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Stefan/Fabes/Seeer - As a player of second edition for many many years, I don't foreswear it in any way. As a point of legitimacy, one can draw a clear red line from chainmail through OD&D through 1e and through 2e. The caution in opening this thread to "middle school gaming" a la 2e is the movement away from having a focus on first edition style play. Seems like 2e deserves its own thread, and unfortunately there isn't a bucket on PAIZO for such. Perhaps there should be.
This thread falls squarely under the banner of OGL, as OSRIC and C&C are OGL. 2e, unfortunately is not. It seemed sensible to discuss 1e here, because at the onset of this discussion I was gravely uninformed about the differences amongst these three. Fortunately, thanks to the community, and the accessibility of OSRIC and C&C I was able to compare them side-by-side with my first edition collection.
As a result of this effort I am running an OSRIC campaign in addition to my weekly Pathfinder game and once again adding to my collection of materials and 40+ modules. A few weeks ago I picked up The War Rafts of Kron. Very cool stuff.
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I don't think 2nd ed needs a retroclone of its own, to be honest, when the changes between 1st and 2nd ed could be covered by an OSRIC supplement of relative small size and scope. I know I'm not the only one thinking this, but I also know that some would really like to see a full blown 2e game not because it's "needed" (such a loaded word), but rather because they love the game and would like to see it in print, just like for other retroclones. That's a valid wish, IMO.
Getting back to the original OSRIC/AD&D C&C comparison, I've noticed a few differences between the books and thought I'd get your addtional comments here. Do not infer any preferences on my part. They are different games that feel related (like cousins).
CHARACTER ABILITIES
C&C does NOT have any min/max for classes or racial limits; It makes much greater use of ability scores both through the SIEGE mechanic and with higher ability bonuses.
CHARACTER RACES
C&C does NOT have any racial class limits.
CHARACTER CLASSES
1. AD&D places more emphasis on the idea that one of the players' goals is to create a stronghold of some kind and gather lots of followers (OSRIC less so). C&C has no similar assumption. James M's GROGNARD blog discussed something similar to this point recently.
2. C&C does NOT have rules for multiclassing or dualclassing.
3. C&C includes Barbarians, Knights and Bards as standard classes.
4. C&C uses SIEGE and d20 system instead of saving throws and to-hit tables.
5. C&C spellcasters have many more spells to cast when taking into account all of their level 0 spells.
6. C&C Paladins, Rangers and Bards do not have spellcasting abilities.
7. Monks are treated quite differently (or not at all in the case of OSRIC) in terms of unarmored AC & attacks, thieving, druidic & mental abilities.
MONEY & EQUIPMENT
1. AD&D does not make encumbrance rules very clear in the PHB (i.e. it seems to be left as a DM topic). C&C offers a little more fuller description (though not necessarily better) in its PHB.
2. AD&D AC begins at 10 and goes down, of course. C&C is the opposite.
3. AD&D weapons take into account the opponent's size when figuring damage; uses speed factors; uses rate of fire for ranged weapons; looks at AC for to-hit adjustments. C&C has none of these concepts.
TIME
1. AD&D has many more strictures about time and timekeeping than OSRIC/C&C.
2. In AD&D, a turn is 10 minutes, a round is 1 minute and a segment is 6 seconds. In C&C a turn is 1 minute and a round is 10 seconds.
One of the things that I've noticed about C&C is the facility with which different rules and options can be integrated into its system. Perhaps adjusting races and classes would take more skill, but implementing a new encumbrance system or weapon rules would be easy. This allows almost all of the 1e/2e canon to be used as supplemental material.
I also notice that adventures are somewhat easy to convert. In fact, both of my current C&C campaigns happen to be AP material from Paizo. The DCs are easily converted to CLs within the SIEGE system. Monsters convert well. NPCs also convert well, especially when you drop the skills and feats. However, if any of the skills and feats seem really relevant, it's possible to give the NPC SIEGE bonuses as compensation.
