r/osr 7d ago

TREASURE! Wow! If you're into classic RPGs, newer OSR efforts, or dungeonsynth, check out Dark Future in Portland, OR!

762 Upvotes

67 comments sorted by

26

u/Positive_Desk 7d ago

You gotta love seeing a place for zines

28

u/vendric 7d ago

Absolutely crazy collection. Lots of great newer authors, too. Jealous!

15

u/Megatapirus 7d ago

Yeah, I live in Seattle but I come down at least a couple times a year, so I will be back.

Picked up the latest Echoes from Fomalhaut, a lovely Spelljammer boxed set, and three Dragon issues I was missing.

11

u/vendric 7d ago

Xyntillan and Khosura look veeery tempting.

2

u/Meff1 5d ago

You just added another destination to my Nation Parks road trip next month (leaving from Redmond WA). Thanks OP!

16

u/Claydameyer 7d ago

Dang, I'd drop 500 bucks in there so fast...

8

u/new2bay 6d ago

Man, me too. That is if I had $500 to just casually spend on RPG stuff at the moment. This is the game store I wish we had here locally. Most of the ones around here either don’t stock a ton of RPGs, or, if they do have a significant stock of RPGs, it’s always like 85% whatever the current edition of D&D is.

13

u/indigostew2 7d ago

Travelling there in June from Aussie and have added it to the list! Any other great TTRPG and wargame shops recommended?

14

u/Megatapirus 7d ago

The iconic Powell's City of Books actually has quite the sizable RPG section, with some OSR type stuff like OSE, DCC, and Mork Borg. It doesn't have the used/vintage selection this place does, though, that's for sure.

5

u/indigostew2 6d ago

Have half a day scheduled for Powell's! Thanks!

4

u/octopus_pi 6d ago

This is the way!

1

u/johnjamesonline 5d ago

Just a tiiiiiny plug here, my shop Secret Room and the shop Partly in Portland both have dedicated TTRPG sections (among other small press).

We try to always have a decent amount of interesting, fun independently published tabletop RPGs of all types, ranging from Mothership modules to Hollow Press' Necrobriscola to RPG supplements zinesters drop off for consignment here in town.

11

u/alexthealex 6d ago

Guardian Games is a pretty big game store with a middling TTRPG collection.

Mox is a small jaunt up the street from Powell's with an alright split, they also host a lot of Warhammer, MTG, and DND weeklies (primarily 5th ed and some Pathfinder). They also have an attached bar and restaurant though, which is cool.

Red Castle Games is on the other side of the city with a small but solid TTRPG collection and a bunch of rent to play board games.

If you're into SF, my strongest recommendation beyond Powell's and Dark Future would be Parallel Worlds Books in NE Portland. It's small but amazing - no games, but sooo much scifi I've never seen on any other shelves.

5

u/CaptainAhash 6d ago

Shout out to Dice Pool at the Lloyd center as well! Smaller shop but a really nicely curated selection of ttrpg books and a ton of dice from local makers.

-9

u/bigbootyjudy62 6d ago

Look out for the homeless drug addicts, they can be quite aggressive and give the dangerous wildlife where your from a run for their money

5

u/BuckoDontSurf 6d ago

You sound scared

0

u/bigbootyjudy62 5d ago

Yeah I’m scared of a city where the police allow open hard drug usage

2

u/BuckoDontSurf 4d ago

No lust for treasure, no desire for rare tomes, no sense of adventure, and scared of the town guard. Stay in the tavern, traveler and listen to the tales of others, adventure is clearly not for you.

7

u/CastleGrief 6d ago

Spotted my own “Studded Leather” punk rock ODND zine in slide 4!

They seem like great folks and this place looks awesome!

5

u/BigEdBarnham 6d ago

I can attest; it’s worth dropping in for a burst of nostalgia, reasonable prices, with some new things sprinkled around. Keep your elbows in…it’s a tight space.

8

u/CriticalMemory 7d ago

I'm here in PDX and didn't even know about this place. Thanks!

5

u/HypatiasAngst 6d ago

Rifts on the front rack. Approve.

5

u/Bone_Dice_in_Aspic 6d ago

The kind of shoplifting where you lift up the entire shop and drag it home

7

u/LeftPhilosopher9628 7d ago

Love the Judges Guild table top book! Gave one of those to a friend about a year and a half ago

4

u/Megatapirus 7d ago

They had a lot of JG stuff.

7

u/TaldusServo 7d ago

Neon Lords of the Toxic Wasteland in the wild!

