Better Late Than Never...(Part 1)

I admit it - I failed to complete the A to Z challenge this year. I had it all planned out and got a good jump start but then overtime picked up at work and I got caught without enough leeway in the scheduled posts to compensate for the extra time spent at work.  It is not the same but I have split the remaining letters into two posts that will summarize each of the posts I intended to make for T to Z.

T is for Toldara

I have been asked from time to time where I got the name of Toldara for my campaign world.  I honestly just wanted a name that "sounded cool" and the answer is as simple as that.  One of the names I always liked was Talislanta and I wanted something similar.  At one point I considered customizing the Talislanta rules with Toldaran archetypes and world information but I never did. 

U is for Underworld

Toldara has an underworld inspired by reading books like Journey to the Center of the Earth and popularized in fantasy fiction and movies.  In the original campaign, the Slarn were just a different lizard like race found in the hotter climates but I think that will change in this campaign.  The Slarn will probably serve as the typical hostiles found in the underworld and fill the same type of spot that Orcs, Goblins, & Kobolds fill in a typical fantasy world. 

V is for Villains

There will be other recurring villains in addition to the Slarn.  There will  be members from the Church of Grax (the Dark Lord) that are trying to implement a plan of world domination that will serve as a driving plot point.  Others to come...

W is for World Map

I have an old world map for Toldara.  In fact, I have a few maps laying around.  I am not going to use them in the new campaign.  I am starting small with just the local area and I will expand outwards as necessary.  It may not be the most realistic map but it is fantasy gaming not real life so I am comfortable with that.  I used to worry about world maps and realism but I finally learned to just let it go.

 

Part 2 is coming soon...

 

Just a Reminder...

The Obscure RPG Appreciation Day is coming up on May 30th.  Details for participating can be found by following the link.  I am working on a post, are you?

Come & Get It!!!

If you are interested in checking out a new rpg on the cheap and want something different from the wave of retroclones and take a step out of the typical fantasy genre then you might be interested in hearing that SteamCraft in pdf form is on sale for the ridiculously low price of $8.00!!!  That price is 78% off of the cover price of the physical book and 60% off the normal pdf price.  This reduction is only for a limited time so do not waste an opportunity for a great deal!

First Renaissance Fair

We were looking for something to do and remembered the Renaissance Fair was starting up this weekend at the Castle of Muskogee.  We had previously discussed going "some time" and finally took the kids yesterday.  It was Student Day so entrance was only $5 so for $20 it sounded like a reasonable risk.  I am glad that we went because it was an absolute blast to see the jousting, sword fighting, tour the torture chamber, and see all of the vendors; the artist Peter Bradley was also set up there with copies of Castles & Crusades available for purchase.  I think we found a new annual event  for years to come.

 

I got to thinking about my involvement with fandom and realized that I have not participated much at all.  I have gamed and read comic books since 1980 and have only gone to a few gatherings in that time.  I went to the first year of Conjuration - a gaming convention in Tulsa - that took place in the early 80s.  I remember enjoying myself but I never went to another one or even a different gaming con.  I believe both Conjuration and O-Con are no longer running.  As far as comic books go, I have only been to 2 comic book conventions in the mid-90s; one was at a mall and one was at a conference room in a motel.  I think the next time I get an opportunity I will try to attend a gaming con to make up for lost time.

 

 

 

 

T is for Tapping Out!

T is for Tapping Out!

As in, I have had a tremendous amount of fun participating in the A - Z challenge of 2013 but I am not continuing after S; consider T - Z abandoned, swallowed by the Bermuda Triangle, or whatever else you would like.  If I would have planned a little bit better I would not be stopping now.  Most of the posts for the first half of the alphabet was in a draft format well in advance.  I was not too worried until all of this overtime hit at work.  I am just too busy to finish the challenge this year.  It was fun while it lasted.  Never fear, for those that are interested I am still going to complete and offer a B/X version of my Toldara campaign world.

 

My A-Z record as of now is 1-1.

 

 

S is for Slarn (B/X Monster)

S is for Slarns (a B/X Monster)
Slarns are another option for a PC race from the Toldara campaign; I am not 100% sure that the Karnin are going to be a playable race in the B/X campaign so I am providing them as a monster entry in B/X format.  The Slarns are somewhat similar in appearance to the Lizard Men but Slarns inhabit the deserts and tropical climates of Toldara. Some speculate the two species may be related but the truth is uncertain.   

