Shadowdark Shadowdark General Thread [+]

[Reynard]

Is 'shadowdarky' just more dungeon crawl to you? Would you classify Cursed Scroll 4 as Shadowdarky? Its got some weird, some grim, some dark, but also is just a cool jungle adventure.

Dunegons are definitely important, as you can see by each Cursed Scroll (since there are always dungeons in addition to the exploration stuff).

I too think its at least partially about a 'simple 5e' among other motivations, but I dont think the game is that tied to the dungeon either. I have my SD Spelljammer on the way for example.

I would be interested to hear what you think is "shadowdarky" about Spelljammer.

 

[Scribe]

Dunegons are definitely important, as you can see by each Cursed Scroll (since there are always dungeons in addition to the exploration stuff).

I would be interested to hear what you think is "shadowdarky" about Spelljammer.

Regarding Aetherdark, the SD Spelljammer, I dont really think its got that Shadowdark vibe, I will have to read it but its going elsewhere in the pulp genre.

I think we agree really, but I think SD is just kind of the Sword and Sorcery/Fantasy ideal of a basic D&D adventure RPG, but is also such a clean core, that addon's, like Aetherdark, can easily take you into another direction of tone/genre?

I just wanted to know what 'shadowdarky' means to you.

 

[Reynard]

Regarding Aetherdark, the SD Spelljammer, I dont really think its got that Shadowdark vibe, I will have to read it but its going elsewhere in the pulp genre.

I think we agree really, but I think SD is just kind of the Sword and Sorcery/Fantasy ideal of a basic D&D adventure RPG, but is also such a clean core, that addon's, like Aetherdark, can easily take you into another direction of tone/genre?

I just wanted to know what 'shadowdarky' means to you.

Just to be clear, I don't have a problem with SD being the "5E lite" it seems to be, or people hacking it in all kinds of way. That is cool.

it just occurred to me randomly that the whole "torches, darkness, death around every corner" bit is not actually the core of what makes SD popular.

 

[Scribe]

Just to be clear, I don't have a problem with SD being the "5E lite" it seems to be, or people hacking it in all kinds of way. That is cool.

it just occurred to me randomly that the whole "torches, darkness, death around every corner" bit is not actually the core of what makes SD popular.

I'd agree. The fact its so clean, allows for ease of expansion, while its very clear core of SS/Dungeons, has an appeal, its so flexible that its just a great, fun base, without Wizards/5e baggage.

 

[Reynard]

I'd agree. The fact its so clean, allows for ease of expansion, while its very clear core of SS/Dungeons, has an appeal, its so flexible that its just a great, fun base, without Wizards/5e baggage.

For my own part, I don't usually use a torch timer (though I still "attack the light") nor do I use always-on initiative (because it is a PITA). But I adore it for lots of reasons, not least is how eagerly it incorporates weird fantasy.

 

[overgeeked]

Baseball Stars

Pick a game element and add baseball. NPCs with baseball-player names, or corrupted versions of names. A rival adventuring party that's baseball themed, like one of the gangs from The Warriors. Monsters who're baseball themed. A baseball team, either of NPCs or monsters. A baseball game down in a dungeon. A Bloodbowl-like baseball game. What would Money Ball look like in Shadowdark? Point something like that analysis at an adventuring party, or a lich pointing it at their minions. Rival factions solving their problems with a baseball game. A gaggle of baseball fans wreck some place important because their team won/lost...