DM: I don't want to necro bump the discussion thread so I'm just going to ask here. I've been thinking about crit and fumble tables and I came up with an idea. What if in combat, every time someone rolled a nat20 or a nat1 (mostly nat1s), minor effects will happen that effects the battlefield more than the characters. What effect will happen, if any will happen at all, will be made up by me based on what kind of attack got the roll and what the position of the battlefield will be.
The nature of these effects are not inherently positive or negative. It is more like something happening in narrative that carries with it mechanical effects. Obviously it will not happen every single time a nat20 or a nat1 is rolled because the surrounding area might not allow for it. No body will ever take 2x or 3x damage or suffer from any status condition thanks to these effects. Instant death and limb loss is off the table completely unless there's some other effect that is responsible for it (like having a Vorpal Sword). Misfires may happen but it will be rare and will not directly damage any other target when it does happen. Because I might not be explaining this properly, I have listed a few examples of such a thing to make it clear:
Scenario: Devarus is fighting Bandit1 with a crossbow in melee range. The battle field is a dining hall. He rolls a nat1 against Bandit1.
Narrative: As Deva tries to fire a crossbow bolt into the man's chest the bandit1 grabs the crossbow at the last possible second and the shot fires upwards. The bolt hits the chandelier and it comes crashing down on top of the two.
Mechanics: DEX save from both Deva and Bandit1 where fail means taking damage and dropping prone. Pass or fail, The battlefield now has an obstacle in the form of a broken chandelier and glass shards.
Scenario: Runt is fighting a knight and there is a mirrored wall behind the knight. Runt rolls a nat20.
Narrative: Runt hits the knight in the chest and slams his armored body against the mirror. The mirror shatters and glass shards fall around the place.
Mechanics: Knight takes extra slashing damage. There are now random broken glass strewn on the floor.
DM: I could've just started doing it because I thought it would be cool but that would be a bit of dick move. Let me know what you guys think and I'll only do it if most people agree with it.
I myself tend to add some flavor to the description when a nat 20 or nat 1 comes up, and yes sometimes I add other effects like getting someone prone, or a weapon is tossed away or someone must make a STR or DEX ST or be disarmed... but it highly depending on the particular scenario and if it adds to the description of things or not, I mean, I don't have it settled for every time a 20/1 is rolled...
On the movement topic:
First of all is no big deal, I am not arguing, just trying to fully understand how your maps work for future reference :)
As I undersntad it Val's movement will be:
NW - N - W - W - W -W -W
35 ft movement wich is his movement in elf form.
That should leave him right under the "-" between the woman and the guillotine. Perhaps that's not the right spot to free her and that's fine. As I said I am trying to figure it how it works and where Val will end his movement ;)
Val, I can see the confusion now. First off, the white space between two "-" is actually another "-' Which I didn't show because the maps look messy. Meaning, you are not moving from one "-" to another "-" when you move but rather move "-" " " "-". This only applies to horizontal movement and not vertical movement. However, I understand that this can be confusing. Second of all, there are 3 guillotines. Following your directions lead me to the space between two empty guillotines.
EDIT: I think I found a way to make movement less confusing. I will simply add numbers and letters to spaces in future maps. That way I won't have to draw huge maps and it will still be less confusing as to what is 5ft of movement.
On fumbles/Crits:
Yeah, what you described in your post is pretty much exactly what I'm thinking of doing.
Oh I see my confusion now. I thought that the blank spaces where only for clarity and no "real usable" spaces and distance. Thanks for clarification!
Have you tried Dungeon Painter Studio? I downloaded it and it's easy to use, with tons of free material from the community to add things to your maps and it gives you the coordinates with letters and numbers when you export the map to jpg.
Check this ones out from one of my games for example.
The only thing is that you need to post it somewhere and then copy the link here, but I can bet that it will be faster to create the map than make it on ascii wich it really impress me I must say :)
Val moves as fast as he can towards the woman trying to reassuring her and see how he can free her from the guillotine
" Stay calm " he says to her " we will get out of there in no time "
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Val dashes to the woman and comforts her.
