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5 years ago ::
Sep 16, 2008 - 2:18PM
#1
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Date Joined:
Feb 17, 2006
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Looking at the 4th Edition adventure series H1 Keep on the Shadowfell, H2 Thunderspire Labyrinths, and H3 Pyramid of Shadows – there is very little in the plotline that really ties these adventures together into a full story. When I read the Keep on the Shadowfell I had hoped that Wizards of the Coast would tie this story together around a growing threat from the Demon Lord Orcus (appearing in H1) trying to spread undeath from the new cool Shadowfell plane defined in 4th Edition. Lot of expectation had been built up around demons, demon lords and the Shadowfell in the Worlds and Monsters publication previously. Sadly my hopes was not fulfilled when I read the Thunderspire Labyrinth and then later the Pyramid of Shadow. I therefore decided to try to bridge this gap myself, with a conversion guide, doing some changes in the story, background and some of the encounters and images, in order to create an atmosphere foreboding the return of the undead legions of Orcus. I started with trying to tie together the story more tightly. You can see my first go at it in the following link. Spoiler:
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PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS IN HERE - DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY PLAYING THE ADVENTURES
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5 years ago ::
Sep 16, 2008 - 2:48PM
#2
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Date Joined:
Jun 13, 2007
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Well I just glanced at it and the production value was fantastic if nothing else.
I'll read through it when I get a free moment.
—fo diggity
Twitter: www.twitter.com/fodigg
Comic Books You Should Have Read: http://tinyurl.com/ycxe9l7
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5 years ago ::
Sep 17, 2008 - 8:32AM
#3
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Date Joined:
Feb 17, 2006
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I wanted to weave in the Rod of Ruin more centrally in the story - being something of a look a like to the famous Rod of Orcus. My hope is that the Adventurer's Vault will give some good examples of potentially evil artefacts that could be used for it.
It should be something that tempts the players to use it but they will soon realize the danger of using something touched by Orcus, the Demon Prince of Undeath.
Any suggestions?
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5 years ago ::
Sep 17, 2008 - 1:26PM
#4
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Date Joined:
Feb 17, 2006
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I really liked the idea of Bairwin running the Cult of Shar within Winterhaven, introduced in the H1: Realms Conversion. Get it at: This is wanted to use but for Orcus instead, it is a quite easy conversion but I decided to change the encounter with more undead, rather than shadows. I also wanted to have some ways for the characters to learn about Bairwins activities in the town, so I reworked the “Tavern Thugs” into an encounter outside of Winterhaven were the characters find evidence of the abductions happening. Spoiler:
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PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS IN HERE - DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY PLAYING THE ADVENTURES
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5 years ago ::
Sep 19, 2008 - 3:05PM
#5
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Date Joined:
Feb 17, 2006
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In Thunderspire Labyrinth (W9: Proving Grounds) a green dragon comes up from the Well of Demons, which feels a little out of scope. I would consider having a shadow dragon or deep dragon instead, but decided to just change some of the statistics for the green dragon in order to turn it into what I call a Shadow Well Demon. Fits better into the place. I reallity there is really not any major changes, but if you have any suggestions on changing some of its powers it would be good - to give it some unique touch. Spoiler:
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PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS IN HERE - DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY PLAYING THE ADVENTURES
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5 years ago ::
Sep 19, 2008 - 3:53PM
#6
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Date Joined:
Aug 11, 2006
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I've the feeling that the adventures weren't done as an "all Orcus, all the time" series because that might start to wear thin for a lot of groups, and if your group isn't big on fighting Orcus in the first place, the series wouldn't have a lot to offer. The stronger tie-togethers would also make it more difficult to just pick up one adventure and run with it. From what they've released so far, and what's showing on the list: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=pr … ablesort=5 It looks like the series was designed with more of an eye to presenting a sampling of all of the different big threats that the setting offers. On the other hand, they may be planning to return to the Orcus theme later on. Death's Reach and Kingdom of the Ghouls (both epic tier) don't have any information or pictures up yet, but the names certainly suggest a connection.
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5 years ago ::
Sep 20, 2008 - 1:35AM
#7
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Date Joined:
Sep 30, 2007
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Oops, wrong topic.
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5 years ago ::
Sep 20, 2008 - 4:12AM
#8
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Date Joined:
Feb 17, 2006
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I've the feeling that the adventures weren't done as an "all Orcus, all the time" series because that might start to wear thin for a lot of groups, and if your group isn't big on fighting Orcus in the first place, the series wouldn't have a lot to offer. The stronger tie-togethers would also make it more difficult to just pick up one adventure and run with it.
You are probably right, but I really liked the Cormyr - Tearing of the Weave -> Anauroch - The Empire of Shade series. It had a common thread that was very clear and made a great campaign. That was my hope when I first laid eyes on Keep on the Shadowfell, but as you say - they were more of 3 individual adventures that could be played seperatly or together.
Anyway, with my Demon Prince of Undeath Conversion, I am trying to build that common theme in the series as the general material in the adventures are very good, and with some tweaking I think the story can be more connected.
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5 years ago ::
Sep 20, 2008 - 4:14AM
#9
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Date Joined:
Feb 17, 2006
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Just added a skill challenge where the players can learn more about the secrets of the Cult happening in Winterhaven. I am calling it "The Mystery of Old Sara" Spoiler:
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PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS IN HERE - DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY PLAYING THE ADVENTURES
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5 years ago ::
Sep 20, 2008 - 3:06PM
#10
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Date Joined:
Feb 17, 2006
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Have done some more work. Added a Player's Handout section in the end with the notes from Kalarel the players will find. Also took the Cult of Shar from the FR Conversion of KotSF and made some minor changes to turn it into Orcus instead. Put in Skeletons as guardians instead as that more fits into Orcus ways of turning the killed victims into undead servants. Spoiler:
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PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS IN HERE - DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO ENJOY PLAYING THE ADVENTURES
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