TRPG General Chat

12:10 AM

@Akixkisu hmmmm... would it? I was more going for that the speed is calculated with no memory of what came before. So, in that form, it may look more like you are multiplying your speed again, instead of just recalculating it entirely.

Akixkisu

12:22 AM

@Rubiksmoose one is your base walking speed or just speed, the other is movement - this arrangment shows that. Speed determines how much you can move, I think Being Prone covers this best.

Hot RPG Questions

12:36 AM

8

Q: How does the Broom of Flying behave?

Similar to this, but for 5th ed. The Broom of Flying is activated by a Command Word, has 50ft flying speed, and the hover property. It can also be remotely controlled if it is not being ridden. When being ridden, does it count as a Mount? A Vehicle? Does its rider simply gain 50ft flying speed...

Medix2

@Akixkisu The problem is that grappling doesn't cost doubled movement. It halves your speed. The question is whether an increase to your speed changes your available movement, which I think the haste example spells out quite nicely

Akixkisu

@Medix2 exactly ;)

That is also what enkryptor's answer fundamentally gets wrong - there is no point where that movement is spent, it doesn't matter that you don't get it back.

Someone_Evil

I think the problem people are having is that the rules seem "bugged". Dragging a creatures slows you down (your speed is halved), but if you drag the distance you are capable of, then let go, you can move a distance such that your total distance moved is your normal, even though you were slowed during half of it.

Addressing this, and pointing to the DMs (explicit) option to override it, might make a good addition to the answer

Akixkisu

Do people also have that feeling of "bugged" movement when they use different speeds (flying, swimming, climbing)?

Someone_Evil

12:53 AM

Other speeds don't have that problem does it? Flying for a bit to move further because my flying speed is greater than my walking speed doesn't have quite the same dissonance

Rubiksmoose

@Someone_Evil I'm always very split about adding "but your DM can overrule this" to answers. I usually reserve this for cases where there seems to be a compelling reason a DM might want to do it. I'm not sure I see one here though. To me, the rules are working as they seem to have been written to work.

Akixkisu

Your grapple movement speed is 15 and if you switch to your walking movement speed it is 30 and you can still move 15. The same way that if your walking speed is 30 you can walk 30 and then still use your flying movement speed of 60, and still move another 30.

Someone_Evil

To be clear, I am assuming this is why folks have downvoted. I am none of them

Rubiksmoose

@Someone_Evil I think it is a solid guess for sure.

Akixkisu

Kind of difficult to understand the dissonance.

Rubiksmoose

12:55 AM

Not that I really care about downvotes for the rep, but simply for the fact that it signals that something can likely be improved.

Akixkisu

It signals that the "wrong" answer was selected by the querent.

Rubiksmoose

@Akixkisu true lol people don't like it when an answer they disagree with gets selected.

Someone_Evil

@Rubiksmoose My bet is that this is unintentional. Writing a rule to say your speed is halved seems perfectly reasonable until you look at how the movement rule ended up like. (This has been errataed elsewhere, no?) I'd also guess none cared about the grapple rules enough, because how often does it actually come up?

Ah, I was thinking of the Athlete feat, which used to say climbing no longer halve your speed

Akixkisu

@Someone_Evil Yes, but in the other direction ("• Climbing doesn’t halve your speed." -> “Climbing doesn’t cost you extra movement.”)

FuzzyBoots

I just need to grumble a bit. Just got out of a session of Is It a Plane?! except that the Editor decided that the rules were too restrictive, and dropped pretty much all of the mechanics of the game, leaving us basically listening to him tell his story with our characters at the periphery.

Someone_Evil

1:02 AM

@Akixkisu My (intended) point was that "bugs" like this were left in the rules upon print, and the idea that all of them have been fixed by now might be... unfounded(?)

Rubiksmoose

@Someone_Evil It's possible. I've come to view intent as a lost cause and not something that is worth caring about so much. I read the rules, if I don't like it, I change it.

FuzzyBoots

The villains totally no-sold any of our attacks until he'd delivered all of the one-liners he wanted to work in. It was just very... frustrating. And he wants the next game to be even more free-form.

