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, welcome to Hello, World! (DM's first time running 5e)

18:15, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

OOC.

Posted by DMFor group 0
Tark
player, 1 post
Thu 16 Nov 2017
at 22:05
  • msg #3

OOC

As Chris is still AFK and I still lack the capacity to make pre-approved edits. Not quite confirmed outlooks for a choice of two arrays to pick a preference of (at a 31 point value, over the usual 27 legal limit).

15, 14, 13, 12, 12, 10 = 31 point worth.

15, 15, 14, 10, 10, 10 = 31 points worth.

quote:
Okay folks.  First major question:  Who's playing what?

My proper computer is currently in the shop for how many fans sound like buzz saws, so  I'll have to dig out my external backup drive for reference materials either way.

But level 1 Tark is faster to dust off and get up to speed, than "Level 1 Warlock I never get around to playing". So I'll leave that up to Tim and Chris who I go for.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:07, Thu 16 Nov 2017.
DM
GM, 5 posts
Thu 16 Nov 2017
at 22:13
  • msg #4

OOC

Either of those stat arrays are good, yes. Am on smart phone right now so responses will be brief.
DM
GM, 6 posts
Fri 17 Nov 2017
at 00:13
  • msg #5

OOC



That's some amazing looking art!  If you want to play a gunslinger type character in a Chris game, simply build an archer and reflavor your bow as a ray gun.  It can be a noisy ray gun if you like.  But gunpowder won't exist in a fantasy game I run.

I feel that gunpowder is one of those things that is very genre defining.  You won't find it in any Star Wars movie, nor in any Lord of the Rings movie.  And for good reason.  Even without the practical considerations of, "This stuff is cheap!  Why risk our necks storming the castle when we can just blow it to pieces from a distance?" gunpowder brings with it a whole other feel to a setting.  Add gunpowder to the mix, and suddenly your knights in shining armor are obsolete.  Suddenly your guys that can block lasers with their energy swords aren't so cool.  Because now you've got overwhelming destructive power at a massive distance available to any old soldier who can yank on a cannon's trigger rope.  Imagine how embarrassing it would be for a Civil War era soldier to out-shine a Jedi or a paladin on the battlefield.

Paladin / Jedi: Dramatically carves through ranks of enemy troops, deflecting and dodging incoming attacks only for the enemy commander to escape.

Civil war guy: Lines up a nice shot and BOOM!  Takes out enemy commander without having to deal with the rows of enemy troops.
Jamie
player, 2 posts
Fri 17 Nov 2017
at 01:05
  • msg #6

OOC

I decided on using Darcy (Human Cleric of Life) for my character.  I'll be using MBMP's Character Sheet (available from his Pateron page https://www.patreon.com/morepurplemorebetter) since we're in Standard 5E.  I'll send you a link to an exported character sheet at the appropriate thread.
Ben
player, 12 posts
Wed 22 Nov 2017
at 01:38
  • msg #7

OOC

Right, Bri'kus deserves 160 gold worth of shopping spree rather than the joke defaults for years old vanilla rules I honestly don't have time to get into right now.

But at the very least, they can certainly rate Studded leather over basic leather while keeping everything else they already thought they could have.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:39, Wed 22 Nov 2017.
Bri'kus
player, 1 post
Wed 22 Nov 2017
at 06:48
  • msg #8

OOC

Hello all! My (Online)name is Devon and I will be playing as Bri'kus the Kobold Rouge. ^^
Bri'kus is a newly minted thief who mainly steals for necessity when he is on his own, but will gladly begin stealing items that he thinks the party, or rather, his pack mates require on their journey. He does not steal from those he deems would suffer in some way from the theft and he will not steal from his pack mates. :D
Mittens
GM, 11 posts
Wed 22 Nov 2017
at 06:51
  • msg #9

OOC

<3 Bri'kus!  Welcome aboard!

