So, I got my first taste of RPG's at about 12. We played an extremely primitive version of what I think was 2nd edition...we didn't even know books existed. An older kid just drew us a character sheet on a lined paper and away we went. Our foray ended promptly as our parents joined forces to to stamp out devil worship in our neighborhood.
15 years later I found Pathfinder. It's clear to me that RPG's are "my thing" and should have always been (thanks, mom!). However, the more I play and browse the messageboards, the more I feel like there is a foundational set of common experience that I have missed out on. I have never been in a knock-down, drag-out dungeon crawl. I have never fought a dragon for its loot. I have never vanquished an evil wizard bent on world domination. Who is Mordenkainen?!
My point is this - I want to go back and live a normal RPG-childhood. I want to grow up in the game through all of these iconic experiences. But what are they? This is my call for the experiences from your gaming past that form a foundation for your gaming today.
So, I got my first taste of RPG's at about 12. We played an extremely primitive version of what I think was 2nd edition...we didn't even know books existed. An older kid just drew us a character sheet on a lined paper and away we went. Our foray ended promptly as our parents joined forces to to stamp out devil worship in our neighborhood.
15 years later I found Pathfinder. It's clear to me that RPG's are "my thing" and should have always been (thanks, mom!). However, the more I play and browse the messageboards, the more I feel like there is a foundational set of common experience that I have missed out on. I have never been in a knock-down, drag-out dungeon crawl. I have never fought a dragon for its loot. I have never vanquished an evil wizard bent on world domination. Who is Mordenkainen?!My point is this - I want to go back and live a normal RPG-childhood. I want to grow up in the game through all of these iconic experiences. But what are they? This is my call for the experiences from your gaming past that form a foundation for your gaming today.
First up, Mordenkainen is one of the exemplar characters - specifically, he's a mage from Greyhawk and back in the day, his name was attached to a bunch of upper-level spells.... (Also, he was Gygax's own character)
Well, I can't speak for everyone, but a few "classic" moments that I've experienced and know many others have:
Keep on the Borderlands (B2)
This was the first module many of us played because it came in the Red Box with the rules for D&D. It was a pretty solid module, actually, despite being "for beginners".
Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure (WG5)
An AD&D (1 ed) module, this one let you play Mordenkainen, Bigby (another "big name") and their friends as they explored a dungeon filled with rather "interesting" things -- including fun cursed items that seemed to work properly until the twist was revealed, a dude who replaced his hands with artefacts, and a guardian demon.
Tomb of Horrors (S1)
(1ed AD&D) This is, at the very least, the most aptly-named module ever... and it was written by Gary Gygax himself. The Tomb is a giant series of deathtraps, and you really shouldn't be too attached to any character you're willing to put in there -- the tomb even included a nasty evil thing that your party is not meant to fight, but to run from as quickly as possible. It was so rough that they increased the level suggestion in later printings.
In terms of "classic" worlds, Greyhawk was never my thing (despite that module) -- like many, I gravitated more to the Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance [Krynn] -- at least before the massive changes that came from overpublishing stories about Krynn -- (though, they were also supported at the right time by product releases and novels).
Of course, there are other adventures -- I played through some of the "Time of Troubles", which was the in-character (Forgotten Realms) explanation for why the rules of the universe changed between 1st and 2nd edition.
I would say some of the D&D novels were somewhat formative too: the Dragonlance Chronicles (the original trilogy), for instance, were the first D&D novels I read (which isn't to say I didn't read other fantasy), and I still have those tattered old paperbacks.
The Avatar Trilogy, which detailed what happened during the Time of Troubles was kind of interesting - especially if you were interested in how the changes to the Realms happened.
The Icewind Dale and Dark Elf Trilogies were also well-done (before there were umpteen-thousand sequels, which has been the bane of many of these titles).
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Find a play-by-post (pbp) in the Gamer Connection forum or head to your local game store and ask about a simple kick-in-the-door (hack/slash, dungeon crawl, rare roleplaying) game. (It'll probably be 4th edition, but if you can get in a PF, 3.5 or younger game that'd be better.) Definitely check out some of the Dungeon Crawl Classics line. You might also look for one of the "Tomb of Elemental Evil" titles.
|
I don't want to sound mean but I think you would be better off starting with a system other than Pathfinder. Maybe wait for the Pathfinder Basic game that is coming out, or one of the retro clones or just good ole 1st ed. or basic DnD. Use those systems to start off with and then maybe move onto Pathfinder. Something with less options that is just fast and dirty. The new Dungeon crawl Classics game that is coming out is one that I am looking forward to in hopes of reclaiming my gaming roots.
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Iconic experiences aren't that iconic because of the edition/game played or even because of the adventures played, that is, most likely, just an expplanation for the nostalgia factor, the feeling of the game being "all new and fresh", later sessions never recreated.
Of course you can track down old modules, old rulebooks and start there, but I think, you can make your own nostalgic/iconic experiences.
Get a few Pathfinder modules and start playing, preferably with some players as fresh to the game as you are and have a wonderful time making some new iconic memories.
Wait for the Pathfinder basic set to be released for beginners and build up from there, or have your group stick to the Core Pathfinder rule book, until you have a firm grasp of the rules.
Don't worry about other peoples experiences, and create your own.
|
HAHA! I have a really similar experience but my Mother wasn't able to successfully stamp out my hobby. Starting at 12 I played secretly till I turned 18. In my 20s I invited my mother to sit in on a game. Her mind was blown on how innocent the game was compared to the imaginary dark world the anti-roleplaying sentiment had drummed up.
Welcome to the game!
I understand what you mean by missing out on iconic experiences as far as dungeon crawls, fighting dragons, or some of the stories about the classic modules. I totally plan on joining you in trying to rebuild some of these iconic experiences.
It's true, that for lots of us who have played for years, certain adventures that were mass produced, as well as foilbles in the previous editions have allowed people who have played awhile to have a similar background to share and talk about, but the great thing is that Golarion is only a few years old, and every day NEW common experinces are being built.
You don't have to rely on esoteric knowledge of the names of all members of the Circle of Eight, or the first time you went to the moathouse, when instead you can share with other Pathfinder players stories about new adventures. In a short time, you can join in with, "Remember that encounter at the end of Jade Regent? My gunslinger made it through that with only 5 hit points left!"
Despite the vitriol that sometimes can run amok, for the most part gamers love to bond over experiences shared. The great thing about a product like adventure paths, is that people all over the world are sharing a similar experience to yours every day. Welcome back!
So many think iconic rpg experiences means Against the giants or The temple of elemental evil. Hint: it's not. Now that you're back, find your own dragons to kill, go down in your own party wipes, make your own intra party kills, and your own final triumphs. As to the quality of modules, I suspect a large factor of the popularity of the old modules is nostalgia. There is development and evolution in RPGs too, and more recent modules tend to be far better. Perhaps the grognards should envy you the fact that you got to start off with stuff like the paizo adventure paths.
Welcome to the RPG world, Beardy.
Pathfinder is a great game to play and start out on, but if you can get in on a 1st or 2nd edition game, I say go for it. At the very least it will expand your horizons. I started D&D with 2nd ed. and had a lot of fun with it. My group found it very easy to modify, and were able to have it fit our wants, as far as playing it went. We still play a 2nd ed campaign every now and then.
Our personal take on 2nd ed vs. Pathfinder is that Pathfinder allows for more options and customization at character creation, but your character is more set in his or her role. 2nd ed is far more narrow in character creation, but we always felt that, once made, our characters could do more. It's a very interesting contrast.
Iconic experiences aren't that iconic because of the edition/game played or even because of the adventures played, that is, most likely, just an expplanation for the nostalgia factor, the feeling of the game being "all new and fresh", later sessions never recreated.
Of course you can track down old modules, old rulebooks and start there, but I think, you can make your own nostalgic/iconic experiences.
Get a few Pathfinder modules and start playing, preferably with some players as fresh to the game as you are and have a wonderful time making some new iconic memories.
Well said.
A lot of people are going to make it sound like their particular first ruleset or a certain adventure they first played is the only way to go. That somehow, it was those things that created what was great about it. And that somehow, some newer system has ruined it for them.
Hogwash. Everybody in the world thinks the newer thing/newer generation isn't "the same" or "as good" as it/they were when they were kids. That's human nature. The fact is, like anything, it was so new and good and wonderful and fantastic, BECAUSE it really WAS new, which made it wonderful and fantastic.
You could do that just as well with Pathfinder, if that is your first game, as I did with 1st Edition D&D. Feytharn is 100% right: go find some other new players and make your own memories. Have fun!
|
|
Hogwash. Everybody in the world thinks the newer thing/newer generation isn't "the same" or "as good" as it/they were when they were kids. That's human nature. The fact is, like anything, it was so new and good and wonderful and fantastic, BECAUSE it really WAS new, which made it wonderful and fantastic.
(Emphasis added.)
<redacted>
A lot of people are going to make it sound like their particular first ruleset or a certain adventure they first played is the only way to go. That somehow, it was those things that created what was great about it. And that somehow, some newer system has ruined it for them.
Hogwash. Everybody in the world thinks the newer thing/newer generation isn't "the same" or "as good" as it/they were when they were kids. That's human nature. The fact is, like anything, it was so new and good and wonderful and fantastic, BECAUSE it really WAS new, which made it wonderful and fantastic.
Hold it.... The point of this thread isn't that older = better or any such thing - it's that someone who "missed out" on the past is feeling a disconnect from the community because he missed out on some classic experiences and is wondering what he can do to gain the levels in Knowledge: Gamer that he wasn't allowed to pick up back in the day.