Slarn version 1.0

Armor Class:       5                                                              No. Appearing:    1-6 (5-50)
Hit Dice:               1+1                                                          Save As:                Fighter 1
Move:                   90’ (30’)                                                 Morale:                 8          
Attacks:                2 claws/ 1 bite/ 1 weapon                 Treasure Type:     U
Damage:              1-4/1-6/by weapon                             Alignment:             Neutral
 
Slarns are green scaled humanoids resembling a lizard or alligator in appearance.  Slarns typically reside in the tropical and desert regions of Toldara.  Slarns tend to stick to their own lands but some do set out into the larger world seeking adventure.  For every 20 Slarn encountered there will be one leader (level 3-8: 1d6+3) and who may have magical items. To check for possible magical items, multiply the leader’s level by 5.  The result is the percentage chance for that leader to own a magical item from any one particular subtable.  Roll separately for each subtable, and check all the magic subtables.

R is for Role-Playing OR Roll-Playing

R is for Role-Playing OR Roll-Playing

 

I am sure most of the gamers reading this post have seen these similar terms and noticed the subtle difference in the spelling - just one small letter changed from an "e" to a "l" in the middle of the word.  Of course, there must be a difference in the spelling of these two words since they do, in fact, have different meanings.  I believe a quick example of each term will better illustrate the difference between them instead of repeating a textbook definition.  For the following example, I will assume that there is one Dungeon Master and two players; one a role-player and the other a roll-player.

 

The characters have been exploring each room in an abandoned mine complex.  As they are leaving one room to enter a hallway, the party of adventurers run into a group of Orcs scavenging remains in the caves.

 

Dungeon Master: The Orcs drop the valuables they had just picked off the remains on the floor and put their hands on their swords.  The leader snarls and declares, "What are YOU doing in here?".

 

Role-Player Ralph: I hold up my hands in a non-threatening manner and say, "Surely, there is enough valuables laying around for all of us to get some?".

 

Roll-Player Ron: I negotiate with the Orcs.  [rolls d20] 

 

That simple example should serve to illustrate the difference between the two play styles.  I am just pointing out the difference between the styles and not the merit of each.  In my opinion, it does not matter how you are playing as long as you are having fun.  This is not math - where 2+2=4 is always right - but a recreational activity. 

 

I have played using both styles and switch back and forth depending on what else is going on.  If we are just cruising through the game while chatting away about movies and stuff then I slide into roll-player mode and just make a quick statement and roll the dice.  If we are doing some focused gaming then I will go in depth with the descriptions.  I have fun either way.

 

I feel the same way as a DM.  If you want to interact by role-playing in great detail how your character is attempting to negotiate, pick a lock, etc. then I am all for it and will encourage that by occasionally giving a bonus to the roll or I might ignore a failure at times.  If you want to interact by making simple statements such as "I attack" or "I negotiate with..." or something similar then I will in all likelihood proceed according to the results of the dice when it comes to success or failure.  Who knows?    

 

 

 

Q is for Quest-Driven

Q is for Quest-Driven

 

Quests will be the driving force of most adventures in the B/X Toldara campaign.  Some of you may be scratching your head and thinking "No crap, it's D&D you fool!".  Well, I just want to make sure that my potential players realize that I am not running a political, religious, dramatic, horror, or any other type of campaign.  I run a good old fashioned, kick in the door fantasy questing game.  Does that mean that none of that other stuff will ever show up in our games?  I will definitely use elements of politics, religion, horror, drama, etc. in adventures or even have entire chapters of the campaign focused on that style of adventuring but I will mainly be focusing on quests here and there for this or that and to defeat the evil of the world. 

P is for Potential Players

P is for Potential Players

I have not given it a lot of thought but I do have a list of potential players for my new B/X Toldara campaign.  It has been a while since I last Dungeon Mastered a game but the easier work load of B/X is one of the reasons I picked it for the new campaign.  The following people all have a reserved spot if they choose to fill it and other players may be added.

 

Alex Butler:  My cousin and co-creator of the original Toldara campaign material.  He runs and is in charge of the Pathfinder powered campaign. 

Jamie King:  I have known Jamie since the 2nd grade and we starting playing D&D together way back in the 80s.

Others:  There is a good chance that one or more of our leading ladies may also play.  Alex's fiancé is a regular player in his games, Jamie's girlfriend has never played and neither has my wife. 

Who knows how this will work out?  It is kind of interesting that it will be a mix of old school, new school, and inexperienced players all at the same table if everybody plays...

O is for Overtime

O is for Overtime

Overtime has eaten up a tremendous chunk of my spare time in the last two weeks.  I was actually primed and ready to go for the A - Z challenge this year.  I had most of the first half of the alphabet written up and just waiting to be posted on the days they were scheduled.  Then the overtime hit at work and now it has been hectic.  I have not missed a day of posting yet but I am taking the easy way out on this post and declaring that "I have no idea" on the letter O.  I plan on continuing on with the rest of the posts but we will see what happens...