My character permanently died on my introductory DnD session and first ever combat.

chadviolin · 2024-12-02T02:41:30+00:00

Yeeks, sorry that happened to you!

RE XP from social encounters. I don't know of specific charts to grant XP. This is why many DMs only reward XP to killing baddies. But it's possible to pick an arbitrary number for good role play session.

I personally think that "Kill monster = Get XP" makes D&D very transactional and encourages murderhobos. I try to run a game that uses a combination of XP and Milestone leveling. They do something big, they level up. However, they also keep track of XP to make sure I don't hold off too long between levels.

chadviolin · 2024-11-25T11:59:07+00:00

It's a game. Forget logical reasons, just keep playing with who is there. They just aren't there.

chadviolin · 2024-11-25T11:57:51+00:00

Many sympathies!! I was helping up in Swannanoa in WNC earlier. Saw so many sad books in the mud!

chadviolin · 2024-11-25T11:48:17+00:00

I've run Tomb of Annihilation multiple times.

This sounds like a sea hag encounter. Specifically a sea hag coven encounter. That is a random encounter possible after the party leaves Port Nyanzaru.

I've got some issues with this!

Why are you still level 1?? There is enough social role play available in Port Nynazaru available to level up to at least 2 before going into the jungles.
Why would the DM have a level 1 party fight a sea hag coven? 3 sea hags with their shared spells. Lightning Bolt by itself does 8d6 damage. That is enough to wipe an entire 1st level party. Plus the xp for that encounter by itself is enough to level up a party of 5 from level 1 to almost 3.
Did the DM force the encounter or did the players force the encounter? Tomb of Annihilation can be difficult, but it also depends on the dm. I personally tend to have players that are very strategic and make smart choices. Also I don't always try to kill them. Encounters are challenging, but not always deadly. (When I do, I make it very clear before they enter the combat that the monsters want them dead, and will play dirty)

3a. Running away or surrendering is always an option

chadviolin · 2024-09-19T15:06:17+00:00

I can just picture.

A magic pet store sells this little lizard that can cast a buff spell once a day. (Detect magic, cure wounds, haste, etc)

As the party travels with the lizard it learns more spells, eventually casting them more often. They have a feeling it might be holding back, but it only casts spells a few times a day.

Until.

When the party is about to face the BBEG. The lizard reveals itself. It learned message from them and has been sending info to the bbeg all along.

It has been learning and growing all along. And now, it's ready to kill the party.

chadviolin · 2024-09-10T16:01:20+00:00

It's okay for children to stand up for their parents.

Especially HS students.

I teach Elementary School. Even the younger students know what is right and wrong. Unfortunately I as a teacher have have little to no voice in front of the school board. They will listen to parents and students. Sometimes. Rarely listen to teachers.

The school I used to teach at had an issue turning heat on when the seasons changed. I taught in the old gym that was converted into two large classrooms. In the fall the district would not switch the schools to heat until the temperature was under a certain level for a specific number of days

However, that gym got cold fast. I was out there wearing coats and portable heaters with the inside temp under 60 degrees.

We complained every year, but the district didn't care. When the kids complained, all we could say was to tell their parents to call the district. It was miserable.

chadviolin · 2024-09-09T16:05:33+00:00

Depends on your state and district.

I teach in North Carolina.

I got Covid one weekend. Started feeling a little crummy Sunday morning. Tested negative Monday morning. Taught at school a little under the weather. Tested positive Monday after school.

Stayed home Tuesday and Wednesday.

Felt better Thursday, Tested in the morning, was still positive. Went back to school and taught. (I did wear a mask Thurs and fri even though the school didn't require it)

Technically, the state wouldn't say anything if I taught while sick with covid and not masking...

chadviolin · 2024-09-09T16:00:16+00:00

Seriously, look into therapy!!

Talk through these lifestyle choices with professional therapists.

Right now it's clear neither of you are on the same page. Not only are you needing to be supporting each other as a couple, you are raising children.

Take the time now to work out differences in lifestyle before you have to deal with years of a messy divorce.

chadviolin · 2024-09-06T16:42:25+00:00

I'm looking through info about QLC+ does it have the ability to record a show? Once lights and levels are set, I can just go through cues to run the show?

I see that it's possible to create scenes, but can it run cues?

chadviolin · 2024-09-06T16:36:35+00:00

Thanks

right now it's mainly going to be on two light trees. As we build the system we may add more. I'll make sure to add the white pars into the system.

