| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Caladan Brood |
Posted - 15 Aug 2015 : 22:14:11
[I just can't read that title and not think Harry in Hillsfar for some reason..]
http://media.wizards.com/2015/downloads/DDEX31_HarriedHillsfar.pdf
What do the scribes of Candlekeep think of this here adventure?
Anything you noticed lore-wise that could be of interest?
(Still reading myself) |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| TBeholder |
Posted - 28 Aug 2015 : 15:04:46
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I'm really digging this tangent we went off on -- some great ideas coming out of it! 
Diggin' in Delzoun! |
| Duneth Despana |
Posted - 20 Aug 2015 : 23:36:13
quote:
Originally posted by smerwin29
I think that panel is on YouTube somewhere, and it is worth a listen just to hear Ed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7i6nDie_yw ? |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 20 Aug 2015 : 04:19:21
I'm really digging this tangent we went off on -- some great ideas coming out of it! |
| Eltheron |
Posted - 20 Aug 2015 : 02:30:36
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Eltheron
This whole thing reminds me of author Sue Grafton's "alphabetical detective" series, starting with A is for Alibi.
For the Realms, you could twist this a little, making it a series written by an (in)famous kinky male courtesan-escort, who romances wealthy socialites and lady nobles all across various cities in the Realms.
Wildly popular with commoners and heavily gossiped about, each book spills secrets (allegedly, and never directly naming names) about specific high-nose noble ladies who of course deny any association with the courtesan whatsoever.
It's led to at least three known attempts on the male courtesan's life, which only enhances his "legendary" status as a charmer and makes his books all the more popular. It's said he's now earning more money from the books than his uhm, "social" services.
I really like this idea! 
I'll offer a slight modification or two, though...
One idea is that this male courtesan does not have to be real, in the setting. He could be just a fictitious lover, legendary for his escapades, like Don Juan (Dahn Wands, perhaps?).
Or each book focuses on its own male protagonist, some variation on Generic Dashing Lover #3. Minor changes to personality and a different name and backstory, but still the dashing, daring seducer of women. Or maybe some re-use of male characters: two or three books on Dahn Wands, two or three on Bahb Nounsilver (he's a lover and a fighter! ), only one book on Tahmas Darksmile, etc.
True, that's a fun idea - perhaps the writer interviewed male courtesans in each city, and embellished each courtesan differently - which would only fuel the gossip-mongering even more. Who is this unknown author, how do they get these courtesans to spill such naughty secrets? Several high-noses even hire "investigators" to bully the publisher or spies to watch for the author to reveal him or herself.
Womens' knitting circles across the Realms discuss the books, talk about their favorite dashing courtesan (and of course the salacious details of the trysts, "this woman must certainly be Thalisa Narncastle, she MUST!" or "you know, I have it from a secret source that Lady Brandywine is the 'star' of the most recent chapbook!" *tittering laughter and spilling tea*)
Some of the novels have even caused certain men's "retro" fashions from last century to gain a resurgence - thrice-folded ties, brocade sashes, fancy sleeves, all because one of the dashing lovers in the books happens to wear them.
Perhaps it might even be the case that the male courtesan is the same person but affects disguises like an actor, becoming a different "person" each time he romances a high lady. This could lead to "oh my gosh, I think I SAW him in the Inn with Lady Wexhall on THAT night, no less! Who IS this man of disguises?" Rumors that he uses magic abound, but there are also less savory thoughts of possible dopplegangers being involved, or perhaps it's someone who found a very old artifact of Leira, the goddess of deception: a gem-encrusted brooch that simultaneously allows shapeshifting, nondetection, and misdirection.
All sorts of rich possibilities, really.
|
| Dark Wizard |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 23:07:21
quote:
Originally posted by Derulbaskul
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal (snip) One thing though I noticed that stuck me as odd is that many of the maps appeared hand drawn, indicating the producers really did not desire to use any real degree of care for maps offered. A low budget effort. It does not take much time to follow grid paper in the old days and even Paint-shop can draw straight lines if computer generated. *shrugs*
All of the Adventurers League adventures use hand-drawn maps, obviously to save money.
