Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 RasmusNord Apr 19, 2015 2:25:26	Dear DMs,    I've begun DM'ing the Temple of Elemental Evil as a casual campaign (read more in my new blog. Link below).    *Spoilers* I have a concern. When the adventurers arrive at the temple, they actively have to bash open a door to gain entrance. It would seem that the temple is well sealed, so I think there is a big risk that they will walk away and look for other entrances. The danger being that the only other entrance then available is through the tower, which connects to level 3 and is hidden, making it a potential frustrating experience - if it seems like the only alternative.    I have two suggestions for fixes. Perhaps some of you out there have played it before and can advise on how it might play out.    1) Make one of the side doors stand open. It seems logical that at least one of the doors would be open, or see regular use, given that a few of the inhabitants have begun terrorizing the country-side, and are bringing captives to the temple. It is also a very easy fix.    2) Make a small extra dungeon by the river, where raiders can emerge from, use to bring in captives, supplies etc. I was thinking of an old mill, located near a cave entrance that leads to the 1st level of the temple. As I have a large number of players (again see blog for full explanation), I think this solution would be good to add an additional source of early experience. I can also help bring Nulb to more life, as the entrance would be known or used by smugglers or river pirates using Nulb as a base.    I could of course do both?   Suggestions? Ideas?
#2 Imaculata Apr 19, 2015 2:52:05	There are many things you can do here:   -Provide a side entrance, as you stated. -Place an npc wizard at the entrance, that has been trying to open the doors for days. He asks the players for help, but there is something shady about him. Play him so that the players are not sure if they can trust him. This poses an interesting situation for the players. -Provide a puzzle nearby that can open the doors too. -There may very well be a mill nearby. But perhaps the players need to gather information from the miller first, to learn of an extra entrance. For a small fee he may be willing to take them to the 2nd entrance.   I'd also recommend giving a very good reason to why the extra entrance is there. Maybe this was one of the old exits that the original builders of the temple used. Maybe it's used to bring supplies to the temple, or to get rid of the remains of dead adventurers. There could be piles of skeletons there, and it could be more of a garbage shoot.
(Reply to #2) RasmusNord	Imaculata wrote: