Read on Twitter
1/ While it takes a village to raise a child, there is a village of creators and DMs who inspire me. This thread is a tribute to the many wonderful creators that I drew upon for just one scene and props in my last #dnd session. Minor #curseofstrahd spoilers. You have been warned.
2/ I& #39;m really enjoying #curseofstrahd and the first creators to acknowledge is @ChrisPerkinsDnD and the whole #dnd team at @Wizards_DnD. I& #39;ve also been very inspired by the community on https://www.reddit.com/r/CurseofStrahd/">https://www.reddit.com/r/Curseof... and in particular @MandyMod1 and @DragnaCarta (especially wrt archfey)
3/ To me, Barovia is vague and mysterious. My PCs didn& #39;t get a map, then Ismark gave them this map (which is terrible!). I wanted them to get a better map. Inspired by cartographer extraordinary @DevenRue I got the idea to find the remains of a cartographer.
4/ As my PCs traveled through the mountains, they quickly realized how bad Ismark& #39;s map actually is. Here is a link to the Google file for Ismark& #39;s map. Feel free to make a copy and use it to torment your players too!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZhhffVic_J97HsSEJEWNSz6HFms5WWX8aoCvLNtwGIY/edit?usp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/presentat...
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZhhffVic_J97HsSEJEWNSz6HFms5WWX8aoCvLNtwGIY/edit?usp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/presentat...
5/ Once again, back to the awesome @DevenRue. Looking at a cartographer& #39;s equipment, I ordered the following replicas. My PCs will get advantage on appropriate skill checks when using this equipment.
6/ I looked to find props without writing, but all of the replicas had something. Remembering that Forgotten Realms is a realm forgotten by us on Earth (as described by creator @TheEdVerse), I decided why couldn& #39;t my cartographer have come from London? Thus JJ Hicks was born!
7/ As my PCs approached Bonegrinder, I wanted to add a small dungeon and I saw this post by @DysonLogos. Building on the menhirs in the original #curseofstrahd with a druidic temple dedicated to the archfey, but defiled by the hags. https://twitter.com/DysonLogos/status/1290761210275794945">https://twitter.com/DysonLogo...
8/ As an aside, when planning a session, I break the sessions down into scenes (as per @SlyFlourish& #39;s books). When planning this session, I built a scene finding the skeleton of long dead cartographer, JJ Hicks, who made his way from London, England and met his end in Barovia.
9/ I wanted a half-completed map for this scene and found this map by @LynxArtrald. I made a few small modifications, then printed it onto large paper and aged it.
https://twitter.com/lynxartrald/status/872177214313418752">https://twitter.com/lynxartra...
https://twitter.com/lynxartrald/status/872177214313418752">https://twitter.com/lynxartra...
10/ JJ Hicks’ story tells a sad tale of how he survived the Great War, befriended Vistani in 1919, and came to Barovia with hopes of mapping the land. The text of his journal was written by my wife and co-DM.
11/ Reviewing actual field journals inspired the format and the idea that JJ Hicks paints watercolors. The Krezk painting is by Timothy Bruce Ide, as shared on the DMs of Curse of Strahd and Ravenloft FB group (another of my fav places for inspiration). https://www.theartoftimide.com.au/ ">https://www.theartoftimide.com.au/">...
12/ DMing has never been a solo art, but finding resources to support your game has never been easier. There are so many great creators creating amazing content that there has never been a better time to start DMing. Final shout-out to @dms_guild which often inspires me.
13/ oh, forgot to add I pic of the keys that I had casually placed on the wall (which my PCs quickly spotted in order to open the cage that JJ Hicks was held)
