Hi all. Loving returning to DnD after over 2 decades away. Players have just cleared out the Redbrand hideout....all new players and they are loving the game. 1 returning player in me...and 3 new converts.
I have a few questions which wiser, more experiences players probably can advise on-
1- They will soon venture to Cragmaw Keep. We play together on the tabletop (old skool). Is there a way/method I can show them a map, room by room as they explore? Ive seen people playing online campaigns who do this on screen....dunno if it can work in person etc....or if there are other, better methods. Its mainly to help players understand the complex shaped rooms and surrounds of the castle.
2- Big Screen TV mood assistance. I have found some handy Youtube encounter music thingies....but so many have a generic screen. Is there a place that has LMOP pictures on screen matching the music (Such as Agathas lair) to help set the scene. Alternatively, is there a way to put a pic and add music to a memory stick and then put that in the back of the TV, so pic of my choice and music of my choice is playing on the TV for the players?
3- Lastly, a minor LMOP point...the wizard at Old Owl Well...what exactly does he want...and what is he offering? I can see he wants to know who built the tower...and to clear the monsters at Wyvern Tor, but I think I am missing something overall (if the players dont just attack and kill him anyway lol).
1- They will soon venture to Cragmaw Keep. We play together on the tabletop (old skool). Is there a way/method I can show them a map, room by room as they explore? Ive seen people playing online campaigns who do this on screen....dunno if it can work in person etc....or if there are other, better methods. Its mainly to help players understand the complex shaped rooms and surrounds of the castle.
3- Lastly, a minor LMOP point...the wizard at Old Owl Well...what exactly does he want...and what is he offering? I can see he wants to know who built the tower...and to clear the monsters at Wyvern Tor, but I think I am missing something overall (if the players dont just attack and kill him anyway lol).
When I last did an in person game we had a lot of success with just simple construction paper. Print out the battle map and then cut pieces of construction paper in the shape of the rooms/halls and you can just lift them up as each one gets revealed.
You didn't miss anything with Kost, it is left purposefully vague so the DM can adapt it as they see fit. It says that he can provide information the party needs if they do one of the favors for him. Depending on where you players are at and have/haven't learned, it is up to you what that information is. It could be directions to cragmaw castle, the location of wave echo cave, etc., whatever you think would be helpful or useful to them at that point. Or, like happened with my campaign, use it to set up some future hook. My players cleared cragmaw before going to old owl well, so already knew where wave echo cave was, so I had him be willing to share a secret that seeds a potential future side adventure if they decide to pursue it. Well, that was the intention, in classic player fashion they went a completely unexpected direction, seized on some random detail I threw in just for some flavor and now have set themselves on a mission that will basically ultimately result in them actually traveling all the way to Thay...
I'm in a very similar situation. Played and DMed loooong ago and just got back to it with a group of family members who have never played before. I started out using printed versions of the player maps provided and just blocking the unexplored areas with paper. We've since moved to using Roll20 to put the maps up on our 52inch tv screen. It does a decent fog of war, and we can all sit comfortably in the living room. It also has a music player that allows you to add your own clips and such which I use for ambiance and battle music.
LMOP is intentionally vague in many spots leaving you and your players a lot of leeway to create your own stories and motivations. In my version Kost is looking for a Necromatic Tome buried in the Netherese ruins under the tower. I have the Storm Lord's wrath and subsequent campaigns qued up for them after this so Kost is going to replace the Necromancer in that one. The encounter instructions indicate that if attacked, he lets his zombies do the fighting and flees, so whether they fight or not, he'll seem like a one-off encounter until they realize he's causing a bunch of trouble with raising ancient dragons from the dead later on.
I’ve found that just drawing on a wet or dry erase mat is fine. You can cover up the unexplored areas with a piece of paper. Can also use player maps enlarged to poster size. There are a couple of online tools like PosteRazor or Block Poster which allow larger images to print on several sheets of regular paper and you can tape them together and cover the unknown areas to save yourself some drawing or if you’re like me and get teased good naturely for my artistry. I have never DMed using a VTT so can’t really comment on how easy or hard those are.
I'm in a very similar situation. Played and DMed loooong ago and just got back to it with a group of family members who have never played before. I started out using printed versions of the player maps provided and just blocking the unexplored areas with paper. We've since moved to using Roll20 to put the maps up on our 52inch tv screen. It does a decent fog of war, and we can all sit comfortably in the living room. It also has a music player that allows you to add your own clips and such which I use for ambiance and battle music.
