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Post by Merctime on Oct 11, 2014 18:37:25 GMT -6
What if you decide on your carefully placed m&t, then roll up your random ones first, that is to say, before drawing the map of the dungeon? That way, you can design the dungeon (18 or so rooms) to match what you designed and rolled up. I hate it when I roll up a giant in a 10X10 room. This avoids that and could build some really fantastical designs. What do y'all think? Is that against the "spirit" of things? Against a "true" od&d feel? I felt the need to mirror geoffrey on this one. I love this idea, too! It's precisely the sort of method I'm using for a dungeon I'm working on currently. The 'drawing-the-map-after' thing is really, really, helping out.
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Post by Merctime on Oct 9, 2014 13:52:20 GMT -6
In short, it's the Carcosa we all know and love (or hate! ), but including details on the way I flesh-out Carcosa in my own campaign. Bold emphasis mine... Now, if this isn't an exciting bit of advertising... I don't know what is! This sounds great, geoffrey!
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Post by Merctime on Oct 8, 2014 18:30:08 GMT -6
Just started running a hexcrawl using the Outdoor Survival board last night. I've always wanted to do so, so we'll see how it goes. Dude, that's awesome! Hehe... Well it is to a guy like me, who's never done that either! Hope you have lots of fun, and would love to hear about it here, dizzysaxophone!
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Post by Merctime on Oct 8, 2014 11:01:05 GMT -6
Thank you very much for your input here! I'll gladly have a look at your game when you get it set up!
As a player, myself, I'm always keenly interested in getting to name level so I can build a stronghold and move into territory and army management! Alas, as most of the people I played with way back when were more into 'mechwarrior' type wargaming as opposed to fantasy, I never really got into it. I'd love to try some to this day. I only mention this considering your comments on character development; For me, it could easily go either way and most typically is a mix of both ideas. I do enjoy personality definition as well... but power increase is of course of interest to me.
I think I'll poke around the internet and see what I can find out about DragonQuest. Looks like it is an interesting game!
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Post by Merctime on Oct 8, 2014 10:23:54 GMT -6
I owned all three, but 3rd edition TSR was an abomination so I sold it. I still prefer 1st edition with its Action Points over the 2nd edition Tactical Movement Rate, but I seem to be in the minority makofan, or anyone of course, can you chat a bit about this game? What do you like about it? I know nothing of it. If one were to look into this game with no knowledge, what would you recommend as a start? Are the adventures for this game valuable for say, OD&D usage?
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Post by Merctime on Oct 6, 2014 19:25:48 GMT -6
Hmm, I've been trying to keep up with the chatter over on G+ but I must have missed some of this. Still, I popped over to your board, waysoftheearth, and had a quick look-over. It was on my lunchbreak, so I only had a chance to scan it kinda. I'll have to read further before I get the gist of things. But thanks for the post! Kind of liking the way the Elf works in DD by the book, myself... But perhaps that is because it's rather new to me! EDIT: Had a deeper look over at your post there. Made some comments or two
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Post by Merctime on Oct 5, 2014 8:51:00 GMT -6
That chic that Malcadon posted can dance on my belly anytime! (hehe, sorry... I couldn't resist ) For Carcosan writing, how about a group of people who's writing involves burning the dried and cured carapaces of large beetles with heated sticks, producing melty-looking holes in the shape of their letters and symbols? They then take each 'sheet' of carapace and tie them with little rings of rope at the top or sides to make a very stiff book kind of thing. Kind of weird, I know; But then again, so is Carcosa!
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Post by Merctime on Oct 5, 2014 8:46:57 GMT -6
Slightly off-topic, but I can't recommend Howard's actual books enough if you want Conan. Del Rey, and probably other publishers, have a three-volume set that cover all of his Conan short stories collected and are in my opinion incredible reads; Definitely worth a look if you like that character. The only other author I feel did Conan justice, personally, was the guy who wrote the 'wheel of time' series, Robert Jordan... Finding his Conan yarns would not be remiss, also!
And thank you for this post! I wasn't aware of C.S. Lewis' other work outside of Narnia. I'll have to look out for this 'Out of Silent Planet' and 'Peralandra'. Cheers!
