tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post2407128207025287256..comments2024-03-25T22:48:31.750-04:00Comments on Dreams in the Lich House: Die, Strahd, Die!Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18031181424520125213noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-15361721553932151772012-06-22T16:51:58.901-04:002012-06-22T16:51:58.901-04:00For the record, Boba Fett didn't die in the Sa...For the record, Boba Fett didn't die in the Sarlacc and they ended up bringing Darth Maul back, so take that as you will. You may "kill" a villain or anti-hero for the scene, but that doesn't mean they need to remain dead for the story or the saga.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-8267457370807558502012-04-16T10:11:43.184-04:002012-04-16T10:11:43.184-04:00Hmmm... I just had an epiphany. I "strategiz...Hmmm... I just had an epiphany. I "strategize" almost every move I make as a PC in my games.<br /><br />The mitigating factor is that I mostly play PbP games, due to time/familial/whatever constraints. While the pace is a bit slower (3 months of PbP = 1 day of FtF), I get to a) play more than one game at a time and b) get to participate in a bit of gaming almost every day. Plus, the style suits my propensity to think through my actions quite carefully and come up with the best plan.<br /><br />And we're fortunate enough, in one game, anyway, to have a GM who loves that we've overcome the last few scenarios by relying on planning as much as brawn and brute force. In fact, we're play-testing a module and he reported that most of the other groups had TPK'd way before they'd gotten as far as us. So apparently the module isn't designed for the charge-headlong-into-battle-every-time types.<br /><br />So when my halfling thief two-hitted an ogre and dropped him (... open clearing surrounded by dark groves of trees, wand of enemy detection pointed out a general location of the ogre when the party smelled a trap, thief uses boots of elven kind and good dice rolls to sneak around the clearing using trees for cover, spots ogre crouching next to some boulders, thief climbs boulder and backstabs ogre for 3x (almost max) damage (5th level thief in OSRIC-rules campaign). Thief wins initiative roll for first round and rolls max damage again, slaying ogre...) all he could do was smile (err... it was a virtual smile) and give accolades.<br /><br />The nice thing about this style with a PbP game is that it generally doesn't detract from the pace.The Gruehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08138428806243876477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-74792861639551657262012-03-12T06:05:14.952-04:002012-03-12T06:05:14.952-04:00@yunafonfabre: We were using Classic D&D at t...@yunafonfabre: We were using Classic D&D at the time, the 1981 Moldvay red and blue books. A modern clone version is Labyrinth Lord. You're right, there's a big difference between how Dispel Evil works across the editions!Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18031181424520125213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-78366562246788339092012-03-12T05:25:30.772-04:002012-03-12T05:25:30.772-04:00Were you using 0E or the colored box edition? Beca...Were you using 0E or the colored box edition? Because I just checked 1E, 2E, 3E, and 3.5E, and in none of those editions does Dispel Evil have the power to destroy vampires. O_oAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-28807253554105221262011-12-21T23:03:50.402-05:002011-12-21T23:03:50.402-05:00If you were playing 3.Whatever edition (which is a...If you were playing 3.Whatever edition (which is admittedly unlikely) then I would have thought it perfectly legitimate to apply Strahd's Turn Resistance to the roll, since a "destroys undead" effect is very similar to a turn. But if he still flubs the save then he's dead, no questions asked.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-78971601429613182372011-09-25T13:40:34.953-04:002011-09-25T13:40:34.953-04:00I'm surprised the spell apparently kills major...I'm surprised the spell apparently kills major vampires so easily, but certainly as DM I would have the result stand. Anything else would be appalling DMing.Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173759805310975320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-59752467796065635392011-09-09T04:45:37.557-04:002011-09-09T04:45:37.557-04:00@Harald
