D&D Adventure Design: Orc Lair

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  • Опубліковано 21 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 135

  • @mattjackson
    @mattjackson 3 роки тому +40

    Excellent discussion on the difference between the editions and the “rant”was spot on, I feel too often people look at these older games only through the lens of their modern perception. Excellent video, thoroughly enjoyed it!
    I’ve been away from the Audio Dungeon Discord for a while, guess I need to head back to the dungeon!

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +4

      Thanks! Yes, some inspiring discussions over there.

  • @Chris-bd6ll
    @Chris-bd6ll 3 роки тому +18

    Your "context" rant was pure gold. It really does matter.

  • @nonenothing8783
    @nonenothing8783 3 роки тому +93

    The correct response to "That encounter isn't balanced" is, "Then don't fight it". In fact, you shouldn't fight balanced encounters either. You should only fight if you know you can win.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +16

      Yes indeed!

    • @mollymillions6586
      @mollymillions6586 3 роки тому +25

      (grognard rant) - modern tabletop often trains players to think they're at an amusement park where everything is teed up for exactly the party's CR. 3e was a great system but it taught me to GM this way and it took a long time to break out of that mode of thinking.

    • @tiagomonteiro6470
      @tiagomonteiro6470 3 роки тому +10

      As a "saturated 5e player recently tainted by old wisdom written down by Basic and Expert scholars" I agree with you xD

    • @deathbare5306
      @deathbare5306 3 роки тому +3

      However with that mindset, you’d never do anything but run and hide. If that’s the game you like, awesome, not my cup of tea.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +32

      @@deathbare5306 No, you run, make a plan to give you advantage and then fight. Charging into battle can be fun, but so can rolling a huge boulder down a hill crushing the large group and escaping. making hit and run attacks from horses with bows, setting traps, starting a stampede to wipe out the enemies marching across plains.. so many things can be down that does not involved direct melee with the enemy.

  • @TheK5K
    @TheK5K 3 роки тому +17

    The look of glee on your face when you rolled the Cursed Sword matched my own! Another great video.

  • @Slit518
    @Slit518 7 місяців тому +2

    I finished my game (Grognard) Saturday night, and the players just left off at what may be considered an Orc Lair. And then today, THIS video is recommended to me! Nice!
    I am going to watch the whole thing and see if it inspires me, which, I am sure it will!

  • @CaptCook999
    @CaptCook999 2 роки тому +8

    I like the idea of using the gems or jewelry as a "Standard" for the leaders of each group of Orcs. It would be quite humorous for some thief sneaking around listening to them argue about how "I have the blue stone! My rank is higher than your yellow stone! Do what I tell you.

  • @jasonconnerley
    @jasonconnerley 3 роки тому +17

    I love the map at the end and definitely want to see the battle with 300 orcs

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +15

      Thanks! Just played some OD&D tonight we rode 13 horsemen into a 50 goblin hoard and defeated them in 4 rounds, it was awesome

    • @jasonconnerley
      @jasonconnerley 3 роки тому +4

      @@BanditsKeep very cool, someday I’ll get into one of these games

  • @MisheardMetal
    @MisheardMetal 3 роки тому +15

    A den of *stinking* evil. Cover your nose, Boo, we will leave no crevice untouched!

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +3

      Some parties come in through the front door, some have to get in any way they can 😊

    • @chodenji
      @chodenji 3 роки тому +2

      Minsc would approve.

  • @timothylamont845
    @timothylamont845 2 роки тому +5

    I truly wish I had found your channel sooner LOL
    Your comments and rants are spot on! There would be so much less controversy if people simply READ THE BOOK instead of just looking at pictures. That is true no matter which version they are playing.
    As an additional note, your methodology and techniques are AWESOME no matter what type of system is being used. Thinking things through ahead of time leads to far better output.

  • @cameronorwin
    @cameronorwin 3 роки тому +13

    Great video Daniel. Thanks for getting back to the mega dungeon.
    I find myself disagreeing with so many of your points then loving the design that you come up with. It is a mystery.
    Can't wait for the next bit.

