Still Digging DELVING DEEPER

I ordered a copy of Delving Deeper a while back.  I have been reading through different sections of the rulebook and the wheels are turning.  I have checked out many of the retro-clones, neo-clones, and games just barely inspired by one form of D&D or another and I think Delving Deeper may be my favorite of the bunch. It really feels like it is touching on all the bases for me.  This is a little weird because I never owned or played by the OD&D rules.  I started playing with a Holmes Basic set and the AD&D hardbacks.

I will admit that I was a little concerned about the rules using only the Fighter, Magic User, and Cleric classes with Thief being included as an optional class.  I understand the appeal now.  The simplicity has actually made it easier for me to add races to the game.  I have started converting my Toldara information over to the Delving Deeper system and it has been really smooth.  I have one player race ready and in a usable condition and I am working on the other race.  I will post that information soon.  I hope to actually put up a free pdf of all my additions at some point in the future.

Here is a preview of the Slarn character race; it is just the bare bones right now but I will be adding some artwork and the corresponding monster entry to go along with it.

SLARNS are often mistaken for the much more savage Lizardmen but are actually an entirely separate species of reptilian humanoids of roughly human size.  In contrast to the Lizardmen, the jaws of Slarns only protrude about 4 inches from their face and their tail is more of a short nub of approximately six inches.  Slarn typically populate the warmer climates such as jungles and tropical areas but they have been slowly expanding their reach in recent years.  It is not uncommon for Slarn to face a negative initial reaction in urban areas due to their similarity to Lizardmen.

Slarns may advance up to 6th level as a Fighter.  They usually prefer swords or spears as weapons and rely on their natural tough skin for protection since armor for them is very expensive due to the level of customization.  The scaly skin of the Slarn provides them the equivalent AC of Leather armor (7) and improves by 1 at every level after.  Slarns save vs. Breath Weapon as a Fighter 4 levels higher than their current level.  Slarns have a natural ability to blend in to background surfaces similar to the Thief ability to hide in shadows by changing the color of their scales. This is done undetected on a roll of 5-6 on a six-sided die at levels 1 and 2, a roll of 4-6 at levels 3 and 4, and a roll of 3-6 at levels 5 and 6.  Attacking negates any advantage of surprise from that point in the encounter. 

Swords & Wizardry: Complete Arriving Soon...

I have downloaded several of the retro-clones but I have never purchased a print copy.  Through a book trade with a fellow blogger I have a copy of Swords & Wizardry: Complete on the way.  I had attempted to get a copy but I could not find one because it was all sold out everywhere.  Then I stumbled on to the chance to trade some of the works by a few of the Appendix N authors and a few of my unused gaming items for a copy.  Pretty excited about checking it out since I downloaded all of the Swords & Wizardry pdfs to help with a project I am working on.  A print copy will make it much more convenient. 

Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG = D&D Perfected!

I actually went to the local game store to look into getting the Shadowrun 20th Anniversary core rulebook.  It was in stock at the store along with several of the supplements.  Before I make a purchase I always like to look around to see what else is available and I decided to do that real quick just to make sure I was not missing anything.  I walked around the display and looked down when my attention was drawn to the cover of the Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG.

I was surprised that it was out but I admit that I had not follwed the development closely.  I knew there was a Beta playtest release done in pdf.  I was under the assumption that Goodman Games was still working out some of the kinds from that.  I also remember reading some of the designer notes that Goodman posted on their website and it made me interested to see the final design .

I picked up the DCC RPG core book and started flipping through it. The thing I noticed first was the small price tage - only $39.99 - for a massive tome that approaches the 500 page mark.  As I held it and started skimming through random sections of the rules I began to be completely captivated by what I read as I slowly made my way from cover to cover.  A few short minutes later I found my way to the counter to make my purchase.

I have had the DCC RPG rulebook for a week now so I have had the opportunity to read through it with a little more attention to detail.  There is a lot to like inside the covers of this game.  I am not devoting this post to a full review because I am still neck deep in my summer college courses but I give this game my highest recommendation.  I have messed around with most of the retroclones but I have never pulled the trigger on buying one; I do own C&C and also Pathfiner.  I believe that DCC RPG is exactly what many old school players have been waiting for because it is not just a retroclone or restatement but a game derived from the same inspirational material but the focus is on recreating the feel and tone of the early days and not just the rules;  that makes a big difference.  I can honestly say that if DCC RPG plays as well as it reads then it will be my new game of choice. 

