Showing posts with label D&D. Show all posts
Showing posts with label D&D. Show all posts

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Random Encounters/Making Memories

Tonight, Jen and Catherine are at a Stevie Nicks concert leaving me and Nathan to fend for ourselves for dinner.  Nate and I picked a local favorite and got to talking... about D&D. 

This only sometimes happens. He plays e5 while I am into AD&D e1 or OSE. They seem wildly different, to me anyway. But tonight proved that wrong. 

Halfway through dinner, Nathan realized he planned a D&D session with his friends. He looked rather glum about it. I said I was envious because I have very little time to game. 

The problem was he didn't know what to do for tonight's session. I asked him about the past sessions and he filled me on the problems first. They are 4 sessions into this campaign and they skipped a planned Session 0. Nathan was forced to cob together a very basic idea into a full-fledged campaign due to a lack of planning. 

Here is the gist of that idea: The players have found a cursed town. There are a couple of levels to the curse. A dragon is rampaging around the edge of town, but cannot enter due to a spell cast by a witch. The witch stole the dragon's eggs and placed them around the perimeter of the town to protect the town from a threat, a non-dragon threat. The hag was killed by the dragon mid-cast, so the spell is partially broken.  

Currently, the spell is supposed to protect the town from a threat. Thus far, this averted threat is limited to the rampaging dragon. The spell should be fixed on and powered by the maturing dragon eggs, but unfortunately, it is wavering. When a person touches the edge of the spell, say by entering or leaving the town, their memory becomes corrupted. The corruption is like amnesia, people forget personal facts but don't lose skills or abilities usually. 

Two characters have already been corrupted and lost the knowledge of a spell and resources. The mage forget the spell is in their spell books and are surprised every time they see it. The other character has forgotten he is rich. This is being played for laughs. 

Nathan, dressed to impress.


That's it. Nathan didn't define the threat to the town and threw the characters right in the middle of the mess without a plan to get them out. Worse, the players are fighting a bone construct for one of the eggs. Nathan has no idea why he introduced this combat. The players are hell-bent on destroying the egg for unknown reasons. The last session ended in the middle of that battle. 

Memory... funny thing that is. 

I parsed out the whole situation, problems and all. 


Here is what we came up with as a solution. The hag, a witch, was the town shaman. Unfortunately, she was fated to die young but didn't know when. As the appointed day came close, she bargained with the dragon for its eggs. She would cast a spell on the eggs, to protect the town from bad weather and disease in her absence while also protecting the eggs as they matured. People who found the eggs would be afflicted with memory loss about the eggs and would not harm or steal them.  

Problem one is solved, we know why stuff is happening. That's important. 

Next, time to tackle some other issues. Nathan starts every session with a synopsis of what happened in the last session. He simply reads from a notebook. Tonight, he decided that will change. Instead, he will hand out notes to all of the players. Once they have the notes, he will absentmindedly flip through his notebook as if looking for the notes he just handed out. 

Queue the laughs. He'll ask someone to read the synopsis for him.

Oddly, there will be no mention of the combat with the bone construct. Instead, the players will find themselves in an ancient and desecrated graveyard at the edge of town. It says that right there in the game notes. The graves have been pillaged for something. In the dark, a shambling bone creature will disrupt their investigations. The bone construct was made by a previous shaman with the intent to protect the town in their absence. As long as the party doesn't attack, it will not attack them. It needs them alive to protect the town. 

It seems all of the players are suffering from memory loss. They didn't fight a bone construct, they are about to fight a bone construct. Maybe. When they return to the town proper, fight or not, they will find some of the NPCs have changed. These will be subtle changes, maybe someone needed to step out for a while and a friend took over. 

Now for the real fun. One of the PCs wears a wedding band. The same player inquired about having it turned into a ring of wishes in the prior sessions. This was an off-handed comment, a part of their character background. They would wish their spouse back to life if they could. Obviously, they recently saw the Dungeons and Dragons movie. 

A week from now, Nathan will be armed with a letter from a sage explaining how exceedingly rare rings of wishes are and that it would be virtually impossible for this particular ring to be one of wishes. Of course, no player character asked a sage about this. But here is a letter like they did. 

How did that happen? Who paid for it? It appears to be the guy who can't remember he is rich. 

The path is now clear, the party needs to become the protector of the town and eggs while the spell casters try to correct the malfunctioning spell or end the spell by finding another shaman. It would be helpful not to be eaten by the dragon while doing this, but it's starting to look like one of the PCs or NPCs will become a dragon snack. 

