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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 13, 2011 7:49:05 GMT -6
Have you ever wanted to hack the tentacles off a Lovecraftian horror, hunt Mi-Go from dinosaur-back, or lead your Bone Man army against Great Cthulhu and his minions? (Good luck with that last one!)
Together at last: Chainmail, the perplexing 1974 proto-D&D combat system, and Supplement V: Carcosa, Geoffrey McKinney's surreal and brutal campaign setting. We won't be playing a miniatures wargame per se, but rather exploring the premise: what would Supplement V look like if the d20-based "alternate combat system" did not exist, and Chainmail had evolved into "the" D&D combat system?
No prior knowledge of Carcosa or Chainmail is necessary. We'll be starting off slowly and introducing each sub-set of the rules as it comes up in play. House rules will be added sparingly as needed.
We'll be using a lightly expurgated version of the rules (sorry, no baby-killing!) but players should expect lots of cosmic horror, mind-blowing plot twists, and a high body count. I have a few tricks up my sleeve with regards to the campaign setting, so even if you've played Carcosa before, you've never played it quite like this!
This is a feeler for interested players; if there is enough interest (the more the merrier; due to Chainmail's scalability I am not placing a cap on number of players) we can get started!
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Post by tombowings on Apr 13, 2011 8:25:56 GMT -6
I do love me some mutated dinosaurs.
count me in.
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 13, 2011 8:40:02 GMT -6
I do love me some mutated dinosaurs. count me in. Glad to have you on board, Tombowings! Your PbP Carcosa game was one of my main inspirations for this project. I will extend the offer to any of Tom's former players, if you want to re-use your PC from his game, that is OK with me! Same goes for former players in the Dubeers game (powered-down to 1st level of course).  |
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Post by tombowings on Apr 13, 2011 8:46:06 GMT -6
I was sad to see that game die before its time  I had some good fun in store for you all. But I'm always happy to see more Carcosa on these boards. I'm especially curious how you plan to mesh (if at all) the Carcosa style variable weapon damage and hit points with Chainmail. Edit: I can post a recruitment message on my blog if you'd like, too, later today. |
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 13, 2011 9:26:27 GMT -6
I'm especially curious how you plan to mesh (if at all) the Carcosa style variable weapon damage and hit points with Chainmail. House rules will evolve through actual play. Here's how I plan to run things: In mass combat, ordinary Men and creatures of 1HD or less do not have individual hit points. 1 hit = 1 kill. For PCs and creatures/NPCs with at least 1+1 HD, hit dice/hit points work exactly as described in Carcosa. For those who don't own Carcosa, here is a brief summary: Hit points are rolled at the beginning of each combat. Roll d10 to determine which size dice are used (1-2 = d4, 3-4 = d6, 5-6 = d8, 7-8 = d10, 9-0 = d12). This means a 1st level PC (1+1 HD) will have between 2 and 13 hit points for that battle. Damage for all weapons is rolled using the same random dice mechanic: a hit inflicts anywhere from d4 to d12 damage. Healing in Carcosa is a bit weird, we'll go into the details once we get started, but in a nutshell, minor damage (less than your highest HD) is healed instantly at the end of combat, and major damage reduces your HD until you can rest and heal. For example if you roll 8+1 = 9 hp, you can take up to 7 damage with no permanent injury, 8 damage reduces you to 0+1 HD (1 hp), and 9+ damage you're in trouble. Edit: I can post a recruitment message on my blog if you'd like, too, later today. That'd be awesome, thanks! |
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 13, 2011 10:14:09 GMT -6
Oh and one more thing, if anyone is interested in a Carcosa PbP but NOT Chainmail, I'd still be curious to hear from you.
If there is not enough interest in the Chainmail aspect of what I'm planning, we could just as easily run the adventures I've planned as "classic" D&D.
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Post by chicagowiz on Apr 13, 2011 10:54:06 GMT -6
I'm interested as unfortunately, Ronin's game was terminated. How would you handle the PCs involved in mass combat?
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 13, 2011 11:13:14 GMT -6
I'm interested as unfortunately, Ronin's game was terminated. How would you handle the PCs involved in mass combat? Glad to have you on board! I imagine our first several combats will be 1:1 scale. PCs are assigned a "fighting capability" based on their level and equipment, for example a 1st level PC fights as "1 man + 1." Each "kill" (usually a roll of 6) does 1 (variable) die of damage, except vs. opponents with 1HD or less, who are killed outright. Eventually it will be fun to try some 1:20 scale combats. There are a couple of different ways to handle this; for example the PCs could engage the enemy leaders Man-to-Man while the troops duke it out on the Mass Combat table. The hex descriptions in Carcosa practically beg for this approach ("a village of 60 orange men led by 'The Lawyer of All Rules' an 8th level Superhero"). Don't worry too much about details right now. If/when the game gets off the ground, we'll have a massive "out-of-character rules and house rules" thread. For now I am just recruiting.... |
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Post by chicagowiz on Apr 13, 2011 13:47:57 GMT -6
The Big Brown Book has an interesting take on that. 1st level characters being a part of a unit would share in that unit's battles, and they would die at 1 "kill" - I'm probably going to allow for a Save vs. Death to see if that kill actually translates into PC death. So it would be risky business! 2nd level PCs get 2 "hits" and so on. This book also does a nice job of restating Chainmail into clearer, more organized language. Now admittedly, he does do a couple of things that I might not agree with, but it's an interesting take on clarifying the rules. feysquare.com/?page_id=84Glad to be aboard! |
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 13, 2011 14:42:50 GMT -6
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Post by Professor P on Apr 13, 2011 15:12:52 GMT -6
While have never read Carcosa and have only a limited understanding of Chainmail, I'll give it a whirl.
