OD&D + Ultraviolet Grasslands (New & Improved for 2023!)

[Mushgnome]

Ultraviolet Grasslands and the Black City (UVG) is a campaign setting by Luka Rejec. UVG can be run as a standalone game using its 'SEACAT' rule system, but in this case, we will be running it as a D&D 'module.' This will be 100% a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, using Dungeons & Dragons rules, but deliberately trying something different, instead of the standard Tolkien-fantasy tropes.

My goal is a 'Wilderlands/CSIO' style of gameplay, with an emphasis on exploration, discovery, travel, and interacting with the various factions that populate the UVG. There are some very fun NPCs and civilizations, creating many opportunities for diplomacy. The setting lends itself well to long-term campaign arcs that span weeks and months.

I want to run this as a 'Expedition to the Barrier Peaks' or 'Alice in Wonderland' style campaign, where a party of standard OD&D characters passes through a magical portal into the strange and unknown UVG. No prior knowledge of the UVG is necessary (since we will be using 100% familiar D&D rules) but optionally, if you want to sample the 'vibe' take a look at the free UVG Players Guide. Flip through and enjoy Rejec's excellent artwork, to get a sense what the UVG setting is all about.

If you are a fan of Gamma World, Metamorphosis Alpha, Darksun, Carcosa, Barsoom, Mad Max, or the Wilderlands then step right up. A strange new world awaits!

[flightcommander]

Mushgnome Will you be running this here on ODD74?

[Mushgnome]

Yes, right here on odd74 forums is the place! The UVG setting should appeal to fans of Gamma World, Outdoor Survival, Carcosa, Barsoom, 'sword & planet' genre, etc.

I also wanted to do something nice for my Carcosa and Deep Arkham players, if they want to bring those PCs back to life. UVG is the most appropriate setting I can think of, where OD&D and Carcosa characters make sense together in the same party.

These reviews help paint a picture of the setting:
The Alexandrian
Coins & Scrolls

edit: New & improved for 2023! See revised 1st post.

[flightcommander]

I have the UVG hardback, but have NOT had the chance to play it. I am 100% in!

[Mushgnome]

Welcome aboard! Glad to have you. UVG is rabidly 'anti-canon' so even if you had played before, it's a little different each time.

[kipper]

I have a couple of questions before I decide whether or not I would like to join.

1) How much of an emphasis will be placed on resource management and/or trading? Neither of those interest me at all personally, so if they are major component(s) of the campaign (rather than simply background flavour) that will have a large impact on my decision.

2) I assume knowledge of UVG is optional? (In all honesty, I will not be reading the UVG player's guide).

[Mushgnome]

edit: New & improved for 2023! See revised 1st post.

[Mushgnome]

(Remember "caravan" just means "party" in this context.)

[kipper]

Thanks for the explanations. As long as I personally don't have to track rations/consumables and fuss about repurchasing them (how many, what price, etc.), then I'm in!

[Mushgnome]

Excellent! Any thought whether you'd like to reactivate an old PC (Breath of New Moon, Bremusa the Amazon, Astarte's Saviour) or start fresh with a new character?

If you reactivate an old PC, I'll take away most of your wealth (you'd start with €100, same as all the other PCs), but you get to keep your experience points and level.


edit: New & improved for 2023! See revised 1st post.

[sulldawga]

It's been a while since I've been seen in these parts but I'd be interested in playing.

Are you using the original rules or Delving Deeper?

[Mushgnome]

Hi sulldawga! I remember you from makofan's epic campaign.

I love Delving Deeper, but something about the UVG's "Yes album cover" aesthetic just screams out for using vintage rules from the 70s. Also I am getting excited about next year's 50th anniversary!! Therefore I have a preference to use the original 1974 rules (3LBBs only, no Chainmail, Greyhawk or Blackmoor supplements).

(If anyone needs help finding a copy of Men & Magic, shoot me a PM, I have suggestions.)

[kipper]

Nov 30, 2022 10:34:18 GMT -6 Mushgnome said:

Excellent! Any thought whether you'd like to reactivate an old PC (Breath of New Moon, Bremusa the Amazon, Astarte's Saviour) or start fresh with a new character?

Not sure yet, still mulling over the possibilities. (I have a horrible memory, I do recall Bremusa and Breath (although I've completely forgotten Breath's personality), but I'm drawing a complete blank on Astarte's Saviour).

