|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Game Name: Palace of the Silver Princess (Orange edition) or Who Will Save Our Land?
Game System: OSR (system TBD, see below)
Theme: Young adventurers return home to find it in the clutches of a ruthless baroness and must rescue their friend
Flavor: Open World Survival hexcrawl based on published B/X D&D and 1st ed AD&D modules, all flavors from dark fantasy to gonzo
Background: You left your home in the Barony of Gulluvia only a few years ago, leaving behind your family, loved ones, and the places you loved in order to pursue your dreams in the wider world. You thought that you had outgrown the rolling hills and fruitful meadows of home, and were destined for great things.
A month ago, you received a desperate letter from home. Bernadette, the younger sister of your close friend Jeremiah who had stayed behind in Gulluvia to take over his family's farm, was begging you to return home and help her brother. She wrote that Jeremiah had been arrested by the soldiers of Baroness D'hmis, who had accused him of being a traitor and thrown him in a cell. Appeals for justice and mercy had gone unheard, and the Baroness' magistrate was moving forward with seizing their family farm.
Rushing home to come to your old friend's aid, you met Bernadette at the Shady Dragon Inn in the settlement of Velders on the edge of the Barony of Gulluvia. Clearly in a state of panic, Bernadette's eyes darted around, fearing she would be overheard. After you had sufficiently calmed her, she tearfully confessed that Jeremiah had been tried and convicted by the corrupt magistrate and was scheduled to be executed for treason in one month's time after which their farm would be seized as well. The magistrate proclaimed that if she could come up with 500 gp, however, she would be allowed to keep the farm. That amount of money was ludicrous, as no farmer in the history of Gulluvia had ever acquired that much wealth. Bernadette was deathly ashamed but didn’t have anyone else to turn to and asked you if there was anything you could do. Clearly, her estimation of your collective worth was off by a few hundred gold pieces, but that did not make the situation any less tragic.
Game Information: This will be an OSR (Old School Revival/Renaissance) game based on published TSR adventures from the early to mid-80s. Your PCs will be a group of young people from the Barony of Gulluvia, which was first sketched out by Jean Wells in her only TSR adventure: B3 Palace of the Silver Princess, published in 1981. In that description it states that the barony was recently taken over by the ruthless Baroness D’hmis. However you feel about this baroness, you all want to free your imprisoned friend Jeremiah, but lack the funds to do so. Of insufficient experience to take on the baroness directly, you have instead decided to do the only thing you can think of for coming up with the 500 gp needed to free him: become treasure hunters. Knowing that you have only a few weeks before your friend Jeremiah is unjustly put to death, you head off into the mountains north of Gulluvia, following the rumors of a wealthy princess who ruled a hidden valley and possessed a giant ruby. Surely a ruby of that size (if it exists) would buy your friend’s freedom, would it not?
Game System: As I mentioned above, I have not determined which of the OSR systems we will be using to play this game, but since I own several, we have options. I also thought it would be helpful if everyone who is chosen to play this game gets a chance to help pick it. As part of your application for this game, please select your top 4 from the options listed below in the "Application" section.
Application: If you are interested in the game, please submit the following:
Name:
Race:
Class:
Alignment:
Background/Backstory:
Personality:
Description (pictures are nice):
Game System Preference: Pick your top 4 from the following and list them in preference (highest to lowest):
Old School Essentials by Necrotic Gnome
Five Torches Deep by Sigil Stone Publishing
Labyrinth Lord by Goblinoid Games
Maze Rats by Questing Beast Games
Neoclassical Geek Revival
Sharp Swords & Sinister Spells by Gallant Knight Games
Swords & Wizardry by Frog God Games
Worlds Without Number by Sine Nomine Publishing
White Hack, 3rd edition
Trophy Gold
Submission Deadline: Feb 18th, 2022
Expected Posting Rate: 1/day M-F and once on Sat or Sun
Starting Level: 2
I have Maze Rats and NGR, although I haven't used either. I like that both of them are OSR but kind of odd. :)
Anyone else out there?
|
|
I have Maze Rats and NGR, although I haven't used either. I like that both of them are OSR but kind of odd. :)
Anyone else out there?
Thanks for your interest, Axolotl. I made sure that almost all the games I linked to above have free or low-cost versions, which gives us more options. I've personally played Old-School Essentials, LL, and Swords & Wizardry. Have you had any personal experiences with any of them?
No, I have just looked at Swords and Wizardry before, but haven't played it.
I would be very interested in joining up for this one, but I am mostly unfamiliar with any of the posted systems :D
Why not D&D5e though?
The adventures I'll be drawing from were written during the B/X D&D and AD&D days, so I'm using systems close to these.I would be very interested in joining up for this one, but I am mostly unfamiliar with any of the posted systems :D
Why not D&D5e though?
Oh I know that - I still remember playing Horror in the Hill ;)
I am not suggesting one system over another, but did you know there is a 5e conversion of B3 - Palace of the Silver Princess (though I am not aware of its quality)?
As for the other systems you have pointed out, I will take a look but won’t be able to offer a first hand player or GM experience.
|
|
Why not D&D5e though?
Additionallly, D&D 5e by its very nature is a game that focuses very heavily on combat. Just take a look at the number of feats, spells, and special abilities that a PC can acquire that have to do with combat or have a direct combat application vs. those that don't. You'll find the balance is almost wholly shifted onto the combat side. The same is true for Pathfinder in its incarnations. The result of this, is that players are naturally pushed toward creating characters that take advantage of those rules. This doesn't mean that you can't play a game that shies away from combat more often than not in D&D and Pathfinder, it's just that the game is not inherently designed as such. The games I have listed in the OP are somewhat different from this, some more than others, of course.
I am curious how this "focus" of a game impact how people play the game and what they focus on.
IMO, PbP games thrive in situations where tactical combat is not the primary focus, because this kind of combat can take so long to play (especially at higher levels) in this format. The thing that I enjoy the most about PbP games is not the pages of detailed combat mechanics, but in how people collectively tell a story that couldn't have been created by just one of those people alone.
Don't get me wrong, it's not that I dislike games that incorporate lots of tactical combat, but I prefer to play them live around a table where things can be sped up and everyone is working together to overcome the challenge.
Nice explanation. I have been looking around at games that don't use combat as much. Problem solving and obstacle-overcoming, that's fun (don't get me wrong, combat is fun as well).
|
Name:Kymil Dawynn
Race:Elf
Class:Elf
Alignment:CG
Background/Backstory: Ky was always interested in the Human World, and once he reached his 100th year, he decided to travel in the human lands and experience the race in person. He was not ready for the humans to both love and fear him, and this confused the young elf greatly and he became more recluse and hid his nature until he was sure of the response he might get. As such the young elf is both excited and reserved when first meeting new people, but once he opens up, he has many questions about how humans live.
Personality: Mostly friendly and very talkative once he gets to know you, but initially quiet and reserved. He is full of questions about other races (mostly humans, but all races fascinate him) and this enthusiasm can make him look like an eager puppy.
Description (pictures are nice):
Go to Kymil.
Game System Preference:
Old School Essentials by Necrotic Gnome
Five Torches Deep by Sigil Stone Publishing
Labyrinth Lord by Goblinoid Games
Swords & Wizardry by Frog God Games
Will the game use the Greyhawk setting?
|
|
Will the game use the Greyhawk setting?
It will not, no. The initial setting is based on Jean Wells' background material from "Palace of the Silver Princess", a D&D module set in Mystara, but I prefer to create a homebrew world with the help of the players. That said, there will certainly be many elements that are similar to Greyhawk.
|
|
I'll add Low Fantasy Gaming to the list for consideration. It's quite good and it's magic system is different enough to make it feel new.
I'm a big fan of LFG and own all the books, but the default B/X D&D setting is definitely not low fantasy, which is why I've kept it off the list. If we were doing more of a Conan or Fritz Leiber type of game, I would consider it.
I'm definitely interested. Do you have any thoughts yet on whether you'll be using existing or homebrew pantheons?
