Which Villain do you think is the best one to roleplay? I need to know which one to play.
1. Do you like playing humans? A) Yes (Go to question 3) B) No (Go to question 2)
2. Do you prefer playing a paranoid and unpredictable character or a sane and cunning character? A) Paranoid/unpredictable (The Xanathar) B) Sane/cunning (Jarlaxle)
3. Do you like tragic stories with moral dilemmas? A) Yes (The Cassalanters) B) No (Manshoon)
To roleplay? Jarlaxle and Manshoon might be easiest. Jarlaxle is apparently sort of a lovable laughing rogue who's always a step ahead of his opponents. Manshoon is I guess one of those vaguely amused Hannibal Lecter type masterminds, but we catch his clone at a moment when he's trying to keep a low profile. They're pretty broad archetypes, so you have a lot of leeway. Honestly, I'm not a big FR lore groupie and both of these guys have a million other peoples' fingerprints on them. That might be exactly what you like about them, but I guess I'm worried that it's possible to do the characters wrong, if I were playing with anyone who cared. Also, one of the victory conditions for Mnashoon is just proving that he exists and then letting Silverhand and Blackstaff do the work for you, which could result in your players never even seeing him. That seems anticlimactic.
Xanathar is a floating mass of laser eyeballs who has a pet fish. You can take him in any direction you want. I think the problem there is finding a place where its plausible he actually runs a criminal syndicate, right? Not going too far into comedy.
The Cassalanters are the most interesting, especially if you consider them as two individuals whose interests don't necessarily align. But that might be more work than you want to put in. Up to you.
decision is also dependent on Dm's ability to tell stories and the group's interest in following all the details. i really wanted the cassalanters, but trying to weave in their whole story was beyond both myself as a DM and the group.
Xanathar will probably be the most fun one to roleplay. The Cassalanters will be the most complicated ones to solve. Manshoon is the most dark, completely evil villain. Jarlaxle is a good villain, because he's not really trying to do anything evil, he just wants to get his city in the Lord's Alliance.
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Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
decision is also dependent on Dm's ability to tell stories and the group's interest in following all the details. i really wanted the cassalanters, but trying to weave in their whole story was beyond both myself as a DM and the group.
The writing in the summer section doesn’t help. You as the DM have to invent your own way to explain to the group 1) why a family of bankers has decided to stick their noses into a violent mafia war; 2) the kids; 3) the terms of the infernal contract; and 4) the poisoning scheme. Otherwise, the players will just think god-knows what. It’s a good story if you’re able to identify and massage its weak spots, but it needed another edit. I got fairly lucky with a group of players who are comfortable with pretty baroque storylines.
I threw out the choice and used all four, via a sprinkling of undercover Intellect Devourers. The campaign has some early ones sprinkled in with very little overall purpose, and the opportunity to set up rescuing Floon as the start of something altogether more complicated and far-reaching couldn't be passed up.
While Waterdeep: Dragon Heist has its problems, I would not call it the "weakest 5e adventure so far". I think that title is reserved for a threeway tie between Dungeon of the Mad Mage and the Tyranny of Dragons adventures.
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Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
While Waterdeep: Dragon Heist has its problems, I would not call it the "weakest 5e adventure so far". I think that title is reserved for a threeway tie between Dungeon of the Mad Mage and the Tyranny of Dragons adventures.
...is your tyranny of dragons opinion pre or post changes? i was thinking about getting it.
While Waterdeep: Dragon Heist has its problems, I would not call it the "weakest 5e adventure so far". I think that title is reserved for a threeway tie between Dungeon of the Mad Mage and the Tyranny of Dragons adventures.
...is your tyranny of dragons opinion pre or post changes? i was thinking about getting it.
I haven't bought the update, but from what I heard, they didn't change a ton.
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Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
I love playing Xanathar because I love a more eccentric, lighthearted campaign. It just depends on the mood of the story
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I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
While Waterdeep: Dragon Heist has its problems, I would not call it the "weakest 5e adventure so far". I think that title is reserved for a threeway tie between Dungeon of the Mad Mage and the Tyranny of Dragons adventures.
Dungeon of the Mad Mage doesn't get a fair shake. It's an old-style dungeon crawl that plays to strategists, hack-and-slashers, and anyone who likes classic D&D. As a story, sure, it's weak, but as an adventure, it's perfectly good. It just isn't for everyone.