One of the big benefits of OSRIC is its compilation and organization of the AD&D rules in one handy volume. As things are now, the DMG has a lot of essential material that is not easy to get to because it is mixed with a lot of house rule kind of material (Lycanthropy, perhaps?).
That's why I'll probably use OSRIC as the essential AD&D reference and tab unique, interesting sections of the PHB/DMG for house ruling material.
Hey, Pax. With Labyrinth Lord, et al, I want to publish my take on BD&D. Do I need a separate liscence or just the OGL, or what?
You should probably talk to the writers of Labyrinth Lord about how they want to see the material used. Swords and Wizardry has very clear section about how to attribute credit when publishing derivative material.
One of the big benefits of OSRIC is its compilation and organization of the AD&D rules in one handy volume. As things are now, the DMG has a lot of essential material that is not easy to get to because it is mixed with a lot of house rule kind of material (Lycanthropy, perhaps?).
Wait -- are you telling me that OSRIC doesn't have conversions for Boot Hill (tm)? What a rip-off! :-)
I'm sorry, Iwas using Labyrinth Lord as an example. If I take the Rules Cyclopedia and say "Hey! I like this, but want to make some changes and then sell it." Whom, if anyone, do I need to talk to? Will printing the OGL or something in the book mean I don't have to talk to anyone about using the OD&D rules?
You would need to read up on the copyright laws of your country as well as closely adhere to the OGL.
Just started a Swords and Wizardry game in the PbP section, in case anyone's interested.
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I'm sorry, Iwas using Labyrinth Lord as an example. If I take the Rules Cyclopedia and say "Hey! I like this, but want to make some changes and then sell it." Whom, if anyone, do I need to talk to? Will printing the OGL or something in the book mean I don't have to talk to anyone about using the OD&D rules?
I encourage everyone's interest in Fabes' PbP !!! ATM, I am unable to afford the time commitment. Good luck Fabes et.al.
Left X - WARNING, Will Robinson! WARNING! The material found in Rules Cyclopedia and any other materials of that nature was copyright TSR and is now owned by Wizards. You cannot copy/reprint/plagiarize in any way. Certain countries will have variant copyright laws, and these should be distinctly obeyed.
In the case of Matthew Finch - he has created a derivative work already of original D&D. While I have not yet included it in this discussion, you may wish to check it out (and please report back here on your findings!!) I'd like to hear if it meets your needs. Just check out www.swordsandwizardry.com
In the case of the original game - Matthew Finch has done a tremendous job in this arena. His classic "White Box" edition is also FREE of charge!!!
I have been focusing here on the research involved in selecting amongst first edition clones. And amonst these, I find all three game very playable - and relevant, if handled appropriately by the GM with the appropriate mores and feel to the game as it was intended. That is, 1e, C&C, and my preference - OSRIC 2.0 are great systems. Of these, I find for old school gaming, that OSRIC truly delivers.
Now, if you have a "take" on one of the early incarnations of the game. I encourage you to carefully persue this passion of yours. But you should seek legal council if your new ideas fall upon the copyrighted likeness of the Rules Cyclopedia! Matthew Finch provides a compatibility license with Swords and Wizardry, I believe. Conversely, the Labrynth Lord owners usually hand-pick folks to write for them. By contrast, OSRIC provides a free and open compatibility stipulation, but is otherwise the easiest system I have found in terms of its copyright restrictions. But it sounds like you, Lefty X, aren't looking so much to write FOR a game, as you seem to be interested in publishing a dubious system of your own. THAT takes a lot of research, and caution. Good luck.
Otherwise, it is important to remember that Games like C&C are also easy to write for. Since Chenault uses the Open Game License (OGL) in a similar way that other d20/OGL companies have used it. His work is an original SEIGE Engine dice mechanic, coupled with OGL components of d20 with all the falvour of the original game look and feel.
