Yes, I'd be willing.
I'm in a few games over on the Myth-Weavers forum. It's not a bad set up. They don't have the same alias functions, but it does allow for posting images, creating alternative/additional threads within a game, no dice preview, etc. They've got a pretty decent basic post editor. Dice rolling took a little getting used to, but it does have the ability to do additional things like drop the lowest, etc. One nice thing is all of the coding for a post is HTML based so there is a little more functionality for formatting than Paizo's setup. (Of course, I had to dust the mental cobwebs off of my sketchy-to-begin-with HTML skills.)
It isn't the be all, end all, but it is a reasonable alt to Paizo's forums if you are determined to make a switch.
As for me adding another forum for PbP, I guess it depends on the site and what is more useful vs the learning curve and time needed to generate a post.
Ok, it seems we have a split down the middle, regarding who might consider moving to another forum and who would not.
@Ralina: Specifically regarding Mythweavers, I once long ago played in a couple of games there and they went smoothly after some initial adaptation. Recently, while I was digging around for alternatives to the Paizo forums, I went back, reactivated my account, and started mucking around. It does have some interesting features. However, shortly after, they had a security breach in their accounts database or some such. I left and never went back. What is your stance on Discord?
@RH: That is another reason why I feel less and less connected to the Paizo forums. The move to PF2e seems to have signaled a change in the way people see the game. I have tried PF2e now several times, and it never resonated with me in the least. Will not rant on it, but it might signal it is time for me to find another place to get my PbP fix. That's when I started looking at other forums.
Apart from a very small (and dwindling) amount of people around these boards, I am not really identifying with this Community anymore I think. Time to accept it, and start thinking about other options. Hence this conversation. Thank you all for voicing your opinion.
Hmm. I’ve never felt particularly “connected” here - I was part of a pretty dedicated Homebrew bunch a decade ago here and I felt…connected to them, but not exactly to the “wider community” but that probably says more about me than the community.
To be honest RH’s point about the “rise” of PF2 and what that means for PbP for him struck me as counter to my own experience. Not because I do like PF2 but because I’ve never felt like I “should” play PF or PF2 here. I’ve played PF1, DCC, PF2, a conversion of Fighting Fantasy in Basic DnD, Shadowdark, Starfinder, DnD 5e and probably others all here. I like some of the functionality and dislike other parts of it. But the current iteration of the Paizo game has no bearing on what I feel I should enjoy on this forum. And nor should you!
Sure, you might get less traffic or less players, but I feel it’s a bit like feats - there’s a million players/feats but not so many you want to play with/pick. I think OSGMO has likely found a few other sites to play on that have more players aligned with his particular philosophies.
And RH - I was once, not many months ago, totally against Discord *as a playing space*. I played a Playtest game for two new PF2 classes and it was pretty fun and totally easy. It can get a bit overwrought but that’s down to the players and GM to keep to a low roar.
So I get it. I’m totally uninterested in making *another* leap to Mythweavers or Obsidian Portal, much as I have heard a lot of good things about the latter.
Similar to Oceanshieldwolf, I don't feel any particular pressure to play PF2 here and have played in or run other systems for sure. If I did feel that PF2 was the only option, then I wouldn't be here at all because I can't stand PF2 as a system. But that is the nice thing about this hobby, especially these days, there are a zillion systems out there to try. And in general, I've found plenty of people on these boards willing to give something a try.
As for Discord, well I can't really put my finger on why I don't care for it. I have tried it. I just don't like it. I don't like the interface, don't like scrolling an endless page of text to try and find the one bit I'm looking for. Don't like the constant notifications. Don't like having yet another app/website to have to pay attention to. Overall I think it is just too much like Slack and other 'work' related apps I have to use everyday. And I just don't see the value of it. This is probably because I don't do PbP on a phone or a tablet or any other device except my PC, so it doesn't really make anything more convenient for me. I'm also one of the few humans on the planet who does not have a Twitter/X account, no Facebook account, no Instagram account, no social media period. Basically the Paizo forum and MW are as close as I come to being part of the modern social media age. So I totally realize I am the exception not the norm.
I will now go back to yelling at the neighborhood kids to stay off my lawn. :)
Watch rotation sounds fine by me. Ralina doesn't need eight straight hours either so can take the other 'middle' watch.
Aleena will also volunteer to take a watch, if you are so inclined.
