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From: friesen@psivax.UUCP (Stanley Friesen)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: How do you write a dungeon?
Message-ID: <225@psivax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 9-Jan-85 12:02:01 EST
Article-I.D.: psivax.225
Posted: Wed Jan  9 12:02:01 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 13-Jan-85 06:36:55 EST
References: <2173@nsc.UUCP>
Reply-To: friesen@psivax.UUCP (Stanley friesen)
Distribution: net
Organization: Pacesetter Systems Inc., Sylmar, CA
Lines: 38
Summary: 

In article <2173@nsc.UUCP> chuqui@nsc.UUCP (Chuqui Q. Koala) writes:
>Here's a good one for the group: As a DM, when you are putting together a
>dungeon, how do you do it? I'm starting work on a dungeon of my own
>(whether I run it or turn it into a book is still undecided) and I'm
>interested in how people actually build the dungeon, balance it for a
>particular level of character, how much detail is worked out ahead of
>schedule (and how much you do on the fly) and basically how to take a good
>idea and turn it into something cohesive, workable, and fun for both the DM
>and the players.
>
	I usually start by deciding what the "dungeon" actually *is*,
and how it got where it is.  Thus I have a large palace once owned my
a great sorcerer, but now turned into the headquarters of a (very) minor
Chaotic-Evil religion, with many subbasements added by the new owners.
They also have made it available as a "sanctuary" for the wierd and
ferocious beings that are rejected by human society(monsters).
Or perhaps the "dungeon" is a cave inhabited by a tribe of orcs.
This approach gives some idea of what sort of things are appropriate.

>A secondary question that comes to mind is that first dungeon? What was it
>like being a DM the first time? what mistakes did you make that you would
>warn others about? Any traps and pitfalls the novice DM needs to worry
>about?
>
	
	My worst mistake was *far* too much treasure, both monetary
and magical.  Give out *some* to keep it interesting, but do not overdo,
especially with magical treasure.   Also I paid little to the nature of
the monsters I put in; my Chaotic-Evil dungeon had Good monsters!?!?
And also 'outdoor-only' type monsters.
	Second warning - the players will *never* do what you expect,
often making your toughest concept useless.  Be prepared fopr the unexpected,
and reward originality and ingenuity.
-- 

				Sarima (Stanley Friesen)

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