Gary's Current Greyhawk Game

[Scott]

September 17th, 2004

Well, Pilgrims,,,

I ran a party of five PCs through the original first level of my Greyhawk Castle dungeons last night. the group consisted of Brad Burklow (F), Jeff Burklow (C), Alex Gygax (F), Bill Johnson (F) , and John Seibel (M). ther created new characters of 3rth level using the original D&D rules.

They eplored and mapped about a sixth of the level, and although they generally managed to avoid all the encounter areas where I had hidden them--after all, monsters don't generally want to get butchered--they managet to kill off a nest of giant centipedes, three berserkers, and nine orcs. They were a bit battered by then, but the orc leader was caught opening a secret door leading to an escape stairway leading to the surface, so the team slipped out. They were most interested that the dungeon had been designed in 1972.

They were pretty well satisfied having gained about a thousand gold pieces in treasure (eight 100 GP gems allowed that), a +1 ring of protection, and a +1 dagger.

I suspect they will want to continue exploring next week:)

Cheers,
Gary

[Scott]

September 24th, 2004

Well Pilgrims...

The lads are now hooked on the dungeon delving aspects of OD&D. Last night they went back to the 1st level, even though the lot of them are 3rd level PCs, and beat up on giant rats and their friendly human keeper. some giant bats, skeletons, a huge subterranean constrictor snake, and a big black widow spider and three others that happened along. in the process they founf a thirs way into the uppermost level, several ways to go down one or more levels.

To their credit they used a potion gained earlier to aid the magic-user who has been fatally bitten by a huge spider. the sead stopper had a bull's head impressed in it, but they have it a go, and it worked, healed their comrade.

The cleric won the roll-off for the +1 suit of plate armor, so he is near 4th level now. the rest have accumulated a bit less than 1,000 XPs towards like advancement.

They have explored only about a sixth of the level, have found a +1 dagger in addition to the armor, so I expect they'll comb the maze exhaustively before venturing into realms where there is a more equal challenge.

Cheerio,
Gary

[Scott]

September 30th, 2004

Greetings Seekers!

Just a very brief report on last thursday night's gaming session, as I have been bust adding deities to the roster of Egyptian gods and today, Saturday, was pretty well shot in recording for a dicumentary,

A party of four daring advenurers, three fighters and one cleric. ventured back into the Old Greyhawk Dungeons, remained on the first level. found a few denizens to trounce, then were confronted by the Old Guard Kobolds. They managed to kill a half dozen of the latter, then retreated under showers of flaming oil and javelins. In their running escape they managed to enter a transporter, so getting back was a bit difficult, but by much perserverence, they managed to get out. the cleric in neat to gaining a level, making fourth.

They plan to return for revenge on those kobolds, this time with a mage in tow.

Regards,
Gary

[foster1941]

I'm green with envy. I totally want to move to Lake Geneva and be a part of this game. This is (at least IMO) truly what it's all about. I wonder why Gary's letting a bunch of 3rd level characters wander around on the 1st dungeon level, though. Maybe he's decided that 'player skills' are so degraded nowadays that a 3rd level player/character of today is equivalent to a 1st level player/character from 1972. I also wonder if he's only giving them 1/3 xp awards (apparently not if one of the characters is already near to gaining an additional level after only 3 sessions...). Soft! Gygax has gone soft! ;D

But, seriously, thanks for posting these write-ups, Scott. This is great stuff. I assume these come from Gygax's email list -- what's the homepage or address for this list?

[dcas]

foster1941 said:

But, seriously, thanks for posting these write-ups, Scott. This is great stuff. I assume these come from Gygax's email list -- what's the homepage or address for this list?

groups.yahoo.com/group/gygax-games/

[Scott]

foster1941 said:

I'm green with envy. I totally want to move to Lake Geneva and be a part of this game. This is (at least IMO) truly what it's all about. I wonder why Gary's letting a bunch of turd level characters wander around on the 1st dungeon level, though. Maybe he's decided that 'player skills' are so degraded nowadays that a turd level player/character of today is equivalent to a 1st level player/character from 1972. I also wonder if he's only giving them 1/3 xp awards (apparently not if one of the characters is already near to gaining an additional level after only 3 sessions...). Soft! Gygax has gone soft! ;D

But, seriously, thanks for posting these write-ups, Scott. This is great stuff. I assume these come from Gygax's email list -- what's the homepage or address for this list?

