Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2008 20:20:41 GMT -6
Dave: Thank you. I wish I could say something more profound but all I can think of to say is thank you for the many hours of joy your creation brought into my life.
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Post by snorri on Oct 29, 2008 15:36:51 GMT -6
Dave: Thank you. I wish I could say something more profound but all I can think of to say is thank you for the many hours of joy your creation brought into my life. I don't know how many hours I spent playing D&D the last 25 years, surely a lot of, but I feel the same thing than dubeers : thanx Dave! |
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darneson
Level 3 Conjurer
Co-Creator of OD&D
Posts: 56
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Post by darneson on Oct 31, 2008 16:04:19 GMT -6
You are all welcome. Just keeep having fun!
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Gaming"
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2008 13:53:55 GMT -6
Greetings everyone!
First of all, let me say I'm honoured to participate in a forum that is dedicated to the true roots of role-playing games, specially with such an important member as Dave Arneson.
Well, I have some questions myself:
1. The legend says that the first role-playing session was during a wargame refereed by David Wesley, in which he gave the players non-military roles in a town (BRaumstein). Can you say more about that session? What took you to transcend the wargame's proposal and beat your opponents based sorely on role-play?
2. The legend continues by saying that, from that Braumstein session, you had the idea that resulted in Blackmoor, by using Chainmail's ruleset. How was the transition from a napoleonic wargame to a fantasy game with orcs, dragons and wizards?
3. The main sources of D&D are quite obvious (JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, Michael Moorcock, Jack Vance and Poul Anderson). Wich other not-so-obvious sources played an important role in the game's development? Was there any epiphany moment when you said "my God, that's got to be in D&D!"?
4. How do you see D&D nowadays?
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Nov 30, 2008 18:33:14 GMT -6
Something similar to Armor Class appeared in a naval wargame by Fred T Jane's (Jane's fighting ships). (The game had the players throwing darts at pinned up ship pictures for hits, I think?) They also figured in a couple WW I era sets of rules and my own Damm The Torpedos! (Never actually published.)
Arneson
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Nov 30, 2008 18:50:32 GMT -6
OK moving right along. This year my old group is going to have TWO anniversary Blackmoor games. One on the 13th and the other on the 28th (?). I'll try and talk one of the guys into doing a report as to why we are doing two games
In other matters I am not going to Lepricon in Dublin this year. Frankly I am not up for the trip and all my traveling companions decided not to go. Too bad it sounded like it would be fun. This is ore gossip than news. I hopethat no one minds?
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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Post by geoffrey on Dec 6, 2008 12:05:53 GMT -6
Dave,
When you started your Blackmoor fantasy campaign (with each player playing one man rather than each player playing whole armies), had you already read Chainmail's fantasy supplement? Or did that come later?
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 9, 2008 22:11:24 GMT -6
We began with each player playing one character. Then they talked me into expanding that. (sigh) The rest is history.
The role-playing was first by several years. Then Blackmoor, in it infancy. Followed by a couple of CHAINMAIL games, buy that did not eally work for role-playing 'cause it was too restrictive for critters and magic so then Blackmoor was fully spawned.
Dave Arneson
"The Dark Lord of Game Design"
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Post by Random on Dec 10, 2008 7:32:02 GMT -6
Back in the early 70s, how was your gaming viewed by others?
Nowadays, it's "oh, we're playing D&D" and everyone generally knows what that means, but back then how did you explain what you were doing?
Was is just wargaming with a twist?
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Post by Falconer on Dec 10, 2008 14:39:19 GMT -6
Dear Mr. Arneson,
The First Fantasy Campaign is my favorite RPG product of all time. Thank you so much for releasing it! I have been playing using FFC heavily, alongside old-school D&D, for over five years (straight) now.
Quick question is a two-parter, and I understand if you "no comment" on this one: Are you legally constrained to publish Blackmoor under the latest WotC rules? Or do you do so for market reasons?
Praying for your health,
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Post by amityvillemike on Dec 11, 2008 11:40:57 GMT -6
Dave,
Sort of off-topic as it's not gaming related, but I was wondering about your heritage. I'm assuming from the surname "Arneson" that there's some Scandinavia stock in your background. Where was your family originally from? I'm going to guess Sweden, since "son" is more common there, while "sen" tends to be Norwegian. I only ask because I'm Scandinavian myself and you probably know how we like to claim our own when they achieve great things.
