Online place where I can learn Dn'D rules?

[The Pale King]

Before I start, if there are any errors in this post, I apologize. I'm a complete novice, as you can see.

Hey. I was thinking of maybe getting into Dungeons and Dragons. But none of my friends would be interested in that sort of thing, so I was thinking I might be able to try an online campaign, possibly on this forum (do these games work like that?).

But before I start, is there any place online where I can gain a large enough understanding of the rules to be able to play the game and make my own character. I don't want to try and get my parents to buy me this sort of thing (although I guess I could if all else failed). Also, please specify which editions that this would help me with.

[The Dark Fiddler]

d20srd.org for 3.5e.

Which seems to be the most popular PbP medium, from what I've seen.

The only downside is that it's missing about 2% of the stuff from the core books, mostly Wealth by Level tables and EXP/Level Up tables.

Good news is that it's got some extra stuff, like Psionics (usually well liked and considered pretty well balanced) and some variant rules.

[jmbrown]

Gotta get this in before the ninjas get me!

The Hypertext d20 SRD contains all the rules listed under the Open Game License. The biggest omission is the process of leveling up which is not public material. Because of copyright, we can't tell you directly, however, it's a simple process, experience charts are posted all over the internet, and I'm sure a kind soul here will PM you the details.

[Sanguine]

3.5: Here you will find the core rules(plus a little extra)

Edit:Double ninja'd

[The Dark Fiddler]

It seems I am a double ninja.

[The Pale King]

Gotta get this in before the ninjas get me!

The Hypertext d20 SRD contains all the rules listed under the Open Game License. The biggest omission is the process of leveling up which is not public material. Because of copyright, we can't tell you directly, however, it's a simple process, experience charts are posted all over the internet, and I'm sure a kind soul here will PM you the details.

OK. If we're not allowed to post it directly, then I'll try not to ask directly. It is entirely possible I'm not correct on this. If Mr. XP comes to your house enough, he'll bring Mr. LevelUp. Am I correct?

Also, I do want 3e and 3.5 rules, but could I also have rules for other editions, like the latest one?

[Kylarra]

Just to be different, 4e test drive, although admittedly keep on the shadowfell isn't a great module, 4e's character builder does provide a nice resource for statting up new chars.

[The Dark Fiddler]

OK. If we're not allowed to post it directly, then I'll try not to ask directly. It is entirely possible I'm not correct on this. If Mr. XP comes to your house enough, he'll bring Mr. LevelUp. Am I correct?

That's the gist of it.

To be honest, you probably don't need it. Some DMs just go by "You Level Up when I say you Level Up". The ones that don't, you can just ask when you're playing under them.

Also, I do want 3e and 3.5 rules, but could I also have rules for other editions, like the latest one?

^Gives you a way for 4e, but for 1e and 2e, short of getting the books, not really. The reason the 3.5e SRD exists is the fact that it was released under a license allowing it to be used like that. 1e and 2e, not so much (and for some reason, not 4e, it seems), so there's really no legal way short of purchase.

[jmbrown]

OK. If we're not allowed to post it directly, then I'll try not to ask directly. It is entirely possible I'm not correct on this. If Mr. XP comes to your house enough, he'll bring Mr. LevelUp. Am I correct?

Also, I do want 3e and 3.5 rules, but could I also have rules for other editions, like the latest one?

Best way to learn the game, IMO, is by playing the game. You can do this entirely solo.

Step 1: Print out a character sheet. You can find them everywhere. Make sure you get a 3.5 edition one.

Step 2: Roll for ability scores. Roll 4d6, drop the lowest die, 6 times and assign them as you please.

Step 3: Choose your race, read the description, and apply the special abilities they grant.

Step 4: Choose your class. Read through your class thoroughly. Start at level 1 since you're beginning and jot down what abilities they may have. At 1st level, you get full hp.

Step 5: Choose your skills. Each class tells you how many skill points you get at 1st level.

Step 6: Choose your feats. Everyone gets a feat at 1st level and humans get a bonus feat.

Step 7: Buy equipment. Either give yourself a gold limit so you can make resourceful choices or just buy whatever the heck you want.

Step 8: Pick your spells (if you're a spell caster).

Step 9: Fight some monsters! Pick monsters of CR 1 or lower and pit yourself against them in pretend fights. Read the combat section and understand each part in turn. AoO will probably give you the most trouble.

The best way to learn the game is by creating a character and playing with him!

[The Pale King]

^Gives you a way for 4e, but for 1e and 2e, short of getting the books, not really. The reason the 3.5e SRD exists is the fact that it was released under a license allowing it to be used like that. 1e and 2e, not so much (and for some reason, not 4e, it seems), so there's really no legal way short of purchase.

That's ok. I mainly wanted 3.5e and 4e. It would have been nice to get the older editions, but it wasn't my highest priority.

That's the gist of it.

To be honest, you probably don't need it. Some DMs just go by "You Level Up when I say you Level Up". The ones that don't, you can just ask when you're playing under them.

Cool. Any other omitted rules I should know about?

[jmbrown]

OK. If we're not allowed to post it directly, then I'll try not to ask directly. It is entirely possible I'm not correct on this. If Mr. XP comes to your house enough, he'll bring Mr. LevelUp. Am I correct?

Also, I do want 3e and 3.5 rules, but could I also have rules for other editions, like the latest one?

OSRIC is an OGL interpretation of AD&D 1E and covers the original material with 99% accuracy.

I'm currently working on an OGL write up of AD&D 2E called CRAIG.

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Yes! Free advertisement. Suck it.

[Knaight]

Given that you are new to D&D, I'm assuming the same about RPGs in general. So, here comes the usual speil. There are RPGs other than D&D, including many free ones, as well as places online to play them. I usually work with Fudge, other notable games include Savage Worlds, Nemesis, Fate, Risus, and if you are willing to shell out significant amounts of cash, the wide wide worlds of World of Darkness, Shadowrun, etc. all become available.
Fudge: http://www.fudgerpg.com/
Savage Worlds(Demo):http://www.peginc.com/downloads.html
Fate: http://www.evilhat.com/

[ShadowFighter15]

If you really want the specific XP values for each level; they were re-printed on the Neverwinter Nights 2 Wikia. The game used the same amount of experience for each level (as far as I know) so you can use the chart for a PbP game or even just to learn the rules of the game.

http://nwn2.wikia.com/wiki/Character_progression

The ECL+X columns are for races with level adjustments (a balancing feature that basically makes a race count as one level higher as far as gaining experience points go).