Again, I cannot stress enough the importance of adhering to all relevant copyright laws, especially in the arena of OD&D. OD&D is not protected by the OGL. Only the OD&D elements associated with Third edition are protected under the OGL, and therefore you might wish to defer to Finch's work, or Marshall's OSRIC, because the legal work of discerning which game elements are free from copyright has been done for you. It was no small feat. But in every case, other than through the OGL, one cannot simply publish an OD&D derivative work legally. This is true even for Swords and Wizardry and OSRIC.
Let me know if that helps.
Note: No legal advice has been provided in this post. With questions, please consult a lawyer. (But not Sebastian! hehe)
Thanks for the kind words, Pax - it's already shaping up to be fun.
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I have a question: does anyone have an appetite to buy 1e modules? Either: 1) classic in-print 1e TSR modules (*blows dust off covers*) 2) New 1e retoro-clone modules
Just wondering what the interest level was out there?
Assuming these aren't just modern modules (aka supposedly "balanced", involving tons of checks for everything, targeting the characters rather than the players' wits) with 1e mechanics but 1e modules in design, through and through, I have a GREAT level of interest in the matter, personally.
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In the case of Matthew Finch - he has created a derivative work already of original D&D. While I have not yet included it in this discussion, you may wish to check it out (and please report back here on your findings!!) I'd like to hear if it meets your needs. Just check out www.swordsandwizardry.comIn the case of the original game - Matthew Finch has done a tremendous job in this arena. His classic "White Box" edition is also FREE of charge!!!
There are several retroclone incarnations of OD&D worth checking out. Swords & Wizardry, both in its original version and White Box version, Spellcraft & Swordplay (here's a review on RPGnet, too), which incorporates 2d6 mechanics for attribute checks and is more in line with Chainmail, and Epées & Sorcellerie (with review on Grognardia), the French OD&D retroclone. Each represents a different take on the original game. They're all very good.
I favor S&W in its original form at the moment, because it integrates among other things some rules of Supplement I Greyhawk which I would have used anyway, and its character-power baseline is a tad higher than its White Box version, which suits my purposes well at the moment.
I have a question: does anyone have an appetite to buy 1e modules? Either: 1) classic in-print 1e TSR modules (*blows dust off covers*) 2) New 1e retoro-clone modules
Just wondering what the interest level was out there?
If they are in good condition, they sell very well on eBay. I have about 40 1st edition modules and a handful of 2nd edition. I've been looking for a nice copy of the UK two-parter The Sentinel and The Gauntlet - man, I loved these modules!
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Yes - it is a growing community of first edition gamers using either the actual first edition, or some of the following alternatives:
>OSRICTM is the primary work I have been discussing and studying these past few weeks. Stuart Marshall and Matthew Finch have done one hell of a job. OSRIC 2.0 IS A FIVE-STAR RPG BOOK IMHO. It includes a monster manual and huge spell collection - and I have yet to see where it deviates in any significant way from 1e. Very fast play - total retro-clone at its very best.
>Swords and WizardryTM is the particular work of Matthew Finch and belongs to Mythmere Games. I really liked reading his recent White Box edition. What a smart guy.... if anyone hasn't read Matthew's Primer for Old School Gaming, then please go do so today!
OSRIC is 1E with errata, clarifications and a facelift.
Aftre reading these posts, I think I'll be checking out OSRIC 2.0, and possibly S&W in the immediate future. Ah yes, I can hardly wait to use those old Dragon Magazines again.
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I have a question: does anyone have an appetite to buy 1e modules? Either: 1) classic in-print 1e TSR modules (*blows dust off covers*) 2) New 1e retoro-clone modules
Just wondering what the interest level was out there?
Considering I'm in "rebuilding" mode for my 1e collection, I'm definitely interested in the original TSR 1e modules (well, pre-Hickman, anyway), and would be open to new material written for the old rules if it were in the same spirit.
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Right on, thanks Dithering.
With some additional information, I'd like to ask one of you who choose to purchase to stop back here and tell us how it might compare to Swords and Wizardry vs. the games listed in this thread's title.
This has been an eye-opening journey, and a wide-angled view of fantasy rpg variants that are lasting legacies of Gary Gygax's game.
