D&D 5E (Phandalin) When Keep on the Borderlands turns into Tombstone...

I assume you're familiar with the playtest document that suggests using the TV show Deadwood as a template, at least for some of the NPCs, for the Keep on the Borderlands. I recently watched the entire series over for inspiration and found it to be a pretty good fit. Wyatt Earp even makes a brief appearance.

Lidgar said:

Nice map. What program did you use?

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It looks like he used Inkwell Ideas Hexographer.

Lidgar said:

Nice map. What program did you use?

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Hexographer. My laptop is being repaired so I am using an old desktop... and discovered I bought Hexographer years ago and never used it.

Anyway, hope it's useful.

Eric V said:

I've got two hand crossbows, one for each of you...

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Ahhh, I love Tombstone quotes....

BigVanVader said:

If you want a much different playing experience, make them watch Wyatt Earp before your next game.

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Hehe... we've played two sessions totalling 5-6 hours already. I believe that's still only half the length of the Wyatt Earp movie?

Hriston said:

I assume you're familiar with the playtest document that suggests using the TV show Deadwood as a template, at least for some of the NPCs, for the Keep on the Borderlands. I recently watched the entire series over for inspiration and found it to be a pretty good fit. Wyatt Earp even makes a brief appearance.

Click to expand...

Actually, I hadn't noticed that. I lost interest in the playtest - and really had no interest in 5E - but I saved all the playtests anyway which meant I have the conversion of Caves of Chaos et al on my PC which is very handy. I've actually never seen Deadwood. I may have to correct that....

aramis erak said:

It looks like he used Inkwell Ideas Hexographer.

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Yep, that's right.

Henry said:

I think you wanted Scrivener. He's over there, walkin' on water.

BTW, there's no excuse too small to rewatch Tombstone. Get to it.

Seriously, glad to hear it took off so well.

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You're right, mate. I think I will watch it again this weekend. It might be time to introduce my wife to this masterpiece of modern cinema....

We had our second session today and it was rather interesting as it included the first PC death due to three failed death saves (all with advantage: I apply the inspiration rules really liberally). Fortunately, the cleric of Tymora had a scroll of raise dead on hand and her price was a quest to remove the Zhentarim influence - including the Redbrands - from Phandalin, something the PCs were planning to do anyway.

There was a brawl with the four Redbrand ruffians from the Sleeping Giant, plus the half-ogre owner - my own inclusion - got involved and it was he who killed the PC. Anyway, that brought the PCs to level 2 so the encounter was good and bad.

After getting the PC returned to life, they marched off to Tresendar Manor - they now have title to it - and they've entered the dungeons beneath. They've defeated a trio of Redbrand ruffians and also a gauth beholder, a challenge rating 1 beastie improvised on the spot using the 2E MM, the spectator in the 5E MM, and the CR1 numbers from the 5E DMG.

We had to cut it short at that point - we had been at it for about 3 hours - as I had to go and take my son to the doctor.

Anyway, it's been a lot of fun and I am looking forward to our next session on Friday.

Skin it. Go ahead. Skin that smoke wagon and see what happens.

BigVanVader said:

If you want a much different playing experience, make them watch Wyatt Earp before your next game.

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What, and have all the PCs pistol whip every redbrand that's says hello?

ExploderWizard said:

What, and have all the PCs pistol whip every redbrand that's says hello?

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We're already past the pistol-whipping stage - or its fantasy-medieval equivalent - and into full vigilante mode. The Redbrands are being terminated with extreme prejudice.

Unfortunately, half the players still remember their 2E characters who had been enslaved by the Zhentarim. Three editions later, they have not forgiven, and they have not forgotten....

I laughed when I read this... I'm doing almost the exact same thing! Both with the Keep on the Borderlands basis and the Lost mine adventure all with a Western feel! However the Keep exists, outside of town as a monk school of eladrin who aren't overly open with the population of Phandalin for soon to be found out reasons. Even made a new map of Phandalin and renamed it Dead Gnoll Gultch just to get the players in the mood. Now I need to find some "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" music...

That is brilliant, Krakenspire!

And that also reminds me that I forgot to include Dead Gnoll's Eye Socket on my hexmap....