The Antithesis of Weal

Additional Abilities for Thieves and their Ilk

2024-12-31T14:20:00.000-05:00

Additional abilities for Burglars, Thieves, Rogues, Assassins, Thugs, and Waghalters.

Skim off the Top

Members of the underworld can't keep their hands off loot. Characters of the burglar class automatically get %1 per level of coin and non-precious stones loot collected by the party before any shares or divisions are calculated. This represents their penchant for being the first with their hands in the sack, lifting of small amounts of coins during sorting, and intentional miscalculations during the actual division of shares ("one for you, two for me").

Burglars gain experience points for any of the above skimming activities as they would for any other treasure.

Hidden knife

When searched or apprehended a burglar can keep a small knife secreted on their person, unless completely disrobed or magical means of detection are used.

No honor among thieves

Burglars are paranoid. By secreting treasures away in remote or hidden locations known to no others, they can gain the benefit of experience points without a return to civilization. This can be a chest buried underground or even a sack in an old dead tree, but it must be a secret known only to the burglar. If the treasure is stolen, any experience points garnered are immediately lost.

Experimental Counterspelling

2024-12-08T12:22:00.005-05:00

Inspired by Beyond Vancian Magic: Skills for the Magic-User, here are my completely untested ideas for using Counterspells.

This is intended for a class and level type adventure game, where spells use slots or similar resource-based preparation. If you need to roll a die to successfully cast a spell, this would probably have to get modified futher.

Casting spells works as normal unless they are actively being countered.
As their action, either by detection or declaration, a magician must decide to attempt to actively counter a spell. This does not take the place of a saving throw or similar mechanism, but rather reflects an opposing magician using their magical skills the prevent the attacker's spell from taking effect.
Caster rolls 1d6 + Caster Level + Spell Level cast (if their spell is being actively countered).
Counterer spends their round and rolls 1d6 + Caster level + (optionally) Spell Level of a prepared spell they wish to sacrifice to strengthen the attempt.
Result:

Caster higher: the spell takes effect as normal.
Counterer equal or higher: spell is blocked, but is not lost. Another attempt to cast it can be made in subsequent rounds or later in the day.

If a spell is sacrificed to strength the counterspelling, it is lost regardless of whether the counterspell is successful or not. It may not be the optimal use of resources, but requires the decision of "how badly do I want to block that fireball?".

Not sure if the math is too random or not random enough. I may need to do some excel math-ing. Two casters of the same level, each casting and sacrificing a 1st level spell would be a 50/50 roll.

Why do defenders lose the spell if they attempt a counterspell, but not the attackers? I'm still a little on the fence about this. If the defender doesn't actually lose the spell, the only thing they're sacrificing is their action. In that scenario there is no decision to make - always "allocate" your highest level spell, since you don't lose it.

I also don't want to bork the attackers too easily and have you lose one of your few spells for the day just because someone gets a lucky roll, which is why my inclination is to say the attacker does not lose their spell if it is countered, and could try again the next round. Spells are a limited resource, so I'd feel bummed if my 1st level wizard lost his only Sleep spell because I rolled a 5 and the goblin sorcerer rolled a 6. If the goblin doesn't lose a spell he's not sacrificing anything. There's no decision to make beyond "spend my action and give it a try".

I don't know if I like the perpetual stalemate where the caster is countered, can try again the next round with the same spell, ad infinitum, but I think (so far from theorizing in my head) that the defender has a chance, but the attacker has the advantage. As the counterspeller - you're holding off on the attack, making rolls, and hoping another party member can neutralize the caster permanently in the meantime.

In my (similarly experimental) Salutations ruleset, each class has a couple of "class skills" they can put points into at each level, similar to how some games handle Thief Skills. I can imagine a counterspell class skill you can put points into to also modify that roll, and maybe an offensive equivalent to keep the counterspelling in check.

Random campaign idea

2024-11-30T10:37:00.000-05:00

You've just cleared the Moathouse near Hommlet. In gratitude (and in fear over the potential of evil cults in the area) the Viscount of Verbobonc knights you and grants you the Moat House and lands 3 miles in each direction as your fiefdom.

If I was really developing this, I would introduce the Viscount's Cousin, who's ancestor originally built the moathouse. He vastly prefers his townhouse in Verbobonc and has no interest in living in the "rustic glory" of your new fiefdom.

He does however share with you an architectural sketch of the original moat house construction, pointing out a trap door to stairs under what is now the north wall and offers fine payment and glory for any relics of his family that can be retrieved.

Randomize the Encounter Area

2024-11-29T20:19:00.004-05:00

Some work in progress tables I'm using to generate more interesting (or at least diverse) areas for encounters. The reaction table, distance and motivations are pretty standard. Working to expand the rest.

Distance

2d6 x 10 Distance: feet/yards

Cover

Roll 2d6:

2 Cover: Monster - hard

3 Cover: Monster - soft

4 Cover: Left (of PCs) - hard

5 Cover: Left (of PCs) - soft

6-8 Cover: None

9 Cover: Right (of PCs) - soft

10 Cover: Right (of PCs) - hard

11 Cover: PCs - soft

12 Cover: PCs - hard

Elevation

Roll 2d6:

2-3 Elevation: Monster higher

4 Elevation: Center higher

5 Elevation: Left higher

6-8 Elevation: Elevation level

9 Elevation: Center lower

10 Elevation: Right higher

11-12 Elevation: Character higher

Visibility

Roll 2d6:

2-4 Visibility: Obscured (Mist, Smoke, Foliage)

