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Post by mao on Jul 16, 2021 9:43:43 GMT -5
I roll the encounter die every 2 turns or if about 20 min of real time have passed without a roll (I don't count during combat) and the following table is consulted: 1. Encounter 2. Monster sign/spoor etc. 3. Dungeon effect (I writeX a list in advance) 4. Expire (lights burn out, spells, conditions and ongoing effects end) 5. Rest (consume rations (1/party) or penalty 6. No effect This was originally posted by Iucounu |
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Post by mao on Jul 16, 2021 9:49:57 GMT -5
Really just love this although I am not going to use it RAW. I want to see what Iucounu has to say about it before I throw my 2 cents in. |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Jul 16, 2021 15:43:58 GMT -5
Here is the original post from the ten house rules thread I don't know if I can rank them from 1 to 10, but this is the house rules that I have found most useful: 1. The hazard die (This house rule comes from this blog post from Necropraxis though I have modified it a bit.)I roll the encounter die every 2 turns or if about 20 min of real time have passed without a roll (I don't count during combat) and the following table is consulted:
1. Encounter
2. Monster sign/spoor etc.
3. Dungeon effect (I write a list in advance)
4. Expire (lights burn out, spells, conditions and ongoing effects end)
5. Rest (consume rations (1/party) or penalty
6. No effect
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Jul 16, 2021 18:42:09 GMT -5
I like this! Sort of like a wandering monster table but a random event table. Hmmm....
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Post by mao on Jul 17, 2021 4:29:59 GMT -5
I like this! Sort of like a wandering monster table but a random event table. Hmmm.... Yea , this is really really good! |
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Post by Morose on Aug 6, 2021 2:12:00 GMT -5
Random event tables are one of the first things you create as a solo player, I would encourage you to make these d20 tables instead of d6 tables.
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Post by Iucounu on Aug 14, 2021 10:15:47 GMT -5
After some extremely busy couple of weeks I am ready to expand a bit on the house rule.
Originally, the idea was posted by Brendan S on the Necropraxis blog. The idea was to effectivize all the housekeeping each exploration turn.
By the book, one has to check for wandering monsters, keep track of light source exhaustion, character exhaustion (rest) and spell effect times and potentially a lot more each exploration turn.
Instead, the idea is to fold all of these together into a single die roll. After all, when we check for wandering monsters, nothing really happens on a result of 2-6 so one might see those as a waste of "die face real estate".
The chance of something occuring is easy to add to the roll, it is simply added to the table of results. Gradually decreasing resources like Exhaustion, fuel and such, on the other hand, can be added as a random chance equivalent to how often it should occur relative to the check interval. For example if a torch usually lasts 2 hours, that would be equivalent to one result on the die (1 in 6 or 16,7%) checked every 20 min. As this would turn up the result once every 2 hours on average.
This means that statistically, nothing has to change about the effects, though they can all be handled in one single die roll.
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Post by hengest on Aug 14, 2021 11:18:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the clear explanation, Iucounu. Exalt! |
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Post by Iucounu on Aug 14, 2021 15:42:35 GMT -5
Now, for the results I use for the rolls.
I have modified them a bit and use the following results
1. Encounter Roll on the wandering monster table and determine distance, reaction etc. as per the regular rules.
2. Monster sign/spoor etc. I use this result as a wandering monster encounter that the player's have full control whether they will pursue. I roll the monster on the regular wandering monster tables and will then present the players with signs, tracks, spoor, smell, noise or something from that monster. The monster will always be out of sight and have not noticed the players, but if the players are looking for that monster or for some reason want to encounter the monster they are free to do what they want. If they pursue the monster they will be able to find it. I have not determined whether this should include a bonus to their surprise roll or something yet, but it would make sense I think.
3. Dungeon effect
This might be natural or magical effects of the dungeon. I often use this result to deliver exposition about the dungeon. I will write a list in advance specific to the dungeon and roll on that list. For example they might notice sounds (humming, wooshing cracks, bangs), airflow, vibration or material from specific traps going off/gone off in the distance. They might also be items, objects, plants, material that has been misplaced from elsewhere in the dungeon (A backpack full of books raided from the library etc.). or this result might simply be used to poke a bit at their nerves such as doors slamming shut behind the players. For this result, anything goes and is really just a way for me to communicate information about the dungeon (and remember to do so regularly).
