Canonfire! Forums-viewtopic-Dwellers of the Forbidden City

Tue Nov 25, 2025 7:58 am Dwellers of the Forbidden City

Link to the module on Drivethru.

This is one module that's based on the Conan stories as well as Fafherd and the Greymouser. And there is an Indiana Jones or Alan Quartermain element to it. It's a place that is dangerous: a prehistoric crocodile, tasloi, yuan-ti, aboleths, cave fishers, and giant snakes among others.

I have a few questions about this module.

a. Should I treat it as a mega-dungeon?

b. Can I add an element of horror to it? Today's gamer expects a walk in the park. However, I blame Wizards for that. D&D is supposed to be dangerous. I'd like my players to feel that they are walking into the unknown.

c. Have any of you run it before?

Tue Nov 25, 2025 1:20 pm

a. You can, much like Isle of Dread.

b. You can. However, I would not turn it into some grudge against players, play styles, and expectations. That would waste the very functional elements in the adventure, including:
1. Body Horror via the mongrelmen and yuan-ti
2. Civilization decline with the entire city and any underground expansion
3. Weird creatures from before time via the bullywugs
4. Survival horror at being trapped in a jungle far from civilization
5. Snakes and other creepy crawlie phobias
6. Bizarre magic because why not
7. Getting sacrificed by any and all of the above

c. Yes, though not with grand expansion like that.