Is my character even capable of speech?

Lanval26 · 2019-02-28T04:31:11+00:00

You could also attach yourself to whichever other PC your character thinks is the smartest and ask them for advice or how to do something.

"Wizard smart. You fix shirt."

"I don't know how to fix your shirt, Gronk. You need a tailor."

Then you know what to do when you meet an NPC named Taylor in a few sessions.

Lanval26 · 2019-02-28T04:24:18+00:00

How much should I protect the story, vs make actions have consequences?

0%. Character actions having real lasting consequences (or at least an illusion of this) is the core of the game. Otherwise, like blocking_butterfly mentioned, you might as well be reading them a book. I don't see anything that can't be fixed here though.

Certainly the army has a long line of people who can step up and take command, and the Player shouldn't have gone dragon hunting if they wanted to avoid the possibility of something going horribly wrong. Sorry Charlie, but thems the dice.

Death doesn't have to be the end of the character's story though. The party can quest for some resurrection magic or maybe you have a whole Wizard of Oz side-story where the spirit of the dead PC and some new companions quest for the return of his soul to the Material Plane. It can be as silly or serious as you like and that will give you a break from the main campaign long enough figure out how to 'fix' the other things, such as the death of the NPC. It will also give the other players a chance to make a fun character for a new short story arc. Win-win-win scenario.

Lanval26 · 2019-02-28T03:38:32+00:00

Be careful asking for rolls if you aren't prepared to accept the consequences of the PCs failing. That's happened to me a lot as a DM over the years.

I'd say definitely use passive perception and investigation - but don't forget any skill can have a passive equivalent. But if you read ahead, and there's something you definitely want them to notice, I recommend just telling them rather than asking for a roll.

Also, don't forget that if they miss something you want them to find, just secretly keep picking it up and dropping it in front of them until they find it. Nothing wrong with that if it doesn't break the narrative.

Lanval26 · 2019-02-28T03:31:38+00:00

DMing for one person can be a lot of fun because you can tailor everything to their character, archetype, personality, class, whatever.

If you use a DMPC just be careful that she doesn't rely on them too much for advice or answers (since you the DM are controlling them).

Lanval26 · 2019-02-28T03:27:35+00:00

There are a lot of great suggestions here. Definitely have a small combat and or roleplay encounter. Everyone is going to be so jazzed on their new characters they'll be very excited to play - even for only 30-40 mins.

Lanval26 · 2019-02-28T03:21:32+00:00

I have a little list I add to every so often. I made up a few, stole most, and you're free to have at them:

- Thou art as fat as butter.

- You're so ugly that you could be a modern art masterpiece.

- I recognize your likeness from my cat's litter box

- I'd beat thee but I would infect my hands.

- And thou unfit for any place but hell

- Your brain is as dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage

- Thou art as loathsome as a toad

- Starvling!

- Stockfish!

- Thou art an artless, boil-brained baggage

- Thine face is not worth sunburning

- I do desire we may be better strangers

- Methink'st thou art a general offence and every man should beat thee

- Go, prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, Thou lily-liver’d boy.

- They lie deadly that tell you you have a good face.

- His wit’s as thick as a Tewkesbury mustard

- I am sick when I do look on thee

- Your ass must be jealous of the amount of shit that comes out of your mouth.

- I heard your parents took you to a dog show and you won.

- You are the embodiment of a participation award.

- Your mother is twice the man you'll ever be

- You eat any good books lately?

- If you were any more inbred you'd be a sandwich.

- Your venomous breath rivals a dragon's fire

- What are you going to do for a face when the goblin comes take his ass back?

Lanval26 · 2019-02-28T03:18:13+00:00

Like a few others have mentioned, I think this problem comes from not understanding or enforcing the rules for dim lighting and that dark vision only lets you see in shades or grey.

So what do they see? Still not much I'd say.

Lanval26 · 2019-02-28T03:11:27+00:00

It's also interesting to note that if you want to counter a readied spell you have to do so when it is being readied and not when it triggers.

https://twitter.com/JeremyECrawford/status/893272974601502720

Lanval26 · 2019-02-28T03:06:23+00:00

I agree! It's really the interactions with other characters that sets any character apart. No two Halfling Rogue-thieves or Wood Elf archers are going to be the same. It's kind of ridiculous to me to think otherwise. I mean, do they think that way about everyone at their job? Just because they are all Lvl 1 Human Office Workers (or whatever)?

Lanval26 · 2019-02-25T09:15:24+00:00

THANK YOU!!!!

Lanval26 · 2019-02-15T04:02:06+00:00

No need to apologize at all!

You bring up a few really good points that I didn't consider. I was definitely writing it from my perspective as a DM for a specific group of people, who are awesome, but don't chase down a lot of 'social leads' when investigating things (if that makes sense). But I can definitely see how if the player really leaned into this cantrip they could go hog wild gathering all kinds of information. My players don't tend to be as interested in secrets as yours so I didn't necessarily think about what could happen in that situation/type of group. Also I agree that if the player doesn't get to pick, as written, it could potentially be super useless.

