The thing that we discovered really quickly as a players was that Bone Hill got its name if you go to it immediately it's that you'll get absolutely boned if you're not prepared.

They could fit all that into 32 pages because they left a lot between the lines for GMs to infer. The church of the big gamble doesn't expend a lot of print explaining the lore of the church, they just say "Hey this priest wants to gamble with you btw he worships a gambling god now put up or shut up!" My favorite is the Dwarven innkeeper in town who challenges the adventurers to a friendly wager on a game of darts. Nothing special there but then you notice he has 17 Dex and he probably made a small fortune from travellers underestimating his dart skills over the years.

I used the "orcs with families" trick several times in my games and it's a great way to de-escalate many conflicts and separating murder-hobos from players who genuinly never consider that angle.

The first module I purchased... in 1981. I still have it. I have replayed it many times, revised and updated for newer versions of D&D.

@fhuber7507

6 ай бұрын

I also still have L2, The Assassin's Knot. It's not as good.

@michaelstronghold3550

6 ай бұрын

​@fhuber7507 i actually really enjoyed assassins knot. It was different in a good way. Though that cover art left something to be desired.

@32kylebeam

6 ай бұрын

Have you by chance updated it for 5E?

@sub-jec-tiv

2 ай бұрын

The cover art of this module was pretty eye-opening as a kid 😂

40 years later and I still remember playing this. So much fun. I miss D&D.

I don't know why, but Seth's little catchphrases are on of the things I love about his review style. "And I'm Jack the NPC, I'm here to give it to you from a players' side of things..." "I must warn you there will be spoilers." "Until next time, gamers, you have a great day. *Sip* Y'know..." Just little nuggets of familiar comfort.

Man, I still remember your original review of this. But there's nothing that can't be improved by adding more Jack!

@TKFKU

6 ай бұрын

And here I was thinking I was crazy for thinking I had seen this before and not just for the regular sort of crazy that goes with the day to day.

@vapormissile

6 ай бұрын

​@@TKFKUI have both crazies.👾🦀

@megarural3000

6 ай бұрын

Are we the baddies?

@Dorian_sapiens

6 ай бұрын

Improved by adding more Jack, you say? 🥃😏

@BRNDMYR

6 ай бұрын

@@TKFKU same here. "so wait a minute..."

I always love all these updated videos just something about old adventures in the new format.

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

Some people get all twisted up about it, like I'm erasing my channel's history and depriving the world of an essential subpar video. Personally, if I'm going to have it out there for new people to find, I want it to be the best it can be, as well as a decent representation of what my reviews are like. That old review video was neither of those. Though, people wanting to see the original can find it deep in the video description.

@jimyoung9262

6 ай бұрын

You mean this update *isn't* a deep state conspiracy to revise history?

@wolfyblackknight8321

6 ай бұрын

@@SSkorkowsky personally I love having both the old and the new vids being up since it can se fun to see how different things are from way back when to you more recent vids

I feel like I’d like to try convert this to a more sandbox-style Regency Cthulhu campaign setting. Obviously have to try put at least a few starter investigations in, but I love how there seems to be all these rumours and things going on under the surface, and stories within stories.

The day always gets brighter when you upload something 😁! Thank you as always for the great content Seth! I hope the holidays have been going great for you so far!

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

Been a good holiday so-far. Though I blew my back out for no discernable reason and spent Christmas pretty much laid out and unable to stand straight. Hurt like hell. But some muscle relaxers and serious stretching got it to release with a satisfying crunch the following day.

@MonkeyJedi99

6 ай бұрын

@@SSkorkowskyLOVE THE SHIRT! Hope you feel better soon.

@bryanstephens4800

6 ай бұрын

​@@SSkorkowsky been there! Getting old is not for the meek

Nice to see an AD&D review after a while, even if it's a remake. Looking forward to seeing more in the future.

The amount of effort you put in your videos really shows, the writing, filming, editing etc. Thanks for the wonderful content. Also, like your shirt!

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

Thank you very much

Ah, Restenford! The Home of my first Three DnD characters; Ser Nate Trevelyan(V.Human-Fighter:Battlemaster-Noble-L.Gd), Barend Gorum(Mt.Dwarf-Rogue: Inquisitive-Faction Agent-C.Gd) and Aeolus Graywolf(V.Human-Ranger:Hunter Conclave- City Watch-N.Gd). I loved this Module and am really glad you updated the Review Seth. Happy New Year! As an Aside: My Character's dealt with the Children Question in different ways: Ser Nate(one of the Baron's four kid's) set one of the Protective Mother's up as a Representative/Leader of the Surviving Monster's and worked a Peacr Treaty with 'em....Barend just took the Orphan Children in and started an Orphanage like your. Crew did...Graywolf dud what any Cop would do;Sent it up the Chain and hope for the Best(they were all killed by the other NPC Militia)...

I really like these sorts of limited sandboxes. expansive enough to feel like there is a lot to do and a lot of freedom to approach them, but also contained enough that its not overwhelming.

Near 700 views in the first couple of hours since it was uploaded, on a weeknight in the holiday season - looking good ! I caught it in the first hour via my Roku in our living room, now watching through my main account. Thank you for the improved maps, they look better than my efforts in years past and they will certainly help.

Remember @Seth Skorkowsky AD&D modules always assume that the player characters will have henchmen, trained dogs etc. Going in without henchmen is a recipe for disaster, same with any AD&D module

@frankmueller2781

6 ай бұрын

It always amazes me how many players miss out on running Henchmen. I wouldn't run a Magic-user over 3rd level without one or two.

I just did an ad&d binge of your vids yesterday, was not expecting this.

A talking sword in Bone Hill!? Oh no... it's the Bonesaw!!!

A great old school sandbox starting adventure, up there with Hommlet IMO as a starting locale and can easily be expanded with elements of the Lost Mines of Phandelin for example. Last time I ran it as the start of the campaign I used Restenford as a stand in for Daggerford in the Forgotten Reams, added elements of Scourge of the Sword Coast and also Under Ilefarn for an epic campaign. I would also add Priestly Secrets (Dungeon #71) to the list of adventures set in and around Restenford.

Thank you Seth! Very well done! I wish you and your wife a very happy new year! And of course to all the fine people who follow you! As we say in Sweden, Gott nytt år! Alicia from Sweden.

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

And to you as well. Happy New Year

Go figure, I've been scouring Seth's channel for his old Traveller videos since I got many of the books for the RPG for Christmas recently, and he end up putting out new video on top of that as well; Merry late Christmas Seth!

@vapormissile

6 ай бұрын

PGMP-13 is just a phased-plasma rifle in the 30-watt range

@BloodDracolich

6 ай бұрын

@vapormissile , huh? Is that Traveller related?

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

That it is. My current Traveller campaign has armed them with one and I'm really curious when they're going to finally shoot it and probably kill themselves.

@BloodDracolich

6 ай бұрын

@SSkorkowsky , Let me guess; it's easily overloaded, and the resulting backfire would turn them into goo piles; right? 🫠

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

Nah. The one they have is the FGMP (Fusion Gun Man Portable), which is insanely powerful, but also unleashes a zone of radiation around the shooter, the entire line of fire, and the target, that is seriously bad for anyone not in a protective rad suit. None of them have the Heavy Weapons skill, so incur a -3 when trying to shoot it. And anyone who isn't super-strong or in a power suit are going to take more minuses due to its heft and size. So chances of it going bad for them are pretty decent.

Haven't watched the video yet but since I'm early just wanted to say great work with what you do man, your vids have made me a better DM!

This has been floating around in my brain for 40 years. I remember when my brother bought this new.

Hell yes!! Been waiting for this classic!

I re-read this module just recently. I love 1e reviews, please do more.

Awesome review. I love your stuff. Still waiting for the rest of your Kult videos....

