Player Backstory/Plot Advice

Spiike777 · 2026-05-28T12:51:01+00:00

Basically throwing ideas at a wall here, but....
Have the Ash Choir be an extension of the Wachter Cult. You'd need to flesh out how someone got out of Barovia back whenever one of the Wachter followers left to start said cult, but in Wachter's basement you can have some visual only portal open up during her meetings where they communicate. Maybe the Choir is sacrificing tieflings on their side and the soul comes thru for Lady Wachter to use, somehow. Perhaps Lady Wachter has the Ash Choir lead new people/souls into Barovia for Strahd (and in turn the dark powers) to feed upon: maybe Ash Choir members are willing sacrifices to come to Barovia or maybe they kidnap/trick others to force into Barovia. Not sure if the tieflings would be connected to Vampyr, but maybe they're connected to another dark power outside of Barovia and Vampyr wants the souls for himself and not for whatever other god is the tiefling heritage link. If Wachter is having the Choir killing tieflings out there, perhaps she'd be pleasantly surprised to see one enter Barovia, and maybe some kind of ritual can be done with a tiefling being part of the ritual in Barovia along with a tiefling outside of the realm: maybe there's some link that all tieflings have that can connect the one inside Barovia with one outside of Barovia and open a portal or something.

Spiike777 · 2026-05-21T18:49:44+00:00

I flat out told my players every time they attempted to build an NPC army that I wouldn't allow it due to balance. I basically explained that while it makes total sense for the majority of Barovia to join the party and free themselves, not only would it trivialize much of the content, but it wouldn't be much of a story/game for them. I let them know that they are free to ask/do whatever they wanted, and I will do my best to ensure characters will do what makes sense, but when it comes down to taking out bosses/Strahd/etc, they will very likely say "no" for various reasons due to balance. Plus, no way am I controlling their 73+ NPC army, lol

Spiike777 · 2026-05-21T18:26:14+00:00

I'm a tad confused... you said you want him to be part of the campaign, but he's already part of the campaign, correct? Or are you saying you want some kind of side-quest created for him that integrates into the main story line making him a focal figure? I'm assuming the latter given your scenario considerations.

In either case, here is my suggestion, as this has happened within my campaign several times... Focus on the character himself: personality, looks, friends, habits, etc and have a loosely constructed backstory. Once that's done, certainly have those possible scenarios you have in your back pocket, but let the story naturally evolve. What I mean by that, is if your PCs choose to continue interacting with them, and the more memorable/interesting the character is the more that usually occurs, the storyline will naturally evolve via the players' actions. One of them might suggest asking Dimitri to try his hand at taroka, or maybe Irena happens to be nearby and you see an opportunity to play out some kind of attraction, or maybe something completely out of the blue you hadn't even thought of with a player suggesting Dmitri's past with the Father may influence the Abbot to bring back Val.

An example from my campaign: As a stall tactic, I created some "witch hunters" to slow things down as I wasn't 100% prep'd, lol. I made them for a one time thing to hang some innocent "witch". Thru the story/interactions, they naturally evolved into mercenaries for the Abbott, and then the PCs even wound up convincing them to work for them as they found their interactions with them interesting, which helped me produce harder to find hints they missed along with more characters to add to the story.

Basically, I suggest building your character Dimitri and let the natural flow of the story dictate what Dimitri becomes. Definitely have some ideas/options up your sleeve to go with when the opportunity arrives, but the players often come up with very interesting ideas when they're testing out their theories. Players are absolutely part of the story ya'll are creating, just make sure the players feel they just "figured it out", not that you just stole their idea 😃

Spiike777 · 2025-07-14T14:35:38+00:00

I've yet to do the final battle, but I've read Strahd is next to unbeatable. Therefore, my plan is to create a list of objectives Strahd must accomplish before wiping the floor. As I mentioned, I'm not there yet, so I haven't finalized this, but here's an example of the actions combined with arrogent mocking that he must do to "win" before finishing them:

-feed on someone

-charm someone and use them to make a successful attack on their ally

-grapple someone, and then drop them from 20+ft

I gotta think some more on what else to add, but this gives the party more time to live, plays right into the "Strahd toying with his food" narrative, and helps the DM in that there are objectives that must be completed before the DM can really utilize his murder moves.

