tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59041330569573533122024-03-15T08:58:13.790-04:00Bat in the AtticA blog on 40 years of gaming and Sandbox Fantasy.Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.comBlogger1502125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-2430093106135911692024-01-01T14:32:00.001-05:002024-01-01T14:58:57.582-05:00Happy New Year, and the annual DriveThruRPG report.<h2 style="text-align: left;"> Happy New Year</h2><div>I wish everybody a Happy New Year! I have much to be thankful for in 2023, especially family, friends, and work. I want to thank everyone who supported my <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/batintheatticgames/how-to-make-a-fantasy-sandbox">How to Make Sandbox Kickstarter</a>. I appreciate the outpouring of support for my project.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox</h2><div>Because of my backers' generosity, I was able to increase the size of my art order. I commissioned 17 additional pieces from Rick Hershey of <a href="https://www.fatgoblingames.com/">Fat Goblin Games</a>. I also got back the cover art from Richard Luschek, who did an outstanding job!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqqC03vi7qAOf6CAYNE1LPK0jtBLbsNJ_NwHC0d8_P5BsSojr12JIxhCBN8nXwHAacUIrvvu1cLOzzcduyg_v9cie_HahfRHGm5ngke_N4g5omShSsvMTDyjrfTpi6jVzgHl_GefqRFDmcjRdQ4rUEB9CCYmYx47rWWK2FMytVWCDUJukt7XBCcLLLhE_y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqqC03vi7qAOf6CAYNE1LPK0jtBLbsNJ_NwHC0d8_P5BsSojr12JIxhCBN8nXwHAacUIrvvu1cLOzzcduyg_v9cie_HahfRHGm5ngke_N4g5omShSsvMTDyjrfTpi6jVzgHl_GefqRFDmcjRdQ4rUEB9CCYmYx47rWWK2FMytVWCDUJukt7XBCcLLLhE_y=w207-h320" width="207" /></a></div><br />Once I get the interior pieces back I will be able to complete the layout and start the process of ordering proof prints of the two remaining books: How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox and the Isle of Pyade setting book. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">DriveThruRPG Numbers</h2><div>Ever since I released <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/89944/Blackmarsh">Blackmarsh</a> in 2011, I have had at least one download every day. Each download is accompanied by an order number. By tracking the <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2015/05/some-interesting-rpgnow-number-2014-15.html">first download of Blackmarsh every year</a> I gain a rough sense of the volume of business that DriveThruRPG does. I am sure that many of the order numbers are internal transactions; however, from the experience I had with accounting, those increase as the total volume of business for a company also increases.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, without further ado, here are the latest figures. From a pandemic high in 2020, it appears that DriveThru's total volume of sales has been relatively flat from 2021 to the present. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2HRrvKzbhdHOC9EOd-kc1Jx1YfkiX3v77X98jBE39H3Tksi12cE2YwUUshp6cL38gBX-V3G2buJOv-GLTbzPWV6Kl0_X6nfHwDEtdZgGwE4ZFYaDadelVmD2Yh8T8KmGZSo8wmsUMXpSSKIPM9xaiJaY5ZtW1xL7zrGzbQsWcaVRb5MG9ByiwLvgwA7sj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="548" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2HRrvKzbhdHOC9EOd-kc1Jx1YfkiX3v77X98jBE39H3Tksi12cE2YwUUshp6cL38gBX-V3G2buJOv-GLTbzPWV6Kl0_X6nfHwDEtdZgGwE4ZFYaDadelVmD2Yh8T8KmGZSo8wmsUMXpSSKIPM9xaiJaY5ZtW1xL7zrGzbQsWcaVRb5MG9ByiwLvgwA7sj" width="232" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Once again Happy New Year!</div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-72753151499255068802023-12-07T11:26:00.009-05:002023-12-07T11:27:42.547-05:00Isle of Sedra Kickstarter<p> My good friend<a href="https://gamingballistic.com/"> Douglas Cole over Gaming Ballistic</a> has launched a new Kickstarter for his Isle of Sedra setting. It is written for Old School Essentials. Along with the setting, there are several adventures available including solo adventures. <br /><br />Douglas is also a third-party publisher for Steve Jackson Games's The Fantasy Trip and supports that RPG's long history of solo adventures. He has converted many of his TFT products over to Old School Essentials so fans of the classic editions of DnD can enjoy them as well.</p><p><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamingballistic/old-school-setting-the-isle-of-sedra">Isle of Sedra Kickstarter.</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir6ypRehOFAxWVXdk6Lo4Cw0MiJRTsnIGkY7nDRrC08Rg0-S9wat-2mpqIl4rUp0zrmwFi_hoQpIXyVfqTR6Dv-tYPVKANcNBdyyp_l85xxyvvPO53MFnRCIsIdxWlJw--V7QASCBUftgPejt4dJkFJ70N-OdTQqfjDcYVXkSOJY9pBhKF_VLDe4xxNPkm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir6ypRehOFAxWVXdk6Lo4Cw0MiJRTsnIGkY7nDRrC08Rg0-S9wat-2mpqIl4rUp0zrmwFi_hoQpIXyVfqTR6Dv-tYPVKANcNBdyyp_l85xxyvvPO53MFnRCIsIdxWlJw--V7QASCBUftgPejt4dJkFJ70N-OdTQqfjDcYVXkSOJY9pBhKF_VLDe4xxNPkm" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-15960039548802948752023-11-21T23:12:00.007-05:002023-11-21T23:31:47.386-05:00Blackmarsh in print again.<p><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/89944/Blackmarsh">The print version of Blackmarsh </a>is now available again both in softcover and hardcover feature cover art by <a href="https://www.patreon.com/LuschekII/posts">Richard Luschek</a>. Many of you will know him from his work on various Harn products available from <a href="https://columbiagames.com/">Columbia Games</a>. The books are using the new digest size layout.</p><p>The full map of Blackmarsh is still inside the book and the book fold has been taken into account for its presentation. </p><p>Softcover Digest edition - $6.99</p><p>Hardcover Digest edition - $11.99</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglgRRAckdIbZ256ByJgttWMKfz2dn5v5uPtlzhydIWa9HNrkYHgZLqlYgyWHdn7dh3u1XGaP17dC6fKCnHhTWBpt_gipV6tlJdXiucTq8ypfzKDIvWMAF8K1YyYwfhyqLl7ZRgZqHWbyBZ9UNztlL0DGj3kBslORVOeRig5pkM_Fsd2GnNFs3493LcPV0M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglgRRAckdIbZ256ByJgttWMKfz2dn5v5uPtlzhydIWa9HNrkYHgZLqlYgyWHdn7dh3u1XGaP17dC6fKCnHhTWBpt_gipV6tlJdXiucTq8ypfzKDIvWMAF8K1YyYwfhyqLl7ZRgZqHWbyBZ9UNztlL0DGj3kBslORVOeRig5pkM_Fsd2GnNFs3493LcPV0M=w207-h320" width="207" /></a></div><br />Again appreciate the support of all of you have given me over the years and the kind words in your reviews.<p></p><p><br /></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-43649623111595344692023-11-15T21:31:00.006-05:002023-11-15T21:31:50.749-05:00Last 48 hours of How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox Kickstarter.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7BR8h5ANrdSeI-VVcIY1gim6ivWdCGPGWHrAppy2eL_bezRcur72o1L_NFFe20KqlH9-AZRBOyNO932HkhXN2s-KLWeKYBi6BzZeIPOfhb2YWhN2A6ICmHi8HdULjz9-4oVsIq6--MSv8NqRyT6c3QqS_fgKff2yb6PieO1_ZoY6NeUcAxa5_dDCP8lSG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7BR8h5ANrdSeI-VVcIY1gim6ivWdCGPGWHrAppy2eL_bezRcur72o1L_NFFe20KqlH9-AZRBOyNO932HkhXN2s-KLWeKYBi6BzZeIPOfhb2YWhN2A6ICmHi8HdULjz9-4oVsIq6--MSv8NqRyT6c3QqS_fgKff2yb6PieO1_ZoY6NeUcAxa5_dDCP8lSG" width="320" /></a></div><br />We are in the last 48 hours of my Kickstarter for the book about How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox. The level of support far exceeded what I expected from my Basic Rules for the Majestic Fantasy RPG Kickstarter. I am humbled and appreciative of the support that has been shown. <br /><br />There is still time to sign up just click on the link below. The beta PDFs of both How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox and the Isle of Pyade are available to backers. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/batintheatticgames/how-to-make-a-fantasy-sandbox?ref=3kchup">How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox Kickstarter</a><div><br /></div><div>Because of the level of funding, I was able to upgrade my art budget and commission some pieces from Rick Hershey of Fat Goblin Game. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjR94PvbwiOgdwY10_quLUUJwW6RexNN3sjrx1bRUM8lvj1pJojcIFugusxo7xWPMpSl6nlGQzYTyaxjqYgN-czzcA-YJ9xbCh9ukGWPa1x1JzPWwzMxcoypkj_Uh6H4FLqF383qsYGiQCvPWp_fWOxBerKiLgVavjeX9JB75n4GqoRpnwC0o7RhnEY8tXi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="401" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjR94PvbwiOgdwY10_quLUUJwW6RexNN3sjrx1bRUM8lvj1pJojcIFugusxo7xWPMpSl6nlGQzYTyaxjqYgN-czzcA-YJ9xbCh9ukGWPa1x1JzPWwzMxcoypkj_Uh6H4FLqF383qsYGiQCvPWp_fWOxBerKiLgVavjeX9JB75n4GqoRpnwC0o7RhnEY8tXi=w240-h400" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Black Queen rules from her throne in the Fortress of the Lich Lord</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb0PVIFU_BQFVhaUbu-0NEGD1QyTeFpFehOmM8l2F-W7n6HkuiQqtpgaJT4OZbCYoOVNGcJObkDZFQry03U4crMfDP6y94kSjc6ou0zlkyoTguMVKW-uonEZNwadGeR-7RneXr16Atxt-b2rNvCATMBOIh6-2n3I4Qv9kASPKw-ZlRv0MdGbLejbz4zu7d" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="393" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb0PVIFU_BQFVhaUbu-0NEGD1QyTeFpFehOmM8l2F-W7n6HkuiQqtpgaJT4OZbCYoOVNGcJObkDZFQry03U4crMfDP6y94kSjc6ou0zlkyoTguMVKW-uonEZNwadGeR-7RneXr16Atxt-b2rNvCATMBOIh6-2n3I4Qv9kASPKw-ZlRv0MdGbLejbz4zu7d=w235-h400" width="235" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Prince Ormus of Aventis searches for arcane lore </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieWKNlxXEDd4bW0LWCfZF1j1zhIqUOGebomfTfLShrWUfJKCA_yFhDqVpoNiulpnZOMhB2b8ga-2zS-g6nKWAqgkrh0ZyhiqUGla_5tivXDrk3FJf0ATF-CX1_WTPU-AEbJkPX30xvku0o3a6bAjJ_ZnKj8Hp9tNT8-Kfhl7JCjX-cppXyxHIttnRgTDJP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="1052" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieWKNlxXEDd4bW0LWCfZF1j1zhIqUOGebomfTfLShrWUfJKCA_yFhDqVpoNiulpnZOMhB2b8ga-2zS-g6nKWAqgkrh0ZyhiqUGla_5tivXDrk3FJf0ATF-CX1_WTPU-AEbJkPX30xvku0o3a6bAjJ_ZnKj8Hp9tNT8-Kfhl7JCjX-cppXyxHIttnRgTDJP=w400-h201" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Rot Lord creates another undead servitor in the Sable Port</i></div><br /><br /></div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-5479373166131126322023-10-30T19:36:00.005-04:002023-10-30T19:39:31.197-04:00First beta layout posted for How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox backers.<h2 style="text-align: left;">How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox Beta Layout</h2><p>I am pleased to share the first beta layout of <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/batintheatticgames/how-to-make-a-fantasy-sandbox">How to Make the Fantasy Sandbox Kickstarter</a> for my backers.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYWiHs9aXyM5bNksq07E0f0TqwnZWQ9p4TxSl7hu-haC3_Mct1UFkyMTKsCMOp052qVbs5ZbOQhyCpkDxQHpUxsEc02TD4JT78Tx711dkpFEI6LaLe6pLOOzg4GspH32ZmZNc0ImDxaZ4TDzA22KuPlfsYZANFqMINPwTFipPTBt-PCJ2Lob6MIQNcxLWv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="700" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYWiHs9aXyM5bNksq07E0f0TqwnZWQ9p4TxSl7hu-haC3_Mct1UFkyMTKsCMOp052qVbs5ZbOQhyCpkDxQHpUxsEc02TD4JT78Tx711dkpFEI6LaLe6pLOOzg4GspH32ZmZNc0ImDxaZ4TDzA22KuPlfsYZANFqMINPwTFipPTBt-PCJ2Lob6MIQNcxLWv" width="310" /></a></div><p>Some of the art are placeholder pieces. I have been buying stock art over the years but there are gaps, particularly in pieces that depict various characters. Thanks to your generosity I can not only cover those gaps but also expand the amount of custom pieces I can order. </p><p></p><p>I want to give a shout-out to <a href="https://www.patreon.com/fatgoblingames">Fat Goblin Games</a>, and <a href="https://www.patreon.com/The_Forge_Studios">The Forge Studios</a> where I bought much of my art from. They both have Patreons and I recommend them if you are looking for art for your project. </p><p>The various maps and other example illustrations are created by myself and represent the final version. There may be further tweaks because the original we designed to be part of a blog post. </p><p>The PDF is bookmarked but I haven't linked all the URLs yet.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Further Steps</h3><p>Up on deck is the beta layout for the Isle of Pyade. </p><p>The print proofs for the new digest version of Blackmarsh have been shipped. Like with my Majestic Fantasy RPG Kickstarter, I will be releasing the print codes immediately after I check over the proof. Each backer will get a code for the hardback version and the softcover version.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Interviews and Livestreams</h3><p>I have had a couple of interviews and livestreams talking about How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Random Party Generator</h4><p>The regular livestream that I am part of.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LlM3RpnCTTE" width="320" youtube-src-id="LlM3RpnCTTE"></iframe></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Games with Dave</h4><p>A live stream where Dave and I talk about the Kickstarter and fantasy hexcrawls.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cc1RcDXNlK4" width="320" youtube-src-id="Cc1RcDXNlK4"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Fumble Table</h4><p>Damien and I discussed Fantasy Sandboxes and my background in fantasy roleplaying.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LzsNcKC4gZ8" width="320" youtube-src-id="LzsNcKC4gZ8"></iframe></div><br /><p>Also, check out his review of Blackmarsh</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/121LVTugjiw" width="320" youtube-src-id="121LVTugjiw"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Wrapping it Up</h3><p>Again I appreciate everybody's support and feel free to ask questions and leave comments on the draft and the project. </p><p><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/batintheatticgames/how-to-make-a-fantasy-sandbox">How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox Kickstarter</a></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-58230759948226875372023-10-12T14:43:00.006-04:002023-10-14T18:41:50.029-04:00Your World Awaits! How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox Kickstarter!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3gbIA0q9xJZW3xMKKta9QB4Hxr1mryQ_RMCResNSj1gN1YsAswlLQBOwspjqe9nKa5w_5yDPHRgIwHGqI1F29kgemwUoxVwalJ-epDA25CEE76-4NfVkyOncd4l60hJBJsYJRSSPqNBaOtXVw0dTagN_g4C7v6_W8fFAOJnJcKnbm-ewpF0T913u39XfT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3gbIA0q9xJZW3xMKKta9QB4Hxr1mryQ_RMCResNSj1gN1YsAswlLQBOwspjqe9nKa5w_5yDPHRgIwHGqI1F29kgemwUoxVwalJ-epDA25CEE76-4NfVkyOncd4l60hJBJsYJRSSPqNBaOtXVw0dTagN_g4C7v6_W8fFAOJnJcKnbm-ewpF0T913u39XfT" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>THE KICKSTARTER IS NOW LIVE</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/batintheatticgames/how-to-make-a-fantasy-sandbox">How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox Kickstarter</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Starting in 2009, I wrote <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-make-fantasy-sandbox.html">a series of 24 posts on this blog</a> covering the different aspects of creating a hexcrawl-formatted setting. Over 150,000 views later I have finished the series. Along the way, many of you thanked me for writing the series and told me how it helped your own efforts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that the last post has been completed, I combined and rewrote these posts into a single 150-page book. I also consolidated the small fantasy setting I was using, the Isle of Pyade into its own document that you can drop into your own campaign.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many of you enjoyed <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/2993/Bat-in-the-Attic-Games">Blackmarsh</a>, <a href="https://goodman-games.com/store/product/points-of-light-pdf/">Points of Light</a>, and my remastered version of Judges Guild's Wilderlands of High Fantasy. Now with How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox, you can learn the techniques I used to make these settings to make your own world to adventure in.</div><div><br /></div><div>The project rewards will consist of a digest-sized version of my Blackmarsh setting with a new layout and art. The How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox book and the Isle of Pyade setting book will be available as PDF and Print-on-demand books using at-cost print coupons from DriveThruRPG.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope to see you at the launch of my Kickstarter on Friday, October 13, 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/batintheatticgames/how-to-make-a-fantasy-sandbox">Kickstarter</a></div><div><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Launch Party!</h4><div>I will be launching the Kickstarter during tomorrow's Random Party Generator show on YouTube at 8pm. We will be discussing world building and I will be glad to answer any questions folks have.<br /><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://youtube.com/live/oae6EefTdr0?feature=share">Random Party Generator</a></b><br /><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Funded!</h3><div>Thanks to everyone's generosity the Kickstarter is now funded!</div><p></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-55785073182991976822023-08-11T19:11:00.002-04:002023-08-11T19:15:03.189-04:00A Fantasy Sandbox in Detail Part XXIV, the Last Post<p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2022/12/a-fantasy-sandbox-in-detail-part-xxiii.html"> Part XXIII</a> <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-make-fantasy-sandbox.html">Index Page</a></p><p>This is the twenty-fourth and last post in a series detailing the 34 steps I recommended for making a Fantasy Sandbox Campaign. </p><p>Today's post will cover steps 33 and 34. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><i>33. Make up a rumor chart with 10 to 20 items that feeds the players into the encounter and plots you created above. </i></p><p><i>34. Identify major regions and create a random encounter chart for each (monsters, wildlife and NPCs) </i></p></blockquote><p></p><p>To do this post, I had to go back and collect all the previous posts and consolidate them into a single document detailing the Isle of Piall. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL9MP9BkhIBr57_Vyp-a3CdKbYvOxD-5bXus5jsIcD7671Tz9PNoFB1GJZ27gdFwLl8BdzBeSz3X6MD_helO11aLJ8iln7UAVg8XyUJzlayBhf0B7f_h0WSwtK0YXcbTYTv9DvDGcjtsVoC63UN0QtLtxUsPi6uZURt3sg-QdRxX8yzDXxrEPcnNnc38pj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL9MP9BkhIBr57_Vyp-a3CdKbYvOxD-5bXus5jsIcD7671Tz9PNoFB1GJZ27gdFwLl8BdzBeSz3X6MD_helO11aLJ8iln7UAVg8XyUJzlayBhf0B7f_h0WSwtK0YXcbTYTv9DvDGcjtsVoC63UN0QtLtxUsPi6uZURt3sg-QdRxX8yzDXxrEPcnNnc38pj" width="166" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Then I looked through the entries and picked out the following to be a list of true rumors that I can use when the players interact with the various NPCs on the island.</p><p><b>True Rumors</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A secret passage beneath Bone Keep leads directly to the Fortress of the Lich Lord, bypassing many of the dangers on the surface.</li><li>The Black Queen, Lady of the Underearth, was once a powerful ally of Tavaras and has been amassing power in the Underearth for centuries.