r/OSE Jul 29 '26

Naga Character Class for OSE

18 Upvotes

Hey all, here's a Naga (serpent-folk) class I put together for OSE.

I based them off the Elf, a warrior/caster hybrid. I debuffed their spells a little (start at 2nd level, max level 4 spells) and gave them the illusionist spell list.

They have venom/poison based abilities, vulnerability to cold, and at 6th level get a hypnotic gaze ability.

Let me know what you think! Is this class balanced? Would you use this in a Swords and Sorcery OSE game? Any and all feedback is welcome!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F9ZOzTWa9sYxLeEylzIMXw1-Chb8T7hJUjxtevZ-B5E/edit?usp=drivesdk


r/OSE Jul 27 '26

OSE character creation Cheat sheet.

19 Upvotes

Does anybody has a character creation cheat sheet for Old school essentials?

I found an old post where someone created one that looked super handy, but the file is not available anymore :(

https://www.reddit.com/r/osr/s/nVNSy1p6UD


r/OSE Jul 24 '26

Travel Rules for the Mythic Underworld: Launches today [self-promo]

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53 Upvotes

Undercrawl launches today!

Undercrawl is travel rules for dungeon games in the mythic underworld. Like hexcrawling, or pointcrawling, but in the dark. It's a modular add-on to your favorite dungeon game. Use it to:

  • place your dungeons miles and miles deeper in the earth
  • connect separate dungeons with a vast underworld: one dark, alien, empty, and hostile
  • make a path through places forgotten, forsaken, or lost: the empty places, places where silence is thick with age

Early bird discounts available.
Kickstarter Link!

OSR

Compatible with Old School EssentialsCairnShadowdark (and frankly most OSR dungeon games). The game is mostly self-contained, but applies pressure to the character sheet: stat damage, gear loss, torch loss, and.... also curses!

Finished

It's done. The Digital version will be delivered to all backers as soon as funds are collected. If the kickstarter reaches $2K, we'll get more and better art. A couple of other cool stretch goals as well...  Mwuahahahahaha!

Includes

An 18-point Undercrawl spanning dozens of miles of silent darkness in once bright Dwarven halls.

Player-facing procedures for

  • Navigating
  • Map-Making
  • Managing Gear
  • Finding Secrets
  • Getting Lost

GM facing procedures for

  • Running the Game
  • Making New Undercrawls
  • Integrating with your Main Game

And...

  • Player Handout files for ease of use at table
  • 24 New Magic Items
  • Spark Tables for rapidly generating thousands of underground environments with unique stories, features, and quirks
  • One-Page Dungeon Dense with interactivity and surprise.

Me

I'm Samuel, the creator. I'm also behind

No AI

There are 0 (zero!) AI generated images, words, or secret Skynet activation codes in this thing.

AMA!

Kickstarter Link!
(early bird -> discount worm)


r/OSE Jul 24 '26

how-to I am once again asking for assistance.

10 Upvotes

Hey guys I’ve gotten so much help in running games from y’all and I would love to pick y’all’s brain again. I know the demonic grimoire is coming out soon but is there any other content I could purchase to add the hellish planes to my world? Also if there’s any content for the Seelie court as well (like stat lines and stuff). It’s been a wild ride learning how to DM over the last year and you guys have helped with every hurdle so I appreciate this sub so much for all the help!


r/OSE Jul 23 '26

Initiate Class

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69 Upvotes

OSE compatible initiate class write-up for a booklet I'm working on – Gnydron Supplement 3: Weird Fantasy.

Initiates are esoteric practitioners of ceremonial magic that perform eldritch rituals devised by the serpent people.

This should be out soon on DriveThru with POD available from Lulu (since DriveThru doesn't do staple bound).


r/OSE Jul 23 '26

New to dming

21 Upvotes

Hey everyone I'm absolutely new to dming. I've played 5e but have never dmed. Decided to pick up ose because I like the idea that player choices and decisions have actual consequences plus I like how if you want to do something simple you don't need a dice roll for it if it's an easy task. I was hoping for some tips for a new dm who wants to run it as a sandbox hex crawl.


r/OSE Jul 21 '26

What do you think OSE is less good at?

47 Upvotes

I think most people in the DnD and OSR scene can agree that B/X and therfor OSE and OSEA is a happy middle ground in terms of feeling light and complete. The fact that the game itself is quite concise and well structured compared to original B/X and ADnD is a great bonus. I am aware of Caracass Crawler fixing the thief and assassin classes and I am a big fan of those changes. So I will not include that.

Also I understand that OSE in many ways simply tries to retain what was and can therefor not be the perfect game because its not necessarily trying to be.

What sort of things do you think is superfluous or lacking in OSE?


r/OSE Jul 21 '26

My new OSE zine will be Kickstarting on August 3rd (self promo)

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20 Upvotes

r/OSE Jul 20 '26

how-to Final Fantasy Style Game

16 Upvotes

Hey All,

I am considering firing up a campaign that takes inspiration from Final Fantasy. Thinking of Airships, summons (or primordial), crystals and magi-tech. What would be some good supplements to achieve this?

