blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Jan 4, 2009 22:01:27 GMT -6
Dave Sutherland's artwork was a big part of what made ODD, well, ODD! He worked at TSR longer than anyone else. And was doing artwork as Art Director for much of that time.
'The Dark Lord of Game Design'
Dave Arneson
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Jan 3, 2009 17:08:59 GMT -6
Happy New Year to ALL!
Dave Arneson
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Jan 3, 2009 17:07:56 GMT -6
A very hearty welcome to all the newbies here. Anyone whose played less than 40 years is a newbie to me. (Sigh)
Dave Arneson
'The Dark Lord of Game Design'
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Jan 3, 2009 16:38:09 GMT -6
No I can't. It rings no bells in my head. The other voices agree with me.
Dave Aneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Jan 3, 2009 16:34:00 GMT -6
Very good. I generally start with the maps.
Dave Arneson
'Dark Lord of Game Design'
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 30, 2008 15:51:39 GMT -6
Really nice.
What classes were actually used in Gygax's original games (OD&D era Castle Greyhawk Campaign) as PCs?
Almost all you ever hear about are Magic-Users or Fighting Men.
There were maybe a couple of Clerics.
A Monk.
Possibly the occasional Elf or Dwarf.
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 30, 2008 15:45:54 GMT -6
Hobbit, Magic-User, Fighter, Cleric, Monk, Elf and Dwarves were in Blackmoor which predate Greyhawk by over a year.
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 23, 2008 17:02:04 GMT -6
Btw there are no secret letters to be revealed. Badger is writing a book and I have pretty much given him free access to my records and stuff. I will review what is actually published and there are a lot of the old players still around as well. I tend to save things like a pack rat. And my story has been consistent for over thirty years as well. As well as those of my players.
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 23, 2008 16:31:30 GMT -6
I don't think that you were the one who brought it back. Something about it being more trouble that it was worth. I think it was Snider's gang or Jim's.
BTW I don't recall any games with Mamoths. T-Rex's yes but nothin big and wooly.
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 23, 2008 16:24:50 GMT -6
I would be interested in seeing this, if permitted.
Dave Arneson
'Dark Lord Of Game Design'
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 22, 2008 21:07:56 GMT -6
Lou is wonderful. I have known since before D&D. He has been to EVERY single GENCON since year #1. I can't even say that.
As far as lucky dice, I get several requests a year from players, to rub their d2 in my hair "For Luck" And they will always be lucky for them so long as they don't ever, ever, cheat. ;-) (I gave up on their hearts are pure one.)
"We had cheater dice for sale for a while at the local shop. The players that used them lost their characters. And I do mean 'lost'. I have a nice 18" metal ruler.
"The Dark Lord of Game Design"
Dave Arneson
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 22, 2008 20:34:13 GMT -6
Oh we brought Martin back after the dust settled. (Can't keep a good character down after all.).
There was also one where German commando/paratroopers came through the rift. As I recall they ran out of bullets after several encounters that they handled in an unfriendly manner. I forget what happened to the survivors.
Then the raid on the French Island held by the Japanese. That's where Greg got his tank that rests in front of his castle, (Long out of fuel and ammo, but impressive!) Than there was the axis undead submarine, and a counter raid to knock out their transporter hmm we never finished that one, hmmm. Awwhh those were the days.
"Scrap the rules, full speed ahead!"
I'll have to share that "D&D The Movie" story sometime.
"The Dark Lord of Game Design"
Dave Arneson
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 20, 2008 20:41:35 GMT -6
ODD was for guidelines. It was, and is the referee that makes it work (Then and now!( It was much more free form with all the pitfalls and errors that that implies. The more rules you add (AD&D) the more likely it is you will constrain the players and the game. Rules are good, too many rules are bad. And you will screw things up.
(See above!)
Dave Arneson
Dark Lord of Game Design
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 19, 2008 21:40:09 GMT -6
ODD was for guidelines. It was, and is the referee that makes it work (Then and now!( It was much more free form with all the pitfalls and errors that that implies. The more rules you add (AD&D) the more likely it is you will constrain the players and the game. Rules are good, too many rules are bad. And you will screw things up.
Modules/Scenarios are not the same thing. That is why I always tended to paly the game fast and 'loose'.
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord Of Game Design"
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 19, 2008 20:45:37 GMT -6
Woof. Well my list starts with Blackmoor, First Fantasy Campaign The DA series and ZEIGEIST GAMES BLACKMOOR along with the rest of the series. Then there were articles in DRAGON, DIFFRENT WORLDS, and PEGASUS MAGAZINES, As well as others. All subject to changes and additions.
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 19, 2008 20:36:43 GMT -6
Well he didn't consult me a lot. Ae least it was beter than Duchy Of Tehn (See the Zeigisit one for a better treatment there.) We had passkeys, robots, ray gun, holographs and the ;ile. As far as the building go they were from the World's Fair in Seattle, I got a bunch, were futurist looking soo....
The whole idea of a spaceship craft was pretty well known in the Sci-Fantasy world so I really cannot point at one inspiration.
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 18, 2008 0:49:06 GMT -6
Just finished Mike Stackpole's "Perchance to Dream" (Actually re-reading a few of the stories". And started Margret Weis' "Amber $ Ashes".. Great so far.
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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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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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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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 1, 2008 20:46:09 GMT -6
The white one Greg. Blue d12, white d10, greend8, pink (ick, ick, ick,) d6. yellow d4 (sharp points). The original d10 were red and black w/o filled numbers. I used correction fluid to fill them. Three of them actually still exist. Bought in England about 1967.
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 1, 2008 20:16:51 GMT -6
Good for you.
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design"
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Dec 1, 2008 20:13:51 GMT -6
"HINT!"
Dave Arneson
"Dark Lord of Game Design'
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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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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 22, 2008 22:41:08 GMT -6
Both Gary and I read the old Conan books but I think that Fritz Leiber was more of a influence. I preferred Poul Anderson, especially Three Heats and Three Lions.
As for a test there are several points to be made. 1) Is Simply that the referee have a good basic knowledge of the rules. (Which ever ones are being used.) Too many don't. Close to that in m 2) book is being able to tell a story 'on the fly'.
At some point a group of 'experts' should look in. This is after all a 'living' campaign and noe set a stone. Good knowledge and good story and covers a lot.. But, neither can quite stand on it's own.
Dave Arneson
Dark Lord of Game Design
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blackmoor
Level 4 Theurgist
The First Dungeonmaster
Posts: 115
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Post by blackmoor on Nov 22, 2008 22:08:24 GMT -6
To my knowledge all this is true. Code Monkey plns on pushing ahead with the 4th edition material. I am still waiting for my draft copy. I will do all that I can to support and assist the project.
Dave Arneson
Dark Lord Of Game Design
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