Chatter away!

Don't kill off Harald!

He's more than capable of doing that all by himself.

Side Topic: I have a gaming friend who's producing a reboot of the Gangbusters! RPG using B/X mechanics. If I can get a beta copy, would anybody be interest in playing in a separate game?

Hello (again), friends old and new!

I'm taking control over Manaku, the red-eyed Elf. Some of you may remember me as original player of Sasar, the poor old M-U who took spear to chest and somehow survived that encounter... apparently Grim Reaper managed to get him eventually.

A train got him. I got the mule.

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 6):

Glad that she survived :)

So, I read "The Kobold Kaverns" thread trying to catch up...should I make a Saving Throw too?

In reply to Manaku (msg # 7):

He cast his Shield spell, which worked for the last rockslide, so I assume he's safe.

In reply to DM (msg # 8):

Cool thanks.

Welcome back. Let's kill some basilisk!

Hey, been super busy, will try to post tomorrow, likely to patch up Manaku and Dwarghar... ;-)

Good to see you again guys.

Coming into middle of action I'm somewhat confused of our positioning...and targets.
- The whole party is still somewhat together, right?
- There are kobolds (or someone) throwing rocks from above, right? so are there others elsewhere nearby?

In reply to Manaku (msg # 12):


The party has split into three groups (DM groaning) as listed in the turn counter thread. Manaku, Alietra and Harald stayed put. Manaku put up a magic shield while Harald distracted the kobolds with his taunting verses.

Dwarghar, in a moment of dwarven greed, scooped up the box they uncovered and ran up a switchback with two others to surprise the kobolds.

The other three immediately forged ahead to avoid the same fate as Pock, but has stalled to wait for the rest of the party.

Dwarghar's party actually thought up was the way out, but is just rolling with it now.

Dwarghar’s party ...
that’s nice

In reply to DM (msg # 13):

Ow, I've missed whole turn counter thread, thanks :)

Since Einhard and Brodd are desginated Caller and Second Caller, the decision is settled.

Can we at least agree that we carried out Regdoc's suggestion before moving on?

>"If we don't go down there," Regdoc said as he came huffing and puffing up to the group, "then we'd best secure it from this side so that we don't get more of... whatever was made up of that blue mess over there, coming at as from behind should we encounter a basalisk. Opportunistic little beasties in my experience."<

My character doesn't have a hammer and spikes, but if we could have spiked the grate shut, that would put us in a much better position to continue towards eminent death.

Amalrik does have spikes ...

Heheheheheh, such an optimist! I'll heal you, didn't realize you were hurt that bad.

Do we have some kind of marching order established and listed somewhere?

Manaku, we did, but our roster has changed a bit.

Brodd, please roll on the Dice Roller for the Curing spell's effect.

What? I couldn't remember, d6?

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 23):

d6+1

Thanks, I wasn't sure, rolled, 14:47, Today: Brother Brodd rolled 4 using 1d6+1.  cure lt. wnds.

In reply to Manaku (msg # 21):

Not any more. We're too chaotic to stay in formation.

Brodd and Daisy follow behind Einhard. I don't know where anyone else is.

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 27):

I'm standing right behind you.

Off Topic: I bought a PDF of Gangbusters B/X on DriveThruRPG today, great work in a small package. I'm going to run a game on here, as Four Aces Detective Agency. You're all welcome to apply!

I just saw that one, Gangbusters B/X. I may put it on the wishlist.

I'm down to join in. Will send an RTJ in a bit.

I'm here, just been super busy and tired. Will catch up tomorrow.

There seems to be a lot of people moving to the back. Who is actually up front? We need a set marching order.

Leohart is willing to move up towards the middle. It might be a good thing to have people behind the squishy magic-users anyway...

Second or third will do. Those in back can watch out when the sword swinging starts

I didn’t move to back I started there and got interested in the walls but I can move forward as much as seems reasonable. Willing to take any place in the line.

[Brodd & Einhard, let me know when you're ready to lead the party around the corner so I can set the next scene]

We're moving.

Sorry for the delay. I just got over a stomach bug and I came back to 2 RTJs.

No worries. Bad news on the bug, good news on the RTJ!

Hi everyone! I think I'm Harald, I'm relatively new to rpol so I think I'm doing this right.  Just to catch me up how did Harald act in the party previously?  Did I sing and dance or was I more of a jest3 bard?

Harald didn't do much of anything before. So do as you like. Use your Bardic music to give a bonus to hit and damage and inspire courage. Well, that's what you did in 3.5 anyway. ;-)

Do anything except be a quiet bard. Which was what we had, and it drove me bonkers.

Welcome! Yeah, don't worry about the old Harald. Just be the new and improved Harald.... It's what I did with Einhard version 3.0 or whatever version we are now.

3 or 4, I'm Brodd 2 or 3 too, been doing him awhile though. ;-)

Greetings from the original recipe, one-and-only, genuine article Regdoc the Seeker.

I thought the old Harald died. As well as Pock. Having trouble keeping track frankly. ;-)

I'll be pretty hit and miss for the next several days, working far from the tentacled arms of technology.

Never count 'em out until you find the body!

More of a stoic, I think.    Original Harald didn't do much of anything.   Clean page, pretty much.

He got lost and died well, if unsuccessfully.

Ignore the little man behind the curtain Alietra!

Exactly, Brother Brodd!


