tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post6084405670773637260..comments2024-03-28T15:30:09.903-04:00Comments on GROGNARDIA: Retrospective: The Sinister Secret of SaltmarshJames Maliszewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-27197532046628787282012-09-16T18:58:07.840-04:002012-09-16T18:58:07.840-04:00agreed. Be very wary of the "Monty Haul"...agreed. Be very wary of the "Monty Haul" dungeon syndrome. Don't be stingy, but at the same time, be careful not to let them get too rich too quickly. Useful items preferred over cash. Low ball the value of the items back in town if they seek to cash out.Jason from Houstonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-29518114722009400892012-09-16T18:54:21.445-04:002012-09-16T18:54:21.445-04:00Is it just me? Or does anyone else listening to t...Is it just me? Or does anyone else listening to the song by the group Genesis named "Home by the Sea / Second Home by the Sea" get flashbacks to this module? lolJason from Houstonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-68937391813233329702012-06-26T18:13:02.307-04:002012-06-26T18:13:02.307-04:00This is one of my favorites as well, I'm teach...This is one of my favorites as well, I'm teaching my 11 year old to play, and this is the one I'll be starting with...since she loves mysteries.j_erwinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-9837387463283675212012-06-18T05:01:01.193-04:002012-06-18T05:01:01.193-04:00An absolute classic. My first adventure back in 19...An absolute classic. My first adventure back in 1983. The rest is history. This game hooked me on AD&D. I have since played and DMd it several times. Stands the test of time.Martin Tideswellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-9288781678291093662011-12-11T08:29:04.866-05:002011-12-11T08:29:04.866-05:00U1 is one of my favorites. I like the whole sequen...U1 is one of my favorites. I like the whole sequence. I know that the author of this blog favors location-based modules over heavily plotted ones, but U1-3 hit a sweet spot for me.Joe Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08847388615721715893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-79237567013846787092009-02-13T15:23:00.000-05:002009-02-13T15:23:00.000-05:00We played our 7th 2 hour chat session last night, ...We played our 7th 2 hour chat session last night, as the PCs descended the steps past the secret door and encountered the main body of the smugglers... <BR/><BR/>After 6 low key episodes tangling with spiders & centipedes, this turned into a massive knock-down, drag out battle as the PCs ambushed 3 smugglers in the tunnels, then were blasted by a Colour Spray from an invisible illusionist - one PC failed save and thus missed the rest of the fight, much to his annoyance. After a massive melee with smugglers, spellcaster and charmed gnolls the heroes triumphed. However the neutral-goodly NPC Cleric with them is very unhappy with their preemptive use of lethal force, and is likely to quit the group. <BR/><BR/>It's still going great. If I have any complaint, it's that the module seems rather treasure heavy - possibly due to 1e's heavy training costs? The PCs have already amassed ca 2400gp of treasure between them, not counting the 2 +1 rings of protection and +1 platemail. <BR/><BR/>And that's without the 500gp *each* the Saltmarsh town council preemptively rewards them with, per the next section. Which seems a bit much when 2gp buys a mercenary heavy infantryman for a month! Think I may have to cut that, 200gp each would still be generous IMO.Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173759805310975320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-27041107408500961082009-02-13T14:51:00.000-05:002009-02-13T14:51:00.000-05:00Anyway, it is setting just the naturalistic, low k...<I>Anyway, it is setting just the naturalistic, low key tone I was looking for for my new Greyhawk campaign. I'm sick of OTT villainy and world-smashing apocalypses.</I><BR/><BR/>That's my general estimation of it as well. I really do think it's a terrific module, but I'm open to being convinced I've somehow missed some crucial flaw in its design.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-65630369906208173382009-02-13T14:50:00.000-05:002009-02-13T14:50:00.000-05:00Hey Inaki, B10 is probably my favourite module of ...<I>Hey Inaki, B10 is probably my favourite module of all time.</I><BR/><BR/>I also like B10. It's a little more heavy-handed in the plot department than I like -- it has some pre-set "scenes," if I recall -- but it's a very solid example of late module design.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-33731042945523880972009-02-13T14:48:00.000-05:002009-02-13T14:48:00.000-05:00U1 isn't actually a particularly bad example of th...<I>U1 isn't actually a particularly bad example of this, but it was the first of many to come.</I><BR/><BR/>Not that I doubt you, but could you cite a couple of subsequent examples? U1 was in fact one of the last modules I ever bought (I never owned U2 and U3), so if there was a trend toward this style of adventure later, I must have missed it.