FAIRY TALE CAMPAIGNS

You can use the following mechanics in campaigns that center on curses, queens, and oracles.

CURSES

A creature afflicted with a magical curse gains the Cursed condition. The Cursed condition can only be cleared by magic from a spell, ritual, magic item, location, supernatural occurrence, higher power, or some combination of these options. Discovering how to end a curse often requires research, which might prompt the PCs to undergo a quest for additional information or help from an NPC.

TRANSFORMING ADVERSARIES

“Transform” is a special action that enables an adversary to shift between multiple stat blocks. By default, the adversary has a primary stat block that includes stats and features available to the adversary regardless of their active form. While in a particular form, the adversary has access to the stats and features contained in that form’s stat block and their primary stat block. Unless noted otherwise, the adversary tracks HP and Stress on their primary stat block regardless of their active form.

BUILDING VILLAINS COLLABORATIVELY

You can build a campaign villain collaboratively using the following process.

Prior to your session zero, write approximately 40 prompts, each in the form of a question about the villain. For example, you might ask about the villain’s background, demeanor, motives, or reputation. Write each prompt on an index card or slip of paper. For inspiration, see the Reign of the Weredragon Villain Builder sheet in Hope & Fear or available online at daggerheart.com/downloads.

During session zero (and prior to character creation) randomly select about 15 of your prepared prompts and place them in the center of the table so that everyone can reach them but no one can read them.

Starting with the person to your left, each player draws one of the pre-selected prompts and reads it aloud, then chooses one of the following options:

  • The active player can answer the prompt. Other players can ask follow-up questions, though the active player can choose not to answer them.
  • The active player can remove the prompt from play and draw a new prompt.
  • The active player can pass the prompt to another player, who likewise chooses to answer, remove, or pass it.

When there are no more follow-up questions to a prompt, play passes to the left. Continue in this manner until all prompts at the center of the table have been answered or removed. Then proceed to character creation.