RPGA Modules

[ashockney]

So, I've got the wizards D&D homepage saved as a favorite, now that with 4E news, and Dungeon, Dragon magazine coming I find myself trolling for info. Today I noticed that WoTC indicated they posted three new modules under the RPGA banner. I went, and saw that I could download dozens of modules. When I tried to open one, however, it asked for a password. Does anyone know how these work? Is this dozens of modules that I as a DM constantly hoarding module/encounter material for use in a future campaign could and should be digitally storing? Do you have to pay money to get access to these, if so on what cost structure? Finally, if you do pay money as I presume from the password, is it worth it?

Any RPGA folks out there know what's going on with all of this possibly cool gaming goodness?

 

[Arnwyn]

From what I understand (and don't quote me on this because I might be wrong) is that they're free, but to access them you must:

1) Be a member of the RPGA (which you can only sign up for in-person, usually at a convention), then you are able to
2) "Schedule" your RPGA game somewhere on the RPGA website along with the specific module you want to use, in which you will then
3) Be sent the password to said module.

Can anyone with RPGA experience correct me and/or go into more detail?

 

[smerwin29]

I will try to answer as briefly as possible, but there is a lot of ground to cover.

To get RPGA adventures, you need to be an RPGA member. It is free to join, and the easiest way to join is to attend an RPGA event. When you go, there will be a membership card you fill out, and on that card will be a unique RPGA number. Once you fill out that card, you have your number. Lots of RPGA games are played online, and you can usually join that way as well.

Once you get your number, you will want to become a Herald Level DM to order events. You need an RPGA number to pass the test. (I think you can take the test without a number, but you need the number to become a Herald Level DM.) The test can be found at the RPGA site (www.rpga.com). It is an open book test that covers both D&D rules and RPGA rules.

Once you pass that test, then you are ready to order events. You log in to your RPGA account, and one of your choices is "Order an Event." You put in where you are running the event, when you are running your event, etc. Then you can choose from the hundreds of adventures on the list. For most adventures, once you place your order, you get a link to the file, and you can download it and open it without a password.

For certain Living Greyhawk regional events, anyone can download them, but you have to provide your event information to the local Living Greyhawk triad for your region, and then they provide you with the password. I think these are probably the events you are talking about that you downloaded online.

So there is a ton of RPGA adventure content out there, but they don't just give it away. They want you to be a member and to be running an event with that adventure, not just reading it.

More about the RPGA can be found at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=rpga/hq/newcomers

Be well,

Shawn

 

[Shadowdancer]

The password-protected mods you can download from the RPGA site are regional adventures. You can only receive the passwords for those mods if 1) you live in that region and 2) you order the mod from RPGA, and can send your regional triad your event name and number, and your RPGA number.

Each LG region corresponds to a real region on Earth; where you live determines what your home region is in LG. For Ohio, it is Veluna. You can only order and play regional mods for the region you live in. If you want to play mods from other regions, you have to physically travel to that region and play the mod there, at a game day or a convention.

To order RPGA mods and receive an event number, you must be a Herald-level DM. Someone above has already summarized how to do that.

Core mods can be ordered and downloaded by any Herald-level DM. Those mods are not password-protected, but can only be downloaded by going through the ordering process, and you can only order is you are an RPGA member and a Herald-level DM.

Hope that helps.

 

[ashockney]

The password-protected mods you can download from the RPGA site are regional adventures. You can only receive the passwords for those mods if 1) you live in that region and 2) you order the mod from RPGA, and can send your regional triad your event name and number, and your RPGA number.

Each LG region corresponds to a real region on Earth; where you live determines what your home region is in LG. For Ohio, it is Veluna. You can only order and play regional mods for the region you live in. If you want to play mods from other regions, you have to physically travel to that region and play the mod there, at a game day or a convention.

To order RPGA mods and receive an event number, you must be a Herald-level DM. Someone above has already summarized how to do that.