4. Lights
In my game, torches last 1 hour and lanterns last 4 hours per flask of oil. If the hazard die is rolled every 10 minutes this means there are 6 rolls an hour and 1/6 chance of the Lights result to come up. This means an average of 1 result per hour. Therefore Every time this result comes up the players using torches will erase one and the ones using lanterns will put a notch. If they already have three notches they will need to refill using a flask of oil. I ignore successive identical rolls.
I usually roll the die every 20 minutes instead of every 10 minutes which means that the lights will last double as long. Therefore lanterns will only have 2 "notches" instead of 4 and torches will be counted on both a die result of 4 and 5. I don't think this is ideal since it is a but unintuitive and am welcome to ideas(!)
5. Expire Spells, conditions and ongoing effects end when this result comes up.
Spells that last 1 turn still last 1 turn. Spells that last 6 and 12 turns will end when the result comes up the first time and second time after they were cast respectively. I like that this makes spell use a little unpredictable: a levitate spell could potentially last 1 turn or maybe indefinitely, but the statistical average is still around 6 turns.
Effects and conditions could be something I have applied as a dungeon master. It could be a blessing from praying at an altar, a penalty to all rolls from nausea from ingesting a glowing mushroom or penalty to all retainer morale from being scared by a ghost etc.
6. Rest The party must spend 1 turn and consume 1 ration collectively or suffer -1 to rolls (this stacks). This makes rations valuable in the dungeons and can force the party to make a hard choice. Do we risk spending a turn here (and roll wandering monsters again here) or would we rather push on until we reach a safer location.
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Post by Morose on Aug 15, 2021 22:49:17 GMT -5
By the way, is there a reason these are called "Hazard Die" instead of just calling them random tables?
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Post by Iucounu on Aug 16, 2021 16:37:51 GMT -5
By the way, is there a reason these are called "Hazard Die" instead of just calling them random tables? Originally, I think the name came from overloading the encounter die. Now that I think about it, I don't really know about the "Hazard" part of the term. When all kinds of stuff is added to the encounter die, it suddenly handles the wholle exploration turn structure and hasn't really anything to do with hazards per se. Maybe a more neutral word like Exploration die or time die would fit better.
The "Die" part, however, I do like. In my game, I don't use any written table, it literally is a die. I made a custom die because I wanted to roll it in the open and wanted everyone to understand what each result meant without remembering the numbers. I think it had some good effects but I still cannot decide whether it makes the whole thing feel a bit like a board game. Here is a picture of the die i made:
Personally, I think the term Random Table would give kind of the wrong impression. I relate "random tables" to something that is changeable, inspirational or even superfluous. Even though it might be technically correct I feel that short tables that never change and are tightly integrated into the game structure is something else. Kind of how a Reaction roll, morale roll, ability bonuses and turning undead etc. are never referred to as random tables even though their results are set up as tables in the books and we roll on them randomly.
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Post by hengest on Aug 17, 2021 8:56:09 GMT -5
Nice post, Iucounu. Appreciate the explanation as well as the cautionary note about feeling like a board game. Intrresting to consider. |
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Post by Morose on Sept 6, 2021 12:35:48 GMT -5
By the way, is there a reason these are called "Hazard Die" instead of just calling them random tables? Originally, I think the name came from overloading the encounter die. Now that I think about it, I don't really know about the "Hazard" part of the term. When all kinds of stuff is added to the encounter die, it suddenly handles the wholle exploration turn structure and hasn't really anything to do with hazards per se. Maybe a more neutral word like Exploration die or time die would fit better.
The "Die" part, however, I do like. In my game, I don't use any written table, it literally is a die. I made a custom die because I wanted to roll it in the open and wanted everyone to understand what each result meant without remembering the numbers. I think it had some good effects but I still cannot decide whether it makes the whole thing feel a bit like a board game. Here is a picture of the die i made:
Personally, I think the term Random Table would give kind of the wrong impression. I relate "random tables" to something that is changeable, inspirational or even superfluous. Even though it might be technically correct I feel that short tables that never change and are tightly integrated into the game structure is something else. Kind of how a Reaction roll, morale roll, ability bonuses and turning undead etc. are never referred to as random tables even though their results are set up as tables in the books and we roll on them randomly.
Will you post a picture of all six sides of the dies and how you interpret them? |
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Post by Iucounu on Sept 8, 2021 13:47:38 GMT -5
Will you post a picture of all six sides of the dies and how you interpret them? Wow! At almost the moment you asked, I found the die and my son had the great idea that he should also put stickers on it. I tried pulling them gently off but most of the symbols are not really recognizable anymore. Guess I will have to print some more of those on sticker paper. Instead of pictures I will post the images I printed on sticker paper: Each of the six results have been listed above, so I will explain my reasoning for choosing the symbols here
Sillhouette = Encounter I chose a silhouette of a humanoid that I thought could both represent both a benevolent or benign human or monster.
Footprints = Monster sign/spoor etc.
The result could, as said above, be in any way shape or form but i chose footprints as this would be the most literal form of the result.
Torch = Lights
Basically just because light in D&D usually is from a torch
Door = Dungeon effect
This result was really difficult to represent since I use it for something different for each location and roll on a prewritten table for each dungeon/loaction.
The door was really because I couldn't think of anything good to represent it. I guess I thought of the door since it could represent what lies behind it, the unknown of the dungeon.
Hourglass = Expire
The hourglass was the best symbol to represent Time and expiration I could think of without using a modern representation like a clock or something.
Zzz = Rest
I guess the universal (comic book at least) way of representing sleep (rest) Hope that helps!  |
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Post by Morose on Sept 8, 2021 19:48:09 GMT -5
Will you post a picture of all six sides of the dies and how you interpret them? Wow! At almost the moment you asked, I found the die and my son had the great idea that he should also put stickers on it. I tried pulling them gently off but most of the symbols are not really recognizable anymore. Guess I will have to print some more of those on sticker paper. Instead of pictures I will post the images I printed on sticker paper: Each of the six results have been listed above, so I will explain my reasoning for choosing the symbols here
Sillhouette = Encounter I chose a silhouette of a humanoid that I thought could both represent both a benevolent or benign human or monster.
Footprints = Monster sign/spoor etc.
The result could, as said above, be in any way shape or form but i chose footprints as this would be the most literal form of the result.
Torch = Lights
Basically just because light in D&D usually is from a torch
Door = Dungeon effect
This result was really difficult to represent since I use it for something different for each location and roll on a prewritten table for each dungeon/loaction.
The door was really because I couldn't think of anything good to represent it. I guess I thought of the door since it could represent what lies behind it, the unknown of the dungeon.
Hourglass = Expire
The hourglass was the best symbol to represent Time and expiration I could think of without using a modern representation like a clock or something.
Zzz = Rest
I guess the universal (comic book at least) way of representing sleep (rest) Hope that helps! That is pretty wild. You are all asleep and no one is on watch, the dice say so!  |
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Post by Traveroark on Sept 8, 2021 20:46:18 GMT -5
Wow! At almost the moment you asked, I found the die and my son had the great idea that he should also put stickers on it. I tried pulling them gently off but most of the symbols are not really recognizable anymore. Guess I will have to print some more of those on sticker paper. Instead of pictures I will post the images I printed on sticker paper: Each of the six results have been listed above, so I will explain my reasoning for choosing the symbols here
Sillhouette = Encounter I chose a silhouette of a humanoid that I thought could both represent both a benevolent or benign human or monster.
Footprints = Monster sign/spoor etc.
The result could, as said above, be in any way shape or form but i chose footprints as this would be the most literal form of the result.
Torch = Lights
Basically just because light in D&D usually is from a torch
Door = Dungeon effect
This result was really difficult to represent since I use it for something different for each location and roll on a prewritten table for each dungeon/loaction.
The door was really because I couldn't think of anything good to represent it. I guess I thought of the door since it could represent what lies behind it, the unknown of the dungeon.
Hourglass = Expire
The hourglass was the best symbol to represent Time and expiration I could think of without using a modern representation like a clock or something.
Zzz = Rest
I guess the universal (comic book at least) way of representing sleep (rest) Hope that helps! That is pretty wild. You are all asleep and no one is on watch, the dice say so! Do you have an example of play to show it in action? |
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Post by restless on Sept 9, 2021 9:33:39 GMT -5
I'm thinking someone could make these and sell them with a sheet of instructions on Etsy and make a decent amount.
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Post by Iucounu on Sept 9, 2021 13:43:36 GMT -5
That is pretty wild. You are all asleep and no one is on watch, the dice say so! Haha! I do want my game to be a challenge to the players, but that might be a bit on the harsh side. The result is just that the players feel the need for rest. Though I think your comment underlines the thing I have felt with it feeling a bit gamified when the players see (or roll) the die themselves. It suddenly becomes very apparent that the die not only resolves action but also generates action. Do you have an example of play to show it in action?
