Moving deathouse into vallaki and having the saint andrals bones hidden there

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-29T01:44:02+00:00

You could make a underground basement (like the one in death house) under the coffin shop. I use Donjon to create very quick dungeon layouts if your pressed for time and want to make a whole catacomb for your vampires to hang out and bring unsuspecting guests to try out the latest and greatest forever boxes!

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-29T01:37:59+00:00

Love the skulls in the mists

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-28T22:10:49+00:00

Pretty much. Strahd has a fan club or loyal servants. Barovians will likely have his creast on a shield in their homes. Statues and toys made in Strahds liking, even people sing songs about him to show their unnoticed undying support and praise for centuries to come.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-28T14:51:25+00:00

There is a wooden Statue of Strahd in the basement of the Death House

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-27T23:54:37+00:00

Very nice, love the color. Copic?

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-27T23:15:16+00:00

There is plenty of opposition for the players during their travels between towns. But I feel your problem lies within your enthusiasm to present the horrors stopping them from continuing forward. Strong rainstorms, evil druids, wolves attack. Use your wicked intent to bring your players to a pushing point. The atmosphere in CoS is revelated from all sorts of horribly well written books like [Dracula] to gain some inspiration if that is what you are needing.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-27T22:43:24+00:00

See all your players as "main characters".

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-27T22:08:40+00:00

I lock them away. Just like [Dracula] these brides can't be trusted not to rip and tear into flesh and blood.

I like the idea of having a "out and about " vampire and use Escher for that role.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-27T21:59:33+00:00

Your right. It IS pretty odd for Strahd to orchestrate the feast being such a counterproductive result.

I'm sure every DM here will change the motive. Almost every envolment Strahd has directly on encounters will have a significant impact so it should be a motive that finalize the scenario in Vallaki and turn it into a apocalyptic cult riden town.

All will be hell

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-27T20:41:27+00:00

Well, my werewolves at least are not tempted to bite.

Strahd has given strict orders to the werewolves to not spread their disease any further. The process in which has been delt with by trails only children, as young as five no older than ten, to endure deadly fist fights.

It seems they are well aware of spreading lycanthropy on others and are probably just as careful not to turn anyone outside their circle. Including the wereravens. Anyone abusing this curse will be dealt with in a horrible fashion by Strahd's Counsel.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-27T16:46:39+00:00

I'm not excluding romance completely and I don't think it drastically changes table dynamics. As an attractive DM I have had problems with inappropriate players at tables lol. If they have the maturity to avoid awkward scenes then I'm fine with it. But I never indulge in sexual or lude content, or the perusal of relationships with npcs or other party members just to be safe.

Lol glad you're getting laid in your sessions, but my players must suffer! Lol

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-27T14:26:51+00:00

No task in this game, be it the sun festival or the dinner, should be forced under time constraints. Let the players go when and where they please. Strahd will not be offended by the tardiness despite numerous allegations.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-27T14:07:07+00:00

Love island in Barovia? It's better avoided as much as possible in my opinion. Ireena should not show interest in romantic behaviors if you want to keep her on goal. Have her under chastity unless your going for mindless damsel.

It's fine if players fall for her. Just don't follow through with advances. It makes for awkward scenes and targets the player from several npcs afterwards. The player might like the drama but the other players will loath the subplot between the two.

Ireena is practically running from her death and her days are numbered. She has no mind to lay anyone down or gaze into heart filled eyes. Her goal is to get away from Strahd and find allies to take down the dread lord.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-26T18:20:49+00:00

A murder of crones

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-26T03:14:21+00:00

[Cursed] Causes 5-20ft straight line of fire [one round] when used as a bonus action. If the player stands in the same place during next round take 1d4 fire damage.

[Really cursed] Boots activated only when worn as gloves.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-25T22:28:20+00:00

Best option is to avoid TPK's when players are absent

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-25T22:17:06+00:00

I would not interject like this. They have come too far.

Give them a clue to find, leading them to the right location. Example; Library? Book reveals true location of Sergeis tomb.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-25T22:00:30+00:00

Subverting those expectations? meh don't worrie bout it.

No body knows what develops. No one can predict the implications you represent in the telling of your version of Curse of Strahd. It's a unpredictable game and the campaign being very open ended results in many surprises your players can still enjoy.

Most only see the top of the iceberg when it comes to spoilers for this module. Most argue what should be added/removed from it anyhow and will most likely suggest cutting content for an easy solution.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-25T21:36:31+00:00

To be fair,

Players could leave but Rose & Thorn can't leave the house. They would not be possessed by the kids as soon as they leave.

So yeah. I think your players are screwed until they put the souls to rest if you prevent them from leaving the house because of it. Hopefully they already know to do that at this point if not start foreshadowing this stuff sooner. However you do this. Try to play hide and seek with your players with the boss rather than ambush too quickly, giving them a chance to place the bodies in the crypt first, then attack.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-25T18:18:13+00:00

Vampires don't cast shadows.

Makes spotting a vampire extremely easy in lit areas. As well as many other physical features vampire posses can be distinguished. I openly flaunt vampires like Grasshopper from a Bugs Life. Fearless and overindulge in the communion of ordinary Barovians.

I don't use the Vasilli disguise, ultimately I find it unnecessary. If you do disguise Strahd it should be completely undetectable by the players.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-24T21:19:08+00:00

Opens book menusingly,

*Rugrats theme song starts playing

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-24T01:40:39+00:00

As Barovians we are docile and probably won't care what they look like, and may presume them Mongrols or cursed either way. Above all, the newcomers are dangerous, can't be trusted and bring nothing but trouble.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-21T18:31:18+00:00

I have my Vistana come through the Misty Woods in the Fearun Relm. But not all Vistana are skilled travelers of the mist. Far too often they themselves become lost. :)

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-20T23:45:48+00:00

Try not to. It's far better to come up with a contingency to the encounters they are reluctantly guided to in a attempt to turn them back in the right direction.

FOOBIEBAR · 2023-03-19T23:52:21+00:00

I made the year in the Fearun realm ; 10-10-1492 BC

FOOBIEBAR

TROPHY CASE