What Adventure should I use?

[plotulus]

I'm about to start Darkening of Mirkwood soon, and I'm a bit perplexed about what the Adventure of 2946 should be. I really don't want to skip 2946, so could someone help me? I'm trying to keep somewhat in theme with the campaign, if that helps.

[Kurt]

Hi Plotulus,

There is a good discussion here about published adventures in chronological order.

Cheers,
Kurt

[zedturtle]

I would suggest either Kinstrife and Dark Tidings (if you haven't already done this), or Words of the Wise (if you have it). Either one can set up Darkening nicely.

Strangely enough, I would not suggest Theft of the Moon... it introduces a conflict (the Viglundings) that gets only limited play in Darkening and might get the players distracted too easily.

[Majestic]

Though it can be dangerous (if the PCs insist on fighting the Marsh-dwellers, rather than retreating), the adventure in the rulebook ("The Marsh-Bell") is a solid starting choice as well.

Another good idea might be to actually play out the 'backstory' portion at the beginning of "Words of the Wise", if one has it, fleshing things out and really bringing that portion to life for the PCs. That's what I would do if I started all over.

Welcome to the site, plotulus.

[uhu79]

Hi Plotulus,

There is a good discussion here about published adventures in chronological order.

Cheers,
Kurt

Thanks a ton for pointing to that thread! I was about to ask the same question. Extremely helpful stuff there.
cUhu

[Earendil]

All the above suggestions are good. If your players' characters will be starting in Lake-Town, I'd also suggest "Don't Leave the Path" from Tales From WIlderland, as it can work well as a way to introduce them to the Woodmen.

You could also run "The Marsh-Bell" before it (in which case you might want to set "Don't Leave the Path" in 2947, but there's no problem having 2 adventures in a year; in fact that's what i usually have) and/or "Words of the Wise" after it.

I'll disagree slightly with zedturtle; his scenario "The Theft of the Moon" is an excellent introductory one IMO, and I think starting The Darkening of Mirkwood with it would be fine. Sure, it might result in the Viglundings becoming a bigger part of your campaign, but I don't see that as a problem. (But I haven't actually run that scenario or Darkening yet, so don't rely too much on what I say!)

[Majestic]

Yeah, "Don't Leave the Path" is another excellent early one. If you do end up playing through "Tales from Wilderland", I'd recommend doing what others here have recommended (and which I missed when I ran mine): introducing the Lady Irimë (from "Those Who Tarry No Longer", later in Tales) at an earlier stage, in one of your early adventures (perhaps if the adventurers ever visit the Realm of the Wood Elves). That will make it so it makes more sense when she puts her faith in these strangers (the adventurers) later on.

Another point about zedturtle's adventure: even if you don't use it right away, it gives outstanding tools to help a beginning LM figure out the rules and systems of the game. So it's still well worth taking a look at as you begin.

[uhu79]

Thanks for the additional hints and help guys! I still have some time to make up my mind, so I will read also some fan-made stuff like the one from zedturtle.

I've already run The Marsh Bell once in full (3 sessions á 3 hours each, online) and will do so again with another group soon

[Earendil]

YIf you do end up playing through "Tales from Wilderland", I'd recommend doing what others here have recommended (and which I missed when I ran mine): introducing the Lady Irimë (from "Those Who Tarry No Longer", later in Tales) at an earlier stage, in one of your early adventures (perhaps if the adventurers ever visit the Realm of the Wood Elves). That will make it so it makes more sense when she puts her faith in these strangers (the adventurers) later on.

Oh yes, I agree completely. I did that in my game having read the advice on this forum, and it was a great idea.

At the end of "Those Who Tarry" I also had the heroes invited to accompany her to Rivendell, because by then I had that book and frankly, having them invited both to show gratitude for what they'd done and so Elrond could question them about their experiences made much more sense than what's written; "Thanks for all your help and facing all that danger, now we're off to Rivendell, you can bugger off home!"

I know the Rivendell book was only published after that adventure, so it's understandable that the adventure doesn't result in them going there. But it really does make much more sense (to me, anyway) if they do, at least if they succeed, and possibly even if they fail.

[zedturtle]

I'll disagree slightly with zedturtle; his scenario "The Theft of the Moon" is an excellent introductory one IMO, and I think starting The Darkening of Mirkwood with it would be fine. Sure, it might result in the Viglundings becoming a bigger part of your campaign, but I don't see that as a problem. (But I haven't actually run that scenario or Darkening yet, so don't rely too much on what I say!)

Another point about zedturtle's adventure: even if you don't use it right away, it gives outstanding tools to help a beginning LM figure out the rules and systems of the game. So it's still well worth taking a look at as you begin.

Thanks guys... it was (mostly) modesty that kept me from recommending it... I have a tendency to spam it, and it's not always the right answer.