OotS #331 Is Up

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I loved the artwork -- notice the zombie dragon and the mountains in the background extending into the other frames.

I suspect Rich might own one of Will Eisner's books, which is a very good thing.

 

[demiurge1138]

Okay, other than Piratecat (because I know it's happened in his campaign) do DMs ever use oracles? It's probably why I'm annoyed by this kobold nonsense - it's never happened in any game I've been in, partly because DMs can't see the future.

I've used an oracle a time or two - generally to set up a plot thread. DMs can't see the future, but they can see what plots they want the party to get interested in.

But Rich Burlew isn't DMing the OotS, so he does know their futures. So the oracle is a completely valid narrative decive to heighten reader anticipation by crytpic foreshadowing.

Demiurge out.

 

[Sammael]

I've used the Weirds as oracles, and their hints were vague enough that I could use them at any point of the campaign I wanted to.

 

[Sejs]

Considering the anatomy of a male raven... it wouldn't work out that way.

Okay, other than Piratecat (because I know it's happened in his campaign) do DMs ever use oracles? It's probably why I'm annoyed by this kobold nonsense - it's never happened in any game I've been in, partly because DMs can't see the future.

*raises a hand* I do!


Heck, I've even made a PC in my current game one. The kiloren spirit shaman's started to have prophetic dreams.


The trick lies in being really vague and using a lot of symbolism. Something that's enough to make them go "huh?" now, and "ohmygod why didn't I get that SOONER!" right after the thing that's been foretold has taken place.

 

[blargney the second]

Parody:

I see Rich has sold out. Obviously he's taken money from WotC for a gratitous product placement for the D&D Miniatures War of the Dragon Queen. What a shill

Man, I want to have the Lich on Zombie Silver Dragon mini!

 

[shilsen]

Okay, other than Piratecat (because I know it's happened in his campaign) do DMs ever use oracles? It's probably why I'm annoyed by this kobold nonsense - it's never happened in any game I've been in, partly because DMs can't see the future.

Sure. I love oracles. And I run heavily player/PC-driven campaigns without any overarching plot, so it's next to impossible for me to predict where the PCs will end up. The secret is to do what Piratecat does and have oracles which are open to varied interpretations.

In my Eberron game, my PCs got an extended prophecy in the middle of Sharn and then promptly left and went to another continent altogether. Bastards! But then they not only found the prophecy becoming relevant and fulfilled it but have a resultant monkey that they've been trying to get off their back. That'll show 'em

 

[Gold Roger]

Considering the anatomy of a male raven... it wouldn't work out that way.

Okay, other than Piratecat (because I know it's happened in his campaign) do DMs ever use oracles? It's probably why I'm annoyed by this kobold nonsense - it's never happened in any game I've been in, partly because DMs can't see the future.

I can see myself using oracles, but not any that can authomatically and instantly look into the future, but casts commune to answer question (that annoyed the heck outa me for some reason).

 

[Savage Wombat]

Okay, other than Piratecat (because I know it's happened in his campaign) do DMs ever use oracles? It's probably why I'm annoyed by this kobold nonsense - it's never happened in any game I've been in, partly because DMs can't see the future.

I was in a campaign that did, once. Each of us got a free question as a reward.

I didn't have an idea for one at that time.

So I gave the oracle a piece of paper, and asked her to write the answer on the paper to the following question:

"What is the answer to the question I will be thinking of when I finally open and read this paper?"

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I was in a campaign that did, once. Each of us got a free question as a reward.

I didn't have an idea for one at that time.

So I gave the oracle a piece of paper, and asked her to write the answer on the paper to the following question:

"What is the answer to the question I will be thinking of when I finally open and read this paper?"

Heh, that could be all sorts of awesome. Did the character open the paper again?

 

[Savage Wombat]

Heh, that could be all sorts of awesome. Did the character open the paper again?

Actually, I think we all died somewhere in Graz'zt's palace. But I'm saving the idea in case the situation comes up again.