Flavor First- Chulane the Dungeon Master

[FenrirRex]

One of my ongoing projects is approaching various, typically popular, commanders from a flavor perspective and building top down.

Now, look at Chulane, Teller of Tales and tell me that he doesn't look like he's about to run some people through the most ridiculous Dungeons and Dragons session they'll ever experience.

I need your help here, however, as are less your typical DM colors- you see more terrible traps and plane-threatening monstrosities in . The deck, ideally, is interactive, runs fairly innocuous punisher mechanics (Comeuppance, for example), and otherwise simulates the experience of being a "good guy" Dungeon Master (I.E. not trying to stax out or combo the "players" at the table and make them miserable).

In true D&D fashion, we also want the wincons to be cool, splashy cards that a traditional adventuring party might overcome. Sandwurm Convergence is the first card that sprang to mind, as this is the kind of big dumb threat that presents itself as a one-card win condition with some controlling elements.

What cards do you think should be in this Dungeon Master's arsenal?

Brainstorming:

SPOILER

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Quest Givers:
Edric, Spymaster of Trest
Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer

Flavorful Win-Conditions:
Sandwurm Convergence
Felidar Sovereign
Blue Sun's Zenith
Forced Fruition
Avenger of Zendikar
Luminarch Ascension
Expropriate
Approach of the Second Sun
Mindslaver

Exploring the Realm:
Rites of Flourishing
Tempt With Discovery
Collective Voyage
Pendant of Prosperity
Veteran Explorer
Selvala, Explorer Returned
Explore
Urban Evolution

The DM (Or His Minions) Said "No":
Swan Song
Arcane Denial
Frilled Mystic
Mystic Snake

Dungeon Master's Pantheon:
Ephara, God of the Polis
God-Eternal Oketra
Karametra, God of Harvests
Kefnet the Mindful

Don't Go Against the DM:
Comeuppance
Angel of the Dire Hour
Selfless Squire
Entrapment Maneuver
Swords to Plowshares
Path to Exile
Winds of Abandon
Oblation
Generous Gift
Beast Within
Karmic Justice
Martyr's Bond

Railroading:
Privileged Position
Ghostly Prison
Propaganda
Collective Restraint
Sphere of Safety
Crawlspace

Dungeon Hazards:
Arrow Volley Trap
Baloth Cage Trap
Mindbreak Trap
Pitfall Trap
Slingbow Trap
Summoning Trap
Whiplash Trap
Trapmaker's Snare

Classic Curses:
Curse of Bounty
Curse of Echoes
Curse of Exhaustion
Curse of Inertia
Curse of Verbosity
Fraying Sanity
Overwhelming Splendor

[kirkusjones]

I built something along these lines with Angus Mackenzie a couple of years ago. Lots of group hug, Aluren and a few counterspells to intervene if someone was trying to combo off too early. It was fun when it worked, but could be super boring when it didn't.

Choosing cards that walk the line between "encourage the pod to play as a team to solve a problem" and making you the archenemy is tough.

[FenrirRex]

I built something along these lines with Angus Mackenzie a couple of years ago. Lots of group hug, Aluren and a few counterspells to intervene if someone was trying to combo off too early. It was fun when it worked, but could be super boring when it didn't.

Choosing cards that walk the line between "encourage the pod to play as a team to solve a problem" and making you the archenemy is tough.

Such is definitely the primary concern- and it's even rougher when building flavor first. A card like Doomed Artisan tells a spectacular story, featuring the kind of NPC that a DM would be happy to have in their campaign, but let's be real... the card is bad. Slightly less bad since Chulane can reliably bounce him around to activate the statues on demand, but still not great if we're going all-in on the "experience."

[ilovesaprolings]

What would be ok for you?
Punisher cards are ok?
Counterspells?
"Kingmaker" cards?
I think that Doomed Artisan is a fair card, no too strong not too weak.

From a gameplay viewpoint, you can try to play something similar to Dirkgently Pheldagryff, where you influence the table with politics

[FenrirRex]

I'm open to anything that isn't staxy or early (or easy) combo, otherwise literally the only thing that matters is that sweet, sweet flavor. Bonus points if the cards synergize directly with the commander.

Punisher is fine, though they ideally need to be interactive or political in nature. Comeuppance or Angel of the Dire Hour can be played around and reward the smarter player while punishing the one that's trying to go against the threats that the DM is putting on the table. (Again, bonus that the Angel is a fun option to bounce back with Chulane).

Counterspells are great and even recommended, the question then just becomes flavor. Swan Song and Arcane Denial say "no" firmly while still playing politics, and Frilled Mystic is conceivably an NPC or Villain that the DM would throw around. Harder to justify a basic Counterspell, no real flavor there.

I'm ambiguous on kingmaker leaning slightly negative- the deck does still ultimately want to win.

I am familiar with Dirk's content on ye olde Salvation forums, and you're not far off.

[ilovesaprolings]

Harder to justify a basic Counterspell, no real flavor there.

"Hey DM, can i play as celestial kensei caterpillar?"
"No"
XD

What do you think about cards like collective voyage or tempt with discovery?

[FenrirRex]

I'm cool with them, especially if the deck can theoretically take greater advantage of the extra resources while playing politics. Helps with those big, dumb on-flavor finishers.

[FenrirRex]

Added some brainstorming to the OP, but I definitely feel like I'm missing more than a few toys that fit the theme.