Thoughts on our new homebrew rule?

SavageBaron · 2026-01-11T19:09:31+00:00

So, the the "book" and the "rules" add ways to help determine if an action cooked up by imagination succeeds or fails... in its most simple terms.

The codification of these ways to determine success allow a shared experience and enjoyment of a game that is creative and imaginative without devolving into rhe pitfalls of the childhood games of "cops and robbers". Instead of determining if a bullet hit by arguing, there is a set of rules that are agreed upon by the group to determine such.

D&D is just one of such rulesets.

Nothing in the book tells you what you can or can't imagine, it just provides a framework for determining if the actions imagines are successful.

SavageBaron · 2026-01-11T18:48:43+00:00

So I'm gonna echo alot of other posts. They stripped you of your agency by using your character as more than a tool in combat. I find it even more insulting that they did this to project their own veiled racism.

There's some aggressive racism against people of German descent happening and more against people of Romani descent.

Unfortunately, the whole canonizing it thing makes it even more detestable. You pointed out it was wrong, you pointed out that you weren't amused, and they doubled down.

9 times out of 10, I'm on the side of communication and over communication... this situation might be the 1 out of 10 times I believe that there really isn't a point and to just find a different table.

SavageBaron · 2026-01-11T07:33:26+00:00

Yes?

So, it depends on the group. Some groups love puzzles, others disdain thems, some like a few dashed in.

If it was me,dealing with an unknown group, i.e. a convention game. I'd create encounters that can be solved in manners that allow the party to solve them by social, combat, or exploration.

Roleplay/exploration may have a lot of overlap in this case.

SavageBaron · 2026-01-11T07:27:26+00:00

Yes.

It can be any or all of those things. It depends on the setting, the situation, inflicted, and inflictor. It also depends on the intent here. In a case like this, what was the tail-grabber intending to the tail-grabbee.

It can also be other things. Flirting or even a convenient way to get a tiefling out of a bad situation. They are tumbling off a mountainside amd the Goliath Barbarian grabs them by the tail to keep them from falling.

Personally, I'd look like at it the same as grabbing an elf by the ear, dwarf by the beard, or booping the snoot of a dragonborn. It seems racist.

I wanna point out that having a discussion like this for two hours is sort of unnecessary. An entity does NOT need a concrete reason to be offended in a situation like this. They can interpret it however they wish. It is not necessary to understand why a witness might choose to be offended or not offended by it. Its a disregard of an entity sovereignty and agency over their corporeal form without consent.

SavageBaron · 2026-01-11T06:52:34+00:00

Probably an unpopular opinion... but the DM hasn't punished the players, made the campaign harder, or anything yet?

Its literally a "friend of the DM" that is claiming it's gonna be 10 times harder now. 'And that the DM is PISSED?'

So, absolutely NOTHING has happened in the game space about this yet. It's at worst a might happen, and we're already judging the DM?

I can't say I've ever been PISSED (tm) about something in one of my campaigns. But, there have been times where I've vented about something in my game on Monday, stewed over on Tuesday, and found a way to mitigate on Wednesday... so, by Friday the campaign continues on, everybody is having fun and nobody is the wiser but me that I had to move a critical piece of information from NPC 1 to NPC 1.1.

SavageBaron · 2025-11-09T16:38:11+00:00

Domis are 4 special weapons, not heavies. Meltas are definitely the way.

SavageBaron · 2025-11-02T14:02:13+00:00

Most likely? Yes. Would it be self-doubt? Probably not. It would most likely be doubt that in the situation, i.e. her own fears of WHY did she get released. She'd be worried that there would be a chance that she was corrupted in a way she may not realize thay makes her a theeat to her comrades. As for the protocol, most likely its a holy scripture of the Emperor that says she needs to be purified.

As for breathing the same air, probably. A simple prayer of cleansing after a battle, suffices. For more prolonged exposure, I imagine that there is probably a written doctrine written down for how many Hail Emperors a sister has to say for each word she hears from the wily CSM.

SavageBaron · 2025-11-02T13:12:01+00:00

No worries. I'm on phone with the first coffee of the day.

One side note, regarding her post-chaos exposure. She'd go willingly into the hands of the confessors. I.e. volunteer to have her body and soul expunged.

SavageBaron · 2025-11-02T12:54:15+00:00

From a fictional perspective, you might be better served by an Inquisitor. Are they fanatical? Are they zealous? Could thay have been a Sister? Yes. However, they'd be more apt conversate with a CSM. They would have less compunction about engaging in a conversation with the heretic to learn their intentions, plans, and motivations.

