The Forgemaster, a 5th Edition Module released during ZiMo
A bit more responsibility is put on the Game Master's shoulders, as you can have a mixed party of brand new to hardcore players, which you need to adjust with your encounters. The plus side is you're actually able to play.
The Kickstarter for The Forgemaster has gone live!
In the Forgemaster module, a legendary blacksmith is under duress and requires a troupe of adventurers to come to the rescue. Zine Month felt perfect for two reasons. First, Zines are great for small scope, boutique items. While a great many of Dungeons and Dragons Kickstarters promise the moon and back, I wanted to make sure I could deliver. Secondly, Zine Month felt like a great call to action to get the module up in front of an audience.
Initially designed for West Marches, the Forgemaster has a much larger spread than most adventures: three to five adventurers from levels 2 to 7. Most modules only have a level or two difference so that they could end with "to make this more or less challenging, add or subtract baddies." I've written a majority of articles regarding the flexibility required for "West Marches" Sandbox Hexcrawls on the website Kontent Punch.
How West Marches work is that the Game Master states availability and then players tag in to play. You have a roster bigger than just four friends for adventures. You get a massive roster of players, from the filthy casuals to the hardcore lifers, and you're able to get a game going with all of their help. By having the first come, first served nature of a sign up avoids the awkward "When are we all next available?" which plagues most players trying to play RPGs. A bit more responsibility is put on the Game Master's shoulders, as you can have a mixed party of brand new to hardcore players, which you need to adjust with your encounters. The plus side is you're actually able to play.
In addition to being designed for West Marches' level spread, the Hexcrawl nature of the game means that the module has been designed with multiple hooks for ease of integration in your own home games. Rumours of an epic blacksmith might not be enough for your players to go out and investigate but tales of well equiped marauders might.
The module culminates in an epic boss fight encounter whose treasure is the undying loyalty of this mystical blacksmith made of fire.
The Forgemaster is now available on Kickstarter, back it now!