  • @agilemonk6305
    @agilemonk6305 7 місяців тому +2

    Daniel I continue to track down all your videos. And I truly love them sir. Well and massive KUDOS to you for you have done and continue to, for this wonderful hobby of ours. ❤🎉😊

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  7 місяців тому +2

      Thank you! I appreciate the kind words

  • @MrShadowbite
    @MrShadowbite Рік тому +1

    Dude! I love electrum too!

  • @CONTINGENCY_sys
    @CONTINGENCY_sys Рік тому

    Context matters. Know what the purpose of design was and its intended use, not just its this or that for sure. I agree with everything you've said here. Age does effect the community space and spaces evolved into needing different things. Each age products were created by design for certain needs. Those remain relevant, but by design are for the things they were needed and have their process. There isn't one edition, but many. Not one brand but many. Each designed for purpose and need of the spaces they are providing. There is range and relevance. Most that hit those spaces outside of the table have yet to explore spaces of design in their relevant design and purpose. Another great video, I'm watching them all.

    • @CONTINGENCY_sys
      @CONTINGENCY_sys Рік тому

      I run orcs in a range. I have their children as dangerous as goblins with mental and physical maturity at a young age. They are purposed in tribal structure. Survival of the fittest starts incredibly young. Babies are not usually babies for long like actual animals in the Earth world we live in. Seasonal growth like a goose or a chicken is a good comparison from chick to adult happens rapidly. I started before the current newer age of gamers. All orc genders are equally dangerous. They do not divide society, though roles can be assigned when orcs show specific traits that benefit the horde in some way specifically. Again, survival is orc biology and mental compass.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  Рік тому

      Thanks!

  • @JazzyJacksJokeShack
    @JazzyJacksJokeShack 3 роки тому +9

    For the next part, I am curious with
    1. What environmental hazards or traps youd put in here if any
    2. If you plan on adding anything unique to the dungeon that differentiates it from other orc lairs
    Overall, love the way you do videos, keep it up

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +5

      The environmental hazards will mostly be “murder holes” and the like - the orcs live here after all so put traps etc prob won’t work. I tend to make the baseline dungeon simple and add stuff based on the campaign I’m running. I’ve picked up way too many modules filled with fluff I’ll never use. Though it is fun to think up unique situations for these orcs!

    • @JazzyJacksJokeShack
      @JazzyJacksJokeShack 3 роки тому +2

      @@BanditsKeep that makes a lot of sense, lol

  • @andrewhaldenby4949
    @andrewhaldenby4949 3 роки тому +1

    Daniel, thank you so much. Your videos are a real education - just what I need. You think about the layout from the perspective of the monsters - that’s it!

  • @thomaslesperance6256
    @thomaslesperance6256 2 роки тому +1

    This is so awesome. I can’t wait to try this. You could do this a few times and have these lairs handy for the players to stumble upon in the wilderness even.

  • @Marcus-ki1en
    @Marcus-ki1en Рік тому +1

    Nice level of detail. Some thoughts: Females can fight as Goblins if cornered; could be some old or infirm members; with a full size group, how about a low level shaman to spice things up. For the loot, I love to sprinkle non monetary treasure - trade goods, bulk food items, weapons, etc looted from merchants or caravans on raiding expeditions.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  Рік тому

      Some good ideas, thanks. Though I never have females fight worse than males - I may have non combatants but that has nothing to do with gender - they are orcs, all adults can defend themselves.

    • @Marcus-ki1en
      @Marcus-ki1en Рік тому

      @@BanditsKeep I don't mean to come off as sexist. Only that females in many species are smaller than males and would do less damage in a fight. I do have them fight more viciously though especially when young are involved. Thanks for the topic.

    • @michaelwest4325
      @michaelwest4325 Рік тому +1

      My current line of thought to create an ecology would be to treat the Ogre as the Chietain, a +1 Orc a male fighter, a -1 as an adult female or adolescent, and a 1 HD as a youth or the infirm elders. Maybe some 3 HD ones as guards/elite fighters if no shaman caster to amp up the melee, the males fight, the females run to save the young and old as the bigger ones lead the troops. And it gives those interested a quandry if they prevail, the last stand are females, infirm and youth fighting for their lives if needed. So yes, clearing the Orc lair is ugly warfare.

