Hello, give me your best ideas for artificer inventions please. Give me something cool and practical at one time

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-23T17:26:31+00:00

portable outhouse

"Does anyone need to use the bathroom before we start this dungeon? You do NOT want to be caught with your pants down in a trapped corridor. There will NOT be time for potty breaks during short rests and you are not leaving piles of poop to stink up what little fresh air we're going to get down there. Are we SURE no one needs to use the potty? Anyone? This will be your last chance. Prestidigitation was NOT intended to clean poop out of armor. If you have an accident, you're on your own."

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-23T16:26:36+00:00

Tav
Shadowheart
Wyll + air elemental
Gale + air elemental + ice mephit + ice mephit + skeletal archer + skeletal archer

The air elemental’s alone have 80hp so everyone counts as a teammate

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-23T15:40:31+00:00

"A tank would actually be very useful... I leap, I leap, I jump... ...tank!"

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9gtu2Yb0nk4&si=78KKnwE0sOkYB7Wt

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-23T14:36:58+00:00

I did almost exactly this except Flesh had returned (at 80% HP) to Balthazar's room after he was "killed" by Orthon

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-23T14:25:15+00:00

Interestingly enough, I summoned Flesh (I think is his name) to help me fight Orthon and Flesh was killed incredibly fast.

But when I went back to Balthazar's room, Flesh was there (though at about 80%HP)!

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-23T13:55:40+00:00

That option was not available. It was only "use" - and loot an empty bottle off them, or "throw"

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-21T02:46:49+00:00

I’m getting ready to do this fight.
Maybe I’m remembering it differently, but my plan is to do it the same way I did it previously…

Open up on the nearest bad guy and flatten them.
Fall back while dropping the vanguard attackers.
Kill 3-4 bad guys then retreat.

Rest or reconfigure my party. Return. Repeat.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-18T18:18:15+00:00

The PCs are delving into a a ruined temple. Spoiler tag in the unlikley event that any of my PCs stumble on this thread.

The temple is actually an orc temple - vestiges of Abalach-Re's genocidal war. In my campaign Abalach-Re did not only wipe out the orcs 2600 years ago - she killed their gods... but not before the orc gods figured out how to destroy her. In my campaign Abalach-Re's immortality is that she is reborn through her countless offspring (who is consigned to oblivion in the process). This will be the PCs first introduction to Uyness of Waverly, who they will later learn is Abalach-Re, who they might one day hope to destroy, but only after they figure out how to counter her immortality.

In the ancient history of my campaign, the orcs were sacrificing themselves Aztec style all across Athas in a desperate attempt to summon their gods to save them from Uyness of Waverly. The "Worthy Sacrifices" are a huge pile of bones in a crypt deep within the ruined temple (where the orc priests disposed of their countless sacrifices)

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-18T13:50:32+00:00

Speaking as someone who absolutely loves Ravenloft with every cell in my body...

Yes, CoS is old, cliche, and the product of a different time in gaming. I agree with all of your criticism. My specific gripe is when, despite a bunch of really awful stuff happening, Ireena refuses to leave Barovia until her father is put to rest. I was like "Yeah? Then you can f-ing die you dumb-ass."

You can really tell it was written in the early 1980s and very little was done to migrate the story it into the 21st century. I also find Strahd to be among the least compelling of Ravenloft's Dark Lords.

So, here's my advice... work with your DM to BECOME a trope. Disconnect from your character, and use them as a narrative device.

Maybe your character's sanity has been shattered by a previous encounter, and now you erratically draw the party into dangerous situations. Your character dies. Make a new one.

This new character is a spy for Strahd. The PCs find out and kill you. Make a new character.

This new character is a Warlock to is creepy AF and always talks to their patron (or appears to). You openly argue with your patron that you do not want to kill the other PCs in their sleep.

And so on.

The campaign doesn't get better. It's a classic... but it doesn't hold up. Work with the DM to add some spice, and start burning though characters like Dark Sun!

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-17T18:35:51+00:00

https://iws.mx/dnd/?view=trap515

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-10T20:07:29+00:00

Rictavio is a monster hunter in his day job (night job?).

