Experimental Counterspelling

Inspired by Beyond Vancian Magic: Skills for the Magic-User, here are my completely untested ideas for using Counterspells.

This is intended for a class and level type adventure game, where spells use slots or similar resource-based preparation.  If you need to roll a die to successfully cast a spell, this would probably have to get modified futher.

1. Casting spells works as normal unless they are actively being countered.
2. As their action, either by detection or declaration, a magician must decide to attempt to actively counter a spell. This does not take the place of a saving throw or similar mechanism, but rather reflects an opposing magician using their magical skills the prevent the attacker's spell from taking effect.
3. Caster rolls 1d6 + Caster Level + Spell Level cast (if their spell is being actively countered).
4. Counterer spends their round and rolls 1d6 + Caster level + (optionally) Spell Level of a prepared spell they wish to sacrifice to strengthen the attempt.
5. Result:
1. Caster higher: the spell takes effect as normal.
2. Counterer equal or higher: spell is blocked, but is not lost. Another attempt to cast it can be made in subsequent rounds or later in the day.

If a spell is sacrificed to strength the counterspelling, it is lost regardless of whether the counterspell is successful or not.  It may not be the optimal use of resources, but requires the decision of "how badly do I want to block that fireball?".

Not sure if the math is too random or not random enough.  I may need to do some excel math-ing. Two casters of the same level, each casting and sacrificing a 1st level spell would be a 50/50 roll.

Why do defenders lose the spell if they attempt a counterspell, but not the attackers?  I'm still a little on the fence about this. If the defender doesn't actually lose the spell, the only thing they're sacrificing is their action.  In that scenario there is no decision to make - always "allocate" your highest level spell, since you don't lose it.

I also don't want to bork the attackers too easily and have you lose one of your few spells for the day just because someone gets a lucky roll, which is why my inclination is to say the attacker does not lose their spell if it is countered, and could try again the next round. Spells are a limited resource, so I'd feel bummed if my 1st level wizard lost his only Sleep spell because I rolled a 5 and the goblin sorcerer rolled a 6. If the goblin doesn't lose a spell he's not sacrificing anything. There's no decision to make beyond "spend my action and give it a try".

I don't know if I like the perpetual stalemate where the caster is countered, can try again the next round with the same spell, ad infinitum, but I think (so far from theorizing in my head) that the defender has a chance, but the attacker has the advantage.  As the counterspeller - you're holding off on the attack, making rolls, and hoping another party member can neutralize the caster permanently in the meantime.

In my (similarly experimental) Salutations ruleset, each class has a couple of "class skills" they can put points into at each level, similar to how some games handle Thief Skills.  I can imagine a counterspell class skill you can put points into to also modify that roll, and maybe an offensive equivalent to keep the counterspelling in check.

Random campaign idea

You've just cleared the Moathouse near Hommlet.  In gratitude (and in fear over the potential of evil cults in the area) the Viscount of Verbobonc knights you and grants you the Moat House and lands 3 miles in each direction as your fiefdom.

If I was really developing this, I would introduce the Viscount's Cousin, who's ancestor originally built the moathouse.  He vastly prefers his townhouse in Verbobonc and has no interest in living in the "rustic glory" of your new fiefdom.

He does however share with you an architectural sketch of the original moat house construction, pointing out a trap door to stairs under what is now the north wall and offers fine payment and glory for any relics of his family that can be retrieved.

Randomize the Encounter Area

 

Some work in progress tables I'm using to generate more interesting (or at least diverse) areas for encounters.  The reaction table, distance and motivations are pretty standard. Working to expand the rest.