Be advised that posts will be slow going this week due to the holidays.
Bri'kus
player, 2 posts
Wed 22 Nov 2017
at 06:56
  • msg #10

OOC

In reply to Mittens (msg # 9):

Hi! *waves*

I understand. Thursday will be hella busy for me too.
DM
NPC, 34 posts
Thu 14 Dec 2017
at 06:43
  • msg #11

OOC

I'm going to need a vote on this one.  Turns out the module is not awarding XP properly.  Which brought to my attention another important point.  I could not find anywhere in the books that details exactly what happens when you gain enough XP to level up while in the middle of a dungeon crawl.  Would you spontaneously gain more max HP, new powers, etc. like in a video game?  Or do you have to get in some study to gain new spells, some training to gain a feat, have to take a full rest to fill your new larger HP bar, and various other things that "makes sense" to some gamers and is a bore to others.  The books don't say.  I guess like so much else in 5e, WotC expects the DM(Dictatorship Man) to decide.  I refuse!  You all decide.

REFERENDUM!

QUESTION 1:
Do you want XP to be awarded on a per-monster basis?  Y/N

QUESTION 2:
Do you want video game style spontaneous level-up benefits as soon as you gain the XP needed?  Y/N


...I guess nothing says we can't have each player go with their preference individually, but I want to be sure that won't cause headaches for other players.
Raichel
player, 22 posts
All about martial arts
All about doing right
Thu 14 Dec 2017
at 07:13
  • msg #12

OOC

Question 1: Yes.

Question 2: Yes. But I personally think a level-up should only happen between fights. I would like to see us RP out major changes like learning new class features or feats, but that is only a personal preference. Everyone should be free to choose whether to RP one way or another.
Ben
player, 26 posts
Thu 14 Dec 2017
at 07:37
  • msg #13

OOC

  Skewed experience is where you get people going "I threw a rock! it counts! I get experience!", and it also means several times as much numbers tracking.  So "Everyone has the same level yaaaaaaay" is my mindset as per usual.

  Whether it's attempting to track already customized experience per fight (Given the announcement that as is, module experience is too broken to work at all), or simply making announcements at the dramatically appropriate time.  So long as we have a sane curve, works for me.

  Leveling up after the fights or Plot Points is fine with me. Though on paper instant leveling first and foremost, with In Character aspects where actually practical.

  Otherwise you get wizards chiding fighters about how they could not possibly have learned carpentry on the wagon ride over to town (whoops it was burnt down by orcs, vacation canceled), as they scribble down their new spells they totally came up with on their own during said wagon ride.

  The life of an adventurer means it's hard enough to get time for a short rest.  Holding character progression to "Realistically, you can't learn a language over the weekend so sorry you can't use your feat yet. Maybe next time. Yes I know it's been two levels since you had a break from saving the world" as the primary concern is doing it backwards.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:38, Thu 14 Dec 2017.
Darcy
player, 27 posts
Thu 14 Dec 2017
at 10:12
  • msg #14

OOC

I tend to go with the Three Pillars approach when it comes to XP, awarding as many points on when the party solves a puzzle or goes someplace as they would fighting a monster.

I'm so-so on the RPG type level-up though, unless the party really needs the free Long Rest.  But then again, I often try to end a session on a Long Rest, where I tally up the XP. (A practice that would be best for my DMing Style)
DM
NPC, 35 posts
Thu 14 Dec 2017
at 15:35
  • msg #15

OOC

In reply to Darcy (msg # 14):

The "Three Pillars Approach" is not a term I'm familiar with.  I did a search to get more detail and found this article:  http://www.tribality.com/2017/...xperience-breakdown/
Darcy
player, 28 posts
Thu 14 Dec 2017
at 20:23
  • msg #16

OOC

That's what I was talking about :)   RPGs have three major parts:  Combat, Exploration, and Interaction.  Wizards kinda dropped the ball in this area by only concentrating on Combat.  Later on, they just threw up their hands and went for the Milestone approach.  Me?  I'd rather take the Three Pillars approach.  Your Mileage Can Vary.
Ben
player, 27 posts
Fri 15 Dec 2017
at 00:24
  • msg #17

OOC

The traditional three pillars mindset has a lot of mileage.  Though two big things to keep in mind about it are-

1:  Using aspects of it as appropriate to the game is usually great results, but trying to work backwards to fit your game into some ideal does not always fit the reality of gameplay.

