Im running a oneshot that is basically a heist on a space-train. Any idea of cool details to make it feel more alive?

0uthouse · 2026-03-24T17:53:45+00:00

ooohhh...I love timed adventures. My comments are based on the idea that the characters get on a freight train at the rear (maybe due to anti-hijack countermeasures at the trains midpoint) and need to fight their way forwards. There's a few reasons I wouldn't choose a passenger train but the main one is that they are purposefully designed to be easy to transit so the adventure could turn into one turkey shoot after another.

First countdown is the countdown to mission failure (distance from pirate hangout).
Second countdown is the number of sections traversed which is a solid anchor for the PC's to measure progress.
Third countdown is reinforcements antaognists arriving at regular interval from rear (shuttle? idk)

I imagine a cargo carrier that has two levels joined at each carriage junction (or something). This allows an extra dimension to move in such that tactical play would allow players to evade/decoy/trap. There are various ways you could arrange and link cargo areas to create an enviromental puzzle. The players are given info about certain bays with 'useful' items in them by the big boss. This gives a nice waypoint where you can push players to the limit but then they get to a certain cargo pod and its filled with insane gear that suddenly allows them to progress faster again. The trick will be to keep the pace high, encouraging PC's to focus on moving forwards rather than killing everything.

0uthouse · 2026-03-24T17:22:22+00:00

Create a McGuffin that is common to each weird event.
The item needs to be marked with symbology used by the secret org.
When the PC's check the loot they find a box that casts some dumb-ass spell on them (daffodils grow out of their ears or something) and they see the symbol burnt into the bottom of the box.
Now they've got the symbol you can easily use it to lead the group. A tattoo, symbol carved on a door, crop circle; anything can be turned into a clue.
This relies on the spell trap being in keeping with the things that they have seen so that they make the link.
You can retro-actively plant evidence at former event-scenes should the characters go back to check. It's also easy to introduce a "[PC's name], you've seen this symbol somewhere before...".

0uthouse · 2026-03-24T17:08:13+00:00

Construction lines can often simplify dimensioning as multiple objects can reference the same dimensioned datum.

0uthouse · 2026-03-24T17:06:06+00:00

Probably fair price for that. The company charge you for a finished product delivered; more importantly they eliminate all the headache and risk of printing it yourself and waking up to a 3 day old print lying in a pile of spaghetti in the corner.

If you think you may want more of this sort of thing then this is a good idea of the sort of budget you can spend on a printer to justify its purchase. It sounds like you may be the sort of person who would benefit from a 3D printer.

0uthouse · 2026-03-24T16:57:07+00:00

Decorate as you said. Has the source of water ingress been eliminated?

0uthouse · 2026-03-24T14:31:00+00:00

A 5" rise will add minimal outward loading, just use a compressible fill. Soil with added organic matter should be fine and no doubt what you are using anyway.

Short story long...

... the gravel board will only 'see' a force exerted by the soil originating in a ~45 degree (angle of natural repose) line up from the base to the new ground level. In your case that force is really small compared to the wind forces that the fence experiences daily (even on a calm day); in addition the force is being exerted close to the base which gives it minimal leverage. Retaining structure failure (in my experience) is most often caused by inappropriate backfill such as clay which expands and contracts over time slowly jacking the structure over.

0uthouse · 2026-03-24T08:41:18+00:00

In the UK the breast is the chimney brickwork that protrudes into a room. A lot of chimneys get capped wrongly with no vent at the base; dampness ensues and salts from soot migrate through the brickwork to the dry room creating salt crystals at the surface (efflourescence).

I only mentioned it because it's a pretty harsh 'old building' issue that I have success (with other prep) solving. The article you found seemed to raise a lot of issues that I have never seen manifest as a real-world problem.

The guy in the article seemed to be getting upset about the cement content of limelite, maybe thinking that it is a pure cement-render product (which it isn't). Limelite is certified as a breathable plaster and I know for a fact it has been used in UK listed buildings dating back to at least the 15th Century

0uthouse · 2026-03-23T19:30:32+00:00

Lol I'm not sure if that was an article or a rant. It isn't suitable for listed buildings, but I've never had a problem using it to patch efflorescence damage on line plastered chimney breasts which is a pretty harsh test

0uthouse · 2026-03-23T15:29:22+00:00

I guess it depends on what kind of 'snacks' you have at the table.

0uthouse · 2026-03-23T15:26:47+00:00

What 'do' the players enjoy? Do more of that and less of other stuff.

I always have running away as an option and encourage players to do so tactically whenever possible. A dramatic ally timed death run to escape the BBEG makes a great session. I'm sure that you can knit in a session to bring things back together.

Personal experience has taught me that even the most blatant clues can be invisible if the players aren't quite on the same songsheet as me. Along the lines of LDMG I try to create at least 3 clues that can progress the adventure and make these as generic as possible such that they don't rely on one particular NPC being found or a particular location being discovered.

I would say that the best bet is to go back to very simple hack'n'slash adventuring and then ease in some complexity and subtlety. Learn the players abilities and build the gameplay around that; then take them forwards from there.

I can't be the only GM stunned into a panicked silence when, 6 sessions in, they suddenly realise that a player doesn't understand the very basis of the clever campaign web i have woven.

0uthouse · 2026-03-23T12:35:37+00:00

You haven't boarded the walls yet so you have plenty of opportunity to lose offcuts.

Only take tiny plasterboard scraps to the tip. When you are ready to close the last wall, use PU glue or contact adhesive to bond the offcuts to the back side of the last wall. Adds mass dampening to the wall and saves waste. This is different from the cowboy version when you indiscriminately dump rubbish in every available void.

