One of Dane MacKenzie's tricks went horribly wrong - when he mistook a peryton feather with a peacock feather - transforming his duck into a very angry bird, whose bright colored feathers resemble a peryton's.
Completely irrelevant, but I saw a couple things that got me thinking...
Are there stage (i.e. fake) magicians in your world?
Do they try to pass off what they do as actual magic? If so, are they successful? Does everybody who wants to be a performer just learn real magic instead?
Of course. There are the typical snake oil salesmen that sell healing elixirs that will stop you from aging, make you grow your hair back, fix your warts, and cure the common cold, and then there are others who claim to really have magic but do not.
If a peasant sees a guy in a starry robe with a pointed hat walk through the town carrying a stick, they will automatically believe that he is a wizard because who else would have such bad fashion sense? If the "magician" is skilled enough, he can perform small tricks and hoaxes and play up his might and power, relying on the respect and fear of the peasants. Most won't want to anger a guy who can turn you into a frog. After he makes a little money, he would leave the town hastily before the peasants work up the nerve to ask him for any real magical aid.
Appreciator of all things Weird, Wondrous, and/or Yummy
In the Autumn Country, days end quickly, the gloaming hours linger, and the midnights pile one upon the other till the air is thick and flows like twilight syrup.
new question: What competitions do you have? Sports. Gladiatorial. Performance.
are they open to PCs?
so, on casting about for a way to replace barbarians (because of some inherent ugly in that) I landed on A gladiator type that needed a way to fit into the larger whole. Thus was born the Grand Games, which are events held all over the place and the supports systems for them.
these include sports games with teams, oration, the whole “public vote on who is best” thing, as well as traditional gladiator stuff.
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Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
What competitions do you have? Sports. Gladiatorial. Performance.
are they open to PCs?
Gladiation is definitely a well-respected and fairly prolific profession in my world. But on top of that, to throw some uniqueness in, philosophy is often put into the form of a competition/spectacle.
It's simply called The Columns (or maybe something else, TBH I'm still workshopping it). Basically, two or more competing thinkers (called fulcimen for now, but I'm workshopping that too) go into a crowded area, like a market, find or place down large pillars, get on top of those pillars, and then have an all-out philosophical brawl. The audience is expected to react loudly to which arguments they like and don't like, and ultimately they decide the winner. Some philosophers travel town to town to peddle their ideas in high-altitude intellectual combat, others stick to one city and defend their values against thinkers both local and mobile.
It's a relatively informal sport, so there aren't any universal brackets (though some fulcimen make their own) and pretty much anybody with a pillar can join in. This does open the door to PCs trying their hand. I figure if it ever happens, they'll have to make contested Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks against any competitors. Logos, ethos, and pathos, respectively. The few coins that the crowd usually throws at the winner probably wouldn't be of much interest to players, but the renown and notice that they can gain might.
Not sure how well all that would work for making a Barbarian replacement, though.
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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)
That's the term that completes the missing element, lol.
THreads become scenes become a tapestry, all upon a framework. Gives a nice weaving metaphor if I turn "framework" into Loom...
(sorry, I mentioned it here and thought it would offer closure, lol)
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Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
What competitions do you have? Sports. Gladiatorial. Performance.
are they open to PCs?
Gladiation is definitely a well-respected and fairly prolific profession in my world. But on top of that, to throw some uniqueness in, philosophy is often put into the form of a competition/spectacle.
It's simply called The Columns (or maybe something else, TBH I'm still workshopping it). Basically, two or more competing thinkers (called fulcimen for now, but I'm workshopping that too) go into a crowded area, like a market, find or place down large pillars, get on top of those pillars, and then have an all-out philosophical brawl. The audience is expected to react loudly to which arguments they like and don't like, and ultimately they decide the winner. Some philosophers travel town to town to peddle their ideas in high-altitude intellectual combat, others stick to one city and defend their values against thinkers both local and mobile.
