tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post3550204128205752420..comments2024-03-27T21:18:33.034+00:00Comments on Fabled Lands: The Darkness of Morning (sleeve notes)Dave Morrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-60023485253020901742010-08-02T22:53:45.783+01:002010-08-02T22:53:45.783+01:00Hi Rudd, I prefer RQ myself but ironically I suspe...Hi Rudd, I prefer RQ myself but ironically I suspect the DW version is the only one that survives. Well, I'll ask Robert if he minds it being used and if he's okay with it I'll put everything I have up here on the blog.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-23365919765648115122010-08-02T18:08:33.341+01:002010-08-02T18:08:33.341+01:00Hi Dave
It would be great if it could be released...Hi Dave<br /><br />It would be great if it could be released with dual stats as well. Big Legend fan but prefer RQ/BRP system.<br /><br />RuddAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-27533418277726558942010-08-01T09:46:20.261+01:002010-08-01T09:46:20.261+01:00Hi Bulya, about 80% of it is in digital form. I co...Hi Bulya, about 80% of it is in digital form. I could scan the rest. The first step would need to be getting Robert Dale's permission to use it, of course. <br /><br />It's a perfect low(ish) level campaign based around an ancient creature that foments discord between a feudal lord and the guilds and citizens of the city adjoining his lands. Or is it a campaign about growing social discord that spawns/frees a mischievous faerie embodiment of same? It's like Hitchcock's "Shadow of a Doubt", where Uncle Charlie is the catalyst for what happens but you could also see him almost as an expression of Charlie's id called into being by her frustration.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-2613605432562331642010-08-01T08:56:41.455+01:002010-08-01T08:56:41.455+01:00Is that material in digital form Dave? I'm pr...Is that material in digital form Dave? I'm pretty sure us mob at the Dragon Warriors Google Group could get it knocked into shape once we've finished up the current projects.<br /><br />Bulya.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-15061451649825143062010-07-28T09:42:29.404+01:002010-07-28T09:42:29.404+01:00Hi Andy, I think those two issues are the lot. I h...Hi Andy, I think those two issues are the lot. I have the whole of Robert's Brymstone campaign, including maps, with stats for both Dragon Warriors and RuneQuest. Maybe the best way to release it would simply be on the web, though, as I gather that not even PDF roleplaying supplements make enough money to be worth doing these days :(Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-77753246668926908862010-07-28T01:24:40.580+01:002010-07-28T01:24:40.580+01:00Sad news about Albie Fiore - loved his artwork - I...Sad news about Albie Fiore - loved his artwork - I'm pretty sure he did the original Dire Corby for Fiend Folio!<br /><br />Dave, do you know how many issues of Red Giant (a very difficult magazine to track down!) were released? I've got the first two, and Robert Dale's Brymstone articles are fantastic. If these could be worked into a DW City book, even if only as a PDF release, that would be brilliant.<br /><br />cheers<br /><br />Andyfantasygamebookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05240994072742026340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-88103963428408174212010-07-27T23:05:30.600+01:002010-07-27T23:05:30.600+01:00That's really sad news. Albie was a gentleman ...That's really sad news. Albie was a gentleman and a very original thinker. It was talking to him way back in the early White Dwarf days that encouraged me to design scenarios with a rich backstory.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-21784091900781556452010-07-27T22:56:19.776+01:002010-07-27T22:56:19.776+01:00Sorry to be the bearer of sad news - Albie Fiore ...Sorry to be the bearer of sad news - Albie Fiore is no longer with us (since 2009) - if you wanted to track-down his heirs with regards republishing some of his work, I'm sure someone at the Guardian (where he wrote crosswords) could help.zhu bajieehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08004498036257289234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-11721890852059409672010-07-27T19:18:17.161+01:002010-07-27T19:18:17.161+01:00Dave, happy to know no Tiuni have been harmed in w...Dave, happy to know no Tiuni have been harmed in writing the blog. I love those critters. :)<br /><br /><br />Kieran T, here's a few more likes I remembered:<br /><br />- Task resolution system that makes away with dice rolls when Stat >= Difficulty (this is a bloody struck of genius!)<br /><br />- No skills (as in Call of Cthulhu, WoD, etc)<br /><br />- Small spell lists, but full access to a new one on each rank.<br /><br />- The optional rules (Fate Points, etc)<br /><br />- Pre-made lists of NPCs for each rank.<br /><br />- Table for magical item and money determination for those NPCs<br /><br />-VargrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-88946684138840700672010-07-27T09:32:18.636+01:002010-07-27T09:32:18.636+01:00@ Vargr
