Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DM_Yukon 03-09-07, 11:03 AM	I am a registred RPGA member. I have only played in two games, both are quite old. They are both in the "Legacy of the Green Regent". LGR-1 Extermination LGR-2 Gray Hunt I noticed I am now at level 13 due to level bumps... So I'm really wanting to get into RPGA gaming heavily. After reading as much as I could find in the somewhat confusing-navigating website on information for LG, I need some help. First, how can a level 1 starting out character go into these games that they say are for levels 1-15? If someone has a level 6 character and I have a level 1, how is the combat going to be handled without the little newcomer dying? Second, how can I know which games I can and should play in? There are numerous RPGA games offered at an upcoming adventure: COR6-11: Return to the Storm Tower (LG) COR6-12: Calm Before the Storm (LG) COR6-19: Heir Aberrant (LG) DYV6-05 Black as Night (LG) DYV6-06 Walpurgis: The Dark Night (LG) DYV6-07 Knave of Box Town (LG) DYV6-08 In Search of Blackthorn (LG) DYV 7-01 Vanguard (LG) DYV 7-02 Chain of Lies (LG) Libertyfest DYVI7-01 (Interactive) (LG) VTF6-03 Red on the Horizon (LG) VTF6-04 Faire Trade (LG) VTF6-05 Autumn (LG) VTF6-06 The Earth Dragon Cometh (LG) From the above list, they seem I would be jumping into the middle of a mini-campaign, or does each adventure exist independantly? If all of this is answered somewhere, or if I just need to read the Sourcebook for LG, I would like to know. Wizards.com can be fairly difficult navigating to find exactly what you want. Thanks
Rerednaw 03-09-07, 11:34 AM	...So I'm really wanting to get into RPGA gaming heavily. After reading as much as I could find in the somewhat confusing-navigating website on information for LG, I need some help. First, how can a level 1 starting out character go into these games that they say are for levels 1-15? If someone has a level 6 character and I have a level 1, how is the combat going to be handled without the little newcomer dying? Second, how can I know which games I can and should play in? There are numerous RPGA games offered at an upcoming adventure: COR6-11: Return to the Storm Tower (LG) COR6-12: Calm Before the Storm (LG) COR6-19: Heir Aberrant (LG) DYV6-05 Black as Night (LG) ... From the above list, they seem I would be jumping into the middle of a mini-campaign, or does each adventure exist independantly? If all of this is answered somewhere, or if I just need to read the Sourcebook for LG, I would like to know. Wizards.com can be fairly difficult navigating to find exactly what you want. Thanks Modules are written with a level range in mind. There are some intro modules which are for a party of level 1 characters only. Other modules tend to fall in the following ranges: APL 2-8, 4-10, etc...APL is Average Party Level. Some modules have single specific APLs. The level at which you play the module is determined by the Average Party Level. A party of 4th level characters would be APL4. There are modifiers for pets, a full table (6 players) and so forth. If you played in a group that was 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6 the APL would be: 1+3+4+5+6+6/6 = 25/6 = 4.17 +1 for a full table = 5.17. This rounds to 5 and means the table could play APL4 or APL6. If you are 3 or more levels below an APL you get half xp/gp. And that's assuming you survive. If you are more than 3 levels above an APL you cannot play with that group. While there are story arcs and modules that tie to one another, for the most part they exist independently. You can play in any CORE module (COR) and in any module that is for your region or meta-region. Your default home region is based upon where you live. This is on page 7 of the LGCS. For example, I like in SW United States (Las Vegas) and my home region is the Theocracy of the Pale. Regional modules for me are PAL (Pale) or NMR (Nyrond Meta Region). DYV I believe is Dyvers. The states for Dyvers are: IA, KS, MO, NE. There are some specials that allow you to have a new home region. Bright Sands had the Bright Lands as home and the upcoming Ruins of Greyhawk will have Greyhawk as home. You can play in modules that are out of your region if you physically are in a different region (travel, visiting, game con). And oh yeah, don't forget to register for rewards points (if you haven't already). Does this help?
catsclaw 03-09-07, 11:39 AM	From the above list, they seem I would be jumping into the middle of a mini-campaign, or does each adventure exist independantly?Many, if not most, are part of a story arc -- which means you'll know what's going on a bit better if you start at the beginning and play them in order, but that's certainly not necessary. All can be played without playing any others in the arc.If all of this is answered somewhere, or if I just need to read the Sourcebook for LG, I would like to know.You should read the Living Greyhawk Campaign Standards, which does explain most of this, but it can be a little hard to understand at first. If you tell us where you live, I'm sure people will be able to point you to some local resources and games, which is really the best way to start.
