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Kensen
2011-06-22, 02:41 AM
So I'm going to DM a one-shot D&D adventure for four players. I usually DM longer campaigns, so I'm out of ideas for how to make the session fun, engaging and memorable when I've only got like 4-5 hours to run the game. I'd like to include a decent amount of RP and problem solving, and 3-4 combat encounters. I haven't decided on what level the characters are, but preferably 1-10 to keep things fairly simple.

Any adventure ideas you might suggest?

mint
2011-06-22, 03:44 AM
My players got to attend a festival the first time I DMd. It was intended as a one-shot.
I made a map of the festival-grounds and a time-line for the night. Then filled it with events and mini-games (encounters) which made time pass. The events and attractions available changed with the passage of time.
In participating, they could gather "points", enough points would let them hook-up with their b(eau)oo at end of the night.

dsmiles
2011-06-22, 05:01 AM
Well, until I read your level range, I was going to say ToH. And when you were finished with that, you could probably get in a couple of games of something else before everyone has to go home. :smalltongue:

Seriously, though, I've got a few recommendations I could make, but you'll have to wait. I'm away from me arsenal right now. (Unless you want to run a marathon session, Undermountain, Return to Castle Greyhawk, Expedition to Castle Ravenloft and Expedition to the Demonweb Pits are probably out.) You could run Return to Myth Drannor. That's another favorite of mine. It's set in the Realms, though (and may need some touching up, since it was written for 3.0). With your time limit, you might be able to finish Myth Drannor, if you give the players pre-generated characters, and the players are of the "move the plot forward" variety. The book's only about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, and a lot of that is monster stats and fluff about mythals.

There's also the Demons and Devils book from Sword and Sorcery. It's got three (maybe four?) short adventures in it. The lowest level one is 10th level, IIRC. Any of the three adventures in there could be run within your time limit. EDIT: Don't run the "Ra's Evil Grin" adventure if you like the players to figure out puzzles on their own (without making meta-game INT checks). I've run two different groups through that one, and both got stuck on the first puzzle for several hours. (I actually had to give one group the answer. :smallfrown:)

Serpentine
2011-06-22, 05:08 AM
Kobold Run (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168929)? It's "designed" - such as it is - to be make-up-as-you-go, but I can tell you the ideas I had for it.

dsmiles
2011-06-22, 05:14 AM
Tucker's Kobold Run (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168929)? It's "designed" - such as it is - to be make-up-as-you-go, but I can tell you the ideas I had for it.
There, that's better. :smallwink:

Serpentine
2011-06-22, 05:16 AM
Well, you play the kobolds, so... Maybe?

dsmiles
2011-06-22, 05:18 AM
Where's the fun in that? It's only fun to play against Tucker's Kobolds. :smalltongue:

Serpentine
2011-06-22, 05:20 AM
Then... don't play my adventure? :smallconfused: It's about being kobolds. That's kinda the point.

dsmiles
2011-06-22, 05:26 AM
Then... don't play my adventure? :smallconfused: It's about being kobolds. That's kinda the point.
Playing kobolds is all well and good. I didn't actually read the adventure before suggesting Tucker's Kobolds. It's a knee-jerk response anytime anyone anywhere says "kobolds." :smalltongue:

DonEsteban
2011-06-22, 09:07 AM
I did a similar research recently and found these. Some of them are probably too long for just one session. 4 hours are not much for RP and problem solving and combat. Maybe you must choose two of the three.

* http://www.rpgarchive.com/index.php?page=adv1&advid=510
* http://www.rpgarchive.com/index.php?page=adv1&advid=479
* Basin of Deadly Dust from Sandstorm
* http://www.rpgarchive.com/index.php?page=adv1&advid=520
* http://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=8293
* http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/oa/20030530b&page=1

SleepyShadow
2011-06-22, 10:22 AM
I really enjoy Temple of Elemental Evil. It's a great module for both the players and the DM. I highly recommend it.

Swooper
2011-06-22, 10:27 AM
Do this (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192878.html). You won't regret it! :smallbiggrin:

kamikasei
2011-06-22, 10:48 AM
The characters start in a town at the foot of a mountain. A powerful dragon has moved in to the mountaintop caves to hibernate for a century, and the fume of his slumbering breath will darken the land and drive the town to ruin. The party are sent to climb the treacherous, monster-infested mountain to find and reason with the dragon. Environmental hazards, combat, diplomacy and RP.

Anxe
2011-06-22, 03:06 PM
I'd do Tomb of Horrors. You'd be lucky if your players lasted the whole 4-5 hours. And the original came with pre-statted PCs, so you won't even have to make characters before the session.