I'm running Curse of Strahd for two different groups, a total of 9 players. For one (5 players) I already worked out what I'm going to do with their personal quests, what parts I'm going to integrate into the general CoD plot and what will be completely personal to each character. With this group I'm A-ok.
The other group, however, is driving me nuts. The players are great, but I'm having trouble coming up with ideas on how to advance their personal quests inside Barovia. I'm going to leave one of the backgrounds here (the shortest one), but if anyone is willing to help, I'll gladly share the others.
Deinee was found as a baby by Eduard Vaelthorn, leader of the Union of the Nameless, and raised in the slums of Levkarest, learning to survive amid theft and misery. From a young age, she showed unusual empathy, which led her to take care of Helena, an orphan whose parents were killed by mercenaries. Deinee took her in, taught her the trade, and together they grew up like sisters within the gang, united by the desire to use crime to break the order that had condemned them. They bet everything on an ambitious heist, but as they fled across the rooftops, Helena fell to her death before Deinee's eyes, who was unable to save her. Unable to return to the Syndicate and consumed by guilt, Deinee abandoned everything and began to wander, broken by the loss of the only person she loved and could not protect.
A bit of my DMing style is that I'm very focused on horror, both external and personal. I don't treat my PCs like heroes. They're certainly capable and strong, but I make it difficult for them to feel heroic (and my players enjoy that).
It depends a bit on what you think about Ravenloft. I interpreted it as a domain that just likes to torment people, and will make stuff up if needed. As such, I would be tempted to have a "Helena" (which might or might not be real) show up.
To build on what Pantagruel666 suggests, I offer a few ideas for Deinee.
An orphan in Barovia seeks Delnee's aid. Something about this person reminds her of Helena (appearance, circumstances etc,) or has a connection to Levkarest or the syndicate.
Deinee dreams nightmares of Helena. Morgantha haunts her dream and taunts her for the loss.
Deinee must once again bet everything on an ambitious heist. The skull from Castle Ravenloft? Acquiring one of the special items? This time, she better not fail....
Van Richten shares a similar loss. Perhaps there's a way to entangle his fate with hers?
If you're early in the campaign, you could also just take your time and look out for story opportunities to emerge. Characters are one thing and how the player inhabits the role can be another. When I ran Curse of Strahd, my ideas on personal quests changed based on player attitude and behavior in-game. It really helped to amplify the horror.
Be careful, though, it's a fine line between messing with the character and the player. This campaign gets personal. Good luck and have fun!
It depends a bit on what you think about Ravenloft. I interpreted it as a domain that just likes to torment people, and will make stuff up if needed. As such, I would be tempted to have a "Helena" (which might or might not be real) show up.
Not long after I posted a surge of inspiration just hit me and I came up with something similar to this! Helena starts showing up everywhere and sometimes blaming her for her death. I'll probably connect this quest to the Amber Temple. Thanks!
To build on what Pantagruel666 suggests, I offer a few ideas for Deinee.
An orphan in Barovia seeks Delnee's aid. Something about this person reminds her of Helena (appearance, circumstances etc,) or has a connection to Levkarest or the syndicate.
Deinee dreams nightmares of Helena. Morgantha haunts her dream and taunts her for the loss.
Deinee must once again bet everything on an ambitious heist. The skull from Castle Ravenloft? Acquiring one of the special items? This time, she better not fail....
Van Richten shares a similar loss. Perhaps there's a way to entangle his fate with hers?
If you're early in the campaign, you could also just take your time and look out for story opportunities to emerge. Characters are one thing and how the player inhabits the role can be another. When I ran Curse of Strahd, my ideas on personal quests changed based on player attitude and behavior in-game. It really helped to amplify the horror.
Be careful, though, it's a fine line between messing with the character and the player. This campaign gets personal. Good luck and have fun!
The Morgantha bit hadn't occurred to me but it seems so obvious now that I think about it, CoS has so much stuff it's so hard to have perspective sometimes. These are all really cool ideas, although the third one I'm not sure what skull you mean, Argynvost's? Thanks a lot!
I'm running Curse of Strahd for two different groups, a total of 9 players. For one (5 players) I already worked out what I'm going to do with their personal quests, what parts I'm going to integrate into the general CoD plot and what will be completely personal to each character. With this group I'm A-ok.
The other group, however, is driving me nuts. The players are great, but I'm having trouble coming up with ideas on how to advance their personal quests inside Barovia. I'm going to leave one of the backgrounds here (the shortest one), but if anyone is willing to help, I'll gladly share the others.
Deinee was found as a baby by Eduard Vaelthorn, leader of the Union of the Nameless, and raised in the slums of Levkarest, learning to survive amid theft and misery. From a young age, she showed unusual empathy, which led her to take care of Helena, an orphan whose parents were killed by mercenaries. Deinee took her in, taught her the trade, and together they grew up like sisters within the gang, united by the desire to use crime to break the order that had condemned them. They bet everything on an ambitious heist, but as they fled across the rooftops, Helena fell to her death before Deinee's eyes, who was unable to save her. Unable to return to the Syndicate and consumed by guilt, Deinee abandoned everything and began to wander, broken by the loss of the only person she loved and could not protect.
A bit of my DMing style is that I'm very focused on horror, both external and personal. I don't treat my PCs like heroes. They're certainly capable and strong, but I make it difficult for them to feel heroic (and my players enjoy that).
Any help is very welcomed! Thanks!
It depends a bit on what you think about Ravenloft. I interpreted it as a domain that just likes to torment people, and will make stuff up if needed. As such, I would be tempted to have a "Helena" (which might or might not be real) show up.
To build on what Pantagruel666 suggests, I offer a few ideas for Deinee.
If you're early in the campaign, you could also just take your time and look out for story opportunities to emerge. Characters are one thing and how the player inhabits the role can be another. When I ran Curse of Strahd, my ideas on personal quests changed based on player attitude and behavior in-game. It really helped to amplify the horror.
Be careful, though, it's a fine line between messing with the character and the player. This campaign gets personal. Good luck and have fun!
Not long after I posted a surge of inspiration just hit me and I came up with something similar to this! Helena starts showing up everywhere and sometimes blaming her for her death. I'll probably connect this quest to the Amber Temple. Thanks!
The Morgantha bit hadn't occurred to me but it seems so obvious now that I think about it, CoS has so much stuff it's so hard to have perspective sometimes. These are all really cool ideas, although the third one I'm not sure what skull you mean, Argynvost's? Thanks a lot!
Sounds like we helped spur your creativity. And yes, I meant Argynvost's skull. Anyway, go for it and have a great game!