The adventure begins

[BaronVonJ]

It's not exactly "miniature" related, but a have a new blog chronicling my adventure world "Beyond the Wall."
http://walllandbeyond.blogspot.com/
I recently rediscovered the joy of OD&D (that's Old School Dungeons and Dragons, for those in the know). and started my own "sandbox" campaign world. People can come and go as they want/have time, and you're not stuck to a linear campaign. The first time out saw a party made of 3 adults and 4 kids in age range 7-10. It was a blast. Parts 1 and 2 are posted along with some background color. I've tried to intersperse the story with some quick illustrations.
Thanks and enjoy,
-J

[Earther]

Lovely blog, and a write-up full of whimsy - just like 'old school' should be!
Consider yourself book marked and thanks for sharing.

[HRE Joseph III]

Great stuff. I love the artwork.

[matakishi]

I've bookmarked this too, it's great, I'm really looking forward to seeing it unfold.

edit: Tancred was the last bit I saw, loads of new stuff excellent!!

[Earther]

Nice update! I'm following this with delight.

[BaronVonJ]

Thanks guys. This has been very rewarding and a lot of fun. I get some bonding with kids (which were already wargaming with me) and rediscover something I really love. It helps me keep my drawing skills sharp and focus on fun subjects. I used to be an artist, but now tell other artists what to do.
Also treating this as a sandbox campaign, where the world is already planned out, and where each adventure begins and ends at the same place, has really made this easy and not so much of the chore past endevours have been. It allows people to come and go, with no real impact on the game.
-J
May the gods bless the Emperor, and the Wall never fall.

[Doug ex-em4]

Very nicely done and an entertaining read.

Can you explain what the concept of a "sandbox campaign" means? In 40 years of gaming I've never encountered the expression.

Doug

[BaronVonJ]

This guy explains it best:
http://webamused.com/bumblers/?p=160
http://webamused.com/bumblers/?p=161
http://webamused.com/bumblers/?p=162
but, in a nutshell, sandbox campaigns are ones with no linear story line. The world is there and PCs are free to roam and do, or not do what they want. In my campaign, the characters followed a rumor they heard about a tomb. They could have just as easily gone somewhere else, or just wandered about. They might wander into a place that's way above their experience level. That never happens in most linear story lines. In this case they can stay and fight, and probably die, or run.
The best part is the fact they start from a particular spot, and end there. You don't run into the age old problem of trying to get everyone together a certain night to play. The burden is on the players to decide. Players a, b and c might play one night. Then, next week, players x, y, and z. Then a month later, a, b and z play.
They can trade info or not. "Hey don't go into the tomb, there's a wight down there that kicked our ass".
The only hard part? You have to have world put together ahead of time. But isn't that the fun part?

[Doug ex-em4]

Baron - thanks for that and, well, what-do-you-know? Those rpg campaigns I ran 30 years ago were "sandbox" campaigns and I didn't know it. I feel nostalgic - I wonder if I can persuade my granddaughter to take part in some OD&D type adventures...

Doug

[Heldrak]

Thoroughly charming. Love the illustrations!

[Operator5]

The illustrations make it for me as well. Feels like I am reading those children's books I used to love.

I love Miss Adventure. She has a lot of character for not doing a lot but rummaging through stuff.

Keep it updated. I can't wait to see where your little party goes to next.

[BaronVonJ]

I added new stuff just about every day (except weekends). Still more to come!
http://walllandbeyond.blogspot.com/

[matakishi]

Miss Adventure is my favourite too

Wonderful blog, keep it coming.

[BaronVonJ]

She is played by my 10-year-old daughter. She chose not to use a "real" name and go by an alias. In her words "to be more mysterious".
She's the only girl, and spends most of the sessions rolling her eyes at the "stupid boys".
-J

[Funghy-Fipps]

I'm starting a Labyrinth Lord campaign this spring with some chums and 'the boy' (he's nine) so reading such well-written reports is extremely inspiring indeed!  I look forward to future installments.