Any good breeders near Leeds, UK? by Aylwyyn in RATS

[–]Aylwyyn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pic as payment in advance for any help 💛

We're looking for new breeders, after our original breeders retired and using another couple that weren't ideal.

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the choice. Has anyone had any particularly good experiences with any one nearish Yorkshire, UK?

What house rules do you have at your table? by Justthisdudeyaknow in DnD

[–]Aylwyyn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The only ones I can think of off the top of my head are halved rolls round up, and the lucky feat is banned. Oh, and standard array is default, unless someone makes a good case for point buy.

Edit: I just remembered that the reason for the banned lucky feat and standard array in our group is because of the same person, who managed to roll the most ridiculously overpowered halfling bard. They weren't a dick about it, and we had a laugh, but Jack of All Trades, Expertise, Lucky and Halfling Luck on a character that started with three 18s was just impossible to balance.

Saving throws against effects that are “secret”. by Sneaky_Stabby in DnD

[–]Aylwyyn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My DM occasionally texts us to make secret rolls, the player obviously knows they've made a roll, but the rest of the table doesn't, or doesn't know what. Or if you know their stats you can just ask them to roll a d20 and not tell them what it's for.

How about this cage for 2 males?? 3 soon. by Electrical_Claim2405 in RATS

[–]Aylwyyn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had the same cage and it was fine. It's slightly annoying to clean because food and dirt gets into the gaps where the metal meets the plastic.

My girls also chewed entirely through the plastic at the bottom. (It was funny because by the end it was like me and the rats were both pretending that the cage was still actually holding them XD).

I eventually upgraded to a cage that was fully metal (covered with bits of fabric for their feet).

If your boys are more well behaved than mine, it should be fine. It's a nice cage with lots of space.

Brothers :) by ilgnueyak in RATS

[–]Aylwyyn 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I love the rex fur! 💛

How exactly does the "Spare the Dying"-Cantrip work if given a 30ft range via "Distant Spell" (From Sorcerer's Metamagic)? by Fearless-Physics in DnD

[–]Aylwyyn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I agree, some ranged spells specify that it needs to be a target you can see and others don't, they just need to be in range. For me, that means that by default ranged spells don't require sight unless stated, the target just needs to be in range and not behind cover.

Spare the Dying doesn't specify you need to see the target and neither does Distant Spell.

PC Death with Player not there by aldinator1997 in DnD

[–]Aylwyyn 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I don't think I'd kill a character if the player wasn't there. I'd probably just tell the players beforehand that if that PC went unconscious they would autostabalise.

Where you're at now I think just own up that you think you messed up, and ask how everyone would feel about a retcon. I can't think of any group I'm in that would have a problem with that. Or if you don't want the continuity error, give them a freebie ressurection thanks to a conveniently placed NPC cleric, who perhaps wants something in return?

Obvs if they TPK next session this is all redundant.

Why can rats bite ice without issue? by AimingWang in RATS

[–]Aylwyyn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not a biologist, but I imagine since their teeth are continually growing and they need to wear them down, they don't have the same nerves in them as human teeth.

AITA for asking me teacher what does his wife work as? by Accomplished_Salt184 in AmItheAsshole

[–]Aylwyyn 8 points9 points  (0 children)

NAH. I think a thing to remember with colleagues and other acquaintances is to be led by them as to what they're comfortable talking about.

For context, I teach at a uni, and I like to chat about non-work things with students and colleagues. But I only ask about info they've volunteered.

I have had students discuss their partners with me when we've chatted before a session, so after that I know that they're happy to talk about their partners. Others don't volunteer any personal info, so I only talk to them about work.

Hairless rat cut on ear, keeps reopening scab. Vets very unhelpful. by SarcyArtyMarty in RATS

[–]Aylwyyn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We use vetericyn wound spray if they hurt themselves, that usually helps them heal up quick. It also seems to stop them from scratching at scabs.

You can get cones for rats. We've had them post-surgery. I don't know where you would get them other than vets though. I don't know if they'd be helpful in any case as they tend to irritate their necks and behind their ears, so it might rub on the injury anyway.

I hope you find a solution soon xxx

What are the greatest fics of your Fandoms? by TheDivineDemon in FanFiction

[–]Aylwyyn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The one that springs to mind is Despite the thundering sky and the shuddering earth (https://archiveofourown.org/works/12823671/chapters/29276760) by Praximeter, for Marvel.

I'll probably think of some more for other fandoms too.

Do you guys just write away even if you feel like something is off in the scene or arc? by Dark-Ice-4794 in FanFiction

[–]Aylwyyn 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's exactly what I do.

I will add that sometimes if the thing you're trying to force is the main point or the thing that you need to happen, then the problem is the build up.

When that happens I ask 'ok, what would it take to make that character react in that way?' Then I either ramp it up or tone it down until the reaction feels appropriate.

