On Presentation, Performance, and Style- Players and DMs

lowkey13 · May 17, 2019

*Deleted by user*

Umbran · May 17, 2019

Lanefan said:
I mean, come on - bagpipes?

Go ahead. Argue with the orc with the 18 Str, heavy armor, a battleaxe, *and* your party's healing magic, about his musical tastes. I'm sure you'll enjoy the fruits of that discussion.

Quickleaf · May 17, 2019

lowkey13 said:
I am looking for examples of play (DMing, playing as a player) in D&D (hence, the D&D thread- please restrict this to D&D so we have a common frame of reference) that you think are enhanced by presentation, performance, or style.

This can be anything- whether it's in the verbal component (using voices, diction, expressive language, facial expressions), the written component (pre-writing descriptions for certain things, using illustrations or drawing characters or rooms or your favorite sword), or other things (wearing period clothes, making real terrain battles, painting miniatures, collecting and rolling certain dice, and other stuff that I'm too dumb and old to think of).

So I'm throwing it out there- what do y'all do for presentation, performance, and/or style that works for you as a player and/or DM? Do you have any tips that have worked for you?

I guess I am guilty of all the above?

I do voices, diction, expressive language, facial expressions, and body language as needed. For example, when portraying an eblis I adopted a zany silly voice, whereas for having the Hand of Vecna whispering to a PC, I spoke with my shirt pulled up over my mouth.

I pre-write area descriptions as needed (usually no more than 1 per session), use illustrations to help explain complex areas or simply to evoke a mood, use handouts, and on occasion do some sketch art to support the game.

I use lots of maps (most are drawn on a Chessex mat, others printed, others purchased), on rare occasions I've crafted crude terrain, and I've gotten back into painting minis for our current campaign.

I also use atmospheric/ambient music.

lowkey13 · May 17, 2019

*Deleted by user*

Enkhidu · May 17, 2019

I’ve started using envelopes and index cards for the contents of chests, bag, and other containers. If a player opens the envelope, then that PC is the one who gets the first peek at the contents.

Also, it allows me to put in things like a card that says “a swarm of clockwork spiders - roll for initiative” to spring on the group.

Lanefan · May 17, 2019

Umbran said:
Go ahead. Argue with the orc with the 18 Str, heavy armor, a battleaxe, *and* your party's healing magic, about his musical tastes. I'm sure you'll enjoy the fruits of that discussion.

This guy's a War Cleric, then?

And yeah, I'll argue.

Shame to lose his Cleric side, but replacement Fighters are dime-a-dozen in any town...

Swarmkeeper · May 17, 2019

Enkhidu said:
I’ve started using envelopes and index cards for the contents of chests, bag, and other containers. If a player opens the envelope, then that PC is the one who gets the first peek at the contents.

Also, it allows me to put in things like a card that says “a swarm of clockwork spiders - roll for initiative” to spring on the group.

Love this idea!

Satyrn · May 17, 2019

Enkhidu said:
I’ve started using envelopes and index cards for the contents of chests, bag, and other containers. If a player opens the envelope, then that PC is the one who gets the first peek at the contents.

Also, it allows me to put in things like a card that says “a swarm of clockwork spiders - roll for initiative” to spring on the group.

I used to be intrigued by all the fancy item cards that are available to buy or print, and I used the 4e style item layout with a pretty picture for the magic weapon cards I made for my 3e game. I've been intending to do the same thing for a while, but next time, I'm intending to make them dirt simple. Like, just an unadorned paragraph printed in plain type.

How much work are you putting into the index cards?

Enkhidu · May 17, 2019

Satyrn said:
I used to be intrigued by all the fancy item cards that are available to buy or print, and I used the 4e style item layout with a pretty picture for the magic weapon cards I made for my 3e game. I've been intending to do the same thing for a while, but next time, I'm intending to make them dirt simple. Like, just an unadorned paragraph printed in plain type.

How much work are you putting into the index cards?

Very little. With 5e’s ease of magic item identification, it’s fairly easy to put the description in one side, fold the card in half, and put the mechanics in the inside (and tape the edge). You can also do things like put little checkboxes for permanent charges, or cut little strips/tabs into the card which can be torn off for things like potions.

My rule of thumb is to spend less than 5 minutes on a “chest”.

Satyrn · May 17, 2019

Enkhidu said:
Very little. With 5e’s ease of magic item identification, it’s fairly easy to put the description in one side, fold the card in half, and put the mechanics in the inside (and tape the edge). You can also do things like put little checkboxes for permanent charges, or cut little strips/tabs into the card which can be torn off for things like potions.

My rule of thumb is to spend less than 5 minutes on a “chest”.

I'm so glad I asked you that question.

Folding/taping the card is an excellent idea. So is the the tear-strip thing.