</li><li>The ancient Dwarven city of Southpoint is rumored to hold a powerful artifact that can help defeat the awakened evil lurking in the depths of the mines.</li><li>Sir Avar, once a revered paladin, has fallen from grace and allied himself with the Black Queen, now controlling much of Bone Keep.</li><li>The Sahuagin have been testing the strength of the island's defenses with raids, in preparation for a large-scale invasion.</li><li>The Empire of Po is seeking to absorb the Kingdom of the Isles, with the Isle of Piall as an early target for expansion.</li><li>The Baron and the King's Sheriff are at odds, creating tension and division among the people of the island.</li><li>The merman King Aventis is willing to forge an alliance with those who prove themselves friends to his people.</li><li>The Rot Lord, an agent of the Black Queen, is building a zombie army in Sable Port to seize control of the area.</li><li>A map detailing the locations of valuable treasures and artifacts in Sable Port can be found hidden in one of the abandoned buildings.</li><li>The Chalice of Healing, an ancient relic, is said to be hidden somewhere in Sable Port, and both the Baron and the Sheriff are vying for its possession.</li><li>A shrine dedicated to Duke Barradon, leader of the crusaders, lies hidden and forgotten within the depths of Bone Keep.</li></ul><p></p><p>Then I came up with a list of false rumors. Keep in mind the best false rumors are those that contain an element of truth to make them seem plausible.</p><p><b>False Rumors</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Fortress of the Lich Lord is nothing more than an elaborate hoax, meant to scare away curious treasure hunters.</li><li>The Sahuagin are actually peaceful creatures, who have been framed for the recent shore raids by a nefarious third party.</li><li>The Black Queen is merely a myth, a story created by the inhabitants of the island to keep their children in line.</li><li>The Empire of Po has no interest in the Isle of Piall and is focused solely on internal affairs.</li><li>The Bone Knight, the skeleton warrior in control of Sable Port, is actually a noble and just ruler who seeks to restore the city to its former glory.</li><li>The merfolk and the sahuagin are actually allies, working together to drive the surface dwellers from the island.</li><li>The Baron and the King's Sheriff are secretly working together to consolidate power on the Isle of Piall.</li><li>A powerful dragon resides in the heart of Mount Devon, guarding a hoard of unimaginable wealth.</li><li>The ancient Dwarven city of Southpoint is nothing but a ruin, devoid of any treasures or valuable artifacts.</li><li>Sir Avar is secretly working to undermine the Black Queen's plans from within her inner circle.</li><li>The Chalice of Healing is a cursed object that brings misfortune and death to anyone who possesses it.</li><li>A giant kraken lives in the waters surrounding the Isle of Piall, waiting to drag unsuspecting ships to the depths.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Random Encounters</b></p><p>The last step is to make a series of random encounters.</p><p> Doing this was never one of my strong points. For most of my campaigns, a simple table indexed by terrain or locale for cities was sufficient. Then I would take into account the circumstances and location of the party. Maybe roll a d6 to see how the encounter initially was set up. With 1 being the worst circumstance for the party and 6 being the best circumstance for the party. Then I riff off of that to come up with the actual encounter. </p><p>For a long time, I thought if I just had the right table it would save a lot of work for me. But then I coded up the city random encounter tables from Midkemia Press' City supplement. For those of you not familiar it is a deeply nested set of random tables that generate random encounters for cities. It is very well done and full of flavor but impractical to use during the session because of how many different tables you have to traverse to generate a result. But the real kicker is that when I finished coding up the tables and started generating, the results were not much more helpful than the more simple tables I used in the past.</p><p>Then I ran Adventure in Middle Earth which had a Journey system to handle travel. I thought that was by far the best random encounter system I ever ran. What made it work is that each possible encounter was at just the right level of detail to be useful but generic enough to be easily tailored to the party's circumstance. The system also had you generate at most a handful of encounters that you then place along the route of the journey. Unfortunately, that system didn't survive the transition of AiME into Free League's Lord of the Rings RPG. But it did reappear in a standalone product called Uncharted Journeys for D&D 5e. However, like many 5e products, it was far more verbose than it needed to be. </p><p>I am working on my own take for my Majestic Fantasy RPG. I plan to support three categories of encounters: journeys over lands, voyages over water, and trips across a city. Because this going to be an OSR project one common result will be a straight random encounter roll. You will be able to use your favorite table when this result is generated. I figure it would work better for folks who like to kitbash. Instead of completely throwing away whatever they used previously you will be able to merge my take in. </p><p>But the travel rules will come with a set of random encounter tables for Blackmarsh. I really like the Monster Manual II system of rolling a d8 + d20 for a range of results from 2 to 20. What this does is create a plateau of equal odds in the center. For d8+d12 this is 9 to 13 as shown below. This also allowed TSR to make slots for very rare, rare, uncommon, and common encounters. </p><p><a href="https://www.batintheattic.com/downloads/MW%20Travel%20Rules%20Rev%2002.pdf">Majestic Fantasy RPG, Travel Rules (rough draft)</a></p><p>I am going to go with a d4 + d8 for a 2 to 12 range for this post and my rules. I find eleven entries easier to manage. But I am not going to give just one table for the entire island (or Blackmarsh). Instead, I will divide the region into different areas that make sense. For the Isle of Piall, there are three major areas: the southern half of the island that mostly settled and cultivated. The northern half which is mostly wild, and the hex around Sable Port has a high frequency of undead.</p><p><b>Northern Wilderness (north of hex row 04)</b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>(2) Very Rare: An ancient treant, upset about intruders on the island.</p><p>(3) Rare: A pack of Wereboars from the Amur Forest led by Spardion their leader</p><p>(4) Uncommon: A noble hunting party from Mikva out hunting deer.</p><p>(5) Common: A Giant Eagle on the hunt. Its nest is on Mount Devon</p><p>(6) Common: A small group of Dwarven miners from Hawth, in prospecting for minerals</p><p>(7) Common: A group of Halfling foragers from Sandpoint, gathering rare herbs</p><p>(8) Common: A wandering cougar, patrolling it's hunting ground.</p><p>(9) Common: A pack of Wolves stalking a prey, possibly the party</p><p>(10) Uncommon: A patrol of skeletons led by a Wraith from the Black Queen, foraging for viz and rare herbs.</p><p>(11) Rare: A roving band of sailors out on a hunting expedition from a ship anchored on the north shore.</p><p>(12) Very Rare: A Valard the Yellow Mage practicing magic, causing confusing sights and sounds</p></blockquote><p><b>Southern Piall (includes hex row 04, and 05)</b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>(2) Very Rare: An Earth Elemental lumbers across the party's path. It was awakened from its slumber by excessive farming activities</p><p>(3) Rare: A visiting noble from the Kingdom of the Isles, travelling with a full retinue of guards</p><p>(4) Uncommon: A group of thieves from Carra in a woodland camp, planning a crime.</p><p>(5) Common: Farmers searching for lost livestoc.</p><p>(6) Common: Patrol from Mikva, inspecting for any illegal activities</p><p>(7) Common: A group of farmers, crafters, or merchants heading towards Mikva for market day</p><p>(8) Common: A wandering Priest of Veritas making the rounds blessing the fields and the people</p><p>(9) Common: An enthusiastic group of local kids, playing at being adventurers</p><p>(10) Uncommon: A Bard from Mikva, collecting stories and songs from locals</p><p>(11) Rare: A runaway from justice is hiding out.</p><p>(12) Very Rare: A female Ghost of a former Lady of Piall is singing a lament, cursed to roam the lands</p></blockquote><p><b>Sable Port (hex 0402)</b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>(2) Very Rare: The Wraith of a deceased sailor, haunting the harbor and scaring the locals</p><p>(3) Rare: The Rot Lord's undead spy, observing and plotting against the living</p><p>(4) Uncommon: A ship from the Kingdom of the Isles, docked for resupply</p><p>(5) Common: Local fisherman, discussing a recent decrease in their catch</p><p>(6) Common: Bone Knight's skeletal patrol, maintaining the fragile order</p><p>(7) Common: An argument between two factions, escalating into a street fight</p><p>(8) Common: A homeless beggar who is actually an undercover agent of Sir Avar</p><p>(9) Common: A group of off-duty sailors from the Midland Sea, causing a ruckus at the local tavern</p><p>(10) Uncommon: A merchant trying to sell maps to the rumored treasure in the Fortress of the Lich Lord</p><p>(11) Rare: A secret meeting between King's men and the representatives from the Isle of Po</p><p>(12) Very Rare: The Black Rose, a notorious assassin, spotted in the shadows</p></blockquote><p><b>Wrapping it up.</b></p><p>While it took me 14 years to complete the entire series of posts, I hope you found this useful. I am currently finishing up a final draft of a book where I combined and re-edited all 24 posts and plan to publish this. It will also contain a standalone description of the setting I used. I will keep folks posted as to when it will happen which will be soon. After talking about it with my editor I am going to rename the Isle of Piall to the Isle of Pyade (rhymes with fade). Piall dates back to when I was in the 8th grade and much worse at naming things. We tried pronouncing Piall and realize that Pyade would be a better choice. However it will remain the original Piall in these posts. </p><p>Last, I figured out how to incorporate the background of the Kingdom of the Isle and the Isle of Pyade into my Majestic Fantasy Realms. So that version will make an appearance in a future work. I will have a longer post next week about where I am at with my projects and how soon you should expect to see them including How to Make a Fantasy Sandbox.</p><p>Until next time</p><p>Fight On!</p><div><br /></div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-24516470769570396052023-04-07T19:18:00.004-04:002023-04-07T19:23:50.940-04:00Best Supporting Actors for Old School Essentials<p>Douglas Cole, over at <a href="https://gamingballistic.com/">Gaming Ballistics</a>, is in the last 24 hours of his latest Kickstarter campaign, "Best Supporting Actor". In the spirit of AD&D's Rogue Gallery, this compilation of NPCs is designed for use in your campaign for OSE or any classic D&D edition.</p><p><br /><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gamingballistic/best-supporting-actors-for-ose">Best Supporting Actors for OSE</a></p><p>What sets Doug's work apart is his experience with SJ Games' The Fantasy Trip. TFT, both in the past and today, has a tradition of presenting interesting NPCs in a simple and easy-to-use format. With this Kickstarter, Doug applies his experience with TFT to one of the OSR's more popular systems, Old School Essentials.</p><div>You will be getting 172 distinct NPCs each with their own illustration</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7WbDTQGl9A3Acm8UsjzT_i-WJMg4eb2fuVWXGe3xuIIay64f32PsvERH-bimWD6Tw2FBjRh8Ow6KaakmHB5JDVSMRvmiYEsB2ZmNFFOfUdDSA4I5aUmkEcPzThtr_5CJimg4NVuP4mR4Yg2CQs74jU3mjc9vhJNvZpZb52xlUd9vY7PpyJx7YsuWIdA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="680" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7WbDTQGl9A3Acm8UsjzT_i-WJMg4eb2fuVWXGe3xuIIay64f32PsvERH-bimWD6Tw2FBjRh8Ow6KaakmHB5JDVSMRvmiYEsB2ZmNFFOfUdDSA4I5aUmkEcPzThtr_5CJimg4NVuP4mR4Yg2CQs74jU3mjc9vhJNvZpZb52xlUd9vY7PpyJx7YsuWIdA" width="320" /></a></div><br />Additionally, you have the option of getting a set of cards with the illustrations and stats printed on each.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwhiHL9ho3wW1wBrBNl_L7n0CJWG4EdpW_m6rcPWEdyuci5Yh1nPvP9iAdeGwLz4T0OGrpQRrZamm6pTMp8GEQoy8U-mtte74NSnGx6fhF17KDOYie6Am4cmTZhJBZKw_6t53kTpIZvVdJvlbpoahxberVRnqlYC1gwdDaKPFJQcEBSiVjK3Kt-TAyLQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="680" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwhiHL9ho3wW1wBrBNl_L7n0CJWG4EdpW_m6rcPWEdyuci5Yh1nPvP9iAdeGwLz4T0OGrpQRrZamm6pTMp8GEQoy8U-mtte74NSnGx6fhF17KDOYie6Am4cmTZhJBZKw_6t53kTpIZvVdJvlbpoahxberVRnqlYC1gwdDaKPFJQcEBSiVjK3Kt-TAyLQ" width="320" /></a></div><br />Appreciate any support you can give to Doug and his efforts<div><br /><br /><p></p></div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-35565719505870714212023-02-19T17:24:00.000-05:002023-02-19T17:24:14.357-05:00Harnworld in Hardback Kickstarter<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTnLd11ltptWI8JE_TmHcDPGsC5YVe4hpXW_r-TA5kA1ONef_d_2thgEYaHCn4dF2SvvYAbXjzoTV0nJSDaKip70Jf8PjZpOK_m2d2s46q25fJUzMlnjF1BptlNe1WOJE6uqRa0-yFxsl8tfYanb3GULyGIPTxIBZVHAmSjPHRP0AgbXVWzVATQgvPg/s210/harnworld.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="156" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTnLd11ltptWI8JE_TmHcDPGsC5YVe4hpXW_r-TA5kA1ONef_d_2thgEYaHCn4dF2SvvYAbXjzoTV0nJSDaKip70Jf8PjZpOK_m2d2s46q25fJUzMlnjF1BptlNe1WOJE6uqRa0-yFxsl8tfYanb3GULyGIPTxIBZVHAmSjPHRP0AgbXVWzVATQgvPg/w104-h141/harnworld.gif" width="104" /></a></div>I have been a fan of Harn, both the setting and the Harnmaster rules, <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/search/label/harn">for a long time</a>. Ever since I encountered the original Harn setting folio at <a href="https://games-unlimited-llc.myshopify.com/">Games Unlimite</a>d in Pittsburgh PA. <p></p><p>Columbia Games just announced their latest Kickstarter, HarnWorld: <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/columbiagames/harnworld-medieval-fantasy-rpg-setting-hardback?ref=user_menu">Medieval Fantasy RPG Setting Hardback</a>. This hardback will contain the following Harn articles: Harnworld, the Harndex, Ketheria, Lythia, and Cities and Towns as well as the physical map of Harn and PDFs of the above.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Background</h3><p>Harn has been continuously published since 1983. Harn is a fantasy medieval setting that located on an island the size of Madagascar. Harn is divided into several distinct realms including one dominated by the elves and another dominated by dwarves. Some realms like Kaldor are feudal realms, some are merchant republics with vague echoes of Rome like the Thardic Republic. There is an "evil" kingdom, Rethem. And there are Vikings in Orbaal. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM3JKg7Z4CTYBxhvYp9CMEOQmd7K0WZkJWhu3fMzSYZgQssi2IfVXyhOm-yPZHIMBubq_KT_4f3SzTuB4puxIEsKTNhj_wPxKfHkPfYhBsp4ATubNzYW6mvw_kBmwwxw5ULGXKVIeniGmvX7FWamRYYKwTySSo-9NHuPNdIArZFNjimesMtCBvDPUNrg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="828" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM3JKg7Z4CTYBxhvYp9CMEOQmd7K0WZkJWhu3fMzSYZgQssi2IfVXyhOm-yPZHIMBubq_KT_4f3SzTuB4puxIEsKTNhj_wPxKfHkPfYhBsp4ATubNzYW6mvw_kBmwwxw5ULGXKVIeniGmvX7FWamRYYKwTySSo-9NHuPNdIArZFNjimesMtCBvDPUNrg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I recommend downloading the <a href="https://d1vzi28wh99zvq.cloudfront.net/pdf_previews/137575-sample.pdf">Harnworld preview from DriveThruRPG</a>. Columbia Games cleverly made a version of their map with an overview of the setting. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyuBuW4yhid2QomsDReDI97MxfbiAEjhNL6i-wwKq9vwNRfumvwkU_eyzw3E7tomylfa9bqEhgeDbGKudYm7ydgqTYh1lpDkbadytNwgz5VjMVOKzfpx5GJskQGNMbRwKmV7419R0Tpt2OqortKRwnG7PVZftS_qQOrxpCnaKc3Pccfh4r38b6ov8qA/s2953/Harnworld_summary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1877" data-original-width="2953" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyuBuW4yhid2QomsDReDI97MxfbiAEjhNL6i-wwKq9vwNRfumvwkU_eyzw3E7tomylfa9bqEhgeDbGKudYm7ydgqTYh1lpDkbadytNwgz5VjMVOKzfpx5GJskQGNMbRwKmV7419R0Tpt2OqortKRwnG7PVZftS_qQOrxpCnaKc3Pccfh4r38b6ov8qA/s320/Harnworld_summary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In addition there is my own summary of Harn, <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2012/05/all-about-harn.html">All about Harn</a><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Overview</h3><p>As I mentioned in previous posts, Harn is a premium-priced product line. One thing that warrants its price, is the consistent quality of its releases since 1983. Not only they are of good quality, everything released for Harn remains compatible with the initial release in 1983. There are not many other RPGs settings that make the same claim. </p><p>Another quality of Harn is its ability to be used with other settings especially those made for Dungeons and Dragons. While Harn emphasizes the medieval over fantasy it still originates from the same wellspring of fantasy that Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax drew from for DnD. This makes it very easy to incorporate Harn as part of another setting or more commonly <a href="https://gamingballistic.com/2015/03/17/majestic-wilderlands-look-squirre/">to use parts of Harn in another setting</a>. The individual entries of Harnworld and Harndex articles are useful for fleshing regions of your setting if you don't opt to run Harn itself. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBnTEb40nHn3S7h5mwqFRjvCVrgxGufYjIP7McUtV1IZ0DaxfqhRFHl_0d5bEM10AE9Ji2lJwLHInfKajLdYcXi01Fb5ytsAgZ2xETnHwD-7qRdre84qVG2ZHZf0U4qKws6joQ8abQRHSrSihDjR_D4vCGfDgnkWP_sv993yjkUdwKFMYLimgXqjEIJg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1298" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBnTEb40nHn3S7h5mwqFRjvCVrgxGufYjIP7McUtV1IZ0DaxfqhRFHl_0d5bEM10AE9Ji2lJwLHInfKajLdYcXi01Fb5ytsAgZ2xETnHwD-7qRdre84qVG2ZHZf0U4qKws6joQ8abQRHSrSihDjR_D4vCGfDgnkWP_sv993yjkUdwKFMYLimgXqjEIJg" width="320" /></a></div><br />So what are you getting for your $69.<p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Harnworld and Harndex</h4><p>The original version of Harn was a folio containing two staple bound letter sized books; Harnview and Harndex. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCLWnEgfj7PD87LplYtXYxDZCiGAB_eBMfYgn0RUG0B2aUMcAlrc6PGRvfqTI8FeXx-t2R_p-hAMW_Tjzy8is6AD8OT4uPDuey15V6mlzQHo-sJr6eEvVCiAdXOZ-SrvC2c2D_cNu7Eoq5TpphfrTZTDqOfeRjctMWzYzdiEbmGYBMqNhlgT7FkbvWQw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="2667" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCLWnEgfj7PD87LplYtXYxDZCiGAB_eBMfYgn0RUG0B2aUMcAlrc6PGRvfqTI8FeXx-t2R_p-hAMW_Tjzy8is6AD8OT4uPDuey15V6mlzQHo-sJr6eEvVCiAdXOZ-SrvC2c2D_cNu7Eoq5TpphfrTZTDqOfeRjctMWzYzdiEbmGYBMqNhlgT7FkbvWQw" width="320" /></a></div><br />The hardback has newest version of both; Harnworld and the updated Harndex. Harnworld is an overview of the setting and in 58 pages describes it's history, gives an overview of feudal life, cultures, and religions, along with a few useful aides like prices, incomes, and weather generation. Basically everything mention in the summary earlier but fleshed out in more detail.<p></p><p>Harndex is a 152 pages index containing one or paragraph entries on geography, economics, religions, cultures, realms, rulers, and points of interest. </p><p>Here are some examples.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicZOjfifscDb2UpulGhuHbFoA2krpuA5otbiiiLm-uORiCmCxyXdGIFzkSKrMdCNcc--1V6G94J7J7CjSIQQwkcXYuNii5ZVIIROoW8J9fhbpeJSnRNT1d9T6eFHljdnyO3mVso0luihO8l2bI2egjWP4la6kgio9WS-PuQRAmZDUMYOabzG9IPCwj7Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="621" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicZOjfifscDb2UpulGhuHbFoA2krpuA5otbiiiLm-uORiCmCxyXdGIFzkSKrMdCNcc--1V6G94J7J7CjSIQQwkcXYuNii5ZVIIROoW8J9fhbpeJSnRNT1d9T6eFHljdnyO3mVso0luihO8l2bI2egjWP4la6kgio9WS-PuQRAmZDUMYOabzG9IPCwj7Q=w238-h293" width="238" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi20gpDVwW2yaTLLtcJ2TCUu8Fw6ppYw4eihNf9v7cJgcR7GU6F_1amqjMobMV_vCLMc6yS2yH1j5BzI5-CtnDmfc1rlbWA93WihJ7KCpzA6NzmAE_sPHFPgbWW2GEfEtSRHTPG1VLLW2AXRT5sdD4mpfztqSzlXkpsc0MYDdsVao2abjH3ktRyJ97ozA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="677" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi20gpDVwW2yaTLLtcJ2TCUu8Fw6ppYw4eihNf9v7cJgcR7GU6F_1amqjMobMV_vCLMc6yS2yH1j5BzI5-CtnDmfc1rlbWA93WihJ7KCpzA6NzmAE_sPHFPgbWW2GEfEtSRHTPG1VLLW2AXRT5sdD4mpfztqSzlXkpsc0MYDdsVao2abjH3ktRyJ97ozA=w262-h338" width="262" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLomfcCNbGKOfT7yKgfYvXTYkSFnqR3J67u0OdLyP_OEEagMv1MZ25I-tB2JSZZc6kLM6OFWJWFVbNvqt1ZY6t9XfCgIAfRS1D57IvNPby-3xYAu9eOYWNnTTovMW40jjPRVMjdkJ-fbp2vpvV2-31ltVcCy2LaVwZT687AQKybGP9x875XnQU6ZE4xA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="622" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLomfcCNbGKOfT7yKgfYvXTYkSFnqR3J67u0OdLyP_OEEagMv1MZ25I-tB2JSZZc6kLM6OFWJWFVbNvqt1ZY6t9XfCgIAfRS1D57IvNPby-3xYAu9eOYWNnTTovMW40jjPRVMjdkJ-fbp2vpvV2-31ltVcCy2LaVwZT687AQKybGP9x875XnQU6ZE4xA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Kethira</h4><div>Kethira is the name of the planet on which Harn is located. This ten page article give an overview of its geography and other physical details including a star chart of Harn's night sky. And yes those square show the possible regional maps to cover the entire planet. Although only a dozen regions have been fleshed out to date.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-_r10hpZKN03yhb3EnEiu98wJYdZQEKX09jGZid1LazUfXyLNH6qi8ATgaGe_a94VzUgAbhpZ8J1SAfpB8PAvwnHisVSoYx197ZLJVWDKIZhSWVKZEvELGeocfvmBh7cUrqkmsw2ai-Ri9D3PYTar6lAt8j_nBI8SWXOyyz2gcn4m_mlcaijOrthYAg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="615" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-_r10hpZKN03yhb3EnEiu98wJYdZQEKX09jGZid1LazUfXyLNH6qi8ATgaGe_a94VzUgAbhpZ8J1SAfpB8PAvwnHisVSoYx197ZLJVWDKIZhSWVKZEvELGeocfvmBh7cUrqkmsw2ai-Ri9D3PYTar6lAt8j_nBI8SWXOyyz2gcn4m_mlcaijOrthYAg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Lythia</h4></div><div>This 32 page article describes the continent that Harn is part of. Unlike Kethira is also describes the various cultures and religions found on the continent. Half of the article, 16 pages, is similar to the Harndex, an index of geographical and cultural entries describing the continent.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-Uz5NlTryFNiqmqDcnWVGWdJkgkJ0d5bYe607s-7Ngg8ZxhmORfN1MKItaF5eoV8ZcxjAcKuqYN1v8-xWOd7eME4WPLBWLIcXB-H73p_ZjXqpVq1GrF4800tiJwZi_ZTZKpMJdMrjCZuNK02x9XQo8x5uObed7p6DxO2QrneWA6sY2bwdMXy9wYUj2Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1269" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-Uz5NlTryFNiqmqDcnWVGWdJkgkJ0d5bYe607s-7Ngg8ZxhmORfN1MKItaF5eoV8ZcxjAcKuqYN1v8-xWOd7eME4WPLBWLIcXB-H73p_ZjXqpVq1GrF4800tiJwZi_ZTZKpMJdMrjCZuNK02x9XQo8x5uObed7p6DxO2QrneWA6sY2bwdMXy9wYUj2Q" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Wrapping it up.</h3><div><br /></div><div>There are only a few RPG that I have consistently used for over forty years and Harn is one of them. Not everybody is a fan of the product line's loose leaf format, and now having the core Harnworld material in a single hardback hopefully makes it more accessible for everyone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, I can't stress enough how well Harn is written. While the product line (and community) does go down to the Nth level of detail each level is written in a terse format giving just enough at that level of detail. The additional material fleshes out what in the core Harnworld articles but it is not required reading.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieSBIpgtpOzOV1ErFK73ncQ12Iu1KBJGRh8_9jX2NpLCqRGIDrQVSMc21zCxBOFpjgEXgOdkfXBmpGjoRqSxMlTkNxKOz4mLNSjj5TAGgS18RmmpF26pQzOWRkFnPxQu4Ae-D_Q8IFa0f9_u8XcWGeK-tY9WIiHCI15mwtwrGOaju8FXZgWfq5XO4lXQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1600" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieSBIpgtpOzOV1ErFK73ncQ12Iu1KBJGRh8_9jX2NpLCqRGIDrQVSMc21zCxBOFpjgEXgOdkfXBmpGjoRqSxMlTkNxKOz4mLNSjj5TAGgS18RmmpF26pQzOWRkFnPxQu4Ae-D_Q8IFa0f9_u8XcWGeK-tY9WIiHCI15mwtwrGOaju8FXZgWfq5XO4lXQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-5560594840284712442023-01-28T10:10:00.000-05:002023-01-28T10:10:28.227-05:00An Unexpected Victory, Unconditional Surrender, and Unfinished Business.<p>I understand everybody is tired of Wizard's drama despite the good news. I appreciate that once again you have taken the time to read my post and hope the following is informative and useful.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZBAqTYgJh5ktBubdxdtnYGMOmtNJyZxpNWQAQj2qIZPiaOcD3yLcxSE-oTlCzm-eYYOiBqce0v_utTFo_Kh5wQgFgD2qgWjXRiTfdE3-4dzdmUBr8p_QcCQACxaszu5_KEwgot0LcBmAdeZuYSlxAtB-kTBm1PlFepsfxn3pO4yc60OL2jkny5kJRg/s652/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="652" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZBAqTYgJh5ktBubdxdtnYGMOmtNJyZxpNWQAQj2qIZPiaOcD3yLcxSE-oTlCzm-eYYOiBqce0v_utTFo_Kh5wQgFgD2qgWjXRiTfdE3-4dzdmUBr8p_QcCQACxaszu5_KEwgot0LcBmAdeZuYSlxAtB-kTBm1PlFepsfxn3pO4yc60OL2jkny5kJRg/s320/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Friday afternoon, Wizards of the Coast using <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1439-ogl-1-0a-creative-commons">DnD Beyond announced this</a>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguA7ZUy4wKBWgQIi6whCUpNtJSQVhTB8CkR1RsPNOgPKOxko2QdQkgamotAgDubUUqpc4BdxwuiJRJnhDM-SvyeUZxD90GY1jaGnFVBbMFOizh23ofCGsWzDwDnUiHlFKXxa5Er2-B5dQsAQUAifDZu41nrmwEtj6jg8PA8kudDCdFnhkcWpRGiYbCDg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="2334" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguA7ZUy4wKBWgQIi6whCUpNtJSQVhTB8CkR1RsPNOgPKOxko2QdQkgamotAgDubUUqpc4BdxwuiJRJnhDM-SvyeUZxD90GY1jaGnFVBbMFOizh23ofCGsWzDwDnUiHlFKXxa5Er2-B5dQsAQUAifDZu41nrmwEtj6jg8PA8kudDCdFnhkcWpRGiYbCDg=w426-h105" width="426" /></a></div><br />The hobby and industry resounding <b><span style="font-size: large;">NO!</span></b> worked! With results far better than expected with the entirety of the 5e 5.1 SRD released under the CC-BY 4.0 license. The link is below.<p></p><p><a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/attachments/39j2li89/SRD5.1-CCBY4.0License.pdf">SRD 5.1-CC</a></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Saying No!</h3><p>The numbers were pretty clear even for an Internet survey.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>88% do not want to publish TTRPG content under OGL 1.2.</li><li>90% would have to change some aspect of their business to accommodate OGL 1.2.</li><li>89% are dissatisfied with deauthorizing OGL 1.0a.</li><li>86% are dissatisfied with the draft VTT policy.</li><li>62% are satisfied with including Systems Reference Document (SRD) content in Creative Commons, and the majority of those who were dissatisfied asked for more SRD content in Creative Commons.</li></ul><p></p><p>Coupled with the larger media world covering the story, and major investors being critical, the conditions for a victory fell into place last week.</p><p>The fact that the tabletop roleplaying industry and hobby spoke with one voice is amazing and we should all be proud of what each of us did to make this happen.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">This can't be true, I don't just trust Wizards</h3><p>The licensing of the 5.1 SRD under CC is done and the license terms of CC-BY 4.0 are irrevocable. So that part we can count as a win. A win that in my opinion counts as unconditional surrender. However, there remains some unfinished business to make sure there is peace and not a ceasefire.</p><p><b><i>The OGL 1.0a</i></b></p><p>Wizards have stated they will leave the OGL 1.0a in place.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuKhM-C21KIJ3HjC-7jKI0EZhfl9aZCLhp-UPvAuRE0xTuqDYUXytbzPsyuXivRQvpOUBhnAU3Nl5qtTvhBgXftTIs9CPxSOrFJknm8_4eB7tXqwnOqAAVEG6pp-vNyZEx7CIdyjIMv0NyF9bRa66xBxe8UcI31zfh305Rzuw56hDuFkPysdvmLCjMPg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="101" data-original-width="1186" height="27" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuKhM-C21KIJ3HjC-7jKI0EZhfl9aZCLhp-UPvAuRE0xTuqDYUXytbzPsyuXivRQvpOUBhnAU3Nl5qtTvhBgXftTIs9CPxSOrFJknm8_4eB7tXqwnOqAAVEG6pp-vNyZEx7CIdyjIMv0NyF9bRa66xBxe8UcI31zfh305Rzuw56hDuFkPysdvmLCjMPg" width="320" /></a></div>However, one result of the last few weeks was the microscope that the OGL 1.0a was placed under. To avoid the problem of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphan_work">orphaned works</a>. And to avoid impact on third parties who use the OGL to support other RPGs like <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/97239/Legend">Legend</a>, <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/187941/Cepheus-Engine-SRD-Modifiable-Version">Cepheus </a>and the <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?filters=45582_0_0_0_0&src=fid45582">OSR</a>. There needs to be an authorized OGL 1.0b released by WoTC.<p></p><p>The two provisions that are needed are</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>That Section 4, Grant and Consideration of the OGL incorporates the term irrevocable.</li><li>That Section 1, Definitions, Includes a definition of authorization that states it refers to any license that has been officially released for use by third parties by Wizards. That license can not be deauthorized once released.</li></ul><p></p><p>With these two provisions, the issue with orphaned works and creators using the OGL for non DnD systems can be mitigated greatly.</p><p><a href="https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si7v"><b><i>The Open RPG Content License (ORC)</i></b></a></p><p>The development of the ORC license needs to continue and be supported. The imminent loss of the OGL 1.0a and the ethos it represented made the industry and hobby realize just how important open gaming as a whole is. Not just for the DnD but for all the other creative projects that have been shared under the OGL. If the current plan is followed, then the ORC license itself will be under the control of an independent non-profit creating a level playing field as far as control of the license goes.</p><p>From both a business and creative perspective, everybody now realizes that independence from Wizards and the DnD Brand is of vital importance. DnD as an RPG system will remain first in the hobby's heart . With SRDs licensed under ORC the fate of the DnD system doesn't have to be tied to the fate of the DnD Brand. With the 5.1 SRD released under CC-BY 4.0. The creation of alternative SRDs has become a lot easier. </p><p><b><i>CC versus ORC</i></b></p><p>But why not just use one of the creative commons licenses, to begin with? Because of licensed content. If you are making an original system or setting, I agree it is a wash whether one uses CC or another license. Might as well go with the one (or none) that reflects your sentiments as to the sharing of your original work.</p><p>The point of open content licenses is to provide clarity. Letting people know what you, as the author, are OK with when folks remix your content. With traditionally licensed content, the owner IP decided that their content would only be licensed for a limited time under limited terms. The OGL recognized that by creating a way to clearly remix licensed content with open content. Doing this in a way that preserves the rights and permissions of both.</p><p>While Creative Commons has guidance on how to license only part of your work. It doesn't provide clarity and leaves it up to the author to how this is indicated. Something like ORC can help provide clarity by tailoring the spirit of Creative Commons to the conditions of our hobby and industry.</p><p><a href="https://creativecommons.org/faq/#how-do-i-apply-a-creative-commons-license-to-my-material">From the Creative FAQ</a></p><p></p><blockquote>For online material: Select the license that is appropriate for your material from the CC license chooser and then follow the instructions to include the HTML code. The code will automatically generate a license button and a statement that your material is licensed under a CC license.<b> If you are only licensing part of a work (for example, if you have created a video under a CC license but are using a song under a different license), be sure to clearly mark which parts are under the CC license and which parts are not</b>. The HTML code will also include metadata, which allows the material to be discovered via Creative Commons-enabled search engines.</blockquote><p></p><p><b><i>The D20 SRD and the D20 Modern SRD</i></b></p><p>In addition to changes to the OGL 1.0a, we need to press WoTC to release the d20 SRD and the d20 Modern SRD under a CC-BY license. These two works are foundational to many projects both DnD related and non DnD related. Plus doing this will disarm Wizard of many more terms (monsters, spells, etc.) to use for IP bullying and lawfare.</p><p><i><b>DriveThruRPG and the VTTs</b></i></p><p>There is little dispute that Wizard's DnD branded products, the DM's Guild, and licensed VTT modules, form the bulk of the business that DriveThruRPG and VTTs like Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, and Foundry do. Losing access to their platforms would be catastrophic for many publishers and authors including myself. Collectively they are an Achilles heel of our hobby and industry if Wizards uses its economic power to force unwanted changes for these platforms.</p><p>This is not theoretical either. Aside from the restriction of the now defunct VTT policy proposal. DriveThruRPG posted this on their discord server.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_9Avd6-_iy1YtgLglvrwdttgYXsCvZT2V4l3cmneJZC29lkotyUAjXi762QJ7WvOUFxlCF8nNx-69vbYh7nnvWhz9h2geLLL0g46-w1drUjp0NpurR7izm7OOexC_TrOvUle6W2IqogxtHLbvIq2ViBulF8TSpkwxjPQ5b1UIYJs9bCykvtop8uGFuQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="461" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_9Avd6-_iy1YtgLglvrwdttgYXsCvZT2V4l3cmneJZC29lkotyUAjXi762QJ7WvOUFxlCF8nNx-69vbYh7nnvWhz9h2geLLL0g46-w1drUjp0NpurR7izm7OOexC_TrOvUle6W2IqogxtHLbvIq2ViBulF8TSpkwxjPQ5b1UIYJs9bCykvtop8uGFuQ" width="320" /></a></div><br />Note this sentence<div><blockquote>Due to this, your titles will officially not be affected on any sites whether it is DTRPG and sister sites or the Roll20 Marketplace.</blockquote>So I would like to know what this was in alternative to if Wizards followed through on their initial plans? </div><div><br /></div><div>More importantly, this highlights how much of a vulnerable bottleneck these companies and their marketplace are. There are no easy answers to these questions. But the discussion needs to happen. We need to deal with the fact a single company, WoTC, holds an economic dagger to the hobby's heart. Another issue that walk parallel to the IP issues surrounding the OGL.<br /><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Going Forward</b></h3><p>I think we are in a midst of an inflection point in the history of the hobby and industry. That the events of the last three weeks will be marked as the beginning of when the hobby and industry charts an independent course from the DnD Brand and the company that owns it. Wizards will still compete but more and more it will be on a level playing field. </p><p>I know you are tired and want to have fun playing the games we love with people we enjoy playing with. While supporting the creators who help us make this happen. But the peace must be secured or it will be just a ceasefire. </p><p>So once again.</p><p>Fight On!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-31200250795245666042023-01-24T09:45:00.001-05:002023-01-24T19:27:34.351-05:00DriveThruRPG numbers for 2022<p>For those who don't know, there is rarely a day that doesn't go by when somebody doesn't download a free copy of <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/89944/Blackmarsh">Blackmarsh from DriveThruRPG</a>. Over 13,000 since its release in 2011. Each order is accompanied by an order number.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTzm44-NY_VtPY-C8tEg1ApwtrburOyVAJobVxIRmDXJekZxY6T2MD3MqJ2vqiWrZ3WwcjKsfjeZeigyOpfokLDfMH91C4fXdO2gDg-77nPQYogh1_6f39eIQEClloEZoqiI9e-x8H4oXk6UpntB3wE4aMq8c9aQx6Vqwi23UM6K7aXLapKVL3Yp3lGg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="551" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTzm44-NY_VtPY-C8tEg1ApwtrburOyVAJobVxIRmDXJekZxY6T2MD3MqJ2vqiWrZ3WwcjKsfjeZeigyOpfokLDfMH91C4fXdO2gDg-77nPQYogh1_6f39eIQEClloEZoqiI9e-x8H4oXk6UpntB3wE4aMq8c9aQx6Vqwi23UM6K7aXLapKVL3Yp3lGg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>To date, this has meant I had a Blackmarsh order come in on the January 1st. So starting around 2015, I have been tracking the Order # in a spreadsheet. <p></p><div><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2015/05/some-interesting-rpgnow-number-2014-15.html">One of my older posts doing this in 2015</a>.</div><div><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-popularity-of-tabletop-roleplaying.html">Another from two years ago.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The idea here is that by tracking the January 1st order number we can get a sense of the relative increase (or decrease) in DriveThruRPG sales from year to year. Because we don't know what order numbers are used for internally at DriveThru, we can't use them to determine the absolute number of sales. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now for this year's numbers.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8tYCgMRQfqEW1wmSgr0WtdAq8jsP92hHTedjuCNoZOdcZQ8T4GELxAAvO0TtD_LbmAHlxfkcxCF5eYdw_G5KaSkCL6TAZa8tD8GPpj-2cL6k0xAcbfxkZgeRr6zPgTlen2Gk2J8lZt4Et_tmPCe-P0UqNKt2Xzkg-D8VlMIkXgJXIO-7nUBFANjRIGQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="351" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8tYCgMRQfqEW1wmSgr0WtdAq8jsP92hHTedjuCNoZOdcZQ8T4GELxAAvO0TtD_LbmAHlxfkcxCF5eYdw_G5KaSkCL6TAZa8tD8GPpj-2cL6k0xAcbfxkZgeRr6zPgTlen2Gk2J8lZt4Et_tmPCe-P0UqNKt2Xzkg-D8VlMIkXgJXIO-7nUBFANjRIGQ" width="223" /></a></div><br />As you can see aside from a pandemic-related boost in 2020, the # of orders has seen a slow increase since 2019. In contrast, 2017 to 2019 saw a marked rise in sales, almost doubling.