I think 4 pages is the key to Swords & Wizardry: Light releases. It's forces one to make sure everything is nice and compact and a single sheet is all you need to print.
Needless to say, I'm now thinking of a sandbox setting for S&W: Light. Perhaps 8 5 miles hexes E/W by 10 5 miles hexes N/S.
A sentence or two highlighting each hex. 3 or 4 paragraphs giving an overview of the area in general.
Now, obviously there would be dangers where 3rd level characters just shouldn't be poking around. Which brings us to the next topic of discussion.
There have been a number of inquiries as to whether or not to allow characters to advance under the light rules instead of moving on to one of the fuller S&W rulesets. I do appreciate that lighter is often better for some, some I'm toying with the idea of an "Extra Light" release, adding advancement and monsters for characters of up to 7th level.
So, we are looking at the following releases:
Swords & Wizardry: Light ruleset
Swords & Wizardry: Light Intro Adventure
Swords & Wizardry: Light - Deadly Machination - tables, charts, additional rules and DM advice
and possibly:
Swords & Wizardry: Light - Adventure Sandbox
Swords & Wizardry: "Extra" Ligt - Advancement to level 7
All 4 page releases.
Give me your thoughts :)
Greetings,
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me say that love the whole SW: Light concept and execution.
Looking at the new "possible" items I am starting to get the feeling that the project is moving away from its original goal. That of bringing people (back) into RPGs. A safe, easy stepping stone leading to other, grander adventures.
To me, it is starting to feel like the creation of YAOSRG (Yet Another OSR Game).
I don't want to be negative, but rather cautionary that the original idea is kept to. Or, perhaps, the vision needs to be changed/updated. These things do happen during development - just be aware of it.
My $.02. Please take this as meant - a comment and conversation.
\/\/olfgang
All anyone will need is the 4 page ruleset.
DeleteThe adventure will be very useful for a new or lapsed GM but certainly isnt needed.
Deadly Machinations would consist mostly of tables for mundane items, tables for magic items and some sample encounter tables. Throw in some DM advice depending on space. Totally optional.
Sandbox setting - optional but useful. Will include hooks and locations.
Extra Light - For those that don't want to move on from the Light Rules - so optional it's not even funny.
Supporting a ruelset, even a 4 page one, is important I think for it to be a viable option.
I see your points, and I think they are valid. Being from the Silicon Valley and I always leery of Feature Creep.
DeleteI also think it would nice to give players a taste of the various types of material available these days - "Adventures, sandbox, Hex, etc".
I was hoping for a sanity check and it seems to have passed .... this time ;)
Ruleset, adventure, sandbox.
ReplyDeleteRather than you providing descriptions, maybe take the RND approach and provide symbols or words that the GM can use to build an image or idea of each hex. I love what +Christopher Stieha did with that concept.
ReplyDeleteSo Extra Light will actually be a little bit heavier?
ReplyDeleteI like it.
How soon do you think before you can release the 4 Page Ruleset.
ReplyDeleteI am going to be running RPG games at a local fantasy convention in the near future, this would be a ideal to have at the CON.