UMiskatonic 03-09-07, 11:55 AM	Living Greyhawk is different from Green Regent in the following way: In Green Regent, everyone is mostly the same level. Therefore, if all characters are 12th-14th level, I can attack you with hill giants, no problem. It's easier to write adventures that way. In Living Greyhawk, everyone is a different level. Adventures are harder to write, because they have to come with difficulty levels, which are called APLs. If you have to fight the bandits, and you are 1st level, the difficulty will be scaled down. Bandit goblins, or something like that. If you are 14th level, you might see bandit hill giants. This makes Greyhawk conventions a bit louder, because everyone has to find people that are the same level to play with. You'll hear people shouting "We need a 10th level wizard" and so on. There's a staff to help manage this process, so no one gets left out. Registering before the convention begins is a GREAT idea. On the plus side, you get to earn every single gold coin and experience point, so those higher level characters are WAY more fun. Welcome, we all hope you have fun.
Howie23 03-09-07, 11:55 AM	So I'm really wanting to get into RPGA gaming heavily. After reading as much as I could find in the somewhat confusing-navigating website on information for LG, I need some help. LG is written in episodes that are tied together. It takes a bit of time-investment to understand what mods go w/which plot lines, but you can start off just diving and then work it out after. Mods can be played out of order, but are more fun if played in sequence. There are always new plotlines starting, so within a short period of time, you'll find you are not coming into the middle of most things. LG mods are designed in tiers. While a mod might be for characters 1-15, a given table will have a series of encounters written for the average level of the party (Average Party Level=APL). In a convention environment, you'll be grouped with others of the same approximate level. Occasionally, a table will have a weird mix, particularly at gamedays in more rural settings. In general, for a starting character, you're looking for APL2 mods. That is the lowest available. At the convention you are going to, there will likely be Introductory mods (Intros) that are written specifically for 1st level characters. Ask for them, even if they aren't on the schedule. The COR mods above all support APL2, many of the others will as well. VTF mods have a dangerous reputation, but I don't know if that extends to APL2 as well. The DYV mods will contain the most regional flavor for your specific part of the Greyhawk world, based upon where you live. You do need to read the Living Greyhawk Campaign Standards (LGCS). Read it, but don't expect to understand all of it, mainly the character creation stuff. Then go play. Then read it again for the "ah-so" moments. You will likely find some things happening a bit different than the LGCS says, largely due to cultural variation from place to place, and the fact that the current LGCS has a lot of changes that haven't been digested yet. You can find the LGCS here: http://www.wizards.com/rpga/downloads/LGCS_597.zip There is likely a discussion group for your specific con as well. Check with the organizers. If not, there is a Dyvers regional board at: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/dyvers/ The skinny: PHB PCs/races, max HP, max gold for class, 28 point build, many feats from spatbooks (retraining avail, don't sweat too hard). See Appendix 4 of LGCS for what you can buy (PHB, lots of exotic wpns, basic potions, scrolls, cold iron, silver) and use. That is the digestible subset, there is actually more available, but trying to not overwhelm you. David
UMiskatonic 03-09-07, 12:10 PM	Adventures have categories, and difficulty ratings (APLs). The categories are given by the first three letters. All adventures are designed to be independent 4 hour games, don't worry about order too much just yet. Ask the convention staff about intro adventures. They are designed just for your situation, and are usually available. They might not be on the schedule, because they usually run on-demand. DYV refers to the city-state of Dyvers. These are called regional adventures, because they are limited to a certain region (Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, if I remember that correctly). They will deal with politics in the city-state, struggles between the various merchants and criminals who live within, and possibly the huge forest outside the walls, filled with fey, elves, and recently, armies of orcs. In regional adventures, you'll see the same characters recur, like in a TV show. If you slap the captain of the guard in the face, he might not be too friendly next time you see him. If you join the Shadowfist monastery, then members of the monastery will be friendly when you meet them in the street. I would start with these, making sure that you can play at APL 2. If APL 2 is not available, play some other APL 2 adventure. Its more important to stay in your difficulty range than in your region. The second set are COR, which are core adventures. These can be set anywhere in the wider world of Greyhawk. Characters and places -do- recur, but not as often. Adventurs that are part of a series will be labelled, for example, there are a lot of Bright Sands mods currently. The third set are VTF mods. These are meta-regionals adventures, and deal with concerns that are international in scope. Generally, I'd avoid these for now, and focus on the goblin bandits :)
DM_Yukon 03-09-07, 12:28 PM	There is no need to explain why I play one adventure in Dyvers as a regional game then take my character to another convention and play in a Core game that takes me clear across the world?
