My players are going through a 1e module. In the tomb of an ancient lizard vampire (also 18th level wizard) they found this book. Any tips for me to help?
The book is an ancient artefact that gives you massive bonuses (and hindrances).
I was surprised to see it as it is for levels 5-7.
Are you playing 5th edition D&D, but using the 1e module (I like to run some old modules myself), or playing 1e AD&D?
The Book of Vile Darkness is a pretty horrific item, that can turn your average heroic adventuring group into a PvP nightmare, as it can turn characters evil and make them covet the book and its powers.
If you're interested in exploring the possibilities of that with your group, then go ahead and let them loose with it, but if that's not what you (or your group) want, then I caution against letting them have this item.
You could always link in some plot where the book vanishes on them - maybe have a swirling portal appear and the book is sucked into it or something - it can set-up a quest to research what the books is, find it and destroy it.
My advice as a DM - any time a published adventure gives out treasure that you don't like the look of - change it!
Or let the dice roll... Being surprised by what the players do is currently my favourite reason for DMing. It can be a lot of work though. It will probably negate most of that reading you did earlier in the day/week/month. But if you can pull it off and keep your hair - the players will love it.
If the players go all murder hobo then after a session or two of havoc, I'm sure there is a newly formed party just itching to take them on and begin their own legend...
It all comes down to what type of game you all want to play in. Know your enemy...err, players, and in a thousand campaigns you will never know defeat...or boredom.
I had someone steal the book. And when the PCs finally caught the thief, he was a shell of who he used to be. That made them decide to bury the book and leave it. Major xp for walking away :)
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My players are going through a 1e module. In the tomb of an ancient lizard vampire (also 18th level wizard) they found this book. Any tips for me to help?
The book is an ancient artefact that gives you massive bonuses (and hindrances).
I was surprised to see it as it is for levels 5-7.
Any help?
Are you playing 5th edition D&D, but using the 1e module (I like to run some old modules myself), or playing 1e AD&D?
The Book of Vile Darkness is a pretty horrific item, that can turn your average heroic adventuring group into a PvP nightmare, as it can turn characters evil and make them covet the book and its powers.
If you're interested in exploring the possibilities of that with your group, then go ahead and let them loose with it, but if that's not what you (or your group) want, then I caution against letting them have this item.
You could always link in some plot where the book vanishes on them - maybe have a swirling portal appear and the book is sucked into it or something - it can set-up a quest to research what the books is, find it and destroy it.
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Thankyou for the advice_ and I am running a 1e for 5e characters.
My advice as a DM - any time a published adventure gives out treasure that you don't like the look of - change it!
Or let the dice roll...
Being surprised by what the players do is currently my favourite reason for DMing. It can be a lot of work though. It will probably negate most of that reading you did earlier in the day/week/month.
But if you can pull it off and keep your hair - the players will love it.
If the players go all murder hobo then after a session or two of havoc, I'm sure there is a newly formed party just itching to take them on and begin their own legend...
It all comes down to what type of game you all want to play in.
Know your enemy...err, players, and in a thousand campaigns you will never know defeat...or boredom.
Roleplaying since Runequest.
I had someone steal the book. And when the PCs finally caught the thief, he was a shell of who he used to be. That made them decide to bury the book and leave it. Major xp for walking away :)