I’ve been DMing my current Ravenloft campaign for about 18 months now, and it shows no signs of letting up (that’s bad for the MSD-haters, great for ME). We began in the summer of 2002 with three player characters, and this was the first time I EVER ran a 3E campaign. I’m a former 2E thoroughbred. Since that time, I’ve been posting (bragging) about our campaign exploits for the entire world to see. Through the joys of the Internet I’ve managed to make some great friends as well as some vile enemies. And to these separate factions I propose a toast.
(holds aloft a shot glass of Caramel Apple) This is for my friends and allies. Your kind words, illuminating ideas and constructive criticisms have inspired me to new heights. I cherish the interaction I have with each and every one of you, and I hope I can continue to serve these Phat Platters for as long as you’ll accept them. Your posts are motivation enough for me to continue. It ain’t about the $$$, y’all! It’s about the love! But check the irony of the situation; your boy MSD is all about the Love. Yet still I seem to generate so much Hate and Jealousy. Guess that’s the name of the Game though, right? Peace to all of you, and much love.
(cradles his Desert Eagle .357 cal) And THIS shot. Well this one’s for my enemies. All you doubters, haters, wankstas and perpetrators can eat a fat one. This is my show, hoe, and can’t a damn thing stop me. You tried to bury me and erase the memory, but guess what? I’m bid-ack! Fresh out the Nightmare Court and wreaking havoc on your psyche. There’s gonna be a lot more restless, sleepless nights for y’all. And to think, we coulda all been cool. Instead y’all wanna be some corny busters on a power trip, poppin off at the lip. You don’t think ya fool azz can get hit? See me when you see me, suckas. What!
Now print this out and hang it on your wall. This is the Official MSD-Campaign Cheat Sheet. Refer back to this page whenever you have a question. This is the bow that ties the threads together. Heh, heh. On with the Egotrippin.
Alexus Darkangnon: Military child whose mother died during childbirth. His father never had time for him, so his entire existence was dedicated to garnering his father’s elusive approval. It never came.
Destanial Magorian: ½ vistani bastard child who was used and abused by his wicked stepfather and stepbrothers. He’s just waiting for that chance to flee once and for all.
Solyss Zadaraq: Youngest son of the Vallaki Burgomaster. Exceptionally skilled with the sword, but a threat to his oldest brothers claim to the throne.
Beans: NPC and friend to the whole bunch. He and Alexus are the oldest and the two most likely to get into the trouble. Beans is a homeless street urchin hustling just to survive. Not very bright but steadfastly loyal.
The entire campaign began in the village of Vallaki in Barovia, during the summer of 735. I started the game with three players. Solyss Zadaraq was the youngest of the group, but perhaps its most influential. His father was the Burgomaster of Vallaki. The oldest of the group was Alexus Darkangnon (at the ripe old age of 18). He was a bastard military child who did everything he could to gain his fathers favor. Destanial Magorian was the outcast half-vistani who found acceptance within his small circle of friends. Beans was my NPC who rode for the fellas through thick and thin. They were all crew. The first adventure I ever ran had very little to do with Ravenloft in the traditional sense. Matter of fact, I took one of those old 2E Thieves Challenge modules and revamped the story for 3E. The story detailed a band of hoodlums and mercenaries that were knocking off trading ships and stealing cargo. Burgomaster Zadaraq (father to young Solyss) ordered his youngest son to find the culprit or never return home. Eventually the three players (and one NPC) discovered the Bandit’s true identity. Unfortunately for them, the entire scheme appeared to be a set-up as all fingers pointed back to Solyss’ father. He denounced Solyss as his son, and banished him from the domain, citing “security reasons”. Burgomaster Zadaraq holed them all up in a small cottage he owned in Tuefeldorf, Gundarak. The lives of these four young boys would never be the same again.
Episode #2: Love’s Bitter Sting
Upon reaching Teufeldorf, Gundarak and becoming acquainted with the oppression and tyranny, young Solyss Zadaraq had a chance encounter with a beautiful young girl on the run from the law. Turns out she is Duke Gundar’s latest bride-to-be and she's absolutely horrified. For the first time in young Solyss’ life, he felt the tender, warm embrace of a female. He was immediately smitten. That’s why it was such a cruel and shocking surprise to him when the poor young girl BEGGED him to end her life! (at this time the players had NO idea Duke Gundar was a vampire). Sadly, Solyss was forced to follow-through, lest his love rise again as an undead monstrosity. This set Solyss’ path for revenge against Duke Gundar.