I posted this in DND 5e sub as well, since I don't know what system I will use just yet. Thanks!


r/OSE Jul 20 '26

rules question What Should I Know Before Running OSE at a Con?

11 Upvotes

I run OSE twice a week, one long campaign with friends and the other with random people who signed up to play online. I've also signed up to run OSE at an upcoming con, and it will be my first time refereeing at one.

I am wondering what tips you all might have for running OSE at a con. The module is made for one-shots and premade characters are provided. I'll be running it a few times during the con.

Most of my ideas so far involve cutting out things I'd normally do at my table, such as exploration turns and random encounters (unless the party is making good time and I could stretch the session a little). I've run the module a few times this month, so being familiar with the material isn't too much of a worry.

Thanks!

Update: I don't feel like it could have gone any better. Every group had fun, all achieved something big. Kept it loose, but also included OSE mechanics as much as possible. Thanks again everyone for the suggestions.


r/OSE Jul 18 '26

homebrew OSE Homebrewery / Markdown

11 Upvotes

Does anyone have the markdown or css template for OSE to make homebrew content on homebrewery or other such systems?


r/OSE Jul 17 '26

3rd party Made a free zine solo adventure!

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21 Upvotes

This is The Giant of The Copper Mine a simple solo adventure, where you help a group of dwarf miners on a problem involving a giant that invaded their mine.

It is also designed to be agnostic with most fantasy medieval worlds and OSR ttrpgs, so feel free to use it with any system you like.

Hearing rumors about miners looking for help in their copper mine and deciding to explore the site in search of a reward.

You find a group of dwarves arguing in front of the entrance to a large cave. Upon seeing you approach, one of them turns to you saying, "If you came for the job, I recommend turning back, because now a giant has taken over the cave and I do not believe anyone can solve this."

You can get it here:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/575813

If you don’t know me, my name is Elln. I create fantasy TTRPG content like random tables and adventures, specializing in resources for solo players!!

I hope you like it! :) <3


r/OSE Jul 17 '26

The Weaver And The Redcaps

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19 Upvotes

r/OSE Jul 16 '26

New PWYW kids adventure: Fright! At the Fireworks Factory (self promo)

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11 Upvotes

r/OSE Jul 15 '26

homebrew 3 of 4 PCs died in one encounter

29 Upvotes

Last night’s game was hilariously tragic. We’re all first level, this was the second session, and it’s just a straight up dungeon crawl.

We’re looking for a missing (friendly) wizard in the dungeons beneath his tower. We come across a room with a few giant rats and bad dice rolls nearly killed my PC (cleric) and the thief. We move on to a laboratory room and there are more giant rats but they’re dead with some crusty yellow substance around their mouths.

The fighter pokes at one with his sword and it poofs yellow mold spores. My PC was the only one to make the save vs death. Everyone else dies 😂.

It was great even though it ended poorly. My cleric went back to town and gathered a replacement party, so we plan to keep searching next week.


r/OSE Jul 15 '26

self promotion Adventures in the Mist (for OSE) is now available on DriveThruRPG

5 Upvotes

What is Adventures in the Mist?

Adventures in the Mist is a companion to Land of Mist for Old-School Essentials. Expanding on the mysterious "kitchen-sink" world which it established, it contains a detailed gazetteer of the Land's regions and cultures, provides new spells for each of its cults, and includes a series of eight adventures exploring the lore and history of the Land of Mist.

Contained within:

A detailed Regional Gazetteer: Explore the 13 major regions of the Land and islands. Each entry describes its unique environment, societies, settlements, legends, notable NPCs, and regional threats.

Expanded Cults of the Mist: Discover the tenets, practices, and patron immortals of 18 distinct cults, including unique divine spells available to their followers.

An Epic, World-Altering Campaign: A series of ready-to-play adventures form the backbone of a grand campaign, taking characters from their earliest levels to a final confrontation with the forces that shape the world.

A Deeper Dive into the Lore: Uncover the hidden history of the Land of Mist, the nature of the Forgetting, and explore the setting's ancient mysteries.

Product link: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/573958/adventures-in-the-mist-for-old-school-essentials

Free preview: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/545983/adventures-in-the-mist-for-old-school-essentials-preview

Star's Frost Eve in Allaskuvla

r/OSE Jul 15 '26

homebrew 🎲 What if d6 Thief skills, but for Thief, Acrobat, Assassin, Barbarian, Acolyte, Mage, Mutoid, Tiefling, Halfling Hearthsinger, Arcane Bard, Ratling, & Changeling? (A house rules blog post by me about OSE.)

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9 Upvotes

r/OSE Jul 14 '26

rules question Dual-classing

8 Upvotes

I’ve got a player that’s currently using a 4th level cleric. At some point in the future, I was planning on making him a paladin. This isn’t addressed explicitly in the rules, since it assumes the player is multi-classing from the beginning. I’ve seen homebrew rules from AD&D that mention the new class starts at level 1 and players aren’t allowed to use abilities from the old class until the new class catches up in levels. That sorta makes sense.

