Equipment Packs for Faster Chargen

One of the ideas I've seen around the boards is to use "Equipment Packs" at character generation to speed up that process.  It seems as if picking out all your gear is what slows down chargen, and with something as simple as S&W, I wanted to move things along.  These are likely most useful for pick-up games or introducing new players to the game.  I imagine more experienced players can get set up quickly enough just picking their gear from the limited lists available in WhiteBox.

The packs detailed below as primarily based on "Equipment Packs: A Basic Fantasy Supplement" by Shayne Power, available at basicfantasy.org. I've tweaked them for WhiteBox, and added a Bard option as well. Bear in mind this is still subject to change...

Equipment “Fast Packs”

In order to speed the character creation process for new players, all characters start with the Basic Pack and a class-based pack of their choice. They may also spend their additional gold on the bonus packs, on items from the normal equipment list or to upgrade weapons or armor in their class pack. With the referee's approval, a character may swap a given weapon for one of similar power (e.g. a Battle Axe in place of a Long Sword).

Basic Pack

Backpack; Torches (6); Flint and steel; Waterskin; Bedroll; Rations, dried (7 days); Sack, large; Sacks, small (2); d6x10 gold pieces.

Cleric

Pack 1: Leather armor; Shield; Holy Symbol; Holy water (1 vial); Mace.

Pack 2: Leather armor; Club; Holy water (2 vial); Holy Symbol; Sling; Sling bullets (30).

Fighter

Pack 1: Chain Mail; Shield; Long sword.

Pack 2: Chain Mail; Pole arm.

Pack 3: Leather armor; Long sword; Short bow; Quiver; 20 arrows.

Magic-User

Pack 1: 1 scroll with a random first level spell; Daggers (2); Staff.

Pack 2: Daggers (2); Staff; 50gp.

Thief

Pack 1: Leather armor; Thieves' tools; Short sword; Daggers (2); Rope, silk (50’).

Bard

Pack 1: Leather armor; Daggers(2); Musical instrument of choice.

Bonus Pack 1 (20gp)

Chalk, small bag of pieces; Grappling hook; Rope, hemp (2x50'); Lantern, hooded; Oil (3 flasks); Tent, small (one man).

Bonus Pack 2 – Ready for Anything (10gp)

Glass bottle; Iron Spikes (12); Pole, 10' wooden; Map or scroll case; Mirror (small), steel.

OGL Section 15 Addendum:

Equipment Packs: A Basic Fantasy Supplement Copyright 2009, Shayne Power.

The Pellet Crossbow, or Stonebow

This past summer, while visiting Cleveland, I was able to take the time to visit the fantastic Cleveland Museum of Art, and tour it's utterly amazing Armor Court.  While full of an impressive array of arms and armor, one piece struck me in particular - an odd, double-stringed crossbow labeled as a "pellet crossbow."

Invented in the late 14th century, and reaching the height of popularity by the late 1700s, the pellet crossbow, also known as a stonebow, was used primarily for hunting or target practice.It is a light crossbow, with a double string holding a pouch or pocket.  The stonebow fires small stones, clay pellets or steel bullets, comparable to sling ammunition.

In D&D terms, it is an idea weapon to introduce to a campaign to add to the cleric's list of available weapons.  With greater range than a simple sling, the pellet crossbow increases the cleric's effectiveness in missile combat situations.  Below, I've statted out this fascinating weapon for OD&D/Swords & Wizardry and Classic D&D/Labyrinth Lord, as well as a more detailed work-up for the Weapons Mastery system of Rules Cyclopedia/Dark Dungeons.

OD&D, Swords & Wizardry: WhiteBox
Crossbow, Pellet  Damage: 1d6-1   Rate of Fire: 1   Range: 50 ft.  Weight: 5 lb.  Cost: 20 gp
Pellets (20)  Weight: 1 lb.  Cost: 1 gp


B/X, BECMI, Labyrinth Lord
Crossbow, Pellet  Damage: 1d4+1  Rate of Fire: 1  Range: 60/120/180 Weight: 5 lb. Cost: 20 gp
Pellets, Crossbow (10)  Weight: 5 lbs. Cost: 1 gp


Rules Cyclopedia, Dark Dungeons
Crossbow, Pellet  Damage: 1d4+1   Rate of Fire: 1   Range: 50/100/150  Encumbrance: 50 cn  Cost: 40 gp  Notes: a,c,m,s,2H,M
Pellets, Crossbow (30)   Encumbrance: 5 cn  Cost: 1 gp
Level  Range        Damage    Defense    Special
BS     50/100/150   1d4+1     --         --
SK     50/100/150   1d6+2     M:-1AC/1   Stun(s/m)
EX     70/120/160   1d6+4     M:-2AC/2   Stun(s/m)
MS     70/120/160   P=2d4+4   M:-2AC/3   Stun(s/m)
                    S=1d8+4   
GM     80/130/160   P=2d6+4   M:-3AC/3   Stun(s/m)
(P=H)               S=1d10+4

TPK = New Beginnings

Begone foul demon!

For the past 5-6 months I have been running a game of Swords & Wizardry:WhiteBox for my kids and some friends.  Sadly, they made some poor decisions last night - their third session in Brave Halfling's fun little "Ruins of Ramat".  In general, the kids have done really well in their tactical decision making and have run when they needed to, to stay alive.  Last night, however, that all came to an end.  The tentacled demonic guardians (see right) proved to much and the party failed to escape.

In a way, this is a good thing, I think.  I started them out using the WB rules to simplify things since a couple of the players were newbies to tabletop RPGs.  My intention all along though, was to roll the campaign over to Classic D&D using the Rules Cyclopedia - my rules set of choice.  We'd discussed it recently and I was getting closer to doing some conversion work on their characters to start using the RC rules.  The TPk actually gives us a chance to start fresh and the kids have ideas for new characters they want to try anyway. At the same time, the discussion of PC choices and what type of game they want to play has allowed me to further develop my view of just what kind of game world Trevail really is and I have some grist for new ideas now.

A TPK isn't a bad thing necessarily - don't be afraid to use it for a new beginning and turn it into a win-win situation for the DM and PCs!

A Style Preview

Below are some mock-up front and back covers for a supplement booklet compiling all my house rules and additions for S&W:WB that I use in my game.

Apologies to Mark Allan for ripping his artwork for the cover.  I do credit him inside. :-)  If I was to use this piece, I realize it could only be for my private use and if I shared this supplement on the blog here, it would need to be art free, or at least have artwork I have permission to use.

I've asked Matt Finch, the author and publisher of S&W about the legality of copying the "trade dress" i.e. cover design of his work and this post is primarily a way to show him what I would like to do.  That said, additional comments are always welcome!

As promised... A WhiteBox Thief

©Steve Willhite. Elfwood.com

I began my gaming career on Christmas Day 1981 when I received the Moldvay Basic box set.  My view of D&D has, therefore, been forever colored by the expectation that it includes FOUR base classes: Cleric, Fighter, Magic-User and, for good or bad,Thief.  When I settled on S&W: WhiteBox as my rule set of choice to introduce my middle-schoolers to the Great Game, I felt I needed to add the Thief to the core 3 found in S&W:WB. I spent (as I usually do) far too long searching the interwebz for a Thief I liked - one that "felt right" - since I really do like the streamlined presentation of the classes in WhiteBox.  I found any number of interesting variations and ultimately settled on a couple of core resources for not only the Thief, but most of my other customizations and additions as well.

One is the S&W Companion site and White Box Heroes by Salvatore Macri (skathros) and the other is Knockspell magazine, the house mag for Mythmere Games. There is a ton of information to be mined there, under the OGL, and while it isn't perfect for my needs, it's a great place to start.  So back to the Thief...

This boy has undergone a few changes as I've gotten closer to what's working for me.  I started with the WB Heroes thief, and re-worked the skills to use d6s rather than the d20 skills used originally.  Then I switched things up and used some ideas from Knockspell Issue No. 2.  After more tweaking, I ended up with this one, which I think fits my sense of WB style better. Without further ado...

The Thief

A figure in the shadows, an expert in stealth and delicate tasks, this is the Thief. Locks, traps, and scouting are their trade; they are the eyes and ears of the adventuring party, tackling the inanimate perils of the dungeon itself. In combat they are not the equal of armored Fighters or Clerics, but instead rely on knowledge and specialized skills to get them safely into and out of the dangerous places where treasure is to be found. They are the scouts; the treasure seekers; and when necessary, the deadly blade that strikes from the shadows without warning.

All Thieves must be either Neutral or Chaotic in alignment.  Elves, dwarves, halflings and orcs may all become thieves with no maximum level limitations.