However, real-life took a toll on the game when Solyss’ player was locked up in Plymouth County soon thereafter. He was forced to retire his character from the game.
I wrote Solyss out of the game during a late-night rally by Duke Gundar. He put a slew of criminals and violators on display for the entire village to see (this included a homeless couple who stole pumpkins for food, a vistani boy who impregnated a local girl and young Solyss Zadaraq who was accused of stealing flowers from the courtyard). Duke Gundar never found out who killed his bride-to-be. Suffice to say, Alexus, Beans and Destanial watched on in horror as the Duke severed their best friends hands and strung him up from the gallows. This was a MAJOR turning point in the campaign.
Beans couldn’t withstand the horror any longer, and retired from the group to return home to Barovia. He hasn’t been seen since. His Will was shattered. Destanial and Alexus, on the other hand, vowed to see Duke Gundar fall. And with the help of a local ranger named Gavin, a Mordentish herbalist named Rudolph and the whisperings of a Gundarakian Revolution to urge them on, they set out to accomplish this lofty goal…
Sensing the drive and motivation within Alexus and Destanial to see Duke Gundar fall, a gentleman by the name of Rudolph van Richten took them under his wing (he felt more pity for Destanial than bias). He spoke of an underground revolution party (die Drehzehl) that was seeking to overthrow the Duke and take Gundarak back. It was HERE that the players first learned Duke Gundar was a nosferatu. Van Richten explained that only a specific type of wooden stake would be effective against the evil Duke. A stake crafted from the wood of a Blood rose plant, which can only be found in the lands of Sithicus.
Also during this time, Cemetery Home Outkast called me up out of the blue (hadn’t seen him in years) and asked to join the game. He created a young sorcerer named Aramil Kraven who was forced out of his Darkonian home by forces beyond his imagination (Aramil Kraven is a 10-year old foster kid). The stablehand at his rich Darkonian house was the one who smuggled him safely out of Darkon (along with the stablehands own young son, Jorge). They wound up in Gundarak where their “special powers” would be put to good work. Aramil was a burgeoning sorcerer and Jorge was a psionic in training.
Subsequently, Doctor van Richten, the Gundarakian ranger Gavin der Stahlzah and the three player characters (Alexus, Destanial and Aramil) had to travel to Sithicus on behalf of the Revolution and retrieve the blood rose stakes.
During their stay in Sithicus, they met Magda and her Wanderers, which included Jalise (the young neice who became smitten with Destanial), Natacha (the wild-cat hellion with a healthy streak of “bad girl”) and Kolyan (the young vistani boy who was awestruck by Aramil’s awesome powers). I recrafted the Hexad so the first stanza foreshadowed the freeing of the Wanderers and the near-destruction of their land. But I kept the “House Daegon” references. By adventure’s conclusion, the Wanderers were freed, Destanial tearfully bid farewell to Jalise, Lord Soth was enraged, Aramil was struck by the revelation of his past and the blood rose stakes had been acquired. Back to Gundarak…
Episode #4: Death Of A Darklord
This was the BIG one. The one adventure that garnered most of my readers, and changed our campaign direction forever. It lasted a loooong time in real-life, but was worth every second. A truly epic adventure. By adventure’s end, alliances had been forged and broken. Allies and enemies alike met untimely deaths. Natacha and Jorge mysteriously vanished (no doubt recruited by the enigmatic “H”). Destanial encountered the Tribe of Hyksosa, which subsequently led to the Revolution being discovered by Duke Gundar and Hyksosa himself escaping from the dungeons below Castle Hunadora. I introduced Heroes Of Light and Champions Of Darkness into the Game for the first time, and Alexus took his first taste of “Agony”. Cemetery Home Outkast (player of Aramil) temporarily resigned from the crew due to a death in the family.
Through all the trials and tribulations, Destanial took the Test Of Virtue and became an official Blessed Defender. His Tighmaevril blade, as well as Alexus’ Black Razor made their debuts here as well. Ultimately, Duke Gundar met his demise and the lands of Gundarak returned to the original three ruling families. In the aftermath of Episode 4, the players were elevated to Count and Lord respectively. They named their new province “Solyss” in honor of their deceased friend.
