During my Session/Encounter prep of late it has really struck me what an asset we have available to us in the Monster Manuals of ALL Editions.

Beyond the basics of monster selection. The Monster Manuals provide us with stats and descriptions, but also provides us with a monsters culture and behavior, some editions more so than others.

The 1st Edition Monster Manuals provided us with the core monsters of the D&D Cosmos. Their entries offer us representations of monsters some known to us some wickedly bizarre. For many these manuals might have offered the readers first consideration of a hierarchy in hell, of dragons of different colors and attacks. Its descriptions however tend to be more tactical and deal with resistances and vulnerabilities with brief references to behavior and culture but dealing more with managing combat than non-combat interactions.

2nd Edition really offered a change in direction. I think this was due to the fact that early on in the 2nd Edition life cycle Players and DMs purchased a binder ‘The Monstrous Compendium Volume One’ which entries were provided as 3-hole punched pages which could be removed during encounter prep or added to with subsequent releases. Both of which occurred. Several expansions for different settings were released and it was a great product. Later TSR produced a single volume hardbound Monstrous Compendium, containing the iconic threats of the D&D worlds.

What I like most about the 2nd Ed Era of Monster Manuals is that the write ups deal less with stats allowing stats to represent themselves. The Backgrounds and descriptions provide story seeds of monster societies, culture and behavior. When you read a monsters entry you take away an understanding of the threat you might face as a player and what you are representing as a DM. With 2nd Ed you could get inside of your monsters heads and deduce how they might act in non-combat situations as well as combat from concrete information. Also when a player rolled for “monster identification” you had substantial information to provide. I use the Monstrous Compendium to this day because of it’s exceptional entries.

3rd Edition retains some of the strengths of 2nd Ed but more so for iconic entries and PC accessible races than all monsters. 3rd edition moves strongly back to stat block entries. And expands the information contained in them adding saves, ability scores, skills and feats. 3rd Ed provides one to two paragraph descriptions and then jumps right into a ‘Combat’ entry for every threat followed by or containing further descriptions of feats, skills and attacks.

In my opinion 3rd Ed Monster entries aren’t that great of an asset from a “story / role-playing” and encounter/campaign construction/management perspective. It leaves a lot to interpretation which could just as easily be a feature and strength of the Edition had that been an objective. But in the end 3rd Editions Monster entries rolling with glutted stat blocks and jumbled descriptions must have left 4E designers looking for a solution.

The 4th Edition solution found was a “Monster Block” which contained all pertinent information in a single “block” entry. Reduced behavior to single and secondary ‘Roles’ which along with XP value controlled number appearing (society). Combat stats were reduced to powers with “Flat Math” diminishing and escalating with Level/Role/XP. Race and Culture were summed up in ‘Traits’ and ‘Ability Scores’ along with ‘Skills’ were tacked on at the bottom of the block. Brilliant! I will say it again…Brilliant!!

However 4E reduced all other pertinent Monster information to Skill Checks under ‘Lore’ entries which were grossly limited. Additional information concentrated on ‘Tactics’ and Encounter Groupings. This meant that many DMs could and would run Monsters with no knowledge of their backgrounds, culture, society and place in the cosmos. 4E reduced Monsters to Stat Blocks and inexperienced DMs ran them as Stat Blocks, little soulless killing machines. If a player were to ask about a monster if it wasn’t in the limited lore entry or a resistance, venerability or trait many DMs had nothing to offer. This hurt the “Role-Playing” aspect of D&D 4E more than any other mechanic of the Edition.

However 4E Essentials addressed this weakness in it’s Monster Vault releases. Both HORDES of ICONIC and THREATS to the NENTIR VALE. These Books provide History, Culture, Character Strengths and Weaknesses, and more. I am tempted to say that the efforts in the Monster Vault books were almost as successful if not more successful than the 2nd Edition Monstrous Compendium and Manual due to “4E Monster Blocks”. However I can’t, not just for nostalgia, cause I am actually not a huge fan of the 2E game as much as the era. But simply because the Monstrous Compendium and Manual is just so very good at telling the story of Monsters in every entry.

So why write all of this. Well, Wizards of the Coast is making reprints available of every edition. And whether you own originals or not this provides us with an opportunity to ask what value do these past editions offer us as players of any edition. And I think more than any other books. Monster Manuals retain their relevancy and usefulness. Each of them contains descriptive text to aid us in our crafting of stories, adventures and encounters. Each of them captures imagination and plants seeds which are unique in feeling and result from Edition to Edition.

Monster Manuals across Editions have individual and collective worth. When we choose to own them all and use them together as one on our shelves and in our hands we unleash the power they contain within and unlock the true potential of Dungeons & Dragons. A game which is strong enough and secure enough to revise, reinvent and recreate itself and it’s cosmology again and again. Testing and experimenting with mechanics and the representation of those mechanics. While those mechanics change and are met with praise or revolt. The Monsters and Threats of every edition rise to the challenge offered up by adventurers and are the threats all player’s face and come back to face time and again in every era of the game.