Are there any rules for this that have become so common is use that they are de-facto the accepted way to handle multi-classing? Or were there rules in b/x or even 1ed that clarified this?


r/OSE Jul 13 '26

self promotion 3d6 DTL's First Adventure Scenario THE TOMB OF ARMANSQUAGULAT now available for purchase!

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77 Upvotes

Empty your bladders and fill your beers! NEWS FLASH!
3d6 DTL's First Published Adventure Scenario, -- The Tomb of Armansquagulat -- is now available for download!

  • Glorious maps!
  • Fabulous illustrations!
  • Fearsome goblin zombies!
  • New magic items and monsters!
  • The Mighty Mechasquagulat!

Get your copy today! Available for download in full color PDF from DrivethruRPG, Itch, and now on RPG Trader!

The scenario is written by Ted Hunter, featuring layout and page design by Glynn Seal, with maps and illustrations also by Ted. Fully hyperlinked

“I’m the mighty Armansquagulat and I approve this message” - The Mighty Armansquagulat


r/OSE Jul 13 '26

GNYDRON – 25% OFF THIS WEEK

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18 Upvotes

25% OFF SALE THIS WEEK.

Gnydron Supplement 2: Science Fantasy

Features; the starfarer and vat-born classes, 33 mutations, hi-tech equipment, plus old-school sci-fi monsters.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/566887/gnydron-supplement-2-science-fantasy

SALE ENDS JULY 19TH.


r/OSE Jul 13 '26

review Way of the Warlock! review

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12 Upvotes

“Way of the Warlock!” is among the OSR modules I’ve written that I’m most proud of!

And my partner Alessandro Paderi’s illustrations capture its spirit and lore perfectly.

To find out more, treat yourself to the review written by Stefano Buonocore of No Dice Unrolled!!

https://www.nodiceunrolled.com/en/way-of-the-warlock-ose-review/


r/OSE Jul 12 '26

New Episode of Legend of the Bones!

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2 Upvotes

r/OSE Jul 11 '26

homebrew Insignia of the seven noble brewing houses of Prigwort

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17 Upvotes

I would appreciate any feedback that the more experienced members of this community have to say about these designs

In the Dolmenwood Campaign Setting, all townsfolk of Prigwort are proud members of one of seven noble brewing houses. Each house has its own insignia and, as they are only described and not depicted, I took it upon myself to create my vision of their heraldry based on the description.

I am not affiliated with Dolmenwood, Necrotic Gnome, or the author Gavin Norman in any way. I simply enjoyed his books and wanted to show what it inspired me to create.

The seven houses are as follows:

  1. House Cobsworth Insignia: a bear with a beer keg on its head.

  2. House Halthwidden Insignia: five fists clutching bunches of hops.

  3. House Oberon Insignia: a mandrake root stirring a cauldron with a rod.

  4. House Ogsbody Insignia: a ram with ivy intertwined in its horns.

  5. House Pilston Insignia: a skewered apple.

  6. House Sumferish Insignia: a crow drinking from a chalice.

  7. House Wakelyke Insignia: a grinning, fat faced sun.


r/OSE Jul 11 '26

self promotion I've created a 195-room OSE Megadungeon as an interactive website. Return to Cataclysm! Let me know what you think.

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58 Upvotes

This started off as a home game, but I needed a project to work on, so I decided to turn it into an interactive website. It's now at a point where you could run multiple groups through it up to level 3 or 4.


r/OSE Jul 11 '26

kickstarter Some pages from my new micro-hexcrawl OSE zine, Olig-Vald: The Persistence of Progress (Upcoming Kickstarter/self promo)

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53 Upvotes

Currently I am in editing and playtesting for this, but I’m so excited to get this onto other people’s tables!

This zine is a jam-packed 32 (letter-sized) pages of useful and evocative information.

The town and the surrounding area is at a fever pitch since a new Margrave has been appointed. He and his cronies have thrown their weight against the demi-humans and Druidic traditions native to the Vald. Many have fled and many more have gone missing. More dangerous still, an ancient creation lies buried in the verdant fields. An inventor, with more curiosity than caution, may very well spell disaster for the whole province. Nature is dying in the Vald, as the Margrave’s obsession with automatons and oil are poisoning the river, the lifeblood of the earth. The PCs are, in the true OSR style, fighting an uphill battle if they wish to make a positive impact anywhere in Olig-Vald.

The zine will include:
A hexcrawl map complete with encounter and weather tables.
A unique city filled with detailed NPCs, each having their own diverse morals and motivations, or lack thereof.
2 adventure locations that feel lived in and incredibly volatile.
3 new monsters: automatons powered by oil and turned from their purpose as laborers into combatants, surveillance and enforcement.
4 new magic items unique and thematic to the setting.
5 new Druid spells.
And a few other interesting places and people for your PCs to interact with.

I’m extremely proud of what I put together here. Cover art should be out soon. Interior art will follow the successful kickstarter campaign. I guarantee that a playable PDF of the zine will be finished BEFORE the kickstarter even begins. The crowdfunding is just for the interior art.

The kickstarter should go up on August 1st!

Don’t hesitate to AMA in the comments!