If we play this right, I can maybe get a brain, to supplant my 8 Int!

ROFLMAO. Or me a heart?

You're already all heart, Brother Brodd!      But we might be able to get you a proper minister's license, so you can stop practicing illegally.

Brother Brodd is fully vested, but has to testify having reached higher mysteries independent of the Temple to his superiors when he has the chance.

Sorry, afk until Friday ish... NPC me as needed.

No problem, we are officially in Thanksgiving Mode until next week. Pass the cranberries?

In reply to DM (msg # 55):

I'm in Christmas Mode. Every day off will be spent on ding-a-ling duty, except Sundays.

corrupted hard drive followed by modem/internet issues ... Oh for the good old days of yesteryear ...

If anyone is interested, I'll be here all day tomorrow too. I'm at my computer 10-12 hours a day 365 days a year if you feel like posting and getting a reply ;-)

I can be on if She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed allows it ...

LOL! My wife obeys me or I swat her ass.

"No, Sir, your Honor, we never heard of Brother Brodd ever again. It is a pity, so young, so young, yes, yes ..."

We're old school, she obeys me, . . . when she feels like it.

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 62):

And disobeys if she feels like some hanky-spanky?

She isn't a masochist.

And I have 2 ears, goes in one & exits the other one. Not much in between. And am reminded of this ... A great woman, since she does put up with me all these decades.

True, 25 years for me and my wife, love her dearly though I pick on her mercilessly ;-)

19 and counting! Somehow I landed a great wife. And 1d10-1 kids later, we're still sane... mostly. ;-)

Does anyone mind if I wait until after the holidays for staging the next scene?

That's fine, I can sit in the dark like a mushroom! ;-) This is the time of year for short pauses in games.

ok to me too.

I bought a couple more rulebooks, see the new OOC thread if you wish to discuss.

Not a problem, ignore the snoring ...

Baby due at the end of the month and 1d10-1 others expecting Christmas fun... I'm pretty swamped as well. Pause is fine.

I am gonna be here, no problem.

Mazel Tov! You always have the most interesting reasons for being away ;)

So if I'm reading this right, Dwarghar and Brodd are drinking the water breathing potion, and Amalrik is swimming down without a potion?

Potion ?? Obviously Amalrik missed something here. He stands and looks about for it ... Must be someone waving it about.

It's used, there were two doses.

It doesn't matter since Barbarians distrust magic and won't use potions anyway.

I'm noticing on your icon descriptions that some of you have traditional AC, such as AC8, or Ascending AC such as AC15.

If you have Ascending AC, please use the acronym AAC.

If you want to be REALLY helpful. use both, like this: AC7[11], then I know both what your AC is and what I need to roll to hit you, :D

Also a reminder that the evening of 12/19 I'll be on my way to the Caribbean. Once we set sail I'll have social media access, but not Web access.

So enjoy your Holiday Vacations! :D

Nice way to enjoy the holiday! Have a great time.

Sounds awesome, have a good one --   past today, I'm pretty much done through the 27th or so.    My participation will improve once the holiday hoopla settles.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

Merry Christmas folks!

I'm in Holiday mode and my posting will be random and sporadic until Jan 7.

In reply to Manaku (msg # 84):

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Bell ringer for Salvation Army? I did it once, cold mother out there when I did it, froze my nads!

Happy christmas and no worries,  I will be around, but right now it is holidays.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Heading to the hospital with my wife early tomorrow morning for the arrival of little d10! If I'm awol, carry on and NPC as needed.

Congratulations!!!

Awesome!

In reply to Regdoc (msg # 88):

Congrats!

MAZEL TOV, Regdoc! Roll some high stats for your new familiar!

She came with lots of 18's! Daddy must be rollin' d10's instead of d6's... :-P

She's a beauty. My wife's doing well and we're all home now for the holiday. I'm very Blessed and quite proud!

Congrats. What a wonderful holiday gift!

Can't think of a better way to start a new decade!

Happy Round Tuit Day!

That’s wonderful- congratulations!

Best wishes there Regdoc !! Ahhh the days of paging thru baby name books citing the ever more egregious ones to see what the other would say ... or do.

Girl? My grandmother was a Beatrice, Bea for short. A good solid name that has been ignored for about 100 years. Or Barbara.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:21, Thu 02 Jan 2020.

Kelly for ours. She was not acting like an Emily after arriving several days early. For the second one, we never made it out of the exam room. The doc and nurse were pushing the chairs outside as I put on the blue gown ... My wife was not one for long labor times.

Congrats and best wishes !!!

Has anyone seen Harald or Leohart's players?

nope, swallowed by real life.

New Act, we level up right? 30-ish XP oughta about do it I would think...

:-P

31, 30 would leave me at 49 ;-)

Ha! A maximum 5 XP to everyone who survived the last adventure. And an extra XP to Regdoc for creative use of a Cantrip to complete the mission.

I'll never LIVE to be 10th level at that rate! ;-)

This is B/X! Consider yourself lucky you made it this far!

. . . . . . TRUE.

So how does xp work?
How many should we have.  I was tracking 8 so that’s 13 now.

Is there more? Do I level up?

In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 110):

Yes, 10 XP brings you up to level 2. 50 XP is needed to reach level 3.

I'm at 24 now.

Welcome Gorn and Jarvak!

Greetings newcomers!



We lose our wizard Leohart?

