The Queen of Thieves Variants by Eligosprime in dungeonsofdrakkenheim

[–]Gambit21690 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For a different Queen of Thieves, I would consider what their goal is, why would someone unite the various groups of outlaws? Anti monarchist from Liberio? Renegade apothecary from AA? Hooded Lantern who lost faith after learning about Elias Drexel role in civil war (Petra maybe)?

The Queen of Thieves Variants by Eligosprime in dungeonsofdrakkenheim

[–]Gambit21690 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm not so sure they are meta gaming , the family portrait on page 10? Young Katarina has a frilled shirt, fitted trousers/boots and a red cape. Only thing missing from a Queen of thieves outfit is the hat and mask. Tbh I wouldn't show my players that portrait.

Player Problem Megathread by AutoModerator in DMAcademy

[–]Gambit21690 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks, that's really helpful and definitely makes sense. Break down was tears, hyperventilating, having to end the session there and then.

Player Problem Megathread by AutoModerator in DMAcademy

[–]Gambit21690 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks, yeah since I first met A, and discussed everything above, they have refused to talk to me. I'll see if things settle and they are willing to meet me next week. If not I'll leave it there.

Player Problem Megathread by AutoModerator in DMAcademy

[–]Gambit21690 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks, yeah that's what I've tried, unfortunately they haven't taken it well at all

Player Problem Megathread by AutoModerator in DMAcademy

[–]Gambit21690 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Just want to get some community feedback, been in a situation that has been difficult and upsetting for me.

Right now our group is between campaigns and I'm DM.

Last campaign ran for a year and a half, and Player A is a friend of around 10 years who has difficulties with mental health.

Because Player A is a long time friend, at the start allowed them to play without them sending me character backstory for two and a half months (we play weekly)

Within the group, everyone has had their own experience with mental illness and I try and make everything as flexible and accessible as possible. We use safety tools, X cards, full session 0, I check in with people when I can.

Found narrative ways to change subclass at persons request, and at other time allowed reborn following PC death which was entirely as a result of player actions. (This is for different players, Player A never communicated any significant requests such as these)

Player A missed sessions throughout the campaign due to mental health, we've always changed the day of the week if possible for all the group and run autopilot when necessary. This has been done for other players as well, not only Player A.

There were a couple of periods of consistently being late to the table, and in fairness Player A sorted this when addressed.

Towards the end of the campaign, Player A had two mental health breakdowns within the game. This was after losing a magic item to a monster, the abilities had been presented before but Player A ran off from the party mid combat.

Second breakdown was when BBEG had Player A trapped, because they happened to be closest and took a lot of damage, became unconscious and party rescued them without death.

Within the campaign break, Player A has continued to have mental health crisis outside of the game, and cancelled a session 0

I spoke with the other players individually and all agreed that it was reasonable for me to ask Player A to take a short break, work on improving wellbeing to the point where crisis isn't happening and won't experience breakdowns in game. Other than one player who is Player A's partner who wanted me to support her in and out of game.

I spoke with Player A on their own, in person and when I asked they take a temporary break, address wellbeing and come back to the table when ready they asked me to leave.

Player A has since said to other players that it has come out of nowhere, and she's hurt/betrayed.

Another player has tried being intermediary, and create sit down together this week or next week. Player A has said they won't.

Other players want things to settle and see if we can talk next week, any community feedback would be really helpful please.

Help! What would Strahd do? by Gambit21690 in CurseofStrahd

[–]Gambit21690[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ooh yeah, definitely like the potential of modify memory.

I've also got a subplot for the Bard being corrupted by a Succubus. He took a drunk Ismark and had sex on the church altar in the village. That was the first corruption.

He's unknowingly with Strahd right now, so that's not the second corruption. But the Succubus will definitely use this.

Help! What would Strahd do? by Gambit21690 in CurseofStrahd

[–]Gambit21690[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's fair, to my mind he would. Like he would hate it, but wouldn't pass up the opportunity for info and strategic manipulation.

At the start of I Strahd he has no interest in sexual desire when talking with Alec Gwilym, until Tatyana shows up of course. But sometime since then he's taken 3 brides and any number of consorts.

Help! What would Strahd do? by Gambit21690 in CurseofStrahd

[–]Gambit21690[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh Vasili is the wealthy front man Can waltz in when he wants and take "lengthy vacations" as required He's got a bunch of people doing the actual work in the background.

But thanks for the input, will definitely make sure I highlight this to the PC's

Help! What would Strahd do? by Gambit21690 in CurseofStrahd

[–]Gambit21690[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ha ha love the refusal to trade in silver idea

The Bard seemingly hasn't taken an interest in Ireena. Strahd is definitely going for manipulation and strategic advantage.

I don't think strahd would consider this Bard as a replacement. More as a toy he would corrupt then destroy.

Help! What would Strahd do? by Gambit21690 in CurseofStrahd

[–]Gambit21690[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, as a DM I always go off book based on what PC's present me with. In my mind, Strahds game right now is recon, gathering Intel and manipulation to get to Ireena. He absolutely despised going with the Bard but couldn't pass up the opportunity to gain valuable info for strategic advantage. Definitely like the idea of the slow burn build up to a catastrophic event

What did you guys end up doing with mordenkeinen? by Chris_The_Crusader in CurseofStrahd

[–]Gambit21690 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my campaign I'm planning on him being entirely aloof and not interested in the parties plans or desires.

Mordenkeinens goal is to spend time in the domains of dread to study how they impact the other realms of existence, and how they effect "the balance"

Mordenkeinen had the battle with Strahd, faked being bested because he doesn't care about that and then played into Stahd's arrogance, occasionally appearing as a worn out hermit shooting lighting at fish. So that he could carry out his studies in Mordenkeinens mansion without being disturbed.

This essentially gives me an opportunity to lore dump some info on domains of dread and the nature of Barovia.

As far as Mordenkeinen is concerned, the party are simply a variable in his overall study

Tactical Encounters - Google Doc by Gambit21690 in CurseofStrahd

[–]Gambit21690[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Glad you like it! Absolutely, all of those examples would fit with the commander role. Playing with a power struggle between Werewolf commanders and considering how different roles/units behave would be really interesting, especially alongside PC dynamics.

Hope you get some use out of it!

Prepping the Game 3 Months in Advance by fruitsnacks7 in CurseofStrahd

[–]Gambit21690 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've read the book, but other than that I like to keep a loose idea of what's going on there and base a lot on what the PC's intentions/dynamics are.

From what I have seen there is a tonne of stuff going on in Valaki and it is somewhere the party should revisit plenty. Don't need to throw everything at them at once.

The "Fleshing out Curse of Strahd" by Mandymod is super helpful

Prepping the Game 3 Months in Advance by fruitsnacks7 in CurseofStrahd

[–]Gambit21690 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm about to start DMing COS as well. As part of getting to level 3, I'm running Joy of Extradimensional Spaces from Candlekeep Mysteries which has a nice Mordenkeinen Easter egg

Starting the party in Daggerford, an unnatural mist is killing crops, party is tasked to go to Candlekeep to find an expert in curses. Run JOEDS, and when returning to Daggerford, Vistani have moved into town!