Really enjoyed reading your list of likes...@ Vargr<br /><br />Really enjoyed reading your list of likes, some of them I really love but took for granted, such as the pre-done equipment lists.Kieran Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-23074080242591683562010-07-26T21:32:07.252+01:002010-07-26T21:32:07.252+01:00Hi Vargr, actually my comment about anonymous post...Hi Vargr, actually my comment about anonymous posting wasn't aimed at you because you signed it. I know Blogger can be irksome, so I'm just asking people to sign their name at the bottom if they can't log on to comment.<br /><br />No, I really *don't* have dwarf PCs (Scottish or otherwise) and I don't run save-the-world scenarios!<br /><br />As you are familiar with EPT, I must apologize for the alarming mental image of the cat among the tletlakha. No cats were really hurt in the writing of this blog :)Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-24891064809179994952010-07-26T21:25:19.842+01:002010-07-26T21:25:19.842+01:00Hi Rudd, the scenarios have had a pretty comprehen...Hi Rudd, the scenarios have had a pretty comprehensive overhaul from what I've seen - though that isn't much, admittedly. Also, there's a thorough reworking of my old Dealing with Demons articles for RuneQuest that effectively makes demonologists a new DW character profession. I'd buy it even if I wasn't getting a free copy :)<br /><br />In Search of a Fool - I agree, perfect for Legend, but it was before my time (not often I get to say that) and I have no idea now how to track Albie Fiore down and get his permission.<br /><br />And I'm still hopeful of getting Robert Dale's superb Brymstone campaign either released as one of the Magnum Opus titles or at least up here on the blog. A version of Brymstone appeared in the very short-lived Red Giant magazine. (Yes, they really did call it that. Jamie and I were offered the editorial reins but couldn't accept such a dumb title.)Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-59521519897535161852010-07-26T21:14:54.218+01:002010-07-26T21:14:54.218+01:00Hey Vargr here, again.
Disclaimer: I don't po...Hey Vargr here, again.<br /><br />Disclaimer: I don't post anonymously, but I am having problems with my web-browser and cannot login to my blogspot account for some reason. I did sign the post with my net-tag. I post on Mongoose's Flaming Cobra forum and on the DW Mailing List. I also participate on MGT and Traveller.com forums.<br /><br />Now that that is out of the way, let us continue.<br /><br /><br />For Anonymous:<br /><br />I have seen tons of INTRODUCTORY SCENARIOS which are not on rails, that is no excuse.<br /><br />And yes, I am opinionated; we should all be. :)<br /><br /><br />Dave Morris:<br /><br />As a former EPT GM I do know what you meant. :)<br /><br />I am confused about your statements. On the Ordo Draconis magazine you wrote and article decrying shoe-horning faerie creatures with rules as a necessary evil, best avoided; on this post you continue along the same line of thought.<br /><br />But you have Scot Dwarf PCs? And world-saving campaigns?<br /><br /><br />For Kirean T:<br /><br />What I like about Dragon warriors:<br /><br />- Simpple, elegant, intuitive system<br />- No unified mechanics<br />- A level system for characters, but one that does not extend from 1-infitiny<br />- Low magic<br />- No clerics<br />- Bestiary based on creatures from myth<br />- Ultra-fast character creation with random method<br />- Medievalism with dashes of late-medieval and celtic anachronistic elements<br />- Pre-made equipment lists for 1st Rank characters (thank God!)<br />- Setting based on real-world, allowing use of IRL cultural and historical knowledge.<br />- Social classes, PC literacy/illeteracy <br />- Grim'n'gritty, perilous world of dark adventure-esque<br />- Interesting and different magic-using classes<br />- Ready-made adventure campaigns rather than stacks of dry sourcebooks<br /><br />That's about it.<br /><br />-VargrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-42472280818504478822010-07-26T20:58:39.203+01:002010-07-26T20:58:39.203+01:00"Personally I feel that the world of Legend, ..."Personally I feel that the world of Legend, with its distinctive low-magic flavour and its doominess, is what holds up today. The rules are 25 years old and they're showing their age. As am I :) "<br /><br />Totally agree and that why this comment<br /><br />"but that is only when the authors restrain from shoving their views on faerie & Co. down everyone else's throats. I will take Elf and Dwarf PCs any day of the week"<br /><br />confuses me. The distinctive way that the fairy world is treated in Legend is one of its biggest draws as a setting. If you want to play in a generic fantasy setting go right ahead but I don't know why you would choose DW over a multitude of other old school or rules light systems. I also don't know why you would buy published scenarios when you know that is the way such items are treated in the setting.<br /><br />On a different I've been reading though my WD collection and am looking forward to seeing what In From the Cold does with the old scenarios. <br /><br />In Search of a Fool in WD 31 and A Ballad of Times Past looks like they would be a good fit for DW.<br /><br />Are major rewrites planned or is it just stat changes and some minor tweaks to make the scenarios "fit"?Ruddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12174843939252395797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-11361214011780277802010-07-26T15:20:21.686+01:002010-07-26T15:20:21.686+01:00I love Legend's feel...it's like an old fr...I love Legend's feel...it's like an old friend. :)Kieran Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-54250218152327291002010-07-26T14:26:58.673+01:002010-07-26T14:26:58.673+01:00We got wiped out when we played Darkness, but actu...We got wiped out when we played Darkness, but actually I don't think the blame for that can be entirely laid at Fraz's door. In his draft version, when the party first encounter the White Lady in the woods, she sends a bunch of hellhounds to fend them off while she continues on her way. In the published version, the hellhounds got cut out (I think for reasons of space) which means there's nothing to stop you wading in against her at that point. Which is what we did, and everybody got to go home early that evening.<br /><br />Personally I feel that the world of Legend, with its distinctive low-magic flavour and its doominess, is what holds up today. The rules are 25 years old and they're showing their age. As am I :)Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-60244391315931374412010-07-26T13:21:52.864+01:002010-07-26T13:21:52.864+01:00Yup, I'd agree with you totally. The GM should...Yup, I'd agree with you totally. The GM should inspire, provide interesting situations for the PCs to interact with, sometimes provide a kick to get the story moving when needed, but overall the game should flow from and focus on the players themselves. <br /><br />For my own games I tend to have a rough idea of the "main bad guy" and his/her plot. After that everything else usually consists of a half page of bullet points written a few mins before a session with ideas for little set-pieces or interesting NPCs. Some of these might be fun for the players to interact with, others might help further the plot, others might be there because they further something one of the players wants to do.<br /><br />In a published adventure that isn't a dungeon crawl I expect to see a timeline/plot and a series of encounters/areas that may or may not run linerly. I think "Darkness" does this pretty well overall...my players certainly enjoyed it :)Kieran Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-6628717597052862592010-07-26T11:48:02.932+01:002010-07-26T11:48:02.932+01:00Hi Kieran - funny thing is, Frazer isn't a rai...Hi Kieran - funny thing is, Frazer isn't a railroading GM at all. He and I both take the view that it's the players' narrative and they should call the shots. <br /><br />Like most published adventures, Darkness has to map out one possible course of events and, seeing as it's an introductory adventure, as written it's very linear. But we all know that real games don't unfold like written scenarios. Personally I write scenarios *after* playing the game, not before!<br /><br />Sometimes players' wilfulness will "spoil" the GM's story. Well, boo hoo. If I want to be told a story, I'll open a book. If I want to tell a story, I'll write a book. I don't believe it's the GM's place to enforce a story - you get that in bad videogames too: Frustrated Author Syndrome. <br /><br />However, the GM does control the moral tapestry of the world. For example, in D&D if your quest is to save the world then you probably will save it and be acclaimed as heroes. In DW, if you're sent to save the world then you're like a GI being sent to win the war in Vietnam. <br /><br />(For the avoidance of doubt, I'm talking about my version of DW here. In the version with Scottish dwarf PCs, maybe the world gets saved on a weekly basis :)Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-56572771384587716022010-07-26T11:26:32.790+01:002010-07-26T11:26:32.790+01:00Ah "railroading", the gripe of players a...Ah "railroading", the gripe of players and GMs the world over. Funny story...adventures don't railroad...GMs do. If the GM can handle the players "doing