am i right gamers?

[ nate • 22 • pisces • enfp • he/they ]- I'm gay and I love to game. I'm in a couple of campaigns and I'm a baby gm! 5e + motw

[inthetags]

reblog and put in the tags if you play dnd, and if you do, what character(s) you are currently playing

[entheognosis]

The mushroom creatures of artist Collette Xavier

[darkelfdice]

Terror from the deep! Call of Cthulhu Abyssal dice.

[salt-and-a-dash-of-pepper]

Advice from an (Amateur) Archer on Writing About Archers and Archery

Admittedly, I don’t have the widest range of experience when it’s come to archery. I’ve only been shooting for a year now, and the time that I do take to shoot have long months between them. Still, I think it’s important to outline the basics for anyone who wants to write an archer in their book and wants to save themselves the embarrassment of having the archer do something that an archer would never do in a million years.

- Archers usually unstring their bow after battle. Unstringing a bow is exactly what it sounds like: removing the string from the bow’s limbs. Usually, archers then wrap the string around the now-straightened bow so they don’t lose it as easily. Archers unstring bows because everytime the limbs are bent by the string, there is a large amount of tension in the limbs. If the string is on too long and the bow has not been shot for a while, the limbs will start to wear down and lose their power, resulting in an archer needing to buy new limbs or an entirely new bow.

- Archers always retrieve their arrows after battle. Arrows are expensive and take a long time to make, so archers want to conserve as many arrows as possible. Sometimes they have a repair kit with them at the ready, in case they find an arrow with a loose arrowhead or broken fletching that can easily be repaired. 

- Training arrows are not the same as battle arrows. Training arrows have thinner shafts and usually blunted tips so they can easily be removed from targets. Thinner shafts break more easily, and the blunted tips – whilst they can pierce skin – usually won’t get very far in the flesh. They’re also easier to make. Battle arrows are thicker, and their heads are pointed at the tip and have two pointed ends at its sides. This arrowhead is designed to easily pierce through flesh, and is incredibly difficult to pull out because its two pointed ends snag onto flesh. If you want to pull it out, you’d have to tear the flesh away with it, which can lead to an even larger wound.

- Arrows are fatal, and one can incapacitate a soldier for the rest of his life. Arrows are not easily snapped off like you see in movies. The draw weight is too strong, and they can sometimes be as strong as bullets. They will pierce through bone and tendons, which do not easily heal. Furthermore, if you want to remove an arrow, you either have to go through surgery, parting the flesh away from the arrowhead so it doesn’t snag onto anything, or you have you push – not pull – it all the way through the body.

- Bows are not designed for hitting people with in close combat. The limbs are specifically made to flex. Imagine hitting someone with a flexing piece of wood. If you hit with the middle of the bow, it still does very little because there is no weight behind the bow, and so you might as well be hitting them with a pillow. It might be annoying to the opponent, but it won’t save you. Archers need a secondary blade in close combat. They cannot strike people with their bows and expect to win.

- Draw weight affects speed, range, and impact. Draw weight is measured in pounds, at least in America, and it is measured in how much weight must be pulled when you draw back the string. A high draw weight means stiffer, thicker limbs that can shoot further and hit harder. But, this is at the cost of speed. A low draw weight means thinner, more flexible limbs that can shoot smaller distances and have low impact, but can be shot faster. Before you acrobatic fanatics immediately seize the smaller bow for its speed, understand that a bow’s advantage is in its range. No one can hit an archer from 300 meters away with their spear or sword. The archer has complete dominance over the battlefield in this way, and their arrows can kill anyone who gets too close. Not hurt. Not annoy. Kill. And a higher draw weight means a better chance of piercing through specific armor, then flesh, then bone. A lower draw weight means less range and, even worse, a lower chance that the arrow would even pierce through armor if the arrow even hits its target. 