                                                    

   

[Toldara] House Rules - Character Generation

After a long absence of too many years, I returned to role playing games with the release of D&D 3E.  One of the first things I did was start work on a campaign world, Toldara, for my own games.  With the release of 3.5, the rules bits of the setting had to be adjusted in a few areas.  Eventually, Pathfinder came out and I found myself tinkering with another 3.X iteration of the game.   

I enjoy playing the 3.X/Pathfinder versions of the game but I want less book keeping and rules referencing the older I get.  I have fiddled around with a few of the other games to see what they have to offer.  I like the idea of Microlite20 but I do want just a little more crunch than that; it is a great game regardless.  C&C may be "just right" but I need to purchase my own copy of the rules to make sure.  I have been looking at the retroclones to see which one catches my eye.  Of course, which ever game I decided on will include house rules and this is what I have decided on so far.   

Rules System

The Toldara campaign will be powered by the Basic Fantasy rules.  Following the link will take you to the downloads page that contains rules, supplements, adventures, and more.

Ability Score Generation

The generation of ability scores is done by rolling 9D6 and then splitting them up into sets of 3D6.  The three scores generated are then assigned to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.  Another 9D6 is rolled and then split up among Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma using the previous method.  After all of the scores are generated the racial modifiers are applied to the scores.  The rolls must be used on the abilities rolled for and can not be switched between groups.

Hit Points

All beginning first-level characters begin play with the maximum available hit points according to the appropriate hit die for the class and any modifiers gained from the Constitution score.

Races

All of the core Basic Fantasy races will be available for play plus the addition of the following:

• The Gnome, Goblin, Half-Elf, Half-Orc (with appropriate changes), and Lizard Man (Slarn on Toldara) from the supplements on the download page. 
• The Anshu, Karnin, and Oranian races will need to be converted to the Basic Fantasy standard.

Classes

All of the core Basic Fantasy classes will be available for play plus the addition of the following:

• The Assassin, Barbarian, Druid, Illusionist, Necromancer, Paladin, Ranger, Scout, and Sorcerer classes.

Of course, this is all a work in progress.  As play progresses, things may change further.

[CFRPG Draft] Dwarf

I am helping Eric over at Back to the Dungeon write the neo-clone game CFRPG, the Classic Fantasy Role Playing Game.  Yeah, I know everybody and their brother is doing a retroclone but we wanted to do something similar but different from the retroclones that have been done.  The game will instantly be recognizable to anyone with any fantasy gaming experience but we are truly trying to do something atleast a little different.  One of the things we want to do is try to do a simpler D20 game that is compatible with existing products with minimal fuss.  We are still in the process of re-writing but here is a preview of the Dwarf race entry from the players book.

***Note: the following is open game content and subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Game License.*****

Dwarf

Attributes: Str +1, Dex -2, Con +2, Wis +1, Cha -2

Height: 4 feet to 4 feet 6 inches

Weight: 160 pounds to 190 pounds

Lifespan: 350 years

The rough and crude dwarves all stand a slight bit shorter that mankind although quite a bit more stocky. The dwarven men all sport long hair and beards while the women stand slightly shorter, a bit less stocky and have no beards. Most of the dwarves live in great and ancient underground halls carved out of the mountains or in cities deep in ancient giant caverns. Dwarves are a rough and tough race that likes the strong drink. They also enjoy mining and the crafting of weapons and armor.

• Dwarves can see in the dark with their infravision of 60 feet.
• Dwarves receive a bonus of +4 on spotting traps, sloping passages, and new construction while underground.
• Dwarves receive a +1 to hit when fighting orcs and goblins; if the whole party of adventurers is comprised of dwarves then the bonus is +2 to hit.
• Dwarves receive a +3 AC bonus when in combat with creatures larger than man-sized.

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