Okay. So here’s a crazy idea. I want to start offering the DM out there with little or no prep time a place for downloading ready made 4e encounters for his or her game. I want to build a library of delves written not just by me, but by the rest of the rpg community.
Say you’re a DM who worked late last night and couldn’t prep for tonight’s game? No problem, just come here and find a delve by level, download it and play away.
So what do you all think? I’m sure I can find one or two of you willing to give it a shot and design a few encounters, no? I want to read your ideas and suggestions for the section of the site, as this is very much in its infancy right now, but i want to get it going sooner rather than later.
There are some legal issues I need to clear up (user created stat blocks using monster builder or other 3rd party programs, for example) before I officially launch the section, but I want to gauge people’s interest in something like this.
I’m looking forward to reading your suggestions.
www. Newbie DM .com 
Totte Alm
February 1, 2010
Hello newbieDM, your thoughts really go hand in hand with what I wrote in this post, http://4eyes.code66.se/?p=2314. A searchable system for encounters, hooks and plots, that link together.
I’ve been giving the original article at critical-hits some serious thinking and then wrote my take on this.
One thing I mention is mirco payment system, and the possibility to connect encounters with maps.
Read and think newbieDM, I think this is they way to go, not even for us who like to give things away for free, but also for commercial companies.
// Totte
Enchelion
February 1, 2010
I think this is a wonderful service. I remember that some time ago (3.5) ENWorld forums had a member who compiled links to hundreds of available mini-adventures, I used that resource for more than a few runs.
It seems to me that a system like this has two viable and free options. The open repository, free to post without oversight, or the managed directory, where delves are submitted and given a cursory overview before being added.
A fully open system is likely to garner a number of lackluster or incomplete delves, which would make it harder to find the quality content. Though it could also happen that there would be fewer contributions if designers are worried about being rejected.
I would also like to throw my card in as a contributor.
geek ken
February 1, 2010
After trudging through the Eberron Campaign Guide again, I really warmed to the last two encounters of the adventures section of the book. Personally, I don’t think we need delves. Rather, I’d love to have something like out of the Eberron Campaign Guide and focus instead on signature encounters.
A couple of features for entries:
1. Interesting Location – give the encounter some type of terrain or traps, some feature that makes the encounter interesting. These should be a signature piece of an adventure. Something that will make it memorable like a final villain fight or wondrous location.
2. Encounter Built for Different Levels – Have an XP budget and creatures for different levels from heroic up to paragon tier. Have something for levels 1-3, 5-8, 10-12, 14-16, and (maybe) 18-20. I think addressing a variety of player levels will give the database a more robust audience.
3. Emphasis on Adaptability – Try to use wording for the locations to cover as many potential levels as possible. As an example, if there are terrain checks, focus more on making the checks as easy, moderate, or difficult tasks, rather than set DC rolls. That way the DM can easily tailor the encounter for their game.
In the end, you will have a resource for DMs that can provide an interesting encounter for just about every level of play. At the very least, the DM can plug in his own creatures and still have an interesting location to fight in.
Dreaded Gazebo
February 1, 2010
I’d love to see something like that! I’m sure there are many folks with all sorts of ideas for encounters/delves that would love to share them with others. I am a very new DM (and even fairly new to roleplaying in general) but have been working on original content for my campaign and always welcome more ideas. The more stuff out there the better and having a place to centralize it all would be great 🙂
Reto M. Kiefer
February 1, 2010
Great idea, I would support this! I already thought about such a feature in my own blog.
Pierce
February 1, 2010
This is a great idea. I’d love to see a resource like that somewhere online. If anyone was able to create them in mastertools, that’d be even more cool. I’d even be willing to contribute, although maybe not with mastertools. What standard formating would you recommend?
Tobias Wichtrey
February 1, 2010
I would absolutely support this. 🙂
theskyfullofdust
February 1, 2010
Sounds good to me, and if I have the free time, I’ll happily pitch an idea 🙂
Rauthik
February 1, 2010
This is a great idea and (time permitting) I would contribute as well.
4E_DnD_DM
February 1, 2010
Great idea.