- Bows will always be outmatched in close combat against any other weapon. Bows take too long to draw and shoot, and at such close range, the opponent has an easier chance to dodge oncoming arrows. I already explained that the bows themselves cannot be used to take down a foe. 

- Bowmen on horseback are utterly terrifying. Archers usually can’t move from their spot because range is more important than mobility, and at such a long range, you usually don’t need to move from your spot anyways. Bowmen on horses, however, are closer to the battle, and worse, they are faster than almost anyone on the battlefield. Not only are they difficult to hit, you have no way of predicting where they will shoot next because they can circle around you in confusing ways. If you want an interesting archer character, I’d advise trying these guys out.

- Never underestimate armor and padding. Arrows will never be able to pierce through plate armor because its curved surface will always deflect oncoming arrows. Arrows can pierce through maille because maille is made out of metal rings that can be bent and can fall away. However, padding usually lies underneath, which is surprisingly durable and can stop an oncoming arrow, as well as absorb some of its impact. Because of this, make certain that the archer is focusing on gabs in the armor. To know this, you MUST study armor. Gabs usually lie where the joints are because soldiers need those gabs open so they can move. Typical gaps lie in the neck, the armpit, the inner-elbow, the knees, and the palm of the hand. Impact is also an archer’s friend. A war arrow shot by a hundred pound bow, hurtling at incredible speeds and gaining momentum the further it travels, can evoke serious damage. To be hit by one of these arrows will feel more like being hit by a horse than being hit by someone’s fist. 

[salt-and-a-dash-of-pepper]

More facts:

- Archers should never rest the tip of their bow on the ground. Dirt and dust can wear away the tip, which in turn can eat away at where the string notch is. If the string notch is worn away in any shape or form, the string can fall off or the bow not shoot correctly.

- ARCHERS SHOULD NEVER LEAN ON THEIR BOW. This is the same as keeping the bow strung when you’re not using it. Leaning on the bow causes the limbs to flex, which can be damaging when you’re not shooting anything.

- Never shoot a bow when there is no arrow notched. This is known as “dry firing,” and is incredibly damaging to the bow. Because there is no arrow to transfer the energy of the shot through, the energy instead shivers down the bow. If it is a strong enough energy, the bow can shatter.

- When any archer is shooting at a target, everyone is instructed to stand beside or behind the archer. This is common safety sense, as archers’ fingers might slip and the arrow is shot in a different direction than intended.

- It is incredibly rude, as well as dangerous, to shoot near another person simply to show one’s skill. Unless the person voluntarily agreed with the archer to stand in place and is willing to be shot, it is incredibly rude to shoot near someone to prove one’s skill. It would be the same as a gunman shooting at another person to prove he can hit a can at their elbow. The gunman, as well as the archer, would be thrown behind bars.

- Archers use an “anchor point” to aim. Archers rest either their index or middle finger at their chin or the side of their lip when drawing the bow.  This is known as their “anchor point,” and it is used to steady the hand as well as aim. If an archer does NOT use an anchor point, his shot can go wild. If you see actors holding their fingers behind their chin and hanging in the air, you’ll know that they are not an archer.

- It is both unnecessary and damaging to pull the bow’s string further than your chin. It has a higher chance of breaking or bending irreversibly than shooting further, faster, or higher by drawing the bow string further.

- You use your back muscles the most when drawing a bow. Most people assume that you’re using primarily your arm muscles. Whilst the muscles in your arms are incorporated, the back muscles are used to pull back the weight of the bow moreso than your arms.

- It is easier to swing a sword than shoot a bow. I’m certainly not talking about skill or practice. Swords and bows each have their own difficulties to overcome, but there is a common misconception that bows are lighter than swords. The weight of a sword varies, but most sit between 2 to 5 pounds and are well balanced so you don’t feel the weight of the sword pulling at your tendons. Bows, on the other hand, have a draw weight that varies from 20 to 100 pounds, sometimes more. Whilst different muscles are used to do different things, it’s clear that bows take far more strength than expected to use.

- A proper bow needs proper care. Damages are common after use, no matter what you do. The string may fray, the string’s nock locator might fall off, the arrow rest may wear down, and so on. Archers, therefore, should bring wax, which keeps the string from fraying, an extra nock locator, and perhaps a kit that can either repair the arrow rest or replace the entire thing.

- It really effing hurts when the string strikes your forearm. Because of this, bracers are a thing. Anyone who has shot a bow knows exactly what I’m talking about. Sometimes when you shoot and your forearm is angled a certain way, the string can strike the soft flesh of your forearm when you loose an arrow. Understand that it stings like fire, and does not die down until half an hour, sometimes more. To combat this, most archers wear bracers, which clasp around their forarms and protect them from the string. Experienced archers know how to angle their forearm away from the string so they are never struck.

[wingbuffet]

Scylla, Sea Elf Warlock

“You have plunged into a pact with the deeps. An entity of the ocean, the Elemental Plane of Water, or another otherworldly sea now allows you to draw on its thalassic power. Is it merely using you to learn about terrestrial realms, or does it want you to open cosmic floodgates and drown the world?”

-Pact of the Fathomless

[zoz-two]

[hungry-skeleton]

If the DM is 15 minutes late we're legally allowed to level up

[theworldbrewery]

background: empty nester

skill proficiencies: insight, perception, one additional proficiency of your choice

tool proficiencies: herbalism kit, one type of gaming set

equipment: a set of common clothes, fishing tackle, a flask, a mess kit, and a scrapbook containing your most precious family memories. 

Feature: Mid-Life Crisis

You’re finally embracing spontaneity after the repetition of daily life. You have the admiration of other ordinary folk who also yearn for the carefree life of an adventurer. Furthermore, you’re inclined to make some reckless decisions, like buying a boat or adopting a python, but your resolve never wavers in the face of doing something you’ve never done before. You have advantage on attacks with weapons you are not proficient in as your enthusiasm gives you an edge.

Hobby: Every empty nester needs a way to pass the time now that the kids are out of the house. What did you pick up? (roll 1d6)

Bowling league

Car(t) maintenance

Essential oil MLM scam

Community theatre

Model town assembly

Gym membership

Suggested Characteristics: You know you’re not cut out for the adventuring life, but you’ll be damned if you let it stop you. You just don’t have formal training, but you’re a go-getter, or at least game to try something new.

Personality Traits (d8)

Look, I’m fun! This adventuring thing has nothing to do with my sense of malaise in my daily life! I can totally handle a sword!

Back in my day, there weren’t any adventurers to rescue your village if it was besieged by a dragon. Townspeople these days are so entitled.

You know, this whole problem could just be solved if we went out and talked this evil necromancy scheme over at brunch. Who wants a Bloody Mary?

It’s one +1 sword, Maracnar, how much could it cost? A thousand platinum?

I just got divorced, I’m not looking for a relationship, but maybe me and that bartender could get into some trouble together…

I don’t have a favorite child, of course not…well, one is a famous lawyer and engaged, and the other is still at wizard university and hasn’t been on a date in months…but I don’t have a favorite, don’t be silly.

Live, Laugh, Love, I’m so #blessed to have a family that loves me so much, but I’m happy to leave them at home for months at a time.

This adventure is just like that spring break I spent on the Sword Coast, man, that was one wild week, I was doing shots off a—is that a mindflayer?

Ideals (d6)

Purpose. My kids were my life’s work. Now that they’re grown, I need a new reason to get up in the morning. (Lawful)

Fun. You have to lead a stable lifestyle when you’re a parent. But after raising children, it’s time to raise hell. (Chaotic)

Love. Maybe it’s a little saccharine, but taking care of each other is what life is all about. (Good)

Discord. Life is a PTA bake sale. Cutthroat and competitive. And if I’m going down, I’m taking everyone with me. (Evil)

Fulfillment. We all have goals when we’re young, before life gets in the way. Maybe now is the time to finally live our dreams. (Neutral)

Experience. It’s a big world out there, and I want to see it all. (Any)

Bond (d6)

My divorce was ugly, but I’m still secretly in love with my former spouse.

