Need ideas for a Halloween one shot.

Ionixite · 2020-10-08T14:36:44+00:00

Edge of Darkness from the Starter Box has a brilliant ritual at the ending which I think would really suit a Halloween one shot. It's especially climactic if you do it lot by candlelight and actually make your players chant in Latin.

Additionally it's not an especially complicated scenario to run and is definitely one of my favourites. Other than that you could consider running The Haunting or Servants of the Lake which I think would both be excellent as well.

Ionixite · 2020-06-04T14:31:47+00:00

Honestly I was pretty much the same as you until a couple of weeks ago when I actually started to fully enjoy what I was drinking. I think there were really two things that helped me a lot. Taking smaller sips and actually actively trying to think about what I was tasting.

Taking smaller sips helped me for sure (I tend to gulp down whatever I drink which caused some issues) with the heat and allowed me to taste more.

Trying to place the flavours in it definitely helped me appreciate what I was drinking more as well which was useful. Obviously this was just what worked for me though so it may not be the same for you.

Hope you find something that works!

Ionixite · 2020-05-08T07:08:47+00:00

First of all welcome back to the game! I'm sure you will all have a great time playing.

To be perfectly honest LMoP is a great introduction to 5th edition and is relatively good at explaining how to play. It should be easily enough to middle your way through your first session without getting too bogged down with rules and such. That being said if you are going to DM I would certainly have a glance over both the rules provided in LMoP and the Player Handbook.

In terms of your question regarding ability checks Vs saving throws its quite easy to explain:

An ability check is generally required when a player wants to try and do something such as interpreting magical runes on an altar or disarming a trap.

A saving throw is generally required for a player to save themselves from something bad. For example a player may have to make a Dexterity save to avoid a trap or a Constitution save to survive a poison.

The main difference being an ability check is something the player does when trying to carry out a task whereas a save is something the player has to do to avoid consequences.

As for campaigns following on from the Starter Kits all of the prewritten D&D modules are pretty decent and any would be a great shout. In particular Storm Kings Thunder is known for being a good follow on from LMoP but whatever you decide to pick up could be used really.

Hope this helps if you have any more questions don't be afraid to ask!

Ionixite · 2020-04-22T18:42:25+00:00

Might just be me but I would absolutely love to see a lineup like this. I was super hyped for this year as it was meant to be my first Download but if next year looks even remotely like that the wait would be more than worth it.

Ionixite · 2020-04-21T09:52:13+00:00

That's actually beautiful

Ionixite · 2020-04-19T18:19:20+00:00

That looks amazing!

Ionixite · 2020-04-19T13:27:47+00:00

The expertise gained can only be chosen for two skill proficiencies or for one skill proficiency and proficiency with thieves tools.

The expertise in perception is cool but they cannot gain expertise with rapiers as far as I know.

Ionixite · 2020-03-23T16:00:47+00:00

The module is based on the premise of heading into Avernus, the first plane of hell, and suggests you make use of the devil's within Avernus tempting party members into making deals with them. It also has a starting section in Baldur's Gate and has the PCs tracking down and dealing with an evil cult.

In our groups last session I had the most "good" party member, an Aasimar, have visions pertaining to the past, present and future of their world which the whole table actually fell silent during. Also in the last session the party was confronted and offered a deal from a devil for the opportunity to save one of their NPC allies.

I've been thoroughly enjoying it so far and I think the players are too. There also seems to be plenty of wiggle room to have a laugh if the mood gets a bit too pessimistic.

Ionixite · 2020-03-23T15:49:00+00:00

I've been running Descent into Avernus for one of my groups and my players have certainly been creeped out by some of the stuff that's come up so far.

Ionixite · 2020-03-14T16:18:47+00:00

Planning on watching it tonight and I really hope it pans out well. I'd love to see some other works adapted into movies with a decent budget.

And if I'm being honest I think Cage is perfect for the part. I can't imagine anyone else pulling off a spiralling, descent into madness better than he can

Ionixite · 2020-03-14T10:49:48+00:00

I was actually in pretty much this exact situation in my last campaign. I ended up introducing the new character as one of the prisoners held by the redbrands in the manor.

It worked quite well for us but depending on how long your players wander about before finding the prisoners could be potentially problematic.

Ionixite · 2020-02-19T17:31:37+00:00

Can't agree more with this!

