Going Through the Spells: Purify Food and Water

Things have changed. Probably for everyone. For a while. But somethings, like my dive into the Old School Essentials spell list, continues. This time with Purify Food and Water. A useful utility spell. In long delves or treks through hostile lands, this spell saves the party's collective butts. If you have a referee that tracks food and water, it becomes a requirement. I admit, I am not one of those referees. At the start of every campaign I tell myself I will track those rations and water skins. It'll add a sense of reality into the fantasy world. Yeah, no. I never do it.

Art by Luigi Castenllani

But Purify Food and Water adds interesting elements into an adventure because its not always the party's food and water that is spoiled. An entire village's population might depend on the spell. Cause shit like that gets import when you don't got it. Sound familiar?

Old School Essentials Mechanics
Duration: Permanent

Range: 10'

This spell makes spoiled, rotten, poisonous, or otherwise contaminated food and water pure and suitable for eating and drinking. On of the following may be affected:

- Drink: 6 quarts.

- Rations: One trail ration (iron or standard).

- Unpreserved food: A quantity sufficient for 12 human-sized beings.

I just did some whacked math. Then I found my answer in the book. I failed my roll...again. A water skin holds a quart, so this spell tops off 6 waterskins. How many waterskins does an adventurer need to drink during a day while plundering? No, I'm asking. I couldn't find a definitive answer in the books. For either water or food. As a rule of thumb I think I'd use the 3 skins and 3 rations a day. That is if I tracked this kinda thing.

I do think it's important to track these critical supplies because it presents interesting, strategical decisions. And the players I game with enjoy that level of depth. Maybe next campaign.

I don't find the spell equal in its treatment of the food items. It purifies water enough for 2 full days (by my home rule calculations), but only one meal of rations. And then you have the banquet table purification. I would have loved to have had this spell at a few restaurants I've eaten at. I'm not sure why the spell is so stingy with rations. You'd think they'd be a bit easier since they are already preserved, but maybe that's the problem. Bad shit has got to happen to have a ration go bad. Like a Twinkie. Most people think that Twinkies last forever. They don't. It's not pretty. 

The AD&D version takes a much different tact with this spell. Much different and more difficult to equate into gaming terms.

AD&D Mechanics
Duration: Permanent 

Range: 3"

This spell makes spoiled, rotten, poisonous, or otherwise contaminated food and/or water suitable for eating and/or drinking. Up to 1 cubic foot of food and/or drink can be thus made suitable for consumption. 

- The reverse of this spell putrefies food and drink, even spoiling holy water. Unholy water is spoiled by purify water.

I remember reading this description and imagining a giant 1' cube of Spam on the table. 

How the hell do you figure out how many days a 1' cube of food feeds a person? I have no fricking clue. With drink, doesn't specify water like OSE, it is a little easier to guess. I don't know. Sometimes AD&D likes math too much and it has weird descriptions that aren't helpful in a game. 

I like that this version can do both at the same time (and/or). So you can throw in a ham sandwich and tweak your local IPA. That allows you to use one spell to do both. But again you run into weird measurements.

And this spell has a reverse option. An option that can ruin holy water! I don't recall that from before. That's an interesting affect. And of course purify ruins unholy water which I don't ever remember seeing in a game, but it'll make an appearance now. 

There is a lot of flexibility with this spell, but for its practical use, the cubic foot of food and/or water is kinda useless to me. I'd wing it. Try to remember what I said then make something else up the next time it was cast.

There was no additional information in the DMG.

I chose Hackmaster Basic for the third system. However it only has Purify Water as a first level cleric spell. 

Hackmaster Basic Mechanics
Duration: Permanent 

Range: Touch

This spell eliminates all harmful bacteria and microorganisms as well as foul tasting sulfides, iron, and suspended solids from water. The result is water suitable for drinking. Casting it on beverages such as milk,beer, or wine is deleterious as they will be reduced to plain water. The spell does not affect toxins (alcohol is here considered a narcotic not a toxin) or magic potions.

It purifies 1 gallon per level. Something measurable. Something easily ported into game. But I find it strange that the spell purifies water unless its poisoned...that seems a bit nonsensical. And you can mess up a perfectly good bottle of rum or chocolate milk. 

And from what I saw there is no spell that purifies food. You are SoL. Up the famous creek without that famous paddle. So pack a bunch of lunchables. Those things will outlast us all. 

Deleterious? Okay. Wow. 

With that, I'm out.

