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Shadovarn's Bad DMing - Shadovarn - 11-11-2020
Event Preferences: Whatever really. Some just take more prep time than others.
Other Notes: I like puzzles. And prefer groups of 4-6 but can be more flexible for whatever.
Are you currently running events, and if so, are you considering player requested events?: Sure
Discord: Shadovarn#0001
Oh yeah, post reviews here too, I guess.
RE: Shadovarn's Bad DMing - Upset Toaster - 11-12-2020
Character: Thanatos Task
Which Event: The Aspiring Tomb Raiders
Responsiveness (Were their narrations posted within a reasonable time-frame and were they quick to respond?): Everything came out really quickly!
Balance (How entertaining were the battles, and any obstacles/traps?): Well, the one fight that we did have I didn't participate in, but it looked pretty fair, as for the puzzles? They were all super enjoyable, I just... Wish the rest of the Group, and I were better at solving puzzles. Oh well!
Storytelling (Did it feel like an adventure, did the content of the narrations meet your expectations?): We dived into a tomb, and took a bunch of things, but tragically we were unable to finish robbing the tomb because of the aforementioned us being bad at solving puzzles thing. Either way, it was still rather enjoyable!
Fairness (Were the punishments justified and earned, was the risk to reward ratio good?): We didn't get all of the loot, but yeah, what we did get I feel was worth the injuries we walked out of there with.
Overall: A really enjoyable event! If you really like puzzles, and other sort of riddles, this is the guy to go to!
Any other comments: Halt.
That one word is going to haunt me for the rest of my life...
RE: Shadovarn's Bad DMing - Myradin - 11-12-2020
Character: Enki
Which Event: The Aspiring Tomb Raiders
Responsiveness (Were their narrations posted within a reasonable time-frame and were they quick to respond?): Extremely fast, we didn't wait long for narratives that were sent our way!
Balance (How entertaining were the battles, and any obstacles/traps?): We only had one fight, and it was balanced well for the two low-rpl people we sent forth into battle. It was the puzzles, the damn puzzles, they were fair too, we were just smooth brained to actually work them out in the end.
Storytelling (Did it feel like an adventure, did the content of the narrations meet your expectations?): It felt like an adventure, the narrations did a really good job at painting an image for the group, it definitely exceeded expectations, it's a shame we didn't get to go a little further, but overall it was well told.
Fairness (Were the punishments justified and earned, was the risk to reward ratio good?) For the mistakes we made the injuries were fair, and the things we did right the rewards were equally as fair!
Overall: Halt. Halt. Halt. I hate puzzles, your brain is terrifying.
Any other comments:
RE: Shadovarn's Bad DMing - Didos - 11-22-2020
Character: Nidaz
Which Event: Excavation in search of Knowledge!
Responsiveness: The narrations were always sent quickly, having several details of what was happening! And we always had enough time to post our RPs in response to them! So all good.
Balance: The battles we had were really balanced, in my opinion, considering the size of the group! So nothing to complain about here.
As for the Puzzles part, even though they were supposed to be easy in themselves, it ended up being something a little more difficult than expected, taking up a good part of the event just to deal with them, as it took a while for us to figure out how to solve them.. But otherwise? It was pretty good! Now I know something new to play.. Mastermind..
Storytelling: What I had asked for this event, was granted and we truly did receive a Cosmic Horror and Other things! From crazy excavators to ancient beings and even a creature from another plane! So yes, it was quite an adventure! Loved it.
Fairness: Considering that this event was a Low CoD, the punishments were justified, mainly for the rewards we received! So all good!
Overhall: 9/10 Green. Green. Red.
Any other comments: My brain is dead after this event.. But loved it!
RE: Shadovarn's Bad DMing - tiniestlittledot - 11-22-2020
Character: TiniestLittleDot / Ryker pyr Docro
Which Event: Excavation in search of Knowledge
Responsiveness: Seemed very responsive to our questions, and the narrates were posted in a timely manner. It appeared he was typing them up on the spot, so any waiting was understood. 9.5/10
Balance: The balance seemed alright generally? The ECs did feel like they hit like a truck, and when you get hard focused while one of your other party members is still at full health then perhaps there is something wrong there. In the future I would suggest not doing black hole under an AoE, as the AoE covered the black hole icon for me at least (I cannot speak for the others), so that seemed slightly unfair. 8/10
Storytelling: The storytelling seemed alright. It wasn't anything especially in depth, and it didn't need to be. 8/10
Fairness: This is mainly what I had an issue with. I was asked to come on this event at the last minute (as in, as soon as it was happening), and decided sure why not. What was the worst that could happen? We were stuck on the initial puzzle for over an hour simply due to not being told the rules for said puzzle, you should not assume people know the rules to Mastermind. I somehow fell asleep for an undetermined amount of time (terribly sorry about that) and woke up in time to the last puzzle and the last boss battle. I had only fallen once previously in a round, and during the last boss battle I fell once as well. The first fall I rolled a 4, and for this second one I rolled a 1. Suddenly I was somehow getting a perm for a single down.
For the items we got (2 dev items), this is not fair I'm sorry. I know Matryona took the perm for me, but this is absolutely not fair whatsoever. I don't care if it was the last boss fight on a CoD, a perm for a SINGLE down is outrageous. If we had all gotten amazing loot, I wouldn't even say anything, but as it is the only thing I received from the event was 1,000 coins. I know I replaced a person who couldn't attend, and another was unable to come as well but even in that case you would have four people and only give out 2 dev items? The punishment that was dealt out in regards to the look that was received was not fair, no. 2/10
Overhall: 4/10
Any other comments: In the future I would suggest asking those attending the event what they'd like out of the event and curbing rewards that way. Even if I had gotten something NOT meant for myself it would have made me feel much better about spending 9 hours on an event.
RE: Shadovarn's Bad DMing - ry0un0suke - 11-22-2020
Character: Ry0un0suke/Matryona pyr Docro
Event: Excavation in Search of Knowledge
Responsive: Fair. The narrates were rolling. 10/10
Balance: Nothing to complain about on my end. I do wish we moved somewhere with more room and not blockage of the RPB with dense tiles. Though the visibility of Black Hole was a slight issue but nothing that couldn't be adapted to. 8/10
Storytelling: Enjoyable. Not too in-depth with lore and things but a ride no less.
Fairness: This is where my issue was. Originally, this event was supposed to have five people on it. Usually when people drop out of my events or additions are added, I keep the loot more or less the same. It went from five to three, with one being someone who came on request without knowing too much about it for assistance. Sure. I enjoy puzzles like everyone else when there's at least some baseline of explanation of what I'm supposed to be doing. Rules, basically. The loot was lackluster at best. It was a CoD but nothing really CoD worthy, some dev items that didn't even provide stats. Finally, the dish out of injuries. I took an injury for Ryker since it seemed very bizarre to me that one down equated to a perm in something labeled as CoD with no reward. Risk for reward, yes. Even before it was said 'I wouldn't dish out perms for a bunch of dev items', then perms were dished out. Not truly worth what was achieved. Also, rolling for the loot on a puzzle that wasn't explained and took hours- A single roll for a single item. 2/10
Overall: 5/10
Comments: I think the event was fine overall aside from lack of puzzle explanation and the loot/injury distribution. I would request you as a DM again, though. Just some bumps in the road. It happens.
Event: Excavation in Search of Knowledge
Responsive: Fair. The narrates were rolling. 10/10
Balance: Nothing to complain about on my end. I do wish we moved somewhere with more room and not blockage of the RPB with dense tiles. Though the visibility of Black Hole was a slight issue but nothing that couldn't be adapted to. 8/10
Storytelling: Enjoyable. Not too in-depth with lore and things but a ride no less.
Fairness: This is where my issue was. Originally, this event was supposed to have five people on it. Usually when people drop out of my events or additions are added, I keep the loot more or less the same. It went from five to three, with one being someone who came on request without knowing too much about it for assistance. Sure. I enjoy puzzles like everyone else when there's at least some baseline of explanation of what I'm supposed to be doing. Rules, basically. The loot was lackluster at best. It was a CoD but nothing really CoD worthy, some dev items that didn't even provide stats. Finally, the dish out of injuries. I took an injury for Ryker since it seemed very bizarre to me that one down equated to a perm in something labeled as CoD with no reward. Risk for reward, yes. Even before it was said 'I wouldn't dish out perms for a bunch of dev items', then perms were dished out. Not truly worth what was achieved. Also, rolling for the loot on a puzzle that wasn't explained and took hours- A single roll for a single item. 2/10
Overall: 5/10
Comments: I think the event was fine overall aside from lack of puzzle explanation and the loot/injury distribution. I would request you as a DM again, though. Just some bumps in the road. It happens.