Distance

2d6 x 10 Distance: feet/yards

Cover

Roll 2d6:

2 Cover:       Monster - hard

3 Cover:       Monster - soft 

4 Cover:       Left (of PCs) - hard

5 Cover:       Left (of PCs) - soft

6-8 Cover:       None

9 Cover:       Right (of PCs) - soft

10 Cover:       Right (of PCs) - hard

11 Cover:       PCs - soft

12 Cover:       PCs - hard

Elevation

Roll 2d6:

2-3      Elevation:   Monster higher

4     Elevation:   Center higher

5      Elevation:   Left higher

6-8      Elevation:   Elevation level

9      Elevation:   Center lower

10      Elevation:   Right higher

11-12    Elevation:   Character higher

Visibility

Roll 2d6:

2-4     Visibility: Obscured (Mist, Smoke, Foliage)

5-12     Visibility: Clear

Reaction

2    Reaction:    Immediate Attack

3-5 Reaction:    Hostile - Possible Attack

6-8 Reaction:    Uncertain or Confused

9-11 Reaction:    No Attack - Leaves or Considers Offers

12 Reaction:    Enthusiastic Friendship

Motivation

Roll 2d6:

2 Motivation:  Lost or escaping

3-4 Motivation:  Overcoming obstacle

5-6 Motivation:  Resting

7 Motivation:  Seeking food/shelter

9-10 Motivation:  Searching for lost person or item

11 Motivation:  Guarding or near lair

12 Motivation:  Fleeing encounter

Silver Standard Equipment List

This is obviously not done yet.  There's some more obvios miscellaneous gear to add and the services needs costs.  I want to break out the weapons a little beyond small/hand/great categories without going overboard and differentiate some of the unusual armor types.  If I wait for this to be complete before I share it, I probably never will.

Work in Progress Draft

Salutations of the Land Squid 20 Rule Questions

 

As a reference to the Jungle Hexcrawl Rules and Rulings page. In between character creation at campaign start and the first 3 or 4 sessions, we effectively switched from B/X Dungeons & Dragons (Moldvay edition) to Lamentations of the Flame Princess. I suggested the specialist skill handling, and the class was more appealing upon player review.  We used summon for a standing in the Chlendi spirit magic, and switched over completely to eliminate confusion (and because Shawn was tried of fumbling through the layout of BX booklets).

1. Ability scores generation method? 3d6 in order.  Either classic (SIWDCCh) or LotFP (ChCDISW) order.
2. How are death and dying handled? We're not using the LotFP rule, but we should.  So far it's mostly been henchment and hirelings, who have died going below 0.
3. What about raising the dead? It is possilbe, as are most things with powerful enough magic.  Researching the ritual or finding someone who knows are a differen question. 
4. How are replacement PCs handled? Come in at 1st level or promoting of a henchman.
5. Initiative: individual, group, or something else? Group, players win on even ties, foes win on odd ties. Actions must be declare in advance of roll. 
6. Are there critical hits and fumbles? How do they work? No fumbles.  On natural 20, decide if you want to roll double the damage dice or double the results of a normal roll.  Foes do the latter.
7. Do I get any benefits for wearing a helmet? Lack of malicious targeting by the Dungeon Master.  Some helmets will give specific bonuses.  Still not happy with the rules, but most rules prevent the likelihood of characters having awesome mohawks.
8. Can I hurt my friends if I fire into melee or do something similarly silly? Yes, more or less per the rules.  Line of sight and outnumbering are the primary factors.
9. Will we need to run from some encounters, or will we be able to kill everything? Yes, flee.
10. Level-draining monsters: yes or no? Yes, but still torn on method: probably drain XP (but not levels) or maximum hit points (but not levels).
11. Are there going to be cases where a failed save results in PC death? Yes, Still trying to find a reasonable mitigation of poison risk beyond luck.
12. How strictly are encumbrance & resources tracked? Pretty strictly per the rules for this campaign. Shields do not count as encumbering unless they are tower shields (or similarly large). Buckler, Small, and Normal Shields still count as one item. 5 torches count as one item. 5 days of rations count as one item. 
13. What’s required when my PC gains a level? Training? Do I get new spells automatically? Can it happen in the middle of an adventure, or do I have to wait for down time? New spells but be transcribed at no cost.  No training for this campaign, but you must secure the necessary treasure which usual means an informal downtime checkpoint.
14. What do I get experience for? Primarily recovering treasue, with some granted for identified magic items.  Some for defeating foes.  Bonuses for supplementing the game experience through record keeping or work as quartermaster.
15. How are traps located? Description, dice rolling, or some combination? Either and both.  Per rules, but good description will provide bonus or eliminate roll.
16. Are retainers encouraged and how does morale work?  Yes, highly.  Checks largely by rules - losses in combat, mistreatment or undue risk, failing to provide timely recompense or rest.
17. How do I identify magic items? Magic items must be used (typical for weapons and armor), tested (often for potions, charged items), or otherwise identified (by reading scroll, use of Identify spell, sage, etc) 
18. Can I buy magic items? Oh, come on: how about just potions? Basic healing potions are sometimes (availability roll) available from apothecaries, alchemists and the like, along with out strange drugs and substances.  Scrolls can also be similarly purchased  Other magic items are very rarely available for sale and even then may be forgeries or have functions in inaccurately described.
19. Can I create magic items? When and how? Yes, per LotFP rules.
20. What about splitting the party? Fuck around and find out.

Initiative as Tables

Anyone who has played or discussed Dungeons & Dragons-based or OSR games with me knows I have strong opinions on the handling of initiative (and many half finished blog posts regarding them).  When I've been subjected attempted to play more recent editions I've posited that things like "attacks of opportunity" and parts of combat movement have clearly been stolen inspired by The Game of Kings, Blood Bowl.

During our recent Uod campaign, I've even joked about making an OSR style game from the Blood Bowl rules, pointing out where mechanics like block dice roll calculations would be great improvments to combat. Thinking about how the passing/interception rules could streamline shooting missile weapons into a melee. Unseriously commented about using the Kickoff Table for initiative.

But I couldn't let go of the initiative ideal.  I'm a fan of phased initiative (movement, missile, etc) in some form.  Other games have made the mechanics more player oriented.  Rolling to see if players were acting before or after the opponents rather than rolling for the opponents themselves.  It occured to me that if putting the rolls all on the player side, why even compare numbers.  OSR style games use random tables for all sort of things, why not initiative and why not more than order of actions.

The goal isn't to recreate Blood Bowl as D&D.  I'll start with the Blood Bowl items and slowly replace them with cooler or more combat orientated craziness. I could crowd-source a cool list of events, but we still need to determine the order of events in a round. I'll probably edit this table 4 or 5 times to make it D&D-friendlier as I decide which makes more sense: "crazy things that happen during combat" or "variations on 'who goes first'". Ultimately I'll need to come back to address what happens on subsequent rounds.  The results assume side-based initiative that is normally random from round to round.

Initiative Table v0.1.1 - roll 2d6

2 - Get the Ref:
"The fans exact gruesome revenge on the referee for some of the dubious decisions he has made, either during this match or in the past. His replacement is so intimidated that he can be more easily persuaded to look the other way. Each team receives one Bribe that can be used once during this game to attempt to ignore one call by the referee on a D6 roll of 2+."
- Adapted: Is this divine intervention?  Not sure yet how this should manifest in the game fiction. The BB intent is allow "characters" break the rules.  Mechanically maybe allow each side to ignore a single hit or failed save.  That's not fun enough.  We'll come back to this.

3 - Riot:
"The trash talk between two opposing players explodes and rapidly degenerates, involving the rest of the players. If the receiving team’s turn marker is on turn 7 for the half, both teams move their turn marker back one space as the referee resets the clock back to before the fight started. If the receiving team has not yet taken a turn this half the referee lets the clock run on during the fight and both teams’ turn markers are moved forward one space. Otherwise roll a D6: 1-3 both teams’ turn markers are moved forward one space. 4-6 both teams’ turn markers are moved back one space." 
- Adapted:  Melee occurs without hesitation as someone's trigger finger gets itchy.  On a d6 roll of 1-3 both sides can have combatants move directly into melee before spells or missiles go off.  On a roll of 4-6 a single opponent for each side must (or maybe a round of missile fire wihout melee?) Still not as fun.

4 - Perfect Defence:
"The kicking team’s coach may reorganize his players – in other words he can set them up again into another legal defence. The receiving team must remain in the set-up chosen by their coach." 
- Adapted: The PC's side can charge into melee if desired before any reaction from the other side. They take all normal activity first as if they normally won initiave. Maybe everyone on that side can take a "move" action before normal round phases of a round.

