mythmere
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 293
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Post by mythmere on Jul 9, 2008 11:21:36 GMT -6
I've just posted a free download of a "Quick Primer for Old School Gaming" at Lulu. The link is stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=912860Obviously, no one at this site needs the primer, but I'd appreciate any comments anyone may have. Matt |
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Meepo
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 62
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Post by Meepo on Jul 9, 2008 11:28:37 GMT -6
First impression is WOW. I certainly didn't expect this to be so... professional (not as a critique on your abilities, but based on the project scope itself)? Being greeted by a very nice piece of old school artwork on page 1 certainly did well to set the mood.
To include contrasting examples was an excellent idea, by the way. The best way to teach something is by example, IMO, and you've done well with this. I've only read through the first one regarding a pit trap so far but look forward to reading the rest throughout the afternoon!
Overall, very well done... most impressive. Major kudos!
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mythmere
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 293
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Post by mythmere on Jul 9, 2008 11:43:33 GMT -6
Please take a moment to write reviews at the Lulu site, by the way! Reviews are often what make people actually push the download button.  |
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Meepo
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 62
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Post by Meepo on Jul 9, 2008 11:46:19 GMT -6
Once I am finished, I may do just that, but out of curiosity, what is the idea behind this? Will it be included with future OSRIC/S&W-type products or is it an independent thing, such as a flyer to be handed out?
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Post by makofan on Jul 9, 2008 11:51:00 GMT -6
I gave you a nice review
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mythmere
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 293
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Post by mythmere on Jul 9, 2008 12:38:01 GMT -6
Once I am finished, I may do just that, but out of curiosity, what is the idea behind this? Will it be included with future OSRIC/S&W-type products or is it an independent thing, such as a flyer to be handed out? It can be used for anything - but the idea was to have something for 3e/modern players who look into 0e and S&W. The reason is that in addition to playing with the old rules, someone who wants to "try out" 0e needs to understand not only the rules, but how to use them. Playing with open-ended rules is an entirely different mindset and style from playing with a modern system where you use a "rule" for everything. As I say early in the booklet, trying to play 0e in a modern style doesn't give you any real impression of what 0e is like - the attempt is doomed from the first, "okay, well looks like we have to 'house rule' that missing spot check they left out of the rules." |
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Post by Zulgyan on Jul 9, 2008 12:45:16 GMT -6
Love the cover!
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Meepo
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 62
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Post by Meepo on Jul 9, 2008 12:53:39 GMT -6
Thanks for the clarification! I apologize if this was asked and covered before, I'm only recently getting back into the swing of things after an absence.
I'm almost done reading it and have found it, particularly the examples, (John is a bastard...) quite entertaining. Your doc truly IS gaming gold (and goodness)!
Did notice a few typos so far:
Page 6, 4th Zen: "The old-style campaign is with fantasy world,..."
Page 9, first paragraph after the example, the last sentence runs on "The same goes for handling traps (unless there’s a thief class), and the same goes for "
EDIT: finished it! Well done. I can't wait for "Tomb of the Iron God" - now THAT'S a title!!
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Post by coffee on Jul 9, 2008 13:28:26 GMT -6
Okay, maybe I missed it, but you seem to have missed the main point of difference between Old Shool and the way things are today:
"Your character will die. Probably pretty soon. The entire party might die.
"What you do then is roll up a new one and learn from the first character's death."
Other than that, I think it's beautiful. Have an exalt!
