Dming Vault of the Drow

[Gwaihir]

To anyone out there who has DMed Vault of the Drow:

Any experiences, changes, pointers or hints that you can share?

It is my intent to drop it into a current campaign I'm running in a homebrew world, which should be easy as it seems to lack any real plot (if I remember right). But it seems like it would be tough to run as it seems to lack any real plot (if I remember right) and isn't a "hack & slay" module.

 

[Corathon]

I used the module in my campaign as a sequel to the "Against the Giants" and "Descent into the Depths of the Earth" modules, so the player characters had a motive for being there. More than one reason, actually. I also played in it, under another DM. It can be a lot of fun with the right type of characters (and players).

There are many opportunities for adventure in the Vault, such as playing different Drow merchant or noble houses against each other, exploring the "wretched hive of scum and villainy" that is Erelhei-Cinlu, attacking the nearby Fane of Lolth, or just raiding the dark elf caravans. The chaotic nature of the residents together with the fact that humans are allowed in some parts of the Vault allows some chance to operate there. OTOH it is a very dangerous place. The party has to pick their fights carefully. If they are too much of a nuisance to the nobles or the clergy of Lolth, an overwhelming force can be brought to bear on them.

And, if the players do from alliances with one group of dark elves against another, they should expect betrayal and be ready to handle it when it comes.

 

[Endur]

To anyone out there who has DMed Vault of the Drow:

Any experiences, changes, pointers or hints that you can share?

It is my intent to drop it into a current campaign I'm running in a homebrew world, which should be easy as it seems to lack any real plot (if I remember right). But it seems like it would be tough to run as it seems to lack any real plot (if I remember right) and isn't a "hack & slay" module.

Well, you get to decide the plot then.

I highly recommend also taking a look at the 2e Menzoberanzan boxed set. And Dragon 298-300 for the updated 3e version of the Vault of the Drow.

 

[Garnfellow]

I think your basic take is spot on -- D3 is more of a mini-campaign setting than an adventure. Very open-ended, few specific details. A fun way to re-spin this thread might be to brainstorm plot hooks for the Vault.

Endur is right about pointing out Dragon 298/300 -- it's an excellent treatment of the setting. A good companion piece is the free Oerth Journal issue (unofficially) updating the Vault to 3e.

Both of these 3e sources are set in "present" Greyhawk, which is the future of D3 -- something like 18 years following the events of the original module, after a drow civil war. However, even if you're running a game set in the "past," it's still easy to use the new materials for inspiration. (I'm really struggling with tense and terminology, here!)

 

[Crothian]

They were fun, I made it a bit more powerful to fit the PCs as they were a good 5 levels higher then recomended. But I think that helped them get through it. It was my first time doing the D series.