5-12 Visibility: Clear

Reaction

2 Reaction: Immediate Attack

3-5 Reaction: Hostile - Possible Attack

6-8 Reaction: Uncertain or Confused

9-11 Reaction: No Attack - Leaves or Considers Offers

12 Reaction: Enthusiastic Friendship

Motivation

Roll 2d6:

2 Motivation: Lost or escaping

3-4 Motivation: Overcoming obstacle

5-6 Motivation: Resting

7 Motivation: Seeking food/shelter

9-10 Motivation: Searching for lost person or item

11 Motivation: Guarding or near lair

12 Motivation: Fleeing encounter

Silver Standard Equipment List

2024-11-29T16:43:00.001-05:00

This is obviously not done yet. There's some more obvios miscellaneous gear to add and the services needs costs. I want to break out the weapons a little beyond small/hand/great categories without going overboard and differentiate some of the unusual armor types. If I wait for this to be complete before I share it, I probably never will.

Work in Progress Draft

Salutations of the Land Squid 20 Rule Questions

2021-01-03T07:30:00.006-05:00

As a reference to the Jungle Hexcrawl Rules and Rulings page. In between character creation at campaign start and the first 3 or 4 sessions, we effectively switched from B/X Dungeons & Dragons (Moldvay edition) to Lamentations of the Flame Princess. I suggested the specialist skill handling, and the class was more appealing upon player review. We used summon for a standing in the Chlendi spirit magic, and switched over completely to eliminate confusion (and because Shawn was tried of fumbling through the layout of BX booklets).

Ability scores generation method? 3d6 in order. Either classic (SIWDCCh) or LotFP (ChCDISW) order.
How are death and dying handled? We're not using the LotFP rule, but we should. So far it's mostly been henchment and hirelings, who have died going below 0.
What about raising the dead? It is possilbe, as are most things with powerful enough magic. Researching the ritual or finding someone who knows are a differen question.
How are replacement PCs handled? Come in at 1st level or promoting of a henchman.
Initiative: individual, group, or something else? Group, players win on even ties, foes win on odd ties. Actions must be declare in advance of roll.
Are there critical hits and fumbles? How do they work? No fumbles. On natural 20, decide if you want to roll double the damage dice or double the results of a normal roll. Foes do the latter.
Do I get any benefits for wearing a helmet? Lack of malicious targeting by the Dungeon Master. Some helmets will give specific bonuses. Still not happy with the rules, but most rules prevent the likelihood of characters having awesome mohawks.
Can I hurt my friends if I fire into melee or do something similarly silly? Yes, more or less per the rules. Line of sight and outnumbering are the primary factors.
Will we need to run from some encounters, or will we be able to kill everything? Yes, flee.
Level-draining monsters: yes or no? Yes, but still torn on method: probably drain XP (but not levels) or maximum hit points (but not levels).
Are there going to be cases where a failed save results in PC death? Yes, Still trying to find a reasonable mitigation of poison risk beyond luck.
How strictly are encumbrance & resources tracked? Pretty strictly per the rules for this campaign. Shields do not count as encumbering unless they are tower shields (or similarly large). Buckler, Small, and Normal Shields still count as one item. 5 torches count as one item. 5 days of rations count as one item.
What’s required when my PC gains a level? Training? Do I get new spells automatically? Can it happen in the middle of an adventure, or do I have to wait for down time? New spells but be transcribed at no cost. No training for this campaign, but you must secure the necessary treasure which usual means an informal downtime checkpoint.
What do I get experience for? Primarily recovering treasue, with some granted for identified magic items. Some for defeating foes. Bonuses for supplementing the game experience through record keeping or work as quartermaster.
How are traps located? Description, dice rolling, or some combination? Either and both. Per rules, but good description will provide bonus or eliminate roll.
Are retainers encouraged and how does morale work? Yes, highly. Checks largely by rules - losses in combat, mistreatment or undue risk, failing to provide timely recompense or rest.
How do I identify magic items? Magic items must be used (typical for weapons and armor), tested (often for potions, charged items), or otherwise identified (by reading scroll, use of Identify spell, sage, etc)
Can I buy magic items? Oh, come on: how about just potions? Basic healing potions are sometimes (availability roll) available from apothecaries, alchemists and the like, along with out strange drugs and substances. Scrolls can also be similarly purchased Other magic items are very rarely available for sale and even then may be forgeries or have functions in inaccurately described.
Can I create magic items? When and how? Yes, per LotFP rules.
What about splitting the party? Fuck around and find out.

Initiative as Tables

2020-06-28T16:21:00.003-04:00

Anyone who has played or discussed Dungeons & Dragons-based or OSR games with me knows I have strong opinions on the handling of initiative (and many half finished blog posts regarding them). When I've ~~been subjected~~ attempted to play more recent editions I've posited that things like "attacks of opportunity" and parts of combat movement have clearly been ~~stolen~~ inspired by The Game of Kings, Blood Bowl.

During our recent Uod campaign, I've even joked about making an OSR style game from the Blood Bowl rules, pointing out where mechanics like block dice roll calculations would be great improvments to combat. Thinking about how the passing/interception rules could streamline shooting missile weapons into a melee. Unseriously commented about using the Kickoff Table for initiative.

But I couldn't let go of the initiative ideal. I'm a fan of phased initiative (movement, missile, etc) in some form. Other games have made the mechanics more player oriented. Rolling to see if players were acting before or after the opponents rather than rolling for the opponents themselves. It occured to me that if putting the rolls all on the player side, why even compare numbers. OSR style games use random tables for all sort of things, why not initiative and why not more than order of actions.

