Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: bazookajoe on September 10, 2018, 01:46:47 AM

Title: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on September 10, 2018, 01:46:47 AM
I posted here a few months ago about my efforts to adapt D&D 5e rules into a solo or maybe cooperative dungeon crawl game with a randomly generated dungeon adventure.  After a break doing some other activities, I returned to the project recently and began tinkering with some new ideas.  For instance, each random dungeon now has three possible objectives for the party; 1. transit/escape the dungeon, 2. recover an object or rescue a prisoner, or 3. kill the dungeon boss.   In other words, the same party can go through the adventure several times with different missions.  Today I played through a transit adventure using a goblin lair dungeon.

The party consisted of a half-orc fighter, a half orc war cleric, a dwarf barbarian (a slayer with clothes) and a human rogue.  I like half-orcs and I made characters based on some of my favorite fantasy adventurer figures. 

Today, the transit objective was for the party to enter to dungeon on one table edge and then exit it via another table edge.  If the random dungeon, with a new portion placed as the party advanced, did not turn out like that then the mission would be failed.  One could imagine that this group of near-do-wells had misbehaved in a nearby town and was fleeing a posse of guards when they ducked into a dungeon entrance to avoid capture.  They stumbled right into the barrack of a goblin raiding party and waded into combat.  The dwarf flew into a rage and felled three goblins, including the leader.   As the party continued through the underground complex, they did battle with a rust monster in a refuse dump, simultaneously contended with a trap and a small goblin patrol, and accidentally rescued a local farmer being held prisoner by the goblins. Ultimately, the party found a way out of the dungeon and avoided the town guards who had been pursuing them.  In game terms, the dungeon transit was a success. 





Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Elk101 on September 10, 2018, 05:40:26 AM
Nice set up. I like the idea of the random development of the dungeon.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: steders on September 10, 2018, 06:46:52 AM
Looks great. You should look up 'Four against darkness'. It basically does what you have pulled together. random dungeon build, wandering monsters and a specific end point.
I bought it about a week ago just out of interest. £10 on amazon
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Tungdil on September 10, 2018, 07:20:23 AM
I like your dungeon very much. Great paintjob for your miniatures. They are all from Otherworld?
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Daniel36 on September 10, 2018, 10:33:59 AM
Awesome! Though, with such wonderfully old school models, I'd say playing something like Labyrinth Lord would fit better, and the afore mentioned Four Against Darkness also sounds like a great fit.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on September 11, 2018, 01:42:47 AM
Thanks for the nice comments.  Most of the figures are Otherworld (Half-orc cleric, human rogue/assassin and all the goblins).  The Half-orc fighter with the big sword and the mask is from Dragon Bait Miniatures. The Dwarf barbarian/slayer is from Wizkids with a replacement axe from GW (his original axe was really underwhelming).   The Rust Monster, the doors and the table/stools are also Wizkids - their new line has great dungeon furnishings. Oh, the small pile of bones in the goblin barracks is from Toad King Castings.  I forget where I got the rubble piles as it was a few years back - each pack came with one large, one medium and one small pile.

I had heard about "Four Against Darkness" and read a little about it as I was developing this project though I have yet to get the actual rules.  Another inspiration was "Song of Gold and Darkness" and a few other homebrew rules and supplements found throughout the internet.  I am working on two other random dungeon adventures which gradually progress in difficulty; one is undead themed and the other involves orcs and ogres.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Elbows on September 11, 2018, 04:21:08 AM
Really good looking set-up!  I wince at the thought of even glancing in the direction of my now-fifteen-year old dungeon crawl project.  "Some day" (he whispers)
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on September 11, 2018, 05:09:10 AM
Elbows, you have some fantastic looking dungeon dwellers on your website.  I think you are not that far off making it happen.  The terrain is easy to build.  You don't need the expensive pre-made stuff but some pink foam core, sharp knife, ruler, hot-glue gun and paint.  There is also some fantastic and not too costly dungeon decor available such as Mantic's Terrain Crate and Wizkids and these are very easy to paint.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Tungdil on September 11, 2018, 07:05:12 AM
Thanks for the answer Joe.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Pendrake on September 11, 2018, 07:18:56 AM
(http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=111869.0;attach=85482;image)
I am a big fan of this terrain. I really like the way the walls are done. I do have one question: are the walls permanently attached to the edges of each room or are they loose and freestanding?
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on September 12, 2018, 01:27:45 AM
Each terrain piece consists of permanently attached walls and floor.   During a game, I decide which exit the party is using and then I randomly determine the new terrain piece that they move into.  Here is a picture of three individual terrain pieces:
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Pendrake on September 13, 2018, 06:43:45 AM
If ever I build dungeon crawl terrain I will build it like this. Is the foam 3/4 inch thick or 1 inch thick?  Or is it two different thicknesses?

