Shadowdark Shadowdark General Thread [+]

[Reynard]

Not a Shadowdark referee, yet. But long-time OSR/NSR referee and player.

The legalistic answer is there’s nothing in the book about needing to see your target generally, nor is there anything in the spell specifically. So “go for it” is a perfectly fine answer.

The section on darkness suggests disadvantage for tasks requiring sight. So maybe negate the auto advantage with magic missile. Or replace it with disadvantage.

It’s open to interpretation. Like most things OSR/NSR.

So to put the question back on you, what kind of table do you want to run?

Decide based on that. Do you want to encourage legalistic arguments about the rules, go with that. Do you want a more easy going approach, go with that. Do you want to push verisimilitude, go with that. Etc.

It can be frustrating at times, but this is part of the point of the playstyle.

It’s your table. Make a call.

Just be aware what you decide will encourage certain choices and playstyles from your players.

Also, write this stuff down when you make a ruling. It isn't necessarily "law" but players appreciate consistency and when a similar situation pops up 6 sessions later, it is valuable to have a ruling to look back on.

 

[Bill Zebub]

It’s your table. Make a call.

Ok!

"Magic missile, unfortunately, interacts with total darkness explosively, causing a chain reaction that sweeps through the dungeon, annihilating everything in its path, until it finally blows the door off the dungeon and bursts into the sunlight, expending the last of its energy."

I love the OSR mindset!

(edit: ok I couldn't resist doing one iteration of the image...)

 

[overgeeked]

Ok!

"Magic missile, unfortunately, interacts with total darkness explosively, causing a chain reaction that sweeps through the dungeon, annihilating everything in its path, until it finally blows the door off the dungeon and bursts into the sunlight, expending the last of its energy."

I love the OSR mindset!

View attachment 422998

Jokes on you. I’m into it.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Jokes on you. I’m into it.

You gotta admit, ChatGPT came through on the illustration. First try.

 

[overgeeked]

It’s your table. Make a call.

Referees often say to players “the answer’s not on your character sheet.”

A possible corollary to that for referees is “the answer’s not in the rulebook.”

 

[Reynard]

Referees often say to players “the answer’s not on your character sheet.”

A possible corollary to that for referees is “the answer’s not in the rulebook.”

If the answer is neither on the character sheet nor in the rulebook, there is a distinct danger of failure to communicate. I am not saying that you can't play an RPG in that space, but people need to be clear about intent and adjudication -- and then write down what you did, because that's "in the rulebook" now.