Search found 265 matches

by IanFordam
Sun May 19, 2024 2:51 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Starting in Ravenloft at level 3?
Replies: 8
Views: 48

Re: Starting in Ravenloft at level 3?

And, of course, there's always not being as stingy as I am. That's a viable option too. :mrgreen:
by IanFordam
Sun May 19, 2024 2:50 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Starting in Ravenloft at level 3?
Replies: 8
Views: 48

Re: Starting in Ravenloft at level 3?

I do want the PC's to have incentives to learn about a villain's weaknesses too, but for so many Ravnloft monsters that weakness is "magical weapons"! I figure if I'm going to be so restrictive in my distribution of magic items then it's my job to make sure there are alternative ways to h...
by IanFordam
Sun May 19, 2024 2:23 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: The primary masquerade problem of a high-society vampire
Replies: 34
Views: 375

Re: The primary masquerade problem of a high-society vampire

To combine Pizza and Rock's suggestions, perhaps the all-nighter could be accomplished by way of the vampiric equivalent of Mountain Dew? Acquiring the components to brew such a potion might be what brings the vampire to the party's attention.
by IanFordam
Sun May 19, 2024 1:55 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Starting in Ravenloft at level 3?
Replies: 8
Views: 48

Re: Starting in Ravenloft at level 3?

I always start new characters at 3rd level (or 2nd/2nd for multiclassed characters) exactly because we have no patience with creating backstories for expendable characters. Why create a backstory? Why, because an interesting hook increases the odds that I will give out an interesting magic item. Not...
by IanFordam
Sat May 18, 2024 1:26 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: The primary masquerade problem of a high-society vampire
Replies: 34
Views: 375

Re: The primary masquerade problem of a high-society vampire

I don't think we need to necessarily water the guides and his knowledge through investigations and research down to any great degree, it's just that I do think we need to allow him some degree of imperfection of said insight. At times. To, again, allow inclusivity of DMs' creativity, on top of allo...
by IanFordam
Sat May 18, 2024 1:20 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Homebrewed adventures in Clusters or Islands?
Replies: 8
Views: 132

Re: Homebrewed adventures in Clusters or Islands?

Yes, players are deeply mystifying; sometimes they do things you'd never expect, while other times they don't seem to see what you're putting right in front of them! To be fair to my players, in this case the fault is at least as much my fault as theirs. I made the choice seem binary, not open-ende...
by IanFordam
Sat May 18, 2024 8:21 am
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Homebrewed adventures in Clusters or Islands?
Replies: 8
Views: 132

Re: Homebrewed adventures in Clusters or Islands?

Fordam, I've always admired the structure of the "Circle of Darkness" adventure; how did it go in practice? Which ending did you use? I decided that the ending would depend upon who held the Talisman. If Malistroi acquired it, then the fiend would emerge triumphant. If the party gave the ...
by IanFordam
Sat May 18, 2024 7:11 am
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Homebrewed adventures in Clusters or Islands?
Replies: 8
Views: 132

Re: Homebrewed adventures in Clusters or Islands?

Thanks, Fordam; I was afraid no one was going to respond! What were your modifications to "Circle of Darkness"? And did your adventure have you fighting Pharzia's Dark Lord? I expanded the Jackal's Run, Dervich, and the Fertile Valley based upon some of the juicy tidbits mentioned in Circ...
by IanFordam
Fri May 17, 2024 7:12 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Children of the Night: The Wild Things
Replies: 9
Views: 114

Re: Children of the Night: The Wild Things

This all reminds me of a Buffy episode, where a bunch of teens are possessed by the spirits of hyenas due to a shamanic ritual. Even setting the possession bit aside, the in-universe lore about those particular hyenas is compelling; the legends that they'd hide just beyond the circle of a campfire'...
by IanFordam
Fri May 17, 2024 6:37 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: The primary masquerade problem of a high-society vampire
Replies: 34
Views: 375

Re: The primary masquerade problem of a high-society vampire

There is another option, which could bring food to the vampire: posing as a generally debauched rake. The kind of handsome party animal who never wakes up before evening and parties the whole night through. He's so scandalous, but his massive charm makes him seem exciting. He's every rich gambler's...
by IanFordam
Thu May 16, 2024 5:44 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Homebrewed adventures in Clusters or Islands?
Replies: 8
Views: 132

Re: Homebrewed adventures in Clusters or Islands?

I have run adventures set on Liffe (which is not technically an Island of Terror, but it is an island, at least) and in Souragne. I prefer campaigns which are decidedly non-epic, so most of these adventures were little mysteries. Who shipped a crate full of body parts from Graben Island? Why is the ...
by IanFordam
Thu May 16, 2024 5:17 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Insectoid
Replies: 12
Views: 1270

Re: Insectoid

Mephisto of the FoS wrote: Thu May 16, 2024 4:31 pm Oh I have never seen it and sill can't!
Can you sent please to my e-mail?
I have sent the image! However, before you peek I encourage you to remember that the Lady Fordam has no respect for canon...
by IanFordam
Thu May 16, 2024 3:50 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Insectoid
Replies: 12
Views: 1270

Re: Insectoid

Undead exoskeletal remains of an insect. May be of the Giant Ant, Giant Tick, or Stag Beetle varieties. The entry's illustration is that of the Drow Vampire for some reason (a typo). Was there ever a correction to this? Ah, hah! The Lady Fordam unearthed my copy of the Ravenloft Monstrous Compendiu...
by IanFordam
Thu May 16, 2024 3:07 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: Original stats of Prince Mircea?
Replies: 12
Views: 230

Re: Original stats of Prince Mircea?

Solan wrote: Thu May 09, 2024 8:44 pm We'll ship him off to Dr. Heinfroth's Asylum on Dominia and hope for the best . . . :twisted:
What, again?!?!
by IanFordam
Wed May 08, 2024 8:17 pm
Forum: Ravenloft Forum
Topic: 2nd edition rules question, please help!
Replies: 14
Views: 255

Re: 2nd edition rules question, please help!

No interrupts for spell like abilities in 2E :gabrielle: And they have a +3 initiative modifier 'casting time'. DMG, Chapter 9, Special Attacks Innate abilities are different from spells in one major way, however. Unlike spells, innate abilities are natural powers and do not require casting times o...