First adventure design

Hello,

After running Keep on the Shadowfell for several groups, I've decided to start my own campaign.

I'll have 6 PCs.

Dragonborn Warlord (Inspiriting Presence) multiclass fighter.
Dwarf Fighter with Greataxe.
Elf Rogue
Half-Elf Ranger (archer)
Tiefling Wizard
1 unknown characters.

The group will be hired to recover an old diary and deal with Kobold bandit that have taken up residence in an old Bael Turath fort. The kobolds are lead by a Dragonborn Soldier and the bandits are merely there to get money to the local dragon.

Here's my 9 encounters (the number is just the design number):
#1: Kobold Wyrmpriest, 2xKobold Dragonshield, 4xKobold Minions, Kobold Skirmisher

#2 (boss battle): Dragonborn Soldier, Kobold Dragonshield, Kobold Slinger, 3xKobold Minions, Stormclaw Scorpion

#3: 2xKobold Slingers, 8xKobold Minions, 2xStormclaw Scorpions

#4: 2xKobold Skirmisher, False-floor pit (lvl 1), 2xDire Rat, 4xKobold Minions

#5: 2xKobold Dragonshield, Kobold Wympriest, Kobold Skirmisher, 2xGuard Drake

#6: Gelatinous Cube, Clay Scout, False-floor pit (lvl 1), Spear Gauntlet (lvl 2)

#7: 2xKobold Slingers, 4xKobold Minions, 2xDire Rat, Rat Swarm, Spear Gauntlet (lvl 2)

#8: Kobold Slyblade, 3xKobold Dragonshield, Magic Crossbow Turret (lvl 3), 7xKobold Minions, Pendulum Scythes (lvl 4)

#9: 2xKobold Dragonshield, 2xKobold Slinger, 3xKobold Minions.

Any tips?

First, I'd think about your LOCATION. Is it on a hillside? Is it spread throughout the city sewers? Is it along the riverbanks?

Second, I'd think up a local safe location (or use the WInterhaven map) and throw about 3-5 non player characters that the PC's can interact. This is where players can get the feeling that they're not the only people in this world and it's not just a series of meaningless encounters.

Next, come up with at least 3 different locations where the monsters will be encountered. A single large dungeon tends to get old for players while a couple different venues can keep their interest up (and also allows for country-side roleplayin encounters, ambushes, and problem-solving skills).

Then scribble up a couple maps (USE YOUR COMPUTER PAINT PROGRAM WITH THE ATTACHED DIGITAL GRAPH PAPER FOR MAPS..SEE BELOW):
1. Get a copy of the local countryside on the Keep on the Shadowfell map and place some locations.
2. Dungeon Map: first encounter set
3. Dungeon Map: second encounter set (maybe set it outside for battles)
4. Dungeon Map: Summary exploration location (where your big bad evil guy will be located).

Lastly, I'd do it up nicely in the same format as the KOTS scenario. There is a template here: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?t=229979


JH
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