The Keep on the Borderlands | D&D Deep Dive

Come on in and join us on a journey to learn about the Greatest Module in all of D&D, the Keep on the Borderlands. One of the biggest projects so far on the channel, a truly colossal subject that I'm sure many of you will be excited to see.
I did a lot of research for the subject and have played the module a fair bit. I hope you guys enjoy.
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MY DISCORD: / discord
MY PATREON: / lokislair
#dnd #ttrpg #dnd5e

[@LokisLair]

Check out my latest Deep-Dive on the Mega Dungeon, "THE BARROWMAZE" by clicking the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3_VenajeMqtna8

[@Tasarran]

Its not just a revision of the Keep, it contains the original version, along with a ton of historical information that anyone into your vids would probably be interested in reading.

[@jean1107]

A classic module - If you are going to run Keep on the Borderlands as the majority of your game, this is a great video to suggest how the monster ecology and politics can develop into a plot that you can develop based off the other players actions. If you want to insert this into your own world, you can also use this video to come up with interesting settlements and locations behind the Keep within the "civilized" lands. I'd say the best sandboxes are ones that a DM has made their own, and that ideally a module should be a part of your world, but the setting of that world is yours to create and mold to whatever adventures you include in it

[@LokisLair]

It's in my campaign so feel free to march down with your group this week if you want ;)

[@SentientSoup]

I have created a setting and have this module in it but there is a lot of home brewed rules added and my life does not allow the time to give it or my group justice it and they deserve. They went all over the map and I did a DM no no and allowed my pride to surface, giving them a players copy of the map right out of the gate. This took the wilderness hex crawl mystery away. This time I will run them in the Known world starting in the Grand Duchy of Karameikos as this group, although mostly old schoolers, does not know the setting 😳

[@daedalus1]

I remember this from when I was about 8 yrs old. We played this module 50 times.

[@LokisLair]

I'd love to do it as a player; I've only ran it as a DM. :((

[@norwegianblue2764]

@@LokisLair *Run. Ugh.

[@MyrddintheBard]

A video about defending the Keep would be awesome! Such a climactic ending to a campaign.

[@HeathBadhwar]

I concur. Would make a sweet vid

[@steelmongoose4956]

Bree-yark!

[@jean1107]

I did notice in DDO that their version of the Keep on the Borderlands included monster factions that did not want to be subjugated into the cult. This allows PCs to ally with some Outlander Gnolls who can be convinced to leave the cult because they're sacrificing some of them under the guise that they simply "joined the cult". They could appeal to an elderly Kobold Crone and her followers of others who're sick and wounded from the cult's conditions. They can also find an Orc, daughter of the Chief of one of the Orc tribes, who's imprisoned for resisting and rebelling against the cult. To some this might "humanize the monsters" a bit too much for their liking, but I think it's very fun to give them doubts and conflicting interests so they can be tricked or reasoned with, even if at the end of the day they'd rather live in the wilderness and eat people than negotiate

[@Tible_Tabletop]

Love hearing different ways people run B2 and the changes they make. A fantastic module that deserves to be played by everyone, at least once.

[@LokisLair]

Glad you liked my perspective and I agree!

[@biffstrong1079]

Love Keep on the Borderlands. I played it a couple times and Dmed it multiple times. My groups tend to have enjoyed it. I can DM it in my sleep. I do tend to have a story there if the party likes it. I've put the big bad in the Cave of The Unknown. My basic Premise is the LG nation has been engaged in a little over-reach when they built this keep off in the middle of chaotic lands. . The presence of the Keep has acted like an irritant, a grain of sand in an oyster producing the Pearl of the Caves of Chaos. The overlords of the caves are related to the priests and I have their deity be some time of evil elder god. They are using the various non-human species as foot soldiers. They get taken out on raids and they are raiding commerce on the way to the keep. The current plan is to starve the Keep out but they are working up to a full invasion. Or conversely the Keep was put too near a TeMple of the elder god and this temple has been attracting evil creatures in response to the LG presence. The story is there to be absorbed if the players are keen with a lot of products in the orc and goblin storehouses having marks designating them as king's goods , or food bound for the Castellan in the keep. The Merchants that have been imprisoned have that tale to tell. I do like to start with the party coming across a merchant wagon being attacked by orcs or goblins with some mysterious human leader(s). But the players don't need to follow the story. They can just be there to kill bad monsters and steal their treasure. It works for a variety of groups.