LMOP is intentionally vague in many spots leaving you and your players a lot of leeway to create your own stories and motivations. In my version Kost is looking for a Necromatic Tome buried in the Netherese ruins under the tower. I have the Storm Lord's wrath and subsequent campaigns qued up for them after this so Kost is going to replace the Necromancer in that one. The encounter instructions indicate that if attacked, he lets his zombies do the fighting and flees, so whether they fight or not, he'll seem like a one-off encounter until they realize he's causing a bunch of trouble with raising ancient dragons from the dead later on.
This sounds amazing. Roll20? I presume this is some kind of App? If it can show a map on the big screen I would love that. You can control music on it too? Does it need to be on a device that you cast on to the screen or something? Dont really know anything about it at all.
Can you just use it for the map and music function rather than running a campaign as such? (just had a quick look and its all a bit overwhelming)
I'm in a very similar situation. Played and DMed loooong ago and just got back to it with a group of family members who have never played before. I started out using printed versions of the player maps provided and just blocking the unexplored areas with paper. We've since moved to using Roll20 to put the maps up on our 52inch tv screen. It does a decent fog of war, and we can all sit comfortably in the living room. It also has a music player that allows you to add your own clips and such which I use for ambiance and battle music.
LMOP is intentionally vague in many spots leaving you and your players a lot of leeway to create your own stories and motivations. In my version Kost is looking for a Necromatic Tome buried in the Netherese ruins under the tower. I have the Storm Lord's wrath and subsequent campaigns qued up for them after this so Kost is going to replace the Necromancer in that one. The encounter instructions indicate that if attacked, he lets his zombies do the fighting and flees, so whether they fight or not, he'll seem like a one-off encounter until they realize he's causing a bunch of trouble with raising ancient dragons from the dead later on.
This sounds amazing. Roll20? I presume this is some kind of App? If it can show a map on the big screen I would love that. You can control music on it too? Does it need to be on a device that you cast on to the screen or something? Dont really know anything about it at all.
Can you just use it for the map and music function rather than running a campaign as such? (just had a quick look and its all a bit overwhelming)
At its simplest, you can; add a map, add music, add a few generic tokens to represent part members and monsters, add some tunes and go. It has tons of features even with a free account, but they aren't absolutely essential. Beyond the map and generic tokens you might find it easier to use the dynamic lighting function to trace walls and add doorways to prevent them seeing parts you don't want them to. I started simple then slowly added things like custom tokens for PCs, NPCs, and all the monsters etc as I got more comfortable.
Tried a play around on my pc last night. Can get a map of Cragmaw castle up...with all the tokens for the Monsters etc. No idea how to implement it for use from say an IPAD onto a big TV though, so the players can see the map and then I can reveal bit by bit.
Tried a play around on my pc last night. Can get a map of Cragmaw castle up...with all the tokens for the Monsters etc. No idea how to implement it for use from say an IPAD onto a big TV though, so the players can see the map and then I can reveal bit by bit.
This link walks you through the Jukebox tab and how to create custom playlists using their partners' clips or by uploading your own; https://wiki.roll20.net/Jukebox
With any luck those three links should get you where you need. At the same time, the other low-tech solutions others provided are just as acceptable for gameplay at the table. The most important thing is that everyone has fun.
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Hi all. Loving returning to DnD after over 2 decades away. Players have just cleared out the Redbrand hideout....all new players and they are loving the game. 1 returning player in me...and 3 new converts.
I have a few questions which wiser, more experiences players probably can advise on-
1- They will soon venture to Cragmaw Keep. We play together on the tabletop (old skool). Is there a way/method I can show them a map, room by room as they explore? Ive seen people playing online campaigns who do this on screen....dunno if it can work in person etc....or if there are other, better methods. Its mainly to help players understand the complex shaped rooms and surrounds of the castle.
2- Big Screen TV mood assistance. I have found some handy Youtube encounter music thingies....but so many have a generic screen. Is there a place that has LMOP pictures on screen matching the music (Such as Agathas lair) to help set the scene. Alternatively, is there a way to put a pic and add music to a memory stick and then put that in the back of the TV, so pic of my choice and music of my choice is playing on the TV for the players?