"This is just cool, and I think every...@Harald<br />"This is just cool, and I think every GM has had such a moment. My issue with Strahd was that (as I read the scenario) it didn't hinge on luck, but the possession of a 5th lvl spell."<br /><br />No. More important than luck, it was the player CHOICE of using that 5th level spell.<br /><br />The game is about player choices and their consequences. Otherwise, it isn't a game.redbeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04600098550347299095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-10115673497279117672011-07-19T16:59:43.335-04:002011-07-19T16:59:43.335-04:00Good move. If you're going to let the dice fal...Good move. If you're going to let the dice fall where they may, it has to work both ways -and as usualy, doing so worked out better than you probably expected.Dangerous Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11494853825931603065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-56068521336647780042011-07-19T09:15:33.717-04:002011-07-19T09:15:33.717-04:00"Wouldn't it be better if the story belon..."Wouldn't it be better if the story belonged to all who played it, including the GM?"<br /><br />Yes, thank you, that's how I should have said it. Typing... not... matching... thoughts... Need... more... caffeine...Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17116795932377593506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-56700137208915002602011-07-19T05:32:57.722-04:002011-07-19T05:32:57.722-04:00"As someone who once had a player in a Star W...<i>"As someone who once had a player in a Star Wars campaign legitimately pull a blaster rifle, critical hit a Dark Jedi, and kill him mid-monologue with a single hit..."</i><br /><br />This is just cool, and I think every GM has had such a moment. My issue with Strahd was that (as I read the scenario) it didn't hinge on luck, but the possession of a 5th lvl spell. <br /><br />But as I said, if both GM and players are satisfied with the result, it was a righteous play.<br /><br />@ Tom:<br />If the story is supposed to belong to the players and <i>not</i> the GM, why not just go online and play WoW? Wouldn't it be better if the story belonged to all who played it, <i>including</i> the GM?<br /><br />@ -C:<br />Nor will you ever.Haraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09864029225698561023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-60297926166810143112011-07-18T23:30:10.269-04:002011-07-18T23:30:10.269-04:00Greg,
I bet your players will be telling that sto...Greg,<br /><br />I bet your players will be telling that story for years.<br /><br />And that's why I like that kind of thing. Letting the plans and the dice go where they will means that the story belongs to your players, not to the DM.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17116795932377593506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-69044253988271055912011-07-18T22:59:28.443-04:002011-07-18T22:59:28.443-04:00As someone who once had a player in a Star Wars ca...As someone who once had a player in a Star Wars campaign legitimately pull a blaster rifle, critical hit a Dark Jedi, and kill him mid-monologue with a single hit...<br /><br />You made the right call.Pontifexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01761338487255048337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-16869905922087851532011-07-18T22:09:38.204-04:002011-07-18T22:09:38.204-04:00So true. I'm going to have fun inventorying a...So true. I'm going to have fun inventorying all the now 'free-willed' undead and figuring out how they run amok.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18031181424520125213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-34003271466814760072011-07-18T21:50:19.627-04:002011-07-18T21:50:19.627-04:00Now you can have the horde of lesser vampires Stra...Now you can have the horde of lesser vampires Strahd was keeping at bay show up and wreak havoc!!Tedankhamenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00181643018957592969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-19603835427756487012011-07-18T19:47:24.894-04:002011-07-18T19:47:24.894-04:00You'll have to wait for the game report, shlom...You'll have to wait for the game report, shlominus.<br /><br />The replies have been interesting - part of this was to get a sense on who's a 'let the dice fall' kinda DM vs who would change things up to extend the action. Gives me an idea for tomorrow's post.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18031181424520125213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-70555644532484881102011-07-18T18:33:07.490-04:002011-07-18T18:33:07.490-04:00using dispel evil on a vamp... you don't need ...using dispel evil on a vamp... you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure that one out. great plan? not really.<br /><br />to me this outcome seems a bit bland. better story? hm... (the asskicking of last session that made them stop and think might have been a better story though.)<br /><br />i'm with anthony on this one. once the players decide what to do, you shouldn't change the game. but giving strahd some extra protection beforehand might have been a good idea. a dispel evil scroll working perfectly in ravenloft?! it's your world. ;)<br /><br />but int the end, if everyone had a good time, it was obviously the right decision. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-63945867571214231042011-07-18T18:01:51.738-04:002011-07-18T18:01:51.738-04:00If your notes/the adventure said he was there, and...If your notes/the adventure said he was there, and they killed him then he's dead.Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10745062840676790649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-39754964633357263482011-07-18T17:57:40.794-04:002011-07-18T17:57:40.794-04:00I think that the player's reactions are answer...I think that the player's reactions are answer enough. :) When they can out-think the DM and the mod designer, well, that's a win.<br /><br />- ArkArkheinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04197738947435750745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-59544628861136957922011-07-18T16:54:34.231-04:002011-07-18T16:54:34.231-04:00@Harald
Remind me never to play in one of your ra...@Harald<br /><br />Remind me never to play in one of your railroaded campaigns.-Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02331863932906631618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-40467066803230550812011-07-18T16:53:15.340-04:002011-07-18T16:53:15.340-04:00This is right and good and correct. This is the wa...This is right and good and correct. This is the way of right thinking men.<br /><br />This is the way that role-playing is done well and correctly.<br /><br />You are indeed a victor.-Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02331863932906631618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-54171521271344589622011-07-18T16:18:29.659-04:002011-07-18T16:18:29.659-04:00I think I would have either a) have made sure a 5t...I think I would have either a) have made sure a 5th lvl spell didn't auto-nuke Strahd, or b) set some nasty minions on the PC's before they got close enough to deliver. But this would have been dependent on whether Strahd was a Big Boss, or merely one of many Bosses.<br /><br />In the end it comes down to what would work best in the given scenario. The bottom line is that all present had fun.<br /><br />As for the aftermath, I would think Strahd kept a lot of minor monsters in line. His death would leave a power-vacuum, and who knows if the short-term effect isn't worse than with him alive...er...undead.Haraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09864029225698561023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-79545143762764032152011-07-18T15:51:59.255-04:002011-07-18T15:51:59.255-04:00Yep, let them have the victory. They deserved it t...Yep, let them have the victory. They deserved it through playing smart; taking it away from them by having Strahd return would be a cheat.<br /><br />That said, there's nothing stopping you having someone associated with Strahd come after them for revenge, and as you say, what kind of power vacuum does his disintegration leave?thekelvingreenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01928260185408072124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-5598909882958499402011-07-18T15:47:10.852-04:002011-07-18T15:47:10.852-04:00I'm thinking the vampires all become free-will...<i>I'm thinking the vampires all become free-willed, and many of them will leave and pester the countryside.</i><br /><br />Some would surely try to take over the castle as Strahd's "heir," each taking control of sections and perhaps trying to recruit or ally with the PCs against their former "siblings."Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01254215329246851683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-48538922213893263402011-07-18T15:42:00.305-04:002011-07-18T15:42:00.305-04:00I (the DM) certainly knew they had the scroll - it...I (the DM) certainly knew they had the scroll - it was part of the reason I didn't mind throwing under-powered guys against Ravenloft - I was just hoping they needed to burn it somewhere else - like in the crypts. I like how Higgipedia put it - they drew up the perfect play and sacked the QB.<br /><br />Now my big question - what happens to all the undead in the castle? I'm thinking the vampires all become free-willed, and many of them will leave and pester the countryside. A recurring pain in the ass. Many of the incorporeal undead will hang about, especially if the players try to claim the castle. They'll need the Ghostbusters.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18031181424520125213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4353391426294254427.post-10105571200880136922011-07-18T15:13:23.228-04:002011-07-18T15:13:23.228-04:00Unless I had deliberately incorporated from square...Unless I had deliberately incorporated from square 1 some specific effect like "Strahd receives +4 to saving throws inside his castle" or some such, the the PCs did good and snuffed that bloodsucker!Bigharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14232940345429292782noreply@blogger.com