The Curse of Strahd (Inactive)

Game Master Quirk, Private Eye

All good. Take care.

Hey everybody,

I'm feeling really bummed about this game. A few of us are really trying to keep it afloat, and others are just....gone? We seem to be down to three active players.

Quirk has worked so hard to take over when our other GM abandoned ship, and I really was enjoying this group.

Do we need to pull the plug? In there interest in recruiting a few more people to take the place of those we've lost? Or can everybody rally and pick this up again?

I'd really like to keep playing, but this pace is killing me.

Let me know your thoughts.

I completely agree about the pace. It seems to me that it is necessary either to switch to a more or less stable pace of one post every day, or with all gratitude to GM and participants to complete this game.

I think what I would like to suggest is that everyone make one post in gameplay within the next 24 hours or so, even if it's just to let us know you're here. Do it in gameplay, in character. I'm okay if it's just "I order another cup of wine."

On the other hand, I might suggest the following: although the mysterious half elf just left the inn, Szoldar and his fellow hunter are still in the inn (though they are preparing to leave). The innkeeper is readily available. Ismark and Ireena are near at hand as well.

Lines of questions that might be appropriate here would be inquiries about the town you're now in. Perhaps there is more you can find out about the surrounding countryside from the hunters.

It also may be wise to begin planning among yourselves for your next move. Of course I'll reveal some possible adventures to you quite soon, but this section of the adventure is very sand-boxy (so in many ways, you can chart your own course if you would like).

Also, a bit of a mea culpa. I probably did bite off a little more than I can chew here, as I have some other PbP games going on as well. One other game that I am running should be ending in the near future (a month, perhaps 6 weeks). At that point, I think life gets a little easier.

SO...again, my suggestion is this: EVERYONE get in a post in gameplay, even if it's short. Do this within 24 hours please.

When that is complete, I will make a post (perhaps a few) reacting to what you are all doing.

Let's see how this goes. Once we see who's posting, I think we can make a better decision as to whether we recruit one or two more players, whether we're good with what we have, or whether we just need to amiably end this (or perhaps turn things on their head and plan a different game, perhaps with a different DM).

Sounds fair. I'm hoping we can regain our momentum.

Having said that, I'm camping tomorrow until Monday and will be completely off grid. I'll post Monday evening, Tuesday at the earliest. Blaze will happily go along with whoever sounds like they know what to do.

Yea, hoping we can get things soon back in gear.

Thank you Velspira, Blaze, and Shandi for making posts.

With it being a holiday weekend here in the U.S., let's wait just a bit longer to see if our other two players decide to check. As it's been quite sometime since they checked in, I'm a little worried.

Thank you Velspira, Blaze, and Shandi for making posts.

With it being a holiday weekend here in the U.S., let's wait just a bit longer to see if our other two players decide to check. As it's been quite sometime since they checked in, I'm a little worried.

Sounds fair. Would you like me to reach out with a DM?

GM Quirk wrote:

Thank you Velspira, Blaze, and Shandi for making posts.

With it being a holiday weekend here in the U.S., let's wait just a bit longer to see if our other two players decide to check. As it's been quite sometime since they checked in, I'm a little worried.

Sounds fair. Would you like me to reach out with a DM?

That would really be helpful, Blaze. Thank you.

I'm hoping to hear definitively from everyone before we make the right decisions. Please know that I am quite willing to participate in some sort of alternative game, perhaps even GMing, should we decide to move on. I'd like to see those of you who are excited about a PbP game find a fulfilling situation.

I'm in.

Blaze, Velspira, Darrien, and Shandi: THANK YOU for continuing to engage.

I think we're at the point where we need to consider what to do moving forward. We could continue with four people, we could search for one or two more people. We could recruit for something completely new (it might be easier to recruit for something brand new).

The scope of Ravenloft is quite big, and can be overwhelming. I'm sorry I haven't been as engaged as I ideally should. It's always helpful when I am pushed by a group of players, so I hope we can find that niche as we continue.

I'm happy to continue moving forward with four, as long as Darrien is actually committed to engaging. I think three is not enough.

I'm also happy to recruit a few more people. Though that can be tricky for an in-progress game.

I'm not interested in staring something new. I don't have the bandwidth over the summer to start a whole new property and make a character.