P.s. I also came across a print copy of Swords & Wizardry... looked good, and the only reason I didn't pick it up was my preference for first edition over OD&D.
P.p.s. For anyone interested, James M. is playing S&W and often posts reviews on his blog, and you can get more info about S&W at Mythmere.
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Please stop back and share once you've had a go at it.
I've heard that Labrynth Lord developed kind of parallel to OD&D, kind of like a genetic ape cousin...? But I might be mistaken. Goblinoid Games certain has an anchor in the harbor of the Old School Movement. Something that is capturing my heart more and more each day.
I might have mentioned I started an OSRIC 2.0 campaign, playing it once a month. And so far, its been dreamy! Its like going on a date with a goth chick who hasn't aged a day since you knew her, except you've grown older and wiser, and know how to handle her for maximum fun :)
I feel like I'm talking about two girlfriends, but I also wouldn't trade in my weekly Pathfinder RPG game though. (She's so perky!)
Labyrinth Lord is the clone of the Moldvay/Cook Basic/Expert (aka B/X) rules that later became BECMI. They were a separate strand to the 'Advanced' line (despite being more advanced in some areas!) and were treated with a bit of snobbery by some.
I started with BECMI and I still like a lot about it.
This has kind of made me want to run something old school. Either break out my second edition books (what can I say that was where I started) or dig up the older 1st edition stuff I picked up later in life. Or better yet, check out OSRIC and company and break out the 1st ed modules I have sitting on my shelf...
Though I'm curious, how would anyone here house rule the nixing of racial class level limits? Even when I first started playing I thought that that was just a weak rule to get people to play humans. Surely something could be done to give the humans a little oomph while allowing a Dwarven Fighter to hit level 20.
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Though I'm curious, how would anyone here house rule the nixing of racial class level limits?
I house ruled that out of the game in, oh, 1982. Along with Most racial class restrictions (paladins were still "human only" just because I liked the idea. Other than that, I could never figure out how dwarves had gods but no clerics, for instance...
(this was pre-UA, for those keeping score, btw).
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This has kind of made me want to run something old school. Either break out my second edition books (what can I say that was where I started) or dig up the older 1st edition stuff I picked up later in life. Or better yet, check out OSRIC and company and break out the 1st ed modules I have sitting on my shelf...
Though I'm curious, how would anyone here house rule the nixing of racial class level limits? Even when I first started playing I thought that that was just a weak rule to get people to play humans. Surely something could be done to give the humans a little oomph while allowing a Dwarven Fighter to hit level 20.
Great question, DoR, and of course - do what makes you feel most comfortable. Here is an alternative that might be fun if you are up to the challenge:
1) Check out Matthew Finch's A Quick Primer For Old School Gaming - Very quick read. This might help break out of modern-think about the game (no value judgement - since most often I play v.3.5/Pathfinder RPG).
2) Run the game RAW without value judgement. This provides a refreshing feel to the days gone by. Since you started with 2e, you were introduced to the game at a time when "fixing things" was the talk of the day. Again, I happen to feel that 2e did advance 1e (so please understand I am not suggesting otherwise.) However, when you run 1st edition, and pull those modules off your shelf, and run OSRIC... its helpful to level set everyone's expectations that the game & the style of game play & the generally accepted path of the game IS different.
For example, here are just two small expectations I set for the players:
> "in this game, you will not advance a level until you have identified a teacher/mentor, spent sufficient time practicing your skill, and paid more than 1,500 for the associated costs of good training."
> "in this game, it is generally accepted that around 9th level, adventurers settle down, build a keep or castle depending on their fortunes and then adventure occasionally afterwords. What you've known to be a 20 or 30 level progression (or beyond) is thought of as roughly 1-9. We begin play (levels 1-3) as you go from being a nobody to earning a small name for yourself locally (if lucky, and if you survive), we will progress from 4-6 (after which I will not likely require money for additional training, but expect that you have used your acquired skills well prior to advancing), and then from 7-9 the challenges will become very steep indeed, and those who have survivied may become lords, ladies, or regional governors, advisors or trusted adventuring allies of important nobles.