2: Like a lot of normally common concepts, you need to consider the medium.  PbP is a much different experience than "Sit down and dedicate several hours in a row to a session".

See also, the "I prefer level ups to be at the end of a game session" mindset. Better served when there are actual game sessions you can assure such a break point.  Which tends to go out the window with "It can takes more days than there are enemies to run combat sometimes"

Even ignoring how the first few levels are the most painful to delay, "Wait until you get back to town, or at least take a long rest, THEN you get to level up!" can be a matter of months.  Even the freeform noncombat threads can attest to the how long each in game day takes in real life time.

The common in all systems emphasis Per combat tracking is just easier tracking on a granular level for a pre-planned adventure, which is why so many fall back on it.  There are good and bad reasons for this.

Though again, it's easier to just throw in an extra off the cuff "last little bit until level" made up filler fight in live sessions than it is in PbP. No more than delaying level ups until you have finished the adventure or gone back to town or your "Story bonus" is a good idea for it.

Implementation as is often the case, is a big deal.  Along with underlying intent, 5th ed's weakest aspect is it's editing, both in and out of book.  Which just puts the little in jokes about how much you can roleplay (a lot) in 4th edition me Tim and Chris have in a whole new, all the more sadder light.

Even 4th edition gave story bonuses, ironically much like the "all combat MMOs" it's claimed to be nothing like give story completion and exploration bonus.  Even "Shoot guns at aliens, the game" Destiny, provides significant bonuses for completion and small bonuses for exploration.  (You explored the archeology thoroughly! You found lore dumps the main plot skipped that actually explain things!  Way more experience! And also now have Wizard robes fashioned out of a NASA space suit)

Conversely, actual "Oldschool" DnD is even more MMO than actual MMOS, granting experience based on how much gold you have looted."Gotta kill that dragon because think about how much gold he has! I'm an oldschool roleplayer".  Amidst seeing the millionth person decry the lack of roleplay potential, because there isn't a chart to consult for rolling dice to barter anymore.

TL;DR: Three Pillars as a concept is great. The usual problem is trying to brute force "Three pillars" into even the situations that only needs two or four based around a perfect ideal.

Punchlines about GMs treating games more like a novel, are punchlines for a reason.  "Hey can we level up yet?" "Sorry, instant level ups make no sense!" "But we have to rush off to prevent the down from being burnt down by fire giants immediately after this dungeon crawl"  "NOT UNTIL IT MAKES NARRATIVE SENSE!"

Throw in the much expanded timeframe of play by post rather than dedicating several hours in a row to a game session, and that even further skews things away from what is often considered traditional and functional.

That's how people end up proudly proclaiming that gamers are just impatient and want instant gratification these days, to a group that started a dungeon months to a literal year ago.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:50, Fri 15 Dec 2017.
Mittens
GM, 24 posts
Fri 15 Dec 2017
at 07:34
  • msg #18

OOC

Took a stab at breaking down the XP.  Created a handout in roll20 called XP TRACKER.  The table is in reverse order 'cause I want the most recent total at the top so in the future I'm not scrolling down several pages to find it.  You may notice that XP was awarded for RP in 3 cases, and exploration once.  This trend will likely remain.  The 3 pillars don't come up equally, so awarding XP for them won't be equal either.

In any case we'll be plenty shy of level 2 even after taking down Klarg, but we should be level 2 by the time we leave the cave.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:37, Fri 15 Dec 2017.
DM
NPC, 46 posts
Fri 12 Jan 2018
at 01:46
  • msg #19

OOC

Taking a break tonight.  Need 2 throw together a resume pronto.
Mittens
GM, 33 posts
Thu 18 Jan 2018
at 22:40
  • msg #20

OOC

Figuring out what to MC into.  Must be a class that gets Prestidigitation at 1st level, narrowing it down to Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard.  The rest is gravy.  Just a question of what flavor gravy fits Mittens Jenkins best.  So which spells will tip the scale?