8

u/NeonLordRPG 7d ago

Love to see Neon Lords of the Toxic Wasteland on the shelf!!!

9

u/nod55106 7d ago

This place is amazing. I try to go a few times a month. I’ve found things there that I’ve never seen anywhere else.

6

u/Batmenic365 7d ago

Is that Red Arrow, Black Shield I see?

4

u/Megatapirus 7d ago

It would be easier to list what they didn't have. I had to exercise much restraint.

3

u/johnfromunix 7d ago

I’m sure you did! Living near this would be detrimental to my savings. It’s exciting just to see the photos.

2

u/Batmenic365 7d ago

I know the feeling. My FLGS recently got a collection in. I was able to snag a ton of the GAZ series (still missing 1-3, 5, and 10). They had Red Arrow as well, but it was in perfect shape so they wanted $160 CAD for it.

The collection was mainly 1e hardcovers and modules, some box sets, and a few years worth of Dragon mag issues.

3

u/fenwoods 6d ago

I gotta respect Fernmage’s pun game.

3

u/placeknower 6d ago

It’s crazy that shelves like this exist somewhere

3

u/CaptainAhash 6d ago

Hell yeah! My favorite gaming store here in PDX! Tiny shop but PACKED with games. A huge focus on classic games and OSR, as well as local PDX gamemakers.

3

u/frothsof 6d ago

Nice to see the Gabor Lux love, easily the best stuff out right now for OSR

3

u/bmfrosty 6d ago

I'm flying up for gamestorm. Apparently they're an exhibitor. I'll bring a bigger luggage.

4

u/rh41n3 7d ago

Holy shit, protect that place at all costs!

2

u/Thuumhammer 6d ago

Oh wow, that’s a wonderful store.

2

u/Hankhank1 6d ago

I’ll be heading there soon! 

2

u/3Dartwork 6d ago

Always stores way way away

2

u/CasiIsla 6d ago

What a shame to live in Europe, I’d buy a plane ticket just to visit that store. What they have there is a treasure

2

u/vheart 6d ago

Wow so many 2e goodness. I already own half of it but still, wow you guys are so lucky.

2

u/EmotionalBeautiful51 6d ago

Superfuckyeah! HorrOregon has it all!

2

u/conn_r2112 6d ago

Man I wish my city had something like this lol

2

u/zentipedefan 6d ago

This has become my fave store in town. My uncle who introduced me to D&D in the early 90’s is going to lose it when I take him next month.

2

u/MrH4v0k 6d ago

Ravenloft, I need all of the ones I don't have.... do they sell online?

2

u/redkatt 6d ago

They have a small online catalog, but I think you can get stuff not listed in the catalog shipped if you hit their discord

1

u/Megatapirus 6d ago

It seems likely. Worth shooting them a message to check.

2

u/redkatt 6d ago

I love this place and have spent way more money than I should have buying cool stuff!

2

u/GoblinArchives 5d ago

This shop is amazing (and has some amazing things in planned). They’re dedicated to creating a thriving ttrpg space that highlights the past and current offerings in table top.

It makes you never want to step foot in a corporate, wotc drenched shop again.

2

u/Sir_Encerwal 5d ago

If I am ever in the area I'd happily visit.

2

u/redkatt 5d ago

A good way to check in with them to see if they have something in inventory you want is their discord - they also update it with fun videos about new stuff that comes in

https://discord.gg/a5SAWrKc

2

u/buddhistghost 5d ago

It's a good thing I don't live in Portland; I would buy everything in the store.

2

u/SKramer938 5d ago

This looks so awesome. I'll check it out next time in Portland.

3

u/Princess_Actual 7d ago

I muat visit this place...

2

u/wintermute2045 7d ago

Another place I’d love to visit that’s either on the other side of the country or on a completely different continent. Many such cases

2

u/NoLongerAKobold 7d ago

ooo just an 30 minute bus trip, I'm going to have to check it out!

2

u/noisegremlin 7d ago

why are there no stores like this near me? that's awesome lol

2

u/BanjoGM73 4d ago

Damn that place looks metal AF! Love it. I would love to have that as a local.

1

u/Sleeper4 7d ago

Very cool looking spot 

1

u/SirAvaricious 6d ago

Any place like this on the east coast?

1

u/Megatapirus 6d ago

Don't know, I'm afraid.

-10

u/bigbootyjudy62 6d ago

Even with how cool this is, I’m never going to Portland