Conan Campaign

[InzeladunMaster]

The adventures in the Hyborian age that we have run so far (mine and Bob's) both seem to have been successful so far in terms of fun and excitement. I for one am having more fun than I have in quite some time. Any thoughts on what elements are contributing to this?

 

[BobProbst]

An intriguing question.

Some of it can be attributed to the novelty of the game -- it's new and like anything new, it's easy to get excited about.

Surely part of it I ascribe to the complete lack of magical means with which to solve our problems. We have our wits and skills alone. Because of this, we get to know our characters that much more intimately. Furthermore, we're very aware of the danger involved in

Also, I think that the setting offers a lot of imagery that we've been familiar with for a great while -- it feels comfortable. Howard tapped into the primal instincts of humanity -- some of that has rubbed off on the game.

Lastly, I think that the GMing and playing has been very top notch. There's been lots of preparation and focus throughout the group.

I know I've been having a great time!

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

The difference factor is one, I think. The Conan RPG plays different than DnD, even say DnD set in Hyboria. The magic system's definitely a part of that. I think probably the way XP is distributed can be more appealing to certain types of players and DMs, as storyline and plot becomes more important then killing and taking loot.

It's also probably an atmosphere factor, too. Conan is, along with Lord of the Rings, probably one of the things that formed people's perceptions of fantasy and, after all, one of the big influences on Gygax back in the day.

 

[InzeladunMaster]

Both of you are spot on, I think.

• Atmosphere
• Emphasis on skills and wits instead of magical might
• Preparation and Focus
• Differences in mechanics
• Familiar imagery

I think the atmosphere of the Hyborian age is fantastic. A touch of the historical, a touch of the weird, brutal combat, decadence, glitter...

I love the emphasis on skills. That is something I have wanted for a long time, but never could really figure out how to achieve in a game.

Preparation and focus. We have the best players among us now.

Differences in mechanics are making a lot of the differences. Armour and magic differences have really made the game feel different, adding into the atmosphere element.

The imagery is familiar to most of us - largely because so much of Howard made it into the original Dungeons and Dragons, most of us have seen at least one Conan movie, and many of us have read Conan comics and stories, if not actual Howard material. I feel as familiar with Conan's world as I do my own Inzeladun material.

 

[BobProbst]

A quote

Here's what an old time DM said on another board. I thought it germane:

"Forcing a player to deal with armor is, believe it or not, an opportunity for the GM.

It is the small things that add versimilitude to a campaign. Taking off one's armor is part of life. Force choices, enforce common sense, dont let your player "get away" with sleeping in a large uncomfortable breastplate. believe it or not, they will enjoy the game more because of these small issues. It is the danger in the game that draws players. As GMs we should take every opportunity we can to ensure the world breathes. This is at the heart of a good roleplay experience." --Amalricus

 

[thormagni]

Well, I personally had fun for several reasons. These might be normal parts of all the games y'all play, or it could be Conan bringing it out in you, so take it with a grain of salt.

1) An emphasis on role-playing. It wasn't a ROLL playing session, where you just kill the monsters, tally the XP and magic items and head off to the next slashing session.

2) Players actually got to figure out what their character's goals and interests might be and explore those instead of being forced into a narrow hack-and-slash session or pre-defined, railroad style adventure. Which meant that non-combat skills actually have a useful game function.

3) There is an element in Conan, moreso than in straight D&D that "Hey, I could actually die in this fight." Not having ready access to healing magic, such as potions and spells, makes for more logical, realistic and ultimately better combat choices, I think. Instead of having a 2nd-level rogue dashing around backstabbing everyone in sight, Yuri, a 2nd-level thief was more interested in hanging back and picking a shot, because one hit and he is toast.

4) Everybody in the group seems to get along well and seems to be a decent player. There was blessedly little rules-lawyering or bickering or backtracking or what have you. Most groups I have played with range from "the guy who can't be bothered to read the rules, or act in character" to "the guy who wants the all powerful character who runs the game" to "the guy who wants to argue every rule and would be happy if we were playing Monopoly with minis." It was nice to not see all that.

5) And for me, it was nice just to be playing.

The adventures in the Hyborian age that we have run so far (mine and Bob's) both seem to have been successful so far in terms of fun and excitement. I for one am having more fun than I have in quite some time. Any thoughts on what elements are contributing to this?

 

[BobProbst]

2) Players actually got to figure out what their character's goals and interests might be and explore those instead of being forced into a narrow hack-and-slash session or pre-defined, railroad style adventure. Which meant that non-combat skills actually have a useful game function.

You played a great role in making that happen. I had a blast crashing that party and I think it set a good RP tone for the adventures that followed!

3) There is an element in Conan, moreso than in straight D&D that "Hey, I could actually die in this fight." Not having ready access to healing magic, such as potions and spells, makes for more logical, realistic and ultimately better combat choices, I think. Instead of having a 2nd-level rogue dashing around backstabbing everyone in sight, Yuri, a 2nd-level thief was more interested in hanging back and picking a shot, because one hit and he is toast.

You were wise to recognize this -- that threat of death is very very potent!

side note: I see you are a Tick fan. have you read the comics? I'm bringing my collection over for Vince and have some 1st eds of Tick -- I'll bring them along.

 

[thormagni]

Ya. I actually got into the Tick through the cartoon though and backed into the comics (I've only read/bought less than a dozen or so) I also thought the live-action show was really funny. I have managed to, ah, acquire, the whole run of the live-action show in Windows media format. Spoon!

side note: I see you are a Tick fan. have you read the comics? I'm bringing my collection over for Vince and have some 1st eds of Tick -- I'll bring them along.

 

[InzeladunMaster]

Ya. I actually got into the Tick through the cartoon though and backed into the comics (I've only read/bought less than a dozen or so) I also thought the live-action show was really funny. I have managed to, ah, acquire, the whole run of the live-action show in Windows media format. Spoon!

I have all the episodes on VHS that I taped during its brief run. My brother, Charlie (who may be joining us this weekend), is a HUGE Tick fan.