By contrast, LFR adventures used scans of dungeon tiles: honestly, the hand-drawn maps are better.
Hand-drawn is better and I doubt it's to save money. The designers usually have to send in map sketches for their adventure drafts anyway. Depending on the designer, some of their sketches will have to go through an artist for a professional illustration.
The hand-drawn style is very much in-line with the OSR style, especially the thatching for dungeon walls. They seem to be signalling that's the style they're aiming for. I may be wrong, but I believe they are not meant to be high-fidelity to-scale representations of the adventure locales, but instead to help facilitate the looser theater of the mind gameplay emphasized in the lighter rules set of new edition.
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and in keeping with the current line: Trounced in Teshwave?
I wanna play!
Seduced in Suzail
Groped in Gulthmere
Wooed in Waterdeep
Fondled in Fireshear
You just know one of the Authors is pitching those for a new Forgotten Realms Romance novel line
Given Ed's history of pranking the novel department editors, he probably sent those stories to the editors in the '90s, and they promptly rejected them, but kept the drafts for later perusal. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 21:05:19
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Having them search out the "real" author of these little chapbooks because the books hint at things nobody should know about, say, the Lords of Waterdeep, could be fun.
Ooh, now that's a fun idea!  |
| Delwa |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 20:50:47
quote:
Originally posted by Caladan Brood
quote:
Originally posted by Rymac
I'm remedying that we didn't have a 'Y'.
Yes in Yhaunn.
Lol! So simple yet so fine. And how about J?
Joyriding in ...
Joyriding in Jazayir al-Sartan?
And I like Eltheron's idea, and Wooly's modification.
I might have to add it to the pile of ideas I have for fleshing out my upcoming Waterdeep game. (If it ever happens.) The idea is to get PC's that are all native to Waterdhavian society, and let them loose sticking their noses into the mysteries and intrigues of the city.
Having them search out the "real" author of these little chapbooks because the books hint at things nobody should know about, say, the Lords of Waterdeep, could be fun. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 20:35:26
quote:
Originally posted by Eltheron
This whole thing reminds me of author Sue Grafton's "alphabetical detective" series, starting with A is for Alibi.
For the Realms, you could twist this a little, making it a series written by an (in)famous kinky male courtesan-escort, who romances wealthy socialites and lady nobles all across various cities in the Realms.
Wildly popular with commoners and heavily gossiped about, each book spills secrets (allegedly, and never directly naming names) about specific high-nose noble ladies who of course deny any association with the courtesan whatsoever.
It's led to at least three known attempts on the male courtesan's life, which only enhances his "legendary" status as a charmer and makes his books all the more popular. It's said he's now earning more money from the books than his uhm, "social" services.
I really like this idea!
I'll offer a slight modification or two, though...
One idea is that this male courtesan does not have to be real, in the setting. He could be just a fictitious lover, legendary for his escapades, like Don Juan (Dahn Wands, perhaps?).
Or each book focuses on its own male protagonist, some variation on Generic Dashing Lover #3. Minor changes to personality and a different name and backstory, but still the dashing, daring seducer of women. Or maybe some re-use of male characters: two or three books on Dahn Wands, two or three on Bahb Nounsilver (he's a lover and a fighter! ), only one book on Tahmas Darksmile, etc. |
| Caladan Brood |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 19:54:09
quote:
Originally posted by Rymac
I'm remedying that we didn't have a 'Y'.
Yes in Yhaunn.
Lol! So simple yet so fine. And how about J?
Joyriding in ...
...
...
Ed! We need more place names that begin with a J!
Can't for the life of me think of one. I'm probably missing a really obvious one or two. |
| Rymac |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 19:31:01
I'm remedying that we didn't have a 'Y'.
Yes in Yhaunn. |
| Eltheron |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 17:59:34
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and thanks to this discussion,
I now have a random table of chapbook titles to use in my games.
I am quite amused at that!
If anyone's interested.
This whole thing reminds me of author Sue Grafton's "alphabetical detective" series, starting with A is for Alibi.
