Opinions on Which Mega-Module to Run

[MacMathan]

My new campaign has just gotten off the ground and I am considering running one of the mega-modules that are out there.

The three I am currently looking at are: Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, Rappan Athuk, and the BaneWarrens.

So the question is which one would you choose for a basic PHB-only sort of campaign?

If there is one not on my list yet that you like a lot pleae let me know so I can take a look at it.

 

[CalicoDave]

I'm not really familiar with the three you listed so I can't really make an educated comment. But, another big module that I've just got done reading is Vault of Larin Karr by Necromancer. It seems like a very good module. The PC's will have a lot of different options open to them at any one time. The module basically sets up a bunch of encounters for the main valley area and lets the NPC's give hints about what jobs or activities the PC's can take in addition to searching for the Vault. It's geared for 4th to 9th level PCs.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Without a doubt, get Tomb of Abysthor from Necromancer games.

 

[Breakdaddy]

Banewarrens is a fully functional and very well thought-out module. I recommend it. Temple of Elemental Evil is also a pretty good module, particularly if you dont want to keep up with as much minutiae, its a bit more straightforward. Still, I prefer BW. I am admittedly unfamiliar with the third module you mentioned.

 

[JDragon]

I'm currently running RttToEE, it has been fun but deadly for the PC's. Don't have an exact count, but everyone is on at least their 3rd character. One thing that really makes this a good mod is all the support its gotten on Monty Cook's message boards. He has a forum set up for DM's only specifily for it. (http://p222.ezboard.com/fokayyourturnfrm17)

The people there are very helpful and have set up a site with sll sorts of additonal information, including a complete update for 3.5. The adventure was written for use with just the 3 core rule books so, for a PHB only type game it would be good.

I have heard good things about the Bane Warrens, but haven't picked it up my self.

I have Rappan Athuk, but haven't looked very closely at it as of yet.

Good luck

 

[Ottergame]

RttToEE is a very by the books dungeon crawl. Its very deadly, full of powerful monsters and NPCs, and has "phat lewt" by the truckload. It's story is nothing special. If you group can stand going through a single dungeon for months at a time, they might like it.

 

[Kalendraf]

If you're truly just getting started, you may want to check out Lost City of Barakus which should provide months of play to get your group from 1st up to around 5th level or so. After that, the group should have enough levels to head into some of the other suggestions mentioned in earlier posts such as Vault of Larin Karr, Banewarrens or RttToEE

 

[Laslo Tremaine]

RttToEE is a very by the books dungeon crawl. Its very deadly, full of powerful monsters and NPCs, and has "phat lewt" by the truckload. It's story is nothing special. If you group can stand going through a single dungeon for months at a time, they might like it.

Ditto.

My group has been loving it. But we are approaching it more as a tactical combat generator, than a roleplaying campaign...

We are almost through the first big dungeon crawl (Copper Ridge Mines) and here is our current death-toll. This is with five players. Be warned that it lists what killed them, so it is a bit of a spoiler...

Spoiler

Acacia -Lena's Cleric of Weejas - Killed by a Green Dragon in Copper Ridge Mines.
Roland - Ryan's Fighter - Killed by a Green Dragon in Copper Ridge Mines.
Pelenor Angeline - Ian' s ???? - Killed by a Green Dragon in Copper Ridge Mines.
Sark - Scott's Half Orc Fighter - Killed by a Green Dragon in Copper Ridge Mines.
Sarnat - Mikes Pirate/Rogue - Killed by a Green Dragon in Copper Ridge Mines.
Lothynnor - Ian's Fighter Wizard - Killed by an Ochre Jelly in Copper Ridge Mines.
Tor - Lena's Half-Ogre Fighter - Killed by an Ochre Jelly in Copper Ridge Mines.
???? - Scott's Assimar Cleric - Killed by an Ochre Jelly in Copper Ridge Mines.
Sarnat Mk II - Mike's Pirate/Rogue - Killed by an Ochre Jelly in Copper Ridge Mines.
Ort - Lena's Half-Ogre Fighter - Retired...
Holgrim Holfyar - Ryan's Dwarven Hospitaller - Killed by a Fiendish Ogre-Mage in Copper Ridge Mines, then reincanated as a half-elf
Crumpled Blossom - Mike's Human Monk - Killed by a ????? in Copper Ridge Mines and then reincarnated as a half-orc.
Rot - Scott's Half-Ogre Fighter - killed by a Water Elemental? in Copper Ridge Mines and then raised.
Gozhelmus - Ian's Sorceror - Killed by a Pyro-Hydra in Copper Ridge Mines and then raised.
Lester - Rick's Rogue - Level drained to death by Spectres in Copper Ridge Mines.

 

[Nightfall]

Rappan Athuk ROCKS! With out a doubt one of the coolest, most deadly dungeons around.

Though Tomb and Barakus are nice too, few can compare to the monstrosity and power of RA. Not Banewarrens, not RttTEE, none. It is without a doubt the best damn meat grinder around.

 

[Storminator]

Ditto.

My group has been loving it. But we are approaching it more as a tactical combat generator, than a roleplaying campaign...

We are almost through the first big dungeon crawl (Copper Ridge Mines) and here is our current death-toll. This is with five players. Be warned that it lists what killed them, so it is a bit of a spoiler...

Spoiler

Acacia -Lena's Cleric of Weejas - Killed by a Green Dragon in Copper Ridge Mines.
Roland - Ryan's Fighter - Killed by a Green Dragon in Copper Ridge Mines.
Pelenor Angeline - Ian' s ???? - Killed by a Green Dragon in Copper Ridge Mines.
Sark - Scott's Half Orc Fighter - Killed by a Green Dragon in Copper Ridge Mines.
Sarnat - Mikes Pirate/Rogue - Killed by a Green Dragon in Copper Ridge Mines.
Lothynnor - Ian's Fighter Wizard - Killed by an Ochre Jelly in Copper Ridge Mines.
Tor - Lena's Half-Ogre Fighter - Killed by an Ochre Jelly in Copper Ridge Mines.
???? - Scott's Assimar Cleric - Killed by an Ochre Jelly in Copper Ridge Mines.
Sarnat Mk II - Mike's Pirate/Rogue - Killed by an Ochre Jelly in Copper Ridge Mines.
Ort - Lena's Half-Ogre Fighter - Retired...
Holgrim Holfyar - Ryan's Dwarven Hospitaller - Killed by a Fiendish Ogre-Mage in Copper Ridge Mines, then reincanated as a half-elf
Crumpled Blossom - Mike's Human Monk - Killed by a ????? in Copper Ridge Mines and then reincarnated as a half-orc.
Rot - Scott's Half-Ogre Fighter - killed by a Water Elemental? in Copper Ridge Mines and then raised.
Gozhelmus - Ian's Sorceror - Killed by a Pyro-Hydra in Copper Ridge Mines and then raised.
Lester - Rick's Rogue - Level drained to death by Spectres in Copper Ridge Mines.

This post is awesome. The sheer size of the blacked out kill list is impressive. I don't even want to know what killed all those PCs...

PS