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Laerrigan
Learned Scribe
USA
195 Posts |
 Posted - 31 Jan 2011 : 04:26:33
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Can anyone recommend a module for me offhand? I'm hoping for ones in which magic and nonhuman races are NOT utterly essential (i.e. it could easily be adapted for a very low-magic fantasy setting), and preferably where intrigue, plot development, and the unexpected are larger elements than dungeon-crawling or combat. I just don't have time or energy these days to wade through dozens of modules, reading page by page, in order to find out what's in them and determine if I can use them, and for some reason there's rarely anything resembling a succinct synopsis (level of magic, plot twists, level of dependence on setting, focus on combat or social stuff, etc.) at the beginning for quick reference  . I'm not asking anyone to do that wading for me, just asking if any spring to mind for all the more-experienced DMs out there. Seeking some direction for what wading I can do, so perhaps it will be fruitful.
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"Your 'reality,' sir, is lies and balderdash, and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever." (Baron Munchausen)
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was not made for this world." (C.S. Lewis, "Surprised by Joy") |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2011 : 06:34:01
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| Many of the Ravenloft modules emphasize role-playing, setting, and plot (and horror) - while tending towards low-magic and less (but more intense) combat. D&D tends to be heavy on magic and combat, it's unavoidable. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Laerrigan
Learned Scribe
USA
195 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2011 : 07:58:32
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| Yeah, I love Ravenloft and have read or played a number of mods and mini-mods there. Out of those, a few of the minis in particular might be adaptable, but the full-length mods I've seen would require considerably more tailoring to setting, not just to character circumstance (they're great for their own setting, though). Not that I've read all of the full mods that there are, not by a long shot---only House on Gryphon Hill (awesome for its layering and the way it builds, and it doesn't require setting details such as darklords), Evil Eye, House of Strahd, and Night of the Walking Dead, with skimmings of the ones in Sithicus and Kartakass that I can't remember the names. Hoping for a particular one or two (from any setting or edition) to pop into someone's head upon reading here, lol. |
"Your 'reality,' sir, is lies and balderdash, and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever." (Baron Munchausen)
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was not made for this world." (C.S. Lewis, "Surprised by Joy") |
Edited by - Laerrigan on 31 Jan 2011 07:59:46 |
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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2011 : 14:33:58
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| About the only thing that comes instantly to mind is part of the Four From Cormyr quad-adventure. One of the four parts involves the characters investigating a murder mystery at the court in Suzail (or actually one of the associated nobles' villas, iirc). Which some magic was involved in the crime, and magic can be helpful in figuring it out, most of the adventure involves the PC's interacting with, and interrogating, several dozen different nobles and other notables. Change the names, change the place, should be easy to adapt to somewhere else. |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2011 : 02:21:52
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There are a number of setting-heavy "soft" modules. Sadly, they all seem to ultimately boil down to variations of the old FedEx Quest ... the setting/character elements they introduce are not intended for background as much as they are for confusion, confrontation, and comedy. Some of the lowest-level (solo) mini-modules heavily emphasize "soft" stuff since they need to establish/introduce setting and need to minimize combat and danger (which would likely be fatal to an unequipped lone level 1 PC noob).
I'd say the best "inspiration" for such modules is simple plot-setting-character theft from novels. Be they FR titles or not. For me it's the simplest way to "know" (and subtly manipulate) complex story arcs in a "realistic" manner. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2011 : 12:26:53
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| I can't say for sure, but I think the Marco Volo trilogy might be low magic, high plot (from the description of it being akin to Three Musketeers), but you'd have to ask someone who ran it or at least read the modules (I own them and they are at home, so I'm going off memory of reading the back cover). |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2011 : 13:00:39
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Boo, boo, hiss @ disappointing Marco Volo modules. 
Dungeon #116 published a semi-official list of the "30 Greatest D&D Adventures of All Time". I don't personally agree with it all that much. Additionally, your required criteria are very particular, Laerrigan. I offer Grognardia's 30 Greatest D&D Adventures of All Time instead — same list, different commentary — I believe some of the listed "top 10" modules could fit your needs fairly well. Many other suggestions (including another "30 Greatest" list) are offered in the user comments further down the same page; a number of modules are described that seem to fit your needs perfectly. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 01 Feb 2011 13:20:21 |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2011 : 13:27:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Boo, boo, hiss @ disappointing Marco Volo modules.
I've heard a similar reaction to these modules a few times. Perhaps with some tweaking it can be made enjoyable? |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2011 : 13:46:04
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Well, to be fair, I've put a *lot* of tweaking into Ruins of Adventure to make it enjoyable ... although classic and popular, it's arguably a rather poorly done module when you really break into it. I doubt you'll see a lot of diehard Marco Volo fans willing to put extra effort into saving those modules.
Speaking of diehards, Alisstair ... what happened to your demented fanaticism about the Nigh-Resurrection-Of-Lord-Karsus and all that? Y'know, Cleric Generic still hasn't forsaken the Faith ... |
[/Ayrik] |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2011 : 14:24:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Well, to be fair, I've put a *lot* of tweaking into Ruins of Adventure to make it enjoyable ... although classic and popular, it's arguably a rather poorly done module when you really break into it. I doubt you'll see a lot of diehard Marco Volo fans willing to put extra effort into saving those modules.
Speaking of diehards, Alisstair ... what happened to your demented fanaticism about the Nigh-Resurrection-Of-Lord-Karsus and all that? Y'know, Cleric Generic still hasn't forsaken the Faith ...
I've put some effor as well adapting Ruins of Adventure to 4E and it was easy to do, just rework the plain maps with tiles and adjust ammount of creatures, use minions, etc...