I think I might have over explained the concept. It really is quite simple. Take the following original rule from OD&D Book 3: All this house rule does is to modify that rule by adding the following:
Here are some examples:
So when I roll a 1 on the wandering monster die (which translates to the silhouette on my custom die) everything proceeds as the rules as written. My players have a traditional random encounter.
When I roll a 2 on the wandering monster die (which translates to the footprints on my custom die) I roll for which monter using the same wandering monster list as usual. If I got the result of "ownbear" I might think up that the owlbear was in a fight and tell my players something along: "In the middle of the room are some large crimson smears". If they examine them they would get "The smears are of a thick liquid possibly blood. Puddled in it are feathers and you can see impressions of the smears trailing off in the direction of the door to the west". Another option might be for the sign of the owlbear to be the sound it makes. "The blood freezes in your veins as the silence is suddenly broken by loud hooting from behind the door to the west." The players might think it is a wandering monster, but unless they pursue it I won't let the owlbear go in their direction since I did not roll a wandering monster.
when I roll a 6 on the wandering monster die (which translates to the "Zzz" on my custom die) I would tell my players something along: "As you proceed down the hallway you realize that you begin to feel the physical activity of the expedition", "The straps of your backpack has loosened and it sits uncomfortably on your back" or "Your hirelings moan that they are thirsty". You need to sit down for a moment and have a refreshment. You choose for yourselves when and where you do that but until you do, you will have a -1 penalty to all die rolls.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Sept 9, 2021 13:48:58 GMT -5
I'm thinking someone could make these and sell them with a sheet of instructions on Etsy and make a decent amount. I'd buy some! |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Sept 9, 2021 15:51:56 GMT -5
That is pretty wild. You are all asleep and no one is on watch, the dice say so! Haha! I do want my game to be a challenge to the players, but that might be a bit on the harsh side. The result is just that the players feel the need for rest. Though I think your comment underlines the thing I have felt with it feeling a bit gamified when the players see (or roll) the die themselves. It suddenly becomes very apparent that the die not only resolves action but also generates action. Do you have an example of play to show it in action?
I think I might have over explained the concept. It really is quite simple. Take the following original rule from OD&D Book 3: All this house rule does is to modify that rule by adding the following: Here are some examples:
So when I roll a 1 on the wandering monster die (which translates to the silhouette on my custom die) everything proceeds as the rules as written. My players have a traditional random encounter.
When I roll a 2 on the wandering monster die (which translates to the footprints on my custom die) I roll for which monter using the same wandering monster list as usual. If I got the result of "ownbear" I might think up that the owlbear was in a fight and tell my players something along: "In the middle of the room are some large crimson smears". If they examine them they would get "The smears are of a thick liquid possibly blood. Puddled in it are feathers and you can see impressions of the smears trailing off in the direction of the door to the west". Another option might be for the sign of the owlbear to be the sound it makes. "The blood freezes in your veins as the silence is suddenly broken by loud hooting from behind the door to the west." The players might think it is a wandering monster, but unless they pursue it I won't let the owlbear go in their direction since I did not roll a wandering monster.
when I roll a 6 on the wandering monster die (which translates to the "Zzz" on my custom die) I would tell my players something along: "As you proceed down the hallway you realize that you begin to feel the physical activity of the expedition", "The straps of your backpack has loosened and it sits uncomfortably on your back" or "Your hirelings moan that they are thirsty". You need to sit down for a moment and have a refreshment. You choose for yourselves when and where you do that but until you do, you will have a -1 penalty to all die rolls.
that is a great way to break it down and is an awesome way to extend the btb rule in a very inventive and unique way. While I am sure many have done this, I have not seen it published and anyone who tries to follow the rules btb would never think of it. |
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Post by restless on Sept 15, 2021 17:48:13 GMT -5
Wow! At almost the moment you asked, I found the die and my son had the great idea that he should also put stickers on it. I tried pulling them gently off but most of the symbols are not really recognizable anymore. Guess I will have to print some more of those on sticker paper. Instead of pictures I will post the images I printed on sticker paper: Each of the six results have been listed above, so I will explain my reasoning for choosing the symbols here
Sillhouette = Encounter I chose a silhouette of a humanoid that I thought could both represent both a benevolent or benign human or monster.
Footprints = Monster sign/spoor etc.
The result could, as said above, be in any way shape or form but i chose footprints as this would be the most literal form of the result.
