B1 - In Search Of The Unknown

System: Dungeons & Dragons

Code: #9023

Type: Adventure

Levels: 1-3

Author: Mike Carr

Year: 4th print - 1981

Publisher: TSR

Format: 32-page book

B1 - In Search Of The Unknown

While B1 In Search Of The Unknown was a pretty good first module, going back and trying to play it these days - I personally actually find it to be one of my least favorite basic modules. There are 2 main reasons for this. One - the DM is required to go populate the rooms with the monster list and treasure list provided. As a DM - I honestly don't want to have to do that. If I wanted to do that I would create my own dungeon. Two - the monsters are this random hodge podge assortment of monsters that would absolutely kill each other if they encountered each other. With only one way in and one way out (besides a super secret exit), there is absolutely no logic here. I realize that this is one of the original dungeon crawls - but still - come on man!

OK - I should probably say something good about In Search Of the Unknown - it has a very comprehensive introduction for a new dungeon master. That part was helpful and I liked it. Also, this module has a lot of potential for a motivated DM to build a very good adventure - a DM who could put lot more logical thought into the type of monsters inhabiting the dungeon and the way they are organized. Of course as a pure random dungeon crawl with no logical thought to anything - this is OK I suppose. I guess I'm not a fan of the pure random dungeon crawl. If I wanted that I could just play Telengard until I got bored.