This page contains some of the "system" principles I'm using for this project, mainly to get my thoughts down in one place and establish labeling conventions. There's a lot of flexibility and options in terms of how you can play any module these days, but it is useful I think to have a standard reference point to refer back to so I don't get lost in the granularity.
UK6 was originally an Advanced Dungeons & Dragons ie 1E adventure as written, so is not intended for use with rulesets such as ODD / B/X (Mentzer) / BECMI / Labyrinth Lord / Old School Essentials etc. made popular by the infamous OSR movement circa 2010 onwards until it sort of disintegrated around the time Google+ was resigned in April 2019 (although has it really disintegrated?)...
For a "traditional" 1E as written playthrough, you need the original 1st edition PHB / DMG / MM and Fiend Folio but honestly, I would suggest just using the *free* OSRIC PDF rules available from the Knights-Knaves website (English or French), and if you like the rules go and get the softcover or hardcover print versions and throw them your money. They're not paying me a cent to say this LOL.
Sure there is Castles & Crusades, Labyrinth Lord Advanced or OSE Advanced if you know these systems and favour them you can argue one over the other for all I care, but for core play, OSRIC is the simplest - there is minimum need for conversion, and a low time and financial cost.
It's the common denominator used here.
As a rule, I'm going to be assuming this is the default system used for this blog and not getting into any discussions on the pros and cons of one over the other. Yes perhaps a bit of a cop out sure... I know OSRIC is bare bones, not as pretty as some other versions etc, but look it's readily available as a *free* base reference so that's what I'll be using.
There are plenty of pages written on the pros and cons of this versus that but be warned I'm providing only limited support for other editions and derivatives of the so-called "world's most popular RPG". If there's something cool from a particular 1E retro-clone that is worth a mention I'll flag it, but no promises OK?
Oh, and of course, there are always exceptions that prove the rule...
LotFP - Lamentations of the Flame Princess (OSR)
Say what you like about the artistic sensibilities of the books and the politics and opinions of the controversial creator, my guilty pleasure is that I really do like the design approach and ruleset of what will hereafter be referred to as LotFP (note this will *always* be in red).
To be clear, I'm not really interested in creating a full conversion to a B/X style system, although there are general guidelines available (both online and in the actual rulebook which claims compatibility with 1E modules). It's fair to say that 1E modules notably tend to be a fair bit more lethal when run with LotFP-derived characters as the combat bonuses for higher levels are notably limited to *only* fighters and there's an absence of the "nuclear" option for magic-using characters.
Oh, and there is a much better option than the 1E thief.
Seriously, specialists work way better. Change my mind LOL.
So instead, I'll make some comments about how to incorporate LotFP elements into running the module, whether from a system perspective or a default setting perspective (16th-century Earth with low fantasy / weird elements). I've found thinking with this ruleset's frame does create some interesting ideas.
5E - 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons (O5R)
There's already been a 5E conversion of this module by Mark Stout (Classic Modules Today), with another one by Ernie Noa popping up just last year. So with a bit of prep and one of these handy you can run the original 1E adventure easily enough for a new group. As a lot of players are *only* familiar with this latest edition, I'll be providing comments about 5E (in dark green) perspectives when these occur, or where this later ruleset provides some interesting options or extensions referencing one or both of these.
Where possible I'll be trying to capture an "old school style 5E feel" (whatever that is), using some guidelines and suggestions such as the ones found here. And also here... and elsewhere.
PFRPG - Pathfinder 1st edition
OK, so this is equivalent to DnD 3.75E in some ways, some might stay the "advanced maths" version and frankly I just don't have time for the extra math LOL. Sure I quite like a lot of the concepts in the original Paizo Pathfinder (grenadier alchemists, gunslingers, Shaver-style derro etc), but to be honest I'm not going to be bothered to convert anything as it's not as easy as it sounds.
So, I'll be drawing on some concepts that may help flesh things out or maybe a 5E conversion of PFRPG elements, but let's not get carried away here.
No, I'm not going to even touch 2nd edition Pathfinder. Sorry, not sorry.
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