Old School Modules with C&C goodness

Aramis · Post by **Aramis** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:38 am

This is to foster further discussion about the proposed Golden Age of Modules gaming night

So, What old school* modules would you like to play?

What module would you like to CK?

What module would you like to be able to afford?
Should we try for a regular night's slot (probably Fridays) or adopt a more casual approach? The casual approach has the disadvantage that we may lose the flow of the modules if we just get back to it every 3-4 weeks

(We could even fold it into one of the established nights)

Here are a few lists of modules:
http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/dd1/dd1.htm
http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/modcode.html

(No poll set because it could be a bit of a monster, but we can try it if posting does not clarify the preferences)

*- Old School is notoriously tricky to define, but as a hint, this is what it looked like when the cranky party wizard went shopping for a 10' pole in the Golden Age of modules

_________________
"Kids, you tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try"

Homer Simpson

Rigon · Post by **Rigon** » Wed May 27, 2009 10:24 am

I don't know anything about this..., but I would like to either play through or run ToEE.

R-
_________________
Rigon o' the Lakelands, Baron of The Castles & Crusades Society
The Book of the Mind

LordSeurek · Post by **LordSeurek** » Wed May 27, 2009 12:11 pm

Rigon wrote:
I don't know anything about this..., but I would like to either play through or run ToEE.

R-

TOEE has always been one of my fav modules. If you run, I'd love to play if I have the time.

L.S.
_________________
When All of your wishes have been granted, many of your dreams will be destroyed" -- M.Manson (Man That You Fear)

Society Member: http://www.cncsociety.org/

Aramis · Post by **Aramis** » Wed May 27, 2009 4:36 pm

Rigon wrote:
I don't know anything about this..., but I would like to either play through or run ToEE.

R-

This came up after you went off to the land of nod, and Slimy, Tree, Kayolan and myself (and Bran!) were talking about all those great old modules we never got to play through, then we pulled up the above list and really realised how many great old modules there are out there.

In fact, the list above only includes the great AD&D modules. There are also some good ones in BECMI D&D
http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/dd/dd.htm

And Kayolan mentioned Judges Guild, with classics like Caverns of Thracia, Tegel Manor, or Dark Tower

TOEE would of course be a classic one. I have never played or run it (although, as usual, I own it [and this time I purchased it when it came out rather than my normal later Ebay acquisition])

And of course the natural follow up would be the Slave Lords! But TOEE might take a while to play through. Look how long we have been playing G-D-Q. But, if you are up for it...

The tricky bit is finding a slot all can agree on and attend regularly. Another slot I thought of is opposite of Nate's biweekly Sunday sessions
_________________
"Kids, you tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try"

Homer Simpson

Buttmonkey · Post by **Buttmonkey** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:35 pm

I'd be up for running S2 - White Plume Mountain online. (And for players who have suffered through my house rules before, I would be simplifying them a bit.) The advantage to a stand-alone module like this versus ToEE or G-D-Q is that it can be completed within a reasonable period of time. Playing through ToEE online would probably take multiple years.

I'd also be up for running Frank's R2 - To the Aid of Falx. I love those modules (R2 and S2). I also have the pregens for R2 converted to C&C already.

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:11 pm

Yeah, I have been running G-D-Q for... 2 years now? Granted there were some rather big "breaks" where we spent months doing other things. We could finish in as little as 4 more weeks, or maybe another 12 or so.
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames

Aramis · Post by **Aramis** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:26 pm

Treebore wrote:
Yeah, I have been running G-D-Q for... 2 years now? Granted there were some rather big "breaks" where we spent months doing other things. We could finish in as little as 4 more weeks, or maybe another 12 or so.

We could finish as early as next session...in about 3 minutes
We did do some other modules (C&C based and your desert homebrew) before we moved on to GDQ, but it has been a fun few years, that's for sure. Perfect combination of C&C speed of play and old school Gygaxian classics
_________________
"Kids, you tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try"

Homer Simpson

Aramis · Post by **Aramis** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:44 pm

Buttmonkey wrote:
I'd be up for running S2 - White Plume Mountain online. (And for players who have suffered through my house rules before, I would be simplifying them a bit.) The advantage to a stand-alone module like this versus ToEE or G-D-Q is that it can be completed within a reasonable period of time. Playing through ToEE online would probably take multiple years.

I'd also be up for running Frank's R2 - To the Aid of Falx. I love those modules (R2 and S2). I also have the pregens for R2 converted to C&C already.

