Pre made modules

[menels]

Hello everybody,

While newly registered in the forum, I've been around for a while reading random topics... and leeching possible knowledge.

I've played dnd for couple of years (3.5), but know i'm living abroad and trying to gang up a new group... only sad part is: i'll have to DM (have no experience). Other from that, the players are quite new (some of them have never rolled a d20)...

which leads me to the necessity of few sessions to introduce them to the game.

I have two options:

-option 1 - put them already in my own world and set them in some adventures at low level and then engage them in a campaign.... what could actually work, but there is not even one experienced player in group, and in my opinion it loses a bit of the flavor of rp stopping every 15 min of campaign to explain rules....

-option 2 - make quick adventures for low level (I do not want to put a mage that doesnt even know the cantrips at lvl 7)... possible one dungeon crawling, so they learn the combat system, and one RP based... so they start thinking in game.


On option 2 it is quite easy to find dugneon crawling modules... but i didn't manage to find any rp based... is it because there are none or because I didn't look well enough?

Sorry for bothering and thanks for any help =)

edit: and by rp based i want an adventure where you need more thinking than rolling dices in fight

[Bullet06320]

its probly best starting slow, and going with 1st level characters, core only in a premade adventure to start
as you have new players that need to learn, starting with the basics only, is going to be the easiest
and as a new DM, the less options you have to account for with the pcs, the easier it will be for you to find your footing, pick a low level module, and start from there, you can always plug into a hole in your pre made world, or use it as a basis for a new world that grows as you and your new group grow and explore the game as players and a DM

[Zombimode]

On option 2 it is quite easy to find dugneon crawling modules... but i didn't manage to find any rp based... is it because there are none or because I didn't look well enough?

Sorry for bothering and thanks for any help =)

edit: and by rp based i want an adventure where you need more thinking than rolling dices in fight

You didn't look hard enough :smallcool:

In Dungeon Magazine there are a number of low-level adventures that are what you would call "rp based" (note: "roleplaying" on one side and "combat" on the other is a false dichotomy; you either are roleplaying or you are not; you can roleplay in a combat encounter and you can not roleplay in a non-combat encounter; some good thoughts on that matter are provided by the Giant (http://www.giantitp.com/articles/tll307KmEm4H9k6efFP.html)).

My personal recommendations:

"Escape from Meenlock Prison" (Dungeon No. 146)
The PCs have the mission to escort some prisoner from an outlying prison back to the city. What they don't know is that there was an uprising in the prison and some of the prisoners now pose as the prison's staff. Even worse, the prison is suffering an incursion by a group of meenlocks.
The PCs are in for a ride through a web of lies, horror and madness.
This is an especially well designed 1st level adventure. The atmosphere is great and the success of the PCs will depend on more than combat prowess (of course, combat is involved, but thats a good thing).

"Shut-In" (Dungeon No. 128)
During a streak of murders of members of the cities nobility the PCs are sent to protect and comfort the murderers latest victim, Lady Dromdal, an elderly bitter lady of a waning noble house who only narrowly escaped her fate. With her is her daughter who already lost her husband to the "swan street slicer".
What the PCs don't know is the Lady Dromdal is behind the murders that are born out of a bitter lonely heart. The PCs need to investigate and slowly piecing together the puzzle but without being expelled from the mansion by the old lady.

[menels]

(note: "roleplaying" on one side and "combat" on the other is a false dichotomy; you either are roleplaying or you are not; you can roleplay in a combat encounter and you can not roleplay in a non-combat encounter; some good thoughts on that matter are provided

Yup, I do agree with this. However, I think it is completely distinct to actually put your brains into the game instead of rolling dices over and over in combat... (even though there are some really smart combats out there...)
I agree both are roleplaying... I should have said only non-combat focus haha

And thanks for the answer! i'll check it properly once i arrive home!

[DonEsteban]

As usual I have to recommend The Freeport Trilogy.

In an awesome setting (a pirate city) the PCs are to stop the plans of a sinster (and a bit cthulhuesque) cult. It's mainly investigation with ample opportunity for interaction and just about as much or little combat as you want. There's only really one or two important fights in each of the three parts. The others are just for flavor and you can tone downplay or skip them if you want.