jrients
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 411
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Post by jrients on Feb 7, 2008 8:57:05 GMT -6
So this Sunday at my local con I'll be running my second ever session of OD&D. I'm really looking forward to it. I've stocked a six level dungeon using the methods outlined in Book 3. And unlike last time I tried this, I think I've worked out a clear interpretation for most of the ambiguous sections of the rules. We'll see.
The mission is to find a quick route to level 4 and loot the hoard of a recently deceased dragon. The lizard in question was killed when it flew over a hero who used the rules in Chainmail to shoot it down. There are several routes from level 1 to level 4 on my map, whole levels can be skipped if the party finds the right path. I can't wait to see how it plays out.
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Post by makofan on Feb 7, 2008 9:04:08 GMT -6
Hey, I like that setup! Let us know how it works.
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wulfgar
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 126
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Post by wulfgar on Feb 7, 2008 10:01:06 GMT -6
what level are the pc's?
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jrients
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 411
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Post by jrients on Feb 7, 2008 10:06:15 GMT -6
We'll be making PCs on the spot. I have a 3d6 chart that hands out XP, with prefigured modifications for high or low prime requisites. A roll of 3 nets you 0 xp, while an 18 gets you just enough for 6th level. Most rolls put the character at 3rd or 4th.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2008 17:03:41 GMT -6
Sounds like a good time; Definitely would like to hear about it after it ends.
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Post by Zulgyan on Feb 7, 2008 17:29:00 GMT -6
We'll be making PCs on the spot. I have a 3d6 chart that hands out XP, with prefigured modifications for high or low prime requisites. A roll of 3 nets you 0 xp, while an 18 gets you just enough for 6th level. Most rolls put the character at 3rd or 4th. Nice Could you share that chart?
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jrients
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 411
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Post by jrients on Feb 7, 2008 18:52:45 GMT -6
Jeff's XP Chart for Quick OD&D Parties Prime Modifier | -20% | -10% | 0 | +5% | +10% | 3d6 | | | | | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 800 | 900 | 1,000 | 1,050 | 1,100 | 5 | 1,600 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,100 | 2,200 | 6 | 2,210 | 2,485 | 2,750 | 2,888 | 3,025 | 7 | 2,800 | 3,150 | 3,500 | 3,675 | 3,850 | 8 | 3,200 | 3,600 | 4,000 | 4,200 | 4,400 | 9 | 4,400 | 4,950 | 5,500 | 5,775 | 6,050 | 10 | 5,400 | 6,075 | 6,750 | 7,088 | 7,425 | 11 | 6,400 | 7,200 | 8,000 | 8,400 | 8,800 | 12 | 9,000 | 10,000 | 11,000 | 11,550 | 12,100 | 13 | 11,200 | 12,600 | 14,000 | 14,700 | 15,400 | 14 | 12,800 | 14,400 | 16,000 | 16,800 | 17,600 | 15 | 19,200 | 21,600 | 24,000 | 25,200 | 26,400 | 16 | 24,000 | 27,000 | 30,000 | 31,500 | 33,000 | 17 | 25,600 | 28,800 | 32,000 | 33,600 | 35,200 | 18 | 28,500 | 31,500 | 35,000 | 36,750 | 38,500 |
If anyone spots an error please speak up. The original was done by hand.
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Post by foster1941 on Feb 7, 2008 19:48:56 GMT -6
I really like the idea of this table. I especially like how (intentionally or otherwise) your numbers seem to allow characters with +10% to get an extra level in several cases, and in fact I'd probably tweak the numbers a bit so that happened even more often -- for instance, if a roll 4 gave a baseline 1,100 instead of 1,000 then the +10% character would get 1,210 -- just enough for a thief to hit 2nd level
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Post by Zulgyan on Feb 8, 2008 0:39:01 GMT -6
That table is totally awesome. It's very OD&D. I'll use it for one-shot a bunch of guys wants me to run them.
So, average level is 3 and 4?
