WoD always sounds neat from the books and stuff...
Until I hear people talk about playing it! Then it sounds kind of dull. If only because I'm not good at that 4d chess intrigue and politics kind of play.
Makes me want to hit goblins with a huge fucking axe.
0
GrogMy sword is only steelin a useful shape.Registered Userregular
IIRC there were rules for hedge magic in one of the hunter splats (witch hunters?) which detailed a cruder form of supernal magic.
Hey any of your nerds thinking about or for sure are going to GenCon this year? I convinced my wife to give it a shot and I think we'll be there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Really the large if not vast majority of occultists in CofD are not Supernal Mages, or anything close. They're hedge witches, mediums, psychics etc. Maybe one or two supernatural abilities as represented by a Merit, unusual item, ritual knowledge etc. Plenty of sleepwalkers "in the know" as well, who are part of that loose circle, fringe researchers, paranormal journalists, etc
A fraction of this lot will be a genuine real no shit Mage and the Mage is the super-heavyweight of the occult world. They're the ones that, I dunno, a PI who can see phantasms and sense the presence of weird forces calls when they run into something really scary, or when an antiques dealer who works in very obscure religious paraphernalia asks to come over when the 17th century religious icon they just got from a shady contact starts to weep and bleed and hurt your eyes to look at.
When I ran Mage a lot of the plots and mysteries came from people they knew who had their toe in that world. It really works as a hook. And it also makes the player feel like the big dick guy in the know when they can come in and help someone out, which is cathartic... And absolutely suitable for a game about hubris getting the better of you!
The bolder is no joke as long as the Mage’s have time to prepare. Our cabal totally upended the city’s Vampire political situation in a single day. Lesson for the bloodsucker—don’t steal shit from a well connected wizard.
New adventure in the Nine Hells on September 17th!
The biggest and most exciting announcement of the weekend is, of course, the next D&D storyline! Last year’s storyline was a saga set in the city of Waterdeep, comprised of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist and Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage. This year, D&D is taking a trip to Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells. The celestial-turned-archdevil Zariel is enacting her long-awaited vengeance upon the city of Elturel, and a group of unlikely adventurers have been pulled into the struggle!
This adventure spans levels 1 through 13, starting with low-level adventures in Baldur’s Gate, the dark and gritty metropolis which lead designer Adam Lee describes as “the Gotham [City] of the Sword Coast.” Starting a campaign in Baldur’s Gate is wildly different from starting a campaign in bright, shiny Waterdeep, and it perfectly suits a campaign that is destined to go straight to Hell. Introducing more than just the city of Baldur’s Gate, this adventure also opens up the massive sandbox environment of Avernus.
The adventure promises a deep story filled with unforgiveable betrayals, unspeakable evils, and a fallen angel. Those who dare venture into the Nine Hells can fight to bring redemption to Avernus, or give in to corruption themselves. Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus is available for pre-order on the D&D Beyond Marketplace now, and releases in stores on September 17th, 2019. A limited-edition, game store-exclusive cover by Hydro74 features the skull-shaped icon of Bhaal that is now inexorably linked with Baldur’s Gate.
Fuckin hell I need that adventure like right now. I don't even care about the actual adventure but I know for damn sure it has monsters, magic items, maps, and possibly whole encounters that are fuckin dead on perfect in my setting.
Fuckin hell I need that adventure like right now. I don't even care about the actual adventure but I know for damn sure it has monsters, magic items, maps, and possibly whole encounters that are fuckin dead on perfect in my setting.
I'm gonna watch all the preview videos and crib as much as I can.
I went along to one of the D&D Day events being run in Perth. It was pitched at newbies, but I think about 75% of the people there had some experience as D&D players. Still, we all made sure to let the newbies seat first, so no one missed out.
There were two events going, painting tutorials and a super-quick one-shot campaign with preprinted level 1 character sheets. Six of us sat down for the first session: a bard, a rogue, a cleric, a barbarian, a paladin (I think), and I grabbed an Elf wizard.
