Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 semifamous Jul 09, 2009 0:24:18	I passed the test today and started looking at the list of adventures available to run. I'm new to Forgotten Realms, as I've been mostly running a 3.5 home campaign that I'm making up as I go along. I would like to run something more official in my home with my friends. My first question is regarding which adventure/adventure series I should run first. Does it matter? Should I just pick one? Is there a recommended starting adventure or order or something? What's the best way to choose which adventure to run next once I finish the first one? The first adventure that I acquired (CORE1-1, which sounds like it's supposed to be a beginning,) has a reference to a "reward card," which makes it sound like it's not the beginning after all. When do they get reward cards? Where do I find them? What exactly are they? Would it be a better idea to start with something like Keep on the Shadowfell instead of the LFR adventures? In general, what do you suggest to someone like me who is just starting out? I just want my players to have fun, and I think that using someone else's adventures in a setting where they're being monitored and rewarded will be good idea.
#2 kenobi65 Jul 09, 2009 9:20:45	My first question is regarding which adventure/adventure series I should run first. Does it matter? Should I just pick one? Is there a recommended starting adventure or order or something? There isn't really a recommended "introductory" adventure for LFR. There are a few of the low-level modules that many feel are more on the difficult side (including SPEC1-1 and probably BALD1-1), so you might want to avoid those for the first time. What's the best way to choose which adventure to run next once I finish the first one? Well, other than "another adventure for levels 1-4", there isn't a lot more guidance to be had. Some of the "level 1-4" adventures are the first parts of series, but I don't think that any of those series are continued in another 1-4 module (in other words, the "next chapter" is likely in an adventure for higher-level characters). The first adventure that I acquired (CORE1-1, which sounds like it's supposed to be a beginning,) has a reference to a "reward card," which makes it sound like it's not the beginning after all. When do they get reward cards? Where do I find them? What exactly are they? Reward cards are distributed by the RPGA. In the past, players accumulated points for each RPGA-sanctioned game that they played, and, when they earned enough points, they were sent some cards. The program changed at the beginning of the year, and now, what'll be happening is that the RPGA will, twice a year, publish a PDF containing the newest set of cards. Your players will be able to download the PDF, and print out their own cards. (Physical copies of the cards are still being printed, but they're only being distributed as part of WotC's convention support program.) (There is still a Judge Reward program, though the judge rewards aren't cards, but other useful things, like dungeon tiles.) The cards are *not* necessary for play, but they can be useful. Some cards allow for re-rolling a missed attack, or give a bonus on certain rolls. Would it be a better idea to start with something like Keep on the Shadowfell instead of the LFR adventures? Well, that's entirely your call. I'd note that KotS is a long adventure (you're probably looking at 20 hours or more of play to complete it), and, IMO, it's not a great adventure. There's a lot of hack-and-slash, and very little else. Most LFR adventures are written to be completed in about 4 hours or so (since they're originally developed to be usable at conventions, which have specific time constraints). So, there's less of an initial time committment. In general, what do you suggest to someone like me who is just starting out? I just want my players to have fun, and I think that using someone else's adventures in a setting where they're being monitored and rewarded will be good idea. I'd say, try an LFR adventure or two, and see if they like it. You'll need to get RPGA numbers for your players, if they don't already have them, but that usually isn't a tremendous hassle (read question #2 in the first post of this thread for how to get numbers for them). Interesting that you mentioned "monitored and rewarded". Within the last few weeks, RPGA has stopped using the Character Tracker function on its database (it was rife with problems from the start), and, as there's no formal system for DMs to be checking characters, the RPGA is far more on the "honor system" than it has been in the past. And, as I noted above, the player rewards program is less formal than it used to be (though, now, everyone gets access to all the cards). I hope this helps.
#3 semifamous Jul 09, 2009 14:53:35	Thank you for you well explained response. Follow up questions follow. Re: starting adventure/series How about personal experience? For those who have started/run a series, which adventures worked well as a starter or introduction? Is there any reference list that connects adventures to each other, or are they all meant to stand alone? Would it be recommended to just run a group through CORE1-1 through CORE1-10? I don't see where it says which levels the adventure is for until after I download it. Surely there's an official document somewhere I'm not finding that has the whole list of all of the adventures and their appropriate level. Re: "monitoring" I was referring to the "points" they get for playing (when I report it,) then they get rewards for earning a certain number of points. That is correct, right? I understand that they have to log in and claim their rewards and download and print them themselves, but that could still be pretty cool. Re: membership numbers I sent an email to [email]dci@wizards.com[/email] months ago (January or February?) to get a number for myself. I never got a reply or card. Instead my wife and I made a 2 1/2 hour drive to Vegas for Game Day where we finally could register. Is there an alternative to that email address or some way to confirm that they received the info and are processing it? I also saw in "Event Sanctioning" a link to "Wizards Play Network Materials" which seems to let you fill out a "Membership Card Request" and it asks for a mailing address. It almost sounds like they can send me blank cards that I can use to register people, but I'm not sure. If necessary, I'll have everyone try sending an email to register, but that didn't work for me.
#4 kenobi65 Jul 09, 2009 15:41:24	How about personal experience? For those who have started/run a series, which adventures worked well as a starter or introduction? Is there any reference list that connects adventures to each other, or are they all meant to stand alone? Would it be recommended to just run a group through CORE1-1 through CORE1-10? I don't see where it says which levels the adventure is for until after I download it. Surely there's an official document somewhere I'm not finding that has the whole list of all of the adventures and their appropriate level. The Oxford LFR site isn't official, but I find it to be a great resource for information on levels and quests. When the RPGA started releasing LFR modules last summer, the first group (3Q '08) were all for levels 1-4 (CORE1-1 through 1-3, SPEC1-1, and all the regional 1-1s). Then, the second group (4Q '08: CORE1-4 and 1-5, and all the regional 1-2s) were for levels 4-7, and the third group (1Q '09: CORE1-6 through 1-9, and all the regional 1-3s) were for levels 7-10. Adventure releases since 1Q '09 have been a mix of different levels. So, running CORE1-1 through 1-10 won't work, simply because of the levels involved. Expect that PCs will reach a new level every 2-3 single-round LFR modules; given that, it'll take somewhere around 6 to 9 adventures for a PC to reach 4th level, and be eligible to play in the level 4-7 adventures. Others may chime in, but some of the level 1-4 adventures that I've particularly enjoyed, and could be good for introducing a group to the game, include: CORE1-2 The Radiant Vessel of Thesk (some good role-playing and skill use opportunities in the first half, though the final encounter can get complicated) CORE1-3 Sense of Wonder (some nice Realms flavor, and a very interesting combat at the end) CORM1-1 The Black Knight of Arabel (there's several different paths the PCs can take in the adventure. Many players comment that the combats are too easy, however) DRAG1-1 Many Hands Make Light Work (fun skill challenge) Another possibility is the LFR adaptation of the WotC adventure Scepter Tower of Spellgard. As an LFR adventure, it's three parts (ADAP1-2 through 1-4). You'd need to buy the actual adventure, then order and download the adapation files. I've heard good things about this one, though, expect it to take something on the order of 30 to 40 hours to finish. Your PCs would have to be 1st or 2nd level when they start it, and it's really intended that the same group of PCs play the entire adventure all the way through without any other adventures in between sections. Re: "monitoring" I was referring to the "points" they get for playing (when I report it,) then they get rewards for earning a certain number of points. That is correct, right? I understand that they have to log in and claim their rewards and download and print them themselves, but that could still be pretty cool. It used to be that way; as mentioned above, the RPGA changed the program at the beginning of the year. Players no longer accumulate reward points (only DMs do now). All active RPGA players are supposed to be given access to the PDFs with the reward cards. Re: membership numbers I sent an email to [email]dci@wizards.com[/email] months ago (January or February?) to get a number for myself. I never got a reply or card. Instead my wife and I made a 2 1/2 hour drive to Vegas for Game Day where we finally could register. Is there an alternative to that email address or some way to confirm that they received the info and are processing it? I also saw in "Event Sanctioning" a link to "Wizards Play Network Materials" which seems to let you fill out a "Membership Card Request" and it asks for a mailing address. It almost sounds like they can send me blank cards that I can use to register people, but I'm not sure. If necessary, I'll have everyone try sending an email to register, but that didn't work for me. It sounds to me like that "Membership Card Request" may be your best bet. Alternately, if there's a game store in your area that runs Magic tournaments, see if they would be willing to give you a stack of DCI cards (DCI and RPGA are the same system now).
#5 syrinx_dm Jul 09, 2009 15:50:34	Re: starting adventure/series The PDF’s at the bottom of this page are the official announcement of what modules have been and will be released. Re: "monitoring" The old Reward Program for players has been discontinued. DM’s are still rewarded based on reaching a milestone of DMing at least 5 games in a 6 month period. July 2009 is the start of a brand new 6 month period. See more information here. Re: membership numbers Yes, you can now order cards through Event Sanctioning system. I have seen them arrive in about 5 to 10 days after being ordered.