D&D 5E 7 Legitimate Beefs with Hoard of the Dragon Queen

[evan]

Ah, thank you Morrus! I should've thought of just posting it to my blog, then copying and pasting that text into a forum post. Doh! Tired brain.

 

[evan]

Those are the biggest issues I recall from my own list, too. Though I would add that the time spent in the caravan should add more familiarity with the NPCs, and there's no motivation for the giant to let them use his castle.

See Negotiating With The Cloud giant, page 77.

He's only interested in Tiamat being returned to the world so giantkind can have a worthy foe to fight.

Also, check out page 84, second column. Blagothkus does have some concerns that the Cult of the Dragon might try and take over his castle.

 

[evan]

Great points. It jibes with my "gut" feel for HotDQ. It seems like a really, really great concept that should be super fun. When I sit down to read/plan, I always feel like things aren't quite right.

While my attempt at converting it to Eberron is certainly a contributing factor, I don't think it accounts for everything.

I plan on following up my 'beefs' post with another one to help DMs prep for Hoard. I blame that "not quite right" feeling on the fact that so much about fifth edition was in flux when the adventure was being written.

 

[Zardnaar]

Overall I just think its a meh adventure. WoTC tradition of making le suck gaming materials continues.

 

[mcbobbo]

See Negotiating With The Cloud giant, page 77.

He's only interested in Tiamat being returned to the world so giantkind can have a worthy foe to fight.

Also, check out page 84, second column. Blagothkus does have some concerns that the Cult of the Dragon might try and take over his castle.

I should have been clearer, sorry: the giant has no motivation that I can understand.

It just makes no sense. "In order to have a worthy foe to fight, I am going to temporarily betray my people so we can be a taxi service. But only until I die. If that happens I will crash the taxi service out of rage. But I am basically a good guy. Trust me."

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I should have been clearer, sorry: the giant has no motivation that I can understand.

It just makes no sense. "In order to have a worthy foe to fight, I am going to temporarily betray my people so we can be a taxi service. But only until I die. If that happens I will crash the taxi service out of rage. But I am basically a good guy. Trust me."

It makes total sense. Blagothkus thinks that giantkind has grown too soft and that fighting a bunch of dragons will be good for them. So he is helping out the cult get their hoard to summon Tiamat. Blagothkus already has quite a bit of support and a small army of giants ready to fight them. He thinks if the Dragons come back he can get Giant Kind to unite against them and take control of the world. He is nervous however that the Cult will betray him and try and take his castle.

If Blagothkus is killed he takes control and crashes his castle because it's a "if I can't have it no one can." situation he would not want his killers taking control of his castle. Also Blagothkus is not a good guy he is neutral evil.

While his plan likely would not work out his plan and his motives make sense.

 

[mcbobbo]

It makes total sense. Blagothkus thinks that giantkind has grown too soft and that fighting a bunch of dragons will be good for them. So he is helping out the cult get their hoard to summon Tiamat. Blagothkus already has quite a bit of support and a small army of giants ready to fight them. He thinks if the Dragons come back he can get Giant Kind to unite against them and take control of the world. He is nervous however that the Cult will betray him and try and take his castle.

If Blagothkus is killed he takes control and crashes his castle because it's a "if I can't have it no one can." situation he would not want his killers taking control of his castle. Also Blagothkus is not a good guy he is neutral evil.

While his plan likely would not work out his plan and his motives make sense.

No, sorry, your summary didn't help to clarify.

Let's start here: Since he could crash or not crash his castle at any time, why not bring Tiamat about and THEN crash it?

 

[MonsterEnvy]

No, sorry, your summary didn't help to clarify.

Let's start here: Since he could crash or not crash his castle at any time, why not bring Tiamat about and THEN crash it?

Because he is pissed and his entire plan is ruined, he can't exactly lead his army nor will he be alive and commanding the Giant Empire when they beat the dragons.

He also does not know were the treasure is going or how the ritual works. He can be convinced into working against the cult as well he is not that on board with them. If he dies he has no motivation to help the cult anymore and would just want revenge on his killers.

 

[mcbobbo]

Because he is pissed and his entire plan is ruined, he can't exactly lead his army nor will he be alive and commanding the Giant Empire when they beat the dragons.

He also does not know were the treasure is going or how the ritual works. He can be convinced into working against the cult as well he is not that on board with them. If he dies he has no motivation to help the cult anymore and would just want revenge on his killers.

So if he can't personally be there, Tiamat would no longer be a cause worthy for the Giants to fight? Why does he believe such a falacy?

 

[MonsterEnvy]

So if he can't personally be there, Tiamat would no longer be a cause worthy for the Giants to fight? Why does he believe such a falacy?

Because he is selfish and cares more about himself and his castle being stolen then Giantkind as a whole. He's not 100% sure about the Tiamat plan and he wants to rule a giant empire. Getting betrayed by the cult or being killed ruin this for him. If a guy you are helping betrays you, you don't want to help them anymore.