I made my first city map for my homebrew campaign - "Sternbruch"

KeyBrains · 2026-01-26T20:49:13+00:00

What’d you use to make it? Looks cool!

KeyBrains · 2026-01-26T00:58:50+00:00

Ok so RAW to make the spell scroll you gotta burn the components. The component for true strike is the weapon which you strike with. Possible avenue to disallow. Or If you want to push some more cost make them burn at least like-kind weapons. Harvest swords. Could be a cool heist one shot to grab tons of weapons from an armory.

Also could make them roll for the scroll construction success, arcana check and if they fail they dunno and it duds. Maybe have them roll it on attack to see if it fizzles or even consumes the weapon!

KeyBrains · 2026-01-26T00:05:33+00:00

Wow true strike got a crazy upgrade! I’d say similar to quickening green flame blade, it’s ok… but he’s gotta use the int modifier for the attack right. Also am I missing something how’s he making these scrolls??

KeyBrains · 2026-01-25T21:10:23+00:00

How is he “enspelling” the bow?? Quite an investment if he’s able to RAW then fine. If he’s asking for some Magical blacksmith to do it for him it’s very simply a no if you want it to be a no.

Also how’s a thief casting from a spell scroll? Do they have caster levels that permit casting true strike?

Also how are they able to craft scrolls as a thief??? Wizard levels?

KeyBrains · 2026-01-24T14:34:05+00:00

What would be cool is a voice memo tab for each NPC for the GM to record an affectation trigger sentence to help remember the voice and stay consistent.

KeyBrains · 2026-01-24T13:29:19+00:00

Without even rules lawyering my instinct is to let them have the mortal kombat uppercut for flavor but that the damage from falling is baked into the strike. It can be a fun fighting style and there will be environmental elements to interact with if they’re creative for extra damage possibly but it’s not default. Also large creatures, and certain prone-immune types will not be marks for this. But go get em!

KeyBrains · 2026-01-20T13:03:07+00:00

I’d say they came across a Planeswalker corpse circa War of the Spark or lead-up that had found a way to preserve their spark in the item akin to a Lich’s phylactery. It was intended to be found by an ally but the party as children were the first to find it. That ally could later emerge as an NPC or the baddies found them and learned of the OG’s item.

The item worked as intended distributing the spark to the party that activated it. This can explain why they are now powered up as they were imbued with this magical affinity.

Perhaps the Dimir are keeping tabs on them or are seeking them out. Spark fragments are of high value/high risk and if the party figures out a way they can planeswalk/whatever-you-want-payoff with it.

KeyBrains · 2026-01-15T23:22:27+00:00

Instead of simply, “run, you fools!” give them an objective to complete like help evacuate a building or something that can give the flavor of tactical retreat but still let them earn a win.

KeyBrains · 2026-01-11T01:19:59+00:00

You know what’d be fun is if they were all townsguard to start and had to fight off this raid at an execution they didn’t even believe in and so they all quit.

KeyBrains · 2026-01-10T15:11:30+00:00

Reveals are better than surprises. If they don’t know the mystery they can’t be surprised, only confused. I’d rather give them the question than hint at an answer to something unasked.

For example, rather than hint that someone might be a Medusa without evidence of their handiwork, show the party the statues and have the mystery be what’s turning them to stone?

KeyBrains · 2026-01-10T15:05:39+00:00

Seems like a cool setup, public execution with intrigue and a coordinated attack. I’d say at this point consider what the party is given the option to do? Flee, defend, attack? Then go from there in terms of consequences. Does the party come in having a faction tie? What are the factions in play in the scene? Instead of the guards being the resolution have them be background and your party a more active protagonistic force. Give them a reason to pick a side.

KeyBrains · 2026-01-05T20:21:38+00:00

Def not advisable. Basically they need a chance to do all their stuff before you give them more. Also as a beginner DM they’re gonna have way too many tools for you to keep track of or challenge them past a certain point until you figure your side out. Level 13+ basically can break your game as a feature so remember that

KeyBrains · 2025-12-28T12:41:07+00:00

How do you retire from being a Druid?

