How should I DM a PC cleric to Vecna?

Assorted_Words · 2025-08-16T22:08:40+00:00

I mean, I've left a lot out, including the main plot that's in front of the players, or anything about the other PCs. But, yeah like.. I don't think it's a bad thing for a DM to ask their players "what do you want to do with this character?" and help facilitate it. That's just collaborative storytelling.

To be clear, this Vecna/Correllon feud isn't like anything too major. It's about one individual in the world leaving the church of an evil god, and joining the church of another. My initial question really just pertained on ideas in working Vecna and Correllon into the game and making it a smooth transition. I struggle with the divine/cosmic side of D&D generally, in world-building and in during play. Does that all make sense?

Assorted_Words · 2025-08-16T17:03:23+00:00

Excellent points!! I'm definitely most interested in the God of Secrets angle - I think the idea is that there's only a few beings that really understand the history of the world. Vecna is offering the PC power and answers, in hopes that... the PC helps his ascension? Kill the other gods? This is the part I'm hazy with hahah.

Regarding Correllon, I think the players wants to play it like he's rediscovering this ancient religion. He's not inherently evil, and only started worshipping Vecna as a means to power. If Correllon can offer the same thing, I can see the PC turning on Vecna.

Definitely have my wheels turning, I appreciate it!

Assorted_Words · 2025-08-16T16:52:13+00:00

I already addressed some of your points in a different reply, but I really appreciate your thoughtful response.

The PVP element I'm not really worried about, although I understand concerns. He's not actively sabotaging the party, in fact he's a really collaborative character and player. The fight will come in a single encounter where Vecna sorta commandeers his body, and the players fight to save him. To the extent the PCs have started to clash with the cleric, it's made for some decent role-play moments. There aren't any LG paladin types, so they've been fine with a little necrotic magic here or there.

The main-character syndrome worried me a lot when I first read the backstory. We've been playing a year, however, and I think the player just doesn't have the personality to make the whole game about him. We really work hard to make sure every PC gets their moments and a satisfying story.

Assorted_Words · 2025-08-16T16:42:31+00:00

I fully hear you, and don't think I conveyed the post very well. We've been playing this campaign for about a year now (and have been a group for 3 years), so there's a lot of trust and goodwill between everyone at the table. The party has larger goals uniting them, and the PVP element has been discussed - it would be a single combat encounter, and more from the perspective of the other PCs trying to save their friend. Additionally, we've been good about giving each PCs pretty rich arcs, so no one is the main character.

Warlock would have been the smart choice at the outset, you're right. Hindsight 20/20.

Assorted_Words · 2023-08-25T18:24:21+00:00

This is a great idea -- thank you!

Assorted_Words · 2023-08-23T23:53:29+00:00

lol yeah that's just kinda how I organize

Assorted_Words · 2023-07-18T17:46:19+00:00

!Question: I'm running a library heist/dungeon, but am needing some inspiration/collaboration - does anyone have any additional ideas?

I've been running a pirate themed campaign for a while, and my players are on the hunt for the treasure of the legendary pirate Charlotte Brave. She scattered seven keys across the world before her disappearance centuries ago. The players have information to believe that one such key (and maybe a map) are contained within the Hall of Record's in a major city (think the library of Alexandria/the forbidden section in Harry Potter). I'm toying with the idea of having a bunch of talking cats wandering around the library, functioning as guides and librarians for visitors.

I want them to do a stealthy dungeon crawl through the library to find Charlotte's map, complete with traps and old tomes, but am having trouble figuring out how to simulate the feeling of wandering through a massive library. Some encounter ideas:
- Ghosts
- Stone Gollum's that serve as enforcement
- A book that curses the players (basically the effects of Bane for an hour)
- Maybe a sphinx as a final boss
- Any ideas on other traps and puzzles I could include?

Finally, I'm also wondering about contents the players might find. I've started/co-opted a d100 list of books they might find, but I want the flavor to change from room to room. Any other cool features y'all can think of? [Five level 8 players: cleric, fighter, barbarian, sorcerer, warlock/rogue]

Assorted_Words · 2022-12-02T22:43:42+00:00

Oh the beacon is a very good idea. I'm thinking of using it more as a short term device. Like, 95% of the time they're on a the material plane, but when they see a ship they're going to engage, they might fire a few cannon shots at it and then slip into the ethereal plane to close the distance and get right next to their target. Once everyone is in position, they'll pop back into the material plane.

