D&D Design: The Caves of Carnage! (DungeonCraft #65)

[@felisleo101]

I love the Heart of Darkness/Apocalypse Now reference!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I love that you caught it!

[@JorisVDC]

I was completely back in the Apocalyps Now! atmosphere. I don't know the other references. Well played PDM!

[@MrRemorseless]

Yeah his voice impression was good too 😁

[@williamthomas4125]

That was my first thought too. Kurtz...."The horror"

[@jnlsnfamily8747]

Kurtzman's last words should have been "Charlie don't surf..."

[@beeezlebub]

This is hands down the BEST content relating to setting up and running an effective and unique game. I can't get enough. Thanks again PDM!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks, Devin. I appreciate viewers like you.

[@freestuff793]

👍 agreed, best d&d vids, not too much into the crafting vids though.

[@beeezlebub]

@freestuff I like everything on this channel. It's all useful and entertaining. But the biggest thing is the see up for his games that he shares. It's so f***ing unique!! It's unreal, my players are so hooked now. I get pumped for every game and I build much more emersive stories. It's the BEST stuff on the web for it.

[@erikmartin4996]

Keep sharing links to this great channel

[@beeezlebub]

I do!!

[@jimmybrook7119]

The miniatures, the lighting, the background music and most especially the content. You’ve really nailed these videos. Keep up the good work.

[@biffstrong1079]

I loved the Kobolds but in my version they were tiny dog people , like little brothers to the gnolls. I think my first rules set had them as dog creatures. Our best fight was the nubie group getting dropped on from above. by the growling kobolds cutting at them with axes and knives. and while they attempted to hit t he kobolds and often ended up hitting their own party members.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Very cool. Thanks so. much for sharing with me!

[@johnsnyder4653]

Taking a spin through these older videos. OMG! Solid material! Great production! Just loving this!!!

[@BJBoyd]

Well done on the Heart of Darkness/Apocalypse Now homage. I caught the foreshadowing when you gave Captain Kurtzman’s name.

[@salgarellius7434]

This is one of my favorite videos from professor. It's so gritty and dark. I love it so much

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Glad you enjoy it! Check out the Reviled Society videos. They're even better.

[@salgarellius7434]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 I loved them too. But this one with the twist at the end that the villain is actually a normal guy gone crazy. I just love it so much professor. You rock

[@seanferguson-th6ny]

I have a similar encounter based on the movie The Descent, where characters try to take a short-cut through some caves and end up encountering eyeless, slug-like humanoids that use clicking to sense prey etc with echolocation. They are weak but attack in swarms. Near the heart of the caverns the Players find evidence these were once proto-human ancestors who got trapped in ancient mines after some sort of cosmic calamity ( think bunkers after a huge meteorite). Love the fact that you are taking regular old monsters and giving them a new flavour to usurp players expectations and create a sense of unease and unfamiliarity,

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Good movie.

[@bobsyeruncle5545]

Your journal, those maps, the terrain, simply beautiful!

[@brianv7581]

Professor, your videos are fantastic. Some of the best mini camera work and dialogue I have ever seen on KZbin. Please continue your great work.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks ! I'm working as hard as I can.

[@azuretigers5562]

I love the mini cam !!

[@jeromyschulz-arnold2632]

My players loved this adventure. I had Kurtz ramble on before he died about the face of horror covered with worms and rot. The cannibals were all infected by a Son of Kyuss from a neighboring cave, a nice bit of foreshadowing.

[@theophrastusbombastus1359]

I've never read the module, but I had a good idea the good captain was still alive in those caves - and not under duress either. Good stuff again. I'm now becoming sad as the playlist is nearing its end.

[@dirigoallagash3464]

Crap, I had things to do but going watch Apocalypse Now. Really enjoy these, PDM.

[@raymondlugo9960]

The horror...

[@KurtzMista]

Love the Brando and the Heart of Darkness reference! Amazing how your channel has developed over time from its humble origins. More power to you and the channel, learning so much! : )

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Much appreciated! New campaign--The Lost City--is coming this summer.

[@EmeraldVideosNL]

Those set pieces are amazing. I haven't done miniature painting or set building in years, but this sure makes my hands itch. 😃

[@TheTerrainWizard]

Very nice, I really enjoy how you shot and edited the video. The Caves of Chaos is an iconic module!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks. Took some time but I think it turned out alright!

[@derekmann494]

Apocalypse Now meets I Am Legend. EXCELLENT!!

[@mistergoats4380]

"Wow I hope the tavern is goat related." - Me. "Woah" - Me 6 seconds later.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Glad I made your day!