The goal isn't to recreate Blood Bowl as D&D. I'll start with the Blood Bowl items and slowly replace them with cooler or more combat orientated craziness. I could crowd-source a cool list of events, but we still need to determine the order of events in a round. I'll probably edit this table 4 or 5 times to make it D&D-friendlier as I decide which makes more sense: "crazy things that happen during combat" or "variations on 'who goes first'". Ultimately I'll need to come back to address what happens on subsequent rounds. The results assume side-based initiative that is normally random from round to round.

Initiative Table v0.1.1 - roll 2d6

2 - Get the Ref:
"The fans exact gruesome revenge on the referee for some of the dubious decisions he has made, either during this match or in the past. His replacement is so intimidated that he can be more easily persuaded to look the other way. Each team receives one Bribe that can be used once during this game to attempt to ignore one call by the referee on a D6 roll of 2+."
- Adapted: Is this divine intervention? Not sure yet how this should manifest in the game fiction. The BB intent is allow "characters" break the rules. Mechanically maybe allow each side to ignore a single hit or failed save. That's not fun enough. We'll come back to this.

3 - Riot:
"The trash talk between two opposing players explodes and rapidly degenerates, involving the rest of the players. If the receiving team’s turn marker is on turn 7 for the half, both teams move their turn marker back one space as the referee resets the clock back to before the fight started. If the receiving team has not yet taken a turn this half the referee lets the clock run on during the fight and both teams’ turn markers are moved forward one space. Otherwise roll a D6: 1-3 both teams’ turn markers are moved forward one space. 4-6 both teams’ turn markers are moved back one space."
- Adapted: Melee occurs without hesitation as someone's trigger finger gets itchy. On a d6 roll of 1-3 both sides can have combatants move directly into melee before spells or missiles go off. On a roll of 4-6 a single opponent for each side must (or maybe a round of missile fire wihout melee?) Still not as fun.

4 - Perfect Defence:
"The kicking team’s coach may reorganize his players – in other words he can set them up again into another legal defence. The receiving team must remain in the set-up chosen by their coach."
- Adapted: The PC's side can charge into melee if desired before any reaction from the other side. They take all normal activity first as if they normally won initiave. Maybe everyone on that side can take a "move" action before normal round phases of a round.

5 - High Kick:
"The ball is kicked very high, allowing a player on the receiving team time to move into the perfect position to catch it. Any one player on the receiving team who is not in an opposing player’s tackle zone may be moved into the square where the ball will land no matter what their MA may be, as long is the square is unoccupied."
- Adapted: One PC can charge into melee or take other action before everyone else. The player's side wins initiative.

6 - Cheering Fans:
"Each coach rolls a D3 and adds their team’s FAME and the number of cheerleaders on their team to the score. The team with the highest score is inspired by their fans’ cheering and gets an extra ReRoll this half. If both teams have the same score, then both teams get a Re-Roll."
- Adapted: This will be a pretty common result on 2d6 so it may need to be swapped. Roll d3 + the number of combatants (Hirelings/minions? Just non-fighter types, but what about monsters?) and that team gets initiative. Re-rolls would be cool for a single combat event, but for round by round this makes sense. Still trying to find the spirit of the result.

7 - Changing Weather:
"Make a new roll on the Weather table. Apply the new Weather roll. If the new Weather roll was a ‘Nice’ result, then a gentle gust of wind makes the ball scatter one extra square in a random direction before landing."
- Adapted: Outside? Weather event? Indoors/dungeon? Gust of window blows out torches? Some other random event? That's in spirit, but as a practically use of the most common result, both side act simultaneously. Rolled on the first round of combat? Hell yeah, change the weather, have a bunch of bats flying through the space, whatever - in addition to simultaneous action.

8 - Brilliant Coaching:
"Each coach rolls a D3 and adds their FAME and the number of assistant coaches on their team to the score. The team with the highest total gets an extra team Re-Roll this half thanks to the brilliant instruction provided by the coaching staff. In case of a tie both teams get an extra team Re-Roll."
- Adapted: Like the number "6" result above, not sure how to make the calculation. Maybe casters can get a spell off, then round proceeds?

9 - Quick Snap!
"The offence start their drive a fraction before the defence is ready, catching the kicking team flat-footed. All of the players on the receiving team are allowed to move one square. This is a free move and may be made into any adjacent empty square, ignoring tackle zones. It may be used to enter the opposing half of the pitch."
- Adapted: One of the PC's opponents can charge into melee or take other action before everyone else. The opponent's side wins initiative.

10 - Blitz!
"The defence start their drive a fraction before the offence is ready, catching the receiving team flat-footed. The kicking team receives a free ‘bonus’ turn: however, players that are in an enemy tackle zone at the beginning of this free turn may not perform an Action. The kicking team may use team Re-Rolls during a Blitz. If any player suffers a turnover then the bonus turn ends immediately."
- Adapted: The PC's opponents side can charge into melee if desired before any reaction from the other side. They take all normal activity first like normally winning initiave. Maybe everyone on that side can take a "move" action before normal round phases of a round.

11 - Throw a Rock:
"An enraged fan hurls a large rock at one of the players on the opposing team. Each coach rolls a D6 and adds their FAME to the roll. The fans of the team that rolls higher are the ones that threw the rock. In the case of a tie a rock is thrown at each team! Decide randomly which player in the other team was hit (only players on the pitch are eligible) and roll for the effects of the injury straight away. No Armour roll is required."
- Adapted: A block or stone or rock, tree branch or whatever represents something from above falls on someone. Each side rolls 1d6 and adds the highest HD on their side to see who is hit. Ties mean both. They take some damage TBD. Still need to find the random malice in spirit of the original table.

