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D&D 1st Ed. Real Actual True Play Report Summary

Started by Dr Rotwang!, May 07, 2007, 06:42:59 PM

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Sosthenes

#15
May 08, 2007, 09:47:44 AM
Anything that bothered the players? I recently ran some old-school stuff and things like missing perception checks got the group a little miffed.
 

Dr Rotwang!

#16
May 08, 2007, 10:04:37 AM
Quote from: SosthenesAnything that bothered the players? I recently ran some old-school stuff and things like missing perception checks got the group a little miffed.
Not that they complained about. In fact I handled some perception-type checks with the aforementioned Stories System doohickey and it worked pretty well.

Here's how it works, by the way:

  • GM decides how difficult the task is relative to the character's abilities and assigns a modifier (-8 to +8)
  • Player rolls a die (or dice; you have options for straight lines or bell curves)
  • Compare roll to a chart; high is good, low is not good
So when Amber wanted Maava to keep an eye on the Toad Lord, I figured, "Okay, it's crowded here, and he's good at being hidey. Still, her Intelligence is 17, plus she has the 'hunter' proficiency, so she's good for this kind of thing...it could go either way." I had my wife add 1 to a roll of a d20.

She rolled just under the "Success" level, so the Toad Lord eluded her. "Dang!" she said, and we went on.

JEFF: Next visit to Half-Price Books, man. I've made up my mind.
Dr Rotwang!
...never blogs faster than he can see.
FONZITUDE RATING: 1985[/font]

jrients

#17
May 08, 2007, 10:24:04 AM
Quote from: SosthenesAnything that bothered the players? I recently ran some old-school stuff and things like missing perception checks got the group a little miffed.

The listening rules in the DMG and the surprise rules make good substitutions for general perception.

Mind you, I'm with Ron Edwards on the general subject of perception rolls: most of the time the DM wants people to find stuff.  So the much over-used "make a roll to find the plot" is probably the worst stakes you can set on a die roll.
Jeff Rients
My gameblog

Sosthenes

#18
May 08, 2007, 10:46:48 AM
Quote from: jrientsMind you, I'm with Ron Edwards on the general subject of perception rolls: most of the time the DM wants people to find stuff.  So the much over-used "make a roll to find the plot" is probably the worst stakes you can set on a die roll.

If used that way, yes. I haven't seen that done for a long, long time. Usually perception rolls come into play when it comes to surprise, detecting someone who's shadowing the group, elves finding secret doors, noticing stuff about people etc.
Making your roll makes stuff easier, yes, but some hard work and spilled blood should get you to the same point.

But that "Stories System" doohickey sounds quite alright. If my next old-schol campaign won't use C&C, I'll take that into consideration. Might even work for the deeds-based D20 variant I'm thinking about...
 

Drew

#19
May 08, 2007, 11:57:48 AM
Quote from: jrientsI got no objection to how you put together your frog dude stats, but trust me on this you want a Fiend Folio.  Over on my blog S. John and I were just discussing how it is the awesomest of 1st edition books.  To the discerning eye half the creatures in it have their own pre-made plot hooks.  The other half are just weirdo mutants to freak out your players.  More than once I've considered running an AD&D campaign using the FF as my only critter tome.  That's right, the Fiend Folio is so cool it makes me consider giving up orcs.

Why have Orcs when you can have Githyanki? Sure, they've been milked to death by 3.5, but back then they were a revelation. The artwork for the book is supeb, too.
 

Dr Rotwang!

#20
May 08, 2007, 04:04:13 PM
Quote from: jrientsMind you, I'm with Ron Edwards on the general subject of perception rolls: most of the time the DM wants people to find stuff.  So the much over-used "make a roll to find the plot" is probably the worst stakes you can set on a die roll.
I learned that lesson the hard, embarassing way.

You could use it to gauge how much of the plot a character perceives, though, why not?
Dr Rotwang!
...never blogs faster than he can see.
FONZITUDE RATING: 1985[/font]

Drew

#21
May 08, 2007, 04:18:38 PM
Quote from: Dr Rotwang!I learned that lesson the hard, embarassing way.

You could use it to gauge how much of the plot a character perceives, though, why not?

That's pretty much how I run with it. I informally classify information in my mind as primary, secondary and tertiary.

Primary knowledge moves things forward, and is almost always noticed (the secret door that allows escape from the collapsing castle).

Secondary information is important, but not critical, and can be used to the players advantage. It often involves a complication (the secret door appears to be trapped).

Tertiary knowledge provides little bonuses that allow the swift completion of tasks that hinge on the primary and secondary info (a hidden lever that disarms the trap without a roll).

I apply it to pretty much everything, from npc's and their secrets to looking for shelter in the wild.
 
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