The player, yes. He hasn't posted since Xmas. And Harald hasn't been on since November. Bear with me when I adjust the plot slightly.

You'll have new players for them in a day or two. I keep my eye on you! ;-)

Leohart? Maybe. But Harald's been problematic from day one. NONE of the PCs for him have ever been active OR descriptive enough. Whoever heard of a Silent Bard?

True, bards never get tired of hearing their own voice.

Hello all!  Glad to be here.

Hello to all and thanks for the opportunity to join you all.

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 118):

That's right. True Bards are total hams.

welcome

Welcome new comers!

Also welcome Durek Stoneshield!

Hello all.  Can't wait to get started with some good old fashion Original DnD.

Well you've come to the right place!

I assume that means dying and rolling up new characters repeatedly? If so, yes, you are in the right place. :)

I ran a great tabletop game last night. It's good to know I haven't lost my touch. :D

Details, details ...

In reply to DM (msg # 106):

Gracias, sometimes it's just the simple things...

;-)

Jealous...haven't been able to do tabletop in a few years.

The thief took a broken chest left by the last team and used a Traps roll, iron spikes, saplings, and some rations to trap the giant rats in the dungeon entrance. Once trapped, they threw the chest over the cliff.

Then they ambushed a pair of rat-catcher goblins. Their pet ferret got away but the goblins didn't. The Thief seems to have a hankering for rat-kabobs. She must have some orcish in her.

I'm wondering how Durek got on the back of the boat. This should be a fascinating story.

In reply to DM (msg # 133):

Think I fixed it to make better sense...

Hello all. I apologize for my absence I will post when I get the kids to bed

Like herding cats Jarvak ?? I remember those days, now they are taller than me.

Yea,  I thought those days past but got remarried.

I’ve got 15, 12, 2, and a pregnant wife!

Whoo-hoo! Another dad on board! Welcome!

All boys here-21,18,16,14.  They never got into Role-playing but are definitely into miniature games (Even have two that love to paint)

I've got one girl, 16. One's almost too much to handle for me as it is :D

Welcome our new Leohart!

Especially at 16, . . . . boys!

I didn't know we lost the old one!

When you don't post for over a month I assume you're lost at sea.

If I can just find a player for Harald, we'll be all set!

My boys 14, 11, 9, 6 do want to role play.  Done it a few times but my being away and activities and the ever present lure of the magic screen keep it occasional.

Okay get ready I'm about to tell my age...four girls: 39, 36, 31 and 30, one son: 34. Two old girl and son love gaming. My daughter will game in our local group only. My son travels with me to conventions, and has a couple of other groups he games with on a regular basis.

While I did make the initial invite when they were teens, they are more likely to ask me when the next session is before I mention it to them.

As to being able to control them, I would have taken 5 sons for each of the daughters in their teen years but now, grown-up, don't have any regrets.

In reply to Gorn (msg # 146):

Wow! Any grandkids yet?

Yeah, 8, 6 boys and 2 girls

You win!.  While I can't wait for Grand kids I hope we are at least 3-5 years away from our first.

Holidays around here are chaotic. The fun part is that two of our kids are not married yet and don't have significant others. Our son and his wife are still holding off on having kids in favor of their careers.

Hello! I am newly joining the game, picking up the character Leohart. It might take me awhile to pick up on his characteristics and personality, and seamlessly join the game, but I'm happy to be here. Nice to meet you all.

Welcome to the game.

Welcome-Another fresh face myself.

He didn't really have any. Welcome to you all.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:41, Sat 25 Jan 2020.

Old School Essentials now has an SRD! You can refer to this wiki for any questions about the Basic Rules.

https://oldschoolessentials.ne.../index.php/Main_Page

Are we ready for the next scene?

Only if you are.

Yep...

Aye.

Ayup.

Sound good.

Bravo I say! The snapping of sails doth be music to mine ears!

Can someone easily point me to the topic in which the party first encountered the ship in a bottle?

In reply to Leohart (msg # 163):

link to a message in this game

The original Brodd, I'm number 2.

sorry for not posting, I am sick and I am at work, it is exhausting.

In reply to Pock Oneshoe (msg # 166):

No worries, Pock. The gnome is snoozing below deck as we speak :D

In reply to DM (msg # 164):

Thank you! For player knowledge, not character knowledge because Leo wasn't there!

Since the manticore rolled a -3 on its first to-hit roll I'm going to assume its tail jammed. You all got off lucky this scene! Except for the seagull.

Sorry for the lack of posting. Dad's been in and out of hospital for his heart. Currently in and undergoing surgery.

To add to my stress, execs from Germany HQ have been here, so I've had a bunch of meetings and presentations to give.

They are gone now, so should be able to at least get back to a daily post.

All is good, thanks for the heads up, your dad will be in our prayers. Hope he's well soon.

In reply to Einhard (msg # 170):

Hoping for a speedy recovery and a big promotion!

Best wishes!

Happy Superb Owl Day!

Welcome our new stowaway, Kalandra!

2 XP for everyone involved from the start of the scene.

+1 XP to Alietra for starting the romance soundtrack, immediately followed by the needle scratch. You owe me a new keyboard.

Well, there's an old Bad Company song, "Seagull,"... I think it was probably playing in the background.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWwGV0sdOr0         (C'mon, beats the hell out of Billie Eilish, or something)

This is probably a bad time to notice, but, I don't have XP on my sheet.     Do you track it for us, or have I been overlooking it the whole time?


