Conan The RPG: Impressions + Ideas & GM Support

[Iron_Chef]

By now, you've seen my instant campaign starter (taking the party from Shem to Zamboula to Zamora) on the Mongoose Conan forum. If this doesn't turn you on, here is another option: The campaign journal for CONAN RPG: ROAD OF KINGS author Vincent Darlage's WAR ON THE BORDER Conan campaign. One could use it as the basis for a new Conan campaign set in the Westermarck/Pictish Wilderness along the Aquilonian border.

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/hosted/adilbrand/conan/hyborian_adventures.htm

He's also created an REH accurate, detailed blow-up map of the area here:
http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/hosted/adilbrand/conan/kingdoms/westermarck.htm

 

[Zoatebix]

Is it the $50 price tag scaring people here off?

More like it's the $50 price tag that's keeping me from considering it until I stop being a full-time student for the Summer. Since I've seen two opposite reviews of the combat system from playtesters on this thread, I'm not sure how much inspiration I can draw from Conan for ideas and mechanics in my cinematic sci-fantasy game - at least not beyond the information I've already read about the game. That said, I am interested in running or playing in a Conan game eventually, but I haven't found any nearby sympathetic gamers.
-Z

 

[Iron_Chef]

I'm not sure how much inspiration I can draw from Conan for ideas and mechanics in my cinematic sci-fantasy game - at least not beyond the information I've already read about the game. -Z

Well, for cinematic/heroic games, Conan offers a +1 across the board stat bonus starting at 6th level (in addition to the normal +1 to one stat at 4th). Character generation offers a new herioc method: all abilities start at 8 and then you add a 1d10 roll to each to get your stat, arrange as you wish. That way, you don't waste time with rolling up losers. The worst you get is a 9 (-1 stat mod), and that will go away by level 6.

 

[S'mon]

I bought the game & I'm planning to run it in a couple of weeks, probably using 'The Slaver's Caravan' to get started. I'm going to use the episodic format with scenarios months or years apart. A player has expressed interest in a Hyborean Pirates campaign - are they any handy resources I can use for this?
I think I'd use Zingaran/Barachan pirates not Vilayet.

 

[S'mon]

Here's my thread discussing my planned game:

http://www.randomlingshouse.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2912

 

[Broccli_Head]

More like it's the $50 price tag that's keeping me from considering it until I stop being a full-time student for the Summer. -Z

I would suggest walmart.com! The price tag held me back until I found the Conan rpg there (plus a whole lot of WotC, White Wolf, FanPro, SJG stuff!)

I'm waiting for my copy. Should be here any day now. The price did go up, I noticed

 

[Desdichado]

Still ~$30 at buy.com. I've had good luck with them in the past.

 

[zero skill LPB]

I went to DunDraCon on President's Day weekend -- I didn't see any copies of the Conan RPG, but I've since been told that there were only a few copies and they all sold out in the first hour of the Dealers Room opening.

Between not finding that book or any of the other five books on my "must buy" list I ended up making a big order with FRPgames.com -- with a little luck I should have a copy of Conan by this weekend.

 

[Remus Lupin]

I'm waiting on my copy right now, but my plan is to work toward running a Lankhmar game with it. My first priorities once I get the book are to do up stats for Fafhrd, Mouser, Sheelba and Ningauble. I'm hoping that Conan will suit the characters better than standard D&D rules. If anyone is interested in helping out with a Lankmar campiagn site, I'd be happy and grateful.

 

[Iron_Chef]

I'm waiting on my copy right now, but my plan is to work toward running a Lankhmar game with it. My first priorities once I get the book are to do up stats for Fafhrd, Mouser, Sheelba and Ningauble. I'm hoping that Conan will suit the characters better than standard D&D rules. If anyone is interested in helping out with a Lankmar campiagn site, I'd be happy and grateful.

I think Conan The RPG should work extremely well with Lankhmar, Thieves' World, Kane, Kull, Freeport, Elric, Cthulhu Dark Ages, HarnWorld, etc. All you'll really need to do if not using the setting is to modify weapons, armor, equipment, do up a new religion chapter, and alter the racial templates to fit (which might be as simple as just renaming them).

For the Gray Mouser, no Scholar (Sorcerer) levels should be necessary---just give him the Dabbler feat (can cast one spell of his choice per game month with unpredictable results). Thieves and Barbarians are both super dangerous in Conan. Multiclassing is free and encouraged, though staying in your race's favored class is rewarded with bonus feats (one at 1st, 5th, 10th).