The adventure takes place in the World of Greyhawk campaign setting, a popular and expansive setting created by Gary Gygax. It is named after Mordenkainen, a powerful and renowned wizard in the game’s lore. The module is intended for a party of 5th to 7th level player characters.
In Mordenkainen’s Fantastic Adventure, the players are tasked with unraveling the mystery of a powerful artifact known as the Hellstaff. The adventure begins in the city of Greyhawk, where the characters are approached by Mordenkainen himself. He seeks their assistance in retrieving the Hellstaff, which has fallen into the hands of a group of evil creatures known as the cult of the Dragon. The cult has taken refuge in an ancient fortress called Maure Castle, located in the nearby Gnarley Forest.
The module provides detailed information about the city of Greyhawk, allowing the players to gather information, gather supplies, and interact with various non-player characters before setting off on their quest. It also includes a variety of encounters and potential side quests within the city itself.
Once the players embark on their journey to Maure Castle, they must navigate through the treacherous Gnarley Forest, encountering dangerous creatures and overcoming natural obstacles along the way. The forest is filled with hidden paths, secret locations, and potential allies or adversaries.
Upon reaching Maure Castle, the adventurers face a series of challenges and battles as they explore the depths of the fortress. They encounter different factions within the cult of the Dragon, each with their own motivations and objectives. Exploring the castle involves unraveling its mysteries, solving puzzles, and dealing with traps and dangerous monsters.
The module offers a wide range of encounters and opportunities for role-playing, allowing players to make decisions and shape the outcome of the adventure. It incorporates elements of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving, catering to a variety of playstyles.
“Mordenkainen’s Fantastic Adventure” is praised for its intricate and challenging design, presenting a dynamic and engaging dungeon-crawling experience. It is considered a classic module and is often remembered for its ties to the iconic character Mordenkainen and its exploration of the World of Greyhawk setting.
An adventure for those seeking inspiration, but you can easily flip this PDF to any D&D version or game system. If you need help on conversion, I created this page for such an occasion: Convert Old Dungeons and Dragons Adventures