Now, yes, telling him "Golarion is new, so explore that and have fun!" is excellent advice, and I'm all for it -- but it really won't help him understand things that are kind of part of the culture -- such as why a joke like: "It's either a wand that casts the various 'Bigby's Hand' spells, or a +2 backscratcher." is funny.
And, yes, also to be fair, there is a nostalgia thing here, but I was trying to direct this person to the very thing he asked for - some of the things that help ground me (and many of my friends) over time. This isn't because I think that those old modules or the systems that spawned them are superior -- because if that was the case, I would have saved myself many, many hundreds of dollars on 2e, 3e, 3.5e and now Pathfinder. [Dear Lord, thousands, when you add them all up...]
So, again, telling this person not to worry about it, have his own fun, and basically enjoy that he got in on the ground floor of Golarion and will be able to experience any big shifts as they happen is excellent -- but it's still not completely answering his question - and so maybe we should also support the people who are trying to do that, too?
|
|
T be fair, the experiences he thinks he missed are, as he describes them ("I have never been in a knock-down, drag-out dungeon crawl. I have never fought a dragon for its loot. I have never vanquished an evil wizard bent on world domination. Who is Mordenkainen?!"), are, except for the the name Mordenkainen, in no way connected to any old module or old edition, so while your advice is surely valuable, it isn't better or closer to the OPs request (as I understood it) then mine or brunnwalds.
If I misunderstood the OP and he was indeed looking to be directed to old modules and "common tales", I apologize for derailing the thread.
I was in no way dismissing your advice, I was giving my own. I hope the OP can take from all the advice given in this thread what is of value to him, so please, let us just try to help him out and not to argue amongst ourself which advice is mor supportive or helpful.
Thankfully, my parent's aren't hyper-religious, idiotic bigots and didn't stop me from playing, but didn't encourage it either.
Sadly, you cannot recapture your lost childhood, nor can you live thorugh it. I am sorry for that.
Hama, I agree with a lot of things you say, but man, is there any way you can make a normal post without so much hostility? Deep breaths, man. Deep breaths.
To the OP:
My parents didn't mind one way or the other about playing role-playing games, they just saw it as another board game.
That said, I too have tried to find some of that lost magic from my very first gaming sessions, but I don't think it can be reclaimed. If you keep looking backwards, you're not going to see the brick wall you're walking towards...
What makes those memories so magical had a lot more involved than just the system or adventure you played; it could have been the location, the people you played with, what you where wearing at the time, what was going on at school, etc. If you spend too much time looking at the past, you're missing what's going on in the present. Enjoy the past for what is was, but you can never truly relive it. Try to spend more energy creating new great memories.
|
Thankfully, my parent's aren't hyper-religious, idiotic bigots and didn't stop me from playing, but didn't encourage it either.
Sadly, you cannot recapture your lost childhood, nor can you live thorugh it. I am sorry for that.
Hama, I agree with a lot of things you say, but man, is there any way you can make a normal post without so much hostility? Deep breaths, man. Deep breaths.
Sorry, i just got fired yesterday, and i am in a very very bad mood. On the other hand though, i HATE HATE HATE hyper religious people. My former best friend's parents were those and they completely ruined him. When we were kids we used to play a lot and he actually played tabletop RPGs with me. And then his mother got a hold of him and turned him into a man who won't say hello to me in the streets because he thinks i sacrifice babies to satan and have sex with underage virgins on stone altars in basements of old buildings...
But, i will try to moderate my expressions...
Thankfully, my parent's aren't hyper-religious, idiotic bigots and didn't stop me from playing, but didn't encourage it either.
Sadly, you cannot recapture your lost childhood, nor can you live thorugh it. I am sorry for that.
Hama, I agree with a lot of things you say, but man, is there any way you can make a normal post without so much hostility? Deep breaths, man. Deep breaths.
Sorry, i just got fired yesterday, and i am in a very very bad mood. On the other hand though, i HATE HATE HATE hyper religious people. My former best friend's parents were those and they completely ruined him. When we were kids we used to play a lot and he actually played tabletop RPGs with me. And then his mother got a hold of him and turned him into a man who won't say hello to me in the streets because he thinks i sacrifice babies to satan and have sex with underage virgins on stone altars in basements of old buildings...
But, i will try to moderate my expressions...
Sorry to hear it, best of luck in future endeavors! Your frustrations are quite understandable.
i sacrifice babies to satan and have sex with underage virgins on stone altars in basements of old buildings...
Wait..... we're not supposed to do that?? I thought it was in the Core Rulebook???
Wait..... we're not supposed to do that?? I thought it was in the Core Rulebook???i sacrifice babies to satan and have sex with underage virgins on stone altars in basements of old buildings...
Now now, this forum is much to public a place to say something like this. You wouldn't want all those nice and innocent people who are just looking to be confused by saying something...nasty like that.
Let us rather discuss those matters in a more...private place.
