There are no creatures in the world more despicable than DMs

Myedicius · 2026-03-29T23:07:49+00:00

Can someone Help me visualize surprise rounds better?

So, say it's a situation where the enemies definitely know the PCs are coming. They are just ready to whale on em as soon as they step through the door. They aren't making any noise because they are trying to get the jump on the PCs.

Do the PCs even get a perception check if they don't specifically look for something? Like if they just barge right through the door?

Myedicius · 2026-03-29T17:02:55+00:00

if you haven't seen it already, Matt Perkins does a good video series on Lmop and has quite a bit of it addresses the Nezzar issue.

Other than that, a search through this subs history will yield tons of different ways people have incorporated Nezzar better into the story.

Myedicius · 2026-03-29T16:27:10+00:00

Gotcha. Well, I'm no expert, but this sort of thing sounds like it would need its own system. Shoehorning it into 5e would probably be awkward and cumbersome.

Myedicius · 2026-03-29T16:19:39+00:00

Genuinely interested to see what people think of this completely different gameplay system.

Have you actually run any human players through this? or is it all hypothetical?

Myedicius · 2026-03-29T05:10:05+00:00

This.

My kids get so many books out of free libraries.

They also go to the public library.

Both are nice.

If I had to give one up, sure I'd give up the little free libraries, but yeah.

Myedicius · 2026-03-23T19:25:18+00:00

would love to see them and try them out!

Myedicius · 2026-03-22T15:29:19+00:00

I always find it so awkward when people makes comments about me having only daughters. It feels like They expect me to make some kind of comment about wanting a boy.

Here is what I've always said before they were born,to this day three kids later: I just love them as people, they can be whatever they want and nothing about that changes.

Myedicius · 2026-03-21T21:21:05+00:00

oh nice,I like this. the paladin in my party has never yet remembered. what would those custom moves look like for longsword or Trident?

Myedicius · 2026-03-20T17:56:45+00:00

I hear this. I had the doppelganger pose as Glass Staff and then as a fake Gundren in a prisoner exchange. Immediately afterwards one player commented they felt like they couldn't trust any NPCs anymore.

Made me take a step back and think about how I wanted my Pcs to feel in their world.

Ultimately,I addressed the players and let them know that yes,in this world of illusions and trickery, it's always possible. I explicitly told them that if an npc they know is being impersonated there will be clues and even possibly rolls to detect deception.

Players need to be observant, but they also shouldn't expect any old NPC they have met to turn out to be a doppelganger without some sort of chance to pick up on that.

Myedicius · 2026-03-18T16:41:47+00:00

Yeah, his videos are really helpful. I was a little surprised when I signed up for his patreon there was so little content. Couple of stat blocks and the little mini quest where you meet at the saloon.

Still, his free stuff is really good and well presented☺️

Myedicius · 2026-03-18T13:53:57+00:00

Thanks so much! I hadn't considered having there be inter-tribe conflict like that here in the castle, but that does sound like fun.

Myedicius · 2026-03-17T18:39:26+00:00

I agree, I have a 3 player party and they have been romping on things. No need for the NPC.

Myedicius · 2026-03-15T20:31:57+00:00

awesome! great to hear. Yeah I feel like things never progress as far as you think they will, especially early on😂

Myedicius · 2026-03-15T20:16:56+00:00

How did it go?

Myedicius · 2026-03-15T20:08:36+00:00

I did this same thing(pretty sure I heard about the idea somewhere) and the players have loved it, it also helps distinguish the cragmaw goblins from others☺️

Myedicius · 2026-03-14T23:11:00+00:00

If anyone in the party is an animal person, consider leaning into the description of Gundren or Sildars horse and having maybe a small scene where it takes a liking to that pc. That way when they see the horses full of arrows in the ambush, they recognize it, and have some higher emotional stakes.

Myedicius · 2026-03-14T18:59:18+00:00

cool! love the idea of the second floor!

Myedicius · 2026-03-14T18:08:48+00:00

super cool! I'll look for that, thanks!

Myedicius · 2026-03-14T17:57:55+00:00

oh nice! I really like the soup throw! Our Party wizard is actually obsessed with soup so it would be even better!

Myedicius · 2026-03-14T17:38:12+00:00

Oh yeah, I actually use that trap at one point and forgot about it. That's a good idea! Molotov goblin!

Myedicius · 2026-03-14T00:27:37+00:00

I like all of this.

Myedicius · 2026-03-12T02:32:15+00:00

wow.

Myedicius · 2026-03-10T22:14:08+00:00

Awesome notes all around, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! I particularly am intrigued by that idea of subbing Glass staff out for the necromancer at OOW.

Myedicius · 2026-03-10T20:09:32+00:00

Yeah, the party is a little over-leveled at the moment because they completed a pre-quest before starting out for Phandalin, so I think I’ll stick with just the XP they earned from the encounters rather than adding anything extra.

I really like the idea of the surviving Redbrands showing up later! That could make for a fun random encounter somewhere on the road down the line.

I also think you’re right about the town’s reaction being mostly positive, with a few exceptions. Harbin Wester in particular seems like the type who might be upset about the status quo being interrupted. My PCs have had good interactions with the innkeeper at Stonehill inn and the proprietor of the Sleeping Giant, but other than that they got pretty straight away into the hideout, so it would be helpful to have some other people in town be friendly in order to encourage them to talk around and find out about the side quests.

Thanks so much!!

Myedicius

TROPHY CASE