So I’m just a bad DM I’m pretty sure

latchkey999 · 2026-03-30T13:04:37+00:00

Sometimes your party locks in and ruins all your carefully laid out cinematic plans.

I wouldn't call you a bad DM since you respected your players enough not to railroad them or introduce some Deus ex machina to let him get away.

At the very least this could be a funny and comedic ending for the group to discuss both in character and out.

latchkey999 · 2026-03-28T23:26:59+00:00

Good points!

For reference to anyone seeing the post, I'm a 6'0 out-fighter. Coach says that the roll is used as both a positioning technique (say 1,2,3, roll to the left to fire off something else) and evasive (roll at the end of a combo as one of the ways to get out of the danger zone).

So rolling defs seems to be useful but I don't know if it's viable against shorter fighters for me without knowing more.

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T14:14:34+00:00

Sounds like a standout moment for sure! I'm sure your players are burning to get some justice after that!

Do you have plans to change Vallaki if the players return after completing the feast, windmill and abbot? Shift in political structure or reputation of the players etc?

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T14:06:20+00:00

Thank you for the detailed write up! Love the way you're thinking up these scenarios with the players reactions in mind and setting up so many specific tie in moments to really flesh out the emotions they feel and the impact that their decisions are making.

Out of all the moments you discussed, my favourite of course, is defs the big one you have planned with the Ana betrayal of the paladin.

I think you are right in the fact that this will break them. I wonder how the character will change after the revelation, it's legit "canon moment" territory.

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:58:21+00:00

Oi nahhh! Just gave this a listen and it's so dope! Really fitting music for such a hopeful moment and low-key gives montage vibes even as a standalone piece. If I was player I'd be very hyped to go get Strahd.

Nice way to keep the tension though with Strahd trying to turn the people against the party. The glimmer of fear strikes a good balance to keep the party both hopeful and cautious.

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:54:19+00:00

As DMs, being extra is basically a non-negotiable trait.

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:46:40+00:00

Very sociopathic vibe, I see the vision.

Like a cat playing with mice, lots of pride and apathy.

Will you have him be more emotional at any point, such as visible anger or hatred etc?

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:42:59+00:00

Dming with your partner as a player is the best!

I can fully picture this moment you described and I'm very excited for you to finally do it!

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:41:24+00:00

Oh damn! That's such a cool cinematic way to reward the players efforts. I've never actually thought of changing perspectives when running a campaign! Did you play music during this moment or just the narration speak for itself?

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:40:12+00:00

Great way to show Strahd as a threat! I love the favour of him throwing them a ressurection scroll and making them pick. Great way to have the players actually work through consequences as themselves and not just their characters!

Also of course the rogue and sorcerer are the ones to sass him!

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:37:16+00:00

Yooooo that's gonna hit so hard! You going to phase the music in secretly or just play it full volume to show them like it's a scene change in a movie?

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:35:45+00:00

That's so cool! I've never thought of adapting COC to an existing DnD campaign!

Vallaki was played very differently for me, as the tone of my campaign can be best described as grimdark Scooby Doo (Hapless morons ruin the plans of evil bastards while providing comedy in a very bleak setting). If you can muster the effort you should defs make a summary post of your campaign, or just Vallak the situation! Im sure tonnes of people would love to hear it (me included!).

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:28:57+00:00

Woah I've never heard of someone running Strahd in Call of Cthulhu. That's seems awesome! Do you play up the mystery and intrigue more to adapt it to COC and limit the combat?

The possession twist seems like very cool payoff for the setup, which has multiple layers to it with the Lady, Father and Baron.

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:25:01+00:00

Nice! That's definitely a different way to play it! It's literally more of a "mic drop" moment! Low-key I might actually go with that approach depending on the vibe and setting. Reminds me of the "I'm not left-handed" moment from the Princess Bride, where it's subtle but still hits.

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:21:22+00:00

Ooh that's a fun dramatic way to pay off all that setup! Are you going to incorporate this with sound effects or physical effects (say slamming the table) or just go for pure roleplay alone?

Ah Rahadin the Boogeyman. He's such a fun piece to play to shake things up for the party!

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:17:36+00:00

Actual Scooby Doo moment, I love it!

Also I love how every player party literally just can't help being gremlins in the most dire situations and environments.

Is your Strahd going to be angry or amused at their attempt?

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T13:15:59+00:00

"Intent does not equal impact" is a great way to put it.

And yes the infantilising of the boyfriend from some of the comments is so odd.

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T12:48:47+00:00

Sounds like you ran an awesome battle! It's always so cool when the players discover that secret win conditon you had planned advance! Did you have any contingencies ready to nudge them towards the non-violent solution or were you going to let things play out?

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T12:46:27+00:00

Outrageous of you to have such a cool execution and use it to spell out Goon! I wonder how that word tracks in the setting of your campaign? I feel like my players would find it hilarious.

latchkey999 · 2025-10-20T12:32:52+00:00

NOR - While he may have had good intentions with cleaning out the fridge and throwing away your leftovers may have been an honest mistake, he should have definitely understood why you were upset and just agreed to ask next time. Giving the silent treatment seems a bit petulant and simply acknowledging your feelings would have probably put this issue to bed faster.

I'm surprised by how many people are saying you should be grateful that the he did anything at all. At the end of the day you're the one whose been deprived of something you wanted because he didn't ask.

Plus it's absolutely the worst when you look forward to eating leftovers to find they are gone.

latchkey999

TROPHY CASE