The scenario was very simple (spoilered just in case):
We're passengers on a ship that gets struck by a storm of magical origin and have to pitch in to help the crew survive. The other players helped batten down the hatches, cast light cantrips to show the way or sang songs to bolster everyone's spirits, while my (surprisingly high-dex) wizard cast mage armor on himself and climbed the mast to unfurl one of the sails. All six of us passed our checks first round, so we were fully prepared for when the ship turned. Everyone else managed the sudden turn fairly easily, but I only just barely hung on to the mast with my feet dangling in the air as we came about. For the last two rounds, we had to deal with a bunch of fish people that boarded the ship as a massive wave swept across the decks, taking most members of the crew with it. I rolled the only 1 of the encounter while casting "detect magic" on the storm (verdict: it's probably magical?) and managed to throw a cantrip at the intruders, although the paladin and barb did most of the work there, if I'm honest. Apparently, fish-people heads just come clean off if you hit them hard enough with a hammer!
And with the fish-people disposed of, the encounter was complete.
It was a very fun session, helped by a charismatic DM and all of us rolling extremely well on average, and the two newbies in the group got a pretty good sample of the different kinds of checks and outcomes that happen in a D&D game. I wasn't super-impressed with the layout of the character sheets though - there was a lot more 'flavour text' on there than was necessary for the time we had, and about 1/3 of the sheet was just blank (why not make the text larger?). I managed fine, but if I was completely new to D&D I would have had trouble picking out the important details. There was also no description for any of the spells in my book, again not a problem for me since I'd brought my deck of arcane spell cards, but anyone else would have had to ask the DM how each of them worked.
The painting session was supposed to be next (we got to keep our character figures), but the people already painting were finishing at all different times and there was a bit of a queue forming, so I decided to call it a day there and leave room for the newbies, since I already have a basic set of paints at home anyway.
Butler on
+3
Blake TDo you have enemies then?Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.Registered Userregular
Sorry I didn't get back to you Niall. Today ended up being very chaotic!
its nice that mike mearls has been completely absent and unmentioned from these streams
shit what'd he do
Back when 5E was in development he defended hiring Zak S as a consultant and forwarded emails from people recounting Zak’s harassments... to Zak.
wow, what a shithead.
Yea, bonus points that one of the things they were complaining about is that Zak S had a group of folks who would harass folks who said negative things about him. So bonus enablement there.
its nice that mike mearls has been completely absent and unmentioned from these streams
shit what'd he do
Back when 5E was in development he defended hiring Zak S as a consultant and forwarded emails from people recounting Zak’s harassments... to Zak.
wow, what a shithead.
Yea, bonus points that one of the things they were complaining about is that Zak S had a group of folks who would harass folks who said negative things about him. So bonus enablement there.
YO!
I am excited for roleplaying! Roleplaying in a dumb sky islands setting with flintlock pistols!
And that just on here.
Later today I’m running a one-shot for my nieces and co. that is set twenty years after their I Can’t Believe it’s Not Fire Emblem campaign! They’re all going to dress up with eye-patches, drawn on wrinkles, plastic crowns etc., and play their characters as grizzled kings and queens!
I've determined that the most important part of running a campaign is coming up with extremely elaborate naming schemes for the track titles in my roll20 jukebox, such as half of the song titles representing the party's hopeful perspective and the other half being snippets from an antagonists memoirs.
I feel bad for our DM because we keep avoiding his plot hooks. But unfortunately, his hooks are things our characters wouldn't do.
For example, two of our characters are siblings on the run from their noble family's arranged marriage. We get to a town where it turns out the ex-fiance to be was hanging out with his knight cronies.
So what did we do? We got the hell out of dodge. We didn't want word getting back to the noble families about where we are.
Now the dm is bummed that we just completely side stepped his story and we feel bad for doing it.
But like... why would we have walked into that plot?
I feel bad for our DM because we keep avoiding his plot hooks. But unfortunately, his hooks are things our characters wouldn't do.
For example, two of our characters are siblings on the run from their noble family's arranged marriage. We get to a town where it turns out the ex-fiance to be was hanging out with his knight cronies.
So what did we do? We got the hell out of dodge. We didn't want word getting back to the noble families about where we are.
Now the dm is bummed that we just completely side stepped his story and we feel bad for doing it.
But like... why would we have walked into that plot?
He didn't have another knight showing up later right as you were leaving, who conveniently recognized you and yelled out your names?
admanbunionize your workplaceSeattle, WARegistered Userregular
Hmm... yeah I feel like the miss there was giving you the option to leave with no consequences. He could’ve had the ex-fiancé or one of the knights see you before you saw them and then you’d have to figure out what to do about the situation.
