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That's a different thing. a Basic hobgoblin was nothing like a 5e hobgoblin in terms of how much threat it represented. The 5e hobgoblin has twice as many hp, a better AC and does over twice as much damage if it hits. It's also far more likely to land a hit due to it's pack tactics ability.

In Basic hobgoblins averaged 5.5 hp, had one attack and no special abilities. It’s not really comparable. Experienced people layers will still find the encounter easy, but it’s plenty for beginners, which is who it’s aimed at.

I think that’s common element in horror. The audience knows they are safe, because they aren’t dumb enough to go up into the dark attic alone, so they can enjoy the misfortunes of people who are not as sensible as them.

Someone’s Law: In real life, people do stupid things all the time. In fiction it’s bad writing.

The whole point of 1st edition is the players make the decisions. If you want someone else to do it you are playing it wrong.

It does work, so long as you remember that 1st edition rules are just guidelines. Which is how you should be playing anyway, otherwise you will be bogged down by weapon speeds, weapon v armour type mods and other silly rules.

Lead flattens if you stand on it, and has a rough pitted surface. I.e. people wouldn’t roll on lead balls. You would do better with smooth beech pebbles. Steel isn’t just a matter of mixing a bit of carbon in with your iron. It needs to be carefully dispersed in exactly the right proportion...

Sure, there are a lot more anachronistic foodstuffs mentioned at the unexpected party in The Hobbit too. I tend to tailor what is being served to whatever culture I'm trying to convey. Coffee has been a bit of a subplot recently. Of course having a menu is itself an anachronism. Sack is a good...

None, directly. BG1 was referencing Basic D&D lore, some of the kobold rumours are direct quotes from Keep on the Borderlands.

I know it well so it’s easy to trot out odd bits of lore. And these days I can’t be bothered with homebrewing a world. Done that. I use the stuff I like best from whatever edition. And lots of stuff from the various computer games that use the setting. It’s not my “setting of choice” it’s...

Seems unlikely unless your players are in the habit of taking a long rest after every encounter. There are wandering monsters. Could reduce his revival time to one hour.

A rest only takes 8 hours.

Same problem with Undead Restoration. Once down he is out until the end of the adventure. The PCs will just knock him down and carry on, destroying his heart at their leisure. Chabang Man Medium Undead, Neutral Evil AC 10 Initiative +0 (10) HP 54 (8d8 + 16) Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft...

Some strangeness on the bar menu. Isn't "honey mead" an oxymoron? All mead is made from honey. And are they trying to suggest that "stiff" and "dry" means with or without alcohol? In which case I don't think they know what cider is! And "bark" tea, seems to be a nod to actual tea not having been...

Trouble is the bearings need to be hard steel, and I don't think it's possible to use that method with steel. Iron and other metals wouldn't be slippery or resilient enough - glass would work better for the desired purpose.

I don't have the 2024 rules, so I'm not able to gauge it. I just know the 2014 one was rubbish. But the stat block doesn't matter. The problem is "revives in 24 hours" is a non-ability. There is no way the PCs are going to still be around to be affected by it. Regeneration means they either need...

Nah, Dwarven balls are hairy.

That feature was added in the 1953 movie to counter the more advanced weapons (including nukes) developed since the book was written. That made it into the recent BBC version. They represent the experiences of ordinary people caught up in the invasion. They are many characters, not singular...

Call them dwarven marbles. If the setting has no machines advanced enough to need bearings, dwarves make them as children’s toys using semi-magical methods. Like the Dale toys in Tolkien.

That’s a very modern looking lantern - must be steampunk!