On Google+, Brendan S asked for an article about sandbox play for someone with no sandbox experience. I thought of the intro page I wrote for my own campaigns, back in 2012. Sadly it doesn’t talk too much about sandbox play. It’s also the first page of my Halberds and Helmets house rules.
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https://alexschroeder.ch/pics/6985816535_f066c5449b_m.jpg
https://alexschroeder.ch/pics/6985816535_f066c5449b_m.jpg
We play **classic D&D** with rules from the early eighties. This is not a Monty Haul campaign and not a stupid dungeon crawl. If at all, we explore a nightmarish mythical underworld.
The rules offer *very little mechanics*: there aren’t many classes to choose from, no feats, no skills, no prestige classes and hardly any special abilities. Furthermore, elves, dwarves and other demihumans are simply separate classes. There are no elven thieves of dwarven mages. On the other hand, missing rules also leave *a lot of freedom* for players. The characters are as diplomatic, friendly or intimidating as the players want them to be. There are no rules governing it.
We’ll add rules as time passes. Discovering and befriending intelligent humanoids, for example, will allow you to hire them and eventually to play them. Certain magic-users can teach player characters new spells, too.
We’re playing in a sandbox. There is *no planned ending* for the campaign. The actions of player characters determines the directions the campaign grows in.
You learn of *rumors* from travelers in taverns, merchants at markets, sailors at harbors, books in libraries or sages in their ivory towers. This information gained is not always accurate or complete. Use these rumors to add new locations to your map and determine your goals in-game.
Players determine where the campaign will head. If player characters investigate rumors and locations, I will develop the game world in that direction. The harder you look, the more there is to see.
Dangers are not adapted to the strength of the party. Generally speaking it’s safer near civilized settlements. The further you move into the wilderness, the more dangerous it is. That’s how *players control the risks they want to take*.
Preparation and experience should help you avoid situations where your character’s survival depends on a single die roll. If you’re rolling dice, it’s already too late. *A saving throw is your last chance* to survive due to luck and experience. Ideally you would never have to roll dice because you’re well informed and equipment. Perseus didn’t have to save against the medusa’s petrifying gaze because *he was well prepared*.
#RPG #Sandbox
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I’m still thinking about the exact wording. Perhaps the following would work better? It looses a reprise of the “players determine the course of the campaign” theme but then again, Brendan also suggested less than three paragraphs and I still haven’t reduced it down to two.
“We’re playing in a sandbox. You learn of *rumors* from travelers in taverns, merchants at markets, sailors at harbors, books in libraries or sages in their ivory towers. This information is not always accurate or complete. Use these rumors to add new locations to your map and *determine your goals in-game*.
There is *no planned ending* for the campaign. The actions of player characters determines the direction the campaign will take. If player characters investigate rumors and locations, I will develop the game world in that direction. *The harder you look, the more there is to see*.
Dangers are not adapted to the strength of the party. Generally speaking it’s safer near civilized settlements. The further you move into the wilderness, the more dangerous it is. That’s how *players control the risks they want to take*.”
– Alex Schroeder 2015-11-30 09:42 UTC
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OK, one more try:
“We’re playing in a sandbox. Dangers are not adapted to the strength of the party. Generally speaking it’s safer near civilized settlements. The further you move into the wilderness, the more dangerous it is. That’s how *players control the risks they want to take*.
You learn of rumors from travelers in taverns, merchants at markets, sailors at harbors, books in libraries or sages in their ivory towers. This information is not always accurate or complete. Use these rumors to add new locations, goals and quests to your map. The actions of your characters determines the direction the campaign will take. There is no planned ending for the campaign. As long as you keep investigating rumors, exploring locations and following quests, I will keep developing the game world in that direction. *The harder you look, the more there is to see*.”
– Alex Schroeder 2015-11-30 09:48 UTC
