I know a lot of us who've gone back to OD&D, AD&D or B/X in part for sentimental reasons, But I'm also fascinated by younger people who weren't around to play these games, but are now turning to them. If you fall into this category and have comments or would like to discuss it, please contact info@shadomain.com #dd#bx#oldschool#game
When playing or writing for old school rules like Labyrinth Lord, Iron Falcon, or my own as of yet unnamed rule set I assume, in line with old school sentiments that somehow got lost over time, that most people in the world are level 0 or at most level 1.
Level 1 is already a professional in any chosen class. E.g. A soldier who already has seen battle, or a wizard who has graduated their apprenticeship.
Level 3 is a highly skilled professional in their class, e.g. an elite soldier, or competent guildsman.
Level 4-6 are people who are at least locally known experts in their field. E.g. master of a guild (in a city), the local commander of the guards, or priests with influence in the whole city. There might be around 100 such NPCs per distinct region.
Level 7-9 are people that have made a name for themselves. These are people that are known in the whole region or even further, even to people who don’t know anything else about the subject at hand. E.g. the bishop of a faith, or a famous wizard. There might be at most 10 such NPCs per region.
Level 10-12 are people that are known on the whole continent, if not most of the world. E.g. The high priest of a whole religion, an archmage, one of the great warriors of the world. There is roughly 1 such NPC per country.
Anything beyond that is people who start to get into the realm of the legends.
This leads to some interesting problems for player characters:
Not every location has everything you need. A specific specialist to make or repair armor might only be in the next larger city, a wizard or alchemist for potions and similar will be located in a city, or conversely, puttering away somewhere in the absolute wilderness.
Raise Dead in particular can only be cast by a name level Cleric, so likely of the rank of Bishop or above. A bishop cannot be found in every podunk little village, and might need to be convinced (with large bribes…eh… donations) to use their one daily 5th level spell to raise an otherwise unknown murderhobo from the dead. If the adventurers even manage to reach the place in time, in most B/X clones Raise Dead has a time-limit depending on the Cleric’s level, a level 7 Cleric can only raise a dead body for 4 days after it died.
Recognition
Starting from level 7 every NPC has a chance of knowing the PCs (same the other way around). Except when disguising themselves any obvious behavior according to their reputation allows others to figure out who they are. They have literally made a name for themselves. Being recognized might trigger another reaction roll if appropriate.