Greetings!! Long-time DM here running 'Dungeon of the Mad Mage' - for RP purposes, I'm having my party of 6 PCs encounter Halaster at the end of Level 1. He will greet them, welcome them to his dungeon, inform them that he expects great things from them and that he will do everything within his power to elicit those 'great things!' Basically, I'm going to play him up as the insane, genius 'Jigsaw Killer' of the Saw movie franchise. <evil grin!>
Part of the roleplay, will be him pointing out simple but useful bits of information or suggestions that could aid the characters. For example, the wizard of the party will be dressed down for not having 'Chromatic Orb' in his spellbook - Halaster will point out the advantages of the spell, then will wave his hands and the illusory text of the spell will appear in the spellbook (as long as they are in the dungeon.) The wizard just has to trace over the text...
The ranger will be given a cricket in a small, wooden cage and told to hang it on the grip of her bow... during combat, when she casts 'Hunters Mark' she is to transfer the mark to the cricket when between targets, so as to preserve the spell and get more full use from it.
As you can see, I have 2 "tidbits" - I need 4 more for the remaining PCs.
Half-Elf bear-totem Barbarian
Dwarf Brute Fighter
Halfling Thief-archetype Rogue
Human Order Cleric
Any ideas for clever suggestions? We must avoid magic items or expensive equipment... Halaster will not give such things away for free. But he does see himself as a teacher and instructor, so suggestions that pertain to the PC classes are what is desired.
Does the cleric have Bless and Healing Word prepared? Since both spells interact so well with the cleric's Voice of Authority feature, Halaster may also dress down the cleric if they're not prepared.
Perhaps Halaster could give the cleric a decorative hourglass as a reminder to use time carefully. For example, at the beginning of combat, if the cleric's allies are not in a position to make a reaction weapon attack, rather than casting Bless and wasting the Voice of Authority feature, ready Bless until after the allies are in position.
This is interesting and I will think on it, see if I can't help out... but first I do want to point out that the thing for the Ranger is unnecessary. Hunter's Mark is concentration with a 1 hour duration (longer at higher levels) and does not go away if the mark isn't on someone.
"If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to mark a new creature." Not on "the next turn." They can mark someone when casting the spell, kill them, and then keep concentrating on the spell and mark someone else a half hour later.
As the DM, will you allow the rogue to use the Fast Hands feature to administer a potion? See Activating an Item on why you may or may not allow this interaction.
Anyway, if you do allow this interaction, Halaster could give the rogue a vial with a lightning bolt (or other symbol to represent speediness) to hint at the interaction of Fast Hands and administering a potion.
It would really help to know more about the PC's. I can think of plenty of "If the PC has/doesn't have this then you could do this" but they're very dependent on the character.
Are they made here on DnDbeyond? Would you be able to link their character sheets?
Thanks for the input, gang!! It's very much appreciated!!
Our cleric is definitely getting his mileage out of 'Voice of Authority' and actively readies for enchantment spells...
Thanks for the clarification on 'Hunter's Mark...' avoided a potential faux pas!
I think I will allow the Rogue's 'Fast Hands' to work on a potion... for either himself or another party member. I'm cranking down on the availability of magic items, so there's no abuse to be had there...
Unfortunately, our party is not keeping their characters on D&Dbeyond, so no way to share them... but thanks for all the feedback!! If any more inspiration hits, please jot it down!
For the barbarian, Halaster could give a statuette of a warrior knocked prone. This would hint at both the barbarian's better chance of knocking a creature prone (advantage on STR checks while raging) and how it helps the fighter and rogue (advantage on their melee attacks).
Giving each of the players a boon (like letting the Wizard temporarily "know" Chromatic Orb even though they didn't pay to transcribe it into their book yet) is a cool idea; Strahd does it, demons and devils do it, love the idea of a mad mage convinced of his own superiority handing out little buffs before putting them through his grinder. But "well actually here's how you should be playing your character" isn't fun for players, not when they do it to each other, and not when the DM does it. Stick to handing out actual boons that encourage the sort of decisions you want them to make... let that little grasshopper tied to the bow hold the Concentration for Hunter's Mark (similar to new UA) to help reinforce that it's a necessary spell in their rotation, give the Barbarian temporary use of the Tavern Brawler feat so that he can show off that extra carrying capacity in some grapples, let the Brute Fighter use Great Weapon Master for a little while, give the Halfling a single luck point like a half strength Lucky feat, give the cleric a 25% chance of instantly regaining a spell slot used to cast Cure Wounds... stuff like that, which doesn't make the party too much more powerful, but which nudges them towards taking the sorts of actions that you think they should be leaning into?
But "well actually here's how you should be playing your character" isn't fun for players, not when they do it to each other, and not when the DM does it.
I'd agree with you that this is good advice, and that players should be free to pursue their own character realization... but I know these players (have for years) and I know they won't take advice like this the wrong way. Half of the party will actually appreciate it, as (by their admission) they don't "live and breathe D&D." My son, the elven wizard given 'Chromatic Orb' is actually going to track effectiveness and prepare a treatise to counter Halaster's argument!! Should make for some great & fun RP next time he's encountered!
