Who would benefit from contemplating on lessons learned from their exploratory expeditions?
That would be players!
They stand to gain the most by learning from their past expeditions. This helps them avoid failures and repeat successes. A simple & quick reflection protocol goes as follows:
What did we expect to happen?
What has actually happened?
Discuss all differences between the expected and actual outcomes.
Note down all recommendations to avoid or repeat actual outcomes.
This can be done between the sessions (via play-by-post) or at the end of the session in some 10 to 15 minutes.
Wilderness adventures and overland travel play a big part in our campaign. OD&D introduced simple rules, based on the Outdoor Survival board game. A wilderness turn lasts a day, within which player characters are able to move a number of 5-mile hexes based on their encumbrance and terrain they are moving through. Judges Guild then developed a more detailed “campaign hexagon system,” which broke down the 5-mile hex into smaller sub-hexes, and then once again into smaller sub-hexes. This allowed us to zoom in until turn could be an hour. AD&D updated the rules, introducing a number of clarifications, subsystems, so on and so forth.
When I worked on our wilderness movement rules I wished something that would work well with the five league hexes, the size Wilderlands maps were originally supposed to be. That's why I turned to HarnWorld, which uses metric leagues (1 metric league equals 2,5 miles equals 4 kilometers) as default. Next, I decided to use a four-hour watch system, naming each period as described in the AD&D DMG (midnight, pre-dawn, morning, noon, evening, and night). Number of daylight watches depends on the season. Next, I made a table with all Wilderlands terrain types and calculated how much leagues can one travel on foot, horse, cart, and wagon.
Above would not be possible without a wealth of existing resources, which I am immensely grateful for.
Who gets excited about rules for role-playing games? Well, I guess I do. The rules that excite me the most have a mix of qualities that is difficult to put in words, but I'll do my best.
First, rules with strong authorial voice that is passionate, slightly naive, confident but relaxed. Second, rules that are elegant, i.e. they are simple, succinct, and clever. If I cannot remove or add anything, if I don't need to re-represent it, if I keep getting back to it as it was, unadulterated, then it might indeed an elegant rule. Third, rules that are internally consistent. When the internal logic is consistent, then I can adjust the rules to my taste without breaking the overall game. I can also use the same logic to build what I wish to build. Four, rules that are backed with sound research, logic, and extensive play testing. I do not care much for simulationism, but I care a lot if the rule was pulled out of someone's ass, or if it was the result of meticulous research play tested with dozens of players.
The motivation for always reading new (and old) rules is much simpler. I am always interested in rules that could / would / might support me better in both achieving the desired tone and fiction of the game. Even when reading rules that I reject is helpful—because then I am able to better articulate what is it I do not desire.
Where is the tavern with most optimistic characters?
Optimism? In the Barbarian Altanis?! Well, the rumour has it Bellystone Thuaidh and Bellystone Theas, two taverns flanking the Bellystone Ford, a crossing point over the River Mageven, are filled to the brim with optimistic—or was it opportunistic?—folk of all kind.
Those on the north bank are optimistic about their travel along the Old South Road to the City State of the Invincible Overlord, while those on the south bank are optimistic about their fortunes in the Barbarian Altanis. But the two dwarven proprietors are most optimistic about milking their patrons dry.
Oh, that is easy! Right under the TV, in a dice tray and pencil case. There I have an assortment of dice, ranging from d4 to d30. The best prompting accessories I have ever had. They are nothing fancy, classic Chessex dice. d30s are no name brand, but they roll fine. In the future I would like to get a pair of d20s for rolling d00, instead of paired d10s. But I was unable to find a pair thus far. Please let me know if you know a good place in Europe that sells them.
Lord Kyle, a young ruler of Midway, walked through his vineyards. Acres and acres of perfect grapes; soon ready to be transformed into much desired delicious brew. Midway Red is served at the Senate of the Invincible Overlord; the Green Emperor cheers with a glass of Midway Red; Chromatic Wizards of Tula use it in their occult ceremonies.
But ever since his father was murdered in an ambush, young Lord Kyle has been struggling to maintain his vast domain. Vineyards are still tended to, but his trade is disrupted. Bandits and brigands harry him, while the Merchant Council of Hara refuses to help. The latter stings, stings as hell, because Kyle and his people pay tribute and “protection” money to Hara.
But Kyle walks with hope in his heart, for now he has a force most formidable on his side. Ambros Ap Mortain, the High Priest of Forseti, is personally helping him. Ambros is backed by a company of quite competent adventures, real movers and shakers. Further, Ambros commands a holy army numbering over two hundred heavily armed and armoured men.
Yes, Lord Kyle can dream once again. He will make his father proud.
The Sale guide is great, thanks! Do you know of something similar but for core rules? Current or past.
I'm repeating my answer to him below. I assumed they are already familiar with all the major retroclones and original games, therefore I focused on a bit more “exotic” recommendations:
The Majestic Fantasy RPG. An OD&D game based on Swords & Wizardry Core. Interesting mix of many different things based on several decades of play.
Tekumel: Empire of the Petal Throne. The original was built on OD&D chasis. I don't run it as-is, but rather use it for inspiration (e.g., early skill system, interesting take on fighters, etc).
Adventures Dark and Deep CoreRulebook & Bestiary. An alternative imagining of what AD&D 2E might have been if Gary remained in control. A lot of classic, but good stuff.
