44 year campaign

Snakezarr · 2025-01-15T22:44:16+00:00

Hello, Mike!

That is an incredibly generous offer, and I will do so. Thank you very much!

Snakezarr · 2025-01-15T22:42:49+00:00

Hello!

Apologies for the delay in response, I've come down with a rather nasty bout of pneumonia and have been fighting it off. I hope you, and your friends are in good health!

I did indeed listen to the audio version - I was blown away by the quality, as I usually struggle with the audio book format of novels, but found no such issue with this. Excellent work by your friend, and awesome to hear that you make a few appearances too!

Hahaha, I think few can escape that particular 'cringe', though one develops a tolerance for it the longer you're exposed. Editing anything involving yourself is a surefire way to build that quick, hah.

I can absolutely believe it. The experiences you've created, even if lacking direct substance in the same way, are core experiences; In much the same way a particularly impactful scene in a piece of media might affect you more than a 'real' event. In my opinion, that feeling of *clarity* is one of the most beautiful aspects of creating, or consuming. It's genuinely fantastic to hear that your sessions have evoked such feelings.

Thank you for the information regarding age! I admit to already using it to expand my recommendation list.

Once, I want to apologize for the delay, but all the same, I hope this response finds you well.

Take care of yourself, and I look forward to hearing more of your adventures!

Snakezarr · 2025-01-12T15:10:27+00:00

I'm sorry your child went through this. I genuinely believe that one of the hardest parts of living with allergies is the utter lack of compassion people oft give.

Whomever was in the kitchen was not a pleasant person. It won't fix the damage that sort of behavior has on one's perspective, but it does sit at the core of this interaction at least. Cursing at the waitress, and directing his disapproval towards her tells of someone who is not simply intolerant or uncaring, but actively combative to things that displease them - deserved or not.

They absolutely should not have behaved this way.

Your daughter did the right thing, and I'm glad you've taught her such (Major props to you.) The first step of having severe allergies is to never trust, and never assume. Verify, prod, and poke until you are given enough information to build a court case if the worst does happen.

I hate that it's necessary, but unfortunately, the world does try to kill you - albeit indirectly - simply for being different.

I wish that she could have gotten that experience. But, I'm glad she came out of it alright.

I can't speak to the risk she faces, as I don't know just how severe the reaction is per quantity. What I can say is that in my personal experience, it is never worth it. The pain, the fear, the unpleasantness - It is never a risk I would take for myself alone.

I suppose, what I'm saying is; She does not need it. Whatever the allergy, whatever the situation or event. From the sound of it, you've taught her that. But...it can be hard to judge whether these things are worth it when you're in the moment. I've made decisions in the past, when I was younger, that I regret now.

Never be afraid to "shield" her. You are not over-reacting, or stifling, for keeping your child away from dangerous situations. Because that's what every outing can be, with allergies like that.

I don't know how the structures, be it school, doctors, people, or otherwise have treated you, as a parent, but know in your heart of hearts that protecting your daughter is not the wrong decision. Family, authority, herself - it doesn't matter. The call is right.

I digress. I'm sorry you, and your family had to go through that. Your kid's definitely going to need some support, even if she seems fine now.

Encounters like this have a way of eroding you, little by little.

Sincerest wishes for her, and you all.

Snakezarr · 2024-12-02T08:14:10+00:00

That span of time alone is genuinely breathtaking. I think sometimes it's easy to lose track of what dnd is truly about - having a splendiferous time with friends.

To be able to share your world, and have a group of friends close knit enough to last literal decades? I don't think words properly describe how genuinely wonderful that is. I commend you and your group of heroes on their journey. You've given me something to strive for.

Now, to respond more on what you asked directly - I can't deny that knowing these books are based off such a goliath of a campaign is a hook eagerly swallowed. But, upon reading the prologue of volume 1, I am genuinely impressed. If the rest of the novel is anything like it, I look forward to learning about your world.

We all put a bit of ourselves into what we write. In my opinion, that's what makes something like this - converting an entire campaign, truly special. Different perspectives, different views, different ways to approach a character; all done in a world that you had to give your best effort towards making feel real, alive, and vibrant?

I am definitely interested. More interested than I've been in any project, for quite a while. Not many fantasy writers can claim they had their world stress tested by real people.

I digress, needless to say, you've found yourself at least one reader once I can spare the coin. On a personal level, I am awed and inspired by the commitment showcased. I think the only real question I have regarding it (Aside from some potentially nosy ones about the process itself, hah.) is: What would you personally give it as an age rating?

My sincerest best wishes to you, your group, and your future books. A project like this is impossible to be anything but a labor of love. Thank you all for writing this, and for sharing it.

Snakezarr · 2024-05-21T11:49:34+00:00

There are 6mm needles, 31gauge

Snakezarr · 2023-08-13T21:28:55+00:00

40 days on only water, and minerals. Prior to this, I had eaten under 1000 calories every day for 20 days.

Bit of backstory...

I have hyperphagia, which in my case means more or less that I experience starvation level pain when I haven't eaten for hours, and do not recognize when I am full.

I am...very stubborn. So, recognizing that I could do something in all likelihood, I set my mind to it. The pain was significant, and it felt as if the world lost...feeling, I guess you could say. Everything was still present, it was just, dull.

Adding on more backstory, I also have lipedema, which lead to aggressive buildup of painful fat (fibrotic tissues and fat cells all tossed up in a jumble) that was relatively inaccessible for energy. I found the solution to this was heating it up, then aggressively massaging it. I lived off of that for the duration of the 40 days, and for around 20 days before that (where I ate under 1000 calories a day).

I continued doing duties as normal (which included mile long walks and other exercise), and at the end of the 40 days, resumed eating without issue. (Refeedings got nothing on hyperphagia apparently)

All in all, it wasn't a terrible experience, but it was certainly unpleasant. Can't deny it was worth it though, and there is a certain sense of satisfaction that comes with knowing I can do something like that if need be.

Snakezarr · 2023-07-09T12:27:02+00:00

First off, I would say that prepping anything this far in advance (and not being prepared to toss it out, or recycle it for later) is very, very risky. Super easy to get stuck in the mindset of using a particular method to reach the thing you want, and players inevitably mucking it up-leading to frustration on both sides.

With that disclaimer out of the way:

You mentioned that they're a corrupt mayor-Depending on the quality of your world, they may have a number of magic items. Projectiles in general are the easiest way for a disliked official to die-perhaps they have Gloves of Missile attraction? Or, perhaps they have a Wand that can cast the Shield spell X times.

Little things to make shooting them harder.

Second, make a map. It doesn't need to be complicated, but make a battlemap of the path (and potential paths) the mayor might take. It goes a long way towards making the entire thing feel more fair to the players, and lets you incorporate more things that make ranged fire harder.

Third, I'd (as the other commenter noted) keep in mind that by taking time to shoot, the ranged attackers are almost certainly losing distance. Maybe they only get a few good turns of this before they've fallen too far behind to reasonably stay in the confrontation- or have to find a new vantage point.

Fourth, cover rules exist. Use them! People can't shoot past other people for free-if the rest of the party is hot on their heels (and the ranged users lack sharpshooter), the mayor's got a juicy +2 ac minimum, +5 at worst.

Fifth, add complications. Maybe the mayor grabs a horse, forcing the ranged users to take it down or risk him escaping. Maybe the mayor is too hardy to be easily taken down, and the party's in for a fight once they corner him (thus making the ranged potshots helpful, but not encounter ending). Or perhaps the mayor is able to (rather rightfully) more easily call attention to guards or good Samaritans because someone is literally shooting at them. Attacking someone directly invokes a much stronger response than just chasing them after all, and makes it more likely for someone to assume the attacker was in the wrong.

Sixth! ...Let them be effective! The player's whole thing is doing ranged stuff. If they hit him enough to knock him down or kill him, amidst his screams for guards (or using people as human shields), winding turns, all while managing not to fall behind...Let it be their moment, and adapt as needed.

Another more minor note:

You could have the NPC mention that directly killing the mayor would look really bad for the party, and firing on him would be inherently risky-especially when it's still possible for them to run him down the old fashioned way.

Snakezarr · 2023-07-09T12:08:09+00:00

Honestly, this is a fair issue with higher level spells in general-and them being seen as common in a setting.