That’s the Power of the Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual! Adventurer’s WANTED.

Table-Top Gaming is returning to C2E2 in Chicago April 26-28, 2013.

Two years ago C2E2 added Table-Top Gaming to the schedule. Even offering a GAMING ONLY Badge for the entire weekend for a fraction of the FULL Badge Price which included the MAIN EXIBIT HALL and all Events. I got one of each due to the badge design on the GAMING ONLY Pass which featured a tossed d20, d6 and d4.

In 2012 due to time and resources the Gaming Room was cut from the offerings.  It is back with further details to be available in March.  I confirmed this announcement with show organizer Lance Fensterman of reedpop several weeks back but it is officially up on the website now C2E2 Table-Top Gaming.

I don’t know which judging group will be running the Dungeons & Dragons tables at C2E2. In 2011 it was an outfit from Wisconsin. They ran several How-to-Play sessions and the Wrath of Ashardalon and Castle Ravenloft Board Games. There was an LFR presence with official play and Item redemption.

In addition this group offered a great Player Rewards feature with official WotC D&D Swag which was awarded through a coin/credit buy system. You received a D&D coin for each session you played in and were able to purchase lanyards, condition cards, initiative trackers, LFR items, ect. from the organizers.

GAMING ONLY Badge at 2011 C2E2

The C2E2 show in the MAIN EXIBIT HALL itself is phenomenal as well with a ton of celebrity appearances, authors, artists and actors. Cosplay, performance, films, contests and panels continuously through out the weekend. TONS of free swag, books, comics and so much more. With exhibitors from across the country and around the globe. This is no small show the MAIN EXIBIT HALL is just as big as PAX EAST.

This event for Comics is everything PAXPRIME and PAXEAST is for Gaming. I really hope that the Table-Top Gaming gets the presence it needs to take it to the next level. I’ve been told the plans and schedule for PAXEAST is heavy D&D Next with at least two adventures ‘Danger at Darkshelf Quarry’ the Against the Slave Lords Prequel run at WinterFantasy as well as a four hour experience ‘Mines of Madness’ running Friday and Saturday Evenings. Along with DUNGEON COMMAND, Lords of WaterDeep and DUNGEON!. No 4E presence, sad, but probably the right course.

I hope C2E2 has the same or similar offerings and presence. And that they’ve reached out to WotC and vice versa? I’ve attempted to get more information from C2E2 organizers with very limited success. Last time there seemed to be some affiliation with the Table-Top Gaming Judges and WotC but it appeared to be more of a Friend of a Friend level of affiliation. It did not feel very official.

We know the support Wizards has shown to PAX and PAXEAST. They pulled back support of D&D XP moving it to GENCON while still very present at WinterFantasy but no panels. I don’t think anyone from R&D or even any reps “need” to come out to Chicago but an announcement or endorsement would be awesome. C2E2 and WotC have a great opportunity in the Midwest with Chicago Comics and Gaming Fans to “Roll the Dice” and make an impact with D&D Next at this years C2E2.

I could not be happier that Table-Top Gaming is returning to C2E2 this year it is a great venue (they run buses from the train station to the McCormick Place on a loop) a great convention with great attendance. Don’t overlook C2E2. See you in Chicago April 26-28!

As Mike Mearls announced in D&D Next Goals, Part Three. The Barbarian Class was playable at Winter Fantasy.

The Barbarian was everything I hoped for. For me the barbarian does not get it’s due in the hearts and minds of players. It tends to be written off as a wild, undisciplined class. But the Barbarian is also Fafhrd of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser by Fritz Leiber. Savage but wise, thoughtful, passionate but disciplined and often moral. Which are exactly the traits the barbarian should be celebrated for and therefore played with abandon.

Early D&D post 1980 in it’s Red Box dominance, and the 1980′s Fantasy Genre can not be remembered without invoking the Barbarian. Conan; Barbarian and Destroyer, Red Sonja, Bobby the Barbarian with his club and Uni in the D&D Cartoon, dare I say GROO the Wanderer. These barbarians were icons of 80′s Fantasy.

Now that the Barbarian is out in the public and promised as part of the next Playtest release. D&D Next is adding even more iconic presence. Embracing the old school in full spirit and flavor.

G1:The Steading of the Hill Giant

At Winter Fantasy there was both a 1st and 9th Level Barbarian. I only had the opportunity to play the Level 9 Human Barbarian during one of the D&D Next Conversions, G1:The Steading of the Hill Giant.

A lot of things were just as you’d expect from a “Fighter” class.

Standard use of Armor and Weapon Proficiencies: You are proficient with light and medium armor, shields, and all simple and martial weapons.