  • @WargameCulture
    @WargameCulture 3 роки тому +1

    This is a great video, thank you for sharing your thought process. One thing I'd like to throw out there: the "Orc Chief fights as 4 Hit Dice" is a Chainmail leftover. It means the Orc Chief fights equal to a Hero, and gets 4 attacks, would need 4 wounds all-at-once to kill, in a Chainmail Mass Combat battle.
    I'm currently in an ACKS campaign, and we have started traveling the wilderness with a troop of light cavalry and a squad of archers, because the wilderness is so dangerous! (We had a TPK once due to a random encounter. It's our own fault, we should have run away...). When we encounter groups of humanoids, we get to use the ACKS Mass Combat rules.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому

      Nice - for sure. When I run OD&D with Chainmail that’s how I do it - but for BX they just get 4HD

  • @RayRobidoux
    @RayRobidoux 3 роки тому +7

    Hi Daniel. New subscriber here, and I really love your videos!
    I'd like to see stuff that give info about other parts of the dungeon in a subtle-but-not-too-subtle manner. Maybe one of the jewelry piece is a crown made by other denizens that a dwarf would recognize as such? Maybe the potion is labelled, but in a language that is not orcish? I would also put some cadaver of those denizen in the pit, too, to reinforce the fact that the orcs battled them. I love when this kind of "clues" are everywehre, it really rewards exploration and thinking.
    Thanks!

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +2

      Those are great ideas! Thanks Jordan.

  • @kenhensch3996
    @kenhensch3996 3 роки тому +2

    The audio is absolutely fine. There is more room noise than is ideal but as long as the microphone is ideally placed (either as close to as is possible while being out of frame or if it's a shotgun aimed at your mouth.) There is nothing more to do than invest in room treatments. Audio is something that is easy to obsess over but as someone who works with audio professionally what you are doing works and as long as this setup is low maintenance and you aren't doing a lot of post processing I think that it's worth sticking with.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому

      Thanks! I appreciate the feedback

  • @thebaronvoncarson
    @thebaronvoncarson 2 роки тому +1

    Just found this today. Very informative and fantastic watch. Subscribed!

  • @kjell6838
    @kjell6838 3 роки тому +1

    subscribed for these kinds of videos they really help seeing the mindset into designing stuff

  • @doofmoney3954
    @doofmoney3954 3 роки тому +1

    That's a really nice wallpaper you got there

  • @edwardbacchetta9092
    @edwardbacchetta9092 3 роки тому +2

    This was a great video just showing the methodology and logic to build this out. I do something similar so at least I know I’m not too far off.
    I’d like to see the last 2 videos for the b/x classes of halfling and dwarf. I I know you’ve done one for the other ones but I don’t remember seeing these 2. I know you did one on demihumans in general, but you did a separate elf one. I’d like to see your take on the last 2 though.
    Keep up the awesome vids!

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks! Ah yes, the other two Demi-humans. I’ll have to think on that.

    • @cameronorwin
      @cameronorwin 3 роки тому

      We just got him back on the mega dungeon, don't distract him.
      LOL

    • @edwardbacchetta9092
      @edwardbacchetta9092 3 роки тому

      @@cameronorwin lol 😂 😂

  • @axel8406
    @axel8406 Рік тому +1

    My players call my games the meat grinder lol. I referee a low hp kinda realistic game. One of my players found out when he jumped across a pit and died when he failed to make it across. It was 15ft across and 15 ft down. All it requiered was a rope to climb down and up.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  Рік тому +1

      Oh man, they thought they could jump 15’?

    • @axel8406
      @axel8406 Рік тому

      @BanditsKeep yeah the player thought a dice roll was going to make him jump farther. He was lightly encumbered and fell like a rock. I have all my players ready a bunch of characters. So the game kept going on and he wasn't a bad sport about it.

  • @danielboggs2013
    @danielboggs2013 3 роки тому

    Really well done BtB.

  • @usapatriot4163
    @usapatriot4163 2 роки тому +1

    Hi Daniel! Love your channel! Question what do monsters use their treasure for? What do they spend it or where do they go shopping? 😀

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  2 роки тому +2

      Orc are intelligent enough to know the treasure holds value to “men” and is this a weapon - also for a leader it shows they have beaten “men” and taken what they hold dear. They may also use it to trade with powerful “men” like wizards. Things like spiders might just collect it because it is shiny. Really depends.

  • @VioletDeliriums
    @VioletDeliriums Рік тому

    Neat-o idea to have like two little units of warrior orcs, but what if one unit was on duty during the day and the other was on duty at night. Then maybe there would be a second wave that got alerted and came into the fight late after getting up from sleeping to prepare for their shift!!!

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  Рік тому

      Yes!

    • @VioletDeliriums
      @VioletDeliriums Рік тому

      @@BanditsKeep And if the players somehow knew this was their schedule...they could maybe play a trick and force the sleeping ones to wake up and they would be tried on their next shift (i would give orcs on duty -1 to hit if players were smart enough to do that) or they could have maybe came around right at shift change when everyone is confused or tired. :D I love when the players think smartly like that, and especially if they come up with a good idea that I didn't even think of. It's not as much fun when I always outsmart them with my stupid DM tricks.

  • @bluespruce786
    @bluespruce786 3 роки тому +1

    Great video, really fun to watch and someone else's process. What font are you using when you type of the details of the orc lair? Its a great match to the B/X books.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +1

      It’s the BX font, called Soutane

    • @bluespruce786
      @bluespruce786 3 роки тому

      @@BanditsKeep Thank you brother. That bit of information has been on my radar for quite a few years now. Done checked off thnks to Bandit's Keep!

  • @JO-uy6zs
    @JO-uy6zs 5 місяців тому

    I always roll treasure openly and let the players throw the dice. Let them have the thrill! Never hide the dice, come what may

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  5 місяців тому +1

      That can definitely be fun

  • @dwi2921
    @dwi2921 2 роки тому +2

    Or just go all out and buy the rules cyclopedia! Full on BECMI is totally good too.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  2 роки тому +1

      Sure, many people love rules cyclopedia

  • @mjolasgard2533
    @mjolasgard2533 11 місяців тому

    t could be d6x10 orcs... though it could be 10d6 orcs too... Love that BX used to make you work out the die rolls from the ranges. lol

  • @BanjoSick
    @BanjoSick 11 місяців тому

    The Orcs not getting mechanical devices is dead wrong, but all the other stuff is great.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  11 місяців тому

      It’s a bit weird I agree

  • @usapatriot4163
    @usapatriot4163 3 роки тому +1

    Part 2! Part 2! Part2! :)

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +1

      Soon! This may end up being 3 parts to be honest 😂

  • @Phsstpok
    @Phsstpok 7 місяців тому

    well, adventure modul B5 "horror on the hill" is level 1-3... so, definitely basic in every regard.. but the first part of this module is a significant portion of exploration of a densely wooded hill fill with dangerous monsters and even natural hazards to locate the monastry on the hill where the actual multi-layer dungeon is located.. so i guess, this "basic" is only for dungeon crawls is not so much a general idea, but a guideline for designing your own sessions.. and B2 "borderlands" is also exploration of severral caves in and out around a hillside.. if you own these modules you will get a good idea how to do it.. but stating.. in the first three levels you are supposed to be teleported into the dungeon seems .. a little.. exaggareted

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  7 місяців тому

      Teleported? The basic book does not include any rules for wilderness travel or adventure.

    • @Phsstpok
      @Phsstpok 7 місяців тому

      @@BanditsKeep yeah, that was very ... flippant choice of words.. I ment that you would not bother with the "how to get to the entrance" part... while it is logical that if the book does not contain rules about travel and wilderness adenturing... you can not design such things with the basic set itself... the basic modules do have such parts... so I think it is safe to say.. even at levels 1-3, i.e. basic levels, you are not confined to the walls of a dungeon... but as a dungeon master you are reliant to a module that covers it for you... that was all I was wanting to add

  • @williampalmer8052
    @williampalmer8052 11 місяців тому

    I don't know what world you were playing in "back in the old days," but we never had any issues with males and females of any kind fighting equally well. Female orcs would certainly fight ferociously to defend their lair, and their offspring.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  11 місяців тому +1

      Indeed, and I said as much. In some older modules they would list them as “non combatants” I was saying I do not do that.

  • @al2642
    @al2642 3 роки тому

    Another way of generating treasure, with all its rolls, is to make the player roll it when they find it, at the end of the session.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +2

      True, but then how do you place and distribute it? I’m not a fan of “fight boss get lairs worth of treasure” set-ups

  • @JazzyJacksJokeShack
    @JazzyJacksJokeShack 3 роки тому +2

    Why do orcs and ogres collect gold? What do they buy?

