Updated map of Vendja.

OK, I ruined my first attempt by trying to place roads. I had to redraw the complete map outline. This time I tried roads as dotted lines (gives it a very spidery look - which ties in nicely with my monster-gods idea), I like this one a lot better.

Vendja Gateway to the World.

I have ran one session of my Swords & Wizardry game for my local group and I started them in the sprawling metropolis of Vendja. This city is my gateway to the world, it is the major trading crossroads between the eastern and western worlds. It is overpopulated with various cultures from around my world (which has yet to be developed). Basically it was my excuse to allow any culture that my players may have wanted to play. My problem was it also made my sandbox idea a little more difficult. Now the players have access to this major urban center and all it contains. So I have been thinking about how I can limit them before my next session (this Saturday!). I then found this excellent thread on the Dragonsfoot Forums, this seems like an excellent idea. Vendja is a worldly city with major temples from most of the religions represented there. However I am now thinking there is a major cult running the city (which still allows these temples - but not powerful clerics to practice in the city). I have decided that the cult will most likely be spider based (I love Shelob) and will have total control of the city. More details on that to come.

Now on to my mapping. I love a good city map, and while I don't feel that a city map is necessarily needed for D&D - I still like having them available. I winged our first session, as they spent relatively little time in the city (most of it was based in a small dungeon three days north of the city). Now that I am rethinking the major city (and may even use it for an urban campaign) I want to map the city. I am not the greatest artist however - even though I love to draw, so city maps have always been a chore for me. Today I started a map however, that I think may turn out okay. It is based on a map I found for Constantinople. The picture above is a crappy camera phone photo of my work so far (I don't have a scanner - though I hope to get one after Tax day). I have completed the outlines of the city walls and the citadel/temple on the hill in the city center. I have yet to sketch the streets and will probably not put any other buildings on the map. I think streets will suffice, and then I can label the city districts. I am my own worst critic, so I am sure I will hate this map once it is finished...

--Mike D.

Happy New Year - 2009.

Well, the holidays are over and I am back to posting here on my lonely corner of the internet. I was swamped with work just prior to the holiday season and did not have much chance - or desire - to blog during those long days.

Now that things have settled down at work, and the rush of the holidays has ended, I hope to get back to work here on the ol' blog. I still need to finish up my rules for the Ruins & Ronin game so that may take some of my time away again in the next couple of weeks.

I have updated my list of blogs recently, as there are a ton of good old school blogs out there. It is great to see such a thriving community of gamers sharing their ideas with the world.

I have my local group meeting this weekend to continue our S&W game. This is pretty much something I am doing on the fly as no one was willing to run a game amongst our group. So I chose S&W and they seem to like it so far. I am running a small 3 level dungeon for them - and they have barely scratched the surface of the first level so far - but there have been no PC deaths to date.


--Mike D.

Ruins & Ronin Still Rolling Along

My Ruins & Ronin supplement for Swords & Wizardry is still rolling along. I have completed most of the base classes, the weapons, armor, and equipment tables. I have put together a play-test draft text (here) for anybody that wants to test run the system. I will be running it for my local group on November 30th if all goes well. If you do happen to download it and use it, send me any feedback you have for it.

I am currently working on the monster/creature side of the setting - one that will probably require the most work.

I could take 25 of 'em down.

25

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Wicked Webs...

Today I am previewing my favorite monster write-up (so far) for my Samurai project using the S&W rules. I give you the wicked Jorogumo.

JOROGUMO
Armor Class: 7 [12]
Hit Dice: 4
Attacks: 1 bite [1d6 + poison] or 2 web attacks [see below]
Special: Lethal poison, Webs
Move: 9
Saving Throw: 13
Challenge Level/XP: 7/600xp

Jorogumo are ancient spiders than can take the shape of a beautiful woman. They typically make their homes in deep pools or near waterfalls. They attempt to drag victims to their lair by entangling them in their webs. A Jorogumo can use its 2 web attacks (treat as ranged attack with range of 30 feet) to capture prey, those that are hit must make a saving throw to avoid becoming stuck. Once hit with webs, the Jorogumo will drag the victim 5 feet per round (the victim can make a saving throw each round to either break free from the webs or attempt to keep from being dragged). The web can be attacked as an object with an AC 9 [10] and 4 hps. In the form of a woman the Jorogumo can cast Charm Person twice a day.

Asian Adventures

I am working on a supplement for Swords & Wizardry rules using the ideas I had earlier for a Samurai version of OD&D. This new work is using the S&W rule-set as a base and adding new classes and monsters. So far I have completed 4 classes, one of which is the Bushi which I detail below.

This project is not so much about depicting a historical Japanese setting, but more about "what if Gary had been playing a Samurai wargame when D&D was created" much like Mazes & Minotaurs is for the classic Greek setting. So you will not find any rules for Honor or Family History. You will find Bushi, Samurai, Yamabushi, Shugenja adventuring in weird underground settings searching for adventure and gold. So watch some Kurosawa flicks and get ready to play.

THE BUSHI

Bushi are wandering warriors with no tie to a lord, temple, or monastery. They can often be found in the service of some noble Samurai or serving themselves as a brigand or bandit. Most are warriors from poor families looking to make a name for themselves and escape a life of poverty.


THE BUSHI
Hit Die Type 1d6+2
Armor Permitted Any
Weapons Permitted Any
Prime Attribute (5% xp bonus) Strength 13+

Nimble: As a Bushi is sometimes too poor to afford armor, they learn to be quick on their feet. In addition to any Dexterity adjustment to their Armor Class, a Bushi gains a +1 to his Armor Class for each 5 levels of experience he has. This bonus applies regardless of any armor worn.

Establish Stronghold (9th): At ninth level, a Bushi may establish a stronghold and attract a body of loyal bushi who will swear fealty to him. Most likely, the protection of a castle will attract villagers, and the Bushi will become a feudal lord (Samurai) or even a Daimyo (baron).

Scrounge: A life of poverty has made the Bushi a master at finding “loose” items. A Bushi has a chance of finding a common piece of equipment in any settlement as depicted in the chart below.


BUSHI SCROUNGE TABLE
Settlement d20 chance
Small Sized Village 4 in 20
Medium Sized Village 5 in 20
Large Sized Village 6 in 20
Small Sized Town 8 in 20
Large Sized Town 12 in 20
Any City 18 in 20