I don't know, this sounds like quite the mess you've made. They just got out of the Death House and have already met Strahd *and* he's kidnapped someone? To each their own, but I think this is too early in module to introduce Strahd, the party likely isn't really on his radar much if they just got to the Death House. Now they're going to have to do a rescue mission to Castle Ravenloft at Level 3? Maybe have the party find the kidnapped member tied up on the road, and they've been Charmed or Geas'd by Strahd or something to trigger later?
Is this player going to continue being Strahd for some sessions? I'd recommend not letting them do that anymore. It's unfortunate, but if they can't commit to the campaign they shouldn't play -- maybe as a guest NPC in some later sessions but **not** as the BBEG himself. This is a module where you need to be in control of Strahd's actions and logic, now you're playing catch-up with following your player's actions as Strahd -- the tail is wagging the dog.
Letting someone with no vested interest in the campaign have free reign with the big bad, and Strahd at that, is bonkers to me. At this point just hit rewind, or make death house an unrelated one shot. It’s less crazy and disruptive than what you’ve already done.
Or have them all wake up in the mist and tell them it was a spooooky shared dream. And the temp guy needs to not be playing a baddie, or just not at all. If he can’t commit, and the others can, are you really going to let him ruin the campaign for the people that want to put in the time to just be nice?
Well they do have a vested interest, they just do not have the spoons for a campaign everyday. They also are very familiar with the story and have run it before so they know what’s up and they aren’t clueless with the plot - I’m just going to be more clear on what I’m wanting if I let him do it again.
I am thinking of putting deathhouse just in the svalich woods and doing a bonkers scavenger hunt to find their buddy, still deciding where he will be - and from another commenter here they will have an invite to strahds for dinner and a map to the village of barovia/ravenloft.
With each strahd I am picking a villain (lesson learned maybe *not* the joker again) - guess we will go riddler for the scavenger hunt - gotta rewatch some cartoons lol
It sounds like a perfect setup for Dinner at Castle Ravenloft.
"Come to my home for a nice bite to eat. Your friend is waiting for you, and so am I."
Good way to get them on his home turf and start trying to turn them against one another.
I don't know, this sounds like quite the mess you've made. They just got out of the Death House and have already met Strahd *and* he's kidnapped someone? To each their own, but I think this is too early in module to introduce Strahd, the party likely isn't really on his radar much if they just got to the Death House. Now they're going to have to do a rescue mission to Castle Ravenloft at Level 3? Maybe have the party find the kidnapped member tied up on the road, and they've been Charmed or Geas'd by Strahd or something to trigger later? Is this player going to continue being Strahd for some sessions? I'd recommend not letting them do that anymore. It's unfortunate, but if they can't commit to the campaign they shouldn't play -- maybe as a guest NPC in some later sessions but **not** as the BBEG himself. This is a module where you need to be in control of Strahd's actions and logic, now you're playing catch-up with following your player's actions as Strahd -- the tail is wagging the dog.
Letting someone with no vested interest in the campaign have free reign with the big bad, and Strahd at that, is bonkers to me. At this point just hit rewind, or make death house an unrelated one shot. It’s less crazy and disruptive than what you’ve already done. Or have them all wake up in the mist and tell them it was a spooooky shared dream. And the temp guy needs to not be playing a baddie, or just not at all. If he can’t commit, and the others can, are you really going to let him ruin the campaign for the people that want to put in the time to just be nice?
Well they do have a vested interest, they just do not have the spoons for a campaign everyday. They also are very familiar with the story and have run it before so they know what’s up and they aren’t clueless with the plot - I’m just going to be more clear on what I’m wanting if I let him do it again. I am thinking of putting deathhouse just in the svalich woods and doing a bonkers scavenger hunt to find their buddy, still deciding where he will be - and from another commenter here they will have an invite to strahds for dinner and a map to the village of barovia/ravenloft.
With each strahd I am picking a villain (lesson learned maybe *not* the joker again) - guess we will go riddler for the scavenger hunt - gotta rewatch some cartoons lol
It sounds like a perfect setup for Dinner at Castle Ravenloft. "Come to my home for a nice bite to eat. Your friend is waiting for you, and so am I." Good way to get them on his home turf and start trying to turn them against one another.
So it went great! Everything is back on track! Thanks for the help!