D&D Next has stirred up some really nifty wanking discussions on various editions. I still have my 2e Player's Handbook laying around, and I've talked with a few folks about getting a game going. I'm on a mission to prove that you can do a narrative, story-focused game with AD&D that isn't focused on killing things and taking their loot (although admittedly, killing stuff is a big part of Greek myths).

The system build would be the basic 2e PHB, redlined of non-Greek elements. If the PCs attained any magic at all, it would be divine-only. Arcane would be reserved for monsters and servants of the pantheon. Equipment would be, well, Greek. Duh.

The setting would be a parallel to the Iliad, in a territory previously conquered by Agamemnon. Unlike the movie Troy, the gods and goddesses would be in full swing, interfering with mortals and pursuing their own conflicting ends.

Characters would generally start between 3rd-5th level. I'm envisioning a warrior game, so fighters would be the obvious choice, and maybe a priest or a rogue of some kind (honestly, the dude narrating 300 is obviously some kind of extra-badass bard). There would be an entourage of warriors, likely a few ships, probably chariots, lots of spear chucking and arrow shooting, a couple of champion fights... that kind of thing.

The group template approach would be similar to the Spirit of the Century build. Goatunit described a Burning Wheel game that began with childhood and then proceeded with larger events, weaving the characters together. So we'd start with families (thumbnailed by me as GM), then move forward in snapshots, letting the characters evolve. At certain points the players would be presented with a choice to steer events one way or the other, changing the history of the game. Once complete, we'd begin at the "present day" with unfolding events and get the campaign rolling. If this all seems difficult to picture, don't worry about it, I think it's easier to do than to explain.

The posting style would be very Homerian. I'd probably approach my posts as an oral poet reciting a great epic about the characters, cities, immortals and gods. I tend to give serious XP for advancing the theme of characters, especially when the plot becomes more interesting as a result of PCs taking "non-optimized" actions*.

I'm an improv GM. Beyond the initial setup, which the players will help write, I'll pretty much be letting the game run free. Of course, in a game world with Fate and the Furies, certain characters will be rushing towards (or vainly away from) poorly understood destinies that could be fulfilled in many ways.

* And now, a monologue about Optimization.

I have a bone to pick with 'optimized' actions. I work from a 3rd person style, meaning the players are not their characters. They are writer-actors portraying the characters they have invented. If Dresden Files were perfectly optimized, Harry would make lots of better choices and end up starring in a lame story. There is NO CHARACTER in Greek legends that is perfect--Menelaus, Helen, Paris, Hector, Achilles, Ulysses--they are spectacular AND flawed, and that makes their story interesting. Be flawed. Make intentionally non-ideal choices according to hubris, greed, lust for glory, revenge, love, loyalty, stubbornness, anger and other human motivations. I reward that with plenty of XP in my games.

I'll make the same argument against purely optimized character builds, because being a fighter doesn't necessarily mean your singular approach is "specialize in spear, 18/22 Strength, stab-stab-stab". Odysseus wins a lot of battles by using his brain rather than his brawn, which is why he escapes the cyclops, outlives Ajax and generally rocks it out. If you're a player that's overly concerned about a 6% hit point advantage, fine, optimize to a certain extent. A 6% advantage is not going to save you if you sow dragon's teeth or decide to chuck a javelin at Athena, but I realize some folks like the little crunches. HOWEVER, if you are the kind of player who agonizes over what's on everyone else's character sheet, or bitches to high heaven that a 17 Strength makes for an unplayable fighter, or whines that an AC 6 is going to get you killed if I roll 'fair' for NPCs... RUN FROM THIS GAME. I like tactical crunch, but I'm an epic poet retelling a mighty tale. There are going to be times in this adventure when your character survives a hydra battle despite its Gygax-approved Monstrous Compendium entry simply because I'm the Fate and the Furies here, and the golden shears haven't yet cut your character's lifeline. Also, expect some deus ex machina, because these are the stories that invented that term. Also expect some deus ex messing-with-the-mortals because gods and goddesses are petty, vengeful creatures that embody the extremes of human traits.

Sounds cool. I've only played 2e once, and that was a while ago and didn't last long, so I'll need some schooling, but I'm interested.