Do the squares on the floor match the D&D, WotC, Wizkidz* playmats? 1x1 inch or 25mm x 25mm. (5 foot squares in D&D™️ terms.)


(*I have forgotten which company markets Dungeons and Dragons...)
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Dentatus on September 13, 2018, 05:44:13 PM
Did something similar with 1" foam and faux-stone floor tiles. Whole thing cost me $50 and a weekend's worth of elbow grease.

(https://stalker7.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/dscf3172.jpg?w=840)

(https://stalker7.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/dscf3173.jpg?w=678&h=493)

(https://stalker7.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/dscf3231.jpg?w=840)

(https://stalker7.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/dscf3185.jpg?w=840)
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Tungdil on September 13, 2018, 06:21:34 PM
Stunning dungeon.  :o I'm jealous.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on September 14, 2018, 01:23:37 AM
Thanks Pendrake, I used 1 inch thick pink foam core sheets from "Home Depot."  I wanted something sturdy and that I could cut into.  The grid uses 1x1 inch squares so, yes, they are in line with the D&D grid.  A character with a 30 foot movement can move six of those "5x5" foot squares in a turn.

Dentatus, that dungeon is spectacular.  I saw pictures of it on another post.  I might have gone the same route had I seen your dungeon earlier.    I was influenced by the pictures here:

http://oldscratch.smackwell.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1200894000

Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on September 14, 2018, 01:53:49 AM
I played another solo scenario called "kill the boss" in which the party has been hired by local farmers to eliminate the goblin menace from the dungeon complex.  The adventurers have to find and kill the leader of the goblins (there are several possibilities for who it might be). Trouble started immediately upon entering the dungeon when the party was attacked by giant spiders.  Then the adventurers had to contend with a dangerous trap which almost killed the half-orc fighter.  There were random encounters with wargs and another spider, and the rogue almost met his end failing to disarm a trapped door.  With some luck, the party eventually stumbled into the goblin chieftain's lair and fought a major battle with him and his minions including a large bugbear.  After all the enemies were slain, a chest was discovered but the hoard inside was somewhat disappointing as was the subsequent reward from the farmers. 

Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Dentatus on September 14, 2018, 06:09:26 PM
I think those modular tiles are perfect and I really like the pjs on those figs. The whole project has that wonderful retro feel.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on September 15, 2018, 03:33:59 AM
Thanks, I am much more into figure painting than terrain making but one needs a dungeon for a dungeon crawl.  Also, the retro feel is no accident as I first played D&D and AD&D back in 1979/80 when I was in junior high; "Keep on the Borderlands," "Village of Homlet," etc etc.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 06, 2018, 09:47:33 PM
The party continued their adventures with an expedition into the "Tomb of the Undead."

The inhabitants of a normally peaceful market village claim to have seen deceased friends and relatives walking the streets after dark.  With the community in a state of near panic, the mayor has turned to a group of itinerant adventurers who recently cleared some neighbouring farmland of goblin raiders.    The party has been directed to investigate a nearby ancient crypt complex which is still used by the community and is rumoured to be at the centre of the disturbance.  Some villagers tell of hearing strange noises emanating from the crypt entrance at night and they fear some malevolent force has taken residence inside. 

In this mission, the party has been hired to recover an ancient sacred object that was hidden somewhere in the troubled crypt complex years ago but the location of which is now forgotten.  The villagers hope to use the powers of the sacred object in their struggle against the undead.  The adventurers descend a dark stone stairway into part of the dungeon.  They hack their way through a room occupied by a horde of zombies and another inhabited by skeleton warriors.  At one point it seems that they have found an ancient treasure chest which turns out to be a predatory mimic with a huge and long tongue.  After entering a large chamber where a ghoul and a ghast are destroyed, the party finally finds the hidden object and returns to the surface to collect the reward.

Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 09, 2018, 11:12:38 PM
The party once again explores the ancient tomb complex in an effort to eliminate the source of the undead plague.  Cautiously stepping down an old spiral stairway, they are immediately set upon by a horrific and dangerous wight which is dispatched after more than a few swings of axe and sword.  The party then enters a large room which turns out to be home to a horde of ravenous zombies led by two more menacing wights. Badly outnumbered, the adventurers withdraw back toward the staircase allowing the pursuing undead to become funneled in the narrow passage.   The undead creatures are gradually cut down but in the process the party is so mauled that it has to return to the surface to recover. 
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 09, 2018, 11:16:18 PM
Almost forgot the pictures:
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 09, 2018, 11:45:47 PM
The next day the now rested party returned to the tomb.  They encountered a couple of pathetic zombies at the base of the stairs and easily destroyed the wretches. After eliminating a wandering ghoul, the adventurers burst into a large room filled with skeleton warriors and an epic fight ensued.  Once the skeletons were turned into heaps of bone and dust, the party ventured deeper into the complex where they found the headquarters of an evil anti-paladin with his undead entourage.  Here was the source of the infestation!  In the subsequent battle the diabolical knight hit very hard and almost killed several party members but he missed a few attacks allowing the half-orc fighter to cut him down with two lucky critical hits in a row.  The party collected a respectable amount of treasure and returned to the nearby village to collect their reward.

Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Treebeard on December 11, 2018, 02:50:08 PM
Nice project. Looks like you are having a lot of fun.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Ozreth on December 11, 2018, 08:18:15 PM
Did something similar with 1" foam and faux-stone floor tiles. Whole thing cost me $50 and a weekend's worth of elbow grease.

Wow, is there a post dedicated to what you did here? Looks simple enough but some tips and tricks would help.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 12, 2018, 03:51:59 AM
Yes, it is fun though I find that I have to be in a certain frame of mind to play it.  The dungeon terrain pieces are made out of the pink foam insulation stuff that you get at "Home Depot."  I cut a grid pattern on the floor and then use a hot glue gun to attach all the little blocks for the walls.  Then paint it with cheap craft paint - black base and then use a sponge to dab on grey.  The miniatures are from a variety of manufacturers but mostly Otherworld.  Someone asked about the Dwarf barbarian which is a Wizkids Nolzur's mini with a new axe and backpack.  I wanted to have a "slayer" type of Dwarf but not a naked one with a three foot tall mohawk as in GW etc.

For game play, the basic idea is to use 5e D&D rules as the basis for a solo (or perhaps cooperative game at some point) miniature dungeon crawl game.  That covers combat, character advancement, random treasure etc.  I created a basic game mechanic of rolling for random dungeon terrain pieces that the party enters as they explore. I also wrote three simple adventure modules each with a specific theme (Goblin lair, undead tomb, Orc stronghold) with tables for room encounters, wandering monsters, appropriate room features (dungeon furniture) etc.  Of course, the tables reflect the minis in my collection so I add to them as I get new ones.  I am tweaking the system as I play games but so far it seems pretty good.  The new thing I tried with these last two sessions was with the party entering the dungeon from the middle of the game table using a stairs (thanks Zealot Minis).  The idea is they are descending down into the dungeon.  Before, I had the party enter the dungeon from the table edge as if walking straight into a cave.   Another thing I tried a few months ago was having 5 characters in the party but it turned out too easy.  4 seems best. 
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: barbaric splendor on December 12, 2018, 05:38:06 AM
Inspiring thread - love the images and ideas!
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 13, 2018, 01:08:16 AM
Someone asked me to post pictures of the Dwarf barbarian showing him from various angles.  I had some technical problems but my computer is now cooperating so here they are:



Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Grimmnar on December 14, 2018, 06:56:49 AM
Someone asked me to post pictures of the Dwarf barbarian showing him from various angles.  I had some technical problems but my computer is now cooperating so here they are:
Sure that person is appreciative, I know I am. :-)

Grimm
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 15, 2018, 01:18:44 AM
There is another Dwarf barbarian in the same pack.  I think he is supposed to be a higher level version of this guy with some armor and a spiked shield.  I plan to give him a similar weapon upgrade and backpack.

Also, I just picked up the latest Nolzur's Dwarf barbarian set and they look pretty good.  One guy has a horned helmet and a two-handed axe. While I am not a big fan of some of the Nolzur's character figures, I like their dwarves.  Good balance of stockiness with actual legs.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Grimmnar on December 15, 2018, 08:40:14 AM
There is another Dwarf barbarian in the same pack.  I think he is supposed to be a higher level version of this guy with some armor and a spiked shield.  I plan to give him a similar weapon upgrade and backpack.
That is true. The character packs are the lesser and "greater" version of the same character.

Also, I just picked up the latest Nolzur's Dwarf barbarian set and they look pretty good.  One guy has a horned helmet and a two-handed axe. While I am not a big fan of some of the Nolzur's character figures, I like their dwarves.  Good balance of stockiness with actual legs.
With any line of mins it is hit or miss.
Yes, i own all the dwarves and most of the Halflings and Gnomes.
As for the rest of the characters hit and miss.
Love the creature packs, and cant beat the price. Beholders beware. :-)
JUst wish the new ones didn't jump to $14.99 each though, but still a good price for a couple of them.
Giant needs metter weapons.

