Back From the Dead - as it were...

[Netjera]

Hi everyone!

I haven't gamed in a VERY long time, due to location. Bringing games online, is just what I needed to be able to hook up with friends who roleplay. I purchased FG full, and am working my way slowly through everything. Because it's been over 10 years since I last gamed, I'm really out-of-the-loop regarding rule systems, and what's-what, so I hope y'all don't mind answering a few questions.

I purchased FG because it comes with 3.5E included, so I can start with something I know really well, and then add in game systems as I become more comfortable with the program. All of my favored systems are older, and unless they're out of license because of age, will require me to actually put them into the program. (Cyberpunk, Stormbringer, Powers and Perils, Traveler, Vampire, anyone?)

I've noticed (after taking a while to figure out how to load 3.5E modules) that only 2 are available: the core rulebook and the book of spells. I don't seem to have a Monster Manual anywhere. Am I missing it? If not, do I have to enter them manually, and are there directions anywhere on how to compile a supplement, like a monster list?

Also, I've noticed that while Wizards can have familiars, there is no place to record them. The character sheet doesn't have the room, and I can't seem to find any "support" sheets to use. Are there any included?

What do people recommend that I need, if anything, from the store in order to have everything I need to run a 3.5E game? I've noticed some mention of "d20" stuff, but that's not the same as D&D, is it?

Thanks a LOT! I'm so excited to be able to roleplay again, that I can barely stand it, lol. I want to be done getting stuff entered so I can gather up my players. =D

[Leonal]

Hi,

There should be four modules: rules, spells, monsters & items. (The latter two only appear when you host a game as a GM).
Check the modules folder in the Application Data folder (accessible through the FG group in your start menu) to make sure they're all there.

Familiars and animal companions generally don't require much stats and can be easily recorded in the notes tab. If you prefer you can use a second character sheet to record their stats. You can open them both during play.

The 3.5 ruleset is in the process of being upgraded and is currently under testing (See the Laboratory for more info). I don't think you need anything else than what is provided, though the store has some more modules in terms of adventures, tokens, and so on.

Talk of d20 may be due to the ruleset named d20_JPG which IMO is better than the current 3.5E ruleset (but will be superseded again by the upgraded 3.5E).

[Netjera]

Hi,

There should be four modules: rules, spells, monsters & items. (The latter two only appear when you host a game as a GM).
Check the modules folder in the Application Data folder (accessible through the FG group in your start menu) to make sure they're all there.

Ah.. I'm unable to host a game, at present, because I can't port forward for security reasons. >.< Meanwhile, I'm putting a campaign together, so it's ready to play when/if I can. Is there any way to make the books accessible when I'm putting the campaign together? It doesn't do me much good to cobble together things if I can't reference monster information.

Familiars and animal companions generally don't require much stats and can be easily recorded in the notes tab. If you prefer you can use a second character sheet to record their stats. You can open them both during play.

Thanks. I'm out of room on the character's sheet, unless I want to scroll all the time, so I guess I'll use method B.

The 3.5 ruleset is in the process of being upgraded and is currently under testing (See the Laboratory for more info). I don't think you need anything else than what is provided, though the store has some more modules in terms of adventures, tokens, and so on.

Oh good. Thanks for telling me. I was looking at some sort of d20 monster compendium. While it might be nice to have, if it's the same as what's included, it doesn't do me much good. :>

Talk of d20 may be due to the ruleset named d20_JPG which IMO is better than the current 3.5E ruleset (but will be superseded again by the upgraded 3.5E).

Maybe. Is d20 another form of D&D? I remember they were just starting to come out when I stopped playing, and I never got the chance to find out if it was a company, another set of rules, what game it was, or anything.

Thanks for being patient with me!

[Leonal]

d20 used to be and 3.5E is what it's often called it when you're not licensed to use the D&D name and logo. Before the current 3.5E ruleset was included in FG, the one labeled "d20" in the downloads section was the one that shipped.

There shouldn't be any difference between setting up the the campaign and actually running it, when it comes to modules (saying hosting earlier wasn't 100% correct). Are you perchance using the "manage characters" to set up your character? Because there you will only see the spells and basic rules. You also won't be able to use any monsters and such there.

