Lets Make DEMENTLIEU in 5e!
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- Don your masks and call your fairy godmother; it's time to explore Dementlieu, the Ravenloft Domain of Dread that is inspired by eighteenth-century France, Cinderella, and Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death!" As usual, we'll survey the nature of this demented Shadowfell realm, review some media to help us get an imaginative grip on it, and then sketch out an adventure! In this case, our three-act adventure takes PCs from Level 4 to Level 7.
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Kor Artificer's Crimson Court for 5e: kor-artificer....
The most underrated channel I follow
Agreed!
By far. It's the most thoughtful, practical, helpful work I've seen. I also low-key appreciate the fact that the videos aren't packed with cheap editing tricks and lame attempts at humor that the rest of the channels seem to aim for.
If you can't hold my attention with what you're presenting without those things, your content is a little less substantive, in my opinion.
Thank you so much for watching, and for such wonderful praise! Yes, I try my best to produce content, which intellectually interesting and not just silly (although a couple jokes sometimes make it in, here and there)! Best wishes, and cheers!
Agreed and I'm not just saying that as a sucker for all things spooky or these good thumbnails XD
Also there's a Darkest Dungeon Monster Manual by Tuz-oh and pairs well with Ravenloft imho I'd link it but my comments keep vanishing when I try 😅
Thank you so much for this! Dementlieu is, by far, my favorite domain in Ravenloft.
My campaign is a tour of the domains, and so, to throw in some emotional stakes for the party, I recommend including this prologue/intro chapter:
The party emerges from the mists into Dementlieu, right into an outdoor party hosted by the "Marquis de Boulanger." The more classist and rude guests start parading the party around and treating them more like trophies to display. Multiple guests try to take credit for inviting these exotic foreigners, leading to a slap fight that only petty aristocracy can have. The party get a little roughed up in the fight (including cheap wine spilled all over their outfits), and the Marquis invites them to come into his home, where he gives them what food and new clothing that he can. He, his wife, and children all pretend to be owners of the finest restaurant in Dementlieu, but, in reality, their home is a façade: in order to stay alive, they run their restaurant, but are at near-constant risk of starvation themselves.
They offer the party a place to stay out of genuine kindness and sympathy, before then roping the party into their schemes, which they think are just petty theft against the cruel aristocracy, completely oblivious to the idea that everyone else is a faker too.
The party then (hopefully, I'll let you know how it goes) joins the scheme to impersonate the count so that they can repay the Marquis de Boulanger for his family's kindness.
Ah, interesting! So with this prologue, my own introduction becomes something of a reversal: the PCs start out on one side of the dining room, so to speak, and end up in the other (before noticing the similarity to the Count of Montagne de Cire). Neat! Yes, I can see that being a really fun idea.
Thanks so much for your addition, and for watching! Cheers!
Ohhh, that flea infestation feature is wonderfully horrific. Another fantastic video!
I'm glad you think so! I play-tested them, and this trait made the battle exciting (and properly disgusting)! Feel free to throw a couple per PC into the fight!
Thanks very much for watching, and cheers!
I can’t wait for you to cover Kartakass. I’ve always had this campaign idea in the back of my head where the party is a group of bards going through the domain as a sort of “battle of the bands” style tour, where they would be constantly assailed by the werewolves under Harkon Lukas’ control, unaware who is sending them.
All the while slowly climbing the ladder of popularity, eventually squaring off against the werewolf bard himself.
You're in luck! Kartakass is in the queue, along with three other related (or at least thematically similar) domains! And your idea is spot-on! Cheers!
I was hoping you'd do Dementlieu! You're a legend 🙏
Thank you so much for watching; I'm glad I finally got to it, since it's such an interesting domain! Which one should I do next? Cheers!
Red Widows are a Ravenloft creature; a giant spider that can take the form of an attractive woman to lure in prey to mate with, paralyze, and lay eggs in. They are, indeed. a big red spider with a black hourglass.
