More Secrets of the Mad Mage's Level One

[@TheGeneralDS]

I really like your presentation format, and this video is out at a great time for me. I'm going to be running DotMM soon with the companions guide from DMSguild, I'm still working on lots of the prep and deciding how I want to run it. Your perspective on the base campaign is extremely helpful. I hope you continue covering the rest of the adventure like this!

[@DDHomebrew]

Glad you liked it General DS! It was really interesting to go through the set-up and first level with the thought of gleaning lessons in homebrewed dungeon creation. I really had to think about how the players might approach the dungeon, how the creatures would respond, and why the designers did what they did.

[@x0rn312]

I just found your channel- I hope you are going to continue doing these playlists on the levels of DotMM - they are great!

[@DDHomebrew]

Glad you liked them! It's really interesting looking closely at this module.

[@jctxcboy36]

If you pull up the original AD&D version of this map you will see where these rooms were better connected

[@DDHomebrew]

I don't have access to that map, but I'll take your word for it. I remember them being very well drawn. And you got them as separate maps as I remember, that you could put a plastic protector over and draw with a grease pencil so you knew where the players were on the map. Those were the days!

[@jctxcboy36]

@@DDHomebrew exactly, the mapsfound in DotMM is very similar to the original maps just smaller. Going to implement these full maps to really enhance the experience. Will watch your other videos to get some fresh ideas as this is kind of a home brew, somewhat based on the changes I am making

[@DDHomebrew]

@@jctxcboy36 Great idea! I'm doing a homebrew of Temple of the Frog, but yours is way more ambitious!

[@jctxcboy36]

Great videos on DotMM. I am fixing to start running it at the table. Working on combining this 5e version into the original Ruins of the Undermountain campaign boxed set.....alot of fun and requires a lot of research....keep up the good work.

[@DDHomebrew]

Sounds like a great project! That campaign set is a collector's item these days: I see them for $250 and up on ebay and amazon.

[@HowtoRPG]

Having run this part of the Dungeon it's a bit tricky. Good Video.

[@DDHomebrew]

I find the concept of Halaster to be both interesting and a bit maddening (excuse the pun!). At times he seems all knowing, at others not so much. Is he toying with the players? Or are there things outside of his purview that 5th level characters could impact? Have you run anything more than the 1st level?

[@mattnerdy7236]

Hey Kevin, great video! I like the idea of already looted rooms, it makes sense. It's funny, now they explain how monsters are just hanging out in some random room. If the party broke the charm spell on the Troll, wouldn't the Troll be grateful or just escape. I would rather just have a watery tunnel that the Troll uses for access. All those empty secret rooms, is really creepy. In one of those empty secret rooms should have a body with bronze plate armor on. This adventure needs some false doors and trapped false doors, it would fit right in with everything else. Off topic: Converted some of 2e's weapons, just a few that I thought was missing or useful. It has gotten easier to covert to a point, some things I just can't figure out. To much missing information, math wise, not description wise. Katana, Broadsword and the Bastardsword. The Bastardsword was mind blowing, that is an unusual weapon, and it really does live up to it's name. It is designed from two swords as far as D&D goes, this must of been an inside joke by Gary. I'm 100% sure that word had a different meaning when it was assigned to that sword. Thanks Kevin you have a wonderful day!

[@DDHomebrew]

HI Matt, sorry I took so long to respond to your comment; I've been very busy this week grading papers! I really like your idea of the breaking the charm on the troll and it possibly wanting to cooperate on some level with the players. And I agree that more traps are always good! And since the term bastard sword came from its status as being "between two swords" (long sword and great sword) and hence the "bastard child of these swords" I'm sure Gary was aware of this etymology as well!

[@ThisUbiquitousOm]

Hi! I’m DMing Dungeon of the Mad mage and have a travel speed conundrum. I have two players that want to basically run through the dungeon and two that want to investigate everything. It’s so huge and detailed, I’m having trouble coming up with a working compromise, because I don’t want the dungeon to lose its huge, ominous feeling. Do you have any tips on travel speed in a mega dungeon like this?

[@DDHomebrew]

One way to speed things up is to not have any random monsters, so you avoid "unnecessary battles". I use the sneer marks here because these random encounters are put there for a reason: resource drain. And I guess I'd need to know what "run through" means. Do they go into every room? Or just search for the stairs/river to the next level? And whey your other players investigate, do they take an inordinate amount of time? Because I like exploring but I can't get frustrated when players insist on looking over every nook and cranny of every room and hallway So you could institute the "there's nothing of any more interest" here rule. That means that if you say that after the players have explored the room, that means they aren't going to miss out on anything if they leave. That will speed things up. You can have creatures run away from the players to also reduce unnecessary battles. And I agree with you that part of the fun of a mega dungeon is that ominous, scary feel. Just work that into your descriptions at whatever speed they play.

[@thetyrantofsyracuse]

Loving this series. Thank you.

[@DDHomebrew]

Glad you like it!