TRPG General Chat

12:08 AM

A Duel with Shadows a 2-player art game by Simon Moody of Color Spray Games. A game about finally acknowledging one's own anxiety and depression, fighting against it, and perhaps one day accepting it and learning to live with it.

BESW

12:23 AM

War in the Heavens by Highland Parnormal Society. You are a RAT MUTANT! AN ABOMINATION!!!!! But you have stolen a boat and tamed a CARP GODLING in order to MAKE WAR ON THE GODS! (twitter link to photos of the zine; will be scanned and posted as a printable file later)

KorvinStarmast

1:31 AM

@NautArch yes, that little tweet is making the rounds with my family. They now begin to understand why we are dog people. 😁

Medix2

3:12 AM

Anybody got an idea why the roll20 5e-dnd subclass list includes Valor Bard?

BESW

As opposed to... listing it as something other than a subclass? Not listing it at all?

Medix2

Is is the only other Bard subclass it lists besides Lore. It lists one subclass from every other class

As in; the other listed subclasses are exclusively the freely available ones; and then it lists Valor Bard for some odd reason, though the link goes effectively nowhere. Perhaps it's just a section of the site nobody updates

Someone_Evil

@Medix2 Based on the page being blank (at least void of content), I'm assuming it is some sort of error

Hot RPG Questions

6:28 AM

8

Q: Can Tortles receive the non-AC benefits from magic armor?

The Tortle's Natural Armor trait says: Due to your shell and the shape of your body, you are ill-suited to wearing armor. Your shell provides ample protection, however; it gives you a base AC of 17 (your Dexterity modifier doesn't affect this number). You gain no benefit from wearing armor, but ...

AncientSwordRage

10:04 AM

@KorvinStarmast I would video my wife talking to one of our cats if she'd let me

@BESW This looks very exciting and a breath of fresh air from other Magical School media

@BESW I need to look into this!

@BESW Is Fate Condensed the same as Fate Core but condensed, or are they different rules?

BESW

It's a streamlined and updated version of Core.

Mostly, it's a new trimmed-down way to talk about Fate Core, but there are some significant changes based on their eight years of experience and feedback with Core.

The most obvious change is probably that every stress box now absorbs a single point of stress, but there's some other ease-of-use changes like removing "active opposition" in favor of just tweaking the Defend action to cover those cases.

vicky_molokh- unsilence Monica

Main differences are:
- Almost no Stunt examples (I would argue that many examples were not great, and took a lot of space).
- Monostress.
- Lots of things written clearer (Create an Advantage has bullet points, for example).
- Teamwork is capped.
- No more Phase Trio; suggested Aspect slots slightly different.
- Lore and Academics split in the default skill list.
- Popcorn initiative is the new default.
- Milestones/level-ups are slightly different in terminology, but mostly same in effect.
- Some replacements for the skill list are offered.

Hot RPG Questions

10:37 AM

7

Q: Can you use Wild Shape to meld a Bag of Holding into your Wild Shape form while creatures are inside the Bag of Holding?

My players are planning a heist. Two of the players each have a Necklace of Adaptation and do not need to breathe. They want to go inside a bag of holding (which is allowed from what I know), then give the bag to the Druid who wild shapes into a rat and chooses to "merge their equipment into thei...

dnd-5e magic-items druid wild-shape

AncientSwordRage

11:02 AM

@vicky_molokh-unsilenceMonica the only thing that didn't click was popcorn initiative, but this is a good explainer fate-srd.com/odds-ends/elective-action-order

@BESW so it's not 'lite' except by the fact it's been streamlined

vicky_molokh- unsilence Monica

@AncientSwordRage It took a while for me to figure out some of the less-obvious things about it (at least I think by now they are figured out), but it still doesn't feel convenient in actual play to me.

AncientSwordRage

@vicky_molokh-unsilenceMonica the example at the end of the page made things click for me

@HotRPGQuestions this is a great example of how thematic powers in d&d can result in what to me feels like very (even hilariously) unthematic outcomes

BESW

@AncientSwordRage Yeah. It's "we have eight more years of practicing how to explain this, so we can do it better in fewer words."

AncientSwordRage

@BESW that's good, I would like not to have to transition from one to the other

BESW

@AncientSwordRage I once made a 3.5 character who stacked feats, racial abilities, and class features, to be able to shape-change at-will as a free action, and choose which worn/carried items merged, changed shape to fit the new body, or remained unchanged.

AncientSwordRage

11:08 AM

@BESW that's not unthematic

But if you shortcut the items you're essentially absorbing your team mates into your body

BESW

So they stacked up dozens and dozens of outfits and items inside their "merged" body, and could manifest and retract them at will as a free action. Instant outfit changes, instant draw/sheath, able to store items in a way that was literally impossible to be lost or stolen...

vicky_molokh- unsilence Monica

@AncientSwordRage This is how realistic people do engineering. By going 'Hmmmm, with these laws of nature [or magic], what can we do?'.