Mail Call! A Beautiful Beast

This beautiful beast arrived in the mail yesterday.  This thing is absolutely gorgeous.  Inside and out.  I know I whined a few posts ago about not knowing the mailing date and I retract my dismay with Kenzer & Company and the new Player's Handbook.  I think I'll be ordering that puppy as soon as I can afford it.  With the Hacklopedia of Beasts in safely secured on my shelves and reading table, now I wait for the the big, fat Tome of Horrors.  Prepare to be jealous.

Am I Missing Something?

Over at Kenzer & Company I barely noticed they even got the new Hacklopedia in print and shipped it out (I guess) last Thursday.  I've been checking in every now and then to see if it has shipped and I found nothing on their main page.  In fact the Hacklopedia is at the bottom of the page.  Maybe I am being a little short with this, but it kind of irks me.  They wanted people to plop down a good chunk of money ahead of time for this book, but have done very little to keep people informed of its progress.  And from the looks of their main page they have moved onto the next thing (the new players handbook).  Maybe this information is spelled out in the forums (which I glanced at), but I would think it was important enough to let the buyers know on the main webpage. 

Don't know why but lately Kenzer & Company has been pissing me off a bit.  I have been a huge supporter of their products, systems and ganzo attitude, but not lately.  There seems to be a disconnect or at least with me.  I see their new product they are shleping is the New Players Handbook and normally I would be very interested in it, but I gotta say this time I think I'll pass.  Considering they are supposed to supporting HackmMaster Basic, I'm not sure how a 400+page PHB goes with it.

But like I said in my title, maybe I am missing something. 

Final Pictures from My Haul from Origins

HackMaster.  Two new adventures.  A PDF copy of Hacklopedia Beasts.  Score.  The Kenzer booth was pushing their new adventures for HackMaster and the new Hacklopedia which they gave away a copy the day before.  I've looked at it on my PDF, should get the book next month, and it is one good looking book.  Sixty bucks makes it one of the more expensive books (well Tome of Horrors set me back $30 more).  I think it looks good overall.  A field guide to all the critters, information gathered from different adventurers.  The art for the monster is all sketchings.  If you are looking for innovative or inspirational art its not in here.  At least for me.  Don't get me wrong, the art is good, love the old piggy orc, but none of the pictures strike my inspiration.  This could be unfair because I have dozens of monster tomes and maybe its because I am immersed in them.  The information is creative and fun.  I am still a HUGE fan of the yield section which I employ in every game.  Though I create my own yields this hacklopedia will be mined for inspiration.  The adventures I haven't had a chance to read through, but in general their adventures are thoughtful and well done.

Okay on to my other goodies.  I bought a Misktonic t-shirt.  Which is very cool and I love it when people ask me what it is.  I tell them it was the college I went to and give them the Elder Sign.  Some times its more fun to live in your own world than theirs. 

Last but not least at all is this very kick ass backpack I bought from the Origins table.  I love this bad boy.  I knew going into Origins I was going to pick one up to contain my haul.  I didn't get the one that said bag of Holding because well...I already get enough questions about my t-shirt.  Any more would be too much.  I will be using this one for a long time. 

Thus concludes all the stuff I got from Origins.  It took a swift kick in the nuts to my budget, but well worth it.  Next year though I would like to maybe get a badge system for us bloggers so if we are the convention you might recognize my badge and blog and so on.  I see so many others that attended and would have at least have said hello.

Playing Tunnels and Trolls with Ken St. Andre

I was going to talk about all the cool stuff that I got at Origins, but that has taken a backseat.  First off, Rob and I must have stored up some good mojo for the trip.  Somehow, without the use of a flying machine we made it to Columbus in 3.25 hours instead of 4.  Rob and I are still wondering how we did that since I wasn't speeding and I don't have a vehicle that could speed if I wanted to.  Parking.  BAM!  Up front.  This was too easy.  Walking through the giant convention center was interesting since signs were sparse, but we found our way without too many missteps.

People we got to meet and talk with for a bit:

Lou Zocchi of the famous Game Science Dice, sharp enough to be considered a concealed weapon.  What a blast he was.  I scored my first set of Game Science dice, 11 dice set that included the new Zocchi dice.  How could I not.  In addition he had these old dice from the Armory, Alignment Dice.  Even though I don't use alignment I will buy any dice that are weird and something I don't have.

Tom Tullis of Fat Dragon was helping at at the Troll Lord Games booth.  Rob gave him a copy of Blackmarsh and the Majestic Wilderlands.  Tom apparently is a big fan of S&W and thrilled to have get them.  I told him to stop clogging up the top ten slots on RPGNow.  Here is a guy who is doing this for a living.  Doesn't use a CAD program, does the math in his head and uses a ruler and pencil.  I like that a lot.

