It all started with a podcast.  I have listened to several explanations for the resurgent popularity of “Original D&D” (or “OD&D”) in its various incarnations from the 1974 pamphlet to the ’83 Basic Set (the “Red Box Set” that was this author’s first experience with RPGs and which lends its name to this blog), but have never really seen the point beyond basic nostalgia.  The original systems’ oft credited “simplicity,” in my view, was marred by the clunky inconsistency of rules which seemed to have “grown in the telling” (much like the game’s central source material).  And don’t many, many modern indy games offer a cleaner simplicity?

Then I listened to Canon Puncture’s Game Advocates episode in which Tavis Allison advocates for OD&D (Canon Puncture episode 99).  And finally, my penny dropped.  Tavis explained (and I’m probably going to mangle his reasoning here) that Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson’s Original D&D was fundamentally different from the editions that followed in one important respect: in OD&D, the adventure is meant to be improvised.  All later editions, in contrast, encouraged DMs to either use published adventure modules or to plan out the adventure ahead of play.

The charm of OD&D, then, is to embrace the random, sometimes nonsensical results of the random encounter rolls (and the equally-important reaction rolls) as keys for improvising the story in play.

I never liked the random monster encounter tables: at first, because they produced random results with no thematic or narrative connection (and later because random encounters can just slow the game down and frustrate players, but that’s another matter).  But Arneson’s intention was that these random inputs serve as inspiration for generating story on the fly, both the back-story and current events.

Example: The player-characters are travelling through a forest.  Random monster: Unicorn.  Reaction roll: Hostile.  Now, DM and players alike ask themselves: why is there a unicorn here, and why is this intelligent and noble creature feeling hostile towards us?  Maybe… maybe she is searching for her kidnapped offspring, and she suspects the group of being the kidnappers!  Yeah, cool!  Okay so, who did steal her foal, and for what purpose?  Let’s say… there’s an evil baron in a nearby castle, who ordered his huntsmen to bring him a unicorn for some black magic which he intents to perform!  What is the baron’s big plan, and what is this black magic supposed to accomplish for him?  Etc.  There: from two rolls of the dice, the group has brainstormed the framework for an interesting adventure.

What does this have to do with me gaming with my kids?  I always said I want to play RPGs with them more, but always got hung up on the pre-planning: either I didn’t have time, or didn’t think I had any good ideas.  But after having this realization, I just decided to wing it.

“Want to play D&D?”

“Yeah!”

“Okay, sit down, I’ll get my things!”

We played.  We improvised.  It was awesome.

In fact, it is working out better than any of my pre-planned sessions.  Kids love to have input to the story, and will grab ideas and run with them (in all directions!).  Instead of me worrying about how to steer them towards the next planned scene, I’m saying “Yes! And…”, and running right along with them.  The action is faster-paced, the players are more engaged, and I’m way less stressed.  Three thumbs up!

So, in the end, you don’t need to use the OD&D rules in order to embrace random-table-driven improvisational play.  I’m actually using a 3.5E hack for 6-year-olds that I’ve just developed.  That’ll be the subject of my next post.

Good gaming,

-Johnny

When GMing with Sorcerer’s Relationship-Map method, you (the GM) don’t decide who the main villain is; that comes out through play.  You start with lots of NPCs who each have their own motivations and plans, and who will each try to influence, recruit, help or hinder the PCs accordingly.  As the story develops, one (or more) of the NPCs will naturally end up opposing the PCs or trying to harm them.

My problem is: twice now in the current game, an NPC that had the potential to develop into the main villain has ended up dead.  In their very first interaction with the PCs.

I’ve been statting up these NPCs as if they were some-what experienced PCs, which I see now was not the right approach.  These are ambitious and dangerous people who already have a number of enemies.  They should each be walking around with the equivalent of a couple of Glocks, a kevlar vest and six body guards.  With a bullet-proof limo idling out front.

The prepared bad-guy was practically built into the dungeon-crawl model of play.  A whole maze of mooks, lieutenants and guard-dogs stood between the heroes and the villain.  In the new democratic world of R-map play, I will have to be a little smarter.  Or at least, my antagonists will have to be.

-J

1. Review Player-Characters’ actions in the previous session.  What do you think they’ll do next?

• List any new Assets you will need to support what the players (probably) want to do.
  Just list them for now.
• Think up some more Bangs that you can use to add pressure to their current situations and plans.
  • List any new Assets that you’ll need to support those Bangs.

2. Think about each important NPC in turn (including PCs’ demons). What has just happened to them?  What do they know about the events that have just transpired?  What are they thinking now?  Based on their own desires, plans, needs and personalities, what are they likely to do next?

• Create some Bangs related to the important NPCs.
  • List any new Assets that you’ll need to support these Bangs.

3. Review the people, conflicts and conspiracies which you have not yet revealed.  Do you want to modify or add detail to any of them?

• Create Bangs and list new Assets as required.

4. Write all those Bangs down in one place. Remember: Bangs demand choices and movement; they do not determine a direction.  Bangs put pressure on the PCs, the PCs drive the story.

5. Now sit down and create all those new Assets: the NPCs, monsters, demons, locations and items, that you listed in the steps above.  Don’t start by staring at blank character sheets, start with scrap paper.  Scribble, sketch, flesh out ideas and character concepts.  When things feel meaty and real, then summarize them onto character sheets, item cards, graph paper and GM’s notes, add stats and you’re done.

For me, this process takes about two nights.  I have my best ideas between the first and second nights.

*  *  *

I wrote this post because Sorcerer is supposed to be a light-prep system; but I have spent an incredible amount of time preparing for this game.  I’ve spent the past two weeks buried in cool ideas with no clue how I was going to get them all to the table!  Finally, my masses of notes are coalescing into stuff that I can use in play.  So I wanted to write down what worked so that I can streamline the process going forward.

To be fair, I’m also developing and playtesting this Dictionary Of Elric mini-supplement, so extra work should be expected.  I know from past experience that that the inter-session prep gets lighter as the game goes on.  Two hours should be sufficient.

Do you guys find that Sorcerer is a light-prep system?  Any prep advice for the Story-Now! GM?

Good gaming,

-Johnny 0.

Overview

Remember that Sorcerer is not a Simulationist system, and your goal in “playing out” mass combat should not be to simulate the battle.  The conflict between individuals and their demons (and Demons) should remain the focal point of any clash of armies.

The most dramatic way to play this out is for the principal characters to meet on the field and decide the outcome of the battle between themselves (a-la The Illiad).

How you handle a large battle depends on how the principal characters are involved with it.  Is the battle merely a back-drop to the inter-personal conflicts?  Is the outcome of the battle even important?  Is the greater battle a proxy for the inter-personal conflict, or can the inter-personal conflict serve as a proxy for the greater battle?

If the principal characters and the massed forces are inextricably linked, then the following will be useful.  All that follows assumes that the principal characters are responsible for (not just members of or incidental to) the armies clashing on the field. The principal characters should each have a stat descriptor or Cover that connotes leadership or battlefield ability in some way such as “squad captain,” “Warlord” or the like, or they should be strongly allied with an NPC who does.

Options:

• Outcome of in-person conflict determines outcome of the greater battle
• Outcome of in-person conflict affects the greater battle
• Outcome of the greater battle affects the in-person conflict

Large-Scale Conflict Resolution

Use these mechanics if the principal characters conflict only through their forces (not directly).

Principal characters declare field-level actions (“my knights charge, my battle demons attack their seige engines, and I seek out their flag bearer.”). Build dice pools for a Cover vs. Cover roll, adding modifiers for relative strength of forces, situational advantages and tactics. In this way, the strengths of the Generals and the situation on the ground are both reflected in the roll.

My ideas, not canon: Apply damage and advantage dice to the forces, not the characters. For damage purposes (only), assign the initially stronger force 10 Stamina, and the weaker force a lesser number commensurate with its relative strength. Treat lethal damage as casualties, and non-lethal damage as penalties related to tactical disadvantage, miscoordination and flagging morale. A force that takes 2xStamina damage is fleeing in disarray.

