Hear ye! Hear ye! Three months have gone by, but I am pleased to present to you three complete levels of the Castle of the Archmage in recompense for your weekend reading pleasure. (So I’m actually right on schedule!) Once you start reading the file, you’ll see why I needed to release levels 9, 10, and 11 together.
The Lesser and Greater Caves and Caverns all come together in a massive cavern– the fungus forest– and there are openings into it throughout all three levels. Lots of cross-movement is built into this section, and so I thought it would be appropriate to release them together. I hope you all approve.
There are a few touches I am especially proud of. A certain prominent bad-guy from the Gord the Rogue novels makes a pseudonymical appearance, along with two of his closest pals. The gates to other worlds for which the original Castle was so famous are here in strength, both those well-known to aficionados and some new ones to befuddle your players who think they know what to expect. More new monsters (beetles!), and a passel of new spells (many to accommodate a singularly odd inhabitant of the fungus forest), and hopefully lots of pleasant surprises for you and your players.
As always, feedback is more than welcome, and if you ever end up actually running this for your players, either as part of your regular campaign or at a convention, please do let me know.
Just two more levels to go, my lovelies! The catacombs and then the maze await, wherein lies the deepest depths of the dungeons, and the secret of the whole. We’re on track to have the whole complete to you by Midsummer. Stay tuned!
Download the whole thing –> HERE <–
You are a madman for tackling such a mammoth undertaking. Thanks for your madness-inspired creation!
Yes!
The best published megadungeon gets better yet again.
Sorry I'm broke as hell right now, but I'll compensate you as soon as I can.
And the new Mad Archmage encounters are charming in the extreme. A fitting tribute.
Well Done, Mr. B.
From the dungeon module standpoint, this is like Rodin's Gates of Hell or Duchamp's Large Glass…
If only a fraction of gaming material survives the next two centuries, this will be in it. It's pure, uncut, unapologetic dungeon crawl fun.
Just keep going…
I will follow as long as you lead.
Thank you so much for sharing! If I can get an 0D&D group together (and I'm really trying) this will be the cornerstone of their adventuring! I'll be sure to let you know what adventures transpire within!
Awesome! Thanks!
Sweet. Thanks for the very cool freebie.
Oh boy! Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy!
It's just like christmas, only a chrsitmas where you get something good instead of socks.
…and it's even better than that 'cause it's not Christmas yet and we still have Christmas coming so we still get those wonderful socks too!
This gives the same warm fuzzy feeling…it's socks for the soul!
Look for my contribution by next week's end…
Ciao!
Grendelwulf
Looking forward to reading the latest offering. I've really enjoyed it so far.
Out of curiosity, do you have any plans to offer a POD verson once the whole module is done? Maybe from lulu.com?
Love!
My group will begin exploring level 4 next Wednesday. Thanks for keep going ^_^
Security Word: Bedgere, a 6HD, 4 Attacks horrid abomination that lurks just beneath your shadows…
Mouser: Funny you should ask. I'm currently in discussions with an old-school publisher to come out with a print version of the Castle, along with additional related material.
That is GREAT news. I was very disappointed when CZ got the axe. You've been doing yeoman's work on the Castle of the Mad Archmage.
I've skimmed the new levels a bit and have really enjoyed seeing the appearance of the "personages" you've included! (And the Giant White Rats in previous levels rock!)
Good times! I've been checking the page several times a day for the past two weeks in anticipation.
I'm currently running a Greyhawk game where I hope to put all your hard work to use – if only my players would stop screwing around at Zagyg's old mansion and just go to the castle already! Though we're all looking forward to it.
With your target completion somewhere in the summer, does that encompass sub-levels as well? I've been curious to see your implementation of the Black Reservoir ever since I read Gary's account of the original.
In any case, keep up the good work! In the meantime, I'll be sure to pass along my party's accounts – as soon as there are some that is…
Thanks again!
Oooooh, and you're already at work on Level 12! Woo-hoo!
When you're all done I hope things work well with your publishing company. Sign me up for the book, the t-shirt, the bumpersticker…
Ciao!
Grendelwulf
I've read down as far as Level 3. Great stuff, all of it. One question: What's with the sinister clowns?
most excellent! I am so enjoying this!
I must admit, I'm a little leery of this news.
As a fan work, it seems like CotMA can "get away" with much more than it could as a for-profit product sold by a game publisher.
I mainly mean having to make dumb edits like "Dunfalcon" and "Eric's Uncle." 🙂
It's been a blast watching all of this unfold! Sure beats a lot of the stuff I've seen for adventures! Keep up the great work!
Thanks for another amazing update! Always excited to see these releases!