The Dungeon Masters' Foundation

[Dyne]

I'm a little surprised at such a drastic reaction by Leyla, but it's certainly possible for someone to be THAT jealous. I'm still reading it, bu nice work so far. Keep it up.

 

[Mordmorgan the Mad]

I'm a little surprised at such a drastic reaction by Leyla, but it's certainly possible for someone to be THAT jealous. I'm still reading it, bu nice work so far. Keep it up.

The player wanted her to be kinda a shrew, so I figured it wouldn't be too far off. I'm sculpting her to be the BBEG at some point much later on, and I figured this might be a nice point to get that started. I'm not quite sure if the PCs will find out about her involvement, but I am sure that she'll want to witness the werewolf's death.

Since it's a horror game, I was thinking about having the werewolf only be seen in animal form until the final encounter when it finnally shifts into hybrid form. I dunno though. I think the PCs may not figure out that it's a werewolf and go in for the kill without silver weapons. They'll only be 1st or maybe 2nd level for the confrontation (but the werewolf won't be at full HP since I'm going to have the gypsy hunters find it [and get slaughtered] just before the PCs arrive).

 

[Nightcloak]

Mordmorgan the Mad: Here’s my 2 cents

Play up the girl being young and innocent. Unquestioning eyes. Hero worship. That kind of thing.

The cursed girl was originally smitten with the PC, so it’s not a stretch for her to still seek him out, even if she doesn’t know or understand why in her cursed form – she’s just as confused as the PCs. In a first encounter she is in wolf form and the PCs only learn that their weapons have a minimal effect, giving a standard encounter that wonderful moment when the PCs realize that the supernatural is afoot. If you need to save them from the encounter, the hunting party can show up. Now they can prepare for a tougher encounter next time and get properly equipted.

During a second encounter with the wolf, another stray animal can show up (after a few rounds) and also attack the party, say a bear. The bear attacks the warlock. The wolf suddenly stops its assault and attacks the bear, driving it off then fleeing from wounds from the bear. They should realize that the wolf was protecting them from the bear. But why? And will they figure it out after the poor girl is dead that she was protecting the Warlock? You got to love a Ravenloft mystery.

For a final encounter, the true identity of the wolf should be hid until after the characters finish it. That way the PCs won’t realize they killed that sweet little innocent girl until it’s to late. Bonus angst points if the warlock delivers the final blow.

Finally: Lelya. To fit Ravenloft, she needs to be a victim also. The dark powers notice the potential in her from her jealous curse and start to make her dark offerings. Corrupting her into what will be an eventual BBEG. It should be a slow and tragic downfall of corruption with the final battle someday being not an execution but a fight of bitter justice and tragic necessity. A minor vice that consumes her and turns her into a monster.

Last note:
This adventure is not linear, but run by encounters. Beware railroading the PCs to the final encounter! I would work out a rough sketch of several paths the PCs could be on by half way through the adventure so you can adjust the adventure to fit their current path. That way the environment is reacting to them and their decisions. No one likes to feel railroaded. Further, the horror and tragedy will improve greatly if the players think they have control and they could have done something different.

Good luck! Sound like a fun adventure
Let us know how it goes.

 

[beldar1215]

Sign me up as well.

Beldar

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

I'm a little surprised at such a drastic reaction by Leyla, but it's certainly possible for someone to be THAT jealous.

Sometime, in an off topic thread, remind me to tell you about a certain young woman I dated in college. Oy.

 

[Nightcloak]

Oh...

You can sign me up as well since I'm already dishing out ideas

 

[Mordmorgan the Mad]

I liked the 1st part of what you said, and I'm going to see if I can add some nice horror to that to make it work.

For a final encounter, the true identity of the wolf should be hid until after the characters finish it. That way the PCs won’t realize they killed that sweet little innocent girl until it’s to late. Bonus angst points if the warlock delivers the final blow.