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Post by havard on Dec 14, 2008 11:33:01 GMT -6
OK moving right along. This year my old group is going to have TWO anniversary Blackmoor games. One on the 13th and the other on the 28th (?). I'll try and talk one of the guys into doing a report as to why we are doing two games I would love to see those reports. Hope you guys have fun  Too bad. Would have been a good excuse for me to go to Dublin. Haven't been there yet  Havard |
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Post by gsvenson on Dec 15, 2008 18:41:34 GMT -6
OK moving right along. This year my old group is going to have TWO anniversary Blackmoor games. One on the 13th and the other on the 28th (?). Sadly, the game on the 13th didn't come off. The store where the games are traditionally held (called The Source) was holding a special event that day and the gaming area was not available.... |
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 16, 2008 21:57:01 GMT -6
On a related note, even if we didn't do any FRP, a large number of my original players and notable members of this group appeared over the weekend, periodically, at my place, and the kids, So Dave, Dave, Greg, Ross, Victor, Li, and Luke to talk with each other and get interviewed by Victor.We all seemed to remember something new, or 'in addition to" stuff. It was fun!
Two ofus are scandanaviamn, Two of us have American Indian ancestors, and three mixed. Mostly various Master's degrees.
We simply called it Blackmoor when we started. But that was pre-D&D.
To us it was still Blackmoor for several years.
We are presently constrained by WOTC over Blackmoor. If I win the Lottery that may change a lot.
From a Fantasy point of view I think it Was, Richard, John (Sci-Fi) and Fred that started the next campaigns I believe that John's lasted the longest. Victor would actually be the one to ask that.
Re: Official Dave Arneson Q&A Thread
« Reply #37 on Dec 9, 2008, 11:11pm »
We began with each player playing one character. Then they talked me into expanding that. (sigh) The rest is history.
The role-playing was first by several years. Then Blackmoor, in it infancy. Followed by a couple of CHAINMAIL games, buy that did not eally work for role-playing 'cause it was too restrictive for critters and magic so then Blackmoor was fully spawned.
BTW my health is doing pretty well. The Docs are actually giving me over a month off! Yipe!! So I will get to see Xmas and New Years.
Dave Arneson
"The Dark Lord of Game Design"
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Post by Random on Dec 17, 2008 0:51:33 GMT -6
BTW my health is doing pretty well. The Docs are actually giving me over a month off! Yipe!! So I will get to see Xmas and New Years. Happy holidays to you. |
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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 Dec 24, 2008 7:27:10 GMT -6
Happy Holidays Dave!
I'm glad to hear that your health is doing better.
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Jan 9, 2009 14:25:22 GMT -6
D&D at its start was a simple system with guidelines that could be tailored to the players. The game was a co-operative effort by the players (Each having strong points and weakness.) to overcome the obstacles (Problem solving.) set up by the DM, The skills (Such as found in my AIF game.) allowed you to build your character. As each edition came out new layers and more/different ruled were added. Some good, some bad, always more restrictive in some way even if it was a more 'simple' game.
My emphasis was always on the story telling and problem solving,
Do I like 4e? Read it, haven't played it. Some good parts some bad. You're the players/referees. Use what you want and have a fun, and rewarding experience. If you cab slip in some education/teaching go for it. It will make them, and you. want to learn more about things. This is good.
Hit them/you over the head with unneeded detail? Bad!
Dave Arneson,
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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Post by dwayanu on Jan 9, 2009 17:49:10 GMT -6
Yeah, the combat elaborations, character classes and so on in Supplement II made more sense in the context you provided in The First Fantasy Campaign. There's a "tool kit," but the referee must choose the right tools for the occasion.
[edit] Years ago, I gave to a young friend my AIF boxed set (autographed, as I recall, by yourself and your partner -- Richard Snyder? My memory is not so good!). Now, I sometimes wish I still had it. When someone's sharing stuff from his campaign -- as opposed to just making "product" -- there's always inspiration to be found. It may not strike a spark on the first reading, though.
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Post by dwayanu on Jan 9, 2009 18:08:01 GMT -6
I've derived much pleasure from J.F. Grossman's The Complete Brigadier, another fine Adventure Games product.
