Started with the winter Splendor module, so the PC's did a favor for the Cassalanters, who are loaning them the money to get the inn going.
Look, it's a plot point that they're supposed to be able to get the end up and running... so it doesn't really matter how you go about doing it. Make it fun for your players. I've been grinning gleefully ever since the cassalanters loaned them the money!!!!
The factions are a big deal in Dragon Heist, so I could see the appeal, but I think all modules are better as a table instead of AL, unless you don't have a big enough group for a table.
These stated numbers feel small IMO :( Chapter two might potentially be the largest chapter because of all with the exploring of the city and all of the developing of the tavern that can be done. I agree that chapter 1 can be done in about four hours, but in 2.. this is a time to really immerse the players and make them feel invested in their new home.
There are plenty of downtime activities they can do to earn money if money is tight - my table loves to go pit-fighting (see Xanathar's Guide), so much that the one really successful player had become the ire of one of the head honcho's of Manshoon's groups - even though Manshoon is a different season than the one they started in. So depending on how the players decide to interact with their surroundings, they may be facing someone other than their starting villain. Also, even if the players are not in a faction, doesn't mean that those factions are not interested in their help.
Waterdeep Dragon Heist is not a campaign to be rushed through I feel, there's so much flavor in the NPCs and surroundings that can be pulled out. AL is not super restrictive in that you can't add elements to your story for immersion and building relationships (barring that you're still following the main storyline and a player is able to take their character between tables, and that you're not giving out additional magic/treasure items not in the story).
I am running the summer option.
Started with the winter Splendor module, so the PC's did a favor for the Cassalanters, who are loaning them the money to get the inn going.
Look, it's a plot point that they're supposed to be able to get the end up and running... so it doesn't really matter how you go about doing it. Make it fun for your players. I've been grinning gleefully ever since the cassalanters loaned them the money!!!!
The factions are a big deal in Dragon Heist, so I could see the appeal, but I think all modules are better as a table instead of AL, unless you don't have a big enough group for a table.
These stated numbers feel small IMO :( Chapter two might potentially be the largest chapter because of all with the exploring of the city and all of the developing of the tavern that can be done. I agree that chapter 1 can be done in about four hours, but in 2.. this is a time to really immerse the players and make them feel invested in their new home.
There are plenty of downtime activities they can do to earn money if money is tight - my table loves to go pit-fighting (see Xanathar's Guide), so much that the one really successful player had become the ire of one of the head honcho's of Manshoon's groups - even though Manshoon is a different season than the one they started in. So depending on how the players decide to interact with their surroundings, they may be facing someone other than their starting villain. Also, even if the players are not in a faction, doesn't mean that those factions are not interested in their help.
Waterdeep Dragon Heist is not a campaign to be rushed through I feel, there's so much flavor in the NPCs and surroundings that can be pulled out. AL is not super restrictive in that you can't add elements to your story for immersion and building relationships (barring that you're still following the main storyline and a player is able to take their character between tables, and that you're not giving out additional magic/treasure items not in the story).
Family Traditions [Campaign Log] COMPLETED
Cursed Islands [Campaign Log] IN-PROGRESS
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.William Arthur Ward