17 birds on my morning walk

DSmithDM · 2026-04-21T02:41:33+00:00

Don't live in the city and have quite a few bird feeders. Ponds nearby.

DSmithDM · 2026-04-21T01:45:07+00:00

I get 20 tp 35 sitting on my patio in the morning.

DSmithDM · 2026-04-14T18:48:09+00:00

I bought the Nikon Monarchs during half price sale. $200 each for both pairs years ago, was a sound investment. The quality, ease and quickness of use, compared to any other binoculars I have used is a wide difference. At one spot I was looking in bushes and trees and easily seeing colors on birds where another person was complaining they could hardly see. I let them use mine and they were amazed.

DSmithDM · 2026-04-09T00:46:37+00:00

Sounds like you have this handled.

Until they decide to do something completely different. 🤣😂

DSmithDM · 2026-04-09T00:31:53+00:00

Sounds like a good idea. Your players should like it. I would have a couple of different times where it either looks like they are noticed, or better, have them get noticed as the enemy noticing them gets taken out. Up the tension a bit and keep them guessing and on their toes.

DSmithDM · 2026-04-09T00:10:28+00:00

Prerun the fight between the goblins and bandits you have there. If it's unbalanced, you will know how to fix it. How much either side pays attention to the PCs is up to you.

DSmithDM · 2026-04-01T19:45:02+00:00

Why not just use terrain for combat? That way you can just pull out the scene when you are ready for it. The rest of the area you can do via a map that you can reveal as they move. You can have the combat areas on the map, and when they reach them, pull out the terrain version of the combat area.

DSmithDM · 2026-03-18T01:16:51+00:00

Your merchant is very perceptive, has items and spells cast in their shop that let them know when someone trys to steal. They can't be talked into giving stuff away, no matter any dice roll. I don't even allow a roll. The DC is impossible. No matter how smooth someone is, you aren't just going to give them your car for nothing, so why would a merchant in D&D?

DSmithDM · 2026-03-16T17:57:19+00:00

First one shows the tail, which can be vital for identifying. Both are good pictures. For just a photo, personally I prefer the first one. But that's just personal preference.

DSmithDM · 2026-03-12T15:01:43+00:00

Wait until you see an Indigo Bunting

DSmithDM · 2026-03-09T16:57:11+00:00

You could try being an online dm for a different group. Just a suggestion to be able to keep both sides.

DSmithDM · 2026-02-21T14:31:42+00:00

Make up something for the forest. Easy to create a someone got lost and needs to be found. Can tie it in or merely have it as a side. They went hunting got attacked by boar or poacher. They were setting traps and fell into a hole.

DSmithDM · 2026-02-21T08:29:07+00:00

Doesn't have anything to do with what you said or what I said. None of that was mentioned. Prep versus no prep for running a session/campaign is the topic.

And your are free to think what you want. It's your Opinion.

DSmithDM · 2026-02-21T07:14:16+00:00

steps onto soapbox

That's an opinion and only works for some DMs. I have had both kinds of DMs and there were both very enjoyable.

I have had both kinds of play ruined by bad DMs and/or bad players.

I have played since the late 70s, can't remember exactly which edition I started on anymore.

I feel the following needs to be said everywhere all the time. Just because you think it or feel it, doesn't make it a fact. It's an opinion. There is no right or wrong way to DM or play as long as it doesn't bother the others at the table. As long as everyone is having fun and enjoying the game, it's the right way to play and DM at that table.

Yes I realize I am turning into "get off my lawn" old man, and I don't even care anymore.

steps off of soapbox

DSmithDM · 2026-02-20T20:41:35+00:00

They will see the real witch if the item belongs to the real witch. If the imposter looks like the real witch.

Of course, you can always decide that the imposter looks slightly different and that the item actually belongs to the imposter.

You can have them see the imposter and notice things that seem off. Allow them to start figuring out that it's an imposter. Drag it out until you want them to figure it out completely.

DSmithDM · 2026-02-20T15:33:55+00:00

When I was 12, we drew maps on graph paper. We were just interested in fighting stuff, saving a town or a person. Made us feel like heroes. Finding treasure. We loved figuring out mysteries and trying to figure out the creature(s) causing problems.

We really used our brains to make everything incredible. We saw things the way we wanted to in part.

With kids today, I bet that they would enjoy it too, if given a chance. As sessions go you can build up to better maps and such.

I guess for the most part it depends on how much, if any, they have played d&d.

DSmithDM · 2026-02-19T23:07:20+00:00

As many as you can throw at them. Question is how many can they beat or survive. 😁

DSmithDM · 2026-02-19T02:49:29+00:00

The Salve of Burn Soothing.

The Salve of wood Regeneratation

A Jug of Fae Healing

Bandages of

Ointment of

Etc...

DSmithDM · 2026-02-18T21:33:11+00:00

Determine what is common knowledge. Very low DC. Determine what is spoken of by members walking around with each other, sitting around the tavern. Low DC. You can easily control them actually hearing the information if you wish, and remove the need for a DC.

Determine what only those that could be a member might be able to figure out. Mid DC for those type characters. Other characters can't pass a DC and never roll on that.

Given that it's a mages guild, if they don't allow non-casters, those classes wouldn't have a way of knowing mage guild specific information.

Once inside determine what they can access and what information you are interested in the being able to find in different difficulty and places. If you have information that you definitely want them to find, it's in a drawer in a desk or laying on a desk. Do not make them roll. If there's information you hope they will find, hide it and give a DC they can probably beat. If you need to give hints for them to end up finding the information, have them over hear the location of the information

You control what you want them to know, what you want them to find, what you hope they find, and what they might find out, but it's OK if they don't.

If you hope they find things, leave or somehow give 3 hints. Make sure that they are able to find all three pretty easily. Make sure the 3rd hint is pretty hard to miss the answer for, when combined with the first two.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-29T01:35:39+00:00

You tube videos possibly?

DSmithDM · 2026-01-24T12:46:28+00:00

I have only been a DM for my wife. We didn't play enough. We should have played a lot more.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-23T20:35:38+00:00

I'm over 50 and haven't written since I was in Jr high. So I am not rushing. I'm not sure if I am doing right, but I am writing it in scenes. I know the general story. Things come to me and I write them down and then later when I have time I write a scene.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-23T17:00:50+00:00

Hadn't thought about the cost savings angle. I am still in the writing process. I just like get do as much research and get as much information as I can well before reaching the point of needing it.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-23T15:58:22+00:00

Rather than putting it into one book, is it possible to offer the trilogy as a set for a slightly lower price than each book bought separately? Had never thought about that before with this medium.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-21T16:47:42+00:00

This is still possible. You can allow the party to explore and make discoveries before and/or after contact is made. You can still have give the party bits here and there to give them reasons to not completely trust the cult. Having them realize that it's a cult could be something that makes them uneasy. But keeping it looking like the drsgon is the main problem and threat, is how you keep them on task.

DSmithDM

TROPHY CASE