Anyone wanna play OD&D Hommlet?

[TheMyth]

I've been having a ball playing in WaysoftheEarth's Deep in the Hinterlands online game, so I was thinking about starting my own game too.

I've been making a few house rules to go along with an OD&D hack of T1 The Village of Hommlet. Basically, it'll be some new class rules coupled with a slightly modified backstory (specifically, no Temple of Elemental Evil, no Battle of Emridy Meadows, etc.). The core will be the 3 LBB though.

If anyone might be interested, I can post more details.

[tombowings]

I'd be up for giving it a try.

[Random]

I could be up for it. I actually don't own T1.

[eris]

I might be interested, too. Tell us more!

[EdOWar]

I'd like to hear more as well.

[TheMyth]

Cool. I'll see what I have ready to post later.

Here's some intro text:




Post on message board outside the Inn of the Welcome Wench:

His Most Worshipful Mage of Hommlet
~ Burne ~
Seeks Brave Volunteers
To Explore and Map
Newly Discovered Passages
Under the Hill.

Worthy applicants may apply within.

P.S. Most major details of the module will be changed, so anyone who owns the module, played it, or even just read it (or played the video game) will still find a few surprises.

[geordie]

I'm well up for it, c'mon !

[TheMyth]

Okay! Let's give you some character creation ideas to see who's excited!

So far, interested parties are:

tombowings S 14 I 14 W 8 C 11 D 16 Ch 8
Random S 5 I 15 W 14 C 7 D 11 Ch 12
eris S 15 I 7 W 7 C 15 D 9 Ch 11
EdOWar S 15 I 5 W 15 C 12 D 12 Ch 13
geordie S 9 I 12 W 16 C 11 D 11 Ch 9

You may make one switch of 2 scores. Players can then modify scores even further:
-Fighting-Men can reduce Intelligence by 2 (down to 9) to gain 1 point of Strength. They can also reduce Wisdom by 3 (down to 9) to gain 1 point to Strength.
-Magic-Users can reduce Wisdom by 2 points (down to 9) to gain 1 point to Intelligence.
-Clerics can reduce Strength by 3 points (down to 9) to gain 1 point to Wisdom. They can also reduce Intelligence by 2 (down to 9) to gain 1 point to Wisdom.
-Hobbits can reduce Strength by 2 points to gain 1 point to Dexterity.
-Dwarves can reduce Charisma by 2 points to gain 1 point to Constitution.
-Elves cannot adjust their scores beyond the one switch.



Here are some of my house rules for classes:

There will be 6 basic character classes -- 3 human and 3 demi-human -- each linked to an ability score.

Fighting-Man, a Human soldier devoted to the mastery of arms

-Prime requisite: Strength
-Use all arms & armor.
-Detect Secret Passages: 1-2 on d6
-Open Doors: 1-2 on d6 (1-3 on d6 if Strength 13+; 1 on d6 if small, light or Strength < 9)
-Detect Traps: 1-2 on d6
-Listen at Doors: 1 on d6
-Gain a +1 to attack with a Favored Weapon type (e.g. spears, swords, bows) at 1st level. (Can be switched when a new level is gained.)
-Gain multiple attacks with favored weapon at higher levels.
-Can fight with 2 weapons (in lieu of a shield)

Magic-User, a Human endowed with the uncanny ability to use magic spells.

-Prime requisite: Intelligence
-Use only daggers and staves, but no armor.
-Detect Secret Passages: 1-2 on d6
-Open Doors: 1-2 on d6 (1-3 on d6 if Strength 13+; 1 on d6 if small, light or Strength < 9)
-Detect Traps: 1-2 on d6
-Listen at Doors: 1 on d6
-Use spellbooks to memorize spells. At level 1, the spells included in all spellbooks are Detect Magic, Hold Portal, Read Magic, Read Languages, Protection from Danger (Evil), Light, Darkness, Charm Person, Sleep, plus 1-3 more special spells depending on INT.
Conduct spell research.
-Use Dweomercraft, the ability of a Magic-User to create rudimentary magical effects. Magic-Users can perform a number of minor magical spells equal to one-half Intelligence score; the most common magical effects a beginning M-U can know being Glow Ball, Hypnotize, Mask, Mystic Hand, Phantom Sound, Prank, Prestidigitation, Spark, Ventriloquism.
-Manufacture magic items when they become Wizards.

