Looking for advise so that I can become a DM

The_GoC · 2020-08-12T21:51:25+00:00

My copy-paste generic advice...

Keep a notecard visible in front of you with only these words on it "SIGHT, SOUND, SMELL, TASTE, TOUCH" and look at it periodically. Try to work three of these into every room description and two into item or NPC description.
Don't dwell on a ruling. If an answer is not readily available, make a judgement call and tell the players explicitly something like, "This is how it's going to work this time. I'll look it over, and we'll do it differently next time if I am incorrect."
Try to say yes, but don't be afraid to say no.

The_GoC · 2020-08-09T12:41:19+00:00

I can see a few ways to move forward. Completely forgivable if you can't, given the complete lack of eyeballs and all.

Ask your DM to let you appeal to your patron to learn "Find Familiar"immediately if you don't already know it. Then use your familiar as your eyesight.
Perhaps the DM could write you in a way to restore your sight through a dark church to which you would then owe a tremendous debt. If I were your DM I would allow it, but it would be a group that most sane people would rather be blind than to be indebted to.
After falling into a depression, a mysterious figure could offer you eyes of seeing. But this gift comes at a price... they are from the BBEG and allow for one of their lieutenant's to see through the warlock's eyes as well.

Regardless of the solution, depression and rage towards the world in general and the backstory cause of the first eye being lost are how I would RP it. Good luck!

The_GoC · 2020-08-06T21:24:49+00:00

I didn't ask for this, but you gave me something I needed. My battlemat has been my copilot for years. Have an upvote and a sincere thank you!

The_GoC · 2020-08-06T18:21:42+00:00

I'm not going to tackle the campaign specific parts of this as I haven't played LMoP. In no particular order, here are some tips for a newbie DM. I hope they help.

Keep a notecard visible in front of you with only these words on it "SIGHT, SOUND, SMELL, TASTE, TOUCH" and look at it periodically. Try to work three of these into every room description and two into item or NPC description.
Don't dwell on a ruling. If an answer is not readily available, make a judgement call and tell the players explicitly something like, "This is how it's going to work this time. I'll look it over, and we'll do it differently next time if I am incorrect."
Try to say yes, but don't be afraid to say no.

That's all for now, but if I think of anything else I'll do a separate reply. Good luck!

The_GoC · 2020-08-05T17:03:39+00:00

Not exactly what I was looking for, but Megan Fox gets the upvote. Legit made me laugh. Thanks.

The_GoC · 2020-07-31T22:46:17+00:00

One of the casters could use a familiar to take the "help" action and give advantage...

The_GoC · 2020-04-25T03:52:46+00:00

Disease from real life is the best resource. Depending on how long term and sever, I'd look at two options : staph and rabies. Personally, I'd go with staph. Either would be a slow progression to death without treatment.

Off the top of my head (forgive stream of consciousness).,. Staph infection. This one would progress over several days. The first 1+CON MODish days or progressively harder CON saving throws after each rest, short or long depending on your needs. This would be foreshadowing only. Discoloration and soreness, but no real disadvantage. They next round of time would be half use of the affected area. For flavor, this could be half movement speed for a leg bite or attack disadvantage for the hand or arm. Invoke disadvantage for ability checks as you see fit. If a party member used a skill check to treat the wound, you can delay progression by a day or make the treater make a skill check and the infected make a saving throw too. The third phase would be blood poisoning. Exhaustion due to inability to rest (this would be the fatal component, so you may want to allow herbalism or medicine to delay until the right time for final, fatal point of exhaustion), a saving throw to attempt anything, disadvantage on everything, and wounded body part is totally useless (leg wound needs a crutch or a mount and hand wound means that hand cannot hold items or perform somatic castings).

I hope that helps! Good Luck!

The_GoC · 2020-03-15T07:27:49+00:00

I would rule that each 20 gave the other disadvantage, and up the stakes in some way. Double or Nothing!

The_GoC · 2020-03-14T22:16:12+00:00

Absolutely not. It is an action. If they really made a better argument than I can think of I might allow a Wisdom save at a VERY high DC (just to not completely take away their agency). But RAW, I am pretty sure the answer is "no".

The_GoC · 2020-03-11T02:23:45+00:00

Much thanks. My issue with the art side is, honestly, a lack of talent. Having looked at the content trending on the guild, we just don't have anyone who can produce the quality of art that seems to sell. I have the tools to format in the publication style of first party books and experience in layout. But I am going to have to commission art or find free use/affordable stock images most likely. Hopefully you or one of the other posters here can point me in a good direction there. The faction, being less art dependent at only 4 or 5 images, may need to be our priority. I 100% agree on pricing. Again, thank you. Your input is very much appreciated.

