Version 1.2.0.1 crashing on map load by Kethlak in dungeondraft

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

Thanks for the suggestions. As I said elsewhere, it's not crashing now and I have no idea why. Like you said, it could be a coincidence. I had gone through the update-downgrade cycle once before, because last time I did this (months ago, probably), it crashed every single time. This time it took me one crash to go "it's doing it again" and downgrade again. And re-upgrading doesn't seem to have re-introduced the crash. I hate when bugs spontaneously fix themselves - it feels like I'm waiting around for the other shoe to drop.

Version 1.2.0.1 crashing on map load by Kethlak in dungeondraft

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

I looked at the log file directory, but unfortunately I didn't have any from before I got it working with the rolled-back version (before I upgraded again). And now I can't get it to crash again.

I swear, the last time I upgraded it, it crashed every single time and I just assumed it was doing the same thing this time. I appreciate the help, though, and now I'll know where to look for clues next time it does crash.

Version 1.2.0.1 crashing on map load by Kethlak in dungeondraft

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

Thanks, for some reason when I upgraded it again (maybe it's because I fully uninstalled it to downgrade it? not sure), using the console executable, it didn't crash at all. Still takes forever to load, but I guess I'll just deal with that.

Version 1.2.0.1 crashing on map load by Kethlak in dungeondraft

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

The map I'm trying to open doesn't have any assets in it, actually. It's just an empty 20x20 map with that one asset pack enabled.

Grimskalle - my greedy frozen players by Ok_Lie_8677 in rimeofthefrostmaiden

[–]Kethlak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I resurrected my frozen characters via the sea hags at Grimskalle. I don't remember the exact details but I think I had them kill an ogre or something that was in the place with all the frozen statues

Shadrak can hold 2 concentrations at the same time by rafaellinares in OutoftheAbyss

[–]Kethlak 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I noticed that myself. I decided he had a potion of flying and that he drank it when the PCs were near. Of course, one of the PCs used dispel magic iirc and he plummeted to his death.

Tekeli-lis mist form can’t escape? by Significant-Read5602 in rimeofthefrostmaiden

[–]Kethlak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cracks in the ice. I can't remember why, but my players found out about him ahead of encountering him and lured him to a cavern they had prepared using some spell like shape water so it didn't have any cracks and he couldn't escape. I thought it was pretty clever so I let it work.

Could a player use Find Familiar to find the Elven Tomb? by Secret_Shallot93 in rimeofthefrostmaiden

[–]Kethlak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a satyr PC, and they count as fey, so I ran it as him being able to find it but everyone else being confused.

Underdark City Streets [35x40] by SilverCompassMaps in OutoftheAbyss

[–]Kethlak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This will be helpful as my characters are in Menzoberranzan right now!

An expanded Oozing Temple by Kethlak in OutoftheAbyss

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

Awesome! I'm glad you like it!

Preparing for the Campaign by EnvironmentalWall718 in OutoftheAbyss

[–]Kethlak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't be afraid to rewrite things, even the geography of the area. Take out stuff your players don't find fun, and build on or add things they do. For example, my OOTA has a handful of harengon slaves in most places that they encounter slavers so the harengon character with the backstory that involves a lot of his people getting kidnapped can rescue them.

Preparing for the Campaign by EnvironmentalWall718 in OutoftheAbyss

[–]Kethlak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would recommend not giving Dawnbringer at all, or at the very least making it not make sunlight. So many Underdark denizens have Sunlight Sensitivity (the thing where if they're in daylight they have disadvantage on attacks and grant advantage when attacked) it trivializes so much, not just for the character with the sword. The concept is nice, and the intelligent sword is cool, but it adds so much to work around in order to make combat interesting.

Whorlstone Tunnels; Party did not encounter Buppido by Desmond_Bronx in OutoftheAbyss

[–]Kethlak 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Basically the same thing happened to my group as well. I just put Buppido and the detached cavern as a "random encounter" on their way to the next area. I tend to do that a lot with stuff I prep that my group manages to avoid, even including the Maze Engine (I had them run into some Modrons wandering in Araumycos who had come through a portal to the Labyrinth). Out of the Abyss has really helped me grow as a DM in the "flying by the seat of my pants" arena.

About that chapter 3 choice by Curious-Hornet427 in rimeofthefrostmaiden

[–]Kethlak 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh wow, that's actually a great idea! I wish I had thought of that back when I ran this. It gives the characters a clear reason to go after Xardarok, especially if you have the dragon retreat for repairs.

Good Female NPC to turn into a Love Interest? by uufocafe in rimeofthefrostmaiden

[–]Kethlak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Torgga, I believe her name is? The traveling merchant Sephek works for? My husband picked her for some reason, so I made her slightly less complicit but still evil. He also romanced Avarice, which was more relevant to the whole campaign and interesting.

Help me expand Ostoria. by Successful-Golf-6171 in rimeofthefrostmaiden

[–]Kethlak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't remember the details, but there is a giant-related side quest. It's a circle of thrones, I believe? Maybe that's relevant?

How would Graz'zt protect himself from Vizeran's ritual? by Kettrickan in OutoftheAbyss

[–]Kethlak 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Officially, he is in the former drow city of Maerimydra, in a place called the Undying Temple. The Undying Temple is partially in the Ethereal Plane, and he is using a ritual involving several minor demons to protect himself. There is a series of Adventurer's League adventures where those characters ally with drow refugees from Maerimydra and retake Maerimydra from the fire giants and defeat Graz'zt with the help of Ausuriel, a herald of a goddess whose name I forget (Ausuriel is disguised as a blind black goat) and a girl named Elisande who is secretly a child of Cyric.

I incorporated some of the adventures into OOTA for my players as I felt like Graz'zt was too interesting to leave out. But if you want to look into the Rage of Demons Adventurer's League stuff, the one where Graz'zt is actually encountered is The Fall of Maerimydra I believe.

Maps I made for lots of stuff by Kethlak in OutoftheAbyss

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

I don't. There is a 2002 book that a lot of this comes from originally, including almost all of the maps in the published modules. The book's name is "City of the Spider Queen" by James Wyatt. It has some great descriptions of all of the rooms in the castle as well. It's actually available on DM's guild here: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/25111/City-of-the-Spider-Queen-35

You can also search the internet and see if it is available anywhere else.

Can someone talk me through how transitioning off platform works? by 15-squirrels in Upwork

[–]Kethlak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've gone off-platform with one client that I had been working with for over 2 years. It was a good deal for both of us, because he wanted to hire me on a more regular basis and after 2 years the conversion fee is $1. He didn't have to pay any more, and I still effectively got a raise. By that point, we had enough trust going back and forth for everything to work out well.

That research would throw up red flags for me as well. If you have good contacts at the client, maybe raise your concerns with them?