I just want to clarify - as I'm pretty green around here...

When a reference is made to "Vanilla" is that simply the base JitD package?

Essentially the starter quests with the base package = vanilla?

Just wanted to be 100% clear.

It is the single quest related descent, as opposed to the advanced campaign in Road to Legend. RtL has a number of changes from vanilla, such as different mechanisms for using a glyph to return to town.

So are single quests in other expansions referred to as Vanila quests as well?

Just not anything that would be in the setting of a campaign style?

SoylentGreen said:

Usually yes.
There are some significant changes in both rules mechanics and stats in RtL. However all the other expansions use the same generic rules and stats as the core game. Mostly then, 'vanilla' refers to core game+expansions, not including RtL. However it is not a properly defined term, so you may occasionally see someone using it to mean pure core game with no expansions. Context is usually the only clue.

Really?

And here I've been licking all my map tiles trying to find out which ones are vanilla...

Seriously though, the impression I've gotten is that when someone says vanilla, they mean the core game only, without WoD, Aod, or ToI. Like SoylentGreen said, context is your best clue.

I have always taken "Vanilla" Descent to mean "not RtL" and so covers any dungeon from JitD, WoD, AoD or ToI.

I'm glad I asked!!!

Now I know.. context... so clear now...

SoylentGreen said:

Look, we've got just about the coolest game in history with some of the least clear, worst written rules in history.*

Do you expect the fan base to be any better?

*ok, I may be exaggerating here. But not by much.

Sweet - Looking forward to hopefully many years of being confused!!!