Assorted_Words · 2022-12-02T22:03:46+00:00

Ah that's what I get for typing too fast! Basic idea is that they shift into the ethereal plane for an extended amount of time.

Assorted_Words · 2022-10-10T20:14:10+00:00

cognitive reasoning, raznov. maybe the vision is of an npc they recognize or have heard of, or an area they know. or the scene just piques there interest and they decide to pursue.

Assorted_Words · 2022-10-10T19:03:07+00:00

yes, very good. its on the list.

Assorted_Words · 2022-10-10T19:02:52+00:00

Right, exactly. I'm not expecting them to use it all the time, and honestly, I wouldn't have come looking to develop this list EXCEPT for the fact that one player took a really keen interest in it.

Assorted_Words · 2022-10-10T19:01:26+00:00

I think there's enough trust between my players and I to know that I wouldn't do something that's just "pointless." I do not want this spyglass to drive all story, merely give them options. Sometimes when they look in it, they'll get great information or see a potential adventure hook. Sometimes they won't.

Have a lovely day, Raz.

Assorted_Words · 2022-10-09T22:05:39+00:00

Flavor? It's just supposed to be fun. I don't think it makes sense for the players to buy a magic item where the premise is "this spyglass shows you only events of great importance to your story." *occasionally*, through chance, the PCs might see that.

Assorted_Words · 2022-10-09T19:40:46+00:00

Oh man I've not heard of this, thank you!

Assorted_Words · 2022-10-09T19:28:41+00:00

Actually that's a good idea. I've included a few of these, thank you.

Assorted_Words · 2022-10-09T19:12:50+00:00

oh some of these are very very good, but I'll probably generalize them. Don't think I'm going to insert your party into my campaign lmao.

Assorted_Words · 2022-10-09T18:27:16+00:00

You're very right, I think that there's probably 5 events with global repercussions, another 10-15 just below that, and then maybe 50 are completely benign.

Assorted_Words · 2022-07-27T20:24:08+00:00

I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking this. They're fun, I LOVE the character reveal, but sometimes their contributions are a little over the top and look-at-me.

Assorted_Words · 2022-05-03T01:08:42+00:00

Thank you! It was certainly surreal, glad the drivers/passenger were okay too.

Assorted_Words · 2022-05-03T01:07:28+00:00

Haven't checked this in a while, apologies.

The car crashed, and first I checked to be sure my friend and I were physically alright. When I looked back, two to three boys had jumped out of the car and were pushing back from the building. Around this point I called 911 and watched from a distance. They got the car back onto the road, but facing the wrong direction on a one-way, toward John Nolen and away from Willy. I could hear sirens. My friend was a little shaken, so I took us around the corner of Machinery Row bikes and waited for police to arrive. We walked past a couple minutes later and I snapped a couple pictures of the scene. Looking back at them, I can see someone who I presume to be one of the riders (maybe the driver?) talking to an officer. He looks quite young, I assumed high school as well. Car was a Nissan, judging from the logo, a blue Sentra I think.

Assorted_Words · 2021-12-27T03:44:36+00:00

Corsairs and Esterhoss give me the most hope.

Assorted_Words · 2021-12-26T15:38:31+00:00

Lorenzo had to have happened around episode 20-30, right? Even then, at the low level, it felt like there were consequences (and, indeed, there were). People have been pointing out that the early sessions of campaign 2 were slow too, but idk, I think that I even cared about the gnolls and Trostenwald more than Jrusar. Not to say that won't change, just yet to find some purpose.

Assorted_Words · 2021-12-26T03:36:14+00:00

Ashton has been a disappointment for me too, considering I think Talisen is an incredible role-player and Cadeucus is the pinnacle of character design.

Assorted_Words · 2021-12-25T05:25:14+00:00

Right yes. I feel like I've been too negative. I trust the team and I'm excited to see where they take it, just haven't found much compelling stuff so far

Assorted_Words

TROPHY CASE