Modules to Start in Ptolus

[Odhanan]

I would like to get advice regarding modules about investigations in urban settings and low-level dungeon crawls. I'm particularly interested in modules from level 1 to 7, and I'm thinking about Ptolus campaigns here, so no trecks in wilderness and such, if possible.

I'm sure the book will propose a metric ton of adventure ideas, seeds and locales, but the more choices the merrier.

I concidered Mad God's Key in Dungeon mag, Murder at the Vulgar Unicorn and the Shackled City AP as sources of inspiration, for instance.

Other ideas/references?

 

[prosfilaes]

I ran "The Andwan Legacy" (available on e23.sjgames.com and possibly elsewhere). It's a decent adventure based around one noble's manor. I'd ignore the "The party should have one or two adamantine weapons or a fighter capable to inflict large amounts of damage (10+ with each attack)" listed in the description; the party is probably going to find a different way around that problem, and probably should.

I also ran "MonkeyGod Presents: All the King’s Men" (again, from e23). I'm a little less impressed with this one; it'd help to have a chaotic twinge to the party to get it to work, but not chaotic stupid. (Okay, so the latter goes without saying in a city campaign.) It is Elizabethan in feel, and you may have to change the too-heavily Shakespearean tones (including literal quotes from his plays) to not jar the players out of the sense of disbelief.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It'd take work to bring it up to 3E, but the Veiled Society would be perfect for Ptolus.

 

[EricNoah]

Maybe you could do something to work up to The Banewarrens? I can't remember what level that one starts with. But you could get the PCs involved with House Vladaam and other organizations that make the Banewarrens adventure tick...

 

[RichGreen]

Maybe you could do something to work up to The Banewarrens? I can't remember what level that one starts with. But you could get the PCs involved with House Vladaam and other organizations that make the Banewarrens adventure tick...

Hi,

The Banewarrens starts at 6th level, running up to 10th. Queen of Lies, Monte's drow based adventure published by Fiery Dragon originally set in/under Ptolus starts at 11th so you could run that afterwards. I think Night of Dissolution (which comes with the book) also starts at low-mid level.

My favourite urban adventure, aside from the Freeport trilogy, is Thirds of Purloined Vellum --- a role-play & investigation heavy 1st level adventure set in Amn in the Forgotten Realms which appeared in Dungeon #88. I used this is start my Lands of Intrigue campaign which is based in Zazesspur, Tethyr, and is standing in for Ptolus as I run the Banewarrens. I am hoping to use the big book for further adventures in my campaign.

Cheers


Richard

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Those are all good. Mike Mearls' In the Belly of the Beast (Atlas Games) would fit both thematically and seamlessly into Ptolus. Although it's technically not a city adventure - it does take place in the sewers.

Both Ghost Machine (Fiery Dragon Press) and Speaker in Dreams (WotC) would be adaptable, but would require some work.

Speaking of Atlas, if you don't already have it, grab their Backdrops book if you can find it. Very handy maps for a city game.

 

[Odhanan]

It'd take work to bring it up to 3E, but the Veiled Society would be perfect for Ptolus.

B6 - The Veiled Society is a good suggestion indeed. Replacing the Radu and other Specularum families by Houses of Ptolus or similar NPC groups, and that'd be the base for low-level adventures.

Maybe you could do something to work up to The Banewarrens? I can't remember what level that one starts with. But you could get the PCs involved with House Vladaam and other organizations that make the Banewarrens adventure tick...

That's the idea. The Big Book includes information and ready-made adventures for levels 1-4 in its adventures chapter (PDF - PT8), but I want to see what would be usable for the low levels building up to the Banewarrens and/or Night of Dissolution.

It's always nice to get a feel of what's available out there.

 

[diaglo]

B6 - The Veiled Society is a good suggestion indeed. Replacing the Radu and other Specularum families by Houses of Ptolus or similar NPC groups, and that'd be the base for low-level adventures.

along the same lines you can insert MV1 Midnight in Dagger Alley for a solo trek to get a replacement PC or a new PC into the party