[@markdowse3572]

I just came straight here after watching the "How to Grimdark" video. So glad that I did! 👍 This is great fun. 😄 I love using the wasps as the 'alarm system' and having devolved cannibals instead of Kobolds (which are draconic, IIRC) is a great idea. 😉 And of course, apologies to the makers of Apocalypse Now... 😊

[@bryanswift6301]

I have really enjoyed watching and taking notes on the Caves of Carnage adaption you did. I'd love to see you adapt more "Old School" modules like Against the Giants.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Glad you enjoy it. I will be adapting another old school module soon. Stay tuned.

[@bryanswift6301]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Yes!

[@trynda1701]

Love the idea of changing the monster descriptions, I can see how your change fits your game aesthetic . Kudos! 👍👍👍👍😎😎😎😎

[@whythecows]

The creepers sound like what D&D calls Grimlocks, or what Wells called Morlocks. Excellent content.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Morlocks, absolutely.

[@erick6037]

Love the Apocalypse Now reference.... this was soooo cool. Great video Professor! The horror the horror has a DM ..... moohoohahahah!

[@jacobvanveit3437]

Nice throw back to the mind screw that is apocalypse now. Kurtz is a great touch, I have been thinking about that scene for a while and when I saw it in your setting I immediately had a smile spear on my face.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I'm surprised so many people still know that movie! Glad you enjoyed it Jacob. Pass it on!

[@PatrickSamphire]

I remember playing this when I first started D&D, all the way back in the early 80s. I really like your new interpretation of it.

[@matthewpahnke2613]

I was in a one shot that was an adaptation of The Most Dangerous Game. The DM didn't change character names so we knew what we were going to go up against before being hunted. I called a Heart of Darkness storyline the second you said Kurtzman. Sometimes it's best to change up names a bit more if you want to keep the plot twist under wraps.

[@corporatemerger653]

I'm running this module soon and found your channel searching for ideas on KZbin. Your content is brilliant! I love how you customize your adventures. After the holidays I'll be playing with some old highschool buddies via Zoom. Thanks for the inspiration on taking liberties with these caves!

[@JohnW-cy9fn]

I was about to comment on the Apocalypse now reference, and see the most recent comment is that exact note. Well done once again PDM

[@NelsonReyesJr]

Colonel Kurtz would be proud!! Great job!!!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Glad you got the joke!

[@MrFutsy]

Awesome setup. All tour work looks great!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks, Mr Futsy!

[@westcoastavengers1]

Any forest encounters on the way?

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

No. I'll eventually a video on the Mad Hermit and include some.

[@ehb1022]

Excellent adventure!!!!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks! 😃 New video out now! Thanks for commenting. New video out now! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaeppZKMbJakoLc

[@sirguy6678]

Professor- love it! I think I have watched this video 3 times at least- the effects are fantastic! Great writing and very creative

[@steelmongoose4956]

My first D&D combat roll ever was against one of those kobolds that jumped down out of the trees. For two action-packed rounds my wizard failed to bonk the kobold with a stick while the kobold missed with his rusty knife. After that, one of the party heavies aerated the kobold’s peritoneal cavity and that was that. Everyone laughed at my wizard insisting that he was tiring the monster out and that he was about to crush his head like an egg with the next swing. Good times.

[@MikeDiBaggio]

Fantastic minis, scenery, and DM advice. I just subscribed and I'm going to tell all my friends about this channel.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks, Mike! I appreciate you spreading the word!

[@EpicSolo]

I’m absolutely astounded by the wealth of information contained within these episodes. The “Creepers” are my new favorite low level monster. Brilliant. They have a very “slow mutants” vibe as in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series which I find intrinsically grounded, believable, and well more terrifying than the cutesy kobolds. You’ve forever ruined kobolds for me. Awesome stuff Prof. DM.

[@drawkylesworld]

That's is sooo good. Very helpful for me as a new DM. Thank you

[@therandomninja5]

Absolutely love the Apocalypse Now homage!

[@daveford5683]

Bulletin board idea, stellar!

[@ahtech1990]

Damn, this is one of my favorite videos from this channel. Simple, not over designed, and very, very creepy.

[@blinddog4288]

Great work! I was sold on the adventure and loved replacing the Kobolds.

[@cheekylilac2306]

PDM you are a beast at this game! I love the content!

[@trouqe]

Keep up the good work. People have become too accustomed to the commonality of the MM, so I have also recreated some interesting creatures just different enough to catch people off guard. Thanks for the adventure content.

