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Thoth, Gatherer of Knowledge
MerricB
Underboss
2350 Posts
    
Australia
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DarkWhite
Warrior
185 Posts
| | 03/03/2007 6:43 AM |
| Nice review, Merric. Pretty much sums up my opinion of Barrow of the Forgotten King after having read through the adventure myself.
I was also surprised references weren't given to the source of creatures not found in the Monster Manual. They have included all the monster stats to successfully run the adventure as given, however it seems a missed opportunity not to refer the DM to the appropriate sourcebook for further background on the creatures presented in the adventure.
I agree this adventure has been written for ease-of-use with the new tactical encounter format and the way they
integrated skill check DCs into the encounter format. The plot is simple but effective, engaging the players into the adventure and providing rationale for the creatures they encounter along the way. And there is an adequate mix of combat, interaction, puzzle and skill encounters.
The Preparation section states "This adventure has been designed specifically for low-level characters, but is by no means an "introductory" adventure and assumes that you have some experience as a DM" DMs new to the game might be better served by the D&D Basic set. However, as a low-level adventure, Barrow of the Forgotten King would seem ideal as a next step for new DMs. I'm looking forward to an opporunity to run this adventure with new players.
Being the first part of a three adventure series might also make this a good choice for players looking to start a new campaign, but skipping the growing pains of first level.
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http://www.maxminis.com/hwlist.asp?user=DarkWhite
[for trade only within Australia, no overseas trade thanks] | |
| Thoth, Gatherer of Knowledge
MerricB
Underboss
2350 Posts
Australia
| | 03/03/2007 6:56 AM |
| Just on the lack of monster sources - Ari Marmell, who co-wrote DD2 (The Sinister Spire) and the entirity of DD3 (Fortress of the Yuan-Ti) says he forgot to put references in his part of DD2, but they're there in DD3. So, I guess we'll see them later this year in the third part of this series. 
Cheers! | |
Merric Blackman
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Dimitris
Warrior
186 Posts
Athens - Greece
| | 03/05/2007 3:11 AM |
| Maybe I am not the right person to review a D&D adventure. There are not many of them that I could say I like.
It seems that I can not accept the D&D adventures' lack of "realism" - I don't know how to express it better - . For example, why someone could put this riddle with the beholder in this place ? I didn't like this one at all. Somebody has to see it as a game of riddles and encounters only, to accept these adventures. I don't say that it is bad but doesn't match with my idea of an RPG game.
I am putting riddles in my adventures but they could be explained. E.g. 1) you have a map of a dungeon and some incomplete directions of how to go through this, 2) you have a letter order from the enemy leader to one of his commanders and it is a crypto, 3) you have to synthesize a key like a puzzle (part of cultists' ritual) etc.
Dimitris
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Ha 68/80 De 55/60 Ar 52/60 GoL 67/72 Ab 55/60 Dk 54/60 Af 54/60 Ud 57/60 Wd 57/60 WQ 55/60 BW 57/60 Uh 55/60 NB 54/60 DD 54/60 DD2 26/60 | |
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Skyscraper
Sergeant
659 Posts
Montreal
| | 03/05/2007 8:59 AM |
| Posted By Dimitris on 03/05/2007 3:11 AM
Maybe I am not the right person to review a D&D adventure. There are not many of them that I could say I like.
It seems that I can not accept the D&D adventures' lack of "realism" - I don't know how to express it better - . For example, why someone could put this riddle with the beholder in this place ? I didn't like this one at all. Somebody has to see it as a game of riddles and encounters only, to accept these adventures. I don't say that it is bad but doesn't match with my idea of an RPG game.
I am putting riddles in my adventures but they could be explained. E.g. 1) you have a map of a dungeon and some incomplete directions of how to go through this, 2) you have a letter order from the enemy leader to one of his commanders and it is a crypto, 3) you have to synthesize a key like a puzzle (part of cultists' ritual) etc.
Dimitris
I haven't seen Barrow of the Forgotten King yet so i won't comment on it specifically, but i agree heartily with what you say Dimitris. I don't like weird, unexplained or over-the-top inclusions of creatures, riddles or any other stuff in adventures.
Sky
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The wise man doubts often. The ignorant, sometimes. The fool, never. | |
| Thoth, Gatherer of Knowledge
MerricB
Underboss
2350 Posts
Australia
| | 03/06/2007 7:59 PM |
| I don't think the puzzle is over-the-top... it's to hide the deeper recesses of the tomb from any passing tourist or villager.  The adventure is about fun, in any case, not a boring experience where every monster is a goblin.
Cheers! | |
Merric Blackman
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Dimitris
Warrior
186 Posts
Athens - Greece
| | 03/09/2007 12:24 AM |
| To say the truth, yes, in my campaigns there were a lot of sessions where the encounters were nothing else except Goblins. But they were not necessary boring sessions. My players were running to save their lives from Goblins-with-a-plan-of-actions. As also Merric said, i.e. the RHoD was a much better adventure than the tomb.
Dimitris | |
Ha 68/80 De 55/60 Ar 52/60 GoL 67/72 Ab 55/60 Dk 54/60 Af 54/60 Ud 57/60 Wd 57/60 WQ 55/60 BW 57/60 Uh 55/60 NB 54/60 DD 54/60 DD2 26/60 | |
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