New Campaign Coming this Sunday!

For our local lurkers looking for a time to jump back in, now's the time.

I'm going to start the "Thranconia Hack" D&D campaign.

Check out the Wiki for background and rules:   Thranconia Hack Wiki

Check out this particular page to download the House Rules and Gear Book documents:
Thranconia Reference Documents

The rules set is called "Blueholme Journeymann" available as a print on demand from Lulu:
Blueholme Rules

It is a modern clone of Eric Holmes's Basic D&D set from 1977, which is a clarified version of the Original D&D 1974 rules set, limited to levels 1-3 and with some idiosyncratic features.   Blueholme journeyman clarifies a few things and expands the system to level 20.

I've made some modifications to the rules set for the campaign==mostly revamping the weapons data, which was the least useful part of the Holmes game.   I've also folded in a few things from our own past D&D campaigns that we've found useful or fun--such as Awesome Pies,  Fate Chips in place of monster XP, Shield Sacrifice, Cleaves etc.

Maintenance:  I've simplified the maintenance system extensively from our past practices.  Basically, you pay 50gp per level per month to make sure you have food, clothing, shelter and well-maintained equipment, and that's the end of it (which is slightly more than Blueholme for the first 2-3 levels, then less).   (Underlings have a lesser fee that varies based on usefulness).

My plans are to have a variation from session to session whether you'll have a quest, or several leads to follow, or must plot your own activities.

Basic Synopsis:   All players begin as inhabitants of Castle Valdburg, in the Crossroads Region.  This is in an area of 'The Wilds"  in a valley between the Dukedom of Thranconia and Principality of Algart (both part of the The Realm, a world-wide kingdom of Man).  There is a Pine Forest to the North of the Valley, and a large desert to the south.   The independent town of Crossroads Tavern lines nearby.   There are 4 other Castles nearby Valdburg, none of which is really friendly to the others.

Castle Valburg is ruled by Lord Oscar of Longmeadow, a 75-year old knight who was exiled from Thranconia when his friend the last duke died.   The Duke's wife, a shrill, suspicious hag, disposed of all her dead husband's friends.   Lord Oscar has no sons, but a multitude of nephews, grand-nephews and 2nd-cousins of various sorts all who hope to succeed the old man.

The players begin in Oscar's service, but where things lead is unknown.