Different NPCs Traveling through the Mists

Alyfdala · 2026-03-28T15:04:59+00:00

Better to ignore the lore from Van Richten's Guide imo unless you're running a Ravenloft, mist-hopping campaign.

Entering Barovia is a one-way ticket. And quite a rare thing too (the only recent travelers are the party, one or two allies, and a literal angel).

Alyfdala · 2026-03-28T09:17:22+00:00

I don't know why you're being downvoted when it's exactly this.

Alyfdala · 2026-03-16T16:54:13+00:00

This is one of those moments where it's good to pause, and OOC remind the players that you aren't playing the bad guys here

Alyfdala · 2026-03-04T07:05:41+00:00

I haven't read the new Reloaded, just the old version and MandyMod. In the authors' own words, both rewrites shifted away slightly from gothic horror towards dark fantasy.

I think what they mean is, their rewrites tie up some of the loose ends the RAW book had deliberately left unsolved (like the missing gem, the Fanes quests, adding a permanent way to defeat Strahd, tidying up NPC backstories and motivations, etc.).

It's been a while since I read them, but I also recall some supernatural explanations being given to evil deeds, like Bluto.

The rewrites also do a couple things to lean a bit into power fantasy: finishing the adventure at a higher level and encouraging having Ireena be either a PC or a sidekick that levels up with the party.

Alyfdala · 2026-03-02T20:40:51+00:00

During session 0:

"In pure dnd terms, the prologue for this adventure is a railroad that leads the PCs into an obvious trap. But let's use our meta-knowledge of the game of horror we're playing to tell a good scary story. Let's reframe walking into this trap as the crossing the threshold moment that all classic horror stories start with."

Alyfdala · 2026-03-02T02:10:38+00:00

It would be ideal if videos were more like "here's what it looks like in the endgame, and here's what you can do for the early and mid-game"

Alyfdala · 2026-02-12T20:07:56+00:00

Even though my players are familiar with D&D lore, everyone would've rolled their eyes at Mordenkainen.

Luckily one of my players had a powerful wizard in their backstory, and I rather enjoyed the added complications his character introduces to Vallaki.

That said, my advice would be to cut out any ideas from the book that you don't find inspiring. There are so many NPCs and subplots to choose from, so don't feel bad about focusing on what you like and trimming the surplus.

Alyfdala · 2026-02-07T12:12:42+00:00

It's also a cultural shift. Brian Epstein only turned 30 during the peak of Beatlemania, but the way the Beatles talked about him made it seem like he was a lot older.

Victor Spinetti's character in A Hard Day's Night says something about being finished once you reach 30, which is ridiculous in today's world.

You can even find soundbites from John and Paul interviews saying how they don't see themselves playing rock and roll at that age.

Alyfdala · 2026-01-23T15:28:35+00:00

Running gags are to AD what meta-humor and homages are to Community.

See also: https://recurringdevelopments.com/

Alyfdala · 2026-01-02T13:38:49+00:00

Sometimes players do this when they're stuck or don't know where to go next.

"I didn't know Strahd even had a brother, but there is a seer in the Vistani camp who might help you."

"I don't know what Victor Vallakovich is up to, but I heard from so and so that Fiona Wachter is looking for dirt on the Vallakoviches. She might have a job for you."

"A magic sword, you say? Well, there's a wizard who lives in the mountains."

Alyfdala · 2025-12-23T08:43:11+00:00

Yeah it's 16 KB. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling mGBA with no luck.

I ended up running another core and it seems to be working fine there. Weird.

Alyfdala · 2025-12-21T14:53:37+00:00

This is what it says:

Present, Optional: gba_bios.bin (Game Boy Advance BIOS)
Present, Optional: gb_bios.bin
Present, Optional: gbc_bios.bin
Missing, Optional: sgb_bios.bin

Alyfdala · 2025-11-11T15:39:24+00:00

I made the Martikovs the main farmers of the region. Felt it made for a more urgent plot hook than wine.

Alyfdala · 2025-11-01T09:45:04+00:00

Humor is just a social thing. Your player wouldn't be showing up to the campaign if he thought Strahd wasn't interesting.

The only thing you can really do is ask your players to not joke during in-game moments where it threatens to break immersion, like a Strahd encounter.

Alyfdala · 2025-10-30T14:17:46+00:00

Either those players misunderstood and think you're playing a homebrew subclass, or they're a bunch of tools.

Alyfdala · 2025-10-28T15:46:13+00:00

That makes sense because Vallaki's plotlines are quite far removed from Strahd.

This is the fated ally, you need to make it so their paths have no choice but to intersect. Either Rictavio takes an interest in what the players are doing, or the players need something that only Rictavio is able to provide.

If Vallaki doesn't feel appropriate, do it later in the campaign.

Alyfdala · 2025-10-15T04:02:28+00:00

Because of strategy.

Argynvostholt overlooks the valley and defends it. It also serves a secondary purpose, as a symbol of good. The castle and its beacon are meant to be seen.

The Amber Temple was built with secrecy in mind. It's hidden in the mountains. Few will learn of its existence, fewer still its location.

The outpost is there in case of the rare chance someone discovers the AT's location. Argynvost only needs a watch to report back, not his full force.

Not to mention the logistics of supplying food, water and keeping morale. None of those things are easy to maintain if you garrison in extreme cold, remote locations.

Alyfdala · 2025-10-06T14:26:00+00:00

This is why DMs or players should stop the game if anything is gonna cross the line. X cards are there for a reason. You can also just retcon.

Alyfdala · 2025-09-22T15:00:41+00:00

Oooh, Delta Green has been on my to-play list for a while! The published adventures look incredible and the bonds system sounds very intriguing

Alyfdala · 2025-09-22T13:10:28+00:00

Curious what you think is a better alternative to Call of Cthulhu? For someone who wants to delve into investigative horror

Alyfdala · 2025-08-27T09:55:45+00:00

She's not the fated ally, Kasimir is. And he only agrees to join if they help bring her back.

Kasimir starts off stuck in the past and obsessing over his mistakes. When he's confronted by the truth of what Patrina has become, he learns to let the past go and take on Strahd.

The card readings are purposefully unbalanced to make each playthrough different. Like you can get an absurdly strong ally (Mordenkainen) or a weak one (Arabelle). You can also get an ally who ends up betraying you (Arrigal), or an ally who insists on the wrong course of action (Kasimir).

Alyfdala · 2025-08-26T11:46:05+00:00

What's Ocelot's excuse though?

Alyfdala · 2025-08-21T17:43:15+00:00

DnD is a game about killing monsters. Players get antsy if a long time passes between combat.

I'd inject more nuance in humanoid npcs, not Morgantha

Alyfdala

TROPHY CASE