Leaving the Sandbox

When the party are leaving the sandbox edges, I find it does not normally need a hard "You can't go that way". Instead I find the best technique is to shift GMing mode from detailed (eg hex by hex) to very broad-brush.

"You spend a week out beyond the Kurmanur Wilds, but there seems little of interest here."

Players don't take offence at being told a summary response to their actions. They can take offence at being told "You can't do that/go there".

Shifting mode is a very important GM technique, something we all do routinely (eg exploration-combat-downtime-social). I've only ever seen Justin Alexander give it much attention, but knowing how & when to shift is a particularly powerful tool in running non-linear campaigns.

My 5e D&D Achievement XP Awards System

This is my current XP system for non-combat achievements, from getting through a difficult door to a diplomatic negotiation, finding hidden treasure, or significant exploration. It is similar to the 5e DMG suggested approach, but based off monster Challenge XP and awards are divided by Tier, not by Level. It gives increasing awards at higher levels, but advancement generally slows over time.

Low Level (Tier 1) XP awards (per PC)

Easy Achievement: 10 XP (Challenge 0)
Minor Achievement: 25 XP (Challenge 1/8) 

Moderate Achievement: 50 XP (Challenge 1/4)

Major Achievement: 100 XP (Challenge 1/2)

Very Hard Achievement: 200 XP (Challenge 1)
Exceptional Achievement: 450 XP (Challenge 2)

Mid Level (Tier 2) XP awards (per PC)

Easy 50 XP (Challenge 1/4)

Minor 100 XP (Challenge 1/2)

Moderate 200 XP (Challenge 1)

Major 450 XP (Challenge 2)

Very Hard 700 XP (Challenge 3)

Exceptional 1100 XP (Challenge 4)

High Level (Tier 3) XP awards (per PC) 

Easy 200 XP (Challenge 1)

Minor 450 XP (Challenge 2)

Moderate 700 XP (Challenge 3)

Major 1100 XP (Challenge 4)

Very Hard 1800 XP (Challenge 5)

Exceptional 2300 XP (Challenge 6)

Epic Level (Tier 4) XP awards (per PC) 

Easy 700 XP (Challenge 3)

Minor 1100 XP (Challenge 4)

Moderate 1800 XP (Challenge 5)

Major 2300 XP (Challenge 6)

Very Hard 2900 XP (Challenge 7)

Exceptional 5000 XP (Challenge 8)

XP awards tend to increase over time, as the scale of achievements increase. Acquiring significant treasure is usually worth some XP, as is rescuing prisoners, infiltrating a guarded keep, exploring a cavern network, etc. A typical session award for non-combat achievements might be 25 XP per PC at level 1, rising to ca 100 XP per PC at level 4.

PC Level - Typical Non-Combat Session Award (for extensive non-combat activities)

1 - 25

2 - 50

3 - 75

4 - 100

5 - 150

6 - 200

7 - 250

8 - 300

9 - 350

10 - 400

11 - 450

12 - 500

13 - 600

14 - 700

15 - 800

16 - 1000

17 - 1500

18 - 2000

19 - 2500

My 5e D&D Dominion System

 This uses a mix of 1e DMG, Mentzer Classic Companion Set, the 3e d20 Fields of Blood, and some ideas of my own, eg the mining survey system.

Territory Development

When characters clear and rule territory around a stronghold (at least 10 miles radius), they may receive a tax income of typically 5 silver pieces per inhabitant per month, plus any Resource income. High level Fighters, and some other classes, may also have a body of Followers come to serve them. A typical initial domain has 2-8 (2d4) hamlets, each with 101-400 (1d3x100 + 1d100) people. Politically this is, or is equivalent to, a minor Barony.

Typical Followers for PC Level 9+ ("Lord")

Warlord's Followers (roll d4 or choose)

(1). 20 light cavalry (9gp/m), ringmail & shield AC 16, longsword, hand axe, 3 javelins.

      100 heavy infantry (6gp/m), scale AC 15, halberd, club.

(2) 20 heavy infantry (6p/m), splint & shield AC 19, morningstar, hand axe.

      60 pike infantry (6gp/m), padded AC 12, long pike, short sword.

