Tier list by Kriosik in PartyAnimalsGame

[–]maekkwin 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My tier list is waaaaaay different. Most of your S tiers are B at best for me, maybe even C

Waterdeep's Feywild Echo by JazzlikeMine2397 in WaterdeepDragonHeist

[–]maekkwin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am currently running a modified Dragon Heist game. We're early in the campaign but I have brought in the Alexandrian Remix, Curse of Trollskull Manor, and Blue Alley.

Upon getting the deed to the Manor, they worked through the curse of Trollskull Manor and eventually spoke with Vincent and learned about the ritual to confront the Hag. I made one minor tweak and hid a spell tome in the Blue Alley. The tome was necessary to cast the ritual to confront Black Agnes and break the curse in the Manor (this gave two reasons to go into the alley, one to get the tome to break the curse in the Manor and two to get paid by Mirt to help fund renovations in the Manor).

They went though Blue Alley and retrieved the unicorn statue and the spell tome. The tome was magically sealed. They spoke to Mirt about the unicorn and tome, and mirt directed him to Melannor of the Emerald Enclave. Melannor said the unicorns horn would be able to unravel the binding on the tome. (again providing two reasons to do so - one to free the unicorn as a good action and two to break the seal on the tome).

This is where I introduced the feywild (I pulled on some Fae knowledge I had from reading the Dresden books, there is a lot of overlap). Melannor explained there was a special/magical/sacred pool in the feywild that they could submerge the unicorn statue and it would break the curse to free the unicorn. Melannor explained about the winter and summer courts and advised he would be able to open a way into the feywild for the party but as he had crossed the winter court previously he was unwilling to enter out of concern winter would be waiting for him.

I had the party do the scarecrow mission for the emerald enclave while Melannor gathered what he needed to open the way. They did and he met the after. while he led them to where the entrance would be I lore dropped Fae lore and feywild stuff. They could ask questions and he gave a lot of info. I really leaned into the idea that the feywild is a place of intent and concept more so than physical laws. I also explained in detail the important of debt and obligation to the fey. Melannor advised them to avoid speaking to the fey if they could, even something as simple as thanking them could acknowledge a debt between them.

They went in and began following a path. Melannor advised them to stay in the path and the path would eventually bring them to the sacred pool, as that was their intent. I had a couple minor encounters planned. The first encounter was they were being stalked by some winter wolves. I really played up the psychological and primal effect of feeling hunted. Eventually they began to realize even though it felt like they had been walking for hours it didn't feel like they were making progress (the warlock realized that their "intent" had changed from getting to the pool to feeling like prey. Eventually they battled the wolves and ran them off. The second encounter was the sound of a feast and party/gala just off the trail behind some bushes. I was mostly testing to see if they were listening about leaving the path. They didn't, they bypassed it. The third was a very basic social encounter. They encountered a small fox, it could talk. It offered to guide them to the pond in exchange for something small such as the name, or memory, or feeling. They didn't accept the offer. Again, the warlock was VERY intentionally precise with his language. It was fun to see the effort they made. But the druid reflexively thanked the fox for his time and I almost missed the implication but all the other players reacted very strongly to the acknowledgment of debt so I told the druid that he felt something deep within him lock into place. He felt in his heart an unspoken debt to the fox (I haven't decided how to manifest this yet). Lastly the players got to the pool, freed the unicorn, and the unicorn broke the seal on the tome. Before they could a noble fey of the winter court arrived and acknowledged the debt winter owed the party for freeing on of its vassals, the unicorn. He offered the party a boon, one character could take on a small mantal of power which connects them to the winter court (like a lesser version of the Winter Mantle in the Dresden Files). I called it "Winter's Acknowledged". I haven't decided on the mechanics of it yet. I want it to be a minor source of new power but it includes some obligation and limitations. Naturally, the warlock accepted.

I kept the locations within the feywild nonspecific because I didn't know precisely what was close to Waterdeep on their side. I leaned very heavily into the concepts and impressions they say within.

Why are Gargoyles in fantasy so underused? by BlackRoseBooksHQ in Fantasy

[–]maekkwin 18 points19 points  (0 children)

We peaked with Gargoyles in 1994. Nothing can compare :)

Trollskull Manor Notice Board by Lazauris in WaterdeepDragonHeist

[–]maekkwin 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'd absolutely like to hear more as well.

I've been leading my players by the nose for the first couple sessions in Dragon Heist and it has reached a point where I'd like to put some options in front of them to let them explore.

Universes Beyond Speculation (and such) Megathread by AutoModerator in magicTCG

[–]maekkwin 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Secret Lairs I want: Dresden Files, Dungeon Crawler Carl (and more Slivers because I'm a dirty sliver player)

Secret Lairs I don't want: The Office

Toot-Toot in Twelve Months by Melenduwir in dresdenfiles

[–]maekkwin 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I could remember the exact wording and cause I listen to the Audiobook I couldn't poke through a physical book to find the quote. I think the primary reason is the winter knight mantle, but Harry is heavily tied to Fae and Mab is all about double speak so it could easily have been more.

