How would YOU change Shadowdark?

[Lidgar]

Yeah, pulling in spellburn is a great idea. There’s a lot I’d like to pull in from DCC. But you very quickly run into the “why not just play DCC” problem. I’ve described Shadowdark as DCC RPG as filtered through 5E. I think it’s accurate, but it’s also why I’ve held off on diving too much into Shadowdark. I already have DCC RPG. Might run into the same problem with Shadowdark as 5E. That’s where all the players are, so…

I love the favor of DCC, and many of the rules that come with it, but never been a fan of the funky dice.

I’ve been thinking of more ways to integrate some DCC elements into SD, and spellburn + magic item spells from DCC are absolutely great ideas.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

One guy online said he might allow a player to still cast their spell if they fail their spellcheck, but they will still lose the spell for the day. This way it's less of a downer when you fail a spellcheck because at least you still got to do something.

 

[Lidgar]

Also if running a gauntlet, I like using the background and starting equipment tables from DCC. Bring on the gongfarmers!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I’ve been thinking of more ways to integrate some DCC elements into SD, and spellburn + magic item spells from DCC are absolutely great ideas.

Wands with DCC spells are probably even better than scrolls, since you won't have the wizard asking why they can't choose to scribe them into their spellbooks instead.

 

[Reynard]

Who has created or found additions or replacements for the carousing system? I know there are some floating around in various 3PP, but I am curious about who has actually implemented variant systems.

 

[Bill Zebub]

I do like the idea of experimenting with new spells, including from other games, via wands.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Who has created or found additions or replacements for the carousing system? I know there are some floating around in various 3PP, but I am curious about who has actually implemented variant systems.

Someone on the Facebook group created a special one for clerics doing good works, which seemed very modeled on real-life religious communities, which could be a plus or a minus, depending on the group.

I believe Cursed Scroll #6 is going to expand carousing some more as well.

 

[overgeeked]

Pirate Borg and DCC Lankhmar both have excellent carousing systems.

One way to sort of get there without the randomness is to flip XP from treasure found to treasure spent. Generally on non-mechanical or non-character boosting stuff. Let the players come up with the how but introduce a complication to keep it interesting and fun.

 

[overgeeked]

Wands with DCC spells are probably even better than scrolls, since you won't have the wizard asking why they can't choose to scribe them into their spellbooks instead.

Or just let them. The spell systems are similar enough. Just be sure to keep things like mutations from mishaps and all that. That’ll either keep the spell limited use or fairly quickly remove the PC from play.

 

[Queer Venger]

one home-brew rule from Sly that I really like is with allowing spell casters to cast again until they actually get the spell off; I do believe there should be failure with casting magic as it really lends to the tone of the game. Also like the max HP at level 1.