Pathfinder 1E Why would a gaming group complete the largest Paizo module in history? I asked them.

[TabletopTerrors]

I’ve never completed a superdungeon, but it’s something that I want to do in my lifetime. I think that is what interested me most about this group: they’re the first ever to complete Paizo’s largest superdungeon in history. Do you have the fortitude to finish a superdungeon? Could you finish this one?





http://tabletopterrors.com/2014/11/07/gaming-group-completes-longest-module-in-history/

 

[gamerprinter]

I'm pretty sure one of my groups finished both Temple of Elemental Evil and Undermountain. That said, since 2e, no fantasy dungeons exist in any of my current D&D/PF games due to being wholly unrealistic with no representation in historical reality. The only "dungeons" you'll find in any of my games would be what you'd expect in a realworld castle - a stairway down to a short hallway containing a number of prison cells and a torture chamber, that's it. I don't use the word "dungeon" to equate any encounter location, as many do. I use specific and correct terminology for everything I describe in my games and in real life. I choose to never play in a D&D style dungeon ever again - I don't need dungeons.

 

[Lwaxy]

Played and finished several, this one is on the list of one of my two long lasting main groups to finish. We just haven't bought it yet.

In my self-made worlds, I have very few "dungeons" either, at best you get a few rooms under a castle or a cave complex.

 

[RangerWickett]

I'm currently playing through Emerald Spire. We've had two casualties: one because of an undead that auto-kills you when you drop unconscious, and one because a PC was trying to join the Hellknights, and that requires you to fight - solo - a devil with more hit dice than you. The bearded devil cut him down, tore his head off, and threw it to the assembled Hellknight officials.

My favorite level so far was the one with the pit traps. You'll know if you ever play it. Spoiler for those who don't intend to:

[sblock]Seriously, do you want this spoiled?

[sblock]There are scattered pit traps, and when you fall in, you get impaled on spikes, and then you look up to see the Trap Door Spider that lives in there pushes the trap door shut and webs it to be sealed. Leaving you likely in a pitch-black hole with a spider, while your friends have to bash the floor in order to reopen the trap and rescue you. That was an ingenious, evil little trap.[/sblock][/sblock]

 

[Wycen]

I've been playing DnD and/or a derivative for over 20 years and I do not believe I have ever completed a superdungeon, or the more recent invention of an Adventure Path or the predecessor of linked modules.

I know we tried Temple of Elemental Evil but it went off rails into a planar adventure. When we got back we ended up attempting the Return to the Tomb of Horrors and that died.

We got to part 5 of the Savage Tide but player drama killed that (and I think the DM decided he had enough of anything d20 or at least not an Indie game).
Tried Legacy of Fire and it died from too many cancellations.
Tried Curse of the Crimson Throne and it died thanks to a jerk player.
Tried Carrion Crown and left once because the DM style is too ad hoc, joined again, which died due to the DM's personal issues, now we are attempting Expedition to Castle Ravenloft as a follow up.

Which brings us to the Emerald Spire. So far, we have gone through various players and characters.

Everyone started by bringing 2 characters and we voted on which of the two we'd play. So we ended up with a party of:

1 bard, my character
1 wizard using Thassilonian schools.
1 shaman of battle
1 oracle
1 fighter
1 rogue

Oracle player decided to change characters to play a crusader, which died in his first battle in the water level. Now he's playing an alchemist.

Bard almost died on water level.

Battle shaman player and crusader player didn't get along and battle shaman player left group.

Rogue died in battle leading up to fight with first mini-boss. Rogue player left group due to drama.

Replacement rogue player and rogue joined group and spent first half of battle with mini-boss at 0 hit points, hiding while we all ran away.

Mini-boss knocked rogue to 0 hit points, alchemist to 1 hit point, fighter to 2 hit points, and dropped our pack mule (yes an actual mule for carrying supplies) to negative hit points.

We realize, or at least some of us do, that 3 issues compounded to get us in over our heads.

First, we have 6 players so if the DM doesn't bump the challenge that's less XP to share.
Second, we had some character turn over.
Third, we have not killed and found everything. We know we missed a room based on the map, but our characters don't know there is a secret door we missed. We didn't fight on the godbox level. And we left some of the water level alone.
Might also help if we had a healer.

So our 4th level PC's were getting pounded by the clockwork level and the mini-boss.

 

[TabletopTerrors]

I'm pretty sure one of my groups finished both Temple of Elemental Evil and Undermountain. That said, since 2e, no fantasy dungeons exist in any of my current D&D/PF games due to being wholly unrealistic with no representation in historical reality. The only "dungeons" you'll find in any of my games would be what you'd expect in a realworld castle - a stairway down to a short hallway containing a number of prison cells and a torture chamber, that's it. I don't use the word "dungeon" to equate any encounter location, as many do. I use specific and correct terminology for everything I describe in my games and in real life. I choose to never play in a D&D style dungeon ever again - I don't need dungeons.

Gameprinter,

I am very intrigued in this response, and you aren’t the first who have shared those sentiments in regard to this article—but you are the most detailed. Well worded, and you certainly have my interest piqued. Would you be open to sharing a little more about why this is the case? I would love to do a short email interview if you’re open to it regarding your sentiment that you’ll “never play in a D&D style dungeon again”, and that you “don’t need dungeons.” I think this is fascinating, and would love to find out more about what you DO play. Would you be open to that? (This wouldn’t be a piece to be combative, or critique your methodology, but an informative piece to show that side of the coin, so to speak.)

Let me know, because I would love to learn more. You can reply here, or email me at tabletopterrors at gmail dot com.

 

[gamerprinter]

Gameprinter,

I am very intrigued in this response, and you aren’t the first who have shared those sentiments in regard to this article—but you are the most detailed. Well worded, and you certainly have my interest piqued. Would you be open to sharing a little more about why this is the case? I would love to do a short email interview if you’re open to it regarding your sentiment that you’ll “never play in a D&D style dungeon again”, and that you “don’t need dungeons.” I think this is fascinating, and would love to find out more about what you DO play. Would you be open to that? (This wouldn’t be a piece to be combative, or critique your methodology, but an informative piece to show that side of the coin, so to speak.)

Let me know, because I would love to learn more. You can reply here, or email me at tabletopterrors at gmail dot com.

That's fine! I'll email you later today with a Word document attached. Note because I am a professional fantasy cartographer, I am sure that influences my attitudes regarding this, as well as attaching a couple of my maps for emphasis, that you can also post in your blog, if you're interested.

Edit: I've sent you my articles and a couple sample maps in 2 emails to your posted address.

 

[Morrus]

It would be awesome if those of you who have it were to leave a quick rating for Emerald Spire - we don't have any yet!

http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?379289-The-Emerald-Spire-Superdungeon

 

[Morrus]

I'm pretty sure one of my groups finished both Temple of Elemental Evil and Undermountain. That said, since 2e, no fantasy dungeons exist in any of my current D&D/PF games due to being wholly unrealistic with no representation in historical reality.

Out of curiosity, do you include magic in your games?

 

[gamerprinter]

Out of curiosity, do you include magic in your games?

Of course I do! Everything you'd expect in a typical D&D/PF game regarding plots, classes, monsters, and magic are what I use in my games. Only the terrain and locations aren't like traditional D&D rather more realistic locations - that's the only difference. Magic is on equal terms as any normal game. I and my players feel using more realistic adventure locations is more immersive for the kind of games I run, but in every other way its what you'd expect in a typical D&D/PF game. Its really only the old school style dungeons that I don't use in my games, so why I wouldn't play a mega dungeon these days.