epicanis

@[email protected] @Currens_[email protected] Not only very funny but, in my opinion, a better story with better pacing and better characters than the original.

Mr. Popo as a horrifying sadistic eldritch being was absolutely an improvement.

@[email protected] @[email protected] I mostly disagree here. I mean, yes, if the DM has set up a situation where the PCs are railroaded into a fight where they are required to "do damage" to something they have no way to do damage to, that's pretty lousy.

Usually, though, the PCs could flee, attempt to resolve the situation by "non-combat" means, or otherwise just avoid getting in that situation to begin with.

I do fully embrace your earlier point about non-corporeal beings hurting corporeal beings: I like the idea that there ought to be potential "enemies" with that limitation who can only harm the PCs indirectly (through trickery and deception, distraction, or some manner of influence over something that can hurt them). Not every opponent needs to be a "combat statblock".

@Kerrigor @The_Picard_Maneuver @JackbyDev With a non-corporeal sword, of course!

(and now I want to gift an adventuring party with such a thing...)

@[email protected] Expanding on my earlier reply - my situation has a lot of parallels with yours, including eyeing Royal Road as a possible place to publish the serial.

I started up a prose fantasy-adventure serial as a medium to build a setting that's not encumbered by other people's Intellectual Precious, and try out some DMing ideas and scenario concepts in a controlled environment. Started with an ensemble of three "competent misfit" characters in (as is tradition) a small-town tavern and gave them a lead on potentially recruiting a fourth member to round out their group, and a selection of requests for help to start their "adventuring" career on. Now I've got several villages, a collection of Non-Protagonist-Characters, various businesses, and about three "big" sources of potential antagonism so far. Had an idea for a whole campaign idea (from another Fediverse conversation elsewhere) that I may test out in this medium, too, which should be fun.

How are you liking Royal Road as a hosting/publishing platform so far?

@Zagaroth @LilGuyPlasmoidDruid Wait...are you me?