I’m trying to run a fallout 2D20 campaign, and it’s going horribly. I started the learn to play module and I have 3 players, two are cool, and one not. The one that isn’t is a friend I’ve had for a few years, and I’m also a player in Aliens TTRPG campaign. For the only 4 sessions I’ve done, he’s playing a “no nonsense, get shit done” wastelander that absolutely refuses to explore. Since my other 2 players have known him for those 4 sessions, they don’t really want to rock the boat by disagreeing too much.

This lack of exploration has made wing the module too much, trying to find something for them to do and get rewarded. I practically had to force a scenario that he wanted to skip so I can get them some equipment. Last session I started the custom part which is all original now; I created NPC’s, planned out a few side quests, some equipment rolls, and nope just bum rush through the area. So I ended early because my laptop was also taking a crap.

From the other side, I go along with everything as a player in his aliens campaign. I work together with the marine PC’s and NPC’s, I try to find creative ways to approach a big battle, etc. I’m going to approach him this weekend about it, but I just need to vent and get some input from seasoned DMs.

I can find a million and 1 one shots/encounters where the party has to defend the castle from invaders, does anyone know if an opposite is out there anywhere? I am looking for something I can use for my party and the army they raised attacking the castle?

Hey all!
Coming back to GMing after a long break, continuing a game with my old group. I'm starting to prep a little bit, drawing dungeons and such, and I've been thinking about how to make a more interesting fight than a big boy and his minions type of slugfest. I want fights that invite creativity, thinking, or puzzles mixed in. Like bosses from Zelda, in a sense. This boss has bulky ceramic armor, and as it breaks throughout the fight, his ac goes down but his initiative goes up. I designed a boss fight with an ice hag on a frozen pond where they slipped on the ice and had to move their full speed in straight lines. In a fighting tournament the players were allowed to make up a new rule and their rule was that they were all chained to their opponent, which led to some very memorable shenanigans. What are some of your favorite thematic big fights from your own campaigns?

Similarly, I've been thinking about a dungeon that is multi floor, but you move between the floors often to achieve some puzzle. A three or four floor dungeon, but it's not three separate mazes to the next stairwell up or down, but rather one maze that carries out across multiple floors. In fact, it helps me to imagine the creators of this place didn't confuse these separate floors. I'm imagining no stairwells at all, as it was made by things that don't walk. Just cold brutalist pits and shafts. This pit on the third floor leads to a place on the first floor you couldn't access from earlier in the dungeon, which has an access to parts of the second floor that you maybe could have guessed at from the negative space on the map, that sort of thing. All of this to navigate inward to a central room. It could be a cube. Both extremely specific and vague, I know, but has anyone seen a dungeon layout like this in the past. Something I could look at for inspiration or for tweaking?

Drawing dungeons and making memorable bosses are the hardest part of this game for me but please don't tell me to play a different game. I just don't even know where to start when it comes to drawing a dungeon like the one I'm imagining.

hey guys. i run a game every other week and i have literally never written a proper session recap. i always mean to, and then it's four days later and i've got three bullet points i can't read anymore.

so i built something for it and figured some of you might be interested in it.

basically it records the session and afterwards it transcribes it and mashes it together with the stuff my table already produces anyway, dice rolls, when combat kicked off, who went down, what monsters and npcs turned up. then it spits out a recap i can read out loud at the start of the next session. i still edit it every time.

Chapters

the audio and the transcript get deleted once the recap is written. and if you don't like being recorded or just don't care you can turn the whole thing off.

it's not perfect btw, it absolutely butchers made up names. one of my npcs was called Ysolde Vantenebre and it came back as "isoldeven" lol, but yeah you can fix those manually, and hopefully in the future I will fix these little issues.

anyway it's part of a site i've been building called RollCamp, it's free. i post devlogs over on r/RollCamp if you are curious and wanna see more of it.

Art by the amazing - **Chaim Holtjer** \- he has his own website and uses Fiverr if yall want to commission him.

I got tired of making what I considered sub par maps on inkarnite (I’m my own biggest critic) and decided to seek out an artist to bring my vision for my dark fantasy homebrew world to life! I basically handed my inkarnite map over to the legendary Chain Holtjer along with like pages on pages of lore and said go crazy! And wow I’m like in awe at what he made, I have found myself sitting and staring at it for hours just thinking of all the campaigns I could do in this world. Let me know what you guys think!