Someone_Evil

@FuzzyBoots the Editor = GM?

Rubiksmoose

@Someone_Evil I would say all the bugs have definitely not been fixed by now. Only the ones they deemed worthy of time/errata/print correction.

Akixkisu

@Someone_Evil ah, I agree with that.

FuzzyBoots

1:04 AM

@Someone_Evil Yeah. It's a drawing RPG game. Actions are settled by drawing comic book panels and then combining your relevant ability score with the power of the panel (larger panels are more powerful, but also take you to the end of the issue faster). There's some interpretation going on, but usually a sense of actually wearing down the opponent.

And it probably wouldn't bother me so much, except that at the beginning of the night, he complained that we were taking too long to finish each scene...

Someone_Evil

@FuzzyBoots Well, he had lots of one liners to get to :p

FuzzyBoots

Yeah. I guess I just need to decide whether to say something, and if so, how to phrase it.

Ben

Morning all

Someone_Evil

@FuzzyBoots I think we have a lot of advice on that on the [problem-gm] tag. This might be a good starting point.

Ben

1:20 AM

I second @Someone_Evil. Without more information I would say "talk to them" would be the primary solution, just so every one is on the same page (pun not intended, but I'm a fan of puns).

Side note: I spoke to my GF about the "Wizard Duels" system I'm making (which I'm thinking I might need a different name for - this could be applied to all spell-casters), and she plays MtG. She was keen, because it sounded very similar, then when I mentioned the use of dice to determine efficacy etc, that's when she got very excited.

MtG is all about strategy and planning - knowing your deck and knowing yours and your opponents strategies. With dice, this throws in an element of chaos, which you can't really accommodate for.

@nitsua60 I just saw your Sims q over on Arqade. While adorable, I am a little concerned about the situation. The ToS says that users must be over a certain age (12? 14?).

Akixkisu

Whenever two powerful spellcasters have a conflict of interest they decide who gets their way by competing in a game of MtG.

Ben

To be fair, it is your account, so, no issues there, and you have stated in the posts that you are providing assistance, etc. So I personally am ok with this; I just don;t know how other people might feel.

@Akixkisu "Magic users don't fight. They compare spells and deduce the victor"

Akixkisu

@Ben I hope they draft.

Ben

Draft?

Someone_Evil

@Ben It's a way of playing the game. You take packs of cards, each player takes one card and passes the rest along. The cards you choose are used to make your deck for actually playing the game (doing the actual "duel").

Have you played sushi go, or seven wonders?

Ben

1:37 AM

I have not. Haven't even played MtG. I played Yugioh as a kid and that's a s far as I've got lol

Feb 27 at 2:38, by Ben

What I got so far. First Draft.

Was thinking of adding a "lightning round". When one player runs out of spell slots, the game changes to a different style: Both players play one cantrip at the same time, in order to speed up the final part of the game.

Ben

1:58 AM

@Miniman I just finished Ashes of Ariandel. Friede was crazy! I was ok in the first phase (was 50/50 on parrying), phase 2 was ok; had Gael helping, so aggro was redirected a bit; but phase 3... Whew!!

Took me at least 10 tries and had to get help by the end. She was just too fast and too aggressive.

Miniman

2:28 AM

@Ben Yeah, it's a pretty great fight. FYI, you can transpose her weapon and it is 100% awesome.

Ben

I have seen it. I'd definitely have to use it on a dex build though. My tank build just doesn't fit it. Lol

Miniman

Yeah, although if you have the minimum stats to try it out anyway, it's worth trying it out just for fun.

Nvm, there's no way you have those stats by accident.

Ben

Haha

I was worried about the Gravetender, but I managed to do that first try lol. I think that was mainly luck - it went way too smoothly

Miniman

Congratulations on the first try!

