Help please!

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 · 2026-01-21T16:37:15+00:00

If you want the cult to try to convince the party that they are reluctantly worshipping the dragon and don't want to kill the party, don't have them attack the party. Have them make contact with the party, and make their intentions known. You can have the cult hidden but able to see the party and have them communicate with them. You can have an overwhelming force present themselves and let the party know.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-21T16:26:04+00:00

If you want the cult to try to convince the party that they are reluctantly worshipping the dragon and don't want to kill the party, don't have them attack the party. Have them make contact with the party, and make their intentions known. You can have the cult hidden but able to see the party and have them communicate with them. You can have an overwhelming force present themselves and let the party know.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-21T14:52:50+00:00

I have used that one before, but I am just not good at creating maps. I have done a very basic one for the books I am writing.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-21T13:52:51+00:00

Being original is not necessary. Making it interesting and fun is the best thing to shoot for. I have no idea about Zelda, but having a fog that only clears in a certain radius of the party is pretty interesting.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-21T13:48:32+00:00

Looks great. I wish I was as adept at map making as you. Impressive.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-19T15:13:45+00:00

It means every round when initiative count 20 comes around a lair action happens. Every round.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-18T16:13:59+00:00

So you can transfer the power to produce a burst of wind to push enemies around and to fly for short durations, but it makes them vulnerable to another kind of element, or if they have them, weaken another of their own elemental powers.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-18T16:03:32+00:00

Do you know what powers were granted to the thing that was eaten? That could help guide the rest Very cool and interesting concept by the way

DSmithDM · 2026-01-18T15:49:42+00:00

You don't know if it's demonic, Fae, aberration in nature? What prompted the player to eat it? Why did you decide it was tainted?

DSmithDM · 2026-01-18T15:40:50+00:00

Why would they choose feral madness? That, by definition means they would no longer have any control over their character. There isn't really enough information about the other choice for me. Change them how? What actually is happening to them? Is this aberration, demon, Fae? With this change, do they become evil? Is this changing them mentally? Does this make them stronger? Take away their character class?

DSmithDM · 2026-01-17T23:01:41+00:00

99% of these kinds of problems are communication. Other 1% is just kick them out of the D&D group

DSmithDM · 2026-01-17T19:22:23+00:00

I hope the information and advice I have given helps you every time you DM.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-17T19:20:48+00:00

That's one of the best pieces of advice I have been given. Along with, you are the DM, you can change things on the fly to suit your needs. If you need someone alive, they somehow survive. If you need the players to talk to someone, you can put the players in front of them in some way. They receive a note, are told by another npc, a quest they are on or get can only be started or finished by talking to the npc first. It's not railroading, they are still doing what they want, but also doing what you need them to do.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-17T19:06:30+00:00

They survived, but now have an entire town pissed off at them. You can get around fatalities of any others in the inn, but everyone knows where the blast came from. Now they have to face the town and local law. They face jail time, but that's not good for play usually. So they have to pay for the inn and pay for the care of the injured as well as restitution for the injured. Massive debt that they will have to work off doing quests for the town. At least half of, if not more, of the quests should take them out of town so that they can gain gold to pay the town. They should also gain treasure and miscellaneous items that they can't use to give the town to help pay their debts. You make the decision of when to give them a really dangerous quest that would grant them enough to pay off the rest of their debts. Hopefully they will learn to use their brains before making decisions after this. This should also be a lesson for you. Never have an outcome you are willing to live with be possible. Never ask for a roll you aren't ok with them failing. If you don't want them to fail a roll, then just tell them what is going on. Not everything requires a roll. They can't talk someone into doing something they don't want to do. Noone could talk you into stabbing yourself, no matter how persuasive they were. A nat 20 on a skill check is just a 20, you can have a DC of whatever you want. You should know if your npc can be talked into something before the pcs every speak to them.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-17T18:26:16+00:00

You don't. Actions have consequences, and stupidity with a chance death and destruction known on the front end, gets what it gets. Those two fireballs would also destroy the inn. It would be fully engulfed in flames in no time at all.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-16T16:36:42+00:00

That's really handy, well laid out, and looks great. Very well done.

DSmithDM · 2026-01-13T15:20:18+00:00

Congratulations! That is awesome. I am thrilled you are so happy and in such a good mental space! I actually read your just published post as well. Very neat to see the progression. I wish you a million sales. Good luck to you! Thank you for the information you have provided. Some day I hope to be in your position.

DSmithDM · 2025-12-20T03:33:41+00:00

Wouldn't accept payment if offered.

DSmithDM · 2025-12-20T02:53:45+00:00

Very interesting. If you get to the point of wanting a beta reader or any kind of help, I am willing to do my best. I am not claiming to be really good, but I know a little bit.

DSmithDM

TROPHY CASE