Fantasy Roleplaying Beyond the Yellow Brick Road @adventuresinozrpg - Tumblr Blog

The first feminist to disinter the witches’ story and to claim this title for herself was the American Matilda Joslyn Gage, who fought for women's right to vote and also for the rights of Native Americans and the abolition of slavery—she was given a prison sentence for helping slaves to escape. In Woman, Church and State (1893), she offered a feminist reading of the witch-hunts: “When for ‘witches’ we read ‘women’, we gain fuller comprehension of the cruelties inflicted by the church upon this portion of humanity.” Gage inspired the character of Glinda, the good witch in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which was written by her son-in-law, L. Frank Baum. When he adapted the novel for cinema in 1939, Victor Fleming created the first "good witch" in popular culture.

-Mona Chollet, In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women are Still on Trial

boombox-fuckboy

I'm curious (and in need of new content) what everyone's podcast experiences are like, so, in the tags or replies, what's...

The first podcast you listened to?

The most recent podcast you listened to?

Your favourite and/or comfort podcast?

A pod you think deserves more appreciation?

adventuresinozrpg

First podcast: Welcome to Night Vale

Most recent podcast: System Mastery

Comfort podcast: Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff

More appreciation: MegaDumbCast

sweetpeauserboxes

[id: a light yellow userbox with a pastel blue border and pastel blue text that reads "this user has a feeling they’re not in kansas anymore and that they must be over the rainbow." on the left is an image of dorothy gale for the wizard of oz. /end id]

doctornecrotic

Anyone who bans the gunslinger class will not see me at their table, cuz I’m ALWAYS the gunslinger (except when I play as something else…)

adventuresinozrpg

I’ve never truly understood the gunslinger hate that I’ve seen. I’ve spent enough time as a GM to have a basic respect for all the GMs out there who have ideas about what they want their campaign and their world to be like, so I’m not going to criticize a GM that bans this class, that spell, and the magic item over there. But this is some serious hate.

The main arguments I’ve heard against it are that “Guns don’t belong in fantasy” and “the class is unbalanced.”

Looking back on history, firearms and knights in armor overlapped more than some people like to think. Plate armor was often made heavy enough to be resistant to early firearms, with armorers shooting their product and showing the dent the bullet made as “proof.” So if you’ve heard of “proofed plate” or “plate of proof”, that’s what it means.

So while it may not have showed up in Lord of the Rings, which codified much of modern fantasy, firearms were definitely a medieval invention and could feasibly have turned up there. And there’s probably a whole list of things already in D&D that people will fight to the death to include even if their not historically or mythically accurate.

And as to the class not being balanced? Well, there are people who love to debate balance and those who insist that game balance is an illusion. My opinion is that at least some of the balancing occurs at the table.

For example, the gunslinger may be awesome while they’ve got their gun, but take it away and they’re not as awesome. The GM also controls the existence of other guns in the campaign, so whether a treasure haul contains that +2 flaming dragon bane pistol or if the character can buy a masterwork rifle in town is up to them.

This is just like one of the big balancing factors for the monk: They can only bust out their great big whoopass when they use exotic weapons. But GMs spend more time complaining about monks being overpowered than they spend regulating the number of sianghams in their campaigns.

steveneiman

“Take away their gun”is the worst possible way to balance a gunslinger. Even leaving aside how extreme a measure it is, ruining the thing that makes a class fun and exciting is the worst way to balance it. If you can, deal with the problem (AFTER confirming that there is a problem, that is. A few boring encounters where one player hogs the spotlight are a smaller problem than flailing about trying to solve problems that might not exist) by producing encounters that play to the other players’ strength. If an overpowered character is too good at doing what the other PCs can do for that to be feasible, then it’s time to have a mature conversation about that. Said conversation might end with a ban or nerf, but that should come after you’ve explained why you think it’s a problem. Ideally it should also involve making sure that the other players have a problem.

Remember, balance is an instrumental virtue. It has value only insofar as worrying more about it will lead to your players having more fun.

adventuresinozrpg

I won’t say that you’re misquoting me, because I did phrase it clumsily and it does need some correction/clarification, but I do feel like we are talking past each other here.

