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Post by jonathan on Jul 1, 2009 12:32:11 GMT -6
Now that we can no longer purchase it as a .pdf, has anyone given thought to putting together a retro-clone version of Chainmail? I think it'd make a cool standalone game, or even as a supplement to Swords & Wizardry.
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Post by thegreyelf on Jul 1, 2009 17:13:53 GMT -6
Well, Spellcraft & Swordplay is inspired by the Man to Man system from Chainmail, then expanded to be a full RPG...
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Post by thorswulf on Jul 1, 2009 23:01:54 GMT -6
A retro clone would be very cool! I imagine one would have to include the standard IP thing in the back. At least with a retro clone you could do away with those awful morale rules that twist my brain every time I try to read them.... Maybe a simple morale system ala Labyrinth Lord would work bettter.
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Post by thegreyelf on Jul 2, 2009 5:40:49 GMT -6
Except the more changes you make, the less it's a retro clone...
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Post by chgowiz on Jul 2, 2009 8:45:45 GMT -6
Except the more changes you make, the less it's a retro clone... Kinda like one saving throw and AAC?  (I'm ***TEASING*** as I have no issues one way or the other...) |
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Post by thegreyelf on Jul 2, 2009 10:34:49 GMT -6
Except the more changes you make, the less it's a retro clone... Kinda like one saving throw and AAC? (I'm ***TEASING*** as I have no issues one way or the other...) Actually, yes. Kinda like that I don't consider S&W a true retro-clone. Too many tweaks, house rules and fiddly mods. Don't get me wrong--it's a GREAT game, well-designed, very compatible with OD&D, and lots of fun. I just don't think it's a retro clone, in the sense that OSRIC and Labyrinth Lord are. And S&S never was a retro clone  |
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scogle
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 69
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Post by scogle on Jul 2, 2009 13:36:58 GMT -6
Would it be legal to type-up and rearrange D&D rules and put them out free online? Like OD&D. I'm almost done with a "BtB Combat System" and can easily put the rest onto that, with the most likely interpretations of vague points (many are explainable) + errata and everything. I could even add sups later. A retyping of Chainmail but in the context of D&D could be provided as well (D&D combat is main but there are expanded rules for simple man-to-man as well as mass combat and historical considerations, the works).
Would it be legal, though?
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Post by thegreyelf on Jul 2, 2009 14:07:03 GMT -6
You would have to:
1. Completely rephrase all the text. You couldn't use any blocks of text as-is from the original game. Rules systems cannot be copyrighted; the expressions of those systems (i.e. the text used to express them and the trade dress) can.
2. Use the Open Game License to be able to use things like the Ability Scores, spells, monsters, etc.
Also, most people wouldn't bother with it, as S&W is generally accepted as the second coming of OD&D, even if it's not a 100% perfect translation. You'd likely be doing a lot of work for no real return.
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scogle
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 69
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Post by scogle on Jul 2, 2009 14:49:08 GMT -6
Thanks for the advice, I'll do it for my own benefit. It'd be cool to have the perfect system lol.
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scogle
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 69
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Post by scogle on Jul 2, 2009 14:53:14 GMT -6
I'll call it "Neckbeards & Necromancers" >=D (joke, I know y'all aren't neckbeards  |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2009 15:01:31 GMT -6
How's about ... "Fetter Letter"?
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scogle
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 69
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Post by scogle on Jul 2, 2009 15:27:31 GMT -6
How's about ... "Fetter Letter"? What does that mean  It was just a joke and I don't care if it's useless, I've always wanted a "btb od&d" thing. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2009 15:45:06 GMT -6
How's about ... "Fetter Letter"? What does that mean It was just a joke and I don't care if it's useless, I've always wanted a "btb od&d" thing. I've got a rather bizarre sense of humor ... my apologies. Fetter = Chain
Letter = Mail |
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scogle
Level 3 Conjurer
Posts: 69
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Post by scogle on Jul 2, 2009 16:11:24 GMT -6
What does that mean It was just a joke and I don't care if it's useless, I've always wanted a "btb od&d" thing. I've got a rather bizarre sense of humor ... my apologies. Fetter = Chain
Letter = Mail Ahhh . . . ahahahaha! That's pretty good.  |
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Post by tavis on Jul 9, 2009 7:52:24 GMT -6
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Post by Finarvyn on Jul 12, 2009 5:38:21 GMT -6
Tavis, just to be clear -- are you suggesting a clone for the miniatures game or the fantasy supplement parts of Chainmail?
I ask because the Fantasy Supplement part is the section that most pertains to OD&D and is sort of what my Ringmail variant is eventually supposed to become. It's still undergoing phases of playtesting, but there are a few threads here on what I have so far.
I have little use for the vast majority of the Chainmail booklet because a miniatures rules system doesn't fit the style of my current group any more. (They're just not into warfare.)
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Post by tavis on Jul 12, 2009 11:35:21 GMT -6
I'm interested in either, in part because I don't really know what the difference is! My experiences trying to figure out Chainmail, either as a mass combat system or as the "alternate" man-to-man system, have been confusing - so the thing I'm most excited about is having someone take some/all of the material in the Chainmail rules and restate it in a way that'd let me take another crack at understanding it. Ringmail sounds like it'd do the trick, so I'll keep an eye on that project.
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jacar
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Posts: 345
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Post by jacar on Aug 10, 2009 14:48:41 GMT -6
Hi all, been offline for a while and saw this thread. I've been working on a clone for Chainmail for a while. Here is what I have so far. www.johnshouse.org/chainmail.pdfThere needs to be some lingo clean-up but the basic battle game is done. I only have to writein the fantasy stuff. I'll make it strongly tied to the creatures and magic of the original rules so that I don't have to go back and rewrite all of that stuff into the rules. Let me know what you think. All feedback welcome. John PS. I wrote this in the spirit of the original chainmail rules...from a wargame perspective. So, no attempt was made to try to reconcile armor and equipment to the role playing game. |
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Post by kenmeister on Aug 19, 2009 11:38:05 GMT -6
Tavis, just to be clear -- are you suggesting a clone for the miniatures game or the fantasy supplement parts of Chainmail? I ask because the Fantasy Supplement part is the section that most pertains to OD&D and is sort of what my Ringmail variant is eventually supposed to become. It's still undergoing phases of playtesting, but there are a few threads here on what I have so far. I have little use for the vast majority of the Chainmail booklet because a miniatures rules system doesn't fit the style of my current group any more. (They're just not into warfare.) That's so funny, because last year I started work on my platemail expansion of the fantasy supplement, but like every other creative project I start, I left it at the altar. |
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(I'm ***TEASING*** as I have no issues one way or the other...)
