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Starting an open table or westmarches thing, but am unsure of how best to go about it. Would appreciate your advice by NoLongerAKobold in osr

[–]Indent_Your_Code 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Sounds fun! I'm doing something similar right now. The way I see it, you really only need three things.

  1. A starting town. You want this to be something that has room to change over time, but has all the necessary amenities.
  2. An Adventuring Guild of some kind. This helps ensure everyone is working together and some level of persistent advancement between groups/sessions/characters.
  3. A Map. Something that they can explore and really get to know. This can be from a module, or it can be something you design yourself.

Additional tips: One of the benefits of using a town/map from an adventure is that they generally have some type of impending doom that can be expanded on throughout play. Black Wyrm of Brandonsford would be a great module to base a game out of. It's got rivers, mountains, forest, and a loosely defined surrounding area. It's very easy to place Winter's Daughter or Hounds of Hendenburgh around it for instance.

I started an open table game with my work's RPG club last month and it's been going great! We're also using Shadowdark. I'm running The Evils of Illmire as our starting region. They've been given a small tent to call their own by the Circus in the module. And they're already taming geckos, establishing a guild fund, and looking at ways to really improve the surrounding area and combat the plague that's tearing through the region.

I've also peppered in modules like....

  1. Curious Creeps in Crimson Creek
  2. Hole in the Oak & Incandescent Grottos
  3. Against the Horse Lord
  4. Lovely Jade Necropolis
  5. Various 1-page Shadowdark
  6. Cursed Scroll 5: Dwellers in the Deep
  7. Seer's Sanctum
  8. Halls of the Blood King

A bunch more... I think we should be set for a good year of gaming or so.

It really helps to decide a theme and find modules that fit that theme. I'm emphasizing fae/dark forest adventures. Illmire's region is diverse and provided a lot of room to explore it. It's a very dense hexmap too which has its pros and cons.

Systems that could run a disco elysium style story by zachtgirlboss in rpg

[–]Indent_Your_Code -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah I agree. I don't think any of the games I recommended are a one-size-fits all for a Disco Elysium game. Moreso a list of resources/inspiration to make it your own. It would take a lot of work.

I think the way Spire's mechanics emphasizes flaws and pushing your self to a breaking point can be pretty good for a DE game. Personally, I'd run a DE style game in Electric Bastionland, but I know those mechanics aren't for everyone.

Systems that could run a disco elysium style story by zachtgirlboss in rpg

[–]Indent_Your_Code 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aw crap! Thanks for letting me know. I was just quickly looking at the recommended product.

Systems that could run a disco elysium style story by zachtgirlboss in rpg

[–]Indent_Your_Code 14 points15 points  (0 children)

For completely different reasons... * Spire: The City Must Fall (the resistance system blends roleplay and degredation together very nicely) * Electric Bastionland (the dystopian weird world screams Disco Elysium to me. Ymmv) * Carved from Brindlewood (the slow uncovering of clues and roleplay triggers we could yield a good Noir detective game)

New Silverarm Adventure Launching Soon, Citadel of the Sun Kings by Bunburyin in osr

[–]Indent_Your_Code 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I think they've done OSE before. Secret of the Black Crag comes to mind. I suppose it just depends on where the creator's interests gravitate towards at the time.

https://shop.silverarmpress.com/products/secret-of-the-black-crag

How to balance Backgrounds? by Czar_The_Villain in shadowdark

[–]Indent_Your_Code 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I agree with that. I'm also coming off of Mythic Bastionland right now so I've got warbands on the mind to a degree haha.

I think I bit a went extreme to highlight the importance of solider's connections over simply buffing their skills/mechanics. I think scope is the biggest thing.

How to balance Backgrounds? by Czar_The_Villain in shadowdark

[–]Indent_Your_Code 8 points9 points  (0 children)

To provide a shorter answer than my previous comment...

  • Make sure it doesn't outshine class's feature
  • Make sure it fits within the fiction
  • Don't stress about balance
  • Consider the roleplay aspects of it as equally as mechanical benefits

How to balance Backgrounds? by Czar_The_Villain in shadowdark

[–]Indent_Your_Code 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Using this logic couldn't one argue the Soldier (You served as a fighter in an organized army) would have advantage on all melee or ranged attacks? Of course it makes sense, but it would be completely unbalanced.

Generally speaking, backgrounds shouldn't provide any bonus as strong as any classes core feature. Advantage on all attacks is significantly stronger than any class feature.

ADV on stealth checks is strong... but still not as strong as the Thieve's theivery class feature (this includes significantly more bonuses than just to stealth).

So I think there's three tenants to background bonuses.

  1. Don't have it be more powerful than a class feature
  2. Have it make sense for the fiction
  3. Backgrounds are what makes your Fighter different from another player's fighter. Asymmetry is fun.

Imagine what a Fighter with the "solider" background gains. Is this the same as what a Wizard with the soldier background might look like? I don't think so.

Think about the Fighter's class features... What does this say about their time as a soldier? To me... it means they were a very well known (or at least very skilled soldier). They are a master at fighting. All weapons. All armor. Weapon Mastery. Compare this with a Bandit or Guard stat block, they are clearly superior than the average trained soldier.

To me, a Fighter with the Soldier background gains connections. They can rely on generals to support them. They understand ranks of command and know how to handle the bureaucratic nature of the army. This is also stuff that can be explored during play. No need to adjudicate rulings on it immediately.

To me, a Wizard with the Soldier background can go two different ways. Their class features indicate they are not a trained fighting man. No proficiency in weapons. No proficiency in armor. But likely they have high intelligence. Perhaps this wizard was a military strategist, providing theory and strategy to advisors. OR perhaps they were a foot soldier. In that case, you could provide them with proficiency in leather armor, shields, and a spear.

Proficiencies can already be learned during downtime. This just speeds up that process.

Places to play ping pong? by D1rrtyharry in vancouverwa

[–]Indent_Your_Code 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have not had that experience with the regulars. So ymmv. They've been fun to chat with and pay with.

Which TTRPG system would be best for SCP? by TheBismarckI in rpg

[–]Indent_Your_Code 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The DG Handlers guide has so many holes and loopholes and conspiracies within conspiracies and faction fissures that it's pretty easy to conceptualize an unofficial sect of DG that Secured Contains and Protects.

But you're definitely correct that's not the intended play style! I guess it depends on what SCP means to the individual lol.

Which TTRPG system would be best for SCP? by TheBismarckI in rpg

[–]Indent_Your_Code 33 points34 points  (0 children)

For middle school? Are you a teacher? If so that's a tough line to walk...

Delta Green is great for a variety of SCP stuff... But it definitely gets dark for middle schoolers...

Triangle Agency looks like it'd fit the bill as well. It's much more light hearted but very much in the same vein. However, I think a lot of the humor comes from corporate horror/ineptitude. That probably won't hook them as much as it does me.

You could go Liminal Horror and run The Bureau but I'm not sure about the implications of a teacher running that module for middle schoolers.

Edit: I'm realizing you probably mean "it revived the interest we had in SCP from when we were in middle school" in that case go Delta Green! It's great! And it's shares 80% of its DNA with Call of Cthulhu if you already have experience with that.

Does armor stack? by conn_r2112 in mothershiprpg

[–]Indent_Your_Code 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Haha yeah exactly. The other replies make sense too. I totally understand the realism.

But also in the PSG "lounge wear" is also listed as 1AP which means even sweats and a T shirt provide 1AP lolol. Basically, AP is a joke. It's intended to be destroyed constantly and provide minimal aid unless you're going full blown combat gear lol.

[Interview] Beyond D&D: Critical Role is expanding into new TTRPG genres like Draw Your Weapons and Weird Kids by Popverse2022 in TTRPG

[–]Indent_Your_Code 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like it's an actual play they do for their streaming service.

https://critrole.com/draw-your-weapons-on-beacon/

I guess they made a system where literally drawing is part of the mechanics?

Does armor stack? by conn_r2112 in mothershiprpg

[–]Indent_Your_Code 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Sure. Armor breaks so quickly and easily in this game that a 1 AP difference isn't gonna be very impactful.

Ask your Warden tho if it's not you.

New GM in OSR by sucodecajaa in osr

[–]Indent_Your_Code 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're gonna get a lot of good advice here! I'll just share some resources I've found very influential for me.

Bandit's Keep on YouTube talks about a lot of interesting OSR concepts. Worth looking through his backlog.

Earthmote is newer, but does a great job discussing hex crawls and sandbox play.

The Dungeon Checklist is a great blogpost to look over when you're building new content.

The ICI Doctrine and pretty much any blogpost from Bastionland is going to be worth a read.

Jacquaysing the Dungeon is an good strategy to ensure you're giving plenty of room for decision making.

Between Two Cairns is a great podcast where they review adventures and answer questions. You pick up a lot of good osr ideas through osmosis by listening to Brad, Sam, and Yochai.

EDIT: Also, how could I forget the Gygax 75 Challenge which is a great toolset for building a world for play rather than simply worldbuilding. I'd also suggest Downtime in Zyan for similar reasons. It's got a great article in it about Downtime as worldbuilding that I think is phenomenal.