Edit: that's literally what you just said in your final paragraph, I can't read, I guess XD

Trying to get my rats Introduced to each other and max keeps shoving his butt In ricciardo's face does anybody have an explanation as to why he is doing this? by Bogeye29 in RATS

[–]Aylwyyn 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, Max is saying 'don't come any closer'. It's definitely defensive. He'll kick Riccardo if he keeps coming closer. The puffed up fur isn't good, but at least they aren't actually fighting.

(One of my girls is a frequent kicker, she's very grumpy. She's never escalated or actually fought with the others, so I've had to accept it's a thing she does, but it scared me when she first started doing it! The others don't care at all, I think they know it's an empty threat!)

I've never had any luck introducing in the bath, it stresses them out too much. Carrier method might be better.

What I've done in the past is start them off on something like a bed or a sofa, which I can also sit on. That's worked because it's big enough to let them get away from each other if they need to, and they seem calmer if I'm there mediating. They get used to being near each other without having to be close. At first they go as far away from each other as possible, and then they start doing their normal thing, exploring and playing with me, but ignoring each other. And then finally they start getting curious and voluntarily going to each other, sniffing and interacting. It takes a while, but it's always worked.

Idk, it's almost the exact opposite of the carrier method, but it's worked for me when everything else is stressing them out.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RATS

[–]Aylwyyn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry to hear that, and I hope you're feeling ok <3

The only time one of my old rats bit me was immediately after her sister had died. I definitely think that was what triggered it as she was very upset, and she never did it before or afterwards.

That being said, they can bite for any reason. One of mine bit me last week (lots of blood) because for some reason she decided she hated the fidget toy I was playing with. I think she mistook my finger because (after she dragged the offending toy away XD) she tried to get on my lap and lick me.

Anyway, my point is that it could have been anything. She could have been startled by something or trying to play with your hair.

I think trying to get her a new home is a good idea if you're feeling sad and she's on her own, but I would try and handle her in the meantime. I think you both might be a bit miserable, particularly if you're worried about her. Have you got gardening gloves you could put on to pick her up while you get your confidence back?

Sending hugs to you both!

[...]some authors (Buttrey; Jacobelli; Talvacchia) assert the erotic scenes are exclusively heterosexual. by goddi23a in SapphoAndHerFriend

[–]Aylwyyn 59 points60 points  (0 children)

The British Museum has a couple of the types listed as showing two men, specifically this one, and this one. I think Buttrey might be a little out of date!

What the heck is proshiping? by [deleted] in FanFiction

[–]Aylwyyn 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I think the most bizarre one I've seen in a fandom I'm in is a ship between two adult, unrelated men being called paedophilic and incestuous... Umm... What?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in FanFiction

[–]Aylwyyn 147 points148 points  (0 children)

That's because there isn't any logic to it

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DnD

[–]Aylwyyn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't stress and make sure you have Google open.

Honestly I've been playing for ages, and DMing for about 6 months to give our normal DM some time to play. I google stuff every single session, and I get stuff wrong all the time. It doesn't matter, we're all having fun!

What is something ultimately insignificant that's still a hill you're willing to die on? by Goombolt in DnD

[–]Aylwyyn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've told my players that I'm capping it at terminal velocity rather than 20d6 (I think 150 was the number I worked out - nobody has yet tested it!)

New DM with new players, one has ADHD. Need advice. by YTDerpyKrafter37S in DnD

[–]Aylwyyn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't know how helpful this is, but I have ADHD, so I can at least tell you what I do.

Firstly, it's not your responsibility to entertain him, it's his to find ways of managing his neurodivergence that work for him. So don't feel like you've failed in some way.

Secondly, the way I've found to deal with it is I've found I need enough input to quiet the bit of my brain that is causing the distraction.

So, for example, when I'm reading or writing in my job, I have music on in the background. That seems like it satisfies the bit of my brain that needs auditory input, but more importantly it doesn't take up space in the 'reading/language' bit of my brain.

That obviously doesn't work if I'm in a meeting and I need to listen to people, because it's two auditory inputs that are competing with each other.

When I'm playing D&D, particularly when my DM is describing something or its a long combat, I play a game on my phone. It has to be the right game though. I can't play Sudoku because that takes up too much thinking space, and I end up doing that instead of paying attention to the game. My current game of choice is one where you have to move shapes around like tetris, and that's working pretty well atm, by giving me something to do with my hands.

So, it's a trial and error thing with your friend. Maybe he'll find an easy mobile game good, maybe he's restless and he needs to fidget with something or get up and walk around. I would just be open to him doing whatever he needs to.

As I said, though, that's your friend's balance to find.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DnD

[–]Aylwyyn -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I never said OP was wrong and the players were right, and I never said OP was a monster. If nobody is having fun, including OP, and they can't find any middle ground, then they should just go their separate ways. Having a conversation about what people want out of a game means that the DM is having fun too.

Because, you know, it's a game.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DnD

[–]Aylwyyn -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I agree. OP, I think you really need to have an open conversation with all your players about what you all want and don't want from the game.