QotD: Other than social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, tiktok, etc.,) are there other places online you discuss D&D?
YouTube, but that’s really it. And I don’t social media at all, so….
Fair! I only use the Book of Faces and Xitter to promote my D&D, podcast, and my machinima series. I rarely use it for personal stuff, except the Book of Faces, because I have family in another country that has been easy to share photos and such to tag several people rather than flooding emails full of photos.
QotD: Other than social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, tiktok, etc.,) are there other places online you discuss D&D?
By definition, anywhere you can discuss D&D online is a social medium.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
I'm fry, and I make doodles. That's why they call me FRY DOODLES. Also no pressure but check out my YouTube channel (Fry Doodles) Soli Deo Gloria(Sed servus eius crustulum vult) I'm a disabled, neurodivergent, artsy dumpster fire, and somewhat of a clown. But, I'm also god's favorite princess and the most interesting girl in the world. Crafter of Constellations, vocaloid enjoyer, waluigi’s #1 fan, space alien, your favorite pretty boy, and certified silly goose
How much player engagement went into the development of your setting?
That is, how much of your setting did players have input into the development?
I would say quite a bit. Many things come up in the game that the players invent or alter during gameplay. Housekeeping things that show how people worship their gods or what their favorite tavern might be, names of prestigious or shady NPCs. Things I don't always have on hand or change because their idea was so much better.
I love it. It makes the world feel more real. I appreciate almost all of the input that they have made.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
QotD: Other than social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, tiktok, etc.,) are there other places online you discuss D&D?
By definition, anywhere you can discuss D&D online is a social medium.
Accurate. But for example, phpbb forums are not considered "Social Media."
But I do love how you constantly pick at my posts. It doesn't go unnoticed.
Reminds me of the parable of the scorpion and the frog. "I am sorry, but I couldn't resist the urge. It's my character."
Be assured that I would never ever mean to insult you or anything, it's just a dumb habit that I find funny. The only form of malice that I am capable of holding is mischief.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Question: How do you stop peopel at your tables using dndb start doing other things in dnd sessions. At school I’ve been DMing looked over and like 1 person is watching and listening.
Question: How do you stop peopel at your tables using dndb start doing other things in dnd sessions. At school I’ve been DMing looked over and like 1 person is watching and listening.
It's going to happen. It sounds defeatist but if everybody is on a laptop or their phone then some of them are going to be doing something else at the same time. It isn't the easiest thing to hold people's attention constantly for hours when there is an easy access to distraction.
The best you can do is try to be as engaging as possible and try to keep everybody involved. Of course if your group is large it is even harder.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
Question: How do you stop peopel at your tables using dndb start doing other things in dnd sessions. At school I’ve been DMing looked over and like 1 person is watching and listening.
If you're playing online (or in person and people are using D&D Beyond rather than papersheets)... it's going to happen, as stated above.
A few things you can try to do - if you are playing in person - have everyone print their character sheet out. This will get them off their laptop.
If they have cell phones, ask that everyone turn the sound ON (in case they get a call/text they need to address) their cell phone, but put it in a basket. Have regular breaks for them to be able to check their cell phone, however.
Also, sit them down - and explain while you do understand that while they're waiting for their turn - that it can be "boring" waiting. However, if everyone pays attention, everyone will know what to do when it's their turn. Someone who is distracted is going to ask, "Wait, so what happened?" (or something similar, "So has the hobgoblin been hit yet?") Also explain that it takes you time to put this together, and you'd appreciate their attention because it does take work to put this together.
And lastly, ask for feedback. What could you do better? What did everyone like? What did everyone think needs to be changed? Ask as a group, then also ask in person individually, because someone may not speak up in a group, especially if someone said, "Less RP, more combat!" and perhaps someone at the table was about to say they want more RP, but now is holding their tongue.
Getting feedback will allow you to find a balance, as a DM for what your players find interesting and ideally, keep them engaged.
