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DM Dice Hacks
Are you an aspiring Dungeon or Game Master? Have you ever wondered how to set up challenges using the d20 system? Would you like a better understanding of how to tune different scenarios and situations that have to be resolved through the mechanic of Difficulty Checks (DCs)? Then this might be the primer for you…
The below video serves as an excellent introduction to the various types of d20 checks that one might encounter when playing Dungeons and Dragons, or a multitude of other games that rely on the d20 system for the resolution of skills, circumstances, and other challenges that player characters might find themselves in. And while this video speaks specifically to the d20 system, much of the underlying explanation can be easily transferred to other games which utilize different methods of randomly generated numbers that in turn leads to problem resolutions.
Happy Halloween from Dungeons & Toast
May your All Hallow’s Eve celebrations provide an opportunity for getting into character, be ye ghost, goblin, or ghoul!
Top left to bottom right (inner): David E, Kait R, Lucas R, Loni H, Mikey M, Cameron P, Maurice W, Michael C, Kelly S, Michael A, Patrick V, guest, Brian L, Tom K, Jeremy K, Grey P
D&T to Celebrate No Shave November
Dungeons & Toast is celebrating No Shave November, sponsoring a contest to judge facial hair growth over the course of the month! To make things fair, members will be separated into two groups: fresh-faced and established (as of November 1). Judging will take place on December 2nd, at the first guild meeting of the month. Members who grow or continue to grow beards throughout the month of November are eligible to compete in the following categories:
- Fresh-Faced: Most Impressive Growth
- Fresh-Faced: Most Whimsically Styled or Decorated
- Established: Most Voluminous
- Established: Most Whimsically Styled or Decorated
New: Commendations!
I am pleased to share that members now have the ability to nominate each other for one of three awards:
Commendation
This magical item is fashioned of polished walnut. Upon gazing into the finely-silvered glass, the user feels a sense of self-satisfaction and contentment.
This item is awarded to members who have performed a feat of charisma, such as outreach to another group or a particularly engaging performance.
Commendation
This translucent crystal ball is large enough to be held in two hands and rests upon a simple mahogany frame. Gazing into it, the user is overcome with a flash of insight into past or present events.
This item is awarded to members who have performed a feat of wisdom, such as mentoring another member or remaining cool under pressure.
Commendation
This leather-bound book is illuminated in umber, azure, and rose gold. Flipping through the pages, the user is struck by a feeling of brilliance.
This item is awarded to members who have performed a feat of intelligence, such as aiding another member with a technical issue or providing an especially detailed report as the Cleric of Rhetoric.
Commendation
This gold shield with an emblem of a lion hangs from a suspension in the colors of the royal family. It denotes recognition by the royal family for an act of outstanding service to the kingdom and it’s people.
This item is awarded to members who perform an extraordinary act of service for the guild or for another member.
Commendation
This brass trumpet gleams brilliantly, reflecting the pride its owner takes in it.
This item is awarded to members who go out of their way to advocate for the benefits of Dungeons & Toast.
Commendation
This heavy gold chain and medallion give the viewer a sense of steadfastness.
This item is awarded to members who exhibit exceptional dedication or commitment in the face of difficulty.
Each of these items is worth 20 XP (and do not confer in-game benefits). Nominations for each month will be reviewed for approval at the monthly Executive Council meeting and awards will be announced during the Club Business portion of the following weekly meeting.
One more day…
Scratch. Scratch. Scratch
What’s that noise?
Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.
Casting aside your covers, you search for the source of the noice.
Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.
It’s your front door. You open it.
“Duessss are duuuuuuuuuuue.”
The creepy collector has arrived. You’re reminded that if you haven’t paid your Dungeons & Toast dues, you’ll need to contact Kelly and/or make payment utilizing the following methods:
- Venmo:Â @SweetCatastrophe15
- PayPal:Â @SweetCatastrophe15
- Zelle:Â 631.806.6764
To remain in good standing, dues need to be paid by September 30. That leaves one more day. Pitter patter, y’all.
Cheers!
D&T Honored at 2021-22 District 100 Awards
Last Saturday, District 100 hosted an end-of-year awards banquet and celebration. Several members of Dungeons & Toast attended both online and in-person, and several members were honored for their contributions to making the District a better place for all. Congratulations to the following:
Founder Hovey won first place in the District 100 Marathon, having completed 20 miles; meanwhile, D&T members nabbed three of the top four places in the Marathon. Immediate Past Guild Master Patrick was recognized as Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year. Dungeons & Toast was recognized as Club of the Year, in “recognition of exceptional commitment to fellow members and support of District 100!” Yanini was recognized for having won Club Mentor of the Quarter for Q3 and was also installed as an Area Director, while Cliff was installed as Division L Director, both for 2022-2023.
Photos and Video Special Events
A Pirate’s Life for We!
Last night, Dungeons & Toast celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day with intrepidity. Backgrounds featuring ships of various make and size were chosen, tri-corn hats were donned, and ARRRRS were exaggerated with rakish fervor. Thanks to everyone who turned out, including guest Viranga, and whatever bird is perched on Quest Master Greg’s shoulder.
From Below, It Devours
A Lovecraftian Evening with Kenneth Hite
Did you have to miss the special presentation by author and game designer Kenneth Hite (Trail of Cthulu; Vampire the Masquerade, 5th edition; GURPS modules)? Great news: we recorded this forbidden knowledge, including the question-and-answer session which followed. View it below, if you dare:
And from the same evening, we’re pleased to share another installment of “Uggh Speaks,” in which David E serves as translator for the Half-Orc character of Uggh and relates his friend’s motivations for questing after the Lost Lair of the Manticore and the Orb of Davras.
Upcoming Additions to Manticore
To help mitigate the difficulty of running RPG games with parties in which members are of significantly different level, we are pleased to announce a few changes to the Lost Lair of the Manticore system.
- Guild Level: A new statistic called Guild Level is calculated using an average of all active members’ total XP and mapped against the level progression for an individual member. For the purposes of participating in Game Night, members whose in-guild character is of a lower level than the calculated Guild Level can instead choose to play their character at the higher level. The goal for this change is to make it easier on GMs trying to balance their games for a specific target. In a roleplay sense, higher level party members provide an Aura of Advancement to their compatriots, through the supportive nature of membership in Dungeons & Toast.
- Magic Item Progression: To ensure members have the opportunity to acquire magic items uniformly and without having to participate in specific Game Night sessions, 5E magic items (separate from those listed in the Magic Item Shop and not requiring the expenditure of XP to purchase) are now available for selection at levels 3, 5, 7, and 9. Item quality is limited to common and uncommon rarities and are available to select as follows:
| Level | Magic Item Available to Purchase |
| 3 | 1 common magic item |
| 5 | 1 uncommon magic item |
| 7 | 1 common magic item |
| 9 | 1 uncommon magic item |
Manticore Game 1 Write-Ups
During the month of July and August, guild members participated in two playthroughs of the Lost Things pre-adventure as part of our annual RPG campaign event, the Lost Lair of the Manticore. Over the course of two game nights members created and played child versions of their grown 5E Forgotten Realms characters, partaking of the wonders and magic — sometimes dark, sometimes light — of the Witchlight Carnival.
[campaign_stories_list event_slugs=”game-night-et-track-2022-07-29,lost-things-encore-session-2022-08-22″]
While a write-up like the ones above is strictly optional, each author earns a special achievement for having put forth the effort:
75 GoldSubmit a writeup of one of the games within the annual TTRPG campaign or additional world-building material (with approval).
1 Step
- Publish a story.