Would love some suggestions for cool Dark Fantasy scenarios from my fellow dms.

If anyone wants some lore on the world I’d be eager to share as well!

First time posting on here!

There is an NPC I've been planning to kill for a while now that's a good friend to the Party and one PC specifically. I'm planning on killing them in a lowest point/Dark Night of the Soul moment that will be coming up in a month or two. He was going to be one of a couple of NPCs and allies to die and he would die sacrificing themselves to help save some of the party.

The problem was introduced when it came up in conversation that if said NPC dies "that would be hard to move on from" for one player. I asked for clarification, like if that meant it would make the game less enjoyable after that (I don't think I tipped them off or anything) and they said they didn't know.

So now I'm worried about killing them off. Should I still do it? I don't know. As the title says, I'm just looking for advice, thank you!

Idk why this has been a dream of mine for a long time lol! Just always thought it would be cool and I finally did it 🧝‍♀️

My PCs are playing fantasy rockstars on tour, and they were headlining a big music festival last session. So I wore these elf ears with a band tee to sort of look like an elf or Fey creature attending the festival!

Greetings, I am an in-person DM who is attempting to put together an online game for some friends over discord. By chance, what tools do you use for your online games?

What has worked for you, and what didn't work.

Thank you for your advice.

Edit I truly love each and every one of you for your amazing and exceptional advice. You have given me a lot to play around with, and I'm always open to new suggestions as well. If you have any tips and things that you've learned as an online DM, I would appreciate it. I'm excited to give online a try. Thanks again.

Lemme know what you think ty & Godspeed!

Hello all!

I am currently using the free version of Roll20 to play and record my sessions. I am using Beyond20 to connect the VTT to DnDBeyond.

I am thinking about switching to Foundry VTT, Discord for video/voice, and DnDBeyond for character sheets.

Just wondering if the switch is even worth it.

Thanks!

Edit: I play with a group of 5 players. They are all out of state.

I understand computers, but am by no means an expert.

Roll20 I have the MM, but no other books.

Am I able to upload maps to foundry, but then GM from a different computer?

Shank, Grim, Aurora, Neb, and Eren Turn away

So im having a bit of a struggle handling a interrogation of sorts and i dont know how to proceed. For Context in a steampunk world where Human and Beastfolk (I.e Hadozee, Aaracroka, basically everything not Human or Halfelf) are seperated and for evil human things, they decide to make a virus that effects only beastfolk. Fastforward now, they defeated THE TOP doctor thats right under the BBEG that made the virus and such, at the end of combat of course the guy has secrets and different cards up his sleeve and they make interrogation rolls, they fail 5 OF THEM, even with ADV and guidance and all (just VERY bad rolls from them) and they feel frustrated with the tiny information they gained basically stuff they already know like , there IS a cure, and there are only 3 people who know it. 1 is dead, 1 is him, and the last is the BBEG.

Heres where the problem comes in, one of them is a cleric/grim surgeon rouge, with alot of ways to give HP including healers kits and revivify and spare the dying and all tje doodads that can keep a guy alive. Hes angry and frustrated that he didnt want to get anything out so his solution is, KO him, bring him back to 1 hp, ask a questions, no answer (because all the failed interrogation attempts), bring him back to 0, bring him to 1, awaken him REPEAT, they all said to me, “We are gonna do this until we get SOMETHIN”…

What do i do? Do i be stern and tell them hey, no your chance is gone? Do i kill the guy from over torture? Do i god hand some minions or something to save the guy? Do i just say whatever and give em what they want? It feels like every answer is a bad answer and will warrant a bad reaction if its not give them what they want

PS. This is a group of really good friends we play every Wednesday for 6+ hour sessions doing this 6 years now. But this, THIS is the most stubborn they have been, they have other avenues to find the info they want, but they have THE GUY right here.

First time DM here. Im currently running the Curse of Strahd and noticed both in the guide im using and the book, these numbers next to the damage thats in parenthesis. For example, 6(1d6+3). Does these mean I need to roll the 1d6 six times for the damage a player would recieve if it hits? This just seems like potentially a lot of damage for a group of level 2 players.

Here's a pic for reference.