3- Lastly, a minor LMOP point...the wizard at Old Owl Well...what exactly does he want...and what is he offering? I can see he wants to know who built the tower...and to clear the monsters at Wyvern Tor, but I think I am missing something overall (if the players dont just attack and kill him anyway lol).
Thanks for any advice.
When I last did an in person game we had a lot of success with just simple construction paper. Print out the battle map and then cut pieces of construction paper in the shape of the rooms/halls and you can just lift them up as each one gets revealed.
You didn't miss anything with Kost, it is left purposefully vague so the DM can adapt it as they see fit. It says that he can provide information the party needs if they do one of the favors for him. Depending on where you players are at and have/haven't learned, it is up to you what that information is. It could be directions to cragmaw castle, the location of wave echo cave, etc., whatever you think would be helpful or useful to them at that point. Or, like happened with my campaign, use it to set up some future hook. My players cleared cragmaw before going to old owl well, so already knew where wave echo cave was, so I had him be willing to share a secret that seeds a potential future side adventure if they decide to pursue it. Well, that was the intention, in classic player fashion they went a completely unexpected direction, seized on some random detail I threw in just for some flavor and now have set themselves on a mission that will basically ultimately result in them actually traveling all the way to Thay...
I'm in a very similar situation. Played and DMed loooong ago and just got back to it with a group of family members who have never played before. I started out using printed versions of the player maps provided and just blocking the unexplored areas with paper. We've since moved to using Roll20 to put the maps up on our 52inch tv screen. It does a decent fog of war, and we can all sit comfortably in the living room. It also has a music player that allows you to add your own clips and such which I use for ambiance and battle music.
LMOP is intentionally vague in many spots leaving you and your players a lot of leeway to create your own stories and motivations. In my version Kost is looking for a Necromatic Tome buried in the Netherese ruins under the tower. I have the Storm Lord's wrath and subsequent campaigns qued up for them after this so Kost is going to replace the Necromancer in that one. The encounter instructions indicate that if attacked, he lets his zombies do the fighting and flees, so whether they fight or not, he'll seem like a one-off encounter until they realize he's causing a bunch of trouble with raising ancient dragons from the dead later on.
I’ve found that just drawing on a wet or dry erase mat is fine. You can cover up the unexplored areas with a piece of paper. Can also use player maps enlarged to poster size. There are a couple of online tools like PosteRazor or Block Poster which allow larger images to print on several sheets of regular paper and you can tape them together and cover the unknown areas to save yourself some drawing or if you’re like me and get teased good naturely for my artistry. I have never DMed using a VTT so can’t really comment on how easy or hard those are.
Thanks for all the input all.
This sounds amazing. Roll20? I presume this is some kind of App? If it can show a map on the big screen I would love that. You can control music on it too? Does it need to be on a device that you cast on to the screen or something? Dont really know anything about it at all.
Can you just use it for the map and music function rather than running a campaign as such? (just had a quick look and its all a bit overwhelming)
At its simplest, you can; add a map, add music, add a few generic tokens to represent part members and monsters, add some tunes and go. It has tons of features even with a free account, but they aren't absolutely essential. Beyond the map and generic tokens you might find it easier to use the dynamic lighting function to trace walls and add doorways to prevent them seeing parts you don't want them to. I started simple then slowly added things like custom tokens for PCs, NPCs, and all the monsters etc as I got more comfortable.
Tried a play around on my pc last night. Can get a map of Cragmaw castle up...with all the tokens for the Monsters etc. No idea how to implement it for use from say an IPAD onto a big TV though, so the players can see the map and then I can reveal bit by bit.
Thanks for the info though.
There are a few solutions to do this. I use a laptop and just run an HDMI cable from that to my TV. For iPad to tv this link gives a few approaches; https://www.techhive.com/article/601545/how-to-connect-your-iphone-to-your-tv.html
This video tutorial shows how to set up your Cragmaw Castle Map with dynamic lighting lines so that the only things revealed are these areas in the PC token's line of sight; https://help.roll20.net/hc/en-us/articles/4403861702679-How-To-Set-Up-Dynamic-Lighting
This link walks you through the Jukebox tab and how to create custom playlists using their partners' clips or by uploading your own; https://wiki.roll20.net/Jukebox
With any luck those three links should get you where you need. At the same time, the other low-tech solutions others provided are just as acceptable for gameplay at the table. The most important thing is that everyone has fun.