5 - High Kick:
"The ball is kicked very high, allowing a player on the receiving team time to move into the perfect position to catch it. Any one player on the receiving team who is not in an opposing player’s tackle zone may be moved into the square where the ball will land no matter what their MA may be, as long is the square is unoccupied."
- Adapted: One PC can charge into melee or take other action before everyone else.  The player's side wins initiative.

6 - Cheering Fans:
"Each coach rolls a D3 and adds their team’s FAME and the number of cheerleaders on their team to the score. The team with the highest score is inspired by their fans’ cheering and gets an extra ReRoll this half. If both teams have the same score, then both teams get a Re-Roll."
- Adapted: This will be a pretty common result on 2d6 so it may need to be swapped. Roll d3 + the number of combatants (Hirelings/minions? Just non-fighter types, but what about monsters?) and that team gets initiative.  Re-rolls would be cool for a single combat event, but for round by round this makes sense.  Still trying to find the spirit of the result.

7 - Changing Weather:
"Make a new roll on the Weather table. Apply the new Weather roll. If the new Weather roll was a ‘Nice’ result, then a gentle gust of wind makes the ball scatter one extra square in a random direction before landing."
- Adapted: Outside?  Weather event?  Indoors/dungeon?  Gust of window blows out torches?  Some other random event?  That's in spirit, but as a practically use of the most common result, both side act simultaneously.  Rolled on the first round of combat?  Hell yeah, change the weather, have a bunch of bats flying through the space, whatever - in addition to simultaneous action.

8 - Brilliant Coaching:
"Each coach rolls a D3 and adds their FAME and the number of assistant coaches on their team to the score. The team with the highest total gets an extra team Re-Roll this half thanks to the brilliant instruction provided by the coaching staff. In case of a tie both teams get an extra team Re-Roll." 
- Adapted: Like the number "6" result above, not sure how to make the calculation. Maybe casters can get a spell off, then round proceeds?

9 - Quick Snap!
"The offence start their drive a fraction before the defence is ready, catching the kicking team flat-footed. All of the players on the receiving team are allowed to move one square. This is a free move and may be made into any adjacent empty square, ignoring tackle zones. It may be used to enter the opposing half of the pitch."
- Adapted: One of the PC's opponents can charge into melee or take other action before everyone else.  The opponent's side wins initiative.

10 - Blitz!
"The defence start their drive a fraction before the offence is ready, catching the receiving team flat-footed. The kicking team receives a free ‘bonus’ turn: however, players that are in an enemy tackle zone at the beginning of this free turn may not perform an Action. The kicking team may use team Re-Rolls during a Blitz. If any player suffers a turnover then the bonus turn ends immediately." 
- Adapted: The PC's opponents side can charge into melee if desired before any reaction from the other side. They take all normal activity first like normally winning initiave. Maybe everyone on that side can take a "move" action before normal round phases of a round.

11 - Throw a Rock:
"An enraged fan hurls a large rock at one of the players on the opposing team. Each coach rolls a D6 and adds their FAME to the roll. The fans of the team that rolls higher are the ones that threw the rock. In the case of a tie a rock is thrown at each team! Decide randomly which player in the other team was hit (only players on the pitch are eligible) and roll for the effects of the injury straight away. No Armour roll is required."
- Adapted: A block or stone or rock, tree branch or whatever represents something from above falls on someone.  Each side rolls 1d6 and adds the highest HD on their side to see who is hit.  Ties mean both.  They take some damage TBD.  Still need to find the random malice in spirit of the original table.

12 - Pitch Invasion:
"Both coaches roll a D6 for each opposing player on the pitch and add their FAME to the roll. If a roll is 6 or more after modification then the player is Stunned (players with the Ball & Chain skill are KO’d). A roll of 1 before adding FAME will always have no effect." 
- Adapted: Wandering monster / animal / herd / flock of seagulls flies through the encounter.  Roll d6 + HD for everyone.  Those rolling over 6  get knocked down and take no action that round. If this is a one-time event, maybe they take damage.  Then roll d6 like normal to see who goes first. Coming back to this one.

Go Bay Of Ice Buccaneers! Please don't sue me, GW!