There was not a new Background on the Level 9 sheet. The Barbarian used the Guide Background with the Wanderer trait.

There were no new Feats listed. The Level 9 Barbarian had, Charge, Cleave, Resilience and Toughness.

I did not see any Specialty listed on the Lvl 9 sheet but like the Skirmisher ‘Fast Movement’ was present and may have been picked up around Level 6.

As reference Fast Movement: Your speed increases by 10 feet while you are wearing light armor or no armor.

Martial Damage Dice worked the same as the Fighter with both Damage and Reduction bonuses. The Barbarian’s MDd was a d6.

NEW Content came through Feral and Rage class features.

Feral Instinct: When you roll for initiative, you can roll an extra d20 and choose which d20 to use.

Feral Reflexes: You can not be surprised while you are conscious.

Rage (#/day): On your turn you can enter a rage as part of your action. While raging you:

• have advantage on Strength-based attack rolls, checks and saving throws
• gain a +# (6@9th) to melee damage rolls
• have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage
• can’t be frightened
• can’t take reactions

You must attack on each of your turns to maintain the rage; it ends if you conclude your turn without having attacked. The rage also ends after 10 minutes or if you fall unconscious.

After you rage # times (4@9th), you must complete a long rest before you can rage again, and you must take a short rest between rages.

Relentless Rage: If an attack or other effect drops you to 0 hit points or fewer while you are raging and it fails to kill you outright, you can make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw to drop to 1 hit point instead.

Each time you succeed on this saving throw before taking a short or long rest the DC increases by 5.

Reckless Attack: While you aren’t raging you can use your action to make a melee attack with advantage. If you do so, you grant advantage to attack rolls against you until your next turn.

The Barbarian was extremely fun to play with Martial Damage Dice and Rage’s granted Advantage at 9th Level, it was hard to miss.  My lowest damage was 36 while I was consistently hitting over 50.

The Barbarian performed as a dominant force in the party even when it’s talents were divided between Strength tasks (holding doors) and combat. The Barbarian was able to step in clean house and turn combat encounters quickly.

With a little planning and cleave the barbarian was able to finish off targets which had taken damage and take out an additional low level threat much like the Fighter of course but with MORE RAGE! And therefore greater success.

So when we get these rules for Barbarians. May I suggest a one-shot, new short or long campaign. Throw away the balanced party concept let everyone get in on the fun. Roll up a horde of 4,5,6 Barbarians. Scorch your campaign fell all Necromancers in their devil sworn towers. Become Kings and Queens and rise to greatness in Blood and Power!

Issue #1 Cover

As RPG players we like to refer to ourselves as a community. But long ago in the Midwest the RPG community started out as a family of friends and yes an actual family. As with any family there were joys, and disappointments, successes and failures, competition, conflict, great rewards and losses. And one family endured it all.

Saturday January 26th, 2013 the First Family of Role Playing Games took center stage and launched a magazine which bears it’s name. Gygax Magazine. Surrounded by friends who honor the contributions of the Gygax Family and joined by those who have stood by them through it all. Gygax Magazine was revealed to the world via an intimate and personal internet broadcast.

From the start of the broadcast it was apparent this was not a slick contrived promotional stunt, even if that was the intention. This was real. Real people, real talents, real lives which have given blood, sweat and tears to the industry that we love and the games we often take for granted.

WATCH FULL PRESENTATION HERE

While the presentation began at The Brooklyn Strategist with the streaming of an acoustic number by Allison Goertz entitled ‘Night’. We quickly returned to Jason Elliot (DM Jayson) kicking things off with his gentle wit and enthusiasm. A few formalities later and we were back on track with the unboxing of the first issue of Gygax Magazine.

The logo, cover and layout are reminiscent yet timeless. The articles divergent and enticing. The talent present, great and worthy. The interior illustrations appear both classic and contemporary delivering on the early commitments of a magazine which will represent the generations of table-top gaming from its roots to present day.

I ordered my issue right away to ensure I would receive one. The price is fair considering the present state of print periodicals across all industries. And I anxiously await it’s arrival.

ORDER ISSUE #1 OR 4 ISSUE SUBSCRIPTION HERE

But while the magazine is important it is hard to take away the spotlight from the family whose name the magazine bears. Stepping into the limelight for the next 50 minutes of the broadcast was first Tim Kask, in convention cap, referred to in the broadcast as employee #1 at TSR which he humbly deflects. And Jim Wampler, Art Director for Gygax Magazine, creator of Marvin the Mage.

We are then joined by Ernie Gygax. Behind him hangs a picture of his father Gary Gygax of whom he bears a beard-free resemblance. His family or wife moves around off camera as he sits comfortably welcoming us into his home. He is candid speaking of snacks, of Cheetos, likening the broadcast to a convention. Exclaiming, “I’m just waiting to play some games!” Enthusiastic and clearly in his element happy to be united and working with family and friends.

Next Luke Gygax comes on screen. With two little Gygax on his knees. Yes in the first family of RPGs it is clear that Family Comes First, and this latest venture is A Family Affair. Gary Gygax is said to have not been just a great game creator, but a great father. A glimpse into which (Ernie) Ernest Gary Gygax Jr’s first contribution to Gygax Magazine, “The Gygax family storyteller” will likely reminisce.

I’ve had the opportunity to see this extended family of RPG Gaming in their element at Gary Con. It can be both refreshing and alarming how natural, humble and enduring they can be. I was even led at one time with my limited knowledge and experience after conversations with Luke and others to wonder if they recognized how many of us as gamers see their family. Want to see them pick up the torch and blaze the trail their father set us upon. Dare I say claim their birthright!

While the name of E. Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons and the properties it inspired have those who legally assert and can claim their ownership. One thing cannot be owned and that is the spirit of Gary Gygax.

It is that spirit which for me enters my thoughts when I crack open musty covers of 1st Edition Tomes, is amongst us, in our hearts, at our tables, at conventions none more than Gary Con, hovering over Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

It is that shared spirit which ignited within us when in November we heard a magazine would be published which would bear his and his families name. It is this spirit to which I believe Ernie, Luke, Tim, Jayson and Jim can and will be true.

Invoking their name and fathers visage. These two sons of the RPGs founder held us captive as we listened to their early plans and vision in response to open questioning by viewers and participants. As a note, I am not the Brad in the chat logs.

The broadcast was not without chinks in its armor. Comments were candid and unrehearsed some were surprising, some lacked a clear direction.

The Gygax/TSR clan continued to assert the claim of no new game development. But as the broadcast progressed by the end Luke and Ernie both spoke of publishing games and Ernie mentions Gaxxmoor as well as working with a Canadian on his 1978 Dungeon to be available next year?

In response to a submitted questions Luke shared that Pathfinder and Call of Cthulhu could be systems which would receive coverage. Kask then said that Pathfinder should do an ad “with a lovely model.” Later Whampler speaks out against imagery which might turn away readers.

At one point the group struggles when Ernie asks for assistance in sharing what the magazine is doing to attract new gamers to the hobby? A question which seems to go unanswered and appears to not have been a consideration.

In true Grognard fashion video games are called out as being “mind destroying and time wasting.” While Luke jumps in to soften the slight by playing up the virtues of face-to-face gaming as a preference in lives with such limited free-time.

Gygax Magazine shares they will have a presence at several upcoming conventions. As well as GENCON perhaps as a joint presence with Troll Lord Games. Ernie earlier stated he had not been to GEN CON since it left the state of Wisconsin.

The group ended the broadcast reinforcing the message which has been stated in previous interviews since the November announcement that. Gygax Magazine does not consider itself in competition with anyone. That Gygax Magazine embraces the philosophy that “A rising tide lifts all ships.”

I anticipate a great magazine, an enjoyable read and a long life for Gygax Magazine and the “New” TSR, Inc. Whatever lies ahead this day should not go overlooked, unappreciated or uncelebrated.

The timing is right if not overdue for the Gygax name to again have a presence and place of prominence in the industry. While the Gygax name by choice, reasoning of Hasbro/WotC or legal impossibilities, may not be associated directly with ongoing development of the Dungeons & Dragons brand for some time or ever again.

Today the Gygax name lives on through Gary’s friends, his sons and a magazine all of which carry the name GYGAX! A name which thank the gods is so unique and so invokes and embodies worlds of fantasy and imagination that the world may never be able to separate the two. Especially if we do not.

D&D Next Poster Children

I have really been enjoying Mike Mearls, Legends & Lore contributions as of late. They are for me healing and reassuring. I have enjoyed the Playtest materials but really struggled with one thing…

I was able to get in on the Playtest in March of 2012. I did this the only way I knew how volunteer to judge tables for WotC. I did this for PAXEAST last April. Yes I spent hundreds of dollars to fly, rent a car and stay at a hotel all while judging tables all weekend to get my hands on a copy of the early Playtest materials. Was it worth it? For me, Yes!

Being apart of history running D&D Next for those who had not yet experienced it at the previous public play test at D&D XP, now Winter Fantasy, and having the materials to read even if I could not yet run the play test with my out of the NDA home group was awesome!

But what I was most excited about in the early announcements regarding D&D Next in January of 2012 was the promise of a “simpler” game which united the players of various editions.

I experienced the promise of that at D&D XP in January ’12. However when I read the early materials, which were great. I saw a lot of 1E and 2E. On character sheets not provided in early packets I saw some “At-Wills”, Themes and Backgrounds. Though the Monsters were varied levels, damage was hard to discern reasoning and the options for a DM were limited. I quickly realized that the packet was largely useless to me other than running ‘Keep on the Borderlands’.

