Interest Check - BECMI D&D

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Oct 14, 2023 6:09 pm
I tried this once before and met with failure after several of the players abandoned the game, but I never say die. I'm thinking of running a straight-up BECMI (from the Rules Cyclopedia and Gazetteers) set in the Known World (aka Mystara). This would be true old-school D&D with 3d6 straight down the line, letting the dice fall where they may. Knowing that, who might be interested?
Oct 14, 2023 7:35 pm
WhtKnt says:
This would be true old-school D&D with 3d6 straight down the line
Hell yes! :)
Forces creativity
Oct 14, 2023 8:52 pm
No school like the Old school. I'm all in.
Last edited October 14, 2023 8:54 pm
Oct 14, 2023 8:55 pm
Seems that thought never dies. interested of course. How would one get the straight-up BECMI (from the Rules Cyclopedia and Gazetteers) set in the Known World (aka Mystara)? Older D&D has so many flavors.
Oct 14, 2023 10:32 pm
Rules Cyclopedia
Gazetteer 1: The Grand Duchy of Karameikos
Gazetteer 2: The Emirates of Ylaruam
Gazetteer 3: The Principalities of Glantri
Gazetteer 4: The Kingdom of Ierendi
Gazetteer 5: The Elves of Alfheim
Gazetteer 6: The Dwarves of Rockhome
Gazetteer 7: The Northern Reaches
Gazetteer 8: The Five Shires
Gazetteer 9: The Minrothad Guilds
Gazetteer 10: The Orcs of Thar
Gazetteer 11: The Republic of Darokin
Gazetteer 12: The Golden Khan of Ethengar
Gazetteer 13: The Shadow Elves
Gazetteer 14: The Atruaghin Clans

And if playing an ordinary elf, dwarf, or human doesn't suit you...

Creature Crucible 1: Tall Tales of the Wee Folk
Creature Crucible 2: Top Ballista
Creature Crucible 3: The Sea People
Creature Crucible 4: Night Howlers

And to further expand on the Known World...

Dawn of the Emperors: Thyatis and Alphatia

Of course, ideally, you won't want to get all of these. Rather, you should focus on the character you want to play. If you are looking to play a dwarf, for example, all you really need is the Cyclopedia and GAZ5 The Dwarves of Rockhome. Are you looking to play a desert-dwelling dervish? Look no further than GAZ2 The Emirates of Ylaruam. If you want to play an orc, then GAZ10 The Orcs of Thar is for you.
Last edited October 14, 2023 10:33 pm
Oct 14, 2023 10:39 pm
Woo. The Atruaghin Clans. 😬 I'd forgotten about that Gazetter. Yikes.
Oct 14, 2023 10:43 pm
Great addition info WhtKnt. What is the core rule books for BECMI that you want to use?
Oct 14, 2023 10:48 pm
Needless to say, you can play with just the Cyclopdia. The other books are mostly flavor (but do contain new classes, skills, and spells). You really don't even need the Cyclopedia as I can nursemaid you through character creation, and Mystara is very well-documented on the web (also here).
Oct 14, 2023 10:50 pm
GeneCortess says:
Great addition info WhtKnt. What is the core rule books for BECMI that you want to use?
Just the D&D Rules Cyclopedia. That contains all the core rules that you need.
Oct 14, 2023 11:43 pm
Cool. I now own D&D Rules Cyclopedia. As well as Vaults of Pandius & Atlas of Mystera. Geared up for play.
Oct 15, 2023 4:33 am
I'm interested in this too. Do you have any concept about the game premise yet? That'll help inform what characters will fit.
Oct 15, 2023 5:36 am
Nothing too deep. The adventure begins at a tiny little keep along the borders of Karameikos and we'll see where it goes from there. I'll bait a few hooks, throw them in the water, and we'll see which ones you bite at. The campaign will be a mix of classic modules and homebrew stuff.
Oct 15, 2023 9:35 am
WhtKnt says:
GeneCortess says:
Great addition info WhtKnt. What is the core rule books for BECMI that you want to use?
Just the D&D Rules Cyclopedia. That contains all the core rules that you need.
If you google the name and add free download at the end of the search, you can find it for free. For people that don't have the funds to buy the collections. 'Free Flip' and 'Archives' are good sources.
Oct 15, 2023 9:39 am
testlum says:
I'm interested in this too. Do you have any concept about the game premise yet? That'll help inform what characters will fit.
Rolling 3d6 for attributes will also play a major role; depending on whether the DM wants it a straight down or free move to match the desired attribute.
Oct 15, 2023 11:05 am
Probably straight down given that they've said so in the first post. :P
Oct 15, 2023 12:40 pm
Gamed before with GM. Straight down as what we did.
Oct 15, 2023 2:16 pm
GeneCortess says:
Gamed before with GM. Straight down as what we did.
Aaaah, the good old days when heroes earned their place in the realms.
Oct 15, 2023 4:55 pm
Hello. New here, posting interest. Hope everyone’s well today.
Oct 15, 2023 6:45 pm
Yes, rolling for stats will be straight down the row, by the numbers. You can trade two points from an ability score you don't want to raise your prime requisite by one point. You can perform this trade as many times as you want, so long as you do not lower any ability below a score of 9. You cannot lower your Dexterity, Constitution, or Charisma. You can only raise your character's prime requisite score. I realize this will make things tough and I expect some attrition, but if your character dies, you can always bring in another if you desire. I'm getting the forum set up now and should be sending out invitations to those who expressed interest in the next day to so.
Oct 15, 2023 9:13 pm
WhtKnt says:
Yes, rolling for stats will be straight down the row, by the numbers. You can trade two points from an ability score you don't want to raise your prime requisite by one point. You can perform this trade as many times as you want, so long as you do not lower any ability below a score of 9. You cannot lower your Dexterity, Constitution, or Charisma. You can only raise your character's prime requisite score. I realize this will make things tough and I expect some attrition, but if your character dies, you can always bring in another if you desire. I'm getting the forum set up now and should be sending out invitations to those who expressed interest in the next day to so.
Its already happened to me on here, so PLEEEEAAAASSE don't forget to let me know whether I'm accepted or not. The last application left me in the dark.
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