D&D (2024) Suggestions for a simple 1st level adventure.

[Nikosandros]

Ninjas have kidnapped the President. Are you bad enough dudes to rescue the President??

Depending on the President, I might have the PCs side with the ninjas...

 

[Nikosandros]

When they create their characters, ask them what kind of stuff those characters do, or intend to do next. Run that.

That's certainly a cool set-up, but I'm not sure that I - sadly - have enough time for this.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

A friend of mine recently asked me to run a short adventure with the new version of the rules. He only played D&D (and RPGs in general) once - for a few sessions - some 7 years ago.

His interest has recently been rekindled and he would like to play with his 14 years old nephew and 1-2 of his nephew's friends. He bought the Stormwreck Isle starter set and he intends to run it. However, despite my encouragement in jumping in, he would prefer to be a player first. So, he's asked me to run an adventure for the group before he takes the DM's mantle.

Since I don't actually have a lot of free time for this, it will have to be something short. No more than 2-3 sessions. I'm planning to run online with D&D Beyond and either the Maps tools from DDB or Owlbear Rodeo.

Can anyone suggest a short first level adventure that would be suitable? Ideally it would be available in electronic format and have VTT-ready maps.

I have run Uni and the Hunt for the Last Horn twice and I reckon is it runnable in about 4 hours. I have run it using D&DBeyond and pregenerated characters to get a feel for the rules.

 

[ElminstersApprentice]

I like Tomb of the Sightless Serpent. Written for B/X, easily transferrable to any edition of D&D.

 

[pukunui]

You could look at the short 1st level adventure in the 2024 DMG. Can’t remember the name but it involves hunting for the source of a poisoned stream.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

When you look at them amazing how many 1st level adventures are either long, full of campaign hooks, or low on danger! I'm imagining since these players are mid teens they would like something action-focused. It you think they might like something non-combat, then Salted Legacy from Radiant Citadel might work. Other than that, the one you have ruled out - Stormwreck Isle - would be the best fit that I'm familiar with. I haven't read the starter adventure in the new DMG though, certainly you should check it out.

Hollow's Last Hope (I think that's the name) - the Pathfinder (1st ed) Starter adventure is quite good but would obviously need conversion.

 

[Quartz]

When they create their characters, ask them what kind of stuff those characters do, or intend to do next. Run that.

Give them pre-generated characters. Get them up and running quickly.

 

[Nikosandros]

Give them pre-generated characters. Get them up and running quickly.

Yes, that's what I was planning.

 

[sevenbastard]

The Sunless Citadel is a decent dungeon crawl that's gives new players choices but not overwhelming.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Sunless Citadel is long.