Dolmenwood: The richest DnD setting I've ever seen

[@QuestingBeast]

Dolmenwood on Kickstarter! bit.ly/DolmenwoodKickstarter Dolmenwood preview here: bit.ly/DolmenwoodPreview Patreon: bit.ly/QBPatreon Old-School DnD newsletter: bit.ly/TheGlatisant

[@davidbrennan660]

A solid campaign... respect.

[@HowlingSphinx]

You see something like this and realise most modules are just a framework for fun that expects you to work for it. This feels effortless.

[@doublestarships646]

Fellow Holo fan!

[@chrs-wltrs]

But it will also feel less personal to your players. There's a broad spectrum of "railroad vs sandbox" that can feel good for different play groups.

[@WilliamH157]

I have my "99% finished" copies of the books open side by side with your preview, and I am astonished that many spreads now contain even more information utilizing the same space. Truly a brilliant work.

[@PaladinProse]

Hard to believe Dolmenwood is finally here after all these years. So happy for Gavin!

[@samdoorley6101]

Yeah I've been waiting for this for a long, long time. So stoked!

[@johnstorm9314]

No room to create anything for yourself. 🙄

[@coldstream11]

Theres Lots of room. Flesh it out, or steal ideas for your own game

[@KneeSlice1775]

@@johnstorm9314Ameba brained comment. You can always cut content away and insert something else. You enjoy paying more for less huh.

[@ninjamania]

@@KneeSlice1775 I don’t see why you made that last comment. A lot of players expect everything in the setting to be used as is.

[@yvindheilo229]

Been running a campaign in Dolmenwood for two years now and I'll join in on the praise for this setting! It sits on a very special sweet spot between richness and at-the-table-friendly! Also, make no mistake: Dolmenwood is HUGE!

[@mythic1868]

Hey, how were you able to play for 2 years?!

[@yvindheilo229]

@@mythic1868 Been backing it on Patreon for over two years getting access to content as it was developed. Also owner of the Wormskin zines which contain info on the setting from back in the days!

[@TheHandlegoesHere]

​@@mythic1868Dolmenwood has a zine thats been out for yonks.

[@paavohirn3728]

Yes! And despite that or because of that can't wait for the October versions, then the adventure pdf's and finally the physical stuff to come out!

[@jeremygriffin620]

I scooted in 30 minutes after the kickstarter had opened and thought I'd missed the start by hours, he had already passed a quarter million at that point. I'm proud for him. I've loved OSE for a couple of years now and jumped on being his patron as soon as I could.

[@MrBenwaan]

I thought the picture for the Basilisk was genius at first... If it was a creature that turned you to stone if you looked at it then it would stand to reason that there would be no images of it. Maybe it does something else though so I don't know.

[@MichaelSpredemann]

I was all set to pass on this Kickstarter because I seriously have enough content for a few lifetimes, but then you had to go and post a video like this. I'm hooked.

[@PeterElroy]

Hey, can I join that boat of yours? Seems like we should be in the same one.

[@Dice_Dish]

Same I have so many TTRPG's I will never get around to playing. Time is the greatest boss!

[@paavohirn3728]

You're not going to regret jumping in this boat!

[@mattavaricios4679]

I absolutely loved the time I spent playing in the earlier version of Dolmenwood, and can't wait to play in the setting again! The tone, the details...all were detail rich, spot on in tone, and delightfully consistent. Bravo, Gavin!

[@eleintblood]

Backed within the first 10 minutes. I'm extremely hyped

[@TheBreadPirate]

Holy heck!! I can't believe how much detail is in this!

[@MrSteeleYoGirl86]

Dolmenwood is just beautifully realized. Gavin really made something special - all the parts of it fit together so well, it's extremely evocative, unique, and truly feels magical and whimsical in a way that just 100% works for me. Super excited the KS is finally here.

[@GruberMcPhisto]

Yes! Agreed. This is a lush, fascinating setting!

[@LailaJohanna]

I also took a look at this last week and thought not only is this totally my thing thematically, it's so well done. Really happy this exists and hope i get to play in it sometime.

[@paavohirn3728]

I didn't even know it's my thing when I opened the first Wormskin. Close to three years of games in Dolmenwood and I can definitely say it is 😅

[@pedrobernardo5887]

Gavin does make top notch stuff every time, I must say. Despite that, I have a hard time getting into such a weird setting for a personal game, but still. This is so good that it is worth a try at least.