Cleric, a Human blessed with the ability to channel the power of their faith

-Prime requisite: Wisdom
-Use all armor, but only blunt weapons (including the sling)
-Detect Secret Passages: 1-2 on d6
-Open Doors: 1-2 on d6 (1-3 on d6 if Strength 13+; 1 on d6 if small, light or Strength < 9)
-Detect Traps: 1-2 on d6
-Listen at Doors: 1 on d6
-Turn Undead (if Lawful or Neutral)
-Use prayerbooks to memorize spells. At 1st level, the spells included in the prayerbooks are Cure Light Wounds, Purify Food & Water, Detect Magic, Detect Evil, Protection from Danger (Evil), Light, plus a spell created by their chosen faith. Chaotic Anti-Clerics typically cast reversed spells, but any Cleric spell can be reversed (Lawful Clerics must do so carefully or they will lose their powers as punishment).
-Conduct spell research.
-Gain a Benediction (special power) at 1st level based on their religious affiliation.
-Religions of the campaign world: The Great Church (Lawful), The Secret Church (Chaotic), The Holy Brotherhood (Any), The Servants of Saint Cuthbert (Lawful), The Servants of Saint Carmichael (Lawful), The Servants of The Bringer (Lawful or Neutral), The Druids (Neutral)

Dwarf, a stocky tinkerer skilled at the workings of stone, metal, and earth

-Prime requisite: Constitution.
-Advance in level, hit dice, saving throws and fight as Clerics
-Use all arms & armor.
-Use magic items as Fighting-Men (and anything related to earth, stone, and metal).
-Detect Secret Passages: 1-2 on d6
-Open Doors: 1-2 on d6 (1-3 on d6 if Strength 13+; 1 on d6 if small, light or Strength < 9)
-Detect Traps: 1-4 on d6 for Dwarves
-Listen at Doors: 1-2 on d6
-Know 3 extra languages: Gnome, Kobold, Goblin
-Hard for Giants to hit (+2 to armor class).
-See underground in torchlight as if full daylight.
-Detect slanting passages, identify new construction, and spot shifting walls (1-4 on d6).
-They DO NOT Turn Undead.
-Learn Runes as they advance as per Cleric spell chart (instead of spells).

Hobbit, a small, plucky warrior from a race of gentle farmers

-Prime requisite: Dexterity.
-Advance in level as Fighting-Men.
-Use all arms & armor, so long as they are sized to be used by such a small warrior.
-Hit points rolled as Fighting-Men, but then HALVED (round up, then modify for CON).
-Make saving throws as a Fighting-Men of 4 levels higher.
-Detect Secret Passages: 1-2 on d6
-Open Doors: 1 on d6 (1-2 on d6 if Strength 13+)
-Detect Traps: 1-2 on d6
-Listen at Doors: 1-2 on d6
-Hide to become virtually invisible (with sufficient cover: 1-4 on d6)
-Hard for larger creatures to hit in combat (+2 to AC vs. Giants; +1 vs. Humans, etc.)
-Dead-shots with slings and thrown weapons, gaining +1 to attack with those weapons.