<lengthy list removed for space reasons>

Looks like Wizard is the winner in the spells department.  Wow!  Six starting spells!  Nice!  It's going to be hard to pick what school of magic when I reach 3rd level.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:46, Sun 21 Jan 2018.
Raichel
player, 34 posts
All about martial arts
All about doing right
Sat 20 Jan 2018
at 22:55
  • msg #21

OOC

GM, please add this to Darcy's cast click:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AjghU-xdUFQag2AqUBU_aEbNhKla
Ben
player, 38 posts
Sun 21 Jan 2018
at 02:46
  • msg #22

OOC

While it is listed in the House rules, it has been quite a bit and this is everybody's first level up.

So to ensure there are no five levels later "But now I need to recalculate my hitpoints!", reminder that we are using the flat rate HP growth.  Found in the very same sentence that lists your class rolled HP.

But for a quick reference.

Rogue scale: 5+CON Mod.
Ranger scale: 6+CON Mod.
Cleric scale: 5+CON Mod.

5th ed also respects the retroactive HP growth angle, so no more "wasted" CON increases if you go for that at some point.

It's even factored into their feats like tough, to stop "Oh you didn't take this feat immediately? You lost out on several levels worth of HP then." troll GM rulings like you'd get in older editions.

Now excuse me, I need to bonk my head against my desk over the fact there are 3.5 Wizard vets who unironically complain that rolling was better "Because You could get a good roll", when 3.5 had 1d4 rolls and the flat rate for 5th ed wizards is 4+CON.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Sun 21 Jan 2018.
DM
NPC, 55 posts
Fri 20 Jul 2018
at 06:01
  • msg #23

OOC

Just a reminder that Meiou, Rai, Ben, and Darc can all post.
Ben
player, 51 posts
Mon 13 Aug 2018
at 04:09
  • msg #24

OOC

Given the option of using minimum "equivalent of a pack of gum" point value super powers.  Which of the following is being a 'cheating munchkin'

A: Making spooky sound effects and mimicking the voices of others in your vicinity.

B: 5 kilometer range intimidate checks that would make batman wet himself in terror.

You know how this joke goes. It was A, followed by the GM suggesting B.

So goes my life and lessons that most people have no idea what 'balance' is, just personal preference.
Ben
player, 59 posts
Mon 8 Apr 2019
at 04:22
  • msg #25

OOC

DC 14 with a 2nd level spell is an understandable gut instinct for a Vanilla rules point buy game.  It's the expectation of "We're lv 3 with at least a +1 item... right?'.

So my thought process was "Yeah that sounds about right-wait... Huh, I'm still level 2???", and stopping to ask Chris if we're lv 3 yet. But while it is true a lot of RL time has passed, the party has done next to nothing.

So we're all still stuck with DC 13 (average top natural DC for lv 1-3 characters) and 1st lv spells for a bit longer. Which also means Ben doesn't have the forbidden secrets of the mending cantrip yet.

Game Math Trivia: DC calculations are 8+Prof+Stat Mod. ("Attack roll" magic is just Prof+Stat, weapon style) Then throwing on item bonus.  Which given the norm of a 16-17 as your best starter stat leads to 8+2+3 = 13.
  By design, 5th ed point buy is physically impossible to get better than stretching out to a 17 at chargen. You can't buy higher than a 15. So mods stretch that to 16-17 tops.


Thankfully, Darcy is a reasonable person who can probably be really good at calming somebody down with their regular words anyways.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:48, Mon 08 Apr 2019.
Mittens
GM, 54 posts
Fri 10 May 2019
at 16:51
  • msg #26

OOC

Ben:
OOC: I've had a conversation with a friend about how the 'spare the dying' cantrip is still super useful even with the existence of healer's kits, because a cantrip lets you shove an assembly line of dying soldiers past a single cleric all day long, as many times as you want.  While a Fighter can only stabilize the dying so many times per day kit!


Imagining a scene where an army cleric complains, "Between healing potions, buff potions, and healer's kits, I've been obsolete!"

Lieutenant answers, "Nah.  Those things cost gold.  Your spells don't."

Cleric shuts his trap, thinking better of pointing out that his salary costs gold.
Darcy
player, 65 posts
Sat 11 May 2019
at 19:26
  • msg #27

OOC

quote:
Cleric shuts his trap, thinking better of pointing out that his salary costs gold.


Ha ha
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