An unpleasant discovery by a group of low levels

[Arduin]

The other night my players (1st level ) went to delve an abandoned Dwarvish mining settlement created in the side of a mountain. Much to their chagrin, they discovered that the standard passages were a little under 6' feet tall. The taller party members had their run speed lowered and the two using 6'+, 140lbs. pull longbows, had to switch weapons.

Ah, it's good to be GMing again.

[Omote]

It's little challanges like this that make fantasy RPGing so fun. I'm of the mindset that you want to make the characters/players uncomfortable from time to time. You never want adventures to be routine and mechanical. You've got to challange them!

Great to hear Arduin.

~O

[Arduin]

Thanks. Yes, I've found that keeping an eye on verisimilitude tends to naturally create lots of little challenges without extra GM work.

[Relaxo]

That, sir, is awesome. Indeed, why would dwarves make halls with 8 foot ceilings? Sweet!

[Arduin]

Indeed, why would dwarves make halls with 8 foot ceilings?

Exactly. Or, making the main entrance to their largest fortress (filled with incalculably valuable treasure) large enough for a Great wyrm Red Dragons to waltz into...

[Falinor]

I also gave my players an discovery that took them back. When they teleported into a isolated keep as part of a quest, they discovered a group of orphans hiding from a bunch of centaurs that wanted them for an appetizer. Now, the party has to figure out what to do with the orphans while the complete their quest.

[Sir Ironside]

Do you let the players do an action first, to discover that dimensions are not in there favour? Or, do you just treat it as obvious to everyone in the party automatically?

Long ago I played with a DM that wanted you to do an action first before the characters realized their error. I got to tell you that doing that method didn't make it fair, essentially giving the other party (Monsters) a surprise like round. All-in-all it sucked and didn't make a whole lot of sense. (That being said, wouldn't the group know this problem as soon as it becomes obvious? Giving them the chance to switch over to more appropriate weapons?)

I always DM that the obvious is the obvious, unless the whole group are morons. (Character wise.)

Exactly. Or, making the main entrance to their largest fortress (filled with incalculably valuable treasure) large enough for a Great wyrm Red Dragons to waltz into...

I always felt that such a grand opening was to leave the people, who saw it, in awe and maybe a little intimidated. Otherwise why all the beautiful etchings and carvings? It just wouldn't have the same effect. Especially if you make the receiving room just as grand. Then having the inner hallways more dwarf like size.

Maybe that is the architect/designer in me.

Of course I'm only talking about the main entrance and not any ancillary entrances. Though, what if they have large pieces of equipment that they need to get outside? Then you would need passage ways large enough from the place of origin(s) to the door.