I remember when I was a kid, these modules had just come out. I didn't have anyone to play with so I took myself through the module. Oh how I could escape for days, I am very grateful for D&D and also for you!.
I really enjoy these reviews for the old classic TSR modules as they were such a staple of the time back then. For me one of the best things about these older modules is there was alot of room left for DMs to add in new side plots and quests if desired. For those running campaigns it would easy to add in either NPCs the players had encountered before, or even maybe old foes who had a bad turn and was captured... I am looking forward to the last in the A series.
Not just one of the best D&D channels on TH-cam, but one of the best channels, period! I hope you're surviving the shutdown okay, Cap'n, because you're surely helping us all get through it!
Aww, well, you know, everyone has been so great with the vids. It really inspires me to keep going knowing that I'm making people happy with them. Thank you for the kind words. This is my therapy right now as well!
As a teenager I loved the descriptions and personalities of the inhabitants of the Stockade. Blackthorne became the prototype for using Ogre Magi in my campaigns. Also carnivorous apes
At 12:03 I always thought that was Markessa in the upper right hand corner illustration. Love that Mike Lowe rendition of her though. Great video as always.
Yeah, but its hardly as good as the Icor rendition and certainly not giving the character her due. It COULD be her, but we're not sure. With Mike Lowe's depiction there's no doubt who it is.
Nothing to do with the module. How to make good mashed potatoes- Boil potatoes after cleaning Mash with butter, milk (or sour cream) Salt to taste. Now we have good mashed potatoes for when we watch your videos.
In hindsight, it would've been so good to have the amount of playtesting and crowdsourced reviews back in the day as we do now. Reviews and suggestions like this are practically invaluable to running the old modules... years and years of real player's experience have made these modules legendary but exposed their weaknesses. I'm hooked on module reviews and I thank you for the fascinating content!
A general alert could be given that there are intruders in the fortress, in disguise, ordering defenders to remain in assigned defensive positions, and be on guard for trespassers, closely examining papers, etc. This would justify the setting up of the 45 degree mirror.
There are two problems I had with this module once I read it. The first has to do with area 12, the Parade Ground. The description skips an explanation for the guard captain and the boogle being there. It's obvious a paragraph was missed during the printing. The second has to do with the lack of a proper entrance to the dungeons. It is ridiculous to believe that the slavers force their captives to go down a trap door in the floor of the kitchen. The module was written with only a single pathway for the party to travel.
I think this would fit into the saltmarsh series with the sea princes raiding the town in the absence of the adventurers and kidnapping some of the npcs
7:57 This is a world where spell casters are real. If you were defending a fort, how would YOU go about coming up with ways to get possible invading spell casters to waste their spell slots?
This was my favourite of the series, and was only the second adventure that I ran back in the day, after Keep on the Borderlands (story continuity not being as important as just getting together to play). It really gave the thief and assassin of the party their chance to shine! Thanks for another great review, and I have to ask, where did you locate those A-series fan art entries? I'd love to incorporate them into my future sessions on the Wild Coast.
@@captcorajus You're absolutely right! I've had the A0-A4 module for years and can't for the life of me recall seeing them in the back, but there they are. I think I'm getting old...
Good module, and great review. Keep 'em coming. As an aside, I always wondered what kind of a fort commander would leave a part of their wall undefended because it is haunted... get in there and get rid of the haunt; there's even a cleric on staff in Gulyet. Yeesh. Too busy performing experiments on slaves, I guess.
@@captcorajus Awesome, as a player from the 80s I really enjoy your take on DnD. Some Grenadier / Ral Partha vids would be cool too if you are into those.
While A1 was special to me because it was the first module I ever ran, A2 no doubt was a far better module. This was the module that truly challenged me. Didn't go so well. At the time I didn't have a map of the island at the time so the part "had the map" and I told them the knew where the Stockade was on the map. We were all new to D and D and we were trying to simplify the game so the party knew were to go. They eventually got captured and the wizard in the group was force fed a potion that almost killed her and drained all of her magic and it would last several months before she could us magic again, if at all. I made this choice instead of having the wizard killed off as the module suggested. They were placed in the cell that lead to the cave of the "Cavelings" They eventually earned the respect of the Caveling who helped the party to attack the Stockade from the inside out. The invasion eventually failed, the caveling were killed off, but a majority of the guards and orcs were killed, but the party retrieved their gear and were able to move around the fort more freely. They killed off two or three; hard to remember so long ago, of the villainous NPC's, but the others ended up escaping because the party were to badly injured to pursue until them. I can't remember the connections I had between module 2 and 3 very much, it didn't work the way I initially intended....I had to McGuffin the way to the next module, and the party retreated from the module to level up and replace some of the gear that had been stolen from their packs while they were in captivity. It took me almost a year in real time to get them to return to the rest of the story and I had the Stockade built back up with new monsters and slavers.
We had little success with this series of modules. We played it as a campaign and ended up in a TPK at the end of this module. . I think Blackthorne did us in .
