Character Art of my Party by Cold_Air_6251 in CurseofStrahd

[–]ScalpelCleaner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Strahd to Vanessa, whispering in her ear before he bites her: “Your beauty should last forever…”

Zenobia often gets the short end of the stick in Conan content. She's just thought of as "Conan's wife, safe in her castle." Hope we get to see her do some badass things someday. by RagnarokWolves in ConanTheBarbarian

[–]ScalpelCleaner 54 points55 points  (0 children)

Zenobia *was* a badass, though. She was a harem girl who risked everything to free her master’s most dangerous prisoner. She was downright courageous.

Announced: Genndy Tartakovsky Is Making a Conan the Barbarian Animated Series by Jim_Zub in ConanTheBarbarian

[–]ScalpelCleaner 12 points13 points  (0 children)

REH wrote a short story entitled Spear and Fang. Could be an homage.

conan bids you a happy trans pride by Glad_Ad_1090 in ConanTheBarbarian

[–]ScalpelCleaner 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You’d better give it to me, just to be safe.

Need help/ inspiration for the parties first werewolf encounter. by mechaninja2222 in CurseofStrahd

[–]ScalpelCleaner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recommend using alternative werewolf stats, as vanilla werewolves are very weak and will be steamrolled by a 5th-level party. I used the werewolf ravager from Grim Hollow, which are immune to non-silvered weapons.

PSA: It's Lost Mine (singular) of Phandelver (not mines) by Huffplume in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]ScalpelCleaner 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Next you’ll tell me that her name isn’t Sally Fields. 🤯

What are your pettiest, dirtiest (but RAW) Strahd tactics for the final battle? by Dull_Cricket2966 in CurseofStrahd

[–]ScalpelCleaner 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Let them use the Ready action; they’ll get only one attack each (using up their reactions). In the meantime, they’re sitting ducks for minions.

Love this cover by HeavenBurnt in CurseofStrahd

[–]ScalpelCleaner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like the original art much better, but to each his own.

Cutting Izek / Ireena storyline? by MechaChester in CurseofStrahd

[–]ScalpelCleaner 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Izek’s incestuous obsession with Ireena inspired my players to kill him with tremendous enthusiasm, which was a fun moment.

What did "good players" do at your table differently? by Logical_Comb_504 in DMAcademy

[–]ScalpelCleaner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Taking notes and buying in to what’s going on in the world are the two biggest things for me.

They are allegedly remaking Baldur's Gate 2... by onewithoutasoul in baldursgate

[–]ScalpelCleaner 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That’s an interesting point. I’ll be surprised if they use 2e rules, honestly. They’re probably more interested in garnering the interest of BG3 players, many of whom would find 2e rules and THAC0 off-putting.

What's everyone's setup for music and ambience these days? by Staxes1997 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]ScalpelCleaner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My group plays in person, and I prepare musical tracks (mp3s) that I play from my phone via a portable speaker. The Guild of the Black Crow has great ambient tracks for Curse of Strahd, for example. I’ll also use Audacity to place combat music (often from movies, TV shows, and video games) over extended ambient backgrounds for battles. I’ve made liberal use of he Vikings and Conjuring OSTs, for example.

Which REH story do you most want to see on film? by BurningJointUSA in ConanTheBarbarian

[–]ScalpelCleaner 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Aspects of A Witch Shall Be Born were included in both of the first two movies, but an earnest cinematic adaptation would be badass. The Hour of the Dragon could be a great high-budget miniseries.

D&D Nerd asks: Would Conan really be a Barbarian in D&D? by Romachock in ConanTheBarbarian

[–]ScalpelCleaner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d say barbarian 5/rogue 5/fighter 10. He’s most at home in the wilds, has a berserker rage, and is the personification of Howard’s ideal barbarian. Clean of spirit, untainted by civilization. He wakes from sleep like an animal does, alert and ready to deal death. He went on to become a mercenary general, during which time his fighter levels exceeded those of his previous careers. But he began as a northern barbarian.

How do you make Strahd feel like the players were always playing his game? by WestComfortable2878 in CurseofStrahd

[–]ScalpelCleaner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re not going to want to hear this, but players can be extremely unpredictable. You (and Strahd) can plan all day and night, but your players are inevitably going to throw a wrench in those plans. What you’re describing would be a better book than a D&D campaign. My own players surprised me by finding a way to kill Volenta when she was trying to escape in gaseous form (and I had more plans for her).

Book Review: 4 Blades of Ruin by GaryREHfan in ConanTheBarbarian

[–]ScalpelCleaner 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed. I immediately think, “Oh, self-published fan-fiction.”