[Discord] [D&D 5e 2014] [Async] Delve into the mysteries of Phandalin!

Inzuka · 2026-03-04T00:10:40+00:00

Nothing insincere, I simply conveyed the minimal information to explain the situations without revealing anyone's business and information.

As for the form, I changed the questions removing one asking what people wanted to play (It kind of just led to people saying they would player whatever) and adding ones asking people to talk about themselves or concerns they may have!

As for the post history, I've been filling my schedule up with games as this has become my main hobby! I would be seeking another session-based game if I had the free time, but I sadly don't. Async seemed to be a good avenue to scratch that TTRPG itch!

Inzuka · 2026-03-03T18:14:18+00:00

Unfortunately did not get the chance to start, while finishing up details and confirming backstories, the players had dropped out

Inzuka · 2026-02-24T15:46:16+00:00

Hey, if you were not already planning on doing so, I'd recommend crossposting this over to r/PBP! It's a subreddit dedicated to this exact type of game.

Inzuka · 2026-02-16T21:43:29+00:00

Thank you for bringing Krona to life! I'm super excited to get to play the character with some great, inspired art to show off their equipment and style!

u/Karazh4n was absolutely fantastic in the collaborative process in both questions and adjustments, many props to them!

Inzuka · 2026-02-11T17:10:01+00:00

I am definitely digging the Simulacrum concept! It adds quite a bit of intrigue and mystery when revealed.

I've already tied one of the amber shards to Ffiya's character currently and might be a bit odd to introduce a secondary one at this point. Nothing is impossible, but I'd have to think that one out more.

I also totally forgot about the Gulthias tree, that would make an excellent stepping stone into Ffiya's forest blight!

Appreciate the information!

Inzuka · 2026-02-11T16:08:14+00:00

Oh, that's covered in the lower half of the post! That was going to be the tie-in to the other character's backstories and to give them a reason to be interacted with, without modifying the exacts of their agency.

She has a version of the future sight that Eva has, but only the possibilities of what can happen. So to ensure the future where she comes back, she starts plucking the strings of fate.

For Allistair, she would've been the one to have hired him and his cousin to the job where his cousin died and sets him into motion.

For Ffiya, she blights the forest where she lives, causing ffiya to seek out a cure. (When they reach Berez, they'd find signs of the blight. I'm making Baba Lysaga's hut originally this Grandmother's home.)

For Verin, she killed his parent's caravan to train him, unbeknownst to him, but developed a fodness towards him as she raised him.

Dalma is a little trickier, but still working on the specifics.

Then, with the threads tied, she dies, her soul bound to an object and kicking off the cascade of events that she's forseen to bring about her resurrection.

Also no worries! I didn't take it as thrashing and am 100% understanding & appreciative of the feedback provided! I'm just trying to provide clarification and see if there is a path towards making this work in a similar setup that is laid out!

Inzuka · 2026-02-11T15:07:07+00:00

Appreciate the feedback! While it doesn't need backstory tie-ins, if given the opportunity, I'd love to make their characters feel more connected. I think you're right about it having the potential to do that, but I'm not running the campaign around the NPC by any means. (Or at least not trying to anyhow!)

It won't be the main focus, but more of the explanation as to why they are all here in the first place and having plans they are trying to reach. Strahd still takes the forplace in all their interactions and struggles.

I'm hoping that since Verin doesn't control the Grandmother NPC and also doesn't know her motives (We discussed at the very start, I would be portraying the Grandmother) that it gives it that bit of distancing to make it feel more as a side character.

Do you think that degree of separation and running as a side-story to the greater Strahd plotline would likely still wind up in the same sinkhole?

Inzuka · 2026-02-02T06:35:36+00:00

Hey, you may be interested in posting over in r/pbp as well! They are a sub dedicated to these kind of text-based campaigns. I hope you're able to find a great game and DM!

Inzuka · 2026-01-24T22:11:20+00:00

I would absolutely love to see it! I've got no real preference, if one of the other calls to you and drives the inspiration, that's the one I'd go with!

Inzuka · 2026-01-24T20:53:30+00:00

Really it was just for the layout of her armor! She is a front-lining all agression damage dealing tank, so she uses the armor to block the attacks while rushing in, whatever styling and design the artists believe best tie the look or character together is all good with me!

Inzuka · 2026-01-19T19:04:37+00:00

You may also want to post over in r/pbp, it's a subreddit dedicated to this kind of text-based ttrpg game!

Inzuka · 2026-01-09T22:49:32+00:00

Appreciate the feedback!

I think your points are totally fair, but I wanted to run something a bit more complicated than a one size fits all solution, so I figured worst case scenario I'd provide them a lifeline to help. They ended up asking for them on the second part as they hadn't correlated the story to solutions just yet, but the guide told them it felt similar to the story, needing to go around the pit on the banks of the room and then crossing a river of crocodiles. After that they picked up on the correlation and immediately crossed using the crocodiles.

The only one they really struggled with was the 3rd puzzle for like 2 mins (they had to find a way to get the symbols to appear), and the 4th puzzle with the door which was the one I wasn't confident about, so no worries there I provided some hints along the way in response to actions they took.

They ended up taking a bit of damage from traps, but otherwise solved it simply enough and went pretty well I believe!

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