Hey guys. Does anyone have any advice for coming up with filler sessions, for when you're unable to run what you had originally planned on any given night? I'm in a bit of a pickle for my next session, as I'll be two players down, including the player who's character was most relevant to what I'd originally planned to do. Now I need to work out what to do for a session with three extremely weak level 1 spellcasters (Bard, Cleric, Wizard)? If anyone has any suggestions for that, or suggestions on producing filler sessions generally, I'm all ears.
Firstly, get them to use mostly non-damage spells. I could be more specific if I knew what spells they have, but I'm assuming that Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, and Thaumaturgy are all on the table. Secondly, have some Scrolls in the area that they can use/pilfer, preferably with fun spells and a few things that the Wizard can transfer to their spellbook. Thirdly, keep it small, contained, and silly. You might want a Magic Item or four from Xanathar's Guide to Everything.
Perhaps they've been hired to ruin a Dinner Party of a Noble.
It's the eighteenth birthday party of the Son of Earl Skeemer Wetterbex, Pompus Wetterbex. Earl Skeemer Wetterbex hired a Wizard that specialized in parties, by the name of Aiman, Aiman Sane (I'm insane), to prepare several articles of clothing and magic items for the party. The Earl made sure to test all of these out before giving his approval, everything is set for his darling boy's day, and many fine daughters of Nobility are set to attend. The problem is that the Earl thought it was a good idea to try to get away without paying the Wizard. Unfortunately for him, Aiman is true to his name, though not violently so. Aiman has hired these three to ruin the party and the dear boy Pompus's chances with the Noble Ladies. The more ruinous the characters manage to make the event, the more Aiman will pay them, but they have to make absolutely sure that neither Aiman, nor them is implicated. Seeming to be failures will not implicate the Party Members. The three party members have been registered as workers for the party and arrive 1 Hour before it begins, and 30 Minutes before any Guest arrives. They do not have to make any Deception or Forgery Kit Checks to get in and convince people that they are working there, they are on the list and they are working there.
The Bard has been registered as Entertainment for the party, and is given an Instrument of Illusions for this quest by Aiman. Skeemer will ask them to attempt to woo one of the Noble Ladies for Pompus. Pompus will ask them to fetch the Cloak of Many Fashions from his room for him. The Cleric has been registered as a Priest to engage in a ceremony to officially announce and bless Pompus as the heir, and has been given a Wand of Scowls for this quest by Aiman. Skeemer will ask them to attempt to set-up Pompus with one of the Noble Ladies. Pompus will ask them for advice on how to talk to the Noble Ladies. The Wizard has been registered as part of the waiting staff (as in waiters), and has been given a Heward's Handy Spice Pouch for this quest. Skeemer will ask them to deliver a special desert to one of the Noble Ladies and tell them it is from Pompus. Pompus will ask them to fetch the Perfume of Bewitching from his father's room for him. Every party member has also been given a Horn of Silent Alarm for this quest by Aiman.
Wow, I was not expecting such a thorough answer, but that's amazing. I'll have to reskin it a little (they're stuck in a small village with no nobles), but it's definitely a great idea, especially as I was looking for something more social/RP based than combat. Thanks!
Hey guys. Does anyone have any advice for coming up with filler sessions, for when you're unable to run what you had originally planned on any given night? I'm in a bit of a pickle for my next session, as I'll be two players down, including the player who's character was most relevant to what I'd originally planned to do. Now I need to work out what to do for a session with three extremely weak level 1 spellcasters (Bard, Cleric, Wizard)? If anyone has any suggestions for that, or suggestions on producing filler sessions generally, I'm all ears.
| D100 Non-combat Random Encounter Table | Enchantments Galore |
| Pulsing Brazier Magic Trap | Gnome Capsule Machine | Language - A Primer |
Firstly, get them to use mostly non-damage spells. I could be more specific if I knew what spells they have, but I'm assuming that Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, and Thaumaturgy are all on the table. Secondly, have some Scrolls in the area that they can use/pilfer, preferably with fun spells and a few things that the Wizard can transfer to their spellbook. Thirdly, keep it small, contained, and silly. You might want a Magic Item or four from Xanathar's Guide to Everything.
Perhaps they've been hired to ruin a Dinner Party of a Noble.
It's the eighteenth birthday party of the Son of Earl Skeemer Wetterbex, Pompus Wetterbex. Earl Skeemer Wetterbex hired a Wizard that specialized in parties, by the name of Aiman, Aiman Sane (I'm insane), to prepare several articles of clothing and magic items for the party. The Earl made sure to test all of these out before giving his approval, everything is set for his darling boy's day, and many fine daughters of Nobility are set to attend. The problem is that the Earl thought it was a good idea to try to get away without paying the Wizard. Unfortunately for him, Aiman is true to his name, though not violently so. Aiman has hired these three to ruin the party and the dear boy Pompus's chances with the Noble Ladies. The more ruinous the characters manage to make the event, the more Aiman will pay them, but they have to make absolutely sure that neither Aiman, nor them is implicated. Seeming to be failures will not implicate the Party Members. The three party members have been registered as workers for the party and arrive 1 Hour before it begins, and 30 Minutes before any Guest arrives. They do not have to make any Deception or Forgery Kit Checks to get in and convince people that they are working there, they are on the list and they are working there.
The Bard has been registered as Entertainment for the party, and is given an Instrument of Illusions for this quest by Aiman. Skeemer will ask them to attempt to woo one of the Noble Ladies for Pompus. Pompus will ask them to fetch the Cloak of Many Fashions from his room for him. The Cleric has been registered as a Priest to engage in a ceremony to officially announce and bless Pompus as the heir, and has been given a Wand of Scowls for this quest by Aiman. Skeemer will ask them to attempt to set-up Pompus with one of the Noble Ladies. Pompus will ask them for advice on how to talk to the Noble Ladies. The Wizard has been registered as part of the waiting staff (as in waiters), and has been given a Heward's Handy Spice Pouch for this quest. Skeemer will ask them to deliver a special desert to one of the Noble Ladies and tell them it is from Pompus. Pompus will ask them to fetch the Perfume of Bewitching from his father's room for him. Every party member has also been given a Horn of Silent Alarm for this quest by Aiman.
Wow, I was not expecting such a thorough answer, but that's amazing. I'll have to reskin it a little (they're stuck in a small village with no nobles), but it's definitely a great idea, especially as I was looking for something more social/RP based than combat. Thanks!
| D100 Non-combat Random Encounter Table | Enchantments Galore |
| Pulsing Brazier Magic Trap | Gnome Capsule Machine | Language - A Primer |
Make sure to have silly names. It's the most important part.