Understanding the game: Ability Scores

Characters are created first by randomly determining ability scores (stats). The process is using 3D6 once for each stat, in order. 2 arrays are created and one of the sets is kept.

Higher or lower stats provides modifiers to many rolls (or throws in ACKS parlance).

Strength determines melee hit probability, damage, carrying capacity and feats of strength (like bashing doors). Required for fighters.

Dexterity determines ranged hit probability, ability to dodge blows and general feats of agility. Required for thieves.

Intelligence determines the number of skills (proficiencies) and ability to do magic. Also general
Memory. Required for mages.

Wisdom determines resistance to magic and possible piety. Required for clerics.

Constitution determines hit points and resistance to toxins. Nice to have for anyone.

Charisma determines general reactions to the character and number of henchmen willing to risk life and limb for the character. Nice to have for anyone

Introduction

A while back, a friend of mine asked if he could try D&D. Always willing to initiate new people into this crazy hobby I went on designing a plan and invited other friends to try with us. I needed something simple for the rules and something I know well for it to feel alive (works need to be done on that).

I opted for Adventurer Conqueror King System which is a b/x retro clone. We’d go full old school, 3D6 in order (best of 2 arrays) with random starting ressources. I also proposed a bunch of templates to simplify to buying process.

I pitched some rules of the table: no pvp (that’s only one rule right)

For the Setting, I opted to revive an old campaign built from scratch (in 97 if you ask, used constantly as long as we played D&D, tapering our into the mid 2000s. At the time I took inspiration from books, published settings, modules and made a personalized mishmash, adding and discarding a lot for smooth integration. At the start it won’t be that important except the small part of the world the PCs are in.

I decided we’d run through Dwimmermount and another module involving a keep and some hinterlands. Or do something else, that’s why we play rpg

There is no orc in this world

The above statement is not true.*

This blog is about gaming, mainly tabletop RPG and my first attempt at writing online. I will be discussing current games, project, rules and the process of running or playing in rpg, as applied to my friends and I.
Although I strive to be courteous, I have no patience for political correctness in my personal life.
Inspired by some great bloggers, you might find links to interesting material and stuff that I use. Otherwise, keep in mind this might end up being mostly rants. Also be aware that any subject might be accompanied by exemples related to cars or the financial markets.

* a long time ago a friend of mine complained about the omnipresence of orcs in published modules and asked if my own material would be better served by having no Orc and no orc equivalent as a concept. The eradication effort is ongoing but not completed.