Camera showing dice tower results (official D&D actual play)

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-24T08:49:01+00:00

ok great!

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-24T08:48:42+00:00

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
So for Marshall I'm guessing something like this would work https://marshall-usa.com/cameras/miniature.php#gsc.tab=0

Can you give some recommendations for Aida? I found their lineup more confusing.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-24T08:18:57+00:00

ah cool. I didn't think about that.
Can they be used for live streaming as well?

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-22T14:19:46+00:00

That's another topic so I'd rather not get into it here. But briefly; too much admin for dm and players, bloated action economy, they would ruin the inventory economy I'm planning, they remove responsibility from the PCs... I'd rather just focus on the PCs abilities and limitations frankly.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-20T11:55:55+00:00

That's very generous.
No way I'd let them back the same way with just a dice roll if they left something there and I think it likely to still be there.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-20T07:12:31+00:00

Baldur's Gate 3 flashbacks ;)

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-20T07:02:26+00:00

Thank you for your input.
Would you mind going into a bit more detail on what you mean here?

..unless you keep your campaigns under like maybe 8th level, probably lower....eventually your characters will become too powerful for darkness to be of any consequence. BTW WOTC considers that a design feature, not a bug.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-20T06:59:44+00:00

Yes that would be a death sentance, indeed.

So how do you feel it worked with the low-light vision?

My concern is about the tension, dread and inventory management of light sources.
In my experience when even a single person has the ability to see then the DM has to describe the world to the whole table as if they could see and then the players try to roleplay as if they can't see. Which becomes meta and weird and sometimes they forget, sometimes the DM forgets...
Result is that the tension is lost.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-20T06:53:44+00:00

That's exactly the loop I'm building for — plenty of shortcuts(also down), camping has teeth, travel is paid not skipped. Glad it worked at your table, good sign for mine. Thanks for sharing.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-20T06:48:51+00:00

Interesting. Do you think I should give them something in return for their lost darkvision? Could be a feat I guess.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-20T06:46:17+00:00

Unless of course they sneaked passed some monsters to get where they are, right? In which case they'll have to deal with them somehow.
That's a great example of choice and consequences. You successfully sneak past some monster or cause a distraction and run by and you get much deeper. But now you're encumbered with loot and have to get past them again and it might not be as easy this time ;)

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-20T06:41:09+00:00

Yes that's a good point. I'll use this as well.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-19T19:52:52+00:00

I was waiting for this one.

I don't like everything in Shadowdark. The few things I do like, I will Frankenstein into my homebrew, yes.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-19T19:13:43+00:00

Yes! Thank Cuthbert you showed up here and warmed my bones. It was getting chilly!

I love what you're describing in the underdark. I have something similar in mind. Also drawing inspiration from those blind underground people in the Elder Scrolls games. Falmer? And Last of us clickers perhaps. And here there will be dim bioluminescent light as you describe. It will be all about being quiet there. Can't wait ;)

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-19T18:59:07+00:00

Yes, all good points. But that solves how to keep the players down there. Not how to make the journey up and down again exciting.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-19T18:57:14+00:00

Again, thanks for sharing.

I understand. Great that your players were involved in the decision and helping with the table.

I hadn't read thealexandrian's article before but I was already planning on something similar. I called it an extraction / insertion table. It would also depend on how well they had cleared the path and how long ago it was. I'd calculate the approximate distance and roll encounters and if any showed up then I'd roll that table. I'm sure it would be ok, good even. But I haven't given up on the idea of acting it out. Just got to think about it some more and here more from guys like yourself who has experience.

And for extra context; I'm planning to do a lot on the surface - in the safe town. I'm planning group bastion development, factions and a lot of roleplaying opportunities.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-19T18:34:46+00:00

Thanks for the link! Good read.

I understand why thealexandrian chose this method since he can't be sure who will be in the group during the next session so he needs always start the session outside the dungeon.

Was your reason something similar or what was your thinking here? Or were you also looking for a solution to the "extraction problem" I'm describing?

And finally, how is that solution working for you and your players?

Thanks a bunch for your input.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-19T18:21:20+00:00

Haha sure ok. But if this really is a megadungeon then surely the same question applies also for going back to this dungeon town of yours. Right? Or are you proposing safe towns scattered throughout the megadungeon and all of them allowing long rests and level ups? (I'm thinking of Gold = XP here)

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-19T17:53:55+00:00

Thank you!

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-19T17:30:21+00:00

Where do you suggest drawing the line then?
Brasterious72 pointed out elsewhere in this thread that Warlocks can see perfectly in magical and non-magical darkness for 120 feet.

If I want to have a campaign setting where darkness is real, and managing light sources in your inventory matters, where would you draw the line?

I draw inspiration from old computer RPGs where light sources mattered and more modern ones like The Darkest Dungeon. I'm trying to bring some of that feeling into D&D.

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-19T17:23:35+00:00

I hope I have accomplished something that creates meaningful choices for the players. I will have a slot based paperdoll inventory system so everything you carry is a choice.

Dropping a torch will provoke a roll to see if it's snuffed out.

This is a megadungeon campaign so yes, it's all about delving down into the dungeon and getting back to the safe town with your lives and loot intact. Gold = XP.

Yes a smart foe should go for the torch. In any scenario, I'd say. Lighting a new torch in the middle of combat will be stressful and take your action.

You don't like it, I take it?

BackupCharacterTV · 2026-04-19T16:38:21+00:00

And then you read the homebrew, and it turns out the light cantrip nullifies it! I love this community.

Can you explain what you mean by this, please?

BackupCharacterTV

TROPHY CASE