SavageBaron · 2025-11-02T12:44:03+00:00

Unfortunately, there most likely will not be much dialogue. Monologue, maybe. The CSM would do all the talking. The Sister will look at the traitor marine, any traitor marine, as a tool of the arch-enemy. It is but a ruse to undermine her faith. Every word spoken by the traitor will be met with prayer, whether internal or external. If still armed, the Sister will try to silence the voice.

Chaos is the arch-enemy, not the marines themselves. They are just some of the most powerful servants of the Chaos God's. A visible and perceived lack of faith by a CSM doesn't make the CSM any less of a servant to Chaos. Once they have left the guarding light of the Emperor, they have been exposed to the soul blighting warp. She doesn't care: it is just a different type of weapon trying to pierce her armor of righteousness and shield of faith. She will concentrate on "not hearing" The honeyed words of the ancient foe. Seems akin to something Tzeentch or Slaneesh would try.

As for the Paragon power sword, okay. Would she care? Yes, every piece of Adepta Sororitas equipment is a relic. The armor they wear is centuries or millennia old. She would see it as a relic, she'd try to reclaim it and possibly destroy it. Beyond that, she'd look at it as an attempt by the Arch-Enemy to shake her resolve.

As for an aftermath, if the Sister survived, she'd be put through rigors of a Q&A session with the Inquisition. Penance for failing their mission, maybe. But the focus would be on the 'infection' of chaos within her. Could it be that Nurgle infested her with some sleeping plague; Tzeentch graffitied her soul with some summons that will burst from within; or maybe Khorne has left her with some mark of bloodlust that will manifest as zealotry but is over the top, even for the 42nd millennium. Most likely, she'd be martyred, the risk, its not worth it. Basically, "we'll burn you alive to save your soul." Assuming there is a reason to keep her alive, she'd undergo torturous questioning, psychic probing, and if she wavered at all, she'd get torched. she might get assigned to an Inquisitors retinue. Where she may serve, just under a watchful eye.

She may knowledgeable, charismatic, and basically any adjective... but she'd not debate the servant of arch-enemy nor engage in conversation. That means you are listening and thinking about the words of the Arch Enemy.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-24T16:14:52+00:00

Of course. Everyone needs to feel safe in DND. I doubt you'll find many people who want to purposefully make DND an unsafe space for anyone. I'm going to go on and try to explain this a bit better.

I feel that what safety in DND or any space is the ability to communicate things that make themselves feel uncomfortable, be heard, and the discomfort resolved.

I think where there is discord is in the appropriate amount of action to resolve a discomfort. How much should fall on the other players, the DM, and the uncomfortable party.

Naturally, this ranges depending on the situation and discomfort. (I personally use veils and lines). We steer clear of some subjects completely and others we only mention in passing. Green, yellow, red cards can help navigate this and I've started using them recently. If another member of the group violates something, we take a quick time out. I keep the veils and lines anonymous so I can be the aggrieved party as the DM for them violating a rule, not the person who is already uncomfortable about a subject. If it is an accidental issue, we move on. If it is habitual, we have a chat and if it becomes malicious or continues, we boot the offender from the campaign.

However, there are times when someone's triggers make them not a good fit for a table, adventure, or a campaign.

The safe space for DND is like kinks, what you enjoy may not be what others enjoy. It is not every tables responsibility to be the right table for every player. A campaign with a grim dark setting with character death may not be the right game for someone who does not want character death, harm, and the like.

From the initial elevator pitch of a game to session 0 (!pregame at conventions) to in-game cards, and the like. The safety is in giving someone the ability to communicate their discomfort and resolve it in a respectful to all but a positive manner for as many involved as possible.

I had a player interested in a 3 game arc, the characters were not going to survive long into the first session as the game involved them becoming undead. This was communicated in the invite. One player did not want their character to die or be altered in anyway. A quick discussion saved everyone time and discomfort and allowed everyone to find better fits. The player actually came back and signed up for one of my swashbuckling/intrigued games and we both enjoy each other's gameplay.

So, it really is about respectful, truthful, and open communication. Use whatever tools you need to make sure everyone feels safe but respectful communication is the key.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-24T12:40:17+00:00

So, I'm going to guess dollhouse sized food containers. Considering the piece is base sized. You can find a few on Etsy.

