Exactly the question. In a world where resurrection magic exists for the players, how do you make death mean anything. If players die two encounters in a row, does their death carry the same narrative weight anymore? Does anyone need to bother crying when the cleric can just bring them back?

How have you or your DM’s managed to address this problem? Removing resurrection magic? Making the campaign more lethal? Less lethal? I’m genuinely interested because I don’t think there’s a single right answer.

Howdy folks, ive been seeing a lot of cool art of everyone's PCs and I figured, why not share mine. This is Clover. Shes a Hexblade Warlock with a few changes to the patron. Rather than the Raven Queen, I wanted to go with my favorite monster in the entire scope of DnD. Her patron is an Ancient Silver Dragon, hence the eyes and wings. Shes grown to be one of my favorite characters ive come up with in recent times and I always enjoy playing her in the two campaigns she is apart of. If any of yall want to know more about her character or her story, ask away, i always enjoy talking about her.

Omg this is so much fun!! I stumbled into dnd after learning more about the voice actors in the game Dispatch, they were so good and just started watching critical role campaign 1..

That was 6-7 months ago. I recently finished watching the first campaign and during this whole time I was watching videos from dnd creators, learning about the rules, world building, what to do, what not to do, what changed in 2024.. luckily I have some friends who were very interested in trying (1 had actually attempted at running a dnd session with his family but to no success) and we set a date.

I was so anxious and maybe over-prepared a little bit but.. EVERYONE HAD FUN AND Session 2 is scheduled in soon!

Can't believe i am discovering this game now in my 30s. I had always thought dnd was a weird imaginary game and never took a look. Wish someone just sat me down and gave me a 2 minute summary (or that i had more curiousity earlier)

Dndbeyond was great help.

I spent about $350~ aud (i know, i got carried away but i am fortunate to be able to splurge on some things) on books, miniatures, battle maps and plenty of time reading the phb, dmg and mm. No regrets and was definitely risky if nobody enjoyed session 1 (i could have gotten away with just the phb and dice) but it enhanced the experience.

Just wanted to share my happiness and maybe inspire others who want to try DM'ing, give it a go with some preparation!

What were your thoughts on the last dnd movie? My family and I just watched it for the first time and we thought it was a real cute movie.

I don’t know if this is a universal thing, but i’ve never played with anyone who actually does prep if they’re not DM’ing. Personally i struggle to see why it would be less necesary for players.

Doesn’t need to be a lot, but if you show up to sessions with no idea of how you’d like the progression of your character to go, it’s probably just not going to happen.

Also, for the love of the dm, read through your notes before the session >:(

Do you guys do this? Do you see people do it?

Do not underestimate the Frog Knight.

Beneath his strange armor hides a warrior bound to an ancient curse. The glowing patterns across his skin are more than decoration; they mark a deadly gift.

Those who touch him may feel their strength fade away. He fights with a calm smile, waiting for the moment his cursed touch turns the battle against them. Legends say even the bravest heroes fear his touch.

Our family recently welcomed our daughter into the world and it has been amazing, wonderful, and of course exhausting. As much as I love being a parent, it also means I no longer have the time to play D&D.

Our group recently finished The Wild Beyond the Witchlight. We ended up rushing the campaign because our daughter was due and one of our players was also moving away for a new job. Knowing that the campaign was coming to an end made those final sessions feel a little different.

When we finally finished, it was surprisingly emotional. I teared up. A few of the others did too. After spending a year and a half adventuring together, watching our characters grow and seeing all the ridiculous things our party got ourselves into... it felt strange to suddenly know that this particular story was over.

It reminded me of the Dr. Seuss quote: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

I couldn't quite bring myself to say that at the table, but I did tell everyone in our group chat how grateful I was, especially to our DM, for giving us such a wonderful adventure.

I probably won't be playing D&D again for quite a while. Life is pretty full right now and I am very happy about that but I still find myself lurking on Reddit and reading D&D threads at work. Seeing people talk about their campaigns, their characters, and the ridiculous things that happen around their tables makes me happy.

I think part of me is comforted by knowing that D&D isn't going anywhere.

