Cast your spell with style! In this article, we explore different ways you can use the often-overlooked material components of spells to spice up your c...
It’s great that each group can place the focus and emphasis where they want.
We’ve fast-forwarded through fights so we can spend more time on cleric stuff. That’s a huge part of the appeal for me, going into detail on how these people feel about the gods and their congregation.
We’ve also seen player characters throwing out money so they can carry more water after their cleric contracted fever and died.
Clerics and religion is just such a huge part of our worldbuilding and campaign. Holding the prayer meeting, keeping track of the gods’ various days throughout the week…
That said:
A key move is to establish routines so you then can execute them quickly the next time. Here’s am example:
First night out: “We set up two tents in a 60˚ angle with a campfire in the corner. I’ll take first watch and then Fa’ana takes second.” etc etc.
Then you never have to say that again until something changes—if you lose tents, tinderbox, or party members, or if you wanna forgo a campfire because you’re trying to be stealthy etc.
Using routine stuff as backdrop for other conversations can also be fun:
“Ruth, as I’m helping you with your armor… I’m gonna ask what in the nine hells you were doing when we met those book haunts? They seemed to know you.”
Etc etc.
Time records also help with all this.
I have a notebook where one of the columns is the current timestamp. As they light torches and frotz spells I can make a note. As time passes by them exploring or resting or talking, I make new timestamps. That way it’s easy to allocate some time in the morning for praying, spell-memorizing, and donning. And then you can get into as little or as much detail on that time as you want to.
But, again, all this is optional. For me it helps make the world come alive and is more valuable than fighting or plot events. If other people wanna do other things instead, that’s 💯 OK.
It’s great that each group can place the focus and emphasis where they want.
We’ve fast-forwarded through fights so we can spend more time on cleric stuff. That’s a huge part of the appeal for me, going into detail on how these people feel about the gods and their congregation.
We’ve also seen player characters throwing out money so they can carry more water after their cleric contracted fever and died.
Clerics and religion is just such a huge part of our worldbuilding and campaign. Holding the prayer meeting, keeping track of the gods’ various days throughout the week…
That said:
A key move is to establish routines so you then can execute them quickly the next time. Here’s am example:
First night out: “We set up two tents in a 60˚ angle with a campfire in the corner. I’ll take first watch and then Fa’ana takes second.” etc etc.
Then you never have to say that again until something changes—if you lose tents, tinderbox, or party members, or if you wanna forgo a campfire because you’re trying to be stealthy etc.
Using routine stuff as backdrop for other conversations can also be fun:
“Ruth, as I’m helping you with your armor… I’m gonna ask what in the nine hells you were doing when we met those book haunts? They seemed to know you.”
Etc etc.
Time records also help with all this.
I have a notebook where one of the columns is the current timestamp. As they light torches and frotz spells I can make a note. As time passes by them exploring or resting or talking, I make new timestamps. That way it’s easy to allocate some time in the morning for praying, spell-memorizing, and donning. And then you can get into as little or as much detail on that time as you want to.
But, again, all this is optional. For me it helps make the world come alive and is more valuable than fighting or plot events. If other people wanna do other things instead, that’s 💯 OK.