Highlighting some details about resting.
—- RESTING —-
Injured characters can rest to recover from their wounds. To rest, a character must consume a ration (remember to check one off) and sleep for 8 hours. Sleep can be broken up for light and routine tasks, such as taking a turn on watch.
Interruption. Each stressful interruption of rest (including combat) requires an affected character to make a DC 12 Constitution check. On a failure, the character consumes a ration but gains no benefit from resting.
Success. A character who successfully rests regains all lost hit points and recovers any stat damage (all stat damage is temporary unless described otherwise).
Additionally, some talents, spells, or items regain their ability to be used after a successful rest.
DANGER LEVEL
Characters can rest anywhere, but doing so inside a dungeon or perilous environment carries a high chance of failure due to the risk of a random encounter.
While the characters are resting in a dangerous environment, the Game Master checks for random encounters using the overland travel cadence:
Unsafe. Check every 3 hours.
Risky. Check every 2 hours.
Deadly. Check every hour.
CAMPFIRE
In many cases, adventurers need a light source while resting.
Characters can combine three torches into a campfire that can't be moved once lit.
A campfire lasts up to 8 hours while at least one character remains near to it, and it casts light out to a near distance.
Lol! No. :)
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You should be able to scavenge through the crates. There is a lot of stuff there, so each hour of search turns up the equivalent to... 1d8 days of rations. Feel free to roll as needed.
Yep, my bad - misread the post, and thought it was part of the ongoing convo.
Will move us along through the night's rest shortly.
Yep, I was waiting until after resting.
Gotcha!
Disarming traps are not an automatic success for Thieves in Shadowdark. But you do have Advantage
I guess I'm a little confused then. From the rules...
"Disabling. Thieves and characters who are trained in tinkering can describe how they disable or circumvent a trap.
If the character has enough time and uses a reasonable method, the character succeeds.
If there is time pressure or the trap requires a great deal of skill
to deactivate, the GM might call for a stat check."
Based on everything, there certainly wasn't time pressure, and it didn't seem like a very complicated trap. Thus, I did not roll figuring it fell under this rule. If we are going to play it that no matter what, a roll is required, then I'm fine with that, but I'd like to know up front.
Good point Ralina.
I actually thought there were no automatic successes in Disabling Traps, so that was my bad. So I stands corrected - let us say you took no damage since that one was on me, and the trap is disabled.
We have agreed to go RAW on the first foray using the Shadowdark rules, so that's that, and we will continue as is :)
----------
But I will share my opinion on this mechanic at a first glance - I don't think automatically disabling traps based on what a character/player says makes much sense to me. In fact, I don't think providing a description on HOW you will disarm a trap is reasonable at all.
I would rather for example, if you provide a description partially like you did, on how you plan to prevent the effects of the trap to hit you in the face (stuff like 'not standing in front of the chest when disarming the trap', or 'not standing over the pit while poking it with the 10' pole', etc), the DC could be say... Reduced one level:
From Extreme, DC 18 > Hard, DC 15 > Normal, DC 12 > Easy, DC 9.
And if you provide no description, then the DC remains as it is.
This is actually the approach I used, because I did not find that info about disarming traps (another thing to blame on my vacation brain) :P
After reading the rules (yes, this time I read them), I prefer 'my' approach for some reasons:
1. I don't think I like the Shadowdark quantification. It feels too vague:
- 'If the character has enough time and uses a reasonable method, the character succeeds'
- 'If there is time pressure or the trap requires a great deal of skill to deactivate, the GM might call for a stat check.'
2. Also I always like to come at whatever system from the perspective of someone who likes, for example, the idea of playing a Thief but has no understanding or will to understand how a trap works. Bottom line, everyone should be able to say 'I want to find traps' and/or 'I want to disarm the trap' without having to offer a description. On the other hand, if you want/like to go the 'extra mile', then you should have an added benefit (like a bonus, or a decreased DC, etc).
----------
Like I said, it is irrelevant for now. Just another tidbit pushing us away from Shadowdark and toward D&D BX/OSE or OSRIC/AD&D. MUAHAHAHAH! :P
No worries and thanks for the clarification. I only knew because I was specifically looking through the book trying to figure out what I would need to roll and if there were any bonuses/negatives, etc. Honestly, I think I would agree with you that for some things I'm finding the Shadowdark rules a little wishy washy or oddly shifting from 'rules lite' to 'rules WTF.'