I married young and I was never happy as a parent, and the guilt is killing me.

I love my children more than life itself. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them.

My irresponsible spending drove my family into debt. I ran out on them and changed my name to become an adventurer.

My spouse and children have a much longer lifespan than I do; I don’t want them to watch me grow old.

I know I am just a trophy for my successful partner. I would be a worthless nobody without them.

Flaw (d6)

I get all my news from unreliable sources, and repeat what I hear as God’s honest truth.

I’m addicted to the rush I get from spilling gossip; I can’t keep a secret to save my life.

I don’t believe in magical healing. Don’t you know necromancy magic causes zombification?

I’m obsessed with whether or not I show signs of aging and go to great lengths to maintain a youthful appearance.

I led a charmed life, and struggle to adjust to the rough living of an adventurer.

I insist on being spoken to with respect, whether or not I’ve earned it, and won’t listen to you otherwise.

Inspired by @andtheremustbetowers and @returnsandreturns.

If you like what we do, consider supporting us on Ko-Fi!

[shiny-polyhedrons]

DMs be like “i know a spot” and then lead you directly into the consequences of your actions 

[thelootwagonteam]

[onlydraven]

Tracking Ammo

[detectthot]

Kiefling

[trekkiemage]

[headspace-hotel]

I was about to reblog this, and then I saw the picture and I got the joke, in that order.

like this is just what a normal D&D session is like

[luxlightly]

If I hadn’t seen this caption I literally would never have gotten the joke. This is just a perfect representation of a normal D&D session. 

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Multi-level dungeon built into the drawers of an old dresser

The BEST THING I’ve seen on Twitter this week (month?) is Justin Alexander’s thread documenting “The Dungeon of Drezzar,” Peter Heeringa and Troy Wilhelmson’s spectacular multilevel dungeon built into a series of dresser drawers.

https://twitter.com/hexcrawl/status/1252289754479165442

Heeringa and Wilhelmson built an entire dungeon-level into each drawer, painstakingly painted, staged and decorated. It’s intricate: the “tavern” includes a teeny tiny noticeboard where adventurers can leave notes for one other.

https://twitter.com/hexcrawl/status/1252289758505701376

There are effects that span multiple drawers, like a well that goes straight down, and each drawer can be removed and played on a game-table.

https://twitter.com/hexcrawl/status/1252289762465103873

But that’s nothin’, because, as Alexander notes, the dragon guarding the bottom level and her lair match the cover of the 1981 Basic D&D box set.

https://twitter.com/hexcrawl/status/1252289772841832448

This is so amazing that I am in a state of grace and prepared to meet my maker.

Holy. Shit.

[oldschoolfrp]

I think this is the first 3D dungeon I’ve seen that replicates Erol Otus’ magenta cavern with the green dragon

[bogleech]

Look at this pathfinder giant water elemental, how fuckin badass is this design. Yes with the titties too. “Now THAT’S a design to put titties on!” says anyone with taste.

[thedrunkensatyr]

Wait, is this a miniature? I could buy this magnificent sculpture to torment my players with???

[bogleech]

Yes that image looks like painted concept art of the mini but the real thing even still has the shadows of people inside:

It’s a big giant $40 one. If you’ve got $40 to spare for plastic shaped like water shaped like titty cthulhu I’d say it’s worth it

[dailycharacteroption]

This mini is based on book art! Specifically the “mythic water elemental” from Pathfinder Mythic Adventures, a book about larger than life legendary heroes and monsters!

[someemochick]

[bunabi]

me dramatically reducing my health points to cast blood magic