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msatran
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2006 : 07:29:25
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With just a little bit of tweaking, many of the adventures from Goodman Games fit into the Realms VERY well. I've had a great deal of success running these and even linking them together with some minor effort.
#6, Temple of the Dragon Cult, well...that one was just practically written for use. I had to edit very little.
I managed to link Secret of the Smuggler's Cove, Bloody Jack's Gold (The major things I had to tweak in this one were the name of the Pirate whose gold it was, and the name of the god the ghost priest worshipped. (Yay, Zaltec, there's an enemy you don't get to see very often anymore)), and Citadel of the Demon Prince. (This last one requires so much editing that I have to have a sheaf of statblocks, but what the heck, the first two worked so well.)I had to change their Cambion to Half Fiend Fighter 2/Rogue 5/Assassin 8, but I'm certain they'll still be begging for mercy and screaming a lot.
Plus, I love these adventures because they're DEADLY. I'm still trying to figure out ways to work in Crypt of the Devil Lich (That's a delicious meatgrinder), Assault on Stormbringer Castle/The Stormbringer Juggernaut/(And hopefully The Stormbringer Colossus sometime next year)
Also high on the list is The Sunless Garden. If ever there was an adventure that you could run out of the box and stick wholesale into the Realms, it's this one.
Even if you're not oriented towards occasionally doing such things, I recommend buying these things anyway. They really know how to use terrain and create terror, frequently using nothing but the stuff in the monster manual, phb, and dmg.
I heartily recommend them.
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2006 : 17:45:14
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I went through a phase where every Malhavoc release facinated me, and I mined them for ideas, although I never really tried to convert their adventures over (though I could picture the Banewarrens somehow tying into the Harper vaults under Ireabor, I never put the effort into working this out that I could have).
At any rate, between all of the ads I have seen for these in Dragon and Dungeon, and the kind words I've heard, I'd be tempted to look at them now. |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2006 : 23:04:26
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Hmmm... I have a problem with most of the maps in these modules. I think they suck, big time, but otherwise I have not properly read them through. |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then." -- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Dhomal
Senior Scribe
USA
565 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2006 : 00:56:34
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Hello-
I was intrigued at msatran's recomendations of these modules. Very early on in the 3ed OGL frenzy - I purchased a number of modules. Some were good - others were not. I tried to spread the wealth around the publishers a bit to get a taste of them. However - I'm not sure I have any of the Goodman Games modules. I decided fairly early on that I would go broke - Big Time if I tried to get everything that was coming out. So - I started concentrating my purchases away from modules and more towards 'supplemental' information.
In any case - Asgetrion - any chance you could elaborate on these maps. Just saying they suck does not help me make any decisions - especially since I am not able to get to a proper game store for a couple of weeks (busy schedule) to check them out for myself. YOu also mention not having read through them properly yet. Did you skim them? I wonder if the maps might be of less than necessary level - depending on the topic/style of the adventures.
Thanks!
Dhomal |
I am collecting the D&D Minis. I would be more than willing to trade with people. You can send me a PM here with your email listed - and I can send you my minis list. Thanks!
Successfully traded with Xysma! |
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msatran
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jun 2006 : 07:21:56
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The maps are done in the old first edition style. If you're looking for color and pretty pictures, these are not for you. Is everything that is necessary to run the adventure present on the map? Sure. The biggest challenge is converting OGL creatures to things that are Realms-themed.
Plus, if you really want to, Paizo has most of them as PDF files. This reduces the cost greatly and anything you need to print...like the visual aids, are easily available.
In Citadel of the Demon Prince, I did get a little boring, I had to replace the villain with yet another distaff Bhaal child, but it actually works out better thematically once you read the adventure and his plan.
Once again, I stress, these guys play serious hardball. If your PC's are the type who tend to just go in, they will be massacred.
A second ironic note: This particular configuration of adventures has had an unusual effect on the group, which consists of Paladin 2/Cleric 5/Divine Disciple 1/Divine Oracle 2, Barbarian 2/Fighter 2/Great Rift Skyguard 5/Windrider 1, Avariel Monk 6, Fighter 4/Monk 6, and Ranger 2/Rog 2/Wizard 3/Havoc Mage 2.
For some reason, unknown even to me, the adventures I chose run exactly like episodes of Scooby Doo.
In Secret of the Smuggler's Cove, there is a lighthouse with a fear effect DC 14. The Skyguard and his mount make will saves, and the character on the ground (Who died later in the adventure) fails his will save also. The Hippogriff fails his save. The dwarf makes it. "Come on, boy! You can make it..."
Marginally intelligent Hippogriff: Rawnh-unh, Runthar! Runh-unh!!!!!
During Bloody Jack's Gold, the PC's are approaching a ruined monastary. I describe the area, as the PC's have hacked through the jungle, and Runthar tells me he's calling for the Hippogriff. The last sentance in this area description reads "No animal or magical beast will enter this area except a familiar, and then only with extreme distaste."
"Come on, boy! You can make it! You can make it!"
More intelligent hippogriff than before: Rawnh unh, Runthar! Rawnh unh!
There was actually a chase through a rotating fireplace in Secret of the Smuggler's Cove, replete with Gnoll archers harrying the PC's. It got so Scooby-like I actually felt forced to have the main villain at the end of the adventure say "I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for you lousy adventure...hkkt..."
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msatran
Learned Scribe
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2006 : 19:30:18
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Well, I finished the Bloody Jack's Gold adventure. Unfortunately, the PC's twigged to the ghost cleric's animate dead tricks early and began beheading everything.
So the final battle actually occurred in the jungles on the island while the PC's were hunting down the fiendish dire boars that were the majority of the island's population. The Ghost Cleric showed up and cast Righteous Wrath of the Faithful on his pig army (Yeah, there's a pair of words you don't hear very often) and battle ensued.
The ghost cleric, when slain (He didn't make his level check), of course, given the Scooby-like nature of things, I was forced to have him say "And I would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for you meddling adventurers, and that accursed flying hippogriff..."
It was much fun for all involved.
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Conlon
Learned Scribe
Canada
132 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2006 : 01:03:06
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That sounds freakin hilarious! |
My hopes are ashes, my dreams are dust. All my intentions mean nothing unless they are followed by action. |
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