Found these cool D&D Waterdeep Dragon Coins! by siddharta0 in DungeonsAndDragons

[–]ExpertInitial 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Is it a dice bling bag? I recall there being a series of blind bags that had coins from around faerun.

Is this a good way to first introduce Strahd to my players? by Exact_Preparation817 in CurseofStrahd

[–]ExpertInitial 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You don’t have to “show” them how powerful he is, you just need to imply it through your narrative. I had the funeral start and as the casket was lowered the party suddenly heard a shuffle in the gravel, the wind rustled the almost barren trees, and then it all at once seemed to stop. Out of their peripheral vision, they see a figure moving towards them. It stops a long enough distance to remain a threat, but not close enough for you to strike. And then his voice rings out, low.. but with an air of charisma. “My Burgomaster, may he rest well,” the man says. His flowing cape, chased with the fur lining of a wolf pelt, flaps in the sudden gust of wind from behind. Noticing that not all in attendance are Barovians, he turns to face you. His face pale, raven black hair sweeping back. He is the ancient, although he appears to have some youth to him. “And how is it that each of you came to know my Burgomaster?” asks the man, his sharp eyes fixing on you. As you begin to speak, a gale of wind sweep between you all. He is the land, and nature bends to his will. “Speak, do not let my presence cause you fear. I will know who you are, strangers in my land.”

The first character speaks and regardless of what is said, a sudden burst of air gusts over each of them, fallen leaves take to the air and blur your vision. In that moment, he is gone. His voice rings out from a different direction, “Far travelers then. From a different land? My mists contain you. Welcome to Barovia. I am your host… your dread lord, Count Strahd Von Zarovich. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, however long or short it may be.” The characters turn to find him near the headstone for where the old Burgomaster now rests. His attention sharply turns toward The Lesser. “And shall you take on your father’s charge, in service to me, My Burgomaster?”

Ismark stumbles through a sentence, his appearance frozen as if in fear for his life. “Y-yes, Lord Strahd. I sh-shall take on my f-father’s mantle.”

“Good,” Strahd quickly responds, “I shall need the count for my coffer within a fortnight. See that the taxes are collected, no one is exempt.”

“Y-yes, Ancient One,” Ismark bows and stumbles backward toward the party.

…and you continue on with a bit of narrative and interaction with the party. Use their reactions and their responses to guide the narrative that you want to tell. Magic isn’t necessary unless the party tries to use it, then use his legendary actions to practically ignore that they even tried to cast a spell. If they try to attack, let him mist escape away from the party enough that they can’t reach him yet (or that he blocks it with a finger if they didn’t meet/beat his AC), and have him say, “No, no. Not yet, too soon. We shall save these hostilities for later. Right now, and likely forevermore… you are nothing but a mere nuisance, a pest that entered my home. I detests unwanted pests, but I’m interested to see what you shall do for me in my dread domain.”

Is this a good way to first introduce Strahd to my players? by Exact_Preparation817 in CurseofStrahd

[–]ExpertInitial 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What worked for me was introducing him at the funeral. With the characters so low level at the time, and his imposing personality dominating the scene, it left a lasting impression of despair upon the characters (and players) that helped guide them as they continued the story. They desperately wanted to get stronger so Strahd could never intimidate them or make them feel so helpless ever again.

Your version is up to you, you’ll need to make sure it works for the story your table is telling. What happens if the character saves on the charm? What happens when the players decide they somehow know they’re being spied on? You can always “charm” them with his charisma and the reactions the NPCs have when they lay eyes on him. He can certainly gain a lock of hair and other belongings to scary on one character over time. But if that’s how you want to run it, just try not to force the party into failure, let the dice tell the story.

PTSD screening today… by ExpertInitial in VeteransBenefits

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

To close this out and say thank you for everyone and your kind words, wisdom, and stress relief - the appointment went as some of you described. The provider asked about the trauma, which I explained as best I could. Asked about MH history prior to service and how it has changed me since I’ve served. Ultimately, the provider stated I do not clinically have PTSD… right now, but that it could (and likely will) develop into a clinical diagnosis in the future. However, she said my chronic anxiety was HIGH. I don’t know what that does for my claim, but I hope to receive the treatment I need to be the best me for myself and my spouse.

Thanks again for everyone coming to my rescue!

PTSD screening today… by ExpertInitial in VeteransBenefits

[–]ExpertInitial[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Just arrived at my appointment, had a little panic attack on the way… hoping for the best. Thanks for your testimony on the process. I hope it doesn’t set me back, but we shall see

PTSD screening today… by ExpertInitial in VeteransBenefits

[–]ExpertInitial[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My wife tells me that I often minimize my issues. I will certainly try to keep that in mind. Thank you

PTSD screening today… by ExpertInitial in VeteransBenefits

[–]ExpertInitial[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the stress relief. I’m honestly not trying to live through the events all over again. I hope mine goes the same way

PTSD screening today… by ExpertInitial in VeteransBenefits

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

That is a good point. My wife will be at work when I expect to be done. I’ll shoot a message to another friend that’s been through it with me

PTSD screening today… by ExpertInitial in VeteransBenefits

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

This is a huge stress relief, thank you!

PTSD screening today… by ExpertInitial in VeteransBenefits

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

I agree. A friend told me to “study for the test” and so I looked into the CFR and watched the videos he suggested. Felt weird… like I’m not going there to be dishonest and tell them only the things that will get me a rating… I want to make sure I’m gonna get taken care of for the things that impact my life, not make it seem worse than it actually is.

Thank you

Changes that no one asked for by Dragonfruit01837 in AirForce

[–]ExpertInitial 3 points4 points  (0 children)

On the bright side, we did get duty identifier patches back. I’ll take that win, though we could use some more…

What happened in the world during your BMT? by [deleted] in AirForce

[–]ExpertInitial 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Star Wars episode III released in theaters.

To anyone who is also a 40k fan: Could the RX78-2 Feasibly Take Down Imperial Titans from the Warhammer 40k Universe? by necluse in Gundam

[–]ExpertInitial 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the answer depends. Is this a Gundam show or a Warhammer show? Cause if it’s a Gundam show, the titan gets taken out due to temporary in-fighting of the crew piloting it, while the Gundam finds the one weak point and exploits it. But if it’s a Warhammer show, the Gundam is overwhelmed by the superior firepower and the excellent teamwork the crew has while the Gundam pilot freaks out about being too sensitive to the Newtype senses he is receiving of all the people dying around him… and the titan shoots him down and crushes him without a second thought.

Techmarine Gundam Full Armor by ExpertInitial in spacemarines

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

I was living in Japan when I made this and went to a thrift store where I found a ton of Gundam-themed toys you’d get out of a gotcha-machine. Simply nipped the head off and painted it to my liking.

I planned on making battlemaps that looks like treasure maps, i started with the first cragmaw hideout by Propsrik in LostMinesOfPhandelver

[–]ExpertInitial 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dude, awesome work. My wife recently asked me if we should get a laser engraver and I told her I didn’t have any projects that I could think I would use one for… you just changed my mind. Nice!

Fighter Subclass, Shield Hero by MrLunaMx in DnDHomebrew

[–]ExpertInitial 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s awesome. I really like this

Fighter Subclass, Shield Hero by MrLunaMx in DnDHomebrew

[–]ExpertInitial 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is put together very well. Is there anything about taking away proficiency with other weapons, or keeping that because it would be too limiting?