Ben

So now I'm in The Ringed City

@Miniman :D

Miniman

2:39 AM

@Ben Thrown on the dreg heap where you belong :P

nitsua60

2:56 AM

@Ben Yeah, it's sort of an edge case. I certainly wouldn't argue too hard if a mod had squashed it saying it was a violation. I mostly posted it to try and plant the seed of an idea in my 9-yo's head that there are nice people on the internet who will help you =)

Ben

@nitsua60 Lovely ^_^

@Miniman I also think I got everything from Ashes - got all the Millwood and follower gear, got 3(?) titanite slabs. The crow weapons... I think that was everytihng?

Miniman

@Ben There are definitely more things you haven't listed, but a lot of them are unavoidable anyway. I definitely don't think you've missed anything you should care about.

Although if you're hurting for slabs there's one you probably missed.

KorvinStarmast

3:31 AM

@nitsua60 If you had a high elf rogue/thief who never took a level in wizard, and who also took firebolt as his cantrip, he'd be able to cast with Int but not use proficiency.

Ben

@Miniman The one up the massive ladder that only appears after killing the tree?

Miniman

@Ben Ha! Yep, that's the one I was thinking of. Well done finding it!

Ben

I did almost miss it - I only saw it out of the corner of my eye as I ran back toward the bonfire. I didn't realize you needed to kill the tree too; I had to figure that out because while I did grab the Slab, I didn't explore the ledge properly after dropping back to the starting area.

Which was ultimately pointless, there's only the slab up there lol.

Miniman

3:53 AM

Did you find the callback to DS1?

Ben

The tower at the bottom of the pit (unreachable)?

Priscilla's?

Miniman

4:11 AM

Yeah, nice. That one took me a guide to find.

Ben

I was wondering if you could get down there, cos I like to explore haha. It seems it's just scenery (for now). I do know that the 2 DLCs are linked.

Particularly in that there is a bonfire that automatically warps you from the end of Ariandel, to the Dreg Heap.

Miniman

@Ben Ah, sorry, I missed that - not unreachable. Just very difficult to get to. (Both well hidden and difficult in terms of execution.)

If you manage to make it down there, ember up - you don't want to make that journey twice.

Ben

Oooohhh... So that is in Ashes?

Miniman

4:27 AM

Yep.

You don't get much for getting there, other than satisfaction.

Ben

That's good enough for me :P I'll have to check it out. Is it perchance down past the "depths of the painting" bonfire? it seemed a bit finite down there

Miniman

Nah, not there. Unless you were planning to kill all 3 big crabs, in which case don't let me stop you.

Ben

@Miniman I killed 2. Got the crystal gem. Does the third give anything?

Miniman

@Ben No, I just don't want to discourage you from an extremely annoying, laborious, and ultimately pointless fight.

Ben

Ok. Good :P

Ben

4:57 AM

Firekeepers roles in the Dark Souls Series

Axoren

5:28 AM

Apparently, some errata made it so you can't put glyphs of warding on moving objects. Does anyone know off-hand any good spells for trapping a spellbook now?

This seems a bit shoppy, so probably not a good question for the main site, system: 5e

Ben

@Axoren Why not?

"This errata [link/desc] states that I can't use [spell] to put a glyph of warding on moving/movable objects. Is this still possible to do with another spell/method?"

V2Blast

6:25 AM

@Axoren That change was made in the 2017 PHB errata, for reference: media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/PH-Errata.pdf

It seems like it could be a well-constrained list if you clearly defined what you mean by "trapping a spellbook".

and on a totally unrelated note...

Amazon has a listing up for the not-yet-announced Mythic Odysseys of Theros book for D&D 5e, with a listed release date of June 2, 2020:

> Clash with the gods of Theros in this campaign sourcebook for the world's great roleplaying game.