[@leversofpower]

Great video. The narration is very compelling.

[@aled857]

Kurtzman......your a badass dude, I didn't get the reference until you showed the chief in scene...the horror...hahaha, I'm stealing/slightly reskinning it to fit in the LOTFP arc (3-5 sessions )I running, Thanks again for giving us ideas and making me look good as a d.m.

[@daveford5683]

Reference Tucker's Kobolds, it'll change your mind!

[@allirogorilla]

Love your spin on campaign, love the mini's, the sets and the narration (best I've seen for D&D subject matter on KZbin) - however, with that said, you should turn off the auto focus feature on your camera. It will remain focused and stable in darker light. Also, you should invest in a cheap camera slider. It will make your shots so much more stable when shooting such small subjects. There are also easy ways in post to pan, tilt and "slide" the shot ( if you are using 4k especially. ) slow motion and 24 fps also makes it look cinematic. Not trying to slam your work - it' awesome - just some advice for epic videos! Can't wait to see more! :)

[@carterdymock3996]

Love the re-design, where did you find the "creeper" miniatures? they would fit amazingly in my Jungle campaign

[@xornxenophon3652]

Well, I guess, they are those; unluckily currently not available. pulpfigures.com/products/category/15 You may check out the following: members.optushome.com.au/cynan/Miniatures.htm Those are somewhat crazy but unique miniatures (which you may want to modify a bit). Horribly outdated website, but really unique! You want the whole thing? Look at: stevepugh.net/VTT/dino/2528mm-dinosaurs-and-other-prehistoric-miniatures/ Browsing all those sites will take you forever, but maybe it is worth it?

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

At GenCon, painted and unwanted. I snatched them up for $10 or $20. I have no idea what they are or who makes them.

[@darrenp9454]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 they look like old citadel ghouls to me. I can check mine tomorrow to make sure.

[@AshleyTheSwift]

@@darrenp9454 - Well, are they?

[@darrenp9454]

@@AshleyTheSwift They are indeed. I'll see if I can find a link to pic. goo.gl/images/SnCCc6

[@rhinoxrifter356]

Really enjoying your channel, this is one of my favorite episodes. I like the tavern. Good job. The skull and rat room is great. Get some grim and forboding all up in there. I love what uou did with the kobolds. They're over used and not scary monsters. Creepers though. Thats scary. The dungeon map has a lower case "h" shape to it. I would change it to a "b" shape of hallways, the larger chambers off to one side or the other. This gives room for the players to make more decisions. I can see a comical chase scene with the player running round and round. I would also add a chimney access to it. An escape hatch or a space for clever players to sneak in. Maybe the pit trap has a covered shaft 50-60 feet up to trap unwary humanoids and animals into thier lair. "Jacquay" the dungeon a bit.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Great suggestions! Actually working on the next update today.

[@robcharette1915]

Great encounter work. Very enjoyable and also logical.

[@ndw1991]

That Marlon Brando boss is siiick

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Glad you enjoyed him. I was looking at him at the table one day and I said to myself, "Damn--he looks like fat Marlon Brando!" That's how the video got made.

[@CthonicSoulChicken]

"I saw a snail...crawling along the edge of a straight razor. This is my dream. My...nightmare."

[@russellgardner5485]

You scare me.... but it makes me want to DM the next session with my friends!

[@Trashloot]

The closeups of the terrain look really good. Oh god the creeper closeup is insane o.O. Haha reskinning the monster stats is such a good tip. I have made so much stuff which was basically a bear in disguise xD.

[@thereluctanthireling]

Not a kobold hater, but love what you subbed in for them....stealing it!

[@cheneymoss6402]

Very nice, love the Apocalypse Now reference as well!

[@gordondietz3255]

I love this channel and I would kill to play as a PC in one of your dark and gritty campaigns

[@rodrigofaria81]

I love these cave walls! Please, make a video explaining how to craft them!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

They're Dwarven Forge.

[@ryanhouk3560]

I LOVE THAT PIT TRAP ENCOUNTER

[@dkbibi]

Man I'm sold to your channel!

[@fernandolougonfilho2690]

Yep, that was awesome. The problem with my players is that they've never made any "HUMAN" characters, they never had any problem with killing whatever is in front of them, be it human or not. Moral dilemmas usually bore them because there's no dilemma, damn muder hobbos. But congrats for another AWESOME video, keep up the good work!

[@ieatvirgins]

My players are the opposite - they kept asking themselves if killing my endless bandit horde was the right thing to do, so I had to keep making them more and more depraved so they'd just shut up and slice their heads off.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

If they are under 20.this is pretty normal. Over 20--I'd start worrying....