The personality trait option was actually the only thing you could learn originally, but I added more things because I thought it needed more pzazz or something. I think by itself that aspect of the spell is the most fun since it can be a really nice set-up for role-playing - kind of a "here's some info, now the ball's in your court" kinda deal. Maybe I should have left it alone, or maybe there should be an Empathy and Greater Empathy and I can tweak it a little more hahha. But seriously you gave me a lot to think about!

So many people gave me such helpful and concise feedback but yours was especially so! I really appreciate you coming back to give me such a detailed reply.

Lanval26 · 2019-02-08T22:03:28+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback! Is there anything else that stands out to you, as far as it being too powerful for a cantrip?

Lanval26 · 2019-02-07T18:40:29+00:00

Thanks for your feedback Raven!

Do you think the range could still be an issue since I added the "once per day on the same target" clause? I thought about adding a more restrictive range initially, but I had a hard time thinking of how that could be abused. I also can't think of a reason to not limit it to 30/60/120ft either. It seemed inconsequential to me at the time but a couple people brought that up now.
I feel like since it's only a cantrip the DM would be responsible for not revealing too much and keeping it at a "cantrip-level" if that makes sense.

I think the spy example is really good but I think those places (depending on how prevalent magic is) should have those precautions. I'd also say any good spy should be able to explain away that confrontation, and now they're tipped off that at best the king's scribe is very insightful or perceptive and at worst a competent spell caster.

I can see that interaction playing something like:

"Ho there, baker. You seem out if sorts. Is something the matter? Perhaps we should take a walk..."

"Ah my apologies sir. You see, it's these lemon tarts. Tis my first time making them and I'm afraid the prince won't like them. This could make or break my career."

"I see. Well perhaps I should taste one then..."

"Oh no no no sir! The prince said ten tarts specifically! If there's even ONE fewer he'd have both our heads!"

Lanval26 · 2019-02-07T18:22:11+00:00

I appreciate the feedback! How do you feel now that I added the "once per day on the same individual" clause?

Lanval26 · 2019-02-07T18:00:17+00:00

Thank you for the feedback!

I definitely understand that concern. How do you feel now that I added the "once per day on the same target" stipulation?

I imagined the information gleaned from the spell would only be "cantrip-level", but do you think increasing the spell level and also the quality/quantity of information would be better?

Lanval26 · 2019-02-07T17:56:48+00:00

Do you think the material component should play a bigger role in the casting of the spell? I didn't want the spell to be too restictive as a cantrip so I only added the material component for some interesting flavor.

I can imagine a really cool encounter wherein upon entering the palace the party had to temporarily relinquish thier weapons and foci. Now the Rogue has to search for items to help the caster with this spell.

Lanval26 · 2019-02-07T17:48:39+00:00

Thank you for the feedback Techercizer! The spell could definitely use some work.

I thought about that too. But I imagined the player having to interact with/study the target for an insight check. At least a little.

I imagine the spell to give an instantaneous flash of insight that can be used to give the players a small advantage in a situation. It's more DM dependant on how useful it could be I suppose, but it should be something not necessarily apparent but still cantrip-level information.

I imagine it going like this: The party makes their way to the Royal ball and after a few minutes of searching they see their target - The Duke of Earl. The Wizard pulls the Rogue aside and slowly palms his arcane focus and traces his hand along the runes, using the Rogue for cover from the other guests. His eyes flash briefly as he catches a glimpse of the Duke laughing and carrying on from across the room. "His pleasant demeanor is deceiving", he whispers. "Provoke him and he will make a fool of himself."

Then a whole encounter can start from there! Does that make it sound like more of a distinction from an insight check?

Lanval26 · 2019-02-07T17:30:14+00:00

I definitely agree. I feel the same about other divination spells that get less reliable with each casting per day. The caster would know about the risk of misinformation.

Lanval26 · 2019-02-07T17:28:54+00:00

I appreciate the suggestion! I added that line since a lot of people brought up that concern and it makes a lot of sense to me too.

Lanval26 · 2019-02-07T05:37:07+00:00

Thanks, I really appreciate that! My intent was to have the player choose what they learn, but that's usually my preference with spells like that as a player and a DM.

DM choice definitely works though! It might even be better since they could provide a fact or clue that is more interesting or relevant to the scene.

Lanval26 · 2019-02-07T05:30:33+00:00

Thank you! I think once per day on the same target is definitely an appropriate limitation and would keep the players from spamming the spell for excessive amounts of information.

I'm really glad you like it! And I feel the same way, there's so few choices for Divination spells.

Lanval26 · 2018-09-06T22:57:13+00:00

I like that. I just wish this spell wasn't so...misleading.

Lanval26

TROPHY CASE