Story Module recommendations

[Ranatosk]

So I got done playing the entirety of Savant's Aielund Saga and all I can say is it left me wanting for more. I enjoyed the story's pacing and the concept of starting off as a lowly traveler who gets roped up in the campaign's story intentionally or no. I loved the level of detail and care placed into the setting and gave me a truly immersive experience.

Truth is I don't know how else to describe Savant's work other than that I hope he's working on more stories set in his world as his work is amazing.

So I was wondering if anyone can recommend any other story modules, I honestly don't know where to look and there's so many modules out there I don't know which one is best for the experience I'm looking for.

As for characters I usually enjoy playing Fighters and such, just to narrow it down a little if it helps.

[DrLoboto]

Originally posted by Ranatosk:

So I was wondering if anyone can recommend any other story modules, I honestly don't know where to look and there's so many modules out there I don't know which one is best for the experience I'm looking for.

That's the thing, there really are so many good story modules out there, that I also don't know where to start with the recommendations ...

First things first, to my knowledge Aielund is the longest series of all, so don't expect that many other modules or series will have such an epic length in gameplay hours AND character levels. Most modules are more in the lvl 1-20 range and below.

Next, have you played any other custom modules yet? Did you have a look at the other ones in the curated Community section in-game, or the DLCs? Just as a starting point, not to say that these are necessarily the best you can find, but they're all very, very good.

You could also have a look at the stickied A Module A Day Recommendation thread that the wonderful ShiaLuck left us. ❤️

Personally, before the EE, I always used to recommend The Prophet series as one of the best story-driven modules or even RPGs I've played, for me it was like a really gripping page-turner, and it works well for a fighter, but alas, from what I heard it might be one of the few that is not 100% compatible with the EE as some scripts might not get triggered anymore for some reason or other. 😞 You can still play it but you might have to apply some workarounds here and there. It's also rather linear and a bit dark, in case that matters.

There are tons of others that I could recommend, but it would be best to hear what you're familiar with already, first, and if there are things you DON'T like (e.g. darker stories, erotic content, linearity etc.), so the selection can be narrowed down.

[Proleric]

My guide includes some methods of selecting the best, many of which have great stories:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1309774090
Shameless self-promotion: my Enigma Island series might interest you. The player rises from nothing to nobility, with a castle and tenants, possibily becoming Queen / King. Along the way, both companions and major NPCs have an evolving story which adapts to new circumstances.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1313033493

[Ranatosk]

Originally posted by DrLoboto:

Originally posted by Ranatosk:

So I was wondering if anyone can recommend any other story modules, I honestly don't know where to look and there's so many modules out there I don't know which one is best for the experience I'm looking for.

That's the thing, there really are so many good story modules out there, that I also don't know where to start with the recommendations ...

First things first, to my knowledge Aielund is the longest series of all, so don't expect that many other modules or series will have such an epic length in gameplay hours AND character levels. Most modules are more in the lvl 1-20 range and below.

Next, have you played any other custom modules yet? Did you have a look at the other ones in the curated Community section in-game, or the DLCs? Just as a starting point, not to say that these are necessarily the best you can find, but they're all very, very good.

You could also have a look at the stickied A Module A Day Recommendation thread that the wonderful ShiaLuck left us. ❤️

Personally, before the EE, I always used to recommend The Prophet series as one of the best story-driven modules or even RPGs I've played, for me it was like a really gripping page-turner, and it works well for a fighter, but alas, from what I heard it might be one of the few that is not 100% compatible with the EE as some scripts might not get triggered anymore for some reason or other. 😞 You can still play it but you might have to apply some workarounds here and there. It's also rather linear and a bit dark, in case that matters.

There are tons of others that I could recommend, but it would be best to hear what you're familiar with already, first, and if there are things you DON'T like (e.g. darker stories, erotic content, linearity etc.), so the selection can be narrowed down.

I'm sadly not too familiar with anything else other than I recently started Siege over Shadowdale, but besides that I've only ever played the main modules (granted I never finished them and feel I should)

And the modules don't have to go as far as Aielund did in terms of level progression, I'm still content to end the adventure at Epic Level

[DrLoboto]

Originally posted by Ranatosk:

I'm sadly not too familiar with anything else other than I recently started Siege over Shadowdale

Well, that should keep you busy for a while then, if you continue the trilogy with Crimson Tides of Tethyr and Tyrants of the Moonsea afterwards!

Originally posted by Ranatosk:

but besides that I've only ever played the main modules (granted I never finished them and feel I should)

If you had more fun with the custom campaign than the official ones, you're not the only one, and there's nothing wrong with staying on that path and trying other custom content instead of forcing yourself to play official content, in case you don't enjoy it as much.

[Ranatosk]

Originally posted by DrLoboto:

Well, that should keep you busy for a while then, if you continue the trilogy with Crimson Tides of Tethyr and Tyrants of the Moonsea afterwards!

I never realized those modules were all connected, I'll be sure to continue those in that case. I'd still like some recommendations in the event I ever do finish them all though.

Originally posted by DrLoboto:

If you had more fun with the custom campaign than the official ones, you're not the only one, and there's nothing wrong with staying on that path and trying other custom content instead of forcing yourself to play official content, in case you don't enjoy it as much.

Honestly find that relieving, for a minute I thought I was just being a stickler that felt Forgotten Realms is overrated XD

[DrLoboto]

Originally posted by Ranatosk:

I'd still like some recommendations in the event I ever do finish them all though.

Okay, here's a list that should keep you busy for a long, long time, and it's still criminally incomplete, just a fraction of all the good story modules available ...

Series
The Prophet
Enigma Island
Sanctum of the Archmage
Ravenloft (Return to Ravenloft & Beyond the Gates)
Shadowlords, Dreamcatcher and Demon (starts average, gets better with each episode)
Lords of Darkness
Saleron's Gambit
Tortured Hearts
Sands of Fate (high level, meant to be played after HotU expansion, but not necessary)
Swordflight (known for challenging combat)
Elegia Eternum & Excrucio Eternum (EE1 is average and skippable, IMO, EE2 is top tier)
Midwinter Festival, Midsummer Knight's Dream, Midnight Calling

Some standalone modules
Darkness over Daggerford DLC
Cult of the Reptile God
The Cave of Songs
Runes of Blood
Revenant
Madness and Magic
Pirates of the Sword Coast DLC

Fixed background / specific character required
Gladiatrix series (female, and fighter, I think; more or less optional erotic content)
A Dance with Rogues series (female, start as rogue; more or less optional erotic content) *
The Bastard of Kosigan series (male; English version is missing the first module, I think)
A Hunt Through the Dark series (drow)
Auren Saga (wizard or sorcerer)
Deja Vu (cleric)
The Song Divine (start as bard)
Threat of Dreams series (rogue recommended; unfinished, but still worth it)

* Trigger warning: involves sexual violence in the background story; first part is also available in graphically enhanced EE version

[hickey6k]

I would give swordflight a try but I’m waiting for the final chapter to get done before I try it