Doesn't matter too much --  you've got to be like 9th level before thief skills become decent under this system.     I'll join the seagull long before.

I think you've been overlooking it.

I was imagining a goblin in a Jedi robe singing

"Seagulls! Stop it now!"

You should have risen to 2nd level by now, Alietra.

Set your XP to 10 and adjust your stats accordingly. Please keep track from now on. That's why I ripped the simplified system from DCC in the first place!

Finally, my first post!

Hello guys. Good to be aboard. So to speak. *grin*

Welcome to the game.

Thanks, Durek!

And might I say it's been 30 years since I last played a character with 4 hp. So exciting!

I already have a back-up character in mind, of course. *laugh*

In reply to Kalandra (msg # 182):

Brodd had 2 hp.

pretty confused by the last in-game post. thought we were already on deck, rowing and talking and all that?

The raisin box was belowdecks with me and Pock.

Unless I’m mistaken?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:30, Wed 05 Feb 2020.

You're probably not mistaken, but I'm going to assume it got upstairs somehow out of zero desire to ret-con. *smile*

I thought for a whole two minutes on how to make all of that nonsense work out and all you have to do is go up the stairs and continue and your just going to go back and move my raisin box and ignore my trouble.... I just might pout about that but whatever - just ignore the cantankerous old dwarf yelling belowdecks.

sorry to be a pain. *smile*

I just had to go for a grand entrance. hahaha

In reply to Kalandra (msg # 182):

I stated with 3 hp.    I don't think most were too much better off.     I'm surprised there isn't a lot more death.


This is actually the first pure thief character I've played, I think, since my first D&D character.    I've had rogue/thief as a second class, any number of times, but never again as the main occupation.        I had a number of more interesting ideas,  but the dice didn't really support them.      This character is so far from what/how I usually play, in fact, that posts usually feel sort of awkward.

Regarding Alietra's IC statement - she might not recall since she wasn't part of the starting crew, but Sir Einhard was designated the head of the expedition since he's the squire (and partner) of a noble and related to the major players involved.

Brother Brodd would probably be the fallback as a representative of the state religion, and it was a wedding of the Unified Faith's rites that was disrupted.

Side Note: Alietra's awkwardness adds to her character I think. I get the sense when she speaks that she's out of her element being involved in adventuring instead of Guild business :D

I started with 2 hp!

Edited.

Yeah, I think Ali's operation with the Guild has been on & off...   it's a practical necessity, so she runs with it.     Mostly, she's just a former barmaid in above her head, and in that sense awkwardness is appropriate.



Yes!   State it with pride... you might have been killed by a forcefully hurled spud, but you weren't!
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Wed 05 Feb 2020.

Yes, the PC's have been lucky (and wise and ingenious in battle!) so far. But not all of them. But the surest way of ensuring character death is not posting for a month.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:25, Wed 05 Feb 2020.

Hmmm, so, unless I'm stupid. I'll live a long time then! ;-)

In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 185):

This might be my fault. I was in understanding the raisin box was on deck, sorry!

No desire to retcon, though.

Enough Raisin' Hell, Mateys!

Prepare for tha next scene ya Lanlubbers!

Not sure, but I think Smoked-Gorn is an expensive delicacy at some fancy restaurants.

In bugbear and gnoll lands, at least.

Hello, I regret to tell you that I need some time off due to my sickness. I plan to come back in 4 or six weeks.  I am sorry.

Get well Pock!

In reply to Pock Oneshoe (msg # 198):

no apologies allowed. take care of yourself.

Get well soon. I'll be thinking of you.

that got me all confused when Jarvak posted to the previous scene. Hahaha.

Thought my mind was slipping.

Thought since I was still on the boat it made more sense to post there in the thread of us on the boat.   I've not been "Land Ho" yet. =)

Best wishes.

Be well, Pock! Hope you feel better soon!

Do we have a map? Which leads us closer to our overall goal, the river or the forest route?

Good point, I want that manticore in the rear view mirror too

In reply to Regdoc (msg # 206):

seconded. please let there be a map.

Oh, they want a map now, do they?

I'll see what I can do.

:-) Sweet!

Welcome back bhyeti as our new Einhard!

Cool, just post! welcome aboard.

Thanks for the return...to those of you that missed Yagi, sorry, new gig.

Give me a little bit to get up to speed.

I do miss Yagi!

If I was honest, I'd admit to missing Yagi as well... ;-)

...but I'm not. Good riddance vermin!

Speaking of honest, last time I was here, I was introduved to B/X Essentianls, now Old School Essentials and have become a big fan. A lot of people are losing interest in what we call superhero D&D.

In reply to Einhard (msg # 216):

A man after my own heart!

Necrotic Gnome is having a big bundle of holding sale, cheap.

Not a paid endorsement.

Agreed. I find that after 3.5, players are way to invested in their characters during creation and it is 'tough' as a DM to kill them because on one bad roll.  Never felt that way with B/X.  Maybe just my problem.  I have found myself looking backwards as well to a simpler form of DnD.

All characters are just paper, tear them up and roll a new one.

"It's like Super Mario! Just make a new one and get back in there!"

yup.

Einhard has a horse?

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 214):

Yagi was great.  I miss Mistah Wong, and the puns.


