| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Dreyrugrulfr |
Posted - 28 Jul 2010 : 16:43:16
So my group under my most benevolent prodding has actually embraced 2nd edition after playing for almost 5 years in 3rd. My main reasons for choosing this were that nobody would know how to break the rules or focus on builds, while myself and two of my players would already be familiar with the basics thanks to Baldur's Gate and The Goldbox Games. Ironically, the most resistance has come from those who are NOT D&D vets, and I think most of their complaints have more to do with issues with the strictures of d20 roleplaying games and D&D in general than this particular edition.
I had an abortive game running in the Realms for several months before it death spiraled and I concluded that it just got out from under me. So my friend decided to step in and run his own (after some more prodding, as I've wanted to play too!) and ran both Haunted Halls of Eveningstar and followed up with The Curse of the Azure Bonds! That was fantastically fun, and the usage of modules seemed to provide just enough of a basis for us to work with, while still allowing creativity. 5 months of playing got us from 1st to 9th level (though one character got to 11) and we all felt a great deal of accomplishment at the end, plus our characters had formed friendships and were genuinely sad when some went their seperate ways.
I've decided to collaborate with my friend, and we will alternate as Storyteller's for the Forgotten Realms. So now its my turn, and I've decided on a three part story beginning with the Realm's first adventure ever offically published, Under Illefarn for 1st edition! I should note that I staked out the upper Sword Coast and The North in general as my area, my friend has decided to focus on Cormyr/The Dalelands/Sembia/The Moonsea and that general area.
Currently we have a seven players, though I expect that to drop down to five as Fall comes around. Currently the roster of would-be heroes includes:
Ellamin Carter, a Half-Elf (both Moon and Sun!) Thief (scout kit), who is Chaotic Neutral. He lives with his father unbeknownst to either of them, the local sneak-thief of Daggerford. Makes for several humorous dialogues, and occasionally involves Ellamin being caught in his father's traps when he tries to come downstairs for breakfest.
Bolin Ironeater, son of Korin Ironeater, a Shield Dwarf Warrior of Neutral Good alignment. He tends to be the powergamer of the group but he tries to temper it so that others can have fun too. He probably needs to work the most on his roleplaying but at least he tries! He certainly has taken alot of hits for the party...
Amara, daughter of a local woodsman and secretly a Talon of Malar. At Chaotic Neutral, she's a bit of a heretic from the usual Malarite, and so far we're just hoping she doesn't encounter any hardline priests or Druids for that matter! She also is the only healer or spellcaster for the group, which makes things interesting. Tends to be a bit surly with the others.
Kalim Ord is the only one who is not a local of Daggerford, hailing from Luskan originally. A male human Thief (Cutpurse kit), suprisingly of Chaotic Good alignment. He tends to be constantly bewildered by the backwoods mannerisms of his fellow party members, and is always looking for an easy score. Still, his heart seems to be in the right place (usually).
Finally we have Derrick Warrespar. A Neutral Good human male Warrior (custom Kit, Beastslayer). Normally a farm hand outside of Daggerford, he's managed to really make his way with the local Milita, and so far adventuring seems to suit him. We'll see if he sticks it out with them.
My other player was playing a female Gold Elf Bladesinger who unfortunatly died her second session to a hail of arrows. She's since been laid to rest and he's currently generating a new character. We also had someone else in the group earlier, who died first session from being bitten in half by a Ceratosaur in the Lizard Marsh! He'll be joining us again with a new character when the game's shrunken down a bit in size.
So far the group has successfully dealt with Lizardfolk raiders, recovered a baron's signet ring (and been awarded it in due turn), escorted a caravan and made an important contact in Waterdeep as a result; and finally they've most recently "rescued" the elder sister of Duke Daggerford as well as the King of the Laughing Hollow. Next they get to explore the depths of Illefarn itself, so I'm very excited to see how this one will go. Hopefully a bit less perilous for them than the past few missions, but nobody's holding their breath on that one!
