What you want in a module

[ThomasBJJ]

1. Something interesting. Plot, location, adversaries.

2. A good reason to get the Pc's to get involved. Several different ones if possible.

3. Don't be predictible.

4. Stay within the rules.

5. A conclusion that is satisfying.

6. Good, relevant artwork.

7. Good, interesting, properly scaled, easy to map, MAPS.
(See "Tomb of Abysthor" caverns for the opposite of this.)

8. A good general synopsis on the back cover including character levels, and the type of adventure it is. (Dungeon Crawl, Wildrenass, Political, Puzzle solving). ...And a good detailed synopsis on the inside, so as a DM, I can read how the module is intended to play out.

9. Don't use world changing or epic background info. Narrow the scope to fit as many people's campaigns as possible.

 

[rounser]

it's hard to keep them from seeming contrived. Really contrived.

I'd rather a feeling of "how contrived" and being entertained regardless than a feeling of verisimilitude and being bored.

Give me puzzles and interesting challenges over empty rooms and yet another fight any day of the week.

 

[mmadsen]

The ultimate adventure IMO has never been properly done.

Has anyone done an adventure about the ultimate adventure though?

This is not
The greatest adventure in the world, no.
This is just a tribute!

(Apologies to Tenacious D.)

 

[mmadsen]

A modular book full of locations (independant of encounters and NPC's), level-adjustable NPC's (independant of locations and encounters) and short encounters (dependant on Locations and NPC's).

That sounds like a great product, and you've reminded me that the most important kind of flexibility (from a gaming viewpoint) is the ability to adjust for different party strengths (numbers and levels). So few published adventures offer good guidelines there.

 

[Vanye]

I'd like to see notations as to which way the door opens. My PC's always (well, not always...) want to know which way the door opens, so they can try and remove it from the hinges if they can't pick the lock....8P

As a rule of thumb, I have the doors always open into the rooms (aka away from the PC's), but it's still annoying. 8P