You’re right that taking away the thing that makes a character cool is a dick move for a GM to pull.

What I’m talking about is the idea that a character’s power is either intrinsic (class/race/etc.) or extrinsic (gear), and this is a balancing point in D&D. Wizards have lots of intrinsic power because of their spellcasting, but their access to extrinsic power is limited/altered. For example, a wizard that wants a decent Armor Class can’t just hop into some relatively cheap armor, but instead has to invest in expensive magic items..Fighters might not seem to have a lot of intrinsic power, but they can make up for it because of their ease of access to extrinsic power, such as a golf bag of magic swords.

Since the GM runs the setting, they actually have a lot of control over those extrinsic factors. Every magic sword in the fighter’s golf bag was bought or looted from an NPC under the GM’s control.

I know it sounds like I’m taking the long way around to “just take their guns away,“ but I hope I’m making clear that there are a lot more settings on that dial. What I was hoping to advocate for in my original post was the GM controlling their access to upgrades. Just because the player puts the coolest gun possible on their character’s Christmas list doesn’t mean that the GM is obligated to give it to the character. If a GM has a gunslinger that is out-awesomeing the rest of the party, they can keep their +2 gun while the rest of the party gets their +3s.

gebo4482

Mouse Guard by David Masson San Gabriel

prokopetz

Three types of D&D classes:

Those that derail the adventure by saying “I’m gonna kill it”

Those that derail the adventure by saying “I’m gonna steal it”

Those that derail the adventure by saying “I’m gonna fuck it”

adventuresinozrpg

Amusingly enough, these line up with 5e’s “3 Pillars of D&D:“ Combat, Exploration and Social Interaction (I’m never going to call that third Pillar “Roleplaying.” The idea that you’re only roleplaying when you’re doing your silly voices or whatever is a very limited perspective.)

peaceofseoul

Legolas, Princess of the Woodland Realm

heroineimages

I would read a fan fic about her…

modely-way

Adut Akech for Vogue Australia, shot by Andrew Nuding.

thelaughing-deactivated20250616

d&d ask meme →

[[ inbox either the emoji or race name to ask one or more of the following ]]

✨ aasimar: What do you find to be your most unique characteristic? 🔮 changeling: Share a childhood memory. 🐉 dragonborn: Give at least (one) unpopular opinion on something. 🗻 dwarf: Talk about a skill you either know or would like to learn! 🌳 elf: What do you like to rest and relax? 🍃 firbolg: Is there something you would die to protect? 🔥 genasi: Share a memory in which you felt truly empowered. 🦎 gith: Have you ever lost a relationship over a conflicting belief? ⚙️ gnome: What is your favorite piece of art, music or literature? 🔪 goblin: Have you ever lashed out to protect yourself? ⚔️ goliath: Talk about the most dangerous experience you’ve ever had. 🌕 half-elf: Where would you build your dream home? 🌻 halfling: Talk about a time you indulged your curiosity. 🔰 half-orc: Do people find you intimidating? 💁🏿 human: What do you feel is your greatest weakness? 🐤 kenku: How well do you communicate with others? 😈 tiefling: What is the best or worst first impression you’ve ever made? 🔱 triton: What is your relationship like with water or the sea? 🐍 yuan-ti: Would you say you’re cold or warm-blooded?

transgenderteensurvivalguide

[Image description: Text that says “Happy TDOV!” in the colors of the trans pride flag. /End ID]

Transgender Day of Visibility is on March 31st and if you’re trans then these blogs might boost your selfies if you send any to submit to them:

@brownandtrans (for all trans people of color)

@fattranspoc (for fat trans people of color)

@fuck-yeah-transmen (for trans guys)

@nbpocparty (for non-binary people of color)

@transmasculineselfielove (for transmasculine people)

@nbselfielove (for non-binary people)

@nonbinarynotandrogynous (for non-binary people)

@nonbinarycuties (for non-binary people)

@chubbytubbytrans (for fat and chubby trans people)

@fuckyeahcutetranschicks (for trans girls)

@transgirlsarebeautiful (for trans girls)

