Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 29, 2011 0:02:03 GMT -6
In addition to Grey Elf's Forbidden Lore, Dan Boggs also has a great guide on using Chainmail with OD&D. You are supposed to be able to get it from his store here: sites.fastspring.com/apriorcrs/product/product_catalogHowever, I've been having trouble trying to download it. Perhaps you will have better luck!
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 23:46:30 GMT -6
My only suggestion, and keep in mind this is just my opinion, many would disagree with me, is that you don't have a plot at all. Just a place with stuff that the players may or may not find. Plots and stories will develop organically in play, and they will be a lot more meaningful that way.
I say this only from my own experience of trying to run predetermined stories where the players either miss a clue, or don't care about the plot I've set up, and I would tend to railroad them back into my "story". That can be lame for players.
I will concede that it might just be a matter of me sucking at executing plots and stories. That is definitely a possibility. However, I find myself having a lot more fun and less stress by just having places with stuff, and letting the players drive things and go do the things that they find interesting. They end up almost never choosing the things I think they will find interesting. I need to be impartial and try not to influence their decisions or steer them to what I consider to be the "correct" path.
I tell the players up front that the game is about exploration and treasure-hunting. Then I tell them a few places that are rumored to have treasure. A haunted house with the riches of some ancient and forgotten noble - no way that person can still be alive! Some caves with weird orange-skinned cave men that have been harassing trade caravans (one of the caravans was supposedly loaded with jewels!). You know, that sort of thing, just to give them a few hints about what the place might be like.
But again, this is just a matter of personal taste. Your mileage may vary.
Also, don't be afraid to cross off "hommlet", call it something else, and drop it right into your setting. These are gaming settings, and you are the boss of what's in and what's out. There's no shame in cobbling things together from many sources. In fact, it's encouraged!
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 23:32:48 GMT -6
Could you try that link again? Getting a 404.. hmm, I just tried it and it works. not sure...
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 23:31:13 GMT -6
Aldarron, you get an exalt! Your comment made me go dig out my 3E Blackmoor book, which I bought months back from the game store because it was collecting dust and they marked it at $9.99. When I originally got it, I flipped through it... "prestige class, blah blah blah" and it went immediately to the shelf.
When I opened it this time, I discovered there was a badass map in the back that I never even noticed before! It's like when you do laundry and find money in your pocket!
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 21:00:50 GMT -6
You'll especially want to review the part in the movie version of "The Rocketeer" when Cliff first tries out the rocketpack... I'll check that out, but having seen my little cousin try a rocket pack in Jim Ward's Metamorphosis Alpha game, I'm sure Cliff got off easy. Since you say when he "first tries out the rocketpack", implying there was a second and perhaps even a third try... My cousin didn't get a second try!
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 17:23:59 GMT -6
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 16:36:19 GMT -6
Great info. Thanks for sharing. I've been very interested in these, but I'm always hesitant to buy from overseas due to shipping costs.
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 14:55:22 GMT -6
My personal favorite is the village map of Blackmoor from the First Fantasy Campaign. So much inspiration in those labels! "Dragon Rock", "Troll Bridge", "Wizard of the Wood", "Elf Stump"... What's your favorite?
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 14:50:28 GMT -6
Awesome report! I just started running my game at the game store, and there were 3 kids at the first session, I'm guessing between 8 and 10 yrs old. They were awesome and I can't wait to run my next game there.
The highlight of the session: They were searching a coatroom in a haunted house. One kid says, "can I have a coat?" I say, "sure. there are all sorts of coats. what kind would you like?"
"The kind with a jetpack!"
Unfortunately, he didn't make his luck roll, but you better believe that a jetpack is on my treasure tables now!
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 14:36:50 GMT -6
Stonehell is not a bad idea at all. You can use that as what they refer to as the "tentpole", or the primary feature of your campaign. Then you can make your own smaller dungeons, and scatter them about. Drop a few treasure maps that point to these locations for the adventurers to find in Stonehell, and you have the best of both worlds!
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 12:34:29 GMT -6
Excellent. You may call me a shoggoth-level backer.
