HYPERBOREA / How many are starting a new campaign with the 2nd edition?

**Posted by Grimmshade** 10/12/2017 8:07 pm

Starting a home campaign set in the Hyborian Age.

**Posted by rhialto** 10/13/2017 6:26 am

foxroe wrote:
OT: Does anyone have any experience in running AS&SH for complete RPG newbies? Did you attempt to simplify things even further, or did you throw your player's to the wolves? How'd it go?

I started my son (9 years' old at the time, now 11) with AS&SH, and while it did take some explaining when to roll which die (he had a Thief to start, so needed to learn d20 for combat, d6 for initiative and non-standard tasks, d12 for Thief abilities, etc.), the system is transparent enough that it went fine.

**Posted by rhialto** 10/13/2017 6:34 am

I've been letting my group know I want to get back to AS&SH when 2e was available in print (I only use PDFs for quick searching a pulling out the bits I need: I have a hard time reading them as I would a physical book). While they have two groups of PCs in my campaign world (one 6th - 7th level, one their henchmen run as a one-off that turned into a mini-campaign of now 3rd level) I've been itching to do a Viking-themed game, set in my version of Earth, post-Atlantean apocalypse (codename "Swordsmen and Sorcerers of Old Terra", or SSOOT, pronounced "soot" ).

**Posted by mavfire** 10/13/2017 6:50 am

I am porting all of my current family campaign (13y/o and 10y/o boys) to hyperborea they will be swept to hyperborea and 2e in a retro recal not unlike ravenloft back in the day!

**Posted by mabon5127** 10/13/2017 7:13 am

Grimmshade wrote:
Starting a home campaign set in the Hyborian Age.

Of course! I'm thinking its gonna be pretty awesome!

**Posted by mabon5127** 10/13/2017 7:15 am

rhialto wrote:
I've been letting my group know I want to get back to AS&SH when 2e was available in print (I only use PDFs for quick searching a pulling out the bits I need: I have a hard time reading them as I would a physical book). While they have two groups of PCs in my campaign world (one 6th - 7th level, one their henchmen run as a one-off that turned into a mini-campaign of now 3rd level) I've been itching to do a Viking-themed game, set in my version of Earth, post-Atlantean apocalypse (codename "Swordsmen and Sorcerers of Old Terra", or SSOOT, pronounced "soot" ).

Will you try to balance the character classes or let everyone play what they want? You mentioned a viking theme would this mandate the race or any class selections?

**Posted by mabon5127** 10/13/2017 7:16 am

mavfire wrote:
I am porting all of my current family campaign (13y/o and 10y/o boys) to hyperborea they will be swept to hyperborea and 2e in a retro recal not unlike ravenloft back in the day!

I love to hear folks playing with their kids moving the tradition to the next generation!

**Posted by rhialto** 10/13/2017 11:59 am

mabon5127 wrote:
rhialto wrote:
I've been letting my group know I want to get back to AS&SH when 2e was available in print (I only use PDFs for quick searching a pulling out the bits I need: I have a hard time reading them as I would a physical book). While they have two groups of PCs in my campaign world (one 6th - 7th level, one their henchmen run as a one-off that turned into a mini-campaign of now 3rd level) I've been itching to do a Viking-themed game, set in my version of Earth, post-Atlantean apocalypse (codename "Swordsmen and Sorcerers of Old Terra", or SSOOT, pronounced "soot" ).
Will you try to balance the character classes or let everyone play what they want? You mentioned a viking theme would this mandate the race or any class selections?

I won't ban anything, but in keeping with the theme I'd strongly urge them to play an appropriate class. To enforce the theme I've toyed with simple renaming of the classes for Viking characters:
Fighter becomes Huscarle
Barbarian becomes TBD
Cleric becomes Godi
Berserker stays the same
Etc.

But in keeping with my "no significant house-rules" I wouldn't alter the classes aside from a name change.
I'd also probably use thematic elements from Vikings and Valkyries, as well as other Viking resources (some gaming, some historical, some fictional). By "thematic elements" I mean things like divine blessings, using looted weapons and armor bestowing curses, etc.

**Posted by rhialto** 10/13/2017 11:59 am

mabon5127 wrote:
mavfire wrote:
I am porting all of my current family campaign (13y/o and 10y/o boys) to hyperborea they will be swept to hyperborea and 2e in a retro recal not unlike ravenloft back in the day!
I love to hear folks playing with their kids moving the tradition to the next generation!

My son is already talking about DMing for his friends.