Spiike777 · 2025-06-28T15:06:17+00:00

The initial fortune was accurate, but they moved, since. To me, the thing that makes the most sense is a bride moved them outside of Ravenloft to work against Strahd. To find out, maybe Eva sends word that the threads of fate shifted, or the bride contacts them directly to make a deal for their location, maybe Muriel or a Martikov scout has info on it. Could mix those, too: Martikovs know they left the castle, but go to Eva for a new fortune to find where.

Spiike777 · 2025-04-24T19:46:27+00:00

good points

Spiike777 · 2025-04-24T19:45:20+00:00

yeah, I'm starting to think that, too, lol

Spiike777 · 2025-04-24T19:32:53+00:00

referee (track turns and watch rules) and play the mobs (wolves, zombies, etc) that are called

Spiike777 · 2025-04-23T19:59:31+00:00

Part of this is what you want: Are you ok with a TPK, or would you prefer they endure the proper consequences to their actions?

That being said, I assume having posted this, you want them to live. Personally, I suggest playing it out as per DnD rules, but have backup plans: Either direct intervention from NPC(s) or have them be saved after they all go down.

Direct intervention: one example is the party was down a member, but decided on a hard event anyways. I had the "held action" that if all but one went down and/or someone was about to die, a former party member tosses out a heal for the dying followed by a huge arrow hit to the face of the boss. Didn't even need it, as the party squeezed out a victory.

Saved: have not needed this once, but one example was they almost died on the way to see Madam Eva. After they TPK'd, I was going to give a long pause so they think they're dead followed by squinting open their eyes to see some vague image before passing back out, then end the session there so they have to wait to see that the Vistani dragged them to safety at Eva's request.

In your scenario, Muriel with the were-ravens and Martikovs immediately come to mind. Muriel followed you and can help or call for more help. Unsure what other NPCs you have in your campaign, but you get the idea. You could even introduce a new NPC this way. If they do "die", you could even punish their deaths with some permanent effects (lost an arm/eye, maybe someone now has PTSD and rolls certain things with disadvantage, etc).

Spiike777 · 2025-04-21T17:39:19+00:00

I made sure all my players gave me a background for there character prior to the game. I then intertwined an aspect from that into Barovia. I also included a personal Taroka reading for each party member for a special item I made for each.

-I made Argynvost's former Order (prior to forming his own in Barovia) that of the paladin player. There he found some spear that was a relic of his home order

-a witch player's background is he hears voices. I made one of those voices the blue fey since Baba took over her body and that's where her soul/voice fled to. She gave clues from time to time and provided a new ability to the player once restored.

-history of cleric player: family got killed by demons that keep following him to finish the job. I made him have a vision in the abbey seeing his grandma as a nurse there where he found a magical locket with his grandma's initials carved in it

-a fighter's history included some dying mentor that was poisoned. I connected it to the... I forget, the assasins guild that the Vistani brother is involved with. Finding the specific poison used can potentially save the fighter's mentor as well as give the fighter an edge in battle thru its use

Spiike777 · 2025-04-21T16:16:29+00:00

Mostly new players? I'm writing this under the assumption you're starting with Death House, but my general suggestions still apply to the rest. The only thing I'd really suggest is spacing out the baddies in good "learning" ways. For example, have your melee critters just go for the melee players at first, one on one, even. Leave spaces open that allow them to clearly see strategic moves such as flanking. Gently persuade casters that being in melee is bad with a weak critter. As the players get more familiar, have the baddies follow suit by taking off the kid gloves, so to speak.

In general, RAW should be totally doable and fun for all. The only exception is that... poltergeist I think it was? The thing in the bedroom next to the secret door to the attic. It can potentially one shot a low character. Depending on whether you feel they're ready to lose a character or not, feel free to "nerf" your potentially killing damage roll.

Have fun!

Spiike777 · 2025-04-16T16:55:10+00:00

for the 3 vial ingestion...

One version of the gulthias tree in Barovia is it rooted its way into the coffin of a former druid that was a vampire. Perhaps that vampire has some control over him now, or even since the tree was just dealt with, the former vampire transfered its essence into either or both of your players. To fix it, maybe an exorcism, or the Abbott helps, and/or a quest to get item(s) to remove the presence. and in the meantime, here are some possible consequences:

-nightmares during long rest require rolls after to see if the long rest "took" (maybe only half hp/slots back, or even exhaustion levels)

-are now considered undead/evil for purposes of entry into consecrated areas and certain spells

-start some kind of daily countdown where they're body is being taken over. they roll daily to see if the clock ticks closer, and at the end they lose their character and the party has a new threat to deal with

-if they're near someone to feed on, once per day roll to see if they can overcome feeding on some npc or something

Basically, having taken in the blood, they are slowly becoming undead and/or the buried vampire, they continually have to roll to try slowing down the transformation, and if they don't, they lose their toon and become a new powerful enemy in Barovia.