Oh yeah, on the VERY last night of the adventure, seconds after Duke Gundar was killed, five dudes came to my door looking for beef. They were handled and successfully dispatched by three D&D players.
Inspired by the work of our good friend Gorthaur (aka The Abhorred), I ran the players through their first adventure as Lord and Count of Solyss, Gundarak. It detailed the various wolf packs in and around Solyss, Gundarak that act like organized gangs. After turf wars over hunting grounds, some of the packs started to press in upon Solyss village limits. This was bad news for the peasants, some who got mangled and eaten by these vicious carnivores. The players were forced to track the wolves and put them down permanently.
At first it wasn’t clear that the packs were individually vying for hunting ground. It appeared as if somebody might be controlling the lot of ‘em. But in the end, Lord Darkagnon was able to single-handily slay the creature with the aid of his newly acquired Black Razor. This was the first time he ever felt the true power of the weapon. They were led to believe the huge wolf he had killed was none other than the elusive Black Death.
But it took confirmation from the Marquis Gavin der Stahlzah that the wolf Alexus killed was NOT the Black Death. And so, the true Beast continues to haunt the woods of Gundarak.
At the conclusion of this adventure, the players were given a bevy of plot hooks that would take them for a tour around the Core. They chose the option of traveling to Darkon (where they will meet old friend Aramil Kraven) and seek professional help regarding Alexus’ Ghostsight. So off they go to Darkon, but along the way…
This adventure comes from Children of the Night: Ghosts and it revolves around the tragic Joson family, particularly the ghost Susanne Joson. Another wildly popular chapter in the campaign, this adventure even had a brief cameo by the missing Natacha of the Wanderers.
Taking place in Arkandale (the Old South version), I also tied in a side-plot about the mysterious Green Eye savages, who were kidnapping and murdering slaves and overseers. Count Magorian got directly involved with the band of primitive warriors, all who were infected with lycanthropy (were- panthers). Thinking he was going the honorable route, he gave the approval for the Green Eyez to begin smuggling slaves out of Arkandale and into the Count’s realm of Solyss, Gundarak. Of course this is Ravenloft, and his noble intentions were twisted and perverted by the Dark Powerz. Exactly how so would remain a mystery to Destanial until the players’ subsequent return to Arkandale...
Alexus (who’s cursed with Ghostsight relating back to Death Of A Darklord) was able to solve the mystery of the “Joson curse” and in the end wound up purchasing the cursed Joson Estates and re-christening them “Darkagnon Estates”. During his stay in Union Veil, Arkandale, Lord Darkangnon (with the 18 charisma) married into the rich Membrose family when he took the youngest daughter Violet Ann Membrose as his wife. But first, he had to slay her fiancé in a very public (and very messy) duel. The dead fiancé’s younger brother George Matthews would grow to become life-long enemies with the Lord of Solyss.
After coming, seeing and conquering Arkandale, they continue on their way to Darkon.
Check me out in the Smoking Room...
Another MSD-Exclusive, this one dealt briefly with Borca before heading over to Dorvinia (where I changed the whole steez into a Godfather-flavored domain, complete with Ivan Dilisnya as Don Corleone).
The “invitation” by Ivana Boritsi asked that the players attend her party, which they accepted. Destanial was thiiiiis close to catching a fatal S.T.D. from Nostalia Romaine, while Alexus failed his first DPz check when he conspired with the Black Widow to murder his own family (the Membrose family, see “And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus?”). After agreeing to have the Membrose’s murdered and their family fortune stolen, the players were sent to Ivana’s contact in Dorvinia (who turned out to be her cousin Ivan Dilisnya). Destanial was purposely misled by Alexus, who told him they were going to Dorvinia to sell a copy of the Hexad.
From there, the players ran amuck in Dorvinia as gang warfare broke out in the streets. Casualties were mounting, and the authorities could do little to quell the bloodshed. Alexus crossed over into the murky waters of assassinhood when he accepted a job to murder a rival mob boss. However, when he learned that his Dilisnyan target was actually a female (and a VERY hot one at that) he reneged at the last moment. Instead, he switched sides mid-game and started riding with Bellizza Dilisnya and the Dilisnya crime family (who he was originally hired to kill). The war continued, this time with Alexus actively throwing his lot in with the Dilisnyans. Along the way he committed an Act Of Ultimate Darkness...