their thing" and getting back on track without using a hammer then there's no issue. As a younger player I've seen GMs dropping "plot hammers" to force players a particular direction...as a GM I've never resorted to that kind of thing...at least not since the old hormones kicked in :P<br /><br />@ Vargr, your comments sound very impassioned to me. You mention considering Dragon Warriors to be a great game. I'd be interesting in hearing what is it you like about the game.Kieran Tnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-21413701547967056542010-07-25T14:23:17.220+01:002010-07-25T14:23:17.220+01:00Blimey, well that one threw the cat among the tlet...Blimey, well that one threw the cat among the tletlakha, all right! (Empire of the Petal Throne fans will know what that means.)<br /><br />Btw on the whole, we ask for comments to not be left anonymously, because the blogs where they are seem to get filled up with rather intemperate remarks. Robust debate, by all means, but please sign your real names to them.Dave Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468228790874490693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-17017639963914161932010-07-25T13:29:24.497+01:002010-07-25T13:29:24.497+01:00Dear Vargr, its an INTRODUCTORY SCENARIO of course...Dear Vargr, its an INTRODUCTORY SCENARIO of course its on rails. <br /><br />Why include backstory? It gives history, it roots events in the setting, it gives the GM ideas for tying future adventures to etc. etc.<br /><br />Why would PCs find out the answer to every question when they come in at the end of a story?<br />Would Barrow robbers know the reason the old draugr within is afraid of his reflection is because he killed his twin brother and can hear him screaming at him whenever he beholds his own contenance. Or do they simply need to know that the dead thing recoiled from a polished shoulder guard?<br />Does the GM need to know this? Yes, it allows him to guide the dead jarl, to know its motivations and determine what actions it will take.<br /><br />Do the PCs in Dakness know why the sword drove the White Lady away? No. Will they want to know? Yes! Well at least I would. So they describe the sigil to an old hermit wise in the ancient ways, he identifies the markings as having significance in regards to the Wolf who devours the World. They investigate further, they unearth the name Fengris. Their questions rouse interested ears.......adventure hooks aplenty. <br /><br />Though I will certainly back you up on being opinionated.:DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2141372262111342844.post-30060593926178421442010-07-25T11:56:15.114+01:002010-07-25T11:56:15.114+01:00I agree that "The Darkness Before Dawn" ...I agree that "The Darkness Before Dawn" is a very imaginative scenario with lots of hints to aid the newbie GM. I wish all RPG adventures came like that.<br /><br />Alas, it is also an exercise in rairoading, with very little room for error and pratically impossible to resolve by personal initiative and bravery. Better follow the breadcrums and the yellow brick road if you wish to keep your character...good luck trying to defeat a 7th Rank foe with insta-kill powers with your 1st Rank, off-their-diapers, characters. <br /><br />This adventure is more worthy of Call of Cthulhu than a FRPG.<br /><br />The cherry on top is that even if the PCs survive and defeat the White Lady, they will have no frickin' idea What the Hell was Going On(tm) because the adventure provides no outlet to pass in on to the party.<br /><br />Why bother with all the backstory, even involving a demon prince, when the PCs (and thus the players) will never know about it?<br /><br />Dragon Warriors seems like a great game, one of the best FRPGs of its generation; but that is only when the authors restrain from shoving their views on faerie & Co. down everyone else's throats. I will take Elf and Dwarf PCs any day of the week, thank you very much. <br /><br />And when I run DW the players are not assured "incomplete and somewhat bitter triumph" as the best case scenario in their dealings with faerie creatures. They will achieve, or fail to achieve, complete and sweet victory on their own merits; without the invisible hand of the "Oh, I can't be a professional and lucrative fantasy/sf author so I will use RPGs to vent the frustration of my deficient creativity as the next best thing" GM pushing and pegging them into neat little holes on the tapestry of his "narrative".<br /><br />If I get to run "Darkness Before Dawn" I will have to modify it very extensively; because the people I tend to game are intelligent, independent, opinionated, have better things to do with their time than being led around the nose and near-zero tolerance for pre-planned, inexorable adventure events.<br /><br />VargrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com