How to run Classic Sword and Sorcery Adventures

[nikolai]

I like the evocation idea. What do you suggest is done about healing? Healing magic seems out of place in these sort of games, what's the best jury-rig for doing without it?

 

[Henry]

Not to demean Dave in any way, but it's an idea that's been circulated for years - even the old TSR CONAN! D&D Adventures went this route in part.

Other good ideas include the Conan OGL system, and the Savage Worlds game system if rules-light is a preference.

 

[diaglo]

Any ideas? Which source books should I think about getting my hands on for designing the world and the campaign? And any ideas for rule modifications to make D&D a little more in keeping with the source material?

get yer hands on the OD&D(1974) boxed set.

 

[Ian Sturrock]

You may want to track down Sorcerer & Sword from Adept Press. It includes some very useful advice on running games set in the genre.

Sorcerer & Sword is absolutely crucial, yes. It was somewhat influential on the Conan OGL book, and has some great ideas throughout.

 

[Psion]

I want to run a campaign in the style of the classic Sword & Sorcery short stories (Conan, Elric, Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser, etc.).

Well, obviously you need some tweaks for Conan, but I always thought the typical D&D adventure was a lot like Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser.

 

[francisca]

Well, obviously you need some tweaks for Conan, but I always thought the typical D&D adventure was a lot like Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser.

That's the way I've always played the game.

However, when I DM, it's hard to get that Leiber/Howard gritty feel with magic missles, lightning bolts and the like going off. (It is for me anyway).

However, the makeup of the party in my recently started campaign: 2 rangers, a fighter, a paladin, and a cleric. This could be it!

 

[philreed]

Sorcerer & Sword is absolutely crucial, yes. It was somewhat influential on the Conan OGL book, and has some great ideas throughout.

Hmmm. I may need to take a look at Conan. Does it focus on the original Howard stories or any and all Conan stories?

 

[JoeGKushner]

You have a few choices.

1. Grim Tales.

2. Conan (OGL Atlantian Edition)

3. Black Company

Any of those books would work well in crafting a S&S style campaign and it is the default campaign/play style for Conan.

 

[VorpalBunny]

Hmmm. I may need to take a look at Conan. Does it focus on the original Howard stories or any and all Conan stories?

The core rules is (intentionally) Howard-only. Some pastiche does creep into the later supplements, but even those have a decidely Howard slant.

Well worth a look.

 

[Gomez]

I am building a homebrew campaign setting that is a kinda of a Hyboria/Barsoom/Land That Time Forgot hybrid. I was wondering what do to with arcane magic. The "no evocation" idea really sounds like a interesting way to go.