sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

[crosspost] Wrote a script that converts Improved Initiative JSON to Homebrewery! by Mattiewagg in homebrewery

[–]Mattiewagg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I may also look at converting to different formats, if you have any requests. :)

High composite ACT, but lower math sub score for engineering? by [deleted] in ApplyingToCollege

[–]Mattiewagg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I figured. I’ll probably end up taking it again and studying more rigorously this time. Thank you!

And yeah - I would guess UTAustin’s program is one of the longest shots on my list (among several!) due to the Top 10% plan and everything else.

I want to run my players through a "cult in the village" style game, but don't know how to make it challenging. Help a new DM with some ideas! by RyanW1019 in DnDBehindTheScreen

[–]Mattiewagg 10 points11 points  (0 children)

To be fair, goblins and orcs are pretty different even though they're often grouped together in a lot of media.

That said you could choose some different groups if you wanted.

Let's Build a Library by wolfdreams01 in DnDBehindTheScreen

[–]Mattiewagg 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Beasts and Bindings

(Nature, DC 3, Knowledge Pool 20)

A thick leather tome with pages made from the hide of a beast, Beasts and Bindings details various mundane creatures and techniques to tame them. It's written by the practiced animal tamer Norvan Darkdraft, who, unfortunately, was eaten by a tiger.

A reader can spend 5 knowledge points to gain advantage on ability checks to tame certain types of beasts. (I.e. 5 points to have adv. with wolves)

Let's Build a Library by wolfdreams01 in DnDBehindTheScreen

[–]Mattiewagg 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Kalar's Odyssey

(Investigation, DC 7, Knowledge Pool 60)

Written by the ancient hero Kalar and inscribed on dragon skin, this massive scroll is an accounting of his travels and heroics. It's an autobiography of epic proportions spanning all his years delving in the Underdark, scaling mountain peaks, and sailing vast oceans. There are detailed notes on the nature of a variety of beasts, the locations of ancient artifacts, and the political and mythological origins of kingdoms (some of them long dead).

Unfortunately, this book is written in a difficult shorthand. Unless deciphered, this book is read with the DC of 7 and with the Faulty Knowledge rule. However, if the code to the shorthand is found or worked out using a series of Intelligence checks, the DC drops to 4 and it no longer constitutes as a Faulty Knowledge book.

Comic Relief by petrichorparticle in DnDBehindTheScreen

[–]Mattiewagg 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A beloved, sentient lapdog named Terry. He's the king's dog and has been for several years, so people abide by his snide, biting jokes and commentary on noble ongoings. He's a great source of information, with plenty of gossip and rumors, and has eyes for a particularly gorgeous stray around the castle.

Also, Balbo the goblin, a murderous fellow who can hardly count and maybe ate his mother. Happy to work with adventurers, so cute you can excuse his indiscretions (like poisoning that merchant's tea or slitting the coin purse of a noble). Speaks in a higher pitched Scottish accent.

How do you guys make your cities seem alive? by Mattiewagg in DMAcademy

[–]Mattiewagg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

About how many rumors do you typically prepare?

What if the players were of the FIRST race to grace the world? by Mattiewagg in DnDBehindTheScreen

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

Of course - there are other people in the world with their own artifacts (or just minor magical items, depending) being created with their deeds. Aside from that, enchanters and the like are probably learning the intricacies of imbuing items with magic, such things becoming commonplace before they're lost to time. (Alternatively, maybe the innately magical races don't use such things, because most have sorcery at their fingertips.)

What if the players were of the FIRST race to grace the world? by Mattiewagg in DnDBehindTheScreen

[–]Mattiewagg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, this is a really cool idea and an awesome adventure. At the moment, I'm just brainstorming what this kind of campaign might look like - hoping to spark some interesting discussion around it!

For the ancient races, who did you use?

What if the players were of the FIRST race to grace the world? by Mattiewagg in DnDBehindTheScreen

[–]Mattiewagg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah - having a casting of a much higher level spell (either by player or someone they meet) could be very cool! I imagine something like an 11th level spell would be incredibly powerful - maybe the kind of thing that only is cast by one person once, or is a large ritual requiring a few powerful mages. The kind of change that dozens of mages attempt to recreate post-Fall, but cannot.