Grimm
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 15, 2018, 05:28:55 PM
I really like the Nolzur's "dungeon decor" type of items such as tables, chairs, bookcases, treasure piles etc.  They are all fantastic and the price is great.  Also, the monsters are excellent.  I have the rust monsters, owlbear, umberhulk and a few others, and have my eye on the elementals.  The beholder is the best out there, I think, but I have not painted mine yet as it looks intimidating!  Just picked up the new Remoraz too.  My problem with a few of the character figures is that occasionally the faces lack detail and the bent weapons annoy me.  In general though, the range is wonderful providing a rare balance between mostly great quality and relatively low price.  I hope they keep bringing out new stuff.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 15, 2018, 08:59:38 PM
With their reputation increasing, the party is hired by a wealthy merchant to kill the chief of an orc tribe that has taken up residence in an ancient underground complex and to rescue his daughter who the orcs are holding for ransom.  The adventurers enter the dungeon and immediately eliminate a sleepy orc sentry and dismantle a crudely prepared trap.  They continue into what turns out to be the den of three dire wolves that the orcs keep as watch dogs.  The fighter jumps on a crate and begins slashing at the beasts with his two-handed sword and in short order the dire wolves are slain.   Walking down a long corridor, the mercenaries notice a concealed trap which the rogue easily disarms.  Then, they hear much laughing and shouting as a returning orc raiding party, fresh from terrorizing the surrounding farms, marches down the corridor followed by a huge ogre.  A fierce battle erupts and luckily for the party the narrowness of the tunnel means that the gang of orcs block the ogre from getting into combat until it is too late.  Prayers from the war priest restore the injured adventurers to full vigor and they continue to explore the orc lair.  To be continued...




Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 15, 2018, 09:19:28 PM
Healed up from their fight with the orc raiding party, the adventurers continue down the long corridor that ends at an abandoned ancient burial chamber that the orcs seem to avoid.  Backtracking, the party explores a side tunnel that leads directly into a large room that the orcs have turned into a temple.  As the barbarian, fighter and cleric cut into the orc worshipers, the rogue jumps over a pile of fallen rocks to engage the orc priest interrupting his attempts to cast a spell.  With no sign of the orc lord or the merchant's kidnapped daughter, the party continues into an adjacent chamber in which they discover a pair of hideous trolls who instantly attack.  The adventurers hack and slash at the trolls but their wounds seem to heal in an instant.  The trolls bite and craw furiously and for a few seconds it seems like the party has met its hate.  However, the rogue withdraws into the relative safety of the corridor and takes a few well aimed crossbow shots at the heads of the tall monsters doing considerable damage.  After the cleric calls fourth some divinely inspired flames to counter the regeneration, the monsters fall into a heap of charred green flesh.  Seriously injured and exhausted from battling the vicious trolls, the party suspends its search and retires from the dungeon to rest and recuperate.  They will try again later.




Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 19, 2018, 02:50:05 AM
Entering the dungeon from another opening, the party made a second attempt to locate and kill the orc chieftain and rescue the merchant's daughter.  Quickly running into some large and ferocious monsters, the adventurers barely escaped with their lives.  Hope of accomplishing their mission seems dim at the moment.

Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: waitwhat on December 19, 2018, 07:04:34 AM
Compelling stuff. I'm getting quite worried about the merchant's daughter  :?
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: Ethelred the Almost Ready on December 19, 2018, 06:48:31 PM
Compelling stuff. I'm getting quite worried about the merchant's daughter  :?

She has learned a thing or two from her father and has opened up a shop selling gourmet food and wine to the denizens of the dungeon.

I have been following this adventure with interest.  Looking forward to the next installment.
Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 21, 2018, 04:53:07 AM
The frustrated party made a final push to try to accomplish its mission of killing the orc chief and rescuing the merchant's daughter.  Entering yet another section of the dungeon, the adventurers immediately noticed a spear trap easily disarmed by the rogue.  A few yards more down the dark passage resulted in a brief but bloody encounter with two orcs conducting a routine patrol.  Their severed heads were left on the stone floor.  The party then turned left into a medium-sized room which they discovered was being used by nine orcs as a barracks.  Although the orcs had the advantage of numbers, the party killed them all but was left badly bruised and bloodied in the process.  With some quick heading from the war priest, they pressed on through a door only to run right into a pair of huge ogres who were slain after a fierce melee.  The priest's prayers were almost exhausted but they pressed on into a long dim corridor.  Suddenly, the adventurers entered a large room in the center of which was a long table and a large wooden throne flanked by a huge orc warlord and his pack of hungry dire wolves and a few orc bodyguards.  In the corner stood a forlorn-looking young woman wearing a dirty white dress and bound with chains.  There was a huge battle which ended with the rogue putting a crossbow bolt between the eyes of the massive orc leader.  Collecting the chief's treasure, the party returned to the village with the liberated prisoner and received a bag of gold as a reward from the grateful merchant.  Thus ends the tale of the raid on the orc stronghold.

Title: Re: Solo Dungeon Crawl
Post by: bazookajoe on December 21, 2018, 04:58:20 AM
And here is the whole dungeon for that session. 

Now I have to come up with a higher level adventure for these guys!  Hmmm, I wonder where I put my mind-flayer miniature?