D&D 5E Which played-out D&D trope needs to die?

[Musing Mage]

1st level characters with an epic 10 + page backstory in which they have survived enough trials and adventure to level them to 20.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Is that like “if you just vote this person out of office, the complex issues dividing our society will magically resolve themselves”?

We generally avoid posting about politics & religion on this site unless it is actually related to the hobby.

Needlessly interjecting politics into discussions like this is really frowned upon.

Going forward, suppress that impulse.

 

[Gradine]

Oh, you're awake. We're riding in a wagon to Helgen. Once we get there, you'll get to decide whether to fight for the Roman Empire or white supremacists.

Either way, make sure to weaken both factions for their elven fascist overlords!

 

[jmartkdr2]

Is it cheating to say the “the you all meet in a tavern trope is played out” trope is played out? Meeting in taverns is a great way to start a campaign and I think it’s overdue for a comeback.

You all meet in/at a: (roll 1d12)

1. tavern
2. temple
3. general store
4. potion shop
5. antique shop
6. a shop that is, in and of itself, an antique
7. massage parlor
8. onsen
9. lecture
10. jazz festival

Edit to add:

11. China shop run by a minotaur
12. the kitchen of the one pc with a living parent

 

[jmartkdr2]

If you just kill the evil leader, the whole conflict consuming the kingdom or the continent will immediately solve itself.

Also, the building will collapse. He was a load-bearing boss.

 

[Yora]

Actually, I think the whole first episode of Tower of Druaga (which isn't actually part of the series' story) qualifies.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

If you’re willing to take the time, you can still use many of these cliches effectively.

For instance, I once started a campaign by focusing on a single PC in a solo encounter that went bad. As events unfolded, that PC encountered another, then another, until the whole party was assembled outside the smoking ruins of a tavern when a mysterious stranger offered them work.

Another started with the independent PCs attending a large festival on an island, again, each doing their own things. When the festival was over, they were all on the same ferry back to the mainland…which was attacked by interdimensional pirate anthro-tigers. They fought hard, but were eventually captured. Because they fought well, they were given the chance to fight for their lives as prey on the prince’s hunting island, as opposed to simply becoming beach BBQ.

The PCs wake on slabs in what resembles a crypt. “How did I get here?”

The wizened priest responds, “You were all summoned across the gulf of time and place by a ritual. We needed heroes to help us in our time of greatest need!”

 

[Ancalagon]

I have one:

the GM asks us to make sure we are linked to each other and this medium village where we grew up in/took residence. One is the blackmith's son, the other a new acolyte from the big city to the local temple, etc etc etc.

aaaaaaand then the village is destroyed by an invading force.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

You all meet in/at a: (roll 1d12)

1. tavern
2. temple
3. general store
4. potion shop
5. antique shop
6. a shop that is, in and of itself, an antique
7. massage parlor
8. onsen
9. lecture
10. jazz festival

Edit to add:

11. China shop run by a minotaur
12. the kitchen of the one pc with a living parent

The last 3 are my faves.

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

Every adventurer having dead parents/being an orphan gets tiring.

I've never understood the orphan fantasy, I actually like my parents.