Grimstaff
Explorer
I think what a lot of people might not get is that D&D was originally much less linear. Computer games have kind of changed that ethic, the sense that you must go in the front door and stay until you exit the rear, after defeating the big bad guy in the last room. Adventures like Castle Maure are much more useful as a constant, evolving presence in the campaign, a place to put "quest"-type items for recovery, to find lost knowledge, etc. As one post above stated, they finished about 75% and then got bored. The dungeon was really designed with short excursions in mind. Its a place where multiple parties are probably exploring, and various cults and evil factions are involved as well. My group has been in twice, and had fun both times, and now they are starting to hear rumors of a newly-discovered library deep in the dungeon and are planning a possible third foray.
As to exploiting the background material, some folks seem to be treating the major NPCs as "fight-to-the-death" encounters, which is unlikely for high-level enemies. Usually these guys are going to try and bargain their way out of a pinch, and have several escape contingencies in place. Place these guys intelligently and you will get much more milage out of them.
Parties that make liberal use of Speak With Dead, bardic lore, etc, will also get alot more out of the background material!
As to exploiting the background material, some folks seem to be treating the major NPCs as "fight-to-the-death" encounters, which is unlikely for high-level enemies. Usually these guys are going to try and bargain their way out of a pinch, and have several escape contingencies in place. Place these guys intelligently and you will get much more milage out of them.
Parties that make liberal use of Speak With Dead, bardic lore, etc, will also get alot more out of the background material!