On map making:
The tools are not a problem because I had managed to create a pretty functional and fast system with Paint.net. What I used to do was have a grid painted before hand. Whenever a battle starts, I drew lines and plopped characters to it. It's actually really fast and easy. However, linking the image which was on a different site (imgur, in my case) was the real issue. That's why I switched to ASCII. I'm sure Dungeon Painter is good and all but it doesn't really solve my problem.
Orc2 (3) Ruthlessly attacks Deva. All attack rolls vs Orc2 have advantage now.
Battle axe: 19 (Adv: 15) Dmg: 10
Elsara attacks Orc2 with Slasher: 16 (Adv: 21) Dmg: 10
Val runs up to the woman and comforts her. The orc2 swings it's axe in a devastating arc, lodging the blade into Deva's chest, then kicking the old Half-elf to free his axe. Then the orc suddenly falls to its knees and its head comes off. Elsara stands behind it with a bloody blade.
Combat over. Everyone gets 240 XP for killing the orcs. You have saved (or will save) 5 villagers, granting each an extra 500 XP per person.
Total XP gained per person: 740 XP. I will now add this to your character sheet.
The room is not quiet. The pendulum still swings around, making whooshing noises. You notice that the device in the center makes a continuous strange hum. The reason you didn't notice it sooner is because the humming was drowned out by the screaming and crying. The mother thanks Runt as the brother (who was freed by Val, I'm guessing) hugs his older, a bit winded, sister.
Gendan is unable to glean any sort of information from the device other than: a. It's magical b. It has something to do with Affectus Uti c. It doesn't seem to be a torture device.
Gendan looks to Val and says, “Yes we should.” She dismisses her sword and summons a Maul from her patron. “Get those little ones out of the way.” Once Val has the villagers clear, she will swing her “Booming” maul (in case it decides to move after she hits it) Attack15 for 13 magical bludgeoning. Take 8 thunder if target willingly moves before my next turn.
"Ok, try to calm down. It's over now. "the elf guides them to the most far corner from the torture devices and advices them to stay put there. He then goes to his party
"What we can do with them? We cannot risk more orcs or the mutated ones find them" he whispers " We cannot take them with us while we look for the others. Someone should stay behind and keep an eye on them. " he looks to Elsara " Can you destroy it?" he says pointing to the weird device.
Runt gently Pat's the girl on the head, accepting the thanks and trying not to bleed all over everyone. With a child like delight, she assists in the smashing of all the things.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 12 (8W-4L)- - Coliseum of Conquest: Master of Faerie Fire. Just don't ask her to spell it.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 6 (2W-1L)- - Coliseum Reborn : Master of a Myriad of forms.
Runt, the Stormchosen: Half-Orc barbarian level 5 -- The Guild
The device doesn't offer much resistance but it is quite sturdy (Low AC, high HP). After a couple of hits from Runt and Gendan, the device gets smashed to bits and the humming stops. Like a 6th sense, you feel it. There's something in the cave; something unbelievably powerful; something on the level of demi-gods. Smashing the device has alerted this thing to your presence and you can feel it walking toward you. Magical fear (akin to the Red Dragon's Frightful presence) slowly creep over you. You don't know what this the source is other than the fact that it's magical. You don't know where the source is. What you do know is that it is coming for you and it is getting closer.
Devarus, having long since staggered over and collapsed by the entryway, finishes bandages his wounds and sighs in relief. Startled out of reverie from the sound of much smashing, he watches with a look of mild amusement for a time before shaking his head. "...I'll stay behind." He volunteers, cringing as he adjusts in his seat. "I'll do it. Much as I like to go with you, I'm... *sighs*... I'm no spring cockatrice." A sardonic grin plays at his lips as he briefly eyes the kids. "'Besides, between a closed bridge and any arrows you can spare me, I'm probably the best fit for holding down the fort until the rest of you lot returned. If you can spare the spare arrows, I will be more than sure."
