Hello everyone , I'm a new DM and running my first campaign. I was running a session and was stomped because I feel I lacked info and research. I had no idea what list or type of plants my player found on their check. Is there any way to better prepare for the future sessions?
The most prominent advice I can give you if I read the situation right, is "in what way does it matter?".
I don't mean this in a "it doesn't matter, carry on" kind of way, but rather, when a player says "I'm looking for plants!" ask "what are you hoping to find/accomplish?".
Don't struggle with researching every bit of knowledge the characters may have, I assure you no one knows all that. You don't need to know how to pick a lock to allow the rogue to open a door with a check, though, right?
So, back into this specific example, before you consider figuring out every bit of flora that exists in this side of the Sword Coast because your party's druid wants to "gather herbs", ask them for specifics.
"What do you want to do?" "Gather herbs!" "Any specific reason?" "No, just want to gather them." "Well, with your roll of 17, you find a good amount of herbs. Perhaps you can sell them to an apothecary in the next town for 3-4 gold pieces."
or
"I want to find enough to make a healing salve." "With your roll of 19, you find enough materials to create two uses of a Healer's Kit" or "With your roll of 7, you find a few common varieties in this area, but to manage something usable you'll have to either venture into the forest or buy the remaining materials for 1-2 gold pieces in the next village."
Of course, there's always the possibility that they're looking for something story-specific, or you want to use the attempt to introduce a plot hook.
"You're pretty certain the Red-Tail Leaf bush exists in the area, but you don't find any in the hour you spend. Do you want to stay longer?" or "While looking for featherberries, you find a Dragoneye Orchid, a particularly rare flower that is said to restore lost youth if made into tea. Perhaps it can be used to reverse the curse on the formerly-young prince? But you need to find an alchemist that knows how to prepare it, or this chance is lost."
Thank you so much!!! You have saved my life. Essentially I was thinking I needed to know a specific type or name of flora or herbs, but this has helped alot. I could definitely have them tell me what they're looking for and see if their check will let them find it if it matches the conditions in the area that will allow it to grow. Onyx my friend I will be keeping you in mind for advice. Thanks alot
I would push this narrative over to the players. If they want to gather herbs, ask them what they are looking for. Have them roll a nature check to determine if they would know what kind of environment in which to look for a given herb. If this is more important to them than it is to you, then let them drive this part of the story.
Hello everyone , I'm a new DM and running my first campaign. I was running a session and was stomped because I feel I lacked info and research. I had no idea what list or type of plants my player found on their check. Is there any way to better prepare for the future sessions?
Hello, and welcome to DMing and D&D Beyond! :)
The most prominent advice I can give you if I read the situation right, is "in what way does it matter?".
I don't mean this in a "it doesn't matter, carry on" kind of way, but rather, when a player says "I'm looking for plants!" ask "what are you hoping to find/accomplish?".
Don't struggle with researching every bit of knowledge the characters may have, I assure you no one knows all that. You don't need to know how to pick a lock to allow the rogue to open a door with a check, though, right?
So, back into this specific example, before you consider figuring out every bit of flora that exists in this side of the Sword Coast because your party's druid wants to "gather herbs", ask them for specifics.
"What do you want to do?"
"Gather herbs!"
"Any specific reason?"
"No, just want to gather them."
"Well, with your roll of 17, you find a good amount of herbs. Perhaps you can sell them to an apothecary in the next town for 3-4 gold pieces."
or
"I want to find enough to make a healing salve."
"With your roll of 19, you find enough materials to create two uses of a Healer's Kit"
or
"With your roll of 7, you find a few common varieties in this area, but to manage something usable you'll have to either venture into the forest or buy the remaining materials for 1-2 gold pieces in the next village."
Of course, there's always the possibility that they're looking for something story-specific, or you want to use the attempt to introduce a plot hook.
"You're pretty certain the Red-Tail Leaf bush exists in the area, but you don't find any in the hour you spend. Do you want to stay longer?"
or
"While looking for featherberries, you find a Dragoneye Orchid, a particularly rare flower that is said to restore lost youth if made into tea. Perhaps it can be used to reverse the curse on the formerly-young prince? But you need to find an alchemist that knows how to prepare it, or this chance is lost."
Enough of my babbling. Sources!
1. The Player's Handbook has a standard list of the most common uses of abilities/skills.
2. The Xanathar's Guide to Everything has a lot of interesting material, including the expansion of the above list for tools.
3. Not very relevant, but the Dungeon Master's Guide has a lot of material and ideas that can help you enrich your campaign without needing to break out an encyclopedia, like how to handle travel in the wilderness, including foraging and interesting features one can find while looking for herbs.
4. And, of course, having at least a basic idea on what non-magical equipment there is (like the aforementioned healer's kit or antitoxin) is useful to come up with some things on the spot, or prepare for eventualities.
hackmaster rules have an extensive list of herbs and their medical values
If you're looking for an immersive way to foraging for healing potions and poisons, maybe look into this: https://youtu.be/ka_dPgJGzPw
More Interesting Lock Picking Rules
Thank you so much!!! You have saved my life. Essentially I was thinking I needed to know a specific type or name of flora or herbs, but this has helped alot. I could definitely have them tell me what they're looking for and see if their check will let them find it if it matches the conditions in the area that will allow it to grow. Onyx my friend I will be keeping you in mind for advice. Thanks alot
Thanks Michael I am definitely going to check it out. All the tips and info I can obtain help dearly.
I would push this narrative over to the players. If they want to gather herbs, ask them what they are looking for. Have them roll a nature check to determine if they would know what kind of environment in which to look for a given herb. If this is more important to them than it is to you, then let them drive this part of the story.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
That's a good idea. Thanks!!
I will check it out. Thanks!!