I grew up on dark sun, and a third party dnd campaign called Calandia. I loved both those worlds and spent my 90s exploring every cornor of those dangerous realms. I remember in the dark sun manuel reading about all the other dnd worlds in the back of the catalouge like forgotten realms. These are some great suggestions and I hope this helps out new dms as you explore each idea pretty well. I never expected dnd to be so popular and get excited seeing all the new players and dms out there take on this magnificant game. Keep up the good work.
Hey Stephen! Thanks for checking out the video and dropping a line! It really is amazing how much D&D has taken off in the recent years. It used to be I never heard anyone talking about it. Now I run into people all the time that are either actively playing, or thinking of jumping in. One of my favorite encounters was last year around this time. We had ordered pizza and the delivery guy saw my table setup through the window. He was so excited to know there were other people in the area playing, and we ended up having a 10 minute discussion about each others campaigns. Speaking of Dark Sun I have a friend at work that absolutely loves that campaign setting. I haven't adventured there myself, but she talks so highly of it I've been looking at picking up some books and modules. Any must haves you can suggest? I want the 4E books but with the recent popularity of D&D they are a little pricey..
@@GuidingBoltGaming I played 2nd edition dark sun. I know they remade it for 4th but I never played the newer stuff, so I cant say for certain what books would be best. However when we played 2nd the base box set was more then enough fun to get ourselves started. It really has a post apocalypse feel to the entire setting, where getting food, water and even a metal weapon was a daily struggle. Thrikreen, halfgiants and psionics where really popular and most of the known races where dead. Its worth trying if you can find some material, certainly one of the more unique settings out there.
The daily struggle component you mention is exactly what my coworker loved about it also. I always try to incorporate the need for sustenance into my campaigns, as well as making sure they deal with weather conditions but it never seems to have the same "feel" that's described when I talk to someone about the Dark Sun setting. This just makes me want to bite the bullet and pick up some material. Working on multiple campaigns right now, but I really think this may be the next route once those wrap up. I have some Thri Kreen miniatures anyways, so it would be a shame to have those go to waste... ;) Thanks again!
@@GuidingBoltGaming I think the difference is how scarse supplies are in Darksun. When you can pick up more food at the next town, or hunt its not as big of a deal. However when the halflings are cannibals, everything to the smallest insect is trying to kill you and there is vast wastelands it makes even the smallest amount of food a big deal. You cant really take from the locals either as everyone is armed is hostile and just as likely to steal from you. You trade in clay pieces worth like a 1/10th of a copper so you are always poor, and use mostly bone weapons and hide armors as the few metal mines are all owned by nobles. That metal longsword is a dream weapon at the start. planning every trip outside the cities is important as you must map out your journery around the few oasis that dot the land and make sure to hit the rare hunting grounds as you find them or bring enough food before you go. Othewise more then a few times did I have to resort to attacking travelers just to survive. Give it a check out , I think you may like it if you are the person who enjoys resource management.
Thanks so much for this video and have made up my mind to go with the essentials kits recommendation. We just finished the mines of Phandelver and I am running a follow up mini quest! After that they can get a summons for help from the people of Phandalin and this can segway into using the adventures in the Ess Kit ! Subbed and liked
Awesome, thanks for stopping by and dropping a line! You won't be disappointed with the essentials kit, they did a fantastic job with that one as well. I'm super pumped for the new Dragons of Stormwreck Isle!!
@@GuidingBoltGaming Keep the videos coming :) Stormwreck Isle? Is that another follow up? Once Ive completed the adventure in the Essentials Kit, Im wondering already about my next adventure. ( I am playing D&D with my teenage kids) Suggestions always welcome as this really helps with my homebrew adventures as well
'Out of the Abyss' was a surprise. Just about every other 'review' of adventure modules seems to hate that one. I'll see if I can take a look at it, but likely going to follow up LMoP with SLW... but we'll see. Appreciate the video.
I came here hoping you would have a good transition into storm kings thunder since it is in the same general area. Do you have any thoughts on running SKT after lost mines?
I am currently using the option at 8:46 but there is no way to do it without changing nezznar. As he is a very weak main villain. Either homebrew him stronger, OR change him into a drider spellcaster. I chose the latter. In a few days i will complete my plan and start Out of the Abyss.
Agreed, if you're going with the butt whooping suggestion you're either going to have to buff him, extra enemies, ambush tactics, traps, etc.. Another fun option I had considered was trying to get the PCs to temporarily team up with Nezznar. Especially if you don't buff him and Nezznar knows he's outgunned. As soon as he's gained their trust maybe he slips a little of that drow sleep poison into their rations before settling down for the night and they wake up with a headache and a surprise! Regardless of how you get them there you and your players are going to love OotA!
@@GuidingBoltGaming that's a really good idea too. But i want with the drider because they were drow cursed by lolth. That was a great setup for him being there to gain the power to destroy her and attempt to obtain godlike respect and power
I grew up on dark sun, and a third party dnd campaign called Calandia. I loved both those worlds and spent my 90s exploring every cornor of those dangerous realms. I remember in the dark sun manuel reading about all the other dnd worlds in the back of the catalouge like forgotten realms. These are some great suggestions and I hope this helps out new dms as you explore each idea pretty well. I never expected dnd to be so popular and get excited seeing all the new players and dms out there take on this magnificant game. Keep up the good work.
Hey Stephen! Thanks for checking out the video and dropping a line! It really is amazing how much D&D has taken off in the recent years. It used to be I never heard anyone talking about it. Now I run into people all the time that are either actively playing, or thinking of jumping in. One of my favorite encounters was last year around this time. We had ordered pizza and the delivery guy saw my table setup through the window. He was so excited to know there were other people in the area playing, and we ended up having a 10 minute discussion about each others campaigns. Speaking of Dark Sun I have a friend at work that absolutely loves that campaign setting. I haven't adventured there myself, but she talks so highly of it I've been looking at picking up some books and modules. Any must haves you can suggest? I want the 4E books but with the recent popularity of D&D they are a little pricey..
@@GuidingBoltGaming I played 2nd edition dark sun. I know they remade it for 4th but I never played the newer stuff, so I cant say for certain what books would be best. However when we played 2nd the base box set was more then enough fun to get ourselves started. It really has a post apocalypse feel to the entire setting, where getting food, water and even a metal weapon was a daily struggle. Thrikreen, halfgiants and psionics where really popular and most of the known races where dead. Its worth trying if you can find some material, certainly one of the more unique settings out there.
The daily struggle component you mention is exactly what my coworker loved about it also. I always try to incorporate the need for sustenance into my campaigns, as well as making sure they deal with weather conditions but it never seems to have the same "feel" that's described when I talk to someone about the Dark Sun setting. This just makes me want to bite the bullet and pick up some material. Working on multiple campaigns right now, but I really think this may be the next route once those wrap up. I have some Thri Kreen miniatures anyways, so it would be a shame to have those go to waste... ;) Thanks again!
@@GuidingBoltGaming I think the difference is how scarse supplies are in Darksun. When you can pick up more food at the next town, or hunt its not as big of a deal. However when the halflings are cannibals, everything to the smallest insect is trying to kill you and there is vast wastelands it makes even the smallest amount of food a big deal. You cant really take from the locals either as everyone is armed is hostile and just as likely to steal from you. You trade in clay pieces worth like a 1/10th of a copper so you are always poor, and use mostly bone weapons and hide armors as the few metal mines are all owned by nobles. That metal longsword is a dream weapon at the start. planning every trip outside the cities is important as you must map out your journery around the few oasis that dot the land and make sure to hit the rare hunting grounds as you find them or bring enough food before you go. Othewise more then a few times did I have to resort to attacking travelers just to survive. Give it a check out , I think you may like it if you are the person who enjoys resource management.
Thanks so much for this video and have made up my mind to go with the essentials kits recommendation. We just finished the mines of Phandelver and I am running a follow up mini quest! After that they can get a summons for help from the people of Phandalin and this can segway into using the adventures in the Ess Kit ! Subbed and liked
Awesome, thanks for stopping by and dropping a line! You won't be disappointed with the essentials kit, they did a fantastic job with that one as well. I'm super pumped for the new Dragons of Stormwreck Isle!!
@@GuidingBoltGaming Keep the videos coming :) Stormwreck Isle? Is that another follow up? Once Ive completed the adventure in the Essentials Kit, Im wondering already about my next adventure. ( I am playing D&D with my teenage kids) Suggestions always welcome as this really helps with my homebrew adventures as well
'Out of the Abyss' was a surprise. Just about every other 'review' of adventure modules seems to hate that one. I'll see if I can take a look at it, but likely going to follow up LMoP with SLW... but we'll see. Appreciate the video.
I came here hoping you would have a good transition into storm kings thunder since it is in the same general area. Do you have any thoughts on running SKT after lost mines?
I am currently using the option at 8:46 but there is no way to do it without changing nezznar. As he is a very weak main villain. Either homebrew him stronger, OR change him into a drider spellcaster. I chose the latter. In a few days i will complete my plan and start Out of the Abyss.
Agreed, if you're going with the butt whooping suggestion you're either going to have to buff him, extra enemies, ambush tactics, traps, etc.. Another fun option I had considered was trying to get the PCs to temporarily team up with Nezznar. Especially if you don't buff him and Nezznar knows he's outgunned. As soon as he's gained their trust maybe he slips a little of that drow sleep poison into their rations before settling down for the night and they wake up with a headache and a surprise! Regardless of how you get them there you and your players are going to love OotA!
@@GuidingBoltGaming that's a really good idea too. But i want with the drider because they were drow cursed by lolth. That was a great setup for him being there to gain the power to destroy her and attempt to obtain godlike respect and power
I heavily changed Mines of Phandelver including Nezznar who escapes at the end. He will pop up in further adventures with the party