This sounds really good. Now where did I put my copy of Edith Hamilton's "Mythology"...

It's quite straightforward, really. An interesting background, good roleplaying and clever choices are important in my games. The character sheet is primitive by modern gaming standards. Highlights:

Assign values between 3-18 to six attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom, Intelligence, Charisma, Constitution. High is better. Lots of bonuses (and penalties) come from these attributes: modifiers to attack, damage, defense, influence, resist poison and magic, carrying capacity, etc. Sometimes you roll a skill check on a 1d20 +/- modifiers, trying to get below (or equal to) your attribute.

Skill check: (1d20 +/- modifiers) <= Attribute

THAC0 is a possum with a ginormous sword. He is named for the acronym for "To Hit Armor Class Zero". When attacking with a weapon you roll a 1d20. To hit someone, you must equal or exceed your THAC0 minus their Armor Class.

Attack roll: (1d20 - Target's Armor Class) >= Your THAC0

Your defensive skills are divided into Armor Class, saving throws and hit points. The lower your AC, the better you are protected against melee and ranged weapon attacks. Good armor is the biggest single contributor to AC, and sometimes a high Dexterity.

Your saving throws give resistance to breath weapons, poisons, magical spells and things of that nature. Generally these are determined by class and level. Wisdom can modify resistance to mental magics and illusions; Dexterity can modify saving throws against breath weapons and speed-based attacks.

Hit points are your ability to survive. In AD&D 2e, they are a roll-up of luck and injury. You're pretty much at full performance until you hit 0, which knocks your character unconscious with mortal wounds. -10 is dead. A very high Constitution can give bonus hit points at every level gained.

Armor Class: lower is better (10 = Unarmored peon, 0 = knight in gothic plate mail)
Saving Throws: same as Skill Checks
Hit Points: a number based on level and class

If you play a priest/priestess of a god/goddess, then you'll get spells. A high Wisdom will grant bonus spell slots. You can pick new spells every day, but once you use them up, you've got to rest to pick new ones. The spells offered will vary significantly based on which deity is chosen. Neptune will grant a lot of water spells; Aphrodite will grant charm spells; Vulcan will have spells to resist fire or enchant weapons; and so forth.

If you play a Rogue, you'll get skills like Climbing, Pick Pockets, Detect Noise and Hide in Shadows. That's a whole can of worms that someone can help with if you choose that path. Once you get the points allocated, it's just a percentage roll. The higher your Dexterity, the more skill points you get.

Fighters should have a high Strength to cause damage in hand-to-hand combat, and it's always useful to have more hit points (Constitution) and quick reflexes (Dexterity). Priests should have a good Wisdom. Thieves need a good Dexterity; bards should have a good Charisma.

Yeah, I'd be interested, too. I don't know much at all about 2E rules, but I'd be willing to give it a shot.

Any thoughts on what archetypes you guys might be interested in playing?

I'm thinking a priest of some kind.

Ok, I'm in. I'd like to play a clever hero along the lines of Odysseus or Theseus, so either a rogue (is it still called Thief in 2e?) or a bard. Do you have a anything in mind for semi-divine characters along the lines of Heracles or Perseus?

Yes. You will need to tell me up front if your character is definitely (or might be) the child of a god or immortal, whether your PC knows, whether or not the other players know, whether it can be discovered by their PCs during background building, and which god/immortal (unless you want me to pick for you secretly). Perks include explaining high attributes, overt and covert help, magical abilities, magical items and so forth. Drawbacks include attacks by jealous gods and mortal servants, interference by powerful enemies, fear or suspicion by mortals, and obligations to obey certain aspects of the parent's nature.

For 'clerics', just FYI: most of them won't have full blown magical powers. They'll just be normal mortals who have better chances at getting their patron's attention. Spellcasters will be very favored individuals who are granted power, but that power might be fickle depending on the god. It might also be possible to get spells above your level, or outside your sphere, but also possible to get stuck on a short list for pissing off the god. Greek gods care that their worshippers care; they barely give a damn about the worshippers themselves, unless there's an ulterior motive (parenthood, favor, gain, antagonizing another god). Humans are just pawns, even if it's a treasured chess set.