Based on other posts and correspondences, Gary seems to give experience to his monsters when they live through an encounter. From thr experience and loot they've gained from killing previous parties, and gold acquired from selling some survivors to the goblins, the kobolds are now closer to goblins or orcs in strength. A while ago, Gary noted that another group of PCs adventuring on the 1st level were 2nd level characters. I guess that the dungeon level has increased due to the success of the monsters living there.
Also, the PCs have found steps leading lower, but they've so far chosen to stay on the 1st dungeon level.
Scott

[Scott]

10/21/05

Greetings Seekers,

Four stalwarts showed up to have at adventuring on the somewhat chilly front porch last night. A small heater made it fairly comfortable, and as mots of us smoke any discomfort was outweighed by the ability to light up during play;)

The party, sans its magic-user (away pheasant hunting), delved again into the uppermost level of Old Greyhawk Castle. Alex and Jeff worked at creating an accurate map, doing quite well after avoiding the sole transporter area on the 1st level...wait until they delve deeper, heh-heh-heh. Then they'll learn why old hands at dungeoneering usually do only trailing maps!

Anyway, they encontered a few wandering monsters, but sadly with Jeff's PC being now 4th level minor undead are zapper easily. Those included a ghoul encounter and two groups of skeletons. one numbering 10 wandering about. Jeff's lucky die roll matching my 10 was annoying:( After slaying many vicious cave bats and a big stink bug they finally found the lair of a bandit gang consisting of 11 2nd level fighters and a 4th level leader. They wiped these felons out and picked up a +1 sword, +1 shield, two potions, and about 3K in gold from that encounter. Two of the fighters climbed from 3rd to 4th level because of XP bonuses due, and the remaining one is only one adventure away from making 4th. They then promise to venture into the deeper portions of the dungeon.

The group has managed to get a +1 dagger, +1 axe, +1 plate armor, and four potions, so far only one of which has been expended. There are still four quite worthwhile encounters on the 1st level, but locating where the denizens of the dark maze lurk might be problematical unless the team forgets careful mapping and goes full-steam ahead looking for encounters.

Cheers,
Gary

[Scott]

Subject : [gygax-games] Greyhawk Castle Delve 28 October 2004

Greetings Seeker!

Indian sumer returned in full force to the Lake Geneva area, so we again enjoyed playing on my front porch.

Three stalwart fighting men ventured into the castle's first level bent on developing a more complete map so as to locate lurking denizens and loot them. Despite no back-up of clerical or magical spell-slinger, the trio did well. They met and slew two big snakes, a giant stink beetle, a great spider, and an evil priest and his two gnole guards. In the process, one member of the party was felled and at -1 HP, but a healing potion immediately poured into his gullet saved the day. In addition to some gems and gold, the triumphant band carried forth 10 magic arrows +1, two potions, and a staff showing two intertwined snakes along its length. N.ow all three are of 4th level

Regards,
Gary

[dcas]

Based on other posts and correspondences, Gary seems to give experience to his monsters when they live through an encounter.

I remember a post he made about exactly how he gave the kobolds experience. After each TPK the kobolds got, they got stronger (and bolder). Now they have a 4 HD leader and don't make Morale checks.

I wish I could find Gary's post, but I don't remember where it was posted.

[supernaught]

Wow! There are quite a few magic goodies on Castle Greyhawk's first level. I think I might have been a bit stingy about handing of magic to low level characters.

Does Gary use the treasure tables in the MM or just place what feels right for the encounter? Then again, there seems to be some tough encounters for 1st or 2nd level characters so the risk justifies the reward. Man, I'm so jealous of those lucky players.

[Scott]

The tables in the MM were designed for random wilderness encounters. The random dungeon generator in the DMG has a treasure table for generating treasure in dungeons. The original box set had a system for random treasure determination in a dungeon that was different than the table for wilderness encounters as well.
Scott

[supernaught]

I never realized in 22 years that the MM treasure tables were designed for random wilderness encounters. Maybe because I never used them; on the other hand, you learn something new every day.Thanks.