I could not except this. Impatience made me desire the impossible. I wanted to understand D&D Next last April! I took out the 1st Edition Monster Manual, the 2nd Edition Monstrous Manual for comparisons. I made spread sheets and charts trying to find some sign of my beloved 4th Edition Monster Stat Matrix to no avail. Yes, without the Experience Point Buy System of 4th Edition, and Clear Universal Stats by Level, well, I didn’t even want to run or play this Next version of D&D.

I am a DM first. I love playing the game, but not nearly as much as I enjoy running it. 4th Edition made monster creation and encounter building on the fly effortless. The game along with it’s base stats and structure. Were a tool kit for assigning and expressing any conditions within my story and my player’s journey without constantly flipping through and referencing books.

Maybe some accomplished this with previous editions. Fourth Edition was the first time I felt this was elegantly and clearly executed in a way I understood and could use with a degree of mastery. Freeing me to concentrate on (ironic of it’s criticism) the story and my players.

So the parts of Mike Mearls D&D Next Goals, Part Three that excited me the most were largely overlooked due to the PDF announcement. I am excited about the PDFs. But these words are most important to me.

“The standard rules will adopt some of 4E’s innovations, such as creating monsters on the fly through a set of standard damage, hit point, and defense numbers by level.”

And bullet five in the challenges.

• Allow DMs to find their comfort level for content creation. Give DMs options for mechanical creation and inspiration without bogging them down in details. Allow for quick, easy creation of monsters, NPCs, and traps. Give DMs who love mechanical tinkering, such as giving class levels to monsters or building the perfect NPC wizard to serve as the party’s nemesis, plenty of ways to customize their game, design campaign settings, and write adventures.

I DON’T WANT TO LOOSE 4E’s INNOVATIONS. Yes a massive portion of our community may not have spent enough time with 4E to acknowledge that it is INNOVATIVE. But it was, and is, and loosing those innovations is unacceptable.

With the confirmations in D&D Next Goals, Part Three that I won’t. I can really feel I am fully onboard! I can’t wait to see the presence of standard damage, hit point, and defense numbers by level. Perhaps those who missed this had happened in 4E will celebrate it during the Playtest.

Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?

It is our beloved Hero of Time, LINK! From “The Legend of ZELDA”.

As is well known to anyone who has ventured into the realms of Hyrule in many of it’s glorious ages. Item collection is a large part of the objective of and advancement in the game. This is also the case with our beloved Dungeons & Dragons.

While not all editions are equally dependent upon them. And many characters never live to see more items than they acquire with their starting gold or find in early exploits and exploration. The further one’s character progresses the greater the power, value and quantity of the items the character possesses.

Where do we keep all of that stuff. On a pack pony? Aside of the popular ‘Bag of Holding’? How do we carry all our swag deep into the delves of our DMs cherished haunts and holes?

And when we do. Do we visualize our haul as part of our character. If dealing with encumbrance is it just a number? Or is there an associated vision of your character which builds in our minds with every trinket or tool we carry.

I love this illustration it challenged my imagination and said, “yeah that’s what you look like adventuring with all that gear on your character sheet!

Gaining, finding, acquiring and using items is great. And giving them is an art many Dungeon Masters overlook.

This picture of a well prepared adventurer simply had to be shared.

My son forwarded me this picture.  I would love to credit the artist whose seal is in place. Though unfortunately I do not have their name. If anyone knows the artist please pass it on so that they get their due acknowledgement.

An Oracle of Role Playing Mastery?

So you’re starting a new game. New players? A new group? You’ve got a committed party. Committed to a set day of the week, every other week, once a month whatever. Enthusiasm is high!

You all get together for a character building session. Everyone rolls stats, selects their race and class. You’ve decided on an Edition determining any need for Skills, Feats, Spells, Powers, Themes, Backgrounds, Names, Genders, Features and Equipment. All offered are applied.

Each individual has a character “by the numbers” and some thoughts on how to capitalize on it’s strengths and overcome or play it’s weaknesses. But not every character has a backstory. Not every character has a connection to the other characters or the world in which they exist.

Is this required? No. Is it desired? In most character’s and parties, Yes!

Connections and a backstory are inevitably going to find your party over a series of sessions. But player motivations, individual quests and background are so very useful to Player and DM alike and their benefits are felt as soon as they reveal themselves.

Many DMs might not trust their parties to provide backstories and connections which might de-rail their campaign, world or plans. They might trust some of their players but extending that influence to all players might be greatly feared and warranted.

Maybe it’s not a unshared vision or reverence. Maybe it’s not a culture gap or judged intelligence issue. Maybe it is.

But even if you can move beyond any of these issues and trust them. You might still find yourself with your parties creativity running dry…

How does a party stoke the fires of inspiration? How does the party move beyond cliches, blatant genre and pop cultural thievery? How does a party pull from the unknown to collectively experience something new, fresh and exciting?

