The Curse of Stahf is a legendary tale that has been passed down through generations. According to the story, Stahf was a powerful and malevolent sorcerer who lived in a remote village centuries ago. Stahf was known for his dark magic and his ability to control the elements. He was feared by everyone in the village, as he used his powers for his own personal gain. The villagers lived in constant fear of his wrath. One day, a group of village elders decided that they needed to put an end to Stahf's reign of terror.
So, collaborate. I hope you and the DM can arrive at a happy medium.
I d also recommend reading our My Guy Syndrome page if your character has a flaw, and it s really not going to be fun for you to roleplay the flaw, sometimes it s okay to just ignore the flaw and do the thing that would be more fun. This might not be what you want to hear, but one way out of your predicament is to ask the DM to give you a different flaw instead - one more in keeping with the character you have.
One day, a group of village elders decided that they needed to put an end to Stahf's reign of terror. They gathered together and formed a plan to trap him using a powerful spell. The spell was said to bind Stahf's soul to an ancient staff, leaving him powerless and unable to harm anyone.
Convincing my Curse of Strahd DM to reduce an inflicted character flaw that goes against my character's core beliefs
I am playing The Curse of Strahd in D&D 5e. I am a good priest, who has just been inflicted with the character flaw "power at any price" after touching a staff.
We are in the old temple in the mountains. I have been fighting with my party over taking any of the gifts as the gods obviously want your soul in the dungeon dimensions for ever.
I feel I should at least be able to have a will power save (wisdom) if I can argue this "power at any cost" goes against already established character core beliefs. I feel this would have to change my alignment as I would no longer be good, and that is a major change not just a little funny aside. My DM is much better at debate than me (he could win the argument black is white against me) so I need to go in well armed. The question is: How can I convince the DM to reduce this flaw to allow for the good nature of my priest, for example selling my soul to an evil god for extra power. Are there any sections of the rules I could use to support my position in my upcoming 'discussion' with my DM?
- dnd-5e
- published-adventures
- group-dynamics
- alignment
- curse-of-strahd
\$\begingroup\$ What are your core beliefs exactly? What are some of the ideals that your character holds that you feel are challenged by this "power at any cost" flaw? \$\endgroup\$
Apr 3, 2017 at 15:55\$\begingroup\$ Reminder: comments are for clarifying content, not posting small or incomplete answers. Please use answer posts to submit answers instead. Prior comments containing answers have been removed. (Note that suggestions for alternative solutions count as answers. Those must face the voters like any other answer.) \$\endgroup\$
Apr 3, 2017 at 16:46\$\begingroup\$ Comments confused about where the flaw comes from have been removed. Reminder that being familiar with the adventure in question is highly recommended before answering questions about published adventures. (For the curious, this effect and item are not being invented by the DM, and is not from character creation.) \$\endgroup\$
Apr 3, 2017 at 18:27The elders were successful in their endeavor, and Stahf's soul was indeed trapped in the staff. However, little did they know that the staff itself was cursed. Anyone who possessed the staff would also be cursed, doomed to wander the earth forever. Over the years, the staff changed hands numerous times, as people fell victim to its curse. Those who possessed it would experience a life filled with misfortune and tragedy. It is said that the curse even extended to their descendants, causing them to suffer as well. Many have tried to break the Curse of Stahf, but all have failed. The only way to rid oneself of the curse is to return the staff to its original resting place, where Stahf's soul was first trapped. However, the location of this resting place remains unknown, adding to the mystery and allure of the curse. Today, the Curse of Stahf is still a topic of fascination and intrigue for many. Some believe that the curse is nothing more than a myth, while others are convinced of its existence. Regardless, it serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of power and the dangers of dabbling in dark magic..
Reviews for "Defying Fate: Confronting the Curse of the Stahf"
1. John - 1 star - I was really disappointed in "Curse of Stahf". The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them or feel invested in their journey. The pacing was also off, with some scenes dragging on for too long and others feeling rushed. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity and I would not recommend it.
2. Laura - 2 stars - "Curse of Stahf" didn't live up to the hype for me. The concept seemed intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The writing style was overly descriptive at times, making it difficult to follow the main plot. Additionally, the climax felt anticlimactic, leaving me unsatisfied with the resolution. I felt disconnected from the story and struggled to stay engaged. It had the potential to be great, but unfortunately, it missed the mark.
3. Alex - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to "Curse of Stahf", but it ended up being a letdown. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about their fates. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the world-building was lacking, leaving many unanswered questions and leaving me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, it was a mediocre read that didn't live up to its potential.
4. Sarah - 1 star - "Curse of Stahf" was a complete waste of time. The plot was convoluted and confusing, leaving me lost and frustrated. The pacing was all over the place, with no clear direction or purpose. The characters were forgettable and lacked any real motivation. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it never did. I would not recommend this book to anyone.