I just started using Alea Tools magnets... I love them, and I recommend them, after avoiding them forever. I also ordered some blast/burst templates via Amazon.com but the manufacturer, I forget.
Our best first adventure
4e was "Slivers of Earlann" from the RPGA [for free]. All I did was shift the rooms a little, but not only were the combats fun and varied, there were different terrain/threats, a trap, skill challenges and so on. AND we finished in one night, a "complete" story, with XPs, treasure, rewards... they were very satisfied. I now run a weekly RPGA game which has lightly linked story threads between regions, and it has become a campaign.
And yet another word from our sponsors