12 - Pitch Invasion:
"Both coaches roll a D6 for each opposing player on the pitch and add their FAME to the roll. If a roll is 6 or more after modification then the player is Stunned (players with the Ball & Chain skill are KO’d). A roll of 1 before adding FAME will always have no effect."
- Adapted: Wandering monster / animal / herd / flock of seagulls flies through the encounter. Roll d6 + HD for everyone. Those rolling over 6 get knocked down and take no action that round. If this is a one-time event, maybe they take damage. Then roll d6 like normal to see who goes first. Coming back to this one.

Go Bay Of Ice Buccaneers! Please don't sue me, GW!

Oriental Adventures and the Domain Game

2018-06-10T16:37:00.003-04:00

Maybe OA is not all bad. [Edit from the future, it's pretty bad]

The AD&D Oriental Adventures book is now at best viewed a well intentioned rules exercise that people say they wanted to like at the time. I see most current discussions semi-nostalgic about some flawed rules and at best an awkward feeling about some the cultural presentation. As a pre-teen, I dabbled with it shortly after the release, wished the ninjas were a more straightforward class, and pretty quickly returned to the comforting arms of the Player's Handbook and Unearthed Arcana. It came out now and then for inspiration, but it was rarely used aside from someone's attempt to play the samurai class.

I still skim parts now a days and see the potential of some of the systems, but jump to other systems or more recent OSR supplements. I pulled it out again this morning looks for ideas to flesh out my own house rules for Fighters and Thieves. Under the Bushi class rules I found the parallel passage to the Fighter freehold rules with some distinct differences:

When the bushi reaches 9th level, he can establish himself as a warlord. To do so he must capture or clear an estate and mark its boundaries… All bushi followers remain only so long as they are paid the character’s cause is not doomed… Upon reaching 12th level, 1d6 1st-level samurai will apply for positions. This is an extremely important event, since it legitimizes the bushi’s position…

Those distinctions reinforce the bushi's rise from poverty and initial social standing, especially in contrast to the samurai's:

At 7th level the samurai is offered jito (stewardship) over one of the properties of his daimyo... At 8th level the daimyo offers the samurai the position of shugo (constable of a province).

This is closer to the Player Handbook style, but more clearly acknowledges feudal responsibilities. It really makes me want to run a game where land holdings and the "starting position" of Houses of the Blooded becomes the mid-campaign goal. I've done some "least establish a home base" and the shift to defense and diplomacy. It is a different sort of game - elements of the game and some mechanics shift to the background. But "establishing yourself as a warlord" and capturing your land? That's some next-level murderhobo action.

The Conan Rule

2017-12-05T20:06:00.003-05:00

(With apologies Robert E. Howard for indulging Conan stereotypes)

1. Roll 3d6
2. Pick 1 or 2 dice of your choice, and add them. This is your starting hit points.
3. Take the remaining 1 or 2 dice. Add them if there is more than one, then multiply by 10. This is your starting gold.

2d6 Religions of Uod for your Doomed Adventurer or Agent

2017-11-19T10:05:00.004-05:00

Roll 2d6 to determine your character's belief system:

2. The Mindat Old Gods

3. The Maetah Old Gods

4. Roll on the Cults sub-table below

5. The Chlendi Spirit Host

6. Heteri Gods of Blood, Coal, and Horses

7. That of your lineage - roll again if you’re not sure what that is.

8. Heteri Gods of Blood, Coal, and Horses

9. The Mindat Path of the White Book

10. Thedine, the dutiful lord of the North Sea folk.

11. A heresy of an established religion - roll again to determine the source

12. One of your (character's) own creation.

Cults Sub-table (Roll d8)

You make offerings to the large squid in the cave by the port, like all sane sailors.
He has no name, but when you snort the orange powder you know his truth.
Member of the Sarpha Cult.
Mindat Vibrationalist
The Way of Flesh
Eschlatli Pleasure Cult
Local spirit of town, river or forest
The Supreme Being, a (1-3 old man, 4-6 old woman, 7 indeterminate gender, 8 childlike neuter) in the hills beyond town

Some notes to be found here: https://widderslainte.github.io/uod/
There is a 5% chance that your patron god, saint, or spirit is an extra-planar or dream plane inhabitant masquerading as a your deity. 20% change the masquerader is beneficient and a 50% change that the masquerader sincerely believes itself to be the diety in question.

Class Template

2017-10-09T12:57:00.000-04:00

Intended for Guisarmes & Golems, Tactical Simulation Ruleset, and other fine elf games.

Class Name

Alternate Roles:

Required Attributes:
Required Alignments:
"Failed" Aspects:
Allowed Armor:
Allowed Weapons:

Melee Attack Bonus:
Ranged Attack Bonus:
Thrown Attack Bonus:
Full Defense Bonus:
Defenses:
Save Modifiers:
Melee Attacks:

Initial Hit Points:
Initial Combat Proficiencies:
Initial Skills:

Hit Points, Levels 2-10:
Hit Points, Levels 11+:
Combat Proficencies, Additional:

Class Abilities:

Fixing Negative Ability Score Modifiers

2017-07-09T20:12:00.004-04:00

The combination of point buy mechanics and new D&D editions have virtually eliminated negative modifiers from low attribute scores. Seeing a swath of 11's and 12's on a character sheet is bland, especially if a 13 bumps up your armor class in a mechanical but forgettable way. Even old and old school games that feature them have issues. In most cases they're a nice role playing nudge - the thief that is ugly and uncouth, the clumsy cleric, and the magic-user that is always coughing a sick.