Nov 30, 2022 10:34:18 GMT -6 Mushgnome said:

Do you want to start Luke's adventure at Owen and Beru's farm, or skip ahead to Mos Eisley Spaceport?

I really don't mind either way, if we do start with the intro adventure though I think my character would just take the cash and equip themselves right away.

[flightcommander]

Nov 30, 2022 10:34:18 GMT -6 Mushgnome said:

In Star Wars terms, do you want to start Luke's adventure at Owen and Beru's farm, or skip ahead to Mos Eisley Spaceport?

A nice way of putting it I think I'd prefer the latter. I'd hope we'd have one or two additional players join us.

[sulldawga]

So does this also mean no firearms in this game?

[Mushgnome]

We have all the guns that go boom and pew pew pew! We have the machine that goes bing!

[sulldawga]

I'd lean toward Fighting-Men only but I hold no strong opinion.

If starting fresh, what level would my PC be?

[flightcommander]

I'd kind of lean towards the Fighting-Man only approach sulldawga mentions.

Another way to do it might be to limit each class to certain subsets of firearms and zapguns. I'm not sure what the discriminant would be but it might be similar to the weapon restrictions already specified for Cleric and Magic-User types.

I'm honestly not even sure what a Cleric would be in UVG but I'm inclined to find out.

[Mushgnome]

edit: New & improved for 2023! See revised 1st post.

[Mushgnome]

edit: New & improved for 2023! See revised 1st post.

[flightcommander]

I'll brush up on the background this weekend, it's been a spell since I looked over UVG (mainly marveling at the artwork).

[Mushgnome]

kipper if you are asking my advice which PC to bring back, I'd recommend Breath of New Moon. She is a five-foot tall, 18 Str Bone-Hero who fights with a glaive. She killed the Statue of Liberty with a bundle of plastic explosives! ("It was Earth all along!")

[Finarvyn]

Just remind me when this game is ready to launch and I'll set up space here.

[Mushgnome]

Thanks @finarvyn ! I'd like to let this marinate a bit longer, hopefully attract some more players, before pressing the launch button.

The first batch of 3 players can use this time to brainstorm a strong adventure hook (monster hunters, tomb raiders, desert couriers, etc.) to bring things in focus.

[kipper]

Dec 3, 2022 11:58:15 GMT -6 Mushgnome said:

Why go to the end of the world? (p10-13) is the party's raison d'être. There are 14 options, and I want the players to talk it over and choose, instead of rolling randomly. The choice determines the party's starting resources and bonus xp 'stretch goals.'

If you want to opt-out of 'resource management' (by having an employer who feeds you and handles logistics) then these are my suggestions: 3. Big Game Hunting (you are part of a trophy hunting expedition); 4. Explore Forgotten Ruins (archaeology expedition); 5. Glorious Naturalists (science mission); 8. Tribute Mission (safely deliver the McGuffin); 9. Escort Duties (safely deliver the NPCs).

Any of those listed sound fine to me. If I had to pick my two favourites they would be #4 or #5.

Dec 3, 2022 11:58:15 GMT -6 Mushgnome said:

kipper if you are asking my advice which PC to bring back, I'd recommend Breath of New Moon. She is a five-foot tall, 18 Str Bone-Hero who fights with a glaive. She killed the Statue of Liberty with a bundle of plastic explosives! ("It was Earth all along!")

After thinking about this some more I have decided I would like to resurrect Breath of New Moon. As she was previously a sorcerer, I'm thinking I would like her new incarnation to be an elf Fighter/Magic-User. What interpretation of the OD&D multi-class rules will we be using?

[Mushgnome]

edit: New & improved for 2023! See revised 1st post.

[kipper]

Sweet. To avoid the temptation to min/max, I'll split her XP down the middle: 6804XP to each class. Hmmm, that makes her F3/MU3... will that make her too powerful in comparison to the level 1 characters?

As to her alignment, I'll likely go with Neutral (unless the other PCs are Chaotic as well).

Also, regarding "Why go to the end of the World?", if the other players want a more intensive resource-management sub-game then that is fine with me as well, I will just likely take a back seat during those particulars. From my point of view it doesn't matter if my character is accompanying an NPC expedition or a PC expedition.

[Mushgnome]

edit: New & improved for 2023! See revised 1st post.

[sulldawga]

I guess I don't understand why some PCs get to start with over 13,000 xp and others start from scratch. Why wouldn't you want all of the PCs to be equal at the beginning?

[Mushgnome]

edit: New & improved for 2023! See revised 1st post.