I feel bad for our DM because we keep avoiding his plot hooks. But unfortunately, his hooks are things our characters wouldn't do.
For example, two of our characters are siblings on the run from their noble family's arranged marriage. We get to a town where it turns out the ex-fiance to be was hanging out with his knight cronies.
So what did we do? We got the hell out of dodge. We didn't want word getting back to the noble families about where we are.
Now the dm is bummed that we just completely side stepped his story and we feel bad for doing it.
But like... why would we have walked into that plot?
Why did you two write that backstory for your characters?
If you write a backstory that gives the potential for dramatically satisfying situations why would you ever run away when that backstory is brought up?
If you want a game with cool stories in it then sometimes you need to act like characters in stories do.
they're just roleplaying what their characters would logically do in that situation, I don't see how that's their fault
That is a fine way to play but you don't get to complain about the lack of heroic stories or dramatic situations when you engage with the game like that. My question was sincere. They should think why they made that backstory. If it was to never engage with it then you should probably sign post that to the DM. The DM was trying to let them tell the story that they dangled in front of the group, which is typically a strong DM move. If they have no interest in engaging in that they should make it clear to the DM and it begs the question of why it's there in the first place.
they're just roleplaying what their characters would logically do in that situation, I don't see how that's their fault
That is a fine way to play but you don't get to complain about the lack of heroic stories or dramatic situations when you engage with the game like that. My question was sincere. They should think why they made that backstory. If it was to never engage with it then you should probably sign post that to the DM. The DM was trying to let them tell the story that they dangled in front of the group, which is typically a strong DM move. If they have no interest in engaging in that they should make it clear to the DM and it begs the question of why it's there in the first place.
I think the answer is somewhere in the middle. A good party should have a mix of players that will drive the narrative at different times. But to be honest, it’s kind of the DM's curse they are never going to get to all of your content, but if it is stuff you absolutely love and want the players to use, you reskin in and present to them at a different point in the adventure.
Early spoilers for my game, go away everyone in it.
I purposely stripped all of my players starting equipment, when they woke up in Barovia, they had their focuses and stuff, but their armour, weapons and supplies were taken from them. I had an entire side story for them to get some of their equipment back, but they threatened the two people who were giving them the quest, so they couldn’t go on the adventure. Didn’t mean they didn’t get stuff any other way.
webguy20I spend too much time on the InternetRegistered Userregular
Yea If I was that DM, It could have been fun to have that plot hook where a couple characters don't want to be seen and get away, but also have a plot hook wrapped up in the first one that some other folks in the party would want to engage with.
Session 2 of Symbaroum today. Going to be featuring the first fight with real potential to just straight up murder a player character.
Also on the plot hook thing: It's mostly why I make background hook ins something that are present but not central to the adventure. Because it's important to give players a lot of agency over stuff that close to their character. Where as the central plot is something they're kinda socially contracted to give a bit of leeway to keep running.
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Blake TDo you have enemies then?Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.Registered Userregular
edited May 2019
What's a good passive character. Vivienne is going to run a thing with a bunch of new players and I am trying to think of a character that isn't really one that drives the plot forward. More of a tag along and yell encouragement at everyone. Like a drunk bard yelling encouraging from the corner type character, but I feel drunk bard is a bit of a cliche.
Posts
Until I hear people talk about playing it! Then it sounds kind of dull. If only because I'm not good at that 4d chess intrigue and politics kind of play.
Makes me want to hit goblins with a huge fucking axe.
The bolder is no joke as long as the Mage’s have time to prepare. Our cabal totally upended the city’s Vampire political situation in a single day. Lesson for the bloodsucker—don’t steal shit from a well connected wizard.
"The only real politics I knew was that if a guy liked Hitler, I’d beat the stuffing out of him and that would be it." -- Jack Kirby
Next official 5e adventure is called "Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus" and is devil/blood war themed, level 1-13
Don't know if there's a part two yet like there was with Waterdeep, but here's hoping
They also announced a new Essentials Starter Set, with a level 1-6 adventure
Also, a Rick and Morty themed thing
New adventure in the Nine Hells on September 17th!
"Infernal War Machine" mini!
New Starter Kit with a single-player variant mode!
Official Rick & Morty D&D adventure!
And there's still a mystery announcement on Sunday! Holy shit!
They've been talking they're going to set up a backerkit and let people add pledges so you might not be completely out of luck.
