Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Rocket your D&D 5E and Level Up: Advanced 5E games into space! Alpha Star Magazine Is Launching... Right Now!

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="William Ronald" data-source="post: 1266540" data-attributes="member: 426">I think one thing that helps add a sense of reality is that it should take a character some considerable time to rise from a novice to a master of a profession.  I actually worked up a character from 1st to 35th level, playing many other characters along the way.  Did I mention that I created the character back in 1983 or 1984?  In game time, I think it should take perhaps a decade or more for someone to rise to the top of his profession.  I tend to assume characters take sometime practicing their skills and abilities.  Also, travel is something that can take up a lot of time as can role playing and challenging the players to use their wits.Celtavian, I recall that Baerendur (Darrin Drader) uses an xp system where combat only counts for one-third of total experience.  The rest is based on accomplishing missions and role playing.  As for an NPC, perhaps they can gain some xp in using their skills on a daily or weekly basis.  This could either be a fixed amount or could very with die rolls.  Thus an experienced blacksmith, who does exceptionally well with a given roll could be entitled to extra x.p.I think it is up to the DM to give an air of reality to a setting.  I believe that both Joshua Dyal's and SHARK's approaches are valid.  Among the key questions to ask are  "Does the setting have a feel of reality, given its situations?" and "Do I care about the setting, and have an emotional investment in it."  I have had fun with low-level scenarios and with epic level scenarios.  When they have suceeded, I believed that given the setting, certain events and actions were plausible.  Also, another important thing is what I call "the fighting chance" doctirne.  Players like to feel that they have a fighting chance, even if the odds are high.  So, I think adding an air of reality is something that comes with time and practice.  A good guide for DMs might be, "If I saw it in a movie or read it in a book, would I believe it? Would I like to be a character facing this situation?"  Empathy and understanding are VERY important traits for successful DMs.</blockquote>

Verification