What is ACS?
Action for Carers Surrey is a registered charity. We are here to help unpaid carers of all ages, right across Surrey, with information, support and advice.
We exist to help Surrey’s unpaid carers, aged 5-99, giving advice, support, practical help, information, and a little time out, to help people feel more in control of their lives and less alone.
ACS provides support in various ways and one of these ways is by organising 'hubs'.
Hubs are locations throughout Surrey where unpaid carers can meet up for 'coffee & chat' to exchange stories, provide and ask for advice and generally talk, vent and of course - drink coffee! (Tea also included!)
One of these hubs takes place every 2nd & 4th Wednesday morning at the Addlestone Community Centre.
Once the meeting is over, several participants head over to local board gaming café Do Or Dice who generously allows them to take up some table space to enjoy some therapeutic arts & craft.
As someone who goes to the hubs and who is also known for being a gamer, A few weeks ago I with them at Do Or Dice.
"You know, since this is a boat gaming café, you should do some D&D!" I said.
"Okay" came the reply.
Challenge excepted!
Hubs are locations throughout Surrey where unpaid carers can meet up for 'coffee & chat' to exchange stories, provide and ask for advice and generally talk, vent and of course - drink coffee! (Tea also included!)
One of these hubs takes place every 2nd & 4th Wednesday morning at the Addlestone Community Centre.
Once the meeting is over, several participants head over to local board gaming café Do Or Dice who generously allows them to take up some table space to enjoy some therapeutic arts & craft.
As someone who goes to the hubs and who is also known for being a gamer, A few weeks ago I with them at Do Or Dice.
"You know, since this is a boat gaming café, you should do some D&D!" I said.
"Okay" came the reply.
Challenge excepted!
What is D&D?
|
D&D is the world's first and original Role Playing Game and is all about heroically exploring mystical and magical worlds in search for glory, fame and of course, gold!
Specifically, the version of D&D we're using is the Basic BECMI version - BECMI means; Basic, Expert, Companion, Masters, Immortals and is also known 'Mentzer' or 'Red Box' D&D. It was initially released in 1983 and is the version shown on Stranger Things (I believe). It's also the first RPG I ever bought almost exactly 40 years ago in 1986 on the August bank holiday at The Guildford Town Show of all places! |
|
However, due to circumstances, I ended up running completely different games back then and while I've played a couple of flavours of D&D over the decades. I'd never played or run the Red Box until now. Meaning this is also a first for me!
I've decided to start with the scenarios presented in the Dungeon Master's guide.
I've decided to start with the scenarios presented in the Dungeon Master's guide.
The ACS ladies of D&D
Generally, when novice players approach a role playing game for the first time, it's because they've found an interest in it. This means typically they'll have checked RPGS out at least a little, read something online, watched some videos etc and will have a general inkling on what they're looking for.
In this case however, I basically 'foisted' it on the players. This means they have almost no expectation of what to err.... expect! One player mentioned having seen it referenced on Big Bang Theory but that was about it.
It meant that I got a fairly wide spread of responses from the 5 players that participated: One player seemed seriously interested and was asking very pertinent questions about their character sheet and rules while another bounced hard off of the dice rolling conventions, maths and rules. One player I discovered was a big fan of Lord of the Rings books and I loosely managed to convey it to her in terms related to that.
The other 2 were fairly happy-go-lucky and were content to roll with it.
I relayed the rules briefly to them but they decided to not waste time and jump in pretty much straight away.
In this case however, I basically 'foisted' it on the players. This means they have almost no expectation of what to err.... expect! One player mentioned having seen it referenced on Big Bang Theory but that was about it.
It meant that I got a fairly wide spread of responses from the 5 players that participated: One player seemed seriously interested and was asking very pertinent questions about their character sheet and rules while another bounced hard off of the dice rolling conventions, maths and rules. One player I discovered was a big fan of Lord of the Rings books and I loosely managed to convey it to her in terms related to that.
The other 2 were fairly happy-go-lucky and were content to roll with it.
I relayed the rules briefly to them but they decided to not waste time and jump in pretty much straight away.
Roster of Heroes
Player: Ashu.
Character: Radagast the magic-user. |
Player: Babs.
Character: Rohorim the dwarf. |
Player: Rose
Character: Athlema the fighter. |
Player: Sarah.
Character: Jackie the halfling. |
Player: Stef.
Character: Legolas the elf. |
It's Wednesday 12th August and time for session one of ACS D&D!
Session One
Well met at the Gold Dragon.... maybe?
A hazy sun lingering over a western horizon and lengthening shadows announced the onset of night while a deepening sky crept from the east. Even so, the summer heat persisted over Threshold, the clustering of stout buildings that constituted the rugged settlement so named for its location on the limits of civilisation, where the Realm of Man crossed into unknown wilds.
A hazy sun lingering over a western horizon and lengthening shadows announced the onset of night while a deepening sky crept from the east. Even so, the summer heat persisted over Threshold, the clustering of stout buildings that constituted the rugged settlement so named for its location on the limits of civilisation, where the Realm of Man crossed into unknown wilds.
|
The focal point of Threshold was the Gold Dragon Inn, a sturdy construction of weathered oak reinforced by brick and iron, the gathering place for locals, surrounding farmers and ambitious young adventures drawn by the fleeting promise of riches.
Like most evenings, the interior bustled with revellers, energetic chat and bursts of merry sing-song flittered across a common room lit by an engorged fireplace and spluttering torches. In was here that the five had met at the long table surrounded by food and beer. It was here talk of a ruined castle named Mistamere, a long dead king, of glittering treasure and of lurking monsters came to their ears. It was here they had first heard the name Bargle, uttered in hushed and wicked tones through gritted teeth. The villainous wizard had but days ago slain the well-like local cleric Aleena. |
At the Gold Dragon Inn.
|
Now the rulers of Threshold were promising a thousand gold coin bounty for his head.
Having perhaps imbued a few pints too many, the five dared and goaded each other into exploring Mistamere and following a discussion and some arguing between Rohorim and Legolas an agreement was reached - sort of! The five would set out in the morning to the ruins, although Legolas was certain that she could head there at night alone.
"I'm an elf, I can handle it," stated Legolas, although she was persuaded to wait until morning.
Having perhaps imbued a few pints too many, the five dared and goaded each other into exploring Mistamere and following a discussion and some arguing between Rohorim and Legolas an agreement was reached - sort of! The five would set out in the morning to the ruins, although Legolas was certain that she could head there at night alone.
"I'm an elf, I can handle it," stated Legolas, although she was persuaded to wait until morning.
Someone takes a tumble!
|
Athlema in the mean time had decided to hold off drinking and had instead bought a round for the other four, hoping to pry information out of their inebriated states.
After this, Rohorim paced the common room, the dwarf knew there would a trapdoor somewhere that led down into the cellar. Beyond that there would gold. She was sure. Legolas watched Rohorim stomp about and frustrated at being stymied in her attempt to leave, cast a Sleep spell on the dwarf. 'Did Legolas hex me?' Was Rohorim's final sleepy thought as a blackness seeped into the edges of her vision, she toppled over and slid into oblivion, fast asleep on the floor! It wasn't the first time and most assuredly wouldn't be the last! |
Sometime later Rohorim woke. The common room was unusually quiet and gloomy even. The fireplace had dimmed to fading embers that cast a orange hue over the empty room, Rohorim could see the chairs had been put on the tables. The inn had closed for the night and she had been left there as everyone had retired to their rooms.
"That elf is gonna get it" muttered the dwarf bitterly under her breath before clambering to her feet, dusting herself off and heading for her own lodgings.
"That elf is gonna get it" muttered the dwarf bitterly under her breath before clambering to her feet, dusting herself off and heading for her own lodgings.
Onward to Mistamere
The night's excesses had not dampened the enthusiasm of the five heroes: A misty dawn greeted them as they rose early and took the trail to Mistamere out of a subdued Threshold under a rosy golden sky that marked the coming day. Soon the early sun had burned away the fog, revealing wide swathes of tilled land dotted with distant farmsteads and stretches of swaying crops and greenery.
The night's excesses had not dampened the enthusiasm of the five heroes: A misty dawn greeted them as they rose early and took the trail to Mistamere out of a subdued Threshold under a rosy golden sky that marked the coming day. Soon the early sun had burned away the fog, revealing wide swathes of tilled land dotted with distant farmsteads and stretches of swaying crops and greenery.
|
Soon, the gravelly old trail had brought them to the outskirts of Castle Mistamere.
Set against the backdrop of a looming blue-grey, cloud-topped mountain was the ruined Castle. Mostly obscured by a decrepit high wall which ran the perimeter of the courtyard, there was little to see from where the five stood other that clusters of stone that had fallen from the wall. The trail led to an unmanned open gateway into the courtyard, it's remaining centuries old fallen door lying flat on the grass close by. Other than that, a ten foot gap in the eastern wall seemed like the only way to gain access. Walking forward, the five heroes noticed a flicker of movement beneath the fallen door and stopped. Some discussion followed, some wanted to investigate, others wanting to ignore it entirely and head for the castle - 'for that's where the gold was'. |
Arrival at Castle Mistamere.
|
There could be trouble ahead?
|
Sick of the bickering, Radagast decided to approach the fallen door. As the wizard drew closer she saw the edge of a hole visible beyond the lip of the door. Cautiously Radagast, crept closer.
Abruptly, a serpentine form surged from the darkness, turning to face the hapless magic-user. A baleful glint in its eye. It was monstrous! Radagast could see the enormous creature possessed a mess of tentacles surrounding its vicious mouth that undulated unsettlingly as it rose up and lunged! The entire company had been caught off-guard and could but stand and watch as hit struck Radagast. The wizard felt a momentary creeping dizziness, her vision darkened and fatigue threatened to overwhelm her but sheer willpower staved off this weird sensation. |
|
The monster's speed astounded and before the heroes could react, it struck Radagast a second blow. Again the wizard felt the strange sensation and somehow managed to resist its effect.
Gripping her sword, Leoglas charged in swinging and attacked with a yell but alas, the blow simply skittered off the beast's leathery hide. Jackie held back, electing to take a shot with her bow, the arrow went well wide of the mark. Rohorim meanwhile, had been calculating. 'There must surely be treasure beyond the monster' and so dwarf chose to ignore the fray and charged past, running for the open gateway and the riches on the other side. Alas it was not to be, as Rohorim neared the gateway, a pair of hitherto unseen doors suddenly swung shut in her face! |
"The gold's all mine!"
|
DENIED!!
|
Meanwhile; the fighting continued.
Unhappy to risk being so close to the monster, Radagast struck it with a Magic Missile's spell's unerring attack, then Jackie managed to land a fatal shot on it. The creature crumpled to the ground, unmoving. Joined by a disappointed Rohorim, the heroes took stock of the situation. They had heard of this creature and knew it as a carrion crawler. With some exertion, they managed to shift the fallen door, revealing the hole beneath. There was some discussion but ultimately Legolas clambered down the hole; her elven eyes an advantage in the dark. Quickly Legolas found tunnel's end and there, covered in glittering coin, the skeletal remains of some small, dog-faced creature. 'A kobold' Legolas reasoned while searching. |
Mistamere awaits....
|
There was an abundance of copper and silver coins here as well as a handful of gems. Slyly, Legolas pocketed all the treasure before returning to the surface, omitting to mention to the others what she had found!
End of Episode One
Final thoughts
So that's session one finished and I think it went pretty well. The session lasted for just under 2 hours but there was a bit of setup before we started that should be avoided next time.
I think in hindsight I didn't quite describe some of the concepts of TTRPGS clearly enough, it probably got skipped because the players just wanted to start playing. It explains why they sort of thought it was PvP at the start and weren't quite sure what they could do initially.
Also; because this is old-school D&D, high numbers are sometimes good and sometimes bad which is something they'll have to get used to.
I also haven't explained anything about XP or levelling. I'm sure they'll find that interesting
On a personal note; running BECMI for the first time was also interesting. On a basic level, the rules hold up - albeit with a little tinkering and house-ruling from me but the layout is pretty dated.
E.g., having the cost, damage and encumbrance of weapons on 3 separate pages was a pain.
The presentation of the introductory scenario is also a little bloated in my opinion. It consists of 3 parts, outside the castle, level 1 and level 2.
We've only gone through half of part 1 but it consists of 2 encounters broken into about 20 'sub-chapters' and I found myself having to resist skimming them. This may have been due to me not being a beginner, it's hard to say how a novice GM would handle it.
The players seemed to enjoy it and are looking forward to the next session in 2 weeks. They took to the game quite well I feel, having a mix of humour, banter and imagination that belongs in a D&D game. I think they'll settle in quite well and I enjoyed it. I'm definitely interested in seeing where this goes.
I think in hindsight I didn't quite describe some of the concepts of TTRPGS clearly enough, it probably got skipped because the players just wanted to start playing. It explains why they sort of thought it was PvP at the start and weren't quite sure what they could do initially.
Also; because this is old-school D&D, high numbers are sometimes good and sometimes bad which is something they'll have to get used to.
I also haven't explained anything about XP or levelling. I'm sure they'll find that interesting
On a personal note; running BECMI for the first time was also interesting. On a basic level, the rules hold up - albeit with a little tinkering and house-ruling from me but the layout is pretty dated.
E.g., having the cost, damage and encumbrance of weapons on 3 separate pages was a pain.
The presentation of the introductory scenario is also a little bloated in my opinion. It consists of 3 parts, outside the castle, level 1 and level 2.
We've only gone through half of part 1 but it consists of 2 encounters broken into about 20 'sub-chapters' and I found myself having to resist skimming them. This may have been due to me not being a beginner, it's hard to say how a novice GM would handle it.
The players seemed to enjoy it and are looking forward to the next session in 2 weeks. They took to the game quite well I feel, having a mix of humour, banter and imagination that belongs in a D&D game. I think they'll settle in quite well and I enjoyed it. I'm definitely interested in seeing where this goes.
