D&D 5E (2024) Predict WotC's 2026 D&D releases

[Paul Farquhar]

Now THAT would be a good way to start fixing the mess. Still has issues with three Dark Lords all fighting for space, but at least it feels like escalating dangers rather than everything all at once.

Azlin isn't a dark lord in this adventure. He is just some random lich lackey of Strahd. If it bothers you so much call him Izlan instead! I mean, Strahd and Godfrey technically aren't dark lords either, since dark lords don't exist yet, but it doesn't make any difference. Godfrey's role is minor, and Strahd is just pulling strings in the background. It's not really about dark lords at all, get over it.

 

[Remathilis]

Azlin isn't a dark lord in this adventure. He is just some random lich lackey of Strahd. If it bothers you so much call him Izlan instead! I mean, Strahd and Godfrey technically aren't dark lords either, since dark lords don't exist yet, but it doesn't make any difference. Godfrey's role is minor, and Strahd is just pulling strings in the background. It's not really about dark lords at all, get over it.

I don't get your hostility. Clearly the module was written before the Ravenloft setting existed, but so was I6 and they managed to rework it to fit the demi plane in Curse of Strahd. Are you suggesting they should have cut the Mists, Vistani and Van Richten from CoS and make it a just regular vampire castle like it was in Expedition? I'm not understanding what your trying to accomplish.

 

[Artamo]

Gryphon Hill failed because it tried to be too many things at once - Dracula in London, Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde, a ghost story, attack of the pod people and the Hound of the Baskervilles at the very least. That might work for a 260 page campaign-length adventure, but it was too much to stuff into a 48 page adventure.

I think if it was reworked to follow this plot, it might work better (using the Deadly/Confounding Mists to wall them into town and slowly open areas up as they beat back Godfrey's hold on Mordenshire so they can visit the Weathermay House, Gryphon Hill, etc.):

Levels 1-3: The Sanitarium and the Town of Mordenshire (solve supernatural issues around town caused by individuals possessed by dead spirits caused by Godfrey returning the spirits from the dead)

Levels 4-5: Explore and expose the secrets of the WeatherMay House and it's lineage with a final confrontation with a Weathermay ghost in a sealed-off portion of the attic (sent by Godfrey to torment the Weathermays)

Levels 6-7: Raid of Gryphon Hill and confrontation with Lord Godfrey; discover that Strahd/Azalin have been pulling Godfrey's strings

Levels 8-9: Raid Heather House and face a Simulacrum of Strahd that is level-appropriate

Level 10+: Delve into the Mausoleum and confront Azalin and the apparatus

I think that’s a great outline because it puts Godefroy as a mid-level boss which is probably where he should be vis a vis Strahd and Azalin. Another potential avenue for the ending is that the final BBEG could be either Strahd or Azalin with the other potentially being an untrustworthy but important ally based upon the actions of the PCs.