[@Khaldryn]

A mass combat video against the keep would be awesome as I will be running B2 soon.

[@ZexyObserver]

I've ran this adventure a few times, but one time I decided to mix things up. The big thing I changed was spreading the caves around the map, allowing for encounters with the monsters outside of the main dungeon. When the PC's got to the caves I basically played out the scene from 'The Warriors' but flavored for the monsters. Then, a crossbow bolt flew out of the crowd, striking 'Cyrus' in the neck and killing him. The PCs get spotted, and have to make their way back to the keep unscathed. So yeah, basically, the plot of The Warriors, but in D&D

[@LokisLair]

I LOVE THE WARRIORS.

[@HeathBadhwar]

This is a brilliant idea! Can you make it back to the keep with murderous gangs of hobgoblins and bugbears out to mutilate your hide for trespassing upon their turf? Good luck...

[@ZexyObserver]

@@HeathBadhwar Add a lair of sexy drow to play out that scene where they run into the female gang.

[@HeathBadhwar]

@@ZexyObserver love it!

[@TheLeebo1962]

"Oh, adventurers, come out and play-ay."

[@wanderingwizard8646]

OSR modules are really coming back into their own. Given the prominence/saturation of 5e in the TTRPG market nowadays, it’s nice to see older independently produced modules getting the coverage and play through that they deserve! The ideas outlined in your recent videos are most definitely in the OSR camp. Not that that’s a bad thing! More videos like this please Loki. Loving the content and the campaign suggestions.

[@Louda1320]

I knew it! There was always something wrong with fat priest.

[@LokisLair]

HAHAHAHA

[@seanfsmith]

great fan of this module ─ I've lost count of how many systems I've run it in. I'll often reskin it as a one-shot with players starting out _within_ the caves, having to get out

[@happycarnivore..]

My 2 cents worth. I placed the keep at the Dukes Road keep rather than the Castellan keep as it makes more sense in regards to the road and caravan route in my opinion. I used Von Hendriks (The Black Eagle Baron) and his Iron Ring guild as the force behind the evil cult in the caves. The Black Baron is cultivating a hoard via this cult amongst the humanoids for the coming war as detailed in X10 Red Arrow Black Shield. His efforts hope to raise the Chaos Legion from amongst the humanoids to either besiege the keep or occupy and block the road south of the keep to disrupt trade from the north (Darokin) and draw the Karameikos relief force into battle and away from his attacks on Luln, in the west. The Chaos Legion consists of around 250 troops drawn from the caves under 3 sub units called Skulls. Green Skull: Goblins/Hobgoblins Red Skull: Kobolds/Orcs Black Skull: Undead/Evil Clerics and a HQ unit consisting of Gnolls and the raiders (from encounter 3 wilderness) who are a detachment from Von Hendriks Lance of Doom units as detailed in X10 and spying on the keep in preparation for the attack. The force is lead by the Minotaur and the Ogre as his second in Comd, under the watchful eye of the Master Cleric. Also the evil priest within the keep is an agent of the Iron Ring. The keeps defenders are a standard battalion of the Dukes army albeit slightly under strength as listed in the module personal numbers.

[@JackRoberts-ix5tn]

Mad hermit killed one of my magic-users (I had 2). Other one is still kicking to this day.

[@michaeldrinkard678]

Such a good module to set up and start a campaign. I spent a huge amount of time fleshing out the Keep, the NPCs, and the surrounding areas. I have a new keep, designed to protect a new extension of a petty kingdom into a previously lawless wilderness. It's literally on the border between several small human realms, an underground Dwarven realm/fortress/mine, a forest partially under the control of a small community of Elves. To the East is rough, wooded wilderness, giving way eventually to rolling grasslands that follow the river toward the ocean. Expanding up the river is an Evil theocracy that practices human sacrifice and is allied with any and every Humanoid species in the are. They are behind the groups in the Caves of Chaos, using them to weaken and distract the Keep while the theocracy eventually sends a major army upriver in an attempt to wipe out the Keep. Great, well-done video! I love your take on the Hermit, and the mushrooms confusing the characters near the Minotaur. Anyway, great stuff. Keep up the good work!

[@ShaneKennedy-gt8nl]

I liked it, and the idea of a video of the keep under attack, I love.