If you have the modules and create a new campaign using either 3.5E, d20 or d20_JPG (all different takes of presenting 3.5 d&d in FG), you should definitely be able to open all four modules. If not I suppose there's something wrong.

[Netjera]

d20 used to be and 3.5E is what it's often called it when you're not licensed to use the D&D name and logo. Before the current 3.5E ruleset was included in FG, the one labeled "d20" in the downloads section was the one that shipped.

Oh confusing, lol. So it's the same ruleset, just under a generic name versus a licensed name? What hoops people go through to covet IP. rofl So essentially, then, anything for d20, like modules or supplements, should be usable without modification with the current ruleset?

There shouldn't be any difference between setting up the the campaign and actually running it, when it comes to modules (saying hosting earlier wasn't 100% correct). Are you perchance using the "manage characters" to set up your character? Because there you will only see the spells and basic rules. You also won't be able to use any monsters and such there.

If you have the modules and create a new campaign using either 3.5E, d20 or d20_JPG (all different takes of presenting 3.5 d&d in FG), you should definitely be able to open all four modules. If not I suppose there's something wrong.

I *am* using "Manage Characters" because I couldn't figure out how to create characters from the Create Campaign screen. There was no characters button that I could find.

Thanks again. (PS, I'll check the modules folder and the program again, to see if the modules are there and can be activated.)

[Leonal]

You're welcome. Happy to help.

This might be wrong as I'm only guessing/trying to remember old posts, but I believe FG previously used the d20 license (or whatever it was called), but when Wizards pulled the license one couldn't call the product d20 any longer and could only rely on the OGL (which is a brilliant license), thus the name change from d20 to 3.5E

Any purchase which says d20 should be compatible with all of the available rulesets for 3.5 d&d, yes.

After you create a campaign click on the button which has the silhouettes of three people in the upper right corner. There you can right click and then select the bottom selection "create new." This will allow you to create a character tied to that campaign. When a played connects they can select any of the characters that are not bound by another login name yet.

I'd also recommend you to look at the library link at the top. It explains most of what you need to know in the 3.5E ruleset.

[Netjera]

You're welcome. Happy to help.

This might be wrong as I'm only guessing/trying to remember old posts, but I believe FG previously used the d20 license (or whatever it was called), but when Wizards pulled the license one couldn't call the product d20 any longer and could only rely on the OGL (which is a brilliant license), thus the name change from d20 to 3.5E

Any purchase which says d20 should be compatible with all of the available rulesets for 3.5 d&d, yes.

After you create a campaign click on the button which has the silhouettes of three people in the upper right corner. There you can right click and then select the bottom selection "create new." This will allow you to create a character tied to that campaign. When a played connects they can select any of the characters that are not bound by another login name yet.

I'd also recommend you to look at the library link at the top. It explains most of what you need to know in the 3.5E ruleset.

Thanks a lot! THAT'S what was throwing me! Under Manage Characters, it has an "Add Character" button, but there's no button in the Character pane when you're creating a campaign.

Incidentally, if I've created a character in Manage Characters, I can still somehow get it into the campaign, can't I?

I'm slowly working my way through the library. Next order of business, find a way to get my alchemy changes into the ruleset.

Btw - is there a way to save the position of stuff from campaign to campaign? For example, I have certain pages open and minimized, and I keep having to reopen/reminimize them whenever I restart FG.

Thanks again!

[Leonal]

Yes, all characters you create in manage characters will show up as "local" characters when you join a campaign with a ruleset with the same name. (i.e. they will not show for you if you later create a campaign as a GM, but if you connect to your own campaign though a second instance of FG, or connect to another GMs campaign. A 3.5E character won't show up if you connect to a 4E game and so on.)

IIRC open windows will save their location between sessions, they will have to be opened again. Minimized windows will not open as minimized.

[Netjera]

Ah that explains a lot. I've almost got this, I think, and am probably down to my last couple of questions (till next week, anyways, lol).

In the guide it mentions a "Notes" section. Is that only available for players? I don't seem to have a Notes icon in GM mode?

Thanks again!

[Leonal]

The notes depend on how the ruleset was built, as such not all have them available.
The notes in the current 3.5E may not be visible for the GM, but the upgraded one and also d20_JPG has them viewable and editable by the GM too.

If you need to make any notes in the current 3.5E, just use a story sheet.