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Dungeons and Dragons Classics! Keep on the Borderlands (Shadowdark)

In this ongoing class, learners will delve into classic 70s and 80s Modules - starting with "Keep on the Borderlands" - using Shadowdark - a remix of the best parts of 5th edition and classic versions of D&D
GM Dan - D&D and TTRPGs
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(41)
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Class
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What's included

1 live meeting
1 in-class hours per week

Class Experience

CURRENTLY: On Hiatus until July 12th. The Castellan is hosting a feast in the characters' honor after they rescued some men from the caves--a perfect time to join the party!

In this class, we'll provide a classic Dungeons and Dragons experience by playing beloved modules of the past and using an updated 1980s ruleset called "Old-School Essentials." This reworked version is easy to learn and freely available online.

OPEN SANDBOX EXPLORATION
Unlike many modern campaigns, there is no pre-written 'story' here. The game starts as a situation to explore, and expands into a 'sandbox' style of play that rewards interactivity, creative solutions, and social encounters over brute force and violence.

We'll start with Keep on the Borderlands and then continue to explore the classic TSR-era modules (1974-1999). Keep on the Borderlands is perhaps the most popular D&D Module of all time. First released in December of 1979, and later re-released in 1981 with the Moldvay Basic Set, this module sold literally millions of copies and was the introduction to D&D for a generation of fans.


D&D: DANGEROUS and DEADLY
Long-time players laud this version of the rules for the way they bring the world to life. The world exists outside of players, so exploring feels electrifying and dangerous. Encounters are not carefully balanced to suit a straightforward hack-and-slash style, so creative thinking is crucial! Player characters are in mortal peril from their first foray into the dungeon and, rather than starting as a super-hero, your character will be very human. Many things that are hand-waved in modern D&D are the crux of surviving in Old-School D&D - careful resource management, planning and creativity are keys to surviving. In sum, playing Old School D&D well feels like an accomplishment in a way that modern versions simply don’t.

CLASSICS WITH A MODERN TWIST
Learners will absorb the history of the hobby they love, while marrying it to modern technology. Using a VTT (virtual tabletop) will allow us to bring the tabletop experience to life online with fully interactive maps, diagrams, art, and more. Older learners may join the VTT directly, while younger learners can view my screen.

As always, D&D is an incredibly interactive experience, requiring your learner to participate actively in class during each session.

#builder

Other Details

Parental Guidance
* Older learners may require a Roll20 account if they wish to join the VTT directly. * Classic D&D may have some situations that are violent, dangerous and deadly. It may have certain stereotypical depictions of people as filtered through a fantasy lens. If these come up in play, we will use them as an opportunity to discuss why they might exist. * We will use safety tools to make sure that the content always stays fun and engaging without being too violent or scary.
Supply List
* Notebook, pens & pencils
* Character Sheet (pdf will be provided)
* Polyhedral dice (available from hobby shops and many department stores like Target, Amazon, etc.)
Language of Instruction
English
Joined April, 2021
5.0
41reviews
Star Educator
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree from University of Colorado
I have been playing tabletop roleplaying games for over 30 years. 

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$19

weekly
1x per week
60 min

Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
3-6 learners per class

This class is no longer offered
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