Thief Class Abilities

Weapon/Armor Restrictions: Thieves may use any one-handed weapon, and they are limited to armor weighing no more than leather. They may not use shields.
Backstab: When attacking from behind or from hiding (see Stealthy Movement below), the Thief inflicts double damage with a successful attack. At levels 5-8, damage is tripled, and after 9th level the attack inflicts quadruple damage.
Extraordinary Climbing: Thieves may climb normally inaccessibly vertical surfaces at the rate of 10ft for every two levels per round. At the Referee’s discretion, extreme circumstances may require a die roll to determine success.
Keen Detection: The Thief is skilled at spotting hidden and concealed doors. Thieves are also keen listeners, whether it’s overhearing conversations in a tavern or through a door in a quiet dungeon. At first level, a Thief detects secret doors and hears noises on a roll of 1-2 on 1d6. This increases to 1-3 at third level, 1-4 at sixth level, and 1-5 at ninth level.
Dexterous Manipulation: With the nimblest of fingers, Thieves are able to perform feats of manual dexterity such as picking pockets or palming small items. With the appropriate tools, they can also attempt to disarm small mechanical traps or open locks. They are successful on a roll of 1-2 on 1D6. This increases to 1-3 at third level, 1-4 at sixth level, and 1-5 at ninth level.
Stealthy Movement: The Thief is a master of sneaking and hiding. He is able to hide in the smallest shadows to avoid discovery and move nearly silently, with a movement rate of 1 per level.
Establish Gang (9th): At ninth level, a Thief may establish a stronghold and attract a number of lesser thieves who will recognize him as their boss and serve him so long as his activities continue to provide them with a steady supply of ill-gotten gains.
Saving Throw: Thieves gain a +2 bonus on saving throws in situations where quick reflexes or dodging would help them avoid injury, such as against traps, breath attacks.
XP Bonus for Dexterity: Dexterity is the Prime Attribute for Thieves, meaning that a high dexterity score grants them an additional 5% experience.

Thief Advancement Table

Level	Experience	Hit Dice (d6)	BHB	Saving Throw
1	0	1	+0	14
2	1,500	2	+0	13
3	3,000	2+1	+0	12
4	6,000	3	+1	11
5	12,000	4	+1	10
6	24,000	4+1	+2	9
7	48,000	5	+2	8
8	96,000	6	+3	7
9	192,000	6+1	+3	6
10	384,000	7	+4	5

OGL Section 15 Addendum:

Knockspell Magazine Issue #2, Copyright 2009, Matthew J. Finch

White Box Heroes Copyright 2009, Salvatore Macri

Another crazy idea I don't have time for...

I hate it when I get an idea in my head and it WON'T GO AWAY. I always loved the idea of Shadowrun - and yes, I know a lot of people hate it just as much, if not more. But for me, the meshing of fantasy - magic & monsters, elves & dwarves - with cyberpunk - guns, cyborgs and virtual reality - just ROCKS. I played a bit on and off while in college. We were playing mostly 2nd Ed. AD&D and needed a break, so switched to Shadowrun for variety. We loved it, but the rules? Meh. Too much a change from what we were used to, I guess.

So now we fast-forward to 2009 and The Rise of the Retro-clones. The OSR is in full swing. I've fallen back to Classic D&D rather than the newer, more complex versions, and play around with Swords & Wizardry, too. Did I mention in an earlier post how much I love the simple elegance of S&W? I did, didn't I.

This is when the bug bites me. The OSR doesn't have a cyberpunk clone yet. Maybe it doesn't need one, but there it is. Obviously, somebody needs to write that puppy - so I'm stepping up. It will be a looooong process, I know, but I think it will be fun (mostly) and worth while in the long run.

Using Swords & Wizardry White Box Edition as my base, I need to first write a cyberpunk variation on the ruleset. Some of the things that need to be worked up include guns, cybernetics, computer hacking stuff, and some basic vehicle rules. For inspiration and research, I'm slowly working through the original - Cyberpunk 2020 - as well as Shadowrun (2nd Ed), GURPS Cyberpunk and even a bit of d20 Modern. I'm re-reading some William Gibson, too. Oh yeah, and watching Blade Runner at some point.


THEN, after the basic Cyberpunk/Modern rules are done, I'll need to put all that back together with the fantasy of base S&W. For the proper Shadowrun feel, I'll need to add in some additional new magic rules - most importantly Astral Space and a drain-based spell casting system.