It's a relatively informal sport, so there aren't any universal brackets (though some fulcimen make their own) and pretty much anybody with a pillar can join in. This does open the door to PCs trying their hand. I figure if it ever happens, they'll have to make contested Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks against any competitors. Logos, ethos, and pathos, respectively. The few coins that the crowd usually throws at the winner probably wouldn't be of much interest to players, but the renown and notice that they can gain might.
Not sure how well all that would work for making a Barbarian replacement, though.
That's the kind of tuff I was curious about! Coming up with a barbarian replacement was just how I got to mine -- I needed a place for these vanguards to be that thing, lol.
I even had to create rules for mage duels, since that is one of the events. Another is Oration & Debate, Troupe and Sirkus entertainments (juggling, weird mages pulling murderducks out of hats, that kind of thing), olympic event like activities, and team sports.
I kinda went overboard on the team sports thing. These games are not "safe", lol.
Edit: I will add that I did a dive into the shallow end of research on Gladiatorial games for a lot of it, such that there are tams and groups and all of that, but I side stepped the "slave gladiator" bit.
I ended up settling on the name Vanguard over gladiator because they are also the front line warriors -- those who are about to die -- and seeing as the concept came from gladiators, it seemed reasonable. There is a stadium in each City, and most towns have some thing, so the deal is one of the few widespread entertainments.
I also added in formal dances, dice/tile/card games, and theaters of assorted types, often used by the Troupes and Sirkus types.
I find it fascinating in some ways that banditry is the most likely encounter in the wilderness, followed by a Goblin band. Then, after that, it is some Troupe or other, lol. Merchants fall in further down the list. I suppose if you can't become an adventurer, you can still get out to see the world!
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
new question: What competitions do you have? Sports. Gladiatorial. Performance.
are they open to PCs?
so, on casting about for a way to replace barbarians (because of some inherent ugly in that) I landed on A gladiator type that needed a way to fit into the larger whole. Thus was born the Grand Games, which are events held all over the place and the supports systems for them.
these include sports games with teams, oration, the whole “public vote on who is best” thing, as well as traditional gladiator stuff.
Gnomes have an ancient tradition/competition called Pwnco. It is really just a rhyming battle, each side recites one verse and then it is the other person's turn. This can go on for hours and it usually ends when one contestant either hesitates too long, slips up in the rhyming, or just admits that their opponents verses are better than theirs. With their connection to the Feywild, it is no surprise that Gnomes have this game, but it has spread to other people groups.
Of course gladiators and pit fighters are a thing because they can make fun encounters.
There is a sort of "thieves guild" that has a strange sort of contest. The leader of the group protects a pone. A pone can be any, small trinket or every day object that the leader chooses. Whoever holds the pone is the leader. Pretty simple, there are absolutely no other rules. Usually, the biggest, toughest, and most cunning thief is able to hold on to the pone long enough to become the leader. (This is completely and totally stolen from Andrew Peterson)
The Clown Guild has a series of contests that include juggling, balloon tricks, magic tricks, theatrical performances, puppetry, pie throwing, and general buffoonry.
Appreciator of all things Weird, Wondrous, and/or Yummy
In the Autumn Country, days end quickly, the gloaming hours linger, and the midnights pile one upon the other till the air is thick and flows like twilight syrup.
Why would a stage magician need to not know real magic? A perennial low-level caster tactic seems to be Attempt To Use Cantrips To Convince the Goblins That Magubliyet Says Skedaddle, so why wouldn't something similar work on paying crowds? Behold, I will use my arcane powers (and some mirrors) to, idk, do something weird. I can't really think of anything cool right now.
I think moreso than meticulously categorizing the aspects of storytelling, you'd (read: Dorsay'd) get more useful material from illustrating specific ways to implement your threads. It's all well and good if Mister Bones the ghast mafia boss is actually behind the string of ghostly gang shootings, but what good is that, if the DM doesn't know how to communicate it to the players? Can't make them care, or make them notice? Can't seem to get the info in edgewise? The really useful tools are things like: A ghoul is seen making a big deal to his zombie date about how he can afford to take her to a nice graveyard now because of the promotion at work. Starting every room description with the ghastly chill and the ghastly odor and every NPC description with they look aghast or they ghast -- I mean gasp -- when you say whatever you said. Making sure you keep on mentioning that it doesn't make sense that such and such would happen unless someone had a plan. Cuz honestly, I don't think most of us need text that says "the casino is a blaze of fetid fumes aglow with neon. Inside are a hundred slot machines each with a Magic Mouth spell that yells 'JACKPOT' whenever you score. The owner is Mister Bones, a ghast with the following changes: Alignment is lawful evil, has a tommy gun: +6 to hit, ..." We don't need that. A little bit of that might be good for inspiration, but only a tiny bit. What we need is text that says, "Any time the PCs talk to one of Bones's employees, make sure the NPC grins knowingly, smirks, or otherwise acts like they're getting away with something, because they are. If an NPC is questioned, remember: the first NPC should give them the name of a second NPC or location, and the second should reveal Bones's plan." That sort of thing anyway.
Why would a stage magician need to not know real magic? A perennial low-level caster tactic seems to be Attempt To Use Cantrips To Convince the Goblins That Magubliyet Says Skedaddle, so why wouldn't something similar work on paying crowds? Behold, I will use my arcane powers (and some mirrors) to, idk, do something weird. I can't really think of anything cool right now.
I think moreso than meticulously categorizing the aspects of storytelling, you'd (read: Dorsay'd) get more useful material from illustrating specific ways to implement your threads. It's all well and good if Mister Bones the ghast mafia boss is actually behind the string of ghostly gang shootings, but what good is that, if the DM doesn't know how to communicate it to the players? Can't make them care, or make them notice? Can't seem to get the info in edgewise? The really useful tools are things like: A ghoul is seen making a big deal to his zombie date about how he can afford to take her to a nice graveyard now because of the promotion at work. Starting every room description with the ghastly chill and the ghastly odor and every NPC description with they look aghast or they ghast -- I mean gasp -- when you say whatever you said. Making sure you keep on mentioning that it doesn't make sense that such and such would happen unless someone had a plan. Cuz honestly, I don't think most of us need text that says "the casino is a blaze of fetid fumes aglow with neon. Inside are a hundred slot machines each with a Magic Mouth spell that yells 'JACKPOT' whenever you score. The owner is Mister Bones, a ghast with the following changes: Alignment is lawful evil, has a tommy gun: +6 to hit, ..." We don't need that. A little bit of that might be good for inspiration, but only a tiny bit. What we need is text that says, "Any time the PCs talk to one of Bones's employees, make sure the NPC grins knowingly, smirks, or otherwise acts like they're getting away with something, because they are. If an NPC is questioned, remember: the first NPC should give them the name of a second NPC or location, and the second should reveal Bones's plan." That sort of thing anyway.
yes.
ok, so, the breakdown and schema is so I can have Concepts to use as I illustrate the rest. I am putting all the emphasis on threads and encounters because those are the main units. The rest is just putting together those threads and encounters into a series.
I am big on complex, interwoven plots and subplots, some linked to PCs, some to the story line, some just fluttering in the breeze for flavor and color and pacing. But having a great big story that is cool to the DM is useless if you can’t motivate players, so having that built into the threads is key — very much your example type. Encounters are the comparatively easy part, but stringing them together to make sense is much more the challenge.
that said, hitting players over the head with circles and X’s and squiggly lines is sometimes useful. depends on the players. Some folks just aren’t that observant. (Some folks is me. Me. There is a reason I DM, lol)
but yes. That is the kind of stuff I am trying to lay out, plus the when to do it, why to do it at different times, and ways to do it.
not every campaign needs ten subplots and sixteen different routes. Not that such is bad, but most often something more direct is easy, and having a good larger structure gives you flexibility and wiggle room because no plan survives contact with the enemy is always a maxim when dealing with this kind of interactive relationship.
I also talk about the difference between a character sketch and a plot line, lol. Something I don’t see newer DMs realize and then get frustrated about. Plots aren’t that hard, but a plot is more than an evil lich bent on world domination who has a special lair.
