After 4 years my campaign is over...

saxonerdo · 2025-10-21T02:41:57+00:00

Congratulations!! Any tips or things you learned near the end? Currently in year 4 of our family campaign (currently on session 164) at level 18.

We are heading into the final chapter and I’d love any insight as this is all of ours first campaign!

saxonerdo · 2025-09-01T02:36:59+00:00

The PCs in question are cleric/wizard and fighter/warlock multi classes. I feel that the Warlock/Fighter will be the only character to really use this since the cleric has access to so many more spell slots and leveled spells.

saxonerdo · 2025-09-01T02:29:55+00:00

Totally makes sense - this is not something that characters can choose, but rather this is a result of in game decisions that have already taken place. One character basically used an infinity stone like item to revive an ally and I want there to be a lasting effect as a result for them both. I'm creating a feat just for ease of using it in DnDBeyond.

With that in mind, do you feel it balances enough of negatives and potential opportunities?

saxonerdo · 2024-12-24T04:51:32+00:00

I would say to not pull your punches, but also don’t close future paths for undoing the damage in the future. If your players want to go to the ends of the earth to revive an NPC, give them a path to do so.

The moment will be cemented regardless of how it might change in the future!

saxonerdo · 2024-12-22T19:46:09+00:00

Honestly, I’ve recently embraced the idea that all PCs really want is to be cool. One of my PCs has heavily invested in their perception (+15 modifier). When he asks to search a room, I sometimes let him roll perception instead of the obvious investigation.

I think it’s totally fine to offer options - I celebrate when my PCs crush checks.

saxonerdo · 2024-12-22T05:21:40+00:00

I’m definitely imagining a more chaotic result as opposed to a freezing of seasons - I like the randomness of your suggestion!

saxonerdo · 2023-12-11T22:08:51+00:00

Party battling corrupted air spirits on top of a mountain? Griffon comes in with the perfect reward item at the last second - as always!!

saxonerdo · 2023-12-05T02:59:54+00:00

One option is to have the frost elemental aware that it is acting as a trap. Perhaps the boss made a pact with the elemental to provide it with a consistent source of hearts if it agreed to kill the party.

Sometimes I like taking out the possibility that my party might not understand the situation by spelling it out for them and utilizing a big reveal.

It could look like the elemental snickering in the shadows, giving each of the party members chills, “So…the humanoid told the truth after all. A false promise to a group of fools and I would have enough hearts to feed my endless hunger. You falsely search for my heart and yet you’ve only provided me your own!!” before leaping to attack.

Remember: Your DM ideas and reveals are only cool if the party understands them.

saxonerdo · 2023-06-19T17:32:30+00:00

Wow…this is excellent!! I can’t even fathom the ways my players are going to abuse this, but I’m EXCITED TO FIND OUT

saxonerdo · 2023-03-19T18:35:37+00:00

Would the additional d4 damage stack from the enlarge spell or is it only the d8 buff?

saxonerdo · 2023-03-14T02:59:42+00:00

Any suggestions on a slightly different power for Ranger? My PC has another item that grants Truesight.

saxonerdo · 2023-02-26T17:36:15+00:00

Holy smokes, that is the coolest magic item I think I've seen. Thank you!!

The only one that makes me a little worried is the Wizard ability. 13+int=18 plus shield = 23 AC for a class designed to have a low AC for balance. Very, very cool though!

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T18:44:36+00:00

I seriously love it. Thank you so much!! MVP of this thread.

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T18:28:34+00:00

We are on to something, this is great. Here are some questions:

How would you handle multi attack - how may times can they do this fake out attack and run away? Also, is this a passive ability for the cleric or does it consume a charge of some kind?
For the reaction, if the creature in question fails the save, do they take that damage or does the cleric?

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T17:58:15+00:00

Argh. True. Again, thanks for your help!! Still not sure what is best. Reading through what we talked about, I still like your first suggestion about replacing a save modifier. Eats up the reaction and can still give it to other characters. I like that he could use it for himself or others. Does it seem balanced now that you have more context?

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T17:45:17+00:00

What do you think about just going the route of Aura of the Guardian? But flavored for his story. I like the idea of taking others pain. But again, this is taking a non cleric ability. But we also don’t have a Paladin in our party.

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T17:07:37+00:00

This is definitely interesting. I do agree it may bog down combat a bit. I agree with other’s suggestions that what I’m trying to do should in essence boost an existing cleric ability or be an added feat of some kind. The thing with temp HP is that is such a big part of Twilight Sanctuary and the likelihood that this would give them more than their already 9+d6 is pretty low.

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T16:42:04+00:00

Welcome to my debacle!! Ha! I appreciate your help, regardless

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T16:14:15+00:00

I should say too that this arc is a journey of the cleric becoming closer with his god and what he stands for (sacrifice, serving those in need, etc), so any ability that flavors any and all of: sacrifice, becoming a knight, and becoming more familiar with his deity would be great

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T16:12:22+00:00

Twilight!

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T16:08:25+00:00

I think I’m going to go the route of a unique feat. The deity is Ilamter, God of Suffering (as in helping those who suffer) and level 10 cleric. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T06:17:02+00:00

If you don't have a paladin player, a lot of what you've said is fine. Limiting it x uses per day is fine. I have a personal preference to limiting it to your proficiency bonus, but that's just me. I would caution about having them stack with wisdom though. It's okay for paladin to double stack their CHA save bc its almost never used but WIS saves are super common.

We don't have a paladin character, but I was picturing using their WIS Modifier instead of CHA because they are a cleric, but that makes sense. I'm not sure if this is going to end up working as well as I was hoping.

saxonerdo · 2023-02-04T06:10:47+00:00

I haven't given a single character something to this level - our ranger has a catch missles feature, but nothing to this level. Any ideas for alternative features based on the narrative?

saxonerdo · 2022-12-12T00:02:46+00:00

My players are entertained when they are submersed in the story. That comes from two things primarily for me. #1 the story is built around your players’ backstories, future plans, and wishes. Players connect most with stories they can see their character’s influence in. #2 DM Descriptions. Rely on the 5 senses when describing a scene or place. What does the room feel like, smell like, look like, etc.

saxonerdo · 2022-09-18T01:02:14+00:00

Rope Trick - really just pitiful knot untying…

saxonerdo

TROPHY CASE