I've been following this thread, and I must admit to being very curious about this, especially after S'mon's session summary. 

What is the actual feel of the system?  I've mostly only ever played AD&D, WotC D&D, Palladium, and oWoD.  How would y'all describe it to someone like me?

EDIT:  Also, does anyone else think that the artwork in the playtest copy is very reminiscent of Di Terlizzi?

The first draft of the Dragonbane third-party licence is available for comment (you can comment on the Free Feague forums).

Quote from: deganawida on February 16, 2023, 12:14:34 PM
What is the actual feel of the system?  I've mostly only ever played AD&D, WotC D&D, Palladium, and oWoD.  How would y'all describe it to someone like me?

Well to me it plays like a smoother, next-gen d20 version of d% BRP/Runequest, an F22 to BRP's F15. It has a bit of innovation from modern D&D like the death saves, and a bit of innovation from Free League's own games like the random Monster attacks tables. My players loved it. Highlights were the initiative card system, and the combat system generally. They've really done an excellent job keeping the heart of BRP, from which DoD derived, while cleaning up all the annoying bits. It was 'fast furious & fun' in a way Savage Worlds never was for me.
It's not grimdark, but definitely grittier than modern D&D; the closest analogy for me was the UK RPG Dragon Warrriors; slightly dark heroic fantasy.

Some post game player feedback:

Tony commented how he liked the combat rules a lot better than D&D, I think the more realistic system helps immersion; it also plays much faster than modern D&D.

On Discord:

Phil:
Thanks a lot for the great game last night, Simon. We enjoyed these new rules very much and the universe is full of promise.

Kim:
Is there maybe any interest with everyone doing this instead of (5e) on Saturdays? Max said he'd be into it.

Phil:
(By the way, I had a look at the combat rules a bit more and it is quite cool: for instance, the dodge and the parry is different for melee and ranged attacks and with a melee attack, you can risk damaging your weapon on a parry and suffer a bane until your weapon is fixed. Really realistic!)

Quote from: S'mon on February 16, 2023, 01:42:28 AM
Welcome WS!

Thanks! Glad to find a place with some like-minded people who enjoy RPGs.

Looks like they released the entire Misty Vale campaign to backers! Printing now. 

Quote from: S'mon on February 17, 2023, 10:51:37 AM
Looks like they released the entire Misty Vale campaign to backers! Printing now. 

In this new system?  Meaning for KS backers?  I backed late, so I'm likely not totally in the loop.

Quote from: Persimmon on February 17, 2023, 07:58:39 PM
In this new system?  Meaning for KS backers?  I backed late, so I'm likely not totally in the loop.

Me too! Not getting any updates but if you go on drivethruprg the new release files should be there to download.

Quote from: S'mon on February 18, 2023, 12:06:37 AM

Quote from: Persimmon on February 17, 2023, 07:58:39 PM
In this new system?  Meaning for KS backers?  I backed late, so I'm likely not totally in the loop.

Me too! Not getting any updates but if you go on drivethruprg the new release files should be there to download.

Nope; but I sent a query to Free League's customer service so hopefully that will hook me up.

Quote from: S'mon on February 16, 2023, 05:46:54 PM

Quote from: deganawida on February 16, 2023, 12:14:34 PM
What is the actual feel of the system?  I've mostly only ever played AD&D, WotC D&D, Palladium, and oWoD.  How would y'all describe it to someone like me?

Well to me it plays like a smoother, next-gen d20 version of d% BRP/Runequest, an F22 to BRP's F15. It has a bit of innovation from modern D&D like the death saves, and a bit of innovation from Free League's own games like the random Monster attacks tables. My players loved it. Highlights were the initiative card system, and the combat system generally. They've really done an excellent job keeping the heart of BRP, from which DoD derived, while cleaning up all the annoying bits. It was 'fast furious & fun' in a way Savage Worlds never was for me.
It's not grimdark, but definitely grittier than modern D&D; the closest analogy for me was the UK RPG Dragon Warrriors; slightly dark heroic fantasy.

Many thanks!

Dumb question, but is it super restrictive class-based like D&D?  Say I was running a campaign, and a character decided they wanted to learn more about history.  Could the character raise a skill (I'm assuming pretty heavily here that there are skills) without having to multiclass?