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Post by foster1941 on Feb 8, 2008 0:59:40 GMT -6
So, average level is 3 and 4? Depends on the class: an average roll (10 or 11) is 4th level for clerics (unless they roll a 10 and have a -20% XP penalty), 3rd or 4th for fighters (roll 10 = 3rd, roll 11 with least avg PR = 4th), 3rd for magic-users, and 4th for thieves.
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Post by calithena on Feb 8, 2008 5:33:34 GMT -6
The table is brutally OD&D, but I like it very much. A modern designer would give you higer experience points for low attribute scores as a compensator.
Interestingly, if you look at the pregens in S1 or S3, for example, they seem to follow this pattern: higher level characters with 15's and 16's in prime requisite, then lower level ones with the 18/91 strength and such. I imagine it was perceived as a compensating factor for tournaments.
Your method is more Darwinian and excellent for a non-tournament con game though.
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jrients
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 411
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Post by jrients on Feb 8, 2008 9:06:00 GMT -6
foster: I hadn't really taken thieves into consideration when making the table, as I only plan on using the original 3 classes. However, I plan on handing out monster xp after each encounter, so starting out close to the next level amount will be important.
cal: Part of the point of figuring in the prime requisite goes back to the fact that the players are making their own characters. If a player rolls a low Int but still wants to play an MU the choice comes with a downside. Since I'm not using Greyhawk, the prime requisite rule is the most important function of Str, Int, and Wis.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2008 12:54:28 GMT -6
Hey, Jeff,
I actually only registered to let you know, but that XP table is an great idea. I just may steal that for a B/X Basic game I'm running at a small con coming up. Cool stuff, man!
DYA
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Post by carjack on Feb 10, 2008 16:21:15 GMT -6
Officially snagged. Very cool. I was going to use use pre-gens for my upcoming game, but this just seems much cooler!
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jrients
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 411
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Post by jrients on Feb 12, 2008 12:35:56 GMT -6
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Post by makofan on Feb 12, 2008 13:02:24 GMT -6
Hey that was fun - players just surprise you every time!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2008 15:56:55 GMT -6
Sounds as if a good time was had by all; That's what it's all about.
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Post by carjack on Feb 12, 2008 19:16:33 GMT -6
Awesome story. The poison gas thing is just classic!
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Post by Rhuvein on Feb 12, 2008 21:13:22 GMT -6
That was great, Jeff. Say I meant to respond to your thread last week, but was just overwhelmed with . . . stuff. Been oddly busy lately. Anyway, what is name of the CON down there? I'm just north of you in Frankfort and lived in Champaign for a couple of years whilst in college. So maybe next year, I can visit. [Very cool that rogue_attorney was there as well ;D
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jrients
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 411
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Post by jrients on Feb 13, 2008 8:38:02 GMT -6
Anyway, what is name of the CON down there? I'm just north of you in Frankfort and lived in Champaign for a couple of years whilst in college. So maybe next year, I can visit. Winter War
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Post by Zulgyan on Feb 14, 2008 10:23:51 GMT -6
Just read the story.
It was so freaking hilarious! Very cool game and way of running/building the dungeon.
I'm going to steal the dragon baby ideas.
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Post by Rhuvein on Feb 16, 2008 20:41:03 GMT -6
Anyway, what is name of the CON down there? I'm just north of you in Frankfort and lived in Champaign for a couple of years whilst in college. So maybe next year, I can visit. Winter WarThanks. It looks like a great CON!
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Post by simrion on Mar 8, 2008 11:34:14 GMT -6
Hey Jeff,
Have you expanded any more of this dungeon? I noticed you made references to shafts going deeper than the initial six levels. Just curious.
Randy/simrion
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jrients
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 411
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Post by jrients on Mar 8, 2008 16:28:15 GMT -6
I haven't done any more levels yet. For the lower levels I can't quite decide whether to stick to the Book 2 monster lists, add some Arduin critters, or strike out on my own for new high level beasties.
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