yeah I basically ignore D&D's larger lore stuff for the exact same reason I ignore comic books. I tend to wing it using the basic mechanics as a template in a fantasy world loosely inspired by Faerun, Exalted, and Over the Garden Wall. And most of Faerun is in the presence and purpose of the dragons.
Dungeons and Dragons Megathread
- Thread starter Havocfett
- Start date
And then when you're invested in the story, some editorial mandate will completely derail it to make their latest crisis crossover seem more "edgy."
I mean, I can name multiple big-two comics of the last few years alone that last 30+ issues without that being a problem. As well as plenty of classic runs of course, some massively long (and where the crossover intrusions are minor and very easy to handle), and non-big-two runs, I can name some that last for hundreds of issues.
It's sorta like how with D&D media, you have some characters do the big stuff and stories about them, but plenty of tales of just some group of adventurers. Fell's Five is not Ellminster or Drizzt and all that.
The Narrator
Disembodied Voice
- Location
- Somewhere Offscreen
Well, yeah, it's not really an issue if you're not writing for Marvel or DC. (Well, maybe if you're writing Star Wars.) Usagi Yojimbo has been great for decades.
The thing is, even if you're just following smaller characters in the big two superhero universes, the crisis crossover du jour will still reach in out of nowhere and upend the story you were following because cross-promotion sales spikes are easier than actually growing your readership.
Those Fell's Five comics were really fun, and I'm disappointed that they lasted such a short time.
KingseekerFreyr
Currently kingseeking...
- Location
- In a void!
Depends on the series. Pretty sure that there are self contained stuff like All-Star Superman that are simply distilled and better versions of the main universe of the DCU.
I mean, if you want to read the entire Gwenpool, that doesn't happen. Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. Walt Simonson's Thor run. All-New Wolverine (the Laura Kinney/X-23 one). Gail Simone's Wonder Woman run. Rucka's latest Wonder Woman run. The original Amethyst Princess of Gemworld. Mark Waid's Daredevil run. Geoff Johns' JSA run. Ultimate Spider-man, there are events, but it uses 'em more than derailing, and I don't think the events even show up til more than a hundred issues in.
The way some people talk about it, every book gets derailed all the time. And sure, if you're following a current book month to month, that could happen, especially if it ties into a major one, but it's no inevitability. It can be avoided with some picking and choosing, and there's so much stuff you need to pick and chose anyway. And depending on the writer, some handled it really in stride, with a few mentions, "Oh yea, that happened," explaining why character X is in a different outfit or what have you.
Like most things, a view at a distance can give a very partial picture. There's enough stuff out there that you can apply a ton of filters (No Events, Recent, X type of characters, etc.) and still get a few hits if you ask a knowledgeable person. It's a lot more accessible than you think- though it certainly does help to get advice and not go in blind.
(And we do have some excellent comic threads in the fiction forum if any of you ever get curious)
Last edited:
The Narrator
Disembodied Voice
- Location
- Somewhere Offscreen
Pathfinder:
What sourcebooks should I check out for more info on the Dominion of the Black? I feel like I need some more context for some of the stuff in the Doomsday Dawn adventures for the playtest.
What sourcebooks should I check out for more info on the Dominion of the Black? I feel like I need some more context for some of the stuff in the Doomsday Dawn adventures for the playtest.
Looking for a little help with a 5e Warlock for a campaign starting this friday.
Currently I'm making a Level 3 Great Old One Warlock in a homebrew setting.
My Character is a scholar(Sage/Alchemist BG) from a moderately wealthy family who returned home after a long time away to find his father dead and the mansion scribbled with strange runes and insane scripts. He is a variant human with the Inspiring Leader feat.
The GM has created some additional customization options based on the nation our character comes from. Some of them provide feats while others provide gold. One of the options is a Scholar origin which provides the Magic Initiative feat so I am thinking of the getting that bonus. Most of the other options are martial feats other than one that provides the Theologian feat or a Naturalist feat. I would also have enough remaining homebrew customization points to take a third feat.
I am planning on using this character as a supporting/face Warlock since I recently played a hexblade kobold whose average handcrossbow Dps was reaching the 60s.
So assuming that I take Magic Initiate (Unless you guys think its a waste) I was wondering what cantrips and spells I should take.
Currently I have :
Cantrips:
Eldritch Blast
Guidance
Minor Illusion
Shape Water
Spare the Dying
1st Level:
Dissonant Whispters
2nd Level:
Detect Thoughts
Phantasmal Force
Suggestion
Ritual Only:
Detect Magic
Find Familiar
Invocations:
Agonizing Blast
Book of Ancient Secrets
Currently I'm making a Level 3 Great Old One Warlock in a homebrew setting.
My Character is a scholar(Sage/Alchemist BG) from a moderately wealthy family who returned home after a long time away to find his father dead and the mansion scribbled with strange runes and insane scripts. He is a variant human with the Inspiring Leader feat.
The GM has created some additional customization options based on the nation our character comes from. Some of them provide feats while others provide gold. One of the options is a Scholar origin which provides the Magic Initiative feat so I am thinking of the getting that bonus. Most of the other options are martial feats other than one that provides the Theologian feat or a Naturalist feat. I would also have enough remaining homebrew customization points to take a third feat.
I am planning on using this character as a supporting/face Warlock since I recently played a hexblade kobold whose average handcrossbow Dps was reaching the 60s.
So assuming that I take Magic Initiate (Unless you guys think its a waste) I was wondering what cantrips and spells I should take.