RE: Shadovarn's Bad DMing - SHQ - 08-09-2021
Character: Ilya pyr Docro
Event: Smuggler's Den: Dragon Egg
Responsive: DM was fairly quick to respond, and communicative overall in LOOC. The narrates came promptly and we hardly had to wait for much of anything. My only qualm here is that I think there was a relevant question regarding one of the puzzles that I think he could have answered - but all in all very satisfied in this regard. (9/10)
Balance: Boss fights were fun and challenging. The last one, in particular, was a little hectic but nothing unbearable. The puzzles were also all solvable and challenging, the first and the logic puzzle were very fun to figure out. (That last one though. Absolutely harrowing... nightmare fuel.) Our DM ensured it was something we could solve but admittedly, the last one should have gone somewhere early on rather than at the very end. (7.5/10)
Storytelling: Rather interesting premise and theme, but I wish it was a little more fleshed out! The wizard's tower was cool, and the mystery of who he was was something that was lingering in my mind throughout (Until the mental fatigue kicked in). (7/10)
Fairness: Between the balance, injury table, and punishments for failing parts of puzzles, I believe the event was pretty fair for a HCOD of this level. There was a lot of risk going into it that we were all aware of, and to have walked away with a few perms spread out amongst our party was best-case scenario given how much trouble those puzzles gave us. DM was also good to provide worthwhile tips when he felt something was relatively impossible to solve (thinking of that last puzzle here.) So I think he did what he could to make it difficult but nothing outright insurmountable. (8/10)
Overall: (8)
Comments: It was probably my hardest event yet, but I did have some fun and there was a lot of satisfaction in passing each trial successfully. Definitely made that main reward feel like something priceless when I consider what it took to obtain it! I appreciate Shadow for choosing, of his own volition, to run my event and put together such complex trials. It was overall enjoyable if not equally dreadful. (:
RE: Shadovarn's Bad DMing - TheRamblingRaven - 08-09-2021
Character: Doriya Helenium
Which Event: The Smuggler's Den: Dragon Egg
Responsiveness: (Were their narrations posted within a reasonable time-frame and were they quick to respond?): Narrations came out rather fast and well put together, but there was a delay in answering ooc questions (if they were answered at all.) Narrations 9/10 OOC 4/10
Balance: (How entertaining were the battles, and any obstacles/traps?): It was a good balance of puzzles and combat alongside giving the players an option to choose between the two at times. Most of the puzzles were incredibly fair and balanced. The first one was one of those nail-biting 'oh boy will we get it right' puzzles, the third was a good teamwork logic puzzle, but the second felt a bit overly complicated and left our party stumped for quite a while. It felt like a strange thing to include after hearing the puzzle had been used before and it could not be solved by the prior party. Receiving a perm so quickly from such a puzzle did feel like a bit of overkill due to those circumstances. Battle encounters were well balanced, a good level of challenging and fun where the victory felt like a great success and not easily earned. (7/10)
Storytelling: (Did it feel like an adventure, did the content of the narrations meet your expectations?): The story itself was a very well built one. I was expecting a bit more of a dungeon crawl and was very pleasantly surprised to find a fully fleshed-out abandoned wizard's tower equipped with its own lore and puzzles relating to the expired wizard that owned the tower and its current occupants. The fact we were given the opportunity to explore the area and were rewarded with additional information for all our investigations made it feel all that more interactive and fulfilling. The story progressed as we moved up the tower and unlocked more about the occupants and each narration was exciting and eagerly awaited. (10/10)
Fairness: (Were the punishments justified and earned, was the risk to reward ratio good?): Overall the event was very fair, my only problem being the single puzzle as aforementioned. While the first puzzle gave us a certain amount of chances before an injury and we were able to gauge our chances and preplan, the second puzzle injured us every single time we got a wrong answer and resulted in two perms on a second wrong answer. I wish we were given a certain amount of opportunities before injuries were inflicted as we were with the other puzzles especially when no reward came out of it except moving on in the tower. (8/10)
Overall: Overall I really enjoyed the event, the majority of the puzzles were well balanced and a friendly struggle and the battles were incredibly fun. (8.5/10)
Any other comments: Definitely come to Shadowvarn if you want a DM with a lot of puzzles that really get you thinking. It was a very challenging but worthwhile event. If you bring a medic, remember your medical kits, we didn't!