Black Castle: A Long-Term OSR Project

[Mordred Pendragon]

Alright, as stated in an earlier thread in the main gaming boards, I have taken it upon myself to make an OSR game (and unlike previous OSR concepts I've posted, actually get off my ass and make it happen) that plays in a manner similar to Basic Fantasy/Modified B/X in terms of mechanics but is very different in flavor. I call it Black Castle

The biggest influence in terms of the base setting is my favorite D&D setting, the 1990 Gothic Horror classic Ravenloft. Unlike Ravenloft though, the setting of Black Castle is NOT a patchwork dimension or otherworldy realm. It's a darker and magical reflection of our world, particularly between the years 400 and 1485 AD. But this a world where magic exists (both divine and arcane) and fantasy monsters lurk deep within the wilderness. A harsh and horrific land that will mess with you assuming it doesn't destroy you utterly. You can't change the world of Black Castle, but it will definitely change you. There will be adventuring, but it's dark, bloody, and extremely lethal. But for many, it's the only hope of truly surviving the horrors of this bleak mockery of Medieval Earth.

Aesthetically, it would incorporate a lot of anime and manga artwork as well as old-school Gothic Horror motifs and imagery. Think a gorier and more weebish spiritual successor to early Ravenloft materials (such as the Realm of Terror boxed set from 1990). Other major influences include Low Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Victorian Gothic Horror, and seinen anime and manga (with a focus on dark and violent seinen works such as Hellsing, Elfen Lied, Vampire Hunter D, and Black Lagoon).

Mechanically, it would play a lot like Basic Fantasy but with a few tweaks.  For one, Humans are the only playable race (I may add optional rules for Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, and the like later on in supplements) though there are plenty of monsters in the wilderness and dungeons. You may even encounter beings such as Elves and Dwarves lurking in dungeons and in the wilderness, but they aren't exactly friendly and are often dangerous.

The classes are essentially the same as Basic Fantasy. They are Fighter, Cleric, Magic-User, and Thief. I may add more classes later on after the base game is completed. To emphasize the element of fear and helplessness, all classes have a D6 hit dice regardless of class.

Taking a page from Dark Albion's playbook, I will be using semi-fictionalized versions of real-life places in Europe and Asia for the nations. Europe is the default assumption (especially the British Isles and Transylvania) but I will also have materials for campaigns set in a stand-in of Sengoku Era Japan (katanas, wakizashi, nunchaku, kama, and other Japanese weapons can be found and used in-game, though mechanically they are the same as Western weapons such as the long sword, short sword, club, sickle, etc.)

Low-level gameplay would be like a mix of the PS1-era Resident Evil games and The Blair Witch Project, while high-level gameplay would be like Crusader Kings meets Dynasty Warriors on PCP, especially once PC's start building strongholds and forming their own small freeholds and fiefdoms in the wilderness. (As said in the other thread, I'm not too focused on actual historical accuracy)

[Dirk Remmecke]

Sounds like Castlevania - the TRPG.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]741[/ATTACH]

With the right artwork this might be a gold mine. Basically the anime rpg even for non-anime fans.

Good luck with the project!

[Mordred Pendragon]

Sounds like Castlevania - the TRPG.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]741[/ATTACH]

With the right artwork this might be a gold mine. Basically the anime rpg even for non-anime fans.

Good luck with the project!

Thank you. Castlevania actually is one of my influences for Black Castle.

[Voros]

I think a Dark Souls and/or Bloodborne vibe would also go over gangbusters.

[Mordred Pendragon]

I think a Dark Souls and/or Bloodborne vibe would also go over gangbusters.

Oddly enough, I'm not too familiar with Dark Souls. I will definitely look into it.

[Dirk Remmecke]

What happened to this?

[Mordred Pendragon]

What happened to this?

It is still on, just delayed due to illness and other real-life factors.

[JeremyR]

This is why you write stuff first, then announce it/talk about it.

Or start a Kickstarter

[Voros]

Best to write it then do a Kickstarter. The fact the OP had 'long term' in the title isn't a good sign. Set a deadline, commit to writing a certain number of words a day or else it is never going to happen.