The trap rules in general kind of fall into that category for me. First, thieves being able to spot any trap automatically is...more than a little extreme. It just means I need to be sure to write "I'm searching area X" an awful lot. Then on the Disarm side, even around a physical table I could see plenty of arguments occurring over the definition of 'reasonable method' and 'great deal of skill' or even 'time pressure.' That is in addition to the point you mention about someone not being familiar with the latest and greatest trap disarming technologies and moves.
And as for the Gear limitation rules and 1 flint and steel being equal to 20 arrows. Or one gem is the same as 60' of rope. How exactly is that, and where can I find one of those gemstones? ;) Also I haven't been able to find out what happens if you exceed your STR number of slots. (I think I actually do this by picking up that short sword.) Is there a stat penalty? Does a random item just fall out of my pack? Does the incredible weight of that extra sword/ration/gemstone cause me to fall through a sudden rip in space time? Just curious, but I'll probably just drop my dagger to make room. :)
I am happy to read I am not the only one with that impression Ralina :)
These kind of wishy washy tidbits in Shadowdark, like you called them, end up making me feel I am doing extra legwork just to make sure things 'fall into place'. Yeah sure, if we are doing 'beer and pretzels' for some good times around the table sure, but I really do value consistency, and rules which make sense across the board when you are engaging with a longer campaign type (or at least trying to :D).
I sometimes feel more constrained at the end of the day by the absence of a good set of rules - of course you cannot predict everything, but a framework that simplifies things for DMs in a way he/she and players will understand and trust the consistency of it. That is why I like PF1e so much (the Core stuff) - it is consistent, very well written, and not going into the fact it might be 'too complex' or not, I have always felt it supports DMs a lot, until the splatbooks threw everything to hell that is.
I think it was OSW who pointed it out once, and I am more and more inclined to agree with him - these OSR/NSR games which have been popping all around us, most of them are indeed a re-statement of older sets of rules (mostly D&D BX stuff), to which they added some sort of 'schtick' to call it innovation. And granted, the schtick sometimes is new, but the rest is many times lackluster.
I think in most cases there is this attempt to 'strip things down' to make games more appealing and simple perhaps, but then the bits being ripped out sometimes just leave a patchwork which is neither here nor there. Usually this is something the designers will gloss over and say - 'Hey, just do a ruling in the moment, its fine' - it becomes almost a mantra. In fact I have been to the Shadowdark discord more than once, and whenever I have a rules question, I get very frequently hit with that 'do what you feel is right' reply. So much so, I have stopped going there for advice.
That is why I find it important to not go overboard with the 'Rulings not Rules' from Matt Finch's Primer for Old School Gaming, and instead approaches like Prince of Nothing's make sense to me.
All that being said, my purpose is clear:
1. I want to play BX/OSE because I want to run old D&D Basic adventures with the system they have been created for, or at least a retroclone thereof;
1a. I want to play Swords & Wizrdry for the same reasons - there are a LOT of good S&W campaigns and adventures.
2. They I will want to play AD&D modules in the same vein;
3. Then comes AD&D2e;
4. Then... 3.0/3.5/PF1e
5. Then D&D 4e
6. Of course 5e
7. And what is the next? D&D 2024?
(maybe in the meantime I try some more stuff - go back to playing some GURPS, or Warhammer, or Castles & Crusades, or Hyperborea, etc)
I am willing to accept the shortcomings for each of these systems, because I know for a fact they can all be used to play interesting games, and develop amazing stories and characters. I accept them, because I am curious about the system behind it - granted I will (and have) most certainly find out in some parts of these systems are just 'old' and 'outdated'. No worries, I can live with that, and I will just discard them in the next iteration. But I will also (and I have) discover some bits and pieces of pure gold among these - heck, just having recently gotten back as a player in a couple of games which use 'gold as XP' rules has shown me a completely different (and refreshing to me) way of playing. So small things can change the game dramatically. Which is good, because it means there is a lot to discover just by experimenting with all of this ;)
And this right here is enough to keep me busy several lifetimes hahaha. Why do it like this? Well I don't have time to do conversions, and I want to experiment with all these systems - maybe I find the one that is a right fit, or maybe I will like them all.
Why are we playing Shadowdark then you might ask? It was the only system I could convince OSW to play :D
(Disclaimer: This post turned out much longer than I expected. So don't even get me started in settings, worlds and homebrews.)
