Buried Treasures: Hellpits of Nightfang

If I was going to give a new Dungeon Master of any edition of D&D, yes even 4th edition, a module to say "hey, here's how it is done" I have to admit it wouldn't be from TSR. In fact, it wouldn't even be a D&D module but a Runequest one. I'd hand him Hellpits of Nightfang by Paul Jaquays and published by The Judges Guild. Fortunately I still can as it is available as a PDF for under $3.

Hellpits of Nightfang details a set of three limestone sinkholes and the caves and tombs attached to them. The pits serve as the home to a pair of vampires and a pack of wolves as well as some other creatures. It has fifteen number locations which are all named as well which adds some character. While the entire module is thirty-six pages long much of that is white spaced lined for notes, especially as part of stat blocks. Major characters (the two vampires and one wolf) take about a page for blocks with note space while minor creatures run as many as five per page. A very brief history of the two vampires and the hero's tomb in the sinkhole is provided.

What makes Hellpits of Nightfang an ideal model for a new Dungeon Master? First, it is a quintessential location adventure. It has absolutely no plot. In fact, I can summarize the entire background knowledge in three sentenses. Nightfang is a vampire so old his real name is forgotten even by local villagers. In life he was a priest of a death cult and sacrifices his victims to his god meaning he rarely creates vampires. The one exception was the ugly daughter of a local farmer he has turned. The sinkholes also include the tomb of a local hero but since it was built the weather has gotten wetter and the tomb floods. That's it. The only mention of anything beyond the pits is a local populace including at least one farmer now short an ugly daughter. It is a prime example of creating something and let the player's action define the story.

Second, Jaquays used a standard format that had earlier been used in Snakepipe Hollow. I find it creates a much more open feeling than many TSR modules in the same period used. It also provides a fine teaching setup by suggesting the difference between designed set pieces and more dynamic locations. While some might object to the amount of detail in the context of a beginner I think adopting this format would be a huge help. It is a prime example of expert created rules that might stifle experts forced to use them but that provide a marked advantage for beginners.

Finally, the adventure has some interesting set pieces. Without giving too much away Nightfang has some interesting items and ways of using them you might not consider. The flooded tomb has a very interesting pool. There are also some interesting traps of a type I've yet to see in many OSR discussions.

All in all, this is an excellent adventure. While a classic location adventure it provides a lot of contrast to many modules. It is small enough to wrap your head around the whole thing and see how it is put together. I think it is an excellent first adventures for a new Dungeonmaster, especially of the old school.