That's the spirit Buttmonkey. And S2 is another module I own but have never played *sigh*. I think it is a precursor to "rooms as traps/tricks" kind of dungeon, isn't it?

Don't mention R2! That is one series (R1-4) that Treebore was lamenting never getting to play. Is it not somewhat loosely combined into the Egg of Phoenix I12 module? Anyway, another excellent suggestion

As for TOEE, it is as classic as classic gets, but some commentators have mentioned that it starts off great (Hommlet, Moathouse and Nulb) but bogs down a bit in the middle with a rather large Temple dungeon crawl.

Maybe some excerpting of classics is in order! I think given the above lists we want to get a flavour of many rather than 18 months on one. But that's just my vote.

As for my interests in playing, pretty much any of the classics except GDQ since I am doing that now. I have heard good things about many of the UK modules (like UK 2 +3 Sentinel and Gauntlet), some of the I modules (like the Pharoah trilogy and I2 Tomb of the Lizard King), the A series (Slavelords) sounds fun but again would take forever.

S3 (Barrier Peaks) could probably wait since we are presently doing Temple of the Frog, but a nice mix of S4 Tsojcanth and WG4 Tharizdun might hit the spot

With the rumoured release of Lakofka's L4 and L5, maybe a Lendore Isles mini campaign is in the offing
WG7 "funny" castle greyhawk, is of course verboten, and shall not be spoken of again
As for what I could run, some interest might be found for U1 Saltmarsh (to me, the best low level adventure ever written), unless people have done it to death. Also N1 Reptile God, which also may be a bit off if someone has already done it. One highly rated classic is B10 Night's Dark Terror. I have always wanted to run or play in that, but again, it may be too long

Keep the thoughts coming. The more people discuss running these classics, the better chance we all have of actually playing through them before we end up in the old folks home (where a strict Runequest Only policy is enforced, as I understand it)
_________________
"Kids, you tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try"

Homer Simpson

jaybird216 · Post by **jaybird216** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:14 am

Aramis wrote:
*- Old School is notoriously tricky to define, but as a hint, this is what it looked like when the cranky party wizard went shopping for a 10' pole in the Golden Age of modules

That's nothing compared to when Bran goes shopping for lanterns.
_________________
Jason Braun
Art Monkey for Hire
Three-Headed Troll Art Wurks

nwelte1 · Post by **nwelte1** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:27 am

I have wanted to run TOEE and then flow into the Against the Slave Lords. I also wanted to run ToH and Return to ToH. I have also considered running the B1-9 box set. But I am torn because I just started mapping CZ:UW.

I just love running games.

To play in, I want to play in TOEE or Ruins of Castle Greyhawk.

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:31 am

nwelte1 wrote:
... or Ruins of Castle Greyhawk.

And people complain about Tomb of Horrors being deadly.
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames

Aramis · Post by **Aramis** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:07 am

nwelte1 wrote:
I have wanted to run TOEE and then flow into the Against the Slave Lords. I also wanted to run ToH and Return to ToH. I have also considered running the B1-9 box set. But I am torn because I just started mapping CZ:UW.

I just love running games.

To play in, I want to play in TOEE or Ruins of Castle Greyhawk.

Sounds like we have our DM right here. And we know he is a good DM already. What are you doing for the next 3 years, Nate?

BTW- B1-9 is not a boxed set (or at least mine isn't), it is a 128-ish page paperback. It's a compilation of the first 9 low level Basic modules into a semblance of 3 overarching metaplots. Definitely some good stuff in there, but they left bits out from most of the original 9 adventures (just as we may have to do, re: my editing comment above) so the purists may not like it.

As to how B1-9 plays, well (all together now) I own it but have not played it . Although the idea of maintaiing parties at 1st-3rd level through nine modules is a bit much (which I think is why it is broken into the three separate sections, each party would just do one I guess?)
_________________
"Kids, you tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try"

Homer Simpson

Aramis · Post by **Aramis** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:14 am

jaybird216 wrote:
That's nothing compared to when Bran goes shopping for lanterns.

What Bran buying lanterns may have looked like
_________________
"Kids, you tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try"

Homer Simpson

nwelte1 · Post by **nwelte1** » Thu May 28, 2009 3:32 am

Aramis wrote:
Sounds like we have our DM right here. And we know he is a good DM already. What are you doing for the next 3 years, Nate?

Gaming I hope.