I have discovered a great “Third-Party” tool for Adventure/Campaign design which fulfills that quest.

My groups have experimented with this tool and found success in creating rich background stories for characters and campaigns alike. It even provided for enough inspiration that through the parties collective creativity, inter-party connections and relationships were born. With every player contributing and every player benefiting.

What is this Oracle of Role Playing Mastery, You Say? STORY WORLD Cards by Templar Publishing!

STORY WORLD Cards come in decks of forty cards and each card represents characters, places, and objects that can be used to inspire a story. By picking a handful of cards and using their pictures and words as inspiration. In addition an included book can inspire further ways to use the cards in creating your story (We have not consulted it.) The cards can also function as a stand alone game(s) unto itself.

I am utilizing three set of these cards, but also own the Christmas Stories set. The sets or decks my groups used in our experimentation were:

• STORY WORLD: Create-A-Story Kit
• STORY WORLD: Quests and Adventures
• STORY WORLD: Fairy Magic

The Process is very simple. Each party member selects at random one card from each deck, they reflect on the cards. After some time passes players reveal their cards and share their inspiration. Each player in turn does the same.

The cards might at first inspire individual backstory, even individual quests. But as each player shares their own thoughts we found connections reveal themselves between cards, characters and narratives, weaving the world and stitching the characters together.

Do all cards have to be used? No. I also found that after the players have crafted the story, quests and relationships. As a DM one might select three cards for ones self, keeping them secret and pondering how their presence in the “Story World” created by their players affects the player’s visions and goals.

This worked great for both campaign and one-shot exercises.

For one-shots simply let each player select a single card from the deck of their choice, allow for reflection. All players then reveal their cards and inspiration.

The DM then crafts the story in front of them using some or all of the ideas shared. A DM would be required to have a command of his game, knowledge of monsters and threats and encounter creation on the fly but none the less…Another Story World is born!

TIP: For campaign building sessions. I do recommend recording the session with an app or device of some kind so that you can be an engaged and supportive director of the process and a scribe later.

As a DM I was able to take all of my player’s collective input and build upon it extending a story the players own and believe in. Into a frame work of locations, NPCs, items and history they are already committed and invested in because it came from within, them.

Saying the experience was rewarding and satisfying would be an understatement. The outcome filled me with wonder sometimes for days to come.

I would be interested to hear if your own group benefits in creating new games, campaigns and adventures through Story World Cards. I know that they have now become a tool in my DM Kit I will continue to experiment with and enjoy!

This post was written for the second annual New Year, New Game blog carnival hosted by Gnome Stew as part of the 2013 New Year, New Game challenge.

So I was going to just write, “I rolled an 18″, 18 vs. Disappointment.

But the gamer in me couldn’t do it. I opened my dice box pulled out my bone white d20. I have a black d20 I consider it’s pair (I roll one or the other for, positive/negative, aggression/neutrality, blessing/curse, ect.) Anyway the white it was.

Said Tokens of “POWER”

It was with a bit of trepidation. I admit I’m a very superstitious gamer (I keep crystals and a talisman with my dice as well as several other tokens of “Power”.) What would a failed roll mean? Well, not much I suppose. But that was not the case so no worries. I dropped the white d20 before my keyboard. One might consider it a narrative ploy but Bahamut as my witness, I rolled a 20!

It’s been 9 months since I posted to Hit on Crit. And I really had not posted enough to warrant a following or deserve to be missed. If there is anyone out there checking this Blog or still subscribed to it’s feed thanks for holding out or at least not unsubscribing.

In the vein of gratitude thanks to all who reached out over the last 9 months with inquiries, requests and letting us know when the site was hacked, broken or displaying improperly. Not everyone got the reply they deserve but your words kept me thinking it was worth trying again. So I am.

I’ve made changes to the layout and design of the site so that it will be less time consuming to update. I had background images for individual posts, graphic page titles, transparent PNGs, ect., ect. I’m a designer, yes, but a blog is really about writing, we read them, right?

These changes to layout will also help me to fulfill my vision of having my friends write for Hit on Crit and be able to update the site on their own as well. I am pursuing 2-3 other Players/DMs at present all of whom which I play with and DM for and respect highly their commitment and love to and for the game.

So what of the Save Vs. Disappointment. There were many. We are Gamers and Dungeon Masters we dream big, and imagine things which are simply Fantasy, it’s a prerequisite. I’m not going to bring this “Announcement” down by going into them. Some may come to light in future posts as we near this seasons conventions, Winter Fantasy, Gary Con V and PAX East as I reflect and contrast 2012′s Cons and Post-Review 4E and D&D Product Releases of 2012! All of which I purchased and enjoy!