I am also tossing in a few notes about stock characters, traditional inclusions for certain archetypal stories, and how to use them on the fly.
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Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
new question: What competitions do you have? Sports. Gladiatorial. Performance. are they open to PCs?
Yes. So in one of the D&D 5e books - there's things about "Down Time" events. And one of them was "Pit Fighting"
So I made a thing where it's the best 2 out of 3 stats to win.
First round is Dexterity. Player rolls Dexterity check. I had NPCs (who have the three stats in an Excel sheet: Dexterity, Strength, Constitution - and I just roll a d4 for each to see what their bonus is). So first is Dexterity, moving around the ring, avoiding your opponent. Second round is Strength checks, punching and kicking your opponent. Last round is Constitution, to see if you can last the whole thing. Whoever wins 2 out of the 3 things, comes out the winner of the Pit Fighting.
Usually players make wages and such. So Pit Fighting has definitely been a thing in the games players have partaken in.
I do have Gladiator events - but, no players have yet found themselves tossed into the ring.
QOTD: is anyone else having a whole brain thing about Ghoul's dating Zombies?
I mean, zombies are like literally what ghoul's eat, given the source material (not necessarily game material), so my poor little brain is going off on the idea.
Still.
Even though it was just an example,
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Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
(edit: we had fallen to the bottom of page 1, sooo)
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women. Duh?
Wait you mean it isn't "to crush your foes, empower their women, and to hear the lamentations of their patriarchs?"
Well crap, I might have been doing this wrong...
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Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities .-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-. An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more. Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
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)
Having an incredible D&D Session - like I did tonight!
I love DMing. And seeing the players leap into character and turning events around.
A random encounter - had the players all roll a D20. Who rolled the highest, would then roll a d100 (percentile dice). They had no idea what I was having them roll for.
So - brief summary - the adventure is the players fighting Githyanki (way, way, way before Baldur's Gate 3 was a thing, this story has been going on) who worship an ancient "Serpent God" destined to "crush the world" (and bring about the end of it). And there is a dragon in their service.
So I had them roll - and the paladin rolls the highest. Ask him to roll d100. Rolls a 50. I check the low level underdark chart - and I am just doing low level monster because I just needed a quick fight. Wanted fate to decide what it was. Turned out to be Winged Kobolds. Well, I end up voicing the kobolds - and the High Elf in the party speaks Draonic and hears the Kobolds saying how they hate serving the snake people - they're not sure why Zapot doesn't just eat them. Party decides they want to bluff the kobolds and they pop out and explain how they hate the snake people too - and they want to help the kobolds. (The Paladin had just gotten a bear skin as a cloak that he wears over his head) - and so he pretended to be an owlbear, had him roll performance and such to pretend to be an owlbear and doesn't roll great. One of the Earth Genasi rebels with the party, slaps him on the back giggling - and he has a wound in his back - so I said roll performance again as she hits that wound. Natural 20. So I flavor it that he doesn't really roar so much as yell out in pain - and suddenly all the kobolds fell into line. So now the high elf is like, "We need to get the crystals the snake people stole so the owlbear can regain his true strength." And the kobolds buy it.
For having to originally be a quick "fight" ended up being this incredible RP session was so incredible.
Truly. That's the best in life.
Even made this (left is that natural 20, to the right, the image I have for "Terra, the Earth Genasi Warrior")...
Appreciator of all things Weird, Wondrous, and/or Yummy
In the Autumn Country, days end quickly, the gloaming hours linger, and the midnights pile one upon the other till the air is thick and flows like twilight syrup.
(edit: we had fallen to the bottom of page 1, sooo)
Hot water, good dentishtry, and soft lavatory paper.
given what I am dealing with right now, I think you might have hit on a good one...
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Just to add fuel to the fire...
Biting Bill. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,one target. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage.
Description
One of Dane MacKenzie's tricks went horribly wrong - when he mistook a peryton feather with a peacock feather - transforming his duck into a very angry bird, whose bright colored feathers resemble a peryton's.
