Arbrethil

Adventurers, Conquerors, Kings, and Spreadsheets

[Ben @DungeonNoir]

Do you like D&D B/X? Do you like Chainmail or Warmacine from Rules Cyclopdedia or AD&D 2E Birthright?

Then I think you would like The Adventurer Conqueror King System from @autarch.

Currently the system is in it's second edition and the current Kickstarter is for the elf sourcebook (the dwarf book was the best dwarf book, ever).

But besides elves, the "Before All Others" Kickstarter is special for the inclusion of one special stretch goal.

The $150K stretch goal, which will unlock the Bitter War mini-campaign.

"The Bitter War was a terrible war waged between the dwarves and elves over two thousand years before the founding of the Auran Empire. Largely unknown to Imperial military historians until the publication of Sürcaneus of Cyfaraun's Cyclopedia of Dwarven Civilization, the Bitter War left scars that have never healed - and secrets that have never been revealed."

Given the great size and scale of the Bitter War, it would be impossible to simulate with most RPG systems. But ACKS II is specifically designed to allow players to wage wars like kings. If we reach the Bitter War stretch goals, that's just what we'll do.

If we hit the $150,000 stretch goal, then every High Lord, King, and High King backer, plus a random selection of other backers will be invited to participate in a Bitter War mini-tournament. IF WE HIT THE $200,000 STRETCH GOAL, every backer will be invited to participate in a Bitter War mega-tournament.

EVERY BACKER!

We only have 5 days left to make $77,949. Can we do it? I think we can!

Can you imagine nearly 1000 backers fighting in the bitterest of Bitter Wars?!

"We will be using the Domains at War: Battles rules to fight the battles out on tabletop - but we don't expect everyone to come to our living room to play with miniatures. That's why we will fight the Bitter War using the upcoming virtual tabletop wargame."

Here is the best version of the online program they will use to run this war: https://t.co/QKHQl7qrds

And here is a link to the excellent "Before all Others" Kickstarter: https://t.co/fICXl9az0m

Won't you support our war?

[Arbrethil @Arbrethil]

@LichDM8 @archon Cicero, actually! Foremost among Roman orators.

[Alexander Macris @archon]

Courtesy of @Arbrethil on the Autarch Discord

[Arbrethil @Arbrethil]

Orators and poets FTW #ACKS #ACKSII

[Alexander Macris @archon]

I didn't read him as writing a critiques of ACKS, I read him stating that he believes Braunstein play is superior to conventional RPG play? People just get worked up over the BrOSR's assertive style.

To use an automobile analogy: @Bdubs1776 starts by saying ACKS is the best-designed sports car on the market for motor track racing. That's very kind. He then argues that off-roading is so much more fun than track racing that off-roading in a crappy old pick-up is better than racing, even if you get to drive ACKS. OK, that's his opinion. Therefore, he says, if you want to drive ACKS, you should raise the chassis and put on offroad tires, and drive it offroad. Perhaps he is sad I didn't design it that way out of the gate, but he says it's no big deal to do and offers a helpful guide to off-roading.

Me, I agree that ACKS is a well-designed sports car; I agree most people playing ACKS are using it for motor track racing; I agree that ACKS can be modified to do off-roading effectively. I personally disagree that off-roading is always more fun than motor track racing, but I don't think it's my job to argue with my fans about how to best enjoy the game... and I think what the BrOSR is doing is a welcome addition to the hobby, and it's succeeded to the point where some of the ACKS community has expressed interest in Autarch running a large-scale Braunstein for the Great Skysos War. So that's cool.

[ZeroSum716 @ZSum716]

@elonmusk @Grummz May I direct your attention to the proper alternative: @_Autarch_'s Adventurer Conqueror King. #ACKS2

[Bradford C. Walker @MrBCWalker]

New, by me, at the Retreat: The Business: The Only Game Comparable to AD&D1e Gets a 2e

https://t.co/vB6w15zpQM

[Dunder Moose @DunderMoose]

Nope, I was wrong! It took 16 minutes to fully fund! Congrats @archon !!! All aboard the hype train!

#PoplarCrowd #ACKSII

https://t.co/ZzntkDdM9H

[Black Lodge Games @blacklodgegames]

Go back the ACKS II Treasure Tome on Kickstarter and check out our video on why ACKS is D&D done right

https://t.co/d4Zfc0tE1S

[Brigadine @DrakonInvictus]

After 83 sessions over 2 1/2ish years, #Oberholt concludes with a victory for Law over Chaos. You can read about my closing thoughts here: https://t.co/FQaNRN4LfO #brosr #onetrueway #DMneedsabreak

[Arbrethil @Arbrethil]

I'm honestly kind of shocked the Auran Empire doesn't have Amazons yet

[Alexander Macris @archon]

"You must slay the foul wyrm, and I will reward you"

"Ooo is it evil, will the world end, if we don't?!"

"No. I have run out of manly supersize hair care products and Amazon is in another universe"

Art for #ACKS2 by @old_jelly
Wit by Toxic Pixie from Discord

[Arbrethil @Arbrethil]

@KraftyMattKraft Indeed, I found the Silmarillion really more appropriate to a 12-year-old. At 7, one hasn't had the time to properly read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings first.

[RuleOfThule @RuleOfThule]

It is easier for a wheelchair to pass the threshold of the dungeon than for a man unaided to enter into the kingdom of name-level.

[Arbrethil @Arbrethil]

@RuleOfThule This is really interesting, particularly appreciate the outcomes weighted toward the front. I am curious though, how would you explain a result like [1, 1]?

[Arbrethil @Arbrethil]

@pearsesd @Goblinfights Well, it's a long-observed phenomena in gaming that where there are robust rules for something, gameplay follows. If we want thief gameplay, we want thief mechanics. If we want thief mechanics, even if anyone can attempt them, we want a thief class to be their paragon.

[Arbrethil @Arbrethil]

Super interesting. I'd grasped that Agamemnon's theft was a violation of tradition and rights, but this really helps put it in scope.

[Brain Leakage @BrainLeakage03]

I brought up Shay’s ACHILLES IN VIETNAM earlier, but here’s what I mean about him putting the Iliad back into its proper context:

Agamemnon takes away Achilles’ war prize, which was awarded to him because his men voted him the bravest and strongest in the face of the enemy.

1/

[Kodiak @Goblinfights]

ACKS 2 has become old reliable, the rock.

You have questions: it has answers. Infinitely customizable, entirely consistent.

ACKS 2: We have rules (playtested, researched, perfected) for that.

[Arbrethil @Arbrethil]

@pearsesd @Goblinfights In a world with only Fighters, MUs, and Clerics, it's the latter two who will be doing thief-y things best without a proper thief class, and in a limited game like B/X, even with one. Thus, the changes in ACKS II, to give the thief a clear role in an adventuring party.

[Arbrethil @Arbrethil]

@pearsesd @Goblinfights Likewise, Hide in Shadows is nice, but Invisibility is better. A B/X Elf who can see in the dark and make himself Invisible at 3rd level is a better scout than the Thief will ever be, let alone a Fighter with no special abilities in that direction. Or dwarf+MU will do in a pinch!