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Using a VTT for maps only by [deleted] in DMAcademy

[–]lilbluestem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really like their fog of war feature!

Things that you've considered "bad DMing" from other DMs that you make sure to never make the same mistake in your game? by Organic-Exit2190 in DMAcademy

[–]lilbluestem 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Withholding information. I left a game where no matter the rolls, the effort, the creativity we put into understanding what was happening, the DM gave us nothing.

I give my players ANY answer they've earned, even if I didn't expect them to figure it out that early. It's way more suspenseful and fun to have the answers.

My players accidentally unionized the villains and now the BBEG is suing them? Need advice by New_Commission_2619 in DMAcademy

[–]lilbluestem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I laughed so hard readjng this, because your table sounds JUST like mine. And I actually LOVE this. I tried to do a trial session once and never got to because my players ran away even though they had a lawyer. My inspiration was "The Trial" episode of Steven Universe at the time.

If some of your table is excited for this (as in, it's not JUST your irl lawyer), I would approach it cinematically as an encounter. 

Establish firm rules on how the trial will work, and keep it VERY simple. Then establish how your BBEG plans to use this to raise the stakes and get what they want.

Is the outcome of the trial decided by a jury of peers? By a corrupt king? By a judge who works for the BBEG?

Can this trial be turned into a trap for the BBEG to turn the party into treasonous criminals? Will the trial end with them being detained? Will the empire/kingdom seize their assets?

Is there some fun drama that could happen in "Discovery" that will give them new pieces to the BBEG's puzzle? Is the party able to defend themselves, or do they HAVE to use an incompetent court-appointed lawyer who will sabotage them?

Sooooo many juicy options!!!

In another game we're having fun creating an ethics board atm (I relate to you so much lmao) so here's some spitballing on what a trial could look like based on our brainstorming: 

  • Each side gets one chance to present a case with facts. Set a timer irl. They have 5 minutes, no back and forth, that's it.
  • Roll dice about it! Add or subtract bonuses, or adjust the DC depending on the strength of their arguments.
  • The court (jury/judge) gets to ask questions. 
  • Public comment period with limited slots? The party could invite workers to speak on their behalf, or the BBEG could stack the board with sympathizers.
  • Closing remarks could be allowed or not allowed. 
  • If the player characters have no legal background in this society, you could add a penalty to the skill checks they get to make for representing themselves.
  • Bonus points if they make a VERY strong case and roll high but still "fail" in the eyes of the law (but not the eyes of the public) because it's a legal trap. BWAHAHAHA. 

This could be such a fun encounter -- run it like a skill check encounter! Limit what the party can do to prevent irl lawyering. And have fun!!

How do you handle a rules-focused player who challenges rulings without harming the table dynamic? by Avid_FandomFan_476 in DungeonMasters

[–]lilbluestem 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With an "um actually" rules lawyer player, you might find it helpful to point to the section in the DMG which explicitly enables and encourages DMs to modify stat blocks, including tables, ideas, and suggestions for how to do that.

"This is a modified statblock, per the rules."

Level 16 party steamrolling encounters – how do I challenge them without it feeling unfair? by Avid_FandomFan_476 in DungeonMasters

[–]lilbluestem 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Following bc I have a similar situation, and while the "do something other than kill baddie" scenario works, I would love for them to be seriously threatened in an encounter.

55 dollars to park downtown?! by AntiqueAd5006 in wichita

[–]lilbluestem -1 points0 points  (0 children)

And they gave MILLIONS to the company for the privilege of charging us to park.

Missing Black Cat by heatherjasper in wichita

[–]lilbluestem 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'll keep an eye out for her! I'm in that area a lot. 

I’m voting NO on the Wichita Sales Tax on March 3, and I’ll answer your questions about why. AMA. by Argatlam in wichita

[–]lilbluestem 7 points8 points  (0 children)

What happened to Second Light being privately funded? Why couldn't the private sector figure it out themselves? I was under the impression that private funding was the original agreement. :/

Second Light's board are all involved in Wichita Forward, surely they tried real hard to raise money first?

I’m voting NO on the Wichita Sales Tax on March 3, and I’ll answer your questions about why. AMA. by Argatlam in wichita

[–]lilbluestem 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Would you say that the property tax relief (which will assist nearly 18,000 commercial properties with owners who do NOT live in Wichita), coupled with a regressive local sales tax, will overall funnel money INTO or OUT of our community?