Currently I have :
Cantrips:
Eldritch Blast
Guidance
Minor Illusion
Shape Water
Spare the Dying
1st Level:
Dissonant Whispters
2nd Level:
Detect Thoughts
Phantasmal Force
Suggestion
Ritual Only:
Detect Magic
Find Familiar
Invocations:
Agonizing Blast
Book of Ancient Secrets
- Location
- Michigan
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Looks like you already have most of the best cantrips. I would go with wizard and pick up whatever cantrips appeal to you. Message is nice for at least one person in the party to have and prestidigitation will give you plenty of tricks. For the 1st level spell, maybe something defensive? Absorb Elements, Shield, and Expeditious Retreat are all good choices.
"Valley of the Brain Collectors", fourth in the "Iron Gods" AP, has info on it.
There may be more in "Entombed with the Pharaohs" and "The Pact Stone Pyramid".
And general space info is in "Distant Worlds" and "People of the Stars".
OctarineShrike
Avatar of Mandos
Is there a reasonable way to obtain the core of D&D5e for less than ~USD150 or equivalent (other than "buy paper copies second-hand)?
5e SRD?
http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/systems-reference-document-srd
- Location
- Land of the Midday Sun
While it includes the rules the SRD doesn't include all the material from the PHB/MM/DMG.
Renewal
Boring Person #5883781345
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Amazon sells the core three at about 40-50% off, IIRC.Is there a reasonable way to obtain the core of D&D5e for less than ~USD150 or equivalent (other than "buy paper copies second-hand)?
grommile
nasty-minded old cynic
- Location
- NERV-Mercia
- Pronouns
- Traditional/Animate
I shall be charitable and assume you haven't read it and merely know it exists
- no chargen rules
- only one background
- only one feat
- 401 pages with no index and no ToC
OctarineShrike
Avatar of Mandos
I shall be charitable and assume you haven't read it and merely know it exists
- no chargen rules
- only one background
- only one feat
- 401 pages with no index and no ToC
Yeah I never got around to reading it. Just had a copy sitting in my hard drive I might have gotten to eventually. Thanks!
Thanks. Do you have any suggestions for a third feat I can take.
Diplomat
You master the arts of diplomacy, gaining the
following benefits:
• Increase your Charisma score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency in the Persuasion skill. If
you are already proficient in this skill, you add
double your proficiency bonus to checks you
make with it.
• If you spend 1 minute talking to someone who
can understand what you say, you can make a
Charisma (Persuasion) check contested by the
creature's Wisdom (Insight) check. If you or
your companions are fighting the creature,
your check automatically fails. If your check
succeeds, the target is charmed by you as long
as it remains within 60 feet of you and for 1
minute thereafter.
I'd suggest this, given the Warlock is Charisma-based. Plus, it's just fun to be able to talk people around.
AmineHsu
A worm, not a man, scorned and despised.
- Location
- NoVA
For a slightly different option, Bard list has some pretty good options, I feel. Vicious Mockery is a Will Save attack that makes the target have disadvantage on it's next attack (before the end of it's next turn) so it's a relatively defensive option. Prestidigitation has myriad of uses, Mage Hand has is obvious, Message as mentioned before, Light and Dancing lights are an option though not as strong as the others. For the first level spell, Comprehend Languages could be very useful depending on DM and is great for a Face, SIlent Image synergizes super well with Minor Illusion for shenanigans, Unseen Servant I find super cool and criminally underrated spell (and since you have ritual casting, could be cast as a ritual to preserve usage...I think(Comprehend Languages has the ritual tag too)). Beyond that there are the more straight forward options, Helaing Word is Bonus action healing, always useful, Feather Fall is either a life save or useless, can be cast as a reaction tho so if you ever need it...., Sleep, Detect Magic, Disguise Self, Identify, etc.... Special Note: It's an Unearthed Arcana spell (I was unaware of) but Unearthly Chorus is pretty crazy, you fill the air around you with music of your choice, you get advantage on Performance check.... and you can use a bonus action to make a creature who can see you and hear the music friendly towards you and creatures made friendly by the spell you have advantage of Persuasion and Deception checks towards.....That's pretty damn good.
Also, Kaiya is correct, Diplomat is a great choice if you're the face.
shepsquared
Erratic Aussie
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
Okay, beyond the main 5, what is the most iconic metallic dragon?
Well, Platinum, of course, but putting aside Bahamut... Steel, I'd think?
AmineHsu
A worm, not a man, scorned and despised.
- Location
- NoVA
Fairy Dragon?
Dakkaface
Extra Shooty Wordsmith
Usagi Yojimbo has a single author/artist, which is the main factor in how consistent it is. You don't have to worry about how the new guy sees a character/setting when there's only one guy writing it.
Platinum, of course. Outside of Bahamut though, I have no idea - the esoteric metallics are so niche I don't think I've ever seen one used.
Short of piracy, no. I think if you pay for D&D Beyond you get access to all the rules, but a subscription is going to run you more than the books over time. But since Wizards currently has a 'no digital sales of the current edition' policy, all that's available for cheaper online is 4e and 3.5e stuff.Is there a reasonable way to obtain the core of D&D5e for less than ~USD150 or equivalent (other than "buy paper copies second-hand)?
Though not all long-running one-continuity books are like that. Judge Dredd being an obvious one.
Btw, anyone read the Pathfinder comics and have an idea how good they are?
- Location
- Somewhere
I read some, and they were fine, didn't seem amazing to me.
To add to your question, how are the "canon" AP storylines published by Big Finish as audio stories?
The Narrator
Disembodied Voice
- Location
- Somewhere Offscreen
I've been reading them. They're okay. It varies a bit from arc to arc.
My friend who's GMing Mummy's Mask listened to the audioplay version to get an idea of the plot, and he seemed to enjoy it. He's also played some snippets for us at appropriate points during the game to set the mood, and they sound pretty good.