u/MechaChester

I'm running Curse of Strahd, and the party has just arrived in Vallaki.

There's a lot going on there. So much in fact that I feel a bit overwhelmed as the DM. I already decided to leave Tyger Tyger out of it.

And now I'm thinking about the same thing regarding the Izek / Ireena connection. It just feels like something extra, and I'm wondering if anyone else left it out. Or in.

We don't stop mining just because there's something shiny and new over there. I'm still going to mine. Still need to do the weekly priority assignments.

Can I get a rock and stone?

Good evening.

I'm a few sessions in; the party just completed Death House. I'm using the base module, some elements from MandyMod, some from Dragna Carta, some I've seen here, and some on my own.

There are two events that happened already, and that might have some major consequences down the road. Wondering how people might handle this:

1. The party met Arrigal already. Long story short: most of the party already met Madam Ava and Arrabelle in the "real world" as part of their introductory adventures. Our Goblin couldn't join right away, so when the rest of the party got to Barovia, they found the Goblin tied up in the back of Arrigal's wagon, en route to Ravenloft as a gift for Strahd. The Cleric used his influence and prior relationship with Ava/Arabelle to confince Arrigal to free the Goblin. In return, Arrigal had the Cleric swear an oath to return the favor some day. (It's a variation on a Geas spell.) So . . . I think that he'll likely ask them to bring Ireena to dinner with them at Ravenloft when the time comes. Or something else?
2. That orb held by the statue of Strahd in Death House . . . someone somewhere recommended that it's a direct line to Strahd, and they party will feel it if they touch it. Well, wouldn't you know, our Artificer decided to Mage Hand the thing and put it in a bag of holding. They have no idea what it is. They may never find out. Strahd can see everythign. How does this impact early game?

I have a few ideas, but I wanted to get this community's feedback. #2 is your typical "party did a thing that DM didn't plan for."