@dailytransselfies (general)

@transbutts (general)

Transfeminine resources:

Presentation:

Tucking

Chest area

Voice

Broad shoulders tips

Hair removal

Feminine walk

Curves

Waist training

Growing out your hair

Clothing

Makeup

Passing

Medical transitioning:

Not medically transitioning

Fertility

Puberty blockers

Estrogen & anti-androgens/testosterone blockers FAQ

The types of surgery available

Surgery: A guide for transfeminine people

Pumping (Silicone injections)

Facial Feminization Options

Breast Augmentation

Genital surgery

Other:

Representation

Transfeminine period dysphoria

Yes, Transfeminine People Can Get Period Symptoms

Slipping into masculinity

Women’s restroom etiquette

Transfeminine people can breastfeed

Having sex or masturbating

Transmasculine resources:

Presentation:

Binding FAQ

Masculine clothing

Facial hair

Masculine makeup

Getting short hair / Masculine long hair

If you can’t start T

Lowering your voice

Packing and standing to pee

Passing as male

Not shaving legs

Swimming

Medical transitioning:

Not medically transitioning

Fertility

Puberty blockers

Testosterone FAQ

Top surgery

Facial masculinization surgery

Body masculinization surgery

Hysterectomy and oophorectomy

Genital surgery

Other:

Periods and related things

Help! I need to see a gyno

Pumping

Masturbation and sex

Using the men’s bathroom

Hudson’s FTM Guide

Height dysphoria

Hip dysphoria

More resources:

What gender am I? A roadmap to questioning

Trans 101 for trans people

What is the transgender umbrella?

How do I choose a name?

How do I come out at work/school or to family/friends?

Dysphoria info and coping tips

Mental health coping page

Being trans in school

Non-binary resources

Resources to send allies/friends

A page to send to parents/guardians

Convincing someone to respect name/pronouns

Here is how to get hormones in America

Here is how to get hormones in the UK

The NHS’s Guide For Young Trans People in England

Here’s a US resource with info on changing legally changing your name and gender marker

Here is a UK resource with info on changing legally changing your name and gender marker

What are the WPATH-SOC guidelines?

How to save money

How to buy a trans-related item online without parents knowing

I have to go swimming, what do I wear/do?

Trying to sleep when you have dysphoria

Airports and traveling by plane

Gender neutral bathrooms

Getting insurance to cover your transition

Does transitioning help mental health?

Trans teen’s experiences with inpatient hospitalization

Trans identity isn’t a mental disorder

Being religious and LGBT

Transgender Lives: Your Stories (to see trans adults)

Gender neutral pronouns in Spanish

Gender Variance Around the World Over Time

A map of gender-diverse cultures

American LGBT history by the National Parks Service

Other trans blogs on Tumblr

Crisis help: Suicide and crisis hotlines

Anyone can reblog, including allies! Hopefully these resources reach someone who needs them. Happy TDOV everyone!

wilwheaton

I see you, and I love you.

sassybashi

So I almost killed all of my players tonight?? One is definitely dead, four are unconscious and there’s one left who’s just running away from the enemies

Help

adventuresinozrpg

The game isn't as exciting if there's no chance of loss. Show them the consequences of their actions and watch them learn and do better next time.

thydungeongal

The Economics of RPGs as a Hobby

This has been a long-time coming, but a while back I started thinking about one of my fundamental problems with the RPG from the perspective of a consumer and a hobbyist, one that is not only exasperated by business practices but also game design.

Of all my hobbies, role-playing is definitely the most time-consuming. There’s learning the rules after I purchase the game. There’s prep. There’s the emotional labor of arranging games (this is probably not a big deal for most of you out there, but for an anxiety disorderer like me it’s kind of a deal?), setting up schedules for play, commuting to where ever the game is supposed to take place this weekend, and all that for, like, maybe four hours of play on a biweekly (if I’m lucky) schedule, after which I’ll be emotionally and physically drained.

In addition to this, most RPGs on the market are set up so that they provide hundreds or more hours of play: D&D and its derivatives usually have a 1-20 level range, which means that to get the most bang for your buck out of D&D and similar games, you basically have to run one of those grand campaigns of old that we constantly hear about. The reality, at least for me, has been different with my IRL groups. There’s a good momentum for the first couple of sessions, then it peters out as scheduling becomes more difficult, and after a couple of weeks of not being able to schedule a game the excitement just isn’t there any more.

The problem is that at least for me most big RPGs on the market have completely different assumptions as to what a “complete” campaign looks like than I’m actually physically and emotionally capable of running in the real world. Added to that the often high price of entry (the price of entry for D&D 5e is 165€, unless you’re okay with going with just the Basic rules freely available online) and you know… it’s a lot.

But the supplement mill exasperates this problem at least for me. I’m going to call it the Crusader Kings effect for now: back when I made more money I loved playing Crusader Kings 2 obsessively. I basically bought all the DLCs when they first came out. Having been struggling economically for a couple of years now, there’s a huge backlog of DLCs I don’t have. Oddly enough, the psychological effect of knowing that there’s a huge backlog of missing content whenever I try to revisit Crusader Kings 2 keeps me from being sucked in. There’s a constant nagging feeling at the back of my head that I’m playing an incomplete game.

The same with RPGs whose economic models are based around the supplement mill, like D&D: it’s not quite as pronounced as with Crusader Kings 2, but running D&D without access to all the supplements, like Mordenkainen’s or what have you, kind of makes me feel like I’m not getting the same amount of enjoyment out of the game as people who have all the supplements.

But you know, I’ve learned to live with it: I’ve learned to accept that the version of D&D 5e that I’m playing and running, incomplete as it may be, is fine for my needs. And that acceptance has actually affected my behavior as a consumer: these days when I see a game that has a huge supplement mill, I usually go “no thanks,” because the supplement mill itself is indicative of the fact that the game is going to be an all-consuming time sink, which I don’t want. Most of my RPG purchases in the past year or so have been smaller indie RPGs, which don’t try to lure me in with the promise of a grand 100+ hour campaign, but with just enough material that when I’m feeling up to running it and me and my friends have a couple of weekends off, we can get a nice satisfying arc in a half a dozen sessions or so.

And finally, one more thing: rules heavy RPGs which promise hundreds of hours of play are also in competition with each other with each other for my free time: it’s basically inconceivable that I’d be able to maintain a, say, D&D and Mutants & Masterminds campaign at the same time, because of the huge time investment inherent to those games. Conversely, if I want to run Scum & Villainy or Blades in the Dark, I know we can wrap up that campaign in a month or two, so even while I’m running one I can still prep for or maybe even run the other one on the side.

Also, I don’t expect big RPG developers to instantly stop pushing out huge games with indefinite supplement mills, because I understand that’s where the money is. Furthermore, don’t take this as any kind of authoritative critique of your favorite game, whatever it may be: this is a highly subjective rant (but also the fact that I have to spell that out feels dumb but it’s just indicative of a what a fucking garbage fire online discourse surrounding games is with some people getting angry when a take about a game isn’t “objective”) and just me sharing my thoughts.

adventuresinozrpg

I’m a little bit the opposite.

I absolutely agree with the supplement treadmill and don’t care for it much. I’ve always been rather poor, so I don’t sign up for the treadmill if I can help it. Which means that one indicator of a game’s quality for me is “How much game do I get in the base book? Can I just buy this book or do I need to subscribe in order for this to be worthwhile?”

I can run a perfectly serviceable game of D&D with just the basic books. If i have the money and one of the supplements look really good to me, I might buy it.

I might be okay running Vampire: The Masquerade (the one from the 90′s. I know there’s a new version) from the base book, but the metaplot of the World of Darkness as revealed in the various supplements is such a part of the culture of the game that I would feel obligated to read everything before I put a flyer up in the game store.

Most annoying are the games that are only half the game. Maybe there are character types or adventure types that aren’t supported in the core book. Like a sci-fi game that requires a supplement to let you play an alien, even though aliens are a big part of the setting. Oz: Dark and Terrible was this for me. A steampunk fantasy setting that only had a smattering of rules for magic or steampunk inventions. Even worse is when the supplement doesn’t come.