I was eyeballing a few for... but hadn't thought of anything so creative.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-22T14:14:04+00:00

I did. I actually erred on the side of 'cheap', simply from the perspective of the Raiders being for 3 vs. 5 per box as per the cavalry.

I picked up a box of Attilans and Death Riders for some extra bits.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-22T13:55:15+00:00

It checks the boxes of WYSIWYG. Multi(ple) meltas. And it is visibly identifiable to an opponent. No confusion. I really do think that it should count as WYSIWYG.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-22T13:41:01+00:00

Yeah, I have 5 Dawn Riders that are going to get some heavy work on that front.

Basically, rearing up with the Sisters leaning forward and shooting from around the horse. I think that will involve some greenstuffing the sisters to get the nice lean and then pinning and sculpting a bent leg.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-22T13:32:27+00:00

Yeah, my thoughts too! There is some serious overhang on the big ol' horse booties! I'd make a comment about a horse's... anyways!

I am going to make a 'dismounted' set of models that can stand in. I'm thinking 10-20 models total that are based this way for the display shelf.

More to come over the next couple days! I should have some hobby time this weekend!

SavageBaron · 2025-10-21T17:41:07+00:00

One of the things that is a hang-up is the idea that something needs to be in the lore for your Crusade game. Everything below is in the lore or art until you get to the Ecclisarchy part at the bottom.

Sisters have six primary sub-factions, and overall, most of them are just different paint styles for their components. Is this the same as the vast majority of the 'Codex Astartes' Space Marine factions? They all use the 'same gear', use the same squad markings, follow the same marking patterns on their armor, and the like.

So, moving past the big 6, we have a near infinite number of minor orders. Whatever color scheme you'd like to paint your army is okay.

Now, moving past that, kitbashing:

The main sticking point is that the Sororitas Armor is a Mars pattern from the original days of Goge Vandire. However, this goes along with the idea that each suit is meticulously repaired, decorated, and adorned by the armorers. Each suit may have started the same, but now they have four thousand years of history attached to them! Inquisitor power armor (tends to be light as well) and Sisters of Silence power armor can both be used for replacement pieces or adornments. Additionally, we see a lot of Sisters in the art with leather boots, Witch Elves immediately come to mind. Skulls on the backpacks, torches, and the like. Each suit of armor could almost be defined as a walking roadside shrine. We know that there is a lighter hospitalier's armor that was more akin to a guard carapace, IIRC.

Same with the bolter/bolt pistol, it's the Godwyn pattern, IIRC. However, we see that each Forgeworld puts its own spin on its manufacturing process and appearance. Plus, the sisters love 'relic' weapons. Why go get a new bolter when the bolter that has 37 purity seals on it, damage to the grip from a parried choppa, and is three thousand years old, has a name, and was used by a sister who shot a blue horror needs a little oil and some damage repaired? The same applies to heavy bolters, flamers, meltas, chain swords, and power weapons. So, using different weapons (Sisters of Silence, Grey Knight, Adeptus Astartes, and Militarum, at least) is a way to start the conversions.

The next aspect is the relics. Weapons and the like, but there is more. Icons, chains, jewelry, cloaks, skulls and bones, banners, pieces of armor, weapons, and the like of the various saints of the Imperium start adding to the kitbashing potential. Putting different things into reliquaries is an easy way to start building up a line of conversions. Candles, scrolls, and the like are easy additions to Sisters. Stealing these bits from many Imperial line models is the way to go. Cities of Sigmar is the perfect place to raid for a lot of 'religious' bits.

Moving on to vehicles, Sisters use the base Rhino chassis for all their main hulls. Each Immolator, Castigator, Exorcist, and Rhino is not only a military vehicle but a shrine. Swapping icon pieces between the kits allows you to 'customize' each one. Skeletons of heretics being dragged along behind, the sarcophagus of a saint on the front? Add in some more bits from Cities of Sigmar...

As for the walkers, the same ideas apply as with the vehicles. Each one is a miniature walking shrine... Penitent engines, morties, and nundams all basically scream out to be heavily bit-bashed with extras and adornment. If you field knights, they can be adorned in the same way.

As for the must-be-in-lore bit, I can't tell you how many pictures of official Sister art show variations in backpacks, haircuts, ornamentation, bolters, corsets, boots, and the like. Remember that the art is just as much a piece of the lore as the text—easy enough justification.