Both of those are very helpful. The only problem is it’s hard to engage and find something that everybody will like especially when there is 6 people. It’s especially annoying when people get more than 1 attack per action and decide to narrate every single attack which can make it draw on. It’s also easier for everybody to use online even though that causes distractions, I feel like people may get bored if they have to keep pen and paper and bring everything.
I think explaining that it took time for me to dm is a great idea and if nobody’s listening then that’s really frustrating for me especially when they ask, “wait what did you say?” I’ve actually addressed this with one of them who I’ve been DMing for longer and he said, “What me? Nooo pshaww I wasn’t gaming.” When he quite clearly was and he said it in a very joking tone.
I also like the idea of asking for feedback, that can help me understand what they want in dnd and help me cater for them.
My next question is what to do when you’ve spoken to somebody about this and they just don’t care, continue to do it and even make a joke out of it, going so far to make blatant lies that he wasn’t gaming.
My next question is what to do when you’ve spoken to somebody about this and they just don’t care, continue to do it and even make a joke out of it, going so far to make blatant lies that he wasn’t gaming.
The whole point of getting together and playing D&D is to do exactly that. Any person can look at their phone any old time, I am on my phone right now, I could be scrolling YouTube shorts instead, but I chose to be on the forums discussing D&D. Tell the group that if they want to play D&D then they should play D&D, not scroll on their phones. If everyone but one person seems cool with this, and it is ruining the fun for other players, take that person aside and talk to them. We all have the power of choice, and spending your time doing something that you don’t really want to do but you are and because of that you are making that experience less fun for others is not something you should do. If they continue to do it, talk to the rest of the group outside the game session and ask what they would like to do. If they want to kick the person, go to the person making the problem inroovate and tell them that they aren’t welcome at the table anymore. It sucks to have to kick someone out, especially since D&D is supposed to be a welcoming environment but if the other players are not having as much fun because of this, then that problem needs to be remedied.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Come with me, and you'll be. in a world of pure imagination. Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination. we'll begin, with a spin. traveling in a world of my creation. what we'll see will defy explanation!" ~Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
their is no light without dark. no calm without storm. no heroes without villains. I, unfortunately am the dark. I am the storm. I. Am. The. Villain (not really considering I'm a forever player and never get the chance to DM)
Question: How do you stop peopel at your tables using dndb start doing other things in dnd sessions. At school I’ve been DMing looked over and like 1 person is watching and listening.
QotD: Other than social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, tiktok, etc.,) are there other places online you discuss D&D?
To actually answer the question, nope. I'm not really on social media.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
My next question is what to do when you’ve spoken to somebody about this and they just don’t care, continue to do it and even make a joke out of it, going so far to make blatant lies that he wasn’t gaming.
You're going to need to determine how much it bugs you and/or how much it bugs the players. If they're slowing down the game, by asking, "Oh. My turn? So has anyone hit the hobgoblin yet?" They're causing an issue that's slowing down the game and the overall enjoyment for everyone else, likely. You could speak with the individual players and ask if that player's behavior is bothersome to them as well.
If their lack of paying attention is ruining your time as a DM and/or the other player's times; you could speak with them again. And say, "Hey, listen, I know you said you're not playing a game while waiting for your turn - but I've observed when it's your turn on initiative, you're frequently asking what happened or if a monster you want to target has already been hit" (or whatever the case may be) "and I feel like it's slowing down the game. By you asking, and then me needing to recap the round, everyone else is being forced to wait. I am trying to find ways to quicken the pace of combat so we can move through it quickly and effectively."
If they are indeed gaming - find out some of the things that interest them. Are they playing, say Legend of Zelda - look into the game. See if you can't fit a Legend of Zelda type reference into your game to capture their attention. I had a player, who - while it wasn't bad - she always addressed the situations their characters were facing as herself and not at all how she'd set up (personality wise, background, traits and flaws, etc) as the character was set up. I introduced the Githyanki (who in my world are very different than Githyanki of D&D - they worship an ancient, and very evil Serpent God - whose whole goal is to bring the destruction of the world and only his followers will be saved) - these Githyanki are hated by the Drow and all the other Elves, above all else. So when they came into the story - she was suddenly very into it - and had a great RP session with a female Drow captain they freed from the Githyanki about making alliances against the greater enemy.