I guess my real question is if I make a cleric, do I need to pick a god from an existing pantheon, or am I free to make my own deity to worship?
|
|
I'm definitely interested. Do you have any thoughts yet on whether you'll be using existing or homebrew pantheons?
I guess my real question is if I make a cleric, do I need to pick a god from an existing pantheon, or am I free to make my own deity to worship?
You'll be able to pick your own deity and flesh him or her out as you see fit. That said, I'm also happy if you steal one from somewhere else.
I'll add Low Fantasy Gaming to the list for consideration. It's quite good and it's magic system is different enough to make it feel new.I'm a big fan of LFG and own all the books, but the default B/X D&D setting is definitely not low fantasy, which is why I've kept it off the list. If we were doing more of a Conan or Fritz Leiber type of game, I would consider it.Let me know if you ever run DCC or LFG. I'd love to be in those.
Let's skip the funnel. Fun around a table. Pain in the arse over PbP
What, dare I ask, is the “funnel?”
|
|
What, dare I ask, is the “funnel?”
In Dungeon Crawl Classics, you have the option of starting as 0-level characters. Every player creates 5 0-level PCs and goes through a dangerous adventure in which most of them are killed. This adventure is known colloquially as the "funnel" because many go in and few come out. (It's actually a bad similie, because the same number of things come out of the bottom of a regular funnel as go in the top. A more apt similie would be a "sieve", but that doesn't sound as good). The PCs who survive the funnel are the ones you can chose from as your 1st level PC
It can be fun and a little hilarious as you are not only playing 0 level characters but also nobodies. You won't find any nobles or mercenaries or wizard apprentices. It's farmers, sewer workers, cooks etcWhat, dare I ask, is the “funnel?”In Dungeon Crawl Classics, you have the option of starting as 0-level characters. Every player creates 5 0-level PCs and goes through a dangerous adventure in which most of them are killed. This adventure is known colloquially as the "funnel" because many go in and few come out. (It's actually a bad similie, because the same number of things come out of the bottom of a regular funnel as go in the top. A more apt similie would be a "sieve", but that doesn't sound as good). The PCs who survive the funnel are the ones you can chose from as your 1st level PC
It sounds amusing, but I can see how it could be a little tedious in PbP format.
I've come up with a handful of deities, now just need to pick my favorite one. Should have my submission up in about 24 hours.
Hello,
I have been perusing the boards trying to find a PF1 game but came across this gem instead. I just created an account and this is my first post. if you have any questions let me know.
Here is my submission:
Name: Dolion
Race: Human
Class: Theif
Alignment: N
Background/Backstory: As a youth Dolion spent too much time among the taps and tables of taverns, like the Shady Dragon, listening to tales of treasure and adventure. Not surprisingly he picked up some bad habits in regards to finding other peoples property. As a result Dolion had to quickly leave the Barony and survived life on the road using his wits.
Personality: Dolion, is a bit superstitious recognizing signs and omens in the happenings around him. The young rogue can be a little close minded when it comes to accepting new ideas. However, he is also a fun loving free spirit quick of tongue and wit which often lands him in trouble. Dolion has a weakness for cards, dice, and games of chance in general. He works hard at getting out of work and would rather be sitting in an Inn smoking his pipe or sharing a tale.
Description (pictures are nice): The willowy young man has a simple, yet hauntingly handsome face that always looks like he’s laughing at the world. Dolion’s features are proportionate and pleasing, he possesses a straight nose and a full mouth. While his large dark eyes, framed by long full lashes, set off a gaze that appears to miss little. His auburn colored hair is worn lose and flowing, often swept back from his face. The slender long-limbed youth is most often dressed in bright colors and a feathered cap.
Pictue Dolion playing cards
Game System Preference:
1. Five torches
2. Old school essentials
3. Swords and wizardry
Apologies, I had forgotten today was Valentines Day. If not tonight, I'll post submission first thing in the morning.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
No worries, Tick, and thanks for the application and welcome, Knight of Yesterday!