[@miladoro]

Can’t like your channel enough!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Share with your friends!

[@maycontainviolence5587]

These vids are great and informative.

[@daveford5683]

Kurtzman, I get the reference " the horror, the horror" nice!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

+100 xp to you for making your perception roll.

[@daveford5683]

Thank you sir!

[@WorldofTales1]

8:57 where can you get these miniatures? I love them

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

They are old GW Crypt Ghouls. I got them at GenCon already painted for $20. They are also featured in my "Lost City Video," which is also my best.

[@michaelboylan6245]

I LOVE GOOD TOWNSFOLK MINIS!!! And your are good.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for watching and please share!

[@Shanachie-69]

Could we maybe have one Kobold, gone native among the creepers and rambling like Dennis Hopper? 😁 I love what you're doing here, but in context of your campaign, the captain comes off more like a better-developed echo of the mad academic we met in the goblin cave.

[@the-real-John-Oconnor]

Kobolds 1977 Eric Holmes D&D - "These evil dwarf-like creatures behave much like goblins, but are less powerful. A chieftain fights like a gnoll, as does his bodyguard of 1-6. Kobolds are highly resistant to magic and get a +3 on all saving throw dice except dragon breath. They have infravision."

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Holmes!

[@TriMarkC]

Great advice! First time I’ve watched you walk thru a mod’d scenario. I really like the idea of using different names than the books; I actually don’t name them at all - I just describe them. I’ve got 6-8 players & 3 are very good RP & know the rules better than me. So if I’m not sure of a rule, I ask them or show them the stat block. They’re good enough that they hint to me what should be done, & continue to RP their chars as if they didn’t know. How did you achieve the appropriate level of flickering light?? That more than anything really established how difficult it is to see in a cave! Definitely going to use your colored light disks idea!

[@horsestomper3183]

Wow, this is stunning

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for watching and please share!

[@darrinstanfill6846]

Fn love the creeper as random..,creepers lol they’re great

[@munderpool]

Just when I think you can't outdo yourself...that was brilliant!

[@recowabunga7200]

this was great! I'm gonna copy some of it thank you

[@recowabunga7200]

I did copy this for a quick one-shot at home (mixed up with the skinner from another of your vids). Worked like a charm. Hooked a few more players into the game.

[@johnwaldrop8237]

Professor! I literally just made an encounter where I completely plagiarize the Marlon Brando monologue from Apocalypse Now! I'm gonna chalk this coincidence up to "great minds think alike." Definitely going to borrow your creeper monsters. Seem like real nasty little buggers. As always, thanks for the fantastic videos.

[@immortalmonk2891]

In my last session, the cave dwellers used the parties lanterns as improvised weapons against the party after the party set them down to fight. Leaving them in darkness.

[@xephorce]

can anyone on here help me figure out what mini the Captain Kurtzman mini is? I really like the vibe it gives off thanks.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Yep.

[@Tremor1776]

7:30 excellent torch v lantern info

[@jesternario]

I would love to see you give similar treatment to Ruins of Adventure, a module that is about retaking of the city of Phlan from monstrous invaders (based in the video game Pool of Radiance)

[@azuretigers5562]

Ohhhhh Man !! I'm sending my players there next week !!!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Cool!

[@tomyoung9834]

Epic! I love these!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks. I work hard on them.

[@watchdog3688]

Professor Dungeon Master, can you please let me know what sort of graph paper you’re using to draw the 3D maps? Many thanks for your time and consideration. Kind regards!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I went on amazon and searched for 3-d graph paper. I ordered whatever came up.

[@watchdog3688]

Dungeon Craft thank you very much; I believe I found the paper there and have placed an order to try my hand at your style of map making. I really appreciate your quick and kind reply! Best regards!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

No probably , @@watchdog3688

[@paulbooth1917]

A question oh great dm I love your old school feel you have achieved with the caverns of carnage How do you allocate starting spells Do you limit the number of spells or do you go by the players manual

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Paul Booth m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIfCg6qLe6qHmqs

[@raypeene2683]

Top quality....as always.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks Ray, for watching!

[@alexandersvideopicks8735]

Captain Kurtzman of the sub-human cave dwellers is actually Marlon Brando, from Apocalypse Now. I always wondered what happened to him. :-)

[@richardextall2002]

I enjoyed this video.

[@buwldcat28]

Can you provide us a more in depth look at how you make your dungeon masters copy of the re-imagined version of the keep on the borderlands?

