House Rulebook Design & Sample HR Book Template

[Dakhran the Dark]

My campaign sourcebooks (plural) are somewhat out-of-date, and I've been forced to start a rewrite from scratch due to some recent computer issues. I've had many of the options above, as my world is custom-designed and has been in play in one form or another since 1989, although it no longer resembles the campaign world of those earlier days...

I've got custom race writeups, a few words about the various base classes I allow and their roles in the campaign, writeups on deities and their spheres of influence, some historical notes, homebrew regional feats and character flaws, new combat options (parry, called shot, etc.) and defined variants in use (double-crit and confirm is a killshot, treat as coup de grace), and various other campaign details. I need to redo my maps, as my old map files are gone but that will allow me to start fresh using CC2 or some other map software, instead of Photoshop. I also need to take out some blatant rip-offs, err, "inspirations", from other fantasy sources, especially since I eventually plan to put the guide online...

 

[Flynn]

What works better for your players? Do you guys give them a brief overview and keep the world book for yourself until such time as they become interested in learning more? Or do you give the players access to the worldbook in the beginning? I'm afraid of overwhelming the players with too much data, yet I want to make sure they have enough to actually build characters that fit with the milieu concept. What are your thoughts?

With Thanks,
Flynn

 

[Nellisir]

What works better for your players? Do you guys give them a brief overview and keep the world book for yourself until such time as they become interested in learning more? Or do you give the players access to the worldbook in the beginning? I'm afraid of overwhelming the players with too much data, yet I want to make sure they have enough to actually build characters that fit with the milieu concept. What are your thoughts?

With Thanks,
Flynn

Give them just enough rope...

I give 'em access to everything from the beginning, but I don't expect them to read much more than races & feats. I usually have them give me a concept, then I'll tell them how it fits into the world.

 

[Aaron L]

To tell you the truth, I tried to make a house rulebook, and it became a mass of unruly crud. Id love it if I could make a nice looking bok covering my house rules and setting info. If someone could make up a template or something Id snap it up as fast as I could. I cant organize things to save my life (I blame it on my ADD)

 

[Emirikol]

To tell you the truth, I tried to make a house rulebook, and it became a mass of unruly crud. Id love it if I could make a nice looking bok covering my house rules and setting info. If someone could make up a template or something Id snap it up as fast as I could. I cant organize things to save my life (I blame it on my ADD)

Aaron (ET AL):

Email me and I'll send you my house rulebook (jayhafner @ lycos . com - remove spaces)

I've found that most people try to put TOO MUCH into their house rulebook. As you can see from the POLL on this post what you will commonly find for formatting (which is really handy, IMO), but at the bare minimum all you really need is character generation rules (just say CORE only) and your DM contact info.

Actually, I'm thinking maybe we should all put together a 'basic' house rulebook format here anyways...maybe I'll do that over the lunch hour.


jh

 

[Emirikol]

What works better for your players? Do you guys give them a brief overview and keep the world book for yourself until such time as they become interested in learning more? Or do you give the players access to the worldbook in the beginning? I'm afraid of overwhelming the players with too much data, yet I want to make sure they have enough to actually build characters that fit with the milieu concept. What are your thoughts?

I like to hint at a few mysteries. Since we play in Hyboria, a lot of the players have read at least ONE conan book and understand some of the phraseology and locations (anything from Stygia is EVIL, EVIL, EVIL. All wizards are EVIL, EVIL, EVIL!). Other than that, I do like the CONAN RPG does. I use a few phrases from the books and hint at the opening scene location.

jh

 

[the Jester]

OK, well the stuff is all here on our Yahoo group (Cydra) in the files section: link.

 

[Emirikol]

Sample Houserlubook

All:
I put together a house rulebook template. (SEE POST #1)

Those of you without now have one.

Thoughts?

jh

 

[Flynn]

All:
I put together a house rulebook template.

Not bad. A little too much flavor text still remains, but it conjures images of what a DM could use in that space instead. Nice organization.

As I have my own format, however, perhaps I'm not the best one to give feedback. Would anyone that currently does not have a house rulebook care to give a review or post their thoughts?

Enjoy,
Flynn

 

[Emirikol]

Sample Template

I left the flavor text in the template for that reason. There are only a few people in the survey who don't do 'some' kind of flair in their HR book.

I think players may value it more if there's more than just a couple sheets of paper.

jh