* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : [WotC's 2e Downloads] Is any of this stuff actually any good? Started at 03-09-06 11:21 PM by VirgilCaine Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=601679 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : VirgilCaine Date : 03-09-06 11:21 PM Thread Title : [WotC's 2e Downloads] Is any of this stuff actually any good? http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads While I know some about the Grand Conjunction series, I11 Needle, and L1 Secret of Bone Hill and L2 The Assassin's Knot and the two Al-Qadim boxed sets (enough to know which are good and which aren't)...what about the rest of these products? Classic Realms Products Maztica (18.4mb) FMA1, Fires of Zatal (6.5mb) FMA2, Endless Armies (2.3mb) FMQ1, City of Gold (7.6mb) OA5, Mad Monkey vs. the Dragon Claws (3.1mb) OA6, Ronin Challenge (6.1mb) OA7, Test of the Samurai (4mb) The Horde (15.07mb) Lands of Intrigue (16.13mb) Cormanthyr(6.04mb) Savage Frontier(3.49mb) Gold and Glory(2.97mb) Elminster's Ecologies, Appendix 1(4.31mb) Elminster's Ecologies, Appendix 2(4.98mb) Four From Cormyr(11.33mb) Castle Spulzeer(4.37mb) Cult of the Dragon(4.59mb) For Duty and Deity(5.33mb) City of Ravens Bluff (11.9mb) Calimport(5.93mb) Arcane Age: Netheril--Empire of Magic (8.44mb) Volo's Guide to the North (4.47mb) Marco Volo: Departure (1.95mb) Marco Volo: Journey (1.96mb) Marco Volo: Arrival(1.63mb) Volo's Guide to Cormyr(6.43mb) Dungeon Crawl: Undermountain--The Lost Level (2.54mb) Vilhon Reach(6.50mb) Volo's Guide to the Dalelands(12.45mb) Dungeon Crawl: Undermountain--Maddgoth's Castle(2.39mb) Volo's Guide to All Things Magical(8.03mb) Dungeon Crawl: Undermountain--Stardock (9.74mb) How the Mighty Are Fallen(3.26mb) Villain's Lorebook(9.76mb) The Fall of Myth Drannor (1.76mb) The North Dragonlance-- Title: DLR1, Otherlands - TSR 9278 complete PDF Title: DLA1, Dragon Dawn - TSR 9275 complete PDF Title:Gnomes--100, Dragons--0 - TSR 8421 complete PDF -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : VirgilCaine Date : 03-09-06 11:27 PM Thread Title : [WotC's 2e Downloads] Is any of this stuff actually any good? http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads While I know some about the Grand Conjunction series, I11 Needle, and L1 Secret of Bone Hill and L2 The Assassin's Knot and the two Al-Qadim boxed sets (enough to know which are good and which aren't)...what about the rest of these products? Classic Realms Products Maztica (18.4mb) FMA1, Fires of Zatal (6.5mb) FMA2, Endless Armies (2.3mb) FMQ1, City of Gold (7.6mb) OA5, Mad Monkey vs. the Dragon Claws (3.1mb) OA6, Ronin Challenge (6.1mb) OA7, Test of the Samurai (4mb) The Horde (15.07mb) Lands of Intrigue (16.13mb) Cormanthyr(6.04mb) Savage Frontier(3.49mb) Gold and Glory(2.97mb) Elminster's Ecologies, Appendix 1(4.31mb) Elminster's Ecologies, Appendix 2(4.98mb) Four From Cormyr(11.33mb) Castle Spulzeer(4.37mb) Cult of the Dragon(4.59mb) For Duty and Deity(5.33mb) City of Ravens Bluff (11.9mb) Calimport(5.93mb) Arcane Age: Netheril--Empire of Magic (8.44mb) Volo's Guide to the North (4.47mb) Marco Volo: Departure (1.95mb) Marco Volo: Journey (1.96mb) Marco Volo: Arrival(1.63mb) Volo's Guide to Cormyr(6.43mb) Dungeon Crawl: Undermountain--The Lost Level (2.54mb) Vilhon Reach(6.50mb) Volo's Guide to the Dalelands(12.45mb) Dungeon Crawl: Undermountain--Maddgoth's Castle(2.39mb) Volo's Guide to All Things Magical(8.03mb) Dungeon Crawl: Undermountain--Stardock (9.74mb) How the Mighty Are Fallen(3.26mb) Villain's Lorebook(9.76mb) The Fall of Myth Drannor (1.76mb) The North Dragonlance-- Title: DLR1, Otherlands - TSR 9278 complete PDF Title: DLA1, Dragon Dawn - TSR 9275 complete PDF Title:Gnomes--100, Dragons--0 - TSR 8421 complete PDF -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : DMDaddy Date : 03-09-06 11:44 PM I've downloaded almost everyone of those. That was the only way I could find out which ones were good. Here's the one I remember and DMd. Dungeon Crawl: Undermountain--The Lost Level (2.54mb) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : VirgilCaine Date : 03-09-06 11:58 PM Wait, I ask for information, you say you have downloaded almost all of them and that was the only way to find out whether they were good or bad...and then you say nothing about any of these products? So, if you DMed The Lost Level, then could you tell me how it was? Glaring flaws? Conversion problems? Anything? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : Hroth Date : 03-10-06 12:07 AM Let's see... Marco Volo: Departure, Marco Volo: Journey, Marco Volo: Arrival: These three form an AD&D campaign. While I haven't played them the idea is that you are the companions to one Marco Volo, a rogue who thinks too highly of himself. Set in the Forgotten Realms. Volo's Guide to the North, Volo's Guide to Cormyr, Volo's Guide to the Dalelands, Volo's Guide to All Things Magical: This is something they should do with other campaign settings as well. The idea is that each of these books is "written" by Volothamp Geddarm (or Volo for short) with occasional commentary by Elminster. These are like travel guides for players in the Forgotten Realms. He describes different shops and locales and even rates them on a simple scale. Perfect even for any trip through the Realms. (Sidenote: There are also Volo's Guides for Baldur's Gate, the Sword Coast and Waterdeep) The Fall of Myth Drannor: If you've wondered how Myth Drannor fell, this book will explain it. It details a bit of the Forgotten Realms history. The back cover says that it should be used with Cormanthyr: Empire of Elves book, but I think you shouldn't have problems understanding it. Gold and Glory: A good download if you wonder about adding mercenary companies to you game. Details a great number of groups found in the Forgotten Realms (Don't think I'm all Realms nothing else. There just happen to be a lot of good downloads in this section that are Forgotten Realms) but easily portable to other settings. The chapter on BATTLESYSTEM statistics is easily ignorable. All in all, just look though and download what looks interesting, flip through and see. Maztica is probably (I'm not totally sure, haven't downloaded it) the campaign setting, the OA# are oriental adventures, and if you're planning a trip to Undermountain you have at least three adventures provided there (make sure to convert them though). Many of the ones I listed above (with the exception of Marco Volo) I believe are rule independent and just list culture and areas without giving game-specific details. Besides, these are free downloads. Can't go wrong there. :) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : DMDaddy Date : 03-10-06 12:16 AM Sorry. I downloaded most of them, but I didn't play them. If I liked the basic description then I put them in a file for later use. This was when I played 2nd ed. Most of them didn't sound that interesting. The lost level is an old Dwarven Tomb that has been long abandoned. However, a vampire inhabits one section, and a Lich or something equivalent inhabits another area. Players basically get trapped in this dungeon and must find a way out. It's geared for 7 and up level. One of the very first rooms begins with encouters against a group of beholder kin. It is not a monster heavy dungeon, there are several NPCs to interact with inside the dungeon. The PCs will be guessing. That is why I liked it. I never converted it to 3.5. It seems like it would be easy to convert. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : VirgilCaine Date : 03-10-06 12:24 AM Most of them didn't sound that interesting. The lost level is an old Dwarven Tomb that has been long abandoned. However, a vampire inhabits one section, and a Lich or something equivalent inhabits another area. Players basically get trapped in this dungeon and must find a way out. It's geared for 7 and up level. One of the very first rooms begins with encouters against a group of beholder kin. It is not a monster heavy dungeon, there are several NPCs to interact with inside the dungeon. The PCs will be guessing. That is why I liked it. I never converted it to 3.5. It seems like it would be easy to convert. Okay! Thank you. That's more like it! Dwarven Tomb, eh? Vampire and a lich, eh? I can work with that. Not monster heavy--what about traps? Is it basically negotiating/destroying with the two "power brokers" in the dungeon to get out? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : DanjaNinja Date : 03-10-06 12:25 AM Maztica (18.4mb) Maztica is a South American-themed campaign setting. I enjoyed reading it, but I haven't really used it. The only thing that bothered me was that the conquistador-type guys are presented as Amnian explorers (as in, from the Forgotten Realms land Amn). If I ever converted or ran it, I would probably remove that element completely, or at the least replace it with something of my own invention. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : VirgilCaine Date : 03-10-06 12:28 AM No offense, but I can tell what they are about. I'd like to know your opinion of those which you have an opinion of. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 10] Author : DMDaddy Date : 03-10-06 12:31 AM Dwarven Tomb, eh? Vampire and a lich, eh? I can work with that. Not monster heavy--what about traps? Is it basically negotiating/destroying with the two "power brokers" in the dungeon to get out? There are a few nice traps and a nice riddle trap. Their could be negotiation. I think one of the NPCs has a portal key. There's an undead dwarven cleric NPC also, who will aid the PCs (I don't remember how). There is also a NPC vampire hunter type cleric who acts crazy (mad). I really don't remember all the details, it was over 3 years ago. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 11] Author : WizO_Paradox Date : 03-10-06 12:39 AM Yeah, they're all good. :) If you want a neat solo adventure, go for the Gnomes 100 dragons 0. Now, some of those are boxed sets, and I'm telling you, a PDF can't compare to opening an actual box. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 12] Author : VirgilCaine Date : 03-10-06 12:41 AM Yeah, they're all good. :) If you want a neat solo adventure, go for the Gnomes 100 dragons 0. Now, some of those are boxed sets, and I'm telling you, a PDF can't compare to opening an actual box. Since you're a--no, these are all TSR, no bias here! Holding up the library printer for ten minutes does, I bet. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 13] Author : VirgilCaine Date : 03-10-06 12:43 AM There are a few nice traps and a nice riddle trap. Their could be negotiation. I think one of the NPCs has a portal key. There's an undead dwarven cleric NPC also, who will aid the PCs (I don't remember how). There is also a NPC vampire hunter type cleric who acts crazy (mad). I really don't remember all the details, it was over 3 years ago. Okay, that's cool. Sounds interesting. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 14] Author : WizO_Paradox Date : 03-10-06 01:11 AM :P I started as a TSR employee way back when. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 15] Author : Lord Karsus Date : 03-10-06 01:17 AM Maztica -A useful set, if you are interested in running a campaign in Maztica, the western continent on Realmspace's Toril, with a South American feel to it. I've never played here, or used any of the options presented within, but some of the things presented in it are pretty interesting. And, being the Realms junkie I am, any realmslore is a good thing. Cormanthyr -One of the best, if not THE best PDF availible on the WotC downloads site. Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves details the rise and fall of Elven civilization on mainland Faerūn, as well as many nuances and intricacies on Elven culture. Definitley recomended for anyone who likes Elves. Cult of the Dragon -The Cult of the Dragon has always been an...interesting group. If you want to know more about them, or about the Dracoliches they revere, then download this one. Arcane Age: Netheril--Empire of Magic -One of the best, if not THE best PDF availible on the WotC downloads site. Netheril - Empire of Magic details the ancient empire of Netheril. It is very thorough, and provides lots of great campaign ideas/devices/items and spell, especially the coveted 10th, 11th and 12th level spells! Villain's Lorebook -The Villian's Lorebook is an interesting idea. Basically, it details many of the Realms villians. The problem is that most of them are either dead, indisposed of, or have turned to good. If you want to use these villians in your campaigns, it'll prove useful, but remember that, since most of these characters are main villians in novels, their fates have already been decided. The Fall of Myth Drannor -A great download that details the fall of the City of Song, and the last chapter of the main Elven presence on Faerūn. A great book on it's own, and a must have in concert with Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves. -Overall, I downloaded everything that WotC offered. Free is a great price, and you never know when they'll decide they want money to download the stuff they offer... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 16] Author : Selena Ombrenoire Date : 03-10-06 02:14 AM The Marco Volo trilogy is a classic. I've never played it, but my friends told me it's a really good adventure. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 17] Author : Elzaban the Ethereal Date : 03-10-06 05:39 AM I've never run any of the old adventures they have there, although I'm pretty sure if you look around there's a copy of Dungeonland and The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror, and of course, Legends and Lore. Personally, I prefer the old campaign setting information they have there. Rules aside, there's good fluff there that's easily recyclable. I personally like Volo's Guide to All Things Magical and the Villains Lorebook. There's interesting stuff there to be sure, and if you're playing a Forgotten Realms game, doesn't hurt to get all this for free. :P -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 18] Author : Evergreen_Aldaron Date : 03-10-06 07:32 AM Download everything. You can never have enough information. Most of it is useful in some way or another. Karsus is right once again, Cormathyr, Netheril, and Ruins of Myth Drannor are all fantastic, as are The North, Volo's Guides, and Villain's Lorebook. There are also some good old school adventure modules that can be readily adapated. Let the printing begin! :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 19] Author : Alac Luin Date : 03-10-06 06:26 PM If your running a FR games, many of those are great downloads. If your not in FR, most are worthless. If your a DM that wants to add a lot of scenery to their worlds, filling out a city with believable bars, inns and such look at the volo guides. Also If you look further down that page there are some other helpful downloads, like a chart for random magic surges to use in places magic is unstable. It's hard to say which is good for you, different people will get more out of some things then others. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 08:18 AM.