[@LokisLair]

Yeah I think I'm going to post the video soon.

[@coachlarry6773]

Running this for 5 5th edition players and 1 1e player. Using 1e rules. Love it. So many options after you flesh out the NPC’s

[@joshmccloskey570]

Awesome video on a great mod! And hey look! It's me.

[@timbuktu8069]

Have you noticed that the caves are about a mile and a half away from the keep. Adventurers could make a day trip and be back in town for a hot supper and a soft bed.

[@LokisLair]

Definitely. Staying out after dark is ill-advised and if they don’t setup a camp, they’ll likely not survive the night.

[@mercilessmage7300]

Another informative video Loki! I hope that you will continue to cover further OSR modules in the future with such honesty and detail.

[@Kreln1221]

*Thanks for the reference at the **7:29** mark!* 🤘😃👍

[@Buzzerker_1775]

Love the approach of presenting classic content and suggesting adjustments and improvements. I have heard about the Mad Hermit before and it is kinda weird that the designers made it so he would always attack the players; there's a lot of that sort of writing in these classic modules. Having it not be so clear cut is definitely better. Great ideas on how to tie everything together, btw! Damn shame some of players have already watched this video, so I gotta be real careful about what I steal from here (change it up real nice like)

[@layedout778]

This module has everything. So good, great vid, LOKI :p

[@LokisLair]

Thanks!

[@brooksbank97]

I'd love a video going through a collection of classic/OSR modules and dungeons, maybe in a tierlist, especially if it includes links and information on how to get them.

[@DefinitelyNotSteveAustin]

Well shit! What a rad video! It’s cool to see what this module is all about as someone who had no clue about it🥲 also that’s some hardcore art for the monsters!😂

[@LokisLair]

thanks steve

[@NemoOhd20]

You forgot to mention that B2 is the all-time best selling D&D module.

[@SOLIDToM77]

I ran this module in so many different systems and settings... Of course a couple of times with B/X as we were 12; then another time as grown up still with BECMI and it tasted so different. The best run could've been with Rolemaster, set in the northern borders of Cardolan: the Keep being actually a Rangers of the North's stronghold. The high lethality of the system and the lore intertwined and the fact that we had the dungeon maps on a big TV screen with the FoW and such made that run really epic. I then had a few sessions years ago with D&D Beyond before it was 5e but didn't like it: the game was already crap. I plan to run it again (maybe the expanded Silver Anniversary module) soon with either Mythras or my own RPG, Against the Darkmaster...

[@ichigen511]

Yo I was in 2nd grade I think when my aunt (of all people) introduced me to what her kids (my cousins) were into at the time, Dungeons and Dragons. My elder cousin, she was 5 years older than me yes SHE was a girl, was the dungeon master of her friend group she must have been in Jr. High for pete's sake. She was into drama club and acting so it was natural for her. I remember seeing her with Original D&D Eldritch and Sorcery book in her hands one time visiting as she was creating an adventure for her friends. She led me down my first adventure her brother (my age) was obviously very much into D&D as well. They collected and painted Grenadier miniatures they were all in. I was in heaven going to visit my cousins they were so into D&D it blew my mind. Yeah I think I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. At any rate I convinced my mother to buy the manuals and modules and of course back then it was Toys R Us that sold D&D and AD&D. I had all the manuals, including the Cthulhu and Melnibone mythos version of Deities and Demigods and asked my father on one of his business trips to San Francisco to find the books by Moorcock. He found and bought them all I still have them with the glorious full color original illustrations. Anyways all this takes me back to a golden age. I had this (among many other modules) and we always played it with AD&D rules even though it was meant for Basic. LOL anyways cheers to you and your channel I will be paying close attention. Great review of the wonderful module I remember all the illustrations and it's a trip to go back down this memory lane. I'm 52 btw.

[@LokisLair]

Thanks man, it's crazy to think how long this amazing module has been around for. I'm glad people are still playing it today.

[@grondhero]

"...she was 5 years older than me yes SHE was a girl...." Thanks for that clarification that she was a girl. 😂

[@grondhero]

Running this in middle school and high school we didn't realize it was much more than a dungeon crawl. I have like 2-3 copies of this somehow.

[@goldengriffon]

Very nice summary, and I appreciate your thoughts on its various parts. Now I'm off to watch your mass-combat rules video!