Steven Chenault of Troll Lord Games.  I didn't have a chance to talk to him too long, but the booth next to Troll Lord Games was a Free RPG Day booth and he spoke briefly how he liked that idea.  I agreed as I selected two free items.

Jim & Debbie of Dungeon Decks and Dragon Tomes.  Not sure what their last names are, but this couple definitely has a passion for the hobby.  I bought a Dungeon Deck from them and I really like the idea.  It's fun and I think can be a great tool for a thrown together game or assist in prepping for an adventure in an ongoing campaign.  They are going to release a couple of other decks at Gen Con.  I know the Camp Deck was one.  When characters camp this deck can assist in making it a memorable experience.  They were a pleasure to talk to.

Steve Johansson of Kenzer Company.  I heard Jolly Blackburn was there also, but did not get the chance to meet him.  Hackmaster released two new modules for their HackMaster Basic and they gave away a copy of their new Hacklopedia.  And were also taking pre orders.  He asked me if I wanted a order a copy and no one to be shy about speaking my mind, "I would love to, but when I put down $60+ for the book I want the PDF for free not to be charged an additional $20."  Well, little did I know if I pre ordered it at Origins I got the copy of the PDF right there for free.  Bam!  Sold!

Last, and definately not least is Ken St. Andre, Mr. Tunnels and Trolls himself sitting at the Flying Buffalo booth with Rick Loomis.  Flying Buffalo is one of those companies that still maintains that old school feel that we all talk about, but they have maintained over all these years.  I bought a bunch of T&T books which Ken graciously signed and added his own humor to.  I got the last copy Tavern by the Sea at Origins.  So as he is signing Ken says, "I've been trying to get a game of Tunnels and Trolls going, but can't get anyone to play."  I told him I would be right back.  I found Rob, told him of Ken's offer and the two of us hurried back to Ken to let him know to trolls were present and willing to be subjected to his adventure.

That's right I got to play Tunnels and Trolls with Ken St. Andre.  That was a lot of fun.  Getting to meet, play and be privy to a few secrets within T&T.  My character started out as a 171 pound human and exited the adventure a 8550 pound dwarf.  Ken declared my dwarf the heaviest in the world.  A moniker I will wear proudly.  Without a doubt an unexpected surprise and the best part of my convention experience.

A Good Week for Gaming

The week started off with a bang when we had out regular Monday Night Group (minus Rusty Battle Axe) exploring the underworld of the city and eventually exploring an abandon mansion on the outskirts. The fights were mismatched, we handled them easily, but it was fun to explore the old mansion. Always check the fireplaces for loose bricks. I found a hidden treasure after hidden treasure. It finished with us taking down the main guy (he's remains alive as of this blog, but no promises next week). And I got to web one that tried to run away. I am much happier when I get to web someone. Can you name the module we went through by the cover art?

The next day I get a package from Amazon. I bought GURPS Mysteries and HackMaster Basic. I've only just started to read both and I am thrilled with both of them. The initial work in the GURPS Mysteries is fantastic. Lisa Steele has done an amazing job explaining the different sub-genres of mysteries and how to convert them into a playable adventure. HackMaster is interesting and with all HM products funny as hell. I really loved the attitude and fun the original HM had, but didn't like the time it took to create a character. HM Basic does reduce the amount of time, but I think I will need to tweak it. They've reduced the classes and races down to four. No more Battle Mages or Gnome Titans. Both of which I enjoyed, actually HackMaster got me to liking Gnomes. But this is easily fixable with my tweaks. The honor system is something I am still not huge on, but it would be interesting to find a way to make it work like Glory does in Pendragon. My favorite thing about Hackmaster is the randomness of stats of D&D, but the skill sets that are more like Runequest. The hybrid of a system I am working on slowly is going to be a Frankenstien Monster created from bits of AD&D, GURPS, HackMaster, C&C, S&W throw in a some Pendragon and a dash of Pathfinder.

Then yesterday my White Box came in Brave Halflinf Publishing. I'd forgotten about the adventure that came with it so that was a nice surprise. And as promised it had a colorful set of dice included. I'm excited to sit down with all my new gaming stuff this week.