If anything, it will make me sit and try to comprehend Chainmail, something I've been meaning to do anyway.
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 13, 2011 16:06:11 GMT -6
While have never read Carcosa and have only a limited understanding of Chainmail, I'll give it a whirl. If anything, it will make me sit and try to comprehend Chainmail, something I've been meaning to do anyway. Welcome Professor! Don't worry about never having read Carcosa. I'll explain the basics when we get to the character generation phase. If anything, it will make the game more fun not knowing any spoilers. I have a few plot twists planned so even experienced Carcosa players will be surprised. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 18:46:16 GMT -6
I would love to be a part of this - please count me in! I really enjoy Chainmail and have been fascinated to learn more about Carcosa.
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Post by ehiker133 on Apr 13, 2011 19:22:42 GMT -6
I'm interested, as well!
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Post by crusssdaddy on Apr 13, 2011 21:23:45 GMT -6
Running a game was too much for me, but I'd love to get back in the saddle as a player. I've had PCs in previous CARCOSA games, but I'll start fresh for this one.
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Post by vito on Apr 13, 2011 22:58:18 GMT -6
I'd like to join in, if I may.
Now that I'm settled in here in my new home I should have plenty of time for posting.
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 14, 2011 6:49:08 GMT -6
That's great guys; we're up to 7 interested players:
tombowings
chicagowiz
ProfessorP
migellito
ehiker133
crussdaddy
vito
We definitely have room for a couple more (recruitment is still open), but 7 is plenty to get started! I am typing up a char-gen cheat-sheet and will roll some stats for y'all shortly. Welcome to the horror that is CHAINMAIL CARCOSA!
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Post by chicagowiz on Apr 14, 2011 7:29:15 GMT -6
Welcome to the horror that is CHAINMAIL CARCOSA! Oh yea!  |
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 14, 2011 7:42:36 GMT -6
Aaaaand we have our official mascot! ;D
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Post by ehiker133 on Apr 14, 2011 10:43:15 GMT -6
Don't worry about never having read Carcosa. I'll explain the basics when we get to the character generation phase. If anything, it will make the game more fun not knowing any spoilers. This is good, as I have no experience with Carcosa, either. |
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Post by tombowings on Apr 14, 2011 18:15:44 GMT -6
How will you be handling language, mushgnome?
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kipper
Level 3 Conjurer
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Post by kipper on Apr 14, 2011 21:21:54 GMT -6
I'd like to jump in to this game too if I may ;D! Wasn't sure if I should post here or in the character thread.
(I'm not familiar with Chainmail or Carcosa)
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 14, 2011 21:26:15 GMT -6
How will you be handling language, mushgnome? Good question. The Carcosa rules don't have much to say on the topic. Here are my thoughts... All PCs share a common language, called Babel, and a racial language based on their color. Each point of intelligence over 10 grants 1 bonus language. With such an intelligent party, that's going to be a lot of languages! So I'd like to use a house rule I've had great success with in the past. You don't have to choose your bonus languages at character generation; you can keep the "slots" open and fill then as they come into play. For example, the party discovers a tomb carved with Great Race hieroglyphics, one of the players says "I know that one! Learned it in sorcerer school," using up an available language slot. Maybe a little cheesy and unrealistic, but it's easy and keeps the game from grinding to a halt because everybody speaks Bone Man and nobody speaks White. It is also easier for the DM because I don't need to make a list of every possible language you might encounter ahead of time. Sound good? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 21:30:47 GMT -6
How will you be handling language, mushgnome? Good question. The Carcosa rules don't have much to say on the topic. Here are my thoughts... All PCs share a common language, called Babel, and a racial language based on their color. Each point of intelligence over 10 grants 1 bonus language. With such an intelligent party, that's going to be a lot of languages! So I'd like to use a house rule I've had great success with in the past. You don't have to choose your bonus languages at character generation; you can keep the "slots" open and fill then as they come into play. For example, the party discovers a tomb carved with Great Race hieroglyphics, one of the players says "I know that one! Learned it in sorcerer school," using up an available language slot. Maybe a little cheesy and unrealistic, but it's easy and keeps the game from grinding to a halt because everybody speaks Bone Man and nobody speaks White. It is also easier for the DM because I don't need to make a list of every possible language you might encounter ahead of time. Sound good? Sounds fine.. similar to Raggi's system. |
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 14, 2011 21:33:56 GMT -6
I'd like to jump in to this game too if I may ;D! Wasn't sure if I should post here or in the character thread. (I'm not familiar with Chainmail or Carcosa) Welcome aboard Kipper! I'll roll some stats for you in the Character Generation thread. Carcosa is kind of weird, so ask if you have any questions. (You can PM me if you have any secret mystery questions.) |
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Post by tombowings on Apr 14, 2011 23:29:29 GMT -6
Sounds good, mushgnome.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2011 20:52:33 GMT -6
Please count me in. While I have some limited experience with Chainmail, and I do not own Carcosa, this sounds like hella fun.
;D
Is there maybe a Chainmail for dummies link or some such? I ran Chainmail battles in my misspent youth, but have not done so for ages, and never for an extended campaign, just something to do with the Grenadier minis we'd bought over the years when my buddy found a copy at a used bookstore. I do, however, own my own copy now.
Obviously, if you decide to go non-Chainmail, I might be better off. But I am definitely into it "as is" -- I've been looking for an Old-School experience for a long time.
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Post by tombowings on Apr 15, 2011 21:48:57 GMT -6
Most of us are particularly comfortable with Chainmail. I think it's one of the reasons it is such a topic of interest.
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Post by Mushgnome on Apr 15, 2011 22:24:45 GMT -6
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2011 23:28:35 GMT -6
Huzzah, it begins!! |
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I had some good fun in store for you all. But I'm always happy to see more Carcosa on these boards.