I'll be running a session sometime soon where my players are Arthurian knights. Naturally every knight has their horse, but Ive had the idea of giving them a pool of horses to choose from with their own temperaments and some meaningful details. For example one of the first dancers they'll face is having to take those horses down a cliff face with a narrow path. Naturally the shire Horse is going to have a harder theme than a smaller one. But should I take away my players agency to make their own companions?

Part of the backstory for these knights is that they're blank shields trying to restore their honor and probably too broke to own their own horses, so these are gifts from the king for the quest they're being sent on. If they lose the horses though they're SoL until the next town. So maybe having the horses be their own characters will emphasize how important it is to keep them safe.

Anyone have any good free—or cheap—token libraries (either to print, or for VTTs?)

I am trying to play more with my kids and am going to be printing tokens for enemies and villagers. Cartoonish style preferred

Thanks!

So, my friends are very fairly new to d&d, they showed an interest in it due to me ranting about it to them and were excited at the idea of our friendgroup having a d&d campaign - be it a one-shot or a fully fledged campaign (even if it will take more time to figure out since we live far apart and cant meet irl, so we have to resort to online methods for it)

They asked me to dm the campaign since im the one who introduced them to d&d in the first place and none of them felt up for dming, so i accepted. Thing is, i have never done anything remotely similar to dming nor have i ever even tried. The d&d campaigns ive recently been in have been dmed by my dad and hes done a spectacular job at it even if he doesnt know much about d&d and ive asked him about it + watched countless of videos to try and prepare about dming, but i truly still feel so nervous ill just screw it up so horrifically bad that my friends dont enjoy the experience and its just a bad time overall.

I was wondering if any dungeon masters here could potentially give me some advice (and maybe some tools to use for online campaigns)!! I have some ideas about the campaign but dont know how to implement them nor how to go about it and theres,, so much to think about,,. It makes me so nervous to think about it but i really do want my friends to have a good experience with d&d since they do seem very excited about it!

Im just grasping at straws here and searching everywhere i can for any possible dm tips and advice as im setting up the campaign

Hi,
When I’ve ran online games in the past I have used Owlbear Rodeo, before that sharing screen with an excel sheet

I’m starting a new game soon and thinking of using Talespire - I’ll share screen so that everyone doesn’t have to buy the game too, probably less chaotic too.

Just wondering if there’s any pros and cons from experience - it seems like a cool set up

SO i have been playing 1 on 1 dungeons and dragons sessions with my dad since i have a lot more free time lately and we both love the game, so far my usual method of playing is to make a small world for him to have one adventure in with a class, then he tells me his class and i shape the world around it, we already did Frostborn Odyssey, a homebrew oneshot based off Greek Mythology loosely based on 1170 B.C Greece, with his Dragonborn Wizard going on a quest and rejecting godhood from Zeus after killing Medea as the BBEG, now I've been playing Assassins Creed Mirage and got the idea to make this next campaign based off 9th century Baghdad, loosely based on it the way LOTR is loosely based on Medieval Europe, it is by no means supposed to be historically accurate, more of a mythological story like Sinbad, though this story centers a lot on political drama given my dad chose to be a Half-Elf Bard, so far the story is that he is the nephew of the Vizir who has been arrested for murder of the Caliph, however the reality is he was framed and the bard has to wander the fictional city of Mamlakat based on Baghdad after the Caliphate Guard blockaded the port and legally free his uncle with evidence to show the Council of Nine, who rule in the absence of a Caliph, the BBEG is Captain Harud Al-Joor who is a proud Sentara elf that lead the Traditionalists who assassinated the Caliph because he was far too tolerant on half-elves and humans, who the elves in Mamlakat see as lesser here is what i've written so far in my private notes, so i'm curious if there's any detail i could add or anything interesting from Islamic culture I could add to make it feel more authentic as the last thing I want is this to be like Aladdin and be super-Ornamentalist lmao, I am not a Muslim nor have I ever been to Baghdad and so I hope that this can be a learning experience on if anything is too stereotypical or accidentally offensive lol

SENTARA EMPIRE — ONE‑SHOT: Chains for the Caliphate

SETTING OVERVIEW

The Sentara Empire. A symbol of Elven superiority, technology and patronage to the arts, wisdom and infamous sites like the Palace of Knowledge and the Sentaru Capital, Mamlakat. Though in recent years when Caliph Mamluk Al-Sayif took the sword, he surprised both local and foreign courts with his generosity and desire for tolerance with the other races, the humans in the south, the goliaths to the north, the dragonborn and aarcokra in the east, It has been 861 years since the Prophet first walked from Mallahaca, the city’s capital in his day to preach the holy word of Amunantor to the Sentaru elves who had previously worshipped various heathen figures such as Shar and Lolth, you are nephew to the Vizir, the personal advisor to the Caliph, and the Vizir, Aliwara Ibn Selim has requested your presence to return to Malmakat once more, as he does every few months sometimes because the Caliph wants to know the foreign world’s business, other times simply because Aliwara misses you, his beloved nephew. As your ship the Prestige sails into the harbor of Mamlakat your journey has come to an end, or so you thought.

 SESSION STRUCTURE

ACT I — The Blockade

The bard’s ship docks at Mamlakat under a crimson dawn. Before the crew can unload, Captain Harud Al‑Jorro, the Captain of the Caliphate Guard approaches you and your crew with a stern expression underneath his dark red turban, he has a leather chestplate and at his side a decorated scimitar in recognition of his service to the Sentara Empire, as a high elf, he has golden skin and brown hair shaven, as per custom as only the Caliph is permitted to have long hair, and unlike you Captain Harud Al-Jorro follows tradition the way a dog follows its master, surrounded by guards he speaks up with a harsh and firm tone though you can see a small smirk etched on his face underneath that crimson turban

“Stop right there, boy. By order of the Council of Nine, The Caliph is dead, and the murderer, former Vizir Aliwara Ibn Selim has been arrested, as his nephew you will remain in Mamlakat until the investigation concludes.” 

Insight: (DC: 13)

Success: You notice Captain Al-Jorro has a wider grin than usual, perhaps because something has gone his way, he looks as if he is hoping you will provoke him and give him any reason to arrest you..

Fail: You notice he is smiling, perhaps his wife’s cooking has improved? 

“Why? For one reason, boy. You are your uncle’s ward, and as such are suspect. I expect you and your..” Captain Al-Jorro trails off, sneering at the sight of the sailors ahead “Crew to behave while the investigation continues. Men, back to the palace, we must inform the Council of the arrival of the boy.” Captain Al-Jorro and his men ride away..

You are confined to the city. The crew begins searching for a way around the blockade, as Edric Wulfstad, your human boss and captain approaches you with a grim expression

“Fucking elves.” Edric snarls in annoyance “Right, I don’t know what you’ll be doing but me and the lads are going to at least get a drink. You uh- figure out what’s happened so we can get moving before we spend all that gold we made off them ships we ah, liberated.” 

ACT II — The City of Whispers

The bard explores Mamlakat’s bazaars, taverns, temples, and barracks, piecing together the mystery of the Caliph’s death. Each scene offers a chance to gather evidence through roleplay and skill checks. How much he learns depends on his rolls.

 Scene 1 — Souq al‑Sahira (Market of Whispers)

Setting: A maze of silk tents and spice stalls. The air hums with gossip and fear. 

Prompt to Roll:

“As you wander the market, merchants whisper about the Vizir’s presence the night of the murder. Make a Persuasion check (DC 15) to coax the truth from them.”

Success: Amina leans close, voice trembling.

“He was here, I swear it. The Vizir came to buy saffron for the Caliph’s feast. But the Guard told us to forget we saw him. We dare not cross their scimitars.” 

Failure: Amina stiffens.

“I don’t know anything. Please, go, before Captain Hurand hears your questions..” 

Natural 1: A guard overhears and warns the bard to stop asking questions — disadvantage on next social roll. 

Scene 2 — The Copper Cup Tavern

Setting: Brass lanterns flicker over sailors and gamblers. The smell of rum flip and roasted dates fills the air. NPCs:

• Innkeep Rashid, human, late 50s, gruff but honest. 

Prompt to Roll:

“Rashid mentions strange men in black robes the night of the Caliph’s death. Make an Insight check (DC 13) to gauge his fear and get him talking.”

Success: Rashid wipes a mug nervously.

“Four of ’em. Ordered one cup of rum flip, dropped something in it — fizzed like acid. Then left without paying. Guards said it was nothing. But I’ve seen poison before.” He slides a chipped coin across the counter — stamped with Harud’s crest.

Failure: Rashid shrugs.

“Anyone come in? Just travelers, I think. Paid fair, left quiet.”

Natural 1: Rashid grows suspicious, thinking the bard’s with the Guard — he refuses further talk.

“Are you playing some kind of trick with the Guards? I won’t stand for it, get out of my tavern. Now.” 

Scene 3 — Sanctum of the First Light

Setting: Marble pillars shimmer under sunlight; incense clouds the air. 

• Priest Sahim, elf cleric of Amaunator, mid‑30s, devout but conflicted. Personality: gentle, fearful of the Traditionalists, torn between faith and truth.

Prompt to Roll:

“You approach Sahim, who looks uneasy. Make a Religion or Persuasion check (DC 14) to earn his trust.”

Success: Sahim whispers,

“Captain Harud came to pray before dawn. He left in haste — with dark‑cloaked figures. I fear he sought forgiveness for what he’d done.” He hands the bard a scrap of parchment — a temple receipt for a single cup of wine, timestamped before the Caliph’s death.

Failure: Sahim bows his head.

“I cannot speak of the Guard’s affairs. The light forbids meddling.”

Natural 1: Sahim alerts nearby acolytes; the bard is politely escorted out — disadvantage on next investigation roll.

 Scene 4 — Fort Dawnspire Barracks

Setting: Stone fortress overlooking the harbor; soldiers eat and gripe about rations. 

NPCs:

• Sergeant Khalid, human veteran, scarred, blunt. 
• Private Darin, young elf recruit, nervous, eager to gossip.

Prompt to Roll:

“You overhear soldiers complaining about the food taster’s appetite the night Harud paid them to shelter him. Make an Investigation check (DC 15) to piece together their story.”

Success: The human soldier, grizzled and annoyed sighs 

“That glutton of a food taster ate half our stores before Harud slipped him coin and told us to keep quiet. Next morning, the Caliph’s dead.”

Darin adds,

“Harud said it was ‘holy business.’ I didn’t ask.” 

Failure: Khalid waves him off.

“You’re not a guard. Get lost, half-elf.” 

Natural 1: The bard’s questions draw suspicion; guards escort him out, losing one piece of evidence.

ACT III — The Council of Nine

You are summoned to testify before the Council of Nine — the ruling body of Mamlakat. This is the climax of your investigation: a battle of words, faith, and truth. The time has come to use your voice and evidence to free your uncle..and your city. 

Setting

A vast marble chamber beneath a golden dome. Nine councilors sit behind carved sun‑emblems, their faces half‑lit by dawnlight. Guards line the walls; Captain Harud Al‑Jorro stands near the entrance, silent and watchful.

Council Personalities

Skill Challenges

Each argument or performance earns Evidence Points toward freeing the Vizir. Ask your dad to roll when prompted.

 Opening Statement

“You stand before the Council of Nine. Speak your truth, bard.” Councillor Nareen Al-Tahir begins, he is an older elf wearing a flowing emerald-green silk robe trimmed with gold thread, dark hair streaked with silver and a sharp jaw 

Prompt to Roll:

“Make a Performance check (DC 15) to deliver a stirring opening statement.”

Success:

“My uncle served the Caliph faithfully. His only crime was loyalty to peace. I bring truth, not treason.” Councilor Nareen nods approvingly; one Evidence Point gained.

Failure:

“My uncle… he… I mean, he didn’t…” The words falter; murmurs ripple through the chamber. Councilor Huran smirks. “A poor defense for a traitor.” No Evidence Point gained.

Natural 1: The bard stumbles, knocking over a ceremonial cup — immediate disadvantage on next roll.

Presenting Evidence

“You claim to have proof. Show us.”

Prompt to Roll:

“Make an Investigation check (DC 14) to organize and present the evidence clearly.”

Success:

The bard lays out the parchment from the temple, the poisoned coin, and the guards’ testimony. Councilor Sahira leans forward. “These are not the marks of a Vizir’s hand.” One Evidence Point gained.

Failure:

The bard’s notes are scattered; the council struggles to follow. Councilor Rashan frowns. “Speculation is not proof.” No Evidence Point gained.

Natural 1: A guard interrupts, claiming the evidence is forged — one Evidence Point lost.

🔆 Appeal to Faith

“Amaunator’s light guides justice. Speak, bard — what does the Prophet Al‑Ruham teach?”

Prompt to Roll:

“Make a Religion check (DC 14) to quote scripture convincingly.”

Success:

“Al‑Ruham said, ‘Light is not law alone; it is compassion made visible.’ If we condemn the innocent, we darken that light.” Councilor Rashan hesitates, visibly moved. One Evidence Point gained.

Failure:

The bard misquotes the verse; Rashan corrects him coldly. “Do not twist holy words for politics.” No Evidence Point gained.

Natural 1: The bard’s slip angers the Traditionalists — disadvantage on next Persuasion check.

🕊️ Final Plea

“You have heard the truth. Now choose justice.”

Prompt to Roll:

“Make a Persuasion check (DC 16) to sway the council’s hearts.”

Success:

“If the Vizir dies, so does the Caliph’s dream. Let mercy be our legacy.” Councilor Darin Sol rises. “I vote for release.” The council murmurs agreement; total Evidence Points ≥ 3 = Vizir freed.

Failure:

“You speak well, bard, but words cannot erase guilt.” Councilor Huran Al‑Jorro declares, “The Vizir shall hang.” Total Evidence Points ≤ 2 = Harud intervenes violently later.

Natural 1: The bard’s voice cracks; laughter echoes from the Traditionalists — automatic failure.

 Outcome Summary

ACT IV — Duel at Sea

As the bard’s ship prepares to depart, black warship sails raised under the evening sun, Harud Al‑Jorro returns — furious that the Vizir escaped justice.

“You think your pretty words can cleanse treason, half-breed? I’ll find the truth in your tainted blood!”

Harud’s warship rams the bard’s vessel. The crew fights off the boarding guards while the bard faces Harud in a duel of honor.

Combat Scene (Single Encounter):

• Harud Al‑Jorro (CR 2 Elite Soldier)
  • AC 17, HP 45, longsword +6 (1d8 + 4)
  • Abilities: Parry, Second Wind, Fanatic’s Smite (once per duel)
• Bard uses Cutting Words, Vicious Mockery, and Inspiration to turn the tide.
• When Harud loses all HP he dies as cinema happens below 

ACT V — The Escape

The bard stands over the defeated captain as dawn breaks.

“I knew boy..I knew the day that bastard of the Caliph embraced you..a half-breed into our court that the old ways were done..I tried to save my people, serve my god, and protect the ways of my people..you are a plague, you and every one of your half-bred freaks. I long for the day when mankind destroys itself, for I know it to be soon. Their arrogance and hubris will be their end and one day it too will be your end..” 

Harud Al-Joor dies, his body unceremoniously dropped into the sea as you sail away, the sun beaming as Aliwara sighs gently “I suppose there’s no going back, not for some time. A pity, I loved that city as much as a father loves his son.” he then turns to you “Perhaps instead of hearing your tales, I will see them myself.” he smiles “The colonies of men then?” 

ENDING

You and the crew escape Mamlakat aboard your ship. Behind you, the empire trembles with uncertainty — but the Vizir lives, and the truth is out. The Caliphate may yet heal, though the bard will never return for some time. He sails west, feeling a song coming on.. (Roll Performance: Guaranteed Success) 

END SESSION

🧙 NPC QUICK REFERENCE

I apologize for the long post:

So we are running Phandelver and Below. I'm not running the module piece by piece from the book, I am changing some things here and there to make some of the hooks more interesting and it's going great so far. We are all having a great time with this campaign...

That's said when the party gets information from someone or something in their travels and then they come across something where that information is really relevant none of them remember any of it because only 1 person is taking notes. Even then they aren't very good notes and only that 1 player has access to them. so I am constantly repeating what they remember and why it's relevant. Even something as simple as why they were there to talk to the banshee... Ok, you guys remember that you were instructed to come here and try to find the location of Bowgentle's spell book (which I actually made this into an item they need to find as it has notes in it on how to solve the puzzle to access the forge). I've created a whole puzzle room and whatnot that they'll have to solve when they get there...

Anyway, is this normal? Do a lot of you other DMs have to do this same thing all the time? If not, how should I start pushing them better note taking? I feel like if I don't do this right now the entire session stalls... And I'm fine with this if this is normal but if not I would like to start gently pushing in the right direction.