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Redesigning Burning Sky Skill Challenges
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<blockquote data-quote="sfedi" data-source="post: 5008387" data-attributes="member: 15746"><p><strong>Finding the Mushrooms</strong></p><p></p><p>Here's one Skill Challenge I'm changing: Finding the Mushrooms.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 18px">Finding the Mushrooms</span></p><p>This Skill Challenge challenges the PCs to find the mushrooms before they are attacked.</p><p></p><p>Success: PCs find all the mushrooms and flint they need, the loot of the encounter and earn an Action Point. They also have the option to run away avoiding combat or stay and fight with significant advantage.</p><p>Failure: PCs must stay and fight to get all of the reagents and the loot.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Assumptions</span></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Party consist of 5 characters of Level 4</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They must get a variety of mushrooms (4 total) and some flint (2 total) from the vein (this is a slight change from the original SC)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They will also get 3 parcels of loot and the badge.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">PCs don't know what's beyond the mist tunnel.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Since the alarm has been deactivated and the PCs bring loght sources into the cave, the Fungals know about their presence. The PCs know they have been detected.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Members of the party are trained on at least one or more of the skills involved in the skill challenge.</li> </ul><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Math behind the Skill Challenge</span></p><p>This SC assumes that there will be 2 x number of characters items to solve: parcels to find and identify, flint to collect, fungi to collect, etc.</p><p>Each one will require 2 steps to solve: find and collect/identify.</p><p>Each step will have an aproximate chance to solve of 50% (that's why the DC is set at 20).</p><p>Thus, with all 5 characters searching and collecting the "expected" time that this challenge will take is 8 rounds.</p><p>But maybe not all characters will want to search&collect, some will want to be on lookout.</p><p>In that case, to preserve the party chances of success, for each PC on watch there should be a 20% chance per turn that they will delay the Myconid incursion for 1 round.</p><p>Note: the "expected time" means that half the time the challenge will be completed under this number and half the time above.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Skill Challenge Setup</span></p><p>The SC is best represented with several tokens and cards, to show what are the PCs options and to clearly show the PCs progress through the challenge.</p><p></p><p>Setup different zones in the table:</p><p></p><p> * Lookout Activities (place the Get Information and Delay Enemy activities)</p><p> * Time Until Attack (add 8 tokens, representing 8 rounds until attack)</p><p> * Delay Attack Pool (this pool starts with no tokens)</p><p> * Search & Collect Activities (only place the Search for Reagents activity)</p><p> * Complete Activities (no tokens here either)</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">How to run the Skill Challenge</span></p><p>The Skill Challenge is run in rounds, each one lasts about 1 minute, or whatever you deem appropiate.</p><p>Encounter powers can only be used once during the course of the Skill Challenge.</p><p>When PCs enter into the cave they'll probably be very cautious.</p><p>Most of them will be split between On Lookout and Searching Reagents (see below).</p><p></p><p>Round sequence:</p><p></p><p> * All characters assign themselves to an activity that is available</p><p> * Characters On Lookout perform the action corresponding to their activity and apply the result</p><p> * Remove a token from the Time Until Attack Pool. If none is available, the SC ends in failure</p><p> * Characters Searching perform the action corresponding to their activity and apply the result</p><p></p><p> </p><p>When the Skill Challenge ends (whether Successfully or not):</p><p></p><p> * All characters automatically benefit from a Short Rest</p><p> * Gain the effects of Failure or Success of the Skill Challenge (as appropiate)</p><p></p><p>If the Skill Challenge was a Failure:</p><p> * Place characters on the map according to their last activity</p><p> * Roll initiative</p><p></p><p>If the Skill Challenge was a Success:</p><p></p><p>PCs have the option to get out of the cavern or stay and fight.</p><p>In the last case, they decide where they are placed on the map when initiative is rolled.</p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Activities</span></p><p></p><p>Skills for obtaining reagents: Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics, Dungeoneering, Heal, Nature, Perception, Thievery</p><p></p><p>Skills for guarding against incoming Fungal forces: Bluff, Diplomacy, Insight, Intimidate, Stealth</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">How to read an activity entry</span></p><p>Activity: The name of the activity</p><p>Place: Where on the map is the activity is taking place. Only important if Initiative is rolled.