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Of course. There are the typical snake oil salesmen that sell healing elixirs that will stop you from aging, make you grow your hair back, fix your warts, and cure the common cold, and then there are others who claim to really have magic but do not.
If a peasant sees a guy in a starry robe with a pointed hat walk through the town carrying a stick, they will automatically believe that he is a wizard because who else would have such bad fashion sense? If the "magician" is skilled enough, he can perform small tricks and hoaxes and play up his might and power, relying on the respect and fear of the peasants. Most won't want to anger a guy who can turn you into a frog. After he makes a little money, he would leave the town hastily before the peasants work up the nerve to ask him for any real magical aid.
Ok, I adore the magician and his duck, lol.
new question: What competitions do you have? Sports. Gladiatorial. Performance.
are they open to PCs?
so, on casting about for a way to replace barbarians (because of some inherent ugly in that) I landed on A gladiator type that needed a way to fit into the larger whole. Thus was born the Grand Games, which are events held all over the place and the supports systems for them.
these include sports games with teams, oration, the whole “public vote on who is best” thing, as well as traditional gladiator stuff.
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
Gladiation is definitely a well-respected and fairly prolific profession in my world. But on top of that, to throw some uniqueness in, philosophy is often put into the form of a competition/spectacle.
It's simply called The Columns (or maybe something else, TBH I'm still workshopping it). Basically, two or more competing thinkers (called fulcimen for now, but I'm workshopping that too) go into a crowded area, like a market, find or place down large pillars, get on top of those pillars, and then have an all-out philosophical brawl. The audience is expected to react loudly to which arguments they like and don't like, and ultimately they decide the winner. Some philosophers travel town to town to peddle their ideas in high-altitude intellectual combat, others stick to one city and defend their values against thinkers both local and mobile.
It's a relatively informal sport, so there aren't any universal brackets (though some fulcimen make their own) and pretty much anybody with a pillar can join in. This does open the door to PCs trying their hand. I figure if it ever happens, they'll have to make contested Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma checks against any competitors. Logos, ethos, and pathos, respectively. The few coins that the crowd usually throws at the winner probably wouldn't be of much interest to players, but the renown and notice that they can gain might.
Not sure how well all that would work for making a Barbarian replacement, though.
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)
Tapestry!
That's the term that completes the missing element, lol.
THreads become scenes become a tapestry, all upon a framework. Gives a nice weaving metaphor if I turn "framework" into Loom...
(sorry, I mentioned it here and thought it would offer closure, lol)
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
That's the kind of tuff I was curious about! Coming up with a barbarian replacement was just how I got to mine -- I needed a place for these vanguards to be that thing, lol.
I even had to create rules for mage duels, since that is one of the events. Another is Oration & Debate, Troupe and Sirkus entertainments (juggling, weird mages pulling murderducks out of hats, that kind of thing), olympic event like activities, and team sports.
I kinda went overboard on the team sports thing. These games are not "safe", lol.
Edit: I will add that I did a dive into the shallow end of research on Gladiatorial games for a lot of it, such that there are tams and groups and all of that, but I side stepped the "slave gladiator" bit.
I ended up settling on the name Vanguard over gladiator because they are also the front line warriors -- those who are about to die -- and seeing as the concept came from gladiators, it seemed reasonable. There is a stadium in each City, and most towns have some thing, so the deal is one of the few widespread entertainments.
I also added in formal dances, dice/tile/card games, and theaters of assorted types, often used by the Troupes and Sirkus types.
I find it fascinating in some ways that banditry is the most likely encounter in the wilderness, followed by a Goblin band. Then, after that, it is some Troupe or other, lol. Merchants fall in further down the list. I suppose if you can't become an adventurer, you can still get out to see the world!
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
Gnomes have an ancient tradition/competition called Pwnco. It is really just a rhyming battle, each side recites one verse and then it is the other person's turn. This can go on for hours and it usually ends when one contestant either hesitates too long, slips up in the rhyming, or just admits that their opponents verses are better than theirs. With their connection to the Feywild, it is no surprise that Gnomes have this game, but it has spread to other people groups.
Of course gladiators and pit fighters are a thing because they can make fun encounters.
There is a sort of "thieves guild" that has a strange sort of contest. The leader of the group protects a pone. A pone can be any, small trinket or every day object that the leader chooses. Whoever holds the pone is the leader. Pretty simple, there are absolutely no other rules. Usually, the biggest, toughest, and most cunning thief is able to hold on to the pone long enough to become the leader. (This is completely and totally stolen from Andrew Peterson)
The Clown Guild has a series of contests that include juggling, balloon tricks, magic tricks, theatrical performances, puppetry, pie throwing, and general buffoonry.
Why would a stage magician need to not know real magic? A perennial low-level caster tactic seems to be Attempt To Use Cantrips To Convince the Goblins That Magubliyet Says Skedaddle, so why wouldn't something similar work on paying crowds? Behold, I will use my arcane powers (and some mirrors) to, idk, do something weird. I can't really think of anything cool right now.
I think moreso than meticulously categorizing the aspects of storytelling, you'd (read: Dorsay'd) get more useful material from illustrating specific ways to implement your threads. It's all well and good if Mister Bones the ghast mafia boss is actually behind the string of ghostly gang shootings, but what good is that, if the DM doesn't know how to communicate it to the players? Can't make them care, or make them notice? Can't seem to get the info in edgewise? The really useful tools are things like: A ghoul is seen making a big deal to his zombie date about how he can afford to take her to a nice graveyard now because of the promotion at work. Starting every room description with the ghastly chill and the ghastly odor and every NPC description with they look aghast or they ghast -- I mean gasp -- when you say whatever you said. Making sure you keep on mentioning that it doesn't make sense that such and such would happen unless someone had a plan. Cuz honestly, I don't think most of us need text that says "the casino is a blaze of fetid fumes aglow with neon. Inside are a hundred slot machines each with a Magic Mouth spell that yells 'JACKPOT' whenever you score. The owner is Mister Bones, a ghast with the following changes: Alignment is lawful evil, has a tommy gun: +6 to hit, ..." We don't need that. A little bit of that might be good for inspiration, but only a tiny bit. What we need is text that says, "Any time the PCs talk to one of Bones's employees, make sure the NPC grins knowingly, smirks, or otherwise acts like they're getting away with something, because they are. If an NPC is questioned, remember: the first NPC should give them the name of a second NPC or location, and the second should reveal Bones's plan." That sort of thing anyway.
yes.
ok, so, the breakdown and schema is so I can have Concepts to use as I illustrate the rest. I am putting all the emphasis on threads and encounters because those are the main units. The rest is just putting together those threads and encounters into a series.
I am big on complex, interwoven plots and subplots, some linked to PCs, some to the story line, some just fluttering in the breeze for flavor and color and pacing. But having a great big story that is cool to the DM is useless if you can’t motivate players, so having that built into the threads is key — very much your example type. Encounters are the comparatively easy part, but stringing them together to make sense is much more the challenge.
that said, hitting players over the head with circles and X’s and squiggly lines is sometimes useful. depends on the players. Some folks just aren’t that observant. (Some folks is me. Me. There is a reason I DM, lol)
but yes. That is the kind of stuff I am trying to lay out, plus the when to do it, why to do it at different times, and ways to do it.
not every campaign needs ten subplots and sixteen different routes. Not that such is bad, but most often something more direct is easy, and having a good larger structure gives you flexibility and wiggle room because no plan survives contact with the enemy is always a maxim when dealing with this kind of interactive relationship.
I also talk about the difference between a character sketch and a plot line, lol. Something I don’t see newer DMs realize and then get frustrated about. Plots aren’t that hard, but a plot is more than an evil lich bent on world domination who has a special lair.
I am also tossing in a few notes about stock characters, traditional inclusions for certain archetypal stories, and how to use them on the fly.
