So I have read Gary Gygax's rules for Dragonchess (it reminds me of the 3-D chess of Star Trek Fame) but have found them wanting for a in game experience. So I have written up my own rules and background to the game. I tried to work in the history of Oerth (as I understand it, I am new to Greyhawk, old to D&D) as well as Khelleck's particular point of view as a Seeker.
Tell me what you think. (the Quotes are Khellek Speaking)
“Hmm, have you ever actually played Dragonchess before? It is not a game for children, nor for simple minded farmers. It is a game that represents all that we do and are, it represents life itself. If you wish to play against me, I will not turn you aside, for unfortunately there are no worthy players on the road tonight.”
As he begins his opening move Khellek says “It is said that each of the rounds of Dragonchess is named after a Age of Oerth, a epoch in our own history. The first three rounds, named the Opening of the Sky, the Razing of the Earth, and the Breaching of the Underworld, represent the beginning of all that is. This is followed of course by the Age of Eldar, a reference to the long lived elves I suspect. The Age of Law follows, perhaps this land was once more axiomatic than it is now. The Age of War and Age of Dust follow the Law, both of which I believe are references to the great fall of the Suel Empire. The Age of Roads speaks to the migrations of people, the conquerors that made this land. Finally we reach the Age of Empire, a clear reference to the late Great Kingdom, followed by the concluding round, the final tally, the Age of Disolution, which I do believe is the age we live in now. How interesting to think of life in such grand stages, much larger than any of us, no? It is unfortunate that I was born into such a lowly age as that in which we live. We find but the remnants of the great Suel empires, or even the Wind Dukes who built the deadly Cairns of old. It is rumored that there is an 11th Age which has yet to come to pass, the Age of Worms, of it little is spoken, darkly, and from the depths of depraved minds. Ah what an ending the Age of Worms would make, the whole world eaten like some overotten corpse left out in the sun to long. Perhaps there will be rebirth from such rot, perhaps it will be the end, the mad sages do not say.”
Opposed Prof (Gambler) skill checks.
+2 for 5 or more ranks in Bluff, Dipl, or Intim
The Opening of the Sky (round 1) Khellek – rolls +8
The Razing of the Earth (round 2) Khellek – rolls +8
The Breaching of the Underworld (Round 3)Khellek – rolls +8
The Age of Eldar (round 4) Khellek – rolls +8
The Age of Law (round 5) Khellek – rolls +8
The Age of War (round 6) Khellek – rolls +8
The Age of Dust (round 7) Khellek – rolls +8
The Age of Roads (round 8) Khellek – rolls +8
The Age of Empire (round 9) Khellek – rolls +8
The Age of Dissolution (round 10) Khellek – rolls +8
So I have read Gary Gygax's rules for Dragonchess (it reminds me of the 3-D chess of Star Trek Fame)
Oh I am sure it was inspired by the ST3D Chess...I wish I still had my rules. I had built a board for it back when I was in high school.
So I have written up my own rules and background to the game.
Interesting background. I'm personaaly not inclined to use profession(gambling) for Dragonchess. The game seems more like it should be Int based, maybe strangely based on a knowledge skill, or even spellcraft. I don't know, but gambling doesn't seem like the same skil set as is used for board games.
Thanks for the input. Maybe using a int check would work out better, although I give my players 2 extra knowledge skills every level, so maybe a know (local) check to know the rules or something like that. Oh well, it worked out in the session that I ran.