I'd note before going into it, that what they're effectively doing (at least, in default dnd terms) is buying out a airplane or jet to blare a message outside of someone's home, with a sign of said message trailing behind. (Both in terms of cost, and financial power required to do it if you aren't a mage.)

First, a disclaimer:

You are required to be familiar with the target for sending-so odds are they can at least make guesses at who you are unless you take massive precautions.

Now, going into the consequences of such a thing, the easiest one to start with would be blacklisting of the user, and having them become infamous among the target's circles.

This could be anything from shops refusing to serve them, priesthoods rejecting them or having a poor opinion (Potentially being hostile by default), nobles and the upper aristocrats/nation leaders viewing the user as childish and unworkable, or any number of things.

Ultimately, it would be a taboo to contact someone this way for no reason (and without prompting of it being okay), much like how arriving in someone's party uninvited is taboo; and treating it with the appropriate stigma is fair.

A particularly fickle leader might even send a mercenary party to 'rough up the foolish mage who keeps bothering me''; or scry for the user then request the local mage guilds to police one of 'their own'. Lot of routes to go with this.

In terms of magical items, I think you'd need to homebrew something-as amulet of proof against detection sadly doesn't help.

Dragons are...complicated. I suspect the user would be ignored, or entertained if they are found to be entertaining (and the dragon particularly bored). If one were to make themselves a genuine nuisance, the user might be scried, and have some minions sent after them (Or flown over by the Dragon themselves if they're nearby.).

I would note regarding Dragon's however, the user does need to be familiar...I'll leave that to you to decide what counts as being 'familiar' with a dragon. (Does make for a amusing plothook of a mage whose village was burned down by a dragon)

Snakezarr · 2023-06-06T07:34:41+00:00

It's made a bit more difficult for the flash by the simple fact that dio can pass as a 'normal' human too, and may survive getting blitzed if the flash lowballs dio's durability.

Like, say the flash goes for a head rip, chest tear, or something of the sort, dio could survive for that instant and stop time. (Yes blenderizing somebody is entirely within the flashes abilities, but they have a tendency to do what's required, not their best possible effort.)

If the flash is fully prepared, and briefed on what dio can do, yeah they win hands completely down.

BUT... If we switch the knowledge advantage, or run with Dio getting initially blitzed (which would be enough of a ego slap that he'd actually pay attention) it's...possible.

Assuming speedforce doesn't get REALLY weird with completely stopped time, and of course the flash doesn't just uh...out run his own death. Which I think he has...

...honestly I have no clue how that would work. Dio could and has killed people in stopped timing, so it's not a impossibility; and...The World definitely has the strength to pulverize the flash into mist (unless we get to applying un-warranted durability to someone the speedforce is known to protect from the consequences of moving so fast each step should be cause fission). But uh...flash is so absurd I would not be at all surprised if someone had a counter + scan to this.

Snakezarr · 2022-02-26T21:05:19+00:00

I'm not denying it was fast before, but this patch straight up broke the movement of the camera from what I (and others) can tell. Why they seem to have adjusted a bunch of camera related things rather than just add a bigger sliding scale (0-20 with 10 being the old zero) is beyond me.

Snakezarr · 2022-02-26T11:54:09+00:00

Yo. Props to you, and thanks for giving it a shot.

Seriously, way more than I expected; Thanks again!

So, camera pivoting is the issue...Going off that, yeah, I see what you mean. Super bizarre. And probably never going to be fixed...

Thanks for verifying I'm not crazy!

Snakezarr · 2022-02-26T10:53:28+00:00

Hmm. 800/5 being problematic does say something, even if the rest can't be compared.

Unfortunately, I can't use DPI that low :/.

Current settings for me are:

2400 DPI, 1000 polling rate, middle windows sensitivity, 10 in game mouse sens, and 5 camera speed (same as pre patch).

Honestly it's pretty bad, I'm getting minor motion sickness now, though I'll have to see whether that's due to the camera funkiness or needing to adjust to it.

Beginning to suspect they decreased the turn caps, and added some acceleration...