To be clear: the principal characters’ stats are used to build the dice pools, but damage is applied to the temporary phantom hit points of the forces.

Greater Battle Affects In-Person Conflict

Conduct the greater battle for a few rounds; then have the principal characters encounter each other and conflict. Give modifiers to the characters to reflect the tide of the battle at the time of their meeting.

Conflict resolution proceeds as normal between the principal characters. The character whose forces have a clear advantage should have a commensurate advantage in the personal conflict; award bonuses to reflect the situation, tactics and relative strengths of the forces.  The outcome of the personal conflict should then be reflected in the outcome of the greater battle (not realistic, but narratively satisfying).

Well, these are my ideas after a bit of research.  Have you run a mass conflict in Sorcerer or another Story-Now system?  How did you manage it?

Good gaming,

-Johnny 0.

If this Elric game goes well, maybe for my next turn in the GM’s chair I’ll run an Apocalypse World hack in the same setting.

That would be…

-J

Mosun Akao of Lormyr (human)

Human, Lormyrian, late 40s. A sea trader and a secret priest of Law.

As a sea-trader, Mosun visits many Young Kingdoms, ferrying all goods via Imrryr in accordance with imperial decree. This vocation gives him the freedom of movement to search the Bright Empire for his son Tarin, who was kidnapped by slavers ten years ago (at the age of 5). The ex-priest of Law also takes the opportunity to spread the worship of Elgis of Law – secretly so, in Melnibone.

History

Mosun Akao was a Lormyrian priest of Law. His mentor, Rumon, is the high priest of Elgis in Lormyr. When his son was kidnapped, Mosun and Rumon Contacted a demon of Law for help, but it attached many pre-conditions to its aid. Mosun grew impatient with the Law demon’s demands, and secretly Contacted a demon of Chaos instead. The Chaos demon Puca was more than happy to Pact for aid in finding the son. When Rumon found out, he exiled Mosun from the priesthood in Iosaz – which was when Mosun took up sea-trading.

Mosun has searched for ten years without success. The demon Puca is not as helpful as it claims to be. It seems in no hurry to complete its Pact, and routinely asks for more trinkets (its Need). It is a Passer, resembling a short, squat, goblin-like human. Mosun says it is an Orgian from Troos.  Mosun gave his right eye in payment of the Pact.

His travels put him in contact with most of the Young Kingdoms of the Southern Continent, as well as Imrryr. He was once chased out of Pan Tang for preaching Law. Mosun has acquaintances both amongst the nobility and slaves of Melnibone. He is known to Duke Sendric of Khanjar’a, and occasionally attends his parties.

Son: Tarin

Mentor: Rumon

Wife: deceased

Demon: Puca

Type: Passer Demon of Chaos.

Appearance: as an Orgian man of Troos (short, squat, goblin-like humanoid).  Telltale: one bloodshot human eye (was Mosun’s), one golden feline eye.

Abilities: Perception (finding things), Cover (pygmy from Org/the Forest of Troos), Cloak, Link.

Desire: Mischief.  Need: Trinkets.

Mosun was in a high state of agitation when he Summoned Puca, and did not take sufficient care with the Pact negotiations.  The terms of the Pact are full of loopholes, of which Puca takes regular advantage.

Kicker

A woman sought out Mosun and offered to tell him where his son was, in exchange for help in mapping the deadly sea-maze of the Port of Imrryr.  Mosun agreed, suspecting that he was involving himself in a plot to sack the Melnibonéan capital, but kept his questions to himself.  He brought her on his next cargo voyage to The Dreaming City.  While Mosun and the rest of the crew were blindfolded and the harbor pilot directed the ship through the maze, the Young-Kingdoms spy copied down every turn.  Once ashore, the spy was caught with the illegal notes.  She will be executed.  She has not yet completed her bargain and told Mosun where he can find his son!

Lord Hibbukal of Khanjar’a

Exalt-Surgeon.  Younger brother of Duke Sendric.

