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Post by Merctime on May 9, 2015 13:16:24 GMT -6
The number of the counting is "Three".
"One... Two... Five!"
"Three, Sir."
"...Three!"
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Post by Merctime on May 9, 2015 7:22:23 GMT -6
No quotes for avatars for me; phone nor laptop.
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Post by Merctime on May 8, 2015 20:35:05 GMT -6
Same for me as is for Ken, wether on my phone or my laptop. All is fine.
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Post by Merctime on May 8, 2015 16:48:39 GMT -6
Please do not tease, Sir
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 18:56:23 GMT -6
I am not, and it wasn't my introduction into D&D. That said, I'd really like to spend some time trying it out somewhere with others who are hopefully versed in them. I should look into local cons, if there are any. A while ago, a friend gifted me with a box of SPI's Blue & Grey. At the very least, I need to take the time to actually try it solo. I've read the rules so far; About it. My face-to-face players don't seem to be interested so far, probably due to not having much time, as our little free time together is spent jamming our Delving Deeper/OD&D game. But I shall press them further
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 18:10:51 GMT -6
Man, I'm all over this!
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 17:11:56 GMT -6
Fantastic points, Cameron... Thank you very much for this participation! Wish I could exalt ya I love the distinction of themed areas regarding sub-levels specifically. Definitely food for thought. Not sure I'm ready to tailor treasure on my own, without the guidelines in the book yet, and still retain an OD&D feel. That's experience happening! Considering your points on magical items, specifically scrolls and potions, are those the bulk of early dungeon level magic for you? Hmm. Now that I engage you I fear that some referees who post here have players who post here also! Not trying to ask folks to inadvertently give away the farm!!
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 16:37:20 GMT -6
Thanks, DD! I'll look that up and check it out.
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 16:27:11 GMT -6
Thanks, brother! I'll check that out. EDIT: Interesting. Can't believe I didn't catch that yet. Considering the example given also on that same page (15), I voted the sum of the gear at 80. But this is a new thing to me. I'd use this as a fair abstraction until such time as that weight clearly didn't represent a greater amount of miscellaneous stuff I suppose. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, also
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 16:19:00 GMT -6
((Originally posted at the ruinsofmurkhill forums)) Ok, I should clarify the above: I'd like to bring up for discussion the creation of 'campaign' style dungeons, as opposed to just a one or two level dungeon. That latter type, to me, are more like lairs or adventure locations and not deep or large enough to be true, proper, 'mythical underworld' type dungeons. Also note that I might not be able to jump right into the discussion I myself am posting here because of a heavy work schedule. I don't mean this to be rude, and I'll definitely chime in when I can. I'm posting this to generally cultivate advice from people better at this than myself, anyways In that sense, I'm after what works for you all regardless if it's by the book or houseruled (so I hope I'm posting it in a proper place). So how do you folks go about creating your campaign dungeons? Please consider the following list of questions... When you design and write a level, do you already have an idea for a few main monsters and treasures? Placed as you desire? Do you do this for the whole level or some randomly? Do you have these ideas at the start for more than one level at once? When you stock the dungeon... do you pay attention to room content ratios..., such as 6 empty rooms, 3 monster with treasure, 2 trick and trap etc? Keeping the rooms in some sort of ratio together on the level? Or just write away, filling the place, ratios be d**ned? How large is the average level? One graph paper sheet? 20 rooms? 40? When you key your dungeon... do you write large, descriptive rooms like a novel or book (or, say, B1 or B2) or terse keywords that you will bounce off of in play, kind of like some of the old judges guild stuff? Do you use treasure types for outdoors or lairs only and just use dungeon treasure by level as a guide for all dungeon treasure? Or do you use treasure types in the dungeon too? Is it mostly copper and silver early on? How many levels do you think a dungeon needs to be a place you can run a campaign from, and that makes it different from just a small lair or adventure location? Do your dungeons have themes? Or areas in a level have themes? An entire themed level? No theme, just stock it with what's fun? Do you use a cross section, even a quick one, to help place and visualize level relationships? How do you come up with traps? Do most kill? How about tricks? How many magic items do you think should be on a given level? I'm always interested in hearing how others do things. Fight On!
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 15:37:56 GMT -6
This is a really great idea, and thanks for sharing!
I kinda dig Scott's bit about some spells being instant though and would go that route at my own table.
Regardless of that minor thing, this is really cool, and something I'd love to give a whirl almost totally as presented. Fight On!
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 15:31:53 GMT -6
I am inexperienced with this reference. May I ask where the 80 comes from? I've bought the WOTC reprints... did I miss this in the rules?