In the end, the evil, jealous Ivan Dilisnya attempted to drive a wedge between Alexus and Destanial, but Alexus remained loyal to his lifelong friend. They left Dorvinia amidst the heated turmoil of gang warfare, and left a very angry Darklord seething in their wake. Alexus promised to return one day for a rendezvous with the deliciously evil Bellizza Dilisnya (who found her lust for Alexus outweighing her loyalty to the Family). They continued on to Darkon, all the while recuperating from Ivan’s vile toxins (a “going-away present” for the players).
Another MSD-Exclusive, this one dealt with Azalin’s studies into minor conjunctions and escape portals. Ultimately his goal is to escape from Ravenloft, and he’s been researching every arcane possibility there is.
This adventure also heralded the return of original What Would U Do crewer the Q-Monstah, who came home to America for a two-session guest shot. Cemetery Home Outkast (who originally played the role of Aramil Kraven) returned to the clique with his new character Ellis Valdemear, but was quickly shown the door after two sessions. We introduced our third official player into the game with the debut of Misha tha Lost, and her player will become a permanent staple at the table.
After battling Styrix and stealing from her the Unfingered Hand, the players set out to destroy the evil artifact. But a diabolical vampire disguised as a clergyman threatened to tear the group apart from the inside out.
In the end, Professor Valdemear was dead (his player banished forever), the Unfingered Hand was gone, Q-Monstah had returned to Germany, our female player made a new character and King Azalin was very pleased with his studies (but disappointed by Tavelia’s disobedience).
With Alexus’ only contact for his Ghostsight dead (the deceased professor Myles J. Witherspoon), the players were forced to return home empty-handed.
BUT WAIT!
Before they could leave Martira Bay, they were swept up in a murder conspiracy that threatened to incarcerate one of the players for life…
Directly from the pages of Book Of Crypts, the Cedar Chest comes to you live and direct from Martira Bay, Darkon. After Alexus’ attack on Professor Valdemear failed (the player was kicked out but his character survived), the local constabulary got involved. Seems like the circumstances of Ellis Valdemear’s attack matched the circumstances in a string of murders the last few nights. The captain of the constabulary was baffled and turned to the players for help.
Also, look for the introduction of our female player’s new character (a character she will keep from now on).
The revelation behind the contents of the Cedar Chest will link the events of The Unfingered Hand with the recent series of murders, as well as threaten the mental well-being of one of the players.
Anyone care to venture a guess just which Player Character will be affected?…
Another banger straight from the pages of Book Of Crypts, this adventure deals with a Borcan woodland encounter with a very dangerous, insane, rogue Emordenung.
After the events of The Cedar Chest, the players began their return home to Solyss, Gundarak. Their journeys would take them back through the domain of Borca, where they had once partied heartily (see events to This Thing Of Ours).
An unusual ending with a twist that not even I as DM could have predicted...
A follow-up adventure to And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus? as the players return to Union Veil, Arkandale after a long absence. Surprisingly, Alexus finds his father-in-law doing remarkably well, with the father-in-law’s business booming through the roof (with a new investor from “up north in Dorvinia”). But what is the deal with his wife Violet Anne Membrose-Darkagnon? Why is she acting so cold and distant? Also, has the curse of the Joson estates (now known as Darkangnon Estates) once again reared its ugly head? What’s all this talk about Summer madness?
Also, click on this link once again: What Would U Do Crew 2003-04 (if it doesn’t show up the first time just keep clickin “Refresh”).
There, you got that?
Take a peek at my players. See the kid with the glasses?
That’s Toneih. He will FINALLY make his long-awaited debut on the messageboards during this adventure! He gamed with us for the first time ever over the summer months, before returning to NYC for school. Although he had NEVER played an RPG before, he took to the Game immediately like he owned the thing. Yes folks, he is THAT good. Look for his character Darius to make a HUGE impact…
The Strange Story Of Darkangnon Estates 3.5 Module -- by MSD
To my good friends Malken and Gorthaur, I apologize profusely for my tardiness. Both of these well-known internet identities will make a guest-appearance in this adventure! Straight out the Book Of Crypts, this adventure deals with the mysterious disappearances of Solyss natives, as well as the local wildlife. Who’s kidnapping all the young men and women of Solyss? Why is the local wildlife rapidly disappearing? Even Marquis Gavin der Stahlzah is at a loss to explain this.
