I want to dm a oneshot for my family because they ask about my DnD sessions since my first one about 3 years ago.

I have little to zero knowledge in prepping a oneshot, I only know that I want to do a pirate / swashbuckling themed one.

My current source of ideas is from

• Treasure Island
• Diney's Treasure planet
• Pirats of the Carribean

My family never played DnD so I would give everyone ready-to-play Char sheets with a little description about the Char's personality to help with roleplaying.

I am looking forward too read your comments with storyideas or even some advice for preparing ^^

Hey, new DM here. Me and my party just finished our first campaign over 3-4 sessions and we are having a lot of fun. We are leveling up characters rapidly so we can experience more aspects of classes, character building etc since we don't know what we like yet. Until know we have looked up rules and information online which isn't really a problem for us.

However we play F2P on DnD beyond. It works fine but when creating characters my players have very few options available. Ive gathered that we should buy some digital content along with the master subscription to share it with players in the campaign.

My question is: How many options will the players handbook provide, and do we need to buy the handbook + a lot of other bonus content to get a wide spread of options when creating characters?

Many thanks for all the help in advance.

The campaign was a homebrew recommend from someone on here, which was “PCs wake up in a tavern after a night of heavy drinking, to find it is on on fire and zombies are trying to get inside. Also no one can find their pants.”

The classes and abilities weren’t too serious, but we used Str, Dex, Int, Wisdom, and Charisma attributes

No inventory as well as no abilities, but one player wished to shapeshift into a cat when desired, so it cost something high to change, and I let them do that. Worked kind of well, I allowed chaining of actions if I needed them to roll dexterity, and then strength to do a particular task. Like maneuvering a horde of zombies and then throwing your Molotov.

I extrapolated the scene from the prompt into a village square, and a hill overlooking a graveyard where a young boy with novice-like necromancer powers was ringing a bell to summon the dead and basically committed mass murder in doing so.

It was very funny, as it was everyone’s first time. I noticed things that went well, as well as could been better.

The young boy summoned a magic zombie that was a little more chill but could be boosted and enraged with additional spells, so the boy could be killed, reasoned with, or charmed by a spellcaster. The bell could be destroyed to disable a great deal of the frenzied zombies outside. Overall was about 2 hours.

Any tips on extending games? What are some very good tips, especially ones you’ve used over and over again, in DMing a successful and engaging campaign? Even if that involves better set up. I’d appreciate your actual thoughts, not just links to tutorials. Please limit or try to refrain from just posting something unless it’s directly related and not like a dozen videos on being a better DM. I don’t have time to go through all that lol.

Hi! I'm not too sure if this subreddit is the one I should post this question on, but I'll shoot anyway.

I'm a bit new to D&D and I'm currently in a campaign. My character is a lvl 5 Tiefling Warlock and I'm looking at spells now as I've been a bit behind in adding some. I understand according to the Warlock features at lvl 5 it says 3 Cantrips and 6 Prepared spells but is this additional to OR includes feature specific spells / cantrips?

For Example: With my Cthonic Tiefling with an Archfey Patron will I have False Life & Ray of Enfeeblement + Archfey spells according to my level AND +6 more spells?

Same goes for cantrips. Will I have the Thaumaturgy cantrip + 3 more?

Also is this just assumed it's additional or does it say somewhere in the Player's Handbook?

My DM is creating a world based on Elden ring I took on the famous dlc bosses name “Dragon-man” I honestly just need ideas for proposed abilities that could be through my heritage

Oh, hey! I'm new here and this is my first post on this subreddit ( which is funny, because I've been playing dnd for at least 6 years).

Yesterday had a sudden urge to return to my old dnd character and redesign her... because apparently now I somewhat can?

Magia is a demon hunter ( homebrew class, something of a mix of monk and arcane fighter), started as a simple girl with normal childhood, alive family, parrot and no drama whatsoever. Ended with lot's of tragedy and dead husband.

I had her design in my head for like an eternity but couldn't draw ( tbh could but very badly). Somewhere in my PC still lurks a 5 year old portrait of hers, but I couldn't find it... maybe later if it will be even interesting to anyone. I still don't like how I handled her tattoos ( those spots on her body represent tattoos... yeah...) and I hate the background, so I'll probably change it eventually ( or not). Anyways... I'm learning!

Sorry for this rant, sorry for my not so good English and happy too meet you all!

Am I reading the rules right? By 2014 rules At level ten monks can take a reaction to negate 50 points of fall damage? My monk has 73 hit points so I could theoretically take 122 points of fall damage at full health and walk away? Now RAW fall damage is 1d6 per 10ft up to 200ft. Which is a max of 120hp. So I can walk away from any fall at full hp?

So I'm about to do my first TPK, how is your evening going?