</p><p>Action: The action that must be performed by the character</p><p>Result: Description of the success, failure, or consequence of the action taken by the character</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Searching for reagents activities</span></p><p></p><p>Activity: Search for Reagents</p><p>Place: Anywhere on the lower cave where mushrooms are or near the back walls of the cavern</p><p>Action: Dungeoneering, Nature or Perception check DC 20</p><p>Result: Determine randomly one of the following:</p><p> - One Collect Flint becomes available (2 total)</p><p> - One Collect Fungi becomes available (4 total)</p><p> - Finds item (1 parcel) (2 total), Identify Item becomes available</p><p> - Finds gold (1 parcel) (1 total) and can store it</p><p> - Finds Badge of the Solei Palancis (1 total), Identify Badge becomes available</p><p></p><p>Activity: Collect Fungi</p><p>Place: Anywhere on the lower cave where mushrooms are</p><p>Action: Dungeoneering, Heal, Nature or Thievery check DC 20</p><p>Result: Collect 1 unit of Fungus</p><p></p><p>Activity: Collect Flint</p><p>Place: Near the back walls of the cavern</p><p>Action: </p><p> - Climb to collect - Athletics DC 20 (if check result is less than 12, fall for 2d10 damage)</p><p> - Balance on a ledge to collect - Acrobatics DC 20 (if check result is less than 12, fall for 2d10 damage)</p><p> - Install Climber's Kit (1 round) and use the installed kit to climb and collect (another round)</p><p>Result: Collect 1 unit of Flint</p><p></p><p>Activity: Identify Item</p><p>Place: Anywhere the player chooses except near the Misty Cavern</p><p>Action: Arcana check DC 20</p><p>Result: Reveal the items properties and wear or store it</p><p></p><p>Activity: Identify Badge</p><p>Place: Anywhere the player chooses except near the Misty Cavern</p><p>Action: As Sidebar on page 11</p><p>Result: As Sidebar on page 11 and wear or store it</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">On Lookout activities</span></p><p></p><p>Activity: Delay Enemy</p><p>Place: Lower/Misty Cavern entrance</p><p>Action: Bluff, Intimidate or Diplomacy DC 20</p><p>Result: Add 1 token to the Delay Pool</p><p></p><p>Activity: Understand Enemy</p><p>Place: Lower/Misty Cavern entrance</p><p>Action: Insight DC 20</p><p>Result: If succesfull, add 1 token to the next successfull Delay Enemy activity check</p><p></p><p>Activity: Scout Ahead</p><p>Place: Lower/Misty Cavern, 5 squares from entrance</p><p>Action: Stealth DC 15</p><p>Result: If succesfull, you can:</p><p> - make an appropiate check to identify the creatures</p><p> - you can provide enough information for others to make the same check at -5</p><p> - you can allow a current ally Delaying Enemy to reroll a failed check</p><p></p><p>Delay Pool</p><p>For every 2.5 tokens the party earns, the Fungals attack is delayed one more round (add one token to the Time Until Attack Pool).</p><p></p><p>Tips for running this SC:</p><p> - When finding the different reagents and loot, make sure the last one they get is a reagent. This will ensure that by the time they get all the reagents they need, they will get all the available loot on the encounter</p><p> - Since identifying items is pretty optional, smart players will delay their identifying until they get all reagents. This gives them a significant edge on the challenge. To compensate this and keep it fair, I recommend leaving 1 or 2 activities for identifying, but the other 9 or 8 should be collecting reagents</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="sfedi, post: 5008387, member: 15746"] [b]Finding the Mushrooms[/b] Here's one Skill Challenge I'm changing: Finding the Mushrooms. [SIZE="5"]Finding the Mushrooms[/SIZE] This Skill Challenge challenges the PCs to find the mushrooms before they are attacked. Success: PCs find all the mushrooms and flint they need, the loot of the encounter and earn an Action Point. They also have the option to run away avoiding combat or stay and fight with significant advantage. Failure: PCs must stay and fight to get all of the reagents and the loot. [SIZE="4"]Assumptions[/SIZE] [LIST] [*]Party consist of 5 characters of Level 4 [*]They must get a variety of mushrooms (4 total) and some flint (2 total) from the vein (this is a slight change from the original SC) [*]They will also get 3 parcels of loot and the badge. [*]PCs don't know what's beyond the mist tunnel. [*]Since the alarm has been deactivated and the PCs bring loght sources into the cave, the Fungals know about their presence. The PCs know they have been detected. [*]Members of the party are trained on at least one or more of the skills involved in the skill challenge. [/LIST] [SIZE="4"]Math behind the Skill Challenge[/SIZE] This SC assumes that there will be 2 x number of characters items to solve: parcels to find and identify, flint to collect, fungi to collect, etc. Each one will require 2 steps to solve: find and collect/identify. Each step will have an aproximate chance to solve of 50% (that's why the DC is set at 20). Thus, with all 5 characters searching and collecting the "expected" time that this challenge will take is 8 rounds. But maybe not all characters will want to search&collect, some will want to be on lookout. In that case, to preserve the party chances of success, for each PC on watch there should be a 20% chance per turn that they will delay the Myconid incursion for 1 round. Note: the "expected