As far as Karsus, his time will come. All mortals will bow before his might.I was politely asked to tone it down, hence the lack of attempts to convert all to his faith lately.  |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2011 : 15:24:03
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Yay, Karsus.
I can't at all imagine why you'd be asked to tone it down by the Nonbelievers. Suspicions of your apostasy and faltering faith have been alleviated. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Alisttair
Great Reader
Canada
3054 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2011 : 15:35:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Yay, Karsus.
I can't at all imagine why you'd be asked to tone it down by the Nonbelievers. Suspicions of your apostasy and faltering faith have been alleviated.
Arik, I invite you to the following scroll I just opened:
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14769
Back on topic: Laerrigan, are you looking specifically for FR modules of the sort you want, or are you looking for any setting? |
Karsite Arcanar (Most Holy Servant of Karsus)
Anauria - Survivor State of Netheril as penned by me:
http://www.dmsguild.com/m/product/172023 |
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Fizilbert
Learned Scribe
USA
123 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 12:51:45
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| You could also check out the old 2E module "The Assassin's Knot." It takes place is a village and the party has to unravel an assassination plot. |
Fiz
Level 10 Vice-president
World of Elethril |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 14:08:01
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Assassin's Knot is mentioned favourably on the Grognardia site. There is some argument about how it compares to the (unpopular) L1/L2 Bone Hill modules. Sadly, I've never read/played Assassin's Knot so I cannot comment.
I have played The Abduction of Good King Despot and can agree that although it's imperfect it is an entertaining and high-quality module. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Laerrigan
Learned Scribe
USA
195 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 16:58:18
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Great stuff, everyone---many thanks. I'll definitely be sifting through the Grognardia list, and the specific mods mentioned here.
Alisttair---I know enough of FR, Ravenloft, and Eberron to understand a mod in those settings. I'm less familiar with Sigil (I love it but didn't get very far into it before that computer died and thus separated me from my library of PDFs, and I haven't been able to access the HD yet to see if they're still there). Heck, mods for World of Darkness (vampire or werewolf, as I haven't read up on the other games) would be possibilities as well. I'm looking for mods to adapt to a couple settings of my own, one moderately low-magic and the other more so. Sometimes it's nice just to take a break and heavily borrow someone else's ideas, lol. |
"Your 'reality,' sir, is lies and balderdash, and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever." (Baron Munchausen)
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was not made for this world." (C.S. Lewis, "Surprised by Joy") |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 17:13:55
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I found the Planescape modules tended to focus more on the "terrain" and "combat" than on role-playing or background. Yes, there's plenty of stuff about factions and politics and such ... but most of these modules are really about putting the PCs into some extra-planar environment full of bizarre and dangerous quirks, then ramming them into constant encounters with the bizarre and dangerous quirky natives of that environment, then moving the PCs into a different bizarre and dangerous environment before they can really adapt. The few modules which are rich in setting assume great familiarity with the setting so they aren't really suitable for short campaigns. Just my opinion.
Having said that, Planescape is an awesome setting. Much reading is required. Much reading. Though (surprisingly) not all that much preparation is needed when starting a module (the setting almost begs for improvision and inconsistencies, plus nothing has to really make much sense or be justified/explained at all). Savour your initial confusion and remember it well so you can dump it onto your players. |
[/Ayrik] |
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BARDOBARBAROS
Senior Scribe
Greece
581 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2011 : 20:06:05
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| Conan RPG of course... |
BARDOBARBAROS DOES NOT KILL.
HE DECAPITATES!!!
"The city changes, but the fools within it remain always the same" (Edwin Odesseiron- Baldur's gate 2) |
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Rhewtani
Senior Scribe
USA
508 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 01:04:07
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| How is Spulzeer? Is that more plot based? |
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Laerrigan
Learned Scribe
USA
195 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 03:36:22
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Conan...? I gathered from reading about the author and books/stories that an RPG based on it would be low-magic, but it seemed also that it would be pretty focused around combat (and conquest). If it has a good bit of intrigue, well-made NPCs, plot twists, etc., more than enemy-bashing, it might be worth my checking into. Howard's words, "Money and muscle, that’s what I want; to be able to do any damned thing I want and get away with it," sort of sum up my assumptions about his work/world, but those assumptions are admittedly based on what I've seen from the outside...
I had no idea what Spulzeer was, but I found the adventure's entry in the FR wiki and it does look great, from what's there. Cool. |
"Your 'reality,' sir, is lies and balderdash, and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever." (Baron Munchausen)
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was not made for this world." (C.S. Lewis, "Surprised by Joy") |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 03:54:49
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| Laerrigan, While I have not seen the game, Conan indeed was also a thief, learned scholar and in at least a few movies dealt with intrigue as opposed to direct action. IAE it might reach lower level of magic, though in the end heavy combat appeared in the next to the last scene. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7970 Posts |
Posted - 03 Feb 2011 : 07:43:53
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| You could try DIY non-Realms campaigns. The 2E Historical Reference Campaigns (HR1-HR7) or generic Legends & Lore stuff offer a lot of material. Just populate your taverns, bars, alleys, and shops with interesting NPCs and your players will tend to become more interactive. Pirates and swashbucklers are always good, too; they just scream adventure and seem to attract trouble. I have a handful of garrulous spice merchants, a couple of bards, a wandering tinker (and purveyor of fine cutlery), and an heavily armed tax collector who all engage the PCs regularly, seemingly inescapable wherever they might travel in the wild or civilized lands. Few people (in RL anyways) roll initiative and reach for their weapons every single time they encounter somebody new and talkative. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Low-magic, high-plot modules?
