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 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 a 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.