Currency

Campaigns need money. Some sort of standard coin that can be traded goods. You have the old standard copper, silver and gold. If you have played AD&D you will have experienced the dreaded electrum pieces. Then throw in some platinum as the high end coin. I know there were games with brass bits as a level below the copper. Including them in a campaign brings it down to a dirt and scrounging type of world. Which I always like. Being a huge fan of the books of Thieves World anthologies, I always appreciated the squallier of the earlier books (before the Bysib? fish people came in and infused Sanctuary with coins) when dear old Hakiem the Storyteller was peddling his tales for a single copper and being thrilled he could drink for a day when a silver coin fell his way.

Does this make for good adventures? I guess it depends on how you run your campaign, but I always liked the idea of character appreciating a single silver coin. But that is not the kind of campaign I plan to run. Since I purchased a gazillion HackMaster books before the end of last year and all of my gaming group did the same I am running a gonzo style 1st edition Hackmaster campaign with roid rage and a 2 liter and hour addiction to Red Bull. Oh there will be coins. Lots of them. But everything will cost them players also. Oh yes, they will pay.

Still I need to make a comprehensive currency system. Even though the adventuring style will be gonzo the nobility won't like it if you mess up their monetary system. Unless the players want to bring down the wrath of Baron St. Kick Butt upon their heads they better tow the line. Here is what I came up with. I think it's simple and playable.

There are 4 coin types, the copper farthing (CF), the silver penny (SP), gold penny (GP), and gold crown (GC). The common coin is the silver penny. This money system is based off of the one Rob Conley uses.

1/4 SP = 1 CP
32 SP = 1 GP
320 SP = 1 GC
*I had a table here but it got all messed up in translation.

The copper and silver coins are minted by local nobility while all gold coins are created by the royal mint. The weight of all coins is monitored by the royal tax collectors. This monitoring is completed once per year during the royal tax collection.

It is illegal to exchange unsanctioned monies. Coins from other kingdoms or raw precious metals must be turned into sanctioned money changer to be exchanged for official coinage. These sanctioned money changers are permitted to set their own rates, but may not exceed 20%.

Punishments
Non Sanctioned Monies
• If someone is caught non sanctioned monies, the person will be escorted to the money changer and have all coinage and precious metals exchanged. Then a fine will be determined local magistrate.
• A second offense, all illegal coinage and precious metals on the person will be confiscated. On top of this they will have to stand before the local magistrate for a fine to be determined and the possibility of being placed in the stockade.
• A third offense the person will be immediately jailed for a period determined by the magistrate. All possessions and properties will be forfeited. At the end of the person's incarceration they will be branded as a criminal and released.

Counterfeiting
• This is a serious offense. The first offense the person will have his right arm cut off at the elbow. All possessions and properties are forfeit. And the person will be branded as a criminal.
• The punishment for a second offense is hanging.

Shaving
• A person caught shaving coins will be fined 10x the number of coins shaved.
• The second offense will be increased to 20x the number of coins shaved and be branded as a criminal.

Please feel free to let me know who you do your money system. This is somethign I whipped up last night and thought I would throw it out there for comments. I am sure there are things I've forgotten or that someone has a killer idea I could use.

Yes, Another Blog About Experience Points

For the longest time and the current campaign my group is in is GURPS so experience points for treasure, monsters, gold or exploration isn't really factored it. To tell you the truth there is very little thought put into handing out experience points. For the current campaign four experience points are given at the end of each session. Sometimes a power gained during play can be given shooting up your character point total, but the four xp rate is standard. This fits our group for the time being.

For the past year I have been exploring all the systems and seem to gravitate toward Castles & Crusades and my new fondness for HackMaster. These are level based systems which makes the awarding of experience points more interesting. Now there is a number for magic items found, monsters slain, loot and exploration. Here are some of my theories on how I think experience points should be awarded. Any GM should explain their system of awarding experience points to his players before play begins. We all have our quirks.

1. I don't believe experience points should be given at the end of each session. It should be given at the end of a trip, dungeon delve, or an interesting time in the character's development. These may last one session, but could last several sessions. The GM can award the xp when there is a conclusion to an experience the players are having.

2. Experience points for magic items is awarded only to the character who can use that item and only gets that experience once. Joe Basher get his hands on a +2 Axe of Whoop Ass he will get the 2500xp for it, but Ricky Firehands won't get one drop since he can't use it. If Joe Basher finds another +2 Axe of Whoop Ass he will gain no experience since he already had that experience of using one.

3. I am not a fan of 1gp = 1xp. I never understood that math or the reason. I don't give any experience point for a pile of gold. I see that pile of gold as the funding/opportunity to continue onto other places to gain even more experience.

