The Rambling Cleric – Page 8 – Digressive Musings on Old-School D&D

The Long Night Warrior Class

On September 25, 2021

Here is the initial draft for the warrior class in the upcoming Long Night campaign that begins next month. The campaign will be using a modified version of original Dungeons & Dragons (chainmail & three original booklets). Those familiar with the OD&D retroclone Delving Deeper will notice obvious influences, although there are changes in how saving throws, hit dice, initiative, and attack bonuses are handled. There are other changes as well that will become obvious to those familiar with that system, or OD&D in general.

I’m still on the fence about including the option to choose from a short list of talents and exceptional traits for each class (see below). The purpose would be to add a small level of mechanical variation between characters playing the same class. However, I certainly do not want some bloated “feat” system, nor do I want such talents and traits baked into the leveling system. Again, the goal is to add a modest level of customization to a game with only three classes (warriors, magic-users, and priests). I may speak about this more later after I have given the idea some more thought. Now, onto the warrior class.

The Long Night

By The Rambling Cleric

On September 17, 2021

In Campaigns

During this year a most dread portent took place. For the sun gave forth its light without brightness . . . and it seemed exceedingly like the sun in eclipse, for the beams it shed were not clear.
Procupius of Caesarea, 536 AD, the Year after the Consulship of Belisarius

A failure of bread in the year 536 AD.
The Annals of Ulster

[It was] a winter without storms, a spring without mildness, and a summer without heat.
Cassiodorus, Praetorian Prefect of Italy

First of all that a winter will come called Fimbulwinter (“Mighty Winter”). Then snow will drift from all directions. There will then be great frosts and keen winds. The sun will do no good. There will be three of these winters together and no summer between.
The Younger Edda

A Violent End

By The Rambling Cleric

On September 17, 2021

In Campaigns

Well, it’s been awhile since the last post; however, a lot has happened in our gaming group. Three members of the party were attempting negotiations with a mysterious winged creature inhabiting a vast chamber accessed via a magical portal. Unfortunately, the so-called negotiations (really just a lot of hemming and hawing by the players) ended in a terrible battle that cost the cleric, Euland, his life. Two beloved retainers, Marculus and Tasha, were also slain by the creature and its minions. The magic-user fled and survived, but this was only possible because of the fighter, Dagnit the Fingerless, who bravely remained behind to cover his escape. Dagnit barely survived and the portal was destroyed.

Unfortunately, this was not to be the end of terrible events. When two other players in the party that were away on a short excursion returned to hear about the death of the cleric and others, they resorted to chastising the surviving magic-user and fighter for what they perceived as reckless and poor decision making. Threats were made and offense was taken on both sides. Eventually, swords were drawn and more blood was shed as the surviving party members split into two opposing groups. The evening ended with the death of the magic-user and the fighter fleeing for his life.

This is all rather abbreviated. Still, with the surviving party members disbanded and others slain, this signaled the end (at least temporarily) of the campaign that has been running for the last couple of years. Our group had a debriefing session after things had simmered down a bit. After all, it was a pretty suspenseful and tense evening.

In the end, we all decided to step away from the megadungeon for awhile to start a new campaign that will be set in 6th-century Anglo-Saxon “England.” Specifically, the game will begin in 536, a year described by medieval historian Michael McCormick as the “worst year to be alive.” There were three other ideas, but this is the one that got the most votes. I am tentatively calling the campaign The Long Night, and it will begin this October.

Peace