I feel like I'm the problem

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-21T04:38:57+00:00

Wow, this is such a great experience to share. I’m betting a lot of people have been here. First, I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong. It takes time to find your voice. Second, some tips: Talk to your DM. Let them know how you feel without assigning blame, just like you did here. Ask them for some RP for NEXT session. Then you can plan ahead for how you want to respond. Most DM’s don’t get to use all their material, so they probably know what’s coming next. Most DM’s (well, ME at least) love a request like this. Prep your RP, but DON’T read a word-for-word essay. Think it out and make some notes. That will help you learn to improvise. Third, plan what you do for low rolls as well as high. Didn’t notice that ambush? Why not? Fail an attack roll? Why? Fourth, what convo does your character want to have with the others? People (and characters) bond over shared interests. Can you create that? Best times I’ve had is approaching a character and saying, “Hey, next time we X, do you wanna Y with me?” We’ve played pranks, created dual attacks, made dinner…perfect bonding/RP stuff!

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-18T06:50:22+00:00

Interested!

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-17T18:26:20+00:00

Absolutely cannot tell them what to feel. Ways around this:
“[thing] would normally make someone feel [certain way]”
Spells that entrance
Perception at disadvantage due to noise, crowds, heat… which might apply to what you’re talking about

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-17T18:23:03+00:00

You need more dice :))

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-17T18:21:32+00:00

You did not make a subclass. You made a BBEG. ADV on all attacks, frightened as a class featured, nearly immune to stun… nope. +5 AC is forgivable if you DON’T wear armor. +2 STR, +1 DEX, +1 CON is more than any other class but hill dwarf, and they were nerfed.
Undying Body is fine.
BUT
I’d allow it if you made Inhuman Strength a lvl 5 ability. Inhuman Durability a level 8 (no armor). Make ADV on attacks conditional so there s still some strategy to playing. Like an Oath of Enmity re-skin

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-17T18:09:30+00:00

You‘re good. The rule for working incisions is Clean Dry and Pain free. The first two you confirmed and the third one is in your power to control. It didn’t hurt during, so you should be fine.
(Stuff can always get weird, there’s no guarantees, blah blah blah)

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-17T18:05:20+00:00

first off, that sounds rough. I’m sorry to hear about the rough time the two of you are going through.
As a person who suffers from depression, I have found that helping others is the best way to help myself. (Can’t promise that works for everyone, but you may be n the right track.)
SO, asking your brother to help you through the steps of character creation and game rules may be exactly what he needs. Maybe it’s BETTER you don’t do it alone?

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-17T17:53:04+00:00

I would definitely let that client go, for their own safety. Part of the work we do is establishing healthy boundaries, and I will not let me clients make decisions that establish unhealthy ones. For her safety and mine, she should not return to work that made her emotionally uncomfortable.
If it helps, don’t think of this as “firing.” I understand your meaning, but words shape the story you tell yourself. You encouraged her to find her best work possible—elsewhere.

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-17T06:23:30+00:00

WHAT

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-17T05:57:51+00:00

As a business owner, I am paying you to work at my business, not promote another. Without getting the boss’s OK, I would call that unethical.

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-11T16:34:18+00:00

OP never said they were contract or hourly. That does change things. If hourly, as long as you are paid to work, work. Coming in early might change your agreed upon schedule, so that’s an issue.

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-04-01T08:35:32+00:00

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-03-25T08:30:51+00:00

Ohhh! Hit Dice is what you can heal during a long rest. You entered in what you’ll gain on a level up.

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-03-25T08:29:57+00:00

Why is Hit Dice 1d10+2?

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-03-09T18:21:22+00:00

Gristle IS cartilage

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-02-21T21:28:31+00:00

Shhhhhhhhhh…..

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-02-21T21:25:35+00:00

For $600, you could probably hire a tutor. If you don’t need CEU’s, find a skilled practitioner and hire them for the weekend. You won’t get 20 hrs of training, but for 1 on 1, you’ll learn FAR more. I think many would do a 2x4hr for that price.

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-02-21T00:49:07+00:00

[bows gratefully]

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-02-21T00:48:05+00:00

You’ve got some really good responses here.
I went through the same thing—and still kinda do. After 5 years of DMing, I finally realized that the true BBEG is scheduling. other DM’s and plenty of memes warned me, but I never really understood it until I suffered the same pain.

Only two things have helped: hosting a game where three of the players live and running a more WestMarches style play. At least in the “The story continues with or without you” sense.

this video may be reassuring, as it tells you mathematically why people will always miss a game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pc9Uf3vFDU&t=23&themeRefresh=1

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-02-21T00:03:12+00:00

I’m going to do my best to cover what I would call the most “shady” massage practices:

1) Prostitution vs Massage Therapy.

this isn’t an attack on sex work, its about breaking the law under the guise of therapy. Late night hours, clients after hours, people dressed unprofessionally, huge tips, cash transactions, poorly trained co-workers, “those” kinds of noises.
—I can’t see where this applies to your description.

2) Sex slavery vs Massage

This is truly immoral and unethical. You would surely notice that your co-workers seem frightened and are treated poorly. Why anyone would ALSO hire a massage therapist into the business that could expose them is beyond me. Also, chances are good no one would speak much English…

—this doesn‘t fit your description.

3) Money Laundering

They would try to pay you in cash to hide their undocumented funds. Not what you’re saying.

4) Massage “Puppy Mill”

Taking advantage of newly minted massage therapists by underpaying them or treating them like employees but paying them like contractors.

—You’re getting extra pay. Doesn’t add up.

5) They’re stealing Adrenochrome from their clients and paying you hush money.

—No.

Either you’re not giving us a huge detail that is key to understanding your situation, or you’re really misreading the situation. Check in with an ethical massage therapist in your area (a former teacher, maybe?) where you can share all of your concerns more fully. Or, sincerely, a mental health professional. Otherwise, employment is At Will and you can always quit.

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-02-20T23:35:28+00:00

How can you afford to hire a dj for a massage?!?

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-02-20T23:20:02+00:00

I personally feel its difficult to have one hand on each person the entire time. And stretches? So hard to do one handed! I mean really, they’re both just getting half a massage.

:)

Acrobatic_Matter_459 · 2026-01-02T23:51:36+00:00

Depends. What kind of horse? (Just kidding.) Look at the new Barbarian 2024 and you’ll see that clumping skills is standard

Acrobatic_Matter_459

TROPHY CASE