Nine Worlds: A New Take on D&D

Nine Worlds was built on the foundation and lore of old school Dungeons and Dragons - and then twisted to reflect the organic, sandbox game play that we pioneered in our New Oregon Trail RPG (we have spaces available there, too!).

So, what does that mean?  Here's the twist in a nutshell.  Whereas classic D&D places a lot of responsibility upon the player to know rules, lore, and a heap of other details which I believe can actually take away from the immersive experience, I prefer to take care of all of the rules and you as the player have the joy of learning what does what in a brand new, sandbox world.

I'll give you an example:  You happen upon a small cache of weapons hidden at the base of a tree - contained within is a curved dagger about a span in length that is, quite honestly, somewhat worse for the wear.  Simply because you as a player are drawn to this sort of weapon, you end up with it in a scabbard on your hip.  However, as a Game Master, I will not hand you a neat list that details what this new dagger "does."  There's no lore attached to it because it's an unknown, nor do you get a detailed rundown of what magical qualities may be attached to the thing.  No +5 to this or that, nope... in order to find out what it does, you have to USE it.  In order to increase your skills, you have to get out and do something.  If it's dull, you'd better sharpen it.  Maybe it's cursed.  Maybe it's an ancient relic.  Maybe it's a piece of junk.  You get to find out.

Likewise, with the Nine Worlds magic system, you'll have to practice magic and see what happens - and you'd better take notes, because you as a player will have to learn the system that produces results.  No more just saying, "I want to cast Fireball III."  You'll start with trial and error - you and you may burn your eyebrows off a time or two before you get things right.  Learn the words, learn the rituals, learn the sweep of the hand.  These are the kind of details that I like to saddle the player with - the puzzles that matter.  I adore play systems that are discovered by the player, organic, and blissfully detailed.

You'll be able to choose from any of the classic D&D races - even those generally deemed as 'enemies.'  Form your character into any sort of adventurer that you wish.  However, you don't start as a 'class.'  Instead, you form a character that is more prone to understand how to function as a magic user, for example... or an archer, perhaps melee weapons user, or a diplomat.  You can become anyone that you wish and you'll get the joy of making that work within your new team as you explore this vast world.  

Lastly, gone are the days when you are 'encouraged' by your GM to explore a certain area, door, or box.  With the behind the scenes scenario generator that we created, you and your group can enjoy a truly sandbox experience.  Want to go north?  Go north!  I won't cry or tell you that you have to take a peek into the Magic Well of Duh.  Nope, this is your game.  Explore!  Learn!  Laugh! Perish in flames?  Yeah, why not?