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
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Yes. So in one of the D&D 5e books - there's things about "Down Time" events. And one of them was "Pit Fighting"
So I made a thing where it's the best 2 out of 3 stats to win.
First round is Dexterity. Player rolls Dexterity check. I had NPCs (who have the three stats in an Excel sheet: Dexterity, Strength, Constitution - and I just roll a d4 for each to see what their bonus is). So first is Dexterity, moving around the ring, avoiding your opponent. Second round is Strength checks, punching and kicking your opponent. Last round is Constitution, to see if you can last the whole thing. Whoever wins 2 out of the 3 things, comes out the winner of the Pit Fighting.
Usually players make wages and such. So Pit Fighting has definitely been a thing in the games players have partaken in.
I do have Gladiator events - but, no players have yet found themselves tossed into the ring.
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Check out my comedy web series - Neverending Nights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wr4-u9-zw0&list=PLbRG7dzFI-u3EJd0usasgDrrFO3mZ1lOZ
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QOTD: is anyone else having a whole brain thing about Ghoul's dating Zombies?
I mean, zombies are like literally what ghoul's eat, given the source material (not necessarily game material), so my poor little brain is going off on the idea.
Still.
Even though it was just an example,
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
QOTD:
What is Best in Life?
(edit: we had fallen to the bottom of page 1, sooo)
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women. Duh?
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Wait you mean it isn't "to crush your foes, empower their women, and to hear the lamentations of their patriarchs?"
Well crap, I might have been doing this wrong...
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
Maybe.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
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I'd say wonder's definitely up there. So, good on you.
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)
Having an incredible D&D Session - like I did tonight!
I love DMing. And seeing the players leap into character and turning events around.
A random encounter - had the players all roll a D20. Who rolled the highest, would then roll a d100 (percentile dice). They had no idea what I was having them roll for.
So - brief summary - the adventure is the players fighting Githyanki (way, way, way before Baldur's Gate 3 was a thing, this story has been going on) who worship an ancient "Serpent God" destined to "crush the world" (and bring about the end of it). And there is a dragon in their service.
So I had them roll - and the paladin rolls the highest. Ask him to roll d100. Rolls a 50. I check the low level underdark chart - and I am just doing low level monster because I just needed a quick fight. Wanted fate to decide what it was. Turned out to be Winged Kobolds. Well, I end up voicing the kobolds - and the High Elf in the party speaks Draonic and hears the Kobolds saying how they hate serving the snake people - they're not sure why Zapot doesn't just eat them. Party decides they want to bluff the kobolds and they pop out and explain how they hate the snake people too - and they want to help the kobolds. (The Paladin had just gotten a bear skin as a cloak that he wears over his head) - and so he pretended to be an owlbear, had him roll performance and such to pretend to be an owlbear and doesn't roll great. One of the Earth Genasi rebels with the party, slaps him on the back giggling - and he has a wound in his back - so I said roll performance again as she hits that wound. Natural 20. So I flavor it that he doesn't really roar so much as yell out in pain - and suddenly all the kobolds fell into line. So now the high elf is like, "We need to get the crystals the snake people stole so the owlbear can regain his true strength." And the kobolds buy it.
For having to originally be a quick "fight" ended up being this incredible RP session was so incredible.
Truly. That's the best in life.
Even made this (left is that natural 20, to the right, the image I have for "Terra, the Earth Genasi Warrior")...
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
Hot water, good dentishtry, and soft lavatory paper.
given what I am dealing with right now, I think you might have hit on a good one...
Only a DM since 1980 (3000+ Sessions) / PhD, MS, MA / Mixed, Bi, Trans, Woman / No longer welcome in the US, apparently
Wyrlde: Adventures in the Seven Cities
.-=] Lore Book | Patreon | Wyrlde YT [=-.
An original Setting for 5e, a whole solar system of adventure. Ongoing updates, exclusies, more.
Not Talking About It / Dubbed The Oracle in the Cult of Mythology Nerds
Are you in Florida by chance? (If so, be safe!)
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