About the Archive

This is a collection of different sources of gaming material, cherry-picked into a single system for people who like the technical nature of later editions with the lore of the earlier ones. It’s built for players and DMs alike. Read around long enough and you’ll either develop an appreciation for it… or you’ll flee into the woods and live as a normal person.

Browse Classes Browse Races Browse Spells Browse Psionics Browse Demiplanes Contact
Project age: 20+ years. Expect polish in the mechanics, not necessarily in spelling. The system is consistent; the English language is the one taking risks.

What you’ll find here

A big, living archive of Collective content: system terms, converted third-party material, and a lot of homebrew lore. It’s not trying to be minimal. It’s trying to be useful.

  • Classes: deep options, weird options, and “why would you do that?” options.
  • Races: foundations and variants, because everyone wants to be special.
  • Spells & Psionics: conversions and expansions, with power scaling that doesn’t pretend you’re here for balance.
  • Demiplanes, Dungeons, Campaign Gallery: lore, locations, and proof this has been played for real.

Who it’s for

People who enjoy technical systems and crunchy character building, but also want the older-edition lore flavor. If you like customization more than “approved balance,” you’re in the right place.

If you’re looking for “pick a subclass and go,” this may feel like being handed a toolbox the size of a refrigerator. That’s not a bug. That’s the brand.

What is “Collective”?

Collective is a way to take third-party gaming material and convert it into a single system that’s mainly based in D&D. It’s intentionally scalable for rules looseness and power gaming (yes, munchkinism is supported here—don’t act surprised). It expands on D&D lore with homebrew content, and it prioritizes creative customization over strict game balance.

  • Convert and merge material from many sources into one rules language.
  • Scale “how tight the rules are” depending on what your table wants.
  • Build characters and campaigns like you’re assembling a machine, not picking from a kids’ menu.

Where to start (recommended path)

Don’t expect to “get it” on the first pass. This isn’t a tutorial; it’s a reference library that sometimes makes eye contact.

Credits

This project exists because my college game master ran the system and is the true creator of Collective. I’m building an archive and expanding content; I’m not claiming first authorship.

  • Don (Smileylich.com) — for teaching me the system. Truly a polar bear in a Mister Rogers fleece.
  • Sean (A.G.) — my AD&D 2E DM for years, and the foundation I never knew I needed.
  • Craig (Eternity Publishing) — for continuing contributions to high-level D&D play.
  • Greg (Summer of 93) — for introducing me to the earliest version of D&D I ever played.

FAQ

Is this balanced?
No. Do not expect power balance. If you want a system where the rules protect you from yourself, this is not that system. This one hands you a welder and says “be careful.”
Is it grammatically or phonetically correct?
Also no. Expect rough edges in text. The technical pieces matter more than perfect prose. If something reads weird but the mechanic is clear, that’s the intended hierarchy of priorities.
How fast will you respond to contact?
There’s a contact link. Don’t expect an immediate reply. I maintain this because I enjoy it, not because I’m running customer support.
Who is this for?
Players and DMs who like crunchy options, conversions, and lore depth—especially if you enjoy the technical nature of later editions and the flavor/lore of earlier editions. If you’re here to power game, it’ll accommodate you. If you’re here to tell a story, it’ll accommodate you too. Just… maybe not gently.
Will I understand it on the first try?
Probably not. That’s normal. Read terms/notes, then come back with context. It clicks after exposure. Like Stockholm syndrome, but for rules.