Concluding "Expedition to Castle Ravenloft" (Spoilers)

[Le Noir Faineant]

... I found a thread about this in WotC adventures forum...

Linky? Clicky?

 

[Nikosandros]

Linky? Clicky?

Here. However, there isn't any new information and the thread seem to have been mostly ignored...

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

Thank you! I find this more thatshameful for the reviewers who have hyped this book up to no end... After all, you're suggesting that there is an entire chapter (or at least a passage) missing!

Such things are really inexcusable! What do they think I spend my money for?
- Another reason for me never to buy a WotC book again!

 

[Shadowslayer]

Even disregarding that direct reference, I still find it rather puzzling that such a section would be omitted... did I miss it?

Hmm, you're right. There is no conclusion to refer to.

On the other hand, I mean, whaddaya want? Either A) Strahd is dead, his goal has been kept from coming to fruition, and that big ol' castle is just sitting there, or B) the PCs are all dead and it doesn't matter.

I'd imagaine they got to the end and realized there were too many combinations of hooks and goals to be able to come up with an ending to satisfy all the different possibilities. Not without eating up their page count.

Bit of a bummer I suppose. But I'm sorry in no way, shape, or form is this a deal breaker. Its a solid adventure, conclusion chapter or not.

Not like you can't figure something out. D&D players still have imaginations, don't they?

 

[Mark Hope]

If it's supposed to be anything like the 1e version (or the 2e House of Strahd), the conclusion would feature some kind of denoument regarding Strahd, Ireena/Tatyana and Sergei. In earlier editions, it was a little scene that you could present to the players as a way of rounding out the adventure. I haven't done anything but skim through Expedition to Castle Ravenloft, but it does seem odd that there is nothing of this sort in the adventure. And equally odd that none of the design team have spoken up about it.

 

[ShinHakkaider]

Not like you can't figure something out. D&D players still have imaginations, don't they?

Spending time floating around the message boards on this site, I'd have to say most of them have less imagination than you'd think...

On one hand I see how some people could be upset that there was no written conclusion, on the other hand I agree with what you said. If they beat him then that's one ending, if they dont then the PC's are probably dead.

So honestly if a decent DM cant go on from there, well, I dont know what to tell you.

 

[Crothian]

On one hand I see how some people could be upset that there was no written conclusion, on the other hand I agree with what you said. If they beat him then that's one ending, if they dont then the PC's are probably dead.

So honestly if a decent DM cant go on from there, well, I dont know what to tell you.

That's not the point though. The point is people bought what they thought was a full adventure and in reality the end is missing.

 

[billd91]

Thank you! I find this more thatshameful for the reviewers who have hyped this book up to no end... After all, you're suggesting that there is an entire chapter (or at least a passage) missing!

Such things are really inexcusable! What do they think I spend my money for?
- Another reason for me never to buy a WotC book again!

Meh. You're certainly welcome to your opinions, but the loss of the conclusion, probably a page or two at most, isn't going to stop me from recognizing that the rest of the book is nicely done and has been providing me and my players with a lot of fun. The adventure/mini-campaign itself is still pretty high quality.

It's true that the conclusion that was referred to should be in there (or the references to it should not be). But the lack of it isn't going to stop me from buying WotC stuff if the subject interests me.

 

[Nikosandros]

That's not the point though. The point is people bought what they thought was a full adventure and in reality the end is missing.

Exactly... there is a part missing (and customer support basically admitted as much). I have every right to complain and not to be called unimaginative...

As for the rest, yes it's a nice adventure and I certainly won't stop buying WotC products, but this doesn't make my complain any less valid.

 

[ShinHakkaider]

That's not the point though. The point is people bought what they thought was a full adventure and in reality the end is missing.

Which is why I said

On one hand I see how some people could be upset that there was no written conclusion,

I get it. But to be up in arms becasue there's no denouement to an adventure like this is IMHO a little much. But apparently that's just me. I noticed that there was no neat little tie at the end when I bought the book the week it came out. Is it going to stop me from ever buying another WOTC product ever again? No, I'm not that much of a drama queen. Also my purpose for buying gaming product is not for use as a piece of literature but for utility in my games. I would hope that most people who buy the book USE the book as well and as it is even with no aftermath/conclusion it's still usable.

I could understand if a the final encounter was missing but as it stands if youre actually using the adventure the ending is nothing that a decent DM cant come up with. Especially if youve been running the adventure.