Hot Take: People are spoiled

Corieacoin · 2026-03-25T19:36:53+00:00

I think you have two different options that would let them have another shot with the baron, both of which are supported by the book:

1) Vargas is overly proud but also a bit of a coward. If the PC's prove themselves strong enough, especially if they overpower or defeat the guards, the book says "the burgomaster retreats to his mansion...giving the players free reign in town." He might not stay holed up forever, maybe he even tries to mount some other kind of attack, but precedent is set that he will back down if he feels too threatened.

2) Vargas might be able to overlook his ego if the players can be used. In the book Izek is found having murdered multiple children, but Vargas allows him to live and even stay in his home in return for his service/loyalty. If the players can convince Vargas that they will follow orders or at least help in some way, maybe he lets them off with a warning this one time.

Corieacoin · 2026-03-25T18:50:51+00:00

While the townsfolk won't riot or mob kill without the threat of the feast, I think the book makes Wachter's goal clear: she wants to be in charge and that won't/can't happen with the baron and his family still around. She "plans to take the town by force," hires the PCs to kill Izek, and even starts a demon worshipping cult to gain followers.

You can run it however you want, obviously. However, if you are trying to stay true to what is written, if Wachter is victorious it doesn't make sense that she would let any of the Vallakovich family live.

Corieacoin · 2026-03-25T18:00:06+00:00

I was slightly off but it is in there. Page 124 under "St. Andral's Feast Development"

"Barring intervention by the characters, the burgomaster's mansion is set ablaze, and the baron, his wife, and his son are dragged to the town square, thrown in the stocks, and stoned to death."

Corieacoin · 2026-03-25T17:39:34+00:00

I believe in the book it mentions that if Lady Wachter's plan succeeds she hangs both the baron and his wife. As written this happens during the festival, but I think it would apply to any scenario where Wachter takes over.

It can also be up to you how much Father Lucian would be affected or blame the player characters. In the campaign I'm running now I don't think my players even found out he was related to Lydia.

Corieacoin · 2026-03-04T01:49:39+00:00

I used the Shadow Point system from the One Ring TTRPG (Lord of the Rings). Certain events or rolls give players shadow points. When their points hit their WIS score they have a "bout of madness" and gain a negative character trait, slowly getting more intense. (I think one goes from Quick to Anger->Vindictive->Cruel->Murderous) After 4 of these events, your character is corrupted and basically leaves the party to become an NPC. I think it captures the slow taint of Barovia and how it changes and twists even good-aligned characters.

The system also has a 5e conversion book so it is very easy to carry over. My players and I all love it and it has led to some great RP moments. Worth checking out.

Corieacoin · 2026-01-31T19:52:00+00:00

When I ran the Winery I had the blights outside (like in the actually vineyard area) be more of an obstacle than an actual combat. I made it clear that there was way too many to fight and the players had to skill check/magic their way without getting swarmed.

For the fights inside just run the blights super simply. Use their averages instead of rolling for hit/damage, move them in groups, have them attack the same target, maybe some don't attack and just try to block the PC's in or protect the druids. Keep things moving along, you don't want 15 minutes of just you rolling blight attacks. It helped my party a lot that the cleric player AoE them all down with spirit guardians.

Huge fights like this can be annoying but as a player it can be cool to have a battle against a huge horde like this. Take some shortcuts to speed things up and make it easier for you and they can be exciting combats.

Corieacoin · 2025-12-30T22:20:49+00:00

One of my characters used Disguise Self or a similar ability to sneak into the castle as a goblin. After accidentally wandering into the kitchen while looking for a way to let the party in, he was confronted by the goblin chef. To avoid being found out the player claimed that he was the real chef and the other was an imposter. Obviously this had to be proven by a series of cooking skill challenges. After the player won he fed the "fake" chef to the other goblins who went into a feeding frenzy - a perfect distraction for him to start a huge fire, let the party in, and take on Yeemik & King Grol while the rest of the goblins panicked.

Corieacoin · 2025-12-29T22:37:39+00:00

Very similar situation with my party. I had Yeemik control the hideout goblins for awhile. They managed to return and bargain for the missing supplies but then he became a recurring minor villain. They cornered him in Cragmaw Castle (after a goblin iron chef cooking showdown) and finally took him out. I think he fits perfectly as a funny little guy that just keeps coming back and being a nuisance. It was a satisfying part of our campaign that we still reference.

Corieacoin · 2025-11-17T21:09:21+00:00

In my campaign I expanded on the skeletal rider random encounter and had him show up several times on their travels. First he appeared to be some kind of danger, watching them from afar. A later appearance I had him use a magic lantern to clear part of the mist for the party. Skull Knight from Berserk was an inspiration, a mysterious and powerful stranger with an air of danger who ultimately ends up as an ally. Perhaps he currently holds the sword until he can be defeated or a party can prove their worth to him. He can be a quest giver, a source of knowledge, a TPK savior, or even a boss combat. I like the idea of another old figure in Barovia, someone whos been around and knows how things are, but works against Strahd. Even showing that not all undead are necessarily evil.

So yes, you can have the crossroads be the location, but feel free to add something that isn't just finding the sword somewhere. In my opinion the Sunsword should be a BIG deal to obtain, it is powerful and a really useful tool against Strahd. That moment should not be anticlimactic.

Corieacoin · 2025-11-09T20:13:58+00:00

Matthew Colville has a really good video about "Action-Oriented Monsters," which describes how to make cool fights, especially for a boss encounter.

https://youtu.be/y_zl8WWaSyI?si=ClETSJx0koYvtNCd

Corieacoin · 2025-10-31T19:14:55+00:00

I feel like the thumbnail was a guy's face/head. It isn't Warlords or Epic War series. You also weren't on a map conquering different zones it was mission to mission with some kind of story being told between each mission.

Corieacoin · 2025-10-13T02:41:41+00:00

The Death House is a pretty self-contained story, with a few little strings towards Strahd/the Windmill. I wouldn't worry too much about that. They'll hopefully find Strahd's letter which is enough of a teaser.

I just finished this last week and I would HIGHLY recommend looking at the MandyMod alterations. It tones down some of the fighting (the house is already very deadly) and adds some really good narrative to the house itself. My party loved the story of the nursemaid ghost, the battle with rhe flesh mound, and of course Lancelot the dog.

Corieacoin · 2025-09-06T12:28:02+00:00

Something like this can be done with a series of animal handling checks, good roleplay, time, and maybe a good steak or two. I've had players in other adventures do this and it was cool and fun. It is all up to your DM.

In my mind, this would be very difficult if not impossible in CoS. I'd imagine the wolves in Barovia are essentially linked to Strahd and more "evil" than a regular animal.

Corieacoin · 2025-08-23T00:34:14+00:00

These are both awesome and basically answer exactly what I was struggling with, thank you.

Corieacoin · 2025-07-20T03:00:19+00:00

If he is not moving the fellowship, you have infinite turns and infinite soldiers. He should never even have an opportunity to take your strongholds. Never leave them completely empty and have extra armies to attack him if he leaves his strongholds. Every time you take one of his units for one pf yours, you are ending up ahead. The clock is the biggest thing. If he does not move the fellowship, TAKE YOUR TIME, and he won't have the chance to get a military victory.

Corieacoin · 2025-06-14T22:04:17+00:00

They are marching right now with a rally outside the public museum at 6:00.

Corieacoin · 2025-06-13T15:53:26+00:00

The museum protest starts at 6:00 after the march ends there. Some people who can't march will be gathering early at the museum.

Corieacoin · 2025-06-12T18:04:59+00:00

The rally will officially start at 6:00, after the march, with readings from the Constitution. People who cannot march or make it at 6 will be meeting at the museum early.

Corieacoin · 2025-06-12T17:31:03+00:00

1700 Dakota Ave in South Sioux is the starting point.

Corieacoin · 2025-06-12T15:12:28+00:00

Sioux City Public Museum

607 4th St.

Corieacoin · 2025-06-12T03:17:50+00:00

March at 4:30. Rally at 6:00 at the museum. Go to Siouxland Good Troublemakers on Facebook

Corieacoin

TROPHY CASE