The Vancian Nullifier

The Vancian Nullifier - Longsword +1, +2 vs. Vancian Casters AL: N
Languages: Common, Dwarven - Read Magic
Minor Power: Detect Magic at Will
Major Power: +2 to Saves vs. any Vancian Cast Spell

Special Purpose: Slay Vancian Spell Casters
Special Purpose Power: Spell Nullification
Int:14 Ego:14

Appearance: The blade of the sword has a light, electric blue hue, with a hilt and cross guard of intertwining purple and black metal strands, wrapped in white leather. The pommel is a smooth, blue stone of indeterminate type, which is warm to the touch and throbs obscenely when the Detect Magic power is utilized. Deeply etched Dwarven Runes adorn both sides of the blade and these will spit blue sparks when in the presence of a Vancian spell caster.

History: The Vancian Nullifier was created by a dwarf, when the world was young and the dwarven people were beset by spell casting enemies. The sword remembers battling elves in its early days, but doesn't have a very clear recollection of anything beyond five hundred years or so, ago. It has a serviceable, if archaic knowledge of dwarven society and a spotty grasp of dwarven history.

Powers: With a successful hit upon a Vancian spell caster, the sword will sever the psychic binding of 1d4 spells from the target's memory. These are determined at random.

Healing spells and other beneficial magics will only work upon the wielder if a saving throw is failed.

I Swear Upon Your Death

I Swear Upon Your Death - Bastard Sword +2
Alignment: LN
Minor/Major Powers: None
Special Purpose - Vengeance

Special Purpose Powers - Wielder need not sleep, drink, or eat and Regenerates 1 HP per Turn. Wielder is immune to 1st and 2nd level Illusion/Phantasm (Type) Spells. Geas (upon wielder.)
Int:13   Ego:13

This Bastard Sword appears as an archaic, well made blade with a slightly reddish tinge to the steel and a handle wrapped in blood red leather. The pommel is a smooth green stone, half recessed. A few sigils adorn the blade, near the hilt and a read magic will reveal the following: I Swear Upon Your Death.

To all appearances the sword will appear to be nothing more than a +2 weapon and will function as such. Unless and until the phrase written upon the blade is uttered with hatred, intent and a specific individual in mind. At which point the sword will awaken, be able to communicate by empathy and the Special Purpose powers will activate. The sword will be relentless in its intent to slay its target and will Geas the wielder, if it feels he or she is dallying.

Upon the consummation of the oath, or a condition of irrevocable failure, the sword will disappear, placing itself near a recent battle site or large treasure hoard.

Disarming (Again!): in 1e/OSRIC

I spend an inordinate amount of my idle time thinking of ways to do various combat maneuvers in D&D. Since I'm about to start a 1e campaign (in the Forgotten Realms, by request, no less) I've once again, headed down that particular rabbit hole.

Here's my new Disarm maneuver for AD&D:

Disarm

A Fighter attempting to disarm an opponent must state his/her intent before making their "to hit" roll.

If the defender is 3 or more levels higher than the attacker, then the attempt succeeds on a roll of a true 20.

If the defender is within 2 levels of the attacker, higher or lower, then the attempt succeeds on the roll of a true 19, or 20.

If the attacker is 3 or more levels higher than the defender, then success is indicated on a true 18-20.

If the attacker is 8 or more levels higher, then a true 17-20 succeeds.

In all cases, the target number must still be a "hit" vs. the defender's AC, save that a true 20 will always succeed.

Whether or not the attempt to disarm succeeds, no damage will be taken by the defender. 

There. I think that does everything I want it to do. I considered altering the target number if a Large Shield was employed by the defender, but then I would have to consider the number of opponents attacking, nearby defenders, etc.

Damn! I forgot about Monks! But, I'll think about that later. 

In which I play OSRIC for 30 years

So. Gearing up for a new campaign. Definitely a 1e thing, but I think I'm going to run OSRIC again.

