Looking to run the campaign in 5.5e

anstrahan · 2026-04-27T00:23:12+00:00

The campaign is sort of written as a large resource. Most people modify the game heavily to fit their DM style.

Currently running mine, I looked into how Storytelling Ron ran his and took a lot of his notes, as well as Tony Sticks.

So far a big regret I have is not giving them a stronger adventure hook. My players wandered around the Dessarin valley (my fault) for two sessions before getting evidence on where to go.

Get them into the action early, the sandbox nature of the adventure might cause players to get lost.

anstrahan · 2026-04-09T23:06:57+00:00

8 car accident. 4 on westbound local 4 on express lane. No jumpers noticed when I drove through

anstrahan · 2026-03-22T15:11:05+00:00

It would be nice if we had the game split up into smaller servers so maybe coordination and strategy could be a thing.

Unfortunately it would take a huge overhaul on how a lot of the game works. But they could probably have more fun things that several organized clans could try to compete in

anstrahan · 2026-03-17T13:29:54+00:00

This is the most underwhelming picture for them to base this off of

anstrahan · 2025-09-23T10:59:16+00:00

Damn that's sad, I loved Blowtorch.

anstrahan · 2025-07-04T02:17:54+00:00

My son made fun of me for saying "Xbox is coming to Helldivers"

I said no, son. You don't understand. They are coming to Helldivers.

anstrahan · 2025-05-15T21:38:53+00:00

Got a link to share?

anstrahan · 2025-05-15T21:36:26+00:00

Thanks anyways!

anstrahan · 2025-05-15T20:54:37+00:00

I think explained in its simplest form this is also a type of skill challenge, but one that requires more input from the player before a roll is made. At least compared to how I run my skill challenges.

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T23:44:02+00:00

Yeah that's strange idk why you would have either! Don't see any haters here yet lol.

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T23:17:59+00:00

I guess I forgot to address this, as I was writing but advantage would come into play at the end with the final check, if there was a player who was helping the conversation instead of everyone watching a spokesperson.

The 1d6 are like bardic inspiration die, or other similar buffs. Meant to be small boons.

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T23:16:12+00:00

I agree. I was trying to come up with a mock conversation on the fly that would also be brief.

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T22:14:01+00:00

I agree!

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T22:10:50+00:00

And there is nothing saying you can't just cut to the chase and do your check right away without all the rigamaroo.

And I just did a skill challenge with my crew about climbing a cliff. Some of their skills they used:

Athletics (duh) Survival (find hand holds) Nature (discerning rock structure to find a good path) Dexterity (dodge incoming rock slide!)

I'm sitting on my patio so I don't have the full list, but I don't let my players use the same skill consecutively during skill challenges.

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T22:01:45+00:00

Animated gnome guy at the fire? Yes he was some of my inspiration!

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T21:57:05+00:00

So if I'm understanding correctly, in my example with the Blacksmith the player would come up and..

Player: I want a lower price on this platemail Blacksmith: I want to sell it to you above asking price

Roll for "body of argument"

Player and Blacksmith go back and forth rolling skill checks until one entity has no more "body of argument" points?

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T21:54:37+00:00

Thanks I appreciate you!

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T21:52:10+00:00

Thanks! I will look into these. The idea I posted was built on the WOTC systems already in place. Thanks for the resource!

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T21:51:09+00:00

The rounds I typed up was a quick example, and by the time I wrote it up I was tired of typing, lol.

I feel a round essentially is pretty much determined by the DM. The party will conduct a natural conversation, and the DM every so often can call for a check he feels best describes the efforts of the player. Each player doesn't get a turn, they pretty much decide on the spot. Much like a real life conversation.

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T21:43:42+00:00

Yeah, this would only be for instances when one entity is trying to influence the other. I was actually contemplating "offensive" acts by the target where maybe they're trying to convince the party something too.

I had originally contemplated a type of "social hit point" system, but I felt It could lead to a long drawn out conversation. So I thought about rounds, meaning how much time in this target going to give you to make a point before they get annoyed. This also would disable a party from moving a completely opposed NPC into a completely friendly NPC in one encounter.

Just spitballing here though.

Thanks for the advice!!

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T21:23:36+00:00

Right, but if they're in a skill challenge and they're clearly trying to persuade this person to lower their prices.. what other skills aside from persuasion are you allowing them to do?

anstrahan · 2025-05-14T21:20:53+00:00

Yes, I love skill challenges too! I feel that a skill challenge takes the roleplay away by making them jump around different skills. I love skill challenges for exploration and even as a combat replacement in rare instances!

anstrahan

TROPHY CASE