Interest Check: OSR - Adventurer Conqueror King

Players' Club,

I'm considering a launch of an Old School Renaissance (OSR) game using Adventurer Conqueror King System (ACKS) by Autarch Games.

If there is enough interest, I would aim for the game to be a throwback feel to the 1980s/90s versions of D&D (1e, 2e, Box Sets):

...pulp imagery, some intentional use of nostalgia RPG campiness and tropes, retro on the style and aesthetics.

...danger in the air, intermittent imbalance.

...creepy monsters, detestable villains, variety NPCs, action-oriented sets.

…lure of treasure, carousing, fame, and eventual power for bold adventurers who rise to the challenge.

...DM striving to work with creative Players to create badass memorable scenes throughout!


Will use the ACKS default setting, the Auran Empire.

...shortest descriptive summary: Rome in decline.

...overall will be a Heroic Fantasy / borderline Sword and Sorcery style, NOT High Fantasy.

References:
ACKS (core system rules)
Auran Empire Primer


PCs starting at low level - probably level 1. Coming up as nobodies from nowhere, taking a shot at becoming LEGENDS.

Tentatively planning a small scope introduction adventure (estimate time: 1 month) to test drive the rules and setting - familiarize all of us with the system, the group, the game patterns.

With success of the Intro, would move on to a medium-term next episode (estimated time: 2-3 months).

Seeking Old School Gamers from the early days and/or New Era Gamers who have an interest in and respect for the older versions of the game.

Also seeking interactive and creative Gamers who enjoy making interesting posts to showcase the character, to cooperate with other Players, to paint the scene and tell the collective story.

General posting goals: 1 post per day / 4-5 days a week

Thanks for considering.

Let me know - any interest?

Hey everyone, I wanted to take a moment to give testimonial of DMJ's quality of DMing. This guy really dives into creating an awesome experience for his players, and runs his OOC channels like he's taking care of family. Anyone who's been in his games will give the same story.

I'm really excited to see you running another game here on GP and I'm looking forward to being in the Players' Club™ once again!

Sounds like a great reason to get back onto GP. Count me in!

Good to see you, Constablebrew!

Thanks, Len and CB!

It's great to see you both on the boards again. I enjoyed the games we've had in the past - you guys created some of the most memorable characters I've seen in any game.

I'd be honored and excited to game if we could get another project going.

J

Classic D&D art is great to sift through. Even the black and white smaller frames, that were hit or miss at the time, are packed with great imagery that suggests the bigger stories of the genre...

Some of the old art is iconic. Maybe we could recapture some of the same spirit...

But at the same time, I'd like to pull in some newer and more nuanced themes that are generally associated with the later evolution of the game.

I like the Auran Empire setting. It leaves room for a lot of variety on story and background threads:

* crumbling empire and "balkanization"

* folkish rural communities vs. cosmopolitan mega-cities

* cities as a mix of high culture and decadence

* wilderness as a mix of beauty and danger

* blend and clash of civilizations

* a backdrop of higher societies from the past, now degrading

* magic, monsters, and machines out at the mysterious edge - the ruins, the hidden conclaves, the forgotten groves...

I love the low-fantasy evocative feel of the artwork. That's the era I started playing in and it always holds a special place for me. I'm full up with RPG projects at the moment but good luck on your game!

Thanks for the comment and well wishes, Witchdoctor.

You are welcome to stay in touch - let us know if you change your mind and want to join.

We are on a slow-roll start anyway, after we run this interest check thread for a while to hear ideas.

Looking forward to a solid series of adventures with you, Len!

I've started listening to some Conan books and Lankhmar to get into the mindset. Already feel the character ideas bubbling up!

This sounds exactly like what I'd be into! I've been running a lot of OSR between here and my live group, and I've actually been looking at converting some ACKS classes to OSE (including that pretty format) to give some more race-as-class options. I like the idea of playing a barbarian in the times where civilization is crumbling, sort of a reminder that primal is forever.

DMJ, are you interested in using any of the expanded ACKS content? I haven't read beyond the description text into any of the expansions yet, but the Players Companion sounds like it could have some interesting class options.

Thanks, Cowleyc. Sounds great.
If we launch this, it would be great to have someone with some OSR experience onboard. I'd value your input for sure.

And yes, I'm a dedicated Barbarian fan from way back. When the chips are down and things are falling apart, it all goes back to primal - strength, clan, low dependence on technology, high adaptability to environment, ability to unleash unbridled violence. Let's GO!

Maybe not, bro. I ordered the book to read through it though. I'll check it out.

To be up front: I need to keep complexity on the lower end of the scale here at the beginning. I've got to learn the ropes of ACKS / OSR as well. Shouldn't be a problem, but that book's pitch "... customize your fantasy game to an unparalleled degree ..." isn't the main goal yet.

WITH A COUPLE LIKELY EXCEPTIONS:
1) Barbarian, 2) Paladin
I'll definitely study up on those sections. These two are probably going to join the Class options. They're pretty much "our guys." Ha!

Something Cowleyc said reminded me of a topic: Character Sheets.

ACKS provides a cool character sheet.

Does anyone have suggestions or instructions on how to best use specialized (obscure?) character sheet templates here on GP, in the form fillable electronic format that is part of the platform function?

(maybe I've seen a "custom game" character sheet option, but have never used it...)

There is a custom character sheet option and some people can build really amazing stuff with it (I can't). But it should definitely be possible to build that kind of layout in a custom sheet, whether you want to go fancy or not

Thanks, bowlofspinach. Outstanding - I'll have to figure that out.

I've seen your icon around the neighborhood in the past years when I was on GP. Never met you before, so I'm glad for a chance to say "hello" in intro (virtually). Hope you are doing well.

Have you played or managed any retro OSR games?

Retro Originals: Barbarian and Paladin.

Kind of cool. Kind of whack.
Classic.

Okay, I built a very basic character sheet based on your image. Since I do not know the system at all, this might not be ideal for your purposes, but it's a starting point, I hope.