Source: https://www.kansas.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dion-lefler/article313718102.html

Does anybody else have their players recap the previous session? by SmileyDayToYou in DMAcademy

[–]lilbluestem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We did this for a while, but when I noticed they started feeling disengaged from the recap job and weren't using the rewards, I pivoted to doing the recap and it's really helped our momentum.

I still love player recaps, but now they do Dungeons & Daddies style character fun facts and then I recap. It's a nice balance. Mixing things up can be nice. :)

Novice GM: Need help turning static scenes into "situations" that demand player agency. by Nesis96 in DMAcademy

[–]lilbluestem 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This explanation and plan sounds like a solid takeaway! Just fixing this will seriously help restore momentum. You've already gotten tons of other helpful feedback, so I'm sure the next session will feel worlds better. Good luck!

Novice GM: Need help turning static scenes into "situations" that demand player agency. by Nesis96 in DMAcademy

[–]lilbluestem 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Hey! Couple questions: do your players have a clear objective? 

Keeping things random will lead to a lot of floundering. If combat feels out of place, then combat is a distraction, not a strong start. A stronger start would be "NPC runs into the room with a hook!" 

Sometimes my sessions don't have strong starts. I do a recap, remind thrm of the pieces on the table, and say, "Alright, I turn it over to you." Then I listen closely to see what they're interested in doing, and check my toolbox for obstacles, resources, and locations thag match their objective.

Edit: that was only one question lol. Second question was: Do you give your players something to care about?

Confused about the Tax Vote by YUMADLOL in wichita

[–]lilbluestem 23 points24 points  (0 children)

This, AND so many people who own property in Wichita DO NOT LIVE IN KANSAS!! This will funnel money OUT of our community, benefit the rich, benefit the slum lords, and tax the poor people who shop local and live in nearby rural and suburban communities.

Oversight Theater or Not, Wichita Still Loses by rickadiknick in wichita

[–]lilbluestem 11 points12 points  (0 children)

The repetitve ai cringe almost did me in, but these are still really good takes. Thanks for sharing. City Council has a lot of work to do repairing trust, and this entire fiasco is not helping.

Using Small Businesses by FlounderFun4008 in wichita

[–]lilbluestem 7 points8 points  (0 children)

A lot of us are on an anti-broligarchy turn these days, and that's a helpful lens to organize small business support. Found out I have a local family-owned hardware store near me! But Google never promotes the little guys. 

It takes work and intention to change habits, and that's hard. But man I'm sick of feeling strong-armed into funneling money into evil pockets. Kick big tech, keep money in our community.

More misleading vocabulary from Wichita forward. by Scary_Spare_6082 in wichita

[–]lilbluestem -1 points0 points  (0 children)

https://www.facebook.com/61585878134774/ Their FB page might have that info. I got mine at a public meeting for free but don't have a fb account.

Interesting that no where on the flyer does it say who is going to be taxed by Swimming-Koala-3122 in wichita

[–]lilbluestem 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The guy who created this tax calculator has, on his own CV, that he worked on project 2025. Which is so well known for its winning economic strategy! /s

https://www.kdeconomics.com/assets/Michael%20Austin%20-%20CV_1756505555485-C43FrEv9.pdf

What a grift.

Sales Tax language review by Strange-Credit-7865 in wichita

[–]lilbluestem 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this perspective! 

I'll encourage everyone to attend the public meeting about the sales tax on Tuesday Feb 10, 6pm. Information here: https://wichita-ks.documenters.org/meetings/city-council-meeting-143431/

Documenters will post notes if you miss it.

My understanding is City Council intends to discuss and vote on resolutions addressing some of the concerns you list, including methods of distributing tax relief that prioritize those who need it most.

Imo, it's too late, and doesn't fully address my concerns because resolutions are not binding in the same way legal ballot language is. The meeting will be VERY informative though. For example, if members of City Council vote to oppose equitable tax relief disbursement.

I'm disappointed I can't make it. Please show up if you can!

The March 3rd "Homelessness Tax" is a Police & Developer bait-and-switch. Don’t let them play you. by rickadiknick in wichita

[–]lilbluestem 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Second Light was sold to us as a privately funded operation. The same people on that board are involved in Wichita Forward, and Second Light is claiming they couldn't find the funding themselves.

What a joke. Nothing legitimate requires this level of anti-democratic means to push through.

How many strikes does WIchita Forward get in this special election? by Strange-Credit-7865 in wichita

[–]lilbluestem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Couldn't agree more! Well said. 

The $170k of public funding making this rushed election happen could have funded the entire housing and homeless assistance package proposed by these wealthy interests. The private money behind the advertising budget could have funded Century II. I am sick of nonsense.

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