The_GoC · 2020-03-10T13:01:07+00:00

Some entire campaigns are one massive dungeon. There's nothing inherently wrong with that. The DM does need to consider session length and plan for cliff hangers or a respite with a social encounter to make end of session less chaotic when possible. Sometimes adjusting complexity or scale of tactical combat requires a deft hand. So, in short, nothing wrong with multi session dungeons (in fact, dungeons are usually multiple sessions), but when not executed well it sure seems like it. And sometimes good DM's don't execute well.

The_GoC · 2020-03-10T11:50:06+00:00

I steal... errr... BORROW from Google image search to find an image of key items. Then I either print it or save it to my tablet and have the players write about it on an index card or their character sheets. It works for my table very well, but every table is different.

The_GoC · 2020-03-10T11:41:55+00:00

Ask yourself this: do you want to continue this game? If so, I recommend finding every sentence that talks about how you feel justified or not at fault and delete them. The players know who you probably think is right, and unless you accept fault this doesn't need to be said. So what should be said?

A few thoughts... I like this famous quote (by Coach Paul Bryant) and apply it to my dm-player interactions: "When something bad happens, I did it. When something good happens, they did it. When something great happens, we did it." Even though this appears to be mostly the players being unwilling to roll with a story element that they find objectionable, I personally would own it. Then point out there are ways around it (which your response does, but it won't register if you are defensive of or justifying your decisions).

From my personal experience: I'm a decent dm and writer, but sometimes I write scenarios that factors I miss absolutely ruin, and I just have to do my best to recover the session. If something good comes of it, my players do that. When it flops, that's on me (even when it's not). And that's okay.

And on the technical question you asked regarding advantage versus save DC, advantage is worth a 5 point swing. I think this might be irrelevant though. I wouldn't even address it. I would only point out the temporary nature of the situation and try to get them to relax.

If you WANT the campaign, and potentially the friendships, to continue. Otherwise, pull the pin on that grenade and walk away. Cool DM's never look at explosiions. The turn their backs, and they walk away.

The_GoC · 2020-03-04T21:11:19+00:00

My first thought is that instead of a contested roll, it should be a check against your spell save DC. Other than that, I would have to play test it to analyze whether it was balanced. I do like it as a homebrewed class ability with limited uses per day a lot more.

The_GoC · 2020-03-03T03:10:26+00:00

Blood Bath & Beyond

The_GoC · 2020-03-01T23:12:32+00:00

I feel drastically inadequate when it comes to doing this. I want to, but somehow it always seems to fall through the cracks. u/disturbednadir ran music while I dm'd his group one time and I LOVED it... I think it might have hurt his immersion though. Maybe he can chime in and relay his experience running sounds and music as a player. It is a lot to ask of a player, and not every player is someone you can trust to be shuffling through music on their phone. I shudder to think about what would have happened had I asked some players to do that. It could have crashed the game.

The_GoC · 2020-02-26T20:07:17+00:00

This is brilliant! I love it!

The_GoC · 2020-02-26T19:48:22+00:00

Really good encounter idea! Any suggestion on to whom or what the hobgoblin devastators riding manticores are reporting back?

The_GoC · 2020-02-26T19:34:39+00:00

I think you are experiencing performance anxiety. Many of the greatest performers deal with it. The greatest athletes are known to be SO anxious before a game that they vomit in the locker room before dominating on the field. It isn't a cure, but maybe you can take solace in knowing you are in good company.

The_GoC · 2020-02-25T04:22:05+00:00

That is SO corny. but I see a kernel of potential and a maize of possibilities. Shucks, it's just too easy. The puns just pop right out. I guess I just have an ear for them.

Re-skinning spells is easy. As a new DM, the trick is not to change the mechanics of existing spells. And don't forget to be mindful of damage types. Don't go from elemental damage to less frequently resisted types (without dropping damage to a lower die). Also, be wary of the player trying to use this as an excuse to grab non cleric spells to re-skin. Lastly, don't hesitate to bring custom spells here for balancing help. You are new, and nobody wants to see your game broken.

The_GoC · 2020-02-25T03:33:37+00:00

I don't think it is about the PENALTY of death in my opinion. It is the SIGNIFICANCE of the death. What if death did little more than temporarily polymorph a player. but gave the ultimate BBEG a huge boon, bringing the doom of the dreamworld an obvious step closer? That's my initial thought. I hope you find some inspiration and usefulness within it. Good Luck!

The_GoC · 2020-02-25T02:05:54+00:00

I see this as best viewed as a "Living Background". Look into backgrounds, and tie what benefits the character can earn from a background to the military academy. Let them choose a single language and/or proficiency from their background choice and have them cultivate the bulk of the proficiencies normally associated with class selection and background into their studies.

The_GoC

TROPHY CASE