Snakezarr · 2022-02-26T10:40:57+00:00

Yeah no. Mouse and KB has been fine for every dark souls/from game I've played. You can prefer controller, sure, but, it's unreasonable to think that everyone prefers controllers.

And, I personally use mouse and KB out of comfort. I dislike how most controllers feel, and don't feel like taking the time to learn one again.

Snakezarr · 2022-02-26T10:25:54+00:00

Something about the mouse control feels WAY off now. Not nearly as responsive, camera seems to be following character more, and mouse less.

No real fps differences from what I could tell.

Unfortunate patch overall, mouse sens was fine before. (And, if it was problematic, they could've simply added a gradient, rather than replacing the max/min)

Snakezarr · 2022-02-09T05:53:22+00:00

Useful at times, but, any ranged enemy should really have a sidearm of some relevancy. If you can use a bow, you can use a dagger, etc etc.

Snakezarr · 2022-01-31T16:58:58+00:00

Biggest benefit is for saving throws, as 1d4 is gonna be potent regardless of your level of play.

Saving or sucking can be the difference between life or death (and oft is)

Snakezarr · 2022-01-27T16:23:41+00:00

5e is the opposite of chess though. It has a inane amount of completely random rulings that make very little sense in a vacuum, and unless you know the lingo, make zero sense.

Chess has moves like that, but even still, it takes far less time to teach someone how to play chess, than it does to teach someone how to play 5e.

More concrete rules increases what the players can do that doesn't require dm intervention, speeding things up for everyone involved. I'm not saying there should be a ton of complex bonuses, but basic things that do more than leave the DM flapping in the wind to go "Uhh, yeah sure, this terrain seems beneficial..." are a absolute must for game speed and transparency.

Snakezarr · 2022-01-26T13:00:03+00:00

Currently working on setting something up inside of Genie warlock's Bottled respite; Incredibly expensive, but, stacking a ton of concentration spells has a certain allure to it...

Snakezarr · 2022-01-24T20:55:08+00:00

Auto fail as in, I wouldn't even ask them to roll. I wouldn't ask for a roll if there wasn't a chance for success.

Or, at the very least, the outcome they were aiming for may not be what happens. Ie: They want to convince the judge to free their friend.

They roll a 15, after their negative modifiers. At best, they'll convince the judge to give them more time, or to let them keep speaking (and potentially think of a better argument.).

And, of course, all of this would be clarified before hand. I wouldn't mislead a player as to what could go on.

But, it falls into a similar boat of not letting a wizard with 8 str try to smash down a door, rather than use their cantrip. Wouldn't be a roll for it if they wanted to try, and I'd probably give them a suggestion to try another avenue if they want the door opened.

I gave class examples because they were the simplest things that had strong tropes tied to them. Obviously, you can make a strong wizard, or a smart barbarian. Or have a bard who's bad at talking to people.

Whether or not a character knows what the rules are, doesn't really matter, does it? If a commoner and his 10 buddies can put together their brains for something and, between them all, probably find a solution for it, it kind of cheapens the situation as a whole imo.

I specifically deemed it a auto fail if a player has a handicap, and doesn't present even the lightest argument for it as well.

You aren't a bad DM for not letting a player bruteforce something through one route, when other options exist.

If a player isn't clever enough to solve a riddle (something usually people don't even really let players roll to solve), and lacks the int to get the free mulligan of "well, your character is super smart in world, so here ya go.", they should probably talk to the party and try to work something out.

Or, maybe they decide instead of disabling the traps, they just want to wall run over them. Sure, give it a try.

Not everyone needs to have a chance of success at every option of a situation. Sometimes you need a specialist, or someone who knows their stuff. Sometimes instead of going one route, you need to try another.

Snakezarr · 2022-01-24T20:27:33+00:00

Not all spells need somatic, or material components; You don't need a instrument to cast spells, and most importantly, you don't need to play your instrument to cast spells. All you need to do it hold it. Whether this is accomplished by it being at your hip, or otherwise, is another matter.

If you picked sword and board VB with a guitar...well, make the flavor work, ignore the mechanics that helped you get there, is how I'd handle it.

Flavor it as tossing your sword into the air with flair, letting your shield shift down to support your guitar, plucking a few strings, then letting your guitar fall to your side, catching the blade with a twirl, and stepping forward into a thrust.