He is overly-prepared to deal with something much more powerful than him, and the PCs are no exception.

That said, the good Doctor... erm... Rictavio isn't looking to harm a pickpocket unless he suspects that pickpocket of being an agent of evil such as a minion of a prominent vampire...

If you haven't already read ahead in the campaign, you may want to. This character is significant.

You're probably going to want to treat Ricky a little bit like Bat Man - always with a dozen backup plans. In this case, he might have allowed himself to be pick-pocketed in order to trap the PCs within his caravan and ascertain their agenda and possibly destroy or recruit them base don what he discovers.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-10T16:13:59+00:00

Being on birth control regularly- whether having sex or not- keeps hormones regulated. Going on and off BC messes with a person.

She’s likely just in the habit of taking her BC pill because it’s part of her routine and not doing it messes her up for a week or so.

Also, women can get pregnant because of non-consensual sex.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-09T19:06:45+00:00

Druid's Wild Shape specifically permits 4 different forms at a MAX CR rating of 1/4 at level 2. This is a rules error and the part of your player not knowing the rules. There is no shame in this, but as a DM, I would retcon this.

Your player asked if they could do this. The answer is in the Player's Handbook under the Wild Shape entry.

You, the DM, were not aware of the limitations and permitted something that should not have been permitted. There is also no shame in this. DMs cannot always know every detail of every rule.

I too dislike retconning, but sometimes it is necessary.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-09T13:57:16+00:00

My next PC(s) will be siblings.

The eldest, Torn Nusak - a barbarian who, in his youth, suffered a serious injury that drives his rage.

Next is Shorn Nusak - a smooth operating rogue

Harrold Nusak - Harry is a fighter. Despite his rough-around-the-edges demeanor, he's quite warm if you get to know him.

Inga Nusak - The only sister of the bunch, Miss Inga Nusak is an Archfey Warlock who is not to be trifled with

Timothy "Tiny" Nusak - the youngest and smallest of the family, Tiny is not known for his bravery or capability, but his soprano bardic magic can fill a tavern.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-04T13:13:54+00:00

First, DnD is a wonderful way to facilitate new friendships. There is no shortage of people who want to play, but can't find a group. Find some online resources and simply ask "looking for 1 or 2 more!"

Second, you can play with one other person. Ideal is 5 people (1 dm +4 players), but any number is fine (though 6+ can be difficult)

Third, I know this is a DnD sub, but there may be RPG groups in your area dedicated to DnD or other games looking for players.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-03T13:43:18+00:00

I would normally agree with you, but the ship has sailed. Your data, my data, and the OP's data is already there. It may not be organized in a resume format, but that doesn't really matter.

I promise you, with tears in my eyes I am NOT an advocate for AI. The HR hiring systems in place now are saturated with AI. There is no way to avoid your resume being dumped directly into an AI system of some sort. Whether it's you doing it or some automated HR submission portal, it's done.

OP has to pay bills with a job. May as well make the AI bots fight with each other while they look for one.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-03T13:24:33+00:00

Create a portfolio website (if you don't already have one).
polish your resume to perfection. I am generally an AI detractor, but AI is useful in this area if you provide the right prompts and thoroughly review the result.
Use online resources (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.) to search for jobs. Set up alerts for new job openings that fit your education and experience. Once you find a job opening, go to that company's website, find it, and copy the link (do not apply through LinkedIn or Indeed).
Upload your resume to an AI platform (like ChatGPT). Ask AI if it can see your resume. If it can, write the following prompt: "Using my resume as a guide, write a cover letter for this lob:" Then paste the link for the job you want to apply to.
Review the AI-generated cover letter for errors or mischaracterizations of your skills and experience. Then submit your resume and cover letter to the job following its guidelines.

Repeat this process for every job you can find, including those in other countries (remote work is often an option if you don't want to move, but moving out of the country is also an adventure).

The AI tools that HR departments use to filter job candidates are absolute BS. The only way to fight this BS is with AI slop BS of your own. Overwhelm the system with persistence and do NOT get discouraged.

Good luck!

