The Unseen Servant forums

Hi everyone. My name is Simon and I'm a full fledged neophyte. I just picked up tabletop roleplaying this year. So far, I've played only DnD 4e and Pathfinder, but have found the variety and possibility of the form to be pretty intoxicating and I'm looking forward to exploring different systems of play. All of my play experience has been face-to-face, and while I really love the everything about sitting around a table, reading books, telling stories, rolling dice and drinking beer, the idea of play-by-post appeals to me on a few different levels. I'm excited to jump in.

Like I said above, I've only played 4e and Pathfinder (and one aborted session of DungeonWorld), but I've read through Torchbearer, Burning Wheel and portions of Eclipse Phase, all of which I think are very cool.

Looking forward to nerding out with all you guys and gals.

Cheers.

Welcome! I'm currently getting a brand new Torchbearer game off the ground if you're interested in joining up? Just shoot me a PM and I'll be glad to add you in the final spot!

The forum won't let me PM just yet. Not prolific enough...but I did post in your recruitment thread and would be stoked to be a part of your campaign.

Welcome, Simon. While most games here tend to be D&D prior to version 3, there are always new games sprouting up. That Torchbearer game was just launched and might be a great opportunity for you to jump right in.

Good luck, and have fun!
-Dave

Hey there Simon and welcome to the unseen servant I hope you enjoy your stay.

Hail & well met, Simon!

Simon wrote:The forum won't let me PM just yet. Not prolific enough...but I did post in your recruitment thread and would be stoked to be a part of your campaign.

One of us mods have to approve your first couple of posts, so that we can ensure that you're not a spammer. You should be good to go now.

Welcome aboard here and hope you enjoy PbP as much as we do!

I think I just approved the last post you needed Simon!
And welcome!
--Ron--

Wow! Many thanks for the exceedingly warm welcome. I'll do my best to comport myself in a manner deserving of your hospitality.

Looking forward to getting the Torchbearer campaign going, and will be procuring for myself a set of old-school DnD books as soon as the funds are available.

Anyone want to weigh in on pros/cons of 1st v 2nd and/or Basic v Advanced? I've done a little reading on my own but would be curious to hear what the old heads here have to say on the issue, myself being such a youngblood. If this is an inappropriate thread for that kind of thing, lemme know.

Specific questions:
(1) Which system is easier to pick up, coming from a post 3e world?
(2) If, at the risk of sounding like a fool, you had to use one hyperbolic descriptor to generalize the flavor and feel of the various editions, what would it be?

Thanks again!

Simon wrote:Hi everyone. My name is Simon and I'm a full fledged neophyte. I just picked up tabletop roleplaying this year. So far, I've played only DnD 4e and Pathfinder, but have found the variety and possibility of the form to be pretty intoxicating and I'm looking forward to exploring different systems of play. All of my play experience has been face-to-face, and while I really love the everything about sitting around a table, reading books, telling stories, rolling dice and drinking beer, the idea of play-by-post appeals to me on a few different levels. I'm excited to jump in.

Like I said above, I've only played 4e and Pathfinder (and one aborted session of DungeonWorld), but I've read through Torchbearer, Burning Wheel and portions of Eclipse Phase, all of which I think are very cool.

Looking forward to nerding out with all you guys and gals.

Cheers.

Welcome to the Unseen Servant! I myself was an apprentice to PbP gaming not too long ago, needless to say I think I have become pretty active in the games here. Everyone is great to play with so far!

Also... I think of everyone here, except for Ruke, as old men. So if there are any gaming girls on the forum, I'm sorry but I have been thinking you're an old man.

So yeah...

Simon wrote:Wow! Many thanks for the exceedingly warm welcome. I'll do my best to comport myself in a manner deserving of your hospitality.

Looking forward to getting the Torchbearer campaign going, and will be procuring for myself a set of old-school DnD books as soon as the funds are available.

Anyone want to weigh in on pros/cons of 1st v 2nd and/or Basic v Advanced? I've done a little reading on my own but would be curious to hear what the old heads here have to say on the issue, myself being such a youngblood. If this is an inappropriate thread for that kind of thing, lemme know.

Specific questions:
(1) Which system is easier to pick up, coming from a post 3e world?
(2) If, at the risk of sounding like a fool, you had to use one hyperbolic descriptor to generalize the flavor and feel of the various editions, what would it be?

Thanks again!

