3 questions about CONAN RPG

[GarynVygax]

I have three questions: Has anyone been converting the Conan RPG to 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons? Does anyone here run Mongoose's CONAN RPG on Roll20? Does anyone here play the CONAN MMORPG?
Concerning the 1st question: I am considering giving is a shot. I want to keep the spells and lose the DR armor.

 

[Supplement Four]

1. Why convert? Mongoose's Conan RPG is excellent. I've been playing it for years now, and it is one of the best implementations of 3E ever made. It's a damn good roleplaying game that fits the Hyborian Age like a glove, full of grit and mystery and Conan awesomeness. I can't see why you'd want to put so much work into conversion when the work has already been done and been done well.


2. No, I play face to face games. Traditional play.


3. Yes, I played the hell out of the Age of Conan MMO game. Got tired of it, and did not reach level 80. But when I did play, it was fun.

 

[The King]

I have three questions: Has anyone been converting the Conan RPG to 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons? Does anyone here run Mongoose's CONAN RPG on Roll20? Does anyone here play the CONAN MMORPG?
Concerning the 1st question: I am considering giving is a shot. I want to keep the spells and lose the DR armor.

Nope, But I converted the Conan D20 rules to play with RQ5/Legend (with some RQ6 implementations).

I played the Conan MMorpg (Age of Conan, isn't it called that?) once but there isn't much to do except hacking and slashing. Everything that is encountered outdoor is a foe. There is neither smart dialog nor roleplay. This is a pity because the design is very good.

 

[GarynVygax]

I think Age of Conan has some of the best music ever.
I tried some role-play, and had my character pay some others in silver pieces to help in a difficult quest. Apparently, it was going too slow for them, so they began discussing their real-world, lives, and they just left me there with no explanation. The other day I asked around five people to help with a quest, and I felt as though they behaved as if I had the Black Plague. :twisted:
Don't get me started on some of the names people give their characters.
The reason I asked about roll20 is that I have a stack of CONAN d20 books, a stack of the CONAN, Kull, and Red Sonja comics, three or four collections of Robert E. Howard's writings, and the CONAN movies and Red Sonja, but I have only played the d20 game by myself (weird?) a few times. It was fun. I just wanted to see if anyone here Game Mastered Conan d20 on Roll20 to consider playing it. As a side note: I played a little Conan RPG using 5th Edition, and it seems to work. I am considering converting the spells in the 2nd Edition core rules, the Scrolls of Skelos, and the Pirate Isles. The spell called "Heart of Flames," from SOS, I am considering making it a cantrip that is a prerequisite for the casting of other D&D fire spells. I would like to perhaps post some of the work I do on conversion here, and get critiques and advice.

I am using the spell casting cost (using magic points I like to call "Vril") from the DMG: 1(2), 2(3), 3(5), 4(6), 5(7), 6(9), 7(10), 8(11), and 9(13).

I have considered the Idea of putting a cost on the casting of cantrips: .5 each.

I use, basically, the power point system from the d20 game: PP at 1st level equals 4+Int Mod and maximum double that at 1st level.
New points are received at every level divisible by 2.

 

[The King]

That's the problem when one plays with MMORPG.

As to D&D5, I admit I don't know much about. I was more appealed by RuneQuest II/Legend, so I decided to make an adaptation. But almost every system can be adapted to Conan with the right rules. I think the unofficial Savage Worlds rules had some success but Modiphius's 2d20 should also represent an upgrade.

 

[Supplement Four]

I think the unofficial Savage Worlds rules had some success but Modiphius's 2d20 should also represent an upgrade.

Modiphius' 2d20 system SUCKS! It sucks BIG TIME! Horrible game system.

 

[The King]

Modiphius' 2d20 system SUCKS! It sucks BIG TIME! Horrible game system.

I wouldn't say that. I could read all the chapters as they were laid out and I can say there are very cool stuff such as skills following a tree-like progression. I was never completely satisfied with the d20 rules, that's why I was advocating Conan RuneQuest. In the end this didn't happen and I performed my own RQ adaptation, but the 2d20 rules is quite an improvement IMO.

 

[GarynVygax]

I don't know anything about RuneQuest. I have thought that the Call of Cthulhu Dark Ages game would be good for a Swords & Sorcery world like Hyboria.
I got the GURPS Conan book and Queen of the Black Coast yesterday but have not read much of it yet.
Recently, I have been experimenting with the DR armor and weapon AP of the CONAN RPG from Mongoose.
I am not sure about the results. A leather jerkin has damage reduction 4 in d20 Conan. What I did for leather armor in D&D 5th is take off the base of 10 (it is 11 + Dexterity Modifier) and let it be DR 1. I am wondering if I should decrease the AP of some of the weapons.
Plate armor in D&D 5th is AC 18. It is DR 10 in Conan. Seems like a character has to be terribly strong and/or have a really good weapon to get through that with much effect. I suppose that (DUH!) that's the idea.

