I often begin my campaigns with megadungeons. I sketch out a couple of maps of the first two levels, stock them with monsters, traps, tricks, and treasures – usually using a combination of choice and random selection – and let the players go explore. I have never, however, spent the entire length of a campaign exploring one. Stories suggest themselves to me as we play. … Continue reading Enter the Megadungeon
There are times when it is all about the framing of the encounter. Haruman’s Hill, to me, represents all the problems Descent into Avernus has. Lulu brings the characters here as she thinks it’s where the Sword of Zariel is. Instead, it isn’t, and it fatally undermines Lulu as a character. From this moment on, Lulu is mostly useless. She’s not guiding the characters; she’s … Continue reading Running Descent into Avernus, part 10: Haruman’s Hill
Once the characters leave Fort Knucklebone, we are into the section where they cross Avernus repeatedly. From place to place doing quest after quest. I will have more about those quests in the next post, but I just wanted to make some comments on travelling through Avernus. Infernal War Machines I assume that the primary way to travel through Avernus is to be by Infernal … Continue reading Running Descent into Avernus, part 9: The Wastelands of Avernus
With Fort Knucklebone, the action moves into Avernus proper. Fort Knucklebone is a minor quest hub; it allows the characters to get used to some of the aspects of Avernus and undertake some missions before heading off on the bulk of their quest. It is worth stating why the characters are here: Lulu remembers a pair of kenku called Chukka and Clonk at Fort Knucklebone. … Continue reading Running Descent into Avernus, part 8: Fort Knucklebone
The D&D Starter Set contains the adventure The Lost Mine of Phandelver, while the D&D Essentials Kit contains the adventure Dragon of Icespire Peak. Both are set in the town of Phandalin, a little town north of Waterdeep that is suspiciously close to the events of several D&D Hardcover adventures. (Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Princes of the Apocalypse, Storm King’s Thunder, and Waterdeep: Dungeon … Continue reading Running Phandalin: Notice Board or NPCs?
The second half of Elturel concerns the rescue of Duke Ravengard and the revelation of what the players need to do next. Except, as you have probably guessed, the “revelation” is rather badly handled. The rescue of the Duke is nicely done. Here are the basics of the set-up: Duke Ravengard travelled to the cemetery to discover why there are so many undead there. In … Continue reading Running Descent into Avernus, part 7: Duke Ravengard
I have found Roll20 to be reasonably easy to use. I am not everyone, because I have got friends who find it a nightmare. If you find another system that works better for you, by all means, use it. Roll20 was not my first choice for a VTT. No, that was Fantasy Grounds. But it just does not work on my set-up. I use either … Continue reading Adventures with Roll20: Maps
It has been about a month since the last game I played with people face-to-face. Although I spent a week or so not playing games, I am now back to my regular schedule of three games a week. And the primary tool that I am using for these games is Roll20. Roll20 is a virtual tabletop that allows you to display images, handouts, maps, and … Continue reading Adventures with Roll20: The Journal
My Roll20/Discord replay of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist is continuing very enjoyably. The characters are more involved with the factions than when I’ve previously run it, and they’re doing other side quests as well. I’m going to keep them involved with the factions and other quests not related to the main plot of Dragon Heist for longer. Having a complex city life can make for great … Continue reading Running Dragon Heist: Factions and Quests
I find that one of the biggest challenges I have when playing in a role-playing game is that I’m working from imperfect information. I don’t know everything that my character would know. I often don’t know the big picture stuff – what are the nations, the names of the rulers, the countries we’re at war with. And I’m even less likely to know small picture … Continue reading Handling Imperfect Information
