Across the Thunder River

[Neraeos]

Hi folks,

I'm about to start my first full Conan campaign, doing a solo run of the three adventures in "Across the Thunder River". We have lots of d&d experience, but not so much Conan d20 experience. We ran through the Hanuman adventure awhile back, to learn the mechanics, so we hope it should be okay.

For those of you that have played these pict adventures, or who have otherwise tried doing a solo adventure there, do you have any suggestions to make it more balanced, and/or suggestions to make it as fun as possible?

Cheers,
Neraeos

 

[Hervé]

Rules for Solo and Dual play appeared in an old paper issue of Signs & Portents. They were reprinted in the Conan Compendium.

 

[Clovenhoof]

IIRC, the most important rule option is that the soloing character gets 2 free ranks in every skill at first level. That way he'll never be completely stumped.

 

[Style]

do you have any suggestions to make it more balanced, and/or suggestions to make it as fun as possible?

I've found that what makes the game as fun as possible is when you post a full campaign report on this site after each session. :wink:

 

[flatscan]

do you have any suggestions to make it more balanced, and/or suggestions to make it as fun as possible?

I've found that what makes the game as fun as possible is when you post a full campaign report on this site after each session. :wink:

Heh, I posted 26,000+ words from my campaign not too long ago and while it's gotten a few views it hasn't received any comment.

 

[Neraeos]

I'll be sure to post if I can!

Edit: Actually, what I could really use is some help with developing the character. I have that copy of Signs and Portents, but running the solo is significantly more difficult than a 4-person group. We ran a very powered-up solo character in the introductory Pict adventure, though the character died fairly quite gruesomely in the Pict encampment..

Would any of you recommend a certain kind of class/level combination for the Thunder River adventures? I was thinking of a westermarck borderer at least two levels higher than the recommended level (which level exactly I cannot recall at the moment). Having ranks in all skills as recommended in Signs and Portents will be extremely useful. However, I do worry about his combat capabilities. Perhaps some hunting dogs should be added?

 

[Style]

Heh, I posted 26,000+ words from my campaign not too long ago and while it's gotten a few views it hasn't received any comment.

Flatscan, I definitely noticed, and appreciate such efforts. I feel campaign reports are some of the best posts/threads on this site.

Having said that, I've been refraining from reading your post (and the module) until I read the Jordan novel, so I don't get any spoilers. I've read Jordan's first three, and Conan Triumphant is book 4. I'm on book 12 of the Aeneid (the last book), so maybe I'll read CT next. Then I can read your post (and comment on it).

 

[Neraeos]

Hmmm. Maybe he should start at 4th level?

 

[tarkhan bey]

Flatscan, I also intend to read your saga at some point but I have a 4 month old daughter who is suffering from Gastric Reflux. I just can't find the time for 26,000 words+ at the moment.

 

[flatscan]

@ Style: You don't have to worry about spoilers. The TSR adventure is vastly different than the Jordan book of the same name. I assume TSR did this to prevent players from exploiting details in the books. Basically, characters share names from the book to the adventure but their motivations and situations for the major players is completely different. :wink:

@ tarkhan bey: Sorry to hear about your baby gal's trouble. One of my players became a daddy earlier this month and is dealing with a similar situation.

 

[Style]

@ Style: You don't have to worry about spoilers. The TSR adventure is vastly different than the Jordan book of the same name. I assume TSR did this to prevent players from exploiting details in the books. Basically, characters share names from the book to the adventure but their motivations and situations for the major players is completely different. :wink:

I'm still going to read the novel first. I will push it to the top my list though!