Yesterday my FLGS got in my copy of Rob Conley's Points of Light, the new sandbox setting book published by Goodman Games. I'm about halfway through the book and I'm loving it. There's more gameable stuff to riff on in these slim 48 pages than can be found in some setting books five times its size. Take one of the four detailed sandbox maps and drop in one ore more of your favorite dungeons and you have all the basics for a nifty little campaign. If you're the least bit interested in what I'm saying here, do yourself a favor and check out the free preview.
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I agree. I'm planning a formal review of the product later today. It's a superb book.
ReplyDeleteGood. This book deserves to be talked about.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading through my copy, too, and am impressed. This is the kind of gaming product I like to see!
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the good comments. There will be more on the way.
ReplyDeleteI will let Tim and Dwayne know as they are very much part of the creation of Points of Light as I am.
Rob Conley
Hi Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI love, love, LOVE, your blog. I've been reading it for some time now, and was wondering if you could give some advice for a beginner looking to try out some classic D&D.
I started playing in 2nd edition(think Jeff Easley cover of mounted warrior riding through a desert canyon) and have played plenty of 3.x , so I have absolutely no experience with this great stuff you keep talking about. What would be the best bang for my buck? What books do I need? Would love to know what you would recommend as a starting set. Thanks for all your great work.
Sam, I'll write up a new post today or tomorrow to give you some advice.
ReplyDeleteSam- here's a good place to start:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yourgamesnow.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=71&products_id=1961&zenid=990a45d63e652baa1d7ee69bb10cc50c
Sam,
ReplyDeleteAside from the books and tips Jeff gives you.
The key point is "Challenge the PLAYER not the character."
For example if they encounter a poisoned needle trap you will need to have a picture in your mind of how it built. Instead of rolling disarm trap, they would describe how they are examining the traps then how they are going to nullify or disable it.
None of this really needs much in the way of rules. Maybe some type of DEX roll now and again.
This important because if you look at the rules there really isn't that much there. Without understanding this point most people go WTF and move on to a more "complete" RPG.
One thing I will add is that the "challenge the player" concept is really the heart of all of OD&D.
For example OD&D combat has a basic set of rules. However you should encourage the players to use the terrain or come up with up situational tricks that give them modifiers or free attacks. There is no formal rules for this. The results will have to be based your judgement as GM.
It also extends to the wilderness, city, and interaction with NPCs. For example a player with a fighter establishes a barony. You have a handful of guidelines to cost and income. But from that you use your judgment to create opportunities and dilemmas for the newly made Baron.
The only downside is that you will probably need to some reading on areas you are not familiar with. For example mechanical traps, or how a medieval manor is run.
Finally a lot of what you read seems to focus is on Dungeon Crawls. I don't use OD&D as my main system. But I consider myself old school because regardless of the RPG I challenge the players at every turn. Most of my campaign are set in cities and the wilderness and have very little to do with dungeon crawls. The concepts of old school gaming can extend to any area of roleplaying.
Hope this helps.
Rob Conley
P.S. Borderlands in Points of Light is an example of how my Majestic Wilderlands works.
Hmmm, the link didn't copy over right. Anyways, go to:
ReplyDeletewww.goblinoidgames.com
clicon on "e-books"
go down to "Labyrinth Lord"
add it to your cart for the low,low price of "Free" and then checkout.
You could really run a game for years with just that.
For some good free adventures, check out www.dragonsfoot.com. Go to the "classic" section and get the downloads there.
thanks Jeff for the link Jeff. I'll most likely check this out later today. The preview looks very well done.
ReplyDeleteYeah, let me join the praise of this book, buy saying this is the best source book I've bought in years. As I read it my head goes fizzing with ideas, just a great inspirational work, hope to see more in the future.
ReplyDelete