4. After reading Jeff Rients blog on exploration xp I am completely on board with that. I guess the only adjustment I would make is the players would need to interact with the place. Finding the Mines of Moria is great. Taking pictures of your buddies in front of the door will get you a big goose egg for experience. The players will need to get dirty. Some others who dislike the xp for exploration because they believe their players will go on a grand tour, but I think this is short sighted. If the GM is awarding xp for site seeing then yes this will probably get abused. But make the players interact and this is no longer a problem. Again, like with the magic items, the experience points are given once. This total is not split among the players, but each one is given the entire amount. So when Joe Basher and Ricky Firehands explore the Caves of Chaos they will both be awarded 250xp.

5. Monster experience points are divided among the players that were somehow involved with the interaction. This doesn't have to be the death of the monster. Depending on the situation different levels of experience points could be given. For unique critters, I will award xp just for seeing them. Like if Joe Basher was camping by Loch Ness and Nessie came up and took his bait. I would award xp just for seeing the creature.

6. Experience points for henchmen or followers or lackeys or can't find a job cousins. First off, I don't keep track of their experience points. If the players have a significant follow than they can keep track. When the players defeat a monster and Joe and Rickey have three followers with them I divide the experience in three shares, the followers all share one share. Giving a follower magic items will gain them only 10% of the xp value and this holds true for the exploration xp value. This is due to their secondary nature to the game and interactions. But this does allow a follower to gain in levels and become more useful as the character rises in power.

This is how I plan to award experience points to my players the upcoming campaign early next year. Of course I will discuss my plans with my players and see what input or changes they would like. As a GM I am flexible with my rules and I always like to see what the players want and often they come up with an idea that was so obvious that I whack myself in the head for not thinking of it. The one thing I strive for is being consistent. The same rule/system applies the same one the first adventure as the last.

Hack Mania

I am so late to the party that the building that the party was in has been tore down, but I am indulging in it none the less. I'm talking about HackMaster or AD&D on steroids. My FNGS has a wall of 50% off gaming books and one shelf has a lot of HackMaster books. I read Knights of the Dinner Table when it first came out, but never followed it much. A few months back Rob gave me a few of the Bundles of Trouble and I loved them. And of course they were playing HackMaster through the series.

For whatever reason I got onto eBay and went searching. I found a HackMaster Lot of 19 new books for only $60 + $12 for the shipping. I didn't hesitate and placed my bid. Then took the list of the books in the lot to my FNGS to fill in some of the gaps. It's fun to browse, but I like shopping when I have a purpose. And with the 50% off I filled in a lot of gaps.

Lately I've been spending my free time reading up on HackMaster and loving its sarcastic tone, the gruesome artwork and the pictures that play off the old classic pictures. This game knows how to have fun. And it's a very good game. I know I've been writing a lot about Castles & Crusades and still plan to continue building adventures for it, but I gotta say Hackmaster has my interest right now.

After the New Year my group intends to play twice a week. Intends is the key word. But if it works out I will be running a HackMaster campaign and Rob will run a Swords & Wizardry campaign in his Majestic Wilderlands. We will be play testing more material for future releases.

So if there are any HackMasters out there reading this do you have any tips or suggestions when playing a campaign? And suggestions on a rule set or changing one? And/or what house rules you use that makes the game better?

Go Hunting

I haven't felt like blogging much lately. I was on vacation this week and figured I would pound out a dozen entries, but that never happened. I've been taking a short hiatus from it. One large reason was Modern Warfare 2 came out this week and I've been having fun swearing at the TV since then. I went to the midnight sale and there were two to three hundred people in line. I was surprised. This is not a large town and to see that many standing in line got me more excited to play it. I won't go into the internet problems I had. That swearing at the TV was not so fun.

Seems like my batteries are recharged and I am ready to get more involved in my work involving gaming. Complete some of the billion and one projects I start and never finish. Then I go onto Ebay. Dangerous place. With my renewed buzz for gaming I come across this lot of 19 new Hackmaster Books for $60 bucks with an additional $12 for shipping. Well slap my ass and call me Betty. I've always wanted to take a look at Hackmaster and now I pretty much get the glut of the game in one shot. At the game store I go to all the Hacklopedias are half off and even then those are $10 a piece. So now I wait by my PO Box twiddling my thumbs, thinking of adventures and how to hard it will be to convert my other adventures into this system.

Now I am all set to head to the gaming store in Erie. I'm going to go look at some products and see what they have available. Look at the Hackmaster list of books and see what they might have that is not included in the list. I like going to a gaming store with a purpose. I'm going hunting.