WOTC has a (free) version of Hoard of the Dragon Queen being used to run D&D encounters. Encounters can only ru n3 sessions, until the party reaches level 3.
WOTC has a hardbound version of Hoard, for $30, that contains 8 episodes, and has SOME changes in the text of the first three episodes (how many I'm not sure.)
If Hoard only HAD to be episodic for 3 episodes then why did they write the rest of the hardbound in the railroady episodic style? If it's meant for home play then why hamstring the product?
Quote from: bryce0lynch;785160If Hoard only HAD to be episodic for 3 episodes then why did they write the rest of the hardbound in the railroady episodic style? If it's meant for home play then why hamstring the product?
4 on arent railroading. The PCs have a fair amount of leeway for what they do. The module does though generally assume the PCs have committed to following the treasure trail. Which is not the same as a railroad.
The caravan is the only real clue and following it makes sense.
Personally I'd have preferred a few alternative routes to approach it.
But it seems to me that the module was written with some sort of odd ideal of leaving everything a blank slate the DM has to embellish. But not TELLING the DM this little fact.
All the characters are cypers more or less. You learn about nothing of Rezmir who is the main villainess for this gig. I know. I just ground through the damn thing trying to find any background on her. Nada. We know her name, shes a half dragon, shes devout to Tiamat, and she wanted the swamp keep for her own plans that happened to end up meshing with her larger goal.
Thats great for those of us who love to embellish from the basics. But for something aimed at new GMs it throws them in the deep end with not even a few pointers.
Least thats what I am reading so far.