ZAMORIAN GUARD
Medium Human
Dodge 12 (10+Dex+1/2 Prof.)
Parry 13 (10+Str+Shield+1/2 prof.)
DR 3 (Chainmail shirt)
Hit Points 11 (2d8+2)
Speed 30 ft.
________________________________________
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
13(+1) 12(+1) 12(+1) 10(+0) 11(+0) 10(+0)
________________________________________
Proficiency Bonus +2
Skills. Deception +2, Perception +2
Passive Perception 12
Languages Zamorian
Challenge 1/8 (25 xp)
________________________________________
War spear: Melee or Ranged weapon Attack
+3 to hit, reach 5 ft. or Range 20/60 ft.
Hit 1d8+1 piercing damage (AP 3)

Short Sword (Finesse, Light): Melee weapon Attack
+3 to hit, reach 5 ft.
Hit 1d6+1 Piercing damage

As a Zamorian, this character has disadvantage on opposed rolls when
being offered a bribe to keep quiet or look the other way (Persuasion versus Perception or Wisdom Save
versus 10 plus the briber's Persuasion (Charisma) Modifier

Equipment: War Spear, chainmail shirt, shield (buckler), and short sword

 

[The King]

I don't know anything about RuneQuest. I have thought that the Call of Cthulhu Dark Ages game would be good for a Swords & Sorcery world like Hyboria.

The combat section is more detailed, with special manoeuvers like by-pass armour, maximize damage, destroy shield, etc.

 

[Supplement Four]

Modiphius' 2d20 system SUCKS! It sucks BIG TIME! Horrible game system.

I wouldn't say that. I could read all the chapters as they were laid out and I can say there are very cool stuff such as skills following a tree-like progression. I was never completely satisfied with the d20 rules, that's why I was advocating Conan RuneQuest. In the end this didn't happen and I performed my own RQ adaptation, but the 2d20 rules is quite an improvement IMO.

I do like the detail and grit of RuneQuest, and it would have made, as you say, a fine version of the Hyborian Age.

But 2d20? It is bloody awful. Run as far as you can away from that game system. It's more of a game system than it is a roleplaying system, in the same way playing Axis & Allies is a game and playing D&D is a roleplaying game.

 

[The King]

But 2d20? It is bloody awful. Run as far as you can away from that game system. It's more of a game system than it is a roleplaying system, in the same way playing Axis & Allies is a game and playing D&D is a roleplaying game.

It is too late for me because I backed up the Modiphius's Conan kickstarter campaign. From what I saw, I am really positively curious.
The D20 system had a lot of iterations as well. Some were good, others not so good. Overall, I'd say this system, though having many interesting approaches (like the feats stuff) is also a mechanics ruled by modifiers which makes it no so easy to master - one level up means that you have you calculate all modifiers anew.
In this fields, I think the 2d20 is more streamilned.

Anyway, I should receive the first wave (as they call it) in December. I shall then tell you about itwith more details.

 

[Supplement Four]

nyway, I should receive the first wave (as they call it) in December. I shall then tell you about itwith more details.

I'd like to hear your take. I'm not a fan, obviously, but I may buy the book as a supplement for my d20 Mongoose game.

 

[The King]

nyway, I should receive the first wave (as they call it) in December. I shall then tell you about itwith more details.

I'd like to hear your take. I'm not a fan, obviously, but I may buy the book as a supplement for my d20 Mongoose game.

The core book only has rules (+ one scenario). But their first wave also include another 10-12 books. Contrary to the usual program per region, Modiphius decided to offer a publication following Conan's timeline, so you have Conan the thief, the pirate, the brigand, the mercenary, the scout, etc.. till Conan the King, each describing the region he adventured in at that time.
Thus, Conan the thief will feature the nations of Nemedia, Brythunia, Corinthia and Zamora and focus on thief characters and campaign.
Vincent told me that the approach would be different from what Mongoose did.

What is funny is that Mongoose had initially scheduled a campaign entitled Conan and the shadow of the sorcerer in 2004 but it was cancelled for some reason (hell! it's 12 years ago). The cover for this campaign was already done, though, and it was used for The Compendium sourcebook.
You can read some details there: http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4612&p=47169&hilit=shadow+of+the+sorcerer#p47169

Oh, btw, they will also release a Kull book. Isn't that great?

 

[Supplement Four]

The core book only has rules (+ one scenario).

Has the first core book been published yet?

 

[The King]

The core book only has rules (+ one scenario).

Has the first core book been published yet?

No, they'll release 10-12 books a once, including the core book.