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Post by ironnerd on May 6, 2022 10:31:10 GMT -5
I really want to write a BECMI module. I wrote a few for another RPG from the same era as BECMI (V&V), and really enjoyed the process (except for one guy... there is always one guy...), and seeing your work "in print" is always a rush. My notion is to provide the module as a free pdf among fans. I'm not sure if it would be legal to post it at DriveThruRpg as a freebie (I'm a mechanic, not a lawyer). I have an interesting (imho) idea for a dungeon and working on a hook... BUT... I want it to feel right, so I am trying to read old Modules from the 80's for research - to see how these things were put together back in The Day, and they put me to sleep. I have the same issue with modules for other game systems as well, so it's not a slight against the writers. Unfortunately, modules are all the dull bits of an adventure put in one place that allow the players to have all the fun.
Can y'all/you'se suggest a module that is less nap-inducing?
Maybe recommend some ideas for backwards compatibility to OD&D.
Mui-Domo
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Post by hengest on May 7, 2022 12:24:10 GMT -5
We discussed "sandbox modules" a few months ago on this thread. I'll try to reply for real when I recover a bit. |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on May 9, 2022 18:48:39 GMT -5
I really want to write a BECMI module. I wrote a few for another RPG from the same era as BECMI (V&V), and really enjoyed the process (except for one guy... there is always one guy...), and seeing your work "in print" is always a rush. My notion is to provide the module as a free pdf among fans. I'm not sure if it would be legal to post it at DriveThruRpg as a freebie (I'm a mechanic, not a lawyer). I have an interesting (imho) idea for a dungeon and working on a hook... BUT... I want it to feel right, so I am trying to read old Modules from the 80's for research - to see how these things were put together back in The Day, and they put me to sleep. I have the same issue with modules for other game systems as well, so it's not a slight against the writers. Unfortunately, modules are all the dull bits of an adventure put in one place that allow the players to have all the fun.
Can y'all/you'se suggest a module that is less nap-inducing?
Maybe recommend some ideas for backwards compatibility to OD&D.
Mui-Domo
I'm not sure, but I think most stuff on DriveThruRpg uses the OGL, unless it is more generic and has little, if any, mechanics in it. Even Dragonsfoot, has been using the OGL in their Footprints, fanzine. You could post anything as a freebie and probably be OK, but depending on the "crunch" you might need the OGL for DriveThruRpg. That is what I think is the case, but I'm no expert at all on this. |
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Post by ironnerd on May 9, 2022 19:00:18 GMT -5
I totally forgot about Open Gaming License.
Mui-Domo!
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jul 3, 2022 19:22:55 GMT -5
ironnerd how is this module project coming along?
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Post by ironnerd on Jul 4, 2022 17:42:50 GMT -5
Ugh! So much like work  V&V was easier because it thought I had it all pretty much memorized, D&D is real work though. The other issue is that reading modules (for any system) tends to put me to sleep as it is all the dull stuff concentrated into one place. I have had work stuff (buis trips), and vacations, and broken planes have gotten in my way. I am still neck deep in a 1946 Ercoupe 415C (poor old thing needs some TLC). I am still assembling ideas. First off, What levels should I write the module for? Second, what is my theme (wilderness dungeon)? Third, who is my boss monster (see "First off")? Forth, What is the big problem (I may not know WHO the boss is, but I know a charming seaside town is gonna get razed on the night of the next full moon)? Fifth, who's gonna help the party out (some less-chaotic forest spirits, and possibly a scoundrel of some kind)? Sixth, can I get my artist friend to do some art for it (which he can then sell at conventions and on his web page... seriously, he needs to branch out a bit).? |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Jul 6, 2022 1:29:10 GMT -5
Ugh! So much like work  V&V was easier because it thought I had it all pretty much memorized, D&D is real work though. The other issue is that reading modules (for any system) tends to put me to sleep as it is all the dull stuff concentrated into one place. I have had work stuff (buis trips), and vacations, and broken planes have gotten in my way. I am still neck deep in a 1946 Ercoupe 415C (poor old thing needs some TLC). I am still assembling ideas. First off, What levels should I write the module for? Second, what is my theme (wilderness dungeon)? Third, who is my boss monster (see "First off")? Forth, What is the big problem (I may not know WHO the boss is, but I know a charming seaside town is gonna get razed on the night of the next full moon)? Fifth, who's gonna help the party out (some less-chaotic forest spirits, and possibly a scoundrel of some kind)? Sixth, can I get my artist friend to do some art for it (which he can then sell at conventions and on his web page... seriously, he needs to branch out a bit).? As for levels, write for any levels you want to. Or even write 1-3, and 4-6, and 7-9 or any ranges that you want. As for theme pick which ever you enjoy the most or if you love both then you can write both and have a series. Decide #1 and then do #3. Fourth - cool Fifth sounds fun Sixth that would be great |
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Post by ironnerd on Jul 6, 2022 7:45:59 GMT -5
He's weird (which is normal for an artist), but prolific. Some of the work in the portfolio (black and white and "V&V") was done in support of work I have done. I may not have ever finished some of the projects, but at least he can still sell the art That's normally how I sell him on an idea. "Dude, you can still sell the art on line and at cons." |
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Post by ironnerd on Jul 9, 2022 18:27:35 GMT -5
OKAY, ya'll, I got the idea.