Right now I just want to write about the game I love. Share my experiences with my own groups and my players. Create and share gaming aides and advice and maybe produce a new batch of Pre-Gens for the final season(s) of 4E D&D ENCOUNTERS for those that run the adventures as printed, outside the D&D Next Playtest option.

I learned a lot my first go at this. We received an amazing amount of support and recognition especially for how few posts we contributed to the community. The reasons for producing Hit on Crit in 2013 are not the reasons I had the first time around.

I simply hope that I can continue to share something to enrich our enjoyment of the game as a community of players, DMs, collectors, fans, and enthusiasts of the greatest game ever made, “The Products of Our Imagination”, Gary’s Game, Dungeons & Dragons.

So here is to New Beginnings! And as before, “May You Always Hit on Crit!”

This post is also Hit on Crit’s contribution to RPG Blog Carnival’s – New Beginnings.  Thanks to this RPG Blog Carnival topic for being a factor and inspiration to try again!

Wizards of the Coast has released a promotional booklet entitled The Rise of the Underdark SURVIVAL GUIDE. This guide provides full details on the anticipated Drow Underdark theme for 2012 In Store Play and Product Releases.

As it has been asked again and again on forums, tweets and comment threads. “How does WotC intend to sell 4e product during the announcement and public play test of D&D Next?” It seems the answer is Drow, Drow and More Drow.

Thank Lolth the answer isn’t Vampires like it is for so many other lines and companies releases. Instead the the answer is one of D&D’s most iconic, beloved and feared races. The majestic lords of the Underdark.

I have to confess it has been about 15 years or more since the Drow really thrilled me. I do still get taken in with their culture and societies when reading novels set in the Underdark or where characters are Drow. But they are rarely part of any campaigns I am running. Despite the fact that I seem to have more Drow minis than any other race. However I suspect this is all about to change.

Looking over the full release schedule I am ready to go all in for the next 8 months. The booklet confirms a Drow Underdark Trilogy for the D&D ENCOUNTERS Program running right up to Christmas. And announces two Underdark LAIR ASSULT Events. One of which is co-written by Chris Perkins WotC contributor to “The Dungeon Master Experience”, “DM to the Stars”, creator of the Murdershoal Map for LAIR ASSULT II, and all around Master of MAP FU.

There are a host of accessories from Dungeon Tiles and Map Packs to 3-D terrain by Galeforce nine. Including Box Sets and Fortune Cards all tied together with Novels, Comics, Video Games and Digital Offerings.

If your still not sold. If you feel Drow are old news, a been there done that affair. The whole premiss for 2012s Rise of the Underdark seems to be Lolth never intended for the Drow to remain in the Underdark. The Underdark was their “Crucible” a training ground and now she is driving them to, unleashing them on, the surface and all it’s inhabitants.

DOWNLOAD the FULL Booklet Now!

FEATURES:
D&D ENCOUNTERS
Web of the Spider Queen May 16-August 15
Council of the Spiders August 22-October 17
War of Everlasting Darkness October 24-December 19

D&D LAIR ASSULT
Spiderkiller June-August
Kill the Wizard September-November

SUPPLEMENT BOOK
Into the Unknown: The Dungeon Survival Handbook – May 2012

BOXED SETTING
Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue – August 2012

DUNGEON TILES
Dungeon Tiles: Urban Underdark – June 2012
Dungeon Tiles: Castle Grimstead – September 2012
Dungeon Tiles: Ruins of War – November 2012

MAP PACKS
Vaults of the Underdark – July 2012

D&D FORTUNE CARDS:
Drow Treachery – August 2012

Galeforce nine Products:
Caverns of the Underdark 3-D Adventure Set – Summer 2012
Untitled Dungeon Maps – Summer 2012

Dungeon Command Sting of Lolth Faction Pack – July 2012

D&D Forgotten Realms Novels
War of the Spider Queen
Vol 1: Dissolution by Richard Lee Byers, Insurrection by Thomas M. Reid, Condemnation by Richard Baker – April 2012
Vol 2: Extinction by Lisa Smedman, Annihilation by Philip Athens, Resurrection by Paul S. Kemp – May 2012

The Neverwinter Saga III
Charon’s Claw by R.A. Salvatore – August 2012

eBooks
Sword of the Gods: Spinner of Lies by Bruce R. Cordell – June 2012
Skein of Shadows by Marsheila Rockwell – July 2012
Prince of Ravens by Richard Baker – July 2012
Spider and Stone by Jaleigh Johnson – November 2012

Comics
Dungeon & Dragons: Forgotten Realms Comic Books – Summer 2012

Video Games
Dungeons & Dragons Online: Menace of the Underdark Expansion
Heroes of Neverwinter on Facebook: Drow Expansion

Going into GaryCon IV my anticipation and enthusiasm was high. I knew that the expressed goals of “D&D Next” were to “Merge the Editions” and “End the Edition Wars”, two things that I am VERY much in support of. So as a fan of Every Edition I wanted the past weekends First Edition play sessions to expose me to players who reject the entire premise of any edition which did not directly hold Gary Gygax seal of approval.