Both Labyrinth Lord and OSRIC are easy enough (and free) systems to pick up, and I see folks playing both on here.

Are you talking about one descriptor to cover all D&D editions or are you talking about one descriptor per edition?

p.s. very much look forward to having you in the TB campaign!

MonkeyWrench wrote:

Simon wrote:Hi everyone. My name is Simon and I'm a full fledged neophyte. I just picked up tabletop roleplaying this year. So far, I've played only DnD 4e and Pathfinder, but have found the variety and possibility of the form to be pretty intoxicating and I'm looking forward to exploring different systems of play. All of my play experience has been face-to-face, and while I really love the everything about sitting around a table, reading books, telling stories, rolling dice and drinking beer, the idea of play-by-post appeals to me on a few different levels. I'm excited to jump in.

Like I said above, I've only played 4e and Pathfinder (and one aborted session of DungeonWorld), but I've read through Torchbearer, Burning Wheel and portions of Eclipse Phase, all of which I think are very cool.

Looking forward to nerding out with all you guys and gals.

Cheers.

Welcome to the Unseen Servant! I myself was an apprentice to PbP gaming not too long ago, needless to say I think I have become pretty active in the games here. Everyone is great to play with so far!

Also... I think of everyone here, except for Ruke, as old men. So if there are any gaming girls on the forum, I'm sorry but I have been thinking you're an old man.

So yeah...

MW you owe apologies to Slyfox and Hotgoblin at least but I am sure they will let it go as who can tell!

Anyway welcome Simon!

Simon wrote:Wow! Many thanks for the exceedingly warm welcome. I'll do my best to comport myself in a manner deserving of your hospitality.

Looking forward to getting the Torchbearer campaign going, and will be procuring for myself a set of old-school DnD books as soon as the funds are available.

Anyone want to weigh in on pros/cons of 1st v 2nd and/or Basic v Advanced? I've done a little reading on my own but would be curious to hear what the old heads here have to say on the issue, myself being such a youngblood. If this is an inappropriate thread for that kind of thing, lemme know.

Specific questions:
(1) Which system is easier to pick up, coming from a post 3e world?
(2) If, at the risk of sounding like a fool, you had to use one hyperbolic descriptor to generalize the flavor and feel of the various editions, what would it be?

Thanks again!

I would strongly recommend reading the following thread from over at rpgnet: http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?676 ... d-dungeons.

It is a campaign log of a DM and his players as they play by-the-book Basic (B/X) D&D, starting off using randomly generated dungeons. One of the biggest changes you will note coming from post 3e is that killing monsters is hardly ever worth it. Taking their stuff is where the rewards come from. Do not expect to live a long adventuring career if you challenge every monster you come across.

I would recommend starting a discussion thread for pros and cons of the different systems down in the General Topics folder.

Just keep Forum Rule #3 in mind during such discussions.

Let's leave this thread for welcoming you to the Unseen Servant, Simon!

Welcome!

Welcome Simon!
(I used to have your game when I was little)
Remember....we were all neophytes once.
Enjoy!!!

Simon wrote:Specific questions:
(1) Which system is easier to pick up, coming from a post 3e world?

I created a 'Comparing the Editions' thread yesterday, in which I provided a link to the 'What are the big differences between the D&D editions?' post which should help you greatly with your question.

While I admit to being largely unfamiliar with any edition of D&D beyond 2E, my understanding is there is a significant change between it (2E) and any of the later editions. If you're looking for the easiest to transition to, my recommendation would be for the latest edition -- 2E. There are actually some 'Player Option' books that can be used in the 2E game which, while not the same as 3E+, will probably feel closer to what you're used to if you're coming from a more current version of the game. In case you're unaware, all the 2E rules (including the mentioned 'Player Option' books) are freely published on the Purple Worm website.

The earliest versions of D&D are different than the "Advanced" versions. A great example of the differences between "basic" and "advanced" D&D can be found in the excellent 'Quick Primer for Old School Gaming,' which is a free download and definitely worth reading.

The bottom line is, your best bet might be to try a game in the different editions and see what appeals to you. There will be significant differences between a basic (BX or BECMI) game and 1E. There will be slight differences between 1E and 2E. Expect BIG differences between 2E and 3E. I can't speak to anything 3E or after, but my guess is anything 3E or later are all roughly similar, and switching between 3E, 4E or 5E will be comparable to switching between 1E and 2E (where the differences aren't that noticeable).

Good luck, man, and welcome aboard!

- Dave