[@helixxharpell]

Would you consider getting into an entire continent that's about 70% complete with the other 30% up to the DMs to create for?

[@freshhands9461]

I dont even play DnD. But some of these weird OSR products are such a font of creativity that my mind starts wandering in awesome directions. Also a joy to read!

[@paavohirn3728]

I first went into it as an English 14th century setting even crafting some gritty medieval realism into my OSR system but I've warmed up to further weirdness along the way. Gavin can be pretty persuasive with his own creative enthusiasm bursting thorough 😅

[@andrewdiaz3529]

I backed this when this video was only 34 minutes old! I've been super busy, but I watched from the Kickstarter page link, but now I'm watching it again in the KZbin app.

[@WarDogMadness]

do love this setting it reminds me so much of a 3.5 campaign 2013 to 2014 . were my group spent there whole life in the high forest. it was heavily influenced by ocarina of time. do love dolmenwoods monsters especially fungi dwarfs and wyrms .

[@alternatebanana3670]

Thanks, Ben, for introducing me to this. Absolutely picking up my own copies after payday. 🙏

[@alexanderchism6403]

Kickstarter doesn't charge until the end of the campaign (30 days), so if you know you're going to back I would do so this week to get the free cloth referee map!

[@npcsforhire]

This is something I have always wanted to do myself but never had time to create. I can see the attention to detail is just enough to evoke play for the GM and the players is perfect. All the information at your fingertips to run and adventures already set. That to me this is a perfect sandbox game idea. Thanks for talking about it.

[@lukerabon7925]

I'm not one of those people who has quit 5e entirely, but as I've branched out I've really gotten into things like this and while i can't donate right now, I hope this project succeeds spectacularly

[@paavohirn3728]

Glad if not surprised it did! And it will have a glorious future based on this success. You'll have a chance to get on board!

[@johannesstal270]

Supported them on patron and been waiting for along time for this kickstarter Planning to play this with the DCC rules.

[@MOTARACTUAL]

We have been playing Dolmenwood for the last year and it is amazing

[@mythic1868]

Hey, how have you been able to play it(

[@jacobgerhard9525]

Backed Dolmenwood as soon as I received the notification! Very very excited for this project 😊

[@karkosky3472]

I can always count on you to show me cool stuff to be on the lookout for. I'm excited to have another setting book to add to the collection

[@emjtucson]

Dolmenwood is awesome! It’s richness got its hooks into me once I started reading the early releases. I can’t wait to get Gavin’s complete setting.

[@DocFleg]

I am both excited by and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff in these books. Can't wait to get them.

[@rishg134]

Reminds me of a much more fleshed out Tales of the Old Margreve. Very cool

[@flaredrake2093]

Backed it! Thank you so much for showing off this incredible system and setting!

[@Thetrombonekingrocks]

I am just shocked you are releasing a video so soon after Gen Con! What a machine. Are you planning on doing any videos about your experience at Gen Con?

[@drewastolfi6840]

This is how I imagined D&D when I first heard of it. Very excited to sponsor it.

[@marlinperkins6910]

I absolutely love Dolmenwood and have been waiting for kickstart for a long time, and I’ve already backed it.

[@Aragura]

already pledged, have been looking forward to this, your review has only stoked the fire to immerse my players into this setting. Thank you and keep doing what you are doing. Also, thank you for Knave II.

[@freshhands9461]

Knew it from the magazine...truly inspiring stuff, has a certain magical vibe to it. Thanks for reminding me, I will make sure to grab the pdf version when the stars are right :)

[@Marshcreekmini]

We've been playing the patreon version for a year online. Race as class, OSE, on Fantasy Grounds. 4 of us go back to playing BECMI, and 2e. We love it. It's weird. It's wonderful.

[@paavohirn3728]

Fantastic! BECMI and 2nd ed were my gateways as well 😀 Dolmenwood perfects all that in my view.

