Announcing Swords & Wizardry Quick Start module

[chgowiz]

I'd like to announce, in cooperation with Three-Headed Monster Games, the release of the Swords & Wizardry Quick Start module(download PDF here, purchase print copy here).



The Swords & Wizardry Quick Start is an introduction to the world of Swords & Wizardry(tm), the popular recreation of the original 1974 edition of Dungeons & Dragons(tm). It contains everything you need to play:

• Character creation
  
• Play and combat rules
  
• Game Referee Guidance
  
• A complete adventure – The Dungeon of Akban

It's audience is for new players and new Game Referees of Swords & Wizardry. With extensive help, suggestions and examples laid throughout the simple rules and adventure, novices can quickly immerse themselves into a fantastic world of adventure and danger. Upon completing this Quick Start, players and Game Referees will be able to easily master the full Swords & Wizardry Core Rules.



The front cover of the Quick Start is by Mark Allen of Marjasall Productions. Mark is the first place (Color) winner of the 2009 Erol Otus Art Challenge by Fight On! magazine and Otherworld Miniatures. Mark is also known for his work with Troll Lords Games LLC. (portfolio.marjasall.com)

The rear cover was done by Paul (bliss_infinite) Fini. (www.indieonlycomics.com) The interior art is from Brave Halfling Publishing.

The Swords & Wizardry Quick Start represents the first full length publication from Michael Shorten of Old Guy RPG Blog. Michael has been published in Fight On! and Knockspell magazines. He's also authored original edition D&D gaming aids and accessories as well as writing for Examiner.com as the Chicago Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)/RPG columnist. He also recently co-produced the 2009 One Page Dungeon Contest.


The Swords & Wizardry Quick Start Rules is produced in cooperation with the members of Three Headed Monster Games: a collective of creative individuals offering support to one another to improve, review, and edit their work into the best form possible with the tools and talents available within that network. The Quick Start is the first release done in cooperation with THM Games - more is on the way! For more information on THM Games, check out thmgames.blogspot.com

"Swords & Wizardry" is a trademark of Matthew J. Finch
"Dungeons & Dragons" is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

[Finarvyn]

Congrats on launching this. Will download and see what good you've done!


EDIT: Have now downloaded and read the book. Nice trim-down and explanation for beginners. Very well done. I particularly liked the adventure.

[benoist]

Very good initiative! Just downloaded it.

[verhaden]

Great job (and I love the cover art). Sorry I couldn't be more productive with draft comments, though you've managed just fine.

[chgowiz]

Jul 16, 2009 16:51:58 GMT -6 verhaden said:

Great job (and I love the cover art). Sorry I couldn't be more productive with draft comments, though you've managed just fine.

I appreciate all that you've done - you've really given a lot to S&W. I'm glad that you liked it - yes, Mark Allen really outdid himself with the artwork. I was stunned when I saw how good it was - and Paul Fini's back cover really makes it complete.

[Melan]

It is a well written starter package, and I also liked the intro module. It's not easy to do a beginner's dungeon, but you have done a good job. I do miss some advancement rules - I am hardwired to like an intro set with at least 3 levels to play around, but with S&W so easily accessible and not that much of a departure from the quickstart, I guess it is all right.

[burke]

Very nice indeed! Exalts!

[jonathan]

Nice job! The only critique I'd make is that I think having some kind of equipment "fast packs" for new players would make for a nice option. Some players really dig rumaging through the equipment list and kitting out their character, but I think many just want to cut to the chase.

[chgowiz]

Jul 16, 2009 23:08:35 GMT -6 Melan said:

It is a well written starter package, and I also liked the intro module. It's not easy to do a beginner's dungeon, but you have done a good job. I do miss some advancement rules - I am hardwired to like an intro set with at least 3 levels to play around, but with S&W so easily accessible and not that much of a departure from the quickstart, I guess it is all right.

Thank you, Melan. That's high praise from you and much appreciated.

I went back and forth and decided to stick to the example from the old 2E D&D "Fast Play" modules - they didn't do advancement - at least the initial one - so I left it as-is with level 1. Hopefully that doesn't limit the usefulness - especially since the dungeon could be fitted into a new campaign by a new DM easily. I had good examples with Tower of Zenopus for that.