Discord Discourse
Summary
Hosts Jody and Matt answer three questions from the Shadowdark Discord: backstab frequency, converting B/X treasure to Shadowdark, and running short sessions. They debate the definition of "unaware" for backstabs, arguing it should be a rare, high-impact strike rather than a frequent action. On treasure, they advise ignoring strict conversion formulas and instead focusing on XP pacing and creating a healthy gold sink through daily upkeep costs. The episode concludes with tips for managing short, one-hour game sessions.
Topics discussed
Introduction and Discord thread overview
Introducing the three questions from the community
Defining the 'unaware' condition for Backstab
Backstab damage scaling and Gelatinous Cube edge cases
Adjudicating Backstab: Trust levels and 'Sucker Punch' concept
Combat pacing: Held actions and avoiding rote hide-backstab loops
Long-term scaling of Backstab and player awareness
Converting OSR treasure to Shadow Dark: XP vs Gold
Managing gold sinks and daily living costs
Practical tips for assigning XP and treasure values
Running short sessions: Blitz mode and pacing
GM style: Taking the reins vs. player agency
Managing player planning and decision fatigue
Promotion for the Hammer crowdfunding project
Closing remarks and contact information
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