Gauging interest : classic dungeon crawl (D&D 5e)

I've been feeling slightly nostalgic for a classic dungeon crawl type game of late. Basically, paper thin "plot", very little RP'ing, almost entirely hack-and-slash and puzzle/problem solving dungeon exploration deal. I'm not sure how well that would even play out on PBP format, honestly.

In particular, I'm trying to gauge interest in the 5e translation of Tomb of Horrors [1]. I'm not yet sure I'd want to run this but maybe if there's enough interest it'll motivate me.

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[1] If you know anything about the original, it's a notoriously deadly dungeon (some would say unfairly so) essentially designed to TPK. The 5e version nerfed it significantly. So while still challenging, it's a lot less "unfair" and even perhaps possible to complete. As a "fun" bonus challenge, to make it a bit more difficult, I may have any dead PCs come back as a revenant (controlled by their players perhaps) to haunt the remaining PCs.

Sounds fun.

Interested.

I am really green, and if that is OK then I am interested.

What level would the PCs start at?

If ran, it'll be a high level adventure. Between 12th and 15th. I'll decide the exact level if/when created.

Ok well I’d be interested in jumping in then. It’s so Rare to run a pc at that level

Indeed.

Definitely!
[I always wanted to try to survive the Tomb of Horrors.]

Interest levels increasing dramatically the longer I think about this.

i'm starting to think this game may be viable.

beastwick. how familiar are you with the rules? since this will be high level dungeon crawl i'd prefer folks with some familiarity in the event we run this.

also, it should be people that have no familiarity with the dungeon (i.e. Tomb of Horros, either the original or the Yawning Portal version). otherwise it defeats the purpose of this being a survival challenge.

I've only heard about its destructive potency, and that it's supposed to be one of the best D&D modules.

Any more room? I’d love a higher level crawl...

Would you allow Revised Ranger for this? I am thinking Beast Master.

Campeador. As with all my games, if/when I run this, I only allow official WOTC published material, no playtest or homebrew. Any homebrewed changes I may make to the official materials will be provided to you. But, generally I tried to keep things RAW with few exceptions. For example, I'd probably modify Healing Spirit spell per this article.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/206-spell-spotlight-healing-spirit

Revised Ranger is published in UA which is all playtest material as stated in the articles. So, unfortunately I would side against allowing Revised Ranger.

Ok no problem. Will come up with something else. Thanks!

EDIT: Maybe a rogue.

I'd love to play a wizard.

If there is still any openings in this I'd be interested in playing. I've only been playing 5E itself for a few months, but have about 5-6 years of experience with 3.5E, as well as played several months of 4E, so learning and adapting to the 5E rules hasn't been much of a challenge I would say. When in doubt on rules I generally go back over relevant sections of the handbook to try and clarify things (Or ask the DM if the books don't seem to have an answer). I've never gotten to play any form of the Tomb of Horrors, so it would be really exciting to try this out.

Given characters are all but expected to die given difficulty/setup of ToH, I imagine characters would be more focused on their mechanical aspects and less so on backstory/personality/etc since it is intended to be roleplay light?

Yes. That is correct. Given there is ample interest shown, I feel oblige to run this but I’m going to need some time as I’ll need to prep and wait for my schedule to be less restrictive. I will update here when I create the game and send invites.

Awesome! Looking forward to it!

Hi. Just so there's no misunderstanding about the kind of game this will be, I want to make clear certain expectations. I'd mainly like to avoid situation where player is upset with me because their expectations weren't aligned with what this game will be. So here are list of what to expect out of this.

- Firstly, players should understand this is a pure dungeon crawl type game and expect all that entails.
- In particularly, this specific game is what I'd call "survival challenge". That is, there is high probability of your PC meeting a fatal end - sometimes it may even seem "unfair" by usual standard of play. The dungeon and the game will be merciless. This is important to understand. Please don't hate me if your PC dies - the game is what it is.
- In other words, you are pitted against the dungeon. The challenge is how deep into the dungeon can you go before the dungeon defeats you. If you defeat the dungeon and make it out alive, you've truly achieved something special! (This is also why it is imperative that you have no fore-knowledge of the dungeon for it to be a challenge.)
- When I say you are pitted against the dungeon, I mean that literally. There will be some actual combat - but, bulk of it is you against the dungeon and various ways it can kill you.

If this still sounds "fun" to enough people, I'll eventually run this game. Please indicate if you're still interested below.

If you have more questions ask me and I'll answer best I can.

Still interested. :)

I am also still interested. I'm well aware of the reputation of the original Tomb of Horrors, and honestly even the 5E version sounds exciting, even with potential tragedy.

Interested. And dibs on rogue!

Interested

Still green, still interested.

Hi Beastwick, can you elaborate on what you mean by green? Are you familiar with 5e rules?

I have it in mind to play an Abjurer who sees it as his duty to protect and contain evil and chaotic magics. Someone who would be rather adept at protecting the party.

Also would be interested. I would test out the monk elements of the four wys - I know people say it is underpowered but I still want to try it.

Okay. So I've created the game, though it may take me some time to get preparations finished. I've sent invites to everyone on this page except Beastwick (sorry you never got back to me).

EDIT: I've also made the game public, for the curious bystandards.

Awesome! See you over there.

I never commented on this thread but did express my interest on Discord. Looks like you already have a full roster but pleaseput me on the wait list in case a slot opens up! :-)

I'll sneak you in cuz you're cool. :). Okay so now that we have 7 potential players. I may make the starting level to 11th instead.

...and so we all died. :P

Hadn't played in years. Last played Advanced D&D (was that 2nd edition)
Anyway, started playing 5e with some local people, but just a few sessions in, the place we played shut down...so now I'd like to get into things here. I'm still kinda newbish when it comes to 5e, but I think I'd do ok...So I'm interested!

ack, looks like I'm too late...didn't look ahead on the comments

If you have room for one more, I'd love to play. I've never played Tomb of Horrors in any incarnation. My D&D experience is playing AD&D in high school and some in college, and I've been playing 5th Edition for two years. I'm very familiar with the 5e rules.

Sorry McDunno, I currently have 7 players (unless someone rejects the invite). That is stretching the limit for me a bit. So I'm no longer looking for players.

No problem. I don't follow the forums very closely, so I didn't see this until after you posted the game. Keep me in mind if anyone drops out.