I don't own an original copy of B1-9.... only the PDF. I was guessing it was a box set.

Silva the Everdying · Post by **Silva the Everdying** » Thu May 28, 2009 5:20 am

Aramis wrote:
What Bran buying lanterns may have looked like

Are you all trying too say something?

jaybird216 · Post by **jaybird216** » Thu May 28, 2009 2:34 pm

Nothing, sir. Sorry, sir. *backs away slowly*
_________________
Jason Braun
Art Monkey for Hire
Three-Headed Troll Art Wurks

Buttmonkey · Post by **Buttmonkey** » Thu May 28, 2009 2:35 pm

Aramis wrote:
Don't mention R2! That is one series (R1-4) that Treebore was lamenting never getting to play. Is it not somewhat loosely combined into the Egg of Phoenix I12 module? Anyway, another excellent suggestion

Do we not want Treebore to play R2?

Anyway, I believe R2 was somewhat incorporated into the I12 monstrosity. I have never heard good things about I12. R2, on the other hand, is a wonderful meat grinder. It was designed as a tournament module, so it is perfect as a "one-shot" (it would take several sessions to complete online).

Buttmonkey · Post by **Buttmonkey** » Thu May 28, 2009 4:15 pm

Oops. My bad. To the Aid of Falx is actually R1, not R2.

In case people are potentially interested in playing this module, here is the players background:

Frank Mentzer wrote:
Your group is composed of characters selected from many applicants, answering a call from Falx Templamut, a silver dragon and grandson of old Bahamut himself. You meet Falx on a plateau on a mountainside, where he now keeps his lair (with wives Big Alice and Sillitellimut) and guards the entrances to a particularly dangerous assortment of caves, keeping the dark powers therein from escaping. Falx is much too large to enter the caves in his dragon form, and feels that his spell abilities would not keep him safe enough in the caves without his breath weapons.

Falx has discovered that the powers lurking underground have found stolen, actually five potions of silver dragon control. A vampire, suddenly appearing before a merchants party, charmed them away and is believed to have taken them to these caves. Fearing the possibilities, Falx has asked for aid. You are his champions, his last hope before he is forced to call on his grandfather for an embarrassing rescue if he comes at all! Falx will reward you richly for exploring the caves, finding the five potions, and destroying enough of the enemy to delay their plans.

There have been attempts at escape from the western cave entrances, says Falx; humans, or humanoids, at least. I have kept my vigil, and have chased them back into their foul hole; but I can do little to harm the occasional bat flitting in and out of the caves at night (again, the western caves); I fear it may be the vampire, against which I am nearly ineffective. He bows his head in great shame, and continues: I will reward you with a powerful magic item of your choice from my modest hoard each time you bring out one of the potions. The bottles themselves are easily recognized, being of a leaded silvery ceramic. But beware! Other groups, who have since run away after taking heavy losses, reported the existence of a large, well-run organization inside; take care, lest you be ambushed or overcome by sheer numbers!

After giving you a map of the beginnings of the cave entrances, he wishes you well and adds as an afterthought, Ive heard strange noises coming from within recently, and there have been more frequent attempts at escape. I fear that the dark powers may make their assault at sundown this very day! Make haste, and be careful.
ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM FALX

Armor: Any +3

Weapons: Any +3 except missiles

Scrolls: Clerical only; up to 5 spell levels OR Heal OR Restoration

Potions: Any except Poison or oils; 4 potions count as 1 item

Wands: ONLY Magic Detection or Secret Door and Trap Detection, 15 charges each

Rods: Cancellation (only)

Staves: Staff of Curing OR Staff of Striking (8 charges each)

Rings: Warmth or Fire Resistance ONLY

Miscellaneous: Boots of Levitation, Bracers of Defense AC2, Dust of Appearance, Javelins of Piercing (2 count as 1 item), Helm of Comprehending Languages and Reading Magic, Keoghtoms Ointment (1 jar), Necklace of Adaption, Rope of Climbing

The module calls for 6 PCs levels 6-9. These are the pregens:

Halfling 5/5 Fighter/Thief

Half-elf 5/5 Ranger/Cleric

Human 7 Paladin

Human 9 Monk

Human 9 Cleric

Elf 9 Wizard

The pregens were created specifically for this module and balanced accordingly.

Buttmonkey · Post by **Buttmonkey** » Thu May 28, 2009 4:17 pm

Aramis wrote:
That's the spirit Buttmonkey. And S2 is another module I own but have never played *sigh*. I think it is a precursor to "rooms as traps/tricks" kind of dungeon, isn't it?

