In RPGs, a failed die roll should bring negative consequences, not just generic "failure": rpg.brentnewhall.com/2025/12/a-fa...

Noodling on the concept of what makes a “class” in an RPG. If it’s just a name for a list of abilities representing an archetype, why not let players pick an appropriate number of abilities from a list? What makes a rogue different from someone who has +2 to hide and the ability to sneak attack?

Tip for RPG play: What’s your character’s primary instinct when interacting with the world? In most situations, do they act boldly, do they seek peace, are they scrupulously honest, or something else? When you have that direction, it’ll make your character’s actions more consistent.

I’ve been thinking: To gently discourage murderhobo behavior, could you give each PC a “Morality” attribute? Say it starts at 10, then moves up or down based on their actions. And if they’re trying to, say, get a favor in a town that knows their reputation, that can give them a bonus.

Tip to invest RPG players in the story: invent a Destiny for their character. They could be the long-lost prince/princess, the keeper of the sacred talisman, or they have an ancient bloodline that’s key to resolving a crisis. If the player doesn’t interact with it, fine! Invent another Destiny.

Just put a new-ish party through a very dangerous encounter: level 4 PCs vs. life-draining vampire spawn holed up in an attic. The PCs got bottlenecked and ended up retreating, one PC dying. The mood was somber but I could see them realize: Oh, we can’t just always attack recklessly. Very useful.

Tip to deepen characters in D&D: When taking a long rest, PCs restore HP, spell slots, etc. only if they describe a moment from their past that they dreamed about during the night. The moment can be very brief. This helps players think about what formed their character’s...character.

Itching for a short fantasy one-shot of heroes facing savage monsters? I plan to playtest a dead simple RPG this Saturday at 2pm Eastern online via videoconference. Should take 2 hours total. DM me if you're interested!

Have you ever run *Curse of Strahd* in a system other than D&D 5E? I'm planning a multi-session playtest of a game using that adventure and curious about people's experiences with it outside of D&D's mechanics. Any advice appreciated!

I'm planning a playtest of a fantasy RPG that's so rules-light you can play it in a car with no equipment, and you're invited! It's a fantasy wilderness exploration and monster fighting game. Playtest is scheduled for October 18, 2pm-4pm Eastern Time online. DM me if interested!

I'm planning to do a "campaign check-in" tonight for a D&D campaign, asking:
1. What do you like about the campaign so far?
2. Are we getting the right balance of the pillars of play?
3. What do you want to happen to your character?
What would you add? What do you ask in these sorts of check-ins?

@ramblingrump.bsky.social @jakeeldritch.bsky.social @soturpg.bsky.social @ooc92.bsky.social

For those of you interested in a real-time game of Searchers of the Unknown, how about Wednesday May 7 (1 week from today) at 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern? RSVP by Friday. Thanks!

@ramblingrump.bsky.social @jakeeldritch.bsky.social @soturpg.bsky.social @ooc92.bsky.social

Tell you what: anyone interested in a play by post game, create a character using the free rules at brentnewhall.com/games/doku.p... and thread them here within 24 hours of this post.

@ramblingrump.bsky.social @jakeeldritch.bsky.social @soturpg.bsky.social

I'm just realizing there may have been a miscommunication. Is this for interesting in playing **Spaces** of the Unknown (my game built for play-by-post) or **Searchers** of the Unknown (the original OSR game)?

@runesingervtt.substack.com @ramblingrump.bsky.social @jakeeldritch.bsky.social @soturpg.bsky.social

Good day! It looks like this is the group for the Searchers of the Unknown one-shot. Am I missing anyone?

Also when do folks want to play?