Recent content by GMMichael

It might be perfect, but it looks a lot more complex than I would prefer. So my character might end up being low in skill points just because I was focusing on role-playing instead of system-mastering. For what it's worth, I took a stab at skill-points-through-usage with a Modos RPG module. I...

This also describes certain popular news programs. DM - Player. As long as neither side backs down, some poor character is going to get caught in the middle. Gods, I wish wizards were still this fragile.

Whoa. Good answer. Here, I was just thinking the cost of an inn stay was a stiff back in the morning and a chance at catching fleas.

Encounter: The Beorn's Annual Gourdgoyle Hunt Setup: While traveling through a foreign land in autumn, the PCs encounter signs of a special event. First, there are fanfares heard from far off. Then they spot, along the road, brown-and-yellow standards adorned with winged pumpkins. Finally...

I like this, but I'm a little more harsh: Perception: find a trap before setting it off. Investigation: find a trap BY setting it off. What's the exact definition? I combine the two into "Detect" and let the player do the defining.

You're not kidding! Well played, whatever the outcome :)

The Haul Before the Storm Ingredients: Fast Times Scary Stickers Rose-Colored Glasses Monstrous Carapace Yuan-ti Oil Ante Up Background: Wothersee is a medieval fishing town, situated in a rocky cove that provides residents and fishermen protection from some of the worst anger of the sea gods...

Confirming 1600 MST.

The point holds if you're already fighting the 1,000 HP (now 982 HP) kobold. Since you can't see hit points, you don't have a clear signal that running away is a good idea. On the flip side, PCs can see their own hit points just fine. And how much damage they're taking. They don't need a...

Ready. LET'S GET IT ON!

This is fair. One thing that should be included in the Hit Points Are Genius thread (might be, I don't know) is that they're not externally visible. So if you're about to start a fight against the 1,000 HP kobold, a clear signal to run away might be nice. I'll sometimes abandon that ethos...

I'm thinking 1200 MST.

I was born ready.

Sure. It's like a death spiral with a soft landing. And emphasis on a gradual beginning. That's sort of an historical thing, though. If you get your butt kicked, it's time to flee or submit. Unless you're a pro wrestler, in which case you just breathe heavily until all your energy comes...

That's up to the GM. And the game designer. As GM, my NPCs generally choose to flee/submit before they get to the steep part of the curve.