Play DUNGEONS & DRAGONS in the MAGIC: THE GATHERING world of Theros—a realm shaped by the wrath of gods and the deeds of heroes, where champions vie for immortal favor and a place among legends.
• Rise above the common throng with SUPERNATURAL GIFTS, abilities that give you remarkable powers that set you on the path to legend.
• Explore Theros as a SATYR or LEONIN—mythic cat-like heroes from Magic: The Gathering. Mythic Odysseys of Theros introduces these races to fifth edition D&D for the f…

The Eloquence bard and Heroism paladin from recent UAs are in there

SmokeDetector

9:02 AM

[ SmokeDetector | MS ] Bad keyword with a link in answer, link at end of answer, non-latin link in answer (223): How does Truesight affect a shapechanger who grows/shrinks like a polymorphed dragon? by ralyraa on rpg.SE

Hot RPG Questions

11:34 AM

5

Q: How does Truesight affect a shapechanger who grows/shrinks like a polymorphed dragon?

In searching for this answer, I did come across this post that is similar, though my question is more cosmetic than functional... The sense of Truesight states: A monster with truesight can [...] perceive the original form of a shapechanger or a creature that is transformed by magic. Man...

dnd-5e polymorph dragons

kviiri

12:15 PM

So my SO is pressuring me into running DnD 4e for her and I'm resuming my campaign prep in hopes of eventually being able to run it for her. I'd like feedback on a previously planned setting I intend to use

The rough concept is that the world is torn between a three-way varyingly-cold war between three major wizard lords who use direct force, subterfuge and cunning diplomacy in an attempt to secure their access to sites with abundant magical reagents that they need to fuel their massive-scale war magic on each other.

These three, as much as they oppose each other, are co-equally villains for their warlike ways that hurt and torment civilizations who have no part in the hostilities, as well as depriving them of the chance to use the same reagents in a more constructive manner.

BESW

Sounds Dark Sun esque.

kviiri

Now, 4e already has a very good material to serve as a super-concentrate magic stuff: residuum. Indeed my original draft for the campaign has rmajor esiduum deposits be the main resource being fought over, with the PCs being a "resistance" of sorts to try to subvert these deposits away from the baddies.

However, upon revisiting my notes, I came to think that residuum might not be a good fit for a few reasons: it's already got a mechanical role, and it's cash-wise super valuable. I don't want to skew the power levels of the campaign the moment one of the players has a plausible opportunity to swipe a vial of that stuff somewhere, but likewise I don't want to give my players the impression that "if you get residuum you can shoot nukes too!"

BESW

One of my 3.5 campaigns had bubureau, an ore I made up (named for a superconducting mineral in Joe vs the Volcano) that let you spend very small amounts of XP to apply metamagic feats to spells for free--even feats you didn't have.

The setting featured nations of catfolk who used to be a rakshasa empire but they got addicted to bubureau and level drained themselves out of sorcery entirely.

kviiri

Furthermore, my planned conclusion to the war would be something like a super-ritual that renders all the majicks stuff inert, rendering the wizard tyrants powerless, and that'd mesh badly with it being about residuum

BESW

In my 4e campaign, the tiefling empire ran on blood magic fueled by the battles they fought with the dragonborn federation.

kviiri

12:28 PM

So I've been thinking of replacing residuum with some sort of magitech gear powered by what I call "orange crystals", with the bad guys varyingly seeking the machines themselves or crystals for fuel. This'd improve the flexibility from my side since I can still give the players tastes of the wizard tyrants' power, but it'd be limited to the type of machine they have at hand. Does this sound good?

BESW

...hmm. I had a campaign where a faction was buying and stealing and otherwise acquiring all the magic items they could find, and breaking them down into pure magic to be released into the world (they were a cult that thought if there were no magic items trapping magical energy, everyone would become sorcerers).

How about, the bad guys can turn generic magic stuff into orange crystals that are only compatible with the bad guy tech?

That way you get to be fighting over lots of different magical items without disrupting the balance of play too much because it only gets OP on the bad guys' terms.

kviiri

Hm, yeah, I've also been thinking about the "only bad guys can use This Magic" .I don't usually shy away from that trope, it's just that the badness of these bad guys is very much mundane in nature (they're normal power-hungry tyrants, not eg. servants of Asmodeus or something) that the thought didn't cross my mind.

