Ye Olde Inn

So, when starting a new campaign: The Maze or The Trial?

Back when I were a lad, we all played The Maze (as that was the only option) and liked it, and we walked uphill to school both ways etc etc.

Now... I can see that The Maze might not be super fun, coming to it again as an adult. It's really just wandering around a mostly-empty dungeon with very little threat until you find a secret door. There's not much to it, and being lost (until the evil wizard basically has to tell you "DON'T FORGET YOU CAN SEARCH FOR SECRET DOORS, HINT HINT") isn't much fun. I can see why they decided to replace it with The Trial, which is an interesting quest in its own right and (as the NA version takes pains to point out) forces the heroes to learn to work together in a way that The Maze doesn't.

However... my problem with The Trial is this: it shows everything, straight away. I still remember playing as a kid and thinking "wow, that Gargoyle model is really scary, I don't really want to fight against it!" But in The Trial - there's a Gargoyle, in fact there's at least one of every different monster - it's all there, right from the first quest. It even has all the furniture! In fact, the second quest seems like a massive let-down because it's much easier with much less threatening enemies. There's no build up to more frightening later quests, because the first one already showed you everything.

So: the first quest in a new campaign... The Maze, or The Trial?

The Rescue of Sir Ragnar

and welcome to the forum.

Yup, we skip the first one too. Maze is boring, Trial is way too hard for beginners.
I actually played an alternative starting quest with a goblin cave first. The story being that these new adventurers wanted to make a name for themselves, and get some loot, and went goblin hunting.
When they succeeded, they caught the Emperor's attention, and were asked to go and rescue Sir Ragnar

I love the Trial. I usually get a kill or two in. Last time I ran it, though was at a game store and against two veteran war gamers. You all would have paid to see me get my ass kicked so badly.

I always play The Trial with new heroes, but they may use every resource they have (spells) and search for treasure.
Last time I killed two heroes nonetheless. This quest is there to test players and their mindset. Do they have fun even losing or are they the humorless type you don't wanna play with for more than two quests.
I teach my players that I'm there to compete and have to know soon-ish if everyone can deal. I go so far as to think that was the creators' intention in writing The Trial.

The Trial any day.

a) You might actually kill a hero or two. Teaches the players that they must deal with dying (just like in real life).
b) It's actually challenging. The heroes definitely won't find it boring! Hard maybe, but not boring.
c) You get a taste of everything. Okay wow - a mummy is really tough. Maybe I shouldn't try to solo three of them.
d) The Maze is kinda lame...

The Maze is lame. I'd prefer The Arena just for rule teaching lessons any day.

I have always done The Trial, and the last two times my heroes played they were completely wiped out in spite of the fact that I am a softy. However, once I get around to printing the quest books I intend to print out The Maze and insert that in the game system book.

Nephew of Mentor wrote:I have always done The Trial, and the last two times my heroes played they were completely wiped out in spite of the fact that I am a softy. However, once I get around to printing the quest books I intend to print out The Maze and insert that in the game system book.

Players that make dumb decisions are quickly cured.

Goblin-King wrote:The Trial any day.

a) You might actually kill a hero or two. Teaches the players that they must deal with dying (just like in real life).

so far 9 (in a week)

b) It's actually challenging. The heroes definitely won't find it boring! Hard maybe, but not boring.

Yep my son was REALLY GLAD AND JOYFULL when he and mother finaly survived Trial

c) You get a taste of everything. Okay wow - a mummy is really tough. Maybe I shouldn't try to solo three of them.

not really it took mee about 21 Dice Row to kill and that mummy is the reason my sister started to like being MORCAR.. - She killed one of my character.. (not Amatsonia)

d) The Maze is kinda lame...

YEAH i allways hate that.