Working on making my BX/LL Character Record Sheets as complete as possible...

As part of the included items and stretch goals for the BX DM Screen I'm developing, I'm versioning my BX/LL character record sheet to each specific class, and including all the relevant information for each class on the actual record sheet. This is something that a lot of other editions have, but I don't know that I've ever seen for BX/LL. It includes checkboxes for +5%/+10% in the XP area (as well as a space to record hp needed to reach next level), notes on special abilities (e.g., infravision and distances, bonuses to check traps/doors, spaces to put target rolls for Cleric's turning, etc.), the type of HD to be used under the hit point box, notations on prime requisites and experience point bonuses, and other goodies throughout. There's a generic version of course (already available at the link at the beginning of this paragraph). Originally, I was going to leave space for spells; instead, I'm working on separate spell sheets for clerics and MUs/Elves that give space to list each spell's range, duration, area of effect, etc., in addition to provided the spells by level information for those classes.

The idea is that, between these character record sheets and the DM screen itself, you will rarely (if ever) have to reference the rule books during the game (assuming the monster stats have been provided ahead of time, which I try to do in EVERY adventure I write and produce for publication).

Pictured below: top-left) group shot (), top-right) CU of Thief character record sheet showing Thieves' abilities spaces, bottom-left) CU of Thief character record sheet showing "to hit" boxes w/ backstab note & hit point box with indication of die-type, bottom-right) CU of Halfling character record sheet showing item use restrictions.

BX DM Screen Part II

Here's the 2nd set of panels for the BX DM screen I'm working on. The inside left panel has hireling/henchmen recruitment information, including mercenary types and pay, as well as specialist types, salaries, and abilities. The middle panel is movement and encumbrance. And the inside right panel is equipment costs and treasure type information (using my d20-based treasure type table, instead of those damned percentages that make calculating treasure a bitch).

The thing I'm particularly fond of is the outside. I love the way the Arthur Rackham illustrations lined up to create a sort triptych. I just hope the printing holds up based on the type of scan this is. Speaking of...

I've got pricing on doing some digital prints of this (en masse), and my buddy at the print shop is going to run me off a couple of samples to show me the how the cover stock will work on the the digital press, as well as how the scans will hold up in digital format. Hopefully, I'll have those some time later this week. Other than that, it only needs a little bit of proofing before I decide how to proceed with this.

Oh, and to answer a question from the previous post... these are not physical mockups... yet!
These are just computer "renderings" from the final art/layout.





And for quick comparison, here are the first panel layouts...

Making myself a BX+ DM screen. Want one?

In preparation for DM'ing some upcoming BX sessions, I decided I'd put together a DM screen the way I wanted. For example, I've never like having to navigate the three columns on the PC attack tables for class and level; instead, I've always preferred the AD&D approach of "broken out" tables for each class. So I started working on the panels, intending to print them out on my Epson printer and glue them to cardstock. As I was working on them, I was careful about trying not to infringe on copyright or crack the limits of the OGL... just in case.

What I've ended up with are panels with tables that sort of "meld" things between LL and D&D BX+ (the "plus" means I've gone beyond 14th level on some of the tables, heading into BECMI territory). For example, I've tweaked the monster XP rewards table to my liking (rather than strictly using the others). I've done the same with some of the spell charts, thieves abilities, etc. And I've put all the stuff I want in my screen... like item saving throws, an expanded selection of armor types with AC ratings, etc. In a way, it's almost a stand-alone retro-clone. And right now, I'm planning a 2nd 3-panel screen with secondary but needed stuff like weapon and equipment prices, encumbrance information, henchmen/hireling recruitment, retainer costs, a treasure type table, and movement stuff (e.g., evasion and wilderness terrain effects).



So what's the point of telling you all this, and showing you this beautiful mockup of the first half of my work on the screens? Well, I know there was a Labyrinth Lord screen Kickstarter a while back, but I wanted to see what you thought about something like this "expanded" BX DM screen (that is, two 3-panel pieces) as a Kickstarter. I want to make it quick and simple, and I don't want to get bogged down in stretch goals.

I'm trying to make this pricing work...
a $20 pledge would get the two 3-panel screens (shipping included), with 150 pledges being required.
I know I can make that work for 14pt. UV coated cover stock. But I'm working on some other resources. If possible, I'm going to try to get the pricing to work on HEAVY cardstock (like the old 1e 2-part DM screen).

If I can't get this dog to hunt, then I'll just go back to making my own as originally planned.