Current thoughts:

My product would better reflect the Bronze Age if it was instead a conversion of rules and a campaign guidebook: I.E. tables of weapons, armor, equipment, and magic item replacements as well as a book of general Bronze Age cultural advice. Basically, a revision for the SRD and a Bronze Age 'DMG' style pamphlet.

Progress thus far

Updated second map layer, Basic Terrain. I also added Flint Spear to table and argued over the location of the cutting edge on a Khepesh, with my peers pointing out that some but not all Khepesh appeared to have the edge not on the inside but the outside. Fortunately, my weapon list already has a standard outer-bladed Sickle-Sword reference.

Decisions I'm making today:

First, as many modifications as possible will exist using new or replacement features of existing rules: classes, feats, skills, spells, etc., rather than radical redesign. Second, there shall be heavy limitation on the creatures within my world: Humans, Elan, Goblinoids, Halflings, and Elvenkind will be the only groups elligible to players. Furthermore, I may want to consider rereading and annotating the Dungeon Master's Guide (skimming?) on world and campaign creation.

Second: the map, while not an imitation of the Mediterranean, should have similar geography and feeling, of a small central sea expanded by many smaller component seas (the Mediterranean is added to by the Aegean, Adriatic, and Tyrhennus sea at minimum).

Third: The adventure campaign may instead comprise of a series of dungeons and encounters on a theme, with the onus on a GM to fill in the gaps between the campaign as normal.

Playtest 1 In progress

Aaron and Roman have had the scenario read to them, and after a degree of infighting have understood what their weapon and armor limitations are. Furthermore, they understand the new defense and combat system, which closer mimics the mechanics of heroic combat of Europe and Greece in the Bronze Age, proving that to existing gamers the mechanic of multiple body targets is nothing too radical. However, I still intend to mostly roll back this reform, as it conflicts with the massed combat of Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, and of course the Hittites. Instead, I will offer similar abilities in a 'warrior' style class.

Having struggled with illustrations I find myself wanting to include illustrations from The Ancient World at War in my tables.

.....Aaron just asked me if he could play a Monk, then changed his mind. Unarmed combat was something I was completely unprepared to consider in my new rules system. More evidence that it should be rolled into the existing ruleset using the normal modification structures as opposed to direct rule change.

Prediction: as level one characters against 2 well-equipped opponents in melee combat each, they are going to get slaughtered...

Haven't updated in a while...Playtest 1

Yesterday, I was supposed to undergo Playtest 1 of my project, and I had most of what I'd wanted produced:

• A very short encounter (two statted adversaries)
• A completed table of weapons and armor
• A reformed combat system
• A reformed armor system

However, my brothers were unavailable and I must reschedule the Playest. In lieu of the attempt, I am going to pre-reflect on some of the things I will be changing in my project:

1. I will try to use existing rules rather than modify new ones. The new armor system, while logical, was complicated and impossible to figure out. It'd be possible to simply create a series of Feats, Skills, and Class features that mimic the system without fundamentally changing game mechanics
2. I will drop the reforms that I think should happen for any D&D game and focus specifically on the ones necessary to adapt the system to Chariot of Fate, which is the title of my new system.

Contact me if you know anybody willing or interested to playtest.

Began annotating Life and Society in the Hittite World today. Amazing book, well-written, and adds a personal touch to history three thousand years plus passed. I am considering moving the origin place of the campaign from a Mycenaean city to an Anatolian-style one, or even the Hittite style itself. Perhaps I will model a small spinoff "viceregal" kingdom after the historical Empire and separate it from the analogue nation I'm creating, and use the viceregal as the origin point.

Introductions..

Hi. I'm Matt Meneghini, a senior at Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School in Devens, MA. (Website: http://www.parker.org/ ) Parker students complete a senior project composed of research, a product, a benefit, and an exhibition as part of the standard curriculum. I have started this blog to document my process as I continue through the project, especially regarding the changes in my product, which will be a major adaptation of the Dungeons and Dragons version 3.5 roleplaying game to a Late Bronze Age fictional world and the creation of a premade adventure with a view to educating players on the mysterious ending of the Late Bronze Age. I am also looking for suggestions and ideas on how to take the project forward, potential research tips, and advice from any and all gamers in the house.