Now, that said. It doesn't always work. In the same game, one of my players literally made a character VERY much based off Tanis Half-Elven from Dragonlance. A series of books that is very heavy character centric. So I thought, "OK - I see what he did. I am going to inject some Dragonlance stuff." So similar to Tanis, I injected a former love interest, who joined the Dragon army and now rides a Blue Dragon - all very much like Dragonlance, but he didn't bite. He was like, "Cool." And that was it. Never interacted with the former love interest, never did anything about the Dragon Army, there was so much I threw at his feet and he never really picked up anything. He often mutes - and on his turn, just attacks. He doesn't take part in a lot of the RP convo or anything. So, not like yours - I know he's paying attention because he's always ready - but some people aren't going to always be into every little detail.
And that should be expected. Some people play D&D because they like the game, some want to RP, some like the social thing, some just want to do the most damage and kill things, and some are a mixture of several or all of those.
YouTube, but that’s really it. And I don’t social media at all, so….
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Fair! I only use the Book of Faces and Xitter to promote my D&D, podcast, and my machinima series. I rarely use it for personal stuff, except the Book of Faces, because I have family in another country that has been easy to share photos and such to tag several people rather than flooding emails full of photos.
Check out my publication on DMs Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Tawmis%20Logue
Check out my comedy web series - Neverending Nights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wr4-u9-zw0&list=PLbRG7dzFI-u3EJd0usasgDrrFO3mZ1lOZ
Need a character story/background written up? I do it for free (but also take donations!) - https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?591882-Need-a-character-background-written-up
By definition, anywhere you can discuss D&D online is a social medium.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Here and on Discord with my play group.
just here
I'm fry, and I make doodles. That's why they call me FRY DOODLES. Also no pressure but check out my YouTube channel (Fry Doodles)
Soli Deo Gloria(Sed servus eius crustulum vult)
I'm a disabled, neurodivergent, artsy dumpster fire, and somewhat of a clown. But, I'm also god's favorite princess and the most interesting girl in the world.
Crafter of Constellations, vocaloid enjoyer, waluigi’s #1 fan, space alien, your favorite pretty boy, and certified silly goose
Accurate. But for example, phpbb forums are not considered "Social Media."
But I do love how you constantly pick at my posts. It doesn't go unnoticed.
Check out my publication on DMs Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Tawmis%20Logue
Check out my comedy web series - Neverending Nights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wr4-u9-zw0&list=PLbRG7dzFI-u3EJd0usasgDrrFO3mZ1lOZ
Need a character story/background written up? I do it for free (but also take donations!) - https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?591882-Need-a-character-background-written-up
I would say quite a bit. Many things come up in the game that the players invent or alter during gameplay. Housekeeping things that show how people worship their gods or what their favorite tavern might be, names of prestigious or shady NPCs. Things I don't always have on hand or change because their idea was so much better.
I love it. It makes the world feel more real. I appreciate almost all of the input that they have made.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Reminds me of the parable of the scorpion and the frog. "I am sorry, but I couldn't resist the urge. It's my character."
Be assured that I would never ever mean to insult you or anything, it's just a dumb habit that I find funny. The only form of malice that I am capable of holding is mischief.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Question: How do you stop peopel at your tables using dndb start doing other things in dnd sessions. At school I’ve been DMing looked over and like 1 person is watching and listening.
Characters (Links!):
Faelin Nighthollow - 7th Sojourn
It's going to happen. It sounds defeatist but if everybody is on a laptop or their phone then some of them are going to be doing something else at the same time. It isn't the easiest thing to hold people's attention constantly for hours when there is an easy access to distraction.
The best you can do is try to be as engaging as possible and try to keep everybody involved. Of course if your group is large it is even harder.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
If you're playing online (or in person and people are using D&D Beyond rather than papersheets)... it's going to happen, as stated above.
