In May 2011, I began making notes for a Basic D&D game meant to really have a good old-school feel, sticking to the spirit and feel of the original game, but with an original setting. (This is a bit of a challenge for me, as I am usually overwhelmed with a desire to reinvent everything.)
In mid-September, I began advertising the game on Craigslist, Meetup, Pen & Paper Games, and other similar fora.
I keep a journal of game recaps.
I'd like to keep the game pretty open. If we end up with too many players for one table, I will try to run more games, with rotating parties. I will post some updates about the game and its scheduling at the NEPA D&D Meetup.com group, but if you really want to play, join the mailing list where we'll be scheduling and discussing the game.
We're playing Basic (B/X) Dungeons & Dragons -- the Moldvay/Cook rules. Since it's a pain to get those rules, you can use Labyrinth Lord from Goblinoid Games, which is a very, very close simulacrum of the 1981 rules. If you need the rules, you can download them for free online. I have a printed copy, but I also have a bunch of copies of the original "red book" rules. (You can get these for about $10 on eBay.)
Of course, I also have a bunch of house rules.
We'll be playing at the Bethlehem Area Public Library, at least to start -- but quite probably we'll stay there. It's public, quiet, cheap, and convenient to me. (I don't drive.)
At present (2011-12-12), we play regularly every other Saturday from 12:00 to 16:00, with exceptions made as needed, and discussed on the mailing list.
Beyond the Temple of the Abyss begins in the small frontier town of Edgwold, one of the westernmost baronies of the duchy. It was founded to provide a staging ground for the long-term exploration (and exploitation!) of the Temple of the Abyss, a deep dungeon nearby. In recent years, the dungeon's riches have begun to seem exhausted, and the number of would-be adventurers seeking riches in Edgwold has dwindled.
The player characters are among the few still in Edgwold, most likely in the employ of the baron. If they can't find their fortunes there, they may have to look beyond...