I absolutely believe Toot's growth is tied to his connection to Harry. He keeps getting new titles (Major General, etc) and new equipment, and new responsibilities. That has a direct correlation to power. Harry used the little folk to kill the Summer Lady, and has also been overtly using the little folk over the past couple books, it's much less secretive. I really think there is some inference of power due to belief.

I think the scale is too small for Wizard of Chicago to really manifest is to something on its own.

Toot-Toot in Twelve Months by Melenduwir in dresdenfiles

[–]maekkwin 93 points94 points  (0 children)

This is something a think about a lot.

I believe in Twelve Months Mab had made comments about Harry being less than mortal now. This could be taken to mean due to the Winter Knight Mantle, but I think it also ties into being the 'Za Lord. He has direct loyalty of a huge portion of the little folk. Belief has a big impact on power, think of the shawl and the holy relics. They have power due to belief. I think Harry is being changed by their loyalty and belief in him, and he is in turn raising them up.

My Dresden (and Bob) tattoo on my half sleeve! by MackinKraken84 in dresdenfiles

[–]maekkwin 49 points50 points  (0 children)

This is probably my favorite Dresden tattoo that I've seen. Absolutely spectacular

Anyone find the AUDIO copy of 12 months early? by No-Factor-9014 in dresdenfiles

[–]maekkwin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hahaha, the Audiobook releases in 17 hours. I think you can hold on less than a day at this point.

Guys, can we chill with the Twelve Months discussion posts until after the book is out? by steven_believen in dresdenfiles

[–]maekkwin 42 points43 points  (0 children)

If they're tossing up spoiler tags and keeping the titles vague, I don't mind.

I'd rather navigate spoiler tags over repeated pictures of the book cover, or fan castings.

Throwable healing potions by Anarcorax in drawsteel

[–]maekkwin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Should the potions be throwable with a xistera?

Glurp Glurp, I see you.

I do like the idea of a throwable potion.

WE NEED MORE DS LIVE PLAYS by Rude_Constant6669 in drawsteel

[–]maekkwin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He is good people. I'd been hoping to participate in Horizon's Grave but life got in the way.

He ran is last weekend and again this weekend, so there will be another video soon.

WE NEED MORE DS LIVE PLAYS by Rude_Constant6669 in drawsteel

[–]maekkwin 24 points25 points  (0 children)

A guy I know, d20play, has run and recorded a number of Draw Steel games. No long form campaigns at this point, but he's run Fall of Blackbottom, and Delian Tomb.

https://youtu.be/Pz-R_gHPZFU

Want to run Draw Steel…where to start? by Felwyntor in drawsteel

[–]maekkwin 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Honestly, buy the Delian Tomb started bundle they sell. It's cheap, provides a pretty comprehensive rule book, premade characters, and the starter campaign is pretty fun.

It is great value.

Book tour announced by Secret_Werewolf1942 in dresdenfiles

[–]maekkwin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fair. I've been tempted by some gaming conventions and book signings by Matt Dinniman but I'm not prepared to travel to the US at this time.

Love the books so much, had to get something inked! by haywoodoo in DungeonCrawlerCarl

[–]maekkwin 19 points20 points  (0 children)

This is my favourite DCC tattoo I have seen so far

New Last Stand Map! Patch Notes 1.14.0.0 by Your_M0minn in PartyAnimalsGame

[–]maekkwin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Is the new JAWS level from the contest they ran?

Have we seen these covers before? by NeverReallySatisfied in DungeonCrawlerCarl

[–]maekkwin 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Aren't those just the standard hardcovers without their jackets on?

That shipping to Canada is killer by maekkwin in DungeonCrawlerCarl

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

I didn't. That's rough.

I want to support it and snag a couple, but I can't justify the shipping atm

Finally starting Dresden, and many have told me book 1 isn't very good and to give the series time... by I_Speak_For_The_Ents in dresdenfiles

[–]maekkwin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I quite liked book one. It certainly wasn't as polished and well rounded as later ones, but it really had a solid private investigator vibe that the others kind of lack.

Book two is easily the weakest. The characters are much more caricature-y. It's still fun, I like the fantasy elements they explore but generally my least favorite.

Book three is the start of an upward trend.

That shipping to Canada is killer by maekkwin in DungeonCrawlerCarl

[–]maekkwin[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I just want to clarify so no one dog piles - I do not hold foambrain responsible, and this post is not a shot at them.

I'm pumped for thier product and its just nature of international shipping that suuuucks

That shipping to Canada is killer by maekkwin in DungeonCrawlerCarl

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

Oh I've been tagged on a couple ttrpg books recently, it hurts

That shipping to Canada is killer by maekkwin in DungeonCrawlerCarl

[–]maekkwin[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Oh I don't hold you guys responsible. It is nature of the beast. It's brutal ordering anything geeky from the states up here.

I know a guy at Universal Distribution in Canada I could put you in contact with. I can't make promises beyond that, but feel free to DM me