Adventures in Fantasy? « Thread Started on Dec 3, 2007, 5:16pm »
I have been trying for some time to track down a copy of Dave Arneson's Adventures in Fantasy from the late 70's without much luck. Let me ask: for those of you who have seen, played, or own the game, what is your impression of it? What can you tell us about the game, setting, characters, etc? I'd appreciate any info.
Joined: Sept 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 942 Karma: 27
Re: Adventures in Fantasy? « Reply #2 on Dec 3, 2007, 6:22pm »
I don't remember much, because I didn't actually play it before I gave it away (no thought of it as a "collector's item" 'sigh').
Here's my vague and unreliable take: It had skills somewhat as in The Fantasy Trip, and made much use of percentile rolls. The chance of avoiding damage figured more than increases in hit points. Combat used hit locations.
I may be inserting an anachronism from FFC, but I think one got experience points by spending treasure on special interests.
Both faerie and dragons got quite a bit of special attention. Magic used spell points. The overall feel was fairly distinctive, a slight departure from D&D.
Again, that's IIRC (in this case, a dicey prospect). Here's hoping someone with more recent exposure can better help you!
Joined: Sept 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 942 Karma: 27
Re: Adventures in Fantasy? « Reply #3 on Dec 3, 2007, 6:45pm »
FWIW, here's a character writeup from Chaosium's Thieves' World:
SAMLOR hil SAMT Caravan Master (exp) Minor Mage (exp. lev 3) Fighter (exp. lev 12) AGE: 31 STRENGTH: 85 CONSTITUTION: 90 STATUS: 20 DEXTERITY: 90 STAMINA: 62 EXPERIENCE: 16 INTELLIGENCE: 84 HEALTH: 68 REPUTATION: 100!* CHARISMA: 40 HIT DICE: 18 points
SKILLS: ONE Read TWO Figure THREE Speak two other languages FIVE, SIX Physical Training I, II SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE Horsemanship I, II, III TEN, TWELVE, FOURTEEN, EIGHTEEN Bow, Sword, Lance, Spear, Dagger, Shield TWENTY-FOUR Husbandry
MAGICAL ABILITIES: Can cast up to three 1-2 point spells Knows the following Lawful spells: Light, Protection from Chaos Knows the following Non-Alignment spells: Gambling, Open Door, Find Gold Knows the following Neutral spells: Charisma, Rhetoric 80% chance to know any Non-Alignment spell up to six points Has 24 spell points a day, six points a turn *Get credit for being the champion of one god and cheating another and see what it does for you!
Finarvyn Administrator Dungeon Master member is offline
Joined: Jun 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 4,674 Location: Near Chicago Karma: 178
Re: Adventures in Fantasy? « Reply #5 on Dec 5, 2007, 10:23pm »
Personally, I was turned off by the game even though I really wanted to like it. The writing style is a little obscure and tricky to follow, and the rules are full of equations if you like mathematics in your games. Every time I sit down to read Adventures in Fantasy my mind tends to drift away. It simply doesn't capture the same feel as OD&D, in my opinion.
Marv / Finarvyn DCC playtester (2011) C&C playtester (2003) I'm partly responsible for the S&W WhiteBox Builder of the TrollBridge Master of Mutants; MA since 1976 OD&D Player since 1975
"Don't ask me what you need to hit. Just roll the die and I will let you know!" - Dave Arneson
Personally, I was turned off by the game even though I really wanted to like it. The writing style is a little obscure and tricky to follow, and the rules are full of equations if you like mathematics in your games. Every time I sit down to read Adventures in Fantasy my mind tends to drift away. It simply doesn't capture the same feel as OD&D, in my opinion.
I have a copy. I aint telling how much I paid for it The part of the game that is most appealing to me is the section on Bleakwood and the handful of other connections to the FFC.
Joined: Nov 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 101 Location: Great Underground Empire Karma: 2
Re: Adventures in Fantasy? « Reply #8 on Nov 13, 2011, 9:05pm »
I've only seen it once, at my uncles, but I remember it was based more upon folklore and traditional fairy stories, as opposed to Tolkien worlds like D&D. I remember in particular the Elves which were mostly malevolent little creatures, a farcry from the peaceful bowmen and mages we normally see.
Joined: Oct 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 32 Location: Scotland Karma: 2
Re: Adventures in Fantasy? « Reply #9 on Feb 23, 2012, 9:16am »
I quite liked the character creation, once you were past your ability scores - IIRC, you were given 'X' number of months to train your character, and could choose all manner of skills - Physical Training, Languages, Sailor, Hunter, Blacksmith, Axe, Bow, etc etc.
But the actual mechanics of the game were pretty poor, and we never even attempted to play it.
I still have a copy in my loft, which I borrowed from a friend many years ago - he passed away twelve years ago, sadly, and I've no idea what he did with my copy of Dragon Pass, so I guess we're even!
Personally, I was turned off by the game even though I really wanted to like it. The writing style is a little obscure and tricky to follow, and the rules are full of equations if you like mathematics in your games. Every time I sit down to read Adventures in Fantasy my mind tends to drift away. It simply doesn't capture the same feel as OD&D, in my opinion.
Re: Adventures in Fantasy? « Reply #11 on Feb 23, 2012, 3:32pm »
I have a copy and I love the rules for dragons. I intend to apply them in my own campaign. Basically, DA gives you tables to play with to make each dragon utterly unique and a real, and ongoing, challenge for the players to cope with.
Re: Adventures in Fantasy? « Reply #12 on Apr 6, 2012, 6:51am »
I have a copy of this that it still sealed in shrink and throw box front is signed by Richard Snider and Dave in blue pen under the shrink. Been debating for awile on whether to open it up or keep Minty. I got it for cheap
I have a copy of this that it still sealed in shrink and throw box front is signed by Richard Snider and Dave in blue pen under the shrink. Been debating for awile on whether to open it up or keep Minty. I got it for cheap
A really tough one. My gut feel is that books and games are made to be read and played, but there is a certain collectable side of me that wouldn't want to break the shrinkwrap. Maybe the solution is to try to sell your copy to a collector and buy one cheaper that you can read. That way it stays in mint condition, you get to read one, and you make a profit at the same time.
Marv / Finarvyn DCC playtester (2011) C&C playtester (2003) I'm partly responsible for the S&W WhiteBox Builder of the TrollBridge Master of Mutants; MA since 1976 OD&D Player since 1975
"Don't ask me what you need to hit. Just roll the die and I will let you know!" - Dave Arneson
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