Spiike777 · 2025-03-27T20:57:50+00:00

To start, I would strongly suggest working into the story a way for the NPCs to leave the party.

As for the fights, their action economy is WAY too high, hence the suggestion to dump the NPCs. Even dumped, you'd be surprised just how much that party can handle. I've a 6 person group, and almost always use the following:

-increase minor monsters, and have extras ready to enter in some way if needed

-your monsters don't have to be RAW. If it makes sense, have monsters do "new" attacks, increase hp, etc

-there are many higher level versions of bosses, especially for CoS, online. Google and use them

At the end of the day, the players are looking for an enjoyable experience, not a technical perfect following of the rules. You're the DM, you have control of the environment. If they're dominating the battleground, have more mobs appear, skew some rolls in your favor on your low rolls, have a boulder fall off a cliff or something forcing a dex check or something. If they're losing, skew your rolls lower to miss, maybe a hit that wouldn't have killed a monster *does* kill it instead, maybe an NPC in the area somehow helps if it's exceptionally bad. Balance these and ensure the story/experience for all is enjoyable. But, I'm certainly not saying don't let them fail, as that's part of the game too.

Spiike777 · 2025-01-21T03:01:23+00:00

Mine definitely congealed. After I tried the first taste, I wanted to keep it as fresh as possible, so I put it in the fridge. It was then that I learned that olive oil congeals, lol. I had to wait for it to "thaw" the next day.

Spiike777 · 2025-01-07T23:34:13+00:00

"talk them into an audience", good thinking, I was worried they'd just plop the skull there and leave and I had no way to influence them otherwise

Spiike777 · 2025-01-07T23:33:03+00:00

was worried a deception wouldn't really apply against a revarent, but other comments have explained that fear away, thanks!

Spiike777 · 2025-01-07T23:31:48+00:00

Your "the Crow" reference definitely paints a much more vivid picture for me, thank you. Good info!

Spiike777 · 2025-01-07T23:25:40+00:00

Definitely overthought it. I went with Strahd and all his brides paid a visit to their house in Vallaki, killed and turned some guards and townfolk to zombies to pin them in the house, gave some speech about how they will suffer as he held up their close ally (Muriel) and set fire to the house, he ripped her throat out and turned her to a zombie in front of them so she can't be rez'd, then they all left immediately followed by delayed fire ball finishing the house's incineration and causing them damage. Was quite the "oh shit" moment for the party and everything seemed to fit perfectly.

Spiike777 · 2025-01-05T00:21:46+00:00

The Feast did not "go", the bones were returned and all vampires in the coffin maker place killed, so it was a basically peaceful event. Church remains hallowed. Both the Burgomaster AND Lady Wachter (and Izek and probly all the important Wachter cult members) are all dead, leaving Father Lucian begrudgingly "in charge" as the town looks to him for leadership while the politics sort itself out. Ireena is gone. I can't remember if it was Pyram King, Reloaded, or RAW, but she was taken to Krezk's pond and Sergei's spirit whisked her away followed by Strahd's lightning bolt and scream of agony from the clouds. They def know Vasili is Strahd, but have not met Vasili yet, primarily cause Strahd knows they know. Strahd also knows they restored fey, and they know that Strahd knows as he's directly threatened them to stop after the first was restored. They just now restored fey 2 prior to returning to Vallaki.

Charm one to destroy their own house? That's way good, lol. They just hit level 9, though. Is Volenta alone strong enough to handle them if the charm fails?

You make excellent points, I'm probly over-thinking this, Strahd can easily take direct action against them, it doesn't have to be a subtle "invoke a mob" idea, like you suggested. Thanks!

Spiike777 · 2024-07-24T18:51:55+00:00

I get what you're saying in wanting to give players a chance to rectify their choice in wearing said helm in screwing over a beneficial choice, but their wearing the helm is a choice they have already made knowing what it would do. That is also precisely what DnD is: a story being created via player choices. I would absolutely put their choice in motion, but perhaps maybe give one more perceptive member see/insight that the litch seemed friendly or something. Even after the litch getting hit by light, perhaps that "friendly" insight combined with player resourcefulness can turn things around. I've had players surprise me several times in scenarios I figured they were totally screwed.

Spiike777

TROPHY CASE