(This is very let, but Well shucks! Thanks AnimeSquirrel for the praise on Dev.)
(No advantage for hitting an utterly stationary target, I presume Zulk?)
(Oh, I thought only Gendan and Runt was feeling it for doing the smashy smash. Well then! I shall blame the bloodloss)
Devarus' eyes gradually widen as delirium from blood-loss starts taking a backseat to the presence. "I sense it too now. We're out of time. We need to go now. All of us, and hope we can get to the others another time."He puts on a brave face and tries to sound confident. The cracks are there for anyone to see as he hurries to get back to his feet. "Runt. Here. You've taken more of a beaten than any of us. Rest of you should take one too, if you have it." After at least offering his healing potion to Runt, he puts away his bow in favor of scimitar and shield. "Let's move people. I'll take point this time. Unless you folk fancy holding our grounds back at the bridge?"He asks while at least making moves towards the bridge.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
DM: I don't want to necro bump the discussion thread so I'm just going to ask here. I've been thinking about crit and fumble tables and I came up with an idea. What if in combat, every time someone rolled a nat20 or a nat1 (mostly nat1s), minor effects will happen that effects the battlefield more than the characters. What effect will happen, if any will happen at all, will be made up by me based on what kind of attack got the roll and what the position of the battlefield will be.
The nature of these effects are not inherently positive or negative. It is more like something happening in narrative that carries with it mechanical effects. Obviously it will not happen every single time a nat20 or a nat1 is rolled because the surrounding area might not allow for it. No body will ever take 2x or 3x damage or suffer from any status condition thanks to these effects. Instant death and limb loss is off the table completely unless there's some other effect that is responsible for it (like having a Vorpal Sword). Misfires may happen but it will be rare and will not directly damage any other target when it does happen. Because I might not be explaining this properly, I have listed a few examples of such a thing to make it clear:
DM: I could've just started doing it because I thought it would be cool but that would be a bit of dick move. Let me know what you guys think and I'll only do it if most people agree with it.
As for the game itself, it is still Val's turn.
On the crit and fumbles topic:
I myself tend to add some flavor to the description when a nat 20 or nat 1 comes up, and yes sometimes I add other effects like getting someone prone, or a weapon is tossed away or someone must make a STR or DEX ST or be disarmed... but it highly depending on the particular scenario and if it adds to the description of things or not, I mean, I don't have it settled for every time a 20/1 is rolled...
On the movement topic:
First of all is no big deal, I am not arguing, just trying to fully understand how your maps work for future reference :)
As I undersntad it Val's movement will be:
NW - N - W - W - W -W -W
35 ft movement wich is his movement in elf form.
That should leave him right under the "-" between the woman and the guillotine. Perhaps that's not the right spot to free her and that's fine. As I said I am trying to figure it how it works and where Val will end his movement ;)
PbP Character: A few ;)
On movement:
Val, I can see the confusion now. First off, the white space between two "-" is actually another "-' Which I didn't show because the maps look messy. Meaning, you are not moving from one "-" to another "-" when you move but rather move "-" " " "-". This only applies to horizontal movement and not vertical movement. However, I understand that this can be confusing. Second of all, there are 3 guillotines. Following your directions lead me to the space between two empty guillotines.
The reason I did such an awkward thing like:
Is so that I didn't have to draw huge maps.
EDIT: I think I found a way to make movement less confusing. I will simply add numbers and letters to spaces in future maps. That way I won't have to draw huge maps and it will still be less confusing as to what is 5ft of movement.
On fumbles/Crits:
Yeah, what you described in your post is pretty much exactly what I'm thinking of doing.
Oh I see my confusion now. I thought that the blank spaces where only for clarity and no "real usable" spaces and distance. Thanks for clarification!
Have you tried Dungeon Painter Studio? I downloaded it and it's easy to use, with tons of free material from the community to add things to your maps and it gives you the coordinates with letters and numbers when you export the map to jpg.
