The Onyx City, an old-school roleplaying experience

Welcome to the codex of all knowledge for The Onyx City, a classic Dungeons & Dragons sandbox campaign in the Sugar Land/Houston, Texas area with an open table and an old-school style!

The elevator pitch

It’s said that every undertaking that involves recruiting others needs an elevator pitch, so here goes:

A scene from Trade Town with The Onyx City in the distance

You and your fellow raiders were expecting a ten-day journey when you boarded the longship bound for Lars Troll-Killer’s remote encampment.  Ten days have turned to three weeks of miserable searching across the fog-shrouded arctic seas broken only by hardtack and the occasional sighting of a whale or… something.  One never knows in these wretched waters.

During the journey you have gotten to know some of the other holumenn who joined the voyage.  Their stories are all too familiar:  trouble with law-speakers, trouble with jarls, trouble with family, trouble with money.  Practically everyone seems to be running away from something.  Oh, and of course, everyone is looking to find their fortune and are certain they are going to become very rich.

Finally, after several days a silhouette is spotted in the sky.  Some say it is a gull, but a young skald looks at it and swears it is a distant dragon, which spreads both amusement and unease among the crew.  Regardless, it gives the steersman a direction to go.  Before long, peaks can be seen and when the fog breaks a makeshift natural harbor is found that leads to a collection of beached ships, tents and shacks, as well an imposing collection of distant, stark black structures beyond the nearest hills.

You have arrived at Trade Town just outside The Onyx City.  Welcome to Thule.

The premise is simple:  a mysterious ruined city ripe with riches waiting for Viking raiders and other tomb robbers to plunder and a greater backstory and history, should you seek to find it.

The goal?  Kill monsters, take their stuff and have fun.  Sound good?  Then grab some dice and pass the Doritos!

This is an old-school sandbox campaign based on equally old-school rules and sensibilities and structured to fit into the busy lives of adults.  Beginner and veteran players alike are welcome!  New characters will be rolled before play begins or you may use a pre-generated character.

For more information and how to play

I have answered some basic questions on gameable content and how much you need to know about the history of Vikings (hint:  you really don’t need to know anything).  As well as there is a setting gazetteer to familiarize yourself with the world of The Onyx City.  The base ruleset in use is Basic Fantasy RPG, which is available for free.  I have also answered some questions regarding rule interpretations, as well as the house rules.

If you want to join in, the best thing to do would be to join the discussion list because that’s where expeditions are discussed and scheduled.

Existing players

Current players may want to peruse the gazetteer, table map or add their own information to the logbook in the main hall of Norsemen’s Rest.


Trace: • The Onyx City, an old-school roleplaying experience

🐛 Roaches to riches 💰