W.I.P.: The Goblets & Grues Virtual Box Set

EDIT July 1, 2021: I have updated this post to reflect slight changes to the project as it has progressed.

If you want to support the development of the G&G Virtual Box Set, please consider paying-what-you-want for Squires Errant over on itch.io.

Version 3.0 of Squires is mechanically identical to the current draft of Expert G&G, but it uses a simple class system instead of d66 packages of starting equipment.

Onward With the Post, Then...

I recently decided that I want to release all my little D&D-a-like projects as part of one package. I’m calling it a Virtual Box Set because I listened to Chris McDowall’s interview of Chris Bissette and I thought: “Oh, huh, box sets sound nice.”

Here’s what I’m currently planning to include.

A Pair of Games

Goblets & Grues, an FKR-inspired game. There is a real-time limit to recover a treasure, after which your lantern goes out and you are likely to be... well, you know. Based largely on Adventure Hour.

Expert Goblets & Grues, a more OSR game. No time limit; instead, there is a simplified random encounter procedure and you have a limited number of heals. Based largely on Into the Odd / Electric Bastionland.

You can view the current (untested) drafts of both games at the links above. The only thing missing is the starting equipment table that both games will share. The icons are by Delapouite from game-icons.net.

The intent of both games is to introduce new players to dungeoncrawling as easily as possible. Basic G&G might be enough for many players, but sometimes you want a dungeon with more than 12 rooms or combat with just a little more crunch. Or maybe you just want to roll all the funny dice!

A Pair of Dungeons

I’ve already printed out a small Dyson Logos map for Basic G&G’s starter dungeon and penciled in the contents of the rooms.

Will either do the same thing for Advanced G&G’s starter dungeon, or generate something random on Donjon.

A Setting in Brief

Setting map in progress
Setting map in progress.

An accursed kingdom, trapped in the middle ages and ruled by vampires. An industrial port city that attracts all manner of adventurers.

A forest conquered by crusaders, a desert where wizards hide. Dragons in the northwest mountains, dinosaurs in a peninsular jungle to the southeast.

Nothing fancy; just something to set a light-hearted tone and fire up the imaginations of new players and referees.

Extra Stuff

A supplement for AG&G with rules for playing as a wizard. Character sheets. Some advice for referees and GMs. Downloadable Word documents for easy hacking.

This is all just a plan, for now. It’s all subject to change. But it is a plan I’m pretty happy with.

Let me know what you think!

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