Dave Arneson describes the use of "chance cards" in JG 37 "The First Fantasy Campaign". I suspect these had their roots in wargames by Avalon Hill and other companies, but I couldn't locate any specific examples.
A chance card was drawn for each game month, and the events worked into the campaign timeline. Arneson mentions drawing the cards one game year in advance, in order "to allow for a logical progression of events."
Chance cards were only employed "after the 3rd year" of the original Blackmoor Campaign, and primarily involved the Outdoor Survival phase of the campaign. They are presented in tabular form, reproduced below:
01-02: Small Duchy of Ten Raid (2/3 Cavalry, 1/3 Mixed)03-04: Large Duchy of Ten Raid (maximum once a year)05-06: Migration and Travelers (maximum once a year)07-08: Special (maximum once a year): Horror of the year - Judge's option!09-10: Large Orc Uprising (Civil War) Report11-14: Wandering Heroes15-16: Wandering Superheroes17-20: Mercenary Company (small)21-22: Mercenary Company (large)23-26: Small Bandit Attack27-28: Large Bandit Attack29-32: Small Tarnsmen Raid33-34: Large Tarnsmen Raid35-36: Caravan to Empire37-39: Caravan ro Small Capital40-41: Caravan to Large Capital42-43: River/Coastal Convoy44-47: Legend Lead48-49: Large Viking Raid (maximum once a year)50-52: Small Viking Raid53-54: Dry Spell: Will convert sinking land to marshes55-56: Wet Spell: Negates a Dry spell or similar magic57-59: Draw Two Cards60-61: Draw Three Cards62-74: No Activity75-77: Peasant Revolt78-80: Small Nomad Raid81-82: Large Nomad Raid (maximum once a year)83-86: Earthquake hits - Roll for intensity87-88: Army Revolt89-92: Storm: Delay Trade by one month, movement reduced.93-94: Crusaders Passing Through95-96: New Wizard Arrives97-98: Plague!99-00: NPC(s): 1-3 turn Traitor
Arneson mentions that events such as the Great Peasant Revolt and the Duchy of Ten Raid originated through the use of chance cards.
In a similar vein, the Companion Set Rules (1984) by Frank Mentzer describe 1-4 "Dominion Events" to be selected or randomly determined at the beginning of each game year:
Table of "Natural Events" for a Dominion, from the D&D Companion Set Rules, by Frank Mentzer.
Table of "Unnatural Events" for a Dominon, from the D&D Companion Set Rules, by Frank Mentzer.
I'm not sure if Frank was thinking about Arneson's chance cards when he came up with these tables, although many of the events are similar.
More likely they originated from Tony Bath's "Setting up a Wargames Campaign".
ReplyDeleteThank-you, that makes sense! Will check it out.
DeleteDon't look at me if we draw the "Plaque" card --- I brush twice a day!
ReplyDeleteAlthough Dave didn't have the best reputation as a speller, I take full responsibility for that one!
DeleteTypo corrected...