The way some games "feel" more like the D&D experience isn't about the superficial influences, but about the much deeper roots.
#dnd  #ttrpg  #osr

Good thread title.  I'll watch the video, when I get time to.

Quote from: Man at Arms on April 04, 2024, 05:45:36 PM
Good thread title.  I'll watch the video, when I get time to.

Thanks!

I think the D&D mindset fits even better to the Dark Ages in Western Europe, which was not only a pretty lawless society (like in many D&D games), but also littered with ancient Roman ruins that people could explore. I guess there were plenty of old burial mounds that could be plundered in 11th century Poland. It's also amusing to think of the First Crusade as basically a big hexcrawl, where the final destination (Jerusalem) was vaguely known.

All of that was true.

Quote from: Rhymer88 on April 06, 2024, 04:06:51 AMI think the D&D mindset fits even better to the Dark Ages in Western Europe, which was not only a pretty lawless society (like in many D&D games), but also littered with ancient Roman ruins that people could explore. I guess there were plenty of old burial mounds that could be plundered in 11th century Poland. It's also amusing to think of the First Crusade as basically a big hexcrawl, where the final destination (Jerusalem) was vaguely known.

This ^

The contention that D&D is about heroes going into subterranean labyrinths to slay monsters a la Beowulf flies somewhat in the face of the standard OSR talking point that it's about getting treasure by hook or by crook, and avoiding combat wherever possible. 

Quote from: ForgottenF on April 16, 2024, 09:37:13 PMThe contention that D&D is about heroes going into subterranean labyrinths to slay monsters a la Beowulf flies somewhat in the face of the standard OSR talking point that it's about getting treasure by hook or by crook, and avoiding combat wherever possible. 

Greetings!

Yeah, ForgottenF! Whether it is written somewhere in the rules or otherwise, on the ground, I am not seeing it. Back in the beginning, "Hack & Slash" was a very real dynamic--if not the most dominant for D&D. My old groups used to move in and slaughter everything. The game has never been about "avoiding combat". It has been about exploration, certainly. But also combat and slaughtering everything, and looting every possible coin and gummy bear.

Tactical retreats, was sometimes encouraged, and everyone certainly did not want to fall down a tube into a dragon's lair at low level. So, yes, such judicial assessments were encouraged, but less embraced than charging into battle. Avoidance though? As a major and constant strategy? No way, man. You know? That was not what I experienced in the majority of groups I ever played in during the old days. As a rule, it was kick in the door, toss in a flask of burning oil or launch a fireball, and then draw steel and engage.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK