Modern Myth

@lore_garden It’s not a ttrpg, but Gloomhaven has a sophisticated and elegant card system that results in very interesting combat scenarios. Would be a great reference.

Im really digging the idea of cards instead of dice for game mechanics. What are some cool TTRPGs that use cards or tarot decks?

@rustycohl Agreed. Thank you for the insightful conversation. Always nice to find someone willing to lock horns respectfully. Best of luck in your games. Cheers.

@rustycohl Does the character light a lamp, use an item or skill, are they traveling slow and safe or at a full gallop? All of these could have a meaningful and explicit impact on the outcome of the watch.

@rustycohl Completely agree. This is a very reasonable level of resolution for the situation you’ve described. None of these actions require adjudication, however. The moment that we begin adjudicating the watches, a simple “I perceive during my watch.” Doesn’t supply enough context.

@rustycohl Let me pause and say thanks for the thoughtful and respectful discourse. It’s not that common, but a real joy to disagree and not immediately start belittling each other. Thank you.

@rustycohl A Player could describe 10 different Persuasions that would adjudicate 10 different ways. Some might warrant success without a check at all. Some might require a check and some might fail without any check needed.

@rustycohl It’s not just better though… being descriptive is required for accurate adjudication. The descriptive element is the action by which we adjudicate success or failure. Simply stating a check is vacuous, but many players seem to think it should suffice.

@rustycohl Agreed. What’s considered right or wrong, good or bad, is to be decided by players and DMs at each table. It’s a good precedent though, as I’ve encountered many players who believe that “I make a perception check.” Is synonymous with assigning an action, which is inaccurate.

@rustycohl A barbarian crumbling a small boulder in his hands while his companions politely suggests The party be given access to the hideout. I’d ask for a STR Intimidation. In any case the context matters and the context is assigned by action not by a dice roll.

@rustycohl A rogue sinisterly finessing a blade while describing the exotic ways they’ve learned to cut a man. I’d ask for a CHA Intimidation check.

@rustycohl Using language like “I look under the rug.” Allows the DM to assign the necessary roll. Maybe No roll is needed to notice the 4’x4’ hatch under the rug. That’s the DMs Role not the players.

@rustycohl This is especially important when we’re adjudicating player-imperfect information, as was addressed in Matt’s original post. Saying “I walk into the room and make a perception check” doesn’t actually mean anything. Are you glancing at the walls or looking under the rug?

@KraftyMattKraft @johndrewmarkley I think this is the most misrepresented thread I’ve ever seen. Seems simple… Players: Assign actions for your character in the world. DM: Decide which rolls (if any) are needed. It’s an overreach for players to decide which rolls are needed to adjudicate their actions.

@johndrewmarkley Just for my defense, I never mentioned that the role playing has to be in character voice. If the player wants to give abstract or 3rd person descriptions of what the character is doing, or character intent, I'm cool with that. Just let the DM arbitrate and calls for rolls.

This seems like the sort of thing that should vary from group to group, surely? Some people will enjoy having lots of conversations directly in-character, others a more abstract approach; I don't see why either ought to be considered inherently superior.

@KraftyMattKraft Solid system and fun character creation.

Coffee & Character Creation is spreading!