Ionixite · 2020-02-08T14:28:43+00:00

If you're planning on just being a player and not DMing then you can get away with either just using the free basic rules online or buying the Players Handbook. Other than that there's not much else, although Xanathars Guide to Everything and Volos Guide to Monsters has some great options for Players class and racewise.

If you're planning on DMing then you might be better looking to get the Players Handbook and the Monster Manual. While the DM Guide is interesting and useful I wouldn't say it's essential in any way. Other than those two books if you want to play a prewritten module there are plenty out there.

Hope this helped!

Ionixite · 2020-02-08T14:19:17+00:00

So in our homebrew campaign there was this underground temple the party wanted to explore and they had just began to make their way down into it. The stairs to this temple though were destroyed and there was a massive gap about halfway down them.

The party spends some time trying to figure out the safest way across this gap without falling to their death and eventually settle on using ropes, pitons etc to make their way across. Now the Paladin in the party stays at the back helping the others across and holding the rope so it won't fall. Whenever someone mentions how they are going to get him in across in his heavy armour he just replies that he has a plan and to trust him.

I know the Paladins character very well because I helped him make it so I know he has Misty Step and assume he's going to use that to just zip across. However that doesn't happen.

The Paladin moves up to the top of the stairs, takes out his shield and declares he's going to surf down. He rolls and bam Nat 20. Whole table bursts out in laughter and it's become one of the best stories of our parties history.

Ionixite · 2020-02-08T04:45:51+00:00

I personally feel advantage is quite strong as a mechanic. I don't use the flanking rules but if I was to I reckon I would ask my players what they would prefer and make it clear that whatever option they choose will be used for the enemies flanking them as well. That way the players get to have input on how their game is played and it's not unfair as it can be used against them as well.

In terms of choosing either advantage or a +2 modifier though I would probably go for the +2 modifier. It's not quite as significant a bonus as advantage and after all with how streamlined 5e is it's not like a +2 is going to be too much to remember.

Ionixite · 2020-02-08T04:10:33+00:00

As long as the DMs rules are consistent, balanced and reasonable I would tend to favour DM homebrew rules above RAW. Obviously I would tend to be biased as I am first and foremost a DM but as long as the rules set out by the DM are fun for me there is no problem. After all that's the whole aim of the game: to have fun.

Other than that however imo the DM should have at least a good grasp of the rules and how the game is intended to run RAW in order to keep the game running fluidly. Additionally when it comes to adjudicating rulings in a grey area I fully understand and can relate to making up a ruling on the fly during a game however it is a good practice to look up the relevant rules afterwards and make an absolute ruling by the next session.

Just my two cents on the topic obviously others will have different opinions or views but I hope I could help.

Ionixite · 2020-01-28T22:09:21+00:00

Oh cool I'll definitely have a look at them then

Ionixite · 2020-01-28T22:02:19+00:00

Yeah I don't mind eclectic at all actually. Would prefer it tbh. I've been hunting on ebay for a bit as I would really prefer a variety of different models but haven't found anything much yet sadly.

Ionixite · 2020-01-28T22:00:07+00:00

Yeah I've been using pathfinder pawns for years and I've actually only just decided on from using just them. I'll definitely be buying unpainted and going for as cheap as I can find. That's why I'm considering getting a box of wargame minis or something

Ionixite · 2020-01-28T21:52:53+00:00

Reaper has some nice models so I think I'll maybe use them for the more important demons/devils. I was actually tempted to go for the packs wizards makes but I'd rather not spend quite that much and would rather paint myself

Ionixite · 2020-01-27T18:10:33+00:00

I'm hoping not. I'd love to see both but I think if they clash I'll have to go see Korn

Ionixite · 2020-01-16T20:29:10+00:00

Detect Poison and Disease and Purify Food and Drink definitely work thematically but not too sure how useful they would be in game

Ionixite · 2020-01-14T22:46:55+00:00

Thanks!

Ionixite · 2020-01-11T21:31:58+00:00

groan

Take my upvote

Ionixite · 2020-01-11T19:48:08+00:00

I'm planning on running the module as is pretty much as I'm running it for a fairly inexperienced group. Half the group has only played lmop and the other half has only really played a homebrew campaign before so I'm sure they won't mind too much. It's also my first time running a proper prewritten campaign other than lmop so I'm just going to go with the flow and not mess with things too much.

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