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 15:00:50 GMT -6
I've just got to try chainmail one of these days. I'm assuming one could use home-made chits as opposed to a plethora of mini's? And, delta's book of war is terribly intriguing. I echo Vile's desire to try this out, but have to admit my own purposes are (possibly) more firmly in the 'use for d&d'zone. Guess I'll have to try to locate both and give em a shot. Thanks for bringing this up, Vile! And you guys too for chiming in
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 14:48:48 GMT -6
Agreed to disagree here. Take it easy.
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 10:45:38 GMT -6
There are plenty of products available to you that allow for your desires.
I'd like to continue to see products made available to allow for mine.
It's just a matter of product diversity.
I appreciate the art in Moldvay basic, but not BECMI. Elmores art is too demure for my tastes.
I don't see any maturity at all in one side of the consumer market forcing another side out of that market. Buy what you like and believe what's right for you, and your family, as a respectable father. Who can argue the honor and wisdom of this with a true heart?
But I retain, and will fight for, the right to buy products that I consider inspiring and fun. There are enough to satisfy and provide for both of us.
So why not let a discussion that doesn't appeal alone? I'm not going over to other threads with an opposing viewpoint on art and bringing a dissenting opinion.
That's what I love about these boards... we can freely discuss things here without the social police showing up and freaking out.
I'm not calling you those police or saying you're freaking out, I'm just asking you: you've stated your case. Can we have our view also?
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Post by Merctime on May 5, 2015 10:06:09 GMT -6
It's obvious we are completely and un-changeably on the opposite side of the house here. You have fun all day with your play-it-safe witicisms. I'm sure you'll be popular.
But I've presented my stance one good time, and internet arguments and flame wars are tedious and boring to me, so I'm done with this topic.
Have a good day.
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Post by Merctime on May 4, 2015 12:22:45 GMT -6
Nothing brings creative young women into the hobby quicker than a bunch of middle-aged men complaining about a lack of naked demons and chainmail bikinis! Oh yeah! Thanks for the political correctness! Really bummed how all the emotional pain forces bland artwork. Oh, well, that's the way it is... glad there are still other alternatives, though.
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Post by Merctime on May 3, 2015 9:51:32 GMT -6
I agree with Geoffrey, above. Malcadon, that was an excellent analysis and I agree with most if not all points.
The new, and relatively recent, art just lacks atmosphere and boldness. It's flat and bland, regardless of a given artists technical ability to digitally paint colors. The art just doesn't 'pop' or inspire me, at all.
For me, it's the opposite. It just serves as a visual reminder of the current crusade to forcibly execute anything that might hurt someone's feelings, and thus forcibly execute any passion or free-will creativity. It's Gestapo art.
Not that I'm saying I'm OUT to hurt feelings... I just grew up learning the value of having to gain thick skin and not taking things so personal.
If I like something, I like it. If I don't, I don't. Doesn't mean I need to force-feed either situation on others, or live in trembling fear of mass approval.
No gracias!
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Post by Merctime on May 2, 2015 22:49:48 GMT -6
Trying not to offend with art is a lose-lose proposition. I'm not a big fan of the art, and I suspect this is the reason. Swords & Sorcery as seen in Appendix N is dark and edgy. Bad guys are sinister. Maidens are chained to alters with hideous creatures ready to pounce on them. Chicks can wear chainmail bikinis. This is where I stand.
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Post by Merctime on Apr 17, 2015 22:37:10 GMT -6
Interestingly, I've been considering doing just the opposite of this.
I don't see the cleric as a 'priest'; that is, a preacher/proselytizer, like a full-time pulpit guy... That's an NPC's job. I see the cleric as more like the military arm of a given faith, much like the knights hospitalier, only in the world of fantasy being able to eventually earn 'miracles' (spells) from proving that faith (gaining xp).
So my cleric is more fight-y, and has the second-best hit dice available. Think I'll use that link for my house rules... Thanks, Ways!
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Post by Merctime on Dec 26, 2014 22:17:56 GMT -6
You took the wrong pill, Kesher! Quick... Get to a phone!
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Post by Merctime on Dec 26, 2014 12:35:26 GMT -6
I've got to say that I really do appreciate the work on Blueholme. I don't really have a specific reason for that, other than saying that when I read it, it just 'feels' right to me. I know that sounds silly. But, Dang... It's really excellently done. Definitely worth the time to get a copy, and give it a whirl. I have to agree with Raphael above regarding that. Glad to see Blueholme's intrinsic beauty is settling into your mind, also, Mr. Pinthus!
