Any modules with sensible dungeons?

[Ry]

Just wondering, does anyone know of some good dungeon runs where the dungeon's ecology, history, economy, layout, and feel all basically make sense? I'm taking the original Temple of Elemental Evil as an example of how NOT to do this. Any ideas?

 

[Steel_Wind]

Several encounter areas in the original DragonLance modules meet this test. The sunken city of Xak Tsaroth (DL1), the fortress of Pax Tharkas (DL2), Icewall Glacier (DL6) and the Tower of the High Clerist, (DL8) all pass this test.

The Tower of the High Clerist is reasonably detailed - what little there IS that is detailed, The vast part of it is empty and undetailed by default. The illogic of the Tower lies in its improbable size. The Tower is the larget castle map ever done for D&D by TSR/WotC and is as tall as a modern office building in a large North American city.

 

[Malar's Cow]

I'd cast my vote for Necromancer's Tomb of Abysthor. Good dungeon, sensible ecology, interesting politics between the various dungeon factions. A good yarn, all in all.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I second Tomb of Abysthor, but most of NG dungeons are pretty good (especially when they have priests of Orcus involved!).

 

[TerraDave]

NeMoren's vault, which I ran recently, does have a backstory and inhabitants that are interconnected and basically makes sense. But it is not so large: so the challenge is not so great. Good module though (and 2nd Fiery Dragon plug of the day).

 

[diaglo]

The Hamlet of Thumble and The Village of Oester

 

[dungeon blaster]

Dragon Mountain!

 

[S'mon]

From ca 1984, GM Publications 4: The Awakening has the most plausible immense dwarven city dungeon I've ever seen. It's beautiful, albeit it took me 18 years to decipher it...

 

[Treebore]

The Hamlet of Thumble and The Village of Oester

Yes, will definitely meet your details criteria. Even though the dungeons are small. They are for 1st through 3rd level, so that is actually good. Lots of other "in-house" Ed Cha ideas as well.

 

[Treebore]

About Necromancer,

Their Tomb of Abysthor and Rappan Athuk modules are not exactly detailed about the monster ecology, but most of the monsters, not all, do have their presences explained. But there will be some you'll have problems with.

Crucible of Freya, though requiring some DM editing, is a very good low level outdoor and in door adventure, but is still 3.0. Other than skills no real difference there from 3.5.

Morrick Mansion is very good.

Lost City of Barakus is very good outdoors, I haven't DMed or seriously read the dungeon sections, so I cannot address the ecologies there.

If you would like mechanical monsters Siege of Durham's Folly should make you happy.