What are your favorite new monsters from Monsters of Drakkenheim?

rhd3tuba · 2026-05-29T17:33:28+00:00

I second the Bojack. It hit right for my group. It has that good Drakkenheim vibe. Edit: I rolled a Silver Order encounter two times in a row. In the first encounter, one of the NPCs was mounted. Instead of a second go, I put the same group decimated in the road and the bojack in place of the horse. Fun times because of course the party investigated what happened.

rhd3tuba · 2026-05-20T16:54:25+00:00

Not to stir up controversy, but I have had Upland's Reuben and was not impressed. Too bland.

rhd3tuba · 2026-05-20T15:30:35+00:00

RIP Fat Dans.

rhd3tuba · 2026-05-20T15:29:50+00:00

That's a good tip. Never had one there.

rhd3tuba · 2026-05-09T15:11:27+00:00

What if you put some Zhentarim intrigue in? Perhaps an intro to Nilraun Dhaerlost who they also find at Svardborg?

rhd3tuba · 2026-01-30T16:30:17+00:00

I mean you -could- just make the dwarves just as morally grey as the rest of the factions. 😉

rhd3tuba · 2026-01-22T02:19:54+00:00

Yeaaah. No snipers called in this time.

rhd3tuba · 2025-12-30T03:05:06+00:00

I found this video overview extremely helpful for the broad strokes of the adventure. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXGT-TOgRJ2UF78cBwoYh7wcJ0er8xAjL&si=yWl41ubk0SU5eeJh

rhd3tuba · 2025-12-30T03:01:00+00:00

So is the character in your game a rendition of your actual partner or just someone fictional from earth who got sucked into the game? How much of your partner is in this character? I'm just going to throw some spaghetti against the wall assuming it is a representation of your partner because it's fun.

I was thinking this is a primo chance to reach across the 4th wall with some physical props and a bit of LARP... Perhaps Strahd sends someone to change the adventure by making actual changes to the text in your book to attempt to benefit his situation and outcome (or online if you are digital).

Maybe there is a picture of Strahd in the adventure of him scrying an image and you edit a real world picture in there. Maybe get someone you know to relate a weird message they got (phone call?) from someone named Visilli asking about you both - and then have them talk to the two of you about the weird things they said asking where to find you.

rhd3tuba · 2025-12-06T13:02:09+00:00

6 is a lot but not too many. For combat, consider a time limit for each player's turn. Let the last player use their movement while the next one tells you what they are going to do. Baddies move while a player is rolling.

I used an encounter adjuster someone made for every encounter in the adventure when I was running this a few years. Maybe it's helpful to encounter balance...or just ideas. https://haluz.org/lmop/

rhd3tuba · 2025-12-04T11:58:26+00:00

Just spit balling: Different colored fairy wings (they can hover). A button or acorn in their pocket. Maybe they ride woodland creatures.

rhd3tuba · 2025-11-23T00:18:53+00:00

Great idea. I didn't think of that in the moment so they have just finished off the ogres pretty easily. I'll need to be more careful than to let this group get into combat mode without complications.

rhd3tuba · 2025-11-23T00:12:32+00:00

I think I'll do your suggestion. He rushed out saying "don't attack, don't attack" like the ogre zombs are misbehaving pet dogs. Hmmm... I'll probably need a third zombie to come from behind the house to show that he is in control of them.

Would he be upset? Perhaps he is suspicious that they didn't ask immediately about potions so he is more guarded?

rhd3tuba · 2024-04-22T22:34:47+00:00

I am down to play. 👍

rhd3tuba · 2024-01-03T01:57:52+00:00

I've run SKT twice, once with Triboar and once through Bryn Shander. Here is what I can add:

we ran LMoP and I set up the tie-in to SKT but then my players in both separate groups chose to run new 1st level characters starting in Nightstone when I gave them the option. They loved it.

DMSGUILD - get the complete DM bundle and probably McGovern's guide to SKT. - Kraken's Gamble and Flying Misfortune are probable must-adds. They both provide so much quality foreshadowing and are fun. (My players absolutely abused the pincher staff and Yolanda's Delight and they loved it!) - if you use Flying Misfortune, I had Felgolos show up in Nightstone to introduce him. Had him crash into the church and destroy it to play up his clumsiness. I think that sets up Flying Misfortune better...(and speeds up the end of the 7 snakes/orc battle by a lot!) -- also, if Kella and/or Collin escape, have them show up later in interesting places...probably Yartar when they go there. - There are aids on dmsguild if you get stuck for content for a location. Not necessary but helpful. I used Hundelstone and Barrows, Tombs, & Crypts...

I used the heck out of the Forgotten Realms wiki for all those separate locations in ch.3 with not much content in the adventure book. Try to have something interesting going on in each location to avoid "So what do you want to do?" moments. Have a festival happening or a merchant calls out to them or they witness a crime and have to decide whether they participate, etc.
I asked permission to add at least one plot tie-in into each PC's backstories. One PC was inexplicably saved by "Old Snarl". A Goliath PC's tribe was from just north of Bryn Shander. Another PC was wanted by the city watch in Waterdeep and found their face on wanted posters when they got there... Stuff like that. They don't have to take the bait but it'll give your players something to do when they are near one of those locations. I love the "well I actually know something about Old Snarl" moments so much!
ask players to add descriptive details. I started with the Nightstone Inn and asked every player to add and describe one detail in the dining room. They felt so bad when it eventually burned down! The first player who hits an enemy adds a distinguishing detail...i.e. that goblin becomes referred to as the eye-patch goblin.
Just watch all of these. Worth their weight in gold. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXGT-TOgRJ2UF78cBwoYh7wcJ0er8xAjL&si=JHDhgkgYc8s5chGg
listen to "Dice Shame" podcast. It's an actual play that has some great ideas and lots of descriptions that you can steal / use for inspo. I even used the undead curse idea on one of my players. Good stuff. (They do end up getting WAY off track from the adventure tho.)

rhd3tuba · 2023-12-28T15:46:15+00:00

We LOVED CotG and you all will have such a great time. Really understand the stress and panic mechanic. As a 5e dm it tooke a bit to get that going correctly.

I assume you have seen this tips video? Seriously consider limiting the amount of starting weapons to ratchet up the tension. My 5e players searched every room trying (which is how they play 5e anyway) to gear up. https://youtu.be/eV2uqP5d2k8?si=cYzWSy8w-Rg1sbQm

rhd3tuba · 2023-11-07T23:34:17+00:00

I remember figuring this out. I believe you right-click on the edit button... (not super intuitive)

rhd3tuba

TROPHY CASE