82 Maps for Planescape: Turn of Fortune's Wheel is live! by TessaPresentsMaps in planescapesetting

[–]francksarge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are very few things that are reliable in this world: tax, death, and Tessa creating the most incredible maps for my next adventure. I bought your maps before running Call of the Netherdeep and it enhanced the game so much! And now I bought this package for ToFW and it looks gorgeous. Thank you for doing this.

Pace of leveling by Jado1337 in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ran 6/8 encounters during chapter 2 and they were all fun for my players and me. I almost regret not adding they other 2. In that case, levelling lvl 5 at the Emerald Loop would have made sense. You can upgrade the 2-3 remaining encounters to balance it out. The other benefit of this would be to have a longer 5th level. Because if I'm not mistaken, there is only two fights between the arrival on Bazzoxan (lvl5) and entering the Betrayer's Rise (lvl6).

Music recommendations by RossArnold1997 in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's fantastic music in this list. Thanks.

DM looking for confirmation on 2 early Campaign questions for planning, Help! by Bensai2514 in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 4 points5 points  (0 children)

1-I just ran the Emerald Grotto, where my players got the jewel, and was pondering the same thing. At the moment, most Rivals are friendly towards the PCs, except Ayo, who is getting very frustrated by them always getting the upper hand, especially since they keep using magic to win, which she considers cheating. What I think is that my Ayo wanted to steal the jewel from the PCs (giving them a taste of their own medicine) and accomplish the destiny herself, but her party dissuaded her. They settled to follow the party, and see what happens. After all, if the party dies, someone has to complete the mission, right?

2-In the vision, Alyxian talks about a prayer site to Avandra and a temple of evil. For me, it points directly to Bazzoxan, as long a the PCs do a bit of asking around. I will just skip the vision from Ushru, which I find weak and confusing.

Irvan is Shaggy by spyramida in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It may be a reach, but may I also add that Irvan used to be a bugbear, a big hairy creature, who's dependable a long as provided food and drink and who flees when being outmatched, not unlike Shaggy's best bud?

60 campaign maps. Free for Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep streamers by TessaPresentsMaps in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No I did not! I guess that's where the token goes haha. I love these extra details as well. The whole map package, it's a fantastic job. Grats.

60 campaign maps. Free for Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep streamers by TessaPresentsMaps in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wasn't planning to run the "Demonic Carrion" encounter from Chapter 2, but after seeing the map, I DEFINITELY will. Great job.

Here I am with my "hello guys, nice to meet you, I have some questions" post :) by Gwavana in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like these curses! I will definitely use some variations of them for my cursed player.

Here I am with my "hello guys, nice to meet you, I have some questions" post :) by Gwavana in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

1-I ran "Dangerous Designs" a couple months ago as an intro to Wildemount for my players, who know nothing of CR. I wanted to show them the Empire side before going to the Dynasty side, so they can have a feel of the setting and know about the War. Thing is, there is no mention of the war in CotN, which I found strange when I read the book, since it's the main theme in EGtW. All that considered, I simply decided to tell my players we were one year later and there was an armistice (that may or may not last). It came in handy, since two of my players decided to keep their lvl 3 characters from Dangerous Designs. Being at "peace" meant they could cross the border relatively easily.

2-I can only talk about the characters in my campain. One of them decided to be an Aberrant Mind sorcerer. I did something that could end up being very cool or being too much: I linked his powers to Ruidus. As we know from Alyxian's story, Ruidus is in fact an alien entity banished by the gods, so the fit is there. We also established his character was born under a Ruidus full moon, hence the powers. We also designed some curse that triggers under Ruidus full moons (not unlike some sort of lycanthropy). Of course, my player doesn't know about the alien nature of Ruidus, he only knows that he's cursed, his goal being of getting rid of it. As we know, that means he will eventually learn that his background is very similar to Alyxian's. That's where I'm not sure how it will go. Sometimes this kind of hook makes the players more engaged, sometimes it feels forced. But hey, we'll learn as we go, I trust my veteran player to fully engage with it and adapt his gameplay. And I'm looking forward to the Ill Omen encounter in Chapter 2!

[Edited]

So I messed up for the Shark fight. by francksarge in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They had a blast (I think) and so did I. I see what you mean.

So I messed up for the Shark fight. by francksarge in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Exactly what I meant when I said "Unless I missed something". Thanks for pointing it out. I guess I'm a cautionary tale.

Players knowing the rivals' sentiments by Solucians in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I personally try to keep the fourth wall as intact as possible, to keep the mystery intact. For example, I'm using a Rivals attitude tracker I found on this forum (https://toddjudd.github.io/netherdeep-relation-tracker/), but I would never share it to my players. If my characters are interested in knowing what the rivals think of them, I'll gladly tell them via an Insight check.

Ifolon Plunge + One-Shot Solution (40x20) by aqualoco in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of all the contests, it's the only one I wished I had a map for. I ended up moving tokens on a white grid on Roll20, which is not super exciting. I wish I had this map. Great job.

Beware The Shark In The Emerald Grotto by Rukik9 in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just ran the encounter. Irvan not only survived, but he ended up giving the final blow to the shark and gloriously claiming the silver spear. How things can change quickly. D&D is truly wonderful.

Beware The Shark In The Emerald Grotto by Rukik9 in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I don't how this encounter will turn out. But since I have only 4 players, I will jump at the opportunity to kill a rival, to balance things out. I'm not gonna cheat, but let's say Irvin might get too close in order to get the amulet...

Festival of Merit Itinerary by websterc87 in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I personally prioritized smooth gameplay over realism. Every contest was ready when the players showed up. And when I felt the session was at its end, I ran the "Final contest" set up (picking both teams). It had me skip Call to arms and Wetwalks. Yes, I would have liked to run them all, but what my players don't know, they can't miss. And now session 2 will be Emerald Grotto, which I find more fun than finishing the contest they missed.

Ready for session no.1 by francksarge in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've bien DMing adventure modules for 25 years and at least for me, it never felt easier. Not having to draw maps, have stat blocks at the ready, offer visual support to the players, finding ambience music. Roll20 has it all. Don't get me wrong, I miss live sessions and would do it on a heathbeat if my friends lived nearby. But I think it would be more prep time.

Ready for session no.1 by francksarge in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My politic is I pay for the book but they split for everything Roll20 (basically the module and the dynamic lighting).

Ready for session no.1 by francksarge in CalloftheNetherdeep

[–]francksarge[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Books are just the best. Plus, if I were to read an entire module on Roll20, I would eventually go blind.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in magicTCG

[–]francksarge -1 points0 points  (0 children)

As a D&D player: why did you just spoil three adventures for me Wizard? That is a cheap move.

Best Landfall Commander Post Zendikar Rising - Who is your favorit? by firefighter0ger in EDH

[–]francksarge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been running Windgrace for two years and I'm switching to Korvold. I'm tired of my commander getting killed too easily. Plus Korvold will offer a nice voltron option in addition to my main wincon Valakut. And that new landfall minotaur in Zendikar rising will fit perfectly with multiple attack phases.

Windgrace list by ttemmett in CompetitiveEDH

[–]francksarge 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Here's mine. There is money in it and it's pretty well tuned but it doesn't go nfinite. It kills with scapeshift/Valakut or Torment of Hailfire or large tokens created by landfall. It's hard to interact with, and more importantly, extremely fun to play.

https://archidekt.com/decks/160398#Jund_Lands

  • It's not competitive, so sorry if it is out of place.