Not sure if this question is for me? I know the answer, but I think proactive and interested players make for a more motivating game. Go read the Gameplay thread ;)
Not sure if this question is for me? I know the answer, but I think proactive and interested players make for a more motivating game. Go read the Gameplay thread ;)
If not for you, who then? Obviously you know the answer and I did read the gameplay thread, then came here. I did not see a description of a seperate room the leader would have used as a bedroom, nor do I see one on the map. I'm asking you if Yriel would have seen it and if I as a player just missed the information.
So, comments like I think proactive and interested players make for a more motivating game makes me feel like you don't believe I'm a proactive and interested player. If that's how you feel I should probably step away from this one, because I don't know that I can act anymore proactive or interested.
Ok, posted two weeks ago
[ooc]There are two exits from the cave, one leading northeast and another southeast, where the sounds were coming from - they have completely stopped now.
Come on RH... The game has two ways. And yes, your question does make me feel like you are not interested nor proactive. It took me 30 seconds to find the info myself the first time around.
If we were at the table, you would be taking notes. Since we are in PbP you don't need to take notes (even though I do many times, both as a DM and as a player), but then you should have the disposition to look for the info when you need it.
I can do so, but I should not need to be providing recaps and catch-ups for stuff which happened less than two pages of Gameplay away. Wouldn't you agree?
Up to you if you want to step away. But staying means being engaged. At least that is what I am trying to do.
Creeg and Ralina's search of the corpses reveals they all carried shortswords and shields, while some had also the small horns, six in total. Some of them carried some coins also.
** spoiler omitted **
In the western cave they both notice also the air is slightly less damp, replaced with the dry, musty scent of old parchment and leather.
In the center of the room, a large, ornately carved wooden chair sits facing the entrance - a throne of sorts. The walls are adorned with a collection of stolen goods: fine tapestries, polished weapons, and other valuable trinkets. A sturdy table strewn with maps and documents sits off to one side, and a simple bedroll lies in the corner.
The north side of the room is dominated by a substantial barricade, a haphazard construction of crates, furniture, and other debris, all reinforced with thick wooden beams. It completely blocks the passage leading further into the cave, and the bandits have obviously made it robust enough to keep out any unwanted visitors from the deeper parts of the cave system. Getting past it will require some time to dismantle it.
As they are dragging the corpses toward the east, Yriel's perceptive ears pick up a muffled sound coming from the tunnel leading in that direction, perhaps moaning mixed with scuffing or shuffling.
Come on RH... The game has two ways. And yes, your question does make me feel like you are not interested nor proactive.
Thats fine, please remove me from the game. Thank you.
Fair enough.
To the rest of the group - given the recent exchange and my strongly voiced opinions, let me know if you wish to continue.
I do have to admit, after working all day my brain is a bit of mush once I'm home, so total motivation in a hobby is rarely achieved. I think you know that about me already though since we've played several times at this point. So as long as you are, and good with it, I'm happy with continuing.
That is perfectly understood Creeg. I would say probably all of us are in the same exact situation ;)
I will bot Yriel for now, but I think it is time we got a few more. I am thinking two more players would be a good idea.
And since getting some more 'new' players is on the table, perhaps we could move away from Shadowdark, and play something different? I would like to keep the same characters, the same adventure, the same setting, just change system. Perhaps to OSE/BX?
Let me know your thoughts.
I'm fine continuing. I can keep it or ditch Shadowdark either way. Honestly, I'm a little surprised at how meh it is considering the level of hype around it a while back. But that's the internet.
If we do ditch, I think I'd rather do something that doesn't use race as class. Maybe OSRIC instead of OSE. Or I haven't seen OSE Advanced, maybe they updated things in that, but it doesn't seem to have an SRD so I don't know for sure.
I am actually curious about race as class, but I know most don’t really like it.
OSE Advanced separates Race and Class. I have the books, so I could share the nuts and bolts if we decide to go that way ;)
I’m a little taken aback to be honest. Aside from all of that however, I guess I’m wondering about the game going forward with three as you say.