[foster1941]

Yep, the treasure types in the MM (and their predecessor in vol. 2 of OD&D), just like the "number appearing," are intended for random wilderness encounters -- someone (either Gary, Rob, or Gronan) had a story about how high level characters used to go out deliberately looking for bandits in the wilderness because they had such a good treasure type. Treasures (and numbers appearing) in dungeons tend to be a lot smaller -- I use the Monster & Treasure Assortments as a guide; the numbers there don't seem to quite match up with the random treasure generators in either OD&D vol. 3 or the DMG.

As for the amount of treasure and magic in Greyhawk Castle, if B2: The Keep on the Borderlands is anything to go by Gary is a big believer in loading down low level characters with lots of magic items (assuming they're resourceful enough to recognize them for what they are). I suppose it helps balance OD&D characters' fragility (lower hp, worse attack chances, fewer spells, etc.) compared to later editions? My own stinginess with giving out magic treasure to low level characters is based on Gary's own advice in the DMG, but perhaps he was deliberately trying to "overcompensate" there to counter his own magic-item-piggy-bank tendencies from OD&D -- Gary made no secret at the time of its release that AD&D was intended to have a shallower power-curve than OD&D, with the idea that this would lead to longer, and ultimately more fulfilling, campaigns.

[dcas]

It does seem like Gary likes to hand out a lot of treasure in his adventures, but at the same time I think the rewards are commensurate with the risk.

Plus I know he was never above having bandits waylay his PCs in the wilderness.

[Scott]

Old Greyhawk Castle dungeon Crawl Session 2 December 2004

Yuletide Greetings Seekers!

The full compliment of five daring dungeoneers were ready, willing, and able for their expedition, and rather than seeking out the Old Guard Kobolds and other denizens of the 1st level, they determined to delve deeper. Passing up an 80-foot long flight of steps down, they opted for a shorted stairway, and soon were in the thick of mayhem fighting first six gnolls, then a troll, and eventually a giant lizard, a human warrior and a dozen orcs that were his servants. Only light wounds were suffered in the pricess (due to some incredibly low d20 rolls by the DM, while the adventurers left the dungeons with over 3,000 in gold and gems along with a wand of paralysis, a snake staff, and a +2 dagger.

The questers thought it a rousing outing and likely will return to the 2nd level to inflict further depridations upon the peaceful inhabitants of the maze...

Christmas cheer,
Gary

[Scott]

dcs said:

It does seem like Gary likes to hand out a lot of treasure in his adventures, but at the same time I think the rewards are commensurate with the risk.

Plus I know he was never above having bandits waylay his PCs in the wilderness.

Also, after hearing a lot of stories from Gary's campaign, the players didn't seem like the types that were reluctant to use their items. The players with wands, etc. went through them pretty fast. Lots of items were probably lost due to failing saves too.
Scott

[Scott]

That reminds me, I've DMed a bunch of PCs that have died because they didn't want to use up all of their magic.
Scott

[grodog]

Scott said:

That reminds me, I've DMed a bunch of PCs that have died because they didn't want to use up all of their magic.

Yeah, that behavior's always been surprising to me, as both a player and a DM....

On a somewhat more-topical note, I've been working up notes from EGG's and RJK's "Up on a Soapbox" columns this weekend---pulling out all of the relevant Castle GH details. I'm not done, but you'll be able to see my work in progress at www.greyhawkonline.com/grodog/gh_castle_sources_soapbox.html in the very-near future.

Comments, criticisms, etc. appreciated

[Rhuvein]

Very cool to read this again. Were these extracted from DF, then.

I was talking to John Seibel (Deogolf) in some posts recently about his experiences and he or I was going to try and find his threads/accounts about this game.

I'll have to remember to have another look over there.

Scott, do you remember where these entries came from? Gary's Q&A or from John's journal or somewhere else altogether?

[grodog]

I have all of John's posts from DF, Rhu, as well as accounts you posted, and some others, I'm sure, if I dig around more....