Free OSR - Holmes 77 (First Holmes Clone)

K, this is where I point out an inaccuracy. There is a claim that Mazes & Perils is the "first Holmes D&D clone".

Mazes & Perils is NOT the first Holmes D&D clone. That honor belongs to Holmes 77.

Holmes 77 was produced by R.C. Pinnell in 2011, making it the first Holmes-based retroclone available to the OSR community.

Mazes & Perils (2012) credits Pinnell as an "additional contributor," presumably because of their work on Holmes ’77.

That's the facts.

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New Release - Zucati Dice & Crayons / Holmage Dice Boxed Set - Limited Edition 1000 Numbered Copies

Zucati Dice & Crayons / Holmage Dice Boxed Set is a release that hadn't come up on my radar, and if it wasn't for a long time Taverner PMing me the link, I'd still be clueless. That being said, I'm not 100% sure of what exactly it is I'm seeing.

Note, the set clocks in at 45 bucks plus shipping.

The cover is a spot-on homage to the original Holmes Basic Set without being a copy:

I can find nothing on this "Dice & Crayons" release aside from the Etsy page. (edit - it's also available on the publisher's website at:  

https://www.zucaticorp.com/listing/1006974370/holmage-dice-boxed-set-limited-edition)

Note, this is not a stand-alone ruleset, but an adventure generator to use the set of Zucati dice with.

Each limited edition boxed set is serialized and is 1/1000.

All serial numbers will be distributed randomly with no choice for number selection.

Boxed set pictured is #1 of 1000.

Your box will be a different number.

The Holmage dice

These iconic dice pay homage to the most beloved set of dice ever created. The original “Holmes” dice were included in a boxed set of gaming materials made in 1977 – 1980.

These polyhedral dice are perfectly proportioned and updated with easy to read numbers, sharp edges, and modern durable materials.

This new set features the original 5 dice in the same colors, but not the same numbering, updated to modern numbering and also includes the D10 and D% as included dice in other colors. \

All primary colors, all raw.

In modern 100% injection molded acrylic.

Same quality and standards as our first run V1 Perfect Plastic Dice.

Includes original box art, original character sheets and an original map set with adventure generator table.

Named "Holmage" set in honor of the original Holmes dice.

Just want the dice?

42 sets of 7 dice for 125 plus shipping.

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Deal of the Day - Mazes & Perils Deluxe Edition

Today's DTRPG Deal of the Day is Mazes & Perils Deluxe Edition by Mr OSR Podcssting himself, Vince Florio.

There is some interesting history behind the original Mazes & Perils, Vince & myself. Long story short, I would probably never have started podcasting if it weren't for Vince and his friendship. Yep, I call Vince a friend, but that doesn't mean that Mazes & Perils Deluxe Edition isn't one of the best OSR rulesets on the market. It quite simply is, and if you haven't checked it out yet, now is your opportunity at a very fair price.

The Mazes & Perils Role-playing Game (MnP) takes a page from the first wave of the Old School Renaissance (OSR) when it wasn’t OLD at all… Inspired by the 1977 “Holmes” edition of the world’s most popular role-playing game, it shuns pages and pages of rules for a simpler time when House rules were the order of the day. 

First released in 2012, MnP drew a line on the map of OSR retroclones as something easy to pick up and play where your heroes weren’t superheroes. There are no superpowers here. Fighters have swords and armor. Clerics have their faith. Thieves skulk in the shadows seeking better items to steal. And Magic-Users sling magics at their foes until they run out of spells. This style of gaming is about grit and wit – and if you die, it must be time to roll up a new character. 

The original book was awarded a Gold Ennie Award in 2013 for "Best Free RPG" and now we've updated it with even more great content! 

Now in 2016, a new version of MnP – with some new classes, new spells, new optional rules, and a new look! Mazes & Perils Deluxe offers everything you liked about the original with a new coat of paint and a few new tools in the toolbox! New bits include: 

• New Class – The Enchanter – along with 20+ new spells in his arsenal
• New Class – The Shaman – along with nearly 20 new spells of his own
• Rules for Variable Damage for Weapons and Variable Hit Dice
• New layout, more art, and plenty of editing

Come check out a blast from the past and see why OSR is alive and well!

Originally $7.99 in PDF and recently reduced to 4 bucks, for 24 hours only Mazes & Perils Deluxe Edition is on sale for $2.40. Probably the biggest bargain in OSR gaming this week, if it isn't in your virtual rules collection, it should be.

As I said above, Vince is a friend of mine. That being said, Mazes & Perils stands on it own, it simply is damn good. Yes, that is an affiliate link above. Affiliate sales help keep the beer cold and the lights on at The Tavern. I thank you in advance.

Free RPG Day Pick #3: BLUEHOLME Prentice Rules - The Maze of Nuromen (Holmes Clone)

I'll make this a dual pick, with both the BLUEHOLME Prentice Rules and the introductory adventure The Maze of Nuromen available as "Pay What You Want" - so download them both, read them, play them - and if you feel the author deserves a few silvers, you can throw a handful his way.

It really is a nice clone of the Holme's Basic Rules and you can't beat the price...

B2 - You Sunk My BorderKeep!