Thanks to Jesse_DND for the fighting tip going to the barbarian... that one is definitely going to happen!
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Greetings!! Long-time DM here running 'Dungeon of the Mad Mage' - for RP purposes, I'm having my party of 6 PCs encounter Halaster at the end of Level 1. He will greet them, welcome them to his dungeon, inform them that he expects great things from them and that he will do everything within his power to elicit those 'great things!' Basically, I'm going to play him up as the insane, genius 'Jigsaw Killer' of the Saw movie franchise. <evil grin!>
Part of the roleplay, will be him pointing out simple but useful bits of information or suggestions that could aid the characters. For example, the wizard of the party will be dressed down for not having 'Chromatic Orb' in his spellbook - Halaster will point out the advantages of the spell, then will wave his hands and the illusory text of the spell will appear in the spellbook (as long as they are in the dungeon.) The wizard just has to trace over the text...
The ranger will be given a cricket in a small, wooden cage and told to hang it on the grip of her bow... during combat, when she casts 'Hunters Mark' she is to transfer the mark to the cricket when between targets, so as to preserve the spell and get more full use from it.
As you can see, I have 2 "tidbits" - I need 4 more for the remaining PCs.
Any ideas for clever suggestions? We must avoid magic items or expensive equipment... Halaster will not give such things away for free. But he does see himself as a teacher and instructor, so suggestions that pertain to the PC classes are what is desired.
Thanks in advance!!
Does the cleric have Bless and Healing Word prepared? Since both spells interact so well with the cleric's Voice of Authority feature, Halaster may also dress down the cleric if they're not prepared.
Perhaps Halaster could give the cleric a decorative hourglass as a reminder to use time carefully. For example, at the beginning of combat, if the cleric's allies are not in a position to make a reaction weapon attack, rather than casting Bless and wasting the Voice of Authority feature, ready Bless until after the allies are in position.
This is interesting and I will think on it, see if I can't help out... but first I do want to point out that the thing for the Ranger is unnecessary. Hunter's Mark is concentration with a 1 hour duration (longer at higher levels) and does not go away if the mark isn't on someone.
"If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to mark a new creature." Not on "the next turn." They can mark someone when casting the spell, kill them, and then keep concentrating on the spell and mark someone else a half hour later.
As the DM, will you allow the rogue to use the Fast Hands feature to administer a potion? See Activating an Item on why you may or may not allow this interaction.
Anyway, if you do allow this interaction, Halaster could give the rogue a vial with a lightning bolt (or other symbol to represent speediness) to hint at the interaction of Fast Hands and administering a potion.
It would really help to know more about the PC's. I can think of plenty of "If the PC has/doesn't have this then you could do this" but they're very dependent on the character.
Are they made here on DnDbeyond? Would you be able to link their character sheets?
Thanks for the input, gang!! It's very much appreciated!!
Our cleric is definitely getting his mileage out of 'Voice of Authority' and actively readies for enchantment spells...
Thanks for the clarification on 'Hunter's Mark...' avoided a potential faux pas!
I think I will allow the Rogue's 'Fast Hands' to work on a potion... for either himself or another party member. I'm cranking down on the availability of magic items, so there's no abuse to be had there...
Unfortunately, our party is not keeping their characters on D&Dbeyond, so no way to share them... but thanks for all the feedback!! If any more inspiration hits, please jot it down!
For the barbarian, Halaster could give a statuette of a warrior knocked prone. This would hint at both the barbarian's better chance of knocking a creature prone (advantage on STR checks while raging) and how it helps the fighter and rogue (advantage on their melee attacks).
Giving each of the players a boon (like letting the Wizard temporarily "know" Chromatic Orb even though they didn't pay to transcribe it into their book yet) is a cool idea; Strahd does it, demons and devils do it, love the idea of a mad mage convinced of his own superiority handing out little buffs before putting them through his grinder. But "well actually here's how you should be playing your character" isn't fun for players, not when they do it to each other, and not when the DM does it. Stick to handing out actual boons that encourage the sort of decisions you want them to make... let that little grasshopper tied to the bow hold the Concentration for Hunter's Mark (similar to new UA) to help reinforce that it's a necessary spell in their rotation, give the Barbarian temporary use of the Tavern Brawler feat so that he can show off that extra carrying capacity in some grapples, let the Brute Fighter use Great Weapon Master for a little while, give the Halfling a single luck point like a half strength Lucky feat, give the cleric a 25% chance of instantly regaining a spell slot used to cast Cure Wounds... stuff like that, which doesn't make the party too much more powerful, but which nudges them towards taking the sorts of actions that you think they should be leaning into?
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I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
I'd agree with you that this is good advice, and that players should be free to pursue their own character realization... but I know these players (have for years) and I know they won't take advice like this the wrong way. Half of the party will actually appreciate it, as (by their admission) they don't "live and breathe D&D." My son, the elven wizard given 'Chromatic Orb' is actually going to track effectiveness and prepare a treatise to counter Halaster's argument!! Should make for some great & fun RP next time he's encountered!
Thanks to Jesse_DND for the fighting tip going to the barbarian... that one is definitely going to happen!