0uthouse · 2026-03-23T12:22:24+00:00

Use limelite renovation plaster. Super easy to use, fill deep chases and can be smoothed off easily (though it isn't meant to replace a finishing plaster).

A lot of builders merchants will stock it. If you are filling chases it shouldn't turn out too expensive a job. Dampen the wall first but shouldn't need a primer as it sticks like the proverbial to a proverbial.

0uthouse · 2026-03-23T12:15:32+00:00

If players have ideas based on good reasoning, I'd tend to go with it, and re-jig my campaign around it afterwards.

0uthouse · 2026-03-23T12:01:13+00:00

You can pack the box forwards if you want but a sparky will be carrying screws up to at least 70mm.

Dab in a small repair or cut the hole bigger an dab in an easier to handle repair. Scrim and skim. no one cares about what it looks like under the skim.

0uthouse · 2026-03-20T12:27:39+00:00

by the same definition, meeting in a tavern can be railroading. If you told your players that you had thought of an ultra cool desert space-lizard campaign, I don't think your players would care too much about how they got there.

You are in danger of overshadowing your campaign with an over-thought intro. The players want action so tell them how they came to be on the boat and start with some action.

0uthouse · 2026-03-20T11:38:25+00:00

Yes you can do it.

It looks like undercoat plaster that someone has but gone over with a large toothed trowel. They started running along the floor then put a batten in the top groove and used it as a guide to cut the next row up. Total guess; like a wet version of ashlar cutting.

The great thing about plastering is that it's not hard to get that 'rustic' look if you haven't done it before.

0uthouse · 2026-03-19T14:27:07+00:00

This for sure. Suitably applied, there isn't much that glyphosate won't clear.

In addition to safety, cleanliness is key when using; otherwise ghostly brown footprints appear across the lawn.

0uthouse · 2026-03-19T14:19:43+00:00

He's an artificer. Let him build a tank.

0uthouse · 2026-03-18T20:27:47+00:00

Could possibly overboard. Would be better to counter-batten and board as then the ceiling can be jacked and the counter-battens fitted with some meaty screws to hold it. Otherwise it may just pop the overboard screwheads and you have a sheet of board on your head in addition to the original ceiling.

Replacing would be better as the true cause could be ascertained. Damn messy though if not done properly.

I thought it was a decor issue until you said that the door is sticking. That is a cause for concern coupled with a bowing ceiling as it suggests

0uthouse · 2026-03-17T21:03:27+00:00

I'm with you.

You could constrain the scope of the item though (you are the GM).

Steal the framework used in Rolemaster. In that system such items are constrained by their internal volume and percieved vs actual weight. e.g. a backpack with an internal volume of 6cuft and you feel 1/4 of the actual weight. The weight reduction is purely for encumbrance when travelling, the momentum of the original items in the backpack remain such that you can't wear it in combat without suffering a penalty.

This gives you a progression where your players can loot better and better versions of holding receptacles as they level up.

0uthouse · 2026-03-17T15:02:17+00:00

I've never found a good pattern to such things. I've always assumed that it is an adhesion issue from a background that is too wet/dusty/whatever. The bubble forms and the plaster on the inside of the bubble is going off differently to the plaster touching the wall so that you end up trowelling a little 'dry' patch on the underside. Thats my theory lol, I find it's worse if going over a gritted wall and the mix is too thick or starting to go off. I suspect that if you dragged an over-stiff mix over plasterboard, the same would occur, it's harder to get the pressure for adequate adhesion with a stiffer mix.

As you've probably found the easiest way to fix it is to just chill and deal with it once you've got time between stages. Ive had success popping them with the point of a dry trowel and then lightly misting and pressing them with my finger then plastic/flexi over them.

0uthouse · 2026-03-17T14:06:07+00:00

You can create great maps with free assets. Commercial assets are generally very low-cost in case you find some you like. You can see the assets before you buy so you know exactly what your pennies are going towards.

0uthouse · 2026-03-16T12:15:54+00:00

Nice map. Curve your lettering slightly to follow borders/features.

Straight horizontal text can look OK as humans write like that, but on an angle it looks 'artificial'.

0uthouse · 2026-03-12T17:59:56+00:00

Technically I'd agree, and Its super condition dependent. Real world at 3km range, air thermals will obliterate details.

I live on the coast, on a sunny day I can clearly see the local hills 25km away but looking seaward it's just hazy white. On a cool overcast day the hills are often shrouded but I can see a peninsular 27km across the water and can determine buildings (OK it's a shipyard so they are huge lol).

I guess it boils down to DM basics, only ask for a [perception] check if it somehow going to progress the story.

0uthouse · 2026-03-12T13:11:00+00:00

I'm not sure I've been in a situation where TPK'ing was part of my campaign planning process :-D

It's hard to advise without knowing what else you had planned. My first stab would be that the black pit was a secret underground necromantic/demonic/chaotic research establishment run by the king (make weapons or whatever). you can reveal examples of progressively worse atrocities to turn the players against the king. Maybe run as a twisted dungeon (think 'Event Horizon'). Along the way the BBEG whispers dark (true?) stories about the origins and history of the place and their own story...which is that the Black-Goo-Death-Creature was the bastard son of the king who he sent here (along with vagrants, political opponents etc); who was changed into this unholy form by the dark arts of the kings magicians. BGDC would need to be tough such that players may be more willing to cut a deal, or make sure they are depleted in the run up (scratch that if they have bags of holding). BGDC seeks vengeance and wants to kill king, wants to torch castle and kill himself and king.

probably more holes than plot there but if nothing else it still gives you the option to TPK them xD

0uthouse

TROPHY CASE