We never had a chance to grab some dragon parts for sale! D:

So how much loot and XP did we get?

So, after much thought and deliberation, I’ve elected to take a crack at running Barrowmaze. It is an incredibly well crafted campaign setting, and while reaching the dungeon’s “true end” would represent a massive undertaking, there’s an enormous number of thrilling adventures to be had on the way there. You might say that it’s ultimately all about the journey. Because of the central maze’s construction, it affords a party a lot of options regarding which quests they want to take up at any given time, or if they simply want to dedicate themselves to exploring the ancient complex.

I’m going to run it using the Labyrinth Lord rules, which are very flexible and adapt well to many different play styles. I think I should have all of the groundwork completed in about a week’s time, at which point, I’ll be ready to accept players. My apologies for the fact that it took longer than expected to finalize my next project.

Anyone here would, of course, be more than welcome to join in.


I will get you a firm answer in the next few days, Neuken, so you’ll have a firm idea of what plateaus the heroes finally reached.

For the record, I still intend to take a crack at Bone Hill. Should I be able to get that game together, I’ll reach out to those here who expressed interest about it.

Exciting! Another game to treasure! I'm ready for a massive undertaking!

In light of the "massive undertaking" part, I think we should consider streamlining our combat processing in one way or another such that we don't need a week per turn.

Fabulous! Labyrinth Lord is definitely my speed, so I'm in. Which version--the original (2007) or Revised (2009)?

Awesome, starting level 5+ right? ;-)

I like LL and I've heard good things about barrowmaze!

I've okayed BM before using DCC rules. SIgn me up!

It’s the revised. Full disclosure: I actually went ahead and ordered a hardbound copy of Advanced Labyrinth Lord from DriveThruRPG several months back. It’s cool to have all the rules in one place and, frankly, I find it easier to navigate physical books as opposed to PDF files, at least when it comes to RPG rule books.

The disclosure being that you have the advanced rules at your disposal rather than you modestly splurged on a hardbound compendium? Which one should we acquire? Advanced? Revised?

Well, if you just need the rules in their most straightforward form, you can go here:

Goblinoid Games - Downloads

You’ll want to download both the Labyrinth Lord book and the Advanced Edition Companion. Goblinoid offers both free of charge. I checked and both are the most recent revision.

If you want everything under one cover with artwork and such, you can purchase a copy of Advanced Labyrinth Lord from DriveThruRPG.

DriveThruRPG - Advanced Labyrinth Lord

If you look through Goblinoid Games’ offerings on DriveThruRPG, you can also find the most recent Labyrinth Lord rulebook and Advanced Edition Companion. They are the same books that are offered on Goblinoid’s website, except that they include artwork.

There’s also a version of the Advanced Labyrinth Lord book that features a cover with Orcus about to wipe out a group of hapless adventurers. It’s just a different cover. The interior contents are the same.

Just to be sure I haven’t caused any undue confusion: The rules contained in the Advanced Labyrinth Lord book are precisely the same as those given in the Labyrinth Lord rulebook and the Advanced Edition Companion. The only difference is that Advanced Labyrinth Lord collects the rules from the two volumes under one cover. The rules themselves are the same in both versions.

I am of course interested, although I think I'll retire Orin and come up with a replacement character.  This last adventure was enough to convince him to go out on top, rather than hang on too long and die an inglorious death.  :)

Let me take a look and I'll let you know if I'm still in! I love the original B/X feel of Labyrinth Lord, need to make sure I am still behind the Advanced rules.

Sorry, we skipped over discussing this in earnest.

Does anyone have any suggestions regarding how to better handle combats going forward?

To start with a negative, we want to avoid waiting a week for all of the players to make a combat post. Some players will post every day, some every other day or so, but some will occasionally post less frequently.

How do we account for that to keep the game running at a pleasing pace?

We can try some version of the system this DM employed link to another game, where players declare actions and the DM processes the round. In this manner, players could declare two rounds of actions (DM or player can make the rolls).

Automatic processing of a round can always be paused if a character falls below half or fewer hps.

Over the weekend, as I was getting everything put together for Barrowmaze, I gave this matter a bit of thought. I think I might approach it in this fashion:

Let’s say there are three adventurers. We’ll call them Ironbeard (a dwarven fighter), Ambrose (a human magic user), and Fergus (a halfling thief). The trio venture into a tomb and while plundering a small chest full of coins and gems, four skeletons suddenly spring up, moving to attack the group with rusted swords and spears.

The adventurers win the initiative roll. I indicate that everyone should declare their actions within the next three days. Within that time period, I get posts from Ironbeard and Ambrose, but Fergus is completely silent.

Here’s how I’d narrate the outcome:

”Ironbeard shatters the rib cage of the lead skeleton with a powerful swing of his hammer, the remainder of its dry bones clattering harmlessly to the floor. The arcane bolts of energy which Ambrose calls forth destroy the skull of another of the undead, the remainder of its form falling to pieces.”

“Suddenly, for reasons no one is able to readily perceive, Fergus dies.”

---

In all seriousness, I need to actually read over some of the combat in the linked game more closely. I’m not entirely certain how I feel about players declaring two rounds’ worth of actions ahead of time. While the pause for low HP seems sensible, I know that tactics can become fluid as a combat situation alters from moment to moment.

It might be that, after a set number of days, it would simply fall to me to NPC the actions of anyone who hasn’t yet posted.

Folks, I am going to gently bow out at this point. Real life is just getting more demanding, and I'd rather bow out now before I have to drop out abruptly.

It's been fun gaming here with you all; see you around!

See ya around Greyband! It was fun!

Thanks for standing with Orin over the past two adventures Greyband!  Best wishes to you for the future.

I'm afraid I haven't seen the last of Grayband and his adventurous ways.

I would say that B/X has been chosen precisely because it is not a turgid tactical fantasy combat game a la Pathfinder or modern D&D. As such no player should ever require three days to choose an action for their player if we decide that we intend to run and play Barrowmaze with the diligence, I would say, it demands for PBP. Now there may come a time when the characters have advanced sufficiently to have an array of magic items and spells at their disposal and at that time a modicum of more thinking might be required. But I don't know if that was even the case for Shadow Lord -- at least not for Jarder.

Speaking of Barrowmaze, I the game has been constructed and I have flipped on the ”Vacancy” sign. I have not posted an ad for players, as I wanted anyone from this game, and another old school game that I run, to have the chance to join in first before I opened the door for new recruits.

link to another game

I greatly appreciate everyone’s patience.

Well said Jarder. I often think things like doors and similar choices hold up games more than anything. I propose a Caller and Assistant Caller to keep the game moving. I usually am good for a short daily or longer post every other day, though I have seasonal responsibilities that deprive me of sleep and energy which affects my posting rate. Combats shouldn't be done so quickly that good narrative is thrown out. I think that's what makes them interesting! Anyway, I say we pick a ring-leader (not it) and play until an issue comes up and then discuss it.

BTW, applied to RTJ.

Just for everyone’s information: I intend to proceed with deleting this game in a week’s time. I wanted to be sure to alert everyone so you would have the opportunity to preserve copies of character sheets and any other information from the game that you wanted to hang on to.

Thank you! It's been fun. Enjoy in your new endeavors.

Have a good one, everybody.  Sorry I tried to betray you.  Glad it didn't work out.

Take care all!  May fair winds fill your sails!