World's Largest Dungeon: And the verdict is?

[Geoffrey]

I have a notion of an Underdark section that is skimpy on drow, duergar and other humanoid races because it's heavy with oozes, slimes, and vermin. Add in some converted Olive Slime and Olive Slime zombie goodness to explain the disappearance of townsfolk recently, and the PCs have a more puzzle-solving, scary "dungeon crawl" punctuated with vermin combats and the occasional ooze. Can you ever be sure you've destroyed the last bit of Olive Slime? Mwa-ha-ha! For the clueless, Olive Slime was a 2e slime with some intelligence that took over peoples' minds merely by dropping onto them, and turning them into Olive Slime Zombies. I have no idea if it's been converted for 3.5. Btw, I also like intelligent and/or carnivorous plants, and with proper care, an underground greenery area with vicious plants can be designed...

Very cool idea!

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

Not to cast a shadow on WLD but: I wonder why people think that's a good thing. I find that spenind that long at one activity gets people bored. I've been regaled with tales of groups that never finished RttToEE because it drug on too long.

I think it depends on the group. I have a friend who is excited to run WLD for us. We have played a lot of RPGA stuff together, so we're used to a very long-running campaign (and we're used to each other). But now we get to have a home game where there are many more options (whatever books the DM wants to allow), but it's still within a unifying structure.

For us, I think it's a great match. We're excited about trying to get characters from 1st to 20th level with "one" dungeon. YMMV.

Our DM is going all out for the role-playing experience. We're all making character backgrounds (without knowing what everyone else will play), and then we're each having an individual "one-on-one" session to get our character from NPC class to "real" PC class. And then we get together, find out what sort of party we have, and attempt to tackle the WLD. I've never had character creation done with way, so I'm looking forward to it. In the past, my groups have usually sat around a table together, talking about how wants to play what (and whose turn it is to play the cleric ).

 

[Jim Hague]

Not just levels 1-20, but all the way into Epic, if that's your cup of tea.

 

[Dragonblade]

How much epic play does the WLD support? Once characters hit epic levels, it seems to me that eventually they'll get to a point where they no longer gain XP for anything they fight. Is that addressed?

Are their high-CR and low-CR sections of the WLD? Can you actually play a campaign in the dungeon? Are 1st level PC's going to fight kobolds, turn a corner and run into an Ancient Dragon? Or vice-versa, is the party that just killed the Tarrasque going to have fight orcs, goblins, kobolds, and other low CR waste-of-time creatures just to get to the next high level section of the dungeon?

Is the WLD organized in such a way that a group can level up as they explore and always face encounters appropriate to their character level?

 

[Psion]

Get this:

I showed it to my players tonight.

They want to play it.

So, I'll have a bit of actual experience with this in a bit.

 

[Toll Carom]

No way. If I open that book up, I'll become addicted instantly. As it is, I go into my FLGS wearing a hazmat suit with a big chain on the back as a leash. I have to duct tape two copies of Femme Fatale on either side of the helmet to act as blinders to keep from looking at it. I navigate through the store with a GPS that uses Magic cards as waypoints. I'm getting pretty good at it by now. As long as I don't turn left at the Prodigal Socerer and just turn around completely if I see a Serra Angel I can avoid the d20 adventure section.

Now all I need to do is avoid asking questions about it and I'll be OK.

.... so .... what's the opening plot hook?

This is a most excellent post.

--
CAS

 

[DaveMage]

It's his way...

 

[Psion]

Actual play report:

So far, so good. We rolled up new characters (using my patented "class-out-of-a-hat method) and jumped right into an action. I can only speak to the first section, but the presentation of information is good and the book is very clear (and up-front) about often glossed over or hidden details like which doors are open. The writing style was very accomodating to jumping right in and playing, which is good, because I can't imagine any DM reading the whole thing through before playing.

 

[Belen]

No way I am spending 100 bucks on a dungeon crawl. They are nuts for even thinking that people will forego three books to get one dungeon.

shudder

 

[Crothian]

No way I am spending 100 bucks on a dungeon crawl. They are nuts for even thinking that people will forego three books to get one dungeon.

shudder

Well, since its very module its like geting 18 or so different adventures. But I'm positive they didn't expect this to be for everyone especially since they had this same reaction from many people at Gen Con. I'm just pleased that a company finally took the chance and made some this huge. I look forward to seeing more products of this size.