Personally, I’m totally up for changing systems, as I don’t find Shadowdark really has the options I’d like. Strangely, it’s the character options I find frustrating rather than the “fuzziness” of the rules. I actually feel that having a fairly simple DC mechanic…works for everything *where you have such a simple system*. Wherever you don’t know what to do, just use the requisite stat and make up a DC for the character to shoot for. But yeah, there’s no option for pet-characters like Druids or Rangers, no Monks, no psionics, the magic system is needlessly problematic etc.
The other thing that strikes me is that we are still pretty close to the inception of the campaign, so the loss of Yriel, while actually pretty sad, isn’t world-shattering *for the other characters*. So, in all honesty, I’d like to: definitely change systems; change/restart adventure with new cast and definitely change character - I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of running a pregen - which I feel actually doesn’t put a new system through its paces. Much as I like Iragha, and can clearly *roleplay* her, she’s somebody else’s creation. I want to make my own character.
As for systems, I guess of all the options you’ve listed, only PF1 really grabs me. As you know I don’t really have any interest in playing older systems or the various clones thereof, and I’d much rather play conversions of the adventures for those systems. I get that running them in the system they were made for will really make them pop, but hopefully the kernel of narrative interest will survive a conversion. And if not, well, at least I’m not rolling to see if my spell works. ;)
PF1 is amazing and I do love the sheer amount of options. But I believe the general concept of this endeavor is to explore simpler, less crunchy, less potentially game breaking, options.
For example, last game I played with Obermind, I created a diviner cause I wanted a character that helped, not directly participated in battle (much at least). It fit the picture in my head of the character. But I ended up making someone that helped too much and made the battles easy as pie.
Which puts more work on the GM to create that balance needed for it to be challenging but not too challenging. And knowing how all the options in pathfinder 1e work together is next to impossible for anyone.
So all that is to say, I am not opposed at all to Pf1, but also still good to try out other systems, as long as they are not a heavy lift.
Also fine to keep Creeg around in whatever system we play. He is a pregen, but the amount given was tiny so at this point he's more mine than the systems.
Thank you all for the input!
As much as I like the PF1 ruleset, I am very much on the fence regarding DMing it here on the forums. I feel like over the years, a 'way of playing' has settled in, which does not really match my way of thinking/DMing. We can discuss this further if you are interested.
So I end up spending half the time trying to deconstruct people's expectations of what a PF1 PbP is like here on the forums, and trying to get my own vision across. I find it usually leads to misunderstandings as people feel I am needlessly constraining them or just being an ass :D, misalignment, then frustration from both sides, and a poor game experience overall.
Couple that with what I have experienced from my last... Four PbP games. I feel many people have a hard time accepting PF1e using Theatre of the Mind, so it makes it almost mandatory to use grid maps for combat, to avoid confusion, misunderstanding and again, frustration. That is just an added layer of work I do not have the energy for at the moment.
What I have seen with 'older' systems is, even though there are definitely growing pains, and rulings are required, and of course the rulesets themselves have holes, people's mindset immediately changes - they know they are not playing PF1e, so all the expectations built over the years around how a game is played are kinda set to the side? Almost like a clean slate of sorts. This in my opinion, creates more willingness to accept new ways of playing the game, frees the brain, and stretches the imagination more than a Bloodrager1/Bard8/Occultist3/Unchained Barb5/ObscureClass3 could ever do. Not only that, but the very nature of the game changes, because the ruleset changes - also something we can discuss further if you want :)
Sure, they may arrive at the conclusion they do not like it - that is fine. But they more easily give a chance to a 'grognard/old' system, than to a 'different way of playing Pathfinder', because they already have a preferred way of doing that.
All the remaining points are flexible - if you keep your characters or play with others, if you use pregens or create them, etc. That is all good in my book. Regardless of whatever option we settle on, the world will be persistent, so if you play with other characters, this situation will continue developing in the background, and will follow along its own timeline ;)
The idea here is to nail down what we want to do next as DM and Players, because I think we need more players, and I need to know what to pitch to them :P
Hmm. I think OSGMO that *you* should decide what system you really feel comfortable with and run that. Because that will give you the greatest agency to run the game that fits the attitude you want from the players.
I don’t really believe my personal playstyle or expectations changes much from system to system given I tend not to try to game skill-checks, and don’t tend to play casters or skill-monkeys.
I played these other systems before, many years ago. I can accept them as they are, and for what they are attempting to do, but ultimately I find them lacking. I don’t find their various approaches to rules so problematic more that they tend to be simplistic in tone and breadth. As far as the OSR games go, the only one I really have an interest in is Old School Essentials *with* the caveat that you use the Advanced OSE that allows for class AND race, as well as other “options”, but there one runs into the problem of it being a cost-barrier that even I haven’t surmounted.