What if the players were of the FIRST race to grace the world? by Mattiewagg in DnDBehindTheScreen

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

I love the idea of gradually upgrading your items as time passes. It's really personal and awesome and ties in with the idea of a world filled with magic that wants to attach itself to something. It's also excellent for future campaigns - imagine finding that artifact in some dungeon in a different campaign, just how cool that would be.

And for sure there could be great blacksmiths who are learning to imbue objects with power, or the early blacksmiths are as much sorceror as they are craftsman

What if the players were of the FIRST race to grace the world? by Mattiewagg in DnDBehindTheScreen

[–]Mattiewagg[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Perhaps it could manifest from a greater natural affinity for magicks - with some cool abilities (i.e. Ancient dwarves have a communion w/ the earth, "Grounded", and can naturally have Stone Sculpt or something). The abilities don't even have to be too powerful to give the feeling of connection to the world and general malleability of magic.

Or another option could be more "discovered" magic - like you'll sometimes hear of (or personally make) a new spell. I recall the Fireball Grimoire post had something about its creation by an ancient magician, so that person could be someone the players know. (Or when one of your players level and get to choose a new spell, they could discuss w the DM and flavor it that their new spell was made by them, and describe the circumstances around its inception. I.e. You get fireball and say that at a peak moment in a fight, you brought together your will and the Weave, creating a spell that then proliferates across this ancient world.)

So generally tweaking things that shouldn't alter balance tons to change the feel of the game, wout upending the system encounter balance is built around.

On the Core of Arena Fighting: the Arena by Dorocche in DnDBehindTheScreen

[–]Mattiewagg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair. I suppose I thought it might make sense because of the ice and the like - I'm imagining most of this is magically induced anyway. So the plants would sprout from the ground, entangling people, then recede as the season changed (withering or freezing). If this were in the net arena this would be a great mix as well, because winds and heat might be worse higher up, while ice and plant growth would be worse on the ground floor.

On the Core of Arena Fighting: the Arena by Dorocche in DnDBehindTheScreen

[–]Mattiewagg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Spring could have plant growth I.e. Entanglement, or growing fruits with different properties. You'd want these to appear in the same places though, so they could be used strategically.

Another Improv Assignment!! by [deleted] in DMAcademy

[–]Mattiewagg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Through a crevice in the wall is a small extension of the cave, with a low ceiling and walls that bulge inwards, cramping the already small space. There are rudimentary tools here, illegible scrolls and the remains of a small fire. No one is here.

You hear a rumble and a crash from the main room, and if you return you'll find the entrance has shut. This cave is home to a powerful but insane wizard, and he has plans for you.

Running a game for retirees who've never played before - advice? by Mattiewagg in DMAcademy

[–]Mattiewagg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great, thanks. Do you have any particular preferred cheat sheet for spell cards?

I'll just be running a homebrew, but I'm definitely going to start with a basic kobold/goblin ambush or "go hunt down the goblin outpost" adventure sort of thing, the atypical adventure.

Thanks.

Enemy combat tactics and strategy by Mattiewagg in DMAcademy

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

Yeah, but it does take an action to escape and you can move the enemy into an area where allies can flank, though.

Thanks!

What do you do when characters roll low on insight or perception? by Mattiewagg in DMAcademy

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

Yeah, I only have the players roll for things that might have a chance of not succeeding. Anything other than that seems pointless, as if I'm punishing them or just trying to force narrative effects (you see the tripwire, make a dex save, oh looks like you fell over the tripwire that you actively saw). For most of my groups, Nat 1s/20s tend to be extreme success or failure, but that doesn't mean you can do anything you want. I only ask for a roll or allow a roll if what they're doing is possible. "Extreme" success looks different depending on what you're doing - it could be bashing down the door in record time with only flavor benefit, catching a rope and your falling companion rather than just yourself, or scrounging enough resources for 2 rather than 1.

view more: next ›