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-71173614156716997822009-02-13T14:42:00.000-05:002009-02-13T14:42:00.000-05:00BTW: "Tropes??" *sigh* I swear, it's starting to a...<I>BTW: "Tropes??" *sigh* I swear, it's starting to annoy me so much that I lose a little more hair every time I see that word misused... :P How did this accepted meaning of the word creep into the gaming community to begin with?</I><BR/><BR/>Far be it for the guy who's been trying to convince people that "dice" is the singular form as well as the plural to say so, but I wasn't aware that this vernacular usage of the term was controversial.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-20905014272854544912009-02-13T14:41:00.000-05:002009-02-13T14:41:00.000-05:00This, too, I think is an enormous peril. Long-term...<I>This, too, I think is an enormous peril. Long-term it leads down a road to a game-world that is an entirely self-referential, nonsensical abstraction (as we have in fact seen in recent publications). Today I'm a strong proponent of putting the desired game-world first, and making a commitment to tweaking rules on an ongoing basis to support that.</I><BR/><BR/>I can certainly respect this point of view and, on some days of the week, I even share it.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-89863940692798177572009-02-13T14:40:00.000-05:002009-02-13T14:40:00.000-05:00And it avoids the Grimdark trap that ensnares a lo...<I>And it avoids the Grimdark trap that ensnares a lot of UK fantasy output.</I><BR/><BR/>I certainly agree with this. I think U1 is such a good module precisely because it presents a "low" version of <I>AD&D</I> without wallowing in gloominess or grit. That's frankly quite an achievement.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-46649504177956549922009-02-13T14:38:00.000-05:002009-02-13T14:38:00.000-05:00That said I do find that in general Brits prefer a...<I>That said I do find that in general Brits prefer a grittier fantasy more rooted in the history (and myth) of this green and pleasant land rather than the more REH influenced S&S style of the US. Huge generalisation, of course.</I><BR/><BR/>There's certainly something to this and I know quite a few people prefer the generally darker tone of British fantasy. Of course, part of that is because a lot of American fantasy in the 80s and 90s was high fantasy Tolkien rip-offs, whereas I get the distinct impression that Tolkien didn't have as big of an impact on British fantasists.James Maliszewskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-32386149136958388432009-02-12T02:22:00.000-05:002009-02-12T02:22:00.000-05:00I have a whole bunch of modules, but U1 is the onl...I have a whole bunch of modules, but U1 is the only one I can recall with misdirection. And the misdirection is of supernatural origin - an Illusionist! And there are undead in the mansion; they just aren't the cause of the 'haunting'.<BR/><BR/>U1 is somewhat less lethal than B2 perhaps, but there are plenty of opportunities for a TPK. Take a look at the stats of the Sea Ghost crew. The captain is Fighter-5 with over 40 hp; in an adventure for 1st level PCs. He has a bunch of 1st-3rd level crewmen. Not to mention the spellcasters.<BR/><BR/>Comparing Saltmarsh to the havoc wrought by Dragonlance and Ravenloft does not sit well with me.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, it is setting just the naturalistic, low key tone I was looking for for my new Greyhawk campaign. I'm sick of OTT villainy and world-smashing apocalypses.Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173759805310975320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-54358135588701213042009-02-12T00:07:00.000-05:002009-02-12T00:07:00.000-05:00I'm so glad you like this module! I liked most of ...I'm so glad you like this module! I liked most of the adventures from the UK (whether "official TSR" or not) but Saltmarsh holds a special place for me as a quality design.<BR/><BR/>Damn, I'm feeling all nostalgic now. :)Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01254215329246851683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-23988574561258689062009-02-11T20:19:00.000-05:002009-02-11T20:19:00.000-05:00Hey Inaki, B10 is probably my favourite module of ...Hey Inaki, B10 is probably my favourite module of all time.<BR/><BR/>I also love UK4. Hell, most of the modules in the UK series are gems (except UK5).Akrasiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08734103159691571156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-32403188018636457642009-02-11T20:04:00.000-05:002009-02-11T20:04:00.000-05:00As a UK module, I think B10 Night's Dark Terror is...As a UK module, I think B10 Night's Dark Terror is far better, especially since it is really a sandbox campaign in about 64 pages.