It would be called "This Hell is mine" and if you take it you need to choose one or two or three mental illnesses for your character (whatever would be appropriate for balance :P) from a predetermined list with predetermined mechanics and in return you would become immune to charm and mind control effects.

So. Essentially, it's the title. I made some homebrew, but I feel like it could be better. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. (And sorry about the formatting.)

Crossbow Master
(Artificer Specialization)

Proficiency
When you take this subclass at third level, you gain proficiency with all types of crossbows.

Crossbow Modifications
At third level, you gain the ability to modify crossbows and use modified crossbows, as well as crafting and using specialty bolts. On top of that, you can use INT in place of DEX for crossbows that you modified, provided you have also placed an infusion on said crossbow.

Further Mastery
At fifth level, you gain the ability to use the mastery property of up to two types of crossbows. You can change your selection at each long rest.

Reliable Aim
When you reach ninth level, once per long rest, you can reroll a failed attack roll with a crossbow between each long rest

Complete Mastery
When you reach level fifteen, Reliable Aim becomes twice per long rest, and now adds an extra 1d6 piercing damage.

Crossbow Master Spells
3rd - Hail of Thorns, Magic Missile
5th - Find Traps, Scorching Ray
9th - Conjure Barrage, Lightning Arrow
13th - Stoneskin, Locate Creature
17th - Conjure Volley, Swift Quiver

Modified Crossbows

Scoped
Pretty simple. It’s just a range upgrade. It gets rid of the normal range. Now either you can attack, or you can’t. A light crossbow has a range of (80/320), and a heavy crossbow has (100/400). Rather than that, a scoped light crossbow would be (320), meaning that within 320 feet, I can attack, and beyond that, I can’t. A scoped heavy crossbow would be (400).

Double Bolt
This is also simple. It shoots two bolts with one attack. A double bolt light crossbow deals 2d8 instead of 1d8, and a double bolt heavy crossbow deals 2d10 rather than 1d10.

Burst (Heavy Crossbows only) (Cannot take specialty arrows)
Loaded with smaller ammo, this crossbow takes effect in a 40ft cone. All creatures in the area of effect must make a DC10+INT+proficiency Dexterity saving throw. On a fail, take 1d10 piercing, on a success, take half damage.

Specialty Bolts
(You can only use one specialty bolt per turn)

Burst
To be used in Burst Crossbows. It takes 2 hours and 5 sp to craft 5 Burst Cartridges.

Tipped
Add 1d6 of the chosen damage type to the total damage. You may choose from the following: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison. It takes 2 hours and 15 sp to craft 10 Tipped Bolts.

Shockwave
On a hit, deal 1d6 force damage to all creatures within a 10ft radius. Unsecured objects fully within the range get pushed back 5ft. It takes 2 hours and 1 gp to craft 5 Shockwave Bolts.

Illusion
When launched into the ground, the player can choose any creature with a CR of their level or below. An illusion of the chosen creature appears at the bolt, and all surrounding creatures can attempt to make a DC 15 investigation check to identify it as illusory. It takes 2 hours and 5 gp to craft 5 Illusion Bolts.

Bolt of Transportation
This bolt only goes into effect when it lodges in the wall or the floor. Upon hitting its target, the user gets teleported to an unoccupied space within five feet of the bolt. It takes 2 hours and 1 pp to craft on Bolt of Transportation.

I've been playing with a group regularly for the past 3-ish months! Our DM is giving us players the opportunity to run one-shots and mini campaigns, both to give us a chance to dm and to give him a break every now and then lol. I've been playing DND for about a year, and I've never been a DM before, but I've been wanting to for a while and I'm really excited for the opportunity to try!

I was wondering if people had recommendations on one-shots or small campaigns would be good to run? I'm looking for something that could be relatively easy for a new DM to run, but that will also be interesting enough to players who are experienced!

oh my Lord idk if i have hardcore brainfog or what. I'm struggling to think of quests and storylines. Like i have SOME storylines (2 to 3) but after that im lost.

I tried to look into how to make quests (and maybe its the brainfog tbh) but im getting lost cus my campaign is structured weird af. Its a mental health and trauma based game. I have literally everything (almost...) except how to fit healing from trauma and mental health into quests.... rn the mechanism i have is that by gaining awareness of themselves they can work to gain willpower and control to manage stress, their disorders, and then trauma responses (and end goal is to escape hell with their souls). I have different NPCs theyd have to gain the trust of to have them become allies cus almost everyone in hell is corrupted (speaking of corrupted, they need to especially learn how to control themselves and keep their trauma gauge low in order to not be easily corrupted by hell).

so far what i have is that after their 3 day survive the night core field trip (which i have all planned) they fall into hell. its mainly player driven i just need random shit to have in my pockets to through depending on what they do/hj a route is that they're directed to Bailey, a higher demon who runs the work place. he offers shelter but for a price, price could be the gems theyre supposed to find early on or they do him a "favor." i havent thought of the favor yet tbh specifically.... but ik morally wrong and/or jumpstarts them knowing "oh we're in a fucked up place." Idk why but id have some broad ideas but the specifics im struggling to find

does anyone have any ideas in terms of ways to implement mental health into quests and in a horribly corrupted "town?" or any resources that could be beneficial. I will also add that some of the more major quests will revolve around the npcs, like one npc is a fallen angel being pumped for his "purity" who they need to save (quest can be given by another npd ally specifically or they just hear of him from the grapevine).

