My group will probably hit L7 in the next session or two. I'm looking to introduce some RP opportunities that would help set up the new features they get at that level. (Not dictating their choices, just RPing some in-game set up to their choices they have to make.) But I'm struggling with coming up with ideas that fit the classes the PCs have chosen.
The Paladin's going to get their aura of devotion (10').
The Hunter Ranger (Giant Slayer) is going to get their defensive tactics (can choose form escape the horde, multiattack defense, and steel will.)
The Beast Master Ranger get exceptional training for his companion.
The Paladin is a follower of Moradin so I was thinking of RPing something with Moradin but that feels a bit too Cleric-y? Something like Moradin reaching out to him in vision or dreams? But I'm not sure on that. The Paladin's RP to set up the new oath feature since he only has the one choice.
The giant slayer ranger is harder because he has the 3 options and each are equally appealing to a 13 year old I would think. So as far as RP set up for each (giving him the choice at time of level up as oposed to making him choose ahead of time) I have a harder task ahead of me.
The Beast Master ranger is also somewhat easier to peg in terms of RP set up since it's all to do with the companion. But I'm still at a loss for how to set it up. For reference, the beast companion is an eagle that hails from the elemental plane of water. (The player is 9 and the rule of fun reigns supreme at our table, actual D&D lore be darned.) The eagle has the below stats:
Flyby. The ice planar eagle doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.
Keen Hearing and Sight. The ice planar has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.
Teleportation. The ice planar eagle can travel back and forth between the material plane and the water elemental plane at will. The eagle will leave this plane if it feels threatened or otherwise in danger. Should it flee to the water plane, it will not return until it deems it safe and cannot be summoned back. If a Beastmaster bonds with an ice planar eagle, the Beastmaster may be able to direct the eagle's movements between the planes.
Actions
Multiattack. The eagle makes two attacks: one with its beak and one with its talons.
Beak.Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1 d6+3) piercing damage.
Talons.Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2 d6+3) slashing damage.
I'm not entirely sure what you're asking, but if this purely an RP question, I would say you don't need to have an RP justification for every new skill they get. The level progression of the characters matters less than where they are in their own personal journey. I would focus more on what the character's background and motivations are and trying to create role playable scenarios that stimulate that, rather than the "xp bar" filling and just kind of unlocking a new one arbitrarily.
If you're just asking suggestions for combat encounters that they can test these skills out especially in, I'd say the answer is don't worry about it. The skills are for them to explore and figure out how to use creatively. Just focus on coming out with good combat encounters that are challenging, and your players will have ample opportunity to test out their new abilities.
I know that level progression doesn't really matter and you don't need to RP scenarios that set up them gaining new powers. But like I said in my OP, I'd like to introduce that to my game. (There is no have to in D&D and as a storyteller this is something I'd like to try out.) As stated, I'm struggling to come up with RP scenarios to establish them learning these new skills. So I came here hoping to get some brainstorming help. But if all I'm going to get is "you don't need that" then why did I bother?
For the Beastmaster, you could role play the ranger seeing/working with another ranger (higher level), practicing tactics over and over again to get faster and more in sync. Or with the water planar aspect, have another ice eagle come through with the ranger’s eagle to help with the training. In my mind, the exceptional training basically means the bond between beast and man gets stronger, allowing for more flexibility. That would be my take on that
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Harry Hoblin, the happy goblin, doin' all of the goblin things
He likes murder, loot, and pillage; he's doin' all of the goblin things
He'll eat your puppies and your babies; he's doin' all of the goblin things
If you go with another ranger training the Beastmaster, that could also work for the Giant Slayer. I’m imagining a scene where the party comes upon the high level ranger fighting a dragon or some other equally fearsome creature and demonstrating each of the three potential abilities. This gives you the opportunity to narrate each of the features in action. Then, upon slaying the beast, turning and talking to the party, saying he can teach them a trick or two. Then training montage!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Harry Hoblin, the happy goblin, doin' all of the goblin things
He likes murder, loot, and pillage; he's doin' all of the goblin things
He'll eat your puppies and your babies; he's doin' all of the goblin things
For the paladin, I might recommend leaning in to the tenets of devotion and giving the paladin the opportunity to demonstrate one or more of them in the lead up to the level up. Then have Moradin speak to the paladin in a dream about the strength of their devotion and how this will make them a target for evil to try to turn them from their oath. But their devotion to their oath will keep their will strong, helping to keep evil’s wiles at bay. Let me know what you think on all three ideas—happy to help! And sorry about the multiple posts.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Harry Hoblin, the happy goblin, doin' all of the goblin things
He likes murder, loot, and pillage; he's doin' all of the goblin things
He'll eat your puppies and your babies; he's doin' all of the goblin things
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My group will probably hit L7 in the next session or two. I'm looking to introduce some RP opportunities that would help set up the new features they get at that level. (Not dictating their choices, just RPing some in-game set up to their choices they have to make.) But I'm struggling with coming up with ideas that fit the classes the PCs have chosen.
