Really like Ayo. I could imagine a fantastic character arc where she’s excited for adventure in the beginning of the story, but as the rivals go through hell and back, she feels like she’s gotten too big for her britches
Ya that feels very similar to my interpretation of how she's written. There's not *tons* of details which I like, she will become unique to each campaign based on the DM and the players.
Thank you! I think I'm getting a little better at creating these now so I'm glad to hear there is some noticeable improvement. I think from here on out, I may tackle things by topic rather than Chapter as it seems to work a little better in some ways as well.
Thanks for these videos! My partner got me into DND via watching critical role, they are GMing Curse of Straud right now and once that's done I'll be running Call of the Netherdeep for our small group and knowing what to think about and watch for that i havent though for yet is SO helpful! I can't wait to see the next video on this topic!
Another very helpful video ! Thank you so much :) On the topic of Irvan : I run a team of 3 PCs, and I feel like it'd be a shame to remove two rivals from the game, as I feel they're a balanced, fleshed out crew with interesting dynamics. So what I'm planning is to make Irvan something of a wild card, who can either be a rival or, more likely (knowing my PCs) a sidekick. So we'd have an even 4v4 matchup when fights arise. I want my PCs to meet him during ch 1, and then maybe he screws something up during the Emerald Grotto race and is the reason my PCs get the jewel. By the beginning of ch 2, Ayo kicks him out of the group, and he asks the PCs to join up. If they refuse, he'll try to steal the jewel and give it to Ayo in order to rejoin the group. If they accept but treat him like a nuisance, same deal, he'll look a way to take the jewel and escape into the night to earn his place back in Ayo's gang. However, if they treat him like a true friend, he actually joins and my PCs get to slowly discover his backstory, and maybe help him be more competent ? I feel like he's a very human character, like Usopp in One Piece. I'd like my PCs to help him become a hero ! (Sorry my english isn't perfect haha)
It sounds like you have a well thought-out plan that's going to work well for you. I'm a fan of having less NPCs to control, so I'm probably going to ditch Irvan in my campaign. However, he's a fleshed out character on the ready for when I need one somewhere down the line if it should come up.
I am really looking forward to playing Ayo. One of my players is constantly trying to bed Ayo and while she has been a little flirty, it was more of a tease as she still has eyes for Galsariad. Tension is really going to build now that she has Ruin's Wake and has begun getting visions of her own about Alyxian, especially because that same player also has the Jewel. Where the players are trying to save Alyxian, she wants to put him down and prevent whatever danger she things he could bring should he be released.
I am eagerly awaiting each video! Especially glad that you're starting to do some side-topics now. It'll be a little while before I get past chapter 3 (since the book just came out), so these are even more relevant!
Good to hear. I'll try to keep it in mind if I think of anything more like that one. Right now I'm working on re-reading chapter 4 and working on a video for Ank'Harel. But I'm also working on scripting some more generalized DM advice not specific to CotN.
What are your thoughts if a player try’s to romance a rival? One of my players is putting the moves on Ayo. I’m thinking of letting her reciprocate but later have it cause problems where the rival party doesn’t listen to her as they think she cares more about the player then the party.
It will depend a little bit on your comfort doing that as well, sometimes romance is an area of roleplay that could make people uncomfortable (obviously this player sounds like they're cool with it). After that, my default to most things that players want to do is to *try* to find a way to say yes first. Your Ayo may look different but I picture her as very type A and driven and I could see her only entertaining a romance as long as it doesn't get in the way of her goals, maybe they break up eventually and it gets awkward or even bitter. Your idea of having the other rivals impacted definitely is great as well. It really depends on the roleplay moments you have within your own campaign, maybe she does really care about the mission and someone like Galsariad is stirring up discontent because he wants to be the leader and call the shots, thirsty for power and maybe a bit of a villain. Maybe she joins the PCs and it complicates the relationship with the PCs and rivals even more. Lots of endless possibilities-the beauty of D&D really. I would just try to steer away from any negative stereotypes of like "woman falls in love and gives up any aspirations and goals outside of the relationship," with her actual characterization, which is different than the Rivals misconstruing her as that. I would just try to make it clear that she does care and isn't one-dimensionally in love with that route, even if the other rivals misread it.
It's hard to imagine them getting along knowing that's his nickname. Honestly, I'm more interested in them getting adversarial, but either path could be really rewarding. But I wouldn't be too mad to see them hating on the rivals.
Really like Ayo. I could imagine a fantastic character arc where she’s excited for adventure in the beginning of the story, but as the rivals go through hell and back, she feels like she’s gotten too big for her britches
Ya that feels very similar to my interpretation of how she's written. There's not *tons* of details which I like, she will become unique to each campaign based on the DM and the players.
PLEASE give us more call of the netherdeep content. it’s helping me a ton with running my first prewritten game, so thanks
There's definitely some more coming. A video about Ank'Harel is in progress now.
