TSR HR Series VS TLG Codex Series

[Julian Grimm]

With Codex Celtarum out and Codex Nordicum on the horizon I was wondering how these two stack up against the old TSR series of books. I have the TSR books on PDF and have enjoyed them greatly and I was wondering if it was worth buying the new books vs tracking down the old ones in hard form.

Also, what are the plans for books in the Codex series beyond the first two?

[Omote]

Next up: CODEX GERMANIA (I think).

~O

[Treebore]

I prefer these versions because with the authors background in the material it oozes a lot more of the "flavor" behind the lore.

[kreider204]

Sorry - I lived under a rock from 1987 to 2008. What's the TSR HR series?

[alcyone]

I am looking forward to Codex Australia and Codex Luxembourg.

[Pat Payne]

Sorry - I lived under a rock from 1987 to 2008. What's the TSR HR series?

Back in the '90s, TSR released a bunch of Historical Resource books -- covering Charlemagne's Empire, the Vikings, The Romans, The ancient Greeks, the Crusades, and the later Renaissance, up to (IIRC) the Thirty-Years' War.

Personally, I'd love to see a Codex Anglo-Saxorum... love to see post-Roman Angla-lond given the Codex treatment

[kreider204]

Sorry - I lived under a rock from 1987 to 2008. What's the TSR HR series?

Back in the '90s, TSR released a bunch of Historical Resource books -- covering Charlemagne's Empire, the Vikings, The Romans, The ancient Greeks, the Crusades, and the later Renaissance, up to (IIRC) the Thirty-Years' War.

Personally, I'd love to see a Codex Anglo-Saxorum... love to see post-Roman Angla-lond given the Codex treatment

Ah, thanks! All my AD&D buddies moved or stopped playing before then, so it sounds as though I missed out on a lot of good stuff!

[timburns]

I am looking forward to Codex Australia and Codex Luxembourg.

Just wait until we get to Codex Arkansas -- there will be lots of spells and potions involving moonshine...

[Rigon]

JG, having both the HR books for the Celts and the Vikings, I think you want to get the Codex. There is tons more flavor than in the HR books.

R-

[lobocastle]

Julian Grimm,

I also have both and if you can get only one type of reference, I would recommend the Codex. the background information is great!

JLL

[Treebore]

I hope the fact that I said I "prefer" the Codex material made it clear enough that I also own both series in question. If not, now it is clear.

[JediOre]

Just wait until we get to Codex Arkansas -- there will be lots of spells and potions involving moonshine...

And the dreaded razorback monster!

[Julian Grimm]

I am looking forward to Codex Australia and Codex Luxembourg.

Just wait until we get to Codex Arkansas -- there will be lots of spells and potions involving moonshine...

That should be titled Codex Ozarkum.

[kreider204]

Now I'm imagining the Codex Deliverance ...

[Lurker]

Now I'm imagining the Codex Deliverance ...

Soooo wrong on soooo many levels!

I'll start this by saying I only have the PDF of the Codex, but have both the PDF and dead tree copies of the HR series (well dead tree of some of them).

Hands down, the codex! I like the HR, it is a good series with good ideas to mine. It has a good bit of flavor stuff and some 'historic' reference you can use in a game setting. However, the codex has great flavor etc.

I won't throw away the HR series, even the one(s) that have a direct codex equivalent, but the codex is(will be) my go to books when I have them.

[Treebore]

Now I'm imagining the Codex Deliverance ...

Soooo wrong on soooo many levels!

I'll start this by saying I only have the PDF of the Codex, but have both the PDF and dead tree copies of the HR series (well dead tree of some of them).

Hands down, the codex! I like the HR, it is a good series with good ideas to mine. It has a good bit of flavor stuff and some 'historic' reference you can use in a game setting. However, the codex has great flavor etc.

I won't throw away the HR series, even the one(s) that have a direct codex equivalent, but the codex is(will be) my go to books when I have them.