I played four, four hour sessions of First Edition. In truth I was engaged 80% of the time and perhaps less on two of the four sessions, my apologies to my parties. There was just so much to consider all around. So many players, so many play styles, so many games, so much noise. There was also so much history, so many RPG heroes, so many TSR legends and therefore, for myself, so much intrigue.

I want to provide a review of GaryCon IV itself and will but this post will continue our coverage of AD&D First Edition and our experiences with it.

AD&D Playing Gary’s Game!

As far as Madison was concerned it was great, just another set of rules. And I feel that way too. In fact there was a lot less rules, squabbles and rule lawyering at the tables with First Edition than any other edition I’ve played and combat was easy.

By using a “TO HIT” chart, which really is just THACO, you subtract a monsters Armor Class from a set number and if you roll anything above the result you hit, it’s great! You then add any bonuses to damage. With lower HP than we find in later editions combat progresses smoothly and quickly. However that is where the clear ease ends. Quickly First Edition reveals schisms in its own dedicated player base from table to table.

Some DMs preferred initiative rolls with a d6 others with a d10. Some preferred to roll percentage checks high and others low. The common check at all tables however was the ability check. Roll under the value of your ability score and you succeed at the check, which always plays well.

Truthfully at it’s core I did not feel much if any difference between a 2E, 3E, 4E or an AD&D 1E play experience. There was a DM, there were players, there was a story, there were threats. One table used a grid with maps and it worked very well, the others all used no grid or maps, graph paper or otherwise. However the core experience and feeling from table to table was exactly the same.

So Then Why This Edition War?

How you build a character, how you direct a characters actions, how a DM controls or describes a monster or threat. How a race, class or gender are represented in D&D. Whether or not D&D presents a core “World” “Cosmology” or not. Can be and is for many players and DMs a legitimate concern.

But at it’s root as within any organization like a family, and the “Family Reunion” GaryCon represents illustrates the multi-edition struggles perfectly. It is not the issues and differences presented through change and conflict but how we respond to it which creates War or Peace.

At it’s core Dungeons & Dragons is a co-operative game play experience which evolved from competitive miniature war gaming. As each of these foundations are present in D&D it holds appeal to players of both persuasions. However D&D’s focus on Role Playing often holds more draw for and occupies the co-operative players mind and interest more than a competitive player’s interest.

Therefore a competitive player can find themselves desiring to passively or outright contend with and engage the DM and rules, fellow Players and play styles in order to get out of the game that which fulfills their requirements for a satisfying experience.

The majority of D&D players are co-operative players. Where DMs are concerned, It’s likely 50/50 though it can seem more DMs lean toward the combative and competitive play style. If not simply for the fact that DMs control the threats and challenge of the game, often feeling they are required to maintain a hard line or maniacal mindset.

So one could conclude that there are in fact two roads traveled with any edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Those of the co-operative and the combative mindsets. Players are more likely to choose the co-operative and with a DM who chooses the same they can have a rewarding experience with any edition.

Peace In Dungeons & Dragons?

In our very nature, which is honestly independent of any edition. Some Player’s and DMs will simply be competitive and combative and therein lies the true heart of The Edition Wars. This has and will play out with every edition at any company, store, table, forum or thread wherein players of a combative disposition are found.

An end to The Edition Wars would likely require eliminating an entire player demographic. Not simply a play style, but a personality style, wherein a player’s combative spirit outweighs their co-operative spirit. Therefore as we all have friends which are, and often find our own selves more competitive than co-operative, The Edition Wars are likely here to stay, as they have more to do with us as players than Dungeons & Dragons itself.

Peace is found in observing and acknowledging that the road to every edition from 0E to 1E to 2E to 3E was born of this conflict. That this conflict and process is at once the very engine which drives and forms the appeal and history of every era of Dungeons & Dragons. And that what players claim offended them most regarding 4E is that this conflict took place behind closed doors. A fact which Wizards of the Coast has recognized and remedied through public discourse and a public play-test for “D&D Next”.

So, as we continue this journey. As combative players and DMs let’s be cautious, as co-operative players let’s be less reactionary, and maybe, just maybe we will find ourselves at a table sometime in the future where we understand one another and each feels recognized and represented, having traveled the long Road to the “Next” Dungeons & Dragons together.

There is a rumor circulating that the re-prints have been delayed until July. If this proves true. “The Road to First Edition” will likely become a irregular feature here on Hit on Crit. We have some exciting posts on First Edition in the works and look forward to sharing our continued interest and speculation on the historic WotC re-release of the First Edition Core!

READ: The Road to First Edition Part I: An Introduction