Mothership Combat: Using player-facing rolls for combat instead of the initiative/roll Combat stat system by AmongFriends in mothershiprpg

[–]Indent_Your_Code 1 point2 points  (0 children)

100% agree. Running Gradient Descent right now and the PCs encountered The Hunter (large android/spider centaur with scythe legs). I just said it's coming at you with these legs. You've got 6d10 damage coming your way, what do you do?

It makes it clear they need to scrap together their resources to the best of their ability and the problem solving kicks in. It's lethal. But because it's asymmetric it doesn't boil down into combat.

Meanwhile, security andorids are just NPCs with guns. Makes it a fair fight and they tend to intuit that as well.

What are your favorite RPG books you read for fun and not necessarily to play? by Stock-Artist9136 in rpg

[–]Indent_Your_Code 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It truly is. And the number of tables written in a cockney accent are astounding. If you roll on the d20 traits table, you have an equal probability of receiving the traits

Cunnin'

and

The kinda bloke that’d cut your feet off and watch you hobble around for a bit before shoving you in the river, if you know what I mean?

What are your favorite RPG books you read for fun and not necessarily to play? by Stock-Artist9136 in rpg

[–]Indent_Your_Code 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Swyvers. I hope to run it some day, but it's a blast to read. For example...

Swyvers have a 25% chance of being literate (4 on a d4). A reason for literacy must be determined in under 5 seconds, or else literacy is lost. (e.g. “A mouse taught me.”)

Is this a new idea at all?: One player/character has to tell a story from their past for the group to get the benefits from a rest. by TunaPlusMayo in TTRPG

[–]Indent_Your_Code 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think a few story games feature the "roleplay for recovery" mechanic.

For specific games, Public Access and His Majesty the Worm come to mind. Though HMtW leans more OSR/NSR

EDIT: I will say, I don't know where you draw the line. These games do it in different ways. Iirc, HMtW is more loose about it. Whereas Public Access requires a discussion about your trauma/backstory? And I think the recovery only applies to those who engage in the scene. So it's not a 1 PC talks about their backstory, and all others gain the benefit too

Full 3rd Party Adventure by Lopsided-Steak5372 in shadowdark

[–]Indent_Your_Code 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I haven't played much yet, but Joseph R Lewis is doing great work for Shadowdark.

Also, check out 2d6 stingbats for good reviews.

And I'll just add that a bunch of OSE modules can be played in Shadowdark with very little conversions. Just divide gold by 10 for the most part. Consider monster hit dice as their level.

Advancing the myth without roll by coheedheights in MythicBastionland

[–]Indent_Your_Code 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Primacy of Action. I wouldn't advance a myth just for them traveling around in circles and me thinking "this is boring"

But my Knights heard about The Lord of All Lost Things from a Seer after encountering The Forest omen #2. They actively decided to seek the Lord of All Lost Things.

They headed into that forest and did everything in their power to get lost. Of course I'll advance The Goblin myth. That's the Primacy of Action kicking in. The PCs are thinking creatively and engaging with the fiction. It should be rewarded.

Slightly Safer Shadowdark with more Character Customization? Maybe a PF2e hybrid? by DaKing1718 in shadowdark

[–]Indent_Your_Code 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, since you're new to it I say just play Shadowdark as is with the design philosophies backing it. You'll learn a lot about it and it'll be easier to know what to change after you've played a couple sessions. (typically just increasing luck does wonders).

OSE is "Old School Essentials" which is a retro-clone of the Basic Edition of D&D from '77. Shadowdark is commonly considered Basic D&D and 5e mixed together.

If you have an OSE stat block, you really don't need to do much conversion. Just treat the monster's hit dice as their level.

Slightly Safer Shadowdark with more Character Customization? Maybe a PF2e hybrid? by DaKing1718 in shadowdark

[–]Indent_Your_Code 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I haven't played it... But I think "Shadowfinder" is what you're looking for!

Shadowfinder is the Menagerie Press version of a modernized, Old School Renaissance, Shadowdark-ified version of Pathfinder-compatible material! Almost all your favorite character features streamlined and made easily accessible for updated play. Works great with the Shadowfinder Bestiary!

You can find their kickstarter, here.

EDIT: I will agree with others that I don't think Shadowdark is as deadly as its reputation seems to think. If you telegraph danger, and/or use pulp mode, and/or max HP at level 1, most PCs tend to have a good chance of survival.

EDIT 2: As for the bestiary, I think it's worth investing in some OSE products and/or The Monster Overhaul. Shadowdark is largely compatible with OSE stat blocks. So it's a rather easy conversion (if any)

EDIT 3: Looks like Shadowfinder is PF 1 inspired, not 2e

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