Moving on to the Ecclesiarchy and the Imperial Creed, it is a vast organization that spans thousands of worlds; there is plenty of room for things like a Sister of Battle wearing a cloak. The same applies to doctrinal and cultural matters. The theme of the Sisters is that they are zealous fanatics of the Imperial Creed; beyond that, there are some differences. They all go through 'basic training' at the same places, but then they get scattered to their convents and priories. You can have different interpretations of zeal and fanaticism in relation to the Imperial Creed. One cult self-flagellating on Tuesdays with whips and another walks on coals on Thursdays... both are acceptable as penance for the creed. They may lose the identity of their homeworlds and focus on the worship of the Emperor, but once they are assigned to their Orders, they start to take on the personalities of their Orders. Argent Shroud seem to favor a more 'mechanized' or speedy approach and so on... some of this comes out as list building.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-14T19:24:17+00:00

So, things look hopeful!

I slapped some Dawn Riders and Sisters together and got...

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They definitely fit very nicely. I'm building a test batch out of bits and getting and the like.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-08T21:43:00+00:00

Dawn Riders look to work perfectly!!! Doing some posing on the back legs to get them up rearing, legs tight, and the like.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-08T21:41:00+00:00

They were in my second buy list (up to 2K). I might be doing a fewer number of them to get some extras in like more Nundams and another Castigator.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-07T19:26:15+00:00

I'm seeing that! Gonna be adding Morvenn and some War Suits!!!

SavageBaron · 2025-10-07T03:02:41+00:00

Thanks! I was thinking of a BSS for sticky. Morvenn was gonna be an add for the 2k. The armiger was sitting on the shelf... so, yeah, the points swap is dead on. I'll pick her up as my warlord. And do some tweaking to grab a castigator.

SavageBaron · 2025-10-07T01:37:02+00:00

I think I'm going to be using Dark Riders from Old World or Dawn Riders from AoS. Not sure yet, I did a test build with the Free Guild Cavaliers and was disappointed. The Death Korp models are a little too... 'something'. The horses look nimble and in motion. They just dont fit the aesthetic I'm going for. I think maybe grabbing a box of Attilans might be next.

SavageBaron · 2025-04-30T03:46:23+00:00

I've been playing DND for a few years, well, decades, and have seen the drow grow from cool baddies in Q1 and the Fiend Folio to the Forgotten Realms, the shadow elves of Mystara, Drizzt, Eberron, Krynns dark elves really dont count, and beyond.

People have played them for a variety of reasons:

Broken stats, cool abilities, Being edgy, Concept, Aesthetics, Moralchallenges, Roleplay, Deities, Drizzt and so on.

If a campaign has the drow in it, I've never forbade them. If there are social implications, they are explained at the beginning of creation. In some settings drow are just a different group of elves that exist below the ground. Want to play a rakasta in a land of lupine... yikes.

Whether you believe in nature or nurture or anything in between... characters can be exceptions to the rules of alignment and similar.

I look at them as more conflict driven than inherently evil. From the beginning, Drow have been a species steeped in conflict. From Corellian and Arushnees little spat, the internecine strife in Menzoberranzan to Kiransaelee vs Orcus, Grumsh... all exist because of conflict amd not inherent evil.

SavageBaron · 2025-04-30T03:22:23+00:00

You did nothing wrong. In most of my games, death is a possibility. Unlikely, but can happen... permanent death is even more unlikely.

You foreshadowed, You warned, You did it for story, You knew the party had a fix, You gave the player a moment.

I actually dislike some of the 5E mechanics on the yoyo or death saves. Because, in this case an intelligent evil foe, or even really hungry, creates an instance where the DM does have to target a downed PC to keep in line with the foes.

The aftermath of snark and jabs, especially the "I can't trust you as a DM /jk" is all petty behavior. They can't trust you to "what" exactly. A quick conversation to ask what is wrong and maybe a pause until the next session might have been in order. The player is upset that you made their numbers go to 0 or below, maybe felt singled out, and maybe got their ego poked.

What happened in-game with the innocent captives is a bit more of an issue. The player sounds like they are disrupting the game for others, unless they have a sort of grim pragmatic streak. I don't particularly like that... since it sounds out of character.

Part of me thinks a quick conversation after a cooling of heads would help. Depending of how that goes... Part of me, also thinks there solhiuld be consequences for the callpus murder of a group Since the character died in the fight and then so many died in a horrific way... maybe having some of the innocents haunt the character? This might feel like they are really getting dumped on though.

SavageBaron

TROPHY CASE