I'm also not interested in starting something new. Four is already quite good, I think we need the game to work first, and then recruit someone and not vice versa. Our problem is not in the absence of players, but in one post per week.

In short, let's play already ))

Yea!

Okay.

Post in game play incoming this evening.

Thank you all again for perservering.

GM, need your help! Please remind me, do we have other "work" goals in this city? I mean, we escorted that couple (brother and sister as I remember) here. Do we get paid for something here, too, or are we absolutely free-floating after that?

I think it may be a good time for a "story so far" post. I'll probably do it here in discussion, as I am not sure I'll remember everything.

Just an FYI: you're on the right track with the burgomaster's house.

I will do this story so far post tomorrow (Monday) night. I had a lot on my plate tonight.

After that, let's see if we can get some momentum.

Feeling excited about this for the first time in a while.

That will be very helpful, thank you!

I had a very busy week, but for the most part should be available to write for the next two weeks before the next slow spot.

Let's see if I can do a serviceable job of telling our story so far. Everyone should chime in if I forget something or if there is something in particular that should be shared.

Before I can came along many of you explored "The Death House" in the village of Barovia. Upon its completion, I came along to take over the DMing duties.

Emerging from this horrific abode, you found yourselves in a mist shrouded village. It seemed like an altogether sad place. Walking down the cobbled streets near dusk, it was silent, only occasionally punctuated by sobbing that came from one of the many homes in this village.

There was finally light! Up ahead was the "Blood of the Vine" tavern. The only thing served there was wine. Though this establishment seemed quite unfriendly, there was one outgoing soul who offered you all hospitality. One Ismark Kolyanavich happily pays for your wine and invites you back to his home.

Upon your arrival, you realize that Ismark's home is one of the nicer ones in this village. You also see signs of attempted forced entry at the doors and windows.

Inside, you find that even this stately home cannot escape the oppressive sadness of these lands. The former burgomaster of this village, Ismark's father, lays dead in this room.

You also meet Ismark's forlorn sister Ireena. It seems Ireena has been a target of the Lord of these parts, someone named Strahd von Zarovich, who lives in a castle upon the mountain just north of the village. His minions come nearly every night, attempting to wear down Ireena's spirit so she will agree to go to the castle. Ismark's poor father couldn't take it anymore. His heart gave out only a day or two before all of your arrival in the village.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this recap.

Ismark makes a proposal to all of you. Escort Ireena and him to another nearby town, Vallaki. There, it is hoped that the stout walls will protect Ireena from Strahd.

Ireena would have none of this, at least not until her father was buried. That became your first task.

The following morning, a sad procession was begun. Many of you assisted in bearing Ismark's father remains down the cobbled streets toward the church. Many of the townspeople ran off, slamming their doors behind them. Of course there were those who loved the late burgomaster, and looked respectfully on as he made one final pass down these streets.

At the church, the priest was found to be preoccupied, though he eventually agreed to conduct a graveside service.

Surprisingly, a black coach pulled by two formidable horses arrived as the service was coming to a close. Two footman offered Ismark the gift of a butchered goat, but it was refused.

The owner of this carriage soon emerged, wishing to pay his respects to the departed. Ireena watched in silence, not able to respond to the charming Strahd von Zarovich. Many of you also found him to be personable, despite his reputation.

Ismark turned out to be strong, urging the Lord to leave his family and friends alone in their grief.

That night, you were all attacked by minions of Strahd. There were undead outside the house, and a multitude of rats within. You were able to fight them off, and were soon making final arrangements to leave for Vallaki.

On the road, you found yourself in another fight. Wolves, in fact MANY wolves, aggressively attacked your party. Again, your martial abilities proved to be more than a match for this hungry pack of wolves.

A detour was made, and you found yourselves enjoying the company of who Ismark referred to as Vistana. You found yourself in a tent in the presence of wizened old woman who had much to tell you.

I think the slide that shows the cards that were pulled may mention the date this encounter took place. That should make it easy to refer back. Perhaps someone could link to it here.

It is at this time that you find yourselves within the walls of Vallaki.

This town is another strange place. Placards all over town speak of an upcoming festival, which the gatekeepers half-heartedly inform you of.

As is so often the case, your first stop was the local tavern. There, you met a friendly innkeeper who happily served you wine and wolf steaks, a strange half-elf carnival master who was quickly off on an errand outside the inn, and a pair of gruff hunters.

