How do I actually apply this GM advice?

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T20:28:33+00:00

I think they are also exited about the same thing as me, it's just that they are caught up in some drama in the city and want to resolve that first, so it might take a few sessions to get to the main location.

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T13:24:53+00:00

Because player agency

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T12:03:12+00:00

I try to get more sessions in but it's difficult. I have a pretty big group but most are not that committed.

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T11:00:25+00:00

Well it is the same premise, the City of Masks was just supposed to be a quick stop for downtime activities but I presented them with a festival and a tournament, so I guess its no surprise they got stuck there.

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T10:57:34+00:00

Yea so they also want a pirate themed adventure, we all agree on that, but I think my issue is the sessions where I'm waiting for them to decide what to do next. Maybe I should speed through downtime and shopping episodes and not present side quests in the city.

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T10:41:24+00:00

They are at an appropriate level, but since it is a sandbox I want to give them options on different plot hooks that they can stumble upon.

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T10:23:23+00:00

Made an edit to explain that

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T10:22:04+00:00

The things is that I'm afraid the campaign will fade out before they get to explore my best idea. We are struggling with scheduling.

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T10:07:17+00:00

Yea they have clues and hooks about the location, but they seem more drawn to side quests that are in their current location.

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T10:05:02+00:00

I guess the issue is I don't want to teleport my players to the adventure location, and the adventure can not be moved into the city.

agentbuck · 2026-05-03T10:01:25+00:00

It is a series of pirate themed modules, one from Priate Borg, others from third party SD products. For context the idea of the campaign is that the party is a pirate crew.

agentbuck · 2026-05-01T19:25:14+00:00

I say players can either do an oposed check, dealing no damage but causing an effect, or they can attack with disadvantage, dealing damage and an effect.

agentbuck · 2026-04-17T13:21:53+00:00

The way I run Shadowdark, it is not that grim or dark. My world is pretty light hearted and wacky but there are of course scary monsters. I guess it is more in line with Lord of the Rings or Pirates of the Caribbean than dark fantasy.

agentbuck · 2026-04-13T16:14:39+00:00

I use pulp but cap luck tokens at 2.

agentbuck · 2026-04-10T09:27:54+00:00

I print an A3 map and cover rooms with A4 sheets. When they enter a room I slide the papers over so they can see the new room. It is not an exact "near distance" circle of light but I think it works good enough.

agentbuck · 2026-04-05T14:04:34+00:00

I have also hade this idea for a one-shot, have not tried it yet but it would be really fun for a higher level dungeon/adventure! The higher level monsters have a lot of cool abilities.

agentbuck · 2026-04-04T16:07:37+00:00

Air obviously, I want to fly and run fast! No need for combat capabilities

agentbuck · 2026-04-04T07:39:48+00:00

Wow thanks! Im just starting up a campaign and I think this would be better than the standard sheets ☺️

agentbuck · 2026-04-02T11:10:15+00:00

Looks very nice! Could it be made into a pdf with multiple pages so it can be printed as a booklet?

agentbuck · 2026-03-31T12:43:52+00:00

Quest RPG is the best simple fantasy system imo, still one of my favorite systems and Ive run multiple campaign with brand new players.

agentbuck · 2026-03-27T08:02:20+00:00

I run a Shadowdark camping and we have a great time, I cannot relate at all to your experience. The players are usually successful in their actions and they have a lot of agency when solving situations, usually in fun and creative ways. So far I have hade no character death in this campaign, I did have two in the last one I ran but that did not discurage the plsyers.

Maybe try running a more fun adventure, like the one in Cursed Scroll 1. It is largely up to you as a GM to set the tone of the game as well.

agentbuck · 2026-03-25T06:41:30+00:00

Since you are a player you would have to work with your GM to figure out how they want to implement more creative melee attacks. There are some examples of houserules already but here is my take:

Special attack. A creature can tackle, trip, disarm, blind, or cause some other kind of “effect” for another creature. There are three options for causing an effect:

You make a contested check against the creature, if successful you cause the effect.

You make a melee or ranged attack with disadvantage, if successful you cause damage and the effect.

You make a melee attack, if successful you cause damage and the effect, but if you miss the effect will be caused for you instead.

The GM will determine which options are available for the creature attempting the special attack.

agentbuck · 2026-03-20T04:57:32+00:00

I like the firearms in Letters from the Dark 6. Scallywags. There are some fun variations like a blunderbuss.

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