[@LokisLair]

Yesssss!

[@TheLeebo1962]

My players, unfortunately, do not like mass combat. I'll probably watch it anyway.

[@donrosavelli8869]

Great job man. More videos like this please. Old modules are great to review and revise. Loved it bro. Cheers

[@stefanjakubowski8222]

We ran this in BRP for a bunch of DnDers , they loved it

[@MyrddintheBard]

Hell yeah! Can't wait to run this.

[@harmen4750]

One of your best videos Loki, great work!

[@NemoOhd20]

Great video. I always love a different take. The great thing about the CoC is it can be played again and again. Swap the rooms some, move the traps and reaarange who lives exactly where (but low level still on the bottom). It can be modular, maybe there are just goblins orcs and the temple, or whatever you need. Professor DM/Dungeon Craft #45 begins his spin on CoC too. He uses humanoid monsters instead of goblins ... but keeps the same stats for balance or ease of Dming. Probably the latter because CoC is t balanced.

[@doomhippie6673]

I enjoy your content a lot. Since this is my favorite Module from my youth and I did buy the reworked one from Goodmen Games I found this video very interesting. I'll now watch the one about mass combat. You certainly got my interest, Sir.

[@LokisLair]

Thanks man I’m glad you liked the video.

[@lukezitlofsky5286]

Great work on this, Loki! This is indeed a timeless TTRPG classic made even better with your suggestions.

[@LokisLair]

I really wanted my advice to support the original adventure, rather than completely change it if that makes sense. Hopefully I did that. Thanks Luke.

[@lukezitlofsky5286]

@@LokisLair You nailed it. Especially making the Mad Hermit more than just a one off encounter.

[@TheLeebo1962]

Great video. Factual without being dry, and basic without being boring.

[@Loweves2]

Popcorn in hand.. let's do this

[@d20play]

Great video. If I go back and run this some day, I plan to incorporate some of your great ideas.

[@LokisLair]

Thanks man! Nice to see you on the channel. Would totally love to join one of your SD games some time in the future if you’re ever looking for people to sign up. I’ve only DMed Shadowdark so far but it looks really fun to play. 👍🏻

[@juancholo7502]

Cool video.

[@Blerdy_Disposition]

I am definitely going to run the Keep on the Borderlands for a few groups. I have been wanting to run it so this was a great review. Seriously keep up the great work!

[@LokisLair]

Thank you for the high regard Blerdy! I’ve got some more reviews coming up soon!

[@georgelaiacona111]

Nice review and excellent additions. I recall when this was first released. Got my copy, and also B1, and has an honored place in my collection.

[@Texanrascal]

I would love to see your mass combat rules.

[@johngillan4475]

Thank you for your information video

[@LokisLair]

My pleasure

[@Frederic_S]

Oh! Bob the World Dominator! We need mass combat rules! And, just to let you know: I enjoyed the video very much!

[@LokisLair]

Very glad Fred. Based on the result from you and others, I’m likely to start working on a revised version of the rules I currently use for battles.

[@davidmorgan1608]

Thanks for a great video. I really like the added touches and storylines you've thought of.

[@LokisLair]

Thanks David. I appreciate that

[@mr.pavone9719]

I like to use the mad hermit as a Yoda-like encounter. He may or may not be capable of using magic, he rants in zen riddles and is strangely deep and lucid when he feels it is necessary.

[@GryphonTruesilver]

Great video, love your take on the module. Solid suggestions for adventure hooks. I was playing the updated module last summer then we had to pause the game. It was pretty fun, we took out the minotaur and owlbear fairly quickly. We had cleared the goblins and bugbears pretty well but some escaped.

[@jriggan]

Yep. It’s good 👍. Siege is a go! 🍻

[@gstaff1234]

Great video. Liked your take on the Dual Caves. Pairing these ideas with Professor Dungeon Master of Dungeon Craft remake of the Keep will be tremendous

[@LokisLair]

I completely agree; I hope people merge the ideas together (keeping the high priest as the boss; wasn't a fan of his keystone idea)

[@ShaneKennedy-gt8nl]

Thanks

[@shockerck4465]

Ive ran this adventure about a dozen times. Adding details and side missions each time. Tons of potential here. Great fun. You have some really cool art on this video, where did you find it all? Especially the owlbear battle in the background. Id love to see some seige rules.

