Recent content by Scott Christian

Let me start with what I said before. Each skill check is unique, and therefore, might not follow the same logic. But... I would argue the bolded above is not true. Combat is dynamic. After missing your attack, there are other PCs attacking, there are possible NPCs attacking, there are also...

Yes, I have written that into adventures for key knowledge checks. For example, a simple history success gives them x knowledge, but a hard history success gives them x + y knowledge, and an epic success grants them x + y + z knowledge. If you have the time to do it for adventures, I find it...

The 2014 DM's guide (the intro and first chapter), Matt Mercer and Satine Phoenix's videos on GM tips, and actual in-person playtime as a player with a good DM. That is what I would start with. Note: If they are still too young to read and understand the DM's Guide, read it with or to them.

Interesting. I am a much more of a success/failure type of DM. No gradients for me. It overcomplicates the game in my opinion. Also, I don't really like a whimsy DM as a player. What's the DC? 15? Cool. I rolled 14+2=16. Success. But I have seen it done in gradients, and it is really good for...

If you are going fantasy, I think it is best to start small. Toronto would be a good start, then choose the state and national parks that are in the vicinity for adventuring sites/exploration. Then, build out the next closest big city. Use the main road structure. And keep plugging in wild lands...

It is task dependent. Failing while climbing a cliff, especially if it's a cumulative skill challenge, can be dangerous. Failing to persuade someone might make it impossible for them to trust you again in that moment. Heck, even when failing to pick a lock the first time, I have seen DMs say...

I share a similar feeling. Remembering last session is easy. Remembering three sessions ago, the one where you got the plot hook and the quest, that gets very difficult. Remembering ten sessions back, outside of an event or awkward mental reconstruction of tone, is insanely difficult. And ah...

This is great stuff. Very enlightening, and it sets a nice picture for how to interact with the model, especially on a longer-term basis. Thanks for teaching me something today - it is appreciated.

This, one thousand percent. Every session I have completed (seven now, each about two hours), has shown this to be a difficulty. It often comes in some general form of: "What do Elle and Elias find as they open the door?" I am not sure if it is the way I am responding (in the same narrative...

Haha. Believe it or not, when I was younger - a lot. Now days, not as much, but still every six months. Although, if you ask my wife, she says I look nothing like him. ;)

That is a great example. Thank you so much!

@Jacob Lewis While you are on this thread, any chance you have a good format to use for the frontload documents. This is the format I have been using for the frontload document of the characters. # Characters for Campaign ## First Adventurer ### Overview: Name: Emme Barnes. An Allorian who...

Thanks for that information. It's excellent to learn from someone who has more experience than I do. I feel like the token problem is actually a good reason to keep the sessions size limited and the number of sessions limited. At least, that was what I was thinking while reading you answer...

For those curious to the actual text in play. Here is an example: PS - This came after it offered suggestions of heading to the previously discussed location. But instead, my character decided to take a detour. (From this description, I hope you can see it is a bit different from a video game...

Great answer. I agree with every single one of your points. It took me quite a while to learn that as well. Fortunately, I learned some of that while just going over the rulebook with it. The token thing is very very real. Which is why summaries need to be detailed, yet clear and concise.