That's fine by Nathan. Not only is he counting on it, he has a friend scheduled to show up with a brand-new character, and prepped and practiced to act as if he has been there since the beginning. 

It's amazing how a chance dinner-time meal can turn into a campaign session. 

Sunday, April 2, 2023

My Very Own Appendix N


As my friends and I entered high school, we really diverged in our interests and reading habits. Ryan read Douglas Adams and the Robotech series. Michelle read Doctor Who. I read all of the fantasy stuff like the Dragonlance series. 

This would have been around '84 to 1986. 

Almost every game session started with The Great Book and Mix Tape swap. In that spirit, I'll share a mix for you: The Great '86. This one year was amazing for music. (Editing note: You don't need a Google Music account, you can simply go on Youtube and listen with this link.) 

Anyway, back to the books. In swapping books, I lost more books than I will ever own. I also read more than you can imagine. Many of these books were yellow, pages dogeared and in some cases missing covers. 

I've been feeling nostalgic lately and picked up a Dragonlance book at Barnes and Noble. I am only 100 pages in and it fills me with both wonder and nostalgia. Clearly, I read it nearly 40 years ago. All of the details are gone, but it is strangely familiar.

I think I'll add this series to the review list, Dragons of Autumn Twilight is pretty cool and clearly made an impression on me because I freely stole ideas from it. 

This is the odd part, decades ago things moved with glacial slowness. I had this book from a used bookstore before I ever saw the Dragonlance Modules. I had no idea it was related to D&D until I saw DL-1 in about 1990. Bookstores were wacky like that. 

Since I ran down this memory hole, I've also returned to watching Doctor Who. The whole D&D gang watched the show, the old-school stuff. It was shown out of order, the local PBS station only honored the serial order, so at least you could see a whole story. But we had no idea what was happening in the larger Doctor Who story as they would happily skip from Doctor to Doctor, willy-nilly. 

I didn't care. It sort of matched the way I read the novels. Here is a silly bit. I had to go back to 2017 to pick up where I left off. The Master became Missy and slightly more and less diabolical. I was vaguely aware that Jodie Whittaker took over as The Doctor and I wondered how that would work. 

The transition reminded me of the novels I had read in the 80s. Remember, I mentioned that many of the books I read had no covers? The Doctor Who novels featured the image of The Doctor appearing in the story, so if you are missing the cover and the first couple of pages, you have no idea which Doctor features in the story. 

I thought that Whittaker was pretty great until I reached the episode, "Fugitive of the Judoon". In that story, The Doctor really shines. The series owes its success (and failures) to the author. The Doctor and the actor who brings these stories to the screen has be spot-on in translation from mere words on the page to funny, scary, and amazing stories to life. 

In a strange collision of real life, check out The Other Side Blog. He is doing an A to Z of Doctor. Totally love it. 




Saturday, January 28, 2023

Tired Thoughts on Tired OGL

I love posts that start with the Chaos Star
The OGL has attained the maximum cultural entropy. Even my wife has a passing familiarity with OGL, which is impressive as she is a nurse and doesn't do "nerd stuff". She's still pretty hot that our children's collective initials are NPC. 

Anyway, I took on this new project to write a campaign setting. And then I busted my shoulder, leaving me to do everything with one hand tied behind my back... literally. Now that I have the immobilizer off, I can start moving and thinking again. 

Here is the long and short of my thoughts on the OGL. 

I have 6 products on DriveThruRPG: 

  1. Kobold’s Folly Mini Setting
  2. Compass Rose Inn Mini Setting
  3. The Hex Pack
  4. Swashbuckler Character Class for D&D and AD&D
  5. Zero to Hero: Uncommon Heroes
  6. Character Sheet for AD&D
Three of these products have nothing to do with D&D, the OGL or SRD: Kobold’s Folly and Compass Rose Inn Mini Settings plus The Hex Pack. I can ignore these. 

The other three are directly tied to D&D. They are nothing without the original game. If push comes to they are either going to be withdrawn or go to "OGL version whatever". I have some decisions to make, I guess. The Swashbuckler Character class really needs to be burned to the ground and remade or dumped in the historical stupidity bin. I'm ok with either. I'd like to rework Zero to Hero into OSE, so I need to wait and see what Old Games Essentials does. The character sheet is a historical snapshot that assumes the use of a couple of books, I am not sure if it needs to be connected to the SDR or OGL because it is literally nothing but an image of a collection of words and numbers that are very context specific to a certain version of a D&D game.  

I have come to the conclusion that I need to abandon D&D and ignore three of my products linked to the SRD and OGL while reworking the other three into something that doesn't remotely touch the works of Wizards of the Coast. 