@BESW I like this idea, yes

BESW

A lot of kinds of mundane power can only be wielded via moral compromise. Extreme wealth, disinformation, fomenting hatred to manipulate a population...

kviiri

I also have a plot-line I want to use, where there is a decrepit kingdom in one of the wizard tyrants' realm that only gets to survive because they provide valuable slave labor in mining a rock that contains a precursor material to the orange crystals

The rough idea is that there is a deposit of rock that when crushed sufficiently, bleeds a bit of murky liquid that is shipped to a wizard's capital where it is transformed into the crystals, and the PCs can try to reverse-engineer the processes used to extract it.

I probably was watching Breaking Bad when I first thought of that, because of the "kidnap the other guy's chemist!" element x)

Anyway I like the idea of not all the crystals coming from similar boring mines

I revisited the DnD 4e Manual of the Planes and also fleshed out the characterization of the Wizard Tyrants. Previously I had mainly decided that one of the Tyrants shall actually try to run an empire of sorts and have a passing interest in actually governing instead of just fighting, and another of the Tyrants is actually a coven of several wizards who have used dark magic to perform a sort of mind-bond connecting each other into a single distributed personality.

goodguy5

@KorvinStarmast I do love okra

kviiri

12:43 PM

The latter group-mind would represent something like laissez-faire excesses, "do what you will as long as you pay your godfathers their share". For the third one, I had envisioned them to be some sort of anti-urban force who sees too large settlements as places where potential competition might arise, and therefore forces their subjects to live in small settlements surrounded by wilderness. After reading MoP, I've decided to make them some sort of Fey invader who has deeper motives...

KorvinStarmast

@V2Blast why do we need a leonin? We have tabaxi already. wrinkles forehead

goodguy5

@KorvinStarmast agree!

KorvinStarmast

@kviiri I am enjoying you sharing your thought process on this. I'll be taking notes for my own campaigns, albeit in different editions ...

kviiri

@KorvinStarmast Aye, I think the basic concepts are fairly edition-agnostic :>

KorvinStarmast

1:01 PM

@kviiri One of the problems we found (in an edition long ago) when we had PCs and NPCs (often retired PCs) running duchies and baronies was how quickly the balance of power could skew if a Duke got on a winning streak of two (in terms of "great battles" won. It might be that we are not the world's most brilliant strategists, but it began to approximate a game of Risk ...

.. in a case like that, only having three "power nodes" could create with some rapidity a case of One major node and one minor node as node three gets swallowed whole. What our referee often did in that campaign was either throw in anomalous weather/cataclysmic events, plagues, or other stuff as a "the world influences" balance of power thing. (Using the Black Plague as a historical example)

kviiri

@KorvinStarmast Yeah, ideally the players need to provide ample push for things to change, which means the status quo has to be a fairly stable situation.

KorvinStarmast

What you appear to be looking for is like Oceania, East Asia, Eurasia situation? (See George Orwell, 1984). In that case, a variety of narrative means can be used to rebalance any great success in one of the nodes ...

Their periodic clashes should send vibrations through the world which eventally touch the PCs. (I've seen it done really well once, and I am trying to replicate it in a 5e group I am playing with ... we'll see how they respond as they get higher in level ....)

kviiri

@KorvinStarmast Yeah, Cold War in general is a big inspiration, but I want to frame it as something akin to being chiefly a story of the players helping others overcome oppression, where the ongoing war is just a catalyst of the poor rulership people have to deal with. (so yeah, 1984 vibes definitely)

The common folk's perspective varies between "I just wish someone'd win already so we could be at peace" and "...I mean if we're lucky they all kill each other at the same time", with the occasional exception actually rooting for one of the three for reasons of ideology or pragmatism.

KorvinStarmast

1:28 PM

Aah, I like that approach a lot. "While the mighty and powerful wage their eternal conflict, we are trying to get by/survive/do X here". Fertile material ...

goodguy5

I really need to finish prepping for my game this weekend. I've been putting it off.....

KorvinStarmast

@goodguy5 Yeah, get to work you! 8^D

goodguy5

between baby, and real work, and general procrastination....

KorvinStarmast

@goodguy5 wait, you let RL influence you? How can this be????

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