A question for all the grognards! Help me pick a classic module.

[Mouseferatu]

All the talk about classic modules on the boards has got me itching to take one (or more) of the classics and update them to 3.5.

Here's the only problem (other than there not being enough hours in the day/days in the week):

Most of the classic modules, at least in my experience, are primarily crawls, or are otherwise almost entirely combat. Nothing wrong with that for those who like it, and that was certainly the mindset of the early days. Thing is, I tend to get bored running crawl-heavy games, and my players prefer a lot more role-playing/mystery investigation/NPC-interaction, with only one or two combats per session.

So, here's the question. Can any of you suggest a classic module--and by classic, in this case, I mean Basic or 1E--that allows for a really solid mix of all of the above? I'm not expecting one with low combat, because you pretty much don't get that in modules. I just want one that's going to allow for a lot of opportunity for non-combat events/encounters as well.

 

[Pinotage]

So, here's the question. Can any of you suggest a classic module--and by classic, in this case, I mean Basic or 1E--that allows for a really solid mix of all of the above? I'm not expecting one with low combat, because you pretty much don't get that in modules. I just want one that's going to allow for a lot of opportunity for non-combat events/encounters as well.

The Veiled Society (B6, I think) was a murder/mystery type, as was Assassin's Knot (L2, I think). You might want to give those two a look.

Pinotage

 

[Fate Lawson]

Well I would normally say you couldn't go wrong with U1-U3 (the Saltmarsh) series, but those seem to have already been done by everyone and their third cousin twice-removed (besides the fact that Saltmarsh features prominently in DMG II). So my next suggestion would be UK2 (the Sentinel) & UK3 (the Gauntlet) (also known as the ADLERWEG series).

 

[Guero Caballero]

Fate Lawson,

B6 and UK2/3 were my first choices also! Apparently old minds think alike

I recently ran UK2/3 as the first part (1st-9th level) of my old campaign. There's a lot left unsaid in those modules, allowing the DM to extrapolate nicely. The towns, especially, were fleshed out by me, and the PC's became minor local heroes before even finding the Sentinel. This series can truly be expanded into a whole campaign - there's a whole smallish nation to adventure in while setting up the eventual showdown with the forces of the Gauntlet.

To the OP: you might also want to look at X1 Isle of Dread or X2 Castle Amber. The settings and tone of these modules couldn't be farther apart, but both were created toward expanding the vistas of adventurers who had previously been mucking around in dungeons. X1 is heavy on the exploration side, but there are native villages (with their own political intrigue happening) and a nice watery dungeon crawl at the end, where you fight cannibalistic natives and some kopru. X2 is fun because it sends the PCs to a madhouse mansion full of a clan of chaotic wizards, many of whom have been warped by magic. Of course, the module aslo takes the PCs to medeival France. One of my all-time favorites - X2 is the old module that always makes it into any campaign I play - I'm even considering recasting it as Epic and giving that a shot in the future.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

UK1, Beyond the Crystal Cave is good, if imperfect.

But honestly, your requirements sound exactly like U1, the Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh. B6 is good and all, but it's no U1.

 

[johnsemlak]

B7 Rahasia

X4-5

X7 (?) The War Rafts of Kron

 

[philreed]

All the talk about classic modules on the boards has got me itching to take one (or more) of the classics and update them to 3.5.

If you have time hit the Half-Price Books on Lamar. I was in there a few days ago and they had about 20 old modules (as well as tons of boxed sets and books -- I think someone sold off his collection). Hell, I grabbed a mint Kara-Tur box set for $5. It's worth the trip.

 

[Mouseferatu]

If you have time hit the Half-Price Books on Lamar. I was in there a few days ago and they had about 20 old modules (as well as tons of boxed sets and books -- I think someone sold off his collection). Hell, I grabbed a mint Kara-Tur box set for $5. It's worth the trip.

Holy crap! Score!

B3: Palace of the Silver Princess
C1: The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan
EX2: The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror
I2: Tomb of the Lizard King
I11: Needle
L1: The Secret of Bone Hill
N1: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
WG4: The Forgotten Temple of Tharizdun

Al-Qadim: Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara
Monster Mythology (Yeah, both are out of date, but I've wanted 'em)

Monsters of the Endless Dark

And one of the best treasures in the bunch, given how hard it is to find these days:

Rappan Athuk 3: The Lower Levels. Brand-new/mint condition.

Total damage? $50 and change, less than the cost of two new hardcovers.

Phil, I owe you a Coke.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

C1: The Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan
EX2: The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror
L1: The Secret of Bone Hill
N1: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Al-Qadim: Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara
Monster Mythology (Yeah, both are out of date, but I've wanted 'em)

All awesome scores.

 

[Jack of Shadows]

White Plume Mountain

I say this mostly because it is my favorite adventure of all time but also because it wasn't a traditional adventure. It's probably too traditional dungeon crawl than what you're looking for. However it was really great because of the environments. Combat didn't happen in 20'x30' rooms. It was full of great puzzles and left open ended enough that you thread a whole campaign from it. Most people think of Mordenkainen when you say Greyhawk. I think Keraptis.

Jack