I have decided to come up with a completely new game system. One of my own devising. In the best case, I am the next WotC. The worst-case scenario is no one uses it. 

What I know now: 
  • I have the basic idea of a game system. 
  • Playtesting has started.
  • It will be called "Zero to Hero", which I am 99.9% is not a copyrightable name. That's cool, I'll deal with it if I can. 
    EDIT - No, No, this is no longer correct. I think I will call it "The Hearts System". 
  • My first book, "Zero to Hero: Uncommon Commoners" will be worked into this somehow. I don't know how. 
  • I will press on with my new campaign setting and tool it to work with "Zero to Hero". 
  • I need to come up with a better naming convention because if I find too many things referencing "Zero to Hero" I will have to change the name. 
So here we are. 

This is a cross-post with my Ko-Fi project

Thursday, January 12, 2023

#CharacterCreationChallenge - Ruleset D&D 3.5 - Fel Sorcerer

One of my favorite tools is the RedBlade character generator for 3.5. This tool is amazingly simple to use. I was able to cook up a Sorcerer in just a few minutes. The output is in HTML, which makes it easy to post online.

In just a few minutes, I was able to cook up Fel the Sorcerer, a Half-Elf. The software knows exactly how a character is built, so I don't have to track skill points or feats or even languages. It is a thing of beauty. 

Fel character sheet, Redblade 3.5e
Fel    
CHARACTER NAME PLAYER CAMPAIGN
6 Sorcerer Half-Elf Neutral Evil
CLASS AND LEVEL RACE ALIGNMENT EXPERIENCE POINTS
 

ABILITY NAME

ABILITY SCORE ABILITY MODIFIER   TOTAL WOUNDS/CURRENT HP NONLETHAL DAMAGE SPEED

STR
strength

11 +0

HP
hit points

14     30ft.

DEX
dexterity

15 +2

AC
armor class

14 = 10 + 1 + 0 + 2 + 0 + 0 + 1 + 0

CON
constitution

10 +0 TOTAL BASE ARMOR BONUS SHIELD BONUS DEX MODIFIER SIZE MODIFIER NATURAL ARMOR DEFLECT MODIFIER MISC MODIFIER
DAMAGE REDUCTION

INT
intelligence

14 +2

TOUCH
armor class

13

FLAT-FOOTED
armor class

12
SKILLS
  SKILL NAME KEY ABILITY SKILL MODIFIER ABILITY MODIFIER RANKS MISC MODIFIER
  (cc)Appraise¤§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Balance¤ dex 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  Bluff¤§ cha 6 = 2 + 4 + 0
  (cc)Climb¤ str 0 = 0 + 0 + 0
  Concentration¤§ con 4 = 0 + 4 + 0
  Craft¤§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  Decipher Script§ int 4 = 2 + 2 + 0
  (cc)Diplomacy¤§ cha 6 = 2 + 4 + 0
  (cc)Disable Device§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Disguise¤§ cha 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Escape Artist¤ dex 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Forgery¤§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Gather Information¤§ cha 6 = 2 + 4 + 0
  (cc)Handle Animal§ cha 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Heal¤§ wis 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Hide¤ dex 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Intimidate¤§ cha 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Jump¤ str 0 = 0 + 0 + 0
  Knowledge (arcana)§ int 4 = 2 + 2 + 0
  (cc)Knowledge (architecture & engineering)§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Knowledge (dungeoneering)§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Knowledge (geography)§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Knowledge (history)§ int 3 = 2 + 1 + 0
  (cc)Knowledge (local)§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Knowledge (nature)§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Knowledge (nobility and royalty)§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Knowledge (religion)§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Knowledge (the planes)§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0

WIS
wisdom

14 +2         TOTAL DEX MODIFIER MISC MODIFIER

CHA
charisma

15 +2

INITIATIVE
modifier

+6 = 2 + 4
SAVING THROWS TOTAL   BASE SAVE   ABILITY MODIFIER   MAGIC MODIFIER   MISC MODIFIER   TEMP. MODIFIER

FORT
constitution

2 = 2 + 0 + 0 + 0 +

REFLEX
dexterity

4 = 2 + 2 + 0 + 0 +

WILL
wisdom

7 = 5 + 2 + 0 + 0 +
BASE ATTACK BONUS 3 SPELL RESISTANCE 0

GRAPPLE
modifier

3 = 3 + 0 + 0 + 0
TOTAL BASE ATT BONUS STRENGTH MODIFIER SIZE MODIFIER MISC MODIFIER
ATTACK ATTACK DAMAGE CRITICAL
Defending Spear +1 4 1d8+1 20/x3
RANGE TYPE NOTES
20   6lb, Med, twohanded wielding,
ATTACK ATTACK DAMAGE CRITICAL
       