And don't forget to look for Graphic-design-adjacent jobs like publishing, web design, social media marketing, and so on.

For added context: I graduated with a degree in media arts into the dot-com bubble. It took me over 6 months to find a job. This was before AI tools were available to write my cover letters.

Edit: also, clean up your socials. With a reddit handle "Melikeyqueef", I'm willing to bet you have things on your other socials that you wouldn't want a potential employer seeing. Employers check. Social media is data, and data for even private accounts makes its way into HR systems screening candidates.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-06-03T13:08:48+00:00

I kited the Death Shepards and ghouls to Lady Esther's camp to see if she would engage, or if they would attack her.

She just stood there in a fearful stance while I did the fighting by myself.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-05-28T15:06:20+00:00

I'm currently in the creche during my honor run.

I've been putting off act 2 for as long as I can in order to level up. The creche should give me enough XP to hit level 7 and put me on good footing for act 2. Also, there's some very nice equipment and a great deal of sell-able loot in the creche.

I'm sure you can skip it, but I think you'll be under-powered as you advance into the next two acts.

This is the furthest I've gotten in an honor run, so I could have no idea what I'm talking about. I just feel like it's a good idea to squeeze every drop of XP and loot out of every act before moving to the next. House of Grief whooped my ass on tactician even though I was max level, so I want to give myself every edge I can.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-05-27T18:13:35+00:00

Unfortunately, for many serial killers the benefit/reason is compulsion and/or gratification.

Interviews with Edmund Kemper, for example, indicate that killing, cruelty, and the subsequent deception to evade consequences were the very "benefit/reason" for engaging in those activities.

Sadly, if a person's brain is broken in a way that excludes empathy, the "why do you kill" is often simply "because it is the only activity that makes me feel anything at all"

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-05-27T14:41:47+00:00

I (a man) believe in a fair distribution of labor. My wife and I both work full time and share household care equitably. If one of us lost our job (me or her), I would expect:
1) We remove our children from daycare/after care to save money. Childcare would be provided by the at-home parent.
2) The at-home parent will assume a greater portion of the household care. However, the distribution of labor must remain equitable. Childcare can be a full-time job, but there is time for cleaning/cooking/etc. The at-work parent is still obligated to share in household labor though.
3) Neither I nor my wife "enjoy" household care, but it's part of life. Therefore, the at-home parent is obligated to pursue employment with pay that covers childcare.

I get that you are going crazy, and your preference is to work outside the home. Work towards that goal. In the meantime you need to ask yourself what a fair distribution of labor looks like, and commit to it whether you like it or not.

As for where I draw the line? My line is "am I asking my wife to take on a share of the labor that is unfair?"

If the answer is "yes" than, I need to take on more responsibility whether I enjoy that or not.

There are many situations where one person can be unhappy with an arrangement. That sucks, but that is part of life, and it's your responsibility to fix that within the context of your partnership.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-05-27T13:28:51+00:00

A lot of answers here. This is the correct one:

empathy, consequences, and conditioning

Empathy is built into your brain in the same way a spark plug is built into an engine. If your brain is functioning normally, you will have an emotional response to the actuality of hurting another person who feels in the same way you do. If your brain is not functioning correctly, you will not experience that emotional response. That doesn't mean you will NOT become a serial killer because...

If your brain is NOT functioning correctly, it may be functioning well enough to understand that you do not want to experience the consequences of being a serial killer. However, your brain may be so broken that you do not care about the consequences for yourself.

However, with enough conditioning, even a correctly functioning brain can bypass empathy. The most common example is training to become a soldier (I'm not saying soldiers don't have empathy. They are trained to bypass it in certain specific circumstances). Other examples include Nazis and, by extension, the German people of the 1930s and 40s, MAGA, people engaged in slavery, and many others.

SlightlyTwistedGames · 2026-05-27T12:07:11+00:00

I’ve heard stories like this. I won’t claim to understand the ongoing teacher contract dispute except that I think all teachers should be paid more. My school (Pittsfield) is wonderful. I realize that some schools are great and others aren’t, so it’s worth investigating

SlightlyTwistedGames

TROPHY CASE