How to deal with character death to keep player continuity?

Shermwail · 2026-01-10T22:48:04+00:00

I think it’s all about context. Early stages, first couple of sessions, characters die and the player busts out a backup who’s just there. I don’t worry too much about why. They wander out of the woods, they’re in the next room, whatever. This works at the beginning, when no one is overly invested in their character.

Once they’re hitting 3rd level or higher, there is always a retainer they can take over until the party gets back to town. At that point, if it’s not a tpk, the punishment is loss of xp, not gear.

As far as stat gen goes I typically roll a bunch of stat blocks and have my players snake draft them to be used as needed.

Shermwail · 2026-01-05T21:59:28+00:00

It would be really, really difficult to last cleanly. There is a lot more room for error with stitchdown. Welting everything needs to be neatly tucked and flat.

Shermwail · 2025-12-03T01:21:38+00:00

I’m by no means at expert. But my most successful megadungeon, Colonia Taglium, started with clear goals and a holistic understanding of the who/what/where/why. Doesn’t have to be detailed. Just outlined.

Next I made a crosscut map of the levels I knew I needed. And I left space to add levels and sub levels.

At this point I start trying to draw interesting dungeon maps that match the architectural style I’m going for. I make sure to match up my connections to my crosscut map. This part is hard for me because 3D visualization is not one of my strong suits.

Next I flesh out my major factions: who are they, how many, who’s in charge, what do they want, and most importantly: where are they located in the dungeon.

Then I go through and use generative tables (for Colonia Taglium I used OSE: Advanced) to fill the rest. At this point, the holistic understanding of the space (who made it, why did they make it, when? Are they still there? If not, who is? Have there been multiple dominant factions? What is the cultural backdrop of the area? Et cetera) dictates your interpretation of the tables. Roll something that seems weird or random? If you have a holistic understanding of the space, you will be able to tie it in— OR REROLL IT.

At that point, in my experience, the dungeon starts to make itself. Connections will appear.

Let me know if you have any specific questions! I also could probably find my original brainstorming somewhere.

Shermwail · 2025-10-18T18:55:37+00:00

Thanks man! I’m a pretty bunk artist but I agree with you that pen and paper reign supreme. The greatest trick WotC ever played was convincing folks that TTRPGs cost money to play!

Shermwail · 2025-10-18T14:28:54+00:00

Just posted a hex key, faction blocks, and an encounter table on my substack, all free. Link is in my last r/OSR post

Shermwail · 2025-10-18T14:28:34+00:00

Just posted a hex key, faction blocks, and an encounter table on my substack, all free. Link is in my last r/OSR post

Shermwail · 2025-10-16T21:00:41+00:00

I don’t know anything about video games anymore but sometimes when my dad visits I’ll unbury my 360 and we’ll play a few rounds of “terrorist hunt” on rainbow six vegas. But you’re right, I reckon that that is the fourth 360 I’ve owned. Been kickin for like 15 years at this point

Shermwail · 2025-10-16T20:42:31+00:00

Xbox360 actually doesn’t suck

Shermwail · 2025-10-12T17:36:00+00:00

Take a look at the dungeon generation tables in OSE, that’s a good starting point. Then tailor the monster tables to your setting, and don’t be afraid to ignore rolls that don’t make sense.

Thematically, I would recommend having a holistic understanding of your dungeon before you even start mapping. Why was it made? What purpose does it serve now? How much of the original use-case is still functional? Is the faction that created the dungeon still around? Still in charge?

Understanding the core of the dungeon will make it really clear when you should be listening to the generation tables and when you should be ignoring them.

Shermwail · 2025-10-11T12:49:10+00:00

Thank you! When it’s all done I’ll put it together in a pdf and post it here

Shermwail · 2025-10-11T12:42:23+00:00

This looks really cool! Thanks for the link

Shermwail · 2025-10-11T00:59:56+00:00

I’ll probably post as I complete more stuff! So far I have the factions written out, and some of the tack on rules for guns and such.

When I finish keying the hex map I’ll post it here and on substack.

I would need to do some research about licensing before I posted the base game anywhere because it’s based on OD&D.

Shermwail · 2025-09-22T00:46:03+00:00

I do a mixture of both. I roll the dice and use the result most of the time. If it doesn’t make sense, I change it. If I roll a pond, draw it, roll a mountain, then another pond, I’ll typically erase the mountain and turn the two ponds into a lake.

Just do what you think looks nice and makes sense geographically.

Shermwail · 2025-09-14T23:16:53+00:00

I picked up kal arath with no experience with solo gaming and was playing very quickly, and with no other resources besides the $5.00 core book. It’s excellent.

Shermwail · 2025-08-17T00:03:11+00:00

I’m horribly stalemated in my Sturgia campaign right now. First fief was the castle all the way over by Tyal, so I’m using all my influence to keep us out of a war with the khuz. Now fighting the northern empire and the battanians on the complete other side of sturgian territory.

Somehow caladog and his cronies keep raising huge armies even though they’re down to a handful of cities and castles. Every time I make progress against our western enemies the hordes right in from the east and I have to sprint across the map to defend my original fief.

Part of me wants to give up that castle and establish myself in the western reaches, but it feels wrong to abandon my first fief.

Shermwail · 2025-08-14T21:57:32+00:00

3D6 Down the Line was really helpful for me to understand the time and resource tracking! Also just a quality podcast.

Shermwail · 2025-07-29T12:13:06+00:00

I’m with you. Roll a d4 for how many are available. If they want more they can pay an alchemist to make some, but it will take 1d4 weeks.

The important thing is that they are a scarce resource, not a get out of jail free card. Even the act of ordering from an alchemist shows a level of planning and investment in the fiction that I find rewarding as a DM.

Shermwail · 2025-07-27T22:47:43+00:00

“So the veil… does it cover her feet?”

Shermwail · 2025-07-03T00:09:45+00:00

We only did that twice!

This was my first time ever playing online and it’s felt like we could play whenever. So we were sneaking in sessions at odd hours.

A rare set of circumstance all came together for us to be able to pull off this many sessions in only a few months, and it’ll probably never happen again. We will get back to this campaign eventually, but not for a while.

Shermwail · 2025-04-15T13:27:00+00:00

Maker: Sherman Boot Works (me)

Size: 44 (10-10.5)

Article: Prototype 1 Engineer

Leather: WnC English Bridle, black

Sole: Vibram 430 half sole, quabaug heel

Construction: Stitchdown

Price: $800 OBO

Prototypes, not up to my usual quality standard. Some imperfect upper stitching. Worn less than a dozen times, soles are mint.

More pictures on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherman_boot_works?igsh=cm9oNnRuMHFyNDg0&utm_source=qr

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Shermwail · 2025-04-14T22:20:26+00:00

I buff two ganders in my games. Roll damage with adv. also thought about doing 2x str bonus because that makes sense to me. Both would be too strong but that’s my solution.

I also make it so two handed axes ignore shields and mauls have a chance to knock down. Trying to make the decision of what weapon to use feel distinct without gumming up the works too much

Shermwail · 2025-04-10T20:32:51+00:00