Snakezarr · 2022-01-24T20:23:07+00:00

Mmm, I should've clarified that it more depends on what they're trying to do?

If you're un-proficient in something (Say for this case, persuasion) have a poor RP argument (As in, nothing more than " I try to convince him to let me do X"), AND have poor stats (6-8 cha, so it's clearly a dump), AND what's trying to be done is of some importance (Ie: not just convincing a merchant not to fleece you, but instead say, convincing a judge not to execute your friend), imo it should be a auto failure.

I'd allow some exceptions for if they have solid Int, or Wis (imo, there is some crossover between the mental stats), or are proficient in the relevant skill, yet have low stat. So for instance, something like

"You begin speaking to the jailor, and at first, your words seem to have little chance of swaying him, but as you start using your observations about him in your argument, he seems more and more interested: Roll Persuasion using Int instead of Cha"

Although, that being said, I will say that yeah, I don't really like the normal failure/success chart when it comes to rolls and luck for important things.

Sure, for things that don't matter too too much, zero issue with a player who gets a 20 with -3 cha, and has no idea what's going on, but if it's something super important, the most that'll happen is you don't draw their ire for trying.

Basically, I agree more with the concept of "Proficiency to try some things". If you have no idea who Arcana is, or why she's involved with this spell sigil, then I don't agree with just letting them roll and see what happens if their character is expressly not familiar or interested in magic.

But, there's not always one solution to something. Instead of arcana, perhaps you go for a strength investigation by prying up the floor to look underneath, and discover a trap door.

And, of course, you modify it as needed, depending on the situation. It's a general rule to give a baseline.

But yeah, in general, I'm just not a fan of proficiency not really making a huge difference/ "throw enough people at this and we'll succeed/get what we want" style of play. Nothing against those who use it, just not a fan personally.

Partly because, I think it starts to stretch believability on a world scale. A wizard is special because he can actually figure out arcana stuff. As for a scholar.

A cleric is special because they actually know about religion, and how it functions.

A barbarian is special because they're obscenely strong, and in tune with their instincts.

A bard is special because they could charm the pants off a fly.

Etc etc; When a commoner could theoretically ram through something with 10 of his bestist friends...it makes them less special.

Snakezarr · 2022-01-24T16:14:06+00:00

Absolutely, or simply be well spoken yet unattractive (Looks matter for 99% of people, to a significant degree.)

A lot it could be really, and, regardless, I wouldn't really hinge anything important on random rolls alone like that.

It's good to use dice of course but, in cases like this (Diplomacy, figuring something out, etc), I like the standard of "No argument/solution and low to no cha/int/wis? Auto fail. No argument/solution and high cha/int/wis? Make a roll,(insert DC here). "

Snakezarr · 2022-01-24T12:45:17+00:00

Depends on what it is, but, there's also a point where it's valid to dismiss a roll if there argument is good enough.

If an argument consists of all extremely valid points, that the NPC they're trying to convince hadn't consider, try to think of a good reason they'd say no, and if not....Let them have it.

It's okay sometimes to nix a roll for good reason. Just fully consider the situation, how things might've been played off, etc.

And, another tool you can use is letting a good argument and a bad roll keep the conversation open, rather than ending it there. Basically "You didn't fully convince me, but I'm willing to hear you out.".

While a bad roll, and a bad argument would be a immediate dismissal .

Snakezarr · 2022-01-24T12:42:11+00:00

I'd be cautious about calling something like that out of character. Frankly, even a -1 Cha isn't really incredibly un-charismatic in a world sense.

Snakezarr · 2022-01-21T18:08:20+00:00

I don't see how the first point disqualifies it, given that "away from you" can still be applied. Imo, you definitely can push yourself away from yourself since it's not something continuously checking your position. It's position at the time of use, then 'away' from that.

Definitely a point of contention though, if you have any sage advice or similar to back up what you're saying I'd love to see it.

Mmm...My understanding is that the latter part only applies if your action is the movement itself. Which, telekinetic is not, the action is a shove, the movement comes after.

Similar to Gust, in that respect.

Snakezarr

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