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Thread: Newbie

  1. #1
    Brian Stoner
    Guest

    Newbie

    At 01:10 PM 5/1/97 +1000, you wrote:
    >I am soon going to run my first birthright game , and i have never played
    >it. Though i have dm'd (gm'd etc.) for several years. Any tips on how i
    >should run the game? I have read alot about the game so dont be afraid to
    >specify.
    >
    Don't over extend yourself trying to track all the NPC domains, even the
    "few" that are most likely to interact with your players. I did that at
    first so that I could get a feel for the way the game would work, but I
    started burning myself out. Keep notes on what you woould like them to do
    and be resonable about their actions and growth. Also, try to encourage you
    players to center themselves in a particular places, preferably a single
    realm or two. It has been hard to encourage cooperation amongst regents who
    have their own interests. My players also have a hard time developing
    backgrounds for their characters (a wonderful source of campaign ideas) and
    whine whenever I try to froce them in any direction. None of them are
    rulers of realms, so they don't feel too much political pressure (we did
    have a Baron of Roesone, but he died). Alas, depending on they way you and
    your players want to play, good luck. The way is difficult but the rewards
    are glorious :)

    Brian

  2. #2
    Bruce J. Taylor
    Guest

    Newbie

    Paul Lagerlow wrote:
    >
    > >whine whenever I try to froce them in any direction. None of them are
    > >rulers of realms, so they don't feel too much political pressure (we did
    > >have a Baron of Roesone, but he died). Alas, depending on they way you and
    > >your players want to play, good luck. The way is difficult but the rewards
    > >are glorious :)
    > >
    > >Brian
    > >
    >
    > Thats a really good idea ...thanks brian got it sorted out in my head
    > already...make them all subservant to a 'prince' or so....might be easy to
    > run for the first couple of games...after all i can always have them
    > overthrown him later on. Think it will work? or anyone got a even easier way
    > to run your first game?
    >

    The way my campaign was set up was, I think, a good way to do it.

    My campaign is based in Tuornen. To begin the campaign I offered a
    regency to any player that wanted it, but only one player took me up
    on that offer. That character is the Count of Ghonallison,
    a small province in the north of Tuornen that borders on Alamie,
    Boeruine and the Five Peaks (offering LOTS of opportunities to
    stir up trouble for my PCs). I changed things a little bit from the
    sourcebook: Duke Gilgaed Flaertes is still in charge, and his daughter
    disappeared about 10 years ago and is presumed dead. Through some
    successful adventures and the successful defense of Tuornen from
    an invasion from Alamie, Count Ghonnallison has been named the
    heir to the Duke.

    The rest of the PCs are advisors/servants of the Count: a Khinasi
    mage, a Priest running the local temple, a Guildsman, and a Fighter
    trying to reestablish a storied Mercenary Company originally run
    by her Grandfather.

    This has been a good setup to ease both myself and the players into
    the world of Birthright. We've been able to ease ourselves into the
    domain rules with only 1 province and some small holdings to worry
    about. Now that the Count has been named heir to the Duke, his
    resonsibilities will increase, eventually to the point of control
    of Tuornen. At the same time, the other players are increasing
    thier holdings (with some help from the Count), and will eventually
    (if they do things right) control much of the holdings in Tuornen.
    At that point, the PCs will become major players in Anuirean politics,
    with all the problems and prospects that that entails.

    As for the thread about whether to run the campaign as a struggle for
    the reestablishment of Empire, I am blessed to be part of a very good
    group of gamers, and I will leave that up to the players. If the
    players
    decide that the Throne is thier goal, the campaign will turn in that
    direction. If not, it won't.

    Bruce Taylor

  3. #3
    Brian Stoner
    Guest

    Newbie

    >>I have had plenty of success in my own game, and here are a few tips based
    >>on that. All your Players should be Regents within the same country if
    >>possible. have each control a different Holding. Remember this is a
    >>Political/Adventure Role-Playing game and you want to play up every aspect
    >>of it. As the Players wheel and deal to further thier own causes keep the
    >>other countries alive and have them act on thier own not just react to the
    >>Players actions. Lastly while polotics are fun and can consume large amounts
    >>of game time don't forget the adventures. Its one of the main reasons we
    >>play AD&D and should not be left out. Quests, Hunts, and maurading monsters
    >>are good stand bys and keep the Players happy with some dungeon delving, and
    >>good old hack-and-slash. Well I hope that helps some. I'm not sure if its
    >>what you are looking for, so if I'm off base let me know. It may also be
    >>more helpful if you let us know what you already have in mind and we can
    >>build from there. Good Gaming.
    >>
    >>Undertaker, richt@metrolink.net
    >>
    >
    >I actually dont have my own copy of ad&d rule book..i was under the
    >impression that the birthright campaign didnt need it. Should i go out and
    >buy it? And what the the bare min i can get away with e.g. dm's guide and
    >players guide only?
    >
    >BTW i'm a extremely experienced d&d campaigner that is i've dm'd played etc
    >dominions (book 3 of d&D) and the only reason i've upgraded is cause d&d
    >gone out of print. So i've got plenty of ideas for conversions from my old
    >games. Any other experienced d&d dominon players out there want to warn me
    >of anything?