kenobi65 03-09-07, 12:32 PM	Just a few other thoughts to add. - As you've figured out, you need to start your LG character at 1st level. When you go to this convention, and they're mustering the tables for the modules that you've signed up for, you'll be looking to find other players who are playing low-level PCs (ideally, you want to be getting APL 2 tables). - Unlike Legacy of the Green Regent, in LG, you track your own XP and GP on the Adventure Records (logsheets) that you get after each module. So, if you go to a convention where you're playing several LG modules, you get to enjoy the effects of the XP and GP you get immediately (rather than waiting until the results from the con are entered into the RPGA system). So, it's entirely possible to level up mid-convention, and you can buy items as soon as you have enough GP for them. - BTW, in case you hadn't figured it out already, Green Regent has concluded, and there aren't any adventures available for it anymore. So, yes, your LGR PC got "level bumped" up to 13th level, but you won't be able to play him anymore.
kenobi65 03-09-07, 12:33 PM	There is no need to explain why I play one adventure in Dyvers as a regional game then take my character to another convention and play in a Core game that takes me clear across the world? Nope. The only "explanation" is provided by the fact that Core adventures (as well as Regioinals from other regions) cost your PC more Time Units than do adventures in your home region.
The_Jester 03-11-07, 04:11 PM	There is no need to explain why I play one adventure in Dyvers as a regional game then take my character to another convention and play in a Core game that takes me clear across the world? That's strictly in-character. As each adventure is written independently the writers assume everyone is there and likely knows everyone they're playing with. Otherwise each and every module would have to start with a lengthy intro... If you like you can make a backstory explaining why your PC is traveling. Searching for gold and glory seems to be the big ones. But I have a character who moved outside his homeland to find a way of... er... aborting his pregnancy and saving his life (long story involving a regional adventure). It can get abit screwy, especially when you play games back-to-back. In the morning you're in Dyvers and in the evening traveling through the Pomarj. In theory, a week or so has passed between adventures but sometimes you need to stretch logic abit.
bitznarf 03-11-07, 09:52 PM	It can get abit screwy, especially when you play games back-to-back. In the morning you're in Dyvers and in the evening traveling through the Pomarj. In theory, a week or so has passed between adventures but sometimes you need to stretch logic abit. Never mind the mods that take a month of travelling to get to the Land of Black Ice, then a month back. All in 2 TU.
kenobi65 03-11-07, 11:35 PM	Never mind the mods that take a month of travelling to get to the Land of Black Ice, then a month back. All in 2 TU. Yes, that one was one of my favorites. Because you get 52 TUs in a year, and there's 52 weeks in a year, a lot of people assume that 1 TU = 1 week, and that system obviously breaks down in adventures like the one you mention. (Get from my home region, to Greyhawk, to the Land of Black Ice, and home again, in 2 weeks. Right. :) ) TUs are a semi-abstract way to measure your PC's opportunities to adventure. Think about them more concretely, and you'll get a headache.
DM_Yukon 03-12-07, 11:03 AM	You all suggested for starting out 1st level characters to look for APL2 games. However, I'm finding numerous ones that still say APL2-12 as is the suggested 1-15 levels. I would be within 3 of the lowest APL as it's 2, but if everyone else is around level 8, wouldn't that pretty much eliminate me out of that game just because I'm 7 levels below?
taylorj 03-12-07, 11:07 AM	You all suggested for starting out 1st level characters to look for APL2 games. However, I'm finding numerous ones that still say APL2-12 as is the suggested 1-15 levels. I would be within 3 of the lowest APL as it's 2, but if everyone else is around level 8, wouldn't that pretty much eliminate me out of that game just because I'm 7 levels below? Weirdly, there is no restriction on how far you can play up. You can't play DOWN more than 3 levels, but you can play up as far as you want. Though really you should probably try and convince everyone to make new level 1s. :P
catsclaw 03-12-07, 11:21 AM	You all suggested for starting out 1st level characters to look for APL2 games. However, I'm finding numerous ones that still say APL2-12 as is the suggested 1-15 levels. I would be within 3 of the lowest APL as it's 2, but if everyone else is around level 8, wouldn't that pretty much eliminate me out of that game just because I'm 7 levels below?Yes. Finding a game is a matter of: 1) Finding players with characters around your level 2) Finding a mod that accommodates them There are a lot of mods that have a really wide band of possible APLs (as the APL 2-12 you mention does). In general, most have smaller bands (APL 2-6, or 6-12, seem fairly common). Usually people advertising for a game will mention the APL they're trying to put together; most LG players will have more than one character, so they can choose what character to bring to a particular module. Another possibility is to look for intro mods in your area. They're specifically written for level 1 characters, and thus guarantee everyone will be at the same level.
DM_Yukon 03-12-07, 11:55 AM	I plan on re-reading the LG rulebook, but I guess I have overlooked the area talking about what defines the combat role breakdown. With tank, calvary, light infantry, archer, arcane caster, etc. It sounds like a cross between the Civil War army and World of Warcraft. With Warhorn's site, they ask that you just select a combat role. Is it just using common sense to match best what your character is to the list?
kenobi65 03-12-07, 11:56 AM	Usually people advertising for a game will mention the APL they're trying to put together; most LG players will have more than one character, so they can choose what character to bring to a particular module. Yup. Generally, most people who play LG frequently have several PCs, at a variety of levels, so they can cover playing at most APLs. If you meet someone who has an 8th level LG PC, odds are very high that he's also one or more PCs at lower levels. While some players will want to play a particular character of theirs in a particular module (e.g., I want to play Joe the Barbarian because I played him in the first three modules in this series), it's usually not too difficult to find players willing to switch characters in order to make a table at a particular APL, especially if its a bigger convention or game day, with multiple tables going off for that module.
kenobi65 03-12-07, 12:00 PM	I plan on re-reading the LG rulebook, but I guess I have overlooked the area talking about what defines the combat role breakdown. With tank, calvary, light infantry, archer, arcane caster, etc. It sounds like a cross between the Civil War army and World of Warcraft. With Warhorn's site, they ask that you just select a combat role. Is it just using common sense to match best what your character is to the list? Yup. The "combat roles" on Warhorn don't precisely match to character classes, and they aren't defined in the LGCS; it's pretty much a Warhorn phenomenon, and is used for helping to build a balanced table. Just pick which one you think best describes your character. Tank is generally going to be a high AC melee fighter. Cavalry is generally going to be a mounted combat specialist. Light infantry is a meleer without a very high AC (most barbarians and TWF rangers likely fit here, as would some rogues).
UMiskatonic 03-12-07, 02:27 PM	but if everyone else is around level 8, wouldn't that pretty much eliminate me out of that game just because I'm 7 levels below? Yes, this is a possible problem. However, this only really causes problems when you play a game in someone's living room. Even then, it's much more likely that those players will put away their 8th level characters, and get out THEIR 1st level characters. No rule says you can only have one character. I've got 7, and I can play at whatever APL. At a convention, there will be enough people to form multiple tables. So, the 10-14th level guys sit together, the 6-8th level guys sit together, and so on down the line. You'll get squeezed out of the 8th level game (which is good), and pushed down to play with the 1s, 2s, and 3s. That's where you want to be anyway. Over the long run, sometimes (now) you'll be the rookie, playing with some more experienced characters. You'll also be the veteran sometimes, playing down with lower-level characters. This can happen as early as 3rd level, if you play down to APL 2 with a bunch of 1st level characters.