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Meepo
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 62
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Post by Meepo on Jul 9, 2008 13:29:46 GMT -6
Okay, maybe I missed it, but you seem to have missed the main point of difference between Old Shool and the way things are today: "Your character will die. Probably pretty soon. The entire party might die. "What you do then is roll up a new one and learn from the first character's death." Other than that, I think it's beautiful. Have an exalt! Hehe... Mentzer quote? And I agree completely  |
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Post by Finarvyn on Jul 9, 2008 13:34:48 GMT -6
I'd appreciate any comments anyone may have. Love the overall format, particularly the "zen moment" concept. It's nice the way you've done a compare/contrast beteween the two styles of play. At least, I like it; it would be interesting to see how well it is received by the 3E community. I'm guessing they won't be quite as thrilled by the comparrisons. |
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Meepo
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 62
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Post by Meepo on Jul 9, 2008 13:40:52 GMT -6
At least, I like it; it would be interesting to see how well it is received by the 3E community. I'm guessing they won't be quite as thrilled by the comparrisons. Er, probably not. Needs more combat... |
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Post by coffee on Jul 9, 2008 13:43:13 GMT -6
Hehe... Mentzer quote? And I agree completely Inspired by the Mentzer quote; I just read that earlier, but I don't have it memorized. But also in a very real way inspired by actual play... |
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Post by philotomy on Jul 9, 2008 13:49:02 GMT -6
[t would be interesting to see how well it is received by the 3E community. I'm guessing they won't be quite as thrilled by the comparrisons. I have the same concern that I just posted on the KnK forums: |
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mythmere
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 293
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Post by mythmere on Jul 9, 2008 15:06:50 GMT -6
I just made a change to the document, but had to unpublish and republish. I think that lost the review.  However, I added this: Note: The modern-style GM in these examples is a pretty boring guy when it comes to adding flavor into his game. This isn’t done to make modern-style gaming look bad: we assume most people reading this booklet regularly play modern-style games and know that they aren’t this boring. It’s done to highlight when and how rules are used in modern gaming, as opposed to when and how they aren’t used in old-style gaming. So the modern-style GM talks his way through all the rules he’s using, which isn’t how a good modern-style GM usually runs his game. I think that will mollify anyone who might otherwise have taken offense at the example comparisons. |
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tank
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 58
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Post by tank on Jul 9, 2008 16:05:30 GMT -6
I love it. I gave you a nice review.
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Post by badger2305 on Jul 9, 2008 22:07:58 GMT -6
I really like this.
I really really like this.
What was interesting to me was how much you got the feel of old school gaming in the examples, and how much I recognized from my own previous gaming experiences.
Definitely exaltworthy.
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Bard
Level 3 Conjurer
The dice never lie.
Posts: 87
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Post by Bard on Jul 10, 2008 7:09:23 GMT -6
I like what you are doing myth! This is a great introduction to 0e.
I posted a review too.
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oldgeezer
Level 3 Conjurer
Original Blackmoor Participant
Posts: 70 
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Post by oldgeezer on Jul 17, 2008 23:05:23 GMT -6
"Even on the first level of a dungeon, there might be
challenges too difficult for a first-level party of adventurers. Ask the one-armed guy in
the tavern; he may know. If you didn’t think of checking the tavern for one-armed men,
consider it a comment on your skill as a player."
This.
I'll be writing a review soon.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2008 6:23:54 GMT -6
Good work, Mythmere. An EXALT is on its way!
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Post by akrasia on Jul 29, 2008 14:44:48 GMT -6
A superb primer, Mythmere! I'm considering giving this out to players for any RPG I run in the future. Thanks.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2008 12:03:49 GMT -6
I want to download this also, once I get a couple of issues worked out with the home computer.
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Fandomaniac
Level 4 Theurgist
I've come here to chew bubblegum and roll d20's and I'm all out of bubblegum.
Posts: 191
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Post by Fandomaniac on Nov 28, 2008 0:06:40 GMT -6
I just finished reading this today and it's fantastic! You have inspired me to dust off my whitebox (bought on eBay 7 years ago) and give it a try. Thanks Matt!
I'm also looking forward to the S&W Whitebox release, I know it will be awesome!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2009 6:19:20 GMT -6
I believe that this is an ESSENTIAL document for anyone considering launching an oldskool-style campaign with younger players... or even players used to the prescriptive nature of skillcheckin', statblockin', rules-lawyerin' gaming. It explains the core reasons why it is a different (and better) style of experience... if and when I can get a group together it will be mandatory reading (and should diffuse some arguments!). Just sent it on to the first potential player... Thumbs up!!! ;D
Brilliant work (it even made me go 'click!'), and now I just have to work out how to give you an exalt...
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