[@mikepearse5196]

It truly is an amazing setting

[@jeremoople]

I really wasnt expecting Dolmenwood to be a full game system rather than just a campaign setting. Even if it is just an altered version of Old School Essentials, its a welcome surprise because I feel OSE is faithful to original b/x to a fault. I'll definitely back the digital tier. Physical is very tempting because these are some of the most gorgeous RPG books I've ever seen and I understand why they cost as much as they do, but $90 or more plus pretty hefty shipping is hard to justify for me right now.

[@paavohirn3728]

Luckily the ease of use of the pdf's is amazing! Love hopping from hex to hex and through the other hyperlinks 😁

[@ts25679]

I sorta want little stickers to come with a vague geographical map that you can stick location icons or fanciful depictions of the monsters here be

[@SwapneelGhosh95]

This is frikkin amazing. Totally get this for my birthday. Thanks for the in-depth showcase.

[@kevoreilly6557]

Between this, Knave2 and Shadowdark … I got me a happy Q4

[@Khaldryn]

Can't wait to get the pdfs!

[@brianfroeschner6644]

It's funny how much I've discovered (and purchased) because of you. However, it is the guys at 3D6 Down The Line that showed what a clearly superior product Dolmenwood is. Please, please, please watch their play and then back this setting and system, to rule them all.

[@thuumhammer682]

I'm only three episodes in and they're a big part of what pushed me from "I've already got too many D&D products" to "Shut up and take my money!"

[@paavohirn3728]

I really hope they get back into it!

[@Epic501]

​@@paavohirn3728we're in luck!

[@orcuswells649]

This sounds amazingly fun to dive into

[@geoffdewitt6845]

Forgot this was coming out! Just went ahead and backed it!

[@kontrarien5721]

So been looking forward to this one. Great preview!

[@PaladinHD]

not many people know this but Dolmen is also the name of a hit soulslike RPG that changed the genre and gaming as a whole.

[@paulie-g]

The one with a hundred reviews and less than 200 peak on Steam?

[@yoshirider979]

Backed it right after watching, thanks for making the vid!

[@tubespore]

I named one of my old cats Graymalkin; (nvr heard of Dolmenwood) weird! love the flying flying felines.

[@timleard6105]

Wow! I'm sold. Thanks for the review!

[@Redbeardblondie]

Finally someone uses Suzanna Clarke’s work as inspiration!!! My favorite author!

[@BodyByBenSLC]

I am going check this out! I have had a world in my head kicking around alot of similarities. I love the inspiration list, I would add more Conan the barbarian influences.

[@Sanguivore]

Old-school Fey stuff meshed with Conan is a really cool idea. I’m stealing that now! >:D

[@anactualsphinx]

Just saw this and went to check the kickstarter only to see that it closed.. and also blew its goal into space lol. Hopefully I can get it someday, thanks for creating such a compelling video!!

[@GrinningAries]

I always thought I wouldn't ever run OSE (or variants of it, or most retroclones) because while I appreciate and respected that it did what it set out to do very well, the system itself seemed a little dry. I'm second guessing that now with this

[@thereluctanthireling]

Instant back for me on this one, been waiting a long long time.

[@okamiv5]

Johnatan strange and mr norell? Holly duck yes thats the inspiration i go for

[@meowmewmeow315]

as a long time patreon member, I've had the pleasure of running two short campaigns in Dolmenwood, and I can confirm it is the richest setting I've ever come across, and one of the easiest to use.

[@grimrider3807]

I have a question, the rules site linked in their patroon keeps referring to some older games called b/x? As someone who only knows d&d 5e rules, how does this compare?

[@zanakyn6079]

​@@grimrider3807b/x is the 1981 box set version of the game. Think of it like a starter set that plays up to level 14. Superficially, the stats and everything will feel familiar to you coming from 5e. But the gameplay style is different. B/X is a game about world exploration & dungeon exploration. 5e is a lot more combat focused and much less exploration focused by comparison.

[@davidjcro]

Been waiting a long long time for this.

[@fadetoblack1026]

I'd love to have a setting like this for 5e

[@paavohirn3728]

Use this! Though there's a risk of falling in love with Gavin's system as well 😁

[@solomani-42]

Backed. Looking forward to it.

[@Aerakade]

This looks like something I've been trying to find for sometime. Backing now.

