Keep on the Borderland and no healing...?

[haakon1]

Perhaps “heroic” is a better word. Having to run home after 1 hour of dungeon delving doesn’t feel very heroic.

I disagree.

I frame it as dungeon delving is truly dangerous. Your characters are shipping out to fantasy war, and one hit could kill them. So better fight clever, fight hard, and stick together. Retreat and live to fight another day, and deal with the clever enemies dynamically evolving defense too.

More “Band of Brothers”, less “Avengers”.

 

[Emerikol]

I think the game presupposed a larger group than is normal these days. Sending out four PCs may necessitate adjusting the difficulty.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

In my Keep there's a cleric at the inn who will sell healing potions.

He's actually a spy for the Caves of Chaos; the potions are poison which have been imbued with a magic aura.

Edit: A party shouldn't necessarily hike back to the Keep to heal up. They should be setting up a camp nearby (guarded by hirelings while they are away). Or in the dungeon they find a room to fort up and rest ... it's why there are iron spikes in the equipment list; to spike doors closed so they can have an uninterrupted rest.

Not to mention BX or 1E without reaction rolls to set up the encounter is missing massive roleplay opportunities. Most encounters should not turn into a battle to the death -- and even if combat starts, morale roles may end it before it becomes fully lethal.

 

[haakon1]

the potions are poison which have been imbued with a magic aura.

I agree with you points, but this is a bit harsh, as it could lead to character deaths. Maybe have some ways to figure it out before the “we really need healing” scene? Like Nystul’s Magic Aura times out?

My version of the Keep has multiple clerics, and yes, some evil folks.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I agree with you points, but this is a bit harsh, as it could lead to character deaths. Maybe have some ways to figure it out before the “we really need healing” scene? Like Nystul’s Magic Aura times out?

My version of the Keep has multiple clerics, and yes, some evil folks.

It's Old School. Character deaths are a thing.

 

[billd91]

In my Keep there's a cleric at the inn who will sell healing potions.

He's actually a spy for the Caves of Chaos; the potions are poison which have been imbued with a magic aura.

I can't imagine he'd be able to keep up a scam of selling poison as healing potions for very long. Pretty much one trip to the caves with a poison potable and there will be aggrieved adventurers returning for his blood (which then compromises his position as spy).