The Wayfarer's Inn

Apercu · Rat Fodder Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 28

It's out. Labyrinth Lord was released over the weekend, available for free pdf download, or you can buy a hard copy. This book looks very nice. If you are a fan of old school Basic D&D, you should check this out. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

http://goblinoidgames.com/labyrinthlord.htm

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alhoon · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:24 pm Post subject:

What is it about?
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robertsconley · Lord of Badabaskor Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 28

It is using the OGL and the D20 SRD to recreate the Moldavy/Mentzer Basic D&D game. Basically by using similar mechanics and terms found in the D20 SRD.

By similair, you will find that there are the same four class fighter, magic-user, cleric, thief, and they each have a experience point table. But that table doesn't have quite the same numbers as the original version. But it is close enough that it work just as well. Spells and other mechanics are modified from their D20 versions to work more like Basic D&D.

It and OSRIC (for AD&D) rely on the court ruling that while games can be copyrighted their mechanics can't be. Why people haven't done this back in the 90's (other than TSR was much more lawsuit happy) is that the D20 SRD puts many of the core terms of all the D&D games under the Open Gaming License. Before you had to use stuff like Hits-to-Kill, different characteristic names, etc to do anything similar. Today in contrast you can get much much closer. Plus both the OSRIC people and the Labyrinth Lord guy had copyright lawyers involved giving advice so to minimize the chance of a WoTC lawsuit. Finally Castles and Crusades by Troll Lords Games was the catalyst that showed how a OGL game could emulate the beloved RPGs of the past.

Last there is a market fad going on where RPG products that play on the nostalgia of older RPGS particularly OD&D, AD&D, BD&D are selling. Troll Lord Games and Goodman Games are the two biggest taking advantage of this.

alhoon · Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:46 pm Post subject:

Thank you very much. It doesn't seem d20 at all though. More like OD&D with 20 levels.
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Don't call every undead wizard a lich!

alhoon · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:32 pm Post subject:

NOTE: That game can't be used with other d20 products. Still, it can be used with oD&D products without much fuss I guess, at least at levels 1-12.
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Don't call every undead wizard a lich!

Apercu · Rat Fodder Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 28

Thought I'd put this out there for those who might want to know.

I went into my local Barnes & Noble store about a week ago and ordered a copy of Labyrinth Lord. Just bought it yesterday. So, there's another way to get that book now for those who want it.

Also, there are some neat LL compatable products coming out, such as a new campaign setting by David Bezio called The Phoenix Barony This one has a lot of useful campaign information, and understand there are more books to follow.

Can't forget Engines & Empires either. Another good one
_________________
You can't give up hope just because it's hopeless. You gotta hope even more, and cover your ears and go like bla bla bla bla.