Another EtCR thread! ;) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Another EtCR thread! ;) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DarkenDivine
03-07-07, 02:47 PM So I will be starting this in 2-3 months. I'm preparing now because I am intending to do the "mini" 5 month campaign.

My first question is thus..

1) I am running this for 7 PCs. Should I start them at level 5 and adjust accordingly or start them lower?

2) Since I have 7 PCs is there any encounters/plot things that need to be revised?

3) One of the goals says when they first meet The Count and he doesn't attack them yet, rather talks to them about their secondary mission, he still wants to try and dominate them while they are on nuetral terms. If he fails don't they know hes trying to this or is he a master of hiding this ability?

4) Which leads me to dominate as a hole. Strahd wants it as his ace in the hole and can do it while hes hiding in certain parts of the castle, how do you keep it secret that he is doing all these dominate attempts?

5) When the fortune teller tells them they have to find said items/relics in the castle, won't sometimes they be underleveled if they want to just head out there and find those items?

Thats all I can think of for now. Some of these might of been repetitive questions that I've posted in another thread but I see this sub forum is a lot more active for these.
mearrin69
03-07-07, 03:34 PM Will try to answer though I'm no expert.

1/2) You could up the challenges a bit if you wanted but some of them are pretty tough anyway and the group will just level more slowly than a group of 4 6th level players. I don't know enough about balancing things to say the best way to go - though I'm sure others here do.

There's a lot of potential for adding zombie encounters at the start of the game, werewolves and witches later, and lots of Strahd's minions if you like. Might add enough XP to keep a larger party at parity.

3) I am playing Dominate using secret rolls and assuming that the characters would be unaware of Strahd's attempts (one clue is that Ireena is Dominated but doesn't know it). Make them roll their Knowledge(religion) to know that Vampires can do it, though. They should at least suspect that this could happen.

4) Don't have the book with me but his Dominate ability is like a gaze attack, except that he needs to use a Standard Action to deploy it. He can't just hide behind a wall - needs to make eye contact - unless I'm mistaken. Also, if characters are aware of the ability and choose to avoid his gaze you'll need to take that into account. Basically they get a 50%/50% chance each round to avoid his gaze - but look up the rules for yourself in the DMG (forget the page but see Gaze Attacks in the index.)

5) For sure. All of the items in my game ended up outside the castle but the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind and the Sunsword both need to be taken into the castle for the bonding ritual. The Sunsword actually has to go to Strahd's crypt - which might result in some player deaths just from the teleport trap. I'd have hated it if some of this stuff had ended up in the catacombs instead of outside. As it was they got to visit a couple of the fanes and defeat their defenders.

Anyway, hope this helps somewhat.
M
Solik
03-07-07, 06:18 PM 1) Nahh. Just don't let the NPCs have a very big part to play. My Ireena avoids most combat or goes after some small creature on the side, and the other two have Other Things (TM) to take care of (like defending Barovia in the PCs' absence, etc).

You may want to add a couple more monsters here and there. A zombie or two per encounter in Barovia, for example.

2) None that I'm aware of.

3) Just rule this consistently with however you rule all other spell effects of this type that fail.

4) Well, if you normally rule that failed Dominates aren't revealed to the intended victim (at least as what they are), then you don't have a problem. If you do, well, then Strahd will need a backup plan if Dominate fails (he would anyways, really... I don't see that this changes anything).

5) Yeah. My players drew really badly -- I saw a campaign derailment coming. I actually redid the entire draw sequence. No one minded. You can tone down some stuff in the castle on the spot, though (and reinforce it later when the players come back for the showdown).
DarkenDivine
03-07-07, 07:29 PM So I'm thinking I'm gonna just make the relics somewhere outside the castle and let the rest be up to the draw. Obviously having the players believe its all random either way.

As for dominate, I'll have them roll but not say the outcome. Regardless of outcome I will say something along the lines of tingling on your neck, hair stood up on arms, etc.

I mean if they fail I don't have to tell them that Strahd did something right? I can explain that its just a really eerie feeling they got in the castle or along those lines.
Sysane
03-07-07, 09:47 PM 3) One of the goals says when they first meet The Count and he doesn't attack them yet, rather talks to them about their secondary mission, he still wants to try and dominate them while they are on nuetral terms. If he fails don't they know hes trying to this or is he a master of hiding this ability?
Have the PCs roll their saves before the dinner with Strahd well in advance. Pretend that its a spot or listen check as the PCs head to the castle. Record the results and apply them to that encounter. It worked for my game.
DarkenDivine
03-08-07, 07:57 AM Sounds good.

Question about mapping. I usually use those erasbable big grid maps, 5ft squares and draw the map as we go.

I have a feeling this is going to be confusing as hell when they reach the castle. Did you guys predraw the whole castle then have a seperate battle map that you drew at each encounter?

If you predrew it did you have like one mini on the main castle map and then parties minis when you create a battle map?

Like same for the barovia first zombie encounter. Every 40ft they have a random encounter chance. Should I create a town map with the 40ft squares and then a battle map?
Solik
03-08-07, 10:38 AM Can't help ya there. I use a database-driven web grid, so I can export and import maps and such :p
DarkenDivine
03-08-07, 02:34 PM Can't help ya there. I use a database-driven web grid, so I can export and import maps and such :p

booo
Kereminde
03-18-07, 03:55 PM Can't help ya there. I use a database-driven web grid, so I can export and import maps and such :p

What program is this and where can I find it? :)
Solik
03-19-07, 04:51 PM It's an in-house tool :) We're working on modifications and additions to make it usable for the public, though, so maybe we'll have a note in a few months for people to use it :p

Reading DD's post more closely, I think an answer there still applies. I'm going to dig through the castle chapter and see if I can easily wrap my head around the map. If not, I'll combine the various maps into a rough composite sketch. I'll then use a bunch of separate "maps" for each encounter area that the players run into. I may or may not precreate them, depending on how much time I want to spend on that / how fast I want to run through the adventure :p
Lord Nedd
03-19-07, 05:21 PM As I have been preparing for my friends to enter the castle in the near future, I have been stumped. Is there any clear indication that you folks have found that defines the height of the rooms on the ground level?

On Page 90, it defines them for above the Ground floor and below, but not at the Ground Floor.

If you have any insights, I would appreciate it.
Kereminde
03-19-07, 05:42 PM As I have been preparing for my friends to enter the castle in the near future, I have been stumped. Is there any clear indication that you folks have found that defines the height of the rooms on the ground level?

On Page 90, it defines them for above the Ground floor and below, but not at the Ground Floor.

If you have any insights, I would appreciate it.
The original I6 module has a good map which says the second floor is 50' up from the main floor. Also refer to the cutaway map on p92.

I'd say 40' up.
Lord Nedd
03-19-07, 07:22 PM Gah. You are right. It is more clear at the map on page 98 when studying the balcony to the chapel of Ravenloft.

