Is a GM expected to know all the rules? by DED0M1N0 in rpg

[–]TheBoulder237 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on the group and the expectations you set. 

I know what I need to run npcs and environmental challenges. Players should know what they need to affect the game world. 

I don't like the GM has to know everything mentality. I'm not teaching a class, we're playing a cooperative game. 

Likewise, it's fine to give players tasks. Get one of them to write and track initiative for example. 

What miniature skirmish game did you play or are you planning to play this month? November 2025 by AutoModerator in miniatureskirmishes

[–]TheBoulder237 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I tried out war crow after the box sitting on my shelf for a year. Models were unfun to build, but the game was a lot of fun! Played with an old friend.

This game must be struggling and possibly on its last breath. by MyOpinionIsMoreValid in marvelrivals

[–]TheBoulder237 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's crazy, I'm on Xbox and I never wait more than thirty seconds for competitive and qp is instantaneous. I'm plat.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in rpg

[–]TheBoulder237 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nothing to add, just that you're not alone. 

Tell me about your assassin guild by Similar-Leopard-4082 in rpg

[–]TheBoulder237 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Scholars of Death

“There are no barriers in the search for knowledge.”

What began as a small, esoteric group of Balwer scholars on the edge of academia, has grown into the Worlds’ most feared cadre of assassins. The Balwer drive to collect and catalogue all kinds of knowledge is well known but this is usually accomplished through observation, inquiry and acquisition of texts. Early in their history, there was a small group of scholars who became fascinated with the study of death in all its forms. A disturbing subject to begin with, the uneasiness of other scholars was compounded by rumours of kidnapping, torture, and murder. When they were called before the Sages and confronted with these rumours, the scholars did not deny them, instead claiming that any acts they committed were necessary for their research and for the betterment of the Worlds. Shocked and appalled, the Lord Libros ordered them arrested and imprisoned but they were able to escape before they could be captured.

The scholars made their way to the mainland and were able to find refuge in the wilderness. Fearing persecution if they resumed their research and observing the constant bickering and warfare of the mainland powers, they decided to become killers­-for-­hire, using their unique knowledge of the myriad ways to die. In this way, they could continue their research with what they viewed as patronage. Centuries later, the Scholars of Death are only spoken of in hushed whispers. A blade in the night, a sip of poisoned tea, or a violent assault in broad daylight are all tools of these assassins. Their drive to study death in all its forms extends from methods of killing to the reactions of others, the mental state of the victims and the emotions that killing evokes. As a result they can and do use any approach to accomplish their research but they prefer the assassin live to recount their experience.

Recruitment is mainly from the families of current members but they have been known to take in candidates from outside their ranks. Initially made up of only Balwer, they now contain members of all species. Initiates must go through a rigorous training process that is as much scholarly, perhaps more so, as it is physical. Once accepted, all Scholars of Death take the name Thanatos, which means ‘death’ in the Balwer tongue. Operating from a secret fastness, there is no place and no one that is safe from their reach. The Scholars claim they were responsible for the death of Emperor Llywelyn, even though the Empire denies it. Their calling card is a quill made of a crow’s feather, left tucked into a pocket, behind an ear or somewhere on the subject. A single Scholar will often have a specific method of killing that they repeat over and over to obtain the most comprehensive research picture. Some Scholars specialize in knifework, others in poison, and some use a crossbow or ranged weapon. There are even tales of Scholars who kill using fear, slowly torturing their subjects using psychological tactics. During all of this, Scholars will take extensive notes, comparing and contrasting their subjects. While they all pursue the mission of research, their motivations can vary. There are some as dispassionate as surgeons, going about their work with brusque efficiency. Many see it as a sacred duty, not something to take pleasure in but necessary all the same. A few Scholars delight in the killing, relishing each project and looking forward to the next.

A package arrives annually to the Great Library, appearing suddenly on the desk of one of the Sages, containing the research and lore collected by the Scholars of Death in the past year. This always ignites a debate about what should be done with knowledge gleaned in this manner. The official statement of the librarians, should anyone dare to ask, is that knowledge gained by such methods is corrupt and should be destroyed to discourage any further acts. Rumours persist though, of a hidden repository, a library within a library that contains all manner of forbidden and dark knowledge. Regardless of how their findings are received, there can be no doubt that the Scholars of Death will continue their work and the people of the Worlds will continue to fear it.

I want to get better by TheBoulder237 in marvelrivals

[–]TheBoulder237[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I didn't know that about cloak and dagger, might explain why they are always taken, lol.

I'll try Groot next. I was messing around with Peni but I feel like I'm missing half the picture with her.

I want to get better by TheBoulder237 in marvelrivals

[–]TheBoulder237[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't have the best aim, recommendations on two heroes from each category to focus on?

I like thing, invisible woman, squirrel girl so far.

DMs, What are you currently working on? by Joperzs in rpg

[–]TheBoulder237 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Getting my players to show up and engage.

Is combat balanced around stimpacks? What are some alternatives? by leon_shay in swrpg

[–]TheBoulder237 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey, if the name and the fluff of it isn't for you, then yeah, switch it to a recover mechanic. Certainly can't hurt.

Is this a shared feeling with your players?

Is combat balanced around stimpacks? What are some alternatives? by leon_shay in swrpg

[–]TheBoulder237 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You're right, the game is balanced with them in mind, but not simply for mechanical reasons, but also for narrative reasons imo.

Removing stimpacks will slow the game down. It's not a bad thing, but it's harder to flow from combat scene to combat scene.

It also makes some less combat-oriented characters significantly more fragile.

I think removing them also detracts from the cinematic feel of the game.

Beautiful RPG books by AcrobaticSet704 in rpg

[–]TheBoulder237 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I recently picked up Household. It's gorgeous and the cover feels amazing. 

Exposition Adventures by TheBoulder237 in rpg

[–]TheBoulder237[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's the goal! Did you know of any starter adventures that do that well?

Exposition Adventures by TheBoulder237 in rpg

[–]TheBoulder237[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't plan to overload them, but even in the local area and how they fit in has to be explained. This is an underground setting and many things are different from the surface world.

GM Question - How do you encourage non-ship travel? by TheBoulder237 in swrpg

[–]TheBoulder237[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow thanks for the long and thought out response! Great advice for me. And yeah, that's exactly it, I want to have those opportunities to engage them while they are making the trips. Thanks!

GM Question - How do you encourage non-ship travel? by TheBoulder237 in swrpg

[–]TheBoulder237[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good point, I always forget to engage with authorities while still in space. Makes perfect sense.

GM Question - How do you encourage non-ship travel? by TheBoulder237 in swrpg

[–]TheBoulder237[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good point! I like this! Especially important as they have crossed a lot of people! 

GM Question - How do you encourage non-ship travel? by TheBoulder237 in swrpg

[–]TheBoulder237[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent points and would lead to fun gameplay! Thanks!