I suggest not even bothering to put in a stat block. Just have the name of the monster and level and include a book and page reference to it.
Kelsey
February 1, 2010
I like this idea and could see myself using something like this. A simple user star rating system could help separate the wheat from the chaff with maybe a NewbieDM Seal of Excellence for really good ones.
Ismael_DM
February 1, 2010
I have to agree, this is an amazing idea.
My thoughts:
-I’d like to see two versions of the maps included so they can be used very quickly in game. (with and without monsters)
-For systems where the legality is in question (D&D), I’d like just having the monster name/level as well. Otherwise, the more information the better.
-Ditto on treasure
-Having a donation system to the author of the encounter seems like a great idea as well.
-I’d would love to support this!
-I use rpTools for my DMing, but being able to support multiple forms would be very useful.
Totte Alm
February 1, 2010
@Ismael_DM: My thought on this was that there should be a repository of maps, and then encounters can use these maps. Maps in either full size (for maptools and other tools), or cut into neat printable (7″x10″) blocks, so they can be printed out correctly no matter if you are in Europe or the US.
Also, I thought you could make Hooks/Plots that pointed to encounter 17, 112 and 471.
I’m not sure donations will work. My experience is you get one donation per 4000 downloaded adventures, that is one donation per about 30000 encounters, with maps.
Slatz Grubnik
February 1, 2010
I think ready-made encounters for any system is always a great idea! 🙂
Will
February 1, 2010
Sounds excellent! I’m slowly getting into 4E and free delves are a great way for me to get my gaming group to try it out. Not to mention that I’d like to submit my own delves, and playing other people will help me get a feel for the system.
Ismael_DM
February 1, 2010
@Totte Alm: So we’d be looking at two repositories that are inter-linked: maps referencing encounters/plot hooks and encounters/plot hooks that have suggested maps?
That would definitely add a lot more bang-for-the-buck! A tower of evil that constantly attracts new monsters anyone? 😀
I see this turning into a sort of “choose-your-own” campaign! For example the DM knows he wants to center his campaign around a certain monster, he can then search and buy a level X encounter dealing with his chosen monster. Very nice indeed!
Another aspect that could prove useful is suggested follow-on maps/encounters. Very useful when those wily PCs sweep through the fight much faster than you thought they could.
JesterOC
February 1, 2010
Sounds great. I’m up for it, just keep us informed on how you want the data displayed.
newbiedm
February 1, 2010
Keep in mind that I do not self host, so there is a lot of things that technically I am limited in. Plus, I have no coding experience what.so.ever so….
I am very glad that there seems to be a big interest in this. I will post later today a more thorough writeup of what it is I have in mind, but at its core, it is simple: Readers submit a 3 encounter delve, complete with encounter map and custom stat blocks. In cases when you are using a WOTC monster, submit the page number and book where it can be found, or a compendium link. No WOTC material can be hosted. Compile your encounter into a pdf, and send it over, i’ll host and copy your description so readers know what it is….
I’ll write up later, but that’s the basic gist of it.
DiceGolem
February 1, 2010
Barring any legal ramifications, this sounds like an awesome idea! I would love to have an online resource for encounters and adventures. I have a few ideas that I’ve got sketched out on paper that I would be more than willing to send your way, once this project gets rolling.
To be honest, I plan my encounters and adventures totally on scratch paper, since I haven’t found any computer program or web service that fits the creative capacity of graph paper. Call me old fashioned, I guess. Are you including the ability to upload your own encounter maps, or would we simply upload on another site and link it?
I hope you get your legal questions answered soon… I want to start right away!
Totte Alm
February 1, 2010
@newbieDM: I know that getting anything a little out of the ordinary to work on a standard hosting using wordpress is not really that easy. I think you should start out small, they way you describe it. One question though, are you going for the delve format, 3 encounters in one pdf, like the book, or can the format be for example an encounter in a market, which by itself maybe is a combat encounter plus something else? Or can it be a twisted encounter with a caravan attack?
Maps could be stored and linked to via RPGMapShare.com, at least so you get things going. There are zillions of maps there already. Plan to big never really make anything take off, but if you get this going, more NPC might arrive 😉
And clickable links to DDI compendium is a good thought.
