Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 thanson02 Feb 07, 2015 7:47:34	Hey folks. Our local game group is looking to continue with their characters after they are done with LMoP.  Since we are playing AL, I looked into HotDQ and from what I am seeing, transferring players over to Episode 5 should be a no brainer for continuing the story, especially since Mere of Dead Men is just south of Leilon as well as opening up the Trade Way again would benefit both The Lionshield Coster and Barthen’s Provisions.   Just some Quick questions:   Each episode represents a level for players, so if the players are entering level 5, then they should be 5th level, correct? I found the HotDQ Supplement which lays out how AL rewards work as well as how the gameplay should run.  Did they ever release a similar guide for Episodes 5-8? Are there any points where episodes are more favorable for different Factions so they can get extra renown points?  From what I saw, no, but wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Did they ever release an official story transfer guide from LMoP to HotDQ? They are getting ready to enter the Wave Eco Cave this weekend, so they should be done by the end of February with it.
#2 Coredump00 Feb 07, 2015 13:26:26	Here is my input from a different thread..   I have not played LMoP, so I can't answer the fluff aspect... how to get them to travel from one place to the other.  HotDQ does have some back ground and Hooks that your players could use to make the tie in.   As for mechanics... I would try and not let them reach lvl 5 in LMoP, keep them around 5500XP (Personally, I would even fudge the XP gains if I had to.) Being 4th level means Ep1 and Ep2 will be somewhat easier, but still not a cakewalk. Ep1 you could just up the monsters a bit, use some better tactics, and have them go on more of the missions... it will still be a challenge for them.   Hitting Lvl5 right before or during Ep3 isn't that big of a deal.  Again, you can buff some of the encounters if you want. But there are still things they will need to think instead of fight...   But I would not skip any of he Episodes... they give the adventure more depth.     (If you fudge their XP, and feel bad about it, you can always give them more later. Plus, the guidelines for XP in Ep4 is stupid high for some menial stuff...)
#3 BRJN Feb 22, 2015 17:51:57	re: (4) Not that I am aware of.  You could do this as a transition:   The PCs meet somebody with a "shady" background.  He wants to start a smuggling ring in/out of Phandelver.  (For funsies, play him like Han Solo; he wants to drum up some steady business for his cart which "I made a few special modifications".)  Port Llast is an old city whose harbor mostly silted in during the Spellplague years, making it unsuitable for ocean-going vessels.  Small craft, lighters, flatboats &c can still get in and out, transferring small-bulk / high-value items from shore to ship.  In other words, just exactly the stuff you would want to smuggle !  The PCs are sent to Port Llast to make a contact there.  While the PCs are in town, the Cult of the Dragon decides an ex-port city should have lots of loot in it and attacks.  Open HotDQ Ep 1, but substitute town names.  (Make the creek on the map about 15 feet wide so two flatboats can get past each other.) The PCs will enter the adventure actually strong enough to do more than slink around the edges trying to not get hurt - they can act like actual Heroes! (Explain to your group that unlike LMoP there won't be much levelling up until a few Episodes have played out.)
#4 Tyranthraxus Feb 22, 2015 18:45:52	This is also what Im doing. Im running a new group through Lost Mine (AL obviously). When Im done the characters will be level  4, so nearing on 5. Ill then move in to Ep 5 of HODQ OR Im thinking It could be even Part 5 of Princes of the Apocalypse depending on time frames.
(Reply to #4) Coredump00	Tyranthraxus wrote: