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Avoiding Railroading (and How to Limit Player Choices) - D&D

Railroading

When the DM doesn’t give the players a decision and forces them to go somewhere/do something the players don’t want. This happens frequently in homebrew. Often is boring for the player, and only benefits the DM.

One Way to Avoid Railroading

Tell them upfront that they can either continue on the main quest that you have planned or you can let them do a sidequest that you have not prepared ahead of time. If they choose to do the sidequest either look from the book or dust off your improv skills and create your own. If the sidequest turns out to be more fun than what you had planned you can save your main quest for another day, maybe even for a different group.

Limiting Player Choices (without being harsh)

Roll for them

If you need your players to fall into a certain situation to fit to your story you can “roll” for them and control if they pass or fail. You don’t want to do this often because it takes one of the most fun aspects out of D&D, dice rolling.

Divert the Situation

“Just as you begin to pull the lever you see a large shadow creep over your figure. As you begin to turn around you catch a glimpse of a huge bug bear’s paw, and before you can react you are flung into the pit.” Diverting the situation can make for an exciting turn of events, which may surprise your player. By throwing this in you can bring in a larger threat and keep your players in one room or bring them into a trap that they previously avoided.

Sometimes using these methods can make or break a campaign. You don’t want to keep using them and have it get repetitive, but once in awhile you can throw these in and mix it up. It’s all in how you want to play, whether that means more story or more combat is up to you. Also if your previous idea doesn’t end up getting used right way, don’t fret, just save it for another time. You can ask your players after a session if they felt the story was being too linear, and what they think should happen next. Getting ideas from players for the next campaign can help make your players feel more involved. 

I hope you enjoyed the post today, I’m going to be working on posting more frequently. If you have any ideas on what I should write about next send me an ask, and I will see what I can do.

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D&D Podcast (and other media) Recommendations - 1

Spagoots Realms is a podcast that I found through Tumblr where a team of 4 players create mass havoc wherever they go.

It holds plot and story over combat, and is filled to the brim with comedy. The DM, Ryan, created the homebrew adventure and might I just add…. In my eyes, it's amazing. It reminds me a lot of The Adventure Zone, and I believe it has a lot of potential. They have recently posted their 10th episode, and their bonus chaos episode. (At the time of editing this they have posted an 11th episode, and by gosh its awesome.)

The 4 players include 2 dragonborns, a halfling, and an elf. Vinca is a purple dragonborn rogue, who is married (?) to Altævo the pink dragonborn wizard. The halfling of the group is Lightboy, the cleric, and Thorney is an elf fighter.

About the Characters

Thorney

Thorney doesn't care. He shows very few emotions, if at all. He's very reserved, but will help if asked. Thorney is very salty, and is slow to trust. His voice is very monotone. He's very different from the other members, which I approve of, he's less hyper. I rate his spaghetti eating skills 9/10.

Tag line/catchphrase “Thorney doesn't give a sh*t.”

Altævo

Altævo is very caring, and childlike. She is a cool mom. She is very fluffy and adorable, and will protect Sunny at all costs. She's a big sweetheart, I love her. Altævo is like your parent friend that will cut off the crusts on your sandwiches. Her voice is very…. okay I can't think of anything other than mom-like. 9/10 best mom.

Tag line/catchphrase “I protect Sunny at all costs.”

Lightboy

Lightboy is very small, and a good liar. She just wants her DVD of Michael Buble’s Grand European Adventure. Very cool with murdering people. She has the cutest accent I've ever heard. She's kind of hard to explain, I would like to know more about her as a character. 8/10 shes a smol bean.

Tag line/catchphrase 

Vinca

Vinca is kind of a big meme, but a good one. He steals… EVERYTHING. Items? Of course, he's a rogue. Animals? You betcha he's stealing that whale from fantasy sea world. Vinca’s voice is very nerdy, and has a lisp. 8/10 slight of hand checks.

Tag line/catchphrase “Can I steal the *INSERT ANIMAL HERE*?”

Overall Rating

Overall, I rate this podcast 9 duplicating fish out of 10. Very good, I hope to see more of them.

Alignment rating

I believe the alignment of the podcast would be Chaotic good. The team tries to help, but they often do it in the craziest ways possible.

AUTHOR UPDATE

Welcome adventures, Kellie here. This is just a little side note. Along with my regular posts I’m going to be posting recommendations on different D&D podcasts. As you can see, they’re not going to be completely serious. I’m not good at writing anything serious.. It’s probably not going to be an annual thing, there’s only so much I can listen to at a time. If there is a podcast you’d like me to review next, I’m open to suggestions. If I got anything wrong, just tell me, I will fix it as soon as I can.

Links to Spagoots Realms Media Sites

Tumblr

Youtube

Soundcloud

Itunes

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How to start playing D&D

Hello Adventurers! Here I will give you tips on how to start playing Dungeons and Dragons. I will tell you what supplies you will need, how to make a team, and how to plan for your first meeting.

Materials-

Here are the things you will need for your game. Items may vary depending on if you’re the player or the DM.

Character sheet. (If you're a player) You can print one off the Internet or you can go on OrcPub and make your character there.

Dice. These are the most used items in D&D. You will need a d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, and d20. If you are unable to get dice there are apps out there that can act as makeshift dice.

Pencils and paper. Whether you're the DM or a player, these are essential. It helps to take notes on what's happening in your adventure, in case your team gets sidetracked and doesn't remember what's happening. (It happens.)

A team! Usually consists of 2-6 people. Gather your friends or family to join you.

Gathering a team-

What I find surprising is that you don't need to have a team to play d&d. I've heard of people playing it like a build your own adventure book. I personally don't really see the point, I think D&D should be played as a group, but hey whatever tickles your fancy.

Here are some ideas on how to find people to make your team, some may prove more effective than others.

Ask your friends. If they know how to play, great. If they don’t, oh well, its a new learning experience for them. If they agree to play ask them to bring one of their friends, the more the merrier.

Ask your family. This method is not really recommended, but with the right family members it should work out fine. A good example of a family playing D&D is the Mcelroys, who made a whole podcast called The Adventure Zone.

Find a gaming store that holds campaigns. This is easier said than done. There could be a gaming store near you, but for me I don’t. The closest one I know of is 20 minutes away while driving. This may be a good option for you, but not for most.

 Planning the dates to meet-

This can be one of the most fickle parts on starting. Often people will have plans, some people will just not show up without warning. I recommend having a strike system, say “if you don’t tell us when you leave X many times, you’re kicked out of the group.” That way you don’t have to worry as much if your players leave. 

Here are two ways to decide what days are good for everyone in your team.

Talk in a group chat. That way everyone doesn’t have to be in the same room but still organize the schedule together.

Make a calendar. Ask each person what days they won’t be free and continue from there.

I hope this helps you in some way, this was pretty fun making. (Dispite Tumblr deleting my draft ten times...) If you have any questions please ask. I will gladly answer them to the best of my abilities. Have a good week!  

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Welcome Adventurers

Welcome to my new blog, Lets-Roll-Initiative! I will be explaining how to play D&D. The posts will range from how to be a good player to how to start your own campaign.

This blog is mainly geared towards newer players, just starting their first campaigns. If you have any questions, whether it's about this blog or about D&D, feel free to ask!