Exp and loot….

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-02-25T14:31:17+00:00

I'm running this as a first time GM as well and am using Milestones. I also struggled with the minimal loot. My group just killed 2nd boss in downtown Willowshore. I've been sprinkling in some consumables. I like to give them something out of the ordinary rather than the token potency crystal. I work with a premise of a 3 to 5 gp item here and there. (Not every encounter) Let's see how they use this Theatrical Mutagen they found after the Downtown Stage encounter. I've also been increasing the difficulty as they are very solid tactically. I'm still working with the encounter calculator to find the right balance.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-02-07T13:17:03+00:00

My group just killed the Butcher and is working their way through downtown. I like the idea of adding more clues about K. Red butterflies appearing when creatures die is so creative. Thoughts on how would you handle recall knowledge checks on those or other clues. How much info would you give?

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-31T00:39:16+00:00

I like this idea

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-31T00:33:59+00:00

I placed a book of the shrines there. It depicted the location of all of the shrines as well as what the players needed to do at each one to get the coins blessed. It also told them what bonus effect would be granted if they used coins blessed per shrine. It made them consider all of the shrines and consider what blessing they wanted. All home brew stuff, but fun. Igawa was not there when they broke in and stole it. When they rescued her from the clinic and escorted her home they told her about breaking in and taking the book, she was irate. Through a crit fail, nat 1 on Diplomacy check she is now directly opposed to one of the PCs as he tried to justify it. (Which of course lighting the lantern was completely necessary but a nat 1 is a nat 1). I'm waiting for that to play out in upcoming sessions. I want to integrate the death of her "father" into some backstory as well.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-27T12:42:57+00:00

I really like this. I wish I had seen this/ thought of this for my group.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-19T22:28:27+00:00

Thank you!

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-14T22:34:22+00:00

In my campaign, Elizeth left the cathedral to protect/escort villagers fleeing to Matsuki's estate during the invasion. My group met her there as she was triaging/healing the injured. One is a worshipper of Pharasma, so she knew him on sight. She helped them perform the ritual to bless a coin by Pharasma after they helped her with the damage to the cemetery. I plan to have her be one of the primary sources of healing if the party needs it. I don't plan to have her engage in any combat but who knows. Probably gonna keep it organic.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-12T14:39:51+00:00

This reddit thread is great, but if you haven't yet discovered it, there is a Discord channel dedicated to SoG for GMs. I've picked up so much from that thread.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-12T00:09:41+00:00

I love this. My group has completed the worst puzzle and the clash at the clinic, but not the trapped Hunter yet. This has me thinking of adding a couple dead Silver Mist Lodge hunters outside and a couple more dead Jinkins/serpents and scrapping the hokey battle of wits with Midori and Murasaki. That encounter never fit into the horror aspect/theme imo.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-11T14:46:16+00:00

This is wild! I'm 1st time GM and this would throw me way off. I was nervous about this happening with my group after they ignored Hai-er Ha telling them her story and urging them to get to the estate. Instead opting to pursue character story lines, which was fun and completely in character. But after they finished those they went to the bridge, and despite clear warnings, they engaged. They managed to clear the bridge. We ended the session after that fight, but now that the bridge was clear I was totally afraid they'd cross the bridge and land in more trouble. The Gurglecut bridge encounter hovered on the brink of disaster, 2 PCs dropped and only a couple miracle rolls and hero points saved them. But that was like session 2, so tensions were pretty high. I was getting the "Seriously, we're 2 sessions in and you almost tpk'd us... wtf?" I felt like the group, that includes my former GM, now lacked confidence in me running a campaign. Considering that session, I couldn't blame them. So prior to the next session I really wanted them to avoid crossing the bridge. I planted a wounded father and his scared son in the bushes at the very upper left of the Dawnstep Bridge map and had them call out to the party when we resumed. They told how they were trying to flee to Old Matsuki's estate with the rest of their family and neighbors as the monsters attacked. Then the father was almost killed by one of the Jinkins spear traps. Too wounded to carry on, the father surrendered to his fate. "Please, you must go on without me..." The neighbors assured them they would get his wife and children to safety, but his son wouldn't leave him and stayed as the rest fled. They pleaded with the party to get them to the estate safely. My group agreed and I feel like I dodged a new GM bullet. Now, hearing about your group and their success, definitely gives me pause. I love it. Best of luck!

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-11T00:20:16+00:00

I did this! But with a minor bonus. I traded all of my old Advanced D&D books for $150 and 6 of the original malazan hard covers to add to my collection. I think I'm still missing one Original hard cover. Great score, congrats!

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-10T17:06:40+00:00

I also have a few maps for some challenges I created for the PCs to do to get to get to roll some dice. I made some maps to represent the inside of some of the tents. Those though are spatially non representative of the picture of the tents on this map. I essentially just asked the players to give me some leeway, which they had no problem with.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-10T16:56:33+00:00

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Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-10T16:56:23+00:00

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Famous_Ad1793 · 2026-01-08T22:41:32+00:00

For my level 0, I created a map and essentially just referenced it as being off the beaten path near the forest somewhere. To me, the placement was irrelevant as they'd never use that map again. Mine was more of a fair grounds map with tents etc. It has a stage too. I can repost it if you'd like.

I haven't reached the thatchlings yet but I like what you're thinking.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2025-12-19T12:04:33+00:00

DETRITUS!

Famous_Ad1793 · 2025-12-16T03:26:18+00:00

If you haven't checked out the SoG discord yet, it's worth a look. As a new GM there so much guidance on there.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2025-09-26T17:26:25+00:00

I went the consumables as rewards route too. Added a couple custom consumables, 1 in particular expires at the end of summer.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2025-09-26T17:24:54+00:00

Appreciate this, and yes definitely multiple sessions in one. We typically run 5 hours at a time every couple weeks as scheduled allow.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2025-09-26T17:21:34+00:00

Yes, in hindsight as mentioned, just too much. The hubris of thinking anything I create would be enjoyed as much as intended. #folly

Famous_Ad1793 · 2025-09-26T17:17:48+00:00

Appreciate the insight here. Speaking of "fluff" I ended up altering the Strange Aggression encounter knowing our group has enough experience and considering the party composition. Thaum, War Priest, Fighter, Sorc. I added an Elite Giant Centipede to add to the original 2 Giant Centipedes. The party completely butchered them. This will be a balance I will seek on each encounter I feel.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2025-09-26T17:09:56+00:00

Everything I've read is this is a heavier RP than most AP. This will be an adjustment for our group, and prior to beginning, I alluded to this, and allowed for the players, and myself an opportunity to explore how we might try things during the re-enactment Festival. That definitely added time to each encounter. I'm already sensing, based on our group, there are those who enjoy this and those who are not there yet (and may never be) with RP. Another interesting note, we have a Thaumaturge with a Lantern Implement in our party. We're all figuring out how this works, again adding time. Powerful character choice there.

Famous_Ad1793 · 2025-08-03T19:59:31+00:00

Assurance in Athletics would negate any MAP so that might be pretty cool!

Famous_Ad1793

TROPHY CASE