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 12:20:12 GMT -6
Blackmoor, as in Supplement II probably won't give you much to go on, but if you just take the village map from The First Fantasy Campaign, and flesh it out a bit on your own, you have a great campaign starter. Here is a nice recreation of that map: www.timbannock.com/dungeoncrawl/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Blackmoor-City-CORRECTED.jpgAll you need to do is add a few shops and NPCs, and give some thought to some of the labels, such as "wizard of the wood". From there, draw a few maps for the first few levels of the Castle Blackmoor dungeons, or just use these maps and people them with monsters of various horrid aspect: paratime.ca/cartography/index.htmlOne final tool I'd highly recommend is Jeff Rients' Miscellaneum of Cinder. Lots of great stuff to spice things up in your game. The best dollar you'll ever spend. www.lulu.com/product/ebook/miscellaneum-of-cinder/17540385?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/3Once you start playing in your new setting, you will begin having all sorts of ideas, so don't worry about trying to come up with too much beforehand.
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 12:08:56 GMT -6
First, you want to set up a small map. I'd recommend either using hexographer or you could just print out a sheet of hex paper and use a pencil. incompetech.com/graphpaper/hexagonal/Alternatively, there are many premade hex maps available you could use. A google image search should turn up some goodies. Then you can just sprinkle in 1 to 3 adventuring locations. Modules with very brief descriptions or one-page dungeons are best. One-page dungeons: campaignwiki.org/wiki/DungeonMaps/One_Page_Dungeon_ContestOne of my favorite starter adventures is Tower of the Stargazer: www.lotfp.com/store/ToweroftheStargazerPDF(also available on RPGNow) So you basically start with a town, a few miles of wilderness in each direction, and at least one dungeon to explore. From there you will expand. Put maps in the dungeon for them to find that lead to a sorcerer's tomb, or whatever strikes you. You can start with generic wilderness encounter tables (the Labyrinth Lord ones are the easiest to use) and then customize them as you have time and begin to get a feel for the setting. Another great free dungeon you can get some good mileage out of is Under Xylarthen's Tower: jrients.tripod.com/xylarthen/uxt.pdfSorry if this is a jumbled up mess of incoherent thoughts. I envy you. Starting a new campaign is a lot of fun!
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 28, 2011 10:58:18 GMT -6
I was hoping to pick up this game at GaryCon III, so it's great to see this thing in the final stretch after so much waiting.
One question: Can you describe the planned T-shirt? (Sorry if it's already been asked)
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 27, 2011 15:49:50 GMT -6
Kind of off-topic, but the best D&D movie I've seen is Your Highness. Very true to how a lot of actual D&D games play out, in my opinion...
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 27, 2011 15:24:18 GMT -6
Here's the new rules I've been using. I've only been using them for a few sessions, but so far it seems fine and I've had no complaints.
Movement is independent of encumbrance unarmored or leather = 12" chain = 9" plate = 6"
Each PC can carry up to 20 items and up to 1,000 coins.
The two limits are independent. Carrying less of one does not allow you to carry more of the other.
All you need is a backpack or large sack to do this, but a backpack is better, for obvious reasons.
A mule with proper bags can carry twice this amount.
Worn armor and a single in-hand weapon do not count towards the limit.
The rest, is just common sense - i.e. a quiver with 20 arrows counts as one item, and no, you cannot carry 20 dressers.
Is it realistic? Hell no, but it seems to do a nice job with having a generous limit to keep things from getting too out of hand, and doesn't get in the way of fun.
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 27, 2011 15:02:33 GMT -6
Btw, Is the DCCRPG as lethal as it looks or is it all just hype? I think this can vary wildly from group to group. Some players will go in knowing that losing some PCs is kind of expected, and they will play recklessly or carelessly. However, I had a group a week ago that was extremely cautious and avoided all potential combat with some very clever and cautious play. There were 24 PCs (6 players), and only one was lost because he got sucked into a magic mirror with a failed save. That being said, I would say that this particular group was unique. It was the only 0-level session I've run, (and I've run about a half dozen) where less than half the group was lost.
