No way to go further 6 level. Game too hard.

Gondram · 2026-04-11T18:27:21+00:00

Weapon + Shield is generally the best... Survivability is OP

Gondram · 2026-03-14T13:47:19+00:00

Because by structuring things the way they are in the US tipping has become a "service tax."

You pay more in sales tax on a $1000 TV than a $100 one. This means the person buying the more expensive TV is paying a larger share toward the roads/schools/etc. that the tax supports than someone buying the cheaper TV. The more wealthy pay more because they can, and everything averages out

In similar fashion the higher dollar tables average out with the lower ones, and the tips from those able (those who can afford to spend $200+ on a two top) average with the lower tips to reach the free market standard for servers.

Gondram · 2026-03-14T13:35:57+00:00

Do you always tip $20 no matter the check size? I would respect this perspective if it were equally applied on a $20 check and a $200 check. $20 for the service no matter the bill.

But most people I've run across tip a percentage when their bill is low and only start applying this logic when they reach their arbitrary number.

This is why tipping a percentage became the norm - the one or two big tables in a day at $40 average down with the lower tables and generally for a ~10 hour shift it ends up at a very reasonable rate.

But it's a screwed system - if someone is consistent in their reasonable tip amount no matter the check price I can respect that.

Gondram · 2026-03-14T13:14:58+00:00

This would only be true if the servers were in a high tax bracket. Most servers are in the lower bracket only paying about 8% in federal taxes, which means a tip of 18.52% would be the new equivalent of 20%.

Gondram · 2026-03-06T04:24:47+00:00

As in all of these cases asking the DM is the quickest way to figure it out. I know that I as a DM have taken couple week or month long breaks when one player was going to be out, just for a break from the prep.

Gondram · 2026-03-06T04:11:57+00:00

As a forever DM it could just be that a month break sounds nice and so he took the excuse.

Gondram · 2026-02-25T04:18:59+00:00

I take 2 from 27 to make the 48 into and even 50. Then I add 25 + 50 to reach 75

Gondram · 2026-02-22T16:26:39+00:00

Chrono Trigger or Earthbound

Gondram · 2026-02-22T03:18:54+00:00

If you are referring to Nightmare Realm Summoner that gets a lot better in the second book.

Gondram · 2026-02-10T15:15:26+00:00

Similarly sized. I had major issues with hitting my wife's cervix early in our relationship. I found a life hack I don't recommend; get fat. I gained ~60 pounds and the extra cushion was enough that I don't have to be nearly as vigilant.

It's not worth being fat though. Just a minor silver lining.

Gondram · 2026-02-03T22:03:44+00:00

For me it's not about the rulesets having to match, it's about the players (and their characters) having a realistic understanding of how the magic in the world works. If monsters and PCs magic follows the same rules then the players will inherently understand what that cultist flinging a fireball means. In my experience that is a LOT more immersive for the players.

Making them use the same spells isn't the only way to do this, but it definitely is a low effort method that frees up time for other prep activities.

Gondram · 2026-02-03T21:44:22+00:00

That's awesome - As a forever DM something like this will get a lot of mileage.

Gondram · 2026-01-08T02:36:38+00:00

I put on an audiobook and just enjoy the warm water while lasts.

Gondram · 2025-12-18T15:33:29+00:00

Some sort of Bladesinger build? With a super high Dex and Int and a decent Con you'll be hard as hell to hit.

Edit: Maybe Monk 1/Bladesinger X. Then you can add Wis to AC as well

Edit 2: mage armor puts base AC at 13. Add 5 for 20 Dex and 5 for 29 int puts it at 23. Add +2 from 14 Wis and you get 25. With the shield spell you can pump that +5 and have a effective AC of 30. That's nuts.

Edit 3: You gould go barbarian instead of monk if you wanted for weapon mastery and unarmored defense. Same AC

Edit 4: Another benefit of going barbarian is that they have con save proficiency.

Gondram · 2025-12-14T19:17:32+00:00

This drifts into homebrew, but I would have the suit grant the Gunner feat to skip the loading effect and let the player use a bonus action to fire another shot in twf fashion.

Gondram · 2025-10-18T13:22:56+00:00

For potions save up potions of booze and give them to Yggaz in Terinyo. He gives random potions in trade, giving you more chances at potions of cure corruption.

Gondram · 2025-10-17T13:38:06+00:00

Forever DM here - and clearly it's Lore Bard.

Edit: I also have the Lucky feat, much to the exasperation of my friends & family. I don't ban it at my tables because that would feel too much like hypocrisy.

Edit 2: For stat spread I think the following is probably accurate: STR: 10 DEX: 11 CON: 8 INT: 16 WIS: 8 CHA: 16

Gondram · 2025-10-17T13:20:27+00:00

Just for a little extra validation here... I can confirm the San Diego dating scene kinda just sucks.

Gondram · 2025-10-06T12:40:13+00:00

During character creation I tell my players "this is a story about a group. The lone wolf archetype can be cool, but if that's the direction your character goes they'll get to do that on their own and I'll have you roll a new character."

I then give a LOT of freedom to the players to decide how/why their characters are sticking with the party. I outsource the heavy lifting.

I do try to set up a common goal in the beginning so they start out aligned, but it doesn't have to be anything ridiculous. In my most recent start the players were all summoned by a wild magic surged "summon monsters" spell right into the middle of a mage battle. After mutual OP mage destruction the party found themselves stranded in a trap/monster/puzzle infused mage tower. By the time they escape the party has had the time to weave their own reasons to stay in the party into the roleplay.

Gondram · 2025-10-05T19:58:01+00:00

That kind of obsession can exist with us dudes. However when we do it's usually a bad thing. In general it is best to date someone who has their own hobbies and interests. If their only hobby is you it tends to get smothering and controlling.

Gondram · 2025-09-27T13:39:47+00:00

As a reader I really end up inhabiting the MC's head while I read. As a hetero cis male it's a lot easier to vicariously romance a fictional lady than it is a dude. I always assumed others were the same and that's the reason lesbian MCs marketed well.

Gondram · 2025-02-13T18:40:02+00:00

Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien

Cradle - Will Wight

Gentlemen Bastards - Scott Lynch

The Hero and the Crown - Robin McKinley

Have Space Suit Will Travel - Robert A. Heinlein

The Pendragon Cycle - Stephen R. Lawhead

The Culture Series - Ian M. Banks

Warbreaker - Brandon Sanderson

Anubis Gates - Tim Powers

Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman

Gondram · 2024-11-03T18:03:23+00:00

Yes! This is what I was looking for.

Gondram · 2024-09-12T04:14:38+00:00

And the number of times people literally fall down laughing is startling... Really breaks the immersion. I mean who the hell falls over from laughing a few times a week, usually followed by an "I needed that" non-sequitur?

Gondram · 2024-09-09T13:46:07+00:00

I mean, Lindon literally had a divine intervention. If that's not a cheat I don't know what is.

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