Worst case scenario, they're still going to have the rules (sans all fluff, extra stuff like the long rim mechs, etc) up for free after all this iirc.
3DS: 0473-8507-2652
Switch: SW-5185-4991-5118
PSN: AbEntropy
I'm gonna watch all the preview videos and crib as much as I can.
shit what'd he do
He has less hair than the other guy.
Satans..... hints.....
Back when 5E was in development he defended hiring Zak S as a consultant and forwarded emails from people recounting Zak’s harassments... to Zak.
There were two events going, painting tutorials and a super-quick one-shot campaign with preprinted level 1 character sheets. Six of us sat down for the first session: a bard, a rogue, a cleric, a barbarian, a paladin (I think), and I grabbed an Elf wizard.
The scenario was very simple (spoilered just in case):
And with the fish-people disposed of, the encounter was complete.
It was a very fun session, helped by a charismatic DM and all of us rolling extremely well on average, and the two newbies in the group got a pretty good sample of the different kinds of checks and outcomes that happen in a D&D game. I wasn't super-impressed with the layout of the character sheets though - there was a lot more 'flavour text' on there than was necessary for the time we had, and about 1/3 of the sheet was just blank (why not make the text larger?). I managed fine, but if I was completely new to D&D I would have had trouble picking out the important details. There was also no description for any of the spells in my book, again not a problem for me since I'd brought my deck of arcane spell cards, but anyone else would have had to ask the DM how each of them worked.
The painting session was supposed to be next (we got to keep our character figures), but the people already painting were finishing at all different times and there was a bit of a queue forming, so I decided to call it a day there and leave room for the newbies, since I already have a basic set of paints at home anyway.
Satans..... hints.....
All good! The session was very quick anyway, and I don't think anyone from our group would have benefited from painting 101.
wow, what a shithead.
Yea, bonus points that one of the things they were complaining about is that Zak S had a group of folks who would harass folks who said negative things about him. So bonus enablement there.
uuugggghhhh
I am excited for roleplaying! Roleplaying in a dumb sky islands setting with flintlock pistols!
And that just on here.
Later today I’m running a one-shot for my nieces and co. that is set twenty years after their I Can’t Believe it’s Not Fire Emblem campaign! They’re all going to dress up with eye-patches, drawn on wrinkles, plastic crowns etc., and play their characters as grizzled kings and queens!
For example, two of our characters are siblings on the run from their noble family's arranged marriage. We get to a town where it turns out the ex-fiance to be was hanging out with his knight cronies.
So what did we do? We got the hell out of dodge. We didn't want word getting back to the noble families about where we are.
Now the dm is bummed that we just completely side stepped his story and we feel bad for doing it.
But like... why would we have walked into that plot?
He didn't have another knight showing up later right as you were leaving, who conveniently recognized you and yelled out your names?
3DS: 0473-8507-2652
Switch: SW-5185-4991-5118
PSN: AbEntropy
And thus ends the adventures of one Zook Horcusporcus.
I need to find a new game before I start designing real life death traps to lure people into for possible cash prizes.
Why did you two write that backstory for your characters?
If you write a backstory that gives the potential for dramatically satisfying situations why would you ever run away when that backstory is brought up?
If you want a game with cool stories in it then sometimes you need to act like characters in stories do.
That is a fine way to play but you don't get to complain about the lack of heroic stories or dramatic situations when you engage with the game like that. My question was sincere. They should think why they made that backstory. If it was to never engage with it then you should probably sign post that to the DM. The DM was trying to let them tell the story that they dangled in front of the group, which is typically a strong DM move. If they have no interest in engaging in that they should make it clear to the DM and it begs the question of why it's there in the first place.
I think the answer is somewhere in the middle. A good party should have a mix of players that will drive the narrative at different times. But to be honest, it’s kind of the DM's curse they are never going to get to all of your content, but if it is stuff you absolutely love and want the players to use, you reskin in and present to them at a different point in the adventure.
Early spoilers for my game, go away everyone in it.
Satans..... hints.....
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
It seems so far away now for me
Also on the plot hook thing: It's mostly why I make background hook ins something that are present but not central to the adventure. Because it's important to give players a lot of agency over stuff that close to their character. Where as the central plot is something they're kinda socially contracted to give a bit of leeway to keep running.
Satans..... hints.....