The above is only "an example" not a necessity. But it illustrates a way of thinking that I would never describe in my v.3.5/Pathfinder RPG game.
But I do recommend checking out Matthew's FREE Primer. You can download free from Lulu. (I believe the link is upthread also.)
Hope that helps a little with regard to thinking differently about the "nerfs" or limitation of races and classes. The limitations of the original game were set to create a humanocentric game. And to ensure that the racial balances adhered to Gygaxian percentages with Humans being primary, Elves, Dwarves, Halflings etc. comprising a far lesser population and impact to human society.
Again - it was a different time, with a different expectation. But I'll say that I playtested OSRIC with two different groups, and even the youngest among us (a min/maxing MMORPG-playing rules lawyer) really LOVED it and cannot wait to play next month. (I almost perceived that it was like a relief for him, not to worry about such rules, and just play his character for as long as his character could survive.)
In my humble opinion, however you choose to play I'm sure will be fun for you.
Sifted through the primer a little bit. Pretty cool stuff. It's been awhile since I've played anything pre-3e and I'm glad they have something for people who just need to know they aren't playing the D&D they might be used to.
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All power to the clones, but after spending not very much on eBay (because I'm too lazy to find my 1e books I already have) and starting a campaign using 1e AD&D, PHB, DMG, MM & Greyhawk* ONLY I think that if you want old school then get the original. It was cheaper for me to get the "core" 3 AD&D books than it was for me to print out the OSRIC 2.0!
OSRIC 2.0 main purpose is to allow the production of AD&D adventures (I'll boycott any "additions" or "suppliments") in this century. For that I am eternally greatful, but I will play these new wonderful products under 1e AD&D rules not OSRIC 2.0. But as OSRIC openly admits its purpose was to allow the loop hole caused by the OGL to make 1e AD&D live again I don't think they will be annoyed at my adherence to true old school. Meaning they aren't trying to sell me a book.
There will come a time when 1e AD&D are hard to get, but that isn't now. I hope by the time they are hard to come by that one of us on this board has become a multi-billionare purchased WotC/Hasbro and started them reprinting Gygax's masterpeice.
If I may quote from the good books themselves!
DMG
Gygax
"As this book is the exclusive precinct of the DM, you must view any non-DM player possessing it as something less worthy of honorable death"
Just brilliant. See if you can find something similar in the new breed of D&D? The marketing people of WotC would spit the dumby over something like this. Literally telling 4/5th's of your customers NOT to buy this book! To funny. But honest.
Carr
"...combined with the other works of ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (the MONSTER MANUAL and PLAYERS HANDBOOK) gives you all the information you need to play AD&D"
Seems quite clear to me. Gets 3 books and game for the rest of your life. What a great deal! Especially for ~$15US on eBay.
S.
*PHB/DMG/MM all for a total of about $15US and Greyhawk was more expensive, but I was after one with a not too tatty map.
PS: Dwarven Clerics who aren't NPC's really**! That is ridiculous! Next you will be telling me that Paladins aren't a sub-class of Fighter. Hang your head in shame - you know who I'm talking too stop looking away...
**The age old method of bribing the DM can of course lessen the NPC restriction.
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PS: Dwarven Clerics who aren't NPC's really**!...
Hey, bub, Gygax also told me it was MY game and I could play however I felt like!
:P
And my old player's dwarven cleric of Moradin is coming over there as we speak, to "gently debate" you with his battle axe!
(Yeah, I gave clerics different weapons based on deity as well :P )
"Houseruling is a way of life": Grognard Proverb.
:)
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Hey, bub, Gygax also told me it was MY game and I could play however I felt like!
And my old player's dwarven cleric of Moradin is coming over there as we speak, to "gently debate" you with his battle axe!
(Yeah, I gave clerics different weapons based on deity as well :P )
"Houseruling is a way of life": Grognard Proverb.
:)
I would so love to argue but the Gygax has spoken and he's on your side. Bugger.