So far our game preferences are:
Old School Essentials by Necrotic Gnome: 3 votes
Five Torches Deep by Sigil Stone Publishing: 3 votes
Labyrinth Lord by Goblinoid Games: 1 vote
Swords & Wizardry by Frog God Games: 3 votes
My submission - spoilers are to avoid wall o' text, not to imply any secrecy :)
Name: Osseus Mercari
Race: Human
Class: Priest/Cleric
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
The sound filled the young man's dreams, and after much badgering the stranger indicated a place, far past the caravan’s normal route, where he might learn more. When the caravan reached its destination he told his father he would follow this "Bone Song" to the city the stranger indicated, and bid him farewell. After leagues of travel he reached the place, and there found whom he sought.
The cult of Old Bones initiated him into their ways, teaching him the percussive language of the Bone Song, and the wisdom of the Tenets of Bone. He's served there as an acolyte ever since, until he received a certain letter regarding a childhood friend…
“Long ago when the world was new and the gods had not yet settled their places amongst themselves, the first member of the first race died. What manner of creature this was has long since been forgotten by the mortal world. In their squabbling the gods did not notice, and so it’s spirit was left trapped in it’s body. First came Wind, swift and stealthy, and stole away the creature’s final breath. Next came Sun, baking and boiling away the creature’s blood and humours. Then came Rain, washing away the creature’s skin and flesh. Try as they might, however, none of these could claim the creature’s bones, and the spirit wore them as armor, safe in the marrow.
Eventually the bones were swallowed by Earth; but Earth had bones of its own, mighty mountains and vast plates, and it had no need of more. And so the bones sank into the caverns of the Underworld, and the spirit along with them - the first to ever arrive there. With mighty effort the spirit moved it’s skeleton and explored, tapping it’s way through the darkness and learning the ways and secrets of the Underworld.
Finally, when the roles of the gods were decided, those apportioned dominion over the dead arrived in the Underworld to assume their rule. But they were surprised to find one already there; and try as they might, the spirit in it's bones was too strong and too crafty to submit to them - the bones would not break, and it knew tricks and traps the gods could not overcome.
This, then, is Old Bones, hard and wise. And while they’ve since reclaimed mortals’ last breaths from Wind, blood and bile from Sun, and flesh and sinew from Rain, the Underworld gods must still give Old Bones his due, or else face it’s ire.”
-the Song of Beginnings
Personality: Reserved, thoughtful, deliberate. Flexible on secular matters, but attempts rigid devotion to the Tenets of his god.
Description (pictures are nice): Awkward in movement and gait; he’s lost the weight of his childhood indulgence but hasn’t grown used to it. (I like to base appearance on Paizo profile icon, since that's what folks will see most of the time - I’ll scroll through and pick one of the 100s/1000s of images this week.)
1. Maze Rats (I own this; as a spell caster this looks fun)
2. Trophy Gold (reviews I’ve read are promising)
3. Labyrinth Lord, Old-School Essentials, Swords & Wizardry (I own all these now because they were free :) Honestly they all seem very similar; I'd also be down for just using the actual Basic/Expert rulesets)
4. Whitehack (same as TG above, though I don’t love roll-under mechanics)
Worlds Without Number looks like it could be fun and was a free download, but it's probably not 300 pages more fun.
Ideally I like a game that’s flexible in giving players leeway in describing/assigning their character’s abilities, and where real character growth/change is possible not just narratively but also mechanically. I think this can be achieved in just about any system that’s simple and flexible, where you’re not worried about balancing each thing against a hundred and two other things. Looks to me like all of the systems suggested can fit the bill.
|
|
FYI, since there hasn't exactly been a stampede for this game, everyone who has submitted a PC can assume you're "on the team".
Something you can do in the meantime is figure out how you all feel about each other. After all, you all "grew up" around each other and are friends, or at least good acquaintances. Also, what do you think of your friend who is in trouble? What's your attitude toward him? Do you still have family in the barony? Who are they and what do they do? Those kinds of questions can help nuture good RP during the aventure.
Thanks!
Great idea, I’ll put some thought into it.
