2nd ed DM feels an old itch and considers and Underdark campaign...

[Cuchulain82]

Well, as you can guess from the title, I've got that PnP itch again. I'm a longtime 2nd ed player/DM- I know (knew?) 2nd ed Forgotten Realms inside and out. However, a while ago my group decided to suck it up, stay modern, and embrace 3rd ed. But then a few of us moved, things broke up, you know where this is going...

With that said, I haven't been gaming PnP in a while. However, I am thinking about starting up again, and would like a little advice. Here's the deal:

I would like to run an Underdark campaign. I would also like my players to be evil. I think my players will jump at the chance- they've never really had a chance and usually their characters are "neutral" with shady tendencies.

Here are my questions:

-What books do I need? I have a mish-mash of books, from 3.0 and 3.5. I have the big three (PHB, DMG, MM), and a FR Campaign Setting. I have PDFs of other books- misc. class book, etc- but I do not have anything Underdark-specific. I assume I'm going to have to get the Underdark guide, but is there aything else?

-Is there a big boxed-set adventure of quality that I could run them through? I simply don't have the spare time to create a proper adventure. I noticed that there is a War of the Spider-Queen set, but I don't know anything about it.

-My players are all long-time players, some dating back to original AD&D. Some still read TSR/FR novels. So, knowing the world won't be an issue. However, I don't think that any of them have ever done an Undercampaign, and that brings with it a lot of new challenges (which is a big part of the attraction, actually). Does anyone have any experience running/playing in an undercampaign.


Alas, I feel like such a newb. It's been so long since I was playing consistently (pre-BGII-SOA) that I'm not sure exactly where to start.

Thanks is advance!

-Cuch

[Pellinore]

Well, if you feel like converting 1st and 2nd edition stuff to your precious 3rd edition , you may want to pick up the Menzoberranzan(spelling) boxed set and the D1-2 and Q1 modules.

I am old editions only...never caught on to 3rd edition. Guess that is the age coming out in me. Ruins of Undermountain boxed set is good, too.

[Cuchulain82]

Are those sets accurate, or dated at this point? I'm in the process of reading the War of the Spider Queen novels at this point (I consider it background) and I think that all those old sets would be dated.

As for changing to 3rd ed Pellinore, I reccommend it. I was a 2nd ed stud, in every possible way. I knew how to make Juju zombies, how to kill a tarrasque, everything... but 3rd ed just makes things better- more realistic, more pc friendly, and especially better in combat.

In any case, thanks for the response!

[Pellinore]

Just remember that D1 and D2 were the first modules ever to use drow. Without them the drow would have not gone anywhere so think of those modules as the origin of the Underdark. The Menzoberanzzan boxed set was the first in-depth rules on the underdark.

I tried to play 3rd edition but found it bland and without identity. In my opinion they changed it too much. The old system wasn't broke and in my opinion 3rd ed. is not the same game I played for 28 years. This is a different game using the same names and terminology as D&D but it isn't D&D. I also miss the old art, authors and the G-man himself Gary Gygax...it was his game.