The Paladin's going to get their aura of devotion (10').
The Hunter Ranger (Giant Slayer) is going to get their defensive tactics (can choose form escape the horde, multiattack defense, and steel will.)
The Beast Master Ranger get exceptional training for his companion.
The Paladin is a follower of Moradin so I was thinking of RPing something with Moradin but that feels a bit too Cleric-y? Something like Moradin reaching out to him in vision or dreams? But I'm not sure on that. The Paladin's RP to set up the new oath feature since he only has the one choice.
The giant slayer ranger is harder because he has the 3 options and each are equally appealing to a 13 year old I would think. So as far as RP set up for each (giving him the choice at time of level up as oposed to making him choose ahead of time) I have a harder task ahead of me.
The Beast Master ranger is also somewhat easier to peg in terms of RP set up since it's all to do with the companion. But I'm still at a loss for how to set it up. For reference, the beast companion is an eagle that hails from the elemental plane of water. (The player is 9 and the rule of fun reigns supreme at our table, actual D&D lore be darned.) The eagle has the below stats:
Flyby. The ice planar eagle doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.
Keen Hearing and Sight. The ice planar has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.
Teleportation. The ice planar eagle can travel back and forth between the material plane and the water elemental plane at will. The eagle will leave this plane if it feels threatened or otherwise in danger. Should it flee to the water plane, it will not return until it deems it safe and cannot be summoned back. If a Beastmaster bonds with an ice planar eagle, the Beastmaster may be able to direct the eagle's movements between the planes.
Multiattack. The eagle makes two attacks: one with its beak and one with its talons.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1 d6+3) piercing damage.
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2 d6+3) slashing damage.
My Homebrew Backgrounds | Feats | Magic Items | Monsters | Races | Subclasses
I'm not entirely sure what you're asking, but if this purely an RP question, I would say you don't need to have an RP justification for every new skill they get. The level progression of the characters matters less than where they are in their own personal journey. I would focus more on what the character's background and motivations are and trying to create role playable scenarios that stimulate that, rather than the "xp bar" filling and just kind of unlocking a new one arbitrarily.
If you're just asking suggestions for combat encounters that they can test these skills out especially in, I'd say the answer is don't worry about it. The skills are for them to explore and figure out how to use creatively. Just focus on coming out with good combat encounters that are challenging, and your players will have ample opportunity to test out their new abilities.
I know that level progression doesn't really matter and you don't need to RP scenarios that set up them gaining new powers. But like I said in my OP, I'd like to introduce that to my game. (There is no have to in D&D and as a storyteller this is something I'd like to try out.) As stated, I'm struggling to come up with RP scenarios to establish them learning these new skills. So I came here hoping to get some brainstorming help. But if all I'm going to get is "you don't need that" then why did I bother?
My Homebrew Backgrounds | Feats | Magic Items | Monsters | Races | Subclasses
For the Beastmaster, you could role play the ranger seeing/working with another ranger (higher level), practicing tactics over and over again to get faster and more in sync. Or with the water planar aspect, have another ice eagle come through with the ranger’s eagle to help with the training. In my mind, the exceptional training basically means the bond between beast and man gets stronger, allowing for more flexibility. That would be my take on that
Harry Hoblin, the happy goblin, doin' all of the goblin things
He likes murder, loot, and pillage; he's doin' all of the goblin things
He'll eat your puppies and your babies; he's doin' all of the goblin things
If you go with another ranger training the Beastmaster, that could also work for the Giant Slayer. I’m imagining a scene where the party comes upon the high level ranger fighting a dragon or some other equally fearsome creature and demonstrating each of the three potential abilities. This gives you the opportunity to narrate each of the features in action. Then, upon slaying the beast, turning and talking to the party, saying he can teach them a trick or two. Then training montage!
Harry Hoblin, the happy goblin, doin' all of the goblin things
He likes murder, loot, and pillage; he's doin' all of the goblin things
He'll eat your puppies and your babies; he's doin' all of the goblin things
For the paladin, I might recommend leaning in to the tenets of devotion and giving the paladin the opportunity to demonstrate one or more of them in the lead up to the level up. Then have Moradin speak to the paladin in a dream about the strength of their devotion and how this will make them a target for evil to try to turn them from their oath. But their devotion to their oath will keep their will strong, helping to keep evil’s wiles at bay. Let me know what you think on all three ideas—happy to help! And sorry about the multiple posts.
Harry Hoblin, the happy goblin, doin' all of the goblin things
He likes murder, loot, and pillage; he's doin' all of the goblin things
He'll eat your puppies and your babies; he's doin' all of the goblin things