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Post by Merctime on Dec 26, 2014 12:30:43 GMT -6
I'm just personally in love with a mentality of gaming that I didn't have as a kid, unfortunately... These days, I roll 3d6 straight down, and try my best with that. Now, since nearly all of my gaming is done here via PbP, I take the rolls my DM's give me. I work with that as best I can, and use the stat numbers to guide my decisions on how to play that character. I doubt I'm in a minority with that sense! One thing I love about this school of thought, is how freeing it is. I don't feel constrained in what I want my character to do, low stats or high. I just give it a whirl, and either I pass or fail. 7 INT? Perhaps he can't figure out the strange writing on the wall or in that musty old tome, but he can still bargain with the merchants for that fist-sized emerald! I've never played 4e, but have messed around a bit with a 3.5e derivative (Mongoose's Conan the roleplaying game) so I can't really talk about those with any personal experience. What I did find with them, in the very short time I messed around, was that I wasn't making characters... I was reverse engineering character builds from level 20 down as if I were playing a computer game. And I wasn't trying out cool stuff in-game unless I had enough skill points/the right feats to ensure success. I'm so done with that, personally. 3d6 straight down for the win! Roll 'em, and just try stuff. "Jacko the knife is gonna grab the rope and swing over the chasm!" Is he, or isn't he, going to make it? Well, that's the stuff of D&D legends, my friends
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Post by Merctime on Dec 26, 2014 12:20:20 GMT -6
There's good people on this site. Merry Christmas everybody :-) I can't possibly tell you how much I agree with this. No, Seriously, how could I have possibly imagined that this was the sort of response I'd get from this thread? Hey, I'd have been perfectly happy with a link to a sale or some discussion on how to effectively print a pdf or bits of one. krusader74, you are truly my Santa Claus today! I've responded to your PM, and I will take care of you during this, be sure of that. I am still in a state of shock over this. But, NO good deed should go unrewarded.
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Post by Merctime on Dec 25, 2014 17:57:12 GMT -6
Merry Christmas, Everyone at Proboards! Happy Holidays to you all, and your families too!
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Post by Merctime on Dec 25, 2014 17:53:25 GMT -6
PM sent! What a Merry christmas! Thank you, krusader74!!!
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Post by Merctime on Dec 24, 2014 12:07:44 GMT -6
Don't know what version of D&D or it's derivatives folks are after, but for random stuff like gear (or the whole PC) I use this website. character.totalpartykill.ca/dd/At the bottom of that page, are some instructions for changing that last two-letter designator of the URL to choose different types of D&D etc. Now, this may or may not be 'minimalist', depending on your outlook of what that is. But I hope it's of some use to folks! I believe this page has been made by a fellow poster here at these boards who goes by the forum name "funkaoshi". He's done a great job with that page, in my opinion
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Post by Merctime on Dec 20, 2014 9:52:20 GMT -6
Threaten me with a good time, will you? Get him, my pretties! (cue maniacal laughter)
No, seriously... I just love the map, dude! Looking forward to what else you have in store!
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Post by Merctime on Dec 20, 2014 9:33:46 GMT -6
Oh, God... That's Fantastic! I wanna be a cleric! I wanna live (points) There!
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Post by Merctime on Dec 20, 2014 9:17:05 GMT -6
... on the internet, where you can't get voice inflection and other cues, often someone will for no particular reason take offense and come back with guns blazing when the original poster may have meant nothing at all like how it was interpreted. Emphasis mine. This is one of the wisest perceptions of this type of behavior/occurrence/phenomena I've read online, to date. For this precise reason, I choose personally to stay totally out of online discussions that are just going to explode into inflammatory nonsense with no hope of peaceful resolution. Those kinds of discussions are typically, in my experience, easily seen a mile away. Nice shot, Fin. Anywho, regarding the minimalist OD&D play, I have to agree with Geoffrey, above. I can't remember if I've already said that; I hope I'm not being a broken record! But the reason I play OD&D/Delving Deeper is because for myself, it already is minimalist. No huge ability modifiers that promote players thinking 'low stats make a useless character', no ridiculous and silly feats/skills that basically keep players from coming up with interesting things to do in-game ("But, my character doesn't have 15 ranks in horsemanship! There is no way he can jump that fenceline at full gallop!! There's no point in trying!!"), and none of this 'building' a character from level 20 downwards to promote a perfect set of numbers for perfect success. There are no useless characters. Ya just roll some dice, buy some equipment, jump in the dungeon... And explore it. Trying to keep your character alive through good decision making. And when you're done, you've got a great story to tell your friends, irregardless of whether or not you were able to keep your character alive Viva la OD&D!
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