The mechanical effects of those score can vary from negligible to disastrous. If you're stringent with encumbrance, the thief's 8 in strength may come up, or the low charisma cleric is stuck with a few less hirelings. In many cases almost forgettable. A low Constitution for a fighter is annoying, but playable, but even a -1 one to rolled hit dice is crippling to a Magic-user - you're averaging less than 9 total hit points at 5th level. The odds of survival are realistic for a susceptible person crawling around sewers and fighting monsters, but almost not worth trying. Making it to 2nd level on 1 hit point can be scary and exciting for those sessions. Still dreading a single hit from a halberd months later is tiresome.

We can do this better. Penalties to fundamental game activities can turn a quirk into frustration. Not only do flaws make the character more interesting, they should come up in sessions.

1. Remove or change most class minimums. The fighter with a strength of 8 is awesome. Maybe for the rarer classes (Paladin, Assassin) you compensate for their not meeting the minimums in some other way (The Paladin Rules), but usually the low score or lack of bonuses is painful enough for the standard classes.

2. Change how penalties from low attribute scores work. Use the disadvantage rules from 5th Edition (still may be too in some cases). Find effects that don't require tweaking every die roll - a poor constitution manifests in requiring more rest at night (can't take a watch shift) or twice as much rations due to gastrointestinal issues.

A few ideas:

Strength - reroll door opening attempts, decreased encumbrance capacity, needs assistance in manual tasks (piling crates to block the door)
Intelligence - ability to read/write, becomes a fan of the New Orleans Saints, inability to learn other languages, may misunderstand written or verbal communications (misinterpret NPC saying: "I don't know if it's poisonous" vs "it's not poisonous") or miscount coins
Wisdom - saving through penalties are probably sufficient, becomes lost more frequently, poor perception (distance vision or other senses)
Dexterity - clumsy or unlucky in catching or grabbing items (You are Jack Burton), misfortunes that hit once random party member (rock falls from ceiling) tend to hit you.
Constitution - I think the examples above, plus the AD&D system shock and resurrection survival percentages are good. A simplified disease system would make this really shine.
Charisma - loyalty percentage per AD&D, increased possibility of hirelings lying/stealing, noticeable feature (weird eyes, scar or tattoo), suspicious feature (extra finger, forked tongue, webbed fingers), poor reaction rolls in more mundane situations ("The innkeeper dislikes you and you end up sleeping in the stables").

Ideally you'd have a dozen possibilities for each attribute on a random table next to it.Multiple rolls or more serious interpretations for the lowest of scores.

4th Level Clan Tzimisce Fighter of Tzeentch, Part I

2017-06-24T09:31:00.001-04:00

.I played a lot of White Wolf around the time of its peak, though attempts at Sabbat campaigns were more "proof of concept" sessions than anything lasting. Which I guess is appropriate. Nevertheless I was fascinated ritae and cult aspects that kept packs together, and the mechanics behind them. The mechanics made sense to address the challenges of competing character motivations and forging reasons for cooperation, which are a challenge for Vampire game, much less a Sabbat game with higher character turn-over and selfish motivations push to the limit.

While a pack of 1 HD vampires taking on Village of Hommlet may fire some of my synapses, I keep thinking back to Sabbat characters as the ultimate murderhobos (remember to skip the last 10 minutes when you re-watch "Near Dark") even without adopting the cult/organization membership as the binding mechanism for party coherence. It's too tight conceptually to work outside of specific campaigns, though I suppose the Cleric of Khorne might be able to create potions of healing by mixing the blood of all the party members. I still feel there's something there in the mechanics even if the trappings don't work, especially in a party where a handful of PCs work with a larger number of henchmen and hirelings. The vaulderie takes place in the form of sharing treasure, shaping the loyalty of the hirelings to the party and the willingness to take risks, or simply keep working for a boss they dislike. Not much better than the typical Charisma-based loyalty rules right now, but the concept will remain percolating in my brain while I obsess on how to apply it.

My other hireling and party interaction fascination is the old Warhammer Realms of Chaos books, specifically the warband concept. For the unfamiliar, it's an (ideally) narrative wargame campaign, where each play creates a fledgling champion of one of the Chaos Gods and puts together a ragtag random entourage of monsters and followers. As games are played, the champion gains abilities or mutations based on their success (calculated with bias to the God followed), eventually becoming a daemon prince sitting by the right side of their god (winning) or a barely sentient ball of tentacles and mouths.

A winner.

I love the idea of an actual role-playing focused game where each player has a champion and retinue that may work in congress or directly against the other players, despite it being a full time job to actual run as a functional campaign. More reasonably, I can see this as a way to adapt a game to a very small player count and take on more aggressive changes in the campaign setting. It could be played from a different angle - exiled nobleman gathering forces to depose an evil occupying force or despot, though I'd gladly see two or three players conspire to take down Altdorf or equivalent.

One aspect of old-skool D&D that I haven't seen successfully improved by the OSR is handling followers during exploration and combat. Sure a couple of hirelings, especially when PCs are at low levels, but once higher levels are tracking a menagerie of ablative targets becomes both less useful and a pain to manage. There are some great resources likes Meatshields and Hireling traits generator for creating them, but once combat occurs their utility fades along with their chances of hurting Ogres and the implementation of magic light sources increases.

We can learn from wargames on how to handle the large numbers and use of some abstract benefits, which plan to get to in Part II and explore in details in my Supplement C.

Mearls Initiative

2017-05-20T17:49:00.003-04:00

Initiative has always been my bugaboo in systems - they were all dumb, boring, or too complex/slow. Then a lightning bolt descended from the heavens, well Twitter-heaven, and struck me stunned.

Roll each round. D4 = ranged, d8 = melee, d12 = spell, d6 = anything else, +d8 to swap gear, +d8 for bonus action, low goes 1st #wotcstaff https://t.co/7nSwTNfHCI
— Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) May 16, 2017

This gave me the simulations stages of AD&D, the element of planning of side-based initiative, and the delusionally interesting bits of 2nd Edition AD&D.

The first things I'd adjust would adding something beneficial for charges vs normal "action + move", tie spell casting time in (AD&D casting time + d6 or something, or better yet use the Mythus classifications: http://vaultsofnagoh.blogspot.com/2013/02/lets-read-mythus-pt-23.html), and give some benefit for defensive reach. But the core idea above is so strong, I don't want to mess with it too much.

In the Minds of Children, Chaos Reigns

2015-10-27T15:04:00.000-04:00

The God that Holds up the Moon rules everyone. Everyone?

Nazi spiders.

Giants have 130 teeth.

Travel to the other side of the earth results in dizziness from being upside down.

Jesus like a nice ghost with magic powers.

Sanities Shall Be Splintered

2015-08-29T21:17:00.000-04:00

I've been playing a lot (meaning more than one hour a week) of Darkest Dungeon to get my gaming fix while accommodating family responsibilities. While I can't quite call it relaxing, it is certainly spurring ideas for mechanics and campaign structure.

It dawned on my as a pondered how to recreate the stress mechanics. Typical caveats for the poor and unrealistic treatment of mental illness apply.

Sanities Shall Be Splintered
(yet another incomplete, proposed mechanic, with root concept from Trollsmyth's Shields Shall be Splintered)

Upon taking a hit, a player may choose to sacrifice the character's mental well being instead of losing hit points. The character must make a save vs death (or wisdom, psionics, etc depending on your ruleset and preference):

If successful, the character sustains no damage but will have a temporary (but cumulative) -1 to further saves for Sanities Shall Be Splintered until 8 hours of restful sleep had been had.
If failed, the character gains a temporary insanity (from the AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide, p83, or your preferred edition of Call/Trail of Cthulhu). The insanity can be "cured" by a week spent in medition, prayer, flagellation, or preferred debauchery at a cost of 100 gp / character level. The character also suffers the side affect of success listed above.

This is my first draft, conceived as a type. The next revision will probably have results for a save of 1 (and positive revelations for a roll of 20). Maybe spell loss, wisdom penalty, or something similar would be more appropriate.

AD&D Bard, Revised

2015-08-07T14:24:00.003-04:00

To promote the widest compatibility, and eliminate confusion, please substitute the class "Rogue" for "Thief" where your particularly deficient ruleset makes the same misstep. This revision attempts to promote the keys elements of the bard class prior to its position as a second-rate Wizard while simplify the character development with moving through fighter and druid levels.

Bard Class Summary

Hit Dice: d6

Weapons: dagger, dart, club, short sword

Armor: leather, padder. Bucklers may be used at the Dungeon Master's discretion

Saving Throws: as per thief

Experience Points: Bards advance in levels by the same experience point table as Thieves

Class Description

The profession of bard is not dishonorable, albeit is neither honorable nor highly respected in some quarters. The major ability for a bard is dexterity, and a character must have not less than a 9 to become a bard. High charisma and intelligence is also desirable. Any bard character with a dexterity greater than 15 gains the benefit of being able to add a bonus of 10% to experience points awarded to him or her by the referee.

A glance at the Class Ability section succeding this will reveal that high dexterity also benefits bards in the performance of their class functions. These functions are detailed a bit later. Many bards are neutral or evil, although they can be good, and of lawful or chaotic nature. Most bards tend towards evil.

All bards, regardless of alignment, known the language of their devious fellows, the "Thieves' Cant". This language is known in addition to others which may be learned because of race and/or intelligence.

Bards are principally meant to take by cunning and stealth. Bards have six-sided hit dice (d6). They are, however, able to wear light (leather) armor and use a fair number of weapons. Although they fight only slightly more effectively than do magic-users, they are able to use stealth in combat most effectively.

Class Abilities

The primary functions of a bard are: 1) entertainment, 2) opening locks, 3) finding/removing traps, 4) moving silently, and 5) hiding in shadows. These functions are basically self-explanatory. The chance for success of any performance is based on the ability level of the bard performing it. This is modified by the powers of the observer with respect to hiding in shadows.

These functions are detailed as follows, performing as a thief of the same level:

1. Entertainment: bards are proficient in an instrument, song, and storytelling. Subsequent levels improve both their repertoire of instruments and proficiency in such skills already known.

2. Opening locks includes figuring out how to open sliding puzzle locks and foiling magical closures. It is done by picking with tools and by cleverness, plus knowledge and study of such items.

3. Finding/removing traps pertains to relatively small mechanical devices such as poisoned needles, spring blades, and the like. Finding is accomplished by inspection, and they are nullified by mechanical removal or by being rendered harmless.

4. Moving silently is the ability to move with little sound and disturbance, even across a squeaky wooden floor, for instance. It is an ability which improves with experience.

5. Hiding in shadows is the ability to blend into dark areas, to flatten oneself, and by remaining motionless when in sight, to remain unobserved. It is a function of dress and practice.