Your Cleric will be in for one hell of a shock - just rolled me a Cavalier...
Hey, how did you know it was you I was refering to, it was a really well disguised code-like comment. Didn't want to be seen making personal attacks - gets you flagged you know. Obviously I'm not Thief class. I would try dual classing but as I was a Hobbit in the LotR movie that makes me non-human so I can't and that makes me a fighter* I guess by default...
S.
PS: Unless HD would let me be a Druid and NOT an NPC one either...
Just to let you know, I'm flagging that comment!
Edit: Oops, flagged myself.
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Hey, bub, Gygax also told me it was MY game and I could play however I felt like!
And my old player's dwarven cleric of Moradin is coming over there as we speak, to "gently debate" you with his battle axe!
(Yeah, I gave clerics different weapons based on deity as well :P )
"Houseruling is a way of life": Grognard Proverb.
:)
I would so love to argue but the Gygax has spoken and he's on your side. Bugger.
You Cleric will be in for one hell of a shock - just rolled me a Cavalier...
Hey, how did you know it was you I was refering to, it was a really well disguised code-like comment. Didn't want to be seen making personal attacks - gets you flagged you know. Obviously I'm not Thief class. I would try dual classing but as I was a Hobbit in the LotR movie that makes me non-human so I can't and that makes me a fighter* I guess by default...
S.
PS: Unless HD would let me be a Druid and NOT an NPC one either...
If you can com eup with a good back story, you can play almost whatever you want. I had a player who wanted to be a cambion fighter/m-u (he was kind of a munchkin like that), but his story and motivations for wanting to play that were so freaking awesome I couldn't say no. So I just pegged the cambion abilities to certain levels and let him run with it. I figured the 1e multi-classing rules would keep his class power in check, so I had no problem with it.
I'm glad 1e was more flexible like that, when I converted that same character at the same levels for 3x, dude was WAY too powerful to be a PC...
When the person doing the flagging does so as a flaggable offense, it should be called self-flaggulation!
Good one, Stefan! :D
You guys are just wimpy DMs...make your opponents more powerful! ;)
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You guys are just wimpy DMs...make your opponents more powerful! ;)
Dude, if I don't kill three PCs a session, I feel cheated!
But, seriously, that cambion Fighter 8/Wizard 8 with full cambion powers/hit dice, etc is a BEAST. He IS an NPC in my home brew (he's the archduke of a small coastal duchy in Henecia, in fact) as the game he was played in ended in '93.
I'm kind of hoping my new group digs my home brew, and really gets into the spirit of the setting; I'd hate to have to run FR or Golarion any more, as I'm burned out on other people's sandboxes at the moment...
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a cambion fighter/m-u (he was kind of a munchkin like that).
I'm glad 1e was more flexible like that, when I converted that same character at the same levels for 3x, dude was WAY too powerful to be a PC...
Again disappointed. The correct process is to wait for "The Complete Players Guide to Cambions" and of course the companion volume "The DMs Guide to Players who Play Cambions", and let's not get the setting specific race book for "The Forgotten Hawk" setting. For inspiration you can of course the novel trilogy (actually 7 books) about the Cambion, Dribble who uses 3 swords (one wielded by the tail - if Cambaions don't have tails they do now) and was exiled from his home for helping old ladies cross busy roads.
Sometime I despair,
S.
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Hey now - I run a tight thread here. lol.
Love your discussions, so see if you can continue evolve the OSRIC, 1e, C&C etc. thread.
We've got some folks to come here especially because there isn't a lot of knowledge on these topics out there. They may not fully understand inside-jokes or references without definitions (please try to explain a bit more for those not-in-the-know). All best intentions - thanks.
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Please stop back and share once you've had a go at it.
Thanks. I just got the printed rulebook, a beginning module and Kncokspell Magazine #2 today. Plus, I downloaded several issues of 0D&Dities magazine from the Dragonsfoot site, and acquired some additional material from the S&W Companion site (the Supplemetal Lore stuff is great, and the Godi (Viking cleric) class is fascinating, and I certainly appreciate the "side-trek" encounters). All in all, I think I have enough stuff to give it a good try.