For those of you familiar with the Book Of Crypts, you will find this adventure has undergone some revision by Yourz Truly. I added about three or four additional sub-plots into the main story, serving to confuse and bewilder the players even more!
Count Destanial Magorian will see the ramifications of his dealing with the Green Eyez tribe during And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus? Our lady player will be forced to revise her character after the horrible trauma she experienced during the course of this adventure. The levels he has sunken to will sicken Lord Darkangon, and Toneih will bid farewell to the group as he returns to NYC for school. Rest assured, Toneih WILL return but his character Darius never will…
Connections to the infamous Black Sorcerer will be drawn (see Death Of A Darklord), and the Solyss economy will be hit hard by Count Magorian and his brigade of zealous law-men. Peep the appearances made by Alec Rapacion, Captain of the Solyss Militia and Dante Lysin (proprietor of the bawdy Adventurer’s Rest). Both NPCs will be used to foreshadow the eventual Blood In Moondale adventure, still to come.
Truly another MSD Epic.
Can't believe I've been reading them for 18 months now. The way you and the players have developed the characters is awesome.
I can still remember how innocent they were before the death of Solyss
Anyway, enough of the past on with the future. You owe us 4 my chapters, and I for one, am itching to read them.
Thanks again MSD and here's to another 18 months of thrills and spills.
Originally posted by The MadStepDad
Episode #12: The Rite Of Terror
To my good friends Malken and Gorthaur, I apologize profusely for my tardiness. Both of these well-known internet identities will make a guest-appearance in this adventure!
Woot! Can´t wait to see it in all it´s glory! Too bad it´s still a looong way to go. Well, I can live with that.
Peep the appearances made by Alec Rapacion, Captain of the Solyss Militia and Dante Lysin (proprietor of the bawdy Adventurer’s Rest). Both NPCs will be used to foreshadow the eventual Blood In Moondale adventure, still to come.
One with a permanent bad hair day, and the other with a complexion so pale he makes paper seem healthy? :D
Buckle your seatbelt, cus Kansas is going byebye! This will be fun! But what about the Grand Conjuction plot?
Episode #13: Feast Of Goblyns the Epic Trilogy (Part One)
The Q-Monstah returns! Thrilled by the success of the Unfingered Hand where he made his last American appearance, the Monstah returns from overseas to once again ride-high with the crew. After receiving word from their local allies and contacts (including the good doctor Daclaud Heinfroth) that a Kartakan spy is looking to overthrow the Solyss hierarchy and assassinate Count Magorian, the players head out to Kartakass to prevent this mystery assassin from acquiring a very potent evil artifact.
Also, after returning from his self-imposed exile (at the end to Rite Of Terror), Lord Darkangnon finds his pride-and-joy (the Black Razor) missing! Who could possibly have the skills to pull off such a heist? Who knew where the weapon was secretly stored during his absence? Lord Darkangnon didn’t know the answers, but was determined to find out.
What’s the link to Radaga? How does Ejrik Spellbender once again play a major part of this tale? What canon Ravenloft NPC was the Q-Monstah assigned to role-play? Who wants the Count dead, and how far will the players go to prevent this? All this and more coming soon, when Feast Of Goblyns Part I arrives!
Our #1 Japanimation fan, Count Magorian takes over as Guest-DM!
In an exciting conclusion to Feast Of Goblyns Part I, the players get swallowed up by the enigmatic Mistz of Ravenloft, where they are deposited in Rokushima Tai’yoo. They soon learn that the evil kishan has overcome the populace. Only these brave heroes, combined with the might of local hero Ryoh Hamasuchi (MY Player Character!) can prevent the destruction of these enchanted lands.
Undead samurais, those oriental women with the snake arms, and zombie ninja assassins all play a part in this free-for-all. Look for MSD on the other side of the Screen as a playa, and Count Magorian will take over the recapping of this adventure.
Sounds pretty cool man! What level did the playa's ( :D ) have in episode #14?? They must be over 12th level minimum. How often did you play to get so much stories in such little time?
Love G (from overseas)
We game every Wed night on the block from 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. Seeing as how we only get to game 4 to 4 1/2 hours per week, we take our allotted time very seriously.
Levels during Destanial's adventure? Hmmm, I think Lord Darkangnon was the highest at 10. At the end of the adventure, Count Magorian got enough experience to reach 10th level. But during the adventure he was 9th.
They're super-high level already, and we haven't even reached the third stanza of the Hexad yet! I better get moving!
And to answer YOUR question, Malken: the Hexad is still out there. Just know that the "mysterious brown-skinned man" I constantly make references to is a big part of the Hexad story.
Right now, the players haven't quite figured out they're being led down a pre-determined path. They're still too caught up in their own little worlds to see the big picture. That's why I got Domingo with the Count, so Destanial never forgets his true purpose.
Starting with Episode #12 (Rite of Terror) I begin to foreshadow the 3rd stanza, which is the "Light Of The Sky..." one. See the dead begin to stir from their graves, in anticipation of the inevitable. Also, I got my OWN Undead Template coming up which actually gets applied to one of the PLAYERS during Episode 12! I'll leave it up to you to guess which one.
Thanks for checkin on me, Fam! One Love!
peace,
MSD
Originally posted by The MadStepDad
Also, I got my OWN Undead Template coming up which actually gets applied to one of the PLAYERS during Episode 12! I'll leave it up to you to guess which one.
My money is on mr. Darkangnon...
I can't believe I missed this rundown the other day. You wern't lyin when you said you had a long way to go. Well this is gonna be a grand ride.
Lead on MSD!!
Yours,
**Starrie
Peep it...
Though, I wonder if I should tip my hand next time?
You don't have to tip your hand or your hat. But I got a tip cup right here with your name on it. Feel free to contribute!
peace, Atma!
Originally posted by The MadStepDad
Hello to all, friends, strangers and enemies alike. My name is the MadStepDad and this is my world.
I’ve been DMing my current Ravenloft campaign for about 18 months now, and it shows no signs of letting up (that’s bad for the MSD-haters, great for ME). We began in the summer of 2002 with three player characters, and this was the first time I EVER ran a 3E campaign. I’m a former 2E thoroughbred. Since that time, I’ve been posting (bragging) about our campaign exploits for the entire world to see. Through the joys of the Internet I’ve managed to make some great friends as well as some vile enemies. And to these separate factions I propose a toast.
(holds aloft a shot glass of Caramel Apple) This is for my friends and allies. Your kind words, illuminating ideas and constructive criticisms have inspired me to new heights. I cherish the interaction I have with each and every one of you, and I hope I can continue to serve these Phat Platters for as long as you’ll accept them. Your posts are motivation enough for me to continue. It ain’t about the $$$, y’all! It’s about the love! But check the irony of the situation; your boy MSD is all about the Love. Yet still I seem to generate so much Hate and Jealousy. Guess that’s the name of the Game though, right? Peace to all of you, and much love.
(cradles his Desert Eagle .357 cal) And THIS shot. Well this one’s for my enemies. All you doubters, haters, wankstas and perpetrators can eat a fat one. This is my show, hoe, and can’t a damn thing stop me. You tried to bury me and erase the memory, but guess what? I’m bid-ack! Fresh out the Nightmare Court and wreaking havoc on your psyche. There’s gonna be a lot more restless, sleepless nights for y’all. And to think, we coulda all been cool. Instead y’all wanna be some corny busters on a power trip, poppin off at the lip. You don’t think ya fool azz can get hit? See me when you see me, suckas. What!
Now print this out and hang it on your wall. This is the Official MSD-Campaign Cheat Sheet. Refer back to this page whenever you have a question. This is the bow that ties the threads together. Heh, heh. On with the Egotrippin.
I see what you mean about the haters ever since I brought my messageboard up they have been hating. A shame that people like to hate rather than congratulate.
~B4Real
Wouldn't Styrix be a little peeved at the Count and Lord after foiling her plan to escape? (Not only that, it was because of them that she had to watch two others escape successfully)
And what will happen to Solyss Gundarak after the Grand Conjunction? Will it be moved like the other domains or simple destroyed?
However, you might be in for a bit of surprise when you see what I have planned for the big-time Rite Of Terror. Just know, that the seeds for that sess will be planted during The Strange Story of Darkangnon Estates, coming soon to a messageboard near you!
After what happened on the boards here last time, I told my playas to stop comin through. Therefore, I can be a bit looser with the spoilers, as prying eyes have been removed.
Was Styrix heated by her losses at the hands of the PCs? Fo sho. ESPECIALLY after (as you pointed out) two former Player Characters escaped in the struggle. Sucks to be her.
But the whole goal of the campaign, mapped out from the beginning, was to take the players on a Grand Tour of the demiplane (can I still use that word?) That includes meeting and greeting all of the Dread Realms most prolific personalities.
Now, there's no guarantee the Player Characters will survive to see the end, but I assure you (the reader) and them (the players) the Story will continue. It's already been written (hence the inclusion of the "mysterious brown-skinned gentleman").
Through their journeys, they will meet just as many enemies as they will allies (probably moreso, as even these boards have soured me recently). Enemies (and allies) that will stick with the playas and continue to play a part in the ongoing storyline. That's why Styrix is still out there. Brooding over her losses and shaking with rage.
Just like when something bad happens on this here site, and everybody points a finger at MSD? Well, as soon as something went bad in Styrix's life she pointed a finger in Azalin's direction. She knows he HAD to be involved in the conspiracy in some way, she just doesn't know how.
So early in the campaign I've hinted at a volatile relationship between Azalin and Stryix for my readers, and created another enemy for the PCs. Rest assured, Styrix will make her return. I'm saving her for the Grim Harvest, if not sooner.
What's up with Solyss, Gundarak you ask? Will it live long and prosper? Or will it implode? Well, if you wanna read more about my little rinky-dink Level 1 province, I suggest you thoroughly analyze The Rite Of Terror, coming soon to a messageboard near you! There, the players will finally return home after months away to find all hell breaking loose.
And my players are ALWAYS asking me what's up with Solyss in particular, Gundarak in general. Who's the Darklord? Is it Allen Verstoben from way back in the Death Of A Darklord days? (do ya'll remember Allen?) Is the Darklord the infamous Black Sorcerer? (PS, the complete story of the Black Sorcerer will be told during Feast of Goblyns: The MSD Trilogy). Or perhaps it's still Duke Gundar, who has yet to make his return. Well, if you listen to my playas, they'll tell you that Raoul Szerezia (father of die Drehzahl) is the "Anti-Darklord" of Gundarak.
But you'd all be wrong.
The Darklord question is one answer I can FREELY give you. Or better yet, I'll answer it with a question. A little RL Trivia Test.
You hardcore Ravenlofters know that when Duke Gundar was killed his domain was split amongst its neighbors. But which domain got a majority of the land? Which domain lord sent his troops to subjegate the Gundarakians and destroy their independence? Which domain lord shares the same "title" as one of our PCs? The same PC that has taken a vow to see this "devil" fall.
Rest assured, my conclusion to the Grand Conjunction will be an epic one indeed. You can take that one to the bank.
peace,
MSD
I remember him. i forgot to pay the tolls on his roads. damn near unkilled me.
The answer is so so gosh-darn easy to us Ravenloft junkies, that it doesn't even bear mentioning.
But that's the BEAUTY of dealing with Ravenloft virgins. They get tripped up by the simplest things!
(And Togashi, Bob, thank you for letting the question remain unanswered. It was sorta rhetorical to begin with).
peace,
MSD
Now you can see how I adapted the module to my game, with its own set of unique player characters (to say the least). Keep in mind, I usually add two or three sub-plots to any adventure I run and Episode 11 is no different.
Enjoy, ya'll! But if I can be serious for a moment, there's a very important favor I need to ask from all of you:
Have a Happy New Year and PLEASE make sure you Party Hard! I wanna hear some wild stories come 2004! Peace, ya'll and stay safe!
much love,
MSD
Originally posted by The MadStepDad
Enjoy, ya'll! But if I can be serious for a moment, there's a very important favor I need to ask from all of you:
Have a Happy New Year and PLEASE make sure you Party Hard! I wanna hear some wild stories come 2004! Peace, ya'll and stay safe!
much love,
MSD
Check.
I'm assuming everybody had a great New Years.
The long-awaited and much anticipated (by one kid) story finally comes to a messageboard near you.
It's the summer of 737 and love is in the air. Fresh off their misadventures in the Mistz (Episode 14), the players find themselves returned to their original starting point -- only to learn two months have passed in their absence.
Taking the newly-discovered Crown of Souls with them, the players begin the return trek through Kartakass and back home to Gundarak. Situations call out to them, and they wind up embroiled in the legendary, infamous Meistersinger Contest of 737.
Official What Would U Do crewer Toneih returns to the Table to try out his new character Antonne and helps the players uncover Akriel Lukas' plot.