Hibbukal is a frighteningly brilliant man who tends to arrogance.  He sees the incestuous decadence that afflicts Melnibonéan society and believes that the empire can only be saved by a near-death experience.  Only an ex-sanguination, perhaps brought on by a barbarian invasion, can wake Melniboné from itd deathbed and inspire the renewal it needs.  He believes that his destiny lies in going abroad, advising some human king and fomenting and aiding an uprising.

History

Born with a voracious intellect, Hibbukal studied medicine and surgery as well as sorcery.  In his twenties, he fell under an extended illness.  His body wasted and many expected that he would die.

His father Duke Arandur had been secretly grooming Hibbukal to be the next Duke, but after two years of illness, shifted his favour to Hibbukal’s brother Sendric.  Meanwhile, Hibbukal came to suspect that he was host to a demonic parasite, but needed supernatural aid to heal himself.  The family summoned a Chaos demon (“it had five arms and a face that was almost all mouth and all teeth – opened up to be almost the whole size of its face, like a predatory fish”), but the demon refused to help one so weak.  Thus spurned, Hibbukal secretly researched demons of Law.  He learned that house Jifar’a was the custodian of a forbidden tome of Law sorcery, The Book Of The Inverted Eye.  He entreated his brother Sendric to steal it for him.

Thus was Hibbukal able to summon the Law demon Sul to save his own life.  Dorban of Ashotep’a was blamed for the theft.  To prevent his execution, Dorban’s sister Melia gave herself into slavery to Jifar’a.  Dorban is now free but wracked with guilt and helpless to free his sister.  If Sendric’s and Hibbukal’s involvement with demons of Law became known, both their lives would be in peril.  Hibbukal still has the book.

Hibbukal has 3 children, Badoura, Hyabara and Calorm, but his heart belongs to the middle one.  Hyabara is possessed of a strange compassion, such as that held by humans.

She’s a mess.  With her allowance, she occasionally buys child slaves and then sells them for a fraction of the price to humans that tell her they will release them in their home ports.   She throws tantrums and threatens to destroy our household artifacts if we split up slave families.  I even caught her helping a disfavored slave that I punished – and by punished, I mean in the slightest way – with building a kiln out of very large bricks I’d imported the year before.  Her interactions with her younger brother and older sister are much the same – they often “gang up” on her, although I put my foot down on the whole nonsense when my son was taking my biology specimens (2 panes of glass separated by pegs and containing a frog or whatever dissected and carefully labelled) from my laboratory and leaving them in her bed.  “Those aren’t toys, and as unusual as we all find her repulsion at scientific learning, that is her own room and her bed.  Not to mention you could have damaged them.”

Father: Arandur (insane)

Children: Hyabara, (Badoura, Calorm)

Hibbukal’s wife Gomira (originally of Damriat’a) is a shrinking violet.

His youngest brother Pajric was forced into a duel and killed by Radric of Hekhem’a.

As a surgeon, Hibbukal once treated emperor Sadric.

Demon: Sul

Type: Object Demon of Law

Appearance: a small sliver of wood that leaves black marks like an ink quill.  Telltale: the sliver always marks, though it is never dipped in ink.

Abilities:  Sul’s various abilities aid Hibbukal in performing surgery and healing patients.  They all confer to the sorcerer except where otherwise stated.

Perception (a body’s inner secrets (target:patient only)). Vitality (confers to patient). Hold. Command (Parasites). Protection (Disease/Rot).

Desire: To heal maladies.  Need: For Hibbukal to learn obscured information.

Kicker

Hibbukal is having tea with uncle Mirzomar.  Hyabara bursts into Hibbukal’s rooms yelling “hide me!”  She has just beaten Kulkar of Ashotep’a (a middle son) with his own whip, in reaction to seeing him abuse a slave.

(click HERE to download PDF).

Cheers,

-J

House Khanjar’a is Imrryr’s top importer of exotic luxuries from the Western Continent. Shazaar is their only territory, but they are expert at delving the Western wilds to acquire slaves, beasts, delicacies, intoxicants and magical herbs. The memorable success of any party is assured if Khanjar’a can be secured to supply it.

Sendric became Duke when his father, Arandur, was declared insane by the family. Arandur remains locked in the tower’s uppermost floors. Mirzomar (Arandur’s brother-in-law) is now the most powerful sorcerer in the family.

Khanjar’a has recently begun importing a new intoxicant, called Totemflower, The Azure Blossom, which allows its users to partake of each other’s immediate sensations. It is favoured by lovers and sadists alike.

Duke Sendric Khanjar’a

History

When the family declared Arandur insane, control of the family was passed to Sendric, his son. Arandur’s brother-in-law Mirzomar, a powerful sorcerer, contested the appointment. Traditions were argued (especially where secession is concerned, precedent for almost any decision can be found within “tradition.”), but the family supported Sendric over him.

Sendric’s younger brother Hibbukal fell gravely ill. For two years, no cure could be found, and his body wasted. At Hibbukal’s request, Sendric stole a forbidden book of Law sorcery, The Book Of The Inverted Eye, from House Jifar’a and gave it to him. Thus was Hibbukal able to summon the Law demon Sul to save his own life. Dorban of Ashotep’a was blamed for the theft. To prevent his execution, his sister Melia gave herself into slavery to Jifar’a. Dorban is now free but wracked with guilt and helpless to free his sister. If Sendric’s and Hibbukal’s involvement with demons of Law became known, both their lives would be in peril.

At an orgy, Sendric slept with Melia, now a slave girl. They were using Totemflower, and afterwards spoke openly with each other as lords and slaves rarely do. Sendric spoke of his wife’s infertility and his desire for children. Melia revealed the circumstances of her enslavement. They each saw clearly the emotions that roiled in the other. Later, Sendric declared his love for her, and she said that she felt the same (mixed in with her feelings was the hope to escape slavery).

Melia became pregnant, but knew that her master Duke Senodjar Jifar’a would kill any issue of hers. Therefore she went to Sendric in secret, revealed her condition, and asked him to save her offspring. The pedigree of the pregnancy was by no means certain, but Melia played upon Sendric’s desire for children.

Melia bore twins, which Duke Senodjar ordered drowned. Sendric somehow saved the children, and he and his wife Spara’ina adopted the “foundlings.”  Sendric believes himself to be the twins’ real father (by Melia) – it is unknown whether he really is. His wife knows only that they are Melnibonean foundlings. He desires to free Melia from slavery, marry her and make her the Duchess of Khanjar’a.

Brother: Hibbukal (Ry)

Father: Arandur (insane)

Wife: Spara’ina (originally of House Sidit’a)

In love with Melia Ashotep’a: disgraced Melnibonean, slave of Duke Senodjar Jifar’a.

Demon: Soral

Type: Object Demon of Chaos.

Appearance: Dagger with cat-claw hilt.  Telltale: soft purring.

Abilities: All confer to the sorcerer.  Cover (Assassin), Cloak, Special Damage (Razor Sharp), Armour, Boost (Will).

Desire: Voyeurism.   Need: to be bathed in blood.

Soral is the heirloom demon of House Khanjar’a.  The Binding ceremony was guided by a demonic Kama Sutra-like text.  A vampiric slug drank blood from a score of cavorting slaves, as well as from Sendric and his father.  The dagger was plunged into the bloated slug at the climax of the orgy.  Soral is very tightly Bound to its master.

Kicker

After years of infertility, Sendric’s wife has just given birth. The child bears a white patch on his head identical to the one that Uncle Mirzomar bears. Sendric believes that Mirzomar has cuckholded him; he is on his way now to kill his uncle.

Here they are:

Sorcerer half-page chr sheets – NPC Sorcerers

Sorcerer half-page chr sheets – Demons

Print them out double-sided and cut them across the middle.  In case it’s confusing: write your answers below each heading like “Appearance,” “Telltale,” etc., except write above the line for “Name.”   The “Kicker/Conspiracy” field is there in case you have multiple groups to keep track of: the vampire court, a satanist cult and the Young Sorcerers Party, for example.  Under “Need” are the stages of demon hunger, from “Sated” to “Vengeful.”  Circle the demon’s current mood based on how it is treated, used, wounded, and fed.

Hope y’all find them useful!

-Johnny 0.