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Post by stonetoflesh on Jan 9, 2009 18:51:57 GMT -6
Hi Dave, Thanks for taking time to answer our questions, and my apologies if this one has been handled elsewhere. I love the description of the non-Vancian, alchemically-oriented magic system in the FFC book, but alas it seems woefully incomplete. I've been working on my own system based on the FFC description, but I'd love to hear more about your version. Can you elaborate on how you handled magic in the early days? Did you come up with specific lists of reagents for different effects ahead of time? To what degree did improvisation figure into the process? Thanks again, hope you had a nice holiday season! |
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Jan 9, 2009 23:17:18 GMT -6
Pretty much the way AIF did it. Again you picked what you got and found the elements you needed. I am probably going to offer AIF as a PDF in a few months. Again it was incomplete because there were no follow on products. One of the great lawsuits was involved, so no follow-up product. Sales were pretty bad too! However a lot of the ideas were there. Not sure as to 'who' will provided the PDF.
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2009 7:29:43 GMT -6
The "Search" function requires 4 or more characters, so instead I'll ask here. What is "AIF"?
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Post by dwayanu on Jan 10, 2009 7:46:01 GMT -6
Adventures In Fantasy
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Post by havard on Jan 11, 2009 3:16:35 GMT -6
Pretty much the way AIF did it. Again you picked what you got and found the elements you needed. I am probably going to offer AIF as a PDF in a few months. Again it was incomplete because there were no follow on products. One of the great lawsuits was involved, so no follow-up product. Sales were pretty bad too! However a lot of the ideas were there. Not sure as to 'who' will provided the PDF. Wow, I would be very interested in this! Havard |
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Post by stonetoflesh on Jan 12, 2009 16:48:24 GMT -6
Pretty much the way AIF did it. Again you picked what you got and found the elements you needed. I am probably going to offer AIF as a PDF in a few months. Again it was incomplete because there were no follow on products. One of the great lawsuits was involved, so no follow-up product. Sales were pretty bad too! However a lot of the ideas were there. Not sure as to 'who' will provided the PDF. Thanks for your prompt reply, Dave. I missed out on AIF back in the day... I've heard other snippets about it around here, and your response makes me all the more interested. I'll definitely be keeping careful watch for any PDF (or print) release news! |
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yesmar
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
Fool, my spell book is written in Erlang!
Posts: 217
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Post by yesmar on Jan 12, 2009 21:02:30 GMT -6
I've got a boxed copy of Adventures In Fantasy that is autographed by both Dave Arneson and Richard Snyder. (Hey Dwayanu, what are the odds this is your old one?) I definitely prefer OD&D to the rules presented therein *but* AIF has one of the best dragon's lairs I've ever seen. It's a complex place with rationale complete with symbiotic relationships between the Dragon and the various other creatures found therein. AIF is worth it for the dragon's lair alone, methinks.
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Post by dwayanu on Jan 12, 2009 22:30:07 GMT -6
Realistically, I reckon the odds are about one in however many were in the lot they signed. Romantically, I'm content not to know for certain that the warp and woof of life have not produced such a synchronicity! I got it from a girl whose first undertaking as DM was the Temple of Elemental Evil, and I don't know whence it came to her.
I'm pretty sure the box I passed along contained notes in at least two hands concerning (IIRC) Dragons and Faerie.
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Mar 7, 2009 12:31:30 GMT -6
DMing with no map has been a topic on this board elsewhere. But I thought that some comment should appear here sooo...
Ohh. Simply memorize the dungeon. The rules you use. Keep notes of any changes.
"Been there, done that. No big deal."
Dave Arneson
"The first Dungeonmaster"
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Post by Zenopus on Jul 1, 2019 20:50:22 GMT -6
It's hard to believe it's been over 10 years since Dave passed away, on April 7th, 2009. His last visit was on April 1st, 2009, less than a week before that. Dave only made about a dozen posts in this official Q&A thread, but overall he posted more than 170 times to the OD&D Discussion forums in 2008 and 2009. He posted under two different accounts with the same avatar: the cover of TSR's Blackmoor Supplement. darneson: 56 posts from 5/22/08 to 2/6/09blackmoor: 115 posts from 11/22/08 to 3/22/09He usually signed his posts as the "Dark Lord of Game Design", but on a few occasions as "The First Referee" or "The First Dungeonmaster". |
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