Speaking of character creation, I got really sick of having players randomly roll up stats. I found that most of my players fell into 2 camps with this process:
1) Yeah, I can’t believe I rolled three 18s at level one either! Just lucky, I guess.
or
2) I keep dying because I don’t have any ability scores over 11 and I’ve only got 20 hitpoints at level 6.
Either extreme is frustrating for me to deal with as a DM. So now I just give everyone the same array of stats at level one: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18.
Experienced players will probably recognize those as being pretty heroic stats. I like that array though, because it reins in the munchkin power gamers a bit, and ensures that everyone starts out with one dump stat and one stat at the highest.
Also it means I can plan for nice and challenging encounters, just the way I like them. I also usually just automatically have all players gain 75% max hitpoints for their class when they level up. I like big bad monsters, but killing a PC in one shot tends to dampen my fun.
What are your preferences for character stat generation?
A Session 0 is basically a meeting you have with your players before your campaign starts where you explain/discuss what your expectations for the game are going to be. It’s a great way to get your campaign started off on the right foot.
So, for the campaign I’m about to run, I explained the concept of the campaign (fairy tale inspired story/setting) and outlined rules for creating their characters (CR 4, must not be humanoids, max HP, etc.).
After discussing and approving various character concepts, I then asked my players to consider the following questions.
1) How did your character acquire an invitation to the king’s feast?
2) Why have they chosen to attend?
Thanks to this meeting, I’ve now ensured that everyone has a character concept they’re happy with that fits well for the adventure. And asking them to think of those backstory hooks ensures that they’ve created characters who will want to go on this adventure, which is also important.
It’s also a good time to explain any game mechanics/house rules/etiquette expectations with players who are unfamiliar with your style of gaming.
One of Aaron’s personal pet peeves is players that don’t do their part to learn the rules. He avoids being too ranty, though, and explores why it’s beneficial for players to take some initiative.
do teachers understand that you take other classes
another short poem:
yes but see they are all required by the district or state to assign a certain amount of gradable material per semester so they can get paid and earn raises and bonuses and keep their jobs and funding
a revised short poem:
does the district or state understand that you take other classes
Gaga opening with “this land is your land, this land is my land” and then singing “born this way” was a huge fuck you to trump and pence and no one will ever convince me otherwise.
NEVER FORGET that “this land is your land, this land is my land” was by WOODY GUTHRIE – Pro-union, anti-fascist folk hero.
No way does Gaga not know that.
…and on the radio this morning some guy called in to say how happy he was that it wasn’t political…
I mean, “This Land Is Your Land” has a couple of decidedly political verses…which almost everyone leaves ou:
As I went walking I saw a sign there And on the sign it said “No Trespassing.” But on the other side it didn’t say nothing, That side was made for you and me.
In the shadow of the steeple I saw my people, By the relief office I seen my people; As they stood there hungry, I stood there asking Is this land made for you and me?
Bolded for emphasis.While the song praises the America that all should have access to, it also calls into question who is actually getting the full benefits of all the promises of the nation.
You know what’s sad, before I even read this article I was ready to refute this because I grew up believing Chuck Berry created Rock and roll. It’s said how so many knew of this great woman yet none spoke on her greatness.
I also discovered Big Mama Thornton, who’s another hugely influential early inventor of rock and roll — I’m pretty sure Hound Dog was originally popularized by her, before Elvis stole it.
Petitions are useless right now anyway – be careful.
I wear glasses. Can I manage without glasses? Well, yes, probably. I could squint a lot, constantly move up close to anything I want to see, take the bus or a taxi if I want to go anywhere. I could just accept that I’ll never be able to see eagles flying in the sky or whales jumping out of the ocean.
But why? Why try so hard to manage life when I could just put on a pair of glasses? No one would ever suggest a near-sighted person should just work harder. No one would say ‘Maybe that’s just your normal’ to someone that needs glasses. They would say ‘Let’s go to the eye doctor and get you a prescription so you’re able to see again.’
You shouldn’t have to try so hard.
My doctor (paraphrased), when I expressed doubts about going back on an anti-depressant. (via
This is such a good analogy because nobody thinks about it like this. If you wear glasses, you literally need constant use of a medical aid to experience the world like most people do. If it were anything besides glasses, that would be considered a disability. But needing glasses is an extremely common, visible, and accepted form of disability to the point that we don’t even consider it one, we just accept that some people need glasses and that’s perfectly normal and there’s nothing wrong with needing to rely on them.
That is how all disabilities and illnesses should be seen, and how we should look at treatment for them. You have a problem, and you need help dealing with it, and there’s nothing wrong with either of those things. That’s perfectly normal and that’s okay.
Kirkwall Was Totally Built On a Hellmouth 