D&D 5E Prologue to Rappan Athuk?

Bill Zebub · Dec 1, 2021

Having just acquired Rappan Athuk for 5e (via Humble Bundle) I'm now contemplating running it. Skimming through the notes, it is recommended that characters should be at least 4th level. I greatly prefer starting campaigns at 1st level.

So...any fun ideas on (published) adventures that would be a good lead up to Rappan Athuk?

Also, if anybody knows of any other resources to help DMs tackle this...monster...I'm open to all advice.

Fanaelialae · Dec 2, 2021

It's been a while since I looked at Rappan Athuk, but I think there is overland content in the book suitable to lower level parties. This also gives them opportunities to discover the hidden entrances to the dungeon.

Retreater · Dec 2, 2021

Wizards Amulet and Crucible of Freya was how we did it back in the day, though you may need to convert Freya to 5e.
Grimmsgate by Matt Finch would also be a good one.

J.Quondam · Dec 2, 2021

Lost City of Barakus has a decent city, some wilderness, and a megadungeon to get PCs up to level 5 or 6 -- and it exists on the same continent as Rappan Athuk, in the "Lost Lands" setting. It's pretty big, though, might be overkill for your needs.

Caveat:
It's originally for D&D 3e; and as far as I can tell, its latest conversions are only for Pathfinder 1e and Swords & Wizardry. No 5e version.

Hussar · Dec 2, 2021

Still waiting for this to be done in Fantasy Grounds. No way am I coding all of that. I did that for the Worlds Largest Dungeon and I’ll never do it again.

Dax Doomslayer · Dec 2, 2021

Hussar said:
Still waiting for this to be done in Fantasy Grounds. No way am I coding all of that. I did that for the Worlds Largest Dungeon and I’ll never do it again.

@Hussar - someone has pretty much done this and has contacted FGG. There is movement there and I think RA on FGU may be for sale fairly soon...

Lidgar · Dec 2, 2021

Rappan Athuk 5e has a 1st level encounter area that includes an old keep and goblins. It's in there, just a little hard to find it with all the other wilderness encounters.

This Effin’ GM · Dec 2, 2021

Lidgar said:
Rappan Athuk 5e has a 1st level encounter area that includes an old keep and goblins. It's in there, just a little hard to find it with all the other wilderness encounters.

Zelkors Ferry! The Mouth of Doom! The Tunnels of Terror! I have used Zelkors as a starting point and let the party take over and build up the nearby castle as their home base. Good stuff.

Lidgar · Dec 2, 2021

This Effin’ GM said:
Zelkors Ferry! The Mouth of Doom! The Tunnels of Terror! I have used Zelkors as a starting point and let the party take over and build up the nearby castle as their home base. Good stuff.

Yep! That's it.