qstor 03-12-07, 03:25 PM	If you're in the Dyvers region and plan on playing Living Greyhawk, you might want to post on the Dyvers Yahoo! Groups list for Introductory modules. These are for 1st level PCs only and are a good way to get your character started. If you're going to a Living Greyhawk convention in the area. The organizer might have some available for play as well. Mike
DM_Yukon 03-13-07, 02:22 AM	Well I'm actually in the Bandit Kingdoms in Oklahoma. But the convention is in Kansas, so most of the games are Dyvers. So far, I haven't gotten much of a response from the Bandit Kingdom Yahoo groups website yet... Hopefully I get a hello sometime haha
Mithreinmaethor 03-13-07, 06:35 AM	There are 2 conventions in the Bandit Kingdoms region in the next month. One is in College Station, TX (Aggiecon Marxh 22nd thru 25th) the other is in Tulsa, OK (Abiscon April 13th thru 15th) Both are offering Intros from the Bandit Kingdoms region. And I am not sure where you are in OK but we play some what regularly here in Wichita, Ks Wichitalivinggreyhawk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
DM_Yukon 03-13-07, 02:30 PM	Yah I'm in Tulsa. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the one here in town next month, but I am going to Aggie Con next week without fail. I haven't missed that for six or seven years now. The crap thing about Aggie Con is that the gaming guru in charge at the con isn't going to post scheduling til who knows when (it's 10 days away and they still haven't post the entire gaming schedule yet). They have posted Warhorn RPGA already. Too many have signed up already and cranked the APL in most of those games. The one Intro on the schedule may conflict with the games I'm running (won't know until they post my games) so I'm SOL. hahaha But it's like this every year, so it's nothing new. You guys driving down from Wichita to Aggie?
kenobi65 03-13-07, 02:33 PM	They have posted Warhorn RPGA already. Too many have signed up already and cranked the APL in most of those games. The one Intro on the schedule may conflict with the games I'm running (won't know until they post my games) so I'm SOL. hahaha What people sign up with on Warhorn, and what actually happens at the con, may or may not bear any similarity to one another. :D
Mithreinmaethor 03-13-07, 03:25 PM	Yes there are 4 of us coming down. And will be there from the 1st slot to the last. And I am playing my 2nd level fighter at 6 of the 8 slots I am signed up for. So there should be plenty of low level tables around.
DM_Yukon 03-13-07, 03:29 PM	Well that's extremely encouraging to hear. I'll have my noober level guy with me and see what game I can get into. Honestly compared to the gaming selection from last year, RPGA could really save the rpg's at Aggie Con. Last year was pathetic. My Deadlands game was one of the only regular rpgs that seemed to be run. Looking forward to trying RPGA. Generally do you find that the players are more serious about getting the adventure done than just dorking around? Most of the games I run it seems the players are there just to have fun and goof off and maybe get through the session alive. I'd like a group that played their character a little more serious
catsclaw 03-13-07, 04:00 PM	Generally do you find that the players are more serious about getting the adventure done than just dorking around? Most of the games I run it seems the players are there just to have fun and goof off and maybe get through the session alive. I'd like a group that played their character a little more seriousIn my experience, the RPGA games are more goal-oriented than the usual pick-up games you'll find at cons. Since you get experience and gold for completing the mod, most players will curtail the role-playing and goofing around if they think it'll prevent the group from finishing. The extreme example of this is the Specials, which have a reputation for being a combat meatgrinder, high on tactics, low on character interaction. If you play one, just remember to find a solid group, play down rather than up, and bring your A game.
Cardinal Teplin 03-14-07, 03:20 PM	Try this site: http://www.tassek.anang.com/creation.html It's my local group's page for how to create a character for LG. Written for people who may not be familiar with AD&D, so much of it you will already know, but it does cover every step of character creation, including rules particular to LG. Most LG games are very goal-orientated. If you don't finish the mod in the time allowed, you don't get the rewards at the end. This happens often, so be prepared for the DM to hurry you along if things are flagging. Most cons have plenty of games for low-level characters. Sites like Warhorn fill up with high level characters precisely because they are the ones that otherwise might not be able to get a table together to play. Many players will be happy to offer advice on how to survive in the world of LG. Sometimes, they'll be right.:P About the only advice I can offer is be prepared to fulfill more than one role. It's not usual to end up on a table with no healing, or no front-line fighter, but it's not impossible either. On that basis, it might be an idea to prepare more than one character, so you can just play whichever makes you more popular at the table.