Elf, a fey creature from the mysterious deep woods

-Prime requisite: Charisma.
-Advance in level, hit dice, saving throws, and fight as Magic-Users.
-Use all arms, but can only wear leather armor, elfin chain mail, and magical armor.
-Can use most magic items, including those restricted to Clerics.
-Detect Secret Passages: 1-4 on d6; sense doors on 1-2 on d6 when passing by
-Open Doors: 1-2 on d6 (1-3 on d6 if Strength 13+; 1 on d6 if small, light or Strength < 9)
-Detect Traps: 1-2 on d6
-Listen at Doors: 1-2 on d6
-Know 3 extra languages: Orc, Hobgoblin, Gnoll
-See in starlight or moonlight as full daylight when above ground at night.
-Fire bows and move immediately thereafter (aka split-move-fire)
-Know woods-lore (tracking, hunting, etc. 1-4 on d6).
-Elves do not use spellbooks or spells like Magic-users; they learn the power of Glamour as they advance, which are spell-like abilities that, once mastered, cannot be forgotten. At 1st level, choose one: Beast-Speech (like Speak with Animals), Cloak of Invisibility (like Invisibility), Faerie Lights (like Dancing Faerie Fire), Fascination (like Charm Person), Lightfoot Boots (like Elven Boots), Magic Arrows (like the magic item), Misty Haze (like Obscurement + Blur), Purifying Touch (like Purify Food & Drink), Second Sight (like Detect Magic or Detect Invisible)


Any questions or feedback?

[Random]

I was thinking of rolling with a magic-user, but I would ask whether to round up or down with regard to the dweomercraft (in how many are given)?

As for availability, I'm mostly busy for the next couple of days, but should be generally not busy for the rest of the semester. I have just one final. (Finals are next week.) Anyways, shall we roll gold for equipment, or shall you? (I guess you'll do HP after class is chosen.)

[geordie]

Good stuff, like the rules !

geordie S 9 I 12 W 16 C 11 D 11 Ch 9

Alright, I'll swap Wisdom and Charisma, and make my character an Elf, picking the glamour Fascination.

Elf: S 9 I 12 W 9 C 11 D 11 Ch 16

[EdOWar]

EdOWar S 15 I 5 W 15 C 12 D 12 Ch 13

I'll switch Wisdom and Dexterity (I'm assuming Dex bonus applies to AC?):

S 15 I 5 W 12 C 12 D 15 Ch 13

So, I'll make a Figther, reducing Wisdom by 3 (to 9) to increase Strength by 1 (to 16):

S 16, I 5, W 9, C 12, D 15, Ch 13

[Random]

Magic-user.
Decrease wisdom by 2 twice (4 total, down to 10) to increase intelligence from 15 to 17.
Str 5, Int 17, Wis 10, Con 7, Dex 11, Cha 12

[TheMyth]

Apr 28, 2010 13:39:37 GMT -6 Random said:

Magic-user.
Decrease wisdom by 2 twice (4 total, down to 10) to increase intelligence from 15 to 17.
Str 5, Int 17, Wis 10, Con 7, Dex 11, Cha 12

You get all nine Dweomers!

Here's how they'll work...generally...

When you use it, I'll roll a save vs. spell. If you succeed, it's a free use. If you fail, then all future uses will require a save, which, if failed, produces no effect. I'll write up more details on them tonight.

Hold off on gold for a bit. I'm going to give everyone a combination of already-bought equipment and starting cash.

[TheMyth]

Apr 28, 2010 10:02:26 GMT -6 @geordie said:

Good stuff, like the rules !

geordie S 9 I 12 W 16 C 11 D 11 Ch 9

Alright, I'll swap Wisdom and Charisma, and make my character an Elf, picking the glamour Fascination.

Elf: S 9 I 12 W 9 C 11 D 11 Ch 16

Thanks for liking the rules!

Elfin Glamours are spell-like abilities. Once per day (if well-rested), you will be able to give off an aura of Fascination, effectively enthralling anyone in your close proximity who does not resist (save vs. spells). Mechanics-wise, the more creatures you enthrall, the weaker the ability. As an area effect, you will simply hold the enthrallees' attention. Against a small number (say up to the number of potential hirelings by Charisma), you will be seen as a trusted friend and until you use the power again. If the Elf so chooses, he or she can Fascinate one creature, making him or her a completely loyal, devoted ally/servant; in such a case, the creature becomes an NPC henchman and the Elf cannot use this power again while this devoted ally serves him or her.

[TheMyth]

Apr 28, 2010 10:14:10 GMT -6 EdOWar said:

EdOWar S 15 I 5 W 15 C 12 D 12 Ch 13

I'll switch Wisdom and Dexterity (I'm assuming Dex bonus applies to AC?):

S 15 I 5 W 12 C 12 D 15 Ch 13

So, I'll make a Figther, reducing Wisdom by 3 (to 9) to increase Strength by 1 (to 16):

S 16, I 5, W 9, C 12, D 15, Ch 13

Awesome character build!

Are you thinking your character will be a board-and-sword type or a two-weapon fighter? Also, Fighting-Men who use two-handed weapons like the two-handed sword can roll 2d6 for damage, taking the higher of the two rolls.

I'll post some basic (house) rules for combat later.

[eris]

Looks like a Fighting-Man for me!

I'll switch Dex and Chr, not that it usually matters at 11 and 9 but I'd rather have a slightly higher dexterity than a slightly higher charisma. <shrug>

eris S 15 I 7 W 7 C 15 D 11 Ch 9

So, Dax Rhone, human Fighting-Man, is strong and has a good constitution, he has slightly above average dexterity and slightly below charisma, but is pretty much dumb as a rock. Dax is expert with his sword and shield and has a passing skill with other weapons, but if it isn't a matter of "see it, hit it, kill it" he's pretty much at a loss.

[tombowings]

Here enter's Bodin Grizzlebeard, the gruff dwarven smith and inventor. After switching his Dexterity and Constitution, Bodin's ability scores look like this:

S 14 I 14 W 8 C 16 D 11 Ch 8

[TheMyth]

Great!

A Dwarf, an Elf, a Magic-user, and 2 Fighting-Men!

If no one else wants to try out the game, I might just send along an NPC or 2 to help out too.

I have decided to try this Play-by-post on my own forum, so I'll be migrating stuff over there today.

If you all want to scamper over to underthehill.s2.bizhat.com/underthehill.html when you get a chance, I might be able to get you all started by the weekend!

I hope to have character creation done by tomorrow, then you'll be plopped at the Inn to await your meeting with Burne, the Mage of the Guard Tower!
You should be under the hill by Friday's end. *Mwahahaha*

As for posting speed, don't worry too much. I've never run a PbP before, but I have played in a few, so I expect a bit of a learning curve. I hope you all can post about twice a day, and I hope we can all be patient when offline snafus prevent it.

Hope we have fun!

[EdOWar]

Apr 28, 2010 14:05:31 GMT -6 TheMyth said:

Apr 28, 2010 10:14:10 GMT -6 EdOWar said:

EdOWar S 15 I 5 W 15 C 12 D 12 Ch 13

I'll switch Wisdom and Dexterity (I'm assuming Dex bonus applies to AC?):

S 15 I 5 W 12 C 12 D 15 Ch 13

So, I'll make a Figther, reducing Wisdom by 3 (to 9) to increase Strength by 1 (to 16):

S 16, I 5, W 9, C 12, D 15, Ch 13

Awesome character build!

Are you thinking your character will be a board-and-sword type or a two-weapon fighter? Also, Fighting-Men who use two-handed weapons like the two-handed sword can roll 2d6 for damage, taking the higher of the two rolls.

I'll post some basic (house) rules for combat later.

Thanks. I'm thinking sword-n-board for this character. A longsword (favored weapon) and a shield. Combined with platemail and a +1 Dex bonus (if applicable) that should give me an AC of 1, if I'm not mistaken (which I might be as I'm not completely familiar with the LBBs).

Edit: Ah, I see from your forum post that Dex will not give a bonus to AC. I'll still stick with sword-n-board though, that should still be AC 2, if I'm not mistaken.

[TheMyth]

Apr 28, 2010 15:37:21 GMT -6 EdOWar said:

Apr 28, 2010 14:05:31 GMT -6 TheMyth said:

Awesome character build!

Are you thinking your character will be a board-and-sword type or a two-weapon fighter? Also, Fighting-Men who use two-handed weapons like the two-handed sword can roll 2d6 for damage, taking the higher of the two rolls.

