Tenkar's Tavern: Going Down the Rabbit Hole

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Going Down the Rabbit Hole - Mithgarthr RPG (5e Hack)

I've said this before - I'll gladly play in a D&D 5e game, but I won't run one. I stand by that statement - with the following caveat - I might actually run the Mithgarthr RPG, which is basically 5e with some OSR roots and celtic and germanic ties.

Why do I say that?

Well, Mithgarthr is just 190 pages as a complete game. 5e is how many pages across three books? Just as my 6 year old niece told me that my four page Swords & Wizardry Light was something she could learn cause "its only four pages!" a complete 5e powered game coming in at under 200 pages - including setting - is something I can learn :)

I'm enjoying what I've read thus far although I've got a long way left to read. Well, not long - it is only 190 pages for the PWYW Artless Version of Mithgarthr.

Want the full version with the snazzy art? The Mithgarthr RPG Core Rulebook is $19.99 in PDF ($49.99 for full color hardcover with PDF)

I'll be posting more about Mithgarthr in the coming weeks as I read it further. I'm already tempted to spring for the hardcover.

Damn. 5e may still drag me into its web ;)

Yep, those are affiliate links. Using them when you make purchases at RPGNow keeps the lights on at The Tavern. Thank you.

1 comment:

PadreOctober 2, 2017 at 1:04 PM
I look forward to a review after you have read through the material. I have bought any 4 edition or 5 edition material other than monster books. Sounds like an interesting setting.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Why "Swords & Wizardry?"

Believe me when I say I have them all in dead tree format. I have OSRIC in full size, trade paperback and the Player's Guide. I have LL and the AEC (and somewhere OEC, but I can't find it at the moment). Obviously I have Basic Fantasy RPG. Actually, I have the whole available line in print. Way too much Castles & Crusades. We all know my love for the DCC RPG. I even have Dark Dungeons in print, the Delving Deeper boxed set, Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea. BOTH editions of LotFP's Weird Fantasy and some dead tree copies of the Greyhawk Grognards Adventures Dark & Deep

I am so deep in the OSR when I come up for breath it's for the OSR's cousin, Tunnels & Trolls

So, out of all that, why Swords & Wizardry? Why, when I have been running a AD&D 1e / OSRIC campaign in Rappan Athuk am I using Swords & Wizardry and it's variant, Crypts & Things, for the second campaign? (Actually, now running a S&W Complete campaign, soon to be with multiple groups)

Because the shit works.

It's easy for lapsed gamers to pick up and feel like they haven't lost a step. I can house rule it and it doesn't break. It plays so close to the AD&D of my youth and college years (S&W Complete especially) that it continually surprises me. Just much less rules hopping than I remember. (my God but I can run it nearly without the book)

I grab and pick and steal from just about all OSR and Original resources. They seem to fit into S&W with little fuss. It may be the same with LL and the rest, but for me the ease of use fit's my expectations with S&W.

Even the single saving throw. That took me longer to adjust to, but even that seems like a natural to me now. Don't ask me why, it just does. Maybe it's the simplicity of it. At 45 52, simplicity and flexibility while remaining true to the feel of the original is an OSR hat trick for me ;)

Swords & Wizardry Light - Forum

RPGNow

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Going Down the Rabbit Hole - Mithgarthr RPG (5e Hack)

1 comment:

Blogs of Inspiration & Erudition