AD&D Module Review: N1 Against the Cult of the Reptile God

My opinion on this low level groundbreaker.... Investigative D&D? Whatever next!!

[@jamessatter7418]

This was my favorite module to run as a DM.

[@michaelstronghold3550]

My dad ran this for my friends and I when I was 13 or so. It took us at least a year to finish after failing many times but after it was finally over I had a complete grasp of the game. I've run it myself a few times now, its my favorite low level module.

[@woodwwad]

I enjoy your mod reviews.

[@jonathankilby6636]

I've heard about this module... grabs popcorn

[@bartlettbigx]

Good work John. I've never played or run this one but I have read it. I remember it being a great read but made me think of all the poor gamers who chose it for their first AD&D experience. Incidentally, what was with TSR? They serially underestimated the recommended character levels on their modules.

[@yeoldegeek71]

Sometimes they did, but the adventures were written with certain expectations... - that the party would use henchmen - that the players would be cautious - that character death was pretty common

[@philipcampanaro8124]

You could have a long discussion on whether Clerics get their spells from their god's power or from the faith they have in their god.

[@jakovmatosic4890]

Thanks for the review

[@garygoucher4739]

I love this module, but agree that the Novice designation is way off base. I have partially run it on several occasions, including one conversion to Earthdawn 1e and another to Millenium's End (a modern day technothriller.) While a bunch of 1st level characters might survive Orlane itself, if they are smart AND a bit lucky, I really think that there isn't enough meat in the adventure to get them to an appropriate level for the final combat. Especial if the module is played using 1e RAW, where players need to train and spend gold to actual level. While there are a few NPC's that have the levels and classes to provide these services, that is not true for all classes. A lot of work by the GM needs to be done to offset this complication of RAW versus actual play, but once done, can yield a truly memorable adventure. As for the "essential NPC", my plan was to have him send the players on a quest to find a one-shot McGuffin that would provide the same effect that during the final fight that the NPC was supposed to provide. And he could provide training, vending, etc to the party to help them. As for the cleric's keeping their spellcasting abilities, I never worried about it, but if I were to run things again, I would limit their spells to those from the Sorcerer spell list, which be a surprise to the party and another clue that things are not right in Orlane. Finally, as for the name of the module, my players never knew what adventure they were in when I ran them though it. This was especially easy in the cases where I had converted the module to a different game system and was running things based entirely on my notes, but even when this wasn't the case, I made sure the party never saw it's name or any of the professional maps. I even changed the name of the village most of the time, just in case. Great review. Loved hearing the store from your actual play and it's nice to hear someone else has the same mixed feelings (but mostly good) for this module that I do!

[@alhyde1269]

This is my all-time favorite game module. It reminds me of the snake cult motif in the 1982 movie Conan the Barbarian. In fact, I often considered expanding it to encompass Thulsa Doom and his religion, and adapting it for a Hyborean Age setting. You're right about the title being somewhat of a giveaway. I think "Terror by Night" would have been a better choice.

[@biffstrong1079]

I read one review that suggested having the party attacked by cultists wielding snake cult daggers like in the Conan Movie before they reach Orlane to add some atmosphere. Then when they run across cultists again find one of these weird daggers or a symbol that looks like the daggers so players realize there is a bigger conspiracy going on here. I think I had the cultist citizens using some sort of cultist salute . Looks like they are rubbing their forehead while they talked but had two fingers sticking out like fangs while they do it. The cult is so big now its hard to identify everyone in it. I would physically do it with the first three or four cultists they meet or until after the first day or when they firmly establish the party aren't cultists.

[@legbreaker2762]

Re the cleric issue, remember that 1st and 2nd level spells basically come from within. Quote DMG, page 38: "Lesser clerics, then, draw only upon their education, training, and experience to gain spells, just as higher clerics do when they renew their first and second level spells." Ok, it doesn't explain the 3rd and 4th level spells, but it's a start...

[@praxistallyogarro]

This is exactly how I dealt with the discrepancy and then just added scrolls/wands/potions to make up the difference.

[@jebgordon6608]

This was the second adventure that I ever completed. I did it as a solo player by making alliances with the various NPCs. The most interesting thing that happened as I went through is that the DM had Explictica Defilus take out Ramne as soon as he had launched his fireball. Taking Ramne out of commission made the final battle seem earned by the player and fixed the largest problem at the end of the module.

[@yeoldegeek71]

That sounds like good play on your part. Which NPCs helped you out? The Elves I guess? The Ranger?

[@thatpatrickguy3446]

This was a great module on many levels. But classifying it as a novice module was not correct. Without the help of Obi-Wan, I mean Ramne, it would have led to a TPK on their own. It was a good stop, think, and question module, which I like. But for a low level party it could be deadly every time. Ramne and the Mayor and his friends as the rescue party were required to keep the party from completely dying more than once when I ran this years ago. As great a concept as it is, I haven't run it again. 😕 Well done!

[@yeoldegeek71]

I've used the Elves in the same way too... the party can get in over their heads really easily.

[@thatpatrickguy3446]

@@yeoldegeek71 It's easy for the party to get out of their depth there. I've run it for a group of 4th level characters and they almost didn't survive.

[@biffstrong1079]

I always Run through another module first with my PC's and in fact work to have a helpful NPC join the party . He needs to go home in between adventures to see his Mom in Orlean. The Party either is planning to pick him up in Orlean on the way to their next adventure or they get a message from old NPC Friend asking for help cause something is wrong in River City. The Party shows up with a mission, a friend who may or may not have been kidnapped and at about 2nd or 3rd level so they are better able to handle this module. I try to tone down Yoda too. I usually have him blind just making it around seeing through his weasel familiar's eyes and even more decrepit than he is in the module. I think I had the party piggy backing him on the way to the final confrontation. This all gives the party more agency and more reason to be there and there is help to be had. We always had a blast with this one. Always took our time with the role play. Always stayed at the Golden Grain Inn.

[@satturnine7320]

Certainly of the school of hard knocks for a ‘novice’ Maybe not too rough for veteran players looking to reroll This thing doesn’t mess around though Before the abduction attempt there’s a good chance you’ll have trouble with the barkeep and assassin sitting in the corner Then the patrons run out and alert the the constable while the henchmen from upstairs rush in Hope someone brought the bec de corbin

[@coachlarry6773]

This is such a cool module. Very deadly but fun to run.

[@davidleonard8547]

One of my favourite modules! Yeah, there are issues. Characters should be at the upper limit of suggested levels. And that doesn't negate requiring Ramne. Granted, having a rival, or allied investigating group precede the party to [redacted] takes care of that. Those in the know will know what I'm talking about. Also, lead up requires some work. Having a relative in the village ought to be a good lure. As to clerics of a naga being able to cast spells, I suggest the reptile god is a front for another god: The EEG is a great substitute that can tie into Hommlet.

[@legbreaker2762]

This really is an absolute party killer. That said, I do rather like it. Very, very rare to get a party down to the second level and not have experienced a death or two. Near impossible to get much further and avoid a TPK unless the players are very, very lucky.

[@yeoldegeek71]

My group started with 10, lost 5 in Orlane. The Naga killed another one before they got her...

[@legbreaker2762]

@@yeoldegeek71 I've run it three times now. Only twice did they even reach the swamp (TPK'd in Orlane), once they went via the "front" passage and got pasted before the naga. Only that third time did they reach the final encounter and manage to finish the module (still took about 50% casualties though).

[@andysimmons2648]

Excellent review. I have to admit that I love this module and have run it a couple of times. I agree with the flaws and it’s certainly not designed for novice adventurers. That said, I still love the game.