Running Modules H1-H4: Experience and Advice

[Kannik]

So, for whatever reason, I've wanted to run the H1 through H4 series of modules. Not sure why, but I figure after several abortive attemps throughout the years, why not now. Sure, it will take some 3.25e conversion work, but I'm not particularly daunted by that... though any information anyone out there with any experience with this module or with conversions in general, I am all ears }

What I'm really interested in is this question: two of the modules are Battlesystem modules. Tactical Mass Combat. I think it would be best to avoid full Battlesystem for two reasons. One, I'm not sure everyone would be interested in it, and two, I don't think we'd have enough time each playing session (and can't leave stuff out). Has anyone run the H1-H4 modules, and replaced the big battles with something else?

Or anyone have any suggestions how to get the big battle feel without actually running a Battlesystem game? I was thinking, watching 12h of combat during the LotR Trillogy Tuesday, of trying to break it down into little vignettes (ie, hold the gate! take care of these commanders over here!, etc) but I'm worried while in books its great because you have control over all the actors, in an RPG its harder to get your PCs to go to those little events. Any ideas?

Also interested if anyone has expanded on the module and/or has any suggestions to that end. (I am asking a lot, I know ) Being a 1st ed module it is rather short and narrow in its course, so I was thinking of doing some expanding... and maybe getting in some RP oportunities as well.

At any rate, I haven't actually started on this project yet (may start over the xmas break) but I thought if I can learn from other's experiences first, it could save me from many a misstep. Especially given its been aaaaaaaaaaaaaaages since I've DMed, and even then I didn't do it very often.

Thanks a tonne }

Kannik

 

[dargoth3]

So, for whatever reason, I've wanted to run the H1 through H4 series of modules. Not sure why, but I figure after several abortive attemps throughout the years, why not now. Sure, it will take some 3.25e conversion work, but I'm not particularly daunted by that... though any information anyone out there with any experience with this module or with conversions in general, I am all ears }

What I'm really interested in is this question: two of the modules are Battlesystem modules. Tactical Mass Combat. I think it would be best to avoid full Battlesystem for two reasons. One, I'm not sure everyone would be interested in it, and two, I don't think we'd have enough time each playing session (and can't leave stuff out). Has anyone run the H1-H4 modules, and replaced the big battles with something else?

Or anyone have any suggestions how to get the big battle feel without actually running a Battlesystem game? I was thinking, watching 12h of combat during the LotR Trillogy Tuesday, of trying to break it down into little vignettes (ie, hold the gate! take care of these commanders over here!, etc) but I'm worried while in books its great because you have control over all the actors, in an RPG its harder to get your PCs to go to those little events. Any ideas?

Also interested if anyone has expanded on the module and/or has any suggestions to that end. (I am asking a lot, I know ) Being a 1st ed module it is rather short and narrow in its course, so I was thinking of doing some expanding... and maybe getting in some RP oportunities as well.

At any rate, I haven't actually started on this project yet (may start over the xmas break) but I thought if I can learn from other's experiences first, it could save me from many a misstep. Especially given its been aaaaaaaaaaaaaaages since I've DMed, and even then I didn't do it very often.

Thanks a tonne }

Kannik

You may want to think about replacing the Battle system stuff with the mass combat rules found in the Minis Handbook

 

[Frostmarrow]

H1 Bloodstone Pass by Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson
H2 Mines of Bloodstone by Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson
H3 Bloodstone Wars by Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson
H4 Throne of Bloodstone by Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson

I looked it up myself so...

 

[Piratecat]

Throne of Bloodstone? Urk. "And for this encounter, a hundred liches!"

 

[rounser]

"And for this encounter, a hundred liches!"

Yes, the Epic Level Handbook way is much better:
"And for this encounter, a single monster....with a hundred arms!"

 

[Piratecat]

Ah, but is each arm a lich? Huh? Is it?

I don't think so, bunky.

Now, if we had a hundred monsters with a hundred lich-arms, each. . . Hrmmm. . . And an orangutan with clockwork knickers. . . .

Oh, I'm sorry. Where were we? Right, Bloodstone! I thought the first few modules in the series were pretty cool.

 

[diaglo]

first off you need a high cha epic paladin in the party.

second, buy Cry Havoc by Skip Williams for the battles.


third, make sure you don't use the encounters PKitty mentioned.

 

[johnsemlak]

Throne of Bloodstone? Urk. "And for this encounter, a hundred liches!"

So who exactly would command an army of 100 liches, anyway?

 

[rounser]

third, make sure you don't use the encounters PKitty mentioned.

But...you have to keep the wandering monster Tarrasques! There's just something deliciously appealing about throwing 1d10 of a (theoretically, and very dubiously) "unique" monster at the party...

I think my favourite memory of those modules was that one of the PCs running through it had killed Zuggtmoy in the course of Temple of Elemental Evil, and had unwittingly and unknowingly ended up on her level of the Abyss. The player was certain his character was dead meat as the full forces of the fungal plane, including Big Z herself, rushed him for vengeance...culminating in cries of "You killed me again!" as the stupidly enraged low-hit-point-total archdemoness went down for a second time...

So who exactly would command an army of 100 liches, anyway?

Please forward query to:

Army of 100+ Liches
c/o Larloch the Archlich,
Warlock's Tomb,
Sword Coast, FR 389992

 

[diaglo]

So who exactly would command an army of 100 liches, anyway?

that is the spoiler:

Spoiler

Orcus the Prince of the Undead

is the final encounter