This isn't the best image - I think it's going to come out pretty small. However, most of us will recognize it as the back cover illustration for White Plume Mountain (S2).
I would like to draw your attention to the fighter who is ahead of the others, in the distance. He is wearing a diaper and a horned helmet.
Folks, it doesn't get any better than this. Seriously. I am sorely tempted to make a rule that all fighters are simply considered to have the AC of, say, chainmail -- regardless of what they're wearing (not a big concession in OD&D, where plate mail only costs 50gp). Then you can do the totally swords & sorcery thing, and go adventuring in a fur diaper and helmet, or whatever seems like it would be totally cool. Shields would still be useful, and plate mail would improve your armor, but if you want to sacrifice a point of AC to be safer from drowning, then diaper up!
I love Erol Otus.
I, as well, would like to give some sound game reason for going light on armor. Shane of Swords Against Darkness had the elegant idea of basing initiative on what armor was worn, so one would get a big init. bonus for being loincloth'd. I keep thinking, though, about how even Conan wore armor if he could get it before a fight.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need a special rule to enable some maniac to go into a dungeon wearing a diaper and a helmet.
ReplyDeleteI'd need a diaper in the average dungeon.
Heh, makes me think of the "Bulletproof Nudity" rules in GURPS.
ReplyDelete@Higgipedia: I thought that too.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe just a "basic AC" bonus that is negated by armor and is tied to level (thus making it able to compete with magic armor). As for shield utility, even without the AC part "shields shall be splintered" works well.
Sacred honor precludes any self-respecting underpants-clad warrior from accepting dungeon masterly aid of any kind.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a diaper, it's a loincloth!
ReplyDeleteI'm going with max AC (and weapon damage) based on your class. So if you have high dexterity and possibly some magic (+3 diaper?) then there's no point wearing armour - unless you think it looks cool and you don't like moving at full speed.
ReplyDeleteGoing Zardoz, ey?
ReplyDeleteMy S2 has the Elric-ripoff-guy on the back cover - but I still instantly recognized the picture. I love that module.
I keep thinking, though, about how even Conan wore armor if he could get it before a fight.
ReplyDeleteYeah. I also agree with jasons. Wearing a diaper to the dungeon is means a whole lot more if it doesn't grant a bonus. (I also agree with JD.)
The nice thing about wearing the diaper, though, is that you don't have to try to find a quiet place to take care of the call of nature when you're in the dungeon. In fact, DMs should treat that diaper like a weapon, not like armor.
ReplyDeleteI agree that armor should have some impact - that's why I wouldn't give fighters the top AC for going without armor. On the other hand, in OD&D, everyone has plate mail almost as a default because it's so cheap.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it's not a house rule I'm advocating or even certain I'll implement, but Erol Otus pictures can sure shake the foundations of the purer high-medieval vision portrayed by most other artists of early 1e.
Folks who do this, use that rule to justify the used of chainmail bikinis, fur diapers, and the Barsoomian battle harness (counting as chainmail, "furs/skins", and leather armor respectfully). There is nothing wrong with this, as it is a fantasy game that lends itself to a degree of abstraction. After all, having a 100 hit points doesn't make a character a waking pincushion, who is numb to pain - much of it is about the sort of luck, that can turn a dead aim to the head, into a harmless scratch. The sort of luck you see with the hero in an action movie.
ReplyDeletePlus, heroes - moreover, the Heroines - look a lot more sexy half-naked, then they do bundled-up in those damn condoms! ;)
I saw George Clinton and P-Funk in concert a couple of years ago. George came out on stage wearing a diaper and hiking boots.
ReplyDeleteHis funk was cromulent. Plus there was a dude dressed like cat-in-the-hat.
So, yeah, diapers and helmets? I'm down.