Really enjoyed this. Brought back a lot of memories. Ahhh Durn the Dwarf. You died on the way to Lark Hill (maybe...somewhere to the NW) when you held off some Stirges. Good times

Super cool setting. Always excited to hear about these totally epic modules and all the experiences and insight you have to share. Thanks for all the pro tips! Happy Holidays!

So glad you did another D&D review. You do such a great job at these. Thank you

I love these videos Seth. Your insights in how to run it at the end is priceless.

dude, i keep getting impressed with how good your content is! And it keeps getting better! Thanksss!

I discovered this module thanks to your first video. Ive run it with 2 groups now. Thanks for all your recommendations and advice over the years Seth!

I watched an earlier vid and you mentioned running Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh with this and Isle of Dread, I did that combining the 3 into one large campaign, the three work great together and seamlessly in the way I structured them- thanks and great call

the first SS video I ever saw and the reason I subscribed a month ago, I really enjoy your module reviews for almost every system that I've seen so far, and even inspired me to pick up the CoC humble bundle last month. Keep being a Legend, Seth.

AAAH! I'm so happy you're reviewing classic AD&D modules again. Please revisit more!

I will still support you by watching your re-posted/redo videos. Always entertaining.

Thank you Seth for remaking this. I have recently been watching a number of your older videos as I am using them for inspiration for my reworking of Temple of Elemental Evil. The Secret of Bone Hill was the first module I ever bought back when I started playing. Great video as always.

Seth, your voice is so calming. I will often listen to your reviews as I'm trying to fall asleep. Also they got me to run my first CoC module and I'm so excited to run more.

I thought I had seen you do this before. Now new and improved with Jack

I was wondering why this popped up in my recommendations when I had already watched the original one earlier today! Great to see this getting another pass and Jack joining in

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

You might have been the last person to see the original before I archived it. I'm sure the back-to-back comparison of them is kinda weird.

@will1myers

6 ай бұрын

@@SSkorkowsky Lol, that's neat. I was actually also looking at the Drivethrurpg page for the adventure before I started watching this one

I bought this module after your first review. I love the new video! It makes me want to run it again!!!

I really enjoy your reviews. So even handed, no yelling about this or that. I'm trying to create a starter for a campaign of my own and I'm going to use the structure of this to do it. Thanks for all your help!

Great advice on how to take the module (or modules) as written and tweak them to your own liking. Love the idea of mashing up Bone Hill and Saltmarsh.

Its good to see Jack the NPC ! now a big question, does Seth have an adventure setting or a module that he has written ? Maybe in his fictional universe ?

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

I've written modules for Call of Cthulhu, Traveller, and , but none for D&D. Though, my Black Raven stories and the story Mist of Lichthafen (very first video on the channel is me reading it) are set in my old D&D world.

@--enyo--

6 ай бұрын

@@SSkorkowskyLooking out for the announcement 😮

It's still wild to me that we get the player perspective from an NPC

Just wanted to say, "Thanks for doing this channel." When I had COVID 2 years ago I discovered this channel and reignited an old flame. Three old friends are now playing D&D again, we started with Greyhawk. Just finished Hoard of the Dragon Queen, and now going on a trail drive with Savage Lands Deadlands. I really appreciate all your work. Keep it up.

Perfect timing on this review I just ordered a used copy of this module on eBay. I can here thinking I'll rewatch the old review, but this is a pleasant surprise.

Ahhh i still have this module. Got it at the used bookstore in Austin when i was 10, what a nostalgia trip! Thanks for this review! I need to delve back into a cardboard box at my parents’ place and rescue my original AD&D books and Basic box set. (My 1st edition Call of Cthulhu box is in there too!)

Superb video. Thanks! Perfect and really great for any new DMs wanting to run a new campaign. Also has given me some great story ideas for my campaign.

Great way to start my day with a smile. Awesome video once again 👏

Always nice to see some more AD&D content Seth!

One of my favorites! Getting ready to adapt it to a Shadowdark campaign. Because you know how absolutely diabolical I am.

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

Have fun, man.

Love the shirt.... give my ring back

@SaferWafer8

6 ай бұрын

Dang, I was gonna say that! Two thumbs up 👍👍

The the Sorcerer on the cover is a smash.

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

I found her very captivating when I was 13

@sometwat

6 ай бұрын

@@SSkorkowsky well, never expected to get a answer from you, also didn't expect for us to be like minded.

You always get a thumbs up. Always well deserved. Happiest wishes on the new year.

I ran this module as part of an ongoing campaign dealing with a large Yuan-Ti cult trying to resurrect their ancient God, Yigsothoth. In the dungeons of the Bugbear fort was a crystal which was part of a key and a Yuan-Ti priest had killed the Bugbear Shamen and polymorphed to fool the tribe into digging it up for him. The PCs showed up and hilarity insued

I remember the child monsters in the old against the giants module. But turns out hill giant toddlers still fight like ogtes and one pc got splatted by the nursery maid's frying pan, the rogue got rswarmed and ripped apart by three of them. It was a massacre.

I really enjoy your reviews and keep it up. I look forward to your review the Expedition to the Barrier Peaks

Every day seth posts a video is a good day

I can read it... can i have my ring please? Nice video Seth

Great post. The maps look useful. I love the t-shirt! 😂

That video was 7 years ago? How did I get so old.

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

Been asking myself that same question. At most, I'd have said 5 years.

One of my favorites from way back when.

If those were baby goblins, I know a certain adventurer who wouldn't have hesitated.

I love this module so much. Got me into OSR games

I have adapted L1 into Shadows of the Demon Lord and Savage Worlds. Not a small amount of work, but adaptation is a great way to learn about adventure and encounter design, as well as world building.

Excellent video. And thanks for the modified maps!

Great to see the revist. I would love to run this module at some point.

Seth - I bought this on Ebay after hearing your review of this module. I love this module as so far ahead of it's time.

was pretty sure when he mentioned the adventurer with an intelligent blade one of the rumors would be "and his name was peanut head"

I love The Secret of Bone Hill! I used it to kick off a new campaign in Greyhawk, and the players spent a couple months in the area before journeying onward to greater challenges. I had the module since I was a child, and never gotaround to running it until I was an adult, decades later. It's the perfect sort of sandbox environment for my DMing style.

Awesome review! Makes me want to pick up the module. Sounds like a good one to adapt to the EZD6 game I am putting together for my grandkids.

Ooo, I do like this for the game I'm about to start. Thanks for the great info, Seth!

Nice re-post! I loved the origional.

Some unsolicited feedback, Seth! I found your channel through your Reptile God review; even if its production isn’t quite up to your current standard, it totally hooked me and I've watched / listened to all of your videos at this point. Your AD&D reviews and ideas are really inspiring. But I guess the OG Bone Hill vid must not have made an impression on me, in that I couldn't recall what the adventure was about; my only vague memory / takeaway from it was that it’s a sandbox but not as interesting as Reptile God. NOW, however, it's another story! Your new Bone Hill vid has *ignited* my imagination; your passion is clear and contagious; the fun sandbox potentiality is very clearly communicated; in all, move over Reptile God, I want to run this the first chance I get! All this is to say, thank you for taking the time to revitalize some of your earlier vids; that effort does not go unnoticed or unappreciated!

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

Technical-wise the original video was pretty bad. Audio was abysmal. But the original review itself was much more straight-forward of what's inside the adventure than what can be done with it, which is the approach style I ended up adopting for all my review vids. There's more jokes now, but they aren't the reason this video is twice as long as the original.

If I end up running this I think I'll have one of the PCs be from the town and feed them a few random rumors including a false one. I think the original bone hill video was how I found your channel. Thanks for all the content you do.

Just wanted to say man I got your icons of RPG Dice. Tonight my players and I had our first session playing with the starter set. We played through the paper trail with two investigators and my players were rolling so hot with these dice they had literally five crits in a row between them!!! They found the major clues early and managed to capture and talk out with the "villain" without any deaths.

