d20 does Dallas

[Mark CMG]

The freak snow storm in Dallas (How's that going for our Dallas members, btw?) got me to thinking about odd occurences like that in-game. It would seem that most GM's that would introduce a plot point like a freak snow storm would give it an in-game plot reason why it happened, I.E. Powerful Druidic Magic, Super-Villain's Weather Machine, etc. Is it enough to just include something like this as an odd weather effect, or does a game where there actually are other possible reasons demand that there actually be a reason beyond "freak of nature"? Would players be up in arms if something like this were suggested for a game session (and if the storm wasn't the focus)? Would something like this in a module be derided as "too contrived"?

 

[jgbrowning]

The freak snow storm in Dallas (How's that going for our Dallas members, btw?) got me to thinking about odd occurences like that in-game. It would seem that most GM's that would introduce a plot point like a freak snow storm would give it an in-game plot reason why it happened, I.E. Powerful Druidic Magic, Super-Villain's Weather Machine, etc. Is it enough to just include something like this as an odd weather effect, or does a game where there actually are other possible reasons demand that there actually be a reason beyond "freak of nature"? Would players be up in arms if something like this were suggested for a game session (and if the storm wasn't the focus)? Would something like this in a module be derided as "too contrived"?

Well, i haven't left the house in almost two days. People here have no concept on how to drive in ice. As silly as it sounds, they just cant get the "only go 5 miles and hour" thing down. Texans are too used to speeding.

joe b.

 

[the_mighty_agrippa]

yeah, speeding in their unstable suvs, too.

i often use weather to tactical effect in the game. dense fog, avalanches, even disease outbreaks are great fun. occasionally, i have one of my better pc's get sick. c'mon, you crawl around sewers, dungeons, sleep in the rain and travel for weeks on end and see how healthy you are.

 

[Mark CMG]

I'm surprised that there aren't more Dallas folk at home with nothing better to do than browse EN Boards and bemoan the snow we are so accustomed to in Chicago.

Regarding the plot point situation, I just read so many people getting upset if there is even a hint of railroading in D&D these days, that I think a "freak snow storm" might be viewed with disdain. I guess that may not be the case...

 

[Paladin]

We're just south of Dallas and we haven't moved for two days either. It's not snow though, it's all ice.

My best friend's wife was on a bus for over 7 hours yesterday, trying to get home from work! The bus couldn't make it up the hill to the Park & Ride where her vehicle was, so she got off and walked the 4 miles to the place! Then my best friend had to drive his ATV down to the Park & Ride because her vehicle was frozen in place. It took them over an hour on the ATV to get back. They got home at 1:00AM. Needless to say, she didn't go to work today.

 

[HellHound]

I use freakish weather, unusual circumstances, bad luck and good luck all as interesting twists to make games memorable.

Do the huge snowstorm... 100% natural. And THEN start the adventure in the middle of it. The players will probably assume the villain is a high-level druid or has a high-level druid, but it's just timing.

 

[Holy Bovine]

I once told a player his PC notices that some of clouds in the sky look like different animals and whatnot - one even sort of resembled a dragon.

The whole party stopped their overland trek and spent about 20 minutes real time discussing how to handle this if it was a real dragon

I love having paranoid players!

Not nearly as bad as the time the monk PC stepped in a gopher hole.

 

[dave_o]

I totally thought this was a thread about d20 porn.

 

[Shadowdancer]

I'm a hundred miles south of Dallas. We've had bad ice down here as well -- lot's of school and business closings. My wife was off for a day and half. But not where I work -- I work at a newspaper. We've all been working as usual, with early deadlines to give the carriers extra time to get the paper out to subscribers. At least the paper bought us pizza yesterday so no one had to go out for dinner.

I've used weather on occasion to help an adventure. One time, the group was hit by a blizzard while traveling through some mountains. They found an isolated hunting lodge just before they all froze to death. Then I used the blizzard to trap them there, and set up a "10 Little Indians" style adventure at the lodge with others who were trapped there.

Other times I use weather just to enhance the mood, or the setting. PCs have been caught out in thunderstorms, or hail storms while traveling overland. Or I may have it rain a lot to remind the PCs that it is, indeed, the rainy season. Or snowfall in the winter -- whatever's appropriate to help them remember what season it is. And if they don't take the proper precautions, then the weather becomes a mini-adventure.

 

[Mark CMG]

I'm a hundred miles south of Dallas. We've had bad ice down here as well -- lot's of school and business closings. My wife was off for a day and half. But not where I work -- I work at a newspaper. We've all been working as usual, with early deadlines to give the carriers extra time to get the paper out to subscribers. At least the paper bought us pizza yesterday so no one had to go out for dinner.

Funny how they buck up for the meal when they are afraid some may not return from the break, eh? Well, not "funny" but free pizza is free pizza. I wonder how well the delivery person did that day.

I've used weather on occasion to help an adventure. One time, the group was hit by a blizzard while traveling through some mountains. They found an isolated hunting lodge just before they all froze to death. Then I used the blizzard to trap them there, and set up a "10 Little Indians" style adventure at the lodge with others who were trapped there.

Was it ever in danger of turning into a Dungeons and Donner Party session?

Other times I use weather just to enhance the mood, or the setting. PCs have been caught out in thunderstorms, or hail storms while traveling overland. Or I may have it rain a lot to remind the PCs that it is, indeed, the rainy season. Or snowfall in the winter -- whatever's appropriate to help them remember what season it is. And if they don't take the proper precautions, then the weather becomes a mini-adventure.

How severe do you make the effects on combat, movement, etc.? There are degrees to which and DM can handle such a thing, so there's no real wrong answer, of course, but I am curious what your method may be.