OD&D Feb 16th: Holmes Basic Day (Anniversary of J. Eric Holmes' Birthday)

[zenopus]

It's Holmes Day 2021!

J. Eric Holmes was born on this day, 91 years ago. Over on the Zenopus Archives blog, I've got a "new" photo of Holmes, plus my "Holmesian Highlights" of the past year:
Holmes Day 2021

 

[Alzrius]

I didn't get a chance to read the Holmes Basic rules until 1999, when I picked up the Silver Anniversary Boxed Set, which included a copy of them. I've since come to find them truly fascinating, and I've resolved to start reading some of Dr. Holmes's fiction as well; while I haven't gotten started yet, I am laying the groundwork, having recently picked up a copy of "Red Axe of Pellucidar" off of eBay.

 

[Voadam]

I got a copy of the Holmes blue rulebook in a used bookstore in the late 90s and it was interesting comparing it with the Moldvay Basic Set I had learned on. Still waiting for WotC to get a PDF of it for sale.

 

[Dax Doomslayer]

That was my gateway into D&D. The blue box with the supplements Greyhawk; Blackmoor, Eldritch Wizardry and Deities and Demigods. I still have the book and the 4 supplements. Really fond memories of this and the dungeon in it! Hmmm - maybe I should run this for 5E...

 

[zenopus]

The next installment of The Forgotten Smugglers' Cave, and old school D&D dungeon for Holmes Basic/OD&D, has been posted!

South of the Grotto lies a water-filled cavern, lit by an eerie glow from under the water...

The Forgotten Smugglers' Cave #8: Reef Cavern

zenopusarchives.blogspot.com

 

[Stormonu]

I got the Holmes set for Christmas when I was 10. It was too advanced for me at the time, but I made the best of it I could. Sadly, I lost the rulebook a couple of weeks later, leaving me with only B2. Didn’t get a replacement until the Moldvay set, but it didn’t stop me from using what I remembered until then.

 

[zenopus]

It's Holmes Day 2025!

I've got a new post up on the Zenopus Archives blog for it, with a roundup of Holmes-iana from the past year, find it here:

Holmes Day 2025

 

[Gus L]

Happy Holmes Day!

 

[David Howery]

I got the set way back in 1980, my first introduction to D&D/RPGs, although I didn't do much with it after finding out about AD&D. Still have the rulebook, but alas, everything else in it crumbled away. Except the chits, which I used once and tossed in the trash soon after.... went out and bought dice a day later.

 

[cavalier973]

Necrotization protocol initiated

One of the best rules in Holmes is that first level magic users and second level clerics may scribe spells they can cast onto scrolls. This adds additional options for these classes at low levels.