OD(&)Ds & Ends
22.9.04
More Dragonsfoot goodies - Footprints vol 2
There's quite a bit of cool stuff to be found over there, so I'll spend a couple more posts pointing out the good stuff.
Dragonsfoot - Download file
This issue opens up with a nice article on determining the contents of pockets. Seems silly at first, but if you've got thieves in the party, they are bound to use that skill now and then, and this article is a great way to make it interesting. Written auspiciously for AD&D, the article is readily useable, as-is in OD&D.
Next up of interest to the OD&D fan is an article expanding on Len Lakofka's "5% principle", which presents alternate combat and saving throw advancements for PCs, to give a steadily but gradual improvement of abilities instead of the slow and jumpy default. Definitely worth reading and considering.
More comics, including an illustrated fiction piece, and a couple AD&D specific articles round out the issue, but those two I mentioned are worth the download time by themselves.
- chatdemon ¶ 9/22/2004 03:51:00 AM
There's quite a bit of cool stuff to be found over there, so I'll spend a couple more posts pointing out the good stuff.
Dragonsfoot - Download file
This issue opens up with a nice article on determining the contents of pockets. Seems silly at first, but if you've got thieves in the party, they are bound to use that skill now and then, and this article is a great way to make it interesting. Written auspiciously for AD&D, the article is readily useable, as-is in OD&D.
Next up of interest to the OD&D fan is an article expanding on Len Lakofka's "5% principle", which presents alternate combat and saving throw advancements for PCs, to give a steadily but gradual improvement of abilities instead of the slow and jumpy default. Definitely worth reading and considering.
More comics, including an illustrated fiction piece, and a couple AD&D specific articles round out the issue, but those two I mentioned are worth the download time by themselves.
- chatdemon ¶ 9/22/2004 03:51:00 AM
21.9.04
Check this out: Footprints Ezine #1
Dragonsfoot - Download file
While not solely dedicated to OD&D, Footprints, a publication of Dragonsfoot.org is an excellent resource for the OD&D gamer.
First off, we're treated to a short, yet fun adventure, Keeper Of The Old Faith. This Greyhawk themed dungeon crawl, aimed at characters of around 10th level in experience, is easily converted to OD&D (from AD&D1e rules) and easily adaptable to settings other than Greyhawk. The only real mechanics conversion needed is tweaking the stats for the main villain and his demon "sidekick", so prepping the adventure shouldn't take more than a few minutes.
Next up, we have an article exploring the sizes and weights of coins in AD&D. Lucky for us, this treatise can apply, without conversion, to OD&D if we wish. It's an interesting read nonetheless.
Another article that claims to be AD&D specific, but is again useable as-is in OD&D is the Critical Hits & Fumbles system. If you want a little more grit and gore in your combats, this article is worth checking out.
A short story, some comics, and a couple fairly AD&D specific articles round out the issue, which is all in all a pretty solid initial release for a new ezine. Definitely worth checking out.
- chatdemon
¶ 9/21/2004 06:56:00 AM
Dragonsfoot - Download file
While not solely dedicated to OD&D, Footprints, a publication of Dragonsfoot.org is an excellent resource for the OD&D gamer.
First off, we're treated to a short, yet fun adventure, Keeper Of The Old Faith. This Greyhawk themed dungeon crawl, aimed at characters of around 10th level in experience, is easily converted to OD&D (from AD&D1e rules) and easily adaptable to settings other than Greyhawk. The only real mechanics conversion needed is tweaking the stats for the main villain and his demon "sidekick", so prepping the adventure shouldn't take more than a few minutes.
Next up, we have an article exploring the sizes and weights of coins in AD&D. Lucky for us, this treatise can apply, without conversion, to OD&D if we wish. It's an interesting read nonetheless.
Another article that claims to be AD&D specific, but is again useable as-is in OD&D is the Critical Hits & Fumbles system. If you want a little more grit and gore in your combats, this article is worth checking out.
A short story, some comics, and a couple fairly AD&D specific articles round out the issue, which is all in all a pretty solid initial release for a new ezine. Definitely worth checking out.
- chatdemon
¶ 9/21/2004 06:56:00 AM
Oh, and by the way.
If you're new to OD&D, or the OD&D online community, I've included a couple of useful and fun links over there to the right -->
The materials and conversations you'll find there are enough to spark any imagination, or at least get you involved in the latest discussions.
Have fun, but don't forget to check back here!
- chatdemon
¶ 9/21/2004 04:55:00 AM
If you're new to OD&D, or the OD&D online community, I've included a couple of useful and fun links over there to the right -->
The materials and conversations you'll find there are enough to spark any imagination, or at least get you involved in the latest discussions.
Have fun, but don't forget to check back here!
- chatdemon
¶ 9/21/2004 04:55:00 AM
Just what is OD&D, anyway?
Ask a dozen gamers and you'll get a dozen (or more) answers. What really matters here though, is what it is to me, so here's a brief idea of what I have in mind, so you know what to expect.
OD&D is Basic D&D, with the Expert, Companion and Master expansion sets. The Rules Cyclopedia counts too, as do the various incarnations of the Basic set that were repackaged and put out by TSR throughout the 1980's and early 1990's. The B series and X series adventure modules are classic OD&D, as are some of the modules put out for the Companion and Masters rules.
Despite popular consensus, I don't include the 1974 D&D boxed set, or the supplements for it. They're OD&D, sure, but they aren't the game I play, and won't get much coverage here. Same goes for the Immortals expansion set, the AD&D2e Mystara campaign setting and anything that came with a video tape or sound effects cd in it. Needless to say, AD&D, AD&D2e, Hackmaster and D&D3e are not OD&D, and will not feature much here.
Now you know what you'll find here, so hopefully I won't waste any more of your time if you're looking for something different. If I've hit on something that interests you though, stick around, read a bit, and be sure to check back in now and then to see what I've been up to.
- chatdemon
¶ 9/21/2004 04:47:00 AM
Ask a dozen gamers and you'll get a dozen (or more) answers. What really matters here though, is what it is to me, so here's a brief idea of what I have in mind, so you know what to expect.
OD&D is Basic D&D, with the Expert, Companion and Master expansion sets. The Rules Cyclopedia counts too, as do the various incarnations of the Basic set that were repackaged and put out by TSR throughout the 1980's and early 1990's. The B series and X series adventure modules are classic OD&D, as are some of the modules put out for the Companion and Masters rules.
Despite popular consensus, I don't include the 1974 D&D boxed set, or the supplements for it. They're OD&D, sure, but they aren't the game I play, and won't get much coverage here. Same goes for the Immortals expansion set, the AD&D2e Mystara campaign setting and anything that came with a video tape or sound effects cd in it. Needless to say, AD&D, AD&D2e, Hackmaster and D&D3e are not OD&D, and will not feature much here.
Now you know what you'll find here, so hopefully I won't waste any more of your time if you're looking for something different. If I've hit on something that interests you though, stick around, read a bit, and be sure to check back in now and then to see what I've been up to.
- chatdemon
¶ 9/21/2004 04:47:00 AM
