I am a relatively new DM (at least in modern times, I played a lot back in 2nd Edition days.) I would like to run Storm King's Thunder for a new group who are also mostly novices. I have yet to read the entire module, but based on some reviews I've seen of it, the vastness of the playground that is Chapter 3 can lead to characters getting a bit directionless. I have decided that they will have a patron, per Group Patrons in TCOE. The patron will be a tool I can use to nudge them back on course, should they need a nudge.
In the beginning, the patron will just be known to them as one of the character's rich & eccentric old (human or elf) relation who has asked a favor of them. In truth, it will be a gold or silver dragon that has detected something important is happening amongst giants and wants to know more but doesn't want giants knowing a dragon has been involved. Yes, this is intentional irony given that a dragon (Iymrith) is already very very involved, though also covertly. The patron's dragon nature becomes revealed to them at some very timely time for them to have a big revelation, maybe between chapters 2 & 3.
My question is - does this break the module in any way? Should I not involve a dragon? Or is it important that the characters, instead of having a patron, become involved with a Faction instead? Or does it make good sense to give myself this tool in advance? Again, I've only read the introduction and Chapter 1 so far, along with some reviews, but we're going to have our Session Zero tomorrow and want to know whether they'll have a Patron when we do.
Warning, spoilers for Chapters 2 - 4 of Storm Kings Thunder.
Dragons willing to help in dealing with the giants are common throughout the module, so a dragon patron would not break the module. There are a few specific instances of dragons helping the party in the module that you may want to involve your patron in some way including:
The party may be given a quest to request help from Claugiyliamatar, a green dragon, who tells the party to head to the Eye of the All Father temple
If the party get in good with the Zhentarim, they're introduced to 'Zira', a bronze dragon living in Daggerford, who is willing to help the party
Once the party clear the Eye of the All Father temple, Klauth, a red dragon, grants the party an airship to help expedite their travel
Remember dragons have a history with giants, and many of them would likely help the party in the hope that the party kill as many giants as possible. You should decide whether your patron wants the party to help for benevolent reasons or to get revenge against the giants during the chaos.
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I am a relatively new DM (at least in modern times, I played a lot back in 2nd Edition days.) I would like to run Storm King's Thunder for a new group who are also mostly novices. I have yet to read the entire module, but based on some reviews I've seen of it, the vastness of the playground that is Chapter 3 can lead to characters getting a bit directionless. I have decided that they will have a patron, per Group Patrons in TCOE. The patron will be a tool I can use to nudge them back on course, should they need a nudge.
In the beginning, the patron will just be known to them as one of the character's rich & eccentric old (human or elf) relation who has asked a favor of them. In truth, it will be a gold or silver dragon that has detected something important is happening amongst giants and wants to know more but doesn't want giants knowing a dragon has been involved. Yes, this is intentional irony given that a dragon (Iymrith) is already very very involved, though also covertly. The patron's dragon nature becomes revealed to them at some very timely time for them to have a big revelation, maybe between chapters 2 & 3.
My question is - does this break the module in any way? Should I not involve a dragon? Or is it important that the characters, instead of having a patron, become involved with a Faction instead? Or does it make good sense to give myself this tool in advance? Again, I've only read the introduction and Chapter 1 so far, along with some reviews, but we're going to have our Session Zero tomorrow and want to know whether they'll have a Patron when we do.
Thanks!
Warning, spoilers for Chapters 2 - 4 of Storm Kings Thunder.
Dragons willing to help in dealing with the giants are common throughout the module, so a dragon patron would not break the module. There are a few specific instances of dragons helping the party in the module that you may want to involve your patron in some way including:
Remember dragons have a history with giants, and many of them would likely help the party in the hope that the party kill as many giants as possible. You should decide whether your patron wants the party to help for benevolent reasons or to get revenge against the giants during the chaos.