AncientSwordRage

@BESW Ahhh I see

BESW

@AncientSwordRage We never tried that, but we could've. I did, however, once cover another PC with my body so that he could use my Disguise check to get into a place that needed his skills.

AncientSwordRage

@vicky_molokh-unsilenceMonica I agree, but druids wildshape is, at least to me, not thematically that power

BESW

11:12 AM

We also once saved everyone else from a ridiculously overpowered explosion, by having them all get into a bag of holding, except the character who was immune to the explosion, and just had that person hold the bag.

(monks: every now and then their survival skills are useful.)

vicky_molokh- unsilence Monica

@AncientSwordRage I think this is an example of the tension between the artistic desire for drawing this beautiful holistic but cardboard image of a Proper Druid (or whatever), vs. people being thinking creatures and, plausibly, thinking of innovative ways to use something, becoming unchained from the æsthetic boxes of the initial vision.

AncientSwordRage

@vicky_molokh-unsilenceMonica yup! I completely agree. I have no hard issues with either, but I recognise one is a departure from the other

AncientSwordRage

11:34 AM

I've been watching some 40k Lore videos and I've got a strong urge to play dark heresy/rogue trader

Hot RPG Questions

11:51 AM

7

Q: What does dice notation like "1d-4" or "1d-2" mean?

I'm trying to adapt GURPS 4th edition's system creation system into a Python script and I'm trying to understand the dice notation. In particular: Roll 1d-4 (minimum 0) to determine the number of major moons orbiting a terrestrial planet. If the planet has no major moons, it will have 1d-2 (mini...

dice gurps-4e

vicky_molokh- unsilence Monica

12:06 PM

@HotRPGQuestions I'm puzzled how that became hot. It's the sort of question that is explained early on within the system, and unlikely to matter to those outside it.

AncientSwordRage

@vicky_molokh-unsilenceMonica skimming

I can't believe how patronising this is:

@teylyn, I'm not sure how they are going to get those dates back into the system. Maybe you know some fancy Excel script they could somehow apply to their database? — ouflak 4 hours ago

The context is someone saying they had their tag badge date reset due to recent errors, it's significant as they achieved that before the two men who also have that tag, something they took pride in

Someone_Evil

2:35 PM

There's a suggestion to migrate this question. I'm unsure how well it would go over, but I'd love to hear if anyone thinks it would (or wouldn't for that matter)

BESW

"What kind of energy is your attack? Fire? Acid?"
"Worm."

Someone_Evil

Big worm energy

BESW

Feb 18 '19 at 3:17, by BESW

We Are But Worms: A One Word RPG

TheDragonOfFlame

3:29 PM

Good morning

@BESW what is the word or do I have to actually download it

Upper_Case

4:15 PM

I really hope the word isn't "pinworm"

Yuuki

4:34 PM

Since corpses are objects, you can cast continual flame on them. If you brought that corpse back to life or turned it into a creature (revivify, animate dead, etc.), would continual flame stay in effect?

As the target is no longer an object, but it was an object when the spell was cast.

Upper_Case

@Yuuki I'm pretty sure the rule is that when the conditions of a spell stop being valid, the spell effects stop as well

RevenantBacon

The spells effect is supressed while the target remains invalid, and resumes if the target becomes valid again before the spell wears off

Which can create an interesting use for the spell

Cast it on someone just before you hit them with a Raise or similar

It's suppressed while they're alive

Upper_Case

Or on an object you then cast Animate Objects on, if you're more squeamish

RevenantBacon

but as soon as they die (again), it resumes functioning

letting you know instantly when they die.

Yuuki

sure, but i need you to understand what i'm getting at here

RevenantBacon

4:42 PM

XD

AncientSwordRage

@Yuuki did you get this from reddit?

because that where I saw it :p

Yuuki

@AncientSwordRage i suppose i need to earn my reputation as a redditbot here as well

Bless stacks with the Cleric's Emboldening Bond feature from Peace Domain, right?

Upper_Case

@Yuuki Just cast Continual Flame on a toupee, and there you go

AncientSwordRage

@Yuuki That's something I know RPG Bot net has been hooting about

Yuuki

Thinking about a Fighter build where I dip one level for Cleric and go 20 CON, Resilient (CON), and War Caster so I can keep both effects up while in melee combat. Or rather just keep bless up since Emboldening Bond isn't a spell nor does it require concentration.

AncientSwordRage

4:46 PM

sounds good

Yuuki

I had originally thought of a pure Cleric build but then I didn't know what else to do with my spell slots.

Since focusing on CON while also needing STR/DEX for melee combat would leave my spell save DC kinda lacking.