So there it is. It will be a long, tedious process but I think it can be done. S&W has proven itself to be adaptable to other genres - look at Mike "MikeD" Davison's Ruins & Ronin, David "grubman" Bezio's X-plorers or Michael "chgowiz" Shorten's The Seige Perilous - Ultima RPG. There are also "in the works" things (poke around S&W's forums page) for a superheros conversion (Hideouts & Hoodlums), Westerns (Fantasy Wild West) and pulp science fiction (Anacreon Zeta). Some projects are further along than others, sure, but they still show the flexibility of the system.

Wish me luck! I'll be posting bits here and at the S&W forums for comments and vetting.

If anyone cares to comment, I'll initially ask one question. How should these rules be released? I see three options to choose from.
1) Offer the generic cyberpunk supplement (no magic or fantasy elements) first. It will be compatible with S&W, obviously, so people can add the bits they like from it into whatever modern or cyberpunk-esque game they want to run. Then follow that with the "full" Shadowrun clone version.
2) Offer it as a cyberpunk supplement and put in the magic rules in as optional, in an appendix or something.
3) Just go all out and do the thing as SR right from the start, with the fantasy fully integrated. People who don't want the magic bits can still use what they do like.

S&W: Cyberpunk first, or go right to Mages & Megacorps? Thoughts?

Another S&W Index Card Character Sheet

It seems that putting your "old school" character sheets onto index cards is all the rage nowadays. I think it's a great idea, what with them being so "stat light" and have seen some great ones.

In particular, my version was inspired by le bulette's and made use of the graphic elements in a full-sized sheet by Thomas Denmark at Original Edition Fantasy. Thanks again for letting me use those!

You can find the PDF here. And the editable Photoshop (psd) file is here. Help yourself if it's of any interest to you.

UPDATED 11/10/10 to add the master file and update the PDF link.

S&W "Travel" Game Kit

As I discussed in the previous post, I'm throwing together a "digest-sized" set of Swords & Wizardry White Box. The idea is to be able to take it on vacations, camping or wherever, and be able to play if the desire strikes.

At the right, is a pic of my setup so far - a digest printing of the WB rules, punched and put into a DayPlanner binder I had lying around. With it for comparison is my full-sized copy of the S&W core rules, comb-bound with laminated covers. It helps to work in an office supply store. (No NOT Staples.)

I've also copies of the Classic D&D Modules B1: In Search of the Unknown, and B2: The Keep on the Borderlands. Both printed up booklet style.

I found these great S&W index card character sheets (here) that fit right into the spirit of the kit.

And, based on another post in that sane blog (Thanks, bulette!), I need to make a little mini DM screen to pop in as well. Work, work, work!

I'll also be modifying his Labyrinth Lord 3x5 character sheet to use for my DM copies of character sheets and NPC sheets in my "regular" Classic D&D game.

Sidetracked! (or why do I do this?)

I've held off from doing much with Swords and Wizardry so far. Sure, I went and downloaded both versions so that I could look through them, but hadn't really done much yet. Unfortunately, I finally caved in to the hype and took a bit of time to read the White Box version.

Now, as I've noted, BECMI/RC D&D is my system of choice for an ongoing campaign and that won't change. I do want a bit more crunch in my base rules, but RC still gives me all the freedom to house-rule as I see fit. I've never played Original D&D, and never have seen a real, live set of those little brown books. So, when I had just skimmed through S&W on other occasions, I just saw rules variation that I didn't get. They weren't quite "right".

This time reading through it, something was different. Maybe I just was looking at it with a different mindset, I don't know. But what I saw was really cool - the simplicity just kicks rocks, and I can totally see using White Box for one-shot and pick-up type games.

What's it got going for it? Well, simplified mechanics, mostly. The whole "all weapons do d6 damage" thing, a single saving throw, very basic monster stats, index card character sheets. I have to say that for these quicky games, I'll even use Ascending AC. It's pretty simple to understand and use on the fly.

I plan to put together a little gaming package in a digest-sized DayPlanner binder that I can take anywhere - vacation, camping and so on, so I can pick it up and play with the kids for an hour if it rains. The WB rules, printed digest size, a single set of dice, and some adventure stuff.

What I need to spend a little time on is the adventure part. I want to put together a small 'sandbox" style setting to include in the kit. A map of the PCs home base village and the surrounding area, populated with mini-dungeons and set-piece encounters that will be found as they follow rumors or just hex-crawl around the map. That'll be the most time-consuming part, but I think it will be worth it. Once it's put together, I'll be sure to share.