For the Realms, you could twist this a little, making it a series written by an (in)famous kinky male courtesan-escort, who romances wealthy socialites and lady nobles all across various cities in the Realms.
Wildly popular with commoners and heavily gossiped about, each book spills secrets (allegedly, and never directly naming names) about specific high-nose noble ladies who of course deny any association with the courtesan whatsoever.
It's led to at least three known attempts on the male courtesan's life, which only enhances his "legendary" status as a charmer and makes his books all the more popular. It's said he's now earning more money from the books than his uhm, "social" services.
|
| Delwa |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 17:05:50
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and thanks to this discussion,
I now have a random table of chapbook titles to use in my games.
I am quite amused at that!
If anyone's interested.
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 16:08:47
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and thanks to this discussion,
I now have a random table of chapbook titles to use in my games.
I am quite amused at that! |
| Delwa |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 15:16:10
quote:
Originally posted by smerwin29
Thanks for the interesting (and often hilarious) discussion so far! When working on an adventure like this, this first thing that must be taken into consideration is the expected audience. I expected that the audience would be DMs running games for newer players in a public play environment, where it was important to have fun and finish each adventure in less than an hour. So I designed the product with that in mind--and then of course had to stick to the formatting and architecture of an Adventurers League [no apostrophe on purpose] Expeditions adventure.
Thanks for the insight, and the eggs!
I really did like Zook, the Fairy Dragon. I never thought to use that race as anything but innocent, but impish little mischief makers, somewhat like a ferret with wings.
The slightly more serious attitude Zook shows really expanded my horizons a bit.
Oh, and thanks to this discussion,
I now have a random table of chapbook titles to use in my games. |
| smerwin29 |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 13:25:29
Thanks for the interesting (and often hilarious) discussion so far! When working on an adventure like this, this first thing that must be taken into consideration is the expected audience. I expected that the audience would be DMs running games for newer players in a public play environment, where it was important to have fun and finish each adventure in less than an hour. So I designed the product with that in mind--and then of course had to stick to the formatting and architecture of an Adventurers League [no apostrophe on purpose] Expeditions adventure.
If I had known that this adventure was also going to be released to the general public through Dragon+, I don't know if I would have (or even could have) designed it differently, but it definitely would have made me think about the content and presentation differently. The primary audience is busy and harried DMs. I would have been doing them a disservice by adding too much Realmslore that would have only increased their preparation time and not necessarily added anything to the play experience.
With other Realms products that I have written, I have tried to put in as much Realmslore as the audience desired and needed. In the Backdrop: Moonshae Isles article for Dungeon 196 (http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15882), I would really delve into the past, present, and future of that area. For the Halls of Undermountain book, I kind of had to split the difference and make sure there was enough "adventure in the adventure." I even talked a little about this topic of background versus forward-moving action in a panel I did with Ed at FanExpo Canada last year. I think that panel is on YouTube somewhere, and it is worth a listen just to hear Ed. Just mute it when my gums are flapping. :-)
I wrote about the experience of writing another one of these Expedition adventures with 5 mini-missions, called Defiance in Phlan, here: http://dndadventurersleague.org/delving-in-phlan/
It is ever a challenge to hit all the goals that one sets for oneself while at the same time meeting the expectations of the audience. I am glad that some people have been able to pick up the little easter eggs I have placed in the adventures I write and crack them open. And I am always willing to hear feedback on how I can improve at my craft.
Be well!
Shawn |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 09:10:55
Lounging in Lyrabar
Mourning in Mulmaster
Nitpicking in Nesme
Ousted in Ormpetarr
Panicking in Purskul
Queasy in Quaraband
Terrified in Tyrluk
Uneasy in Urmlaspyr
Virile in Velprintalar
X-raying in Xi Hulang (had to go to Kara-Tur for this one)
That should be all of them.
-- George Krashos |
| Markustay |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 09:05:23
How could you guys forget 'Canoodled in Cormyr'?
After all, the Obarskyrs were known for their rampant 'canoodling'.