I just received my TSR Silver Anniversary Boxed Collector's set from Ebay - still sealed in the original wrap.  Of course, the first thing I did was rip the sucker open! heh.

B2 is the first reprint I've looked at so far.  (My original copy of B2 is packed away "somewhere").  Damn but they packed a lot into a 28 page module back then.

I like the nice touch of including a 2 sided D&D reference sheet with perforations for "easy removal".  It always good to have a cheat sheet, especially for new gamers.  Lets see, the sheet has:

-Magic-User spell lists thru Third Level spells,
-Cleric spell lists for First and Second Level spells
(These lists are name only - no data, but its a cheat sheet, so that's fine)
-Saving Throw Table
-Equipment and Weapon Listing with prices
-Wandering Monster Tables for dungeon levels 1 to 3
-Cleric Turning Table thru level 3
-Die Roll For Character to Score a Hit, By  Opponent's Armor Class (To Hit Table) for Normal Man and Characters of 1-3
-To Hit Tables for Monsters thru 11 HD+

That's a friggin' nice cheat sheet.  A decent DM could run an adventure with just that sheet for reference.  Very well done.

Okay - Time to read some more.  Can't wait for my White Box to arrive.  Amazing what a little cash overtime can do.  (Besides, I need to "Grandfather" some purchases before the young lady receives full veto power ;)

Going Fourth With Holmes

Let's hit page 22 again.

As a guideline, it should take a group of players 6 to 12 adventures before any of their characters are able to gain sufficient experience to attain second level.  This guideline will hold true for successive levels.  So, 12 to 24 adventures (not sessions) before one will need to move on to AD&D?  Bad marketing move EGG.  Assimilate faster, just like the Borg. 

Bandit entry.  Every 30 bandits means a 4th level fighting man, every 50 a 5th or 6th, and every 200 a chance of a magic-user of 10th or 11th level.  At 300+ definitely a magic-user and a chance for a cleric.  No idea what level the cleric might be, but as the rules only cover up to third level, its kinda moot in all these cases.

Rust monster - destroys all armor and weapons, even magic ones, to rust instantly.  Wether you hit it, or it hits you.  Appears there is no save.  Does your metal armor's AC help protect you from the attack (it shouldn't)?

Damn, 1 in 10 magic swords are +3, just as likely as a +1 sword.  1 in 5 swords are cursed. Ouch!

Page 41 for this quote:

The game is intended to be fun and the rules modified if the players desire.  Time to homebrew and houserule!

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Third Peek at Holmes

I've gotten some excellent feedback and info on my previous two posts. I can't thank everyone enough.

Today I'm going to quote from the Preface.  Yes, I'm going to pick and choose certain pieces. 

This book is based upon the original work published in 1974 and three supplementary booklets published in the two year period after the initial release of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS.  It is aimed solely at introducing the reader to the concepts of fantasy roleplaying and the basic play of this game.  To this end it limits itself to basics.  - I still don't see Storm Giants as "basic" but I digress ;)

This (the minimum necessary rules to conduct basic games) is absolutely necessary because the game is completely open ended, is subject to modification, expansion and interpretation according to the desires of the group participating, and is generally not bound by the conventional limitations of other types of games. - True words of wisdom buried in there

Players who desire to go beyond the basic game are directed to the ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS books. - Wait, didn't the preface say something that this written to simplify D&D play?

Yes, I know TSR was a bit dysfunctional in it intentions for D&D and AD&D.  I do find it interesting that AD&D was found worthy enough to be BOLDED.

I'm very glad they mention that monsters use 8-sided HD.  When I started playing with just the AD&D PH and DMG, i thought HD was somehow HP.  Monsters were pushovers until we got a copy of the Monster Manual :)

Page 22 talks about scaling down high monsters to give a low level party a chance to defeat it.  Okay, I'll accept the Giants into the rotation now.

I just received the Moldavey Basic Set via Ebay.  I'll give that a few thoughts when I finish with Holmes.  Trust me, I still have some more thoughts on Holmes - I just need to gather them.  Hey, doing pretty well staying on target.  Heh

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Second Look at Holmes

This is going to be a piecemeal series, as I'm just posting crap as it occurs to me. Kinda like GADD blogging ;)

I can almost understand why Dragons are included in the monster section, as everyone loves to beat up on a "young" dragon and taking it's stuff. Besides, the name of the game is Dungeons & Dragons. But why the hell are Giants included? From Hill at 8 HD thru Storm at 15 HD, I can't see how a party could hope to defeat them. Besides, this is "Basic" D&D - killer DMs should be in the Expert Set, or the Advanced rules ;)

If they knew you were to "graduate" to AD&D after third level, might it have been easier to keep the class' HD in line with the new game? Oh, and perhaps stat bonuses too?

There are 4 references to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in the first 7 pages... perhaps they could have lined the systems up a bit closer for compatibility? I mean, this was meant to lead one to AD&D.


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My First Look at Holmes

I just received a near mint Holmes Basic Rule Book. Never actually read one previously.

Some quick thoughts as I am away from my computer:

Why be a Fighting Man in the Holmes rules? A cleric with 15 con has the same HP, same armor, same thaco.

What ever happened to the promised Witch class for AD&D?




- Posted from my iPhone