S2 could fairly be described as a fun-house dungeon. It's not stupid-wacky a la the hideous Castle Greyhawk. It's simply pure awesome.

yzarCritS · Post by **yzarCritS** » Thu May 28, 2009 8:10 pm

I love this thread!

As a gamer who got into D&D after the "classics", this is precisely why I was drawn to C&C.

I'll be following the suggestions closely. Good stuff!

Buttmonkey · Post by **Buttmonkey** » Fri May 29, 2009 1:56 pm

So, no interest in R1 or S2?

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Fri May 29, 2009 7:05 pm

Yeah, we are interested, but like Aramis said the trick is going to be "when".
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames

Buttmonkey · Post by **Buttmonkey** » Fri May 29, 2009 8:08 pm

I could run on alternate Saturdays when Frank Mentzer's game is off. I could run on Sundays (possibly opposite nwelte's game). I could probably also do Friday nights.

Kayolan · Post by **Kayolan** » Fri May 29, 2009 8:44 pm

Friday nights have sort of become the default "old school" module night. I'd gladly play in any of those modules (even if the CK changed things around, heck I would like it better that way actually; it makes the modules more interesting for those that have already played in them).

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Fri May 29, 2009 10:32 pm

Yeah, Fridays would probably work best for me too. Have someone up to run the next one after we get done with our Dave Arneson tribute game, Temple of the Frog.

Heck, most of the modules I am looking at possibly DMing I can even continue to use Punjar as my base of operations for modules.

Anyone interested in Castle Amber?

Tegal Manor?

We are looking at doing many years worth of gaming, guys. Many, many years.
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames

slimykuotoan · Post by **slimykuotoan** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:51 pm

Cool ideas! Pour moi, I'd be interested in a more contained 'single module' as opposed to a series like TOEE though.
_________________
Society Member
http://www.cncsociety.org/

Buttmonkey · Post by **Buttmonkey** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:39 pm

Any idea when the Frog game is due to wrap? I'm interested in running R1 next on Friday nights.

seskis281 · Post by **seskis281** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 6:51 pm

By chance is their any possibility of another seat at the virtual table?

_________________
John "Sir Seskis" Wright

Ilshara: Lands of Exile:
http://johnwright281.tripod.com/

High Squire of the C&C Society
www.cncsociety.org

Aramis · Post by **Aramis** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:07 pm

seskis281 wrote:
By chance is their any possibility of another seat at the virtual table?

To truly honour the flavour of these old modules (even though we are using C&C) was it not typical to run these with crazy large parties, brimming with henchmen and hirelings?

...

Now, do you want to be a henchman or a hireling?
_________________
"Kids, you tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try"

Homer Simpson

Aramis · Post by **Aramis** » Tue Jun 02, 2009 7:31 pm

Treebore wrote:
Yeah, Fridays would probably work best for me too. Have someone up to run the next one after we get done with our Dave Arneson tribute game, Temple of the Frog.

Heck, most of the modules I am looking at possibly DMing I can even continue to use Punjar as my base of operations for modules.

Anyone interested in Castle Amber?

Tegal Manor?

We are looking at doing many years worth of gaming, guys. Many, many years.

It is all becoming clear now. Rigon wants to run Temple of Elemental Evil, Nate wants to play it, so we have Rigon run TOEE on off weeks for the Sunday group.

That frees Nate to complete mapping Castle Zagyg, which we can do when the present campaign finishes (probably with the coronation of the Dark Lord as Baron of Ludensheim and an Era of Vile Depravity falls upon the land for many moons )

We keep Fridays as the default Individual Module Old School Night that Kayolan has kindly initiated with the Temple of the Frog, perhaps to be followed by S2 or R1. Looks like some new people would like to run or play in a module, so this would be the slot for that.

Meanwhile Treebore can integrate what old school modules (UK2+3? some Judges Guild?) he wants to run into the Tuesday game once GDQ has wrapped up. I will probably take a stab at running a module or two (U1 or N1 or B10?) in the Tuesday slot to give Treebore some breaks

Set your dials for classic module flavour goodness
_________________
"Kids, you tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try"

Homer Simpson

Troll Lord Games

Old School Modules with C&C goodness

Old School Modules with C&C goodness

Re: Old School Modules with C&C goodness

Re: Old School Modules with C&C goodness

Re: Old School Modules with C&C goodness