Twin Falls (ASC3)

squeen

squeen

8, 8, I forget what is for
@Commodore's entertaining review of my entry in his Adventure Site Contest 3.

coldlightrpgpress.weebly.com

Adventure Site Contest 3: Twin Falls

Written by Squeen For AD&D, levels unspecified (Hill Giant rassiln’) Waterfall Pass The source of the Feyderlyne is revealed here to be a tidy lake feed by two majestic waterfalls. The northern...
coldlightrpgpress.weebly.com

Here's a link to the PDF if you are interested. I had to switch off my usually obsessive compunctions and just let this one fly.

Another review by OwlBearHugger here.

Fun contest! Lots of strong(er) entries.
 
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Nice maps. Curious why you included the grapple rules though - does the system not have grapple rules?
 
Thanks. I was experimenting with presenting the 1e AD&D grapple rules as concisely as possible.
 
I see. Don't get me wrong - I generally appreciate it when authors include quick-references on the page, so it's not like it's a faux-pas or anything, just seemed kinda odd. I guess when your system's Grapple rules can't be explained in a singular sentence, it's gonna need some sprinkled reference reminders.
 
Yeah. Knowing you, I sensed the implied 1e critique, it's not an uncommon one.

That's why I thought I'd take a crack at simplification via presentation. The UA (1e) variant is also simpler, but this original one has the interesting feature of armor (bulk, not really class) being a negative. I like the balance that introduces. I'm also of the opinion presentation matters when it comes to possibly intimidating complexity. I think EOTB has another redux planned for OSRIC3.
 
squeen said:
Yeah. Knowing you, I sensed the implied 1e critique, it's not an uncommon one.
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You do know I grew up on AD&D, right? I've been playing it since the 5th grade. I don't dislike AD&D. I just think it's a product of its time, I think it's flawed, and I think later systems improved upon it to the point of redundancy. Case-in-point: your choice to re-write and re-introduce the grapple rules didn't come from nowhere. So yes, I balk about using old editions, much in the same way that people in forums discussing Virtual Reality games would balk at the suggestion to bust out a Nintendo Virtual Boy in this modern age of Meta Quests and Steam Frames. Nostalgia only carries so far, and age alone isn't an indicator of quality.
 
That's cool - we're both aware of things thought by the other. Good talk.

Unless you'd care to address what I've said? Maybe offer a counter-position, try to bend ears over merits and critique? Minds will likely not be changed, but if the point of discussion was to change minds, we'd only discuss things with the most malleable of folk.
 
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Very nice, I could use that.

My beef with AD&D grappling rules, at the time and now, is that the die roll determines the maneuver. It always annoyed me that I couldn't choose my own tactics. I had the same problem with Rolemaster.
 
Squeen, I read your adventure. The map of the lake is pretty. I urge you to consider adding specific details about the Brothers and to change-up the treasure assortment (reducing gems and increasing treasure types). I'm having some reservations about the conceit of two hill giants blocking the party's path. The cooking odor fills the air and boars are stinky and noisy, so any party would be on alert. If I saw two large cottages and was not equipped to take out two large occupants, I would surely bypass these guys--they don't patrol, their zone of control is miniscule. Also specify the number of boar--don't just say 2d6. And gosh, if there is a 2 out of 6 chance the gnolls are inside and a 50% chance they are outside, what are they doing the other 1/6th of the time? (The giants' itinerary is also muddled.) I present these observations in the spirit of workshopping your ideas and not mean-spirited bashing. I don't know your tolerances and am new here.
 
Useful feedback. My tolerance is high when the critique is constructive. Thank you!

The geography (rough terrain mountain climbing unless the river-paths are adhered to) are the only thing encouraging the encounter. My players are taking a mule-train up the pass, so are more stuck than a rando group might otherwise be. A small party can easily find an alternate route. Curiosity also killed the cat.

I haven't thought too much about what the gnolls do on their down time. Probably "gather wood" out of sight in an effort to avoid chores.

Commodore's review also balked at the treasure. Honestly, I rolled it out of the 1e DMG (an the tweaked it slightly) --- but for a Storm Giant. I've found high-value gems are a practical GP=XP vehicle, so haven't shied away from them recently.
 
squeen said:
Useful feedback. My tolerance is high when the critique is constructive. Thank you!

The geography (rough terrain mountain climbing unless the river-paths are adhered to) are the only thing encouraging the encounter. My players are taking a mule-train up the pass, so are more stuck than a rando group might otherwise be. A small party can easily find an alternate route. Curiosity also killed the cat.

I haven't thought too much about what the gnolls do on their down time. Probably "gather wood" out of sight in an effort to avoid chores.

Commodore's review also balked at the treasure. Honestly, I rolled it out of the 1e DMG (an the tweaked it slightly) --- but for a Storm Giant. I've found high-value gems are a practical GP=XP vehicle, so haven't shied away from them recently.
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i hear you. that thing you said about encouaging the encounter is interesting! what if there were something presented to the PCs to draw them in? what if there are human slaves instead of gnolls? a spell depleted wizard without his spell book? who hid his bag of holding before he was captured? the bag has his spellbook and treasure? I understand this is a published adventure I'm just thinking out loud for next time not just for you but for me, too.

adventure hooks are widely derided; there is space to improve the "call to action"

regarding treasure maybe the question to ask is where does the hoard come from? maybe the falls act as a sluice and placer gold chunks (or platinum or etherium or whatever) collect in a certain spot. i like some treasure to impose a cost, like difficult to transport. i get that the PCs paid in blood for the loot and should be rewarded. high level pcs have all sorts of ways to handle difficult treasures. but it can present as a valid, puzzling choice to make. oh!!! what about rare animals? there is someone who will pay a lot of money for a cerise saber tooth tiger (i know many dont call them that anymore, but I do) or a half-trained displacer beast!
 
All great ideas. I think you've can certainly improve what's there to suit your campaign.
 
@Commodore's kind review to my second (admittedly weak) Adventure Site Contest 3 entry review is up.

www.bkgibson.com

Adventure Site Contest 3: Yorker Hills

Written by Squeen For AD&D, levels unspecified (Gnoll Level) Pack Lair in Savana Rising out of a savanna of scrub-brush and isolated stands of mesquite trees, is a cluster of grassy hills—home...
www.bkgibson.com

Here's the PDF:

yorkerHills.pdf

drive.google.com drive.google.com

It's been really fun getting some feedback---almost like revisiting the location through fresh eyes.
 
I'd be a little curious about why these hyenas are led my a male, for example, that’s a weird structure for hyenas…but nope, nothing.
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It's because these are chaotic evil hyenas, of course. They laugh and spit on the divine hyena hierarchy imposed by the Hyena Gods.
 
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