The King in Yellow is super fun!
I agree, it's a very special mythos--one close to my heart (and brain)!
Have you found the Yellow Sign?
This is so awesome! One aspect I might include in my campaign is that the hags/fairy godmothers are also Saidra d'Honaire's benefactors/godmothers in her origin story, and they gain some sort of benefit when she destroys someone. Hence, their ability and willingness to send so many people to that masquerade ball. Perhaps they make an appearance at midnight to "reveal the deceivers"?
This was a neat adventure, that said I do kind of prefer the previous version of Dementlieu over 5es. In part I like the connected Core, but for dementlieu itself I like that the nobles are nobles not fakers; real history shows plenty of ways of how nobles can be horrible. There also was the whole rich v poor and the brain v dominic that had intrigue stuff, though one could integrate both into 5e's domain.
That said a lot of the plot points can easily work in the previous version. The scam and trying to raise money to get the treasure of the count works rather well for the whole rich v poor themes. Plus you get to do the whole Master of the House thing from Les Mis and that is always a fun thing to do.
In regards to the Hag, I might keep the Hag hidden till later. More for suspense and also to avoid letting the players know more. Players would tend to get rather suspicious right away when interacting with evil creatures like Hags. Alternatively they could instead perform some deed for the Brain or Dominic but it would tie them to yet another evil person.
At the red widow theater, what I would probably do is making it a bit more investigative instead of shocking the players right away. So they see a cabaret show but it is an actual show. Creepy but actually a show. with players seeing the horror more as they look around the Theater where they find the real horror of the theater. also here, might use the red widow monsters from previous versions. One thing I would probably change is that I wouldn't make the PCs deformed, but they still might lose something personal. Could be something like memories, dreams, loved ones, names, etc.
My biggest change I would do is the final ballroom. What I like with Dementlieu is that it is actually one of the domains that works perfectly as a Hub domain, where one could start at and return to after traveling to other domains. My change is that I would allow the PCs to try and escape assuming they are creative enough(perhaps they convince Sadire that someone else is actually the Count). but they leave just in the nick of time as their clothes fade away. They return to the city and their sanctum and would then plot the next plot with perhaps some extra wealth that they could have stolen from the mansion.
also side note in terms of aesthetics, one thing you didn't mention as inspiration that I think would work perfectly is the Dishonored Mission Lady Boyle's last party.
Thanks for your feedback! Yes, some elements of this adventure can easily be incorporated into other adventures (say, in a previous version of this Domain), and the events can unfold at different paces for the convenience of different tables. Thanks for the reference; yes, Dishonored has some aesthetics, which harmonize well with Dementlieu. Cheers!
Only recently found your channel and I am downing these adventures like shots.
For Dementlieu, I think I want the hags to be the background villains as supreme capitalists: the godmothers convinced Saidra that the only way to restore the city's luster is to have the perfect masquerade ball, an evening of pure beauty and decadence. This has led Saidra to make attendance mandatory, though, naturally, not all citizens are forced to take part every time, and each of them must play along with the charade described in VRGtR under pains of death, as Saidra uproots the imperfections that, she believes, hold down her domain. She doesn't even need to believe that all the putative nobles are who they say they are, so long as they can keep up appearances.
Why would the hags trick her? Because it allows them to create bothdemand and supply: the citizens of Port-a-Lucine flock to them to request magical disguises such as the ones you described.
Ah, what an excellent idea! Of all Domains of Dread (besides Borca, which shares this trait), I think Dementlieu is apt for social intrigue! Very cool!
Thank you so much for watching, and welcome to the channel! I hope my videos are both useful and enjoyable for your table and your DM-ing! Best wishes, and cheers!
Slaying those name pronunciations in this one! Rock on
Thank you very, very much! I'm really enjoying your series on OneD&D, along with your recent stream! I can't wait for more content! Cheers!
@@phdnd-drbowers thanks for the encouragement!