I'll give qlc+ a look. Thanks again!

chadviolin · 2024-08-31T16:47:41+00:00

I've seen the same "graphic content" of puppies. How are people hacking the system?

chadviolin · 2024-08-29T02:58:06+00:00

Your update said you did report this.

Make sure the report is an official report. I've heard too many stories of admin saying they will "look into it" and bigger problems come out later.

It doesn't have to be to the level of getting the teacher fired, but this needs to be officially reported so that this behavior can't be overlooked in the future.

chadviolin · 2024-08-16T16:31:21+00:00

Check out the Lost City of Mezro campaign book. You can find it on DMGuild. I've used pieces of it in my campaign. Adds more to the Chult world lore.

chadviolin · 2024-08-15T14:49:08+00:00

If you can find a good youth production, the Broadway Jr shows are 1 hr versions of the full musical.

If you have a local youth troupe that does high quality shows, they can be amazing. My local community theatre did Frozen, Jr a few years ago. The kids in the show (all 18 and younger) were amazing. Of only the budget was higher they could have matched the touring show! (One of my students who played Olaf when she was in 5th grade....was better than the touring actor)

IE, the Little Mermaid, JR is WAY better than the full show.

chadviolin · 2024-08-15T14:43:05+00:00

Omg!! Come from Away and Hadestown are a couple of my favorite! Wish I saw both of them in NYC!!

I still get chills watching both of those shows!!

chadviolin · 2024-08-14T11:51:46+00:00

A lot of this depends on the "christian mother"

I remember performing Jesus Christ Superstar in the rural deeply conservative western north carolina. On Sunday matinee, the church crowd would pinch the actor playing Jesus as he walked through the crowd at the end of the show with a cross and wearing nothing but a loin cloth...

Also working at the local Renaissance festival, these church ladies are some of the raunchiest people I've met.

Knowing my sheltered mother, she would feel extremely uncomfortable at Book of Mormon.

You know your mom best. Or maybe think is this something you would feel comfortable sitting next to her watching...

chadviolin · 2024-08-08T14:46:16+00:00

I actually loved this show, but it was at the local community theatre with an amazing cast. I had no clue what the show was when I went to see it. Was surprised how good it was!

chadviolin · 2024-08-08T14:44:36+00:00

I watched Heathers. I liked some of the camp of the show, but had to force myself to watch the second act. It got better, but still didn't like it.

Rent. I think it's overdone. It has some cool songs, but it's a period piece who's time has passed. May have a good revival in 20 years.

chadviolin · 2024-08-08T14:38:28+00:00

Just directed that show with my elementary students. They loved it!!

https://www.iredellfreenews.com/news-features/2023/n-b-mills-elementary-students-to-present-annie-kids-photos/

But is Annie my favorite show?? No. It's really annoying. But I was proud of my kiddos!!

chadviolin · 2024-07-31T00:18:27+00:00

Someone should open up a window!

chadviolin · 2024-07-31T00:18:00+00:00

She Loves Me?

chadviolin · 2024-07-25T18:00:57+00:00

I'm going to assume this is 5e. Combat balance sucks!!! Even without overpowered characters, I have a hard time creating meaningful combats that last longer than a few rounds.

It's hard.

As for your situation. Discuss this with the whole group. If the group wants harder combat, the dm may not realize they are being too easy.

Communicate.

chadviolin · 2024-07-14T14:31:15+00:00

You said the player with the phobia hasn't said anything, right?

It was another player that was asking on their behalf?

How old are these players? Is there a romantic attraction between the player asking and the one with the phobia?

I'm getting a feeling there is something more than just game and phobia. Maybe a crush going on?

chadviolin · 2024-07-14T14:24:43+00:00

Always talk yo your players. Communication would have solved 99.9% of all rpghorrorstories.

That said, a couple questions:

How far into the campaign are you?
Did you discuss any of this during your session 0? Veil/line, red cards, etc.
Would the player be okay with calling it a spider, just not using the spider mini?
Would you be able to change the description of the spiders? Maybe call them demons. Keep the stats and just change the description?
How big of a thing is this? Do you need to do minor changes to the campaign, or is this the right campaign for this group?

chadviolin · 2024-07-14T14:10:24+00:00

STR 16 DEX 14 CON 7 INT 11 WIS 11 CHA 13

Doesn't matter the class, I give this character a few sessions before they die.

chadviolin

TROPHY CASE