Starting Age of Worms

[ShrinkyLink]

I'd have to concur that 'Whispering Cairn' isn't very well designed. The chances of half TPK are very strong--and yet, having said that, I love running it. My players kept waiting for the expected 1st level monsters and traps, and baby, they ain't there. The looks of consternation and outright fear were...well...pleasing.

 

[Nightfall]

All Dms love the smell of fear from PCs in the evening! (Or morning too! )

 

[demiurge1138]

I wouldn't say that Whispering Cairn isn't very well designed. It's just... differently designed. To me, it really feels like a lost 1e module that's been polished up, at least the actual dungeon. It has needlessly complex traps, little historical doodads scattered around and the threat of character death is pretty strong, just like in the old days.

And I didn't notice a lack of anatomical critters for the rogues to have fun with. Sure, there are elementals, constructs and undead, but wolves, vermin and aberrations all have squishy bits for the sneak attack/skirmish people to deal with.

Demiurge out.

 

[Eternalknight]

Thanks, all, and thanks, Steel Wind, for the mini-adventure. I shall use that.

 

[Steel_Wind]

I'd have to concur that 'Whispering Cairn' isn't very well designed. The chances of half TPK are very strong--and yet, having said that, I love running it. My players kept waiting for the expected 1st level monsters and traps, and baby, they ain't there. The looks of consternation and outright fear were...well...pleasing.

I disagree. I think Whispering Cairn is the single best module I've ever read or run.

Yes - it can be deadly. That's part of its charm. Death brings tension and tension breeds great gaming. We've been a few rolls away from TPKs twice in Whispering Cairn. It has added measurably to the enjoyment of the players.

There is a vast distinction from being "almost" at a TPK and most of the party down and in the negs dying - only to be saved at the last - and from an outright TPK. The former is exellent gaming; the latter is not.

 

[Nightfall]

Agreed Steel. If there's no tension, there's little chance for fun, IMHO.

 

[sydbar]

I'm going to be running this, i will have 8 people in the group, so far i have 1 human bard, and 2 human monks(wannabe drunken masters) don't know what the other 5 are going to be, but how tough do you think it will be for a group that size.

 

[MerricB]

I'm going to be running this, i will have 8 people in the group, so far i have 1 human bard, and 2 human monks(wannabe drunken masters) don't know what the other 5 are going to be, but how tough do you think it will be for a group that size.

Still tough. I ran Whispering Cairn with 6 players, and there were no deaths (some smart play). In the second adventure, Three Faces of Evil, there have been two deaths.

I've been greatly enjoying DMing it.

Cheers!

 

[Baron Opal]

Mild spoilers follow

There are a couple of areas where the characters fight swarms. If they have no area damaging attacks (Alchemical fire, Burning Hands, etc.) the party will be unable to defeat the swarms. Unless, of course, their magician jumps into the Burning Hands trap in the sarcophagus. Buying the wand of burning hands in Diamond Lake might be a priority depending on the composition of the party.

I, too, find it an exceptional adventure, although having a side-trek to gain a little coin and experience right before they enter would be nice.

 

[Baron Opal]

Sydbar-

It will be easier for your group given the size. Assuming a "balanced party", you could beef up the encounters as if it was a second level party with the Scaling the Adventure sidebar.