Agreed, the HR series is still worth having, lots of stuff to mine, but for "flavor" stuff, like spells, monsters, lore, etc... the Codex series is much, much better, so will be the first books I pick up when I am trying to figure out what I want to use or do.

[Celticgamer]

The 'Codex Deliverance' would come with the new character classes of Noodler, Banjo Master, Hog-Wrangler, and Necrophiliac. The monsters would have zombies, inbred hillbillies, probing aliens, carnivorous cattle and sheep, and demonic KKK. The mini adventure would start out with an innocent hunting and camping trip in the wilderness but end up with something else quite utterly terrible by the end. There will be a miniature set too and other extras of course! I will take a trip to Arkansas to do my research soon...

...oh and the Codex Germania is the next in line!

[Treebore]

The 'Codex Deliverance' would come with the new character classes of Noodler, Banjo Master, Hog-Wrangler, and Necrophiliac. The monsters would have zombies, inbred hillbillies, probing aliens, carnivorous cattle and sheep, and demonic KKK. The mini adventure would start out with an innocent hunting and camping trip in the wilderness but end up with something else quite utterly terrible by the end. There will be a miniature set too and other extras of course! I will take a trip to Arkansas to do my research soon...

I... I... I'm sold! When is the expected release date!

[Celticgamer]

If I survive the trip this fall! The moment I hear banjos and someone shout 'Squeal like a pig!' there might be trouble. I will have to call the Head Troll in Little Rock and see what he can do, maybe I took I a...Wrong Turn.

[tylermo]

I was think Codex Arkansum, until I saw Codex Ozarkum. Clearly better than my idea. Let's get Germania and Slavorum, then onto Ozarkum!

[Julian Grimm]

Well, I'm convinced. If I have the cash next payday I will pick up Celtarum and see what I think. However, if I don't like it I am holding all of you accountable.

[Treebore]

Well, I'm convinced. If I have the cash next payday I will pick up Celtarum and see what I think. However, if I don't like it I am holding all of you accountable.

So if you like it, what do we get?

[Julian Grimm]

Respect and gratitude.

[alcyone]

I think a Mesopotamian codex would be pretty neat. I picked up something on RPGNow called Caravan which is nice, as well as Necromancer's "Ancient Kingdoms: Mesopotamia" but a TLG treatment would be welcome.

[Celticgamer]

I think a Mesopotamian codex would be pretty neat. I picked up something on RPGNow called Caravan which is nice, as well as Necromancer's "Ancient Kingdoms: Mesopotamia" but a TLG treatment would be welcome.

I am scheming that one up actually...it will be very cool! I would love to include the Hittites as well, and the many other early related and neighboring peoples of the period in the Codex. I can envision it and it would be a brilliant book unequaled. That and one on Ancient Eqypt since they are so connected. The Mesopotamian Codex would also include the Babylonian Empires ending with the conquest by Alexander the Great in the 4th Century B.C.E. Yeah, it IS on the list guys!

[Julian Grimm]

Right now I am most interested in Celtarum, Nordicum and Germania since they fit the idea behind the setting I am working on. The rest will be picked up as they interest me.

[Celticgamer]

Right now I am most interested in Celtarum, Nordicum and Germania since they fit the idea behind the setting I am working on. The rest will be picked up as they interest me.

Those fall into areas of my personal expertise, so I concur. I run them all of the time personally. In fact, I am starting on my PhD in Celtic this fall finally and can get my time spent as a student of the subject done after 30+ years. My gaming and studies have always been hand-in-hand and are never apart.

[Omote]

Speaking of banjos, and closed deep-woods societies, let me also say an extremely cool idea would be a Codex Appalachia. Think about it, the legends, people, monsters, and the hard life of settlers from the 1700s through 1900s. Rival clans, natives, boogey-men, and the quest for quiet lands to settle would make for a damn good Codex in my opinion.

~O

[Julian Grimm]

Considering that the Ozark culture came from Appalachia I second the opinion. Took a trip to the smokeys a few years back to get an idea of the similarities between our cultures. Not only did I find many, I also found where some possible ancestors came from. Great stuff.