With that said, I still want to give the other retro-clone stuff a look-see. Of course, if there is anyone out there who lives in my neck of the woods (i.e. near Boston, MA) who would like to partake of some "old-school" D&D goodness, then that be cool.
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Hey now - I run a tight thread here. lol.
Love your discussions, so see if you can continue evolve the OSRIC, 1e, C&C etc. thread.
Sorry. I will post the abridged version of what the players I have new to either AD&D or in 2 cases D&D at all nearly from our player requested AD&D campaign (it was meant to be a one off). I'll try to cover why AD&D was a DM's dream compared to the later editions (although the same reasons sometimes make it a nightmare).
I will continue to contend that currently it is cheaper to look at 2nd hand AD&D books rather than look at say OSRIC unless you intend to only play using the pdf download of course. That old school encompasses not only "the game" but also the way the game is presented and indeed penned.
Regards,
S.
I like C&C the best, because even though it captures the feel of older versions like 1e, it's not really a clone. It's more of it's own system, though I can very easily pull my 1e source material and adventures into it.
OSRIC looks interesting, but appears to me to be more of a clone. I already have all the old 1e books, etc. so if I want to play that, I'll just use those. Not sure I'd be getting much of an advantage from OSRIC.
But right now my group is playing C&C.
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I like C&C the best, because even though it captures the feel of older versions like 1e, it's not really a clone. It's more of it's own system, though I can very easily pull my 1e source material and adventures into it.
OSRIC looks interesting, but appears to me to be more of a clone. I already have all the old 1e books, etc. so if I want to play that, I'll just use those. Not sure I'd be getting much of an advantage from OSRIC.
But right now my group is playing C&C.
Glad you're runnin' C&C. I know the guys over at Troll Lord Games really kept close contact with Gary Gygax, especially in his final years, and it seems Gary did a lot of good partnering with Chenault and company. I picked up the Castles & Crusades set and have it on deck to run something.
I've taken the first Monday of every month, and set it aside for classic play. Right now, I am running OSRIC, which admittedly is a beautiful 1e clone. And I also look forward to running some C&C as well.
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My wife and I are going to be moving in a little over a month, and as a result, we will be near her 10 year old nephew...
I would like to introduce him to roleplaying, and I was thinking of using C&C to do so. It's rules lite, but it's still 3e at its core (so it'll be easy to switch him over to 3.5/PFRPG when the time comes)...
-That One Digitalelf Fellow-
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My wife and I are going to be moving in a little over a month, and as a result, we will be near her 10 year old nephew...
I would like to introduce him to roleplaying, and I was thinking of using C&C to do so. It's rules lite, but it's still 3e at its core (so it'll be easy to switch him over to 3.5/PFRPG when the time comes)...
-That One Digitalelf Fellow-
Now, that's what I call being a good uncle.
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Good Discussion!
I have (hopefully) to add something to this.
There are quite a few retro-clones around.
The mentioned OSRIC is clearly a clone of AD&D
Labyrinth Lord and Swords & Wizardry(also free to download)by Mythmere Games are retro-clones of OD&D and, to a lesser extend, the Holmes, Moldvay/Cook versions of the now as "Basic D&D" known game.
On the Mythmere Games webpage, you can even download a rules clone which hearkens back to the the original 3 LBBs (little brown books) from 1974.
Matt Finch, the chief creator of Swords & Wizardry has released a free downlaodable pamphlet Quick Primer for Old School Gaming which gives a good idea how Old School is played (on a sidenote: there are examples wher he compares new schhol ie. 3rd edtion to old school. There he shows that though he really gets old school "mechanics" he lacks understanding of how 3rd edition works. That detracts a little bit).
Since I stumbled upon James Maliszewski's excellent blog Grognardia, I keep thinking about doing an old school campaign. The idea is there, now I only have to get my players to switch to Basic or even OD&D.