Customized Paladin Code

One of the difficulties of playing a paladin (or DMing for a paladin, or being in a party with a paladin) is the strictness of the code of said paladin.

One of the more difficult things about most paladins I've seen played (and played myself) is the lack of a defined code. The gameplay is then reduced to presumption about what the paladin can and can't do.

One of the natural tendencies for most of us in the Western world is to assume that every paladin fits in the Knight Templar box. The reality is that in almost every D&D world, there are vast pantheons of deities that expect their followers to act very differently.

In Forgotten Realms, for example, a paladin of Sune should act a lot different than a paladin of Hoar. Heck, even two paladins of the same deity could (and usually should) have different codes, capturing their own emphasis on certain tenets of their patron deity (much like chosen domains of a cleric).

This then requires the characters to establish a code at character creation; this may be a daunting task (or your players might be lazy).

If you want to take a look at the option, hit me up and I'll send the doc to you (it's 15 pages!)

NOTE: I didn't create this and I have no idea where it comes from, but I like it!

Real World Dungeon Room

The most treacherous 5'x5' space on earth is in my office. Some crazy lady got fired and they just now got around to cleaning her cubicle. The pics below are her office space after an hour of diligent cleaning. You can imagine the original disposition.




Incorporate this into your next dungeon and watch your players retire instantly.

Traits:

What a mess!: The entire room is treated as hindering terrain. Also, creatures in this area have concealment.

Trap: Bowl of rotten food (CR 4). Has been festering for several months. Upon opening, characters within 30ft must succeed on a Fort Save (DC 20) or be nauseated for 1d6 hours.

Incongruent Philosophies: The walls of this room are plastered with a myriad of demotivational anecdotal cartoons, watered down Christian philosophy, random quotable phrases, and pictures of long-dead pets. Understanding the beliefs of the inhabitant requires a Decipher Script check (DC 30) which takes several minutes. It is likely that during this time you will be attacked by a...

Cockroach Swarm (CR 5)

Magic Missile the Fat One!

I have a player that made an obese character. That presents all sorts of interesting possibilities, mind you.



I decided to make up game statistics for the overweight. Here goes:

Character Trait: Obesity

Benefit: You are treated as one category larger for the purposes of opposed rolls such as trip attempts, bull rush attempts, and grappling.

Drawback: You are treated as under medium encumbrance.

D&D Dora

Having a daughter, I've spent more time than I ever expected (or wanted) watching Dora the Explorer. As I got familiar with the character, I realized she could easily be ported into your favorite D&D campaign.



Dora the Explorer is clearly either a druid, or a ranger of at least 4th level. Why do I make this assertion? She has an animal companion, Boots the Creepily Sentient Monkey.

Given her low level, her failure to show any combat prowess, and no apparent favored enemy*, I would have to say she is a young budding druidess.

This would explain so much, like her affinity with--and ability to speak to--animals such as Tiko the Squirrel and Benny the Bull.

More to come. I plan to gen up some stats for Dora, as well as an awesome sketch.


*Swiper the Fox is NOT her enemy, just a confused and misdirected fox bandit whose kleptomaniacal pursuits are easily thwarted. Thank you, liberal media.

3.5 Sorcerer, v2.2 (or something)

Jeffs Gameblog: On System

Jeffs Gameblog: On System: "spot-on"

This guy made me nod a lot and made me want to shut my yap. Kudos!

3.5 Sorcerer Feedback

A pal and veteran DM gave me some comprehensive feedback, and helped me to decide to take out the pseudospell powers from the sorcerer. They're too unwieldy and will likely be more a pain for the DM to use.

With his help I came up with this breakdown regarding balance between the sorcerer and wizard, too. It appears to be balanced.

-(On average) a Sorcerer can cast 2 more spells/day than a wizard can. Advantage Sorcerer

-A Sorcerer need not prepare spells like a wizard does. Advantage Sorcerer

-Sorcerer has better proficiencies. Advantage Sorcerer

-Sorcerers gain eschew materials and native spellcasting while wizards may scribe scrolls out the gate. Even

-Wizard and sorcerer get bonus (very limited) feats (or bloodline powers). Even

-Same skill points per level. Even

-Same starting gold. Even

-Wizard gets familiar. Advantage Wizard

-Wizard has more spells known. Advantage Wizard

-Wizard has (almost imperceptibly) better class skills. Advantage Wizard

What do you think?