D&D 5E Hoard of the Dragon Queen going really fast

[Lord Vangarel]

Our group seems to be rushing through HotDQ really quickly. Last night we had are second session and started and finished Episode 2. This really surprised me as I sort of expected them to complete Episode 1 in a session if they didn't hang about but thought things would slow down a bit after that.

What are others experiences with the module, equally quick or slower progress?

Our sessions tend to last about 4 hours.

It's especially surprising as before this they played the Starter Set with different characters and took 11 weeks and still hadn't done every single element of the adventure but we called a halt as they'd done the main goals of the Starter Set and had just reached 5th level with the end of the last session.

 

[Astrosicebear]

My first session got about 1/2 way through Episode 1. They still have a bit to go, but that was about 3 solid hours.

Depends all on what they do. Episode 2 could take a few sessions if they like to roleplay and you fill the camp with interesting things, or if you turn it into a skirmish on the outskirts episode. Or it could go really quick if they know what they are there to do, scared to be in the camp and get in and out.

 

[Lord Vangarel]

That's the thing, session 2 had just 2 fights, both outside the camp which took maybe one hour to complete together. They had a half hour of roleplaying before deciding to undertake the mission, and the rest was roleplaying in the camp. Talking to cultists, rescuing prisoners etc. They spent a good 90 minutes planning and executing there final escape and with some good rolls avoided getting into trouble.

I'm wondering whether the following episodes will be a similar vain and whether it's because the adventure was written for the adventurer's league/encounters where you're supposed to get through a scene in a night.

I've had a look over episode 3 and get the feeling that will take longer but at this rate they'll be finishing the whole thing before Christmas!

 

[Astrosicebear]

Episode 3 is a dungeon crawl. After that it gets sketchy for a while as the caravan trips could take innumerable sessions, or one depending on what you want to accomplish.

Go at the pace they want to go at. If they like the roleplaying, let that be the focus.

 

[rjfTrebor]

i've been running the encounters version and i feel like they'll finish the third episode in about 2 sessions.

 

[AntiStateQuixote]

I'm playing in Adventurer's League at my FLGS.

Episode 1: one session, 2.5 hours
Episode 2: one session, 3 hours
Episode 3: two sessions, 5 hours
Episode 4: we started this past week - 2.5 hour session - not sure how long it will take to finish

 

[aramis erak]

Episode 1: 4 2.5hr sessions
Episode 2: 3 sessions (but that was stretching a bit)
Episode 3: 2 sessions so far

 

[sgtscott658]

Howdy-

Are Group meets up 3 to 4 times a month with us clocking in at around 5 to 6 hours per a session. We vave been playing HotDQ since the beginning of september and the players are starting chapter 6 Naerytar Castle. I expect this one to run probably two sessions. If you want to read my session after action reports heres the link:

http://www.enworld.org/forum/showth...cott-s-Hoard-of-the-Dragon-Queen-Campaign-AAR

All in all, not a bad module.

Scott

 

[Rhenny]

We played part 1 online in Fantasy Grounds and it took about 5-6 hours over 3 sessions. We only played 1 1/2 hours into part 2 so far. We'll start next session approaching the camp.

 

[Aurick]

Episode 1 took 3 sessions for our group, but we cleared Episode 2 in under 2 hours. We took a social route and were able to spring the Monk, all the Prisoners, and escape with pretty much no combat, including the two cultist groups leading up to the camp. It was also one of our favorite nights of roleplaying and definitely worth it.