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Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
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Which Villain do you think is the best one to roleplay? I need to know which one to play.
DM: Dragon of Icespire Peak PbP
I'm partial to the Cassalanters myself.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
1. Do you like playing humans?
A) Yes (Go to question 3)
B) No (Go to question 2)
2. Do you prefer playing a paranoid and unpredictable character or a sane and cunning character?
A) Paranoid/unpredictable (The Xanathar)
B) Sane/cunning (Jarlaxle)
3. Do you like tragic stories with moral dilemmas?
A) Yes (The Cassalanters)
B) No (Manshoon)
There is no dawn after eternal night.
Homebrew: Magic items, Subclasses
To roleplay? Jarlaxle and Manshoon might be easiest. Jarlaxle is apparently sort of a lovable laughing rogue who's always a step ahead of his opponents. Manshoon is I guess one of those vaguely amused Hannibal Lecter type masterminds, but we catch his clone at a moment when he's trying to keep a low profile. They're pretty broad archetypes, so you have a lot of leeway. Honestly, I'm not a big FR lore groupie and both of these guys have a million other peoples' fingerprints on them. That might be exactly what you like about them, but I guess I'm worried that it's possible to do the characters wrong, if I were playing with anyone who cared. Also, one of the victory conditions for Mnashoon is just proving that he exists and then letting Silverhand and Blackstaff do the work for you, which could result in your players never even seeing him. That seems anticlimactic.
Xanathar is a floating mass of laser eyeballs who has a pet fish. You can take him in any direction you want. I think the problem there is finding a place where its plausible he actually runs a criminal syndicate, right? Not going too far into comedy.
The Cassalanters are the most interesting, especially if you consider them as two individuals whose interests don't necessarily align. But that might be more work than you want to put in. Up to you.
decision is also dependent on Dm's ability to tell stories and the group's interest in following all the details. i really wanted the cassalanters, but trying to weave in their whole story was beyond both myself as a DM and the group.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
Xanathar will probably be the most fun one to roleplay. The Cassalanters will be the most complicated ones to solve. Manshoon is the most dark, completely evil villain. Jarlaxle is a good villain, because he's not really trying to do anything evil, he just wants to get his city in the Lord's Alliance.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
I know I already gave my favorite, but here's a little more depth...
Want to run a silly, funny game? Xanathar is your best bet.
Want to run a light-hearted but not silly game? Jarlaxle is your best bet.
Want to run a serious, classic-heroic game? Manshoon is your best bet.
Want to run a serious, dark, and grey-morality game? The Cassalanters are your best bet.
Of course any villain can work with any tone! This is just what feels most natural to me. Think about asking your players what tone they want, too.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club
The writing in the summer section doesn’t help. You as the DM have to invent your own way to explain to the group 1) why a family of bankers has decided to stick their noses into a violent mafia war; 2) the kids; 3) the terms of the infernal contract; and 4) the poisoning scheme. Otherwise, the players will just think god-knows what. It’s a good story if you’re able to identify and massage its weak spots, but it needed another edit. I got fairly lucky with a group of players who are comfortable with pretty baroque storylines.
I threw out the choice and used all four, via a sprinkling of undercover Intellect Devourers. The campaign has some early ones sprinkled in with very little overall purpose, and the opportunity to set up rescuing Floon as the start of something altogether more complicated and far-reaching couldn't be passed up.
dndbeyond.com forum tags
I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
While Waterdeep: Dragon Heist has its problems, I would not call it the "weakest 5e adventure so far". I think that title is reserved for a threeway tie between Dungeon of the Mad Mage and the Tyranny of Dragons adventures.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
...is your tyranny of dragons opinion pre or post changes? i was thinking about getting it.
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
I haven't bought the update, but from what I heard, they didn't change a ton.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
I love playing Xanathar because I love a more eccentric, lighthearted campaign. It just depends on the mood of the story
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
- Litany Against Fear, Frank Herbert
Dungeon of the Mad Mage doesn't get a fair shake. It's an old-style dungeon crawl that plays to strategists, hack-and-slashers, and anyone who likes classic D&D. As a story, sure, it's weak, but as an adventure, it's perfectly good. It just isn't for everyone.
Wizard (Gandalf) of the Tolkien Club