Secondary functions of a bard are:

1. Listening at doors to detect sounds behind them,

2. Ascending and descending vertical surfaces such as walls

3. Reading languages

These functions are described as follows:

1. Listening at doors includes like activity at other portals such as windows. It is accomplished by moving silently to the door and pressing an ear against it to detect sound.

2. Ascending and descending vertical surfaces is the ability of the bard to climb up and down walls. It assumes that the surface is coarse and offers ledges and cracks for toe and hand holds.

3. At 4th level, bards are able to read 20% of languages, and this ability increases by 5% with each additional level of experience until an 80% probability is attained. This enables the possible reading of instructions and treasure maps without having to resort to a magic item or spell. At 10th Level, bards are able to decipher magical writings and utilize scrolls of all sorts, excluding those of clerical, but not druidic, nature. However, the fact that bards do not fully comprehend magic means that there is a 25% chance that writings will be misunderstood. Furthermore, magic spells from scrolls can be mispronounced when uttered, so that there is an increasing chance per level of the spell that it will be the reverse of its intent,

Bards cannot build strongholds as some other classes of characters do. They can, however, build a tower or fortified building of the small castle type (q.v.) for their own safety; but this construction must be within, or not more than a mile distant from, a town or city. Any bard character of 10th or greater level may use his small castle type building to set up a headquarters for a company of bards, and he or she will accordingly attract from 4-24 other thieves. However, this will bring the enmity of the local Theater Guild, and they will struggle to do away with the rival organization. Once begun, warfare will end only when and if the Master Bards on either or both sides are dead, or if the bard character removes to another locale.

Niche protection

2015-07-16T20:51:00.001-04:00

Tvtropes.com ever has an article about linear fighter, quadratic wizard. "Reality Ensues" really summarizes the quandry. I'll save my arguments and ideas for improvement for a subsequent post.

BUT WHY ISN'T ANYONE TALKING ABOUT NICHE PROTECTION FOR BARBER-SURGEONS. WTF CLERICS, YOU GET PLATE MAIL TOO.

Poisons, Wolvesbane, and War Pigs

2015-04-08T17:48:00.000-04:00

Lately I've been reading "Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World" which leads me to the conclusion that there is not enough poison in my D&D games.

Poison traps and poisonous bites of monsters sure, but they tend to be immediate "Save or Die" situations more than anything. Spells of Neutralize and Slow Poison exist, and should be resources to expend, and I should structure poisonous threats to generate more building debilitation or death after hours. Provide anti-venom or potions as resources to be purchased and expended, and accentuate the decision to press on or return to town rather than rolling up a new character.

Poisons in 5E are on the right track, though the PHB item is a little too expensive for the minimal effect, but I like to see it tied in to the proficiency of the character and some resource management. The AD&D PHB mentions belladonna and wolfsbane with little mention of their use. I'll have to dig out the Dragon Magazine articles expanding on the AD&D DMG to provide the variety and background of knowledge. I've never found the exact fit for effective spell component use vs recording keeping headaches, and maybe poison creation (especially with recipe elements like Skyrim or Dragon Age video games) can be a test run of a better method. I'd like to see thieves, assassins, and alchemists concocting their poisons and others buying them, and actively using in combat (or sneak attacks).

I love a good backstab and don't want that to disappear, but thugs with envenomed daggers fit better than gymnastics amid a melee. Thieves get a resource to be managed, to improve combat damage or eliminate foes. Certainly one that fits my vision more than some of the "combat effectiveness" abilities presented in various rulesets.

War Pigs, or at least war dogs (guard dogs in AD&D, mastiffs in 5E, I presume), always seemed to be a crutch for low-level characters in my younger days. They were set aside after a couple leveles, and took the place of some hirelings. Still, I like the idea of the baggage train expedition. If war animals or military elements don't work for you in the dungeon, they work at camp to guard the horses, or assist with the party's night watch. They require a hireling the manage more than one, and best yet - require no share of treasure beyond some iron dog chow.

Welcome to the New Gods

2015-03-23T07:18:00.001-04:00

I'm still working out of the specifics of the New Gods. There were will be some obvious influences, but these should not be directly derivative ("Flesh for the Flesh God").

Thus far, the contenders worth posting:

The Unknowable Womb of Dreams - Creator of the World Made Flesh and Vine, and fundamental elements of the yet uncreated.
Master of Writhing Memories - Doomed to wander the paths of the world and steal the thoughts of man to subsist.

The other three are in flux, their elements clear, but waiting a final form (in my brain) to be reborn upon this world.

The Old Gods are the New Gods

2015-03-15T09:43:00.002-04:00

You believe and hold five gods to be true and powerful, one clearly superior to the others. All other spirits, divinities, and supernatural beings are either clearly subservient, or inferior and opposed to your gods and followers. Your comrades believe in the same gods, but some hold others of the same five to be ascendant.

Your mission is to convert or corrupt enemies of the faith and failing that - destroy them. This includes your comrades.

I swear I will make henchmen and hirelings work. Observe the Auctoritas Ritae.

Gygax + Conan + LotFP

2014-11-26T09:59:00.004-05:00

Across this site, posting elsewhere, and various drunken ramblings I have suggested a half-dozen variations of D&D - covering my ideal version of AD&D, AD&D with the best elements of newer editions, or even a fix for 4th edition. Here is my latest crazed concept:

Reduce the available classes to two: Fighter and Magic-User. How is the Cleric functions replaced?

Convert some existing spells become Rituals
Convert some existing spells to the Magic-User spell list
Convert some functions or spells into equipment -- more healing potions, scrolls and holy symbols to allow for some degree of Undead Turning, etc

Why drop the cleric? There are many justifications in this thread.

Thief roles are handled like skills for the Specialist from Lamentations of the Flame Princess. We can a few additonal "skills" to the list fill any gaps as well as structure the Magic-User. Magic-Users allocate a single pip to "unlock" equivalents of Sorcery Styles from the Conan RPG:

Counter-spells
Curses
Divination
Hypnotism
Nature Magic
Necromancy
Oriental Magic [okay, maybe we should skip this one]
Prestidigitation
Summoning

One or two styles are added to accomodate key spells from the Cleric spells list that we wish to maintain. We allow Fighters to access limited spells (to replicate the role of Paladins, AD&D style Rangers, and cultists). These are granted by a single skill pip for each level of casting (2 pips to be able to cast 2nd level spells from a single Sorcery Style).

Alternately we can allow expanded access (or provide additional limits) based on the use of Insanity/Corruption or Faith points. A fighter of the cultist ilk can gain an Insanity Point in exchange for a single pip in Summoning, for example.

Sorcerer's Helm and Magician's Blade

2014-11-21T15:23:00.003-05:00

My peak D&D years in middle and high school coincided with my exposure to Warhammer Fantasy and Citadel miniatures. My location in the Harrisburg, PA area made day trips down to Maryland Games Workshops stores easy day trips. I wasn't into wargaming, but would spend an hour or two a time pouring through racks of blisters for the ideal PC/NPC/villain models. Chaos Sorcerers were more varied (and easier to come by) than the Gandalf-sort. I never recovered, and as a consequence all well-appointed spell casters wear helmets.

Sorcerer's Helm
XP Value: 2,000
GP Value: 5,000

The Sorcerer's helm is usually a large or ostentatious helmet, covering most or all of the face. Unlike other forms of armor, it's metal presence does not detract from spell casting or magic use (though no such guarantee exists for peripheral vision!). It does not interfere or limit the protection of other magic items (bracers, rings, cloaks) which normally would provide protection to the sorcerer.

The standard form of the helm provides an overall +1 bonus to armor class, and an AC of 3 to attacks directed towards to the head. It will reveal itself as magic to spells and items of detection. Greater Helms are rumored to exist, but are strongly aligned to Law, Chaos, or Neutrality.

Magician's Blade
XP Value: 1,000
GP Value: 2,500

Any wizard or magician proficient in the use of the dagger can use one of these magical blades, which come in forms of short or broad swords, as well as rapiers. Regardless of form they do 1d6 hit points of damage. The weapon will detect as magic, but grants no additional bonus to hit or damage from its enchantment. In the hands of fighters, thieves, and others proficient in the weapon it responds as if a normal sword of it's make.

It does not glow nor shed light, but can harm creatures normally immune to non-magical weapons.

Pissing on Ability Scores

2014-10-24T18:19:00.004-04:00

Normally I'm a Gygax man when it comes to D&D attributes: Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity, Constitution, Charisma as Xagyg intended (even he thought Comeliness was a bad idea).

Then in my moments of fancy I think about additional or secondary attributes, perhaps as a result of that time I read Top Secret on cold medicine. Since I'm apparently unable to maintain any semblance of a posting schedule I'd put down what I recall as they come to mind.

Perception: I mixed thoughts on this from the usual old school player agency angle, but there are plenty of areas (sleeping characters, tracking, this passive perception junk from 5E). But it's certainly better than a skill point tax, using Wisdom as a pseudo perception score, and more reasons from that Dragon Magazine in issue #133. It will certainly make surprise easier to deal with.
Agility: Targeting skill and dodging ability combined is a little two convenient and the first change I'd make. Break this off from Dexterity, and suddenly not every fat sniper has ninja style.
Memory vs Reasoning vs Intelligence: A few games have broken these out. I don't know if it's worthwhile, as Intelligence isn't terribly worthwhile outside of AD&D style spell learning. It feels right, but I don't have the purpose for Reasoning yet. Unless...
We ditch wisdom. In D&D terms, it's willpower plus cleric power. Being "wise" itself isn't significant. Other games use Spirit, Power, Psyche, etc. The Mythus breakdown of Metaphysical and Psychic is vague, but useful. A wizard could have potent talent, but not be a genius, or some font of knowledge with an eidetic memory. Somehow getting willpower out of the mix does explain weak-willed cultists and the like.
Physical attributes: I'm content to leave Strength and Constitution as-is. Stamina, health, etc are mostly thesaurus workarounds for the traditional D&D stat. Size and Speed do little for me, as they're tied more to race than anything with a large enough variance to matter. Maybe in a Super Advanced version, I could tie race, size, and constitution together to reflect starting hit points, the fit of armor, tallfellow halflings that are close to the height of elves.

Mindspur of the Depths

2013-06-02T22:02:00.001-04:00

Mindspur of the Depths

The Mindspur is a tentacle segment one inch in diameter, from a creature deep below the surface. Wizards and others of their ilk driven to knowledge have formulated a technique to alter the tentacle length to provide increase mental prowess typical of the species. A properly prepared tentacle with dig into the exposed flesh of a living beings head, worming it's way beneath the skulls. The use of this item is not without cost, as the use gets a hunger for the brains of the sentient and under examination the presence of the tentacle can be seen writhing beneath skin.

Once in place the character gains a +1 to intelligence, but only as long as he consume the brain of another member of his species once a year. Failure to consume the brainmeat results in a loss of the gained point of Intelligence and the doubling of the hunger (i.e., two brains a year). The tentacle can only be removed through the use of magic or the death of the host.