Check this ones out from one of my games for example.
https://gritosenlaweb.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/cabin-in-the-woods-basement12x12.jpg?w=479
https://gritosenlaweb.files.wordpress.com/2019/02/cabin-in-the-woods113x10.jpg?w=479
The only thing is that you need to post it somewhere and then copy the link here, but I can bet that it will be faster to create the map than make it on ascii wich it really impress me I must say :)
Val moves as fast as he can towards the woman trying to reassuring her and see how he can free her from the guillotine
" Stay calm " he says to her " we will get out of there in no time "
( Movement and dash towards the woman :) )
PbP Character: A few ;)
Val dashes to the woman and comforts her.
On map making:
The tools are not a problem because I had managed to create a pretty functional and fast system with Paint.net. What I used to do was have a grid painted before hand. Whenever a battle starts, I drew lines and plopped characters to it. It's actually really fast and easy. However, linking the image which was on a different site (imgur, in my case) was the real issue. That's why I switched to ASCII. I'm sure Dungeon Painter is good and all but it doesn't really solve my problem.
Orc2 (3) Ruthlessly attacks Deva. All attack rolls vs Orc2 have advantage now.
Battle axe: 19 (Adv: 15) Dmg: 10
Elsara attacks Orc2 with Slasher:
16 (Adv: 21) Dmg: 10
Slasher Special Property: Crit on nat19: 8
Val runs up to the woman and comforts her. The orc2 swings it's axe in a devastating arc, lodging the blade into Deva's chest, then kicking the old Half-elf to free his axe. Then the orc suddenly falls to its knees and its head comes off. Elsara stands behind it with a bloody blade.
Combat over. Everyone gets 240 XP for killing the orcs. You have saved (or will save) 5 villagers, granting each an extra 500 XP per person.
Total XP gained per person: 740 XP. I will now add this to your character sheet.
The room is not quiet. The pendulum still swings around, making whooshing noises. You notice that the device in the center makes a continuous strange hum. The reason you didn't notice it sooner is because the humming was drowned out by the screaming and crying. The mother thanks Runt as the brother (who was freed by Val, I'm guessing) hugs his older, a bit winded, sister.
Gendan will try to glean whatever information she can about the device.
Investigation 11
Arcana 9
Check out my Extended Signature here
Gendan is unable to glean any sort of information from the device other than: a. It's magical b. It has something to do with Affectus Uti c. It doesn't seem to be a torture device.
"we should destroy that" says Val to Gendan as she looks at the device. "and we should get out of its proximity as soon as possible"
"Are you ok?" asks Valwarin to the villagers they've saved. "Do you know if there are more prisioners?"
PbP Character: A few ;)
The villagers respond in a shaky voice, "Y-yeah. There's more of us. The orcs... keep them in the cells on the opposite end of this floor."
Gendan looks to Val and says, “Yes we should.” She dismisses her sword and summons a Maul from her patron. “Get those little ones out of the way.” Once Val has the villagers clear, she will swing her “Booming” maul (in case it decides to move after she hits it) Attack 15 for 13 magical bludgeoning. Take 8 thunder if target willingly moves before my next turn.
(I really hope a 15 hits an inanimate object!)
Check out my Extended Signature here
"Ok, try to calm down. It's over now. " the elf guides them to the most far corner from the torture devices and advices them to stay put there. He then goes to his party
"What we can do with them? We cannot risk more orcs or the mutated ones find them" he whispers " We cannot take them with us while we look for the others. Someone should stay behind and keep an eye on them. " he looks to Elsara " Can you destroy it?" he says pointing to the weird device.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Runt gently Pat's the girl on the head, accepting the thanks and trying not to bleed all over everyone. With a child like delight, she assists in the smashing of all the things.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 12 (8W-4L)- - Coliseum of Conquest: Master of Faerie Fire. Just don't ask her to spell it.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 6 (2W-1L)- - Coliseum Reborn : Master of a Myriad of forms.
