#dnd prep

[justicekylar]

Doing some session prep for my DnD game, and let me tell you, the fact that I just got back into the Magnus Archives does not bode well for them

[terrified-spider]

To CoS DMs,

What sort of stuff do you make a point of including when changing Strahd's diary?

I've never been fond of 5e's handout, it feels far more like a lore drop than a personal diary, and while using I, Strahd would be nice, I've made too many changes to the lore to use it as is. (not to mention that my players and I are all busy, and won't have the time to read a full novel)

I've outlined the key elements that need to be included, I just need to pad it out a bit.

Thank you for any help (:

My current outline is under the cut (:

cw for canon typical depression and violence

Taking Castle Ravenloft:

Summary of the arrival at the castle, naming it after his mother, in her honor

With the death of their parents, Sergei will be coming to the keep

Introduction to Alek and Rahadin, the two working and training together

Meeting Tatyana:

Introducing our sexy lamp

Passing mention of Sergei giving up his place in the clergy for her

Focus on Tatyana's physical traits, her hair in particular. As much as the lamp thing is a joke, she isn't important to Strahd as a person, only a prize. As Strahd is really the only source of information on Tatyana for the party, she doesn't really get much in terms of development.

Alek has raised concerns once again about the assassin

Tatyana & Sergei, Wedding Prep:

Strahd moping while Sergei and Tatyana have a good time.

Mention of Alek going to the Amber Temple for research purposes, to find something that might help the situation.

Night Before the Wedding:

Strahd is starting to hear whispers

Alek and Rahadin have been patroling the castle, questioning the guards, etc.

Wedding Night Aftermath:

Quiet castle, only him and Rahadin alive.

Some sacrifices had to be made, but Alek is still alive, gifted to Rahadin, so that the two can remain brothers.

Alek died as he does in I, Strahd, but is the first Strahd brings back from the dead. He botches it though, and Alek returns as a Nosferatu, rather than a spawn. Strahd is denying the problem, shrugging off the issue as best as he can. He's good at it.

Meeting Marina:

The only section I've fully written out so far, but still up for revisions.

I returned to Castle Ravenloft late yesterday evening with no issue. Rahadin was right, the girl looks exactly like my dearest Tatyana did, with the same red hair and bright eyes. I do not think I know the entirety of what happened to her in the years since her death in the Mists, but she did not remember who she, or perhaps more importantly, Sergei or I, was.

Now, she goes by Marina, and is the adopted daughter of the burgomaster in Berez, Lazlo Berezovich, who plans to marry her in just a few years. Of course, i cannot have such things happen to Tatyana, no matter what name or face she wears now, and I have already begun to teach her of her old life. She seemed invested, though that might simply be due to the prospect of minor nobility taking romantic interest in her. Still, even with having only spent a night with her, the results seem promising. My brother will not have any influence this time, and at long last, Tatyana will finally be mine.

Rahadin also brought news of the Abbot, the “angel” having taken up residence in the old monastery in Krezk, where I had found Leo Dilisnya. While Tatyana is of the highest priority, I will have to visit Krezk soon, to finally welcome our newest guest. Even if his healing magic has been greatly exaggerated, his presence should provide at least some degree of entertainment for myself, and perhaps some assistance for Barovia’s people.

Death of Marina:

Most recent event in journal, so that it works out when Strahd leaves the diary buried under the monument to Marina. A good segment of unmarked pages are left at the end of the journal.

Cursing the men who killed Marina, description of their bodies after their deaths.

[thespacelizard]

starting to re-organise my dnd vault and looking through all my npcs like...those are my little guys! i made so many of these! i miss them all so much!!!

[lillianforest22]

I have to make npc

It the biggest thing that I need to prep for dnd ever. Like I’m alway saying spicy McClain the shop keep. So I have to prep a good 50 or so

[stella-clara]

Me, a couple weeks ago: Man I should really revive that campaign concept of reskinning 5e to work for a Darkest Dungeon themed game. It shouldn’t be that hard, I did most of the work already- Me now, writing the Versebook in its entirety: Oh. Oh no.

[oaks-number-one-fan]

Here's an introduction to the party :)

Stray, the barbarian halfling

Clarke, the ranger satyr

Hayden Ptolemy, the Grave cleric shadar-kai

And then to finish... The new mystery...

[openstorygames]

Best way to stop procrastinating on D&D prep?

Plan a new campaign!

[embryhallowed]

Yes I know I have a game this week and I've only made 1 of the maps we'll need for the ruins...

But I HAAAVE to spend 2 hours painting a portrait of one of the marble sentinels the party will encounter to make sure it looks right!!

Yes I know the party will only see this in a tiny monster token and won't appreciate it and all its glory

No that won't stop me!

DON'T LOOK BELOW IF I DM GAMES FOR YOU

I just edited/painted over a picture of a Sphinx and I was very rushed and messy about the tail but IDC I'm pleased with it

[hadesttrpg]

STRIDERS Campaign Log #1 - The City of Myridia

For my Saturday campaign, I have prepped the City of Myridia. The plot hook they've already received is that the city's ruler, King Uldar has been assassinated. The masked killer spent over a week on the run being pursued by the city's knights. Sadly the knights were slain one by one during the week-long chase, the last member dying while informing the party of what was going on in Myridia.

The party had a run-in with some of the assassin's allies, capturing one of them and interrogating him. Now they've set forth towards Myridia to turn the man in, hopefully assisting the city guards in one day identifying and capturing the killer.

What the party isn't prepared for is the tense political climate of the city as the late King's family make their claims to the throne. The King had no children and hadn't announced his heir. His siblings each believe they are to be crowned King or Queen, leading to a dispute that shakes the very foundations of the city.

There's much more to the city than its political climate for them to discover as well. As new adventurers, they'll have options with the fleshed-out order of knights, investigating mysterious happenings in the pumpkin patches of "The Green", participating in the infamous arena, and much more.

[utterlyincoherent]

the best part about this campaign is writing party invitations from the BBEG

gonna be one hell of a Masquerade!

[dumbbullet]

Hope my dnd players are ready for their toughest challenge yet

[pigeon-princess]

Being from Lonely Light and also having constant dragon dreams means that Gwyn has a lot of interesting things to say. Oswick and Toby are not always keen to hear about them. You start saying things like "My Nan turned into a whale when she died" and "I saw a stranger trying to communicate with me via a glass candle" and people start getting weird about it. Let the Targaryen speak, I say!

Characters are: 🐗Oswick "Redtusk" Crakehall by @oneirotect, our ASOIAF GM ☀️Tobiah "Toby" Martell by Nico 🦑Gwyndon "Gwyn" Pyke by me

[thespacelizard]

alright, time for the last ever OSHA game

let's fuckin go

[ancient-little-fern]

have a joe hills juppet

[ao3-shenanigans]

Love how writing has got me googling the average size of a dumbwaiter.

(24”x 24” if you were wondering)

[oaks-number-one-fan]

Finished the first script for one of my players