Man I’m so stoked that one of my favorite adventures gets a re-review. That old video was a classic, though.

You da best Seth. Great review and even better suggestions.

Awesome remake. Happy New Year

Great re-do, Seth. I just wish you (and the Internet) were around in 1979...

I ran this module for my family during our recent vacation. What’s the secret of Bonehill? Uh, there are monsters. Anyway, great review. Really shows how much is packed into one module. It’s much more suited to an extended campaign than a one shot.

his ws the first dungeon i bought and ran. it was well ahead of its time.

Babe wake up new Seth skorkowsky module review

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

Well....sorta new, sorta old

oh hey! I LOVE THE AD&D REVIEWS. I'm a 28 yr old running ad&d adventures every week for my groups. every review of the ad&d stuff has gotten thoroughly watched. even when i did bone hill etc.

@disfiguringthegoddess1102

6 ай бұрын

my players spent an hour playing darts with falco. lmao.

Finally , a AD&D review! Been awhile.

This is the first time it occurred to me that its slightly weird that we get the Player Character Perspective from someone literally called Jack the NPC. I guess it's one of those "If you're wondering how he eats and breathes..." sort of things.

@SSkorkowsky

6 ай бұрын

Think of Jack as undercover and getting the inside scoop

@claudelarose8831

6 ай бұрын

Well observed

It's my favorite sandbox of all time! Great recommendations, as always.

Brings back happy memories of lost days and fun, it was the first official D&D module that my friends and I played, loaned from his older brother.

I like these do-overs, cool to see this one vs your original and see the growth. Also, it is great to have jack as a staple

We first played this in 82 or 83. My players loved the sand box. They went everywhere ,gambling at a temple , playing darts in the bar, killing rats , fighting bandits, surprising gnolls and finally heading off to Bone Hill. Enjoyed the slightly different monsters, the night and day difference at the dungeon, the unique magic items and potions, and a few other classic item/trick traps. I have witnessed several different fails (and played in one) of the follow up Assassin's Knot module so I'm eager to DM a successful Assassin's Knot by laying a few seeds in place during the original Bone Hill Module. I have my party landing to the east of Garrotteton and staying at least one night there on their way to Restenford so they can meet some of NPC's there pre- Knot. None of My groups ever interacted with the Baron or the Druid or the Abbey which I found strange. I like your Bone Hill backstory and thanks for the maps.

12:32 This reminds me of Chester Copperpot, the explorer who's bones the Goonies find in the cave leading to One Eyed Willy's rich stuff.

I still have that! Incorporated it in a few campaigns

Really like that corruption of bone hill angle you have! connects it to the rest of the world and gives a cool atmosphere to the whole thing.

"If you can read this, I found your ring." Excellent, let's organize delivery of it. I heard that Eagles are the ideal courier method.

I made sure to stop the video and go brew a cup of tea once I saw Jack was in it, so that I had something to return his salute with at the end. 🍻 Your additions were some great work! Also, I am aware of a system based off the 3e/3.5e OGL stuff called "Fantasy Craft" that I think might be good to run this setting in. There's some threat scaling baked-in, so if the party wanted to go straight there, they could and... well, they might get a mud puddle stomped in their backsides, but they might also survive, if they were clever.

An option to make the town a part of their childhoods could be that their families left when a war started, and it wasn't until recent people could go back to rebuild it. The players maybe spent years separated from each other, explaining their different classes (the rogue didn't have much luck, the cleric was adopted by the church when their parents died, the fighter became a soldier to go back and fight...), and some rumors could be local urban legends. Maybe the reason they came back was to deliver the ashes from their dead relatives, so they can rest with the rest of their families. Even the baron could be a childhood friend, giving him a reason to trust them and maybe ask for their help.

Love your insights and really enjoyed the review. Im surprised that as a huge fan of Secret Of Bone Hill and a fan of investigative and mystery games in general that you havent played Assassin's Knot.

Just what I need. Been running AD&D 1st ed for a few years now.

woohoo! one of the best old modules. awesome christmas present