AI Image There isn’t an explicit set of mechanics handling pain and exhaustion for PCs, but there are decent mechanics for Morale that could be useful. Morale Checks could form the basis of a system for PCs, especially relevant during combat encounters. When a check fails, instead of retreating or fleeing like an NPC or a monster, the PC incurs a temporary penalty to applicable stats. Here is a…
Immunity to non-magical attacks is an old D&D BECMI rule designed to make high-level monsters tough to defeat. With equally high-level opponents, the issue isn’t much of a problem, especially in a magic-rich campaign world. However, this stumbling block can defy logic when a magical being faces an army of non-magical opponents, artillery, and possibly explosives. I’m not interested in throwing out…
I have the pleasure of announcing the upcoming release of my latest project: The Iron Queen . Designed for Old Style Essentials (classic version), it offers a detailed description of a spacefaring dwarven ironclad and an adventure module: Raid on Teros . The release includes a map pack with six full-size poster deck plans and a collection of maps for use with the adventure, all rendered at full…
This article has been more of a whopper after having had a look at French and British wartime industries (click here for France or Britain ). I posted a flowchart of US aircraft manufacturers at the end of this article. I could barely fit everything on an 11x17 sheet, and I’m assuming I’m still missing some minor builders. I did not expand into engine or rocket manufacturers, so there’s no SpaceX…
Since I recently completed research on France's aviation industry ( see here ), I couldn't just walk away without doing the same for the U.K. It’s interesting to see what companies built WWII celebrities like the Spitfire, Hurricane, Mosquito, or the Lancaster, to name these few. Curiosity led me to investigate the origins of these manufacturers and their current status. So here we go again, to…
I've been toying with a what-if scenario about an alternative buildup strategy for the French air force in the 30s. One of the biggest problems with the Armée de l'Air was that much of its fighter force included MS-406 and MB-151. The first was substandard on a number of issues against the ME-109e; the latter was even worse. This resulted from France changing governments almost every year for…
Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Click on the image for the full resolution.
French aviation of the 30s always puzzled me as regards its industrial basis and organization. I decided to look this up. Here's what I found. This is a departure from my usual D&D-related focus. Wargamers amongst you may find this interesting. Mergers & Nationalizations Reading about post-WWII French aircraft manufacturing can be confusing because of the acronyms used in the late 40s and 50s.…
A Mighty Citadel by J. Humphries on Deviantart I say D&D, although I mean specifically BECMI/RC . The mechanics on building castles are pretty straightforward in the Rules Cyclopedia . See pages 135-139. They cover the gold needed and the approximate time to build free-standing structures, as well as dungeons. They go into some detail about finishing touches and staffing. Rules do cover the cost…
BBC, Tales of the Old Bailey (unknown artist) This derivative of the D&D BECMI thief class describes a specialized tomb robber and somewhat of a scavenger who can “eat” the magic of dead things, such as for example deceased spellcasters, fallen dragons, and other magical creatures. The nature of the class can be malevolent or benevolent, depending on whether the cryptreaver focuses on growing its…
My old D&D BECMI group has finally gone private. This was due to a technical issue with Facebook's settings intended to screen new membership requests. For this group alone and for no clear reason, the screening didn't work, allowing people to join without approval. Despite my requests for help, Facebook never responded. Going private fixed this issue, although the group's exposure is now more…
This is the second of three Mammoth Masher vehicles. For continuity, see the previous two War Machine articles: the Command Chariot and the Vanguard Wagon . Hitched to the Vanguard Wagon, the Great Carriage is the tribal chief’s mobile dwelling, a step up from a palanquin. Overheads lie about 6’ above decks. A canvas canopy covers most of the upper deck. Vehicle: 60-80 Hull Points (HP), AC 7,…
The next installment for my War Machines series and the next step up from the Command Chariot is the Mammoth Masher, a multi-section vehicle pulled by two to four mammoths. Click here for the Command Chariot . The game stats are for D&D BECMI . The Masher Mk I includes three large wagons hitched together aside from the beasts of burden. The Vanguard Wagon stands directly behind the mammoths. Its…
I’m aiming at a tongue-in-cheek topic. It describes war machines that barbarian or humanoid cultures would line up in battles, from single-pilot bloodrunners to colossal battlebeasts carrying siege weapons and shock troops. The article is written for D&D BECMI . Game stats and guidelines to incorporate these devices into BECMI’s War Machine mechanics are included. Art on Left: Goblin Wolf Chariot…
I was exceedingly elated when I discovered a blog article Xaoseed wrote in 2021 about the game mechanics I posted back around that time. I didn't spot it until yesterday. He (she, they) playtested them and found that they worked as I'd intended. So, thanks awfully for that! I wanted mechanics enabling fairly detailed movement rules involving the speed and direction of winds while merging ship…
"Treasure House" by Jaynorn Lin on Art Station. A s far as I can tell, collecting dungeon loot without paying any attention whatsoever to whom it actually belonged has been the bread and butter of your basic adventurers ever since OSR games existed. Some might argue that a tacit D&D salvaging rule waives consequences for acquiring unidentified loot. Previous owners, however, may beg to differ if…
Scribe by Ji-Tie on Deviantart A random discussion on Facebook led me to revisit the languages of Mystara and try to make some sense of its verbal kaleidoscope. I apologize in advance for running roughshod over material already generated (including possibly my own, given how long ago I might have written it). I did peruse and use as a guide much of what I found on Pandius . So, here’s my take…
CHARLES EDWARD DIXON, THE LANDING OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR AT HASTINGS I am reading a book titled Medieval Maritime Warfare , by Charles D. Stanton. I mention it here because it has some interesting stats on what it took for an amphibious invasion in the 11th century. Unless you are an experienced wargamer or a historian, most of us have little idea of what it takes to move a medieval army across…
Someone asked about bombardment mechanics to hit a ground target from a skyship or a flying creature. Here’s my take. Using Mechanical Devices The first consideration is whether the device relies on slingshot-style mechanics, like a catapult or a trebuchet. Mortar-like firearms (fire pots and such) should also fit in this category. Projectiles arc upward before falling straight down. The height of…
Dragon Rider by DeivCalviz on Deviantart T here is a difference between anyone who happens to be riding a dragon as described in Dragon Steeds Pt. 2 , and a professional dragon rider—the character class. The latter requires a career starting at a young age within an order of dragon riders to assist handlers or cultists in raising and training dragons. To become part of such a highly-regimented…
Dragon Temple in the Infinite Snow by Claudio Pilia on Deviantart There can be as many cults as there are dragon breeds, and then some. The diversity of styles and ideologies is nearly endless, certainly more than I can describe in a mere blog article. Rather, I’ll attempt to put forth a general framework as a starting point for DMs to design their own. I’ll not hold anyone’s hand here but provide…
Konahrik, Warlord of the Dragon Cult by TheMaiaNightmareMoon on Deviantart The objective of a cultist is to serve a dragon deity. Disciples can do so in a temple as part of a clerical hierarchy or as a lone individual who answered a spiritual calling. Cultists favor the breed matching their godly liege, or at least dragons of the same alignment. Rival cults (or lone disciples) may be sworn enemies…
Dragon Rider by Lucas Graciano on Deviantart Game Worlds: All dragon types inhabit the World of Greyhawk and the Forgotten Realms . Mystara: Best known for its association with the B/X-BECMI game system, Mystara only features five conventional types and the gold dragon; breed names are suggested in the descriptions below for most types of dragons in the event that they are adapted for this game…
Dragon Rider by Mohamed Saad on Deviant Art Having devoted the entire first dragon article to their sizes and weights, it’s about time to consider how to mount them. They do not readily accept to become anyone’s mount without a good reason, especially when they regard riders as lesser beings. This requires perhaps a divine quest, a charm monster spell, or some agreement between rider and “steed”…
Thank you, says I, for the enthusiasm and generosity of all who agreed to bribe me to tackle this sprawling topic! Dragon Rider by Iamagri on Deviantart Onward to slay the dragon do I not go, but to saddle up and soar into the wild blue yonder. This treatment dovetails with the previous three articles developing the mechanics, roleplaying, and color needed to flesh out legendary horses and other…