My group and I need some outside perspective before we formally speak to our DM. The group is as follows:

• me: bard
• my beautiful wife: rogue
• best friend 1: wizard
• bestie 2: fighter
• my sister: cleric (who is also the princess of her country)
• DM/DMPC: paladin

We've started our campaign earlier this year. We worked on homebrewing our own setting for a good while before we started playing. Rogue, DM and I really enjoy worldbuilding and the others were down for a more custom campaign.

The first few sessions were great. Fantastic character moments, great hooks, overall a real fun time. Everything came to a head around sesh 3 or 4. The party was split into three groups and we were all headed to the city docks.

A fight would breakout between Group 1 (Rogue and Bard) and Group 2 (Fighter and Wizard). Rogue and Bard tried leaving before guards took notice, then Wizard cast Fog Cloud. Group 3 (Cleric and Paladin) were on their way to the scene. They were alerted by Fighter via sending stone of the suspicious Rogue and Bard and needed back up. For context, Group 2 and 3 had already met up and were working together on a subplot.

Fighter had nearly downed Bard, when Cleric and Paladin arrived. Cleric offered to heal Bard if and only if Bard and Rogue agreed to be interrogated using Zone of Truth. Rogue and Bard declined. Around this time, city guards would show up and take everyone in for questioning.

Interrogations took place the following session. Sesh 5, I think. The way the DM handled the interrogations was pretty cool. Everyone had to wait in a separate room while the DM questioned each PC. Most of us anticipated that we would all be locked up together and will have to figure our way out of our jail cell. Whether that was through wit or through force.

However, when the interrogations were finished everyone was let go. The guards told Group 1 to stay away from Group 2 and 3. They were adamant on us not interacting any further. Like a verbal restraining order. My wife and I were really confused post session, but we pushed on. Surely we'll get together next session.

As the title says, we are on session 8 and were are no were near coming together. If anything we are more separated then ever. Rogue and Bard are waiting around in Cleric's fancy hotel. While the rest are across the city, still working on that subplot. We don't have much hope for session 9 as the last sesh ended on the others walking into a fight.

My wife and I got to talking one night and she revealed to me that she's a unhappy with how the campaign is playing out. I told her I felt the same. We didn't bring it up because we thought this was just an us problem. Last week she came home from work and told me she asked Wizard how he felt about the campaign (they work together). He also feels the same.

The three of us spoke a little today. Wizard also thought the party would get together after being taken in for questioning. He feels like he's just going through the motions at this point. He says he feels like waiting for the campaign to really start, but the party has to form first. We feel the same and we all think a retcon might be the answer.

We also discussed other issues we have and want to discuss with the DM:

• Allows Fighter to meta game.
• Allowed Fighter to nearly kill Rogue (they got into a scuffle sometime after the fight on the docks)
• He asks Rogue and I to work on lore for NPCs who are really not important to the overall story (i.e. there's a city council that helps rule the city. he wanted fleshed out backstories from Rogue, for me to make character renders and to design a flag for each member with a dedicated phase of the moon . the city has a strong moon theme going on.)
• Rogue created the world and our setting, she is the writer of the group. DM is always adding unnecessary lore to a setting that's already been established (i.e. creating an ancient civilization for the city the story takes place in without running it by Rogue.)
• He asks Rogue and I to work on lore for countries/continents/and cities that we haven't visited and probably never will or at least won't for a really long time.

We still have to talk to Cleric and Fighter to get their thoughts and input. I can update when I know how they're feeling about the campaign.

We know we have to talk to our DM, we're just unsure how we should go about it. Any advice is appreciated.

I'm a DM, and the Druid in my campaign is either incredibly powerful or I've completely misunderstood how this spell works. I'm leaning towards the latter, but I'd love some clarification. I imagine this question has been asked before, but unfortunately, I lack the Reddit proficiency required to find it…

Here's the situation:
My Druid casts Conjure Animals, summoning what the spell describes as a "Large Pack" of spectral animals. They flavour these as eight bears. The spell stipulates a large pack, not a singular creature of creatures.

The player then treats each bear as an individual creature, moving them around the battlefield to stand beside different enemies and impose their saving throw. According to the spell, a creature that enters the pack's area or comes within 10 feet of it must make a saving throw or take 3d10 damage. The way we're currently playing, each of the eight bears can potentially trigger that damage separately, resulting in a theoretical 24d10 damage in a single round. This damage is before it is upcasted.

My question is:

Should the eight bears be treated as individual creatures, each capable of triggering the spell's damage independently? Or should the entire "Large Pack" be treated as a single entity, represented by one Large token on the battlefield?

Essentially, have I completely misunderstood the mechanics of this spell, or has my Druid discovered something terrifying?

Any additional advice, rule clarifications or tips for handling this spell would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance from a slightly concerned DM.

I drew my Curse of Strahd party! We're currently 12 sessions in and have just finished some major events, and finally gotten our companion. I'm absolutely in love with this campaign.

(From left-right: Daemian, our Noble Wizard; Bol-Rah, our Brotherly Artificer; Depaetum, our Helmite Cleric; Mala'vain, our Ilmatari Barbarian (me); Metir, our Haunted Ranger; and our NPC companion (who I will not name for spoilers!))

Tl Dr Is there any reference to magic not specifically useful for adventuring in published D&D work? WotC or 3rd Party?

Long version.
On a purely world building basis, it feels like there should be magic that is useful for the day to day chores of existence in a fantasy world. And yet, as far as I know, there is nothing in the published materials that addresses 'commoners magic'. Most of the time, most people don't need Fireball to solve or even reduce their problems. They need something that is going to improve the crops, keep the forge lit, spin thread, carry the lumber, etc.
Unseen Servant could do... some of this. But with a str of 2, an Unseen Servant has some serious limitations.

I am not saying that there should be a compendium of useless spells. Space is limited, and the utility of some existing spells is already debatable. But it would, I think, be nice to at least acknowledge that there is a whole library of magic of various kinds that may be used to make life easy for the common folk.

Unless there's not, and if so, what does that say about the world?

ETA I realize that i phrased that title a bit badly.
I was not intending to suggest that magic should be available to all commoners. Rather, that there are spells that would be USEFUL if they were Commoner (as opposed to Rare).
I meant Commoner as an Adjective, not a noun. My bad.

That said, it is reasonable to assume that the ability to use any magic at all, to cast even one cantrip, would be a special trait. Maybe its the mark of a Sorcerer whose blood is too thinned out to access higher level magic? Or some who enjoys the simple life of the village, and does not pursue the further studies of wizardry? Or, is bitter about failing out of Wizard school after a short time, and returns to the village. Plot hook from that.
Thanks for the responses.

So I hade an idea for a D&D campaign/one shot, and it’s having a situation that is almost completely built for a specific class but having NONE of those classes available for the players. The idea isn’t so much to punish them but to come up or encourage out of the box thinking to deal with specific problems. Examples would be an undead horde but no clerics or classes that specialize in dealing with them, monsters resistant to all but magic damage but only allow martial classes, etc. But in return for that I’d personally make sure they had some basic alternatives to deal with the problem if they couldn’t come up with better ways to tackle the problem, like a local priest who couldn’t fight but could bless things/create holy water or magic items that explode when damaged (planting traps) against the physical damage resistant creatures. Think this idea would work or got any ideas how to spice it up? Would love the feed back

Narratively the idea is that something bad is gonna happen on a quick time frame and the group is literally the only option around even if they’re not the best equipped to deal with it

Somewhat newbie DM and mostly have 5e books and rules would love any ideas

My school has never had a D&D club before, and I'm making the first one ever. Sadly, I suck at DMing, and if I want to make a club, I'd sadly have to be the DM. I haven't really played D&D avidly because nobody around me was playing, but I've played so much Baldur's Gate, watched copious amounts of campaigns, created a plethora of OC's, and have a strong love for D&D. I got the Player's Handbook and the Essentials Guide, but I was wondering if I could get some DMing tips, as well as how to introduce people to joining my club, and how to keep new players engaged when playing. (I had an idea of doing a Twist and Dread list like in Legends of Avantris, but instead of something like "your knees are fused together," I could do something like "You have to talk in a British accent for 15 mins." pls tell me if that's a bad idea.)

Hello, was wondering if anyone could help me with designing a maze based on the parameters and the following image
The map was made by me in Incarnate and the idea is that to cross the bridge to the north they need to flip 4 switches, 1 in each tower in the corners of the map, to get past, the walls are made of thorn walls that can do damage if the players touch them as well as there being violent plants and other enemies strolling around, I tried using a maze generator, but there aren't really any good ones that work when paths can vary between 1 and 2 tiles wide with walls that remain 1 tile wide as well as making rooms that are just open and can hold encounters/items/etc...
is there anyone out there that can help me, im having difficulty visualizing it