As for how you run the game, I’d advise you to just be upfront with expectations - we can all drop the ball on how we meet or even understand those expectations, but through communication we can find a place of shared enjoyment. Or, sometimes, we don’t arrive at a shared understanding.
As for PF1 I think you both make fairly compelling arguments for why it is problematic.
It seems like there might be a growing consensus around Advanced OSE. I'm willing to give it a go if that is what the GM and others are willing to try. I'd be curious to see what they changed from the original AD&D which I assume is what they are trying to reproduce in some way.
Ok, lets keep it simple and objective, and focused on what I would like to do - since we are reshuffling stuff, and I have another group already playing BX/OSE, I think it would would make more sense merging both groups, than opening another recruitment. They definitely need new blood, but SOME of the players are consistent - if you join them, I think we can get a good thing going. They are currently a big group (7), but two of them will be soon removed because they have not posted for 2 months. From the five remaining, 2-3 are more consistent.
A few notes:
- I know some of you are not particularly crazy about Race as Class, but I would like you to indulge me on this one. I see a couple of advantages: 1. everything is in the OSE SRD - no need to invest any money, or any buy in, or anything at all; 2. The other players are only using Classic OSE (with Race as Class); 3. It is simple, and yet you can fluff your character in whatever way you like, which I am actually curious to see; 4. It keeps things 'under control' and matching the setting of the game (which also goes toward the 'classic' experience)
DISCLAIMER: This would only be at a starting stage of the game - I do plan to implement separate Race and Class as we move along, but would not like to do it immediately.
- For the other players, I rolled random pregens. They told me what they wanted to play from these options, and I rolled a character for them, complete with equipment, etc. I know some of you have expressed the will to roll up your own characters, and if that is the case, we would be using rolldicewithfriends.com (for character generation only - again you will be my guinea pigs on this) - I will generate a room there, you can just access (no need for login or anything), roll your 3d6 down the line, and take it from there. Otherwise I can roll a pregen for you.
Let me know your thoughts, and if you are interested.
On Advanced OSE, there are a lot of split opinions - the objective was to pull in options from AD&D (since in fact many people playing BX ended up using bits and pieces from AD&D anyway, plus BECMI, plus whatever), but fit them into the BX/OSE chassis. Some love it, because it 'simplified' some of the AD&D stuff. But others argue a lot was lost in translation, and oversimplified, removing some of the interesting parts of the AD&D Class to shoehorn it into a BX frame.
On why I want to play D&D BX there would be a lot to say, but I will save it for another time. Nostalgia plays a part in it, but not only.
Another option could be of course, you can change characters (to BX/OSE), and be back at Frandor's Keep. And you don't merge with the other group. Probably need to recruit some more for this posse then.
Yet one other option is that you stick to where you are, convert characters to BX/OSE, and take it from there. Further recruitment will also probably be required.
Some suspension of disbelief is required of course, but it does not offend me. We are experimenting after all. If we go Classic OSE, Iragha would have to change into an ugly (orc) looking human cleric :D But I am also fine with that hahaha
Everyone suddenly went very quiet.
Ah, I thought I had said something, but that must have been a Discord conversation. For me, I’m not keen to join the other group, for…various reasons. And I think my time in OSR-land has run its course for now.
I’m finding that the most important thing for me at the moment is finding a group I can play with consistently *in a ruleset I can enjoy*. I just don’t find the breadth of options in OSR games. It might seem ridiculous to cleave so fully to having mechanical expressions for race AND class, or to want Druids as well as Clerics, Rangers as well as Fighters and…Summoners, Samurai, Alchemists, Inquisitors etc in more than just name. And some of those you just can’t express in OSR.
I guess there is a part of me that absolutely loves to grapple with options and to use those options meaningfully with an Action Economy that supports those options. Case in point, Inquisitors and Swift Actions… So a deep part of my issue with OSR is just a lack of mechanically-informed narrative.
Gotcha. Thank you for the honest input OSW!
I'd be fine with joining another group, more people means more interactions. Which is the what I like most about this medium (pbp), the interactions between characters, player and non, alike. As far as mechanics, as long as it is either something I am already familiar with or is Easy to pick up, I'm good with trying either.