<BR/><BR/>Of course, it doesn't get any respect because it wasn't "Advanced".IBLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01105341561948796501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-63743143016535381652009-02-11T19:11:00.000-05:002009-02-11T19:11:00.000-05:00"and I would have gotten away with it too, if it w..."and I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for those lousy kids"<BR/><BR/>that was beautiful.... :)Mr Baronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07502432352346301026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-82391798622573011932009-02-11T18:57:00.000-05:002009-02-11T18:57:00.000-05:00I've never understood why you guys like Benny ...I've never understood why you guys like Benny Hill so much<<BR/><BR/>Lots of sexism and elderly abuse. The American way.Kevin Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14122665488285424578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-61100764984606699402009-02-11T17:06:00.000-05:002009-02-11T17:06:00.000-05:00You know, I've never understood why you guys like ...You know, I've never understood why you guys like Benny Hill so much.thekelvingreenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928260185408072124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-28725045622474135382009-02-11T15:19:00.000-05:002009-02-11T15:19:00.000-05:00You're saying... using it once will cause players ...<I>You're saying... using it once will cause players to assume it foevermore? Really? In a world where the supernatural is demonstrably real?</I><BR/><BR/>Absolutely. U1 stands as a 1st-level adventure that introduces players to a world where the supernatural is <I>demonstrably unreal</I>. First impressions especially set the tone for an entire campaign.Deltahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00705402326320853684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-6951192250369485772009-02-11T15:13:00.000-05:002009-02-11T15:13:00.000-05:00I feel about U1 about the same way I feel about DL...I feel about U1 about the same way I feel about DL1 and I6 (Ravenloft)... Well done products that started a lot of trends that I really hated.<BR/><BR/>With U1, the trend I did not like is the aforementioned 1st level "Scooby Doo" adventure. (A term I thought I coined, but apparently not.) <BR/><BR/>Basically, I sense there was some feelings that 1st level adventures needed to be toned down from the examples set by B2 and T1, but the designers didn't want to bore the players with the mundane, so you create a fantastic situation, with a mundane solution. Don't want 1st level characters to risk their necks against an actual ghost, don't you know.<BR/><BR/>U1 isn't actually a particularly bad example of this, but it was the first of many to come.Chris Tichenorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11866673632888599928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-87888385702888077002009-02-11T14:39:00.000-05:002009-02-11T14:39:00.000-05:00Sometime around 20 years ago I ran a really great ...Sometime around 20 years ago I ran a really great scenario (I think a Marvel Conan comic inspired me) where the mid-level adventurers came across a village of people turned to stone. The players shit bricks for half the game, fearing the medusa that lurked around in the trees and foliage. <BR/><BR/>It turned out that a local crazed sculpter scared everyone in town away, using dingy robes and a mask that he attached small living snakes to. Having spent a year making a couple of dozen crude statues to build on the legend, he was finally found out (after they entered the "lair" that also had a few false traps and fake monster tracks) and unmasked.<BR/><BR/>I can't remember another time when I had the supernatural turn out to be a hoax in my games, but that turned out to be a very memorable session. Mostly role play, barely any combat, and they didn't even have to kill the villain. The players really dug it, but did not go on to think everything else they encountered was a hoax. It was just a great little side adventure.Kevin Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14122665488285424578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-63014055313724762302009-02-11T14:31:00.000-05:002009-02-11T14:31:00.000-05:00Blotz - pity the 3.5 DMG2 Saltmarsh is a super hig...Blotz - pity the 3.5 DMG2 Saltmarsh is a super high powered Forgotten Realmsian sort of place entirely unuseable with the U1-3 trilogy.Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173759805310975320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-62046881836832476162009-02-11T14:29:00.000-05:002009-02-11T14:29:00.000-05:00Delta: -I think the introduction of the "Scooby Do...Delta: -I think the introduction of the "Scooby Doo" trope (supernatural haunting is not real, but a human deceit) is a cause for mischief in the fantasy world. Players become unable to heed warnings. World-builders start assuming the "fake trick" thesis first, and "actual supernatural" less often.-<BR/><BR/>My mind somewhat boggles at this. You're saying there's no place for misdirection in fantasy? That using it once will cause players to assume it foevermore? Really? In a world where the supernatural is demonstrably real? That sounds way out there to me.Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173759805310975320noreply@blogger.com