And just for Krash, 'Immolated in Impiltur.' |
| Rymac |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 08:38:50
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and in keeping with the current line: Trounced in Teshwave?
I wanna play!
Seduced in Suzail
Bothered in Berdusk
Irritated in Iriaebor
Groped in Gulthmere
Wooed in Waterdeep
Fondled in Fireshear
Zinged in Zhentil Keep
Glazed in Glister
Is the alliteration possible with every letter of the alphabet?
Annoyed on the Ashane
Caught in Caer Callidyrr
Dead in Daerlun
Evaded in Eveningstar
Jaded over Jhaamdath
Killed in Kzelter
That's six more at least. |
| Dargoth |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 07:57:38
quote:
Originally posted by Derulbaskul
[quote][i]
DDEX3-03 The Occupation of Szith Morcane
Im particularly interested in this one as my party did the 3.5 WOSQ module |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 07:20:50
You forgot Cringing in Calaunt and Reminiscing in Rassalantar.
-- George Krashos |
| Caladan Brood |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 06:52:53
Dargoth, well spotted!
Markustay, yes I realized you were going for a Moonsea theme, but like any commercial company I decided to branch out :p
The next line of sourcebooks will include Naked in the North, Lubed Up in Luiren, and Tumbling in Tulrun's Tent... |
| Derulbaskul |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 05:59:15
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal (snip) One thing though I noticed that stuck me as odd is that many of the maps appeared hand drawn, indicating the producers really did not desire to use any real degree of care for maps offered. A low budget effort. It does not take much time to follow grid paper in the old days and even Paint-shop can draw straight lines if computer generated. *shrugs*
All of the Adventurers League adventures use hand-drawn maps, obviously to save money.
By contrast, LFR adventures used scans of dungeon tiles: honestly, the hand-drawn maps are better.
As for this being part of a trilogy, here's the full list of this season's AL adventures:
DDEX3-01 Harried in Hillsfar
DDEX3-02 Shackles of Blood
DDEX3-03 The Occupation of Szith Morcane
DDEX3-04 It's All in the Blood
DDEX3-05 Bane of the Tradeways
DDEX3-06 No Foolish Matter
DDEX3-07 Herald of the Moon
DDEX3-08 The Malady of Elventree
DDEX3-09 The Waydown
DDEX3-10 TBA
DDEX3-11 TBA
DDEX3-12 TBA
DDEX3-13 TBA
DDEX3-14 TBA
DDEX3-15 TBA
DDEX3-16 TBA
|
| Delwa |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 05:40:24
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and in keeping with the current line: Trounced in Teshwave?
I wanna play!
Seduced in Suzail
Groped in Gulthmere
Wooed in Waterdeep
Fondled in Fireshear
You just know one of the Authors is pitching those for a new Forgotten Realms Romance novel line
I've been saying for quite some time that I'd love for some Realms Chapbooks to make it to our world.... |
| Dargoth |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 05:04:25
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and in keeping with the current line: Trounced in Teshwave?
I wanna play!
Seduced in Suzail
Groped in Gulthmere
Wooed in Waterdeep
Fondled in Fireshear
You just know one of the Authors is pitching those for a new Forgotten Realms Romance novel line |
| Delwa |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 04:55:30
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and in keeping with the current line: Trounced in Teshwave?
Zinged in Zhentil Keep
Now I've got that end song from Hotel Transylvania stuck in my head.
Dargoth
Mission 3&4 with the Jacklewere's could be a reference to Yeenoghu? Maybe? Might be a bit of a stretch. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 04:48:08
quote:
Originally posted by Delwa
Oh, and in keeping with the current line: Trounced in Teshwave?
I wanna play!
