After reading through all the loving missives about the Boxed Editions over at Black Dougal, I started thinking about how that rule framework could be embellished for flavor. I am already one of those DMs that allowed Basic to be broadened by spell, item, and monster lists from AD&D volumes. I even figured out a way one of my players could transform into a Bard at Expert level. Anyway, my current idea is to alter the use of magic, creating a different approach for the races of Man, Elf, and Dvergar (yes, even the Dwarves have a few tricks, they are just as mythical as the pointy-ears). Personally, this notion seems a lot more fun than splitting magic into class or school subsets.

By summer's end, I'm hoping to finish a succinct Fantasy RPG of my own. The mechanics will be purposefully simple, with more effort geared towards illustrations, my sharper skill. In a way, it will be a tribute to the type of graphic design seen in pulp fanzines and the old TSR Box Sets. Ideally, the electronic release will have two versions: a free rulebook with character sheet, and a modestly priced gazette complete with inked art of places, characters, items and monsters.

Naturally, I'd prefer to have a veteran group of gamers test the infant system before investing hours at the drawing table. For them, I would offer inclusion not only in the dedication, but also in the visuals. Basically, each playtester would receive a drawing of their character, and star in the gazette version. I even promise not to make them ugly dolts like those recurring PCs in the 3.5E D&D books. The testing would only be a modest mix of adventuring and discussion (via Skype perhaps). This stage is still months away, but any readers/webring cohorts interested in a sword & sorcery project can move to the front of the line.

Presenting the last map made for my Tajamul Islands, a dungeon crawl designed to prepare players for grander adventures on the Greyhawk mainland. The layout combines a cave system (for the actual mining) and a Dwarven stronghold with three sections.

Origin: Before the Southern Ostian Quake, this vast facility was known as the Gravenklaau Mine, a venture sponsored by the Archmage Ixtandraz (his identity before I included him in my FO article). He brought a regiment of evil dwarves here from the other side of the world, to engineer the deep halls and craft enormous metalworks. The dwarves were quick to enslave native humanoids to do the harsher labors. They even imprisoned a DeepSpawn (Monsters of Faerun), which could replenish the ranks of thralls. Over the years, the creature, Zroltozectlo, went insane from the treatment. Ironically, its cell was a safe haven when the quake smashed Gravenklaau.

Note: The chambers of the Bailey and Mine still have functioning magic tiles which radiate light. The trogloclops caves are completely dark except for Area 28.

Restocking your supply of Mountain Dew can wait; spend those nine fine dollars on our latest issue of FIGHT ON instead! Gorge yourself on 88 prandial pages dripping with pure old-school flavor, including a hot-pot of adventure I devised called:

I haven't forgotten about the second island in my micro-Greyhawk Tajamul setting, Ostia Island. The Bailiff of Ostia, Iguro the wizard, is an NPC you can find in the pages of FIGHT ON!, along with details on his ziggurat fort. However, he is not alone in the jungle, townsfolk live within nearby ruins...

Origin: In my campaign, the overgrown Temple of Sakti-Suln was the military base the Yuan-Ti launched all waterborne raids from. Often, their attack rafts were joined by a gargantuan lake serpent, which the reptiles worshipped as a protector spirit. Eventually, as the ziggurats in the hills fell, the temple couldn't be defended from all fronts. The courtyard still shows where large pyres burned the bodies of Yuan-Ti and Lizardman dead.
Travel: Small vessels can sail from the sea into the NW part of Sakti Lake. Watchtowers along the channel keep any visiting ships under surveillance The waters around the temple aren't deep enough for direct offloading. The upper section of lake is where Iguro's ship, The Invincible, anchors.
The Jungle: Much denser than the vegetation on Tajamul, the Ostian Jungle is like a beast that can't be subdued. Ruins that have only been visited by birds and snakes are within, along with monsters even the Yuan-Ti feared.
Iguro's Road: Persons going to the Bailiff's Ziggurat must take a boat from the Sakti Barbican to this short lane. Guards march from the lakeshore to the fort and back, escorting guests and keeping vigils.