[@user-yy5xs6xj7r]

I think that while besiegers durin the winter will probably suffer from the cold more than besieged, the winter may be a good time for such an attack for several other reasons. First of all, nights are longer and darker during the winter, and both undead and goblinoids see in the darkness better than humans. Secondly, snowfalls may block the mountainous passages from the keep to the other lands of the Great Duchy, so no reinforcements can arrive to the keep until the spring. Lastly, there may be not enough supplies for all the monsters to survive the winter, so they have to attack the keep to get some extra food.

[@LokisLair]

You're completely right.

[@HeathBadhwar]

Ahh the legendary b2. I've never played it but now I want to run this for a new group of players. I love the idea of the danger coming home. It's a great climax to the module. That base of operations that has been your safe haven and that you have built these connections to npcs within is gonna get steamrolled unless you do something about it. Tally ho!

[@LokisLair]

EXACTLY. Enjoy.

[@aureliomanalo]

Interesting content

[@jts8053]

I love B2. I've run it many times over the decades. BTW, you kept saying "Into the Borderlands" which is Goodman Games' rebooting of the adventure for 5e, instead of "Keep on the Borderlands." 🙂

[@LokisLair]

I said it a few times at the start right? Fuck. 😂

[@SentientSoup]

I love the nod to Ringlerun, Strongheart, Elkhorn, Peralay, Warduke and Kelek. Some of my favorite toys as a young lad. I would really enjoy a video on mass combat at the keep. Thank you for your content. Wonderful ideas!

[@LokisLair]

Thank you. It's in the works.

[@SentientSoup]

@@LokisLair excellent! I plan to use it in my campaign and even though I’ve been playing for over 30 years and owned both the Companion set and (still) Rules Compendium I have never 🤫actually used the Mass Combat rules. Very excited. 😬

[@TKFKU]

The module is basically teaching you how to run a world. Running it so many times over the years if you didn't learn from it.....idk. Here's your hub, here's so stuff to explore and kill when needed. Go out, explore, survive, repeat. D&D 101.

[@LokisLair]

It's the perfect adventure for both new players and DMs alike.

[@JudasBrennan]

I like hippos.

[@mercilessmage7300]

I too like hippos. But I’m more partial to a giraffe.

[@JudasBrennan]

@@mercilessmage7300 I prefer my food with a little more bite.

[@michaeldrinkard678]

Also, would love to see how you defend the Keep. 🙂

[@DennisCNolasco]

Great video, but you should credit the artists shown in your videos. Most people don’t even know their names, so it would be a great service to let people know who they are. Some of these artists are still active now, so I’m sure they will appreciate the word. Thanks!

[@davezenz]

Attacking the Keep please

[@Lightmane]

This is very well done. So nice to see someone give such good attention to detail with regards to this awesome module. I don't know if this will interest you, or any who see this comment, but I wrote a D&D story, and narrated it here. It's all in a ""Playlist"" called 'Forestera's Fate'. If you check it out, I'd love to hear what you think of it. If not, I totally understand. Just wanted to invite you, and others, to give it a listen. Hope that's ok.

[@nneisler]

Minor-taurs are big babies

[@man_in_the_robe_production4338]

Siege!!!

[@dustinvognild8128]

Only three squares per hour while walking? It takes an hour to walk 300 yards? This seems like something I will change when running this module. What's a reasonable amount of distance to cover in an hour?

[@Demonskunk]

It seems rather odd to call a module "The Best Sandbox Module" while also pointing out so many problems with it. I suppose maybe that speaks to the quality of sandbox modules? Either way, this seems like it has a lot of interesting potential.

[@LokisLair]

It wouldn't be an honest review if I didn't point out both the positives and negatives; and pretending that those negatives don't exist would be disrespectful to the audience. I don't think any module is perfect.

[@Nobleshield]

Personally I find it completely overrated. it works for what it was meant to be, an introductory module for D&D, but it fails as far as overloading challenges; nearly every encounter is designed to basically curbstomp a party of 1st level PCs without extreme DM Fiat or without giving them a bunch of retainers. While you should teach players not to go into every encounter with swords drawn, having nearly every encounter be a "thinking game" of how to overcome outnumbered odds often gets super futile and in general not fun.

[@jonathanduplantis1403]

It's not by Goodman Games.