Best 1st level module/advice for new players?

[Bibliophile]

Come the fall, I'm going to be running a DnD 3.5e campaign for five players, of whom only one is familiar with RPGs (but not DnD 3.5), and one has played 3e for a little bit. The other three are completely new to gaming.

I normally don't use modules, prefering instead to create my own campaigns from scratch, but with basically completely new players, I find myself wondering if there aren't any modules specifically designed to help bring new players in and introduce and familiarize them with the rules.

So, what would you suggest? Both in terms of modules, and even any advice on bringing in new players to the hobby.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Nemoren's Vault from Fiery Dragon was ideal for this, but I'm not sure if it's been converted to 3.5E or not.

Beginnings: Westbrook from 3am Games is also a wicked starting point, but a lot of it's advice for newbs is direced at the DM (and it's invaluable)

 

[Bront]

Modules that introduce a setting are good. I haven't played through the entire module, but the intro module in the back of the Eberron book had some merrit.

However, that's the only pre-made module I've played in outside of a con (Cons have tourny modules or con modules, so don't exactly count) in a few years.

 

[WmRAllen67]

I'm still partial to the "Saltmarsh" series...

 

[delericho]

I rather enjoyed "The Sunless Citadel". Of course, it's 3.0, so would need some conversion.

 

[S'mon]

I advise strongly against using a converted pre-3e module for your 1st level module with new players; the lethality balance is completely different in 3e than prior versions and 1st level PCs are relatively far more fragile.

I found that Lost City of Barakus worked excellently for starting a 3.5e campaign off at 1st level, it has tons of different potential scenarios; you can start the PCs with whichever looks most suitable. Although we did have a PC almost killed by dire rats within the first 10 minutes, but I guess that's the nature of 1st level in 3e...

 

[greywulf]

I've run Sunless Citadel for new players so many times I can virtually do it from memory. For my money, it is the perfect started module.

The Wizards AMulet over at http://www.necromancergames.com/pdf/WA-Revised.pdf is a doozy too.

 

[Khairn]

another vote for Sunless Citadel

 

[IronWolf]

Sunless Citadel is pretty good. You can just drop it off the beaten path in either an existing world or homebrew and it can be a good starting point.

You could also try to find a copy of Orcfest by Fast Forward Entertainment, maybe off of eBay. It is of decent length and has several different stages of the adventure to help get things rolling.

 

[DarrenGMiller]

I am going to support two of the previously made recommendations. The Sunless Citadel is a great introductory adventure. If you are looking for something free, go to the Necromancer Games link already provided and download The Wizard's Amulet, or use the powers of the Amazing Internet Wayback Machine and download this free adventure written by the incomparable Monte Cook, called Caves of Shadow. I have used it to introduce players to the game and it is perfect for that. It is also great for inexperienced DM's. If you use The Wizard's Amulet, follow it up with Necromancer Games' excellent Crucible of Freya. Most of these sources are 3.0 and will have to be updated a little, but since they are pretty basic, it shouldn't be too hard.

DM