Tag: D&D Encounters: Storm Over Neverwinter

We have once again reached the end of another great season of D&D Encounters. That means it’s time to step back and look at the entire season as a whole and pass judgment. We’ve weighed the good and the bad in order to come up with a final grade for Storm Over Neverwinter. Read over our feedback and let us know if you agree or disagree with our assessment. Be sure to add your feedback to the comments section below.

The Good

In general this season had a lot of very good things going for it. Probably the biggest thing in the plus column was the return of veteran D&D Encounters author Erik Scott de Bie. Erik wrote Halaster’s Lost Apprentice (season 1) and Lost Crown of Neverwinter (season 6). He came into this season with a proven track record for writing great adventures and we were not disappointed when we dove into season 13. Let’s look at the best of the good.

Last week the party faced off against the Dragon Chartilifax, only to see the Dragon flee when it got bloodied. The PCs tended to the Prophet Rohini, took a short rest, and then ventured upward to confront Elden Vargas.

This week at Harry T North in Toronto we ran two tables of five. Even though we determined seating randomly, my table had four of the same five as last week. We lost our leader but gained a defender. Here’s what the party looked like: Human Wizard, Human Ranger, Human Assassin, Dwarf Fighter, and Goliath Monk (my character).

The party split up: the Ranger and Wizard climbed one staircase, the Fighter, Assassin, and Monk took the other. When the party reached the next level the storm raging outside seemed to intensify. Lightning struck the building repeatedly and the booming thunder caused the entire cathedral to shake and sway. The windows exploded inward and broke under the pressure. Lightning seemed to dance into the room through the open window creating crackling creatures made of electricity.

Actual Play Podcast at Harry T North (Season 13 Week 7) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Actual Play Podcast at Silver Snail (Season 13 Week 7) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Last week the PCs travelled to Helm’s Hold, a cathedral turned hospital dedicated to helping those inflicted by the Spellplague. A safe haven for those in need, the doors of Helm’s Hold are always open. However, when the PCs arrived they found the cathedral locked down. After finally forcing their way inside, the PCs battled dominated acolytes as they explored the cathedral.

When the PCs entered the Main Hall they saw a black-cloaked figure wearing a bright red devil mask – the Tormentor! He was standing over a kneeling woman the PCs recognize as the Prophet Rohini. Rohini was clearly in pain, while the Tormentor poured fiery magic into her from his outstretched hand. Around the room are numerous Acolytes as well as a green-skinned Elf. The Elf held a woman in his arms.

The Tormentor looked up when the PCs opened the doors. His concentration momentarily broken, Rohini reached up and pulled away his mask before she collapsed. The Tormentor was Elden Vargis. “I see the time for deception is at an end,” he said. “Chartilifax, give me Karis and deal with this rabble.”

The Elf handed over the woman to Vargas and then turned to address the party. “Little heroes have come to play, little heroes die today.” His body shifted, his bones cracked as his limbs and torso distorted. His shoulder blades burst through his back and became wings. A Green Dragon reared up, rolling mad eyes and expelling poison fumes.

This week at Harry T North in Toronto we ran back-to-back sessions as we’d fallen a week behind. As we’ve done all season we continued to shuffle the PCs between the two tables each week. The group I played this week’s encounter with consisted of a Human Ranger (Hunter), Eladrin Ardent, Human Wizard, Human Assassin and Goliath Monk (my character).

Actual Play Podcast at Harry T North (Season 13 Week 6) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Actual Play Podcast at Silver Snail (Season 13 Week 6) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Last week the PCs rescued the kidnapped son of Lady Nadris. This week they continue their search for “The Tormentor,” the man in the devil mask who is apparently behind the rash of kidnappings in Neverwinter, including the one the PCs foiled last week. To sweeten the pot, Lord Neverember has offered a 10,000 gp reward for anyone who captures the person or persons responsible for the kidnappings.

This week’s recap follows the group at Harry T North in Toronto. We’ve had just enough people to run two solid tables for months, but the addition of two brand new players pushed us to 13 this week. With only two DMs ready to run the session we ended up with a table of six and another with seven. I played with the larger group and helped the two newbies.

The party consisted of a Tiefling Ardent, Human Assassin, Tiefling Warlock, Wilden Wizard, Goliath Monk (my character), and the two new players used the pre-gens Eboncross the Shade Wizard and Gardain the Dwarf Fighter.

Actual Play Podcast at Harry T North (Season 13 Week 3) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Actual Play Podcast at Silver Snail (Season 13 Week 3) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download