I've played a fair bit of pathfinder in recent years.    It is like mixing D&D with superheroes and anime, or something.    Some people get really egotistical and vain about their character 'builds.'   It's kind of funny to see (I mean it's just a game?) but also kind of tiresome.

In reply to Alietra (msg # 224):

I have a pair of goblin brothers, Carl and Nick, who run a "Rat on a Stick" franchise.

They pop up at the most unusual locations.

It frustrates a lot of adventurers because they have a business license from the local government.

Usually, they work as rat catchers during the day and the stand at night.

I think Yagi and Mistah Wong would be a good addition.

Haha, yes, perfect.    She can cast 'Enlarge' when somebody wants their rat super-sized..

In reply to Alietra (msg # 226):
Look up the Order of the Stick, barbeque hydra, hilarious.

He's a Knight. He's gonna ride til he can't no more.

Some people get really egotistical and vain, in general. *chuckle*

But I guess I straddle both worlds. When I re--discovered BX after 25 years of not playing it, I was like, wow, so much room for pure roleplay with simple, straightforward rules! and amazingly fast and fun combat.

At the same time, well, let's just say I like making characters, and if it is complex and it takes longer to make, I love that, too. Weird like that. But, anyway, PF characters do take time to make. And PF is crazy tactical, which I find sorta ironic because, well, cuz seems to me that D&D's origins were about pulling back from that.

As for pure character investment, I think it depends more on time played and player personality than on system.

My favorite chargen system had to be Gamma World. TEN ARMS AND WINGS FTW!

True, some people get physically upset and such when their 'toon' gets killed. I'd feel bad if Brodd died now because I played him so long, but he isn't even my character, I took over when the original left.

I like Traveller.

Ah, where you have a 1 in 6 chance of dying DURING CHARGEN.

I'm in 9 Traveller games on here and 9 D&D games.

YIKES! I'm in 5 other D&D games on here and I can barely keep up!

Most of them only post once or twice a week, some even less than that. I like ACTIVE games!

I think I'm at 11, 9 on RPGGeek, 1 on Myth Weavers and 1 here.

I'm going to wean off the 5E and stick to B/X and Talislanta.

They PbP sites like RPoL? I play BX, 1E, 2E and 3.5E, Classic Traveller, Cepheus Engine, Mongoose Traveller 1 and 2.

Sites like RPOL, Myth Weavers and Unseen Servant are strictly PbF or PbP

RPGGeek, ENWorld and RPG.net mix forums and role play.

There seems to be a bias towards Roll20, Discord and Fantasy Grounds.

wow, you guys got me. I play only 3 games: this, 3.5 and Princess: the Hopeful.
I do also run a Kindred of the East game. Running takes most of my RPOL time.

Not a fan of discord, I like the PbP.

Discord reminds me of the old newsgroups and IRC,

Roll20 et al, is great for those who have a set schedule, also good for those that need visual
stimulation and constant attention.

< < (After saying I'm not a fan of D&D/anime hybrid games, I felt it obligatory to lose the anime like avatar.)



That by itself isn't surprising or funny.    Someone staying logged into a game for hours of real time, carrying on in the ooc about all the ways their character kicks butt, and is supposedly undefeatable, is a little unusual the first few times around.   I mean I get it -  it's good to have a hobby, and all - but it's a game.    If a GM really wants you squished, you're getting squished.

I tend to work from the concept down, with characters.  Sometimes the system is my friend, other times no.    Can't say I've got a favorite system - it depends on the setting and character.



For sure.   System by itself is pretty hollow.

I have no tolerance for min/maxers. I was setting up a game at a convention once and a guy struts in and says triumphantly,

"I have a Goliath Paladin with (untranslatable 4th edition gobbledegook), what do you think about that?"

I looked up at him and said,

"Well that's nice, but I have no idea what that means. We're playing Dungeon Crawl Classics at this table!"

He looked at me like I was an umber hulk and stumbled off in confusion.

You've met the type, I'm sure.    I remember we lost a player here because "it's too old school."     Uh, right.    And that was surprising because - ?

In the longest running 5e game I'm in, it's like that...12th level warlock/sorcerer that almost can't be killed.

Excited at first now just bored.

Even the DM found it tough to challenge the group

That's when he started running a B/X game on the side and it's been a whole lot more fun.

I run a 5e group and BECMI group and I agree-The 5e group at lvl 3 wiped a BBG in the first round using all the different specials that they had-dropping over 75 DMG in the first round.  He didn't even have a chance to react.

I find that my 5e group (now lvl 5) is quickly becoming to powerful and

So i did the dame thing-I started a BECMI group and its refreshing.  Much more role playing.  I give bonus XP for realistically playing a stat that has a - to it

This has been fun to follow! I enjoy playing face to face, and by post -- do not at all like synchronous online gaming otherwise because it's too computer-bound. I love RPOL because it lets me play games I love, but for which I can't always find fellow players locally unless I'm running an out-of-print game at a convention. So thank you for helping me get my BX on.

Tell me more about BECMI. I've been reading thru the various rules and several gazetteers. I'm intrigued.

I couch this with I started playing ADnD as a 9 year old with my uncle (First gaming experience was a LVL 10 thief in G1-3 Against the Giants In 1980.  I then got the Red Box and had an AdnD Monster Manual to start with as I tried playing with my friends.  We played multiple games through middle and high school and then in college we diverted into miniatures (Historical and Warhammer 40k vs Role playing).