Oriental Adventures and the Domain Game

Maybe OA is not all bad. [Edit from the future, it's pretty bad]

The AD&D Oriental Adventures book is now at best viewed a well intentioned rules exercise that people say they wanted to like at the time. I see most current discussions semi-nostalgic about some flawed rules and at best an awkward feeling about some the cultural presentation. As a pre-teen, I dabbled with it shortly after the release, wished the ninjas were a more straightforward class, and pretty quickly returned to the comforting arms of the Player's Handbook and Unearthed Arcana. It came out now and then for inspiration, but it was rarely used aside from someone's attempt to play the samurai class.

I still skim parts now a days and see the potential of some of the systems, but jump to other systems or more recent OSR supplements. I pulled it out again this morning looks for ideas to flesh out my own house rules for Fighters and Thieves. Under the Bushi class rules I found the parallel passage to the Fighter freehold rules with some distinct differences:

When the bushi reaches 9th level, he can establish himself as a warlord.  To do so he must capture or clear an estate and mark its boundaries… All bushi followers remain only so long as they are paid the character’s cause is not doomed… Upon reaching 12th level, 1d6 1st-level samurai will apply for positions.  This is an extremely important event, since it legitimizes the bushi’s position…

Those distinctions reinforce the bushi's rise from poverty and initial social standing, especially in contrast to the samurai's:

At 7th level the samurai is offered jito (stewardship) over one of the properties of his daimyo... At 8th level the daimyo offers the samurai the position of shugo (constable of a province).

This is closer to the Player Handbook style, but more clearly acknowledges feudal responsibilities.  It really makes me want to run a game where land holdings and the "starting position" of Houses of the Blooded becomes the mid-campaign goal.  I've done some "least establish a home base" and the shift to defense and diplomacy.  It is a different sort of game - elements of the game and some mechanics shift to the background.  But "establishing yourself as a warlord" and capturing your land?  That's some next-level murderhobo action.

The Conan Rule

(With apologies Robert E. Howard for indulging Conan stereotypes)

1.  Roll 3d6
2.  Pick 1 or 2 dice of your choice, and add them.  This is your starting hit points.
3.  Take the remaining 1 or 2 dice.  Add them if there is more than one, then multiply by 10.  This is your starting gold.

2d6 Religions of Uod for your Doomed Adventurer or Agent

Roll 2d6 to determine your character's belief system:

2. The Mindat Old Gods

3. The Maetah Old Gods

4. Roll on the Cults sub-table below

5. The Chlendi Spirit Host

6. Heteri Gods of Blood, Coal, and Horses

7. That of your lineage - roll again if you’re not sure what that is.

8. Heteri Gods of Blood, Coal, and Horses

9. The Mindat Path of the White Book

10. Thedine, the dutiful lord of the North Sea folk.

11. A heresy of an established religion - roll again to determine the source

12. One of your (character's) own creation.

Cults Sub-table (Roll d8)

1. You make offerings to the large squid in the cave by the port, like all sane sailors.

2. He has no name, but when you snort the orange powder you know his truth.

3. Member of the Sarpha Cult.

4. Mindat Vibrationalist

5. The Way of Flesh

6. Eschlatli Pleasure Cult

7. Local spirit of town, river or forest

8. The Supreme Being, a (1-3 old man, 4-6 old woman, 7 indeterminate gender, 8 childlike neuter) in the hills beyond town

• Some notes to be found here: https://widderslainte.github.io/uod/
• There is a 5% chance that your patron god, saint, or spirit is an extra-planar or dream plane inhabitant masquerading as a your deity.  20% change the masquerader is beneficient and a 50% change that the masquerader sincerely believes itself to be the diety in question.

Class Template

Intended for Guisarmes & Golems, Tactical Simulation Ruleset, and other fine elf games.

Class Name

Alternate Roles:

Required Attributes:
Required Alignments:
"Failed" Aspects:
Allowed Armor:
Allowed Weapons:

Melee Attack Bonus:
Ranged Attack Bonus:
Thrown Attack Bonus:
Full Defense Bonus:
Defenses:
Save Modifiers:
Melee Attacks:

Initial Hit Points:
Initial Combat Proficiencies:
Initial Skills:

Hit Points, Levels 2-10:
Hit Points, Levels 11+:
Combat Proficencies, Additional:

Class Abilities: