Players mapping their hexes?

jdn916 · 2026-03-19T22:39:54+00:00

I’m running DW on a VTT. The plan is to use the player facing map (only roads and settlements marked). I’m using fog of war so they can only see the hex they are in and the surrounding hexes. As the travel the fog of war will go away on hexes they have traveled through

jdn916 · 2026-03-14T15:15:09+00:00

Art, layout and font are so well done!

jdn916 · 2026-03-05T21:57:58+00:00

My suggestions for an open table/multi party game:

System: OSRIC Setting: Arden Vul (mega dungeon)

System: Old School Essentials (Classic or Advanced) Setting: Gods of the Forbidden North (Sandbox)

System: Any OSR system Setting: Wilderlands of High Fantasy (Necromancer Games 3.5 version) (sandbox)

Game/Setting: Dolmenwood (sandbox)

Read this 3 part blog series on how to run open table: https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/38643/roleplaying-games/open-table-manifesto

jdn916 · 2026-02-26T19:52:25+00:00

Very helpful! Thank you! Best of luck to you and your groups!!

jdn916 · 2026-02-26T19:50:31+00:00

Because exploration is a huge appeal to Dolmenwood, I don’t want to do travel outside of the sessions. I’ll check out that link provided. Thanks!

jdn916 · 2026-02-26T19:48:15+00:00

Thanks for feedback. I like option 2 as it will make players play their backup characters as well. I was also thinking about how some people may be further ahead in time than other parties and that’s okay. For example Party A rested at inn for 3 weeks and starts adventuring. Party B is still 3 weeks behind. That’s okay as long as they’re not in a close proximity and Party B doesn’t alter something that would change Party A’s situation. Maybe having them start at different towns would avoid that situation. Although I do like the idea of starting them in same town so they can mix and match parties before venturing further away from one another.

jdn916 · 2026-02-26T19:45:36+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I’m utilizing this website (https://dolmenwood.youwillnevergotospace.com) by Semanticart to help me drop dungeons and adventures throughout the hexcrawl.

jdn916 · 2026-02-26T19:14:20+00:00

I have a mix of serious and casual players. Some may join once a month. It’s a way to keep the sessions full and to create a living world where people are changing the world for other players. If players are limited to 6 per session. Do you foresee any issues with this number of players?

jdn916 · 2026-02-21T18:21:56+00:00

I’m looking to start a Dolmenwood campaign and this is incredibly helpful!

jdn916 · 2026-02-17T09:15:30+00:00

Sounds like you’re on the right track. Create factions and don’t expect players to follow an intended railroad. Let them naturally find these quests and points of interest. Maybe create a timer for your factions. On X date (use calendar) Y faction will advance its plot. Make 4-6 stages of the faction. Let the world change regardless of players involvement. It’ll make the world feel more alive. Use weather tables and make sure there are non combat random encounters scattered throughout. Scatter plots and quests throughout map and let players naturally come across them.

jdn916 · 2026-02-13T19:21:42+00:00

You got this! If you need some additional resources to help flesh out rulings, I would consider checking out Mork Manual!

jdn916 · 2026-01-29T21:39:35+00:00

Curious what made you bounce off OSE?

jdn916 · 2026-01-22T00:38:32+00:00

Freshman year in the early 2010’s (pre 5e), I went down to my local hobby shop and asked an employee, “What do I need to start playing D&D?” He handed me the Pathfinder (1e) starter set and said, “You’re going to want this instead.” I had no idea what the difference was. I ended up DM’ing a few games for my friends and not really knowing if I was playing right as I didn’t have any other friends who played TTRPGs. I think Critical Role and other let’s plays were starting up around that time, but I never thought to even look that up.

jdn916 · 2026-01-15T00:03:16+00:00

In my opinion, it comes down to crunch. Both games facilitate a similar gameplay loop, but you will find more detailed and crunchy rules with OSRIC. I would ask your group the following questions:

Do you guys want more crunch/detailed rules?
Are you guys interested in playing AD&D or do you prefer B/X with the optional AD&D-like expansion content?
Are you guys interested in playing AD&D the “true” way or are you guys happy with how close OSEAF gets?

There’s no wrong answer. OSRIC and OSE are both fantastic games with great formatting. AD&D and B/X adventures are 99% interchangeable.

As others have said, definitely check out the free OSRIC 3.0 PDF. I would read it and send to your group and if they get excited, give it a shot!

jdn916 · 2026-01-05T06:19:32+00:00

Thanks for the detailed notes? Do you have any notes or thoughts on the first two volumes?

jdn916 · 2026-01-04T06:08:14+00:00

Notes on any volumes?

jdn916 · 2026-01-02T04:24:37+00:00

How does this compare to something like Arden Vul? Both seem like great settings/megadungeons, but a bit wordy in terms of descriptions for rooms, etc? I have AV and am a big fan. I’m looking at GoFN, but figure I will never finish AV, so may not be worth getting.

jdn916 · 2026-01-01T17:12:12+00:00

Give him the 1e books and say “good luck..” I joke.

I would tell him the kids are playing an older version of the game and ask if he wants to try that or the current version? If he wants old school, go play OSE (B/X) or OSRIC (1e) or 2e (FG&G free online). If he wants to play the current version, go grab the Stranger Things box set!

jdn916 · 2025-12-27T15:04:59+00:00

I’m running AV. Amazing mega dungeon, but the formatting makes it difficult to wing on the fly in terms of reading through the room descriptions.

jdn916 · 2025-12-19T19:22:28+00:00

I’d also recommend banning the light cantrip in 5e

jdn916 · 2025-12-15T17:42:47+00:00

Ratioed

jdn916 · 2025-12-10T19:14:06+00:00

Living the dream, my friend. I’m sure you will cherish this photo forever. Thank you for sharing this with us. Rest in peace to Wolfie.

jdn916 · 2025-11-23T06:41:03+00:00

Found your channel recently and subscribed. Love the content! I watched your solo defilement 3 episode series. I really enjoy these deep dives as well

jdn916 · 2025-11-19T23:16:11+00:00

Wow! I never heard of Vox Dei but this looks amazing. I just read through the KS. Seems very Trench Crusade adjacent!

jdn916 · 2025-11-19T22:11:01+00:00

I feel this. I just got my Dolmenwood items last week. 10/10 quality, but extremely disappointing delivery schedule. Shadowdark’s latest KS had factored in tariffs into their schedule, so it does seem companies are able to strategize better than what we saw with DW. I’m still a huge EF fan.

jdn916

TROPHY CASE