Now with the new heist book out, one could implement a lot of new ideas for a setting like this. It plays into your initial adventure hook of it being scam/thievery motivated.
Also, a villain that can disintegrate a pc with an action doesn’t really work in a fight unless she doesn’t target them like you said in your video; However, it fits very well if the objective is not to defeat her in combat, but rather to hide, deceive, intimidate, persuade, and anything they can manage to not get blow their cover.
Ah, that's an excellent idea! Indeed, I'm guessing the new heist book has quite a bit of material to lift and transplant into a Ravenloft adventure. I'll certainly be rifling through its pages before the next video comes out! Thanks for watching, and cheers!
beginning with a reference to the king in yellow is very strong, i will immediately like the video! i've just been reading it which is funny
Ah, that's excellent! I'm on another Yellow Sign kick, myself, and actually working on a TTRPG based around Chambers' lore! Have you seen the recent anthology, "Under Twin Suns," which builds further on the mythos? Thanks for watching, and Cheers!
Love your work professor!
Thank you so much! Stay safe among the Mists of the Shadowfell! 🦇🦇🦇 Cheers!
As someone with a pc who’s from Dementlieu.
I NEED YOUR ABILITY TO DO A FRENCH ACCENT
Also thank you for telling me the proper pronunciation of Dementlieu
Happy to be of service, haha! And thank you so much for watching! Cheers!
Your Domains of Dread series has been absolutely phenomenal! I am currently running an exploration of these dark lands within the Mists and have drawn so much inspiration for my preparation. Thank you!
@PhD&D I managed to finish a short campaign based on this piece.
I made some changes, there were additional NPCs (two of them played by guests), heist locations and several powerful magic items. My party started at level 2 and TPKed at level 4.
Their motivation to go to the Masquarade was two-fold: their tenant (similar to Renée and the wife, named Pichot and Audrey in my game, based on the Les Mis Thénardiers in the movie) were missing their foster-child who was in fact in the Estate and they owed them a huge debt as well.
They did all the things that you proposed then finally got into the ball where they faced Saidra and several ghouls/guests. It was 4x4 level PCs vs Saidra, 2 ghouls and 3 guests. They managed to rescue the child, they did not betray one deal but they weren't able to escape to the Summer Court. They were lying on the floor unconcious the last time we saw them.
I watched most of the recommended material and it was worth it by alone.
Thanks for the ride Prof!
This was so dope. I hope you can get to a Scaena or Souragne one soon
You're in luck! It just so happens that Scaena is in the queue, along with three other, thematically-related Domains! (Can you guess which?)
I have some sketches for Souragne, too, although it might take some work to distinguish it from, say, Falkovnia... but it'll eventually join the rest!
Thanks for watching, and cheers!
@@phdnd-drbowers I figure it's prolly kartakass, but based on what you said I whisper on dream that it's actually Risbilos
Great work as always!
Thank you very much, and thanks for watching! Cheers!
Wow this is such a cool idea! I’ve been writing a campaign in which the party travels through the Demiplanes of Dread (using space travel from Spelljammer no less) and I love all these cool concepts and plot hooks added in. Any advice for if I wanted to level up this a bit? Say, make it a level 14-16 adventure in an overall campaign?
Thanks again for adding in such rich detail!
Ah, that's an excellent question! The need for magical garments, of course, should prevent PCs from being *admitted* to Saidra's ball, no matter their level. But the enemies and monsters will need to be upscaled quite a bit! In the theater, I'd simply add more ettercaps and driders, but in the final scene, I'd probably replace the guests and guards with more robust monsters...perhaps ones that regenerate? If the party was really between Level 14 and 16, you might replace the guests with trolls or worse, and replace the guards with vampire spawn or worse.