BECMI is a term that I have come across the covers the entire rule set (Basic-Expert-Companion-Masters-Immortals).  I'm not sure its a Cannon name, but I have seen it used a bit.   As I have been corrected many times it is not Original DnD.

They each came in a boxed set: Red was Basic (1-3), Dark Blue was Expert (4-15), Light Blue was companion (15-25), Black was Masters(25-36) and Gold was Immortals.  Eventually they put them all in one book called Rules Compendium.  Original modules had the corresponding letter B2, X1 etc, except Companion which was CM

-Each one added a little more to flesh out characters and the game; General skills, weapon proficiency and specialization, running a domain and fighting large armies.  Tougher Monsters and higher level spells for advanced characters etc.

-Eventually you were supposed to try and become Immortal although I never had a game get that far.  The best I recall was getting into the high teens and doing CM1:  Test of the War Lords.

-The Gazetters were starting to come out and while I have many of them now, I don't honestly recall if we used/had them at the time. As I recall this was probably the time we started jumping to ADnD and some other games.

As I have started my retro experiences I have found myself heading back to Mystara Known World of the Gazetteer period. The simplicity of that setting along with many of the B, X, CM modules that I played being placed in that setting creates a nostalgia in me.  The web site Vaults of Pandius is a wealth of fan made material.

-Now I have started looking at the old School Essentials from 'Necrotic Gnome'.  Have not purchased any of it yet, but some of the books look decent and from what I see take many of the core books and simplify better.

Just my long rambling 2 cents.

This is actually a pretty good article: https://www.enworld.org/thread...x-and-becmi.258419"/

B/X, Basic, BECMI, whichever you want to call them, was the transition from Original D&D (Little Brown Box & Supplements)to Advanced D&D.

I started off with the Original D&D rules, transitioned through the BECMI phase, then came to a screeching halt after AD&D 2nd edition. Everything I have, which is quite extensive, is compatible back to OD&D. Old School Essentials is a really good representation of the BECMI rules and they are a lot easier to follow in their presentation.

Likewise, there are other rules sets, OSRIC, Swords & Wizardry, Labyrinth Lord, to name just a few that are also good presentations of that period of D&D (1975 - 1991).

In my games, I will allow a player to choose any rule sets that fits into that group (OD&D up to and include AD&D 1st Edition). It makes for a little more record-keeping on my part but it is surprising how easily they all work together. I also use some unique style house rules in my games as well to balance between the rule sets but overall it's more about role-playing than roll-playing in my games.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:44, Sun 16 Feb 2020.

OK, my thanks !!

Thanks, I didn't realize the differences either.

Test

Interesting, you change the portrait but it seems to lag on the update.

It definitely changed.    You might need to refresh your browser, if you can't see it.

If you mean your older posts, it's not going to change those, unlike some other sites.


That sounds like an interesting way to go about it, Gorn.   I would think most would go with the AD&D 1E rules, especially spell casters and thieves.    You get some noticeable improvements, by that edition.

When I began playing, 2E AD&D was out, but my brother and his friend (usually our GMs) didn't like it so much, and we played 1st Ed in those days.    Heavily supplemented by all sorts of third party books, Dragon magazines, and more.     I could tell you less than half of what was used, but I'd still cite my characters from that period as among my favorites.

Dwarghar eats some raisins and hard bread.


Make a dex roll to succeed!

not trying to hold up the game. just unsure yet whether Kalandra was sneaky enough to get back.

In reply to Kalandra (msg # 257):

Stay away from the raisins then.

General consensus...

We wait for Kalandra?

Then send out a search party?

And/or treat with the strangers?

Hi folks,

I've spent the weekend being sick as a dog and I'm still not over it. Please give me another day or two to catch up :D

Gotcha!

It's passing through the my house also.

Same here.  That is the problem with 4 boys-one brings it into the house and over the next week it passes through the family.  Then when everyone is better the next boy brings home the next sickness and the cycle repeats....

No kids and I rarely get sick now that I'm 'retired'.

In reply to Kalandra (msg # 257):

I may have jumped the gun on that, but my sense was that the gang was getting a bit restless waiting.

The one I have is past the age where she's routinely introducing me to socially aggressive germs.      Now, I just have to stress over whether she's getting into the sorts of things you don't want your teen getting into.

It was my fault for not responding, being flat on my back for two days and chugging Robitussin ;)

Not at all.

And I didn't mean to preempt anything from Kalandra.  Was just trying to move things along.    If she wants to be the primary scout, I'll wait for her lead, going forward.

or let Gorn the scout, scout. heh.

Yep, I'd say that would be wise.

From Reddit;

Back to 5e - a DM's lament. Or, is there a beer-and-pretzels OSR?
After nearly a year of trying oldschool gaming, my players are insisting that we go back to 5e. I'm devastated.

Their complaints are lethality and the amount of involvement required for oldschool play. They don't want to draw a map, they don't like having to carefully plan encounters and avoid combat, and they refuse to track encumbrance, food, water, and torches. And they definitely, extremely don't like to have their characters die.

It seems that I have a group of beer-and-pretzels players. They don't want to take the game seriously. They've been pretty clear that they want to screw around, play haphazardly, and still have their characters do cool things and emerge spectacularly victorious. I get it. That's a legit way to play and I'm not trying to rag on them or tell them they're having badwrongfun.

