Looking for recommendations for next purchase

Minstrel · Post by **Minstrel** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:53 pm

Hi all, first time posting here though a few of the regulars here know me from other forums.

Longtime AD&D gamer and after a number of years wanting to, it looks like sometime next year I'll be able to run a C&C game with my current group of 30 and 40 something players.

Looking for some recommendations what to buy next.

So far I've picked up through Noble Knight Games, the PH, M&T and Engineering Dungeons, (as well as 4 sets of sweet oldschool razor-edged GameScience dice!).

I have some birthday cash (around $150) and would like to pick up a few more items to help make my group's first impression of C&C a good one (I'm already sold, having run part of Haunted Halls of Eveningstar with a friend a few years back, just directly dropped in from AD&D and it was terrifically smooth). I'd like to stretch the money as far as possible, though I do want to stick with paper, not pdfs.

I'm open to anything with the goal in mind of making a simple and fun first impression on the players. I'm thinking of running pre-ToT FR for a setting, but I'm open to Aihrde, though I know little about it.

Sir Osis of Liver · Post by **Sir Osis of Liver** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:15 pm

Welcome to the Crusade! You could always start them out in the Umbrage Saga. Start them at 1st level and run them through the end of it. It's a compilation of 4 or 5 modules.

JediOre · Post by **JediOre** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 8:30 pm

I'll second Sir Osis of Liver's choice, which is available here: http://trolllord.com/cnc/8033.html

I'll also add the following selections:

The Black Libram of Natarus ( http://trolllord.com/cnc/8505.html )

Castle Keeper's Screens ( http://trolllord.com/cnc/8012.html )

And perhaps a subscription to the Crusader magazine.

Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 8:52 pm

Welcome to the Crusade, Minstrel!

I also recommend the Umbrage Saga Boxed Set. I would only recommend that, however, if you're going to start fresh, sans an AD&D campaign. It can definitely de dropped into an existing AD&D setting but it I think it would "feel" better in its own setting. That said, if you go C&C whole hog, I would recommend picking up the After Winter's Dark Folio setting.

If you choose to utilize a lot of your AD&D setting, I would suggest the Black Libram of Naratus, Castle Keeper's Screen (as JediOre suggested as well), Engineering Dungeons, Castellan's Guide to Arms and Armor, back issues of Crusader (start with recent ones and work back), or some stand-alone adventures (on this page, the last few rows of the "Adventure Modules section).
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AGNKim · Post by **AGNKim** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:57 pm

This is the best thing TLG has ever put out:
http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php? ... s_id=84596

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Minstrel · Post by **Minstrel** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:19 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome and all the tips everyone.

Wife's out for the evening so I'm busily finishing up skimming the M&T and hoping to take a bite out of Engineering Dungeons before it gets late.

Umbrage Saga is sounding good. The big number of modules had me a bit overwhelmed and it's good to see a consensus on one that stands out well.

Question on the Black Libram of Nartarus - it seems to come with a few recommendations, but I can't really glean a good idea what it is from the description. A list of spells and items with an evil bent to them? Are there some good plot hooks / inspiration to be had in there?

CK screen is definitely on the list.

I'm tempted to preorder the CKG also, but was vacillating on holding off in case it needs a second printing w/ edits. (Not meant negatively, just want to manage my meager budget wisely)

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:19 pm

I have, and am, running 1E modules all the time using C&C, the Saltmarsh series, The giant serious all the way up to the Lolth module, starting UK2 and 3, going to be running the Slavelords modules, so you don't really need any C&C modules if you have the old ones. However the Umbrage saga, over all, is well worth doing.
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Dagger · Post by **Dagger** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 2:25 am

I would use the cash to buy a couple extra copies of the PHB for your players to use during the game and a CK screen. Use the rest of the money to buy out of print FR source material.
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Nothing · Post by **Nothing** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 7:53 pm

My favorite products besides the core books are:

Umbrage Saga

C1 Mortality of Green & C2 Shades of Mist

Codex of Erde

Monsters & Treasure of Aihrde

DeadReborn · Post by **DeadReborn** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 10:28 pm

Towers of Adventure is a great product and if you're into horror-themed games I recommend Tainted Lands.
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Lord Dynel · Post by **Lord Dynel** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 11:14 am

Dagger wrote:
I would use the cash to buy a couple extra copies of the PHB for your players to use during the game and a CK screen. Use the rest of the money to buy out of print FR source material.

That's actually a good idea. If you already have all the pre-ToT material, then you're set. But having a couple of extra PHBs lying around the table doesn't hurt. The FR series, if you don't already have them, are pretty spectacular (from FR1 to about FR6 are great, though some of later ones are good, too).
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:54 pm

The Umbrage Saga box set is fantastic! It's a very dungeon-oriented, but there is so much material in there that any DM/CK can create whole other adventures from the seeds planted in that box set. The Umbrage Saga takes place in the World of Aihdre setting, so if you like the box set, perhaps you may want to pick up the setting called After Winter's Dark (folio).

My other recommendation is the Monsters & Treasures of Aihrde. If you want new and unique monsters, I'm not sure there is a better book on the market. Though M&T Aihrde was created for the default C&C setting, it is generic enough to use with any setting.

~O
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CKDad · Post by **CKDad** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 3:23 pm

In addition to what's been suggested here, I highly recommend the Haunted Highlands series of modules (DB1-DB6). This is an extremely well-done "mini setting" which can be dropped into almost any game world.
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Aladar · Post by **Aladar** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:15 pm

I will second CKDad's suggestion of the Haunted Highland modules, DB-1 thru DB-6. Good dungeon's and cities, and enough background information to "sandbox" if your players want to.
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Minstrel · Post by **Minstrel** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 12:44 am

Oh, rats. I thought I was all set with the Umbrage Saga and now I need to take a loot at Haunted Highlands as well
The extra PHs are an excellent idea. The perfect bound ones look like a good deal for player extras. I think my list's taking shape.

Now to just get my chance to run a game. I go years in a group that wants nothing to do with the DMs chair, and now it's GMs, GMs everywhere.