Quote from: deganawida on February 18, 2023, 09:39:51 AM
Dumb question, but is it super restrictive class-based like D&D?  Say I was running a campaign, and a character decided they wanted to learn more about history.  Could the character raise a skill (I'm assuming pretty heavily here that there are skills) without having to multiclass?

It's skill based, no classes. Your background Profession sets a list to choose from for 6 of your starting skills. Then you get a free choice of 2, 4 or 6 skills depending on age category. You start with one Heroic Ability (similar to a 5e D&D Feat), or else the ability to cast spells plus training in a magic school.

You may advance any skills through use and through experience awards, a few per session. It's easier to advance lower skills - you have to roll over the skill rating on a d20, and they cap at 18. Same as BRP d% roll-over. Any PC could roll to raise eg their Myths & Legends skill - and most of the PCs in my group did try to after the first session, as it comes up a lot!

You get new Heroic Abilities whenever you get a skill to 18, or for a 'grand heroic achievement'. Some heroic abilities have prerequisites, eg weapon skill 12 for some combat HAs. But generally you can choose what you want. PCs definitely don't feel constrained.

From the draft:

EXPERIENCE
Life as an adventurer brings many challenges, and if you survive you are sure to change and maybe even learn a
thing or two along the way.
Advancement Marks: When you have rolled a dragon or demon when using a skill, tick the check box
next to that skill. At the end of the game session, the GM asks you the following questions about the session you just completed. For each question that you can reply "yes" to, and justify your answer, you may place another advancement mark next to an unmarked skill of your choice. The GM has the final word, but should adopt a permissive attitude.
✦ Did you participate in the game session?
✦ Did you explore a new location?
✦ Did you defeat one or more dangerous adversaries?
✦ Did you overcome an obstacle without using force?
✦ Did you follow your motivation? (This is now weakness in latest draft).

Advancement Rolls: After placing your marks, roll a D20 for each of them – if the result exceeds your current skill
level, it is increased by one, up to a maximum of 18. Once you have made your advancement rolls, erase the marks and start over in the next game session.

FYI--Free League followed up quickly and I will have access to everything in drivethru within 24 hours.  So kudos to them!

QuoteEXPERIENCE
Life as an adventurer brings many challenges, and if you survive you are sure to change and maybe even learn a
thing or two along the way.
Advancement Marks: When you have rolled a dragon or demon when using a skill, tick the check box
next to that skill. At the end of the game session, the GM asks you the following questions about the session you just completed. For each question that you can reply "yes" to, and justify your answer, you may place another advancement mark next to an unmarked skill of your choice. The GM has the final word, but should adopt a permissive attitude.
✦ Did you participate in the game session?
✦ Did you explore a new location?
✦ Did you defeat one or more dangerous adversaries?
✦ Did you overcome an obstacle without using force?
✦ Did you follow your motivation? (This is now weakness in latest draft).

Advancement Rolls: After placing your marks, roll a D20 for each of them – if the result exceeds your current skill
level, it is increased by one, up to a maximum of 18. Once you have made your advancement rolls, erase the marks and start over in the next game session.

Question for XP method seems to be borrowed from PBTA/FITD. Interesting mix.

Quote from: Wrath of God on February 20, 2023, 05:16:41 PM

QuoteEXPERIENCE
Life as an adventurer brings many challenges, and if you survive you are sure to change and maybe even learn a
thing or two along the way.
Advancement Marks: When you have rolled a dragon or demon when using a skill, tick the check box
next to that skill. At the end of the game session, the GM asks you the following questions about the session you just completed. For each question that you can reply "yes" to, and justify your answer, you may place another advancement mark next to an unmarked skill of your choice. The GM has the final word, but should adopt a permissive attitude.
✦ Did you participate in the game session?
✦ Did you explore a new location?
✦ Did you defeat one or more dangerous adversaries?
✦ Did you overcome an obstacle without using force?
✦ Did you follow your motivation? (This is now weakness in latest draft).

Advancement Rolls: After placing your marks, roll a D20 for each of them – if the result exceeds your current skill
level, it is increased by one, up to a maximum of 18. Once you have made your advancement rolls, erase the marks and start over in the next game session.

Question for XP method seems to be borrowed from PBTA/FITD. Interesting mix.

It reminds me of OWoD... Ah, the infamous "Learning Curve" experience point, wherein after each session, the players would take turn bullshitting the Storyteller about what their character had learned during that adventure. We all knew it was nonsense, but no one could accuse my table of leaving XP on the table...