As the evening wears on, you recollect one of the cards the Vistani woman pulled from her deck, a card that speaks of a town where all is not well. A place where you will find a house of corruption, and within, a dark room with still ghosts.

It is this place that you will find a weapon of vengeance: a sword of light.

Could this be the hope you have been looking to find?

What did I forget?

Sounds all good. Velspira got a mysterious rose out of it. Overall a good summary, posting tonight.

Thanks for that, it's helpful. We've done a lot in a few days!

Here's the link to the card reading, it's the third post down. I can't figure out how to link to a specific post, just to a page.

Very pleased that we underway again!

I just wanted to share a note regarding my schedule over the next couple of weeks.

Starting next Wednesday, I will be attending the Gencon game convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. I'll be giving a lecture on best practices for gaming clubs at libraries and schools during Trade Day on Wednesday, and working for Paizo in their gaming area after that.

Paizo has me helping to run their family and kid gaming program. I'm very excited about this, though I am a little nervous.

This is a long way of saying that I won't be posting from Tuesday night on starting next week. I should get back in the swing of things again about a week later.

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Don't you guys love these maps? I support the "DM Andy" patreon, and he has some incredible maps.

Sounds very exciting, I'm jealous! Would love to go to that one year, but it's far! Have fun!

Yes-the maps are amazing! :)

That may be my last post for a while (see my post just above). Feel free to move your tokens around on the map and play out this breaking and entering crime you seem ready to commit!

Had a great Gencon.

I'll be back to posting tomorrow (Friday) night.

That's great to hear.

Wow. Irina Kolyana is Ismark's forlorn sister Ireena?
If so, then everything has abruptly become confusing and frightening.

My apologies, didn't even realize to roll.... and I get something creepy in turn XD

That is super creepy! I hope Velspira tells us what's going on!!

Wow. Irina Kolyana is Ismark's forlorn sister Ireena?

If so, then everything has abruptly become confusing and frightening.

Yes, Irina=Ireena. Either I misspelled the name, or the book may have.

Also, to be clear, there IS apparently a REAL person asleep in the bed, surrounded by these creepy dolls.

Heading to a game convention this weekend. Lots of in-person Starfinder!

Hoping to get things really going Sunday or Monday. I could use a post from Velspira, and perhaps Darrien.

I'd really like to capture some momentum beginning next week.

Depending on exactly how Velspira reacts at this doorway, the sh*t could really hit the fan!

We all know how such stealth missions end...

We all know how such stealth missions end...

So true...so true.

Had a Sciatic flash in my leg so was hospital bound for a bit. Recovering now though so doing better.

Hi everyone!

We'll have things back on track by the end of the weekend.

Work and personal things have been a handful, but I really do appreciate this game and all of you.

Back from holiday

I am a naughty, NAUGHTY GM.

I promise to get things back up and running within 48 hours.

Work and personal things are invading my valuable game time.

No worries, it's a busy time for everybody. I'll be here whenever. :)

Once again I want to check in with all of you. Obviously I have been busy to let this group go. I find that my household has six holiday event, 5 of which we are hosting! Three still to go.

In addition to this, work is rather busy for me.

My Mom is currently in the hospital, though I'm hopeful things will be sorted out tomorrow or the next day.

WITH THAT IN MIND, I think I would like to propose a short pause here. Let's all come back here and do some heavy posting beginning January 2nd.

I do apologize. I think my mind will be ready for more RPGing as December wanes.

Alan

Sounds good! See you next year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you! I'll be posting in game play TOMORROW NIGHT, January 4th. You'll have most of the weekend to join in the posting.

Moving forward, I'll plan on making a second post Sunday night, then 3-4 times a week following that.

Why don't we do a quick roll call here. If everyone could just check in here in discussion that would be great.

Also, scanning back I see that I did a recap back on July 17th. I think that may be worth reviewing by everyone.

I'm here!

Well Quirk, it looks like it's just us. I think it might be time to call it. I really appreciate you picking up the game for us, and I'm sorry it didn't work out.

I'm still here - I've been on a retreat for two weeks, you both probably read this in other threads .)

I'm going to drop this from my active list of games, so drop me a PM if anybody wants to get in touch. Thanks for the game!