<br /><br />Finally here is a repeat of the month to month chart showing the effects of the Pandemic on DriveThru numbers.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOzm5iEbbhNHLms4zj9QQTo_okei2wUKXeqlS21B8wW8Mlc3c7p6fb5-4YFaUXd9enG4Wqfru2PQiidDe_NZbZvfZ8tFBR1k-QJVkQ3cwnsgdAClntxaVrsTB0kPgWRp26VGT5HUqWircZmepPAZVXJBNV8clLPe6GOQh8RWUOxRq17cNZiVEA98ZD_w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="384" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOzm5iEbbhNHLms4zj9QQTo_okei2wUKXeqlS21B8wW8Mlc3c7p6fb5-4YFaUXd9enG4Wqfru2PQiidDe_NZbZvfZ8tFBR1k-QJVkQ3cwnsgdAClntxaVrsTB0kPgWRp26VGT5HUqWircZmepPAZVXJBNV8clLPe6GOQh8RWUOxRq17cNZiVEA98ZD_w" width="212" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-17939599637068452072023-01-19T20:46:00.005-05:002023-01-20T00:47:48.227-05:00The new OGL 1.2, What is Victory?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsIxhdCoa1-yrwl8m8YFBk8om2ZVZP-s1GhnB80nkXwsMha_oTt_TMMpEehysM-Mu6hQxYa69A3pmpSG2gZvegfhlNXw90Y4cI-Kciz5lDUPkFjdqW_MoAQqd_pCQXTBs9tGiugxeYC4ZS4ce8Nqh-9pjqHj7zRSZTX2XX7TS6YXNZkFKDv-K3UnSCAg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsIxhdCoa1-yrwl8m8YFBk8om2ZVZP-s1GhnB80nkXwsMha_oTt_TMMpEehysM-Mu6hQxYa69A3pmpSG2gZvegfhlNXw90Y4cI-Kciz5lDUPkFjdqW_MoAQqd_pCQXTBs9tGiugxeYC4ZS4ce8Nqh-9pjqHj7zRSZTX2XX7TS6YXNZkFKDv-K3UnSCAg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I thank you for taking the time to read this post. This hobby is supposed to be a fun pastime even when it is part of one's livelihood. The past two weeks have been anything but fun. So I appreciate the time you spent reading this post amid the many outraged voices making themselves heard.<br /><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>The OGL 1.2</b></h3><p></p><p>Today Wizards finally laid some of their cards on the table and offered a proposed OGL 1.2. </p><p><a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1432-starting-the-ogl-playtest">Starting the OGL "Playtest"</a></p><p><a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/2993/Bat-in-the-Attic-Games">As an OSR publisher</a>, several things stand out to me.</p><p><b><i>DnD and Creative Commons License</i></b></p><p></p><blockquote>The core D&D mechanics, which are located at pages 56-104, 254-260, and 358-359 of this System Reference Document 5.1 (but not the examples used on those pages), are licensed to you under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). This means that Wizards is not placing any limitations at all on how you use that content.</blockquote><p>I edited the <a href="http://media.wizards.com/2016/downloads/DND/SRD-OGL_V5.1.pdf">D&D 5.1 SRD</a> into three sections corresponding to the page numbers above. You can browse through at this link. </p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1flntOVXMSdtroyYCvpciw-K8oApHRHiP?usp=sharing">Proposed Creative Common DnD mechanics</a></p><p>What they didn't release is most of the "lists" that comprise DnD 5e. Only the Equipment List is part of the CC-BY content they plan to release. Classes, Spells, Monsters, and Magic Items are not.<br /><br />Overall this is a positive step. If nothing else is gained and they follow through on this, then moving away from the OGL becomes that much easier for the OSR. It would make what I need to do with the Majestic Fantasy RPG a lot more straightforward.<br /></p><p><b><i>Deauthorization</i></b></p><p>They also planning to add a notice deauthorizing the OGL 1.0a</p><p></p><blockquote><b>NOTICE OF DEAUTHORIZATION OF OGL 1.0a</b>. The Open Game License 1.0a is no longer an authorized license. This means that you may not use that version of the OGL, or any prior version, to publish SRD content after (effective date). It does not mean that any content previously published under that version needs to update to this license. Any previously published content remains licensed under whichever version of the OGL was in effect when you published that content.</blockquote><p></p><p>Note the after (effective date), the intent here is to allow folks to continue selling or offering what has been previously released under the OGL 1.0a. Unfortunately, it cuts us off from building on or continuing the work we have been doing for the past 23 years. <br /><br />Current authors and publishers can change the license on their original content, but for those who moved on to other pursuits or are no longer with us, this is not an option. Their work will remain unavailable to use until they enter the public domain decades from now. </p><p>I consider this unacceptable. </p><p><b><i>The D20 SRD</i></b></p><p>The D20 SRD is gone as a result of this section. Wizards wants to change the license for the 5.1 SRD and remove access to the d20 SRD THIS YEAR. This is not a "wait until OneDnD is released" proposal. Although they might build in a grace period. This section is from the actual license.<br /></p><p></p><blockquote><p><b>(a) Content Covered</b></p><p>(i) Our Licensed Content. This license covers any content in the SRD 5.1 (or any subsequent version of the SRD we release under this license) that is not licensed to you under Creative Commons. You may use that content in your own works on the terms of this license.</p><p>(ii) Our Unlicensed Content. Only Our Licensed Content is licensed under this license. Any other content we release <b>or have released </b>is not licensed to you under this license.</p><p>(iii) Your Content. This is your creative contribution to your works that are not Our Licensed Content or Our Unlicensed Content. This license permits you to combine Your Content with Our Licensed Content and distribute the resulting works as authorized by this license.</p></blockquote><p>Likewise I consider this unacceptable for anything other than future Wizard's content.</p><p><b><i>Rob's Note:</i></b> While the OSR relied on a stripped-down version of the D20 SRD, the same "hack" applies to the CC-BY content they plan to release although some spell names and monster names will have to change. </p><p><b>Other considerations</b></p><p>I did not touch on other areas as they don't impact my work as a OSR publisher. I do not plan ever to use the OGL 1.2 for my creative works. I recommend looking to others for more details on those clauses. However, one clause needs to be addressed. </p><p><b><i>The Morality Clause</i></b></p><p>The proposed OGL 1.2 license contains the following provision </p><p><b></b></p><blockquote><b> No Hateful Content or Conduct.</b> You will not include content in Your Licensed Works that is harmful, discriminatory, illegal, obscene, or harassing, or engage in conduct that is harmful, discriminatory, illegal, obscene, or harassing. <b>We have the sole right to decide</b> what conduct or content is hateful, and you covenant that you will not contest any such determination via any suit or other legal action.</blockquote><p></p><p>This to me is unacceptable. I<a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2020/02/concerning-judges-guild.html"> want to be clear about where I am coming from</a>. A few years back I had to deal with racism, anti-Semitism, and hate speech from an individual I licensed IP from. <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2022/08/concerning-judges-guild-to-all-things.html">I paid the price for my principles as well</a>. Seeing my income from RPG material dropping from hundreds of dollars per month to tens of dollars per month. </p><p>Surrendering freedom, creative or otherwise, to an oligarchy like Wizards of the Coast will not solve the problems of racism and hate. Instead, their bias and their prejudices are substituted for your own moral compass. By agreeing to the OGL 1.2, you surrender your moral authority to them. </p><p>More importantly, you surrender it to their successors. Unknown individuals who may not share your ideals, and your belief in what is right, just, and fair. </p><p>Each of you reading this will have to decide for yourself what is the right course of action. For myself, I will not surrender my right to act in the manner I see fit, in the form I see fit. I have done so in the past, and I will do it again as circumstances dictate. I am not special in this, each of you reading this has the power to do the same.</p><p>For more a detailed essay on the problems of morality clauses and conduct codes, I recommend this guest essay by <a href="https://www.tenkarstavern.com/2023/01/guest-poster-james-raggi-iv-on.html">James Raggi on the Tenkar's Tavern blog</a>. Also look up the details on the following: The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hays_Code">Hays Code</a>, and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comics_Code_Authority">Comic Code Authority</a>. Each was born of a generation's belief in what was right, just, and decent. </p><p>Then ask yourself as James Raggi said, were the marginalized served by these codes? Will the marginalized be served by the code as set forth by Chris Cocks CEO of Hasbro, Cynthia Williams CEO of WoTC, and their successors? Or are you the better judge of these matters? </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">What is Victory?</h3><p></p><div>We won a battle but not the war for our creative legacy. In the words of Churchill, </div><div><blockquote>Now, this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.</blockquote></div><div>I realize for some of you these are not the words you want to hear. You want the hobby to be fun again. Publishers are grasping for any type of certainty for their livelihood. You want this to end sooner than later. </div><div><br /></div>So how does this end for me?<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Wizards acknowledge OGL 1.0a as an <b>authorized irrevocable license</b>.</li><li>That all past open content remains open content under the OGL 1.0a and free to be used as they have been for the past 23 years. Works like the D20 3.0 and 3.5 SRD. The 5e 5.1 SRD as well remains under the OGL 1a.</li><li>In turn, I will acknowledge they have the right to license OneDnD any way they like. However, I reserve the right to make critical comments about their creative and legal choices.</li><li>The plan to release various sections under the CC-BY 4.0 license be followed through.</li><li>That Chris Cocks, CEO of Hasbro, and Cynthia William, CEO of Wizards of the Coast, each write and sign individual formal apologies to all the publishers impacted by their overreach and inept handling of the situation such as Paizo, Kobold Press, Troll Lord Games, Green Ronin, Gaming Ballistic, Frog God Games, and many others. </li></ul></div><div>Fight On!</div><div><br /></div><div>Robert Conley</div><div>Bat in the Attic Games<p></p><p></p></div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-82924668884207550292023-01-13T17:42:00.002-05:002023-01-13T17:42:22.845-05:00Random Party Generator Youtube Podcast<p> Two posts in one day? Wondering if we are facing an existential crisis or something.<br /><br /></p><p>On a more serious note, I will be on Random Party Generator tonight with Erik Tenkar, Tim Shorts of Gothridge Manor, Joe the Lawyer, and rest of the gang. We also have a guest, <a href="https://gamingballistic.com/">Douglas Cole of Gaming Ballistic</a>. He has been badly impacted by the situation with Wizards and talking with us about it.</p><p>Hope to see everyone there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KF0yWP-xOqI" width="320" youtube-src-id="KF0yWP-xOqI"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-26494655503802717042023-01-13T12:04:00.009-05:002023-01-13T13:43:27.056-05:00My Response to the January 13th 2023 statement by Wizards<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> NUTS!</span></b></p><p><b><i>- With all due respect to General Anthony McAuliffe of the 101st Airborne</i></b></p><p><a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1423-an-update-on-the-open-game-license-ogl?fbclid=IwAR04Kl5Esf7HlHHoJXSTVvR98BmtNkRBAVnPXKMsq1TNGi5ytdA8KSjbwSs">A link to the Wizard's statement</a></p><p>The relevant section</p><p><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">The next OGL will contain the provisions that allow us to protect and cultivate the inclusive environment we are trying to build and specify that it covers only content for TTRPGs. That means that other expressions, such as educational and charitable campaigns, livestreams, cosplay, VTT-uses, etc., will remain unaffected by any OGL update. <b>Content already released under 1.0a will also remain unaffected</b>. </span></p><p></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p>Says nothing about being able to continue to use the OGL 1.0a license, Or whether we can make new content using the license. Or what we have to do to get this safe harbor.</p><p><b>Update:</b></p><p>(Removed because it is a distraction from the larger issues at hand)</p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-29153547738804325152023-01-12T22:05:00.012-05:002023-01-12T23:44:45.479-05:00A Network of One, Three Little Words, and an appreciated Victory. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2WyeFtrSbz0aoyEQZDUEmzr9Xh1bXJhxewWIZX6t8InvC1X2X27xwRShRPa_8uuWCyKVa62AoPHxBP2sz5F03sn_SKzHNDUgtWMz6nd-WuFLyoy86HL_9E71E3-zBthsugHJOmuQMlyPQ_dP8nmQHstUwFQSHso4J85aPZ0gcDk7FqsJdhhpxgVhQyA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="652" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2WyeFtrSbz0aoyEQZDUEmzr9Xh1bXJhxewWIZX6t8InvC1X2X27xwRShRPa_8uuWCyKVa62AoPHxBP2sz5F03sn_SKzHNDUgtWMz6nd-WuFLyoy86HL_9E71E3-zBthsugHJOmuQMlyPQ_dP8nmQHstUwFQSHso4J85aPZ0gcDk7FqsJdhhpxgVhQyA" width="320" /></a></div><br />A lot has been going on <p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Wizards <a href="https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-ogl-announcement-wizards-of-the-coast-1849981365">tried to have a live stream and it melted down amid incendiary rage</a>. </li><li>Apparently <a href="https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6si7v">the age of ORC has arrived</a> and this time they are the good guys as Pazio, Kobold Press, and others spearhead an effort to create a community owned open license. </li><li>Somebody <a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rumours-wotc-announcement-today-insider-email-reveals-plans.694392/">may have gotten a peek</a> at Wizards of the Coast's character sheet and it turns out they really turned Chaotic Evil.</li><li>Another person may have gotten a <a href="https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1613671192250155009.html">copy of their new spellbook with OGL 2.0 in it</a> (not 1.1 apparently)</li><li>Matt Finch gave a good <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HMtk9SAjUI&t=1s">on-line talk on youtube</a> about the future of Swords and Wizardry. I even got to help solve a minor technical issue with the livestream (half of my day job is technical support).</li></ul><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC4VY86y8tIAdQOeJGt62K7S5Z74RrpIFAgYJP5wgFkXbzD9qdzm230pCpkKIG2hOTLrLWREhNMJbX7x3RrtjhIhy8Eh8gsQAhoqkkHT5QH9kk3ZeDPF55v2A5AqMG9olAcgghKAna6H1KjSItga3UzuDv7ejue0IrprenkAlXMM_6ctI9agvXQ2_oSw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC4VY86y8tIAdQOeJGt62K7S5Z74RrpIFAgYJP5wgFkXbzD9qdzm230pCpkKIG2hOTLrLWREhNMJbX7x3RrtjhIhy8Eh8gsQAhoqkkHT5QH9kk3ZeDPF55v2A5AqMG9olAcgghKAna6H1KjSItga3UzuDv7ejue0IrprenkAlXMM_6ctI9agvXQ2_oSw" width="320" /></a></div><br />Next a couple of things from my neck of the wood. <div><br /><div><div><div><b>A Network of One</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Over on the Roll for Combat channel they <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vz9ogq7JTg">had an excellent interview</a> with Ryan Dancey. I recommend jumping to around the 18:00 minute mark where Ryan says this</div><div><blockquote>one of the things we identified as a problem was that there were all kinds of game systems that were active in the market that weren't very successful and every one of those games was a little bubble a little social network of people that played that game and because they were playing a game that was small and unprofitable and the companies that were supporting those games were not able to make those businesses get bigger the sizes of those bubbles were shrinking and getting smaller and smaller and smaller and because they were not well connected to other bubbles the overall Market as a whole was shrinking and getting smaller and smaller and role-playing games are fair to a very unusual economic phenomenon called in the network externality which means that the value of the thing you sell the product is actually external to the thing that you sell it's in the network of people that use that thing</blockquote></div><div>The value of the OSR is in the fact that the classic editions we focus on are but a hop and a skip from each other. So while ADnD, B/X, ODnD, etc. all had their fans, our "network" was much larger as we can freely share useful material with each other.<br /><br />And because most of us used the OGL 1.0a those of us who focused on sharing and publishing could build off of each other work. I didn't have to start my own <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/337515/The-Majestic-Fantasy-RPG-Basic-Rules">Majestic Fantasy RPG</a> from scratch as Matt Finch graciously shared Swords and Wizardry for all to use under the OGL. Plus <a href="https://www3.autarch.co/">Autarch shared</a> a lot of ACKS as open content which helped me with started with the mechanics of worldbuilding my Majestic Fantasy Realms.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Post OGL World</b><br />In the coming days, I think it is important to carefully consider what licenses we adopt for our current and future works. Regardless of the outcome of the situation with Wizards we can never trust their word again. If too many of us pick too many licenses then we lose the advantages of the fact that classic edition clones were all under the same license. Our network will fragment and I fear the OSR as a whole will shrink, and reduce the number of players of these excellent editions. <br /><br />I am a computer programmer and have been involved in software development since the late 80s. I saw the rise of open source <a href="https://www.ibiblio.org/mscorbit/">and participated in it</a> in a small way. And the open source licensing situation is a sea of compatible and incompatible licenses. Just <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/License_compatibility">read the Wikipedia article </a>to see how much of a mess it is. I don't want to see people in the OSR having to use a chart like below just to see if they can build and remix someone's content.