-LN

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DarkenDivine 03-07-07, 02:47 PM	So I will be starting this in 2-3 months. I'm preparing now because I am intending to do the "mini" 5 month campaign. My first question is thus.. 1) I am running this for 7 PCs. Should I start them at level 5 and adjust accordingly or start them lower? 2) Since I have 7 PCs is there any encounters/plot things that need to be revised? 3) One of the goals says when they first meet The Count and he doesn't attack them yet, rather talks to them about their secondary mission, he still wants to try and dominate them while they are on nuetral terms. If he fails don't they know hes trying to this or is he a master of hiding this ability? 4) Which leads me to dominate as a hole. Strahd wants it as his ace in the hole and can do it while hes hiding in certain parts of the castle, how do you keep it secret that he is doing all these dominate attempts? 5) When the fortune teller tells them they have to find said items/relics in the castle, won't sometimes they be underleveled if they want to just head out there and find those items? Thats all I can think of for now. Some of these might of been repetitive questions that I've posted in another thread but I see this sub forum is a lot more active for these.
mearrin69 03-07-07, 03:34 PM	Will try to answer though I'm no expert. 1/2) You could up the challenges a bit if you wanted but some of them are pretty tough anyway and the group will just level more slowly than a group of 4 6th level players. I don't know enough about balancing things to say the best way to go - though I'm sure others here do. There's a lot of potential for adding zombie encounters at the start of the game, werewolves and witches later, and lots of Strahd's minions if you like. Might add enough XP to keep a larger party at parity. 3) I am playing Dominate using secret rolls and assuming that the characters would be unaware of Strahd's attempts (one clue is that Ireena is Dominated but doesn't know it). Make them roll their Knowledge(religion) to know that Vampires can do it, though. They should at least suspect that this could happen. 4) Don't have the book with me but his Dominate ability is like a gaze attack, except that he needs to use a Standard Action to deploy it. He can't just hide behind a wall - needs to make eye contact - unless I'm mistaken. Also, if characters are aware of the ability and choose to avoid his gaze you'll need to take that into account. Basically they get a 50%/50% chance each round to avoid his gaze - but look up the rules for yourself in the DMG (forget the page but see Gaze Attacks in the index.) 5) For sure. All of the items in my game ended up outside the castle but the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind and the Sunsword both need to be taken into the castle for the bonding ritual. The Sunsword actually has to go to Strahd's crypt - which might result in some player deaths just from the teleport trap. I'd have hated it if some of this stuff had ended up in the catacombs instead of outside. As it was they got to visit a couple of the fanes and defeat their defenders. Anyway, hope this helps somewhat. M
Solik 03-07-07, 06:18 PM	1) Nahh. Just don't let the NPCs have a very big part to play. My Ireena avoids most combat or goes after some small creature on the side, and the other two have Other Things (TM) to take care of (like defending Barovia in the PCs' absence, etc). You may want to add a couple more monsters here and there. A zombie or two per encounter in Barovia, for example. 2) None that I'm aware of. 3) Just rule this consistently with however you rule all other spell effects of this type that fail. 4) Well, if you normally rule that failed Dominates aren't revealed to the intended victim (at least as what they are), then you don't have a problem. If you do, well, then Strahd will need a backup plan if Dominate fails (he would anyways, really... I don't see that this changes anything). 5) Yeah. My players drew really badly -- I saw a campaign derailment coming. I actually redid the entire draw sequence. No one minded. You can tone down some stuff in the castle on the spot, though (and reinforce it later when the players come back for the showdown).
DarkenDivine 03-07-07, 07:29 PM	So I'm thinking I'm gonna just make the relics somewhere outside the castle and let the rest be up to the draw. Obviously having the players believe its all random either way. As for dominate, I'll have them roll but not say the outcome. Regardless of outcome I will say something along the lines of tingling on your neck, hair stood up on arms, etc. I mean if they fail I don't have to tell them that Strahd did something right? I can explain that its just a really eerie feeling they got in the castle or along those lines.
Sysane 03-07-07, 09:47 PM	3) One of the goals says when they first meet The Count and he doesn't attack them yet, rather talks to them about their secondary mission, he still wants to try and dominate them while they are on nuetral terms. If he fails don't they know hes trying to this or is he a master of hiding this ability? Have the PCs roll their saves before the dinner with Strahd well in advance. Pretend that its a spot or listen check as the PCs head to the castle. Record the results and apply them to that encounter. It worked for my game.
DarkenDivine 03-08-07, 07:57 AM	Sounds good. Question about mapping. I usually use those erasbable big grid maps, 5ft squares and draw the map as we go. I have a feeling this is going to be confusing as hell when they reach the castle. Did you guys predraw the whole castle then have a seperate battle map that you drew at each encounter? If you predrew it did you have like one mini on the main castle map and then parties minis when you create a battle map? Like same for the barovia first zombie encounter. Every 40ft they have a random encounter chance. Should I create a town map with the 40ft squares and then a battle map?
Solik 03-08-07, 10:38 AM	Can't help ya there. I use a database-driven web grid, so I can export and import maps and such :p
DarkenDivine 03-08-07, 02:34 PM	Can't help ya there. I use a database-driven web grid, so I can export and import maps and such :p booo
Kereminde 03-18-07, 03:55 PM	Can't help ya there. I use a database-driven web grid, so I can export and import maps and such :p What program is this and where can I find it? :)
Solik 03-19-07, 04:51 PM	It's an in-house tool :) We're working on modifications and additions to make it usable for the public, though, so maybe we'll have a note in a few months for people to use it :p Reading DD's post more closely, I think an answer there still applies. I'm going to dig through the castle chapter and see if I can easily wrap my head around the map. If not, I'll combine the various maps into a rough composite sketch. I'll then use a bunch of separate "maps" for each encounter area that the players run into. I may or may not precreate them, depending on how much time I want to spend on that / how fast I want to run through the adventure :p
Lord Nedd 03-19-07, 05:21 PM	As I have been preparing for my friends to enter the castle in the near future, I have been stumped. Is there any clear indication that you folks have found that defines the height of the rooms on the ground level? On Page 90, it defines them for above the Ground floor and below, but not at the Ground Floor. If you have any insights, I would appreciate it.
Kereminde 03-19-07, 05:42 PM	As I have been preparing for my friends to enter the castle in the near future, I have been stumped. Is there any clear indication that you folks have found that defines the height of the rooms on the ground level? On Page 90, it defines them for above the Ground floor and below, but not at the Ground Floor. If you have any insights, I would appreciate it. The original I6 module has a good map which says the second floor is 50' up from the main floor. Also refer to the cutaway map on p92. I'd say 40' up.
Lord Nedd 03-19-07, 07:22 PM	Gah. You are right. It is more clear at the map on page 98 when studying the balcony to the chapel of Ravenloft. -LN