I'll post some basic (house) rules for combat later.

Thanks. I'm thinking sword-n-board for this character. A longsword (favored weapon) and a shield. Combined with platemail and a +1 Dex bonus (if applicable) that should give me an AC of 1, if I'm not mistaken (which I might be as I'm not completely familiar with the LBBs).

Edit: Ah, I see from your forum post that Dex will not give a bonus to AC. I'll still stick with sword-n-board though, that should still be AC 2, if I'm not mistaken.

Yep, I decided to nix the DEX bonus to armor class. But Plate Mail + Helmet+ Shield will be AC2. More posted later on that though!

[Random]

I don't especially want to clutter up your nice new board, but where shall we post our character summaries? (or "character sheets," whatever)

[TheMyth]

Apr 28, 2010 18:28:53 GMT -6 Random said:

I don't especially want to clutter up your nice new board, but where shall we post our character summaries? (or "character sheets," whatever)

Until they're close to being finalized, let's post them under "Character Creation Discussion." You can add onto the "Pre-move character summaries" via reply.

I'll also take this opportunity to invite anyone here at ODD74 to join over there if they just want to watch/observe...or even join later.

[eris]

Apr 28, 2010 15:32:25 GMT -6 TheMyth said:

Great!

A Dwarf, an Elf, a Magic-user, and 2 Fighting-Men!

If no one else wants to try out the game, I might just send along an NPC or 2 to help out too.

I have decided to try this Play-by-post on my own forum, so I'll be migrating stuff over there today.

If you all want to scamper over to underthehill.s2.bizhat.com/underthehill.html when you get a chance, I might be able to get you all started by the weekend!

I hope to have character creation done by tomorrow, then you'll be plopped at the Inn to await your meeting with Burne, the Mage of the Guard Tower!
You should be under the hill by Friday's end. *Mwahahaha*

As for posting speed, don't worry too much. I've never run a PbP before, but I have played in a few, so I expect a bit of a learning curve. I hope you all can post about twice a day, and I hope we can all be patient when offline snafus prevent it.

Hope we have fun!

TheMyth,

I went over to your board last night and registered, but I never got the confirmation email, so I couldn't reply to it and I can't log in. I can't even try to re-register because the system says my email account has already been registered. I still want to play, but it appears I'm going to need some assistance from you getting activated on your board.

Eris

[Thorulfr]

It looks like you folks could use a cleric, so count me in, if you'll have me.

[Deleted]

I just saw this. Are you still accepting new players?

[Random]

I can't log into my account there for whatever reason.

[geordie]

The Myth has closed the game. There's a strongly-worded message in the admin thread.

[Random]

To TheMyth:

Well, since I'm locked out of the game board and cannot comment, I guess I am forced to respond here (since this thread prompted the game in the first place) with my own strongly-worded message. And yes, I am doing this in public rather than via PM, TheMyth, as you will be more inclined to actually read it and give reasonable response if you know everyone else can read how ridiculous this is. I am very disappointed that you publicly made a flat-out personal verbal attack upon me, yet cheated me of a chance to respond.

Nice link in your sig, Random. I guess typing a few more characters in a signature line was just TOO hard for you to do.

By the way, this game is so over.

Guys, thanks a lot. Some of you might have been fun to play with, but I have now encountered every horrible Gamer stereotype that drives me nuts:

Gamers who want all sorts of special gear to fit some weird character stereotype they crafted in their heads that doesn't match the materials at hand.

Gamers who need to take control of the game when they don't like how it's being run.

Gamers who refuse to type a short character summary in a signature EVEN WHEN THEY WERE THE ONE who "suggested" everyone do it in the first place.

Gamers who don't really like roleplaying but who can't be bothered to play along even a bit or let a DM know they're bored.

Oh, and the ever-loving disappearing gamer.

I'd say it's been nice, but it hasn't.

You, random, have been an absolute joy since the beginning, though:

1- You demanded I change the posting lapse time. Next time, try ASKING instead of demanding. It's called politeness; explore it.