Core mods can be ordered and downloaded by any Herald-level DM. Those mods are not password-protected, but can only be downloaded by going through the ordering process, and you can only order is you are an RPGA member and a Herald-level DM.

Hope that helps.

Great advice guys.
Thank you!

I am an RPGA member and I am a Herald level DM. I've played in RPGA events but I,ve never logged into 'The RPGA'. Where would that be?

The challenge I will have is that I am not running a regular event as that is not my priority right now (two young kids). I am one of those guys who can't wait for the digital table, as it will probably mean my return to weekly gaming. So is this going to be a showstopper? Could I still get some of the core modules?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[smerwin29]

Go to www.rpga.com.

In the top-left menu, find and click "Sign In."

Supply your RPGA number and password.

You have just logged in to the RPGA. Go wild!

 

[kenobi65]

The challenge I will have is that I am not running a regular event as that is not my priority right now (two young kids). I am one of those guys who can't wait for the digital table, as it will probably mean my return to weekly gaming. So is this going to be a showstopper? Could I still get some of the core modules?

I hate being a wet blanket, but...

As Shawn has already noted, the issue in all of this is that, when you order a module from the RPGA library, you're, in effect, telling the RPGA that you are going to be running that module, as an RPGA event, on a particular date.

It sounds like what you want to do is download a whole mess of stuff, to use as idea material for when you start DMing again. Technically, that's not what RPGA modules are for, and doing that is against RPGA rules.

 

[Thunderfoot]

I hate being a wet blanket, but...

As Shawn has already noted, the issue in all of this is that, when you order a module from the RPGA library, you're, in effect, telling the RPGA that you are going to be running that module, as an RPGA event, on a particular date.

It sounds like what you want to do is download a whole mess of stuff, to use as idea material for when you start DMing again. Technically, that's not what RPGA modules are for, and doing that is against RPGA rules.

Yep! In order to access those modules, you need to be prepared to turn in the data sheet after the event, just as if you were running a convention game. While you aren't restricted to time slots, you are required to fill out the information to include your RPGA number and the RPGA numbers of all the players, as well as any scoring information if it is a scored event (though most campaign style modules are not.)

Thunderfoot
Running an RPGA home campaign for three years now.

 

[ashockney]

It definitely sounds like that will be a showstopper, unless they don't mind my saying that I plan to run these in, oh, about 2020?

What about the quality of the modules? Nobody's mentioned that. It's funny that in all these years, I've never really heard anyone say, "Best module of all time? Oh, you've got to go try this RPGA module, blah-blah-blah.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

What about the quality of the modules? Nobody's mentioned that. It's funny that in all these years, I've never really heard anyone say, "Best module of all time? Oh, you've got to go try this RPGA module, blah-blah-blah.

There are some very good RPGA mods....and there are some very bad RPGA mods.

The "Core mods" tends toward the weaker side (though there are, of course, exceptions). Some of the regional mods are very good, but that's probably because you're immersed in a long-running plot. If you're not playing a lot of them for a specific region, they're not as good since you don't have the context. And if you don't like a particular plot line, there will be a bunch of mods you don't like since they're all related.

And, naturally, if you play the mods with the same group, they're better. Changing the group for every mod (which can happen a lot when you play mainly at RPGA conventions) reduces the "shared story" and lessens the impact of the mods.

There was a fantastic Living Death (1890s Ravenloft Masque of the Red Death setting) mod called "Insomnia." Run right, it was one of the best mods I've ever played.

Then there was "The Letter" and "The Dark Gem" ("Living Greyhawk--standard D&D--mods). I played them both during car rides. We finished "The Letter" in 45 minutes. We finished "The Dark Gem" in about 1.5 hours. They were supposed to be full, four-hour mods. When we got done with "The Letter" I felt as if I'd just played a great introductory scene with a good plot hook. Sadly, I was mistaken--that was the entire mod. Same for "The Dark Gem" (though slightly weaker than "The Letter").

And don't get me started on 'Bridge Over Svarjet"!!!