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Post by Merctime on Oct 4, 2014 9:44:57 GMT -6
Hong Kong! You lucky devil!!! I'm fricken' jealous! Anyhow, good luck with everything, and can't wait to see the results, Vile Traveller!
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Post by Merctime on Oct 2, 2014 8:36:48 GMT -6
Welcome to the boards, by the way, @jonasaap! I trust you will enjoy your stay. I'm sure that many questions will be answered to your benefit and pleasure, although people other than me may have to do it! I'm still reasonably new to OD&D like (I assume) you are. Fight On!
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Post by Merctime on Oct 2, 2014 8:31:53 GMT -6
Dang! I went to that link hoping for an OD&D version! Hehe. Well, the LotFP is a great book, too... I just have one already
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Post by Merctime on Oct 1, 2014 9:48:09 GMT -6
I think one key might be to focus on classic cimema-style horror monsters such as vampires, mummies, skeletons, golems (Frankenstein), and the like. Make liberal use of undead. Force a number of fear checks, perhaps as a wisdom save. I think this is the way I'd go, myself, also. Stick with the classics! And the fear check idea I think is great, too, Finarvyn! If I wanted 'really' creepy, as in perhaps not playing with kids, I might have a look at the random spawn of shub-niggurath tables in Carcosa for some really grotesque boogers! Might be over-the-top for the spirit of your game, however.
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Post by Merctime on Oct 1, 2014 9:43:49 GMT -6
I'm for the virtual prime requisite now, but back in the day, we treated it as a point trade. ...it was always considered an actual point trade in my gaming community too. I never heard of a "virtual prime requisite" interpretation until this message board. Yeah, same for me on this point. I used to run it, and thought it was 'supposed to be', an actual point trade. Now that I've gotten back into gaming and 'delving deeper' into it ( ), I truly love and utilize the virtual point swap and the general idea behind it.
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Post by Merctime on Oct 1, 2014 9:09:35 GMT -6
I'm happy to treat Druids as Magic Users. Merlin after all was a Druid and in Irish Folklore Druid pretty much means magic user. Hey, that's a neat idea! Geez, I wish I had thought of that. Man, I tell ya... The simple answer is one that usually possesses the most brilliance! Consider this stolen, my good sir
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Post by Merctime on Oct 1, 2014 9:07:01 GMT -6
Hey, I have eight mouths to feed if you include our two cats, so don't judge me. Plus, I need bus fare back to Tacoma and my wallet was just stolen. I'll return your wallet promptly, Sir. I apologize! I have no idea what came over me. I'm afraid I'll have to keep that wonderful little wallet-sized autographed picture of you and Skeletor, however ((Sorry for the thread-jack, I couldn't resist))
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Post by Merctime on Sept 30, 2014 20:36:50 GMT -6
I'd also appreciate any pointers with regard to making a PDF PoD-ready! *Taps Microphone* Is this thing on? ... Paging waysoftheearth and oakesspalding, service to the front counter, please?
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Post by Merctime on Sept 30, 2014 13:07:15 GMT -6
Maybe I can find an excuse to mash all them into the same area and let the players go where they will. This statement is so full of win that I had to repeat it. Game on, brother!
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Post by Merctime on Sept 30, 2014 9:40:43 GMT -6
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Post by Merctime on Sept 29, 2014 19:58:27 GMT -6
Grab 'em up, man! They are a truly enjoyable light-hearted read. I adore the language C.S. Lewis writes to us in! It's been just a couple of nights, now... But I've been hard-pressed not to get all the way to the "Dawn Treader". It sure sucks one in!
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Post by Merctime on Sept 29, 2014 18:38:18 GMT -6
I'm re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis (but you probably knew that ). I just love these stories, man... Great stuff. Hey, anyone know if the old "Legend" movie was ever a book? The one with Tim Curry, Tom Cruise, and Mia Sarah? THAT might be a killer read...
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Post by Merctime on Sept 29, 2014 15:22:22 GMT -6
Somewhat off topic! But I'd like to recommend Bat in the Attic's "Blackmarsh" booklet or pdf if you are also interested in a very well written, well organized sandbox setting done in the old style. I purchased the hardcopy, and it's not terribly expensive on RPGNow, and love it.
