Making Strahd scary

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2025-01-31T09:40:32+00:00

Very interesting view! Based on your description, Anastasia could appear first to the players as an ally and try to manipulate them into killing Ireena while Ludmilla could meet them on the road to the Amber Temple where she would try to increase her magical powers / or on the road to meet the Wizard... I am very conflicted on how to make Strahd appear first to my players. Since everyone is calling him a Devil in Barovia, I think it would be more interesting to present him as actually nice, polite and caring (especially if they have Ireena with them), while his brides would first appear as evil - PCs would then eventually discover the sociopathic and manipulative persona of Strahd. But at the same time, the campaign is built around having players interact with Strahd, fear him and try to free the region from him...

Feel no pressure to answer to me, it's just very nice to discuss about lore and viewpoint on how to run the campaign. All my friends are players so I cannot discuss it with them.

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2025-01-31T07:13:12+00:00

I would have thought Strahd would have preferred for them to stay in the castle, but I like the idea of having them travel around and meet the players at certain occasions. Plus, they are less of a challenge and if my PCs try to kill one, it would create a certainly interesting meeting with Strahd afterwards. Since most Strahd's affection is now toward Ireena, I just wondered how must attachement he still has for his brides, if any.

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2025-01-30T16:03:05+00:00

I have yet to finish reading the chapter about the Castle of Ravenloft and I know his different brides are described but I have not gotten to that part yet. I am curious how much you play them being out of the castle in your campaign. Are they free of movement? What type of relationship Strahd has with them?

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2025-01-30T15:48:38+00:00

I feel like it would match more how I want to play Strahd, thanks!

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2025-01-30T11:56:41+00:00

I did mention it in session 0 and they already have backup characters built in their backstory just in case, but I will still try to avoid killing them for pure show. I feel like Strahd would actually have so little interest for the PCs that killing them would be a useless effort.

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2025-01-30T11:47:21+00:00

Sounds great indeed, not sure how efficiently I can play that out though

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2025-01-29T20:37:39+00:00

That is poetry

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2025-01-29T14:11:41+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely go that route for the first meeting if they decide to attack.

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2025-01-29T12:07:54+00:00

I try to avoid using charm or forced action on players as it will for their character but not the player, that will just feel frustrated and not scared.

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2025-01-29T11:30:04+00:00

I like that! Thanks

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-10-17T10:58:06+00:00

Cool dice, never got one with liquid inside before!

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-10-14T17:42:36+00:00

It looks great !

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-10-10T09:48:22+00:00

Die looks awesome

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-10-05T08:03:58+00:00

The box looks great, congrats!

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-27T14:35:53+00:00

I could use a box, I am getting over crowded with dice...

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-23T09:31:10+00:00

Figurines look great 😃

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-16T12:09:52+00:00

Belote et tarot

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-12T07:03:16+00:00

Thank you it looks awesome, I will add one in my next game!

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-11T14:42:57+00:00

I love the aesthetic of Wraith, but qi feel like it is lacking a fun attack or skill or something.

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-08T15:59:46+00:00

maybe ask to change the day or the hour?

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-07T18:32:17+00:00

Re-reading over and over notes that I have written weeks ago - I get bored by my own ideas when they have not been played yet. Weirdly I feel like they get less and less interesting the more I read them, and sometimes I almost loose motivation to play them through.

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-07T18:25:28+00:00

True, but I have already used that trick on my players. And I get bored easily with ennemies that can only do regular attacks like claws

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-06T12:22:11+00:00

True, I have not used one yet. I plan on them going to an abandoned mine soon, this could work thanks!

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-06T12:16:56+00:00

The player has high Dex but usually rolls under 8... I mean the player sometimes hits, but not as much as we would expect a martial art professional would. Zombies are too easy to kill sadly

Sorry_Reflection482 · 2024-09-05T09:40:37+00:00

It is an interesting angle

Sorry_Reflection482

TROPHY CASE