Torch = Lights
Basically just because light in D&D usually is from a torch
Door = Dungeon effect
This result was really difficult to represent since I use it for something different for each location and roll on a prewritten table for each dungeon/loaction.
The door was really because I couldn't think of anything good to represent it. I guess I thought of the door since it could represent what lies behind it, the unknown of the dungeon.
Hourglass = Expire
The hourglass was the best symbol to represent Time and expiration I could think of without using a modern representation like a clock or something.
Zzz = Rest
I guess the universal (comic book at least) way of representing sleep (rest) Hope that helps! I am seriously tempted to get some of these custom-made. |
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Sept 17, 2021 15:29:55 GMT -5
Wow! At almost the moment you asked, I found the die and my son had the great idea that he should also put stickers on it. I tried pulling them gently off but most of the symbols are not really recognizable anymore. Guess I will have to print some more of those on sticker paper. Instead of pictures I will post the images I printed on sticker paper: Each of the six results have been listed above, so I will explain my reasoning for choosing the symbols here
Sillhouette = Encounter I chose a silhouette of a humanoid that I thought could both represent both a benevolent or benign human or monster.
Footprints = Monster sign/spoor etc.
The result could, as said above, be in any way shape or form but i chose footprints as this would be the most literal form of the result.
Torch = Lights
Basically just because light in D&D usually is from a torch
Door = Dungeon effect
This result was really difficult to represent since I use it for something different for each location and roll on a prewritten table for each dungeon/loaction.
The door was really because I couldn't think of anything good to represent it. I guess I thought of the door since it could represent what lies behind it, the unknown of the dungeon.
Hourglass = Expire
The hourglass was the best symbol to represent Time and expiration I could think of without using a modern representation like a clock or something.
Zzz = Rest
I guess the universal (comic book at least) way of representing sleep (rest) Hope that helps! I am seriously tempted to get some of these custom-made. I am tempted as well. |
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Post by restless on Sept 17, 2021 16:25:01 GMT -5
I am seriously tempted to get some of these custom-made. I am tempted as well. I have basically decided to do it. I want to use something more akin to the standard hazard die definition though. I can get some laser-etched; they look really good in blue and don't necessarily need filling. I actually scribbled out some notes on what I want to do for art for the faces, let me see if I can transcribe my chicken scratch: | Face | | Ideas, one per line | Encounter
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| Some sort of monster
Snarling wolf face | | Fatigue |
| A tired face
ZZZs | | Expire |
| Hourglass
Grim reaper | | Change |
| A circle of arrows pointing to different shapes
90° turn off symbol
Box/chest/door with a question mark on it | | Percept |
| Animal tracks
A raven (symbol for omen) | | Advantage |
| A thumb up, possibly with a plus sign |
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Post by restless on Sept 17, 2021 17:41:42 GMT -5
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Sept 17, 2021 17:50:49 GMT -5
Nice! I'm digging those pics for the die faces. |
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Post by restless on Sept 18, 2021 14:41:49 GMT -5
Shot off an email to the company to see what they say on requirements for art.
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Post by The Semi-Retired Gamer on Sept 18, 2021 14:46:49 GMT -5
Shot off an email to the company to see what they say on requirements for art. Excellent! I'm definitely interested in acquiring some. |
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Post by Iucounu on Sept 19, 2021 15:09:42 GMT -5
Shot off an email to the company to see what they say on requirements for art. That sounds great! I really like a lot of the icons you came up with as well.
If they are laser etched I can imagine they will need the art in a vector format. If that is the case, it is pretty straightforward and the company might do it for you, but I have some experience preparing art for laser cutting, so just send me a PM if you need any help.
I really look forward to seeing how they turn out!
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Post by restless on Sept 19, 2021 15:33:21 GMT -5
Shot off an email to the company to see what they say on requirements for art. That sounds great! I really like a lot of the icons you came up with as well.
If they are laser etched I can imagine they will need the art in a vector format. If that is the case, it is pretty straightforward and the company might do it for you, but I have some experience preparing art for laser cutting, so just send me a PM if you need any help.
I really look forward to seeing how they turn out!
They take a vector format or will trace a black and white image. I just wanted to know what size they prefer and I can provide it as a .png or I can just do the tracing with potrace. Not heard back yet, it's a small company. Heck, who knows, this might encourage me to get a 40 watt laser cutter myself 😂 I'm going to do a follow up on this later, maybe tomorrow. I'm going to try to post my final art ideas for critique. |
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Post by restless on Sept 20, 2021 18:37:56 GMT -5
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