Your best Netherdeep video yet, imo. Love your breakdown of the rivals. Definitely has me thinking about the rp in battle 🤔🤔
Thank you! I think I'm getting a little better at creating these now so I'm glad to hear there is some noticeable improvement. I think from here on out, I may tackle things by topic rather than Chapter as it seems to work a little better in some ways as well.
Thanks for these videos! My partner got me into DND via watching critical role, they are GMing Curse of Straud right now and once that's done I'll be running Call of the Netherdeep for our small group and knowing what to think about and watch for that i havent though for yet is SO helpful! I can't wait to see the next video on this topic!
That's wonderful to hear! I'll give you a small spoiler: the next topic I'm working on is city of Ank'Harel and that should post next week.
Another very helpful video ! Thank you so much :)
On the topic of Irvan :
I run a team of 3 PCs, and I feel like it'd be a shame to remove two rivals from the game, as I feel they're a balanced, fleshed out crew with interesting dynamics.
So what I'm planning is to make Irvan something of a wild card, who can either be a rival or, more likely (knowing my PCs) a sidekick. So we'd have an even 4v4 matchup when fights arise.
I want my PCs to meet him during ch 1, and then maybe he screws something up during the Emerald Grotto race and is the reason my PCs get the jewel.
By the beginning of ch 2, Ayo kicks him out of the group, and he asks the PCs to join up. If they refuse, he'll try to steal the jewel and give it to Ayo in order to rejoin the group. If they accept but treat him like a nuisance, same deal, he'll look a way to take the jewel and escape into the night to earn his place back in Ayo's gang. However, if they treat him like a true friend, he actually joins and my PCs get to slowly discover his backstory, and maybe help him be more competent ?
I feel like he's a very human character, like Usopp in One Piece. I'd like my PCs to help him become a hero !
(Sorry my english isn't perfect haha)
It sounds like you have a well thought-out plan that's going to work well for you. I'm a fan of having less NPCs to control, so I'm probably going to ditch Irvan in my campaign. However, he's a fleshed out character on the ready for when I need one somewhere down the line if it should come up.
This series is incredibly helpful and well written - tyvm!
Thank you!
I am really looking forward to playing Ayo. One of my players is constantly trying to bed Ayo and while she has been a little flirty, it was more of a tease as she still has eyes for Galsariad. Tension is really going to build now that she has Ruin's Wake and has begun getting visions of her own about Alyxian, especially because that same player also has the Jewel. Where the players are trying to save Alyxian, she wants to put him down and prevent whatever danger she things he could bring should he be released.
Ayo is very fun to play, Maggie is also up there for me too.
I am eagerly awaiting each video! Especially glad that you're starting to do some side-topics now. It'll be a little while before I get past chapter 3 (since the book just came out), so these are even more relevant!
Good to hear. I'll try to keep it in mind if I think of anything more like that one. Right now I'm working on re-reading chapter 4 and working on a video for Ank'Harel. But I'm also working on scripting some more generalized DM advice not specific to CotN.
Excellent breadown!
Thank you!
Really useful info, keep it coming!
Thanks! Glad you're finding it helpful.
Nice video !
Thanks Papi!
What are your thoughts if a player try’s to romance a rival? One of my players is putting the moves on Ayo. I’m thinking of letting her reciprocate but later have it cause problems where the rival party doesn’t listen to her as they think she cares more about the player then the party.
It will depend a little bit on your comfort doing that as well, sometimes romance is an area of roleplay that could make people uncomfortable (obviously this player sounds like they're cool with it). After that, my default to most things that players want to do is to *try* to find a way to say yes first. Your Ayo may look different but I picture her as very type A and driven and I could see her only entertaining a romance as long as it doesn't get in the way of her goals, maybe they break up eventually and it gets awkward or even bitter. Your idea of having the other rivals impacted definitely is great as well. It really depends on the roleplay moments you have within your own campaign, maybe she does really care about the mission and someone like Galsariad is stirring up discontent because he wants to be the leader and call the shots, thirsty for power and maybe a bit of a villain. Maybe she joins the PCs and it complicates the relationship with the PCs and rivals even more. Lots of endless possibilities-the beauty of D&D really. I would just try to steer away from any negative stereotypes of like "woman falls in love and gives up any aspirations and goals outside of the relationship," with her actual characterization, which is different than the Rivals misconstruing her as that. I would just try to make it clear that she does care and isn't one-dimensionally in love with that route, even if the other rivals misread it.
My players have nicknamed Iravn rapey eyes from the get go so I am pretty sure he will hate the player characters no matter what they do lol
It's hard to imagine them getting along knowing that's his nickname. Honestly, I'm more interested in them getting adversarial, but either path could be really rewarding. But I wouldn't be too mad to see them hating on the rivals.