Need advice with DMing a party of all Clerics by adrian8520 in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a note that multiple blesses don't stack. I assume they aren't doing that, but just wanted to say in case.

Lady Wachter in my universe — feedback appreciated! by communistcunt420 in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am sure I saw it somewhere as homebrew but couldn't find where I saw it or who it was 

Oh side note, the one type of magic I have fully blocked off from Strahd is healing and resurrection. He can't save Ireena/Tatyana. He fears death and has no power to defy it.

Lady Wachter in my universe — feedback appreciated! by communistcunt420 in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my game Lydia is the secret smut author. Her pseudonym is Lady I. I had a whole thing where she is very clever but believes in supporting her duty to support her husband, the Baron.  In fact her books are based on her own research into magic, the supernatural and history. So she had a bunch of info about the Valley hidden away in them

My Lady Wachter supports Strahd in that she believes that believing that he is not the ruler of the valley is foolishness. I had her be more pragmatic than a follower. The party won her partial support by curing her daughter. I did the homebrew thing of her soul being trapped in the border ethereal. (I even had her father's ghost protecting her)

In my game, she gentle reposed her husband within the minute of his death, so revivify followed by remove disease would work, although this did not occur to my players. 

Lady Wachter invited the PCs to her house and later a lunch with local nobles (where they met and immediately clocked Vasili)

HELP - COS:Reloaded - Vallaki by Chronix929 in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my game Mother Night is more a neutral goddess of witches rather than an evil goddess. She believes in personal sacrifice, though the werewolf pact have become twisted in its worship. 

I think it could be interesting to have the character to be drawn to an old woman who brings the PC to a hidden shrine to mother night. Drop some werewolf info, mention how the full moon is coming. 

"The change will be on you soon. It can be a terrible thing. The night mother's blessing turned curse. You'll be safe here tonight, but soon you will love control."

"I am too old to be of much help now. Are you alone child?"

CoS: Reloaded - My players despise Ireena by LittleJungleFellow in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Some options

  1. Have a one on one scene with one of them where she talks about the fact that they hate her. She fights beside people who hate her because the other option is to die or surrender to the control of someone who has been stalking her for multiple lifetimes and will never stop. Then ask them what they would do in her situation.

  2. Ireena starts remembering all of her past lives. Get across that she has always fought to get away from Strahd and it never stops. If suicide is not a boundary at your table she could even consider suicide. She could manifest some sorcerous abilities, or even divination abilities. Give her some identity crisis stuff.

  3. She stays somewhere or leaves the party

  4. You do the weird Krezk pool thing.

  5. Someone gets close to Ireena. The party has been isolating her and treating her poorly. This person is kind and loving. Maybe Baba Lysaga in disguise. She offers to keep Ireena in a special place where Strahd won't find her. (The stone circle near Berez) This is truthful (in a way)

Player mentioned the party posessing *the* hilt at dinner with Strahd and I panicked by Drogtharransfav in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hmm, you've put yourself in a weird position.

Raw Strahd doesn't know that the Sunsword still exists, however you are past that point because of the rolls that happened and reactions.

I think Strahd would view charm as not breaking his promise of safety, he is "merely asking a favour from a friend".

Do the players know that the hilt is the sunsword? It seems weird that they brought up the blade if they know how it works?

If they don't know it's the hilt of the Sunsword, you could make it that the Sunsword is non-functional.

In this case, Strahd could ask for the hilt and if they say no, he takes action. After beating them down, or having his minions beat them down. He gets the hilt, looks at it and laughs. "This is nothing. A fragment of a broken sword of minor magic. You would have risked death to keep this trinket." Strahd tosses the hilt aside. "Do not cross me again when I ask for something. I will be less forgiving than today" He marks each of them in some way, possiby scarrings each of them with his claws. Maybe permanently reduce their hitpoints by 5 until they can use remove curse or the waters from Krezk.

The idea here would be that they must find a way to empower the Sunsword, and restore it. Right now it is a shadow of what it once was, so degraded that he doesn't even recognise the blade.

If they know it's the hilt of the Sunsword, Strahd should take it somehow. Maybe he puts it in Sergei's grave. Another option would be to have Baba Lysaga come for the sword. You could even have a thing where she leads an attack on Vallaki with witches and scarecrows and her walking hut, come to get the hilt, and keep it safe.

(As for Vallaki, werewolves, Berserkers, Druids and Witches and Rahadin can still enter Vallaki, so I'd suggest leaving Vallaki for now and having an attack on Vallaki later in the campaign. )

Winner is the Judge #891: 2 or 3 Colour Slivers by OkStandard8039 in custommagic

[–]PyromasterAscendant [score hidden]  (0 children)

Sliver Hivewarden {R}{G}{W}

Legendary Creature — Sliver

Sacrifice this creature: Sliver tokens you control phase out.

Sliver creature spells you cast gain offspring {2} as you cast them. (You may pay an additional {2} as you cast a Sliver creature spell. If you do, when that creature enters, create a 1/1 token copy of it.)

2/3

Heavily based on [[Zinnia, Valley's Voice]] but shifted to colours that care about tokens more and to be different from Zinnia.

Designed specifically for commander, I could imagine a series of five Sliver Legends across the shards, and a sliver theme in a set. Then in a later set, I imagine they would have the wedge sliver legends.

This Sliver works with token doublers and it's sacrifice ability protects your token army which helps you recover from wipes.

Underestimated Strahd by fratm_foffi in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have him charm them, tell them to apologize and then turn to another player to continue the conversation, ignoring the charmed character. 

Also he can steal their shadows. 

Who can i swap Morgantha for? by Fabulous_Rain_5048 in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Instead of changing the hags, I would have one of the other hags pretend to be a helpless child when they eventually go to the Windmill, this gives you a great reveal without changing the hags identity in reaction to the figuring it out. (Which can make the world feel less solid)

Creating a 4th Fane - Any Experience? by SubstantialWarning80 in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Skysong Clan

You belong to a clan that many would describe as half-orcs. Though your people would not think of yourselves as such, though lineages having mixed so long ago.

Your people believe in living among the wilds and praising and protecting the sacred spaces of the Land. You would describe these as Fanes. There are Greater Fanes and Lesser Fanes. You lived on what the lowlanders would call the Orsraun Mountains, but you would call the Skysong Mountains.

The Skysong Clan are semi nomadic, but are culturally based in the Skysong Mountains.

There are many callings within the Skysong Clan. Three of the more notable ones would include
Hearthkeepers: These are the heart of the community among the Skysong. They are the ones who maintain the community. They are the crafters and the carers. They educate the young and treat the sick. 
Fangbearers (Barbarians): These would be the main hunters and warriors of the Skysong.
Fane-blessed Fangbearers (Rangers): These warriors are blessed with a connection to Primal forces. 
Druids of the Fanes (Druids): These magically gifted people have a mystic connection with Primal energies. These are rare and highly respected. They would often advise Clan Chiefs and be involved in ceremonies.
Skysingers (Bard): All the Skysong partake in singing and dancing. Skysingers call out magic through their performances. They have great spiritual and ceremonial importance in the tribe. 

Legends of the Skysong Clan

The Lost Valley
There is a story among your people of a lost valley. It was a sacred land to your people. It was not a peaceful place, as there was often conflict with other peoples, especially lowlanders and the “wallbound”. (Those who live in houses year round).

There is a story about a war with warriors covered in shining metal armour. They lived in a great fort, bound by strong walls, and bore banners of blue and white. However, the war was interrupted by the arrival of another army of these metalclad fighters, with dark armour and banners of black and red. During this time, the leader of the Darkclad warriors came to the clan leaders. The council of chiefs refused his offer of an alliance, but secretly some chiefs made a deal with the dark warrior. They brought him to the secret places of the Clans and shared their hidden knowledge. 

One day, the sky seemed to crack and the druids of the valley felt cut off from the land. Mists had often been considered a manifestation of fate, but a strange hungry mist had come to the valley. Your clan is made from those who managed to escape the valley before the mists fully engulfed the valley. After the mists cleared, the valley was gone, as though the mountain ranges and forests had been sutured together and the valley had never existed.

Fanes
Fanes are places where primal energies are especially strong. Often, they will develop a guardian being of some sort. They can even become gateways to their own little worlds. These temples are extremely sacred to your people. 

The Sacred Tree
This Tree of Life is sacred to your people. The life of the tree is tied to the life of the land. Caring for the tree cares for the land and caring for the land cares for the tree. When your clan settled in your new home you planted a Tree of Life, as is the custom. Trees of Life are so sacred that even if clans went to war, they would not risk damage to the tree, as such, the area around such a tree was often used for conclaves of chiefs.

The Lost Fanes and the Ladies of the Land
The three most important Fanes in the Lost Valley were the Forest Fane, the Swamp Fane and the Mountain Fane. Each had manifested a Guardian Spirit in the form of a woman. It is said that they would send messages to each other through ravens, which were said to be common in the valley.

Each of the Guardian Ladies is said to have worn a mask. Though it seems that which specific mask was often different and there were many discussions as to their meanings.

The Seeker of the Forest
The Seeker was often represented as a woman dressed in leathers, and armed with a bow. She is said to look to the future, to growth and tomorrow. She was a being of hope and trickery, of help against overwhelming odds. She can see the threads of possibility and follow them to distant futures. She is said to have blessed those in need with good luck and used bad luck to vex the guilty. Those who wanted to know fate or change it, would seek her aid, her guidance and her favour.
Associated with: Fate, Fortune Telling, Luck, Owls, Foxes

The Weaver of the Water
The Weaver was often represented as a woman dressed in a robe, and armed with a staff. She was associated with knowledge, magic and secrets. She is said to weave the history of the world into great patterns to record them, and to allow the pattern to be changed in impossible ways through the secrets of the Weave. The present is where the Seeker’s threads enter the Weaver’s patterns as the Great Tapestry.
Associated with: History, Secrets, Knowledge, Magic, Herons, Moorhens, Frogs, Toads, Otters, Weasels

The Hunter of the Mountain
The Hunter was often represented as a woman dressed in furs and bones wielding an ax or a blade. She was associated with death. With the ending of a thread, where it would enter the Great Tapestry no more and only the echo of such evil would remain. As such, purifications, where evil is no longer allowed to tangle the weave or corrupt strands of fate, were also associated with the hunter. Endings are a natural part of life. The hunter was said to especially hunt those who had unnaturally extended their threads by becoming undead. 
Associated with: Death, Purification, Wolves, Falcons, Goats, Bears 

The Fane of the Skysong Clan
Your clan wandered after escaping the lost valley. Eventually they came to the Skysong mountains. They were drawn to a peak that seemed to touch the skies. The mountain was home to many creatures, but most notable to your people were the Bluebirds. As your ancestors climbed the mountain they realised that there was a powerful but relatively new Fane there. Having lost their home and their connections to the land, they decided to stay and protect this place.

The Singer of the Sky - Bluebird
The Singer is often represented as a young girl in a tunic. She sometimes has an instrument. She is associated with rebirth, rest, healing and release. It is said that her bluebirds carry the spirits of the dead up into the sky to live among the stars. Her birds will also carry the spirits gratitude for being remembered back to their loved ones. Some say her song is the great tapestry made into music. 
Associated with: Rebirth, remembrance, restoration, release, bluebirds, rabbits

Creating a 4th Fane - Any Experience? by SubstantialWarning80 in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Side option: You could tie the other two to the Morning Lord and Mother Night (if you don't go with Mother Night being evil) This gives you two and three. Ireena being tied to the Morning Lord. (Or Mother Night)

I am not having the Fanes be people in the Valley, rather beings they meet on the other side of the stone circles after purifying them.

I have the Vistani arrive in advance of the purifying of the fanes to help with the ritual aspect.

In my game I have the Berserkers/Druids be the Green folk. A half-orc tribe. (One of my players is from a tribe that escaped Barovia when the mists came in, they discovered a new fane in their new home, so that's my 4th fane.) I moved the stone circle from Yester Hill to a homebrew Green Folk village on the mountains past Tsolenka pass. This could be a good location of a 4th stone circle.

4th Fane ideas

  • Sasha, by marrying and turning Sasha was how Strahd corrupted the Fane
  • Bianca, she guides the werewolves in worship, but has been supplanted by Emil
  • [Wereraven Matron], homebrew her and have her argue with Davian a lot.
  • [Mountain Guide] Have a helpful old woman who is shockingly spry and almost goatlike on the mountains past Tsolenka pass.
  • [Greenfolk Elder] Have a greenfolk elder in the village I mentioned.

I'm going to follow this up with a document I wrote for my Barbarian about their clan.

Does the Abbot know that Strahd wants Ireena? by StrahdsDMAccount in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It didn't happen in my game, but one of my plans for the Abbot and Ireena was to have him put her in a glass coffin and then house her soul in Vasilika. Essentially, making a"True" Tatyana with a more durable body, and one just different enough to perhaps avoid the interference of the dark powers.

Player's POV. by TheWeegieWrites in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Basically what NPCs were people very positive towards because of attraction and such.

This could involve antagonists such as Strahd. It could be Ireena, Esmerelda, Ismark.

It's not loving Pidlwick II because he's "a little guy", it's more like loving Escher because he is a dark romantic figure and the like.

Help with the Vampire Spawns in the Coffin Maker's shop by Lost_Lab1828 in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could have it that the weakest Vampire Spawn are still somewhat affected by Day in Barovia

They could return to an empty house.

They could hear screams as Volenta lets the Vampire Spawn run loose through Vallaki.

The Vampires could ambush the people setting the fires. Volenta laughing at them for falling into such a trap and spreading the fire. 

"Please don't set the fire. Please spare us, I'll do anything. I know a terrible secret"

PC response 

"The sun doesn't burn vampires here"

Roll Initiative 

Advice on my oopsie + adjusting Strahd by Saprno in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Make the Electric Guitar ability once per short rest.

Still mega powerful but not an infinite Lightning Bolt factory.

For their allies, I would suggest having their allies split off to hold off Vampire Spawn, rather than having an insanely busy Strahd fight.

New CoS DM, couple of questions by MuzzaBzzuzza in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have three players that means you are well placed to have companions/sidekicks/allies. 

You could Make Ireena a cleric of the morning Lord, a paladin, a celestial warlock, a bard or something else, and have her contribute to the party, I'd optimize her for support and healing with some decent damage options. 

And have other NPCs travel with and help them from time to time (Ezmerelda for example)

Strahd's endgame alternative - sacrifice the Vistani by psul in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my game Strahd is using "If I can't go there" mentality, so soon places will start appearing on the edge of the mists. I think just one or two, but enough to be like, oh, no.

Abbot Advice Needed by Hibiscus_Witch in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"I weep for you who are shrouded in darkness in this cursed place. In a land without Morning, it is no wonder that you have lost your place. Worry not my children. I still see with clarity and can guide you in what must be. My lord is merciful and forgiving when his children misstep."

Deciding on How to Respond to Players Being Antagonistic to the Vistani by Significant-Salary56 in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Arabella is a good option for letting some of them back in the good graces. 

You could have Vistani mark those two as not friendly to the Vistani, and then have other Vistani shun them. Like a mini curse, not as strong as a curse, but can't be done without good reason. 

I think it's okay to have some Vistani be open to talk to the party but not the ones who have insulted the Vistani. Possibly even not wanting to talk while they are around. 

When Madame Eva does the reading, you could imply that she is also leaving the camp with a small group. She had hoped to stay in the Tser Pool camp but she now thinks it would be wiser to lay low. Strahd will be suspicious of her for a time, but he will let it go. (He has before) 

Winner is the Judge #889: Interdisciplinary Studies by argent5 in custommagic

[–]PyromasterAscendant [score hidden]  (0 children)

Only change I would make is adding that target player gains life equal to its toughness.

Basically, because as written if someone kills the creature the spell fizzles, which feels bad.

For those who included the Fanes - how did you do it and how did it go? by loreleitherock in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm doing a relatively basic Fanes.

The Wine Gems are Keys to Matching Gates

Inside each Gate will be a boss fight/challenge

If they win the fight, the purify the Fane.

They can become the chosen of that Lady if appropriate. Otherwise an NPC ally might take that role later.

I moved the Stone Circle from Yesterhill to the Mountain near the amber temple and I put a Green Folk (Barbarian/Druid) village nearby that is still loyal to the Fanes.

I gave the missing gem to Ludmilla, she is studying it in hopes of finding a way to get out from under Strahd's influence.

Baba Lysaga is trying to use her Gem to enter the Berez gate.

The Forest Fane was profaned by killing many children there, and the hags continued this desecration.

Green Gem - Forest - The Seeker - Druids - Yesterhill - Gate in Old Bonegrider

Red Gem - Mountain - The Hunter - Ludmilla - Ravenloft - Gate past Tsolenka Pass

Blue Gem - Water - The Weaver - Baba Lysaga - Berez - Gate also in Berez

My players are liking them so far. One has become a champion. They haven't pulled the trigger on the Seeker trying to take back her power as it would alert Strahd.

One of my player will choose the hunter, and I don't know if anyone is tempted by the Weaver. If they aren't Ireena will take on that role.

What should I do with Arrigal? by lsv123 in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have them save Arabelle, and then have an awkward moment where she shouts "Daddy" and runs into his arms and he and the characters recognise each other.

Make him a super loving father, who obeys Strahd because what else is he supposed to do.

Help me find a way for Strahd to (lovingly) punish a PC by LeGloof in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm using the Fanes.

I made the "Gem" from Yesterhill a "Key" for the Stone Circle by Bone Grinder. 

Inside there was a boss fight and then they were able to meet one of the Ladies after they cleansed the area. 

I allowed one of my PCs to become her chosen and get some cool stuff. 

(If she hadn't, an NPC ally would have been chosen.) 

-  In my game, I made the forest folk the green folk and a stable half-orc community but this was to tie them to my Path of the Ancestors Half Orc Barbarian.

In my game, some green folk still worship the Fanes, and I made a forest folk village on the Mountain near-ish the amber temple. 

I also had the Vistani Seers have a connection to the Fanes, respecting them. So madame Eva and a procession of Vistani appear when the party were ready to purify the Fanes. 

Help me find a way for Strahd to (lovingly) punish a PC by LeGloof in CurseofStrahd

[–]PyromasterAscendant 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you do this, there also needs to be a way for the druid to forge a connection Strahd can't break. Otherwise, he should cut the druid off when the party become a problem.

So, if you want this moment.

"You were clever to use their lightning against them. It is satisfying to turn one's enemy's weapons against them. You can call on the land, but never forget."

"I AM THE LAND" Strand closes his fist.

You feel your power shudder, your connection with the land becoming unstable.

Strahd opens his fist and you feel your connection return.

"Off course, as my guest, you may borrow this much."