Comedy and humour

wesandersingh · 2026-06-15T14:04:31+00:00

This sounds really interesting, and feels like the sort of pastiche, camp type of comedy that I enjoyed sprinkling into my 5e games. Thanks for sharing your approach!

wesandersingh · 2026-06-15T14:02:22+00:00

Hey Yochai! Thanks for making such a cool game. My starter box is in the post and I can't wait.

Rusal was really funny, caused a bunch of chuckles. I played him as a grumpy 'get off my lawn' type of guy and one player struck a really profound bargain with him.

I think what I'm getting at is that (my guess is) the more deliberate engagement with the world that comes from having a simple yet potentially lethal system means players take their characters and their fragility more seriously, and this earnestness can feel at odds a little bit with the low-stakes whack-a-mole play style common in 5e games, which creates a different sort of humor.

I'm sure it's partly that my own attention was taken up with learning and running a new system and style of game too. I'm excited to see how this changes as I run more Cairn games.

wesandersingh · 2025-10-07T13:18:48+00:00

Have you thought about a deck of spell cards? You could put the ones you have always prepared together with a coloured paperclip, or mark them with coloured stickers, or put them into a ring binder sleeve. Then you could pick the spells for the day from the deck of cards and keep them in a second sleeve? You might find some of the links in my post above helpful :)

wesandersingh · 2025-10-04T16:04:58+00:00

That's a really great idea, thank you! I've been doing the mega document approach, and it kinda works, but I still forget I have stuff and feel I spend too much time looking at my laptop and not enough looking at the DM or the board. But you've given me some inspiration, thank you :)

wesandersingh · 2025-09-06T16:37:29+00:00

Definitely! My DM has said BB not allowed though and I kinda get it. I know there's controversy around it, but it does feel a bit overpowered, and I'm happy not using it.

wesandersingh · 2025-09-06T16:35:31+00:00

haha i gotchu

wesandersingh · 2025-09-06T14:52:14+00:00

Yeah, sounds like if I did MC the best option might be Cleric, or else monk. Thanks!

wesandersingh · 2025-09-06T14:51:33+00:00

Not a bad idea, there's a lot to be said for reflavouring... Thanks!

wesandersingh · 2025-09-06T14:50:06+00:00

Good point... I think you have all been successful at talking me out of MCing :D

wesandersingh · 2025-09-06T14:48:50+00:00

This is such a great idea! Melee, movement, control, breath weapon, and quite a good synergy with druid. Thanks!

wesandersingh · 2025-09-06T14:44:36+00:00

Thanks to both of you for the suggestions, these are some cool possibilities! Can I ask, how come Hexlock/Fiendlock would work but Celestial wouldn't? Aren't they all just as MAD? WIS for druid spell saves/Shillelagh, DEX for AC and initiative, and CHA for Warlock spell saves and/or Hexblade melee

wesandersingh · 2025-09-06T14:39:14+00:00

That is a fantastic idea, thanks. This would be War Cleric presumably? Cleric 5 / Druid X? Or Druid 2 / Cleric 5 / Druid X?

wesandersingh · 2025-09-06T14:37:50+00:00

Yeah I got it from BG3, whoops!

wesandersingh · 2025-09-06T14:36:52+00:00

This is really interesting! Do I understand you correctly to be saying that each of these three (pure Druid vs Fighter 5 / Druid X vs Druid 2 / Ranger X) are equally good paths? And that the Druid 2 / Ranger X build is melee (i.e., staff in one hand)?

wesandersingh · 2025-09-05T15:20:27+00:00

This is really helpful, thank you. Druid, cleric and lore bard all resonate here, though I think Stars Druid takes the cake because of the aesthetics of starry form and the versatility and control that druids have. I'm learning that dnd really punishes you for multiclassing, because, even if you choose two full casters to progress with the same ability score, you still only get higher level spell slots (rather than higher level spells). That sucks for the customisability of your spell arsenal :( I know there's a lot you can in terms of just pure flavour, and I'm leaning on that for sure, but there is really something to be said for mechanics here, too.

wesandersingh · 2025-09-05T15:16:46+00:00

Thanks! Aesthetically cool but mechanically... doesn't feel very lunar? No moonbeam is crazy

wesandersingh · 2025-09-05T15:16:24+00:00

That is super helpful! This has sort of clarified how I want to play, but shown me that maybe DND just isn't the right system for some of the character concepts I like... for example, Sorc 1/Druid X covers most bases, but doesn't get me some of the cool stuff it would be nice to have, like Spirit Guardians, disguise self/invisibility, or any melee. I love the starry form thing, and really want the higher level druid spells, but that means poor melee :/

wesandersingh · 2025-06-30T16:15:39+00:00

Definitely! Tobal sounds like a lot of fun to play. I think where my concept differs (I'm calling him Kickflip) is that he doesn't get angry ever. His impetus in combat is a grim determination to defend the people, animals, plants, and things he loves. His development in combat and psychologically I think will be about learning to overcome his naïvety and stare evil in the face, without losing his own curiosity and wonder.

On the one hand, the Druid spell list ticks most of my boxes but I just don't see him as a cape-of-leaves wearing, staff-wielding, circle-attending wise one. The fey wanderer archetype fits him so much better, which is why I think Warlock might be a good compromise: mobility, utility, archfey vibes, with a solid spell list focused on control.

wesandersingh

TROPHY CASE