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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tony Vargas" data-source="post: 7643062" data-attributes="member: 996">And, old-school, the DM just let it develop - or degenerate - as the player's choices and dice fell.  The EHP in room 17 wasn't "The boss villain at the end," he was the guy who'd cast Insect Plague* at you, if you came into room 17.  The DM may or may not have a reason for him being there, but it wouldn't have anything to do with story arcs or character development, pacing or plot points, just that, hey, this dungeon full of evil monsters and undead could have an EHP as a leader or he could be there exploring the dungeon and acquiring undead servants and, much like the PCs, treasure, or I rolled XX on table G.Ah, that I get, I just think I have a very archaic idea of what foundationally was the "D&D way," because working towards a story, rather than just scattering monsters, traps & treasure before the party like caltrops before a rioting crowd, seems like the hallmark of 'newer' (under 40yo) games.Imagine we're on UseNet, and it's the 90s. (But I repeat myself.)* OK, probably not a great idea in a dungeon, but it was just the first notorious cleric spell that leapt to mind.  I suppose I should've said Flame Strike.</blockquote>