Partly because I anticipate again having players new to old school D&D and want them to be able to download a free copy of the rules.

Also, the last OSRIC campaign I ran made me realize something.

While many folks write about their early 1e experiences as being a mash-up of B/X & AD&D, this wasn't my experience at all. No one in my gaming group, or any of the groups I knew of, played B/X. Or, even owned the boxed sets. It was 1e all the way.

We played the game pretty much by the book. I've always used segments and casting times. Weapon damage vs. L opponents. MR based on the caster being 11th level.

We didn't use weapon vs. ac or weapon speed. I imagine that probably was due to the influence of elder gamers who had disappeared into the halls of Valhalla, long before I met my initial gaming buddies. Don't really know for sure

When I look back on it, aside from houeruled individual initiative and lifting limits on single-classed demi's, the game I've played for 30 years looks a hell of a lot like OSRIC!

Pacesetter Games & Simulations Cataclysm at the Acaeum Kickstarter

Bill Barsh of Pacesetter Games & Simulations has set up his first Kickstarter - Cataclysm at the Acaeum - A 1e/OSRIC Megadungeon box set that is also available in a Swords & Wizardry version. 

http://kck.st/SuSBmr

The initial goal has been met, with 27 days left to get in on the backing.

"Cataclysm at the Acaeum is a megadungeon boxed set that is compatible with the First Edition game (as well as the OSRIC system). This boxed set will include four 36-page adventure books (each containing 4-6 scenarios), three 32-page adventure books (large scale adventure), 24+ cardstock maps and a poster map of the acaeum complex. There will also be a separate book detailing all significant NPCs, New Monsters and New Magic Items. When complete, this will be the largest boxed set produced for the First Edition game!

"UPDATE: I have recieved more than a few requests to create a Swords & Wizardry option. Therefore, all backers will have the option to choose either a First Edition version or a Swords & Wizardry version. For those who want both, you can pledge an additonal $55 (you save $10) on any addition boxed set purchases."

The Black Blade/Usherwood Pub. OSRIC Imprint

ADDENDUM: The Black Blade website has an error and is quoting an inaccurate, overly high amount for shipping charges! Email Jon, address below, for a correct shipping quote. Priority mail to my address was $11.00, which may vary a bit, depending upon your location.

I'm reposting my pics of the Black Blade/Usherwood Publishing OSRIC imprint.

grodog had asked me if I could migrate the original post over, so he would have a ready reference to point folks towards, when they asked for some comparison pics. Unfortunately, I only recently found his request, which was made several months ago! Sorry! I hope this will still be of use.

A word, or two. The Black Blade/Usherwood version costs $26.00, which is a whole whopping .80 cents more than the Lulu version! The BB/U is thicker, wider, taller, has a sturdier binding and to quote Mr. Jon Hershberger:

-we've added additional art selections from John Bingham, Steve Robertson, Mark Allen, Peter FItzpatrick, Peter Mullen, Brian Thomas and Jim Holloway;
- Jason Zavoda's expanded index is four pages long, and there's now a two page index of tables and charts following the index; and
- we've upped the grade of paper for the book to 70# (not a sexy change to OSRIC, but it does add to the quality and the 'heft' of the book); the hardback OSRIC is going to weigh in at just over 3 pounds when it's done.

All of which is to say, as someone who owns both versions, I'd definitely buy the Black Blade/Usherwood edition!

What's more, it was packaged to withstand a nuclear explosion!

You'll need to email Jon if you want to purchase, as their checkout on the website isn't working. Shipping is via Priority Mail and Black Blade charges the actual shipping costs, so there ya go! :)

The pic compares the BB/UP version, on top, with the Lulu version, on the bottom.

Here's a side by side pic.

And a couple of pics showing one of the new pics, and then the snazzy red endpapers!

If you asked me what my favorite post TSR, RPG books is, I'd be hard pressed to come up with any one product. But, the Black Blade/Usherwood OSRIC imprint would be on my shortlist! It's all kinds of awesome and handsome as hell!