Random Gnoll Pack Names Table

Following on from yesterday’s post with a table for Orc & Goblin Tribe Names, here is a table for generating some Gnoll Pack names.

Gnoll Pack Name Generator (PDF)

Random Orc & Goblin Tribe Names Table

Realized I had never made up a table for generating tribal names for orcs or goblins. I always gave them bland names like “The Orcs of the Western Hills” or something.

This table should give them some more flavor.

Orc & Goblin Tribe Name Generator (PDF)

Der Dungeon: Dungeon Key & GM Intro

After I finished the dungeon key, I once made an attempt to make an “introduction page” for a GM. Have reproduced this below the link to the dungeon key PDF file. This includes the rumor list.

DerDungeon – Map Key & Monster Stat Blocks (PDF) (statted for Labyrinth Lord clone of Moldvay Basic D&D 1981)

The “Treasure Map handout” referenced can be found IN THIS POST.

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REVISED Der Dungeon

(Created by S. Hart 2010-2012)

GM BACKGROUND

Centuries ago, a sinister group excavated an underground outpost to use as a staging ground for their planned assault on the surrounding lands. The group suddenly vanished under mysterious circumstances before being able to carry out their plans.
The forgotten outpost was later discovered by the followers of a minor deity of peace and healing, who turned it into a refuge during a time when chaos swept the land. In time, the followers and their deity were forgotten by the folk of the region, and it seems their religion died out.
In recent years, various bands of humanoids and other monstrous creatures moved into the dungeon. Even more recently, an evil force has come up from forgotten levels BELOW and defiled the hidden temple of the forgotten deity.

PC BACKGROUND

The existence of the ruined outpost is known to the nearest settlement, but its nature is shrouded in rumors. The following rumors might be heard if the PCs spend time gathering information. If a random determination is desired, just roll 1d10 and use that numbered rumor.

1. The ruins were once the base of an evil cult.
2. Recently, a shepherd reported spotting small figures moving about the ruins by the light of a full moon.
3. A mad wizard lives beneath the ruins.
4. The last group that set out for the ruins never returned.
5. There is supposedly a map showing the way to a great treasure under the ruins.
6. The ruins are the lair of powerful undead.
7. A seer once spoke of a powerful source of good trapped within the ruins.
8. There is a magical fountain within the ruins.
9. Anyone who sleeps within the ruins will suffer a curse.
10. A drunken farmer once entered the ruins and claimed to have seen a woman with glowing blue eyes.

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

Unless otherwise noted, all rooms and corridors are of finished stone, and have 10′ high ceilings. DOORS are of thick aged wood and are STUCK as per normal rules, requiring an OPEN DOORS roll to force open when first encountered. TRAPS are old and will often fail to trigger as per normal rules (each instance of contacting or activating the trigger has a 2-in-6 chance of triggering the trap).

OTHER NOTES

Page #s after monster entries and spell effects are to the Labyrinth Lord rulebook. AEC indicates page# of Advanced Edition Companion book.
Use of the MONSTER REACTION TABLE (p.52) and MORALE CHECKS (p.56) are highly encouraged.
WANDERING MONSTERS (p.125) are present, and the standard checks every 2 turns (1-in-6 chance of wandering encounter) should be made. If PCs create a lot of noise, additional checks may be warranted. Each level of the dungeon has its own Wandering Monster Chart listed.

Day 7: Favorite Edition [30-day challenge]

This is the last day for which I know I have a clear answer. The rest may require more thinking…

Favorite Edition of D&D?

I guess it would be the one I started with.

Moldvay Basic / Cook Expert

It was written in just the right way to make it easy for somebody to learn to play D&D on their own, without having to have a more experienced gamer to teach them.

It covers character levels 1 to 14, which takes you from ex-farmboy to land-ruling baron or wizard-lord. Honestly, what % of D&D players ever get beyond that range? I never grew a starting 1st level PC past 6th level or so; just never had a campaign last longer than that.

It gives you enough tools and advice to make your own world of adventures.

All in a pair of 64-page books. (Although having the modules B2 and X1 as examples of a dungeon and a wilderness were a great help also.)

I guess I’d have to toss in Labyrinth Lord as a sort of accessory to B/X, as it is a retroclone of that version. Until WotC wised up and put up PDFs of the rulebooks on RPGNow, that was as close as you could come without having the books from way back.

Dungeon Map: Castle Cellars B&W version

Don’t like the “Old School blue” version?

Here is a straight B&W version:

Want to randomly figure out what monsters inhabit the dungeon?

Try my Level One Monster Stocking Tables for Labyrinth Lord and AEC.