So, I'll be starting my first DnD 5th ed this weekend. I plan to stick to the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, then transition into the Rise of Tiamat. From what I've read, this is in the universal Tyranny of Dragons storyline. My issue is, what is the PC's perception of the Dragon Cult.
What is the common knowledge of the Cult of the Dragon? Surely word is spreading throughout the lands of Dragons and bandits robbing caravans and pillaging towns, but what do they know specifically? In other words, would the charaters say, "It's the dragon cult! attack", or is the cult itself something of a mystery that needs unveiled as the campaign unfolds.
on the website, it says something about the fact they've been around for hundreds of years, but were lead to believe they deal in raising dead dragons. But now, under new leadership, it's all about freeing Tiamat. So, are PCs aware of the cults activities? If so, are they aware of the new motive?
I guess what has me stumped is the opening adventure where the players cross over the hill and see the city being attacked by a dragon and cultists. Should they know who they are nfacing right away or is it a mystery? Is the cult a super secrative society or not?
If not, or if they don't reckognize the cult, what exactly is going to motivate a party of level 1 PCs to draw swords and run headfirst into a town being attacked by an adult blue dragon? "They're adventurers, that's what they do" is kinda weak.
thanks.
First, check the appendixes, there are background-modifications (alternative traits and bonds) to give the characters a motivation to be there and often why they should help Greenest.
As long as nobody of the party is a former cult-member, they'll know about nothing about them attacking the village and after they find out, they'll most likely hear about the change in management, too. For information about the cult before, just ask for a Intelligence (History) check to see, what the characters used to know.
For motivation: Good characters will try to help, that's what good characters do. The more neutral ones might be either pulled by the ones who are already pulled or could be thinking, that this is a opportunity to press some money out of the villagers. If all fails, re-arrange the first encounter to actually start behind the PCs + more monsters. They'll definitely choose to run into Greenest, since the dragon doesn't particularly seem to care about them.
Also, keep in mind that there is absolutely nothing to identify the majority of attackers in Greenest as members of the cult of the dragon. It is specifically stated that they are mostly mercenaries, and in fact, initially the PCs will be left alone by the attackers because they look like just another group of mercs. Only a few specific leaders (wearers of purple) have anything resembling a uniform. It's really only after successfully completing the 'Prisoners' sub-task of Episode 1 or succesfully infiltrating the camp in Episode 2 that the party learns that the attackers are associated with the Cult of the Dragon.
Yeha,in appendix there is 10 reasons why character could care about evens that transpire, and even 2 additional backgrounds. I founf it to late, and didnt pull my characters in very much.
BTW: Is this adventrue very VERY deadly for first level characters? Or is it just me? 
TrueManiek wrote:
TrueManiek wrote: