tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046247285022763255.post1209976039561568379..comments2024-03-24T18:59:07.813-07:00Comments on ZENOPUS ARCHIVES: A Chronology of D&D Sample Dungeons: The Haunted Keep by Tom Moldvay (1981)Zenopus Archiveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14069501995927451558noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046247285022763255.post-77988645736780734532020-07-27T10:25:12.150-07:002020-07-27T10:25:12.150-07:00I ran this back in the early 80's as a one-off...I ran this back in the early 80's as a one-off. The group liked it. I didn't bother to create a top-down map for the levels shown in the side view map but just described to the group what I saw as a DM in the side-view map. It worked fine. Dragonsfoot has a version of this now called DF23-The-Haunted-Keep.pdf that expands what the Moldvay Basic book has.Raymondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08822838489356977527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046247285022763255.post-42182221210846667592020-07-25T03:32:26.452-07:002020-07-25T03:32:26.452-07:00Thanks for this. While I learned from Moldvay and...Thanks for this. While I learned from Moldvay and really enjoyed the adventures of Morgan Ironwolf, Black Dougal et al, I've always found the sample dungeon very underwhelming and possibly the weakest part of the book. The frankly dull map just wasn't inspirational enough. In contrast the guidance given on how to create a dungeon and the possible themes for adventures is the best provided.<br /><br />The Holmes dungeon is miles better and the DMG sample dungeon also has much more character. I'd need to go back and check the Mentzer sample, but there's nothing sticking in my mind about it.<br /><br />Given that it was pitched as Basic and generally aimed at younger players one thing that I thought was really missing from BX was a expanded guide on how to generate your own dungeon adventures. Theming, map generation, dungeon dressing, tips on providing a memorable play experience and lots of random tables to support would've been an excellent product back in the late 70s and early 80s. It's puzzling why TSR didn't provide one when you look at some of the dross they did put out.Jacob72https://www.blogger.com/profile/17268402292420473229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4046247285022763255.post-13083081326261503932020-07-24T18:02:09.047-07:002020-07-24T18:02:09.047-07:00Great write up thanks.Great write up thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com