and his bar "sticking around" after the spell would normally end.

At the end of the spell, or if the bartender is threatened or attacked, or if someone tries to steal liquor from the bartender, the spell ends. The barkeep, any drinks, the stools and the bar (along with any tips) immediately wink out of existence.

The food and beverages produced are permanent and have their normal effects.

This is also a Food spell.

Duration: 10 minutes.

Cost: 3, 1 to maintain.

Casting Time: 2 seconds.

Prerequisites: Create Servant, Create Drink.

Item: Cocktail Shaker, Swizzle Stick or other item related to the consumption of alcohol. Energy Cost to Create: 250 points.

Author: Adapted from Bob Traynor ("Minor Magics for GURPS").

So, there you go. GURPS. Now, I'm pretty sure there's an older version, but I haven't found it yet.

[TheNewGuy]

Dragondaddy wrote:
^#@& Kids... interesting me in a search the library of arcane and ancient gaming literature for an obscure reference. This isn't in any of the JG Dungeoneer magazines, nor in any of the JG adventures. Maybe City-State of the World Emperor? I would venture a guess an early Dragon mag spell for munchkins, or one of the Arduin Grimiores.

Hahahaha! I'm no kid, DD. Ten gold pieces says we went to high school at the same time!
Others here, understandably, mentioned early net-book texts, but this spell predates the personal home computer. Sure, my physicist pal might have pulled it off the coal-burning, mainframe-style computer at the local university, with its pre-internet file transfer network, (yes my friend is so much the physicist, he was doing work up there "for fun" even as a young teenager) but I doubt it.

You know, DD, it might well have been the original "Invincible Overlord" or something from the Arduin Grimoire. Both were a part of our early gaming days, in some way or another.

But I still can't fricking remember. Apologies.

As Turanil suggests, it's a full spell -- too powerful to be a simple cantrip.

Harry's GURPS spell seems on the right track, but as Harry suggests himself, the GURPS version makes me think it's merely transcribed from an earlier source.

I probably won't see my physicist friend until summer (he's researching and lecturing, and the end of the school term is approaching), but when we all gather together for the Big Summer Game, I will get a copy of the spell from his notebook, and bring it here.

We need more clues! Perhaps I should've named this thread CSI: Greyhawk?
Thanks all,

TheNewGuy
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"But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you"

[Harry Joy]

I found it. The original. I did have it on my hard drive.

Quote:
Hey, Bartender!

Level: 3

Duration: Special

Casting Time: 3 segments

Saving Throw: None

Area of Effect: Special

Special Save: None

Components: M, S, V

Range: 1

This magic summons a humanoid figure and his cabinet filled with all sorts of spirits. He will politely inquire as to the

spell casters preference, and fill his order within one or two rounds. He will then disappear with his cabinet.

From The Tome of Mighty Magic, by North Pole Productions. Published in 1982.

[Dragondaddy]

Harry Joy wrote:
Guess what I found:
http://patyrsun.tripod.com/spells/spell ... eation.htm


So, there you go. GURPS. Now, I'm pretty sure there's an older version, but I haven't found it yet.

Heh, one of the original authors of GURPS Magic. Reference:
http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=s ... torid=3350

and Volume IX of the Thieves Guild, from Gamelords back in 1983. Now there some supplemental material I would definitely like to add to my archaic RPG library.

You could asked him. He's currently active with the Bostongamers Yahoo Group.

[Harry Joy]

Right. I found it. The original. I did have it on my hard drive.

Quote:
Hey, Bartender!

Level: 3

Duration: Special

Casting Time: 3 segments

Saving Throw: None

Area of Effect: Special

Special Save: None

Components: M, S, V

Range: 1

This magic summons a humanoid figure and his cabinet filled with all sorts of spirits. He will politely inquire as to the

spell casters preference, and fill his order within one or two rounds. He will then disappear with his cabinet.

From The Tome of Mighty Magic, by North Pole Productions. Published in 1982.

[serleran]

Quote:
The Tome of Mighty Magic

That was my next serious look. I had checked all the Arduin material and the Dragon Tree Spell Book. I'd also looked in The Spellcaster's Bible. Did not consider looking at stuff that was not D&D (or closely related) like GURPS 1e. ToMM is an odd book, that's for sure.

By the way, the "Mighty Tome" became the foundation for many net books, so it wasn't quite off to cite them.

[Dragondaddy]

Harry Joy wrote:
I found it. The original. I did have it on my hard drive.

From The Tome of Mighty Magic, by North Pole Productions. Published in 1982.

Woah. Now that is obscure.

[TheNewGuy]

Harry Joy wrote:
Right. I found it. The original. I did have it on my hard drive.


From The Tome of Mighty Magic, by North Pole Productions. Published in 1982.

That's it!!! That's the one!

Harry Joy, you are my hero for the day! All hail King Harry!

Thank you, good sir!

TheNewGuy
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"But if your hand touches metal, I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you"

[Harry Joy]

You are very welcome.

Oh, and Turanil?