SO, why do they...

[Infernal Teddy]

Why the hell are "adventures" called "Modules"?

 

[DarrenGMiller]

Because they are "modular" ie. they can be placed into existing campaigns.

DM

 

[Templeton580]

*

 

[Menexenus]

Because they are "modular" ie. they can be placed into existing campaigns.

DM

What Wolf70 said. They can be taken and dropped whole into an existing campaign in any desired order. Since written adventures are "modular" in this way, they are called modules. (I'm sure Gary would tell you the same thing.)

 

[ColonelHardisson]

It most likely derives from D&D's wargame origins.

 

[jgbrowning]

It most likely derives from D&D's wargame origins.

I know campaign is, but I'm not sure about module.

joe b.

 

[Morrus]

They're not any more, are they? It's not a phrase I've heard used in years.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I know campaign is, but I'm not sure about module.

joe b.

Check out the wargames of the era. You'll see it used in reference to rules additions and scenarios.

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

They're not any more, are they? It's not a phrase I've heard used in years.

Well I'd say that these days it can be quite a misnomer as a great many modules are not as modular as they used to be for a couple reasons. One, they can rely too much on campaign specific NPC's, locations and events. B) they can be so freakin' LONG that they can't be "dropped into a campaign" they ARE the campaign.

Of course, being a dinosaur myself I tend to use "module" rather than "adventure" unless I'm drawing some kind of distinction.

 

[Nifft]

I think it's because most are NOT strictly adventures, but adventures-plus-new-rules. What module did NOT come with a new monster, spell, item, race, etc.? Heck, how many modules weren't based entirely around some new rule?

-- N