| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Azar |
Posted - 12 May 2025 : 12:22:47
Long time no see, everyone.
I am considering running an extended Dalelands campaign*; it would be a gestalt of "Grey Box" and "Gold Box" material (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Second Edition, respectively). My goal is to get back to basics by opting for an open-ended journey that is a bit slower-paced and provincial...nothing "cosmopolitan" or "end of the world". While I think I've gotten the essentials worked out, there is a sticking point that I wish to discuss. In addition to the usual potential complaints/misconceptions about The Realms (which I more-or-less addressed), a different sort of consideration has been brewing: there may not be a believable amount of empty space(s) to feature monster encounters without the player characters bumping into Joe Farmhand out for a stroll.
There is this notion that the area (both broadly and any Dale in particular) is too small and too tamed. Remember that I am abiding by the earliest officially-published version of Forgotten Realms and its greater emphasis on the frontier; even taking that into account, there is doubt. I am sad to say that both cartography and population interactions aren't my strong suits as a Dungeon Master; usually, I've gotten around this by setting the fiercest conflicts way out in the middle of nowhere. However, this time, the ability to resupply - even infrequently - is desirable.
Is the region "cramped" or am I fussing over nothing? Should any of you know a great deal about both scale and population density pertaining to cross-country wandering, please share your experiences here so that I can allay this concern. Encounter distances, viewing distances (i.e., being comfortably out of sight from the nearest human-built structure) and travel times (chiefly on foot) are all on my mind. If I can conceptualize, say, the difficulty in hiking one mile through Daggerdale versus hiking one mile in Archendale's gorge, then I'll feel much more confident.
*Without immediately resorting to a romp through Cormanthor  . |
| 1 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| EltonRobb |
Posted - 12 May 2025 : 17:49:59
quote:
Originally posted by Azar
Long time no see, everyone.
I am considering running an extended Dalelands campaign*; it would be a gestalt of "Grey Box" and "Gold Box" material (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Second Edition, respectively). My goal is to get back to basics by opting for an open-ended journey that is a bit slower-paced and provincial...nothing "cosmopolitan" or "end of the world". While I think I've gotten the essentials worked out, there is a sticking point that I wish to discuss. In addition to the usual potential complaints/misconceptions about The Realms (which I more-or-less addressed), a different sort of consideration has been brewing: there may not be a believable amount of empty space(s) to feature monster encounters without the player characters bumping into Joe Farmhand out for a stroll.
There is this notion that the area (both broadly and any Dale in particular) is too small and too tamed. Remember that I am abiding by the earliest officially-published version of Forgotten Realms and its greater emphasis on the frontier; even taking that into account, there is doubt. I am sad to say that both cartography and population interactions aren't my strong suits as a Dungeon Master; usually, I've gotten around this by setting the fiercest conflicts way out in the middle of nowhere. However, this time, the ability to resupply - even infrequently - is desirable.
Is the region "cramped" or am I fussing over nothing? Should any of you know a great deal about both scale and population density pertaining to cross-country wandering, please share your experiences here so that I can allay this concern. Encounter distances, viewing distances (i.e., being comfortably out of sight from the nearest human-built structure) and travel times (chiefly on foot) are all on my mind. If I can conceptualize, say, the difficulty in hiking one mile through Daggerdale versus hiking one mile in Archendale's gorge, then I'll feel much more confident.
*Without immediately resorting to a romp through Cormanthor .
You may benefit from FRS1 the Dalelands by Richard Baker III. It provides an overview of the Dales and talks about each one in depth (although the Shadowdale book from the Gold Box is very helpful for a campaign beginning in Shadowdale). I'm planning an extensive Dalelands campaign myself using the Zhentarim as an enemy organization ending with Manshoon prime as the end boss. That's why I bought FRS1 from Drivethru.
I think my campaign will turn out differently from yours, though. |
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