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +4

      Why do birds collect shiny objects? What do they buy? Orcs buy armor/weapons - ogres might use the gold to lure adventure time eat - not hard to come up with a reason 🤷🏻‍♂️

    • @JazzyJacksJokeShack
      @JazzyJacksJokeShack 3 роки тому +1

      @@BanditsKeep im just curious as to what youd say because I usually see people either throw out the concept completely or ignore having a reason.
      I like that ogre idea.
      Who would orcs buy weapons from tho I wonder

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +4

      @@JazzyJacksJokeShack bandits, maybe a corrupt merchant who deals with them so they won’t raid the merchant caravans? Maybe a Duke from another region is behind it all hoping to weaken this area? So many cool games can be played 😂 I enjoy the conversation and questions - really helps fire up the imagination

    • @JazzyJacksJokeShack
      @JazzyJacksJokeShack 3 роки тому

      @@BanditsKeep very good ideas :)
      In your world, what is orc society like? How are they born/made, how do they live, do they have a country or are they nomadic, what are their desires?

    • @chodenji
      @chodenji 3 роки тому

      @@JazzyJacksJokeShack Orc society is like The Dead Poet Society: They make sure poets are dead. Orcs are born of hate and passion. Orcs live furiously and carelessly. Orcs call their territory their country. Orcs become nomadic when things do don’t go well in their territory. They desire to bash, crush, slash, devour, sleep, and procreate.

  • @MrRourk
    @MrRourk 3 роки тому

    That Goblin Hunting Dude is useless here; these are Orcs.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +2

      Orcs are just big ugly goblins right?

  • @deathbare5306
    @deathbare5306 3 роки тому

    If the world is that dangerous that first level characters should not explore outside, then why haven’t these horrors destroyed the starting town and enslaved humanity? I see the numbers as the total tribal number. The party can absolutely run into a scouting party or a squad on a mission. Also if I need to research the context of the game outside the book - then it’s not well written.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +3

      It’s a game - not a novel, other adventures exist In the world. They are exploring the more dangerous places - also the idea of early D&D was that most of the world was uncharted wilderness controlled by monsters and powerful adventures, not safe farmland. Also, as proven here, The numbers are not too large when put in context.

    • @kenhensch3996
      @kenhensch3996 3 роки тому

      I mean that's the nature of DnD no matter how you look at it, 5e is exactly the same but they just handwave the lethality. In order to have a world where people are willing to hire adventurers there must be threats that the average person has no business dealing with. If there isn't then the very concept of levels and progression falls apart.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому

      @@kenhensch3996 good point

    • @deathbare5306
      @deathbare5306 3 роки тому

      @@BanditsKeep Totally agree - not a novel, my preference though is to have some mimesis (thanks prof DM) in the world. If the intelligent threats (like orcs) are right outside the farm in that unexplored and uncharted wilderness, in great enough numbers to put down a party of armed adventurers, then logically there is no reason that town should exist. Totally with you as I pointed out as well, the numbers are fine if you take them as the tribe, or a war party total that broke out scouts. I will caveat it though, I'm usually dealing with a small party - 2 to 3 players. If you have 12, which I believe was the target number for a party for those editions, then everything makes total sense and you'd need 40 orcs to challenge them in a random encounter.

  • @Mesk871
    @Mesk871 3 роки тому +1

    Really wish you invested in a better mic. Awesome content. Bad audio.

    • @BanditsKeep
      @BanditsKeep  3 роки тому +4

      Thanks -I’m using.a pro mic, but tweaked the way I recorded based on other commenters 😂 I guess I can’t win 🤷🏻‍♂️

    • @toddzilla1236
      @toddzilla1236 3 роки тому

      @@BanditsKeep no worries!

    • @RayRobidoux
      @RayRobidoux 3 роки тому +4

      I think the audio is great.

    • @nonenothing8783
      @nonenothing8783 3 роки тому +5

      Audio sounds fine to me. But i don't know anything.

    • @usapatriot4163
      @usapatriot4163 3 роки тому +5

      Audio is fine!