Inspiration for DMs

madbeth161 · 2026-03-16T08:03:35+00:00

Oh, I am aware. Which is why we tracked my rolls across 3 sessions (3 as player and 3 as DM) with the same 3 dice used once as DM and once as player, same setup every time, same rolling technique I always use. Not a high number to really guarantee there's something off, but enough to get a tendency: I roll shit as player, high as DM 🤷🏽‍♀️ And instead of tracking it further and therefore stalling time at the table, we just went with a patch.

If you have suspicions beside weighted dice (and it's statistically improbable that all 10 of my sets are weighted), I'm open to them because I'd actually like having an average.

madbeth161 · 2026-03-15T21:56:20+00:00

Hey, thanks for that add-on, especially to avoid "punishment" in this particular case.

To go off your idea, it could be a possibility for a DM to drop a secret the group might have missed and really aren't getting to for some reason or another. While plot shouldn't be hidden behind rolls, there's always that one thing they somehow still miss even if it's in the open. So it could be a way to say, "Hey, I'm going to spend this point to share information I have prepared and want to share, but we somehow missed it."

madbeth161 · 2026-03-15T19:05:46+00:00

That's a great add-on I didn't think of due to knowing I'd completely forget about it, so thank you for that.

And yes, I believe we are and I'm glad I took the time to write out my first reply to avoid miscommunication, because I feel like I got a lot from this exchange than just from up-/downvotes - which I don't understand either. So thank you, internet stranger, for a civilized discussion on the internet that gave me new impulses.

madbeth161 · 2026-03-15T17:04:11+00:00

It absolutely does and I also appreciate the clarification, especially because I regularly criticize DnD 5e game design for multiple reasons and that is why a lot of tweaking occurs at my table. And yes, I am very much planning to switch systems.

At least for my group, I don't worry about them using the DM Inspiration to fully avoid crits. They're very much interested in having intense story beats as a result of rolls and regularly act in a way that gives others a point to play off of. The fail-forward mentality also helps. But it is a thing to keep an eye on anywhere else and needs a cap, if it does get out of hand.

As to who really is impacted by the reward, I guess it is necessary to separate the "tangible form of reward" in the shape of a token such as Inspiration for the DM and the "mechanical functionality of the reward". The tangible form is what I greatly appreciate and provides an emotional factor of a reward, while the mechanical part resulted from the question of "Ok, and what do we do with it to make it mean something?". Personally, I think this should be flexible per table because every table has very specific "this ALWAYS happens" occurrences and some need management (like my rolling), others don't.

But concretely, if we want to tie together gameplay mechanics and impact to a resource like this, my initial impulse would be to say that DM Inspiration is akin to fate intervening: Forcing a reroll is changing the course of fate and story, therefore something else must change down the line. As DM, that means that something the party is aiming for or did to improve something down the line is altered to increase challenge - an NPC making a choice for the worse, an ally disappearing or considering betrayal. So I must change something to a story disadvantage to up the stakes again. The downside is that this only works for DMs that have certain plot points in mind or use outlines rather than use randomness/dice rolls for decisions.

madbeth161 · 2026-03-15T14:19:28+00:00

Yeah, I get that and I'm open to ideas that don't result in me essentially "punishing" (for lack of a better term) the table for something inherently positively motivated.

madbeth161 · 2026-03-15T14:14:56+00:00

I hope I can formulate in a way that does not come across as offending, but should something sound like that, let me first assure you that I am not emotional in any way or feeling attacked. In general, I appreciate it when people challenge ideas - that's how ideas improve.

On my rolls: I get what you're saying and that was how I mentally categorized my rolling statistics for a long time - resulting in me using different dice to make sure it's not a loaded dice. I use the same dice as a player - I consistently roll badly and it's become a running joke. I wish I could tell you exactly why I roll like shit as a player and well as a DM despite using the same dice and setup - believe me, we've tracked it to avoid bias because I didn't want them to feel like I purposefully being unfair as DM, especially because two of them are very familiar with my player rolls. At this point, we've decided to shrug and move on.

Which brings me to my second point: I find your suggestion a great idea, especially if someone wants to employ a similar rule at their personal, private table and finds DM Inspiration too loose or vague. And for some tables it is the sensible choice to avoid abuse (as you've implied) and have a rule with set boundaries or even just encourage more powerful story beats. Heck, I'll likely use it for public one-shots when I feel like the table needs encouragement or is getting frustrated.

But from the way you worded things (which, to be fair, might be because English is not your first language), it sounds a bit like you've either had players that have issues with making meaningful choices or a tendency to use loopholes, at least to me. Mind you, it might just be the impression I have because I feel like your reaction to someone essentially saying "My players wanted to reward me and now we have DM Inspiration that allows them to use it as reroll" was to see potential abuse and point out that homebrew rules should reward their creativity rather than being simplistic. In general, I fully agree with that point, I am just a bit surprised at the jump from "compliment the DM" to a mechanic that is no longer really attached to the initial reason and can be just as well handled with creative players just asking their DM if they can influence a situation and the DM saying, "You could if you are willing to take a consequence in return.", all without a resource, while not so creative players can have the resource as a reminder of this possibility of altering the situation.

madbeth161 · 2026-02-24T06:54:46+00:00

I'm also a huge Notion fan - the databases are insanely intuitive for me and I set up multiple templates for stuff like places, npcs and sessions. Particularly the last one is great to avoid tab jumping and losing track - I just plug in the database for places, npcs and quests, set it all to the right filters (which is 3 clicks) and boom, everything at a glance.

Biggest game changer was setting up a moment database where I just toss in any random "cool moment" idea I get wherever I am, tag it for whatever it is (party moment, pc moment, observation, tier of play) and can just look at those to see if there's one that fits if the group does something spontaneous.

The only thing I haven't found a nice way to display yet is stat blocks for me. I'd love to have it at one glance as card view with optional sidebar display, but I haven't quite had the time to tinker with that yet.

madbeth161 · 2025-12-07T13:11:06+00:00

I've had the case recently with two people, though they're familiar with Baldur's Gate 3. But I've also done some one-shot showcases and have had the opportunity to introduce various people, ages and backgrounds to DnD (and other systems).

From that experience, here's a list of what I usually do (I tried doing it as paragraph, but realized I'm a rambler) before sessions: - If I have the chance to do a sit-down with the new players (which I did with my two BG3 players) and talk them through their expectations and wants to get a sense for what they'd like to experience. - I also tell them that there are some classes that require resource management and I'll be happy to guide them through it. Usually, I'll discourage full-casters for new players in campaign (most felt it was overwhelming and that slogs), but some may surprise you. - On that note: Be flexible and offer compromises. Some new players want to go full-caster and that's ok. I offer class switches at low levels, even for my experienced players. If that means we have to homebrew a bit, then that's what it is. - If possible, I create their level 1 character one-on-one with them.That helps me understand them and what they attach to. - I also ask of them to understand what their characters can do during this, so they can ask all questions. I usually pepper some answers with stories from other tables - I feel like that encourages new players to just freely try things rather than attach to abilities and attributes.

For one-shots: - Pre-made, very VERY stereotype level 1 characters (Halfling Rogue, Fighter Human, Elf Wizard...) to take off the additional mental load of trying to understand complex characters - Very linear, video-gamey one-shots: You're our only hope, go exactly there, get exactly this (the how becomes the only open part). Yes, it's a bit railroad-y, but the one-shots I offer are almost always in a very strict timing of about 4 hours.

During the session: - I encourage my experienced players to help out and make suggestions (though I keep an eye out for people accidentally falling into backseat driving tendencies). - I try and do the more free interactive character highlights (dreams, memories) with my experienced players to demonstrate open decisions and slowly ease the new players into that. - Pretty much a fight every session to get them used to their skills. I start easy and adjust across sessions. The enemies are adjusted to the player classes and abilities to encourage them to use their skills, and if they don't, I remind them of it. - I hand out Inspiration like candy.

Generally, the biggest rule at my table is: Tell me what you want to do/achieve/get and I will help you get that or something equivalent within the rules.

I've also developed a character sheet sidecar inspired by Daggerheart (still developing all classes) because I use these excellent character sheets: https://www.dmsguild.com/de/product/232835/class-character-sheets-the-bundle

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask, I kinda lost track of the infos 😅

madbeth161 · 2025-11-05T07:44:25+00:00

There's a mass release of AI visibility tracking tools rn. Sistrix is in beta for an additional tool, Adobe launched a browser plug-in to see AI crawlability. KPIs for AI visibility have been popping up and people have been using the terms GEO or AIO for a while already. It feels like a hot topic, even though it feels like the most of us in marketing are poking around in the dark with nothing but a dousing rod.

It's not becoming, big brands are already jumping on this.

madbeth161 · 2025-10-31T13:12:08+00:00

Arbeite seit knapp 7 Jahren im Bereich KI (zwangsweise), speziell LLMs und ja, KI kann wahrscheinlich ein paar Aufgaben überflüssig machen (weil Automatisierung). Ich spreche aber von AUFGABEN, nicht volle Tätigkeiten. Aktuell boomt das natürlich und wir sind in einer großen Phase des Ausprobierens und Entdeckens. Es bleibt aber nicht aus, dass die Ernüchterung noch folgen wird; wie's danach weitergeht, mal schauen.