Sersa V
February 1, 2010
I would love to both partake and contribute to this.
Chris_got_LOST
February 1, 2010
I’ve had this link saved in my favorites folder for a while: http://www.dungeonmastering.com/campaigns-adventures/83-free-dd-adventures
Concept is the same, but the editions of D&D are mixed and it honestly lacks organization.
I’m not currently playing a full fledged D&D campaign, I just play every once in a while when a bunch of friends of mine and I have nothing better to do. We play the same characters, but on a very irregular basis. Naturally these one shot adventures are what comes in to play.
The thing I frequently notice is that some adventures don’t exactly fit our playing style. Some of these adventures have no back story or fluff while others have nothing but. It’s often hard to find one with just the right amount of role-playing vs roll-playing. Considering there’s practically no preparation ahead of time, the DM will be clueless as to how good or bad the adventure really is or whether or not it fits our style.
If this idea gets implemented, I think it’d be great that if it also involved user reviews and a rating system, so that everyone can get an idea of what they’re getting into, even without preperation.
Swordgleam
February 1, 2010
I like this idea, and I’d probably kick in a couple entries.
Here’s a thought: why not get the ball rolling with a contest? These things are a positive cycle: people find out about it, tell their friends, contribute delves, more people find out about it, tell their friends, more contribute, etc. But people will neither contribute nor spread the word if there’s not much there. So if you kick-start the cycle, it has a better chance of being a success.
I’d definitely be interested in donating a prize to such a contest, or helping organize it if that’s what you need.
Swordgleam
February 1, 2010
” submit the page number and book where it can be found”
Just as an fyi, the 4e GSL prohibits mentioning page numbers because that screws things up if WotC ever reprints books. You just mention the monster name (properly attributed) and the book title.
Corwin
February 1, 2010
I love using and making standalone delves, and recently launched a site with free one-shot adventures (single encounters with a little story and map attached – clicky click on my name!). I’d love to contribute a few quick delves something if you get this section going.
I also had to look up all the legal stuff myself for the stat blocks and online publishing info that you mentioned, so maybe I can save you some time with that.
Jenny Snyder
February 1, 2010
Fantastic idea, definitely, which is why we thought of it too. My husband and myself are starting up a company that pretty much exclusively publishes free DnD content, and we plan to have a pretty diverse delve section.
We’re still in development, but we’ll be looking for writers soon, too. We’re pretty excited about the whole thing, and I would love to collaborate with you to help enhance both our sites.
Of course, we want to offer more than just delves, and double plus good bonus, we’re attempting to do it all for charity, But definitely, we agree this is a great idea and a great future for DnD.
Dave Kester
February 1, 2010
I’ll take the chance to promote F1337 Command(TM). This kind of thing is exactly what we are working on for F1337 Command(TM) right now. The Product Development Program is designed to provide game content developers the kind of service to fulfill on just this kind of dream. If developing this kind of content is what you’re interested in please email me at Dave “AT” F1337Command.com
Newbie, you have come upon the same dream I had last year. Thanks for such a visible reflection of the need.
Behemoth0089
February 1, 2010
Well I really like the idea. I got a couple encounters created by me a couple years ago for the 2nd Ed. and maybe I can make them 4E. Almost all are very short encounters to fill a night of game. Let me know if it is useful.
Thomas
February 1, 2010
I would love to do this! Not only could I make MORE encounters, I could practice making GOOD ones! Please let me know what I need to do to pitch in.
Noumenon
February 2, 2010
I tried Corwin’s site that he recommends and the first encounter I clicked on was publication-quality good — it has stat blocks, printable map tiles, fluff, hooks, possible adjustments to fit in your campaign… I’m bookmarking his site just based on that one encounter.
Gordon
February 2, 2010
I completely agree with you. I am working on a few delves as well as my new campaign world. The delves are fairly stand alone. When I finish one or two I will send them your way for a read if you like.
Ameron
February 2, 2010
Count Dungeon’s Master in as contributors.