Is it wrong of me to feel a bit like a dancing monkey in this situation? If the characters' superhero-style dramatic victory is a foregone conclusion, why even play a game? Why not deliver me your character descriptions and have me sit and tell you a story about their amazing exploits, no dice required?

I love the loose, improvisational OSR style of DMing, and the prospect of going back to 5e and memorizing books full of rules, attacks of opportunity and 5 foot steps, and figuring Challenge Ratings and encounter balance fills me with dread.

TL;DR is there an OSR or even an oldschool adjacent game that will satisfy my desire to be free of binding rules and game balance, while still keeping my ultra-casual players happy?

Munchkin?

Doing on-line or in person ?? Just wondering. Maybe this is how the new generation plays these days ...

I was supposed to run another tabletop game last night but two players bowed out at the last minute. Problem is it's much easier for them to play weekends, but that's reserved family time for me. :(

Trying to setup an ambush/parley but keep getting called away from the keyboard.

Shall I start a new scene for the meeting at dawn?

sure.

In reply to DM (msg # 274):

Yes

Wow, started a post and by the time I'd posted it, there was a new thread!

New thread?

Looks like they are about finished and I just got here...

What thread is the gnome dam, I'm trying to catch up or a brief synopsis.

That's the wheel we turned, broke, mended, and finished turning to escape the mountain... I don't believe we exactly knew it was a dam or that druids were involved.

Got it!

No one's made a pun about the dam druids, yet??

You're all falling down on the job!

Oh My! Adventurers sent on a mission without being told the full consequences of their actions! D:

Deal / No Deal...smells like a trap...anyway here we go!

Do we give them the whole bottle?

Bring them to the water and launch the boat?

What about the ogres?

Honestly, you all need some lessons in negotiation regardless of the fact the DM is handling the other side to include Pock (or has he returned).

Why didn't we just tell them the boat was back at the river and leave it at that?

This message was last edited by the player at 22:09, Thu 20 Feb 2020.

The game moved a little too fast there. Einhard and DM need to give a little time for others to respond. I appreciate trying to keep the game moving forward, and it's a fine line to walk, but some OOC on this situation would have been good.


We should not give them the bottle. That wasn't what Harald suggested. He suggested we take them on the boat, not give it to them.

Also, there's more to Harald's plan, but I don't dare to reveal it until the opportune moment... Perhaps Pock has the same idea in mind...

My point is: why is Pock offering or even showing the boat in a bottle to them without at least discussing that kind of action with the group as a whole in OOC.

If we go back with them to the river and the boat is not there, then there would have been validity to Dwarghar's comment.

This situation from deciding who would go investigate to this point right now is why you have OOC areas. For the party as a whole to discuss what is going to happen before you post your moves or actions.

Can we make this part of a master plan that hasn't sprung yet ?

Man, that was a cascade of something. I can see I have to check in more frequently to keep up with such shenanigans.

Sorry, thought everyone was on board.

Nothing to be sorry about. Einhard and Brodd are the 'callers' for this game. I realize that several of us can't post multiple times a day, usually, so we have a caller to make sure the game moves forward so we're not waiting on a player for several days to make a post.

I think there was a lurch between the scenes. I don't think we ever resolved an approach when we found out Kalandra wasn't coming back, the scene shifted a little too quickly in my opinion.

Anyway, the poop's out of the horse now, there's no putting it back. There's still opportunity for Harald and Pock, but I really don't think giving them the ship is what any of us intended.

I suppose it's my fault for not signing in when I was sick then trying to speed things up to make up for it. Not to worry...

[rolls dice behind the screen]

Things will resolve themselves.

I have to apologize, I didn't realize what all that playing Einhard entails, hopefully things get better.

What characters are NPCs played by the DM? I'm not entirely clear on who's played by players, and who's played by the DM.

No clue, only the DM knows.

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 297):

At this point, only Pock.

Wow, we have NO Pock!! Unforgivable!! ;-)
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:04, Fri 21 Feb 2020.

In reply to DM (msg # 298):

That's helpful. Thank you!

Way to go Herald I love your approach

Pardon me though if I’m
Screaming in terror
This message was last edited by the player at 05:31, Sat 22 Feb 2020.

Thanks Harald!

So. Color me confused.

I've been away and busy few days. Now we seem to have two active threads? In one we are negotiating with Clark and in the other we are fighting the Manticore?

Also, I see people doing d20 rolls for actions...I thought this game is, or used to be, more OSR in spirit (i.e. no skill checks)? Am I missing something?

I've been telling people to use D6 for Listening/Spot rolls, initiative, etc. if someone was using d20 recently for something besides combat and saving throws and D% for thief skills, they've been doing it wrong.

The negotiations with Clark suddenly have broken down to OBM. (Overcome By Manticore)

I'm under the suspicion that there may be a couple players here that aren't familiar with OSR style games. If so, don't feel bad, we're all happy to teach you. The reason I say this is that there are a lot of d20 rolls thrown out there that look like rolls from more modern versions of the game...

True, when we just started this game I had plans for integrating some modern ideas like skills and such, but after much hue and cry we stuck to B/X and its "reincarnation" as Old School Essentials.

The only exception is I'm standing my ground on the Dungeon Crawl Classics XP system. The less my DMing has to resemble paying income taxes, the better.

Harald, I checked the OSE Advanced. 2nd level bards and up can pray for Druid spells.