Enjoyed the review, I'd never heard of this module before. There's some good material here for any campaign where slavery is a reality. Do you have any plans to review the Desert of Desolation modules?
Todd Rohrer yes, the capt definitely knows there are 2 further modules! He has said twice that this was the last one RELEASED, not the last in the series!
@@captcorajus I caught that one too. My mind went in literal direction for a split second until I realized what you meant."emaciated". Not worth worrying about and good for a chuckle.
@@captcorajus the reprint was pre 5e,, hate to say it,, but die to the "WOKE" nature of WoTC/Hasbro,, many things are now forever unprintable,, or going to be REDACTED,, for current example,, see "Spell Jammer" current controversy over 2 paragraphs ,, btw Cptn,, love the vids man, I have like all the old school mods,, been playing since '78
I remember when I was a kid, these modules had just come out. I didn't have anyone to play with so I took myself through the module. Oh how I could escape for days, I am very grateful for D&D and also for you!.
I really enjoy these reviews for the old classic TSR modules as they were such a staple of the time back then. For me one of the best things about these older modules is there was alot of room left for DMs to add in new side plots and quests if desired. For those running campaigns it would easy to add in either NPCs the players had encountered before, or even maybe old foes who had a bad turn and was captured... I am looking forward to the last in the A series.
Wouldn't it be cool if someone could turn some of these old modules into a tv miniseries? If done right, it could be awesome.
Lightmane wow very inventive idea there. Kinda like a Twillight zone presentation but with multiple shows covering a module or module series.
Love it
@@erikmartin4996 If only I knew how to do it
Loving these old module reviews! They’re so awesome!!
Not just one of the best D&D channels on TH-cam, but one of the best channels, period! I hope you're surviving the shutdown okay, Cap'n, because you're surely helping us all get through it!
Aww, well, you know, everyone has been so great with the vids. It really inspires me to keep going knowing that I'm making people happy with them. Thank you for the kind words. This is my therapy right now as well!
Erol Otis art will make me buy about any book. Great review as usual.
In my mind’s eye, when I see the D&D world I see it in Erol Otis’s art.
12:08... that's Markessa in the upper right corner. A2 - one of my all time favorites!!!
As a teenager I loved the descriptions and personalities of the inhabitants of the Stockade. Blackthorne became the prototype for using Ogre Magi in my campaigns. Also carnivorous apes
The Cloaker is still one of the coolest monsters in DnD
At 12:03 I always thought that was Markessa in the upper right hand corner illustration. Love that Mike Lowe rendition of her though. Great video as always.
Yeah, but its hardly as good as the Icor rendition and certainly not giving the character her due. It COULD be her, but we're not sure. With Mike Lowe's depiction there's no doubt who it is.
@@captcorajus "Could"? You mean you think there's another female elf wearing studded leather and commanding goblins around here?
Of course it's her...
@@DocEonChannel ummm, actually it might be [SPOILER] her duplicate!
We researched these extensively for our music. Cool video!
Vids coming out regular as clockwork, now!
Really enjoying this series. Please keep them coming. Thank you.
Great stuff Cap!
Thank you so much for your effort in putting these videos together.
Once again, you have mad my, and apparently others, day.
Nothing to do with the module.
How to make good mashed potatoes-
Boil potatoes after cleaning
Mash with butter, milk (or sour cream)
Salt to taste.
Now we have good mashed potatoes for when we watch your videos.
This was my favorite from the series! Thanks for reviewing. I ordered the POD version of all 4 Slavers mods (Against the Slavelords) on DMSGuild.
In hindsight, it would've been so good to have the amount of playtesting and crowdsourced reviews back in the day as we do now. Reviews and suggestions like this are practically invaluable to running the old modules... years and years of real player's experience have made these modules legendary but exposed their weaknesses. I'm hooked on module reviews and I thank you for the fascinating content!
A general alert could be given that there are intruders in the fortress, in disguise, ordering defenders to remain in assigned defensive positions, and be on guard for trespassers, closely examining papers, etc. This would justify the setting up of the 45 degree mirror.
There are two problems I had with this module once I read it. The first has to do with area 12, the Parade Ground. The description skips an explanation for the guard captain and the boogle being there. It's obvious a paragraph was missed during the printing. The second has to do with the lack of a proper entrance to the dungeons. It is ridiculous to believe that the slavers force their captives to go down a trap door in the floor of the kitchen. The module was written with only a single pathway for the party to travel.
I thought the pic with the two goblin and female was markessa
Another great video. Great hints to make these brilliant old modules shine. Thanks! I always look forward to you posts!
One of the first games I played. Good times.
I just today acquired a copy of this module for $20.00 at my friends comic book shop.
Nice
I think this would fit into the saltmarsh series with the sea princes raiding the town in the absence of the adventurers and kidnapping some of the npcs
7:57 This is a world where spell casters are real. If you were defending a fort, how would YOU go about coming up with ways to get possible invading spell casters to waste their spell slots?
Thank you for posting this.
I enjoy your work, thanks for posting these.
