D&D 5E Dragonspear Castle - thoughts?

[Uller]

We'll be wrapping up Murder in Baldur's Gate in the next week or so so I am beginning to think about what to do next and I want something that can tide us over until the release of next. So I'm thinking of buying the Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle PDF. Any thoughts on this?

I think we're in the mood for something a bit more like a traditional dungeon crawl (or more precisely, sandbox with lots of little dungeon crawls) and something a little less event driven than MinBG. Does GofDS fit the bill? Is it worth the $18 from dndclassics?

 

[Scrivener of Doom]

I like it.

This thread will give you more information than me simply saying "I like it". I think it's agreat framework for a hexcrawl/sandbox. As there are not enough XP in the adventure as written to get to the levels necessary for the included adventures, starting the PCs at a higher level - as it appears you will doing - probably makes sense.

 

[Uller]

Thanks. I'll check it out.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Just started it with one of my groups. I do kinda like it and my players also seem to have enjoyed the first few sessions.

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

So far I've been enjoying running it. We just finished the first part which went much quicker than I expected it to. And it provided enough XP to get to level 2, but the second part requires the PCs to be at level 4. I didn't want to run random encounters or anything so I just gave them enough bonus xp for finishing the adventure to get to level 4. Felt a little anticlimactic though, so you might want to prepare for that.

 

[Uller]

I bought it and started reading it. one thing that jumps out at me is the introduction to the PCs (who are 1st level) seems to go like this:

SPOILERS!!

1) some orcs raided a nearby manor and made off with loot and prisoners (who are still alive!)
2) a Red Wizard was involved and has been caught and will be executed
3) there is some rumor info available about increased orc activity in the area

All of this seems to be setting up for a very obvious level appropriate adventure for low level PCs. Then...

DRAGON! Higher level NPCs with a stake in all of this seem to pick out the no name PCs to go after the dragon without giving much thought to the orcs...I've noticed a trend of late from WotC to write low level adventures with plots and hooks that seem to me to be wholly in appropriate for low level PCs (MinBG is a prime example). As I'm reading this I'm thinking if I were playing a level 1 PC I would be highly skeptical of anyone suggesting I go check out an adult black dragon...maybe tha is just me.

It's not a fatal flaw...our group will be 3rd level to start and I'll probally have them get caught up in the actuall battle at Cromms hold (which will only include a rumor of a dragon motivating the attack), then introduce Isteval and Nadir to influence them to go after the liazardfolk (which will lead them to the dragon). In the end they'll end up on the same path but the orcs and prisoners will seem more backround noise at first...over all it looks to be a good adventure(s) and should be a nice change from MinBG