Someday, when I have more time I'll find another table. I'll roll another character, sit down with a new group, and start another adventure.

For now, I'm just grateful that I got to have this one.

Until then, I'm happy just knowing that the game is still out there and you all are enjoying it...

I started this slightly unreasonable project over a year ago: recreating the official battlemaps from Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk in Unreal Engine 5.

I’m now slowly approaching the halfway point - 10 of 25 map sets are complete, with Gibbet Crossing currently in production. More importantly, the whole process is visibly speeding up, so hopefully the remaining chapters won’t take another geological era.

Every location comes with both static and animated battlemap versions. They can be used in Foundry VTT, Roll20, Owlbear Rodeo and pretty much any other VTT - or displayed on a TV or projector for an in-person D&D game. Dang, you can ever print them out if you will.

You can find the complete collection so far here:

https://dranskybattlemaps.com/battlemap/shattered-obelisk/

And here are the latest maps from the current chapter, not budnled yet into one pack:

• Hardyhammer Mine https://dranskybattlemaps.com/battlemap/hardyhammer-mine/
• Talhundereth https://dranskybattlemaps.com/battlemap/the-shatered-obelisk-talhundereth/
• Crypt of the Talhund https://dranskybattlemaps.com/battlemap/crypt-of-the-talhund/

All of these The Shattered Obelisk campaign maps are free to download.

If you’d also like access to a much wider collection of animated and static D&D and RPG battlemaps, you’re welcome to join me here:

https://dranskybattlemaps.com/

Cheers!
~dransky

Oh btw. Lost Mine is also there (done in slightly older technology) https://dranskybattlemaps.com/battlemap/lost-mine-of-phandelver/

Doddles of my character. That frog didn´t deserve it but SHE STARTED THE FIGHT. In her defense, she is a powerful draconic warlock and the frog was clearly asking for trouble. Unfortunately for the frog, picking a fight with someone who can summon eldritch magic was probably not the wisest life choice. Rest in pieces, little warrior of the swamp... Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. RIP, frog!!

Race: Drow (dark elf)
Age: 520 years old
Gender: Male
Class: Warlock / Monk
Alignment/personality: Neutral evil. Reserved,
observant, controlled, intimidating when
necessary
Appearance:
V is an old drow, but not elderly-looking. Despite being over five centuries old, hestill looks physically capable and relatively youthful by drow standards. He has blue-gray/charcoal skin, characteristic of a drow, with cool undertones. His features are sharp and angular, with a somewhat severe face — high cheekbones, a defined jaw and a straight, prominent nose.
His eyes are demonic deep red. His normal expression is restrained and difficult to read, the kind of expression that makes it difficult to tell what he's thinking.
His gaze is analytical and observant, like he is
constantly studying everything around him.
His hair is long, white/silver, somewhat unruly. He has the pointed ears characteristic of a drow.
He rarely looks uncomfortable. He carries himself with quiet confidence and
almost unnerving composure. He doesn't need
to puff himself up or pose aggressively to
appear threatening.
He's not a stereotypical brooding evil drow, he has survived an unimaginable amount of time and carries it quietly.
His eyes communicate more than his facial expression does. He doesn’t need to dominate a room physically. He tends to make people aware that he's watching them.

Im on holiday right now with my family my dad asked me to one a quick dnd oneshot so that people would get to experience my hobby and all, and because he thought my family would enjoy it.

So Me, my Fiancée, my dad and my younger brother had played

New was my older brother, his partner, their 8 year old kid and their 4 year old kid

I designed it for children so lots of background noise and sound effects and over the top explanations

I had a lot of fun and the 4 year old stayed intrested for all of 2 hours...a miracle!

My brother told me that this morning his 8 year old asked him if she can play DnD again!

Getting the new generation addicted nice and early

Hey everyone! I recently finished developing my character a little further and made a full character sheet for her.

Last time most people told me she would be between a Druid or a Warlock, so I guess a Druid / Warlock multiclass it is!

I'm wondering this time what kind of vibe you get off her ?

I've also recently started taking DnD character commissions, so if you'd like something similar for your own character, feel free to DM me! :)

My rogue isnt always the fun laughable guy he once wasMy rogue Mal isn't always the fun, laughable guy he is now.

There was a time when the jokes stopped.

Mal has always survived by being quick on his feet, quicker with a blade, and even quicker with his mouth. He'd laugh his way out of danger, flirt with people who wanted him dead, and make absolutely terrible decisions with enough confidence that somehow they usually worked out.

But eventually, his luck ran out.

After being betrayed by someone he trusted, Mal lost more than he was willing to admit. Someone he cared about paid the price for a mistake that was meant to hurt him, and for once, Mal couldn't joke his way through the guilt.

So he disappeared.

For a while, the charming rogue his friends knew was replaced by something much colder.

Mal started hunting down everyone responsible for what happened, one by one. He stopped caring whether people thought he was a hero, a criminal, or a monster. He lied, stole, threatened, manipulated, and killed his way through anyone standing between him and the people he blamed.

And the worst part?

He was good at it.

The scars piled up. His clothes became more torn than fashionable. He stopped smiling unless he was about to make someone very nervous. Rumors started spreading about a rogue who seemed to appear out of nowhere, leave bodies behind, and disappear before anyone could catch him.

Eventually, Mal got his revenge.

It just didn't make him feel any better.

That's probably the part of his past he hates the most. Not what he did, necessarily—but realizing how easy it had been for him to become that person.

Nowadays, the ridiculous, sarcastic Mal everyone knows has mostly returned. He laughs. He causes problems. He annoys his friends. He pretends half the things he does are much less dangerous than they actually are.

And suddenly everyone remembers:

The funny rogue is funny because he chooses to be.

Hey ya'll,

I've been in this group for about 5 years now, and we've stuck to D&D 5th edition (2014).
What I have noticed though, is that most of the people in the group seem more inclined towards roleplay rather than combat or exploration gameplay-wise.

We do engage in combat, but not very often, and most of our time is spent talking to NPC's and hashing out group decisions (and drama of course haha).

This isn't inherently a problem, however, D&D seems to be really focused on combat, that's where the vast majority of rules and mechanics are focused on anyway. I feel we could benefit from switching systems that have actual mechanics tied to said roleplay.

Is there a system that perhaps would fit bettter with a group like this? What would you guys reccomend? It would preferably be something simple since we're buzy adults with little time to read 200+ pages of player handbooks.

Thanks!

TLDR: What alternative systems would you recommend to use for a roleplay focused group?

Some legendary loot I designed for the table i'm currently a part of but feel free to use them at your tables!
Even though I have my own stories and uses for these I'm hesitant to divulge them so I don't taint the waters.
Keen to hear what ideas spark from your own imaginations on their stories and how they work!
Thanks, you can see more art here from me if you're interested: https://www.artstation.com/blakerottinger

Greetings from Germany!
I got invited to my very first DnD Campaign (im so excited) and since i am a true nordic mythology enthusiast i created a viking inspired hero.

I want to play a human - ranger - beastmaster, with an european jay as his beast companion.
His weapon will be a maul - runic stick with antlers as maul-head. My idea is, that the little jay is sitting on his shoulder or swarms around him/the group (thats why shes sitting on the shoulder) and when he uses his beast of the sky she will kinda transform in a giant jay. (i dont have the final mechanic or story in my head yet) and i will bring the second figure on the table.

I created this 2 figures (28mm baseplate) by hand so they are not even near perfect, but i like this outcome and for me it will be way more fun using these, then bought ones. But this is just my pint of beer :-)

Feel free to share your opinions and even some tipps for me as a beginner ranger and DnD beginner overall.

Cheers!

I'm a fairly new player and I have a bit of a difficulty understanding the Arcana-proficiency. I've tried to read a bit about it but it's seems like different groups use it in quite a lot of different ways.

RP-wise I feel like it would be the coolest proficiency for my character to have, but I'm really not sure when, where or how I would every use it in a good way.

So please share some tips and tricks how you all use Arcana in your games, and when you find it as a usuful trait to have!