Regarding module's, I doubt I could provide any better (and not expensive!) advice than any that has been given above. I've never played or ran B4 (More's the pitty...) but do love B1 & B2. Good luck on your game!
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Post by Merctime on Sept 27, 2014 18:52:48 GMT -6
Agree with the last few posters. My players who never played RPGs before are able, right off the bat, to immerse themselves in the game and come up with creative solutions to problems. Players with previous D20 experience stare with disgust at their character sheets and complain that they have nothing to do. Quite funny. I've just today had a co-worker describe an online game he was getting involved in. He said that some of the recovered treasure was non-coin; Something like a little gold statue and a couple of gems. Then he went on to tell me of a whole sourcebook made so that object value can be quantified piece by piece (!!!). I just kind of bit my tongue on that one, but told him that I made a very frequent habit of using non-standard treasures in hoards for the purpose of putting some extra challenge at cashing in on the players and some variety. I'm sure many of us have done and do this; Nothing special. So, he says to me, "Yeah, but in the older D&D you don't even have an appraise skill so you can't determine the value of that stuff." Emphasis mine. At first, I looked at him in silence. Then, I laughed. It totally reminded me of your very post, Falconer... Just can't get through to some people!
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Post by Merctime on Sept 27, 2014 17:20:26 GMT -6
Welcome to the fold, kingofelfland! Hope you enjoy your stay. Quite an excellent bunch to be had here. Game on!
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Post by Merctime on Sept 26, 2014 9:32:12 GMT -6
Man, I'm so stoked I got my hardback then! Hey, geoffrey, even if it's hardback, will there be a potential to buy an OD&D one later on maybe? Even if it's maybe, that's way better than a no!
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Post by Merctime on Sept 26, 2014 8:46:08 GMT -6
((Minor thread-jack)) jeff, you're new avatar makes me get the old 'airwolf' song stuck in my head when I look at it (regardless that the pic looks more like blue thunder Note that this isn't a bad thing!! )) Yeah, I think Imgur is a good site for this. Helps for these boards, I think. I'm like machfront; I don't want to have to create an account for a dozen places just to find one that works well and doesn't suck.
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Post by Merctime on Sept 24, 2014 9:19:36 GMT -6
All those fancy buttons do is remove the need for creative problem solving from the player. This. This has been my experience with the people who play the newer editions. The spoon-feeding comment is spot-on, too, in my experience. Too many options leads to 'optimizing' and 'character building' instead of playing the game, and coming up with hip-shot creative solutions to game challenges that I love so much in the older mentality of gameplay. It mirrors the desire to have a computer game experience, vice a read-a-book experience, to me. Makes it tough to find gamers that will be fun to run through a dungeon for me. Just my two cents on this.
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Post by Merctime on Sept 23, 2014 10:44:50 GMT -6
This is great news! Thanks for sharing this for everyone, oakesspalding! Now it's time to see the same situation for another cool clone-game that starts with Seven...
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Post by Merctime on Sept 21, 2014 10:58:19 GMT -6
Sadly what is needed is to actually PLAY an OD&D game as run by someone who knows what is what. Everything else is just talk talk. There is no possible way that I can state this any more plainly or truthfully. This, in spades. Very well said, mgtremaine!!! I concur heartily.
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Post by Merctime on Sept 20, 2014 9:04:18 GMT -6
I really don't see any need to houserule DD, personally, but I think I'd just add a fun thing or two like 'shields shall be splintered' and 'helmets shall be dashed'. I think the idea that the older rules being flawed is kind of a misconception... But of course all of the work that waysoftheearth did to 'clarify' certain things in the '74 rules may kind of fog my vision of that. As opposed to 'flawed' I might interject the word 'slim' or perhaps 'purposefully vague'. But I wouldn't say 'flawed'. But ya know what? Houserule if ya wanna... It's fun! Still, DD seems very, very playable 'out of the box' in my opinion.
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Post by Merctime on Sept 19, 2014 8:36:15 GMT -6
Ok, so my copies arrived too! I'm so stoked... Two copies of my favorite rules for under 15 bucks! Yeah, they have the wierd 1/2 symbols, but I'm not too worried about it. I'll just contact Lulu like waysoftheearth has posted about doing here, and on G+. In any event, I consider myself a winner! Great stuff in these books.
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