D&D 5E (2014) Running the shortest game?

[payn]

DCC adventures are pretty good for this. I think some have been made for 5E?

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

The Crimson Oubliette. This is an unique dungeon set in vast pit filled to the brim with caustic ooze. It can be played in two hours easily. I always have it in my back pocket ready to go.

Warlock’s Apprentice: The Crimson Oubliette - Kobold Press Warlock’s Apprentice: The Crimson Oubliette

 

[BookTenTiger]

For a casual 2 hour game I'd start at the end of the adventure. Narrate how they've breached the fortress walls, fought through the orc and goblin guards, and broke through to the tomb of a legendary necromancer. They see a big obsidian throne with the skeleton of the necromancer sitting on it, a gem-crusted crown on its skull. There are legendary magic weapons on the walls between standing sarcophagi. There's a weird magic rune carved into the floor, in the middle of which stands a crystal chalice filled with blood.

Can they escape with the treasures without awakening the necromancer, its undead guards, or whatever that summoning circle is for???

 

[Shiroiken]

I was going to suggest saving a gnome village, but I think I misunderstood the question...

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

In a couple weeks I am running a game for a few casual players who stop by every few months to have dinner, drink, and kinda pay attention to a game that usually lasts less than 2 hours.

Almost every time, I over prepare and worry too much. I want folks to have a good time, but there's no character development, little roleplay, no connected stories. The sessions are too short and infrequent to play even "one shots."

So what's a good way to run a two hour session?

I am a big believe in a five room dungeon for this kind of scenario. And not taking the model literally: Make one of the "rooms" actually take place in an earlier location, to cut down on exploration time, etc.

I've run one for my family where the final room (the "twist") is that they get ambushed by their patron, seeking to steal the treasure after the party had liberated it from the mini-dungeon he'd sent them into. If you're low on time, you can just cut any event-based "rooms" as needed.

 

[TwoSix]

I was going to suggest saving a gnome village, but I think I misunderstood the question...

A gnome, a halfling, and a pixie walk into a tavern...

 

[Spectral Anomaly]

Run something like the Delian Tomb, a short combo of combat, traps/puzzles and some opportunities for rp.
Start in Media Res and go.

Delian Tomb says it should take about 30 hours to play.

Definitely agree with the in medias res suggestion tho.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Delian Tomb says it should take about 30 hours to play.

Is that the new Draw Steel one? I think the reference was to the quickie one Matt Colville made on a YouTube stream years ago, which is maybe four rooms.

 

[MichaelSomething]

The 4E encounters program would be a good model to draw from. You can also take inspiration from the "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" cold openers...

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Delian Tomb says it should take about 30 hours to play.

Definitely agree with the in medias res suggestion tho.

I am referring to the version Matt Colville created in a video near the beginning of his "How to be a DM" series. Which, from memory was a 5 room dungeon.