D&D in a single session

Abyssal Maw · August 04, 2007, 02:23:49 PM

Quote from: droogMind you, it's nothing any half-competent GM of any experience oughtn't to be able to come up with.

Well, that's really, totally all it is.

Pierce Inverarity · August 04, 2007, 02:26:59 PM

Quote from: SettembriniTony,
Heed the Prussian Gamer´s Sound Advice:

click here

OMG, I didn't know this page existed! Thanks!

Does anybody else have this problem where the Wizards D&D pages menu (on the left) is largely off-screen on Firefox? It sucks--I can't navigate.

TonyLB · August 04, 2007, 03:22:33 PM

Quote from: SettembriniTony,
click here

SWEET fuckin' link! Thanks a bunch! :hyper:

Quote from: SettembriniI recommend "A dark and stormy knight". It solves all your problems, except chargen. But that´s also easily solved:

take the starting kits from the PHB.

You have got a PHB, do you?

Yeah, I could dig my old editions out. But, like I said, I'm interested in getting on board with 3.5, so I may just buy new and put the work in to convert the "classic" scenarios to the new rules.

Man, if I can easily work these up so that they run in a single evening then my fellow players are gonna get a whole bunch more gobbos and skellies than they'd been anticipating. A little work on my part to prep things in advance, and I can hit them with a new D&D module every time they get indecisive! :evillaugh:

Tyberious Funk · August 05, 2007, 06:42:04 AM

Despite my general dislike for 3e, it's actually pretty easy to run a short scenario if you stick to first level. I mean, there are even pre-generated characters for each class right there in the PHB. Much of the complexity actually occurs at higher levels.

Of course, the DM needs to have a reasonable working knowledge of the system, but the players should be able to pick up their parts on-the-fly. Particularly if they are already familiar with older editions of D&D. So just crack open a book and start reading.

Rezendevous · August 05, 2007, 09:38:17 AM

Yep, D&D at 1st (or even 2nd and 3rd) levels is just as simple as many other systems. Actually, the game is very easy to learn if you start at a low level and progress through the levels, because you only have to learn a little bit at a time. It's when someone who's never played tries to run a 12th level character with a slew of special abilities, feats, and magic that it gets difficult.

Alnag · August 05, 2007, 09:41:41 AM

If you have a chance to get it, I would for one-night game definitely use Monte Cook's Temple of Mysteries: In media res.

I recomend this one, beacause

a) pregenerated characters
b) classical "dungeon-type" adventure
c) not so classical "dungeon-typ" adventure
d) great surprise/RP-opportunities
e) designed for exactly one-night (actually DnD 30th anniversary game, but no matter 4-6 hours)
f) it is great opportunity to see, how one of the designers meant the game to be played.

TonyLB · August 05, 2007, 09:50:41 AM

Quote from: AlnagIf you have a chance to get it, I would for one-night game definitely use Monte Cook's Temple of Mysteries: In media res.

Looks tempting, but also looks like it might be high-level. I can't tell from the description. Maybe I'm just missing it somewhere obvious, though.

Given the advice I've gotten so far, that makes me a little leery. Before I shell out $5 (admittedly, not much) can someone in the know tell me what level those pre-gens are, and how many rules they pull into the mix?

Settembrini · August 05, 2007, 12:03:05 PM

Tony, do as I say: Use the fucking pre-gens from the PHB. Have you actually read it?

Alnag · August 05, 2007, 12:07:17 PM

Quote from: TonyLBLooks tempting, but also looks like it might be high-level. I can't tell from the description.

Well... cover says 4th - 5th level. The pregens are actually 4th level. But I would recommend to wait until somebody else will either confirm or deny this as a suitable adventure to use.

In the meantime, you might want to read the review of it.

TonyLB · August 05, 2007, 12:08:18 PM

Quote from: SettembriniTony, do as I say: Use the fucking pre-gens from the PHB. Have you actually read it?

The 3.5 one? Nope. I haven't felt like dropping that kind of cash on the books before I have some plan for actually getting them into play.

TonyLB · August 05, 2007, 12:11:42 PM

Quote from: AlnagWell... cover says 4th - 5th level. The pregens are actually 4th level. But I would recommend to wait until somebody else will either confirm or deny this as a suitable adventure to use.

See, just like I predicted ... somewhere obvious that I overlooked. :sweatdrop:

Quote from: AlnagIn the meantime, you might want to read the review of it.

Awesome, thanks!

Settembrini · August 05, 2007, 12:17:20 PM

QuoteThe 3.5 one? Nope. I haven't felt like dropping that kind of cash on the books before I have some plan for actually getting them into play. __________________

The Fuck? Are you serious?

Aos · August 05, 2007, 12:17:27 PM

Quote from: TonyLBThe 3.5 one? Nope. I haven't felt like dropping that kind of cash on the books before I have some plan for actually getting them into play.

You might try the YA section at you're local library (if'n yer in the US, anyway) they often have these. Otherwise 3.0 books are really cheap on amazon.

Settembrini · August 05, 2007, 12:30:56 PM

Really TonyLB, that´s pretty moronic. First you buy yourself a PHB, then you come back.
You are insulting our sincere efforts of helping you with that behaviour. The time you spent online with this thread should have been spent on reading the book.
If you want to DM a game, and can´t even be botherted to buy the basic book, then the game will fail.

I´m really wondering what kind of persons you guys are...

Fuck, with that kind of engagement and enthusiasm it´s really no wonder Jungle Speed is a hit with your ilk...

TonyLB · August 05, 2007, 12:34:25 PM

Quote from: AosYou might try the YA section at you're local library (if'n yer in the US, anyway) they often have these. Otherwise 3.0 books are really cheap on amazon.

Good call, thanks! Library sounds like an excellent bet. Our local system has county-wide requests, so if it's anywhere in any of their branches I can have it shipped over post-haste.

Saw the Star Wars RPG book at my local branch just the other day, in fact ... so I know there's at least some RPG material there.