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2 years ago ::
Feb 11, 2011 - 7:33AM
#11
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Date Joined:
Jun 13, 2008
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The thought is that the characters will level faster, so its more "participation xp".
Otherwise if the players were only getting 100 xp each per week, they wouldn't hit level 2 until probably the 8th encounter (quest exp added)... This way they can reach level 2 by next chapter (I think, I haven't checked totals yet). As to not having a skill roll... These aren't really challenges, they are just opportunities for the players to affect the story without having to do a skill challenge.
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2 years ago ::
Feb 11, 2011 - 8:59AM
#12
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Date Joined:
Feb 26, 2007
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Well, first of all, as a point of general philosophy, I think an encounter is an encounter, even if it's a roleplaying encounter. That said, there's some artificial inflation of the XP given out, on account of the PCs needing enough XP to level a couple of times over the course of an Encounters season. If none of the players participate, you could choose not to reward the XP...but then the players won't know why they didn't get XP unless you tell them.
So, in short: it's to help with levelling over the course of the season, and reinforce the idea that a roleplaying encounter is still an encounter.
Rodney Thompson
Tabletop Games Manager
Dungeons & Dragons R&D
Wizards of the Coast
Follow me on Twitter: wotc_rodney
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2 years ago ::
Feb 11, 2011 - 9:00AM
#13
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Date Joined:
Feb 26, 2007
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HI Rodney I just wanted to say I love the Ravenloft board game and Can not wait for wrath ....are there plans for future expansions????? Also my dog ate a ghoul ...no really.... any chance of buying another 
Sorry to hear about your dog...or about your ghoul...or whichever one is worse for the wear after that experience. We just announced a third game/expansion in the series, the Legend of Drizzt, at D&D XP. As for anything beyond that, well, I am not allowed to speak about anything that hasn't been officially announced yet.
Rodney Thompson
Tabletop Games Manager
Dungeons & Dragons R&D
Wizards of the Coast
Follow me on Twitter: wotc_rodney
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2 years ago ::
Feb 11, 2011 - 12:18PM
#14
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Date Joined:
May 22, 2009
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they are just opportunities for the players to affect the story without having to do a skill challenge.
Personally, that was the thing I enjoyed the most in the 1st session. Lots of good roleplaying.
- Rico
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2 years ago ::
Feb 11, 2011 - 5:40PM
#15
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Date Joined:
Aug 26, 2008
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Well, first of all, as a point of general philosophy, I think an encounter is an encounter, even if it's a roleplaying encounter. That said, there's some artificial inflation of the XP given out, on account of the PCs needing enough XP to level a couple of times over the course of an Encounters season. If none of the players participate, you could choose not to reward the XP...but then the players won't know why they didn't get XP unless you tell them.
So, in short: it's to help with levelling over the course of the season, and reinforce the idea that a roleplaying encounter is still an encounter.
Great, thanks! I was conscripted to DM at the last minute, so I probably could have been better prepared for it. Given the chance to do it again, I probably would have made up some more information (territorial lizardfolk in the woods vs. hungry griffons in the mountains) or something to make the players have a little bit more reason to argue about each choice.
Or perhaps maybe make it SEEM like one of the routes will favor one half of the party, and the the other route will favor the other half. Either way, I was trying to get them to debate the decision, but only one player took the ... um, bait. I like it when players argue in-character. 
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2 years ago ::
Feb 11, 2011 - 10:11PM
#16
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Date Joined:
Jun 30, 2005
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Encounter 1. The PCs are guarding a caravan as it crosses a stream. Why are they all standing in a clump and watching? Next time I guard a caravan, I will be clamoring to start outside the penalty box.
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2 years ago ::
Feb 12, 2011 - 12:57PM
#17
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Date Joined:
Oct 17, 2007
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Rodney.
For Session 5, are the PCs supposed to be at level 2? And Session 9, are the PCs supposed to be at level 3?
"People want balance but can't accept this homogenization that occurs as a result of that balance being implemented. then they complain that the fighter is weaker than the wizard ad nauseam.: - Teitan
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2 years ago ::
Feb 12, 2011 - 2:55PM
#18
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Date Joined:
May 23, 2005
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Rodney.
For Session 5, are the PCs supposed to be at level 2? And Session 9, are the PCs supposed to be at level 3?
I am not Rodney but in this Season I believe that you track EXPS per character and Reknown per player. So as soon as a PC has receicved enough EXPS to level then they should level at that time.
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2 years ago ::
Feb 12, 2011 - 10:14PM
#19
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Date Joined:
Oct 17, 2007
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I'm aware of that. However, I'm curious about what Rodney has to say about how he wrote the adventure. The XP he grants in and out of combat should put regular players at that level. However, I'd like to inquire about how to deal with players who are behind the expected level, such as new players or sporadic attendees.
"People want balance but can't accept this homogenization that occurs as a result of that balance being implemented. then they complain that the fighter is weaker than the wizard ad nauseam.: - Teitan
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2 years ago ::
Feb 13, 2011 - 7:55AM
#20
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Date Joined:
Jun 18, 2003
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Encounter 1. The PCs are guarding a caravan as it crosses a stream. Why are they all standing in a clump and watching? Next time I guard a caravan, I will be clamoring to start outside the penalty box.
This is one of those areas where the designer cannot win. If you do not put some sort of starting area on the map (and even if you take the time to describe it in the text), DMs complain that they do not know where the characters are supposed to be. But when you do place a starting area on the map, inexperienced DMs force the players to begin in that area.
The best way to overcome this problem is to help the DM to become a better DM. Take them aside after the game and explain that starting areas on maps are generally just guides. Rather than force the PCs into the box when battles begin, ask the DMs if they can allow the PCs to show the DM where they would have been positioned, considering they were guarding the last of the caravan crossing the stream.
This is an age-old problem that can only be solved through education and experience, not through anything that can be added to or subtracted from the adventure.
Regards,
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