Cassia, his mother, has been the only constant in Dolion’s life. She is buxom, and big hipped, with fair skin and crows feet as she is beginning to show her age. Her blonde but slowly graying hair is usually worn up in a long braid and she is famed for her overdone makeup. She is inquisitive, a bit of a gossip, and has a sharp tongue. His mother works as a cook at a tavern/inn in the barony (maybe the Shady Dragon) and always smells of baked bread. Cassia was forced to find work when her husband never returned from transporting goods for a merchant. Unfortunately, she always blames others for her son’s shortcomings.
His father, Nestor, was a teamster, and sometime smuggler, who left when Dolion was 7 and never returned home. His father’s fate is unknown.
Jake Jumpwater, is a frequent patron of the tavern/Inn where Dolion’s mother works. He is like an uncle to Dolion and would pay special attention to the lad whenever he passed through. Dolion’s mother insists that her son got many of his bad habits from Jake. Jake is 40, 5'9", and weighs 155 lbs. He has graying black hair and a slender moustache, and favors brown and dark gray clothing, looking somewhat like a forester ( Jake is an NPC from the 1983 TSR “Shady Dragon Inn” supplement. If I need to change this let me know).
Dolion has no other family in the Barony (or outside of it that he knows of). His parents fled from their homeland to escape an arranged marriage and never speak of it.
Jeremiah and Dolion were thick as thieves growing up. Where one was the other wasn’t far behind. When they were nine Jeremiah saved Dolion from drowning during an poorly planned rafting adventure. Eventually, Jeremiah took over more responsibility at his family’s farm leaving less and less time for socializing. Dolion will do what he can to save his childhood friend.
Bernadette was alway the annoying little tag along that Dolion enjoyed pestering. How will he feel about her now that she is a grown woman?
I will post some ideas about Dolion’s relationship with other party members later.
Here are some ideas I have about Dolion’s relationship with the other party members. These ideas still need to be fleshed out a bit. If you have other ideas or hate my suggestions let me know.
I can see Dolion being closest to Knuckles and like the idea that Knuckles has always been bailing Dolion out of trouble. Did Dolion and Knuckles leave the Barony at the same time? Perhaps it was Dolion who gave him the nickname Knuckles? I can see them competing playfully for the attention of women.
Thoughts?
Dolion finds the elvish magic unsettling but would have just as many questions about elves that Kymil has about humans.
Kymil might be the victim of Dolion’s lighthearted humor and quick tongue when Kymil has questions about humans.
Thoughts?
Dolion would always pester the cleric for a blessing or a prayer to ward off bad omens.
Dolion would probably revere Osseus.
Perhaps Dolion’s father worked for Osseus’ father?
Thoughts?
My idea is Osseus grew up spoiled and sheltered by his relative wealth. Not materially selfish, but lacking empathy for the troubles of others and prone to trivializing their problems; possessed of a carefree optimism born from naivety that lasted right up until he got a few inches of steel in his gut.
This is how folks from their hometown would remember him. He hasn’t returned since leaving on his first trip with his father, though he’s written to his parents a few times - brief missives to let them know his location and that he’s still alive. His father has told folks that Osseus found a religious calling in foreign lands after surviving a near-death experience at the hands of bandits. He provides no more details as to his son’s newfound piety; he knows little of Osseus’s faith, and suspects he’s better off not knowing more.
|
|
Ky is an outsider and still very conscious of that fact. His whole outlook is so alien to a human, that even trying to explain it can sometimes just cause more confusion. Ky typically speaks of people long dead as having just been married, or starting a business, or other things that make his long life seem so very strange. Heck, there was hardly a town when he first came here, but as the years moved on, the elf became almost as much of the town as the buildings.
He would probably know most of the player's parents..and possibly even their grandparents. He will sometimes call people by the names of their predecessors and will always seem surprised when told friends had passed away since his last visit. Because of this, he seems a little standoffish at first, knowing that he will probably leave for home and come back and find most of his "friends" either very old or dead.
