D&D (2024) Suggestions for a simple 1st level adventure.

[Nikosandros]

A friend of mine recently asked me to run a short adventure with the new version of the rules. He only played D&D (and RPGs in general) once - for a few sessions - some 7 years ago.

His interest has recently been rekindled and he would like to play with his 14 years old nephew and 1-2 of his nephew's friends. He bought the Stormwreck Isle starter set and he intends to run it. However, despite my encouragement in jumping in, he would prefer to be a player first. So, he's asked me to run an adventure for the group before he takes the DM's mantle.

Since I don't actually have a lot of free time for this, it will have to be something short. No more than 2-3 sessions. I'm planning to run online with D&D Beyond and either the Maps tools from DDB or Owlbear Rodeo.

Can anyone suggest a short first level adventure that would be suitable? Ideally it would be available in electronic format and have VTT-ready maps.

 

[DEFCON 1]

The standard answer nowadays is 'The Delian Tomb', a short adventure that Matt Colville wrote up as part of his first four videos on his YouTube channel. If you look at his first full video-- Your First Adventure - Running The Game... not only does the video talk about the adventure he creates, but he includes links below that include the requisite info... the Green Dragon Inn where the party starts, and the map of the tomb with all of the info about it. And as far as battlemaps are concerned... plenty of people have made versions of the Delian Tomb map that you can get with a simple google image search.

 

[soviet]

When they create their characters, ask them what kind of stuff those characters do, or intend to do next. Run that.

 

[aco175]

I ran the Delian Tomb for the scouts on an outing and it was great. I found the adventure and someone made free maps to go with it online. I made pregens for the scouts to pick and we played it in about 2.5 hours. Have no idea if it is online play though.

 

[GMMichael]

A friend of mine recently asked me to run a short adventure with the new version of the rules. He only played D&D (and RPGs in general) once - for a few sessions - some 7 years ago.

His interest has recently been rekindled and he would like to play with his 14 years old nephew and 1-2 of his nephew's friends. He bought the Stormwreck Isle starter set and he intends to run it. However, despite my encouragement in jumping in, he would prefer to be a player first. So, he's asked me to run an adventure for the group before he takes the DM's mantle.

Since I don't actually have a lot of free time for this, it will have to be something short. No more than 2-3 sessions. I'm planning to run online with D&D Beyond and either the Maps tools from DDB or Owlbear Rodeo.

Can anyone suggest a short first level adventure that would be suitable? Ideally it would be available in electronic format and have VTT-ready maps.

I don't think your friend will be encouraged to DM, knowing that a starter adventure takes more than one session, two types of online software, and advice from an online forum.

I think the soviet is on the right track.

 

[Clint_L]

The players meet in the hold of a ship, where they have been captured and are being transported for reasons unknown. They need to escape.

Edit: Sorry, didn't see the online requirement. "Frozen Sick" is a 2-3 intro adventure available free on DDB, with all maps available through their VTT. I've run it several times and it's great for new players, with a bit of investigation and role-play, some travel, and a few short dungeons. I highly recommend.

 

[MichaelSomething]

Ninjas have kidnapped the President. Are you bad enough dudes to rescue the President??

 

[ECMO3]

Village of Homlet from way back (late 70s?) is probably ideal for this.

You would need to update it with 5E monster stat blocks but all the story is there, it is complete and Gygax put a ton of detail into the town. Also, as long as you stick to the low level parts (village and moathouse) there is not much that is offensive to modern tastes.

Another one that is really good is the Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, which is also the first adventure in Ghosts of Saltmarsh.

 

[Nikosandros]

I don't think your friend will be encouraged to DM, knowing that a starter adventure takes more than one session, two types of online software, and advice from an online forum.

Actually, not really. I gave a quite detailed setup, because all of that has already been thought and discussed. Others will legitimately organize things differently in a similar situation, but that's what we decided to do with my friend.

 

[Nikosandros]

Village of Homlet from way back (late 70s?) is probably ideal for this.

You would need to update it with 5E monster stat blocks but all the story is there, it is complete and Gygax put a ton of detail into the town. Also, as long as you stick to the low level parts (village and moathouse) there is not much that is offensive to modern tastes.

Another one that is really good is the Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh, which is also the first adventure in Ghosts of Saltmarsh.

T1 is a great adventure, but I'm looking for something short and ideally ready to go. U1 already has a 5e version, it is split in two short parts and I'm familiar with it, having run it. It's certainly one option.