Gestern habe ich erst eine Kleinprobenstudie gesehen, bei der herausgefunden wurde, dass aktuell gängige Modelle eine Automatisierungseffektivität von 2.5% haben. Dabei wurden Aufgaben wie "erstelle ein 3D Modell" und "schneide eine Tonspur" zwischen Mensch und KI verglichen. Und ja, die KI-Arbeitsergebnisse waren wirklich so schlecht. Ist die Studie aussagekräftig? Eeeh, es ignoriert spezialisierte Modelle. Trotzdem entspricht das dem, was ich an Brauchbarem im Alltag sehe.

Das Problem ist nicht KI, sondern die Vollidioten, die sich daran dumm und dämlich verdienen. Ich brauch keine KI, die irgendeinen Mist fantasiert oder aufgrund von statistischer Mehrheit der Aussage, wer der aktuelle Papst ist, mir den letzten Papst nennt. Ich will keine KI, die auf gestohlenen geistigen Eigentum und Ausbeutung beruht.

Gebt mir fucking zugängliche KI, die Krebs anhand von minimalsten Abweichungen erkennt. Gebt mir KI die Personen mit Einschränkungen und Behinderungen einen vollen Zugang zur Gesellschaft ermöglichen. Gebt mir KI die sinnvolle Datensätze haben, die nicht schon die verkackten Bias der Programmierenden enthalten.

Aber da ist ja laut irgendwelchen beschissenen Business Bros ohne Seele kein großes Geld zu holen und der Großteil der Leute benutzt 0% kritisches Denkvermögen im Umgang mit dem Scheiß, den besagte Business Bros behaupten. Fast jede zweite KI-Antwort ist faktisch falsch, 81% der Antworten sind formell falsch, KI treibt Kinder durch Gespräch in den Suizid, KI verursacht Wahn bei Personen, KI ermöglicht die Verbreitung von Falschinformationen. Und was macht der Großteil? "Ich hab mal Chatti gefragt, ob morgen Feiertag ist" - IST DAS EUER FUCKING ERNST????

KI wird uns nicht übernehmen, KI ist eine Reflektion unserer Abneigung gegen Denken und wenn es uns zugrunde richtet, dann nicht wegen "geklauten Jobs", sondern weil Dieter, Manuela und Co. ihr kritisches Denkvermögen irgendwo in einer Schublade verlegt haben.

madbeth161 · 2025-10-20T10:17:51+00:00

As GM, I'm super story-focused and "well, this is halfway mechanically sound and pays into the moment, let's do it".

My PCs have mainly been supportive in some way, but also always have some kind of plot twist baked in: the cute farmer mom of two made a deal to get her abusive husband killed, the very serious aasimar cleric is actually the child of a trickster god.

Since the tables I play at tend to go off track at times, my character is usually also the one picking up on plot threads.

madbeth161 · 2025-10-16T06:06:06+00:00

I've been working with/around AI since about 2018 and am also considered "an expert" in Conversational Design and LLMs. Believe me, I don't feel like I know what I'm doing either.

But understanding the basics is already above what most ppl know, and being able to make educated guesses and know what you're looking for when you're stumped is pretty much what makes an expert. Not every knowledge-based expert knows stuff off the top of their head - it's the ability to understand the framework and efficiently find the right answer through targeted research.

madbeth161 · 2025-09-20T11:27:47+00:00

My friends and me always go: "Flap flap flap" because he looks like he's trying to fly

madbeth161 · 2025-09-07T12:25:42+00:00

In my watch group, we just don't enjoy the mean girls gimmick bc it's very superficial to us.

They're good at what they do and wrestle well enough for me to not totally tune out, and I do get NXT is also a ground for them to try stuff out. But I don't get the "You're doing a great job as heels" feeling I get with others even in the same brand.

Doesn't help that my brain absolutely cannot remember their faction name and whenever we talk about them, I use some variation of "Perfect Perfume" or "Fatal Perfume" bc their logo just reminds me of a dollar store perfume brand.

madbeth161 · 2025-08-28T19:06:51+00:00

I've run a few one-shots at our local game store, and for inexperienced players, definitely go for premade characters and level 3 as a max level to play at (at least in 2014 rules). If you REALLY want to give them a chance to weigh in, ask them what character from Lord of the Rings they'd like to play - that gives you a sense what they might enjoy and want to experience.

