Confessions from a GM, mega dungeons scare me
Some thoughts about Mega Dungeons
Stick around to the end for an exciting announcement!
The next statement is most likely considered as blasphemy any fan of the Old School Renaissance, but here it goes. I don’t like mega dungeons.
Hold your gasps please.
I understand the appeal of a mega dungeon. One solitary structure in your world that players can always rely on and visit offers a lot of stability for both the game master and players. They also offer a unique way to challenge a party of characters that are increasing in power. Maybe the otyugh blocking the passage to the fifth floor was too much for a level four party, but now they’re level seven, have some new gear and a few suckers followers. Finally, a mega dungeon is the ultimate eco system of player choice and consequences. Actions that were the right choice at the time can lead to all sorts of interesting and immediate reactions with just a few dice rolls.
Across the blogs it does seem like that running a mega dungeon successfully was a crowning achievement GMs aspire to. Right up there with running a massive hex crawl, killing an entire party of players and remembering you gave your BBEG dragon spells. (Seriously, give your dragon ‘Hypnotic Pattern’ and watch your players freak the f@#$ out).
The Mega Dungeon is both engaging and romantic for any OSR fan. Who doesn’t want to say they conquered the Mountain of the Mad Mage? And yet, when I start reading a Mega Dungeon I feel sense of panic creep in, “how the hell am I supposed to run all of this?” (I’m pretty sure I broke out in hives when I saw just how big Stonehell was). I think my personal concerns stem from how detailed a mega dungeon is expected to be. Some of these products can have dense wall text dedicated to one room.
When I read through the books I can’t help wonder if all that prep and time was worth it if my players avoid it. The creative in me says it was, the practical GM says it wasn’t.
That meticulous detail leads me to my biggest hurdles when running (or even playing) a mega dungeon, which are twofold: repetition and time.
Entering the Mines of Moria the first time is dangerous and exciting, but do those feelings carry over the tenth time? Even with multiple entrances and rules for restocking rooms, I’ve seen players get bored re-exploring the same levels just to get to the last area they were in. Describing previous rooms quickly leads to phone gazing or God forbid, dice stacking.
Now, repetition can be solved with an engaging GM and clever players, but time is a harder problem to solve.
I’m not referring to time in the in-game world, I’m specifically referring to the time at the table. Scheduling, prepping and just getting to the game takes time and sadly we don’t have as much we want for campaigns, even epic ones.
This might be more of a preference issue, but as a GM I want to make sure that my players get the most out of the game as possible. I’d rather give my players a wider world to explore that might be considered shallow over a detailed singular location. A wide world with lots of options for the players and opportunities for me to react. And in my experience, it often leads to more fun and engaged players. Players following rumors of a bandit camp that lead to a giant’s cave, which holds the legendary wand of bubbles is far more engaging for me.
In my experience as a player, the confining nature of a dungeon can lead to the feeling of being trapped in one place. This is more so when the dungeon is full of wall text of rooms carved by dwarves that are slightly different than the other rooms carved by dwarves.
But obviously, like any form of artistic expression the mega dungeon is subjective and despite my earlier gripes, there are a few I really like. I would be remised if I didn’t mention my favorites:
Your experience is probably different from mine. I’d love to hear all about your experience running or playing in mega dungeons in the comments.
Also! In two weeks from today our very own adventure Devil in the Glass City will be launching on Backerkit! We’re excited, terrified, a little nauseous, and determined to share this awesome adventure. Your support means the world to us.
D&N
