TSR Example from the worst TSR adventure module(s) ever published

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Funny that GPT mixes D&D systems. That wolf stat block is AD&D (though they misspell "% liar" ) but the skill check is from a later edition. In my encounter, the oak stat block is 5.0, the skill checks could be 3.0 to 5.0.; the saves are 5.0.

So let's paste it back into Forest Oracle for a time-travel adventure.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

THAT’S closer!

Arguably, you can say a lot of things to the sickened wolf as long as you don’t actually say “wolf” out loud.

“AWWW, poor pupper!”

See, the lesson is never cry "Wolf!"

 

[Emerikol]

Adventure module (AD&D1):
The Forest Oracle
by Carl Smith
c. 1984
...

Quasqueton

I appreciate this post. I actually haven't played that module. You make good points that this module is less than best. I'd still argue most AD&D 1e modules were at least good. If I ever try to run N2, I will make sure to review it and fix anything I find especially offensive.

 

[innerdude]

See, the lesson is never cry "Wolf!"

Especially to winter wolves guarding apple pies piles.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Especially to winter wolves guarding apple pies piles.

Unless your PC is a druid named Farley Mowat.

 

[Gradine]

See, the lesson is never cry "Wolf!"

 

[Staffan]

See, the lesson is never cry "Wolf!"

No no. The real moral, as explained by Beau of the Fifth Column, is:

Who's telling the story? It sure ain't the little boy, because he got eaten. So clearly it's being told by the villagers, who let the little boy get eaten. And they have a pretty strong interest in portraying that as the boy's own fault. But perhaps you should look at what they could have done differently. I mean, there clearly was a wolf around. So maybe when they ran up the hill to help the boy, they should have investigated the situation more thoroughly?

Look at it from the perspective of the wolf. He leaves the forest briefly because he wants some of those nice yummy sheep, but then the boy starts making a lot of noise so he runs away. Bigger humans start showing up but eventually leave. The process repeats a few times, until the bigger humans don't show up, at which point the wolf eats the boy and presumably some sheep.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I appreciate this post. I actually haven't played that module. You make good points that this module is less than best. I'd still argue most AD&D 1e modules were at least good.

That might be true for the early AD&D modules, but the back half are generally pretty poorly remembered and for good reason.

You don't find a lot of people agitating for Gargoyle to be revisited, for instance.

 

[Mannahnin]

Jon Peterson wrote a great article breaking down early-mid 80s development hell at TSR, using the module Quagmire! as an aptly-named example.

 

[Emerikol]

That might be true for the early AD&D modules, but the back half are generally pretty poorly remembered and for good reason.

You don't find a lot of people agitating for Gargoyle to be revisited, for instance.

Let me look through my collection and list off the ones that I thought were at least good.
A1-A4. Solid but not spectacular
B2. Great introduction to sandbox play.
C1-C2. Good. I haven't played the rest.
D1-D3. Great. Best of the G through Q series.
G1-G3. Good.
I1,I6. Good, Great
N1 Good.
Q1 - Okay. Not as big a fan but solid.
S1-S4. S1 Great. S2 Okay. S3 only if you are willing to allow technology. S4 Great
T1-4 Good.
U1-U3 Good.
UK Series. Varied. UK1-3 Okay at least.