I was planning on doing this, but I'm still trying to find a way for Leyla to witness it (and for the PCs to know she saw it). A Cut Scene could always work, but I've never done one, and I don't know how the PCs would respond.

Finally: Lelya. To fit Ravenloft, she needs to be a victim also. The dark powers notice the potential in her from her jealous curse and start to make her dark offerings. Corrupting her into what will be an eventual BBEG. It should be a slow and tragic downfall of corruption with the final battle someday being not an execution but a fight of bitter justice and tragic necessity. A minor vice that consumes her and turns her into a monster.

Definitely. I'm going to drag it out nice and slow. The Warlock should still have strong feelings of love for her when he runs a knife through her black heart in the final encounter.

Last note:
This adventure is not linear, but run by encounters. Beware railroading the PCs to the final encounter! I would work out a rough sketch of several paths the PCs could be on by half way through the adventure so you can adjust the adventure to fit their current path. That way the environment is reacting to them and their decisions. No one likes to feel railroaded. Further, the horror and tragedy will improve greatly if the players think they have control and they could have done something different.

I'm not too worried about railroading. I've played with these two for the better part of 2 years and known them personally for longer. I can usually determine what they'll do in the adventure accurately, and I'm clever enough not to let them know their choices are limited. Thanks for the concern though .

 

[Nightcloak]

I was planning on doing this, but I'm still trying to find a way for Leyla to witness it (and for the PCs to know she saw it). A Cut Scene could always work, but I've never done one, and I don't know how the PCs would respond.

Cut scenes really depend on your group. If they're into roleplaying and stories in the game, then it should work. It might red flag her to early though ("Why did the DM highlight her?"). I might try something more organic like having her at the final scene. Maybe the werewolf was stalking her. I'd love to here how you work it in.

Definitely. I'm going to drag it out nice and slow. The Warlock should still have strong feelings of love for her when he runs a knife through her black heart in the final encounter.

I like the way you think. You just made me want to run a Ravenloft game

I'm not too worried about railroading. I've played with these two for the better part of 2 years and known them personally for longer. I can usually determine what they'll do in the adventure accurately, and I'm clever enough not to let them know their choices are limited. Thanks for the concern though

Cool.
An experienced group you've known a long time. The best tool a DM could have.

Sound great! Can't wait to hear the rest

 

[Mordmorgan the Mad]

Cut scenes really depend on your group. If they're into roleplaying and stories in the game, then it should work. It might red flag her to early though ("Why did the DM highlight her?"). I might try something more organic like having her at the final scene. Maybe the werewolf was stalking her. I'd love to here how you work it in.

I was thinking of something like: "Cut Scene: Leyla sits in her small vardo, huddled close to her tarroka cards. She flips over three cards, the moon...[DM flips over the three cards] the beast, and finally Death. She smiles slightly and mumbles something barely audible in her native tongue: 'May the gods of darkness have mercy on your soul, acursed sister'."

I don't think this would give away too much, but it would give the PCs the sense that Leyla is darker than she seems.

I like the way you think. You just made me want to run a Ravenloft game

I'd be happy to help with that one

Cool.
An experienced group you've known a long time. The best tool a DM could have.

Indeed. Unfortunately, we only get to play twice a year because the Warlock's player lives two states away (about an 8 hour drive). It's definitely worth the trip though. I'm hoping that he'll be able to move down here eventually (once the money issue is taken care of).

 

[ChaosEvoker]

Soudns good Mordmorgan, great ideas coming from all sides. I have ot admit that's a creative story line you've got there. how long did it take for you to think up that one?

oh and btw just for your knowledge, I'm jumping sides of the screen and letting someone else in our group have the omnipotency for a while. But I'll still be here jsut as strong, giving advise, and keeping things going. I may even be able to bring you some issues from the PC perspective...who knows? I might encourage our DM to come here if he feels I would be above metagaming...(though I hate ruining surprises for myself)

Also greet our new members!
beldar1215
Nightcloak