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 21, 2011 22:46:00 GMT -6
Looks totally awesome to me!
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 17, 2011 12:15:43 GMT -6
That's good news! I'll certainly try to make it if I can. Can you do me a favor as well and let your old players know that I'm running an OD&D game every other Monday night starting 12/19 at Unique Gifts & Games? I thought it might be close enough for some of them that they'd want to participate. The info can be found here: peoplethemwithmonsters.blogspot.com/2011/12/come-have-some-adventures-in-outland.htmlOne of the main features is an ancient crashed starship-turned-megadungeon, so there will be robots and laser guns. I just offer that as fair warning, since I know some are put off by such things. However, there are many other attractions as well. So far I have a Tegel Manor-style haunted house and the beginnings of a Blackmoor-style castle-dungeon. At any rate, it's good to hear from you, and thanks in advance for helping spread the word. --Jeremy
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 17, 2011 8:53:40 GMT -6
Bought both print + PDF + extra maps. My only minor gripe is I wish Carcosa would have expressed AC like Isle does (leather+shield vs. AC15). That aside, these are really great! I really hope you plan to do more stuff, Geoffrey. Isle will be going into my crashed starship megadungeon as its own dungeon level, while Carcosa will be used as a general reference. Jim has done a great job releasing grindhouse/vornheim near my birthday, and these near Christmas, so I could justify buying them plus all the extras. Jim has really raised the bar for small OSR publishing.
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 16, 2011 16:15:40 GMT -6
It's easy enought to express the same numbers in a different way. Here's mine. I'm not sure if it's different enough for legal purposes... i41.tinypic.com/200clg1.jpg
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Dec 6, 2011 8:46:28 GMT -6
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Nov 29, 2011 13:46:11 GMT -6
I like the original HD system myself. Rerolling every level is the way to go, for any system in my opinion.
Now a question: Since the thief never got proper old-school HD treatment, how do you think giving him the M-U's HD from Men & Magic (along with XP progression from Greyhawk) would work out?
It seems in line with later versions where they both have the d4, but the thief levels much more quickly... It's easy to map this stuff by level, but more difficult once you take into account the varied XP progressions of each class.
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Nov 22, 2011 15:24:24 GMT -6
You can subscribe to (bookmark) individual threads and get notification emails, but not boards as far as I can tell. There is an iPhone app for proboards that allows you to see new threads in one feed and your bookmarked threads in another feed. It isn't great, but it's free. Aw man, the android one is like $2.99 or something...
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Nov 22, 2011 15:03:22 GMT -6
Actually the combat round in 0d&d is 6 seconds, the 1 minute round didn't exist (officially) until ad&d--though I'm sure it was in gygax's game before then. Combat only became abstract with the 1 minute round. CM and M&M combat isn't abstract at all. Huh? From Chainmail: Where's there an indication of 6-second rounds? Not saying there isn't one, but I'd like to know where it is, since I have been operation under the assumption that OD&D uses Chainmail's 1-minute combat round (or turn) for some time. Also, HAIL LORD GRUMPY! Edit: Also, from U&WA p.8 Sounds like 1-minute combat rounds to me...
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Nov 16, 2011 13:59:34 GMT -6
Carcosa alone, or Carcosa + Isle: 14,50€ 2nd class, 24€ 1st class Could a S&W Tome of Horrors be squeezed into the box for that cost as well?
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Nov 10, 2011 13:47:37 GMT -6
Here's another, that includes my latest mental wanderings, which are chainmail combat and single saving throw. Another Character SheetIt is based on the one that was included with S&W WhiteBox back when Brave Halfling was still involved in that.
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Nov 8, 2011 13:49:26 GMT -6
114 or so
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Nov 4, 2011 11:49:21 GMT -6
I own ASE1, and it is worth the price for the random tables alone, but you also get some excellent setting and adventure content.
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Aplus
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 353
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Post by Aplus on Oct 31, 2011 19:58:05 GMT -6
Awesome, thanks!
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