Q. Is a DM allowed to
change details, monsters etc. when
he or she is running an official
module?
A. Yes. Official adventure modules
are
designed to be complete and nto to
need change, but there can be
circumstances under which changes
are useful and desirable. The DM
is
quite at liberty to make alterations to
a module which allow it to fit into his
or her campaign background, or
make it more enjoyable or challenging
for the players.
Modules can never be
more than
highly detailed outlines of an adventure,
so the DM will have to make
changes during play to keep the
action flowing smoothly for all
concerned. The DM may also have to
invent new pieces of action should
the party wander off into a section of
the adventure which the designer
has assumed nobody would really
encounter.
The designer can attempt
to anticipate
the actions of a party, but no
matter how many courses of action
he thinks up and prepares for,
somebody will think up another one.
It is the handling of these situations
which mark out good DMs from the
rest.
(Imagine #3)
Q. What do the various code letters on
TSR modules mean?
A. Code letters were originally intended
to relate to the subject matter of the
module, thus the "G' series about
giants, the 'D' series -- Descent into
the Depths of the Earth', and the
solitary 'Q' module -- 'Queen of the
Demonweb Pits". The other early
module to follow this convention was
T1 -- part of the 'Temple of Elemental
Evil' series.
In future, module codes
should relate
to their use. There we should get:
'B' -- Basic D&D modules, 'X' --
Expert D&D modules, 'K' -- Companion
D&D modules (when the
Companion Set is finally published),
'N' -- AD&D modules for novice
players, 'L' -- AD&D modules for low
level characters, 'L' -- AD&D modules for low
level characters, 'I' -- AD&D modules
for intermediate characters, 'C' --
AD&D competition modules (originally
developed as tournament modules),
'S' -- AD&D special modules (generally
high level and deadly), 'WG'
-- WORLD OF GREYHAWK Campaign
material, and 'EX' -- AD&D
modules designed to be dropped into
the DM's own dungeon.
'A' series modules were coded
that
way for no discernable reason.
'U' and 'UK' coded modules are
designed in the United Kingdom. The
code is therefore a method of indicating
their source.
Other TSR Game systems are much
simpler: 'GB' -- GANGBUSTERS
modules, 'BH' -- BOOT HILL
modules, 'GW' -- GAMMA WORLD
modules and 'SF' -- STAR FRONTIERS
modules.
(Imagine #7)