Running a “West Marches” Game Links and Resources

“West Marches” game has been the rage for a while.  It’s a specific kind of sandbox game, where the players change each week and each adventure.  Developed originally by Ben Robbins, the indie game designer of Microscope, it has grown to be a very popular style of game.  In some respects, its a miniature version of a living campaign.  It also harkens back to the beginnings of the hobby, with many of the stories of David Arneson’s and Gary Gygax’s games working similarly.  I love it because then you don’t need to worry about having the same people there every week, and when you are talking 20  to 60 somethings, being able to plan a game that everyone can attend is next to impossible.

This has been the inspiration for the Fallow’s Vale campaign that I’ve been running, although I do have some interesting things happening in the town as well.  I thought as I gather helpful sites and links for my campaign, I’d post them here as well.

Background

If you want you can read the write up about West Marches by Ben Robbins, or a summary of the components he feels is important to a West Marches game.

The basics are this:

1. The town is a safe haven, that the players return to each week.
2. The wilderness is unsafe, and gets progressively more dangerous the father out the players roam.
3. Dungeons should be finishable, but not clearable in one go.
4. The players schedule the games.