Kymil sees knuckles as a normal human...violent, brutish, and maybe not all that smart. This does not mean he looks down on him, quite the opposite. In a way, he wishes he could be so very simple and elemental and enjoys the company of the warrior very much, even if many of the things he does mystifies the young elf
Ky has a great deal of respect for any holy person, and Osseus is no different. Even though the "rich-kid" persona Osseus has can turn many people off, Ky thinks it makes him more like himself...unable to completely grasp many of the common problems humans usually have. Wealth is also something that intrigues the elf, as his own people do not value precious objects the same way other races do. All in all, Osseus is a person who is to be honoured and respected
Again, not understanding wealth and social standing, Ky finds the likable Dolion and his mother a friendly pair. His mother always seems to remember the young elf from his last visit, when she was just a young lass...and this sometimes makes him sad, as only a small amount of time (in his mind) has passed since he last visited, and age has stolen away from his old friend her youth. Her son is now a new friend of his, as are the other two members of their "band". The boy is a little wild and a risk-taker, but also pretty good at what he does...even if he does not trust Ky's newly blossoming magical abilities.
Thanks all for the feed back. All the suggested changes make sense.
|
|
Thank you to everyone who has submitted a PC and already put so much work into coming up with backgrounds. As I have already stated, since there was not a huge rush for this game, everyone who has been participating here and submitted a PC is officially in the game.
As for the OSR game system, I've decided to pick from among the two top-voted games and choose Old-School Essentials as the system we'll be using. Specifically, I'd like the Old-School Essentials Basic Rules (BR) and the Classic Fantasy: Rules Tome (CFR). The Basic rules are player-facing (and free), so you should be able to find anything you need there. The only exception is the "Elf" character class, which is from the Fantasy Rules Tome. Daniel Stewart, if you don't have access to that one, please let me know and I can get you the info about that class.
Here are the other character creation standards:
1) Ability Scores: Roll 3d6 and assign them as you wish. Rerolls of all ability scores/scratching your PC and starting over allowed if you don't roll above a 10 in anything or roll a 5 or below in anything. Note that certain classes have minimum ability score requirements.
2) Class: Any of the 7 classes presented in the CFR (Cleric, Dwarf, Elf, Fighter, Halfling, Magic-User, Thief).
3) Adjust ability scores: You may raise your PC's prime requisite stat(s) by lowering other ability scores on a 2-to-1 basis (i.e. a fighter lowering his Dex by 2 points raises his Str by 1). No score may be lowered below 9.
4) Level: We'll be begin at 2nd level for everyone. Set your XP to the minimum necessary for 2nd. Yes, that means we'll be starting with different amounts of XP.
5) Attack Values: We WON'T be using THAC0, but will instead use the optional ascending AC system presented in the books.
6) Hit Points: Roll for each level (no automatic max HP at 1st level). You may reroll 1s and 2s.
7) Alignment: You may choose any alignment, but if you pick Chaotic, you are still loyal to the other PCs and want to help your friends Jeremiah and Bernadette who are in trouble. I need everyone to have a logical reason for staying in the group and wanting to work together.
8) Equipment: Since we're starting at 2nd level, you get 2d6 x 10 to begin in cash but DO NOT need to buy any of your starting equipment.
I'll be creating IC and OOC threads for this game as soon as I'm finished here. I'll repost the character creation rules (as well as my house rules) in the OOC thread.
|
|
Woot...love rolling!!
Cross fingers!!
Starting Money: x10= 80gp
HP:
Class: Elf
Level: 2
Ok...so stats will be
Str: 13 +1 to hit 3-in-6 open door
Int: 14 Native +1 additional language Literate
Wis: 08 –1 Magical Saves
Dex: 13 +1 to AC +1 to hit with Missile Weapons +1 Iniative
Con: 10 +0 to HP
Cha: 10 4 Max Retainers 7 Loyalty
+5% XP Prime Requisites
Ummm …. this is embarrassing but could someone direct me on how to roll dice? I know I saw how to do it when I created the link for my PC’s picture but I can’t find where that is.
Never mind, I found it. I was using my phone and couldn’t find it, once I got to my PC I figured it out. Should have it done shortly.
Okay, here we go.
Str: 13
Int: 11 -2=9
Wis: 07
Dex: 15 +1+1+1=18
Con: 12 -2=10
Cha: 11 -2=9