A few things you can try to do - if you are playing in person - have everyone print their character sheet out. This will get them off their laptop.
If they have cell phones, ask that everyone turn the sound ON (in case they get a call/text they need to address) their cell phone, but put it in a basket. Have regular breaks for them to be able to check their cell phone, however.
Also, sit them down - and explain while you do understand that while they're waiting for their turn - that it can be "boring" waiting. However, if everyone pays attention, everyone will know what to do when it's their turn. Someone who is distracted is going to ask, "Wait, so what happened?" (or something similar, "So has the hobgoblin been hit yet?") Also explain that it takes you time to put this together, and you'd appreciate their attention because it does take work to put this together.
And lastly, ask for feedback. What could you do better? What did everyone like? What did everyone think needs to be changed? Ask as a group, then also ask in person individually, because someone may not speak up in a group, especially if someone said, "Less RP, more combat!" and perhaps someone at the table was about to say they want more RP, but now is holding their tongue.
Getting feedback will allow you to find a balance, as a DM for what your players find interesting and ideally, keep them engaged.
Check out my publication on DMs Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Tawmis%20Logue
Check out my comedy web series - Neverending Nights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wr4-u9-zw0&list=PLbRG7dzFI-u3EJd0usasgDrrFO3mZ1lOZ
Need a character story/background written up? I do it for free (but also take donations!) - https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?591882-Need-a-character-background-written-up
Both of those are very helpful. The only problem is it’s hard to engage and find something that everybody will like especially when there is 6 people. It’s especially annoying when people get more than 1 attack per action and decide to narrate every single attack which can make it draw on. It’s also easier for everybody to use online even though that causes distractions, I feel like people may get bored if they have to keep pen and paper and bring everything.
I think explaining that it took time for me to dm is a great idea and if nobody’s listening then that’s really frustrating for me especially when they ask, “wait what did you say?” I’ve actually addressed this with one of them who I’ve been DMing for longer and he said, “What me? Nooo pshaww I wasn’t gaming.” When he quite clearly was and he said it in a very joking tone.
I also like the idea of asking for feedback, that can help me understand what they want in dnd and help me cater for them.
My next question is what to do when you’ve spoken to somebody about this and they just don’t care, continue to do it and even make a joke out of it, going so far to make blatant lies that he wasn’t gaming.
Characters (Links!):
Faelin Nighthollow - 7th Sojourn
I don’t have social media and I am not online anywhere else. I don’t really like technology.
The whole point of getting together and playing D&D is to do exactly that. Any person can look at their phone any old time, I am on my phone right now, I could be scrolling YouTube shorts instead, but I chose to be on the forums discussing D&D. Tell the group that if they want to play D&D then they should play D&D, not scroll on their phones. If everyone but one person seems cool with this, and it is ruining the fun for other players, take that person aside and talk to them. We all have the power of choice, and spending your time doing something that you don’t really want to do but you are and because of that you are making that experience less fun for others is not something you should do. If they continue to do it, talk to the rest of the group outside the game session and ask what they would like to do. If they want to kick the person, go to the person making the problem inroovate and tell them that they aren’t welcome at the table anymore. It sucks to have to kick someone out, especially since D&D is supposed to be a welcoming environment but if the other players are not having as much fun because of this, then that problem needs to be remedied.
"Come with me, and you'll be. in a world of pure imagination. Take a look, and you'll see, into your imagination. we'll begin, with a spin. traveling in a world of my creation. what we'll see will defy explanation!" ~Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
their is no light without dark. no calm without storm. no heroes without villains. I, unfortunately am the dark. I am the storm. I. Am. The. Villain (not really considering I'm a forever player and never get the chance to DM)
Extended Signature
Just because they’re doing something else doesn’t mean they’re not listening. One of my best friends is usually drawing on his surface during sessions he’s not GMing, his fiancé is usually scrolling the internet looking for weddings dresses or whatever during sessions, and I frequently create hero forges during sessions I’m not DMing, usually of the NPCs or my party members. It doesn’t mean we’re not listening, in fact quite the opposite. We’re often the ones paying the most attention and picking up the details the others miss. It’s just a way to keep our hands busy and let the extra parts of our minds wander while we listen to what’s going on. When I’m really trying to picture what the GM is explaining I’ll often look like I’m zoned out or even close my eyes entirely to facilitate my mind’s eye “seeing” what is being “shown” to me if that makes sense. Now, if they’re not actually paying attention then that’s a problem. Find out if they’re still paying attention while they’re doing something else. If they are then it’s not really a problem. Ne?
