Dragonbane general thread [+]

[overgeeked]

My partner is German, and, no surprise, but they really like board games. So I went out of my way to present DB more like a board game or emphasize those aspects of the game that were more board game-like. So I was not surprised when they confirmed that they liked the physical play elements like standees, maps, and cards. I also told them that it should be like playing a game like Pandemic or Forbidden Desert, which are board games with characters that have a handful of unique actions.

A good sign was when my partner said that they wanted to keep the character sheets marked as they were for the possibility of continuing the adventure. This was just a combat run, so I am curious how they will navigate the various NPCs and factions that comprise the town of Outskirt.

Despite loving boardgames, it’s those same elements that initially kept me from enjoying Dragonbane.

One thing that I would also consider for my partner would be running something like Trials in Index Card RPG, which are like combat scenarios, skirmishes, and mini-dungeons for quick one-shots. I think that Dragonbane could work well for that sort of thing, especially when we may want to play something quick without committing ourselves to a campaign.

I have Index Card RPG but I can’t say the Trials stuck out in my mind. I’ll have to read those again.

Sadly, I can’t seem to find a copy of The Sinking Tower adventure that Free League gave out last year on Free RPG Day.

Apparently it’s being used as part of their Free Agent / Organized Play thing, so being part of that is the only way to get it now. Unless you happen across it on eBay or something.

 

[Aldarc]

Despite loving boardgames, it’s those same elements that initially kept me from enjoying Dragonbane.

I get that. For me it was about framing the game to my partner in terms of the familiar.

I have Index Card RPG but I can’t say the Trials stuck out in my mind. I’ll have to read those again.

Nor mine. I glossed over them. I only went back after I saw several videos from an ICRPG fan running Trials.

Apparently it’s being used as part of their Free Agent / Organized Play thing, so being part of that is the only way to get it now. Unless you happen across it on eBay or something.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Question:
Is the adventure that comes in the hardcover rule book, "The Castle of the Robber Knight", the same as the 11-part adventure book included in the boxed set? Or is it one part of that adventure book? Or totally different?

 

[overgeeked]

Question:
Is the adventure that comes in the hardcover rule book, "The Castle of the Robber Knight", the same as the 11-part adventure book included in the boxed set? Or is it one part of that adventure book? Or totally different?

It's totally different. It's a 7-page location-based adventure. It could easily be added to the campaign in the Core Set box, though.

 

[Sir Brennen]

It's totally different. It's a 7-page location-based adventure. It could easily be added to the campaign in the Core Set box, though.

Same with the solo adventure. Can be played by itself, or included in the “mini-campaign”. It’s not mentioned but it is actually included on the map of Misty Vale campaign map

 

[overgeeked]

Same with the solo adventure. Can be played by itself, or included in the “mini-campaign”. It’s not mentioned but it is actually included on the map of Misty Vale campaign map

Yep. I haven't run or played or read the solo adventure yet. I'm planning on running-playing that at some point. But the charts and tables in the front of the pamphlet are great for GM prep.

 

[Aldarc]

I managed to hunt down a pdf of the Sinking Tower from someone who was willing to share their copy.

 

[Bill Zebub]

To kick Dragonbane's tires, I ran the intro adventure (in the free starter PDF) with one player running 4 characters. Just to see how it felt. We really liked it! My favorite features:

• If you haven't taken your turn, you can dodge or parry, but give up your turn to do so. (I love that it creates a trade-off between early and late initiative.)
• Monster attacks on a random table (plus always hitting)
• Dangerous combats, quick recoveries

In the adventure itself, I didn't love how information is gated behind skill rolls instead of being telegraphed, for reasons I've discussed in other threads. But given the advancement system I can see why it's important to give players lots of opportunities to "use skills".

Right now I'm trying to talk a group of players into trying out Dragonbane for our next campaign.

 

[Bill Zebub]

I ordered all three hardcovers....

 

[Wolfpack48]

We had another good session yesterday -- getting a bit used to the Inventory/Encumbrance system but okay with it. Love that it's very simple with the inventory slots. We've played quite a bit without encumbrance constraints in our last couple campaigns, but players don't seem to mind a bit of extra thought into what they'll be carrying with them and even paid for storage at the inn to store things they'll collect later (the easy system helps). With the lower treasure count, they are definitely counting their spending (at least for now). Love the little special effects that come with some of the purchasable items.

I've had a few "Idea" rolls here and there and am simply using the INT stat for these. Is anyone else using something different for these things? Idea was very popular in our RQ/CoC games.