Yessir ;)
Haven't heard from Tareth in a while. Hope all is ok.
Tomorrow I can move you to the other group Creeg - any idea what character you might like to play from this list?
The group has a Magic-User and a Dwarf, but they have been absent for a while now.
Creef remaining a magic user would be wonderful, so I choose that since yours has been absent.
That works! Here is your character ;)
Name: Creeg?
Level: 1
Class: Magic user
Background: Baker
Personality: brave, absent-minded
Appearance: gaunt
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 9
Constitution: 12
Intelligence: 13 (+1)
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 15 (+1)
HP: 4
AC: 9
THAC0 (melee): 19
THAC0 (ranged): 19
MOVEMENT: 120' (40')
XP: 0
SPECIAL ABILITIES:
Spellcasting. May not wear armor. Dagger is sole weapon.
SPELLS PER DAY (BY LEVEL): 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
SPELLBOOK:
Read Magic
Ventriloquism
EQUIPMENT:
backpack, daggerx2, gold pieces (8), lantern (with 2 oil
flasks), large sack, mirror, rations (7), small hammer,
spellbook, tinder box, wineskin
ENCUMBRANCE:
108 coins-weight
Will get back to you soon on how you can join - will also depend on whether Tareth will join us or not.
Sorry, I am on vacation and haven't been following things closely.
I'm not super excited about the OSE ruleset. I remember even as a kid dropping B/X for AD&D pretty quickly back in the day because AD&D was just much more interesting with the additional classes and other options. And yes, I really do dislike race as class just because it feels narratively boring and just nonsensical.
But I'm willing to step into the wayback machine one more time and give things a go. Since Ralina cannot be a thief and a halfling. How about I shoot for making her a cleric. I haven't actually played a cleric in decades, so it would be something different in that aspect.
Hey Tareth, Cleric sounds good to me - I will roll you one up in a sec :)
@John and Tareth: Feel free to take a look at the other game thread here if you want to take a peek at the group dynamic, and the story so far.
Regarding OSE vs. AD&D, I agree. AD&D is a more 'Advanced' game - it offers more race and class options, has more tactical complexity, and in general is a more 'complete' game, when compared to BX or BECMI/RC. I totally intend to run it, as I think some of the most iconic adventures and campaigns were written for it, and I never played them. And there are a lot of people out there whose opinion I respect, who have pointed out a LOT of good things about AD&D to me. So definitely yeah, I will run it.
But I am wanting to walk the path I did not walk all those years ago - and that is why I am currently running a BX/OSE and a Swords & Wizardry game (I actually think the second is the better intro of the two into AD&D, split race and class, based on OD&D, etc.). You can also join the S&W one if you prefer, but it is running in a different forum.
On the one hand it is a bit of egotistical thing of mine because I didn't play most of them back in the day and want to go through them now as player (but DMs are VERY hard to find) or DM, and I am curious to experience the systems firsthand. And on the other because I want to run all those iconic modules without much/any conversion effort.
I am not sure how far this will take us - it is perfectly possible we quickly arrive at the conclusion we want to change to AD&D/OSRIC, because BX/OSE/BECMI/RC is not enough for what we want. And if we do, we'll just make the jump. Just like we quickly did from Shadowdark (with some modicum of agreement from all) hahaha.
Heck, we might even stay with AD&D less than we did with Shadowdark, and move right on to AD&D2e (or Hackmaster, or Hyperborea). Maybe we will eventually find a system we want to settle in for a long time, or we create an amalgam of systems, a Frankenstein that makes us happy. Or maybe not. But in the meantime, we are adventuring together ;)
I wouldn't mind giving ASSH a try at some point down the line. I haven't played it before and I have the first edition rules. I haven't checked out the mechanics too deeply, but I think the way you can select what class options you want with each level makes things much more customizable to a particular concept or style. At first glance it was a nice middle ground between AD&D and the option bloated mess that is 3.5/PF. Of course, I don't know what they changed in the later editions (I think they might be up to a 3rd edition now.)
Yep, they are currently on the 3rd edition - I grabbed it from DTRPG when it has a decent price, but haven't thoroughly perused it yet.
Looking at the other thread, it looks like they might have a cleric, but no thief. If that is the case, then I can stick with thief, I'd just make Ralina human. But not sure who is still in or out over there.