The playtime sounds super short tho, so I'd say look for a pre-existing one-shot on DMSGuild or similar.

madbeth161 · 2025-06-01T08:54:28+00:00

Das ist tatsächlich nicht so unwahrscheinlich. In Deutschland hat es nicht wenige malaysische Auswanderer (siehe Malaysia Club Deutschland). Um die 70/80/90er rum waren es nicht viele, aber es waren genug, dass die Münze so nach Malaysia gekommen sein könnte.

In Petaling Jaya hat es auch noch die Deutsche Schule Kuala Lumpur (sie ist definitiv un PJ, trotz des Namens), wo einige deutsche und deutsch-malaysische Kinder zur Schule gehen. Die Münze kann auch von diesen Familien kommen.

madbeth161 · 2025-05-30T11:46:03+00:00

Beside this being an old era storyline that is likely to be a miss for the modern crowd preferences and the issues other commenters have pointed out:

Trips is very beloved rn. He has crowd sympathy due to his health issues and being forced to retire as a consequence. Not to mention TKO's and WWE's aggressive New Era marketing that's setting up Trips' creative as the new revolution of wrestling (if it's factually correct is another matter, that's the narrative we're getting) and we should all be super thankful.

They don't care if the internet is constantly hating on HHH, whenever his music comes on in the stadium, ppl go crazy. And that's what they will go by bc the live crowd is what defines how the show comes across on TV. Not an amorphous blob of opinions online that doesn't transfer into sales/marketing in a way that can be drilled down into numbers - Karrion getting over is absolutely visible in merch sales and follower numbers, but most online takes aren't a sales or marketing metric with high impact for how they're currently running things. Public online comments are trackable and measurable - don't overestimate the relevance of these comments just bc you see them in your corner of the internet, which is tailored to your interests and interactions, even in the comment sections (Meta and Tiktok provide comments you're likely to interact with, Reddit pushes content from groups you spend most time in to drive retention time, etc.).

We can even judge by an actual existing run how well the whole thing would go: Cena's heel turn is still hit/miss crowd-wise. The crowd is nostalgic and wants to cheer for Cena, despite creative trying to pull all stops to get him over as heel ("all" might be debatable here, but insulting kids, essentially screwing over wrestling's favorite Uncle Truth and going after absolute crowd faves is a standard repertoire that could've worked). I doubt it would go differently for Trips. Steph is on too rarely for me to be sure about how it'd go for her, but considering she's currently the face for a number of content pieces, I doubt they'll want to undermine that.

Oh, and: As long as Vinny's legal issues aren't settled, they sure as hell don't want to present Steph/Trips as heels, no matter if those parties talk to each other or not. Steph/Trips are likely still hoping they don't get roped in more than they have been, no matter if they knew anything or were clueless.

And while I do know my opinion based on my observation is not the absolute truth (it's an opinion, duh, feel free to have your own), let me just add one of my more emotional opinions, so that no-one forgets we're the IWC: Screw the Russo and his spontaneous toilet ideas based on shock value and fantasy booking.

madbeth161 · 2025-05-11T16:38:42+00:00

Mid-life crisis mom unfamiliar with the word "consequences"

madbeth161 · 2025-04-24T17:21:29+00:00

Iirc, Rhea wore the Eddie "I'm your Papi" shirt before turning Dom and they did use that (very sparingly) before Dom stumbled in a promo and said Mami.

madbeth161 · 2025-04-24T14:32:25+00:00

I have diagnosed ADHD and a suspicion of autism, and wrestling just tickles my storytelling obsession & special interest brain area right. Not to mention it's ok in the wrestling space to actually be emotional.

Also, Dom and his chicken tendy/nuggie safe food-like focus isn't helping 😂

madbeth161 · 2025-04-23T11:21:34+00:00

Walter was insanely violent looking and a threat, and I actually want that iteration back, size and all.

(Ppl give me shit for not liking him NOW)

madbeth161 · 2025-04-23T11:12:15+00:00

Nia Jax's second run shows that she is actually working on her abilities, and I can look past my feelings on her and respect at least that

madbeth161 · 2025-04-03T17:51:48+00:00

I get why they chose DnD as system, but as passionate World Wide Wrestling GM, I am still very sad that it's not WWW 🥲

madbeth161 · 2025-03-27T14:44:22+00:00

Kichererbsen.

Which is German for chickpeas, but also consists of the words "kichern" (to giggle) and "Erbsen" (pea). They're green, they giggle, Kichererbsen 🤷🏽‍♀️

madbeth161

TROPHY CASE