2- You took control of creating a plethora of forum threads and then EXPECTED me to actually follow them. They were your f**king threads. If I had wanted a thread on that topic, I would have created it.

3- You refused to follow simple instructions. Instead you wanted to "link" to some shirt that I don't want a f**king link to (like the marching order thread you created with all sorts of bad data) and your character sheet (which side-stepped the reason I needed the info in your sig at all). Just FOLLOW THE FREAKING INSTRUCTIONS. It's not that hard. You know it's not.

4- You make assumptions...

5- Because you can't (or don't want to) read.

In short, random, kiss something random.

You're just a gamer-bully.

The forum will be deleted tomorrow, so make nasty comments about me or each other at will.

I will defend myself now on the enumerated points:

1. Absolute steaming horse crap. You said that you wanted two posts per player per day. I made one post giving you the advice (since I've done some PBP in the past) of sticking to your guns and not allowing players to go days without posting.

2. I created a half a dozen threads, yes, because there did not exist any threads to discuss the matters at hand. A "loot distribution" thread, a "marching order" thread, etc. These things are not unreasonable, especially since the 1st post of the marching order thread was to hold the current marching order at all times. You can't just randomly ask for the marching order and expect to get a response. We don't have miniatures sitting around, it's an online game. We need a place to figure that out!

3. I suggested nothing of the sort (combat info, etc.) be placed in signatures, only a brief note telling the other players who was who. You implied (you did not tell me to, you merely implied it would be nice; there is a difference) that we should put a lot more information there, which I figured might be annoying to update. Here's my quote:

If it's okay, I'm just going to link to my character sheet for all that game info. It's hard enough updating one location whenever I cast a spell, without updating the sheet and the sig.

Note that I said if it's okay, meaning that you had every right to tell me to actually put it there instead of linking to it. Instead, you completely blew your top. I am baffled. I simply didn't want ot update my character sheet and my forum signature when the information changed. That's completely reasonable, in my not-very-humble-at-all opinion. I have a life, and that's a waste of time. You did not ask again though, you just packed up your stuff and left.

4. Of course, that's what humans do! You had two NPCs present for a meeting to undertake the adventure, and then cut threads to have us all begin in another, and although you did not mention that the two NPCs rejoined us, it was very heavily implied that they would (since there was no explicit mention that they didn't). Afterall, why wouldn't they? They took the job too! Had they not rejoined us, our characters would have noticed, so why didn't you highlight the fact that they didn't return before essentially telling me I'm an idiot? It's hard to keep track of things like that when you're being so darned subtle about it. I feel I made a reasonable assumption, and I promptly changed the marching when you corrected me. Done deal, what's the problem with that?

5. I can read. But, when information is given either (a) in the middle of a bunch of crap applying to another player or (b) briefly mentioned in the middle of huge blocks of text, occasionaly something is missed. Throw me a bone and enlighten me; don't bring my reading comprehension into question.

A gamer-bully? Not likely. It seems like you're one of those DMs who defecates a brick at the drop of a hat, rather than taking a moment to respond in a sane manner. If you'd like to call me any more names, please go ahead. I dare you. I'll enjoy it. Personally though, I feel that you are the "gamer-bully," not me.

---

To Finarvyn:

I am sorry for ranting on your boards (although I tried not to curse), but I am really angry about this. This guy pretty much called me a "meany-face" and told everyone I was a crappy player. The former is hilarious, but the latter is simply misleading (and fighting words in certain parts ). Please do not lock the thread until TheMyth can voice himself (should he choose to do so). That's the reason I'm posting here as it is, pointless threadlocks.

[eris]

As one of the players of this late, lamented, game, just color me disappointed that it died before it really had a chance to get started.

[tombowings]

May 4, 2010 12:18:48 GMT -6 eris said:

As one of the players of this late, lamented, game, just color me disappointed that it died before it really had a chance to get started.

Agreed. Thanks for giving it a shot, themyth. I'm sorry it didn't turn out the way you'd hoped. Better luck next time.

The rant was a little much though. Announcing the end of the game could have been done with more grace.