Yes indeed, I did run Bleak House once. After I finished my big Ravenloft campaign, others in my group ran some games for a few years - and then I ran a "Return to Ravenloft" short series of sessions, all based on the Bleak House boxed set.Garudos Celestar wrote:I believe Stuart Turner once mentioned that he ran Bleak House as a sequel to his campaign, but there's no summary to how it turned out. Perhaps if we engage in a séance and prepare a mystick cage we can summon him for some DM do-and-don't tips?
It was a long time ago (probably more than 10 years ago), so I'd have to say I don't remember that much of the detail at all. But a couple of the comments above have prompted some recollections:
* I also didn't use the shipwreck to get to the Asylum. There'd already been a key shipwreck scene in my campaign, and would just be too sucky to have another "convenient" shipwreck. Similarly, the PCs already knew Van Richten - and so a much better tie-in was to find a reason for them to go looking for VR.
* The whole mask-wearing idea on the island really is very effective. One player even suggested that we should have gotten some plain masks from somewhere, to wear during that section of the game - it's just a very disarming and paranoia-inducing idea concept.
* I can't remember what I did for the treatment room sessions. I do remember that the players spent a lot of time planning their escape, so the idea of making sure the others are discussing this while you're dealing one-on-one is a good one.
* In the Baron section, the one thing that my players rolled their eyes at was the "Black Tower" - as in, "Yeah, I'm sure there's nothing evil going on in the Black Tower!!". Suggest toning this down a bit.
* I wish I could remember more about the house section, but it's really a blur. I remember really enjoying it though - so while it's challenging to run, the payoff was great (a bit like Castles Forlorn).
Sorry I don't have any more on this one - but it's worth the investment!
Stu