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Ok, so where would I ask questions about one of the modules without having it available for public consumption?
One of the parts of First Steps Part I has some timing issues I wanted to see how others were dealing with...
Since the PDFs for the three First Steps modules can now be ordered and downloaded (I am reading the first one now, since I am running it at my local game store on the 5th...), I think you can safely ask questions about them here on the GM boards.
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Since the PDFs for the three First Steps modules can now be ordered and downloaded (I am reading the first one now, since I am running it at my local game store on the 5th...), I think you can safely ask questions about them here on the GM boards.Ok, so where would I ask questions about one of the modules without having it available for public consumption?
One of the parts of First Steps Part I has some timing issues I wanted to see how others were dealing with...
Even though everyone can see them if they wish to? I'd rather wait till after Gen Con to put up spoilers and such.
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Ok then:
30 minutes equals 300 rounds. So even if you break it down into rounds, it could get really, really monotonous.
Is this supposed to be so incredibly easy to pass that the characters will pass this task without having to worry about time?
As a GM are we supposed to arbitrarily come up with how long certain attempts to solve the puzzles will take?
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Spoiler:I understand your concern, but by creating a time limit, it prevents the PCs from running off to get something and then returning. You also have a situation where taking twenty eats away at their time so that's where the rubber hits the road.Take 20
When a character or creature has plenty of time, and is not faced with threats or distractions, and the skill being attempted carries no penalties for failure, he/it can take 20. Instead of rolling 1d20 for the check, just calculate the result as if the die had rolled a 20.Taking 20 means you continue trying until you get it right, and assumes that you will fail many times before succeeding. Taking 20 takes 20 times as long as making a single check would take (usually 2 minutes for a skill that takes 1 round or less to perform).
Since taking 20 assumes that your character will fail many times before succeeding, your character would automatically incur any penalties for failure before he or she could complete the task (hence why it is generally not allowed with skills that carry such penalties).
So I don't think you need to tick off all of those rounds, unless you get a very pedantic table (not likely).
How much time does carefully searching the basket take? How much time does dumping over the jar take?
Say they figure out there is a snake in the basket or a acid in the jar, then they might take a bit more time to figure out how to bypass the slight danger.
The longest part of this encounter will be to get the key that drops from the ceiling, and I can’t see this really taking up a ton of time either.
I would be very surprised if anybody actually couldn’t succeed at this encounter in under 10 minutes if you calculate actions round by round.
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** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **...** spoiler omitted **
This encounter will be the least of your worries, I can tell you have an eye for detail, and that's a good thing. Let your players get creative, and remember that this is more of role play encounter rather than combat. Be discriptive as they explore, it will be a chance to stretch your imagination and theirs too. This scenario is an introduction, so try and pique their curiosity. Most of all have fun with it.
Thanks for your well thought out reply Michael. I think treating it as a roleplaying encounter vs. combat is a good idea. I also liked a previous poster's idea about giving the literally 30 minutes real time.
