This thread is to feel-out the level of interest regarding the game below. Let me hear your thoughts, even if you aren’t interested in participating. I’d also love to hear if anyone has played/ran this module before!
Labyrinth of Madness!!!
You got it, module S6 by Monte Cook from 1995. Designed for 2e. IMHO this one is even tougher than Ye Olde Tomb of Horrors!
A world-famous Paladin (lvl 20) set out with a high level party to destroy a hidden source of extreme evil (found through a massively complex divination). Everyone else died, and the paladin was trapped in the gem of a scepter and returned to his order's temple by a summoned mephit with the following message:
"If you continue to probe the unknown, you'll only discover new and faster means of inevitable destruction.
You are not even masters of your surface-world, do not presume to meddle in affairs far beyond you.
Disturb not the Labyrinth of Madness again, and live a while longer"
The order/kingdom puts out a call for the most skilled adventurers from everywhere to restore the paladin and rid the world of the evil.
I want someone to (please) make it all the way through this best, so long as there isn’t a total party wipeout players will be able to keep rolling up characters if one of theirs dies-off. If there is enough interest in pre-gens, I can make some pre-gens for quick-replacements.
The Big Sixteen are:
1. What game system are you running (D&D, Call of Cthulu, Palladium, GURPS, etc.), and if applicable what edition (Original, Classic, Revised, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th, etc.)?
D&D 2E
2. What 'type' or variant of game will it be (i.e. "Shadow Chasers" or "Agents of Psi" for d20 Modern)? What is the setting for the game (e.g. historic period, published or homebrewed campaign setting, alternate reality, modern world, etc.)?
Generic Prime Material Plane #4 (aka my go-to homebrew world but that won't really matter for this game). Characters can be from practically anywhere, I won’t be picky. Kender and hairfoot halflings together, no problem.
3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?
5-8 players. I have 2 confirmed at the time of this posting.
4. How fast or slow of a pacing do you want to set? Some games require that players post once a day, every three days, or once a week.
I hate having to push a game, but I know lots of people play at different paces. I would prefer at least one post every 2 days, but I know people have lives. I will instead say 1 post/3 days.
5. What is the characters' starting status (i.e. experience level)?
Since this is an advanced module set in 2e it will be based on an xp value rather than Level. 2M xp, which equates to about lvl 15-19 depending on class in 2e… don’t feel too super powered just yet… LoM was designed for lvls 15+…
6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?
Characters will get lots of funds to pick out mundane items, and there will be a nearby camp for mundane supply. A certain xp value of magic items are also provided per character. I’ll provide lists and such. Most anything from the DMG will be available, as well as almost everything from the 2e “Complete Book of Magic Items”
7. Are there any particular character classes, professions, orders, etc. that you want... or do not want? What are your rules on 'prestige' and/or homebrewed classes?
Classes: Pretty much anything from the official 2e ‘complete’ series of splatbooks (some restrictions on the Complete book of Humanoids). I have made specialized kits in the past, but the life-expectancy of characters in this game might be a little short to put in that level of effort for…
8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?
Any race from PHB or the ‘complete’ series (or some from Complete Humanoid by special exception)
Special Exceptions: I will allow (from complete humanoid) Bugbear, Gnoll, Flind, Goblin*, Hobgoblin, Kobold*, Lizard man, Minotaur, Mongrelman, Half-Ogre, Orc, Half-Orc.
*Means they will get +1 to dex in addition to the stat adj in CH.
9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?
Still thinking about this one. I’m tempted to do a point-buy, but I really don’t like those. Probably either: 4d6 7x drop lowest die from each and lowest total roll; OR 3d4 6x plus 28 pts to spend, Max of 6 spent in any one stat. It will be player's choice once that player and their base concept is accepted into the game.
10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?
Alignment: Anything, as long as you have a reason for going into the dungeon. This could be as simple as ‘saving the world’ or ‘grave robbing’… I only ask that you play your chosen alignment truly, and that (even if characters conflict), you respect the other players. Classes with restricted alignments must adhere to their allowances.
11. Do you allow Multi-classing or Dual Classing, and have any particular rules in regards to it?
Go for it. The rules are basically per the PHB
-Any human or humanoid race whose max life is 150 years or less can choose to Dual Class.
-Any humanoid race whose max lifespan is over 150 years can either Dual Class or Mulit-Class.
Multiclass examples:
The base 2M xp would have to be split for multi classers, though. A single class Mage with 2Mxp is lvl 15, a 2M xp multiclass Ftr/Mg would be lvls 12/12, and Ftr/Thf/Mg would be lvls 10/13/11.
12. Will you be doing all of the die rolling during the course of the game? Will die rolls be altered, or left to the honor system? If players can make die rolls, which ones do they make, how should they make the rolls, and how should they report them?
Rolls are to be made via Unseen Servant and linked to the post. Most character rolls are made by players, but some (such as searching for secret/hidden door rolls) are hidden from the players and made by the DM when the player indicates such an action.
13. Are there any homebrewed or optional/variant rules that your Players should know about? If so, list and explain them, or provide relevant links to learn about these new rules.
I use several home-brew rules for things like ‘firing into melee’ and spell components. Check out the rules on the pbp game forum for more info, or just ask here. I want to see if there is any interest before I go too much in depth about this.
14. Is a character background required? If so, how big? Are you looking for anything in particular (i.e. the backgrounds all ending up with the characters in the same city)?
A short background is all that’s necessary. Somewhere between 2-3 sentences adn 2-3 paragraphs is ideal imo, but if people enjoy writing more I am never opposed.
15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?
Rare for me, but this one will be low on the required RP scale (though good RP is always encouraged). It will have lots of puzzle solving, being a Classic Puzzle Dungeon as advertised. RP with other members of the group is encouraged and awarded xp-wise.
16. Are your Players restricted to particular rulebooks and supplements, or will you be allowing access to non-standard material? What sources can Players use for their characters?
Anything from the Purple Worm site with the exception of the ‘Players Option’ and ‘DM option’ series is allowed. If there is a question about something else please ask in the game pbp forum.
