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Message: <blockquote data-quote="redrick" data-source="post: 6673339" data-attributes="member: 6777696">Agreed. Having DM'd a campaign on Roll20 for 9 months or so, I can say that trying to manage ongoing "whisper" side conversations (that is, private messages) can be very difficult. A DM has a lot going on, is probably flipping through several screens, programs, notes, or whatever trying to keep track of everything. I usually missed private messages that players sent me if I wasn't expecting them, and there's also the problem of having to maintain a conversation with the group as a whole while also firing whispers back and forth with one player. Unless absolutely necessary, it's easier to just keep that stuff out in the open.Whispers are great for simple one-off stuff. Personally, I sometimes like to whisper the results of knowledge checks or investigation checks to the relevant player, because it gives them an opportunity to RP sharing that information with the rest of the party. And there's always the "don't tell anybody, but whisper me a save vs possession by evil spirits" trick.For splitting the party, on the other hand, I think it best to make the various sub-parties do everything out in the open. They can have a secret agenda that only the DM knows, if they really want, but their actions should be resolved with table time just like everybody else's. It might look like this —DM: The orcs are storming the gate! Most of the townspeople throw down their pitchforks and flee. Only you stand between the citadel and 400 orcs! But meanwhile, 20 miles away, Ranger Rick gallops north on his awakened pony.The stars out. It's a beautiful night. Your pony sings an old traveling song under his breath. Suddenly, you notice a fire alight at the top of a signal tower in the distance to the south. What do you do?RANGER RICK: Oh man. Trouble in paradise. Turn around, awakened pony! Sing me a song of galloping!</blockquote>

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