I like the three adventure arc format. For me, it's more usable (or at least at a mental level) than a 12 arc adventure path.
That's not to say that I don't like the adventure paths. I do. I like the concept of them, and I like the storylines, but they seem a bit too much of a committment to dive into. I'm never sure how long a campaign will last, and I'd be bummed to start such an intertwined storyline and never get to finish. So despite owning the Dungeon issues with Shackled City, Age of Worms, plus the Shackled City hardback (I couln't resist the new bells and whistles and thought "I'll run this someday"), I've never tried to run them.
I also own Red Hand of Doom. That, to me, seems like a manageable commitment, and a campaign that has a chance of finishing before 1) the group gets bored and wants to take a break to a new system, or 2) the group goes on indefinite hiatus due to life and other commitments.
In terms of Dungeon, the three story arc is closer to Red Hand of Doom length than the adventure paths are, and I think that is more what I'm able to finish these days. It helps that they have more obvious breaks between arcs where you can stop and play a different game for two months and then not have to worry about forgetting the arc you're in the middle of.
Also, they leave room for a wider ranging reminiscence, in my opinion, than a single story arc does, in the event you keep characters over ten or twenty levels. What I mean by that is in the old days, you could have a group of characters that played Scourge of the Slave Lords, and Against the Giants, and Ravenloft, and the drow adventures, and have those be the same characters that did all that. You'd have a lot of history with them. With the 20 level adventure path, you basically get to remember one story arc with those characters. Lots of adventures, sure, but somehow it just feels like more "stuff" if there are multiple story arcs to wax nostalgic about, even if it's the same twenty levels.
All that said, I do hope to run or play in one of the adventure paths some day. It just seems daunting compared to the three arc series right now.
I agree.
While I enjoy the "1st to 20th level" idea of a 12-part adventure path, I really go for the three issue format, and hope to see one for low levels (starting at 1st and going up to 4th, maybe) or mid-level.
I also like when the adventures in the arc take place in the same locale.
I am also fond of the three adventure story arcs.
Ditto.
I have to chime in here and say as a DM I love the AP's, but often enough, I don't want to run an entire AP. A 3 adventure arc is great. It gives more continuity than one-offs.
That said, I'm in the process of trying to write a couple 3 adventure arcs, hopefully for submittal to Dungeon, but if not, for free posting on the web. I plan on writing them for Eberron, but am going to keep in mind the generic setting. Everything can be changed from the generic to the specific. Not everything can be changed from specific to generic.
The 3-part adventures are Excellent, and are very appreciated. Naturally, Only Greyhawk adventures are really deserving of being awarded 3-part adventre status:-)
Furthermore, Greg Vaughan's due for another 3-part adventure here very soon. Please pay the man and print his stuff.
I have to concur - the AP's are great, but I presonally think rushing into the next one a few months after the last is a bit quick. No chance to catch your breath, and it does fill up the magazine with AP material. The three adventure arcs are fun, and much more manageable.
Hm. I wonderhow an AP that was segmented into seperable 3 adventure arcs would go? Something like the way 1st ed DMs would run Slavers -> Giants -> Underdark. Any of them could stand on their own, but many people got more out of them by stringing them together. (And in the case of the Giants -> Underdark transition, it was actually supported by the module text.)
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In my opinion an AP divided into 4-5 three-adventure arcs would work well. Each arc could have a complete storyline, with the next one building off the first but having a different story or plot. They could have a short rest period in between, about 1-2 months, to avoid overloading the magazines. I think it would be pretty cool. By the way, I love the AP's and the three-adventure arcs!
Furthermore, Greg Vaughan's due for another 3-part adventure here very soon. Please pay the man and print his stuff.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
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Hm. I wonderhow an AP that was segmented into seperable 3 adventure arcs would go? Something like the way 1st ed DMs would run Slavers -> Giants -> Underdark. Any of them could stand on their own, but many people got more out of them by stringing them together. (And in the case of the Giants -> Underdark transition, it was actually supported by the module text.)
I think that is an excellent idea - a modular AP, if you will, made up of say three or four story arcs that are self-contained in and of themselves but add up to a whole, if you so desire.
3 is too short..I like 5, like the original idea in the Dungeon 69-74 issues (I think).
I´m not quite sure... The Istivin arc was great, bu I liked the Age of Worms as well. Perhaps the idea to combine two or three story arcs into one campaign has the most charm. This way, you would get the most out of the magazine content.
Stefan
Perhaps the idea to combine two or three story arcs into one campaign has the most charm. This way, you would get the most out of the magazine content.
Stefan
I concur. Use the best features of both formats.
I´m not quite sure... The Istivin arc was great, bu I liked the Age of Worms as well. Perhaps the idea to combine two or three story arcs into one campaign has the most charm. This way, you would get the most out of the magazine content.
Stefan
Please forgive me for hijacking a thread, but I have a request related to this same topic and it's a small thing I didn't see the point of making a whole new thread on it.
I'm making a three adventure arc myself, the 1st adventure will be a modified "Shut In" (latest Dun. issue w/ gladiators on the cover, forget #) moved to the Lillybrook orphanage in Saltmarsh. The 2nd adventure would be "Funeral Procession" from I think #135 (slightly less modded).
Trouble is I can't decide which (if any) recent Modules in Dungeon would be a suitable climax. I'm starting 1st level and not planning on going higher than 4th, at least not much.
Any pointers would be appreciated, as back issues go I got the latest back to around 91 or so.
Furthermore, Greg Vaughan's due for another 3-part adventure here very soon. Please pay the man and print his stuff.Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
OK, in addition to Vaughan's 3-part adventure, I'll put a shout out for a 3-part adventure by Richard Pett also (preferably set in Greyhawk, Mr. Pett). Mr. Pett writes great stuff. Please pay him and print his stuff promptly.
OK, in addition to Vaughan's 3-part adventure, I'll put a shout out for a 3-part adventure by Richard Pett also (preferably set in Greyhawk, Mr. Pett). Mr. Pett writes great stuff. Please pay him and print his stuff promptly.Furthermore, Greg Vaughan's due for another 3-part adventure here very soon. Please pay the man and print his stuff.Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
::Cries into his hands::
::Cries into his hands::OK, in addition to Vaughan's 3-part adventure, I'll put a shout out for a 3-part adventure by Richard Pett also (preferably set in Greyhawk, Mr. Pett). Mr. Pett writes great stuff. Please pay him and print his stuff promptly.Furthermore, Greg Vaughan's due for another 3-part adventure here very soon. Please pay the man and print his stuff.Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Eng..erland Eng...erland Eng...erland...
Is the styes in Greyhawk? It is if I'm dungeonmeister! Bwahahahahah!
(running off to pick a hexagon on a crusty map to draw in the Styes with a sharpy)
I suggested Prymp as a possible Greyhawk setting for the Styes, although I guess as a seperate district there are quite a few potential locations.
::Cries into his hands::
Alright, in addition to Vaughan's three part adventure and
Pett's three part adventure, I'll cast my vote for a three part Eberron adventure for Logue - not that I'm the world's #1 Eberron fan but Chimes at Midnight was an entertaining read. Please pay him and print his stuff right away.
::Cries into his hands:: Eng..erland Eng...erland Eng...erland...
The only crying I did was when Michael Owen went down with a bum ACL. I hope I shall be comforted by excessive amounts of adventures by Mr. Vaughan and Mr. Pett splashed upon the pages of Dungeon.
Yes, more votes for Dungeon trilogies by Messrs. Pett, Logue, and Vaughan. Also, Wolfgang Baur and Tito Leati. And Mike Mearls. We know our two top dogs (Messrs. Mona and Jacobs) are probably too busy to take on projects like these, but while singing the praises of these other excellent authors, this wandering minstrel hopes they will find time to contribute the high quality adventures we have become accustomed to from our upwardly mobile top-dogs.
::Cries into his hands::Alright, in addition to Vaughan's three part adventure and
Pett's three part adventure, I'll cast my vote for a three part Eberron adventure for Logue - not that I'm the world's #1 Eberron fan but Chimes at Midnight was an entertaining read. Please pay him and print his stuff right away.
Thank you crocodile tears!!! ;-)
Eberron 3-parter hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
::Begins furiously jotting down ideas for proposals::
Mr. Vaughan, perhaps your right regarding Mr. Pett. I'll be more mindful of his jackal-like tendencies in the future. I'm all in favor of having 3 of your adventures in every issue of the magazine, but if that's simply not possible, I think an occasional forray by Mr. Pett (quasi-English charm or no) is a good alternative. Rest assured, I'll be shouting for your works to be published for the forseeable future.
As a side note, one of my parents is from Britain, but I was born and raised here in the beautiful Northern Virginia & D.C. metro area. Delightful place to live, albeit a bit crowded.
Keep on writing. Paizo, please pay this man and print his stuff IMMEDIATELY.
OK, in addition to Vaughan's 3-part adventure, I'll put a shout out for a 3-part adventure by Richard Pett also (preferably set in Greyhawk, Mr. Pett). Mr. Pett writes great stuff. Please pay him and print his stuff promptly.Stay strong, Mr. Stewart. Don't let Pett's jolly-good, old-English charm fool you. He's a jackal I tell you. And really, what other country would add a whole extra syllable to their name just to do a chant (well okay, granted France probably would, but at least they wouldn't enunciate it).
So once again, avoid that phony-balony British affectation Pett keeps throwing out. It's all hocus pocus anyway...unless of course, you too are British, which looking further down the thread at your posts I suddenly realize you might be, in which case it's probably best that you just disregard everything I've said.
USA! USA! What do you mean they're done? Oh...nevermind. Viva Brasil!
Oh, and PS. Somebody has seriously got to stop Nick Logue. At this rate, in ten years anything written by anyone will have actually been written by him.
Sigh...
Sigh...OK, in addition to Vaughan's 3-part adventure, I'll put a shout out for a 3-part adventure by Richard Pett also (preferably set in Greyhawk, Mr. Pett). Mr. Pett writes great stuff. Please pay him and print his stuff promptly.Stay strong, Mr. Stewart. Don't let Pett's jolly-good, old-English charm fool you. He's a jackal I tell you. And really, what other country would add a whole extra syllable to their name just to do a chant (well okay, granted France probably would, but at least they wouldn't enunciate it).
So once again, avoid that phony-balony British affectation Pett keeps throwing out. It's all hocus pocus anyway...unless of course, you too are British, which looking further down the thread at your posts I suddenly realize you might be, in which case it's probably best that you just disregard everything I've said.
USA! USA! What do you mean they're done? Oh...nevermind. Viva Brasil!
Oh, and PS. Somebody has seriously got to stop Nick Logue. At this rate, in ten years anything written by anyone will have actually been written by him.
Don't worry Mr. Pett. When issue #138 arrives, everyone will be charging a glass to your name.
Go England.
Oh, and PS. Somebody has seriously got to stop Nick Logue. At this rate, in ten years anything written by anyone will have actually been written by him.
Wait until I break the space time continuum...then eveything written in the last ten years will also actually have been written by me!!!
"The Styes is one of my favorite adventures of all time. Man, that Nick Logue can sure write creepy atmospheric horror. That Istivin campaign arc was awesome too. Where does Nick find the time?"
MMUUUUUHAHAHAHHAHAHAAAA! The Young Master Strikes Again!
Hey, I am all for 3 adventure arcs. I really am. I don't like Eberron and I even enjoyed that three adventure arc for the consistency (is that spelled right? LOL). My biggest request is that someone finally break down and write an epic Shackled City 3 adventure arc.
I think that would be great. Awesome. Spectacular.
-Neomorte
AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
(Quietly dispatches thugs to Hawai'i with poisoned schoolbox lunches that have pictures of ninja turtles on them. Eat your heart out, Logue....heh, heh)
Damn you! You know my weaknesses so well (ninja turtles...can't re...sist...). My plans are foiled again!!! Thank the gods for clone. Now I have to make up a whole level. Thanks a lot Vaughan! :-(
AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
(Quietly dispatches thugs to Hawai'i with poisoned schoolbox lunches that have pictures of ninja turtles on them. Eat your heart out, Logue....heh, heh)
You best watch it, I hear Nick knows people in Detroit.
GGG
Automakers don't scare me.You best watch it, I hear Nick knows people in Detroit.
GGG
That's it! GGG, go motown on his buttocks!!! I guess you didn't know who you were fraggin with Mr. V.!!! Now you gone and done it...woke up the other Young Master...the Motown Master!!! You shouldn't oughta done that.
Dude you dont have to play the APs as they come out, I am running the age of worms, my group has just started the the seconed part.
the group I DM for get together once a week for about 4 hours and they could care less if its 3 parts or 12 parts all they care for is that it is interesting
I have to chime in here and say as a DM I love the AP's, but often enough, I don't want to run an entire AP. A 3 adventure arc is great. It gives more continuity than one-offs.
That said, I'm in the process of trying to write a couple 3 adventure arcs, hopefully for submittal to Dungeon, but if not, for free posting on the web. I plan on writing them for Eberron, but am going to keep in mind the generic setting. Everything can be changed from the generic to the specific. Not everything can be changed from specific to generic.
Automakers don't scare me.You best watch it, I hear Nick knows people in Detroit.
GGG
I said Detroit, not South Korea.
GGG
Automakers don't scare me.You best watch it, I hear Nick knows people in Detroit.
GGG
I said Detroit, not South Korea.
GGG
...
BWAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH!!!
Is this thread still in English? It just sounds like gobbledygook to me...
I posted a message about this same topic some time ago... You can find it here;
http://paizo.com/dungeon/messageboards/generalDiscussion/archives/inFutureA dventurePaths&page=1#65034