N2: The Forest Oracle: Difference between revisions
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The modules many problems include a general lack of editing that results in blatant errors like 3rd level NPCs that have HD as though they were 2nd level, HP as if they were 1st level and are said to attack with weapons they don't have. Orcs capture people only to give them axes before ignoring them. Nymphs beg the player to lift the curse of sleep on her lover, which can be done simply by shaking the man awake. Dungeons are straight lines. A former thief inkeeper doesn't that realize wererats are robbing his customers by using Sleep spells they have no way to actually cast. The module text takes more time describing absent things than actual details, like how fireplaces have no secret passages and the bandits, who are not soldiers, are neither running nor going slowly, nor are they joking or singing as though the author was paid by the word. The Druid? He asks the players to clear out a local group of goblins before he helps, yet why the high level caster or one of his mid-level guards didn't kill these goblins weeks ago is never explained. This is all caped off by some truly bizarre encounters like gypsies who demand the party rescue their Pegasus from an ogre that inexplicably has a golem under his command and will mind control the PCs with high level magic if they refuse. | The modules many problems include a general lack of editing that results in blatant errors like 3rd level NPCs that have HD as though they were 2nd level, HP as if they were 1st level and are said to attack with weapons they don't have. Orcs capture people only to give them axes before ignoring them. Nymphs beg the player to lift the curse of sleep on her lover, which can be done simply by shaking the man awake. Dungeons are straight lines. A former thief inkeeper doesn't that realize wererats are robbing his customers by using Sleep spells they have no way to actually cast. The module text takes more time describing absent things than actual details, like how fireplaces have no secret passages and the bandits, who are not soldiers, are neither running nor going slowly, nor are they joking or singing as though the author was paid by the word. The Druid? He asks the players to clear out a local group of goblins before he helps, yet why the high level caster or one of his mid-level guards didn't kill these goblins weeks ago is never explained. This is all caped off by some truly bizarre encounters like gypsies who demand the party rescue their Pegasus from an ogre that inexplicably has a golem under his command and will mind control the PCs with high level magic if they refuse. | ||
For these reasons and many, many more The Forest Oracle is widely regarded as one of, if not the, worst modules produced. For prospective on how bad that is the other contender for "worst module ever" is the Avatar Trilogy, which has no gameplay except random encounters and impossible fights against deities, is only ''sometimes'' considered worse than The Forest Oracle. One thing often said in its defense is that this amateur-hour horseshit is often unintentionally hilarious, like a "good" B-movie you can laugh at. | For these reasons and many, many more The Forest Oracle is widely regarded as one of, if not the, worst modules produced. For prospective on how bad that is the other contender for "worst module ever" is the Avatar Trilogy, which has no gameplay except random encounters and impossible fights against deities, and that is only ''sometimes'' considered worse than The Forest Oracle. One thing often said in its defense is that this amateur-hour horseshit is often unintentionally hilarious, like a "good" B-movie you can laugh at. | ||
[[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Category: Modules]] | [[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]] [[Category: Modules]] | ||
Revision as of 20:34, 28 December 2016
The Forest Oracle (module code: N2) is a Dungeons & Dragons module created by Carl Smith in 1984 as the second module in the "novice" series intended for newcomers. In this module the player characters have to travel to a great and wise Druid to ask his help in freeing the lands of the Downs from a curse.
That sounds like an awesome and fun adventure for a new group doesn't it? Unfortunately The Forest Oracle is shit. Everything about it sucks.
The modules many problems include a general lack of editing that results in blatant errors like 3rd level NPCs that have HD as though they were 2nd level, HP as if they were 1st level and are said to attack with weapons they don't have. Orcs capture people only to give them axes before ignoring them. Nymphs beg the player to lift the curse of sleep on her lover, which can be done simply by shaking the man awake. Dungeons are straight lines. A former thief inkeeper doesn't that realize wererats are robbing his customers by using Sleep spells they have no way to actually cast. The module text takes more time describing absent things than actual details, like how fireplaces have no secret passages and the bandits, who are not soldiers, are neither running nor going slowly, nor are they joking or singing as though the author was paid by the word. The Druid? He asks the players to clear out a local group of goblins before he helps, yet why the high level caster or one of his mid-level guards didn't kill these goblins weeks ago is never explained. This is all caped off by some truly bizarre encounters like gypsies who demand the party rescue their Pegasus from an ogre that inexplicably has a golem under his command and will mind control the PCs with high level magic if they refuse.
For these reasons and many, many more The Forest Oracle is widely regarded as one of, if not the, worst modules produced. For prospective on how bad that is the other contender for "worst module ever" is the Avatar Trilogy, which has no gameplay except random encounters and impossible fights against deities, and that is only sometimes considered worse than The Forest Oracle. One thing often said in its defense is that this amateur-hour horseshit is often unintentionally hilarious, like a "good" B-movie you can laugh at.