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I just sit down and draw it. Is there something specific you want to see?

[@buwldcat28]

DUNGEON CRAFT do you just take it one section at a time and redraw the maps? Then repopulate the rooms and make new descriptions? Where did you get the room descriptions? It’s a very interesting style and would make it so much easier to dm without the page flipping

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I'm going to add a section to the next video where I draw out the maps and place the monsters. I'll give you a shout-out!

[@buwldcat28]

DUNGEON CRAFT excellent!! I love the idea of making a module your own. It just seems daunting

[@euansmith3699]

I might have misheard it, but the idea of the PCs' "licking their gold" was maybe more disturbing than the rest of the narration. That was really creepy and cool. I love the moody model photography.

[@MadSaulot]

This is Awesome!

[@joesgotmore]

Gold Rush - In the wake of a resent earthquake in the area the local duchy hired a survey party to go to the nearby mountain region to see if any new veins of gold, silver, or iron have been exposed. The party members are hired as laborers or specialist if they have an applicable skill. Unfortunately 1 or 2 other noblemen or brigands are attracted to the area as well. This can create a competition between the rivals as they search the area. A cave with multiple entrances will be found with a burned corpse at each one. Inside the cave is a corrupted wizard that sees random creatures as foul beings that must be burned. He has however created several corrupted beasts that will defend him and the caves. He will even set the beasts on fire as they run toward the party causing horror and more damage if they hit. The corrupted wizard would prefer to capture people to cleanse them as he puts it and do experiments on those he catches. This just some random thoughts for the basics of a campaign or session or two. Feel free to use it and expand on it.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for sharing---and watching DungeonCraft!

[@emielpeper9248]

Episode 6 but 5th in the playlist? What happened to episode 5? 😱 I know some episodes were set to private but... still wish they would be made available again 😪

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

The previous episode was replaced by a remake: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnXboHxoqqetfpI. However, the original will return shortly (although it's really not as good).

[@emielpeper9248]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 thanks for the reply and the link. As much as the new materiel might be an improvement, the gaps in the playlist stand out, and I personally prefer the campaign diary style over the subject-and-example of the newer video when watching the playlist, especially the continual story and consistent tone make me happy to hear the old episode(s) are returning 😀

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

@@emielpeper9248 Here's the old one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o32bXouXhtukqLs

[@lauramumma2360]

Heart of Darkness meets D&D. Love it.

[@wesleywalker2831]

F'n brilliant!

[@jesternario]

No stat should be a dumpstat. One of the best things about the roll in order method is that you can't rearrange stuff, meaning no dump stat mentality. You get what you can take, and if your favorite stats are high, lucky you.

[@ryanhouk3560]

Kolbolds are a new school goblin. Nothing more or less.

[@andrewjohnson1610]

Where is the Munchberger merchant mini from? Great non combatant mini

[@traxthetrashwizard]

The Creepers seem kind of reminiscent of the monsters from the movie "The Descent". Was that on purpose?

[@jesseadams8933]

Had this same thought! Very creepy and something I'll be working into a future game!

[@shanestark6782]

Where have you gotten all your miniatures? And your design strategy is amazing!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

So many different places. Citadel, Kingdom Death, Whizkids, Reaper, and more I can't remember.

[@VICT0RLAZL0]

This is incredible Thank you! But did I miss a video in between? Last time the protagonist left the last cave and had a day left on the road, and in this video they made it back in town and Why are they going in this caves at level 1 with no equipment?

[@timothygutierrez]

You have to leave The Bone Road to get there. I ran into the same omission in the playlist. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o32bXouXhtukqLs

[@bcostell69]

loved you in wall street, HAHAHAH and munchburger has the best name , i laugh everytime i hear it

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@southron_d1349]

I have both the original B2 module and the Silver Anniversary "Return to the Keep on the Borderlands". I've always liked the "Keep" but haven't run it. After telling one of my groups of your 0-level PC concept, there has been mild interest, including 3d6 in order of stats. It's now a distinct possibility. I doubt the grittiness will be at your level but it'll certainly be ratcheting things down several notches. It occurs to me that the Creepers might be descendants of cultists and brigands infected with a weird fungus of Cult of Zuggtmoy. The Goblins might be the unwitting agents of this cult starting in the first place.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

That's something along the lines of what I'm planning. If you don't want to do the 3d6 thing, have your players take the standard array. I talk about this in the next episode, to air this Thursday or next. Thanks for watching!

[@southron_d1349]

I'd like to con them into something they've never done before!