Hello everyone!
For a long time, I wanted to run an Ustalav/ "Horror" campaign. This AP seems really nice, only there is a problem:
I have already played this AP until the first half of book 2 or so. (We were right at the trial, I guess there was something more to come) The campaign was canceled and I decided I wanted to play with this kind of setting as a GM.
One of my fellow players then will be one of the players I GM for now. So, of course, I can't use book 1 or 2, nor can I really focus everything on the Whispered Way, because it would be too obvious for him and I only base my campaigns loosely on offical adventure paths.
The question now is:
Could I use book 3 to 6 independently for some nice Ustalav adventures without a tight story corset, or is it impossible to hop off the WW story rails?
Any advice would be very much appreciated =) I also got the Rule of Fear book, which i enjoy a lot.
~Gwen
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I imagine that with a little retooling it shouldn't be a problem. There really isn't a mention in the earlier books what the end game of the Cult is... at least for the players. The different books are really just set pieces of various horror staples.. Werewolves, undead, horrors from beyond the stars etc.. and in some cases have tangential connections to the Whispering Way at all.
Even choose someone from the early part of book 3 (Ascanor) to be the eventual BBEG at the end of that chapter and then reveal that he was just the first cog in a larger conspiracy... etc. Definitely doable I'd think.
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eh, my favorites were book 1 and 2, it sort of goes downhill from there for me. Dont get me wrong I enjoyed the AP overall but I would find picking up at 3 and moving forward would require quite a bit of effort to make work well. The best individual modules IMO would be books 1,2, and 4. You could pick up carrion hill and run that into book 4 though this would have a more Lovecraft feel than gothic horror if thats what you are going for.
Based on my experience I dont think its worth it. Instead I'd use rule of fear and write my own ustalav adventures. Book 6 does include some great plot outlines and stat blocks for high level continuation. You might want to mine that for ideas.
*I have been watching Showtime's Penny Dreadful lately and I highly reccomend it for inspiration!*
First, thank you both for your responses! :)
I imagine that with a little retooling it shouldn't be a problem. There really isn't a mention in the earlier books what the end game of the Cult is... at least for the players. The different books are really just set pieces of various horror staples.. Werewolves, undead, horrors from beyond the stars etc.. and in some cases have tangential connections to the Whispering Way at all.
Even choose someone from the early part of book 3 (Ascanor) to be the eventual BBEG at the end of that chapter and then reveal that he was just the first cog in a larger conspiracy... etc. Definitely doable I'd think.
Okay, I know, that I want some werewolf stuff, so I will surely look into that book. Alien stuff isn't really my groups cup of tea, maybe I should read a long review about it.
Thank you for your suggestions, it sounds like the AP would still kinda usable for me.eh, my favorites were book 1 and 2, it sort of goes downhill from there for me. Dont get me wrong I enjoyed the AP overall but I would find picking up at 3 and moving forward would require quite a bit of effort to make work well. The best individual modules IMO would be books 1,2, and 4. You could pick up carrion hill and run that into book 4 though this would have a more Lovecraft feel than gothic horror if thats what you are going for.
Hmm, yes, I enjoyed being a player in book 1 and 2 a lot, too bad it sounds like a lot of APs, that the beginning is by far the best part :/
Okay, book 4 you recommend. Oh, seems like it is the alien bit, haha! Well, I might give it a chance. To be honest, I don't have any experience with anything Chuthulu (spelling?), so I'm not biased at all.Carrion Hill sounds good. I also planned to use The skinsaw murders from the RotRL path, it seems like a very nice adventure for Ustalav.
Based on my experience I dont think its worth it. Instead I'd use rule of fear and write my own ustalav adventures. Book 6 does include some great plot outlines and stat blocks for high level continuation. You might want to mine that for ideas.
Alright, thanks for your honest advice. Rule of fear had so many nice plot hooks, so I thought the murder-mystery stuff I expect from book 5 would be a blast. :/ But it seems Its one of the lowest rated books of CC, meh.
I will look for the high-level stuff, because my group usually plays until level 20.*I have been watching Showtime's Penny Dreadful lately and I highly reccomend it for inspiration!*
I will check it out =D Looks neat.
Well, that were two insightful advices, but I am still not sure, guess I have to check out some really lenghty reviews.
~Gwen
Yes, it's very possible! The PCs could all be thrill-seeking nobles and, when drawn into the villain's schemes, go the way of Ashwood Abbey from Hunter: The Vigil and turn into monster-hunting adrenaline junkies, which brings up REALLY cool RP opportunities!
I would definitely like to play, if you intend on running it via PBP! Probably play Valere Caliphvaso, a lawful evil bard relative of Carmilla Caliphvaso.
Also, don't believe the boos about CC5. I have ran the AP and love it, but my friends were really into RP'ing 'that group', if you know my meaning. Had a few converts too! :)
Yes, it's very possible! The PCs could all be thrill-seeking nobles and, when drawn into the villain's schemes, go the way of Ashwood Abbey from Hunter: The Vigil and turn into monster-hunting adrenaline junkies, which brings up REALLY cool RP opportunities!
I would definitely like to play, if you intend on running it via PBP! Probably play Valere Caliphvaso, a lawful evil bard relative of Carmilla Caliphvaso.
Also, don't believe the boos about CC5. I have ran the AP and love it, but my friends were really into RP'ing 'that group', if you know my meaning. Had a few converts too! :)
Haha, you seem so enthusiastic =) Yeah, I know that one player would be really likely to play an monster hunting Inquisitor PC. Thank you for the idea, an Ashwood Abbey like group would clearly be something my players would enjoy, haha! I just hope they aren't all doing the "Oh I'm such a mysterious loner with an interesting past but I cannot trust anyone of you yet!" kind of character again, it is like this in my current gaming group, haha! I will remember your idea.
Oh, I'm afraid that this is not possible, because we are a live-at-table-3 player+varing GM group located in a small town in the hills somewhere in Germany ;)
Wow, there are really a lot of different thoughts on this AP, didn't quit expect it to differ so much!
Thank you for your response =)
~Gwen