Appearances by Harkon Lukas, Meistersinger Zhone Cleious and the infamous Sundered Heart make this session especially memorable.
Also... (told you it was long-awaited) we finally get to the grand unveiling of Vincent Burace! Regular messageboard readers will know my manz LocdOut has been hooting and hollering about his first character for many weeks now, and this is the debut episode. I'm SURE he'll have plenty of input on this once it hits the boards. Comin soon to a messageboard near you!
What would u do when your only allies are actually your enemies in disguise? How will these four brave players react when they realize they've been played for suckers in an insane game of human chess? Find out when the Feast of Goblyns trilogy comes to a close!
After learning of Daclaud's betrayal at the conclusion of Episode #15, the players set out to right the wrongs they've unwittingly caused. But are the players underestimating the abilities of the good Docter? Will Vincent Burace's mysterious flashbacks continue to hinder him - or prove beneficial to the party? What canon group of cultists will be created by the half-mad Gorthaur the Abhhored?
Not to mention a final, dramatic showdown that promises to tear the adventuring party asunder. What lives will be lost? What sacrifices will be made? Will justice reign supreme? Or will evil continue to rule?
You have MSD's Personal Guarantee that once the last exclamation point is printed in this story, nothing will EVER be the same again!!
Coming soon to a messageboard near you!
Don't yoooooou, forget about me!
Originally posted by The MadStepDad
Don't yoooooou, forget about me!
Who?
~~~
The Black Razor is actually a real magical artifact. I stole it right out of an old 1E adventure module called Red Plume Mountain. It even has a drawing on the back of the adventure (albeit a REALLY corny cartoonish drawing) of the sword.
Unfortunately I don't have Alexus' character sheet with me so I'll go from memory.
I'm pretty sure it's a +3(might be +2) evil intelligent bastard sword. This is the cool part - when a killing blow is delivered with the sword, it devours it's victims soul. Resurrection is out of the question in this case, the victim is completely destroyed.
This in turn, adds ALL the victims character levels to the killer. Meaning, if Alexus kills a 3rd level rogue and 2nd level fighter - he temporarily gains 3 more lvls in rogue and 2 lvls in fighter!
Alexus first acquired the evil item during the events of Episode 4: Death of a Darklord
Through all the trials and tribulations, Destanial took the Test Of Virtue and became an official Blessed Defender. His Tighmaevril blade, as well as Alexus’ Black Razor made their debuts here as well. Ultimately, Duke Gundar met his demise and the lands of Gundarak returned to the original three ruling families. In the aftermath of Episode 4, the players were elevated to Count and Lord respectively. They named their new province “Solyss” in honor of their deceased friend.
During the final climatic showdown at Castle Hunadora - as NPC Raoul Szerezia and PC Destanial Magorian struggled with Duke Gundar himself - Lord Alexus Darkangnon was tangling with Gundar's right-hand Lt. Kon Morder. Lt. Morder was an NPC of my creation that gave the players all kinds of trouble earlier in the Game. So when Alexus finally defeated him, Lt. Morder's powerful sword (the Razor) was his reward.
Of course, I tinkered with the backstory of the Razor as presented in the Red Plume Mountain module. I kinda combined it with the Ravenloft adventure The Cedar Chest which is detailed further on this campaign summary.
But that's the insane power behind the sword, and the surges Alexus gets when he uses it. Of course (this being Ravenloft and all) the sword is really using HIM. For WHAT exactly, shall be revealed in future posts.
peace,
MSD
~~~
#'z 8-12 are still floating around the WotC site. The links are all over this summary.
I don't believe it could be considered "advertising" because the threads I'm hyping are all stored here! So click those links! Relive the history!
MSD
LOL. Let the mouse hover over the title of my adventures and you'll see the links I posted. The full recaps stretch all the way back to Episode #7 - This Thing of Ours (check me out in the smoking room...)
I was actually surfing through the gobs of idiotic topics and did not see your actual sessions. I did not know that you had live links in your summary. Good lookin'! :D
~~~
Now that was one whacked out dungeon!!!
And what's worse, I think we've already been over the same thing once before! And I still forgot! Oh well, it is an old-azz adventure that I never even played through. I just stole the sword from it!
Come to think of it, wasn't there also a White Plume novel that was written? I seem to think I may have a copy, along with a few other old school modules / newschool novels. Anybody know what the heck I'm talkin about?
Just a wild stab...
~~~