This is a blog that will record my thoughts on an upcoming Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) sandbox-style megadungeon campaign set in the setting illustrated in The Halls of Arden Vul, published by Expeditious Retreat Press.

    The goal of the campaign will be to run one mainly aligned with the principles set out in Muster: A Primer for War an “introduction to the particular ethos and technique of playing D&D as a wargame, a kriegsspiel.”

    During the campaign, I, acting as the “Judge” (DM, GM, Referee), will attempt, hopefully with the assistance of the players, to abide by the Three Cornerstones as outlined in Muster:

    1. Neutral Referee

The Game Master is a referee; their task is to prepare a challenging scenario and conduct it fairly to whatever outcome. Teaching the rules, and adjudicating the events. The referee does not have a plan for what will happen in the game. They do not play favourites, they do not cheat the rules, and they will, ultimately, share in the celebration or commiseration of the outcome. A referee who is not responsible for outcomes leaves room for the other players to have real agency.

    2. Real Achievement

This is a game of skill and daring, played against quantifiable adversity. It’s not a theatrical show; you’re not playacting inside the Game Master’s planned story. Naturally, this means that losses are real as well. Exhilarating to avoid, depressing to face. But you learn from them, because they are real. Real achievement, real pride, real learning and real sportsmanship are only possible when the game is real.

    3. Simulation Rules

The game is a conflict simulation, its purpose to shed light to how things work; teach reality, use reality. It is not a boardgame, conveniently self-enclosed and fair. Players maneuver against the imagined scenario and how it should work. The referee exists to apply and adapt the rules to reflect the scenario. The ideal of simulating a reality, even a fantastic one, is always an aspiration and a compromise between gameability and insight. The game treads a golden mean to capture anything real while remaining fun and fluid. The right mechanical tools for the task depend on the group’s developing skills and interests.

    To facilitate the above, I have implemented the following game structure, also taken from Muster:

  1. Quick character generation through automated tables in Foundry VTT.
  2. No backstories. More than 2-sentence backstories are discouraged.
  3. Start at first level, always. Anything else skews perspective.
  4. Character death is a necessity. It keeps the game honest.
  5. Use of character stables. Players can make as many new characters as they like.
  6. XP is goal-based, only granted for gold. 1gp = 1xp.
  7. XP is consistent and serious. It is respected as a sign of achievement. There will be no pity points.
  8. There is no balance. Players may retreat if they wish.
  9. No cheating. I will not fudge anything, ever.