    I personally do recommend getting the AD&D rule books. If you stick solely
    to domain interactions and don't have many adventures, they play less of
    role. But, if you want your characters to go on adventures, the rule books
    will help..especially if your experience is with the original game.
    Although I have no experience with D&D, I know there are many changes. The
    player's Handbook and DM's Guide are important, and the Monstrous Manual is
    very helpful. Also, if the AD&D Core Rules CD-ROM is available to purchase
    in your area, it makes alot of things easier--especially encounter creation.
    Most important, though, is the Player's Handbook, followed by the DM's Guide.

    Brian

  4. #4
    Undertaker
    Guest

    Newbie

    At 12:16 AM 5/3/97 +1000, Paul Lagerlow(lagerlop@brampton.cqu.edu.au)wrote:
    >
    >I actually dont have my own copy of ad&d rule book..i was under the
    >impression that the birthright campaign didnt need it. Should i go out and
    >buy it? And what the the bare min i can get away with e.g. dm's guide and
    >players guide only?
    >

    You should pick up the Players Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, the
    Monstrous Compendium, and if you can grab up Blood Enemies and Vol.3 of the
    MC annuals. But no matter what you get the PHB, DMG, and the primary MC.
    Undertaker, richt@metrolink.net

    "War is a matter of vital importance to the State;
    the province of life or death;
    the road to survival or ruin.
    It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied."
    -Sun Tzu,(The Art of War)-

  5. #5
    Paul Lagerlow
    Guest

    Newbie

    >
    >I personally do recommend getting the AD&D rule books. If you stick solely
    >to domain interactions and don't have many adventures, they play less of
    >role. But, if you want your characters to go on adventures, the rule books
    >will help..especially if your experience is with the original game.
    >Although I have no experience with D&D, I know there are many changes. The
    >player's Handbook and DM's Guide are important, and the Monstrous Manual is
    >very helpful. Also, if the AD&D Core Rules CD-ROM is available to purchase
    >in your area, it makes alot of things easier--especially encounter creation.
    >Most important, though, is the Player's Handbook, followed by the DM's Guide.
    >
    >Brian
    >

    thanks alot brian and thanks to all the other pple who contributed to
    helping me get started i'll let you know how i go.

  6. #6
    Caitlanagh@aol.co
    Guest

    Newbie

    In a message dated 97-05-02 14:39:41 EDT, you write:

    >
    >
    >I actually dont have my own copy of ad&d rule book..i was under the
    >impression that the birthright campaign didnt need it. Should i go out and
    >buy it? And what the the bare min i can get away with e.g. dm's guide and
    >players guide only?
    >
    >BTW i'm a extremely experienced d&d campaigner that is i've dm'd played etc
    >dominions (book 3 of d&D) and the only reason i've upgraded is cause d&d
    >gone out of print. So i've got plenty of ideas for conversions from my old
    >games. Any other experienced d&d dominon players out there want to warn me
    >of anything?

    Yes, that's the bare minimums. To play Birthright, you MUST have the Players
    Handbook. The DM for your group is going to need the DM Guide.

  7. #7
    Olivier
    Guest

    Newbie

    Undertaker wrote:
    >=20
    > At 01:10 PM 5/1/97 +1000, Paul Lagerlow(lagerlop@brampton.cqu.edu.au)wr=
    ote:
    > >
    > >I am soon going to run my first birthright game , and i have never pla=
    yed
    > >it. Though i have dm'd (gm'd etc.) for several years. Any tips on how =
    i
    > >should run the game? I have read alot about the game so dont be afraid=
    to
    > >specify.
    > >
    >=20
    > I have had plenty of success in my own game, and here are a few tips ba=
    sed
    > on that. All your Players should be Regents within the same country if
    > possible. have each control a different Holding. Remember this is a
    > Political/Adventure Role-Playing game and you want to play up every as=
    pect
    > of it. As the Players wheel and deal to further thier own causes keep t=
    he
    > other countries alive and have them act on thier own not just react to =
    the
    > Players actions. Lastly while polotics are fun and can consume large am=
    ounts
    > of game time don't forget the adventures. Its one of the main reasons w=
    e
    > play AD&D and should not be left out. Quests, Hunts, and maurading mons=
    ters
    > are good stand bys and keep the Players happy with some dungeon delving=
    , and
    > good old hack-and-slash. Well I hope that helps some. I'm not sure if i=
    ts
    > what you are looking for, so if I'm off base let me know. It may also b=
    e
    > more helpful if you let us know what you already have in mind and we ca=
    n
    > build from there. Good Gaming.
    >=20
    > Undertaker, richt@metrolink.net

    I'm not sure you're right.
    Adventures can be avoided. In my game, i have 20 regents, and i play
    only the political game of Birthright.
    It's a bit stupid for a king to go adventuring alone, to kill some gob's
    and risking his life.
    A friend of mine made a good explanation of this.
    If you want it, ask me (again, it's in french !!)