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_0bsELw7ZRt9k-lQm-p_OvbWJ7EYA5t9Tn2X7my7TE4V--srtR-uDsybZkOQEtIFYQSzT69qgvZkoPMyvvU7V9EdiDe2HLuwZVMyT_s25_VE8SEmTGiNYvrVJTpWod4Al_MPH-_clAhC0FYxRmcf2GmcUy2N_m_vkJ3g6ZBtmeWYMSoAp_9BuVAg62g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="753" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_0bsELw7ZRt9k-lQm-p_OvbWJ7EYA5t9Tn2X7my7TE4V--srtR-uDsybZkOQEtIFYQSzT69qgvZkoPMyvvU7V9EdiDe2HLuwZVMyT_s25_VE8SEmTGiNYvrVJTpWod4Al_MPH-_clAhC0FYxRmcf2GmcUy2N_m_vkJ3g6ZBtmeWYMSoAp_9BuVAg62g=w170-h117" width="170" /></a></div><br />Maybe Paizo's ORC is the answer maybe it isn't. We should think about what we want before we split into an archipelago of hundreds of islands. </div><div><br /></div><div>I admit it won't be easy because the vast majority of us, including myself, like to march to the beat of our own drummer. Many early OSR community efforts collapsed into arguments and factions. But I think it is important that we try to do something together for this particular issue. </div><div><br /></div><div>The result doesn't have to be a one size fit all solution. See Creative Common for how a standard system of options can be worked out. Keep in mind that some of us, while small, work with licensed content that will not be opened. OGL with the distinction between product identity and open content was great for that.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Three Little Words</b></div><div>On a different topic, I am pleased to say that a situation regarding the <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/community_content.php">Community Content Programs</a> that OnebookShelf runs on DriveThruRPG appears to have been resolved. I first <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2018/01/obs-community-content-program-is.html">reported this back in January of 2018</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>To summarize in Section 4 of the license that the OBS boilerplate used stated.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>Except for short promotional excerpts used to promote your Work, you may not display, recreate, publish, distribute, or sell your Work (<b>or derivatives thereof</b>) outside of the Program administered on Roll20 websites or through other platforms or channels authorized or offered by the Publisher.</div><div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>The three bolded words meant if I wrote Tower of the Dark Sage for the Glorantha setting used by Chaosium's Jonstown Compendium, I couldn't turn around and adapt my original IP (characters, maps, room descriptions) and released it under the OGL for Swords and Wizardry. Or for another CCP program like the Savage Worlds Adventurer Guild using Savage Worlds system. This was confirmed by OBS \<a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2018/02/obs-content-program-is-terrible-and-it.html">in this blog post</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Over the years I kept complaining to OBS and got nowhere. I had better luck with some of the programs themselves. I helped the Genesys community get the clause removed from the Genesys Foundry. But to be clear their community did most of the work. </div><div><br /></div><div>I talked to Daniel Fox of Zweihander and the folks at Hero Games about Hall of Champions. While both didn't change their license, they did let the contributors know they were free to adapt their original IP elsewhere. So I count those as partial wins. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>An Appreciated Victory</b></div><div>So two days ago, I heard that Modiphus was starting up their <a href="https://www.modiphius.net/en-us/pages/2d20worldbuilders">2d20 Community Content program</a>. As I usually do I contacted Modiphus privately and laid out my argument about getting rid of those three words. With OBS because I got nowhere before, I called them out publicly and politely on their discord server. </div><div><br /></div><div>And guess what thanks to the work of Chris Birch on the behalf of Modiphus and Kage on the behalf of OBS, the Modiphus license, and the<a href="https://discord.com/channels/557978219815501824/573904388154720267/1063238628035272704"> OBS boilerplate are being changed</a>! And OBS is going to work with other publishers to change their licenses.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDlombdMzE6l8fcpPPl31OQ0T-P0xeHWRh2L52GZ_jwmkeCTFweBmuoocAyxmNzy0qDyFmenV8tsIImIj05oXDFyFTdsOQ_-Hpeau_S_8YIBHaEdQyX9c02vhdos880WVIh7KLEoKyajwgdy7G0ErGFxikANfMHqf_84Rn6rmsBzOxlWOXUYwpnDH-Hg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="453" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDlombdMzE6l8fcpPPl31OQ0T-P0xeHWRh2L52GZ_jwmkeCTFweBmuoocAyxmNzy0qDyFmenV8tsIImIj05oXDFyFTdsOQ_-Hpeau_S_8YIBHaEdQyX9c02vhdos880WVIh7KLEoKyajwgdy7G0ErGFxikANfMHqf_84Rn6rmsBzOxlWOXUYwpnDH-Hg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This going to be great news for all the CCPs that remove this clause. This means contributors who are fans of multiple systems can adapt their original IP for other CCPs. Thus they benefit from the Network Externalities effect that Ryan Dancey talked about. They cease to be isolated islands doomed to rise and fall on their own.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be clear the 50% royalties is still in place (30% to OBS and 20% to the publisher), and the work for that specific program still can only be released within that program. Also, Chris wanted everybody to know that Modiphus 20% is going into buying art and assets for all to use in the 2d20 World Builders program.</div><div><br /></div><div>We still have the bigger problem of the OGL 1.1 and Wizards of the Coast to deal with. But this is a small victory we can enjoy. It is a good example of what can happen when a bunch of folks with good intentions can get together to hash out a solution to a problem.<br /><br />Fight On!</div><div> </div><div><br /></div></div></div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-88348413228270136932023-01-08T19:44:00.004-05:002023-01-09T13:21:53.149-05:00Concerning Bat in the Attic Games, Steady as She Goes along with further comments on the OGL.<b>Update:</b> The text of OGL 1.1 has dropped at the below link. I verified this with some folks but always as with this kind of situation double check everything in anything I say or share. <a href="http://ogl.battlezoo.com/">OGL 1.1</a><div><hr />
<p>I have been <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-proposed-ogl-11-is-not-open-license.html">commenting on the recent news</a> regarding the OGL 1.1 along with debating the ramifications on various forums and social media platforms. As a result I seen a lot of publishers making their fans and customers aware of their future plans. I figure this will be a good time for me as well.</p><p>I am not known for my production speed. I am very concerned with usability and not wasting people's valuable hobby time when publishing or sharing material. So I tend to fuss around a bit when it comes to my products. This has left me in a semi-fortunate place as my next major project is<a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2022/08/concerning-bat-in-attic-games-voyaging.html"> Into the Majestic Fantasy Realms</a>. I am in the middle of 3 of 4 maps and making slow but steady progress every day. </p><p>Due to the nature of my Points of Light style setting, I don't have to use the OGL In fact, <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/89944/Blackmarsh">Blackmarsh </a>is already <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2018/11/blackmarsh-updated.html">dual licensed under the OGL and CC-BY</a>. My plan was and remains to do the same with the maps and text of Into the Majestic Fantasy Realms.</p><p>So in the absolute worst timeline where everybody's fears are realized about the termination of the OGL 1.0a license then Blackmarsh and the Majestic Fantasy Realms will be shared under the CC-BY license.</p><p>Next, my adventures both published and unpublished. I plan to release a 2nd edition of Scourge of the Demon Wolf set in the Majestic Fantasy Realms, and have Deceits of the Russet Lord mostly done. Those will also get released but their exact form is dependent on events. </p><p>The Majestic Fantasy RPG, as I stated here on my blog and elsewhere, I dragged my setting across a dozen systems starting with ADnD 1e, an extended stay with GURPS, and currently a mix of 5e and my own Majestic Fantasy Rules. What this means I have a lot of experience in adapting what I do to an arbitrary system. You can see this in action with my <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2014/05/fudge-playtest-report-4-magic-and-very.html">Fate playtest posts</a>. I am linking to the last one as it has the index.</p><p>So whatever happens I am confident that the full version of the Majestic Fantasy RPG will come up in some form. There will still be viz to burn as mages, but it will still be a tad more detailed than most OSR systems. It will still allow characters to do anything except some will be better at certain things. Whether it will be a d20-based system, a 3d6 based, or a d100-based system remains to be seen. But there are plenty of successful projects that don't use the OGL to serve as a template for what I can and can't do.</p><p>For those who are interested I still have where <a href="https://www.batintheattic.com/downloads/MajesticRealmsRPG_Fudge_Rev%2017.zip">I left off with Fate here</a>. </p><p><b>Further comments on OGL 1.1</b></p><p><b><i>Trust</i></b></p><p>Trust in OGL 1.0a has been shattered regardless of the outcome. Dozens if not hundreds are seeking alternative licensing for their works. If you do so yourself, I understand. My recommendation is to use CC-BY and add a comment in the front to outline what is definitely not covered by the grant, like your publishing name. Using CC-BY will offer the best compatibility with the OGL 1.0a content if the license survives. But given the circumstance totally understandable if you go with one of the share-alike licenses.</p><p><b><i>Withdrawing the License</i></b></p><p>More than a few gamers in the legal profession had stated with near certainty that Wizards has the authority to withdraw their own license. That without term irrevocable in the copyright grant, perpetual doesn't mean forever. Just means it until the licensor revokes it. </p><p>When I pressed them on this and asked which decision was the key case for this. It turns out the earliest citation is a 2010 decision in the United Kingdom. Note that because the UK is a common law country, the US Courts will use the decision as a resource, but it is not binding.</p><p><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/hello-i-am-lawyer-with-a-psa-almost-everyone-is-wrong-about-the-ogl-and-srd-clearing-up-confusion.694192/post-8883939">Here is a good summary on Enworld</a>. It is post #569.</p><p>However, the interesting part was not that it was made in 2010 or ruled in the UK. But rather it was held that a termination clause was still relevant despite the perpetual license grant. As it so happens the OGL has an explicit termination clause. And de-authorization is not one of the grounds. More so Section 13 holds that sublicenses are still valid.</p><p>This is not a slam dunk. But it may mean that the continued existence of the OGL has some foundation.</p><p><b><i>It is Groundhog Day but worse</i></b></p><p>Sometimes I feel like it 2008 all over again with 4e and the GSL. When I first heard about this I said it going to play out pretty much like the 4e and GSL debacle. Except Wizards gave us a year's notice to do something about it.</p><p>But I think I was wrong. The degree of anger I have seen Wizard provoke in everybody is far greater than the 4e debacle.</p><p><b>Steady as She Goes</b></p><p>Right now I feel like the captain who just spotted the hurricane on the horizon. I don't where the winds are taking it but I am preparing and letting others know about it. But it hasn't hit yet. It may blow in a different direction. And if it doesn't I am going to keep the lights open until I get a cease & desist. </p><p>Fight On</p></div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-38017067988522319922023-01-05T11:35:00.007-05:002023-01-09T13:20:32.338-05:00Section 9 of the Open Game License<p><b>Update:</b> I talk about the <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2023/01/concerning-bat-in-attic-games-steady-as.html">impact of recent events on me here</a>.</p><p> There is been a lot of discussion over whether Wizards can revoke the OGL by de-authorizing it. This came about because of Section 9 of the open game license.</p><p></p><blockquote>9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this License. You may use any <b>authorized </b>version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License.</blockquote><p>I highlighted in bold the operative section. The theory goes if Wizards de-authorized the license then everybody who ever used OGL 1.0 or OGL 1.0a will be forced to go to OGL 1.1 even folks who made their stuff open content that had nothing to do with any of Wizard's offerings like the d20 SRD, or the d20 Modern SRD, for example, Cepheus, Mongoose Legends and so on.</p><p>I am not a lawyer but like any layman, especially one involved in making creative content, I learned enough so I can ask my attorney intelligent questions to make sure what I want to do has all the i's dotted and t's crossed. </p><p>What I learned is that while the letter of the contract is important, the courts give great weight to <b>intent</b>. What the parties intending to do to when the license or contract was made. If you google contract law and intent you will find several excellent summaries of what intent means in common law countries like the US.</p><p>As for the OGL, this means that the old d20 FAQ becomes highly relevant.</p><p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20010429033432/http://www.wizards.com/D20/article.asp?x=dt20010417e">The D20 FAQ captured on April 29th, 2001</a></p><p>While not a legal document it does show the intent of Wizards circa 2001 when they released the OGL.</p><p></p><p></p><blockquote><p></p><p><b>Q:</b> What is meant by the term "Open Gaming"?</p><p></p><p><b>A: </b>An Open Game is a game that can be freely copied, modified, and distributed, and a system for ensuring that material, once distributed as an Open Game will remain <b>permanently </b>Open.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p></blockquote><p></p><p>This is further supported by the fact that when Wizards released the highly restrictive Game System License several years later, they did not try to revoke the OGL although they did sunset the d20 Trademark License.</p><p>Next, is the fact what is meant by an authorized license? Many contend it means that the OGL can be revoked. Or some like myself, argue that it means that the version had to have been authorized by Wizards at some point. The fact that Wizards does not wish to continue offering it for its own stuff is irrelevant to its use for current and future material.</p><p>I believe my point of view is further supported by how <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/ambiguity">ambiguity</a> is handled in the US Courts. A person in 2001 and in 2022 would reasonably assume they can use the OGL and any associated open content as long as they met the terms of the license. </p><p>This is further supported by the references in the d20 FAQ to what the term "Free" means in the context of the OGL.</p><p>Particularly this</p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;">This use of the term "free" is a recognition of the philosophy of the roots of the Open Source software movement. The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20010429033432/http://www.fsf.org/" target="_blank">Free Software Foundation</a> and the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20010429033432/http://www.gnu.org/" target="_blank">GNU Project</a>,</span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;">founded by Richard Stallman were the first formal efforts to codify the philosophy of Open Source software. It is the preference of the Free Software Foundation and Mr. Stallman to use the term "Free Software" rather than "Open Source", to keep the focus on the idea that the important part of the philosophy is the freedom to copy, modify and distribute computer software, rather than the more utilitarian objective of simply giving users access to the source code.</span></p><p></p></blockquote><p>And the above is supported by the fact that the d20 page referred to the <a href="https://opengamingfoundation.org/">Open Gaming Foundation</a> which is still in existence and has been recently updated.</p><p>Section 9 is, in my opinion, is a badly rewritten version of Section 9 of the GNU Public License Ver 2 (the then current version) which reads. <br /><br /></p><pre style="overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><blockquote> 9. The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new versions of the General Public License from time to time. Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version, but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns.
Each version is given a distinguishing version number. If the Program specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and "any later version", you have the option of following the terms and conditions either of that version or of any later version published by the Free Software Foundation. If the Program does not specify a version number of this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software Foundation.</blockquote></pre><p>Finally as for Wizards making all open content magically use OGL 1.1 by focusing on authorized licenses. I submit folks are forgetting about </p><p><b></b></p><blockquote><b>You may use </b>any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content </blockquote><p>That is a choice, if the worst case scenario comes to pass, you can decline to use OGL 1.1 and omit the open content that is not original to your work and then release it other another license or under traditional copyright.</p><p>I can't say how things will go but I hope this helps as a more hopeful view of the possibilities than some of the other commentary that is out there.</p><p><b>Update</b></p><p></p><p>This was pointed out to me that was in the OGL FAQ as well.</p><p><b></b></p><blockquote><p><b>Q:</b> Can't Wizards of the Coast change the License in a way that I wouldn't like?</p><p><b>A:</b> Yes, it could. However, the License already defines what will happen to content that has been previously distributed using an earlier version, in Section 9. As a result, even if Wizards made a change you disagreed with, you could continue to use an earlier, acceptable version at your option. In other words, there's no reason for Wizards to ever make a change that the community of people using the Open Gaming License would object to, because the community would just ignore the change anyway.</p></blockquote><p>This gives weight to my assertion that Section 9 of OGL 1.0a is intended to operate like Section 9 of the GPL rather than a "scrap it" clause.<br /></p><p>Also </p><p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2023/01/concerning-bat-in-attic-games-steady-as.html">Concerning Bat in the Attic Games, Steady as She Goes</a></p><p></p><p></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-46401627986234032422022-12-21T18:19:00.007-05:002023-01-09T13:19:36.204-05:00The proposed OGL 1.1 is not an open license. Fight for your hobby. <p> Today Wizards of the Coast on DnD Beyond released an article called <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1410-ogls-srds-one-d-d">OGLs, SRDs, & One D&D</a>. It talks about Wizards plans for a new version of the OGL. </p><p>The recap the OGL stands for the Open Game License. <a href="https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/Open_license">According to Creative Commons</a>, an open license means the content is free to use how you want it. In practice, this has meant that content was shared to let people use the content in any way, including commercially, the main requirements being that there is proper attribution of the original content used, and that any modifications are released under the same license. With the author listed as the creator of the modification.</p><p>The current two versions of the OGL v1.0 (3.X) and v1.0a meet the above criteria except for specific elements. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>You are allowed to designate part of the work as product identity which basically saying I am not releasing this part of my book as open content. This is often used for licensed IP like Lord of the Rings or Star Trek. It is sometimes used when the author doesn't want to share their setting but wants to use and modify a popular system.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>You also explicitly agree to give up your right to cite compatibility to a trademarked product. This is something that you normally have the right to do when releasing a work when it is your content. I could have done this with Blackmarsh as I mostly used common monster names rather than anything specific out of the DnD editions.</li></ul><div><b>The Changes</b></div><p></p><p>So what are the proposed changes?<br /></p><p></p><blockquote><p>First, we’re making sure that OGL 1.1 is clear about what it covers and what it doesn’t. </p></blockquote><p></p><p>What OGL 1.1 will cover are electronic files like PDF, and printed books this right off mean that OGL 1.1 is no longer an open license as it restricts how you can use the open content. As the definition of open content means you can use it in the manner you see fit.</p><p>The next change</p><p></p><blockquote>Second, we’re updating the OGL to offer different terms to creators who choose to make free, share-alike content and creators who want to sell their products. </blockquote><p>They list a number of requirements that amount to you having to report any sales of any products licensed under the OGL 1.1 as well as a description of what it is you are selling. And if you make over a threshold ($750,000) then you will be expected to pay royalties by 2024. </p><p><b>Wrapping it up</b></p><p>This will further bifurcate the third party publisher market. OGL 1.0 and OGL 1.0a content can't be used with OGL 1.1 content as a result of Section 12 of the current OGL.</p><p></p><blockquote><p><b>12. Inability to Comply:</b> If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.</p></blockquote><p>Right now the world of 3PP is divided into those who use open content like Pathfinder, Cepheus, OSRIC, Old School Essentials, and those who publish in community content programs like the DM's Guild. In fact, I predict there will be three major 3PP communities for Dungeons and Dragons, the ones that continue to use the OGL 1.0a license, those who use the OGL 1.1 license, and those who use community content programs.</p><p>I realize there is a lot of speculation and criticism out there that are made because OneDnD is the news of the days. I limited myself to what the article said. At various times in the history of open source and creative commons, unscrupulous companies and individuals tried to put out their own licenses including ones with terms very much like the above. Each and every time this has not ended well for the bad actors and their licenses. Either they reverted back to a traditional commercial license and ceased their use of the open content. Or they came into compliance. </p><p>If you value your freedom to produce and more commonly share the content you create for Dungeons and Dragons then let Wizards know that you find these proposed terms unacceptable. Let them know that the community has the tools right now to fix the issue on their own and will do so as shown by what happen with DnD 4e, the GSL, and Pathfinder.</p><p>This is your hobby and your game now. Don't let Hasbro try to take that away from you.</p><p>Fight On!</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Update</b></p><p>I added some comments on Section 9 of the OGL which appears to be a point of attack by the Wizards' legal team to shut down the OGL.</p><p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2023/01/section-9-of-open-game-license.html">Section 9 of the OGL</a></p><p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2023/01/concerning-bat-in-attic-games-steady-as.html">Concerning Bat in the Attic Games, Steady as She Goes and further thoughts on the OGL</a></p><p><b>For those who are new.</b></p><p>I have long been an advocate of open content released under the open license. <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/89944/Blackmarsh?manufacturers_id=2993">Blackmarsh </a>is free for any of use in any manner you see if. Likely the entire content of the <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/337515/The-Majestic-Fantasy-RPG-Basic-Rules">Basic Rules for the Majestic Fantasy</a> RPG is open content. </p><p>Some past posts.</p><p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/08/you-are-free-now-so-go-enjoy-it.html">You are free now so go enjoy it.</a></p><p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2015/06/an-ogl-primer.html">An OGL Primer</a></p><p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2019/07/a-tale-of-two-ogls.html">A tale of two OGLs</a></p><p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2020/01/zweihander-open-content-and-rely-to.html">Zweihander, Open Content, and a reply to Daniel Fox.</a></p><p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2010/11/ryan-dancy-on-open-game-license.html">Ryan Dancy on the Open Game License</a><br /></p><p>Finally some practical effects of making Blackmarsh open content. I would not have had the time or skills to do any of these projects but now folks who read Spanish, French, Italian and Hungarian can enjoy Blackmarsh in their languages as well as fans of Heroes and Other Worlds. <br /></p><p>And because these were solely the work of their respective author who put the work into making a version of Blackmarsh, they get to reap 100% of the financial rewards. Something I am fine with when I shared Blackmarsh as open content.</p><p><a href="Blackmarsh in Spanish!">Blackmarsh in Spanish!</a></p><p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2022/06/perilleuses-contrees-fangenoire.html">Périlleuses contrées: Fangenoire (Blackmarsh in French)</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://italiantranslationalliance.org/progetti/paludenera/">Italian version of Blackmarsh</a></p><p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2013/12/blackmarsh-in-hungarian.html">Blackmarsh in Hungarian!</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/rs-conley-cr-brandon/blackmarsh-heroes-other-worlds-edition/paperback/product-20631252.html?page=1&pageSize=4">Blackmarsh for Heroes & Other Worlds</a></p><p></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-31119719150425071572022-12-04T17:49:00.004-05:002023-08-11T19:14:44.267-04:00A Fantasy Sandbox in Detail Part XXIII<p><a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-fantasy-sandbox-in-detail-part-xxii.html"> Part XXII</a> <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-make-fantasy-sandbox.html">Index Page</a></p><p>This is the twenty-third post in a series detailing the 34 steps I recommended for making a Fantasy Sandbox Campaign. </p><p>Today's post will cover steps 29 to 32. </p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li value="29">Pick the 12 most important NPC or Monsters </li><li>Write a paragraph describing each and fully stat them. </li><li>Pick the most six common encounter type. (City Guard, Border Warders, Bloody Hand, Orcs) Write a paragraph and fully stat them.</li><li>Scan your description for any regional organization and write a paragraph on them. Fully stat the most common encounters involved with them.</li></ol><p></p><p>My choice of using a small example like the Isle of Piall constrains my choices of what to pick for important NPCs, Monsters, encounters, and organizations. It does illustrate an important point about making a sandbox, its scope. </p><p>The details increase geometrically with the area covered by the setting. Piall is five hex columns by five hex rows and has about 27 entries. Blackmarsh has 27 hex columns and 19 hex rows and has 94 entries. Finally my upcoming "Into the Majestic Fantasy Realms" has four maps each with 31 hex columns 41 hex rows along with 200+ entries each. The amount of detail grows geometrically as the size of the map grows. Make the map twice the size in terms of hex rows and columns, and you will have to put in four times the work. </p><p>If you pick a smaller number of locales to flesh out on a larger map this will mean more to make up as the campaign progresses. For your first sandbox make it a size that you feel comfortable with. The time estimate that accompanied the first posts of this series was based on an area the size of Blackmarsh, a map the size of a regular piece of paper, with about 100 entries total.<br /><br /><b>What to Detail?</b></p><p>The most important NPCs or monsters on the Isle of Piall should be the ones that the players are likely to interact with. Once you determined this list then describe their capabilities and/or plans in detail. Given the limited scope of the Isle of Piall I opted to describe 14 individuals and their associated organizations.</p><p><b>The NPCs of Piall</b></p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><b><br /></b><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8HOg5GVmXnJz-GL_tRu-SPgtASquOcf8qk-ipwDHxR46Rc5M31wv1PpCX1hdTg97kb7PL3va6i0C3IhMb7GeAY4YGJEcRUR3vVq5oa5p3XeqkDPoWJ-5FK57JZCOPqN9MezHTDyqPcxZxuawHLsm1epJKYH7lDzGu3rX_1rabX0nvH1fc_JyHqVxjQ/s3654/banditstiff.tif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2385" data-original-width="3654" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8HOg5GVmXnJz-GL_tRu-SPgtASquOcf8qk-ipwDHxR46Rc5M31wv1PpCX1hdTg97kb7PL3va6i0C3IhMb7GeAY4YGJEcRUR3vVq5oa5p3XeqkDPoWJ-5FK57JZCOPqN9MezHTDyqPcxZxuawHLsm1epJKYH7lDzGu3rX_1rabX0nvH1fc_JyHqVxjQ/s320/banditstiff.tif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Jason Sholtis</i></div>They are in several broad groups. <p></p><p>Those involved in the Barony of Piall</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Valard the Yellow Mage</li><li>Sheriff Tomar Revan</li><li>Baron Argus Gorvon</li><li>Master Arven Rowe of the Order of Thoth. </li></ul><p></p><p>Each of these individuals is a significant person that will impact the characters as they adventure in and around Piall. For others mentioned in previous posts, the normal stat blocks and initial description should suffice. It is possible that players will decided to focus on interacting with one of these character in which case you will need to flesh them out.</p><p>Related to the above is the Thieves Guild of Piall which includes </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Stephen Clar of the House of Fish in Mikva the guildmaster, </li><li>Moran Lodar of Carra a smuggler. </li></ul><p></p><p>Thieves Guild and criminal underworld have long been a staple of fantasy campaigns so the odds are high that these two and their followers will be a factor in the campaign. </p><p>Finally, a pair of unrelated human antagonists are detailed</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The imperial spies led by Sir Iago Dunth </li><li>Captain Arvis Black and his ship the Red Revenge. </li></ul><p></p><p><b>Antagonists</b></p><p>The main source of adventure are the various undead haunted ruins left over from the time of the Dark Lord. And there are three primary antagonists that need to be fleshed out. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Sir Avar the fallen Paladin of Bone Keep</li><li>The Rot Lord of Sable Port, </li><li>The Black Queen residing in the Fortress of the Lich Lord.</li></ul><p></p><p>Another source of adventure is found under the waves.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The mermen of Aventis lead by King Touris </li><li>Aventis is threatened by Sahuagin lead by Prince Xatharazzax </li><li>Also the mermen suffer from factionalism caused by Prince Ormus.</li></ul><p></p><p>Much of this information was written up in earlier posts but scattered among the descriptions of the different locales. This section pulls them together to paint an overview of how the region's inhabitants interact with each other and potentially with the PCs.</p><div><b>Descriptions</b></div><div>Below is a link to a PDF you can download with all the stat blocks for these NPCs. They are compatible with Swords and Wizardry, my Majestic Fantasy RPG, and many other classic editions including Old School Essentials. If you see a term that is not in your edition like viz or ritual casting then ignore it. The rest of the stat block will work just fine. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.batintheattic.com/downloads/NPCs%20of%20Piall%20Rev%2001.pdf">NPCs of the Isle of Piall</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Valard the Yellow Mage</b></div><div><i>(Southpoint, Hawath Hex 0105)</i></div><div>Valard is a full Wizard (9th level) who retired to the Isle of Piall after the death of the previous King of the Isle. He did not get along with the king's heir and left after his coronation. Valard is a free spirit who only served the royal court because of his personal friendship with the old king. As recognition for Valard's service, the new king awarded the lighthouse tower near Southpoint for the wizard's use. </div><div><br /></div><div>Valard is in his 50's and is intensely creative when it comes to magical constructs. He has been frustrated in recent years as his latest works have been sub-par. The Yellow Mage was most vexed when his latest project, an ebony hawk with yellow-gold stripes, failed and fell into the sea outside of Southpoint.</div><div><br /></div><div>Reynard (Fighter 4th level) is Valard's friend and assistant and resides in the tower. He manages Valard's finances and works with the Dwarves of Hawth maintaining the tower and its lighthouse.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Barony of Piall</b></div><div><p>For centuries the Kingdom of the Isles was a confederation of barons led by a king who was a first among equals. But the rise of the Empire of Po and its threat to the independence of the Isles has led to increasing royal control. <br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sheriff Tomar Revan</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Mikva, Hex 0403)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sheriff Tomar Revan is a young portly man known for his brilliant intellect and jovial manner. He is a strong proponent of the king's new policies and has been sent to Piall to manage the royal properties namely the several herds of sheep whose wool have been particularly profitable in the past decade. The Sheriff is skilled enough to be considered a 4th level Fighter. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Baron Argus Gervon</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Mikva, Hex 0403)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Baron Argus in his late 40s and known to be a pious adherent of Veritas the High Lord. He considers himself to be a patron of the church. He also is meticulous in his appearance and orders the latest fashions from the mainland. The Baron is very conscious of the legacy of the Gervon family and deeply resents the royal intrusion on his family's island.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><b>Master Arven Rowe of the Order of Thoth</b></div><div><i>(Mikva, Hex 0403, #13 Resident Mage)</i></div><div>Arvin Rowe arrived in Piall as a journeyman of the Order of Thoth the dominant order of mages in the Kingdom of the Isle. Piall is noted for its ruins dating back to just after the Cataclysm when the Dark Lord was consolidating his control over the newly made islands. Since the formation of the Kingdom of the Isles, the Order of Thoth has had sent a mage to reside on Piall to explore the ruins. Also to buy any information and artifact found about these ruins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Arvin is one of the Baron friends. The two men found common ground in their shared faith in Veritas. Before discovering his talent with arcane magic, Arvin was a novice within the church. Currently, Arvin is trying to convince the Baron to join him on a climb to the peak of Mount Devon. </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Thieves of Piall</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Piall's small thieves had originated generations ago as an organization of smugglers defying the lich Tavaras. Even after the island was liberated, the smugglers continued to operate in order to evade tolls and fees levied by various empires and kingdoms. As the island is dependent on what the fishermen bring in there is only so much the Gevons are willing to do to curb their activities. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Moran Lodar<br /></b><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Carra, Hex 0404)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">A big man with big ears and a violent temper, Moran Lodar rules the thieves guild of Piall with an iron grip. He is in his late 40s and still hasn't slowed down. Currently Moran's biggest problem is that the dispute between Sheriff Tomar and Baron Argushase created a lot of opportunities for deals by members of the guild. Moran disapproves of this knowing that eventually after things are sorted out that there will blowback from whoever comes out on top. So he constantly sends his enforcer, Orsin, to keep everybody in line. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReQ_nE8togEw4UFynXRSDLTEiMRLpP8OnlX2V-sc6TgOUJ-ynHr1rRIw0VX36QLVGG1SSE96xzLURoZJehFfsZWZdajzhGHsddNGLUR5aGchIPUYA-ZeM4fDsSx-nqWsqhfSSkEgeqTg8jBVzE42O3QBLHCrho121khdmQuH11VR_QDh5TwHqFKX2zg/s4302/Bandit%203,%20Color.tif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4302" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReQ_nE8togEw4UFynXRSDLTEiMRLpP8OnlX2V-sc6TgOUJ-ynHr1rRIw0VX36QLVGG1SSE96xzLURoZJehFfsZWZdajzhGHsddNGLUR5aGchIPUYA-ZeM4fDsSx-nqWsqhfSSkEgeqTg8jBVzE42O3QBLHCrho121khdmQuH11VR_QDh5TwHqFKX2zg/s320/Bandit%203,%20Color.tif" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art © Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games</i></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Stephan Clar</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Mikva, Hex 0403, #17 The House of Fish)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Moran's lieutenant and proprietor of The House of Fish in Mikva. He is well aware of Moran's desire to keep things quiet while the dispute between the King's Sheriff and the Baron plays out. However he recently became aware of Fikki Firebeard, Mikva's dwarven weaponcrafter, inheriting a rare dwarven chess set made of onyx and white quartz and desires it for himself. Now is looking to put together a team for the job.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Dangerous Foes<br /></b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sir Iago Dunth</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Lairs, Hex 0201)</i><br />Sir Iago Dunth is a spy in the service of the Emperor of Po. He and 10 scouts landed on the north shore a fortnight ago and now planning to make their way south to map out the island and its defenses. </div><div style="text-align: left;">A childhood friend of the Emperor, Sir Iago is a bit of a bravado looking for glory. This is the second island within the kingdom he is scouting. His men are a bit nervous as their exit from the previous island was messy as they had to slay two local yeomen before escaping to their boat.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Captain Arvis Black</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Random Encounters, Waters)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Growing up as a street rat in Vanderberg, the capital of the Ochre Empire, Arvis Black was able to talk a captain into letting him join the crew of a ship. He proved to be adept as a sailor eventually working his way up to becoming a second mate. On one of his voyages, he learned he was a royal bastard of the Kingdom of the Isles. Always ambitious, he became obsessed with wresting the throne from his half brother. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sir Avar</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Bone Keep, Hex 0302)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sir Avar was a paladin, a divine champion of Delaquain the Grey Maiden, the goddess of honor and justice. Unfortunately, he fell in love with a knight's daughter and she loved him back. Both devout followers of Delaquain, the two agree to remain chaste until the Grey Maiden released him from her service. But his enemies found out about his love and killed her in revenge. In the depths of despair, he forsakes Delaquain and became a Chaos Knight. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He preserved the body of his love and sealed in a glass coffin. He entered into the service of the Black Queen in order to have access to the ruins of Bone Keep. He believes if finds <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2009/10/fantasy-sandbox-in-detail-part-ix.html">the shrine of Duke Barrandon</a>, a legendary saint, he will be able to redeem himself and resurrect his lost love. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydWM00TSFaGzkjvYpWldPf3pp-QJoaA-8g9mN63mU1WBMEDuYy__WxiPlY58rMQNRrHbAHho5DzX_tnidqvKk0I_8VfdWLtUf1w5JiWHHbkq0nw6bCNciCbLp5xk14pWW9SKlAVBnsNvjVhLhynbBJpXdPunPAyWCmtbEjk2WI8_bD8sUUJtkU4EmyQ/s2100/Skeleton.tif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydWM00TSFaGzkjvYpWldPf3pp-QJoaA-8g9mN63mU1WBMEDuYy__WxiPlY58rMQNRrHbAHho5DzX_tnidqvKk0I_8VfdWLtUf1w5JiWHHbkq0nw6bCNciCbLp5xk14pWW9SKlAVBnsNvjVhLhynbBJpXdPunPAyWCmtbEjk2WI8_bD8sUUJtkU4EmyQ/s320/Skeleton.tif" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art © Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Rot Lord</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Ruins of Sable Port, Hex 0402)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once a king of a realm that existed prior to the Cataclysm, he swore his fealty and his realm to the service of the Dark Lord. He served his overlord well and when he died he was transformed into a wraith to continue his service. In the wake of the Crusade, he managed to rescue the Black Queen from the clutches of the Crusaders and fled with her deep into the Underearth. Since then he has served her as one of her most loyal lieutenants. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Currently, he using his knowledge of necromancy to animate an army of zombie around Sable Port. He views it as yet one more task to be done capably and well as his honor and oath demands.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Black Queen</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Fortress of the Lich Lord, Hex 0303)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">A powerful sorceress who rose high in the service of the Dark Lord prior to the Cataclysm. After the Cataclysm she was one of several of the Dark Lord's lieutenants assigned to explore the newly created Midland Sea. After the fall of the Dark Empire, she allied with the lich Tavaras on the isle of Piall. It was an uneasy alliance at best. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When the Crusaders of the United Church arrived she was nearly killed alongside Tavaras. But thanks to the aid of the Rot Lord, she escaped the crusaders by fleeing into the Undereath. Now she has returned to Piall and slowly building up her power to seize the island as the start of her plans to re-forge the Dark Empire. She currently exists as a wraith-like creature still in possession of formidable skills as a magic user.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>King Touris </b><br /><i>(Aventis Village, Hex 0401)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">While getting on in his years, King Tuoris is slim and full of energy. His family and advisors are barely able to keep up with him. Especially when he focuses on the great love of his life, racing his sea-horses. When he was young his skill at riding allowed the young prince to lure a Sahaugin raiding party into an ambush that saved a fleet of fishing boats in the East Bay of Piall. Tuoris is a strong proponent of the alliance with the Gervons and is looking forward to their meeting next year. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Prince Xatharazzax </b><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Sahuagin Outpost, Hex 0505)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Demons of the Deep never ceased to worship their demonic creators after the Dawn Wars. After the Demon's imprisonment within the Abyss they fled into the deepest ocean trenches to rebuild and somehow free the demonic lords they worship. With the creation of the Midland Sea after the Cataclysm hundreds of square miles of unclaimed sea floor awaited anybody with the strength to claim it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Prince Xatharazzax was sent by his father to prove his mettle in the Midland Sea by carving new realms for the Sahuagins to conquer and rule. Xatharazzax is a veteran of several campaigns and realm of Aventis ruled by King Touris is his latest target. He is a skilled tactician although his past successes have fueled his arrogance to the point where he believes he can overcome any challenge including personal ones. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7kqzbHYcU-OifgaOCiKk5L36JwU57qSMDX-AHcbqxpnfP1KWfGvCpicwCgcV1Yjd8yBxIo6fy53C4YvqoshgFb_XOGqQjN9CuHkr9ruqe24kR5BZ96XARcaOE9tB9NOFf-J_2GVCC6EjdjfjMJ_Nld87P5FZ0NbTTDGtv5Tcpr0Ob-2sXJtto9_mXQ/s2329/Sahuagin,%20Color.tif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2329" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7kqzbHYcU-OifgaOCiKk5L36JwU57qSMDX-AHcbqxpnfP1KWfGvCpicwCgcV1Yjd8yBxIo6fy53C4YvqoshgFb_XOGqQjN9CuHkr9ruqe24kR5BZ96XARcaOE9tB9NOFf-J_2GVCC6EjdjfjMJ_Nld87P5FZ0NbTTDGtv5Tcpr0Ob-2sXJtto9_mXQ/s320/Sahuagin,%20Color.tif" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art © Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games</i></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Prince Ormus</b><br /><i>(Aventis Village, Hex 0401)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Quiet and studious, Tuoris youngest son, Ormus, thinks an alliance with the humans is a waste of time. That it is one of the many things that makes his father and his older brothers too distracted to properly protect Aventis from the Sahaugins. He feels it would be better if his father properly supported his expeditions into the ruins littered along the sea floor. Study the artifacts that are uncovered and use magical knowledge gained to protect the kingdom. From his own explorations, he learned enough to become a Magic User.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />That is it for part XXIII next is <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2023/08/a-fantasy-sandbox-in-detail-part-xxiv.html">Part XXIV </a>where we wrap things up with rumors and random encounter charts.</div></div></div><p><br /></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-40799250659064555282022-11-08T18:54:00.002-05:002022-11-08T18:56:47.010-05:00Now for the news about Space the Final FrontierUpdating everybody on the pressing irrelevant question of the day. What uniforms will the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Space_Force">US Space Force</a> pick?</p><p>A bit of background. So among world's aerospace units, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Force_Delta">triangular delta symbol</a> is somewhat popular. So when the US Space Force was formed they went with this. Whose popularity probably is no small part influenced by a certain beloved <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek">late 60s series</a>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEK3PNHWAlHGNZ7D1Q0QtFp3tCd2ud1N5ZltEmxBHKLf_jcpVWJxYPuP4v-andiiBZst3utx5qqKW67AvM_APl_bvHyWTVlKs5NYjhqqJeB7qddH2WN334PeLEvd_3VW5ECHWM99Bdt-zhqTj_35z2_WvmfRi4K6NXA2td-JDtdZOBoWwyDldn1t5_8A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="774" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEK3PNHWAlHGNZ7D1Q0QtFp3tCd2ud1N5ZltEmxBHKLf_jcpVWJxYPuP4v-andiiBZst3utx5qqKW67AvM_APl_bvHyWTVlKs5NYjhqqJeB7qddH2WN334PeLEvd_3VW5ECHWM99Bdt-zhqTj_35z2_WvmfRi4K6NXA2td-JDtdZOBoWwyDldn1t5_8A" width="236" /></a></div><br />So the question now is where their uniform will come from? From which navy of American sci-fi they will draw inspiration from? Well, we now have our answer.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0QvL8HefXAB5DdvaHTy_bgAXp_9p6t765nAPzQ3X9EvgAn4eheStK0sEG6cSqI6wzP7FkpJiHNSAfHLrpNTeNsRJbFuVlXvZI60YUdaFd7lMYA4LL4Z65NV1Q8QwYk64p23l_BSok8oPmA1CLlDTOC6SgPuko3jUL5zF43OHo-AxP5NatRhg4WcpavA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1927" data-original-width="2560" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0QvL8HefXAB5DdvaHTy_bgAXp_9p6t765nAPzQ3X9EvgAn4eheStK0sEG6cSqI6wzP7FkpJiHNSAfHLrpNTeNsRJbFuVlXvZI60YUdaFd7lMYA4LL4Z65NV1Q8QwYk64p23l_BSok8oPmA1CLlDTOC6SgPuko3jUL5zF43OHo-AxP5NatRhg4WcpavA" width="319" /></a></div><br />Another beloved sci-fi tv series but not <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battlestar_Galactica_(1978_TV_series)">the original</a> but the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battlestar_Galactica_(2004_TV_series)">reboot version</a>. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAp3OP3QOYWsRp2vFUtbGO8Xg742Ne94Pl-_dA7gvV2m_oWD_m978yua2sNUoBn5fiREYBbRmWzP412xSBFJEJ0IE1lWVQTY3KVlFnTqrVoFLXR1vr9E5NhY8ED37ETH_G5w6WBoASwkj1hu5oxgkwCeSZwpJmQrYJ-RwNPTFu2X_Ad_djTkUSZkEzbA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="455" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAp3OP3QOYWsRp2vFUtbGO8Xg742Ne94Pl-_dA7gvV2m_oWD_m978yua2sNUoBn5fiREYBbRmWzP412xSBFJEJ0IE1lWVQTY3KVlFnTqrVoFLXR1vr9E5NhY8ED37ETH_G5w6WBoASwkj1hu5oxgkwCeSZwpJmQrYJ-RwNPTFu2X_Ad_djTkUSZkEzbA" width="161" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="color: #050505;">Enjoy!Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-66517424599140772412022-09-12T15:51:00.004-04:002022-09-12T15:51:59.110-04:00Keeping Strict Time Records in Lord of the Rings<p> So apparently J.R.R. Tolkien kept strict time records.</p><p><a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/861624/pdf">Chronology of the Lord of the Ring ($20)</a></p><p><b>Rob's Note: </b>This is a link to a PDF purchase of an academic article. You can read the synopsis for free.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyZ0eWtZ0ZCvBFCWLR_r6oqZ-p-eZBsyqrj2Z7NHtIH-XWteSiMfYzsq-Obq7FC_Lxxv_TxPWHOCxNwHW4FX7RNx4A0JgC0IoBWtm6O7KtHGVTCg2m4ZdIWxRlZfci2QVtIf_8eS1hxMdOfA4nWkQI9I10o_0njnGRBztNogNs2I6Nvw3rG2VS3hnf1Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="490" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyZ0eWtZ0ZCvBFCWLR_r6oqZ-p-eZBsyqrj2Z7NHtIH-XWteSiMfYzsq-Obq7FC_Lxxv_TxPWHOCxNwHW4FX7RNx4A0JgC0IoBWtm6O7KtHGVTCg2m4ZdIWxRlZfci2QVtIf_8eS1hxMdOfA4nWkQI9I10o_0njnGRBztNogNs2I6Nvw3rG2VS3hnf1Q=w400-h304" width="400" /></a></div><b><i>Rob's Note:</i></b> I realize the sample image is hard to read. It was the best avaliable.<br /><br /><p></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-64372965344992415452022-09-08T10:50:00.003-04:002022-09-08T11:27:26.219-04:001D&D: The 5E Skill System Is not broken, but it may not work out for you.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi063FaFEyC3GjaCjyOQYX5XjLbObEBLU6vlqkKhRIY-eWzMgqe1RihC5XP4_xT5exhek8gae-d2CGNL5UBoxoVI36MMW3IDO2AIbShfPmY_n3b7q0XsBDC81MTTFge_aNl01PpshK5J-4pSlqnBUOgrm9iSkMmeJs2Ue173Ml0tkF6UqOOcigwZ-i0xQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="1280" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi063FaFEyC3GjaCjyOQYX5XjLbObEBLU6vlqkKhRIY-eWzMgqe1RihC5XP4_xT5exhek8gae-d2CGNL5UBoxoVI36MMW3IDO2AIbShfPmY_n3b7q0XsBDC81MTTFge_aNl01PpshK5J-4pSlqnBUOgrm9iSkMmeJs2Ue173Ml0tkF6UqOOcigwZ-i0xQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /> On <a href="https://thealexandrian.net/">the Alexandrian</a>, Justin Alexander writes a 2,500-word review that tears <a href="https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/48414/roleplaying-games/1dd-the-5e-skill-system-is-bad?fbclid=IwAR2CjA1SZvKhS9kG457Tw18QtOxJmVsi2pHAcjM50mYjAk39m34JK1dMNzI">apart the DnD 5e skill system</a>. This appears to have been prompted by the fact that the <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/one-dnd">One DnD playtest</a> added a rule that 1 is a failure on ALL d20 rolls and a 20 is a auto success (and grants a point of inspiration) on ALL d20 rolls. In the current rules natural 1's and 20's only matter on the to-hit roll. Although myself and others I know apply it to ability checks, saves, and skill checks. <p></p><p>The review is quite detailed in goes into some of the math behind the DnD 5e skill system. </p><p>And it misses the entire point of the skill system. </p><p>First off for those interested, here is a link from back in the day explaining what bounded accuracy is about and includes a link to the original article from Wizards explaining it.</p><p><a href="https://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/44826/are-peoples-competencies-really-as-flat-in-dd-5e-as-its-math-suggests">Are peoples' competencies really as flat in D&D 5e as its math suggests?</a></p><p>What it boils down to is what is the author's view of the fantasy genre? (since DnD 5e is meant to handle various fantasy settings). In DnD case the specific question, is what is a 1st level character is like? What is a 6th level character like? A 12th level character? And so on up to the maximum level the author wants to write about. In 5e's case that is 20th level.</p><p>It is not apparent from Justin's review what he views what characters should be doing in non-combat situations at various levels. He references low-level 3.X a lot but doesn't say why. I am left with the impression that he feels somehow the 5e target numbers should match those of low-level 3.5?</p><p>For me the 5e authors take is apparent. You start out so-so: 55% success for easy (DC 10), 30% for moderate (DC 15), and 5% for Hard (DC 20). With a +4 attribute bonus and a +2 proficiency, you can get those up to 85% success for easy, 60% for moderate, and 35% for hard. This is at 1st level. </p><p>To me, this means the authors feel when it comes to non-combat tasks that 5e 1st level characters have some measure of competence. If your view of the capabilities of first-level characters is not the same then the above isn't going to work for your campaigns.</p><p>At 20th level for most characters, the odds shift. Now characters often have a +5 attribute bonus, and a +6 proficiency bonus. You going to automatically succeed at DC 10 (Easy) task. 85% success for DC 15 (Moderate) tasks, and 60% success for DC 20 (Hard) tasks.</p><p>If these odds don't reflect what you think 20th-level characters are capable of then 5e isn't going to work out. </p><p>Bards and Rogues along with two feats in the later books give expertise. Rogues also have Reliable Talent at 11th level. Expertise doubles the proficiency bonus for some skills. This shifts the odds of success in skill and ability checks considerably. </p><p>At 1st level, we are talking about a +10% improvement with any skills that have expertise. At 20th level Rogue and Bards with expertise will automatically succeed on DC 10 (Easy), and DC 15 (Moderate) tasks, and have a 90% chance of success on DC 20 (Hard) tasks. </p><p>With Rogues, when they get Reliable Talent at 11th level, the player can declare that they roll a 10 with a skill check. This means they will succeed with everything up to a Hard task? </p><p>Justin fail to mention that there are two more task levels DC 25 (Very Hard), and DC 30 (Almost Impossible). A 20th-level Rogue with reliable talent will always succeed at DC 25 task (10 + 17 = 27).</p><p>Is this bad? Is this poor math on the designer's part? No, it fits with their view of what Rogues (and Bards) are capable of at 1st, 11th, and 20th level. This is why I <a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/one-dnd">put a reference</a> to something that I and others have written back in 2014. To show why 5e authors wrote up the classes and mechanics the way they did.</p><p>As for the change in the One DnD playtest, it is more about making the system reflect how hobbyists like you and me actually play 5e rather than trying to fix a non-existent math issue.</p><p>If that is not how you view the capabilities of a Rogue or a Bard then 5e isn't going to work for you. </p><p>And certainly not for Justin Alexander.</p><p><br /></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-11350038291007123172022-09-05T11:14:00.004-04:002022-09-05T11:14:23.111-04:00Stuff in the Attic updated with Faeries and Demons!<p> I shared these PDFs on other forums but forgot to update my <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/p/stuff-in-attic.html">Stuff in the Attic</a> page.</p><p><b>Demons and Divine Servants</b></p><p>This booklet contains how I handle demons using my Majestic Fantasy rules along with a first pass on what Divine Servants are like. It also has a short essay on the nature of evil and demons. Note that when it comes to my take on fantasy settings I am not a fan of Milton's approach where Lucifer is a anti-hero. Although I did thoroughly enjoy the Lucifier series. </p><p><a href="https://www.batintheattic.com/downloads/Demons%20and%20Divine%20Servants.pdf">Demons and Divine Servants</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTHpM_dSo34bRSRSJ3PqWVpQdE5tTj1r3Tfo_SPJMYXRADfT26HWD-6hd13vs2f2oLVducvIqNmZZaNmHSyFh-sf9alj0_ZGYXQbzxjVtpvY0oRujSJz0HpMEOyRartRUDc4jPwTEcyrYaTEYQVvOSyMH0bD_HdJCQeoXgror6Ve31-ffmxfFnVhbBSA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="780" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTHpM_dSo34bRSRSJ3PqWVpQdE5tTj1r3Tfo_SPJMYXRADfT26HWD-6hd13vs2f2oLVducvIqNmZZaNmHSyFh-sf9alj0_ZGYXQbzxjVtpvY0oRujSJz0HpMEOyRartRUDc4jPwTEcyrYaTEYQVvOSyMH0bD_HdJCQeoXgror6Ve31-ffmxfFnVhbBSA" width="270" /></a></div><br />Sometimes I like to do things because I find them fun like making a in-game religious document. This is the Scroll of the Beginning which is a version of the Bible's Book of Genesis for some religions of the Majestic Fantasy Realms. This also relevant to the origins of the demons. <p></p><p><a href="https://www.batintheattic.com/downloads/Scroll%20of%20the%20Beginning.pdf">Scroll of the Beginning</a></p><p><b>Faeries</b></p><p>For a long time, I <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2014/05/getting-handle-on-faeries.html">struggled to come up with a "hook"</a> that allowed me to roleplay Faeries. Faeries in the Majestic Fantasy are born from magic coalescing around strong emotions both positive and negative. In order to grow and thrive, they seek to recreate these emotions. The more emotions they master, the stronger they become. This booklet contains a short essay about their nature.</p><p><a href="https://www.batintheattic.com/downloads/Faeries.pdf">Faeries</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjwrxUpAG9znsmqHq7xGlXx1RRtuHce5SjCMKIIKg7Y0vBPWhHOZ7JLtcgj-fWjxUusi89ORSlUHDmEvgYkMPIiq4WxE_xB58eRPytyxORNoKUaElmfuYp3nRqEMLcdLBEkF_fqIp5nAAarzOl6EiIu4WQ-jp8fxzGCXtRvtHc82aBIonkg9BEUojJZg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="841" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjwrxUpAG9znsmqHq7xGlXx1RRtuHce5SjCMKIIKg7Y0vBPWhHOZ7JLtcgj-fWjxUusi89ORSlUHDmEvgYkMPIiq4WxE_xB58eRPytyxORNoKUaElmfuYp3nRqEMLcdLBEkF_fqIp5nAAarzOl6EiIu4WQ-jp8fxzGCXtRvtHc82aBIonkg9BEUojJZg" width="275" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wrapping it up</b></div><div>Hope you find both of these useful for your campaign. As for Into the Majestic Fantasy Realms, I am in the midst of southern mountains and deserts describing what I find. Currently, I am about 75% of the way through all four maps.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggahRT7UaJvoEkISPWpzO_D_SM_0f8UdTwRFyIRX3KX1sLshv8qEdjVZH1qxhivTIHYvtP6geFwe7nx68I-O27WioIczfyGZXk9r8c4sPiy4wnZWRWrA6zrtc1krHqwEM7eLjYf8RxPpjcxB_FiofUu_PlhAuNOGJNTTUaLd_ev_RDNxtNVEPBLAhZWw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="632" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggahRT7UaJvoEkISPWpzO_D_SM_0f8UdTwRFyIRX3KX1sLshv8qEdjVZH1qxhivTIHYvtP6geFwe7nx68I-O27WioIczfyGZXk9r8c4sPiy4wnZWRWrA6zrtc1krHqwEM7eLjYf8RxPpjcxB_FiofUu_PlhAuNOGJNTTUaLd_ev_RDNxtNVEPBLAhZWw" width="274" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-35160397899775600072022-08-19T18:12:00.003-04:002022-08-19T18:12:17.016-04:00One D&D, Character Origins<p> As part of <a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2022/08/one-d-announcement.html">their announcement</a> yesterday, Wizards of the Coast released the first playtest document for One DnD, Character Origins.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmsVldxMGTdVu33_7BB1dRuBw4lbSQvEDTw86i-FDbbdNeLOjGo9O95Qd-skJalXDTujYBLRt5I8hQeg5jb6FrDy_wrVGBJMRz4x5rRSYsl-27lpPr3kIjmGMJ0UFvV5xGr6znFbsdc8Q8h3c22dLkyB8UN_5XBQx2h-_Eiox0NxcRj9dHdlwgg6hXYA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="89" data-original-width="124" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmsVldxMGTdVu33_7BB1dRuBw4lbSQvEDTw86i-FDbbdNeLOjGo9O95Qd-skJalXDTujYBLRt5I8hQeg5jb6FrDy_wrVGBJMRz4x5rRSYsl-27lpPr3kIjmGMJ0UFvV5xGr6znFbsdc8Q8h3c22dLkyB8UN_5XBQx2h-_Eiox0NxcRj9dHdlwgg6hXYA=w100-h72" width="100" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/one-dnd">One Dnd Playtest</a></p><p>The bulk of the document is about how they are going to handle Character Races and Backgrounds in the next version of DnD. Interestingly they include snippets of other sections of the rules to give some context for the other mechanics they mentioned in the section about Origins.</p><p><b>Rob's Notes:</b> So folks understand where I am coming from I care far more that the mechanics reflect the nuances of a setting or genre than "game balance. I am a strong proponent that having a consistent view of the genre or setting is more important. As opposed to making Option A, B, and C have equal weight in the campaign. </p><p><b>Character Origins</b></p><p>It looks like they want to bind Character Race and Background more tightly in One DnD. Emphasize roleplaying more by giving background equal weight to character weight. In core 5e, background is almost an afterthought. Later Adventures in Middle Earth ditched the idea that the two are separate and combined them into cultures. For example, a dwarf of the Lonely Mountain has some things in common with a Dwarf of the Blue Mountain and some things are different. Each has its own section in the AiME books.</p><p>Controversially they shifted some of the benefits around race and background. A character race still grants distinct special abilities but now the attribute bonuses are determined by the background the player chooses. For example, picking the Guard background will get you +2 strength and +1 wisdom in addition to a set of skill proficiencies, tool proficiencies, an additional language, and what they calling a 1st level Feat. </p><p>I think this was a poor creative choice. In DnD fantasy it is well established that elves are more dexterous, dwarves are hardier, and so on. This change doesn't feel very DnDish to me. But my choice would have been to split the bonuses between race and background. Just like in AiME a dwarven guard would have of some the same bonuses as a Dwarven Pilgrim and some that were different.</p><p>My final analysis is that in comparison to 5e core, characters are going to get a tad bit more with Character Origins. Like AiME there is more emphasis on the roleplaying details. That the difference between the 5e Core and One DnD is small and incremental in this area of the rules.</p><p><b>Starting Languages</b></p><p>One DnD Character will know common, a language from their background, and a language from the list of Standard Langauge: Common, Common Sign Language, Dwarvish, Elvish, Giant, Gnomish, Goblin, Halfling, and Orc.</p><p>I find the addition of Sign Language interesting and plan to do some research into the historical use of sign language and incorporate that as an option for my Majestic Fantasy RPG. I also watched the movie Prey and the protagonists of the film, Comanches, also used a type of sign language.</p><p><b>Feat Description.</b></p><p>In my 5e campaigns, I didn't often use feats having a negative experience with the mechanic as a result of 3.X. But 5e's take on feat is far more laid back overall so sometimes when a player makes a good case that a particular feat fit his character background, I will allow the pick.</p><p>However when it came to AiME, they recast the feat mechanic as virtues. And it worked rather well and really enhances the feel of the system as a Middle Earth RPG.</p><p>This section includes feats like Alert, Crafter, Lucky, Magic Initiate, Musician, Savage Attacker, Skilled, Tavern Brawler and Tough. I find it to be a varied mix of combat and non-combat options that are somewhat laid back overall like the core 5e feats. Some like skilled may have to be tested in actual play to see if they are too generous or not. Skilled give three proficiencies in skills. </p><p>Given the limited of 5e skills that could be overkill or maybe it is just right. I would judge this on the basis of "Does this make sense for the DnD fantasy genre that a character starting out to be proficient in this many skills?" compared to the overall skill list.</p><p>Feats also have a level requirement baked in as part of the standard description. Will have to see the full description of feats before making a call on whether this works out or not. </p><p><b>Rules Glossary</b></p><p>The author explains some of the mechanics they referenced in the preceding sections.</p><p><b>Types of Magic</b></p><p>There are not three instead of two types of magic. Primal joins Arcane and Divine. Could be a good roleplaying flavor.</p><p><b>Tool Proficiency</b></p><p>They list Artisan's Tools, Gaming Set, Musical Instrument, and notes on Tool Proficiencies in general. Some observations. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>If you have proficiency in a relevant tool and skill you gain an advantage on the d20 roll</li><li>It appears One DnD is simplifying the price list and acquisition of equipment. </li><li>Their attempt at terminology to avoid naming editions is to say "see 2014, Player's Handbook".</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Creature Types</b></p><p>Like the 2014 rule books, there are creature types and certain ability may work differently for a specific type of creature.</p><p>D20 Test</p><p>One DnD will introduce D20 Test as a term to describe any use of the 1d20 high mechanics. Ability Checks, Saving Throws, To-Hit Rolls, etc. It appears to be a way of consolidating the die rolling mechanics under a single header.</p><p>Observations</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Rolling a 1 on anything a D20 Test is a failure</li><li>Rolling a 20 on anything grants inspiration.</li><li>Critical Hits rolling a 20 on a weapon or unarmed attack will double the damage dice. </li></ul><div>There is currently a lot of controversy over whether the last this applies to monsters or not. Ever since I have been involved with later editions of DnD starting with 3.0 in 2000. There have been two broad camps regarding the system. One side believes that X can happen only if it is explicitly allowed. The other side believes that unless it is specifically not allowed X can happen. I happened to be part of the latter camp. </div><div><br /></div><div>The text in question says</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8WG7-xWQLNwg1ENYSDN0rTLLgombLeTOn-cOfkLEo4sHh6wU317Q6Ib-3zpPATpGI-rgV2uDAPtmwdl2pVBcCJhyBjqVyzLmPoQ14GySc_x1ecKEVXYLOcAPgP-ByPxA_uUAWOZXJokA2aGqbyqW4YV6j045WM3VNHUgLPAaHlAkeTuTQtnE_EBvUYA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="96" data-original-width="351" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8WG7-xWQLNwg1ENYSDN0rTLLgombLeTOn-cOfkLEo4sHh6wU317Q6Ib-3zpPATpGI-rgV2uDAPtmwdl2pVBcCJhyBjqVyzLmPoQ14GySc_x1ecKEVXYLOcAPgP-ByPxA_uUAWOZXJokA2aGqbyqW4YV6j045WM3VNHUgLPAaHlAkeTuTQtnE_EBvUYA=w272-h75" width="272" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As you can have NPCs with class and level taking this literally will lead to logical inconsistencies as to how the genre and setting are depicted. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Grappled Condition</b></div><div>I think it is written up better in One DnD than in the 2014 rules. Speed is zero, attacks on anybody but the grappler are at a disadvantage, you can be moved except the grappler is considered slowed, and the escape conditions are expanded and explained better.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Incapacitated Condition</b></div><div>The original 2014 rule is intact and the following has been added; concentration is automatically broken, can't speak, and if you have to roll initiative while incapacitated then you roll at a disadvantage. </div><div><br /></div><div>Mentioning concentration is probably wise, while it stated in concentration that you lose it if you are incapacitated it makes the rulebook more user-friendly to mention it in the condition as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>The can't speak part is stating the obvious in my opinion. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can see a point in mentioning the last. Combat can ensue when the character is already incapacitated and the 2014 rules taken literally would mean that the character makes a normal init roll.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Inspiration</b></div><div>Many aspects of Inspiration are the same as the 2014 rules. Spending it grants advantage on what is now called a D20 Test. It still can be awarded as a result of good roleplaying. You can only have one. There are now additional opportunities to gain Inspiration like the crit roll. However, now you lose any Inspiration when you take a long rest.</div><div><br /></div><div>Inspiration was a controversial part of 5e from the start. My view of this take it is that more akin to luck mechanics or system that give you some type of ongoing benefit as a result of a critical.</div><div><br /></div><div>I used Inspiration occasionally as part of my 5e campaign. I don't see any particular issue incorporating this as an additional crit result. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Long Rest</b></div><div>The same with a new addition that if you are interrupted over an hour in, you get the benefits of a short rest.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Slowed Condition</b></div><div>One DnD adds a new condition Slowed. </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>spend 1 extra foot of movement for every foot you move using your Speed.</li><li>Attackers have advantage on you</li><li>Disadvantage on Dex Saves</li></ul></div><div><b>Tremorsense</b></div><div>A new sense has been added. Basically you can locate (but not see) anybody in a radius around you as long as they are in contact with the same surface as you are on.</div><div><br /><b>Unarmed Strike</b></div><div>They combined the 2014 version of Unarmed strike, grappling, and Shove into a single ability with three choices for when you make a successful attack. Also to escape a Grapple is DC 8 + strength mod + proficiency bonus. Not the opposed skill check of the 2014 rules.</div><div><br /></div><div>New Spell Lists</div><div>Take the cantrips and 1st level spells from the 2014 rules and divides them into the three categories of Arcane, Divine, and Primal.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wrapping it Up</b></div><div>So far it looks like pretty much still 5e. If I had to guess I bet for most of you reading this it reads like somebody's list of house rules or even your own house rules. A bunch of tweaks and reformatted sections to suit the author's sensibilities. Still seems like 5e to me and more importantly doesn't alter how easy it is to hack or tweak 5e into the system you want to use. Plus some of it makes sense and would be useful like the Slowed Condition and the grappling changes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next are some thoughts on DnD Digital.</div>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5904133056957353312.post-82333753858974768622022-08-18T15:15:00.004-04:002022-08-19T18:13:07.089-04:00One D&D, The Announcement<p><b>So One D&D?</b></p><p></p><div>Today Wizards announced some details about what happening to DnD. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1313-wizards-presents-recap-catch-up-on-all-the-d-d#one-dnd">DnD News Catch Up</a></div><div><a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1310-faq-one-d-d-rules-d-d-digital-and-physical-digital">One DnD FAQ</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcH1gb3YpqNdm1qbCgQkKV0Uj1Dr4vh_exk7WDNT46dr-midVyGQXEEvxFn785ygNNk2dtF91WH_m45nTc3JTq6GVZWY7tYOD8oox5-pKLvKBL-MmIQzW3ncmyGy1kXyT3A17B4dai-AvUH9lsxeBjjBImhszNlvVSaTwV4vVNU07EAiJgab85niMrMg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="147" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcH1gb3YpqNdm1qbCgQkKV0Uj1Dr4vh_exk7WDNT46dr-midVyGQXEEvxFn785ygNNk2dtF91WH_m45nTc3JTq6GVZWY7tYOD8oox5-pKLvKBL-MmIQzW3ncmyGy1kXyT3A17B4dai-AvUH9lsxeBjjBImhszNlvVSaTwV4vVNU07EAiJgab85niMrMg=w124-h90" width="124" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The one thing they hammer on in the initial press release is that Wizard does not what you to think of it as the next edition. In the press release, they are stressing that One DnD is 100% compatible with 5e. Using Curse of Strahd as an example of something that can work equally well with the current 5e rules now and the One DnD core rules later.</div><div><br /></div><div>I believe them. If the authors make that their goal it is totally doable given my experience dragging the Majestic Wilderlands through multiple systems. And we have actual examples of how this would work with Adventures in Middle Earth versus DnD 5e Core rulebooks. </div><div><br /></div><div>But there is a catch. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>A catch?</b></div><div>The feel of a campaign is determined by the referee's personal style, along with how the systaffand stuff work together. Using AiME as an example again, it uses the 5e system but with radically different stuff (classes, monster, abilities, etc.) that turns it into a Middle Earth RPG. </div><div><br /></div><div>An AiME campaign doesn't feel like a core book 5e campaign. Even if you were to use the same adventures for both. Which happened to me when I ran an adaptation of Scourge of the Demon Wolf for AiME at Con on the Cob a few years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>One DnD likely is 100% compatible by continuing to use the 5e system. It may have a completely different feel because of the stuff the authors choose to use for the RPG. If it is different enough my guess is that most hobbyists will consider it a new edition despite the marketing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another observation the closest analogy we have is the transition from 3.0 to 3.5. And that didn't go over well for 3.0 products and put the final nailing into bursting the d20 boom. But the Wizards as a company deliberately decided to design 3.5 so it is not quite compatible with 3.0.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here the design team wants the system to remain 100% compatible limiting changes to the stuff (classes, skills, spells, etc.).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wrapping it up</b></div><div><br /></div><div>We will see how they do as they are having a somewhat open playtest on DnD Beyond.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/one-dnd">One DnD Playtest</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I will have further comments later on DnD Digital and the initial playtest on Character Origins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next: Thoughts on the<a href="https://batintheattic.blogspot.com/2022/08/one-d-character-origins.html"> One DnD: Character Options</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Robert Conleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03863009007381185340noreply@blogger.com0