Next, I need to build the maps and assemble the background info.
Then write it all out...
...easy...
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jul 9, 2022 21:12:38 GMT -5
He's weird (which is normal for an artist), but prolific. Some of the work in the portfolio (black and white and "V&V") was done in support of work I have done. I may not have ever finished some of the projects, but at least he can still sell the art That's normally how I sell him on an idea. "Dude, you can still sell the art on line and at cons." I'm digging the art! |
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Post by ironnerd on Jul 12, 2022 17:20:10 GMT -5
Yeah... he does alright.  He used to do more NSFW, but he sells mostly at conventions, so he had to tone it down a touch. Okay, brace for the gees and the quick heel-toe work. My module idea has been radically altered. It's a simple, one or two session dungeon for level 1-3 players. They get dumped in the middle of it and have to figure out how to exit. The dungeon is on graph paper, so I'll need to port it over to Gridmapper (cuz its easy). Then i can follow along with some classic adventure for basic layout and sequence. Put in the wandering monster tables, some worthy treasures, and a boss monster or two, then toss in a crap-ton of flavor/fluff text and we're ready to go. Fortunately, this dungeon has already been run once so it's pseudo-alpha-tested If I can push myself through this, THEN I can do the Sea-Side Village adventure. Baby steps. |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jul 12, 2022 17:30:24 GMT -5
Yeah... he does alright. He used to do more NSFW, but he sells mostly at conventions, so he had to tone it down a touch. Okay, brace for the gees and the quick heel-toe work. My module idea has been radically altered. It's a simple, one or two session dungeon for level 1-3 players. They get dumped in the middle of it and have to figure out how to exit. The dungeon is on graph paper, so I'll need to port it over to Gridmapper (cuz its easy). Then i can follow along with some classic adventure for basic layout and sequence. Put in the wandering monster tables, some worthy treasures, and a boss monster or two, then toss in a crap-ton of flavor/fluff text and we're ready to go. Fortunately, this dungeon has already been run once so it's pseudo-alpha-tested If I can push myself through this, THEN I can do the Sea-Side Village adventure. Baby steps. Very cool! Looking forward to seeing the final results. |
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Post by ironnerd on Jul 15, 2022 14:18:04 GMT -5
OK...
I used Dungeon Scrawl, Dungeon Map Doodler, and finally Gridmapper, but I finally got the dungeon laid out. Just a note for the GRIDMAPPER users out there... if you're making kind of a big dungeon, be sure to start in the top left corner. Gridmapper only extends RIGHT and DOWN. I had the stupid thing about half mapped when I realized my error.
I had to make a few alterations to the original map since Gridmapper does not have "bridges". At least I am making something approximating progress.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jul 15, 2022 21:28:38 GMT -5
OK... I used Dungeon Scrawl, Dungeon Map Doodler, and finally Gridmapper, but I finally got the dungeon laid out. Just a note for the GRIDMAPPER users out there... if you're making kind of a big dungeon, be sure to start in the top left corner. Gridmapper only extends RIGHT and DOWN. I had the stupid thing about half mapped when I realized my error. I had to make a few alterations to the original map since Gridmapper does not have "bridges". At least I am making something approximating progress. Nice! Thanks for the tip about Gridmapper. I had no idea. |
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Post by ironnerd on Jul 25, 2022 16:11:53 GMT -5
OK... I was gonna do a dungeon I ran the girls through... but no. Not yet. Then I was going to do another dungeon that was even cooler... Nope... not this time. With V&V it was easy. You created some bad guys, gave them the barest hint of motivation, and turned the heroes loose on them. D&D requires actual thought. And that's hard for me I wanted to make an adventure for Characters level 1-3 (so "they basic"), but one that assumed the DM was really into the game and had mowed enough lawns to buy the Expert Set (or at least the book). Now I think I ma on to something. Could be cool... could be a dumpster fire. What could possibly go wrong?  |
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Post by ironnerd on Aug 8, 2022 19:09:07 GMT -5
Addendum
I have the texty bits in place. Now I need to create the maps... Yikes. The adventure is almost all wilderness, so these maps are gonna be a pain in the back-side.