time" means that half the time the challenge will be completed under this number and half the time above. [SIZE="4"]Skill Challenge Setup[/SIZE] The SC is best represented with several tokens and cards, to show what are the PCs options and to clearly show the PCs progress through the challenge. Setup different zones in the table: * Lookout Activities (place the Get Information and Delay Enemy activities) * Time Until Attack (add 8 tokens, representing 8 rounds until attack) * Delay Attack Pool (this pool starts with no tokens) * Search & Collect Activities (only place the Search for Reagents activity) * Complete Activities (no tokens here either) [SIZE="4"]How to run the Skill Challenge[/SIZE] The Skill Challenge is run in rounds, each one lasts about 1 minute, or whatever you deem appropiate. Encounter powers can only be used once during the course of the Skill Challenge. When PCs enter into the cave they'll probably be very cautious. Most of them will be split between On Lookout and Searching Reagents (see below). Round sequence: * All characters assign themselves to an activity that is available * Characters On Lookout perform the action corresponding to their activity and apply the result * Remove a token from the Time Until Attack Pool. If none is available, the SC ends in failure * Characters Searching perform the action corresponding to their activity and apply the result When the Skill Challenge ends (whether Successfully or not): * All characters automatically benefit from a Short Rest * Gain the effects of Failure or Success of the Skill Challenge (as appropiate) If the Skill Challenge was a Failure: * Place characters on the map according to their last activity * Roll initiative If the Skill Challenge was a Success: PCs have the option to get out of the cavern or stay and fight. In the last case, they decide where they are placed on the map when initiative is rolled. [SIZE="4"]Activities[/SIZE] Skills for obtaining reagents: Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics, Dungeoneering, Heal, Nature, Perception, Thievery Skills for guarding against incoming Fungal forces: Bluff, Diplomacy, Insight, Intimidate, Stealth [SIZE="4"]How to read an activity entry[/SIZE] Activity: The name of the activity Place: Where on the map is the activity is taking place. Only important if Initiative is rolled. Action: The action that must be performed by the character Result: Description of the success, failure, or consequence of the action taken by the character [SIZE="4"]Searching for reagents activities[/SIZE] Activity: Search for Reagents Place: Anywhere on the lower cave where mushrooms are or near the back walls of the cavern Action: Dungeoneering, Nature or Perception check DC 20 Result: Determine randomly one of the following: - One Collect Flint becomes available (2 total) - One Collect Fungi becomes available (4 total) - Finds item (1 parcel) (2 total), Identify Item becomes available - Finds gold (1 parcel) (1 total) and can store it - Finds Badge of the Solei Palancis (1 total), Identify Badge becomes available Activity: Collect Fungi Place: Anywhere on the lower cave where mushrooms are Action: Dungeoneering, Heal, Nature or Thievery check DC 20 Result: Collect 1 unit of Fungus Activity: Collect Flint Place: Near the back walls of the cavern Action: - Climb to collect - Athletics DC 20 (if check result is less than 12, fall for 2d10 damage) - Balance on a ledge to collect - Acrobatics DC 20 (if check result is less than 12, fall for 2d10 damage) - Install Climber's Kit (1 round) and use the installed kit to climb and collect (another round) Result: Collect 1 unit of Flint Activity: Identify Item Place: Anywhere the player chooses except near the Misty Cavern Action: Arcana check DC 20 Result: Reveal the items properties and wear or store it Activity: Identify Badge Place: Anywhere the player chooses except near the Misty Cavern Action: As Sidebar on page 11 Result: As Sidebar on page 11 and wear or store it [SIZE="4"]On Lookout activities[/SIZE] Activity: Delay Enemy Place: Lower/Misty Cavern entrance Action: Bluff, Intimidate or Diplomacy DC 20 Result: Add 1 token to the Delay Pool Activity: Understand Enemy Place: Lower/Misty Cavern entrance Action: Insight DC 20 Result: If succesfull, add 1 token to the next successfull Delay Enemy activity check Activity: Scout Ahead Place: Lower/Misty Cavern, 5 squares from entrance Action: Stealth DC 15 Result: If succesfull, you can: - make an appropiate check to identify the creatures - you can provide enough information for others to make the same check at -5 - you can allow a current ally Delaying Enemy to reroll a failed check Delay Pool For every 2.5 tokens the party earns, the Fungals attack is delayed one more round (add one token to the Time Until Attack Pool). Tips for running this SC: - When finding the different reagents and loot, make sure the last one they get is a reagent. This will ensure that by the time they get all the reagents they need, they will get all the available loot on the encounter - Since identifying items is pretty optional, smart players will delay their identifying until they get all reagents. This gives them a significant edge on the challenge. To compensate this and keep it fair, I recommend leaving 1 or 2 activities for identifying, but the other 9 or 8 should be collecting reagents [/QUOTE]
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