Ghul wrote:

Well, my apolgogies if my above post was misleading -- I really was not thinking of much more than the sort of bullet list Handy provided above. Just some tips that illustrate what heroic sword-and-sorcery gaming is, which (to me) is decidedly different than Tolkienesque high fantasy.

Bullet list FTW!

I do rather agree with BA23 that there's a lot of info out there on how to DM--and a certain Guide to that should be standard equipment! So focusing on S&S and Hyperborea seems most important. The section could be called "Here There Be No Dragons"!

Ghul wrote:

One thing we never managed to include in the first printing of the game was combat examples, and that is something I'll seek to remedy with the hardback release.

That's a very good idea.

I go back and forth on whether I want more monster illustrations or whether I'm content letting my brain do the work. I *would* like one of an elk and a bear worshipping at a wilderness shrine to Xathoqqua, so put that in the queue!

Just to be clear, I'm not disparaging AS&SH in any way, shape, or form.  It's my favorite D&D-like game bar none.

However, if someone who was a complete and utter novice (i.e., can't even draw a dungeon) came to me wanting to DM a game, I probably wouldn't suggest running one as complicated as AS&SH (nor AD&D, Runequest, GURPS, etc.) Rather I would recommend spending $4.99 on the PDF of the Moldvay Basic rules (even though this regrettably puts money in the pocket of WotC) or, if the person was too poor or cheap to drop half a sawbuck on a great game, downloading the free PDF of Labyrinth Lord.  These are beginner games with plenty of handholding and spoonfeeding.  After running such a game for a while, the new DM will be ready to move into the big leagues - which will hopefully be AS&SH!

I started with the Moldvay Basic set (in case that wasn't obvious  ).  That Erol Otus cover is still one of my favorite pieces of D&D art.

rhialto wrote:

I too would love to have a hardback version: while I appreciate the spiral-bound ability to lay flat, I find myself gingerly turning the pages lest I crimp one.

That's why I have two copies! One gets carried around, used and beat up. The other stays nice. Incidentally, the spiral binding on my table copy has held up pretty well after being tossed around in my backpack on over a year's worth of work trips and regular reading. No complaints.

Still looking forward to the updated, expanded hardcover version too though!

On p201 in Vol. III. there's a note that if there's a Barbarian, Ranger, Monk, or Scout in the party, the "becoming lost" roll is made with a d8 instead of a d6. Now, why the Monk should have that ability is another question, but I think this should be noted in the class descriptions, as well.

Ynas Midgard wrote:

On p201 in Vol. III. there's a note that if there's a Barbarian, Ranger, Monk, or Scout in the party, the "becoming lost" roll is made with a d8 instead of a d6. Now, why the Monk should have that ability is another question, but I think this should be noted in the class descriptions, as well.

Monks, to my way of thinking, are spiritually in tune with their surroundings; hence their ability to confer with plants and animals. "Getting Lost" rules are not used very frequently by most referees I've encountered over the years. I think it's a sort of tangential guideline for referees who want to use it; thus, I don't think these notes should be added to the bloat of the respective character class ability descriptions. So, I suppose I respectfully disagree, but I do appreciate the point, Ynas Midgard!
 

Chainsaw wrote:

rhialto wrote:

I too would love to have a hardback version: while I appreciate the spiral-bound ability to lay flat, I find myself gingerly turning the pages lest I crimp one.

That's why I have two copies! One gets carried around, used and beat up. The other stays nice. Incidentally, the spiral binding on my table copy has held up pretty well after being tossed around in my backpack on over a year's worth of work trips and regular reading. No complaints.

Still looking forward to the updated, expanded hardcover version too though!

I'm with you Chainsaw. I printed an additional copy of each book (full-sized w/comb-binding . . . btw, the comb-binding is much preferable to the spiral, imho) to keep my original spiral bound copies in decent shape. I let my players tear through the handmade versions, while my originals stay well within the confines of my purview. And I'm quite sure once Jeff starts a Kickstarter for a lovely hardback version, I'll be right there throwing money at it.

Don.

Definitely looking forward to a hardback version

Chainsaw wrote:

Anything new on this front that you can share, Jeff?

I was thinking a small town and dungeon set might be interesting additional features to include in the Gazetteer. The town could be small and non-specific enough that a new referee could place it wherever he wanted, as suited his interests. Some might place it near Khromarium (the locals might farm peat), others up closer to the Spiral Array (the locals herd sheep), etc. The nearby dungeon might include a variety of challenges that demonstrate or highlight some AS&SH-specific mechanics, features or themes. Together, the town and dungeon might serve to build a common initial experience to set the tone, like B2 or T1, although those are both larger than what I have in mind.

Might not be feasible, I don't know.

Hi Chain,

Well, as you know, the new hardback won't become a priority until the three new adventures (Ghost Ship of the Desert Dunes, Beneath the Comet, Forgotten Fane of the Coiled Goddess) are published.

The main thing I want to stress is that (in tabletop gaming terms) this is not going to be a new edition. It is a new printing. The rules are the same, but there will be some ligt expansion -- four new subclasses. There will be some new monsters, some new magic items, etc., but the basic functions and mechanics of the game will remain the same. There will be new layout and some new art.

Adding a starting town and/or a starting dungeon is an excellent idea; it's something I'm very interested in pursuing. I'm not sure I want to go generic with it. I remain interested in developing Swampgate as a great starting point; peat farming happens to be a big part of their economy! I have an adventure idea for that locale that is inspired by Karl Edward Wagner, but I haven't explored it yet.

I think it's feasible!
 






 

Ghul wrote:

Chainsaw wrote:

Anything new on this front that you can share, Jeff?

I was thinking a small town and dungeon set might be interesting additional features to include in the Gazetteer. The town could be small and non-specific enough that a new referee could place it wherever he wanted, as suited his interests. Some might place it near Khromarium (the locals might farm peat), others up closer to the Spiral Array (the locals herd sheep), etc. The nearby dungeon might include a variety of challenges that demonstrate or highlight some AS&SH-specific mechanics, features or themes. Together, the town and dungeon might serve to build a common initial experience to set the tone, like B2 or T1, although those are both larger than what I have in mind.

Might not be feasible, I don't know.

Hi Chain,

Well, as you know, the new hardback won't become a priority until the three new adventures (Ghost Ship of the Desert Dunes, Beneath the Comet, Forgotten Fane of the Coiled Goddess) are published.

The main thing I want to stress is that (in tabletop gaming terms) this is not going to be a new edition. It is a new printing. The rules are the same, but there will be some ligt expansion -- four new subclasses. There will be some new monsters, some new magic items, etc., but the basic functions and mechanics of the game will remain the same. There will be new layout and some new art.

Adding a starting town and/or a starting dungeon is an excellent idea; it's something I'm very interested in pursuing. I'm not sure I want to go generic with it. I remain interested in developing Swampgate as a great starting point; peat farming happens to be a big part of their economy! I have an adventure idea for that locale that is inspired by Karl Edward Wagner, but I haven't explored it yet.

I think it's feasible!
 






 

The setting/adventure idea is a good one. I think keeping it tied to Hyperborea is useful as it will further accentuate the flavour and mood of the setting materials. I think once those new modules are available I'll have to do another order ;)