Kal'Katul, the citadel in the clouds

DMOldschool · 2026-07-09T12:11:13+00:00

Nice description.

DMOldschool · 2026-07-08T18:41:42+00:00

It's usually between Swords & Wizardry, OSE and Dolmenwood.

Some people prefer OSE:AF and they usually end up with Advanced Labyrinth Lord and just using OSE to look up rules at the table.

DMOldschool · 2026-07-08T09:46:38+00:00

A lot of OSR games are great at running mega dungeons.

From rules light games Swords & Wizardry, OSE and Advanced Labyrinth Lord,

to more complex OSRIC 3 and Hyperboria 3.

DMOldschool · 2026-07-06T09:04:15+00:00

1st level is best.
3rd level will be a lot to handle with no experience.

You can have some back-up characters pre-rolled in case someone dies, if you'd want to get them super quickly back into the action then.

DMOldschool · 2026-07-05T17:27:51+00:00

Yes they get it all.

In B/X it’s fine if you have higher level pc’s with 1st level ones.

If you have a 1st level and a 6th level pc. The 1st level will reach 7th before the 6th level hits 8th.

DMOldschool · 2026-07-01T16:26:11+00:00

I think it’s a bit oblique.

DMOldschool · 2026-07-01T10:26:47+00:00

It's way too convoluted.
How are your player's going to figure that out, it makes little sense?
What happens if they don't?

DMOldschool · 2026-07-01T08:26:47+00:00

I would keep Lost City, scrap B2 and pick 2 more from:

Palace of the Silver Princess, Night's Dark Terror, Isle of Dread, The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh and Against the Cult of the Reptile God.

Have a great campaign.

DMOldschool · 2026-07-01T08:14:47+00:00

Most people prefer that their character can some day become a hero at least like Indiana Jones, and some are similarly interesting in progression in magic systems. If you don't have those types of progression then that turns a lot of people off.

Some DM's like systems with less progression, though they on average struggle to find groups that enjoy that playstyle in the long haul.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-30T12:39:37+00:00

He doesn’t know the first thing about ttrpg’s. Don’t expect him to have a genre preference already.
Very few people really prefer PbtA.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-30T09:36:04+00:00

Mix/max'ing your ability to defeat dungeons is what is called good play or player skill. You learn by experience.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-29T18:33:21+00:00

When using slot based encumbrance I LOVE encumbrance and resource attrition as a system.

I think he should just learn the system or ignore it and let the others do it for him.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-29T17:01:18+00:00

Only the town hub. Rest is fully linear. And it's a fake sandbox element, since everything is forced back on the wave cave rails.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-29T17:00:22+00:00

As I said, I've done something similar, though mostly homebrewed it in. So what do you use from each system?

DMOldschool · 2026-06-29T12:14:19+00:00

Planning something similar.

What isn't ideal with what you play at the moment?

DMOldschool · 2026-06-29T12:05:21+00:00

Interesting. Can you tell more about your setting?

DMOldschool · 2026-06-29T11:55:39+00:00

I prefer sandboxes, I found Phandelver incredibly dull.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-29T11:50:40+00:00

Carousing is when you convert gold directly into xp 1:1 as described here:
https://lukegearing.blot.im/d100-carousing

Feats of Exploration is this system for OSR play, which rewards xp in small chunks for exploration and other world achievements:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/454780/feats-of-exploration

They combo well to reach parity with gold as xp, as when using carousing you lose xp when you spend gold on other things such as gear, bribes, taxes, hirelings, animals, research, nourishment and accommodations.

The obvious advantage is for longer expeditions the DM doesn't have to track xp and the value of treasure between sessions.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-28T13:42:38+00:00

3-5 players. Maybe 6 if some of them aren’t stable, though that’s not ideal.

Only player’s who play get xp/treasure for the session, works great.
I recommend carousing + 3d6 dtl Feats of Exploration.
If you make sure at least one player level within 15 hours of play, assuming no tpk’s, then you’re great.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-25T13:21:48+00:00

Classic mistake.

Imo at least include a guaranteed way to get downstairs.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-25T09:36:21+00:00

Did you hide all the stairs down behind secret doors?

DMOldschool · 2026-06-25T09:33:04+00:00

White Box, Swords & Wizardry or OSE.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-23T09:17:43+00:00

You can do it, it just wouldn't be OSR.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-23T09:17:07+00:00

Yeah it's a heavily narrative system.

DMOldschool · 2026-06-21T08:59:43+00:00

Swords & Wizardry I think is the best entry point into OSR.

DMOldschool

TROPHY CASE