Braving the Underdark [Archive] - Wizards Community

Braving the Underdark [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DMaster42
05-30-07, 03:14 AM Hey, I'm going to run a campaign that will take the players to the Underdark fairly early on. The reason I'm doing so is that my players tend to know a lot about the settings I usually use, and I want it to be a shock to them. I haven't dealt to much with DMing the Underdark, so does anyone have experience they'd like to share? I've played in it, but haven't successfully DM'd it. Thanks.
VrecknidjX
05-30-07, 09:16 AM It's not too hard for the characters to lose track of what time and what day it is if they aren't coming out to sunlight every so often. I made it a point to keep track of what the characters felt about the passage of time based on things like hunger, how often they had to relieve themselves, how irritable people got, etc. It's not a bad idea to keep track of this yourself and use it as role playing fodder once in a while.

Food tends to be different underground. If you want to focus on some role playing material, you have have some of the characters have cravings for things they can't get--let it incorporate into their dreams, etc. People who can't eat or drink what they want can get a little cranky--maybe a Will save after a few days to see if a character starts to act a little too aggressive. This gives characters with ranks in Diplomacy a chance to try to keep the group together and lets characters shine in ways they might not otherwise find the chance to.

In my own underdark settings, I've assumed that some of the underground races, particularly those that have excellent regular vision, would go out of their way to add color to things, to sort of combat the dreariness. So, gnomes, some dwarves, halfings, and elves that happen to be down there, tend to have and use a lot of color. I always found this added a little something to the game--especially since my players are always taking notes and trying to find out if things like the colors mean anything.

Dave
DMaster42
05-30-07, 11:32 PM Oh excellent. My group loves role playing things, thanks for the advice.
Lord_Bahamut
06-02-07, 02:58 AM It would also help immensely to get the Forgotten Realms: Underdark book. It has everything you will need on the Underdark.

Also, take a look at the quest City of the Spider Queen. It takes place completely underground, and involves drow and demons and undead, oh my! It's a really good quest to play, but your players need lots of luck and experience on their side to finish it. PM me if you want to know more.
DMaster42
06-03-07, 05:28 PM I have Underdark and I'm going through it trying to learn as much as I can.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DMaster42 05-30-07, 03:14 AM	Hey, I'm going to run a campaign that will take the players to the Underdark fairly early on. The reason I'm doing so is that my players tend to know a lot about the settings I usually use, and I want it to be a shock to them. I haven't dealt to much with DMing the Underdark, so does anyone have experience they'd like to share? I've played in it, but haven't successfully DM'd it. Thanks.
VrecknidjX 05-30-07, 09:16 AM	It's not too hard for the characters to lose track of what time and what day it is if they aren't coming out to sunlight every so often. I made it a point to keep track of what the characters felt about the passage of time based on things like hunger, how often they had to relieve themselves, how irritable people got, etc. It's not a bad idea to keep track of this yourself and use it as role playing fodder once in a while. Food tends to be different underground. If you want to focus on some role playing material, you have have some of the characters have cravings for things they can't get--let it incorporate into their dreams, etc. People who can't eat or drink what they want can get a little cranky--maybe a Will save after a few days to see if a character starts to act a little too aggressive. This gives characters with ranks in Diplomacy a chance to try to keep the group together and lets characters shine in ways they might not otherwise find the chance to. In my own underdark settings, I've assumed that some of the underground races, particularly those that have excellent regular vision, would go out of their way to add color to things, to sort of combat the dreariness. So, gnomes, some dwarves, halfings, and elves that happen to be down there, tend to have and use a lot of color. I always found this added a little something to the game--especially since my players are always taking notes and trying to find out if things like the colors mean anything. Dave
DMaster42 05-30-07, 11:32 PM	Oh excellent. My group loves role playing things, thanks for the advice.
Lord_Bahamut 06-02-07, 02:58 AM	It would also help immensely to get the Forgotten Realms: Underdark book. It has everything you will need on the Underdark. Also, take a look at the quest City of the Spider Queen. It takes place completely underground, and involves drow and demons and undead, oh my! It's a really good quest to play, but your players need lots of luck and experience on their side to finish it. PM me if you want to know more.
DMaster42 06-03-07, 05:28 PM	I have Underdark and I'm going through it trying to learn as much as I can.