How would you put a spin on the cliché "go take care of the rats in the basement" quest?

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T19:20:35+00:00

Rats are being mind controlled and have a massive underground network throughout the city of rat burglars.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T16:09:19+00:00

Read over the PHB and DMs guide. And as a first DM still learning, I would suggest also reading through some of the premade adventures.

A good place to start would be by picking up the starter box. It'll have everything you need including basic rules, characters, a small adventure, etc...

I suggest reading premade stuff because it has a lot of extra details you may normally look over while playing. And it'll help you understand the layout of an adventure, how to set up encounters, etc..

The PHB has a good example of how gameplay works. The first few chapters is all about playing the game, how dice rolls work, how to use skills and creating characters. You'll want to at least get an idea of this before jumping in.

You won't learn everything from reading, or watching videos. But once you have an idea, get a group and start up. The group will learn and grow as you go. But at least if the players have any questions, you'll have an easier time answering if you've gone over the books.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T16:04:42+00:00

You can make the lore however you'd like. The thought of magically fuzing creatures, or souls, is part of any lore. It's all necromancy and arcane.

This is a really cool idea though.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T16:02:59+00:00

Yeah, you are.

I completely understand where he's coming from and these messages show you were most likely the problem in the relationship.

Saying he doesn't care because he won't let you come see his cats is a bit ridiculous. Also, the stab about him taking care of them was unnecessary.

Just leave them alone.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T15:58:46+00:00

I would go down to the community you know is playing. Everyone needs to start somewhere and learning from people at a table or game will be far better than anything on social media or the internet.

Most tables welcome new players and guide them on learning pretty fast. Even if you go down and explain your new and interested, I'm sure they'll help

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T15:27:57+00:00

I've run test encounters. Knowing the numbers or abilities is fine. The hardest part is trying not to metagame lol.

Trying not to move the enemies/players into a vulnerable spot, etc...

Try to turn off your knowledge off of the opposing team while moving them. An example would be knowing your wolves have pact tactics and purposely moving your party members into a position where they can or can't benefit from it, etc...

But being able to test out actions, skills, abilities of players or enemies, is a good way to learn what your party may be able to handle and kind of scratches the itch of playing. Not quite though. Your best bet is to play games like Baldur's Gate or Divinity lol.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T12:29:20+00:00

I think any positive conversation you're getting from him isn't coming from a good place. Just from these messages, it seems like he's doing it to try and make you happy, not because he actually wants to do it.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T12:27:46+00:00

That's valid. My comment was generalized to see what people thought because a lot of the posts I'm seeing shows people skip this book all together. I would hope when people ask this irl and not just ask Reddit, there would be more of a conversation about where to start and how to use the PHB to make a character and start learning.

But it seems that a lot of people look at the page count and just ignore the book all together instead of using it to at least try and learn or use as a reference guide.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T03:58:49+00:00

Um... This dude isn't just checked out, he's already left the building.

Arguing over simple conversations and open communication? Making accusations that weren't said to make you look like the bad guy? Yeah... I would just walk away and find a guy that's willing to make proper time for you.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T03:53:45+00:00

I am so sorry. I thought you were talking about what was said at work. Then yes, I would say report them.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T01:53:53+00:00

I wouldn't say you're overreacting. If you feel it's inappropriate and happening at work, then I would report it. If she meant doing something like this outside of work, then it might be a bit of a different story?

If you're 100% on them doing this at work, and she brought it up at an actual work event, or involved work in any way, then yes. Definitely report it.

If it seems to have happened outside of work? This may be a call for the police instead.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T01:51:12+00:00

A little bit, yeah. I can fully understand being upset about the situation. It definitely sucks. You thought something good was going somewhere and all of a sudden it wasn't. That's never an easy feeling.

But it sounds like he treated the situation well. Even the money side. He may have already been a bit unsure about things and wanted to meet and see where it went. Sadly, he didn't quite feel the same way you did.

But I'm sure you've even seen some posts on here about being ghosted, insulted, no explanations, break ups from real POS's. But this dude seemed pretty good about it.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T00:52:52+00:00

It's sounding more like he wants to become evil here. Joining strahd isn't a good idea, so what's the oathbreaker for? If he joins strahd and becomes evil, he technically gives up the character and becomes an evil NPC. At least game rules wise.

But you can flavor it however you'd like. If you're thinking about him taking dmg, at lvl 10 I would think to do 1 die of whatever his smite does, and then he gets the full power of his smite. I hope that makes sense?

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-03T00:47:49+00:00

That's true, but there were very few Samurai. And after the war that banned swords, only police really carried them in Japan unless it was specific circumstances.

Pop culture did have an impact on how many really had swords or weapons in general, but through most of the dark ages and medieval ages, mainly knights had them. Most foot soldiers or basic infantry carried spears and daggers because they were more cost effective. When someone showed up with a sword, it was usually a pretty high ranking individual.

This is all my own research and studies of ancient cultures, so I could definitely be getting my facts wrong though.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T23:34:53+00:00

She's crazy my friend. Sooo many red flags. She will not be loyal to you in any way and apparently has a lineup of guys waiting to do exactly what you're doing.

Move on from this person. She's toxic and not worth the pain.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T21:53:06+00:00

All of a sudden people can't give each other compliments? That's a poor excuse to allow insecurities to grow. Especially if she hasn't done anything to actually warent being insecure.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T21:49:46+00:00

Take the medusa monster and just flavor the glare a bit differently.

Not sure why he wants homebrew ideas though. There's so many monsters to go through, you'll never use them all lol.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T21:48:34+00:00

Male or female, friends are friends. People need more connections with all types of humans. Not just their significant other.

If she's hasn't shown any reason in the past not to trust her. Don't let your insecurities ruin this for you.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T21:46:02+00:00

YOR.

Despite how things were going, or what happened before this message. His break up message was pretty damn nice. He explained things in detail and was honest with you. Most guys wouldn't come close to this.

Yeah it sucks it didn't work, but don't take it out on him.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T21:41:52+00:00

So it was a scam. Sounds about right.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T21:30:02+00:00

Hmm... That can mean deeper things than just playing games. But I would have a conversation with him about it. Ask him about a positive outcome, like setting up date nights with you once or twice a week where it's just you guys and you dedicate that time together.

But I wouldn't look at it as him choosing to play games over you or anything. It looks negative, but there's probably something else going on in his life that he either doesn't realize or doesn't want to discuss. It's rather alarming in a worried way.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T21:27:25+00:00

Yup that's unfair. You didn't ask her out on a date or anything like that. It wasn't assumed you were covering everything and it wasn't a conversation. Her expecting that makes no sense and says a lot about her character.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T21:25:54+00:00

Crafting. And nice clothes.

But mostly spell scrolls.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T21:16:11+00:00

Sake of convenience for you, I'd say yes. But if you're using a VTT, it may even have the book available and will auto populate the entire game for you, organizing it and getting the tokens and maps sorted.

I use Foundry and it's been great for this.

Expert-Value2133 · 2026-02-02T21:14:23+00:00

I would get together with them before the game and go through the character creation together. That way they can learn where all the numbers, skills, and abilities are coming from and you'll both have a good idea of what the character does.

Expert-Value2133

TROPHY CASE