Seduced in Suzail
Bothered in Berdusk
Irritated in Iriaebor
Groped in Gulthmere
Wooed in Waterdeep
Fondled in Fireshear
Zinged in Zhentil Keep
Glazed in Glister |
| Dargoth |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 02:12:00
Just reread the module
WARNING THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS SPOILS FROM HARRIED IN HILLSFAR
Muwahahahaahahah
This module is quite clever if you read between the lines
This module is drip feeding various elements of the campaign
Mission 1
The Fiendish two headed goat is a joke on multiple levels and its also an insult to one and possibly two other demon lords
The obvious insulted demonlord is Demogorgon who has 2 heads but in real world mythology Baphomet is represented as having the head of a Goat not a Bull (Incidently the Baphomet on the rage of demons page is a Demonlord of Beasts, not specficly of minotaurs like in previous editions)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baphomet
Grazzt slept with Bea Farbough (the infants have 6 fingers Grazzt symbol is a 6 fingered hand)the 6 infants are Grazztspawn
Now the real kicker might be that Grazzt may actually appear in this module as........... Pynroth who maynot be just a Tiefling child
Mission 2
The Key story pieces are the drow Arrizz and the Fungal infection hes carrying
Arrizz introduces the Underdark although he doesnt have much to say and doesnt mention demonlords he does come from the Underdark where the Demonlords have appeared. The Fungal infection maybe a sign that he has come into contact with Zuggtmoy
Missions 3 and 4
Dont scream anything for a specific Demonlord (Do Jackalwere worship demonlords? maybe its Baphomet Demonlord of Beasts)Theres the Gorlisto
demon which I also always asscoiated with Baphomet due to them both looking like bulls)
Mission 5
This is blatently Grazzt the location also draws on old 2ed Realmslore (Specficly For duty and Deity where the Players rescue Waukeen from Grazzt palace)
I think Grazzt is going to be the bigbad in the Rage of Demons campaign in the Moonsea area with possible appearences by Baphoment and Zuggomey
|
| Markustay |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 01:19:51
quote:
Originally posted by Caladan Brood
Lol!
And why not Eviscerated in Evereska, Disemboweled in Darkhold, and Herpes-smitten in Harrowdale...
Well... I was going for a bit of a 'Moonsea' theme. ;) |
| Eltheron |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 01:14:49
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
quote:
Originally posted by Eltheron
My biggest question is how you'd actually be able to tell an abyssal baby goat from an ordinary baby goat. Regular, normal goats can scream like humans or make raspy bloodcurdling horrific noises. They also are naturally aggressive and chase people down to head-butt attack, jump around like crazed cats on meth, and can give a pretty convincing evil eye. They also stink like wet death and urine.
From the module
"A DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) check reveals that the goats definitely are imbued some sort of unholy essence. A successful DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) check shows the lingering effect of possible infernal magic on the goats. Abilities such as detect magic or divine sense reveal this without the need of a check."
I did see that, but what rubs me the wrong way about it is that these are low level characters. The DC is correspondingly high (after all, how is a low level going to recognize infernal or abyssal energy?), so it's practically built in that you're most likely not going to know until they grow to their big, dangerous sizes.
And then on top of everything, there's really nothing that builds in terms of story. As I mentioned previously, I do get that it's intentionally a series of Encounters so it's going to be pretty generic, but at the same time any really good adventure path will have a little meat (aka developing story) even if it is rather generic.
The only thing really tying these together is the dead crazy person who has a "prophecy" (of sorts). It's just so completely MEH.
Then again, I never really liked the underlying style of Encounters or RPGA, so everyone else's mileage may vary. Strings of random encounters I can get from any MMORPG, pretty dull either way.
|
| Delwa |
Posted - 19 Aug 2015 : 00:43:48
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
quote:
Originally posted by Eltheron
My biggest question is how you'd actually be able to tell an abyssal baby goat from an ordinary baby goat. Regular, normal goats can scream like humans or make raspy bloodcurdling horrific noises. They also are naturally aggressive and chase people down to head-butt attack, jump around like crazed cats on meth, and can give a pretty convincing evil eye. They also stink like wet death and urine.
From the module
"A DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) check reveals that the goats definitely are imbued some sort of unholy essence. A successful DC 20 Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) check shows the lingering effect of possible infernal magic on the goats. Abilities such as detect magic or divine sense reveal this without the need of a check."
Well, considering we never rolled above a 20 that I recall... that makes sense now. Teach me to skip that Episode and read the rest. 
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