**Posted by francisca** 10/13/2017 12:47 pm

Actually, I've made the decision to use AS&SH for eveything, from here on out. All my home campaigns and FRPG con games will now be run with AS&SH.

**Posted by rhialto** 10/13/2017 2:08 pm

Look what arrived this afternoon!

**Posted by mabon5127** 10/13/2017 4:47 pm

francisca wrote:
Actually, I've made the decision to use AS&SH for eveything, from here on out. All my home campaigns and FRPG con games will now be run with AS&SH.

Same boat. Though I do run some con games with Hollow Earth Expedition (Jonny Quest, Thundarr, and their ilk)

**Posted by mabon5127** 10/13/2017 4:49 pm

rhialto wrote:
mabon5127 wrote:
rhialto wrote:
I've been letting my group know I want to get back to AS&SH when 2e was available in print (I only use PDFs for quick searching a pulling out the bits I need: I have a hard time reading them as I would a physical book). While they have two groups of PCs in my campaign world (one 6th - 7th level, one their henchmen run as a one-off that turned into a mini-campaign of now 3rd level) I've been itching to do a Viking-themed game, set in my version of Earth, post-Atlantean apocalypse (codename "Swordsmen and Sorcerers of Old Terra", or SSOOT, pronounced "soot" ).
Will you try to balance the character classes or let everyone play what they want? You mentioned a viking theme would this mandate the race or any class selections?

I won't ban anything, but in keeping with the theme I'd strongly urge them to play an appropriate class. To enforce the theme I've toyed with simple renaming of the classes for Viking characters:
Fighter becomes Huscarle
Barbarian becomes TBD
Cleric becomes Godi
Berserker stays the same
Etc.

But in keeping with my "no significant house-rules" I wouldn't alter the classes aside from a name change.
I'd also probably use thematic elements from Vikings and Valkyries, as well as other Viking resources (some gaming, some historical, some fictional). By "thematic elements" I mean things like divine blessings, using looted weapons and armor bestowing curses, etc.

Sounds really neat. I like the name changes to set the mood.

**Posted by mabon5127** 10/13/2017 4:56 pm

Im pretty sure with the new subclasses there will be some experimentation by the players. I would really like to meet with them individually so there is no peer pressure or team driven decisions. So if it's 3 pyromancers 2 assasins and a berserker so be it. Let's go adventuring!

**Posted by rhialto** 10/13/2017 5:25 pm

mabon5127 wrote:
Im pretty sure with the new subclasses there will be some experimentation by the players. I would really like to meet with them individually so there is no peer pressure or team driven decisions. So if it's 3 pyromancers 2 assasins and a berserker so be it. Let's go adventuring!

Exactly so: let's have fun, don't worry about party composition. They'll be decomposing soon enough anyway...

**Posted by Chainsaw** 10/13/2017 5:33 pm

rhialto wrote:
mabon5127 wrote:
Im pretty sure with the new subclasses there will be some experimentation by the players. I would really like to meet with them individually so there is no peer pressure or team driven decisions. So if it's 3 pyromancers 2 assasins and a berserker so be it. Let's go adventuring!
Exactly so: let's have fun, don't worry about party composition. They'll be decomposing soon enough anyway...

Haha!

**Posted by foxroe** 10/13/2017 7:43 pm

rhialto wrote:
Look what arrived this afternoon!

Curse you Delivery Man! CURSE YOU! You were to deliver to me first! ME FIRST!
What's the dark covered Hyperborea thingy in the lower left?

**Posted by rhialto** 10/14/2017 5:32 am

foxroe wrote:
rhialto wrote:
Look what arrived this afternoon!
Curse you Delivery Man! CURSE YOU! You were to deliver to me first! ME FIRST!
What's the dark covered Hyperborea thingy in the lower left?

The folded map from the back of the book.

**Posted by Ghul** 10/14/2017 9:28 pm

francisca wrote:
Actually, I've made the decision to use AS&SH for eveything, from here on out. All my home campaigns and FRPG con games will now be run with AS&SH.

Gosh, I'm flattered, Rich! I'm delighted to hear you enjoy it that much. Cheers!

**Posted by Ghul** 10/14/2017 9:31 pm

mabon5127 wrote:
Im pretty sure with the new subclasses there will be some experimentation by the players. I would really like to meet with them individually so there is no peer pressure or team driven decisions. So if it's 3 pyromancers 2 assasins and a berserker so be it. Let's go adventuring!

The purloiner has been a popular choice in my home game.