    (Stephane, =E7a te d=E9range pas que je file =E7a =E0 des gens ? Dis le m=
    oi
    sinon !)

    Here are my players :
    Endier (country + Guilds)
    Alamie (Country)
    Talinie (Country + Temples)
    El Haddid (Guilds)
    Elamien Lamier (Guilds)
    Elinie (Country)
    Impregnable Heart of Haelyn (Temples)
    Life and Protection of Avanalae (Temples)
    Ilien (country and Sources)
    Medoere (Country and Temples)
    Dhoesone (Country)
    Baruk Azhik (country)
    Cariele (Country)
    Tuornen (Country)
    Coeranys (Country)
    Eastern Temple of Nesirie (Temples)
    Spider River Traders (Guilds)
    Daeric Dhoesone (Sources)
    Tuarhievel (country + Sources)
    Roesone (Country)
    Oaken Grove of Aeric (Temples)

    See you soon

    Olivier

  8. #8
    Undertaker
    Guest

    Newbie

    At 08:46 PM 5/4/97 +0200, Olivier(olivier.dias@hol.fr)wrote:
    >
    >I'm not sure you're right.
    >Adventures can be avoided. In my game, i have 20 regents, and i play
    >only the political game of Birthright.
    >It's a bit stupid for a king to go adventuring alone, to kill some gob's
    >and risking his life.
    >

    There are many good reasons for a Regent to go adventuring. While it may
    seem foolhardy for a Ruler to risk themselves, remember this is a world
    where action speaks, and only the mighty rule. By avoiding challenges it
    makes a Regent seem weak, and no one wants to be ruled by a weak King. Its
    important for a Ruler to be actively seen taking part in defending his
    nation or gaining more power for its people. Besides some things are too
    dangerous or too sensitive to send out Lieutnents and champions to handle.
    Anyways this subject has been approched from every angle in the past, and in
    short you don't need to have any adventuring in a BR game, but its not the
    same. I love this setting, but as a straight political Wargame its far from
    the best. By mixing in Role-Playing it becomes a unique game that is far
    better then most Wargames, or Role-Playing games put together. Still its up
    to the DM and Players to decide how they play it. I just couldn't play AD&D
    without adventuring, but thats just me.


    Undertaker, richt@metrolink.net

    "War is a matter of vital importance to the State;
    the province of life or death;
    the road to survival or ruin.
    It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied."
    -Sun Tzu,(The Art of War)-

  9. #9
    Cec Stacey
    Guest

    Newbie

    > >
    > >I'm not sure you're right.
    > >Adventures can be avoided. In my game, i have 20 regents, and i play
    > >only the political game of Birthright.
    > >It's a bit stupid for a king to go adventuring alone, to kill some gob's
    > >and risking his life.
    > >
    >
    Most classes are fine by themselves without character level, except the
    wizard. All realm spells are dependent upon the wizard's level, and realm
    spells are the wizard's bread and butter. To get those precious levels,
    the wizard has to go adventuring, or stay a level 1 numpty (or level 3 if
    he graduated from the Royal College of Sorcery).

  10. #10
    Olivier
    Guest

    Newbie

    Cec Stacey wrote:
    >
    > > >
    > > >I'm not sure you're right.
    > > >Adventures can be avoided. In my game, i have 20 regents, and i play
    > > >only the political game of Birthright.
    > > >It's a bit stupid for a king to go adventuring alone, to kill some gob's
    > > >and risking his life.
    > > >
    > >
    > Most classes are fine by themselves without character level, except the
    > wizard. All realm spells are dependent upon the wizard's level, and realm
    > spells are the wizard's bread and butter. To get those precious levels,
    > the wizard has to go adventuring, or stay a level 1 numpty (or level 3 if
    > he graduated from the Royal College of Sorcery).

    Yes, it's why i added a possibility to train to change level. In my
    rules, you need a number of XP equal to the number of the level you want
    to reach. For example, if you are 4th and you want to become 5th, you
    need 5 XP. If you are 11th and you want to reach the 12 th level, you
    need 12 XP. And my action of training for XP grants you 4XP each time
    you do it. It's a new utility for Training. I added also, when you
    personaly resolve an Random Event, you earn 1XP.
    So the wizards can, and must, train to change level. The others can do
    that to have a better initiative, for example.

    Olivier

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