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Original D&D Discussion :: Other TSR Classics :: Warriors of Mars (1974) :: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
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AuthorTopic: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game (Read 4,198 times)
doc
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #15 on Mar 9, 2008, 3:31pm »
Since today was a rainy day and the kids were home we decided to make some characters for a possible upcoming Barsoom game (they thought I made the whole setting until I showed 'em the books). Whilst my kids came up with a Red Martian scout and a White Martian Berserker, it was my wife who surprised me not only by sitting down and expressing an interest (very rare for her), but also in coming up with an awesome character concept.

Three words: Green. Martian. Gunslinger.

I can't WAIT to run this!

Doc
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #16 on Mar 9, 2008, 7:19pm »
Very cool. Am seriously considering at least using the OD&D Barsoom stuff in a tribute game if not running on a Barsoom.
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Hope this helps and as always YMMV.
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #17 on Mar 9, 2008, 9:10pm »

Quote:
Three words: Green. Martian. Gunslinger.

Wow. :o

That could be the first character concept that combines ODandD with Boot Hill with Warriors of Mars. Heck, it inspires me for an entire campaign.

I know that Space 1889 uses tech and mars (and even ERB's own works combine gins and swords) but I never thought of the gunslinger concept applied to mars....
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #18 on Mar 9, 2008, 9:39pm »
When I described green martians to Cait, she asked why on Earth (Mars?) they would use swords instead of guns if they had four arms and the guns were revolvers. They could just wade into battle with a gun in each hand. Heck, if their DEX is high enough they could even fire two guns while using their lower set of arms and hands to load another.

So I said "sure,why not?"

Doc
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #19 on Mar 10, 2008, 9:43am »
A good point about green martians and their multiple six-gun atttacks, but don't forget to penalize them for off-handed attacks. Left handed ... right handed ... upper-left handed ... lower-right handed ....? Eek.

What is the term for "ambidextrous" if you have more than two arms? Quad-dextrous? What if they have three dominant hands? Tri-dextrous?

My brain hurts.
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #20 on Jun 1, 2008, 2:25pm »
THE SCOUT

The last major character type for Barsoomian campaigns, the scout is a skilled loner, used to operating alone behind enemy lines to gather information or steal important items. Although he is no assassin, the scout is skilled in using sneak attacks to dispatch opponents quickly and silently. Scouts are usually trained and employed in the larger, more warlike cities, such as Helium, Gathol, Jahar, and Zodanga.

Scouts use a 6 sided hit dice, at they are not meant to be stand-up warriors who make a living of going toe-to-toe with the enemy. They use the same experience table as the thief. Scouts prefer to travel light, and rarely carry the complete warrior’s kit. Usually a short blade and dagger are all they will be found with, taking flight if faced with opposition that might not be able to be taken out by stealth.

Scouts are expert trackers. A scout can track an opponent who is no more than one day ahead of him by rolling beneath a certain number on 2d6.

For every day beyond the first, the scout must add +1 penalty to the roll. A natural roll of 2 will allow for a successful day of tracking no matter the number of days head start of the prey.

A scout is specially trained in stealthy movement and keeping to the shadows. The scout can move silently and remain unseen by rolling beneath a certain number on 2d6.

Level 1-2.…. 5 or under
Level 3-4.…. 6 or under
Level 5-6.…. 7 or under
Level 7-8.…. 8 or under
Level 8-10.…9 or under
Level 11-12...10 or under

Out of necessity, the scout can dispatch an opponent quickly if they can take them by surprise (by DM caveat, but often by making a successful stealth roll). A scout of level 1-4 does double damage on a successful sneak attack. At levels 5-8 it increases to triple damage. By level 9 and beyond they can do four times normal damage on a successful sneak attack.

Much like the Gorthan, the scouts of Barsoom are not as bound by the strict codes of honor that permeate Martian society. A known scout is not expected to adhere to the honor code as strictly as common warriors, for the very nature of their profession implies that they must sometimes perform ignoble deeds in behalf of their kingdom. It is considered impertinent to point out a scout’s lack of honor.

If captured, a scout is expected to take his own life rather than confessing his allegiance.

Doc


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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #21 on Jun 1, 2008, 8:39pm »
The Barsoomian answer to Cait's question, of course, is that it would be "ignoble" or "dishonorable." John Carter could also have gone in for mowing down enemies with radium-guns ... but he did not.

Another answer is that what goes around comes around. A sniper can be thousands of yards away (or farther, if you take ERB's range estimate as canon) and behind cover. A Green Martian on the open desert makes a nice, big target.

Then there are all those missed rounds. If fired at night, they don't explode until sunrise ...
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #22 on Jan 11, 2009, 6:31pm »
Okay, I have made documents in both Word and RTF of my Barsoom notes, correcting all of the typos and adding in some new stuff as well. I still plan to add some more stuff, like rules for vehicles and tech stuff, but that's best saved for a day when I have time to sit and type.

In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy....

http://sites.google.com/site/docsplacesite/


Doc

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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #23 on Jan 11, 2009, 8:03pm »

Jan 11, 2009, 6:31pm, doc wrote:
Okay, I have made documents in both Word and RTF of my Barsoom notes


Good stuff, Doc. Thanks for sharing.
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #24 on Jan 11, 2009, 9:16pm »
Hey Doc,
You should add your barbarian, and the Thundarr ideas...
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #25 on Jan 11, 2009, 9:39pm »
Thanks for the Barsoom update!
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #26 on Sept 15, 2009, 3:06am »
Wow Doc, thanks very much! I've been on one of my obsessive web-searches for Barsoom rpg'ing, and this looks great!
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #27 on Dec 4, 2009, 11:59am »
THIS

IS

GREAT

STUFF!!!

I would love to get some expansion material for this (additional critters like calots, maybe rules for air boats, etc) add in some illustrations, and make up a yahoo group.

Would this be okay? If so, could we get some additional submissions? Also, who should be credited?

THANKS!
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #28 on Dec 4, 2009, 5:54pm »
It's certainly okay with me. Any gaming stuff I post on these boards may be considered fair game for others to take and add on to for their own purposes, as long as they post how the game sessions go.

Doc
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Re: Doc's OD&D Barsoom Game
« Reply #29 on Dec 6, 2009, 8:04am »

Dec 4, 2009, 11:59am, gloriousbattle wrote:
I would love to get some expansion material for this (additional critters like calots, maybe rules for air boats, etc) add in some illustrations, and make up a yahoo group.

Just curious ... what would you do with a Yahoo group? We have space for posting and discussing ideas right here. Also, if you wanted to run a PBP game I probably could open up some space for it. All we would be lacking is actual file storage....

Having said that, if you go the Yahoo route be sure to post a link here somewhere. :-)
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Marv / Finarvyn
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