If you want to be a variant bard, we’ll make you a Bard that studies Illusionist spells and probably cribbed the spell out of Pock’s book. But no switchbacks.

Your call.

Ok, thanks for the clarifications.

Uff da. I remembered that Ability Checks were considered an optional rule back in B/X.

Checking the log, the following PC's have yet to react this round:

Creston
Durek
Jarvak
Kalandra

I'll give you another day to respond. Otherwise I'll assume you ducked behind a tree.

XP for the Dark Trail encounters:

Alietra: 5 XP
Amalrik: 3 XP
Brother Brodd: 5 XP
Creston: 3 XP
Dwarghar: 5 XP
Einhard: 4 XP
Gorn: 3 XP
Harald: 5 XP
Jarvak: 3 XP
Kalandra: 5 XP
Leohart: 5 XP
Manaku: 3 XP
Pock: N/A
Regdoc: 3 XP

Still around, will post later.

In reply to Einhard (msg # 312):

I've only been able to check in once a week, for a while. I'm still here, though.

No worries, Creston.

In other news, Kalandra's player has left the game.

Like Pock, I'll keep her around as an NPC unless someone wants to jump into her role.

So sad, I hate when we lose a player.

Just to clarify, are we dealing with Manticore's or Minotaur's or both? Little confused by the conversation between Brother Brodd and Travis.

You just defeated a manticore, but the reason for this journey in the first place was to slay the minotaur(s) that invaded Castle Braunstein. As part of that effort, funded by Baron Masondain, was to find Lady Starshell Masondain (who was engaged to the Baron Braunstein's son) and recover Baron Braunstein's seal.

Okay, great. Thanks for clarifying.

Worked 72 hours straight and then slept all day today. Sorry to be less active lately, but will be this way for another month. Will try to catch up and post tomorrow. Thanks for being patient.

no worries.

I refreshed advertisement for the game and immediately got two RTJs.

I've got one guy interested in Durvek and we might be upgrading Travis into a full PC.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:01, Tue 03 Mar 2020.

Welcome the new Durek and Travis...the <strike>Ranger</strike> Scout!
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:54, Tue 03 Mar 2020.

Howdy!  Glad to be aboard.  Will try to get up to speed quickly.

Durek / Andrew

Just quick questions and I apologize for it.  I've gone through the latest thread and found almost nothing on my character.  I think he leaned on his axe a bit (I should take a skill or something in that).  So far in the game, has he made any friends or enemies or done anything specific to define his character.  I don't want to completely abandon things that have already been established.

Also, could someone summarize what we're currently doing in 3 sentences or less so I can jump in without reading every one of the numerous threads? I appreciate it.

You just defeated a manticore, but the reason for this journey in the first place was to slay the minotaur(s) that invaded Castle Braunstein. As part of that effort, funded by Baron Masondain, was to find Lady Starshell Masondain (who was engaged to the Baron Braunstein's son) and recover Baron Braunstein's seal.

Thank you DM!  I am now clued in. The minotaurs shall fall before my mighty axe!

Durek was rescued along with Gorn and Jarvak when the Gnomish Dam was opened and flooded the valley, so he hasn't particularly had a chance to shine yet.

Durek is shiny new so you can leave your own mark.

Welcome!

Hey all, Travis will lead you into and guide you around the castle. Excited to join the team.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Tue 03 Mar 2020.

Welcome aboard!

Einhard is pondering the next decision.

Welp, there's a virus alert in my county. No tabletop games anytime soon.

Scared?

In reply to Brother Brodd (msg # 334):

I just got over some nasty bug a couple weeks ago and I'm not up for it again. I've got a couple factors that could put me in the danger zone but I'm more worries about my wife and older relatives.

Don't forget to add your XP, level up if you're ready and adjust your stats, and replenish your inventories from the equipment you recovered.

For my size, age and shape, I'm reasonably healthy. Hope you continue to be healthy. remain afraid! ;-)

Yeah, we have a similar alert here in WA. I’m more scarred for my Daughter.

I am guess the XP and level up is not for Travis?

In reply to Travis (msg # 338):

I'll give you 1 XP for the RP since you took over, but I can't for combat, sorry!

I'm at 29 xp, I need 21 more to level up.

Understood not a big deal

don't suppose there was a lance leftover from Clark's group?

Einhard seems to be short of the basic necessities, like a bed roll, will there be a chance to  freshen him up?

In reply to Einhard (msg # 342):

Wouldn't he have a horse blanket?

Einhard seems to lose or shatter his weapons frequently...

In reply to DM (msg # 343):

You can dress him up but can't take him any where.

I guess the horse blanket would suffice of course keeping with medieval traditions, bathing seemed optional anyway.

DM: What kind of terrain are we actually moving in now? Are we on paths within forests? Roads with woods on either side?

The trail widens as it gets closer to the center of the province, with trails leading off to what should be more prosperous villages. You could call it a road at this point.

I don't how our DM plays resource scarcity, but there were three boxes of food, and characters picked up two. Could someone grab the third so we don't face any "You only took two of the boxes" situations? ^_^

Thank you, kind dwarf.

Just greedy and strong enough.

Why are the horses allways in the front?

It stinks

Have you never played Oblivion? Horses always get attacked from behind.

Just watch where you step or you will too!

In reply to Creston Fairwood (msg # 350):

I haven’t actually but that sounds like a Scottish joke.