Nostalgia - name the game / module

[RabidBob]

Anyone remember these, both from the mid-80ies?

Easy one first:

A basic D&D module which started off with the party finding a pyramid in the middle of a desert and breaking in to it. A dungeon followed, each level getting progressively bigger as they moved down into the pyramid. Upon reaching the bottom they gained access to a huge cavern with a lost city at the bottom of it.

More difficult:

A fairly simple RPG which came in books the size of "Warlock of Firetop Mountain". I believe there were either 6 or 8 books, each one expanding the world, adding new classes and adventures/dungeons. The world started out very typical fantasy, medieval style and developed out into a more eastern flavour as it expanded.

I bet they're not half as good as I remember, but I sure wish I could remember the names and track 'em down!

 

[Pinotage]

Anyone remember these, both from the mid-80ies?

Easy one first:

A basic D&D module which started off with the party finding a pyramid in the middle of a desert and breaking in to it. A dungeon followed, each level getting progressively bigger as they moved down into the pyramid. Upon reaching the bottom they gained access to a huge cavern with a lost city at the bottom of it.

More difficult:

A fairly simple RPG which came in books the size of "Warlock of Firetop Mountain". I believe there were either 6 or 8 books, each one expanding the world, adding new classes and adventures/dungeons. The world started out very typical fantasy, medieval style and developed out into a more eastern flavour as it expanded.

I bet they're not half as good as I remember, but I sure wish I could remember the names and track 'em down!

The first one sounds like B4 The Lost City. Is the second one Arduin Dungeon?

Pinotage

 

[Ydars]

The first was the Lost City, a basic D&D module.

The second is Dragon Warriors and I still play it now. It is 6 books, the last of which detailed the world of Legend.

Incidentally, if you are interested in Dragon Warriors, keep your eye on Mongoose's site; James Wallis (of Hogshead fame and once the publisher of WFRP) has formed a company, one of whose aims appears to be to create a Dragon Warriors 1.1 (so it will not be a major re-write).

 

[RabidBob]

I love this forum! Thank you!

Ydars, how do you find Dragon Warriors holds up compared to modern systems?

 

[Ydars]

Rabidbob; it is a very simple system compared to modern ones; even simplier than basic D&D in many ways, yet it feels a far better system than basic D&D. If you are used to feats, and power options and whatnot, it will disappoint big-time as the system is not customisable at all. The magic system is also a bit clunky, is very low power but is managible (it uses a magic point system except for Mystics; who have to make casting rolls).

The thing that always made this game was the evocative way it was written, and the fact that Legend is such a great world.

I love DW, just because of the way it frees the DM to just go wild and not worry too much about rules but it is not for everyone.

When did you last play it?

 

[RabidBob]

The thing that always made this game was the evocative way it was written, and the fact that Legend is such a great world.

I love DW, just because of the way it frees the DM to just go wild and not worry too much about rules but it is not for everyone.

When did you last play it?

Oh, 1986-87? What I remember was the sense of atmosphere that it had which is why it's stuck in my head. I have to say finding scans of the book covers via Google gave me the shivers!

Same with The Lost City module, something about delving through the pyramid and then finding this isolated city which I thought was incredibly cool. In fact I still find that kind of environment entertaining; a lost civilisation which the PCs find and reconnect with the rest of the world, or even are from and find their way out of.

 

[Ydars]

Well this sense of drama is something I share with you (for both of these) though I was the DM in both cases and this atmosphere did not come for the mechanics in either case .

I actually still have the Lost City as well and I think it is one of those modules with real potential for an update.

 

[Ydars]

If you want these games, you can always find books 1-3 of DW on Ebay fairly cheaply. Book 5 (Power of Darkness; elemetalists) is like Gold-dust and I have never seen one at reasonable price, so I don't have it. Book 6 (Lands of Legend) is well worth a read and completely stands up against modern products, in terms of atmosphere.

 

[RabidBob]

If you want these games, you can always find books 1-3 of DW on Ebay fairly cheaply. Book 5 (Power of Darkness; elemetalists) is like Gold-dust and I have never seen one at reasonable price, so I don't have it. Book 6 (Lands of Legend) is well worth a read and completely stands up against modern products, in terms of atmosphere.

I'll keep an eye out for them!! I suspect I'll be trawling eBay for these for some time to come. Just a shame you're up in Brummie land and I'm down here in London!

I may splash out US$5 for The Lost City download:

http://paizo.com/store/downloads/wizardsOfTheCoast/classicDAndD/adventures/v5748btpy7mun&source=top

I think it'd be very easy to update to 3.x or 4E and even expand into a campaign.

 

[pogminky]

O.k - I don't remember the date (I'm guessing mid to late eighties/ early nineties), but what about:

A boxed set of isometric dungeon tiles with rules and an adventure...

A board game with a big, black electronic tower at the centre (can you hear the sound effects?)

A box set RPG by GW featuring super heroes in the Uk? Fazer and Vox?