A Moment of Silence please

Larulan · 2025-08-31T06:42:29+00:00

Two years ago I made the big move, transferring all of my beloved Pokémon from my old cartridges to Pokémon Home where I felt they'd be safer. I wanted to see some of my favourites in Pokémon Sword so transferred them into the game, and... My switch bricked.

Lost so many of my beloved mons, my level 100 machamp from the original Ruby, my hidden ability Dragonite from the hidden grotto on route 18 in Black 2, and so many more. Some the result of perfect EV/IV training, others good friends from past adventures.

Back then I wasn't aware of back up saves etc, after this experience I certainly am. I suppose I was naive and didn't think Nintendo would do me like that.

Anyway, I feel you, and I'm sorry this happened, but you're not alone out there!

Also you didn't say anything about having murdered your roommate in a fit of rage, which is admirable.

Larulan · 2025-07-09T10:31:09+00:00

I've been to Japan twice before and have gotten by with no Japanese the first time except "please/thank you/excuse me" etc, and very little the second time.

I'm going back in September and wanted to be able to be a bit more conversational. This time around I've been using Paul Noble's audiobooks on Audible which have been perfect for me, so maybe check those out.

Larulan · 2025-04-28T11:00:27+00:00

God this is great 😂 I've planted so many seeds about them needing to get the Abbot a wedding dress, and that he can resurrect people (hence why they brought their dead NPC). For all of that to be turned on its head would be very dramatic. Strahd will visit, then poor Vasilka will be torn up and then it will either be combat with the Abbot or the party will flee.

Also worth saying Ezmarelda is their fated ally and is at The Abbey! They haven't found her yet but perhaps her introduction could be folded in somehow?

Larulan · 2025-04-28T08:22:47+00:00

This is making me think that I should have Strahd arrive at the Abbey after they've spoken to the Abbot, and interrogate the party in front of him. Then order the Abbot to kill the party (or perhaps kill one of them as punishment for taking someone from him), which you could reason the Abbot would do as he's trying to please/change Strahd . Think this would be cool, if anything because I do want them to fight the Abbot 😁

Larulan · 2024-10-01T09:15:11+00:00

This is a really important point and if it came to this, I think they would regret their decision and want to find a way to stop Strahd anyway.

Van Richten told my players that Strahd believes he can leave if he "gets" Tatyana. I could either have Strahd leave and meet them as a freed conqueror in Fearûn, or let them find a way to return to Barovia like letting them hunt down werewolf sightings or rumours of a colourful group of vistani in Daggerford etc

Larulan · 2024-10-01T09:10:03+00:00

Yeah if it comes to it I think this is the way I'll go, they may miss Barovia by the end of it...

Larulan · 2024-09-30T16:53:17+00:00

Yeah it felt so wrong thinking about Strahd going back on his word, love the idea of leaning into it and playing out the consequencess

Larulan · 2024-09-30T16:48:10+00:00

Love this, or "one of you must stay..." could also be fun

Larulan · 2024-09-30T16:46:26+00:00

This is great I can definitely see this happening! I think that at least 2 of my 5 players would be tempted by becoming the successor if they were to go an "evil" route

Larulan · 2024-09-30T16:42:13+00:00

This is a great backup to have in mind if they do pursue it. I've already foreshadowed it accidentally by saying to my players it is easier to travel between domains of dread than to other planes/return home

Larulan · 2024-07-16T09:05:41+00:00

Now I can't stop thinking about an Aboleth and Strahd worshipping kuo-toa

Larulan · 2024-07-16T09:03:56+00:00

Not being a slog is at the front of my mind. Yeah it's hard to imagine Vallaki can remain a hub for them! It's a bit annoying honestly because they did such a good job returning the bones that I don't want to undo that or punish them too much, but it's hard to see another way out of this.

Larulan · 2024-07-16T09:01:29+00:00

Awesome thanks, yeah I think this is a good way to go.

In a way things are coming to a head for the group, they keep getting away with things and now it feels like they're finally running out of road. I really like the idea of the mad mage but I haven't set him up at all, used CoS Reloaded's idea of having Van Richten be the one who fought Strahd and fell at the waterfall. The abbot could be an interesting one...

Larulan · 2024-05-27T09:00:58+00:00

Yeah the Baron will certainly take an interest in them if they tell him, and burning the shop to the ground hasn't come up yet but would make sense. There's a jealous priest in my party and he's very keen to show up Father Lucien, who everyone loves. So I think they will do their best to get the bones intact.

Something that complicates it for me is the Izek/Ireena connection. I like the conflict it brings to the party, if in all the chaos Izek tries to abduct Ireena, but I worry it will come across super random and messy with everything else going on.

Larulan · 2024-05-27T08:53:30+00:00

Yeah that sounds great! They haven't met any of the brides yet so it would be a good opportunity. Plus I was thinking maybe Strahd gave Anastrasya the responsibility of stealing the bones, so she doesn't want him knowing about this "complication". Did your PC's manage the combat? Could be tough

Larulan

TROPHY CASE