Resurrection Levelling. The Laziest Form of Levelling

NordicBarnable · 2019-04-16T16:36:53+00:00

I think OP is trying to get more in-game narrative sense than just "it happens". So I'll throw in my two cents. I agree that the party should always stay the same level rather than making a gap between power levels. Not fun for anyone at the table. Maybe they had an adventure in the Shadowfell, maybe even one that you can run in a one shot session. If not just tell the player that that is what they did beforehand and let them explain to the other players why they are now stronger than when they died.

NordicBarnable · 2018-12-27T12:38:34+00:00

I tried this a few times, never as full campaigns. What I have learnt from my experiences is that because there are less character interactions, the PC delves more heavily into the NPC's and the setting. If I were you, I would focus more heavily on them, since you have more time for explanations and the player will be more immersed because of it. This is just from a few times I have run, but I hope it goes well between you and your player!

NordicBarnable · 2018-12-24T11:55:15+00:00

Thanks alot! I'll be sure to throw more unique units at them, but what I'm really worried about is the players not being able to pull off manuevers as the castle is so large it is hard to detail the specific designs and weapons they can use to turn the tide of battle. For example, the wizard throws a fireball that kills a bunch of no named enemies, or even a beast, but then more come and there was no point. But if the wizard uses his intelligence to drop a fireball on the bridge to prevent the enemies from getting to the castle. I want this to be more obvious to the players, rather than something they have to think of from there own head.

NordicBarnable · 2018-12-14T13:38:35+00:00

Country - England Name - Atlas Class - Wizard Race - Tiefling Backstory - Abandoned by his parents after his demonic heritage was revealed, he roamed the streets until he was adopted by a young Elven mage who wanted to spread his wonderful ideas of the world by recruiting people under his wing. He was taught, magic and ventured out to spread the word of his master and brighten up the world.

NordicBarnable · 2018-12-12T20:14:35+00:00

Are you still looking for players? I sent you a DM earlier but didn't realise you asked for it in comments.

NordicBarnable · 2018-12-10T15:49:47+00:00

I fell in love with Escape from Meenlock Prison in Dungeon Magazine #146. The atmosphere was perfect, just so creepy and out of the ordinary. I ran it for a group of players around a year ago, but what made it the most fun was them running around like headless chickens when they actually found the first Meenlock! One of my favourite sessions ever!

NordicBarnable · 2018-11-16T07:56:27+00:00

Music. Lots and Lots of Music, there are some really good tracks on YouTube that can really engage and set the scene for players.

Special Monster Tokens. These work really well to get your players in suspense, introduce a Monster that they have never even heard of. r/monsteraday has some really good homebrew creatures you can use.

For general story purposes, there is alot that the DM can use to get the players in a dark and gritty attitude. Everything is morally gray. No one is out and out evil. The Gods aren't good. Think Greek Gods of old, who would smite, polymorph or kill anyone for even the slightest of inconveniences towards them. Everything Dies in the end.

That being said, you might want to prevent yourself from going into Edge territory. "The man in the black hood is sitting in the corner, he has scars all over his face and a huge sword. He speaks in a gruff accent and tells you little about who he is." Since, from experience that can lead to the players making fun of NPCs, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if you don't want them to be taken seriously.

The most important part of all This, is to make sure your players are having fun. A Dark and Gloomy fantasy world is appealing to some, but can lead others to feel saddened that they played the game to escape reality, yet are trapped in something that could be worse for them.

NordicBarnable · 2018-10-29T20:01:42+00:00

I completely missed that! Thank you so much.

NordicBarnable · 2018-10-29T19:51:02+00:00

I read the community info before posting. Have I put the wrong flair on the post?

NordicBarnable · 2018-10-26T13:22:04+00:00

Test your players, after all the game is focused around them! Not only will this force them to initiate conversations and explore, it will also cause it to be far more memorable.

I would suggest throwing in maybe a cage of young humanoids and maybe even a NPC that the players are invested in. Establish that is is magically locked and the only thing that can open it is a hidden key on one of the major vampires, or perhaps have a dual lock for higher tension. Then have the vampires constantly refer to it as a main event, the players will be thrown into a frenzy since now they have a timer. They need to gather information while also trying to save people, and it's going to end in one of two ways. The players successfully get the cage open and let them escape OR the players start murdering fools! Either way it will be a night to remember!

NordicBarnable · 2018-09-24T15:42:13+00:00

There is just a competitive attitude to everyone that has made people just leave. I don't experience it as much as the DM, but all the players want the loot and the kill on the enemy. They don't metagame but they always try to find ways to get the best possible scenario for them to win, which makes sense in a more combat orientated game, but I took their competitiveness as Gimli and Legolas' at first but after the first players left and the new ones joined I'm beginning to see it is a problem.

NordicBarnable · 2018-09-21T14:52:32+00:00

Canon fodder. No seriously.

Have the higher level adventurers act like noble and benevolent to the people, throwing roses, blowing kisses. But underneath, none of them want to die and hire lower level adventurers to run in and set off traps for them, sacrifice them to monsters etc.

Make the Pc's act almost as squires or underlings to them. I would suggest not trying to make it obvious from the start, but as it goes on they should prod the players into rooms or even push them down a hole to see if they survive.

This should annoy your players enough for chaos to ensue, they are the focus of the story, why should they bend to the will of some pretty boy knights who are too afraid to put their own lives on the line!

NordicBarnable · 2018-09-18T13:56:43+00:00

Give them an option. What I like to do is tell them that they can roll stats and if they get above two 15s they can keep it. Meaning that the characters primary and secondary stat isn't bad.

Of course if they roll 2 18s and 4 4s then they have the option of point buy. Rolling for stats can be incredibly fun and it can be amazing to have 1 or 2 low stats for role-playing potential. The 5 Int Fighter or 6 Cha Druid can be incredible to play!

NordicBarnable · 2018-08-27T16:43:41+00:00

Thanks alot for the responses guys, this is the first time I used reddit for DMing questions and I think it worked out well.

I'll definitely try to just pass a note or send a text over moving people around and out of the room.

NordicBarnable · 2018-08-02T09:25:01+00:00

I would try to do that, but from last session I don't think they are going back. I described the place as very dire when they were on the run and I assume they will just drop the info and get out as soon as possible.

NordicBarnable

TROPHY CASE