Runt, the Stormchosen: Half-Orc barbarian level 5 -- The Guild
Tomoe Gozen: Human Fighter Samurai level 5 -- Cronero (Solo Campaign)
The device doesn't offer much resistance but it is quite sturdy (Low AC, high HP). After a couple of hits from Runt and Gendan, the device gets smashed to bits and the humming stops. Like a 6th sense, you feel it. There's something in the cave; something unbelievably powerful; something on the level of demi-gods. Smashing the device has alerted this thing to your presence and you can feel it walking toward you. Magical fear (akin to the Red Dragon's Frightful presence) slowly creep over you. You don't know what this the source is other than the fact that it's magical. You don't know where the source is. What you do know is that it is coming for you and it is getting closer.
Devarus, having long since staggered over and collapsed by the entryway, finishes bandages his wounds and sighs in relief. Startled out of reverie from the sound of much smashing, he watches with a look of mild amusement for a time before shaking his head. "...I'll stay behind." He volunteers, cringing as he adjusts in his seat. "I'll do it. Much as I like to go with you, I'm... *sighs*... I'm no spring cockatrice." A sardonic grin plays at his lips as he briefly eyes the kids. "'Besides, between a closed bridge and any arrows you can spare me, I'm probably the best fit for holding down the fort until the rest of you lot returned. If you can spare the spare arrows, I will be more than sure."
(This is very let, but Well shucks! Thanks AnimeSquirrel for the praise on Dev.)
(No advantage for hitting an utterly stationary target, I presume Zulk?)Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
Nobody - [Feral-Tiefling]Wizard/Sorcerer - War/Draconic (HoTDQ)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Dreams/Archfey
-
Hiatus:
Xanrazan - [Earth Genasi]Bard - College of Swords(Shadowthorn's Princess of the Apocalypse)
“Well that was fun. I guess we go free the other villagers now?” Gendan does not fear easily, and if she feels it, she definitely won’t show it.
Check out my Extended Signature here
@Deva, Well the device was successfully smashed. It's just that it had a ****ton of HP so it took multiple hits.
@Northwest, Gendan feels the fear and so does everyone else.
Runt breaths heavy. She feels the presence and shivers. Must not stay long. Something is coming.
(Also Runt has 4 HP, no rages and no Hit Die for a short rest)
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 12 (8W-4L)- - Coliseum of Conquest: Master of Faerie Fire. Just don't ask her to spell it.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 6 (2W-1L)- - Coliseum Reborn : Master of a Myriad of forms.
Runt, the Stormchosen: Half-Orc barbarian level 5 -- The Guild
Tomoe Gozen: Human Fighter Samurai level 5 -- Cronero (Solo Campaign)
(Oh, I thought only Gendan and Runt was feeling it for doing the smashy smash. Well then! I shall blame the bloodloss)
Devarus' eyes gradually widen as delirium from blood-loss starts taking a backseat to the presence. "I sense it too now. We're out of time. We need to go now. All of us, and hope we can get to the others another time." He puts on a brave face and tries to sound confident. The cracks are there for anyone to see as he hurries to get back to his feet. "Runt. Here. You've taken more of a beaten than any of us. Rest of you should take one too, if you have it." After at least offering his healing potion to Runt, he puts away his bow in favor of scimitar and shield. "Let's move people. I'll take point this time. Unless you folk fancy holding our grounds back at the bridge?" He asks while at least making moves towards the bridge.
Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
Nobody - [Feral-Tiefling]Wizard/Sorcerer - War/Draconic (HoTDQ)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Dreams/Archfey
-
Hiatus:
Xanrazan - [Earth Genasi]Bard - College of Swords(Shadowthorn's Princess of the Apocalypse)
Runt accepts the potion with her silent gratitude.
Basic healing potion i assume ?
4
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 12 (8W-4L)- - Coliseum of Conquest: Master of Faerie Fire. Just don't ask her to spell it.
Grianne Wildpaw: Wood Elf Druid level 6 (2W-1L)- - Coliseum Reborn : Master of a Myriad of forms.
Runt, the Stormchosen: Half-Orc barbarian level 5 -- The Guild
Tomoe Gozen: Human Fighter Samurai level 5 -- Cronero (Solo Campaign)