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Yep. This is me. You can find me on the site Mastodon though! My current Instance is Universodon!
To actually answer the question, nope. I'm not really on social media.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
I don’t use anything social besides DDB. I don’t even use YouTube lol
She/Her | Femboy Nerd
Moderator for the The 2 Story Tavern and Return of The Spider Guild
~Extended Signature~
Devilishly Cute
My social life is entirely separate from DDB, with limited overlap from a few specific IRL friends. This extends to social media.
Terra Lubridia archive:
The Bloody Barnacle | The Gut | The Athene Crusader | The Jewel of Atlantis
You're going to need to determine how much it bugs you and/or how much it bugs the players. If they're slowing down the game, by asking, "Oh. My turn? So has anyone hit the hobgoblin yet?" They're causing an issue that's slowing down the game and the overall enjoyment for everyone else, likely. You could speak with the individual players and ask if that player's behavior is bothersome to them as well.
If their lack of paying attention is ruining your time as a DM and/or the other player's times; you could speak with them again. And say, "Hey, listen, I know you said you're not playing a game while waiting for your turn - but I've observed when it's your turn on initiative, you're frequently asking what happened or if a monster you want to target has already been hit" (or whatever the case may be) "and I feel like it's slowing down the game. By you asking, and then me needing to recap the round, everyone else is being forced to wait. I am trying to find ways to quicken the pace of combat so we can move through it quickly and effectively."
If they are indeed gaming - find out some of the things that interest them. Are they playing, say Legend of Zelda - look into the game. See if you can't fit a Legend of Zelda type reference into your game to capture their attention. I had a player, who - while it wasn't bad - she always addressed the situations their characters were facing as herself and not at all how she'd set up (personality wise, background, traits and flaws, etc) as the character was set up. I introduced the Githyanki (who in my world are very different than Githyanki of D&D - they worship an ancient, and very evil Serpent God - whose whole goal is to bring the destruction of the world and only his followers will be saved) - these Githyanki are hated by the Drow and all the other Elves, above all else. So when they came into the story - she was suddenly very into it - and had a great RP session with a female Drow captain they freed from the Githyanki about making alliances against the greater enemy.
Now, that said. It doesn't always work. In the same game, one of my players literally made a character VERY much based off Tanis Half-Elven from Dragonlance. A series of books that is very heavy character centric. So I thought, "OK - I see what he did. I am going to inject some Dragonlance stuff." So similar to Tanis, I injected a former love interest, who joined the Dragon army and now rides a Blue Dragon - all very much like Dragonlance, but he didn't bite. He was like, "Cool." And that was it. Never interacted with the former love interest, never did anything about the Dragon Army, there was so much I threw at his feet and he never really picked up anything. He often mutes - and on his turn, just attacks. He doesn't take part in a lot of the RP convo or anything. So, not like yours - I know he's paying attention because he's always ready - but some people aren't going to always be into every little detail.
And that should be expected. Some people play D&D because they like the game, some want to RP, some like the social thing, some just want to do the most damage and kill things, and some are a mixture of several or all of those.
Check out my publication on DMs Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Tawmis%20Logue
Check out my comedy web series - Neverending Nights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wr4-u9-zw0&list=PLbRG7dzFI-u3EJd0usasgDrrFO3mZ1lOZ
Need a character story/background written up? I do it for free (but also take donations!) - https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?591882-Need-a-character-background-written-up