30th Level Adventure in the next DUNGEON mag!

[Alzrius]

My problem with epic levels is the sheer volume of work it takes as a DM to prep a 20+ level adventure. A stat block on a 22nd level wizard can take forever to do. Also issues of encounter balance become ever more difficult.

This is exactly my problem. I prefer to use pre-published adventures (thank you Shackled City!), and having them end at 20th level is, quite honestly, a drag, since then it takes a very long time to properly plan out an epic adventure. I know Dungeon promised us one epic level adventure a year, but I wouldn't mind seeing a few more.

 

[Zoatebix]

This may be my first Dungeon purchase ever.

 

[RuminDange]

My problem with epic levels is the sheer volume of work it takes as a DM to prep a 20+ level adventure. A stat block on a 22nd level wizard can take forever to do. Also issues of encounter balance become ever more difficult.

Couldn't agree more. Takes me about 3 days to generate a good 30+ level NPC from start to finish. Especially a spellcaster.

Or course the more I have made up, the more I have to modify and reintroduce later.

RD

 

[Anson Caralya]

Author of "The Quicksilver Hourglass" here.

My problem with epic levels is the sheer volume of work it takes as a DM to prep a 20+ level adventure. A stat block on a 22nd level wizard can take forever to do. Also issues of encounter balance become ever more difficult.

No argument there. It took me months to stat-up the encounters, and James Jacobs may very well have been driven mad checking and tweaking them.

Regarding encounter balance, the adventure follows the CR & EL guidelines... for the most part. I would certainly give it a good review with your player's capabilities in mind before running it as-is. That goes for any adventure, of course, but I think it's especially true at epic levels. There is a larger-than-usual "Scaling the Adventure" sidebar to assist with this.

(Skip this part if you're not in a sentimental mood.) I've been reading these boards for years, and I've been working on this adventure for nearly as long. To see the adventure being discussed here before it even appears is one great feeling. I'm not a regular poster, though, so please excuse any message board etiquette gaffs.

 

[BastionPress_Creech]

Couldn't agree more. Takes me about 3 days to generate a good 30+ level NPC from start to finish. Especially a spellcaster.

Try making 46th level characters. I've actually got it down to an art where I can do it in a day.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I'm glad I just sent out a subscription card yesterday! One of my groups is rapidly approaching 30th level, I'm going to need that adventure.

 

[Stalker0]

I don't like epic games in general...but a good epic level adventure is golden if its done properly.

 

[Jdvn1]

Well, the last Dungeon was sold out repeatedly at my FLGS, so maybe I can get a copy of this one...

 

[Erik Mona]

Perhaps they should up their order?

--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dragon & Dungeon

 

[Treebore]

Or ante up and subscribe.