This was my favourite of the series, and was only the second adventure that I ran back in the day, after Keep on the Borderlands (story continuity not being as important as just getting together to play). It really gave the thief and assassin of the party their chance to shine! Thanks for another great review, and I have to ask, where did you locate those A-series fan art entries? I'd love to incorporate them into my future sessions on the Wild Coast.
The 2013 Against the Slavelords release has them in the back
@@captcorajus You're absolutely right! I've had the A0-A4 module for years and can't for the life of me recall seeing them in the back, but there they are. I think I'm getting old...
Great review of a classic module series.
Good module, and great review. Keep 'em coming. As an aside, I always wondered what kind of a fort commander would leave a part of their wall undefended because it is haunted... get in there and get rid of the haunt; there's even a cleric on staff in Gulyet. Yeesh. Too busy performing experiments on slaves, I guess.
Good point!!
No kidding, a simple turn undead and you are ghost free. Haunted houses don't have the same threat in D&D vs other settings.
Love your videos, have you thought about livestreaming 1E DnD conversations or games?
I have. It might happen. Stay tuned.
@@captcorajus Awesome, as a player from the 80s I really enjoy your take on DnD. Some Grenadier / Ral Partha vids would be cool too if you are into those.
While A1 was special to me because it was the first module I ever ran, A2 no doubt was a far better module. This was the module that truly challenged me. Didn't go so well. At the time I didn't have a map of the island at the time so the part "had the map" and I told them the knew where the Stockade was on the map. We were all new to D and D and we were trying to simplify the game so the party knew were to go. They eventually got captured and the wizard in the group was force fed a potion that almost killed her and drained all of her magic and it would last several months before she could us magic again, if at all. I made this choice instead of having the wizard killed off as the module suggested. They were placed in the cell that lead to the cave of the "Cavelings" They eventually earned the respect of the Caveling who helped the party to attack the Stockade from the inside out. The invasion eventually failed, the caveling were killed off, but a majority of the guards and orcs were killed, but the party retrieved their gear and were able to move around the fort more freely. They killed off two or three; hard to remember so long ago, of the villainous NPC's, but the others ended up escaping because the party were to badly injured to pursue until them. I can't remember the connections I had between module 2 and 3 very much, it didn't work the way I initially intended....I had to McGuffin the way to the next module, and the party retreated from the module to level up and replace some of the gear that had been stolen from their packs while they were in captivity. It took me almost a year in real time to get them to return to the rest of the story and I had the Stockade built back up with new monsters and slavers.
Yeah, its a tough nut to crack as written. Good story though!
We had little success with this series of modules. We played it as a campaign and ended up in a TPK at the end of this module.
. I think Blackthorne did us in .
Enjoyed the review, I'd never heard of this module before. There's some good material here for any campaign where slavery is a reality.
Do you have any plans to review the Desert of Desolation modules?
yes, definitely
This channel is f***in’ great
Wow! Thanks!
Thanks for the new video!
Dope content. Can't wait to see more
the 80's called... they want they're slang back. 😜
2nd Yes!!!!
There was two more modules released for the slave lords . I think you said this was the last one released. Great review too
It was the last one released, even though it was the SECOND in the series of four.
No there was 2 other models released A3/A4 I tan them all back in the late 70s you can buy them on eBay
Todd Rohrer yes, the capt definitely knows there are 2 further modules! He has said twice that this was the last one RELEASED, not the last in the series!
The other two did get released back in the late 70s early 80s
Cool review
3:25 A skeletal, "emancipated" physique. So ... does that mean a judge has given his skeleton the right to make decisions for himself?
Meh. I'm sure you can scour the thousands of hours of videos I've made and find a few mispronunciations. ')
@@captcorajus At least you have videos to show. I'm just sitting at home getting fat. Fatter, be fair.
@@paulcoy9060 well... in Cap's defence the ogre could be a minor.
@@captcorajus I caught that one too. My mind went in literal direction for a split second until I realized what you meant."emaciated". Not worth worrying about and good for a chuckle.
I would rank the A modules A3 A2 A1 A4
I have a friend who was having me run he and his family through the series
"Skeletal emancipated physique"?
I think that's "emaciated".
it is! Such is life, I can't afford an editor yet. :)
It's Erol Otus, not Earl Otus.
According to Erol, I'm saying it correctly. :)
@@captcorajus My apologies.
Damn, Cap drops the mic. 🎤
WoTC will never let this series be reprinted
They absolutely did reprint it, in an all in one volume... and included a new module A0 Danger at Dark Shelf Quarry.
@@captcorajus as a 3rd party,, Hasbro /WoTC have nothing to do with it, due to the Slavery concept,, sorry to say
@@captcorajus the reprint was pre 5e,, hate to say it,, but die to the "WOKE" nature of WoTC/Hasbro,, many things are now forever unprintable,, or going to be REDACTED,, for current example,, see "Spell Jammer" current controversy over 2 paragraphs ,, btw Cptn,, love the vids man, I have like all the old school mods,, been playing since '78
@@matthewpieffer I'm aware of the Hoadoze thing. Its dumb. They are definitely in a weird place right now.