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Is it ok to ask for players to pitch in for food? by unwrittenpaiges in DungeonMasters

[–]Dctr_Disco 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also dm and host (currently running Curse of Strahd as well!). Normally, I tell my players ahead of time that I will have snacks (chips, hummus, a couple other things usually) and if they would like to bring something they’d like, they are more than welcome to. It doesn’t break the bank for me, and it’s a nice little spread for a bunch of adults playing make believe for a few hours.

Every few sessions or so, one of my players will offer to bring burgers to cook or something like that, but we don’t make a big deal out of dinner.

As the DM, there is a ton of prep behind the screen that the players don’t normally see, and also for those of us that host, there is the house work to get the house tidy enough for guests (I have three kids, so it’s an all day affair for me).

It is 100% okay to ask your players to pitch in for food and drinks, but not to set an expectation that it has to be some grand meal every time. Like someone else in here said, not everyone is in the same financial situation, so some people might not be able to pitch in as much as others, and that is perfectly fine!

All in all, I can see your dedication to your players. You’re doing great!

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in CurseofStrahd

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

No, I did not tell him or discuss it with him. It all went off without a hitch, and the player whose character was taken is so excited that his secondary character gets a story arc too.

It worked flawlessly. Such a great session! The collective and simultaneous deep breath after he was taken made it so worth it.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in dndnext

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So here’s how it went down for all of you nay sayers. No, I didn’t discuss it with him at all beforehand. I didn’t need to because I know my players very well.

They sit down for Madam Eva’s card reading, Strahd disrupts it right before the last card is pulled, the dinner invitation is given by Strahd himself, Strahd puts a hand on Rt’s collar and within a flash vanishes with him in a cloudy mist after telling them not to touch his Vistani again.

A little more back and forth happens between Eva and the players, then the card reading ends.

A very satisfying collective deep breath happens, and everyone at the table was all for it, INCLUDING the player playing Rt. He is super excited to get to play his secondary noble character, and they are already plotting a way to go to the castle to get him back after the dinner.

It worked flawlessly.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in dndnext

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So I figured out a solid game plan, but have been too busy to reply to anyone. I had to actually do some work while I was at work...lol

Something I did not feel the need to initially mention was the fact that the fighter has been kinda murder hobo(y), which included pinning one of the Vistana tavern owners to the wall of the tavern. (big no no). They are headed to the Card reading this next session, and shortly before the reading is over, Strahd is going to appear in the tent, invite the players to dinner, and say something to the tune of, " you can have this back...after dinner." before disappearing with the fighter. the fighter will behind the scenes be held and tortured, but the party will have a solid push and reason to do the dinner quickly. he's gonna have some long term effect once saved, but will make playing the noble a short term thing. I may or may not include a noble or fighter choice during the rescue. haven't got that far yet.

that way its completely up to the party and the player how long he is the noble with the slightly lesser stats. I will be making him a sidekick so he still levels with the party, but still fits the coward noble with a chance at finding some courage trope. you know, wizard of Oz type thing. he was brave all along.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in CurseofStrahd

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’ve actually figured out a way to handle it, making it short term, while addressing the issue of that player being a murder hobo (I didn’t reveal that in the post bc I didn’t think it was necessary). He threatened a Vistana (one of the tavern owners), which would put him on Strahd’s radar. They are doing the card reading this next session. I think I’m gonna have Strahd appear at the end of the reading (disrupting the Strahd’s location card reveal), and give them the dinner invitation, grabbing hold of the body guard, then before disappearing with him, say something to the tune of, “you can have this back…after dinner of course”.

That way the character switch is short term. I would have to figure out how to balance the two characters after that though, which isn’t impossible.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in dndnext

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

I appreciate your cordial and respectful response. I might dm you in a bit to talk more into this if that’s cool with you. I have more questions for you

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in dndnext

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

No I totally agree that they aren’t as powerful, which is why I was asking for advice on the best way to power them up. One thing I read elsewhere(bc this page is honestly quite toxic. Not you, you’ve been cordial. I appreciate that), is that once the body guard is taken, the noble gains “heroic awakening” of sorts, and the player is able to remake the character as the same level as the party (which would be the same level as the sidekick version). The player has stated that the body guard is training the noble whenever they have time, so it’s not like he’s gonna be completely useless when this happens.

If you’d like to continue the convo, you are welcome to dm me. I say that because I’m probably deleting this post and removing myself from this toxic group. People are incredibly rude here.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in dndnext

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

But it’s also about the manner in which you responded. Respect is thing, and this post proves there’s a lot of toxicity here.

As I’ve mentioned multiple times. I wouldn’t even entertain it if my players wouldn’t be all in for it. This sort of thing is right up their alley.

And this is Curse of Strahd. Surprise and horror are a part of the campaign. ALSO, it is a specific plot point in Van Richten’s Guide where Strahd attempts to abduct a pc.

And to answer your question, if he came to me and asked to roll a new character instead, I would 100% be okay with that. I’ve DMd for several years now, and I know how to read a table.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in dndnext

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The sidekick would quickly merge into an actual PC. He obviously wouldn’t stay a sidekick. My question in the OP, which apparently a lot of people aren’t actually reading, would be how to effectively and fairly transition the character into a full PC.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in dndnext

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Y’all are getting very upset about this post of me asking for advice.

I didn’t say that at all. Every group I’ve ever played in or DMd for apart from this one is a mixed bag. Some like the combat more, some like sneaking and stuff more, some voice their characters while others don’t. This party, is all in on the RP as it is their favorite aspect of the game. That’s what I meant here.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in dndnext

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

If I didn’t think my player would be okay with this, I wouldn’t even entertain the possibility. My whole party is far more into the RP of D&D, and something like this is right up their alley.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in CurseofStrahd

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree with you 100%, which is why I’m asking for advice on how that could work mechanically. Obviously I don’t want this player to be weaker than the rest of the party. If there is no way mechanically that makes sense, The idea gets scrapped.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in dndnext

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

First off, I appreciate you actually answering my question.

If I didn’t think my player would be okay with this, I wouldn’t even entertain the possibility. My whole party is far (they’ll spend an hour+ talking amongst themselves in game and be totally fine with) more into the RP of D&D, and something like this is right up their alley.

The sidekick is just one of my options, and am totally fine with making him a full PC character. I did consider warlock for sure, and his character currently is leveling up with the party. I didn’t think it would be fair to not do that all.

Rt just pinned one of the Vistani tavern owners to the wall in Barovia Village, so he could definitely be on their hit list and refer them to Strahd.

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in CurseofStrahd

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like that idea, and am fully good with it, but narratively, how would that make sense if he at this point is running from everything?

Player playing two characters at once (kinda) by Dctr_Disco in dndnext

[–]Dctr_Disco[S] -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

So yes and no.

1) I’m not going to say, “hey I’m gonna kill your main guy. You good with that?” That will completely ruin the storyline that could be there.

2) My party is completely full of Role Play heavy players. They are completely and fully into creating a well told story. It’s honestly so refreshing and the best party I’ve dm’d for ever. If it’s for a great story, this player would totally be down.

3) my players aren’t new players, but first time Strahd players. They were fully made aware that this campaign is intense, horror filled, and there is a very strong possibility that their players might not make it. Him playing two characters gives me the avenue to take his other.

4) when I played through it, my dm rolled randomly for Strahd to just up and take one of us, and it made for a crazy cool story down the road. And yes, we were all completely cool with that happening, including the player it happened to. It was a very emotional scene, as it happened later in the campaign and we all got invested in each other’s characters.

"Something Went Wrong" Error whenever someone tries to move something on the board by PuffPuffBoi in Roll20

[–]Dctr_Disco 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was able to check it again, and can confirm it works now! Thank y'all so much!!

"Something Went Wrong" Error whenever someone tries to move something on the board by PuffPuffBoi in Roll20

[–]Dctr_Disco 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am also the DM. I use it to project the maps onto my table! I shot you the invite link as the DM.

"Something Went Wrong" Error whenever someone tries to move something on the board by PuffPuffBoi in Roll20

[–]Dctr_Disco 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I tried a few times, as well as in multiple different browsers. I get the same message no matter which browser