And thank *you* very much for watching, and for these comments! Cheers!
watched this to prepare for a one shot i was planning did it a week ago so coming back to say it was great the only thing i really changed was in the final fight i had her transform into a buffed up version of Vampiric Mist since i found it more fitting for the Masque of the Red Death vibe
Sounds like a lot of fun to run, I can't wait! Any particular reason for choosing the nightclub map over a more traditional theater map (like the one in Waterdeep Dragon Heist)?
Ah! As usual, your suggestions improve upon what I offer; many thanks! I must have overlooked the theater from W:DH, because after checking again, I think you're correct. The theater from W:DH would be ideal! The Notorious Nightclub isn't bad, of course, but I was thinking of something much closer to what the W:DH map offers.
Thanks so much again for this helpful feedback! Cheers!
@@phdnd-drbowers I'm prepping to run this, and I'm drawing some inspiration for the Red Widow Theater from the Grand Guginol. With the PCs entering in the middle of the first act (a comedy), they can use that time to find a spot to hide the hag's eye while the attention is on the stage and then find seats before act 2 (the horror) starts.
@@chases_squirrels That's a good idea, to open with a comedy! I bet it allowed the players to take in the setting and establish the exploration "pillar" of play. How did it go? Best wishes, and cheers!
This is definitely in my top favourite Domains list XD even tho that's a big list itself lol.
Tbh all the ones in the book are my favourite but are ranked in a certain order and I included a couple which aren't in the book like Heckna and Darkest Dungeon setting and Barovia is definitely up there cuz it introduced me to Ravenloft... It might get a vid like this too but might be different from Curse of Strahd.
That's excellent to hear! Also, we have similar tastes: I'm also a backer for Heckna's KS, and I'll definitely be doing a video on it!
I have one video on DD's stress system, as outlined by Kor Artificer, but you're right that *many* things in that game can be lifted for a fun 5e game! So there may be more DD videos in the future...
Thanks for watching, and for this feedback! Cheers!
Will you remake some old spelljammer stuff to go with the new stuff?
I am absolutely going to share some Spelljammer material, although not necessarily from classic materials! Keep an eye out for those in the near future!
Thanks again for watching, and for your feedback! Cheers!
And if PC's are nobles?
That's an excellent question for another adventure to resolve !This adventure assumes they aren't!
What incentive does "Pierre" have for hatching this plan with the PCs? Since the theme of this domain is self-preservation, I doubt he does this out of the kindness of his heart. Other than simply claiming that one of the PCs looks like the count, what does he do? What does he get out of helping?
Ah, that's an excellent question; thanks for asking it! I think there are a few different ways to go, here.
One option is for either Rene or Audrey to become a sidekick; they help the PCs come up with the plan because they intend to be part of it. If you don't really want a sidekick, just kill them off early in Act 2, during a botched crime.
A second option is for Rene and Audrey to be house-bound, and therefore incapable of joining the PCs. Audrey is agoraphobic and suffers violent fits; Rene is her full-time caretaker and cannot leave for long. The two of them help the PCs hatch a plan because they hope the PCs will share the spoils.
A third option is for Rene and Audrey to include some Draconian or exploitative stipulations in the plan, and then become hostile when the PCs refuse. They attack the PCs and die in the fight; this leaves the PCs with the ability to enact the plan all on their own.
I imagine some other options might be possible, too. Which one would you go with?
Thanks very much for this question, and thank you as well for watching! Cheers!
@@phdnd-drbowers These are all great, it would be hard to choose!
I've been looking for a bit, and I really don't know where I can find that nobleman drider image. Can anyone tell me where?
It's a composite image I put together. Look on page 30 of the Call of Cthulhu adventure supplement, "Reign of Terror," for the top half; and look up some Pathfinder drider illustrations for the bottom half!
Thanks very much for watching, and for asking about the art! Cheers!
@@phdnd-drbowers thanks man, I'll look it up
Act four - Dominic shows up, telekinetically throws the defeated pretender lord out a high window, to be impaled on the iron fence below, and returns to being in charge of the domain, like he's supposed to be.
Sorry, I'm not as much a fan of the big changes 5th ed made.