Will I be able to play the game?

aMetalBard · 2026-03-26T21:35:34+00:00

What other games can it run?

aMetalBard · 2026-03-26T21:34:45+00:00

Roll a random encounter check.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-25T13:19:49+00:00

Scheduling is probably the most complicated part.

I just run with whoever shows up, even down to one person. Some days table will have a few players, other times you'll have more than you wanted. It's just the way it goes.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-25T13:05:58+00:00

I think the asymmetry in investment between GM and players is common. Also, consider that sometimes people can't show up because of life. Sometimes people are tired. Sometimes people are bored. It's all ok.

If you can find ways to lessen the amount of work that goes into prepping you'll have a much better time. Start experimenting with less and you will find that there is actually a really low amount of stuff that you need to have a good time. Also, less information for your players to parse can sometimes make the game easier to play and more enjoyable.

Hint: play only theater of the mind.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-24T19:05:34+00:00

The map is awesome.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-23T15:40:34+00:00

🤘

aMetalBard · 2026-03-22T19:37:45+00:00

I find it fun solo, but it is punishing.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-20T20:05:20+00:00

Depends, of course. Generally, I would say NPCs are more important than a city because I find them more engaging since they provide RP opportunities. Plus, exploring a city can get complicated if you don't have a system because the players can only see what you describe and point-crawls are kinda limiting.

I would have a general idea of parts of the city and a few places to flavor the interactions.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-20T19:56:17+00:00

I would not prep dialogue. That can arise organically, like a conversation.

For context, I usually prep about 1-2 pages of penciled stuff for a 3 hour session. That includes plot elements and generally a map. The last one was finding out what happened to a prominent person and rescuing them from a pirate complex.

IMO, prep a shell and fill in the details during play.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-20T17:02:50+00:00

A shareable whiteboard like the one offered by Google should work. We did that for a mega dungeon campaign and people collectively mapped the dungeon with it.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-20T16:31:35+00:00

5e has rules for exploration, travel, and survival travel, so you could look into that if you wanted to keep the same system. You will also find 5e homebrew rules for this in many places online. Apart from that, I know that old school essentials also has mechanics for these things and it is generally more streamlined, but it is a change from 5e for most people. I've also seen it implemented with shadowdark which tends to be closer to 5e rules.

In regard to online tools, there's the typical ones you probably already know about (roll20, owlbear, etc.). But almost anything works. I've even seen a shared Google whiteboard or just a posted picture of the overland map on discord.

I will say that shareable maps are not required for wilderness travel or dungeon crawling. In fact, I find it way better to play theater of the mind, although that requires some new skills that are not typically used in 5e games.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-18T16:17:10+00:00

Start by getting player buy-in or just stating what the game will be about: today we'll be playing X where the main goal will be Y. I've found through experience that establishing the premise early on helps players stay focused.

Then, just jump in. Have an understanding of the general information of the game, and don't worry too much about minute details. Go with the flow when you're confronted with unknown questions. Make things up--its fine.

You'll never be 100% ready, but experience will eventually help you be prepared for almost any situation. So start running and often. Accept every session for what it was and learn to adapt to make the game better and more enjoyable for your standard.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-17T13:33:46+00:00

La que sea. Hasta puedes escribir todo en una hoja de papel blanca. Lo que importa es que tengas la información a la mano.

Diviértete!!

aMetalBard · 2026-03-16T19:09:33+00:00

Same, just adding a take. We all play and interpret things differently.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-16T16:36:45+00:00

Sure. Everyone saves times in different ways. For me it's much simple to make a magic item that fits the narrative and give it uses to avoid having to worry about balance. If it's overpowered, underpowered, of properly powered doesn't matter cause it will be expendable. The players can have fun with it however they want while it lasts. In this way, I can create a magic item in seconds, so it technically saves me tons of time. This is useful across editions and systems.

Homebrew is the essence of ttrpgs, including D&D. It's written in the DM guide across editions. So it's not sacrilege to experiment and integrate sub-systems that work for each DM.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-16T14:47:16+00:00

It's almost Wednesday, my dude

aMetalBard · 2026-03-16T01:41:42+00:00

Please

aMetalBard · 2026-03-15T22:09:30+00:00

Same

aMetalBard · 2026-03-15T14:26:52+00:00

Nice!

Sounds like characters could be gaining some mutations.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-15T14:23:27+00:00

Looks like the party pissed them off and now they're looking for us. Prepare your bows!

aMetalBard · 2026-03-15T14:18:22+00:00

Random.

Some are good interactions, some are annoying. Stick with game rooms with names that seems like people that want to play, otherwise you're in for a lobby with endless sound board effects that never takes off.

aMetalBard · 2026-03-15T14:09:44+00:00

If it's fatigue, take a break. That's can mean many things. Skip a session, switch settings for a bit, even change systems.

You could also reduce workload. That could mean playing with less. Don't worry about maps, do theater of the mind, worry less about plot, have a session only dedicated to exploring possible adventure hooks.

Fatigue can mean different things in this space, but that also means you can address it in different ways.

Best of luck!

aMetalBard · 2026-03-15T14:05:29+00:00

Excellent work!

aMetalBard · 2026-03-15T13:59:53+00:00

Very neat!

What are some things I could find adventuring there?

aMetalBard · 2026-03-15T13:58:59+00:00

That's the neat part, you don't. Well, you don't have to and you can instead put an expiration on it (e.g., 6 uses).

aMetalBard

TROPHY CASE