D&D 5E (2014) Running Village of Hommlet for D&D Next

[Mercurius]

I'm starting a Next campaign in about a week and need something easy (and fun) to run. I'm seeing the first couple sessions as getting back into gaming - we've been on hiatus for about a year - and of course getting to know the Next rules (such as they are). I like the idea of a sandboxy adventure like Hommlet, plus am just plain curious - I've never run it and its on the short list of classics.

Anyone done it? Any advice?

Also, which version should I use? Should I use the 1E version and convert? Is there an already converted version out there? Should I use one of the later conversions (3E or 4E) as a baseline? Etc.

Thanks!

 

[Sadras]

I'm starting a Next campaign in about a week and need something easy (and fun) to run. I'm seeing the first couple sessions as getting back into gaming - we've been on hiatus for about a year - and of course getting to know the Next rules (such as they are). I like the idea of a sandboxy adventure like Hommlet, plus am just plain curious - I've never run it and its on the short list of classics.

Anyone done it? Any advice?

Also, which version should I use? Should I use the 1E version and convert? Is there an already converted version out there? Should I use one of the later conversions (3E or 4E) as a baseline? Etc.

Do not hand out as many permanent magical items, given that 5e relies on a lower magic world than the last few editions - rather provide consumable magical items.
Steal ideas for short village missions from the computer game - The Temple of Evil, just google the walkthrough at gamebanshee.com and decide which missions you can convert to table top. It should definitely inspire you to create some of you own.
Do not forget to add monster proficiency to the monsters' attack rolls.

As for which versions to use I'm not sure which is the best, I'm currently using 1e to run it (the village at least). Have fun!

 

[KirayaTiDrekan]

I ran the entire Temple of Elemental Evil with D&D Next for my group last year. In Hommlet, I also used the old computer game as inspiration...

Spoilers...

I used the feuding farm brothers (the ones fighting over the barn, one of whom is grieving his deceased wife) as the basis for a murder mystery. The PCs were at the Inn of the Welcome Wench, performing for their supper (they were broke and there were two bards in the group) when the two got into an argument and one of them stormed out.

One of the PCs followed him and discovered his dead body. Elmo walked in after that and initially thought the PC did it. It was actually the man-at-arms working for Rannos and Gremag, Temple spies, as the two merchants were looking to stir up some turmoil in the village. So, a neat little 1st level murder mystery which led in to the PCs going to the Moathouse to find out more about the evil organization Rannos and Gremag were working for.

 

[Mercurius]

Thanks, good ideas.

Out of curiosity, what do people prefer - the old T1 module or the first chapter in the T1-4 mega-adventure, Temple of Elemental Evil? Are they basically the same?

 

[KirayaTiDrekan]

From reading through them (I bought both from dndclassics.com) they seem to be similar, with some minor adjustments here and there in the T1-4 version to tie it in to the overall campaign.

For example (spoilers)...

T1 mentions that Lareth will attempt to bribe his way out of being killed if the fight goes against him and, if he is killed, assassins from the Temple will eventually seek out the party.

T1-4 instead notes that Lareth will attempt to recruit the PCs to the Temple's cause, with no mention of assassins should Lareth be slain.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Also, which version should I use? Should I use the 1E version and convert? Is there an already converted version out there? Should I use one of the later conversions (3E or 4E) as a baseline? Etc.

I'd recommend the T1 version if you're running it with a 1st-3rd level party, as there's an encounter in the 3E version of the Moathouse that could be quite shocking to a low level party.

 

[TerraDave]

shocking, thats funny.

you saw my reply in the other thread.