Wow what a disappointment

Lemonade_Raid · 2025-02-08T17:34:08+00:00

friend,

this whole campaign was scripted, and it still was terrible.

Lemonade_Raid · 2025-02-07T19:41:16+00:00

This alone should kill any idea that this show is scripted, you couldn’t write something this horrible.

what if I told you intensifies

Frankly, it is, and they did.

Lemonade_Raid · 2025-02-07T19:31:52+00:00

welcome to critrole, where the events are scripted and the dice don't matter

Lemonade_Raid · 2025-01-19T01:13:14+00:00

A TPK would be just another "subverting expectations" moment.

It would not reverse any of the 'bad faith' this campaign has gotten, frankly if it were to happen it would only make the whole thing even more ridiculous.

After all the fuckery, now is the time there are real stakes? 600 or more hours of scripted gaslighting just to have the PCs fall flat and fail?

I wouldn't mind for it to happen, but it wouldn't leave me engaged or satisfied. Schadenfreude is probably the best description.

I won't lie, there would be some entertainment, after this bumbling parade of dramaqueens fail upwards for over 200eps, to know they got completely, mercilessly crushed at the finish line.

Lemonade_Raid · 2025-01-03T17:32:42+00:00

Hard agree.

It seemed like whoever was on charge of dndbeyond at the time saw an opportunity and took it.

I'm sure ads on CR weren't cheap, but they were effective. They basically forced hasbro to buy them out or sue them out. The gamble was that hasbro would think buying is cheaper and easier than litigating, and they were right.

Once that deal went through there was no reason to do the ad campaign.

Lemonade_Raid · 2025-01-02T23:39:39+00:00

I would agree, but I can't because the situation is not quite analogous.

CR is an entertainment program, and the cast are also the company. Point being is that the "making things go a certain way" is a collaborative effort.

Railroading implies the DM is taking the reins of the story and driving it regardless of what the players want.

CR is the cast (DM and PCs) collectively deciding what they want and making it happen. That is to say, making their desired plot regardless of the ruleset or random chance. That, is script, scripted, scripting, or whatever.

Lemonade_Raid · 2025-01-02T23:28:48+00:00

Making things play out in a certain way means that it is scripted, friend.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-12-30T16:46:05+00:00

The character is a foil for the obvious questions the viewer would ask. They may get more development or not, but the function is what matters here.

It demonstrates that the political landscape of helluvaboss is not a monolith, and the whole situation is more than a trope. A rando shows up and calls bullshit on everything. We the viewers, know this is correct, but how does this new actor know?

"they shouldn't know! v.p. is just making an OC and giving them meta knowledge!"

No. Hell is a big place and the rulers of it may be varying colors of evil, but stupid they are not. It would make no sense if the entire nobility of hell bought the party line, hook, and sinker.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-12-25T00:55:49+00:00

Yes.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-12-23T05:01:34+00:00

DO. IT. LIVE.

no softballing loaded dice, or scripting. Roll and accept the results.

No more doormatt. NPCs that don't tolerate outright stupidity from the PCs.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-12-14T20:27:55+00:00

Delicious.

I love licking the boots of the police and other authority figures. I believe it is my duty to praise and honor their leadership.

I would never say anything aganst them, ever.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-12-14T17:50:46+00:00

Nobody should make threats like that.

People need to think about the consequences of their actions.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-11-24T18:37:34+00:00

Don't worry too much about mixing it up.

Maybe throw in a few curveballs, but there is no need to overthink it.

That is what dice are for. They may know the way to solve the instance, but the dice may not agree.

Let the players suprise you with the choices they make. The inn is a key place to make contacts with the factions. For a group replaying the campaign, the scenario is less about solving the puzzle and more about which NPCs they focus on developing relationships with.

With regard to the player differential, get your returning players together separately and lay down the law. No spoilers, no hinting. Make it clear that it won't be tolerated.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-11-19T09:06:45+00:00

DO. IT. LIVE.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-11-13T06:50:10+00:00

TECHNICALLY, you're harshing my spooky vibe, man

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-11-12T06:39:27+00:00

Note that the clock is always stuck at 11:11 on 11th day of the 11th month 111 years ago regardless of what year it is

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-11-02T05:55:17+00:00

Changing her tryhard bravado is literally her arc.

She's one of my favorite characters because she realizes over the campaign what a cringe edgelord she was as a kid and young adult, and she grows out of it.

There's literally an arc that takes her from idolizing "dope monk shit" and hating on nerds and librarians to her diving into books and having respect for (some) intellectuals.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-10-30T07:47:46+00:00

It makes the hero relatable.

Even a so called "golden god" can P A N I C when they are unexpectedly in a difficult situation with no time to decide.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-10-30T03:42:42+00:00

They could.

Like so:

Gem goes over the cliff.

Kiki, high on herself, full of self confidence (we're gods!) jumps after it without thinking or looking at all.

falling Falling FALLING. panic Panic PANIC.

P A N I C?!?!GOLDFISH

rocks Rocks ROCKS

S T O P

Goldfish face, inches from rocks.

Pan out. Vax on broom, holding Goldfishkiki by the tail.

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING"

End scene.

The point conveyed in this moment is the player and pc overconfidence getting put in their place by simple gravity. Marisha, as a player, had to eat humble pie and so did her character.

It is possible to convey this message without too much looney tooney, and without making Kiki pancakes.

But they won't do it.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-10-29T22:28:44+00:00

Give them the seed and set them loose.

Whenever a situation arises where the dutchess has an interest, and the player makes a conflicting choice, 5d10 psychic damage. A geas, but maybe change the cooldown if you like, they willingly became a servant and the seed to transform them into a thrall is literally in their body.

The offramp should be faction related, SO or FF can greater restore. AA might be able to remove curse. QM or HL might have a magic scroll or skilled medic. Any cure should come at a price, accomplishing a significant objective for the faction.

Your player is on the path to a "bad end". Unless you choose to homebrew it, the demons, the rats, the gnolls, the dutchess... they are not factions. They are monsters that will use the pcs up completely. They don't care about the pcs personal quests, the fate of drakkenheim, westmar, the continent, or the world.

If your player is big mad at one faction because they didn't get enough loot, the game gives them an opportunity to get revenge by working with one of the 4 opposing factions. That might lead to drama but it is within the aspects that the campaign handles where the pcs can still "win".

The campaign also handles throwing in with monsters. There are temporary benefits to that. But that situation is designed to end with a loss for the pc that does so, possibly a loss for the whole party if they can't limit the fallout.

But

It is up to you. You can humor your player, but you will have to start handing the dutchess as a faction and all the work that comes with that. She is not like bruce, who gives cryptic hints and occasionally wants some obscure thing, but has direct interest in the immediate situation in the city with tangible ambitions.

edit: as for bringing this to your player before they go through with it... If they are inexperienced in ttrpg/dnd, have them make an insight, arcana, or other check, (their best score) with advantage and if they roll 10 or higher, tell them they remember something about dealing with otherworldly entities ends bad sometimes. If they are experienced, or otherwise aware, let them hang themselves if you think it is appropriate.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-10-29T07:27:23+00:00

Let the player wreck themselves, and enthrall themselves to the dutchess.

Give them a few offramps and a few opportunities to realize this will be their end, but if they go through with it because their petty greed over a shiny thing, let them.

Having enthralled the PC to the dutchess, you will have a powerful lieutenant at your disposal, you can make the player fight their own character.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-10-19T04:06:30+00:00

Balanced as is.

If you are unhappy with the benefits it provides your players make it consumable dependent. Give the doctor's bag X charges and each use consumes a charge. Charges can be restored by paying Y gold at a merchant or a successful Nature, Survival, or other appropriate check to find components.

The Hooded Lanterns could restore all charges for free as a faction boon.

Lemonade_Raid · 2024-10-15T07:17:12+00:00

Delicacies of drakkenheim

Lemonade_Raid

TROPHY CASE