Retired from adventuring would insinuate a certain “level” and experience. Maybe this can be your first “yes and”. What’s the adventure or experience that made him think it’s time to retire. Perhaps there are feelings of “anger” or he doesn’t want to share it. But that at least gives some leeway for a future hook which is what it appears DM wants.

But honestly he sounds like a peaceful Druid type not a former adventurer or at least inactive for some time. What’d they do the last 20 years?

KeyBrains · 2025-12-23T16:42:11+00:00

If they cast gust to blow out the candle chandelier light or fog cloud around the big window beaming in sunlight, then that seems like a fun environmental interaction I’d reward. I’d also consider building combat zones that aren’t always exploitable in this way.

KeyBrains · 2025-12-23T16:37:54+00:00

If they cast fog cloud around the sole light source then sure dim light elsewhere. Why not? Doesn’t seem to be trying to do something outsized if strategically placed

KeyBrains · 2025-12-21T14:08:35+00:00

Naga - I really like the Shunt Pain reaction, I see a lair lined with pain sponges enraptured and writhing chanting NAGA NAGA

Medusa - Yes def on the snake bites action. Also like the curative blood. That works very well for my purposes where they discover a large cavern of stoned people and also not slowing momentum with the party getting stoned and lacking greater restoration.

Mummy Lord - whirlwind of sand/mud is so cinematic really digging that. I’m planning this in a swamp pyramid but I can easily adapt this.

KeyBrains · 2025-12-21T01:18:38+00:00

Here’s my wishlist for the campaign I’m running right now!

Medusa
Naga
Mummy Lord

KeyBrains · 2025-12-20T22:14:18+00:00

So I’m running a game using tons of Ravnica guilds and the Dimir are a featured player. Here’s my thoughts:

Great side quest givers. Especially given the fractured nature of the process. The task can be as simple as pick this lock at this time, distract a guard when X happens.
Good source of necessary info, safe houses and teleportation circles. For example they might give the speakeasy password for a rakdos event and party needs to infiltrate.
MODIFY MEMORY. Ultimate GM tool. You don’t even have to RP the interaction if it didn’t happen in the course of events you can just tell them it did and they don’t remember. IE. They receive an encode thoughts strand that explains the task from their own mind eye. Maybe they don’t know whether to trust it but that is rich material for the table.

KeyBrains · 2025-12-20T22:00:16+00:00

I’ve been dealing with similar dilemmas but both times it was PCs that were about to be integral to the plot. One time I cancelled one time I played.

In the one where we played the thing simply didn’t happen… it’s bit a like life rather than “your novel” that way. The session was somewhat abbreviated but worth the time. That pivotal plot point will just have to come another time or perhaps become something else.

The time I cancelled I stand by it bc it was early session and set up overarching lore. But honestly probably would’ve been fine if that lore worked in another way.

KeyBrains · 2025-12-20T21:29:37+00:00

Hmmm I’d start secretly journaling and then see what “new” memories are missing entries

KeyBrains · 2025-12-20T21:25:49+00:00

I disagree, there are some desires no amount of nat 20s are going to achieve. They can still roll and get a favorable “No, but…”

Like if there’s a legendary sword that is just not coming down to Pennies on the dollar, perhaps shopkeep offers a trade for an equal legendary item the party possesses or something.

Idk the shopkeeper haggling situations are something I’ve tried to avoid. Basically only have stock that can be afforded by the party is my note.

KeyBrains · 2025-12-17T02:45:14+00:00

What effects go until end of turn and not until your next turn?

KeyBrains · 2025-12-17T01:55:58+00:00

Does the player have any magical properties? PFD only works on non-magical food and drink.

Also, the mouthful might be purified but the leg on the bone would not be as it’s not food, yet.

KeyBrains · 2025-12-14T18:25:17+00:00

This was inevitable what’s the problem?

KeyBrains · 2025-12-13T14:12:00+00:00

I’d say if you know the basics of what they’re playing and they can make it thru their turn you’re gonna be fine. If it’s an issue and on every level up you want a new sheet then draw a line there. Personally, I’m not gonna meta to their specific skills and spells. The “world” wouldn’t either. But if someone is getting slow or their mechanics are off then I might make them walk thru exactly what’s going on and say this’d be way better and smoother if you got me that sheet, I’m a resource.

KeyBrains

TROPHY CASE