RevenantBacon

16

A: Is a spell suppressed or removed when the target temporarily becomes invalid?

The Spell Is (Probably) Suppressed According to Jeremy Crawford (bold added): There's no rule governing what happens when a valid spell target temporarily becomes an invalid target. A good rule of thumb is that the spell is suppressed while the target is invalid. Although this is a "rule o...

KorvinStarmast

@Someone_Evil suggest world building se

Yuuki

Most frontline beefy builds that I know of rely on getting attention from enemies via either dealing lots of damage or movement restriction via tripping, grappling, or opportunity attacks via Sentinel. So I was thinking about one where I get enemies to focus on me because I give everyone in the party an additional 2d4 to a single roll per round.

KorvinStarmast

@Yuuki I think 'yes' is the correct answer to that

checking tasha's ... brb

Someone_Evil

4:53 PM

@KorvinStarmast Yeah, that's been aired already

Albeit in the comments on the actual question...

KorvinStarmast

@Someone_Evil anyway, don't migrate it here is my suggestion.

@Yuuki And, it is not a concentration effect so it can't be disrupted. (Gee, is this yet another OP feature from Tasha's? Yeah).

But I'd sure be tempted to exploit the dickens out of it ...

@Yuuki Hmm, let's see: vhuman with 13 14 13 9 15 8 and Resilient CON. Peace Domain . 14 14 14 9 16 8 with Con Save proficiency. Medium Armor and a shield. "Hi, I'd like to support your party, but if you are a buncha murder hoboes I'll probably go and find another party ... I am peace domain, OK?"

PvParkour

is a level one character supposed to have 21 max health? im playing in a tutorial campagin and one of the players (i think is an artificer?) has that much. i didnt get the chance to ask why tho. i just thought it was weird becuase im lvl 1 warlock with 10 max health

Yuuki

What's the character?

KorvinStarmast

@PvParkour If this is D&D 5e, the numbers don't support that.

PvParkour

i dont remember and we meet on tuesdays so i cant ask

yea its dnd 5e but what do you mena

KorvinStarmast

5:02 PM

Artificer is d8, a con of 16 gives 11 to start. if they went vHuman and took Tough Feat I think that makes it 13 ... does Temp HP figure into this at all?

PvParkour

i have no idea, ive never played artificer before and also before this campaign ive never really played im a noob

Yuuki

Yeah, I think the highest HP is probably a barbarian of some sorts. They get 12 + CON at first level and taking Tough still doesn't hit 21 either I don't think.

PvParkour

hmm

KorvinStarmast

Ask them how they calculated it. See what their answer is. Are they also a noob? 😀

Upper_Case

Are you playing with any online services, like Fantasy Grounds or similar? I've had weird issues with some of those miscalculating HP

Yuuki

5:04 PM

It's entirely possible that they might be adding their entire CON score instead of the modifier.

I've known plenty of people who mix up score and modifier at the outset.

PvParkour

ah ok yea we're all semi-noobs so that might be the case

KorvinStarmast

@Yuuki well said!

TheDragonOfFlame

6:49 PM

@Upper_Case the word is writhe, my curiosity got the better of me

Hot RPG Questions

5

Q: What skill applies to a player handling a domesticated monstrosity?

This question is prompted by this answer, which argues that Animal Handling is a wrong skill for managing an INT 3 monstrosity, a Grick tamed by some goblins. A more common example case of this might involve handling a Griffon mount. If a player wants to handle (approach, pacify, tame) such a mon...

dnd-5e monsters skills

kviiri

7:10 PM

@Yuuki Insert here my usual grumpiness about them even having the vestigial raw scores anymore

Upper_Case

@TheDragonOfFlame Infinitely better than "pinworm"! This is a good day

Yuuki

7:41 PM

I know true polymorph allows you to change a creature into an object permanently (if you hold concentration for 1 hour), but is there a lower-level spell that accomplishes the same effect temporarily?

Akixkisu

One of the most frustrating things about non-mod janitor work is when you hit that 100 flag limit and mindlessly click on the flag thinking it is the 3- or 5-second report delay, but it is just the flag cap reminder.

KorvinStarmast

8:08 PM

@Yuuki Polymorph changes stuff in to a beast for up to an hour. 4th level. There's a 'turn to stone' spell but it requires multiple failed saves. so a statue is an object, I suppose.

6th level, flesh to stone

Thomas Markov

Woo, one more day till the legendary badge

KorvinStarmast

@Yuuki it's a bit like death saves, though. A creature restrained by this spell must make another Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns. If it successfully saves against this spell three times, the spell ends. If it fails its saves three times, it is turned to stone and subjected to the petrified condition for the duration. The successes and failures don’t need to be consecutive; keep track of both until the target collects three of a kind

If you maintain your concentration on this spell for the entire possible duration, the creature is turned to stone until the effect is removed

Yuuki

I was just talking with someone about the whole continual flame Ghost Rider thing and they posited that instead of suppressing the effect, an object turning into a creature would dispel continual flame entirely on the grounds that suppressing a spell's effect might result in some wonky situations.

I figured that would still be the case if you could effectively dispel magic by turning a target from a creature to an object temporarily and vice-versa.

Akixkisu

@ThomasMarkov Feels like you have been working nonstop on that.

Yuuki

And substitute the dispel magic check for something that might be easier, like a Constitution saving throw or something, depending on the creature.

AncientSwordRage

8:21 PM

@Yuuki if 5e had proper targeting, then when the target became invalid the spell would fizzle

Yuuki

@AncientSwordRage It sounds very much like a proper fairy tale if a curse was placed on an object by a powerful spellcaster and the plucky protagonist got around the curse by temporarily turning the object into a creature instead of a brute-force dispel magic.

AncientSwordRage

@Yuuki I don't know any fairy tales with a cursed item though...

RevenantBacon

9:07 PM

I'm excited, I'm getting tomorrow and Friday off.

The last time I took a day off was the day after St. Patricks day

Upper_Case

@RevenantBacon Any special plans for your free days?

RevenantBacon

The same thing we do every vacation Pinky

:p

Really though, I'm just going to be sitting on my couch playing video games literally all day

Someone_Evil

9:32 PM

@Akixkisu You could probably get away with only one flag if the entirety of a long comment thread needs moving/purging. It'd mostly be one action for us anyway and especially not worth flagging each of 15 comments if that makes you hit 100 flags/day

Akixkisu

@Someone_Evil it is only a problem when I have an unproductive day and thus spend too much time here ;)

Upper_Case

10:21 PM

@RevenantBacon That sounds awesome. What are the most recent games of choice for you?

BESW

10:43 PM

@AncientSwordRage Fairy tales are where D&D got the idea for cursed items. The dancing shoes, the ribbon, comb, and apple, the spinning wheel...

Ursula Vernon's Harriet the Invincible has fun with fairy tale curses: Harriet gets the "will die by pricking her finger on a spinning wheel" curse, and since curses are impossible to avoid.... that means the curse won't let her die in any other way. So Harriet goes cliff-jumping and monster-fighting and generally having a grand time.

TheDragonOfFlame

@AncientSwordRage besides like.. all of them

@BESW ha

@BESW the spinning wheel wasn’t cursed, the girl was cursed

BESW

To be fair a lot of fairy tales don't have significantly magical items at all, and there's a ton of GOOD items (particularly of the "you have helped me, here is a feather to summon me when you need help" variety).

@TheDragonOfFlame Depends on the version, as with all of these things.

It's actually relatively uncommon, so far as I'm aware, for traditional fairy tales to just have cursed stuff lying around: it's almost always targeted.

AncientSwordRage

11:00 PM

@BESW I had a brain fart it seems, although I only recognise 1-2

The apple and the spinning wheel

@BESW hah

BESW

Tyrfing, the Necklace of Harmonia... more recently you've got stuff like the Hope Diamond and Busby's stoop chair...

@AncientSwordRage There's several versions of stories about dancing shoes that force the wearer to dance until they die of exhaustion. The ribbon and comb are from variants of Snow White where the queen tries to kill her with those objects before succeeding with the apple.

Upper_Case

I always liked the ball-with-thread-inside. The boy pulls the thread out and time advances, so he skips the wait for things he wants. He keeps doing that for a while, I forget how it ends. Everything turned out cool, forever?

BESW

11:20 PM

@Upper_Case Hmmm now I want to get my hands on the source citations for The Book of Virtues: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories.

Because that's where my initial searches are sourcing Peter and the Magic Thread, and it's not only fascinating to see people treating the ethical anthology of Reagan's Secretary of Education as a primary text, I'd love to see where HE was drawing from.

This is wild. People keep claiming it as "old French fable" (almost word-for-word that phrase) but then the version they reference is from Bennett's 1993 Book of Virtues.

I'm genuinely starting to think Bennett made up the "old French fable" attribution to give a newer story more gravitas. Is this another "you have two wolves inside you"?

Ben

11:45 PM

Morning all

user15026

@BESW I suspect so

user15026

@BESW I should re-read these. They're so good.

BESW

@Ash SO GOOD.

user15026

I mean where else do you get a battle quail

Ben

So I came up with an idea for the world lore in our new 5e game. I'm playing a Warforged, and the world we're in is an "outer realm". The land is the manifestion of dreams and nightmares. It's all very cool.

My thought was that the Warforged in this world are not created the same way that others are - their shells are simply inhabited by the "spiritual manifestations" that don't quite make it to the "physical" stage.

All very grim dark and mysterious

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