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Post by ironnerd on Aug 12, 2022 8:07:46 GMT -5
The overview map has been mostly created (using MS PowerPoint). I'm not 100% thrilled with it, but it will work for now.
The Firth of U'thriahl area map showing the five possible routes from the town of Lången upon U’thriahl to the town of Kørff.
In working on this map, I realized I need some additional texty bits.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Aug 12, 2022 8:54:39 GMT -5
The overview map has been mostly created (using MS PowerPoint). I'm not 100% thrilled with it, but it will work for now.
The Firth of U'thriahl area map showing the five possible routes from the town of Lången upon U’thriahl to the town of Kørff.
In working on this map, I realized I need some additional texty bits.
That is a pretty good map. I like the elevation lines, which is pretty uncommon on most maps, though I have seen them in places. I have never tried to do that myself, although it conveys a lot of information that is really useful. |
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Post by ironnerd on Aug 15, 2022 16:11:22 GMT -5
So... I got a little frustrated with writing the module. I have it all "there", but now I have to do all the painful layout stuff. I was always able to hand that off to someone else when I was working V&V. So, I indulged in another gaming hobby... I wrote an 8-page mecha combat game. Very relaxing.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Aug 15, 2022 18:32:19 GMT -5
So... I got a little frustrated with writing the module. I have it all "there", but now I have to do all the painful layout stuff. I was always able to hand that off to someone else when I was working V&V. So, I indulged in another gaming hobby... I wrote an 8-page mecha combat game. Very relaxing. That's what I'm talking about! I used to play Battletech and Mekton back in the day. Any chance you are going to share your 8-page mecha combat game?  |
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Post by ironnerd on Aug 22, 2022 17:37:38 GMT -5
Uhmmm... yeah. I can do that. I just need to get to my other computer for the file... all the way across the room. Go here [ LINK] for the file. I figure I should not take up space on this board when I have my own to fill with junk  . I did a touch of polish on it, added a universe and stuff. Bumped it up to 8 1/2 pages. Mekton was so cool! I loved the lifepath. Great art. Wonderful mecha building system. Very anime feel to it. Never a fan of the actual combat rules though... FWIW, Bubblegum Crisis is the very best implementation of the FUZION rules (developed from Mekton) ever. VOTOMS is a somewhat close second.
Battletech... well Battletech was my GAME for a long time, still is. I love to get together with my friends and blow [shirt] up. I even read some of the novels.
Back on topic. I let someone read my draft. He did not hate it, apparently, but I think it needs some more buffing and polishing. And LAYOUT. It really needs to be layed out properly.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Aug 22, 2022 19:41:37 GMT -5
MEKTON was definitely great! I never played Mekton Zeta or whatever it was called but I did play the previous version. I did run across Mekton Zeta at a used bookstore and picked up a copy. Looks pretty awesome to me!
One of my buddies' older brothers started us on the Battletech path. They both came back from a local convention where they picked up the original Battletech boxed set and *I think* the Mechwarrior RPG. After tinkering around with it, he realized he needed City Tech and Aero Tech for the complete and expanded rules. We played quite a bit of it back in the day. I even enjoyed the click-based game, Mechwarrior: Dark Age, that Wizkids put out. I read several of the original Battletech novels and the first 5 or 6 MechWarrior: Dark Age novels. I enjoyed both of them but preferred the original novels and universe.
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Post by ironnerd on Aug 23, 2022 10:17:42 GMT -5
MEKTON was definitely great! I never played Mekton Zeta or whatever it was called but I did play the previous version. I did run across Mekton Zeta at a used bookstore and picked up a copy. Looks pretty awesome to me! One of my buddies' older brothers started us on the Battletech path. They both came back from a local convention where they picked up the original Battletech boxed set and *I think* the Mechwarrior RPG. After tinkering around with it, he realized he needed City Tech and Aero Tech for the complete and expanded rules. We played quite a bit of it back in the day. I even enjoyed the click-based game, Mechwarrior: Dark Age, that Wizkids put out. I read several of the original Battletech novels and the first 5 or 6 MechWarrior: Dark Age novels. I enjoyed both of them but preferred the original novels and universe. I tend to play in the 3025 setting. I found that all of the other settings and tech levels only serve to add complexity. Although I did play a lot of games as Clan Wolf... |
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He used to do more NSFW, but he sells mostly at conventions, so he had to tone it down a touch.
. I did a touch of polish on it, added a universe and stuff. Bumped it up to 8 1/2 pages.