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SUCCESSFUL AD VENTURES utrusted person, and a "will" of some sort written out so that the DM will notbalk at the arrangements made to assure the smooth transition of goods tothe devoted "relative" of the defunct character if those sore straits shouldever come to pass.With everything just about all set to go, a few more touches will be ofgreat help. Assign formations for the group - 10' corridor, 20' corridor,door opening, and any other formation which your party might commonlyassume. It is always a wise idea to have the very short characters in thefront rank, elves and dwarves to the flanks, and at least one sturdy fighterin the rear if the party is sufficiently large. Draw these formations out onpaper (possibly your referee will require copies for reference), identifyingeach character carefully. The leader who is to make decisions and givedirections for the party must be in the front rank, or in the second rank if heor she is tall compared to the characters before. The leader should keep asketch or trailing map as the adventure gets underway, and anothermember of the expedition should keep a carefully drawn map as well.A word about mapping is in order. A map is very important because ithelps assure that the party will be able to return to the surface. Minormistakes are not very important. It makes no difference if there is a 20'error somewhere as long as the chart allows the group to find its way out!As it is possible that one copy of the party's map might be destroyed bymishap or monster, the double map is a good plan whenever possible -although some players have sufficiently trained recall so as to be able tofind their way back with but small difficulty, and these individuals are agreat boon to the group. If pursuit prevents mapping, always go in a setescape pattern if possible - left-straight-right-straight, etc. Such patternsare easy to reverse. In mazes always follow one wall or the other, left orright, and you will never get lost. If transported or otherwise lost, beginmapping on a fresh sheet of paper, and check for familiar or similar placesas you go along. Never become despondent; fight until the very end.When everything is all set, it will take only a very few minutes to organizethe group for the adventure once time for actual play begins. Your refereewill certainly appreciate this, for his or her enjoyment comes fromadventuring, not from waiting for a party to get their act together. Withyour objective all set, it will also be a relatively quick trek to the "jumpingoff" area, as the expedition leader will be able to give clear and concisedirections on how to get there to the DM, and that means there will be fewmonster dice, for the party is marching along quickly down knownpassages, not mapping or otherwise tarrying.Avoid unnecessary encounters. This advice usually means the differencebetween success and failure when it is followed intelligently. Your partyhas an objective, and wondering monsters are something which standbetween them and it. The easiest way to overcome such difficulties is toavoid the interposing or trailing creature if at all possible. Wanderingmonsters typically weaken the party through use of equipment and spellsagainst them, and they also weaken the group by inflicting damage. Veryfew are going to be helpful; fewer still will have anything of any value tothe party. Run first and ask questions later. In the same vein, shunencounters with creatures found to be dwelling permanently in thedungeon (as far as you can tell, that is) unless such creatures are part ofthe set objective or the monster stands between the group and the goal ithas set out to gain. Do not be sidetrocked. A good referee will have manyways to distract an expedition, many things to draw attention, but ignorethem if at all possible. The mappers must note a11 such things, and anotherexpedition might be in order another day to investigate or destroysomething or some monster, but always stay with what was planned if atall possible, and wait for another day to handle the other matters. This notto say that something hanging like a ripe fruit ready to be pluckedmust be bypassed, but be relatively certain that what appears to be thecase actually is. Likewise, there are times when objectives must beabandoned.Co-operation assumes mutual trust and confidence, and this is enhancedwhen members are certain that the survivors will do their best to see thatany slain character is carried forth from the dungeon to be resurrected if atall possible. All members of the expedition should be ready and willing topart with any goods, money, and magic items in order to save lives. Failingthat, each should be willing to fight to the death to assure the survival andsuccess of the party. This will happen when mutual trust exists. What aboutevil alignment? selfish neutrals? unco-operative players?Intelligent players of evil alignment will certainly be ready to help in orderto further their own ends. This is not to say that they will be chummy withthose of good alignment, but on a single expedition basis it is possible toarrange situations where they are very likely to desire to be helpful inorder to benefit themselves and their cause. Generally evil characters,porticularly chaotic evil ones, are prone to be troublesome and hurtful tothe party. They should accordingly be shunned when possible. Selfishneutrals are similar to evil characters, but their price is usually easier tomeet, and it is therefore easier to integrate them into an expedition whichwill depend on co-operation for success. The character of good alignmentwho is basically unco-operative - often acting as an evil or (selfish)neutral would - is another matter, for such players usually join under thepretense of being helpful and willing to act in the best interest of the party.Undoubtedly the best way to take care of such players is to expel themfrom the group as soon as circumstances permit. Do this os often as isnecessary to either change the player'? mind about co-operation, or untilhe or she becomes tired of having their characters consigned to oblivionbecause of their attitude.So much for the underworld adventure. Most of what was said regardingsuccessful expeditions there also applies to outdoor and city adventures aswell. Preparation and mutual aid are keys to these sorts of adventuresalso. It is not usually possible to return to home base in the wilderness, buta place of refuge can be found and used in order to rebuild a party'sstrength. The party should avoid confrontations with monsters which areobviously superior and always seek to engage monsters at an advantage.City adventures are the toughest of all, for they are more difficult to planand prepare for. Yet with care, and a careful adherence to co-operativeprinciples, they can be successfully handled with the guidelines statedabove. Setting out with an objective in mind, having sufficient force togain it, ond not drawing undue attention to the party in the course ofaccomplishing the goal should serve to bring such adventures to successfulconclusion.Superior play makes the game more enjoyable for all participants, DM andplayers alike. It allows more actual playing time. It makes play moreinteresting. The DM will have to respond to superior ploy by extendinghimself or herself to pose bigger and better problems for the party to solve.This in turn means more enjoyment for the players. Successful play meanslong-lived characters, characters who will steadily, if not rapidly, gainlevels. You will find that such characters become like old friends; theybecome almost real. Characters with stories related about their exploit%-be they cleverly wrought gains or narrow escapes- bring o sense of prideand accomplishment to their players, and each new success odds to theluster and fame thus engendered. The DM will likewise revel in telling ofsuch exploits ...j ust as surely as he or she will not enjoy stories whichconstantly relate the poor play of his or her group! Some charocters willmeet their doom, some will eventually retire in favor of a new character ofa different class and/or alignment; but playing well is a reward unto itself,and old charocters are often remembered with fondness and pride os well.If you believe that ADVANCED DUNGEONS 8 DRAGONS is a game worthplaying, you will certainly find it doubly so if you play well.If the party becomes lost, the objective must immediately be changed todiscovery of a way out. If the group becomes low on vital equipment orspells, it should turn back. The same is true if wounds and dead membershave seriously weakened the group's strength. The old statement aboutrunning away to fight another day holds true in the game. It is a wise ruleto follow.On the other hand, if the party gains its set goal and is still quite strong,some other objectives can be established, and pursuit of them can then befollowed. It is of utmost importance, however, to always carry slainmembers of the expedition with the party if at all possible, so even if but alone character is lost, it is usually best to turn back and head for thesurface.inn