RANGE TYPE NOTES
        (cc) crossclass skill
¤ can be used untrained § apply armor penalty
                                   
POSSESSIONS   SKILLS
ITEM PG. LB. ITEM PG. LB.
Defending Spear +1   6 Backpack (empty)   2
Bedroll   5 Bracers of armor +1   0
5 x Candle   0 2 x Case, map or scroll   0
Crowbar   5 Dart   0
2 x Flask   0 Flint and steel   0
Hammer   2 Ink (1 oz. vial)   0
Inkpen   0 7 x Parchment (sheet)   0
Pouch, belt   3 Ring of Protection +1   0
Rope, hemp (50 ft.)   10 Sealing wax   1
Silver Dagger (masterwork)   1 Tent   10
5 x Torch   5  
   
   
   
   
 
  SKILL NAME KEY ABILITY SKILL MODIFIER ABILITY MODIFIER RANKS MISC MODIFIER
  (cc)Listen¤§ wis 3 = 2 + 1 + 0
  (cc)Move Silently¤ dex 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Open Lock§ dex 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Perform¤§ cha 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  Profession§ wis 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Ride¤§ dex 3 = 2 + 1 + 0
  (cc)Search¤§ int 3 = 2 + 1 + 0
  (cc)Sense Motive¤§ wis 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Sleight of Hand§ dex 3 = 2 + 1 + 0
  (cc)Speak Language§ int 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  Spellcraft§ int 4 = 2 + 2 + 0
  (cc)Spot¤§ wis 4 = 2 + 2 + 0
  (cc)Survival¤§ wis 3 = 2 + 1 + 0
  (cc)Swim¤§ str 1 = 0 + 1 + 0
  (cc)Tumble dex 2 = 2 + 0 + 0
  (cc)Use Magic Device§ cha 3 = 2 + 1 + 0
        =   +   +  
        =   +   +  
        =   +   +  
        =   +   +  
        =   +   +  
1-38lb. 39-76lb. 77-115lb. 115lb. 230lb. 575lb.   PLATINUM 134
  GOLD 5
LIGHT
LOAD
MEDIUM
LOAD
HEAVY
LOAD

LIFT OVER HEAD
EQUALS MAX LOAD

LIFT OFF GROUND
2x MAX LOAD

PUSH OR DRAG
5x MAX LOAD

SILVER 2
COPPER 4
FEATS, LANGUAGES & ABILITIES
       
Feats Sorcerer abilities    
Brew Potion Summon Familiar    
Combat-Casting      
Improved Initiative Half-Elf abilities    
Simple Weapon Proficiency Low-light vision    
  Elven Blood    
Languages Immunity to sleep spells    
Halfling +2 save vs enchantments    
Goblin      
Common      
Elven      
Sorcerer spells      
Spell Save DC LEVEL SPELLS PER DAY BONUS SPELLS      
12 0 6 0      
13 1st 6 +1      
14 2nd 5 +1      
15 3rd 3 0      
- 4th - -      
- 5th - -      
- 6th - -      
- 7th - -      
- 8th - -      
- 9th - -      
       
Acid Splash      
Arcane Mark      
Detect Magic      
Mage Hand      
Open/Close      
Prestidigitation      
Read Magic      
       
Level 1      
Identify      
Mage Armor      
Magic Weapon      
Sleep      
       
Level 2      
Daylight      
Scorching Ray      
       
Level 3      
Stinking Cloud      
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
ATTACK ATTACK DAMAGE CRITICAL
Silver Dagger (masterwork) 4 1d4 19-20/x2
RANGE TYPE NOTES
10   1lb, Med,
 
ATTACK ATTACK DAMAGE CRITICAL
       
RANGE TYPE NOTES
     
 
ATTACK ATTACK DAMAGE CRITICAL
Dart 3 1d4 20/x2
RANGE TYPE NOTES
20   0lb, Med,
 
ATTACK ATTACK DAMAGE CRITICAL
       
RANGE TYPE NOTES
     
 
ATTACK ATTACK DAMAGE CRITICAL
       
RANGE TYPE NOTES
     
 
ATTACK ATTACK DAMAGE CRITICAL
       
RANGE TYPE NOTES
     
 
ATTACK ATTACK DAMAGE CRITICAL
       
RANGE TYPE NOTES
     
 
ATTACK ATTACK DAMAGE CRITICAL
       
RANGE TYPE NOTES