Yomic
February 2, 2010
I’d think about it though I primarily DM 3.5 stuff (and prefer to play in it as well). I wouldn’t mind contributing general resources.
newbiedm
February 2, 2010
This is going to be cool. I’m leaning towards 3 encounter delves, must provide a thumbnail map for each encounter, and it must be 4e. Next week I’ll write up my official post.
Stephan K
February 3, 2010
This is a great idea… BTW, there is a yahoo groups site with a mapper tool that we can use to make delves using the Dungeon Tiles. This way, we’re all using the same tiles:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/dungeon_tiles/
-You have to sign up and get a moderator to accept you (which happened within 24 hours for me).
-Then, download the PyMapper tool in the Files section.
-Finally, open and extract the different tile sets into the PyMapper tiles folder.
This is a fun and easy program to use.
If we can combine this with the other ideas in here, we’ll be good to go!!
George
February 4, 2010
I like the idea of any central depositoy for adventure, encounter or campaign related ideas. Especially if we get a community of like minded people all pitching in with the intent of quality product come out for FREE… but, I would make one request, that you create a whole new site JUST for it… that way, if you endup moving away from the project you can pass the site along and keep it alive via extension. Plus, I think a cool library of encounters, adventures and such needs its own site.
Behemoth0089
February 4, 2010
I think exactly the same, George. Its better if its another page, so this don’t become what it is not. The other page ruled by newbie dm as well, but its better if its like a library just for that.
Misalo
February 5, 2010
Very Cool…
BlessedMisery
February 5, 2010
You can count me in for a few delves as well Newbie. They are all on graph paper at the moment, but once a format has been decided on I wouldn’t mind converting them at all.
Jon
February 8, 2010
Why not use Masterplan? Goes from nothing to a full delve in about 3 clicks. That particular feature of the program makes a randomized delve, but I find it’s an awesome tool for 4e adventure design.
http://www.habitualindolence.net.masterplan/
Jon
February 8, 2010
Link should be http://www.habitualindolence.net/masterplan/
JesterOC
February 10, 2010
I second the idea of using masterplan. DM’s can create delves very quickly and players can grab them fast too boot. The biggest problem I see is the dungeon tiles.
Totte Alm
February 10, 2010
@JesterOC: My suggestion was that battle maps could, and should, be uploaded together with the delve, or the delve points to a battlemap. Dungeontiles are good, but there are many tile sets and that can cause problems. I’ve done two sets of free tiles available as PDFs on my site, and I will make more sets when needed.
Just click my name and head to 4eyes, then click “Utilities”.
A combo of commercial tiles, maps and free tiles would be good. Check out Corvins encounters, they all come with a battle map.
Behemoth0089
February 10, 2010
I was watching the Pymapper and its a great software, really. It gets solved the Dungeon Tiles problem, cos let build them and export them too
JesterOC
February 11, 2010
Looks like masterplan is only viable if we use zero items from WOTC, meaning new creatures, new items, and new map tiles.
I think map tiles will be the largest hurdle.
newbiedm
February 11, 2010
that’s why im leaning towards original maps, or thumbnails of maps created on tiles, much like how wotc published their adventures now.
Dave Kester
February 11, 2010
JesterOC and newbiedm, If you haven’t already check out the instructions on WOTC’s site in regard to how to use their materials. The document on their site really offer a very good description of how you to ensure that you are avoiding copyright issues. Also, its a good idea IMO to simply customize each of the monsters in your encounter so you can include a custom monster stats in the document or in the tool of choice. Avoiding the hassle to the consumer of having to create their own stat sheet or conduct data entry for game night from the monster builder or by hand from the source. This also gives you lots of flexibility to make small tweaks to normal monsters giving the players that sense of much bigger and more complicated world.
dave
chalybsanimus
February 15, 2010
I love the sound of this. I will try to get two or three good delves written up and thrown at you, Newbie. This could be one of those resources that time-pressed DMs can utilize for that last minute game.
Ryan
February 24, 2010
I think this is a great idea. I noticed both here and in your twitter feed you have a lot of questions about RPGs and copyright. A friend of mine is an attorney who works in that area. Shoot me an email if you want his contact info.