I'd also like to hear about anyone else's experiences running Under Illefarn, under any gaming system. Spoilers are acceptable :) |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| froglegg |
Posted - 30 Jul 2010 : 14:33:26
I picked up a near mint copy here:
http://rpgmarketplace.com/shop.php?user_id=100070
For $20.00 
John |
| Jorkens |
Posted - 30 Jul 2010 : 12:18:28
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Wow... I've bought that module twice, on eBay, for far cheaped than $40...
It does seem a bit much to me too. B10 is always expensive and, from what I know, rather rare (especially with the counters which makes the prices ridiculous), but I have never heard that about Illefarn. I checked Ebay (I hate auctions so I never use it) and there were two examples for half that price. There might be a rush at the end of the auction, but I somehow doubt it. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 23:57:11
Wow... I've bought that module twice, on eBay, for far cheaped than $40... |
| Dreyrugrulfr |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 22:52:20
Thank ye kindly. I think that has been the most suprising thing, Mournblade. Two players in particular have really embraced it, warts and all (though they still like 4th and 3rd). One of them who played alot of 3rd actually appreciates the lethality of 2nd alot, and enjoys the kits. |
| Mournblade |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 19:07:29
I have been returning to second edition Lore for alot of inspiration for my New Realms era campaign. Good job running this with your group Drey, and good job on your players for wanting to run 2nd edition.
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| Jorkens |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 13:50:10
Thanks to you both. Well, it seems like it will have to go somewhere on my future shopping list. |
| Dreyrugrulfr |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 13:42:26
Thanks, Froglegg. I think the group is enjoying the more organized approach I've taken with this one as opposed to my first venture.
Jorken, I have found it well worth the 40 I spent on Noble Knight (I have Candlekeep to thank for my knowledge of that wonderful site!). It's a very flexible and surprisingly detailed beginner's module for the North, and segues wonderfully into Waterdeep. |
| froglegg |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 13:31:37
quote:
Originally posted by Jorkens
How good is this module? I generally like Perrins work, but I don't like the prices it goes for. I did of course pay more for Night's Dark Terror, but I consider that the best module TRS published.
N5 Under Illefarn is a great mod to start an AD&D campaign in the Daggerford area and with some tinkering it can work with 3.5 and so on. I now have two of them. 
John |
| Jorkens |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 10:31:43
How good is this module? I generally like Perrins work, but I don't like the prices it goes for. I did of course pay more for Night's Dark Terror, but I consider that the best module TRS published. |
| froglegg |
Posted - 29 Jul 2010 : 04:13:32
Sounds like it's off to a good start Dreyruglfr. Good gaming to you sir. 
John |
| Dreyrugrulfr |
Posted - 28 Jul 2010 : 21:23:26
That sounds like a pretty good use of the module, Halidan! I really wish I'd started with this rather than trying to use Attack on Myth Drannor all those years back! My dreams were a wee bit too big for both myself and my friends. Thankfully I think we're finding our place in the Realms now, and enjoying every minute of it.
I should also mention that we started the game in Flamerule of 324 North Reckoning/1356 Dale Reckoning, The Year of the Worm. Currently the game is finishing in early Uktar, and we'll pick up the Illefarn segment in mid-Alturiak of the next year. |
| Halidan |
Posted - 28 Jul 2010 : 19:47:11
A number of years ago, I used Under Illefarn to introduce my son and a bunch of his friends to D&D. They were in 8th grade at the time, and had a great time. Since we were only playing over the course of a single weekend, we didn't get to the actual dwarven ruins of Illefarn. We used most of the initial side quests including the lizardmen, the kidnapping of the Baron's sister, and the earthquake.
I also had the players perform some militia-like duties, including gate guarding where they caught a Zhent smuggler trying to bring drugs into the city. They also had to go through a obstical/training course where they had chances to use skills like climb, jump, swim, etc.
The kids had a great time, and most of them are still playing D&D, including my son, who is now a junior in college and co-DM for his local group. |
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