[@markgnepper5636]

Great stuff friend 👏 👍 Looking forward to getting my limited set

[@mrtheasley]

With something like nine noble houses, do you find it hard to remember the things you need/want to remember when running something like this? My worry is too much information. I hear someone say, "Just run it how you want to!" But when you realize you make a misstep that throws everything off, it's a little less fun. Just wondering how you manage so much info in a campaign setting.

[@Colobustaco]

I'm running my second Dolmenwood campaign (I backed it on Patreon), and what you mentioned is something I was anxious about during my first campaign. My experience is that as you read up on the couple of settlements and hexes you think your players will use in the next session, you're able to brush up on the local factions, etc. This kind of learning that comes out of regular preparation builds on itself so that by the time your players are ready to dip their toes into faction relationships and domain-level play you have a pretty good understanding of what you need to know. Also, the books are easy to reference and the PDFs have a handy amount of internal links!

[@sherizaahd]

man... this looks so good!

[@HappyChthonian]

Just got my copy of Knave 2e! I've been on a no-stats, rules ultra-lite FKR kick for the past year, but I'm falling in love with Knave. Ben, how do you envision running Dolmenwood? Would you use Knave? If so, how would you handle having classes?! And pinecone armor?! Make a Knave + Dolmenwood video/article, please. The people need to know!

[@BX-advocate]

Thanks for doing this review or preview. I am on the fence on this product as I do like some things but I'm not sure about others. I really like what Gavin has done in regards to OSE so I like supporting him but still not sure. Either way thanks for doing this it helps with the decision making process.

[@JafarFallahiPhotography]

I can't wait to run Dolmenwood. I've been a long-time patreon supporter and have been running OSE since I found out about it. Has Ben ever looked at The Halls of Arden Vul? It's a beast but it's at the top of my list as well - 3d6DTL is running it currently and it's out of this world.

[@quint3ssent1a]

Read all fanzine issues about it and man, it does feel really cool.

[@alvaromag419]

Someone knows how the two things Beast mentions are used for inspiration at 3:19 are written?

[@davidholman6709]

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell The King of Elfland's Daughter He also mentioned Gormenghast (series starts with Titus Groan) and Lud In The Mist

[@CryptoCowboy_Unstoppable]

sweet news. thanks for the video. i jumped on and backed this baby

[@Arnsteel634]

This is the baldur’s gate 3 of tabletop adventures

[@e-cuauhtemoc]

I'm very intrigued. I'd like to get behind this and support it.

[@BorkDoggo]

The art style of Wildermyth was probably inspired by this

[@chrisderhodes7629]

I was actually looking at Wildermyth’s character death system for Dolmenwood campaign

[@Batterydennis]

Gavin with another ‘crowdfunded’ project. I feel like the TTRPG community has been keeping Kickstarter afloat. I wish we could get a better business model.

[@paulie-g]

It's a very decent model (for stuff that's either done or definitely getting done): the creators can gauge interest and size orders appropriately, no underproduction/small runs that are too expensive, and no overproduction that bankrupts them. In theory, this prevents a lot of problems and makes things more efficient. The irony of course is this only works for projects that aren't being "kickstarted", but rather for projects that have fully funded development done by people who know exactly what they're doing.

[@minimoose7890]

"Yahoo!" I say. "Ouch!" retorts my wallet, "especially with Shadow of the Weird Wizard funding at the same time."

[@gabrielgiordano4008]

it really looks amazing

[@xavierp7658]

Would this work with Shadowdark?

[@henriquerael7787]

This should be illegal. I'm starting a new campaign and now I'm thinking about starting a new new campaign just to play in this setting. Just loved the fairy tale style monsters and the interesting new rules!

[@GreylanderTV]

Is this mainly a re-packaging of what is already available in zines/blogs/other published material?

[@revylokesh1783]

Absolutely not. All the Wormskin zines together make up about 2% of what's in this KS

[@vumbra26]

Ability checks on a d6 with a roll of 4+ for success is different (and cool!).

[@baileystutzman6096]

Man, this reminds me a good bit of Hellfrost.

[@andrewrockwell1282]

Damn it. I hoped it would be a system I don't like, or something not for me. Why? I've been spending too much lately. Why did it have to be so damn good.

[@bluebird3281]

Does anyone know what DM screen that is over his right shoulder and if it is a Roger Dean drawn scene?

