Labyrinth Lord

Currently, I serve as the game moderator for two gaming groups. In both groups, we play Labyrinth Lord. The choice belongs to me. I chose Labyrinth Lord for a few reasons, which I will enumerate here.

1. It costs nothing. I like to use free systems when I introduce, or re-introduce, people to gaming.
2. It possesses an old-school feel. Call it nostalgia. Call it an aesthetic. I like it.
3. The rules work … simply.
4. One book! Most games I like come complete in one book. I observed this throughout my years of gaming. This was not decided by way of some philosophy.
   

Like many GMs, or LLs, I like to tinker and develop house-rulings. I will present a few here. The people I play with have a more narrative flair, which I welcome and encourage. This means that they want to develop characters that they can play and get into. Labyrinth Lord tends to have high mortality rate. To combat this, I have developed a few tweaks. I will post them separately.

The Archons

Though they are gods, the Archons closely resemble people. They can be moved, angered and inspired. They think thoughts and feel emotions like people. And like people they have flaws and foibles, and profound secret strengths. They obey the laws of nature just like people.

To the best of any sage’s knowledge, the Archons have no true names. If they did then they have been long lost. Each is known by many names. There is no true organization or hierarchy to the Archons. They appear in art and song and story over and over again, often times in contradictory roles. Some stories have more popularity with a particular group or a particular area, though all understand that none of them are the one, true story.

The Archons are neither male nor female but can appear as either. The gender an Archon presents itself as depends on how it would best be seen or the part it is playing in a drama. Archons have many different names. The names listed above are the most common. For example, The Knave is also known as The Trickster, The Thief, The Jack, The Varlet, and The Skulk. Each of the different names focuses on a particular aspect of the Archon.

Archons can manifest as a being on Yore at will, and have done so many times. Usually an Archon will manifest only a portion of their essence. When an Archon manifests a form, they are often locally worshipped in that guise. In Cairn City, the wizards of the Magesterium are known to revere Lunaris the legendary Moon Mage as a manifestation of The Mage.

Archons can be prayed to and sometimes grant gifts, wishes, and miracles. Sometimes people have felt the wrath of an angered Archon. Individuals who dedicate their lives to a holy purpose can train as clerics and learn to cast cleric spells.

The Archons are:

• The Artist,
• The Counselor,
• The Doctor,
• The Knave,
• The Mage,
• The Noble,
• The Ranger,
• The Scholar,
• The Smith,
• The Stranger,
• The Warrior, and
• The Yeoman.

Introducing the world of Yore!

Common fantasy is comprised of a variety of themes from myth, folklore, legends, and fairy tales. The stuff of dreams and imagination is something with which to trifle, but that does not mean that it has any less depth or resonance. It stimulates us mentally and moves us emotionally. Fantasy touches something in us that returns us to childhood and connects us with the boundless reaches of human wondering. Clichés, tropes, and memes become widespread because they are effective. They are a shorthand language for concepts that can sometimes be complex. They help communicate the ideas and feelings that we fantasists intend.

In fashioning the world of Yore, I have embraced many of the clichés, tropes, and memes that make fantasy. I am a busy man. I dedicate myself to being a husband, father, and teacher. I spend most of my time pursuing those ends. As a game master, I do not have time for a lot of preparation. I can barely invest enough time into playing on a semi-weekly basis. For my friends, it is much the same.

The symbols of fantasy have become a sort of common language. It allows individuals with different experiences and viewpoints to begin communicating quickly. Whatever differences exist because of “dialect” can be viewed as personal quirks. They can even add to the richness and nuance of the conversation. Using the most prevalent components of the fantasy genre allows us to jump right in and play. Players have already invested the minimal time needed by enjoying games like "The Legend of Zelda" and "Final Fantasy," reading the works of Tolkien and Eddings, and watching movies like "Dragonslayer" and "Princess Mononoke."

You will notice that I have painted the landscape of Yore with broad strokes. If there is more detail in one part it reflects my idiosyncracies, and those with whom I game. Shoddy or sloppy work does the same. Take it for what it’s worth and remember the spirit with which I designed it. Enjoy.