In some ancient cultures, sports and games were a way to make a display to the gods. In others, they were just for recreation.
I've been chipping away at a new sport I can introduce for an upcoming arc in my campaign, and I know a lot of other DMs create gambling games or competitions for their players. So I'd like to hear what your's is.
Have you created a sport/game for your campaign? Have you used or participated in a fictional sport/game? How did it go? What was it like?
Do you use ability checks, attack rolls, or something else entirely? I want to hear about it-- Give me some bardic inspiration everyone!
I haven't personally as a DM - but I'd refer you to the "drinking contest" mechanic that Matt Mercer whipped up for The Mighty Nein in Hupperdook (since I think you're a critter ;) ). Mechanics were simple - I think it was contested Constitution rolls - losing 3 contested rolls caused the contestant to lose - but he really played up the description, with crowd reactions and everything.
In a similar manner, he created a mechanic for a gambling card game, in episode #1 of the new campaign, with Jester and Nott playing ( and I think both trying to cheat ).
As a Player, my Party once took part in an Olympic style competition. I remember then combat games - archery and swordsmanship. Our DM played the swordsmanship out as actual combat, non-lethal damage, first person to 3 hits won ( although I knocked out my opponent with non-lethal damage, I'm pleased to say ). Archery was figured at each ring having a separate, increasing, AC - and the AC your roll would have hit determined what ring you hit - 3 arrows.
From all examples I've seen or played, the guiding principles seem to to be: ability ( combat ) rolls, simple mechanics, short contents, lots a flavor description - especially crowd reactions, if it's a public spectacle.
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In a one shot, my players were exploring a lost Aztec style city. They were bored of combat so I had them fall into a pit. As they lit a torch, they saw it was the ancient mayan ball game. A bunch of ghosts appeared, and they had to play the game with ghosts. I had them make dexterity checks to get the ball through the hoops and constitution checks to see if their hips withstood the damage. If they failed that, they took bludgeoning damage. My characters lost to the ghosts, y were sacrificed to an ancient god. My players were pretty satisfied by this ending.
Let's call it "5 dice". (for this purpose 5 6-sided dice)
The object of the game is to get the closest to 20 (or hit 20) without going over. If there is a draw, the players that drew continue on.
The game is played in 2 rounds:
1) everyone rolls dice (up to 5).
Note you can only roll 5 dice total (over both rounds, so you can roll 4 the first round and 3 the second, you'd be limited to 1 in the second round).
2) everyone sees the current rolls, then chooses how many to roll again. Players can increase the stakes at this point if they would like.
3) roll again and tabulate results.
TLDR: like Blackjack, except with different numbers and dice.
Players love rolling dice :)
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"An' things ha' come to a pretty pass, ye ken, if people are going to leave stuff like that aroound where innocent people could accidentally smash the door doon and lever the bars aside and take the big chain off'f the cupboard and pick the lock and drink it!"
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In some ancient cultures, sports and games were a way to make a display to the gods. In others, they were just for recreation.
I've been chipping away at a new sport I can introduce for an upcoming arc in my campaign, and I know a lot of other DMs create gambling games or competitions for their players. So I'd like to hear what your's is.
Have you created a sport/game for your campaign? Have you used or participated in a fictional sport/game? How did it go? What was it like?
Do you use ability checks, attack rolls, or something else entirely? I want to hear about it-- Give me some bardic inspiration everyone!
I haven't personally as a DM - but I'd refer you to the "drinking contest" mechanic that Matt Mercer whipped up for The Mighty Nein in Hupperdook (since I think you're a critter ;) ). Mechanics were simple - I think it was contested Constitution rolls - losing 3 contested rolls caused the contestant to lose - but he really played up the description, with crowd reactions and everything.
In a similar manner, he created a mechanic for a gambling card game, in episode #1 of the new campaign, with Jester and Nott playing ( and I think both trying to cheat ).
As a Player, my Party once took part in an Olympic style competition. I remember then combat games - archery and swordsmanship. Our DM played the swordsmanship out as actual combat, non-lethal damage, first person to 3 hits won ( although I knocked out my opponent with non-lethal damage, I'm pleased to say ). Archery was figured at each ring having a separate, increasing, AC - and the AC your roll would have hit determined what ring you hit - 3 arrows.
From all examples I've seen or played, the guiding principles seem to to be: ability ( combat ) rolls, simple mechanics, short contents, lots a flavor description - especially crowd reactions, if it's a public spectacle.
Let us know how it turns out! :)
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
In a one shot, my players were exploring a lost Aztec style city. They were bored of combat so I had them fall into a pit. As they lit a torch, they saw it was the ancient mayan ball game. A bunch of ghosts appeared, and they had to play the game with ghosts. I had them make dexterity checks to get the ball through the hoops and constitution checks to see if their hips withstood the damage. If they failed that, they took bludgeoning damage. My characters lost to the ghosts, y were sacrificed to an ancient god. My players were pretty satisfied by this ending.
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While this is not a sport, it's totally a game.
Let's call it "5 dice". (for this purpose 5 6-sided dice)
The object of the game is to get the closest to 20 (or hit 20) without going over. If there is a draw, the players that drew continue on.
The game is played in 2 rounds:
1) everyone rolls dice (up to 5).
Note you can only roll 5 dice total (over both rounds, so you can roll 4 the first round and 3 the second, you'd be limited to 1 in the second round).
2) everyone sees the current rolls, then chooses how many to roll again. Players can increase the stakes at this point if they would like.
3) roll again and tabulate results.
TLDR: like Blackjack, except with different numbers and dice.
Players love rolling dice :)
"An' things ha' come to a pretty pass, ye ken, if people are going to leave stuff like that aroound where innocent people could accidentally smash the door doon and lever the bars aside and take the big chain off'f the cupboard and pick the lock and drink it!"