[@velvetimpulse]

It’s from UltraViolet Grasslands. Amazing OSR psychedelic game. This is from the 2nd edition which just came out.

[@bluebird3281]

@@velvetimpulse Thank you!

[@lupnasty]

Are there stocked dungeons in the campaign book?

[@revylokesh1783]

No, none that I remember. It's a hexcrawl setting. The Abbey of St Clewyd definetly is a dungeon, but that's a separate adventure book.

[@bjhale]

Yeah, that's a weakness of the book, IMO. Fortunately, there are now four whole adventures that will come with that include stocked dungeons. If you're looking for a good hexcrawl that comes with stocked dungeons and its own B/X-based system, I would recommend Outcast Silver Raiders. It doesn't get enough love.

[@ejaedike]

my 50 year home-brew alternate history earth - or how about the Rules Cyclopedia, and The Known World, Mystara?

[@QuestingBeast]

I haven't played in your home game or in Mystara.

[@Tedpikel]

Hi, @QuestingBeast loving the channel. Are those fishing, foraging, hunting and camping rules in OSE or are they new for this release?

[@dingdongdangah]

New

[@Tedpikel]

@@dingdongdangah thanks.

[@iantaran2843]

Dolmenwood and Hyperborea are LIFE

[@paavohirn3728]

Yes! After all this time! It's a cause for celebration. No setting like this. My most anticipated rpg product in all my nearly 35 years.

[@barryc6785]

What would you recommend for those of us considering this vs BX essentials or Advanced?

[@iantaran2843]

Dolmenwood if you want to play SPECIFICALLY in the Dolmenwood setting Old School Essentials Classic if you just want the original BX game cleaned up Old School Essentials Advanced if you want BX with some of the bells and whistles of 1st Edition Advanced D&D. There ARE some other options depending on what your looking for Swords & Wizardry Lamentations of the Flame Princess Astonishing Swordsmen and Sorcerers of Hyperborea Are all absolutely fantastic systems worth attention and MAY fit what your looking for better 👍

[@paavohirn3728]

Dolmenwood is a great system now in itself! I'd say it has perfected OSE.

[@jarrettperdue3328]

ARGH Ben! I had no plans to throw $ at this until your great review 🙃

[@WTS3Point]

What is that dm screen in the back? Specifically the yellow and blue one.

[@helixxharpell]

I may just back this setting! But i didnt get to see just how many miles this setting covers. Anyone know the answer to that?

[@revylokesh1783]

It's 200 6-mile hexes, all detailed one one page each. In total roighly 6200 square miles.

[@helixxharpell]

@@revylokesh1783 That's very impressive. Definitely I am considering backing this campaign setting. 🙂👍

[@EpeenKing]

When do these books ship? Saw a pre-order available but couldn't find a date.

[@jcraigwilliams70]

This looks great and I would love to support it, but I am not sure that it would be of use to me since I only play solo. Having it be so detailed and complete seems somewhat detrimental to solo play, as it seems there's less opportunity to help create the world.

[@paavohirn3728]

Oh I hope you changed your mind in time. I've played a bit of a solo game with it and it's perfect! The procedures and sandbox tools are brilliant for solo in my humble experience.

[@grimrider3807]

As someone who was only played d&d 5e what are the rules like for this system comparatively?

[@Tedpikel]

look into OSE. It's made by the same guy, and is a "clone" of early d&d. Rules are much the same imho just a few tweaks.

[@kalleendo7577]

Awesome!!!

[@baitposter]

Time to run it in Tiny Dungeon 2e 🙏

[@jackswenson2936]

The pain of seeing this just now and realizing I’m 3 days late to be a backer

[@dudz8104]

that lake on the map is actually a sea

[@GeorgeHofmann2]

Would you recommend running a Knave game within this setting or just using the B/X rules as written in Dolmenwood?

[@paavohirn3728]

The Dolmenwood system is brilliant and has all the flavor built in. That said it should be loads of fun with Knave.

[@alanschaub147]

This sounds like The Dresden Files, which is an absolutely fantastic series of books. I highly recommend them, and the Audible versions are read with great talent. ❤

[@b1g_m00n]

that's straight out of my dreams tbh..

[@forrestreed7847]

would Cairn, Knave or S&W characters work for this?

[@Tedpikel]

Yes.