(3) 40 heavy crossbowmen (6gp/m), chain AC 16, heavy crossbow, shortsword

      20 light crossbowmen (6gp/m), chain AC 16, light crossbow, shortsword  

(4) 10 heavy cavalry (15gp/m), splint & shield AC 19, lance longsword & mace

      20 medium cavalry (12gp/m), scale & shield AC 17, lance longsword & mace

      30 light cavalry (9gp/m), studded & shield AC 15, lance & flail

Troops typically are veterans and use Mercenary stats (hp 16, ST+2 DE+1 CO+1), with adjustments for equipment as above.

Troop Commander (d4):

(1) MM Veteran, plate armour & shield, +2 battle axe

(2) MM Knight, plate armour & +1 shield, +1 spear & +1 dagger

(3) MM Veteran, +1 plate armour & shield, heavy +1 heavy crossbow of distance (rare, +50% range, short 150' long 600'), +1 longsword.

(4) MM Knight, +1 plate & +1 shield, +2 longsword, heavy warhorse with horseshoes of speed.

Commander Upkeep: 60gp/month

Troop Lieutenant (d4)

(1) Fighter-2, chain & shield AC 18, or splint & shield AC 19 if unit includes men so equipped.

(2)-(3) Fighter-3, splint & shield AC 19

(4) Fighter-4, plate & shield AC 20, +1 longsword

The Lieutenant can advance to Fighter-4 if initially below that level.

Alternate Followers

Rogue's Guild: 1d3 MM Spy, 2d3 MM Thug, 2d3 Rogue-1 (hp 10 DEX+3)

Wizard's Tower: 2d3 VGTM Apprentice Wizard, 2d6 Mercenary (hp 16 ST+2)

Priest's Temple: 1 MM Priest, 3d3 MM Acolyte, 2d6 Mercenary (hp 16 ST+2)

Druid's Grove: 1d2 MM Druid sc4, 2d3 Druid Acolyte sc1 (hp 9 WIS+2)

Bard's Company: 1d2 VGTM Bard sc4, 1d3 MM Spy, 1d3 Bard Apprentice sc1 (hp 9  CHA+2)

Barbarian's Holdfast: 1d2 MM Berserker, 20d6 MM Tribal Warrior, 2d3 Barbarian-1 (hp 14 ST+3)

Other classes typically acquire 1d3 1st level followers of the character's own class, eg a Fighter Lord may acquire 1d3 Fighter-1 (hp 12 ST+3).

Most strongholds will also attract an appropriate number of Commoners to serve the PC. A Wizard's Tower might have only 1d6, where a Warlord's fortress has 10d6 or more.

Losses of non-classed followers may typically be replaced at a rate of 5% of initial total per month, eg a force of 120 can replace 6/month.

Classed Followers

Classed followers may use a generic template as above, or may be created by the player using the standard PC rules (and may be played as a PC in lower level adventures). Classed followers are not replaced if lost, but every month there is a 10% chance to acquire one additional such follower. 

No character may ever have more classed followers (aka Henchmen) at once than their Charisma bonus +4 ; eg CHA 8 (-1) enables 3 such followers, while CHA 20 (+5) enables 9 such followers.

Realm Improvements

Magic Resources

Religious

Shrine (1 Acolyte sc1): 1,500gp & 5 weeks. Requires: Thorpe pop. 20

Church (1 Priest sc3, 1 Acolyte sc1): 4,500gp & 7 weeks. Requires: Hamlet pop.100 

Temple (1 Priest sc5, 2 Priest sc3, 4 Acolyte sc1): 15,000gp & 11 weeks. Requires: Village pop. 500 

Abbey (1 Abbott/Abbess sc5, 2 Senior Brother/Sister sc 3, 4 Monk/Nun sc 2, 8 Monk/Nun sc1): 50,000gp & 57 weeks. Requires: -

Cathedral (1 Bishop sc7, 2 Priest sc4, 4 Priest sc2, 8 Acolyte sc1):  42,000gp & 20 weeks. Requires: Small City pop. 6,000

Arcane

Arcane Tower (1 Wizard sc3, 1 Apprentice Wizard sc1): 4,500gp & 8 weeks. Requires: -

Arcane Guild Hall (1 Wizard sc5, 2 Wizard sc3, 4 Apprentice Wizard sc1): 15,000gp & 14 weeks. Requires: Small Town pop. 1,500 

Arcane University (1 Mage sc9, 2 Wizard sc5, 4 Wizard sc3, 8 Apprentice Wizard sc1): 54,000gp & 31 weeks. Requires: Small City pop. 6,000

Mercantile & Administrative

Trading post (improves all Resource income by +10% in a 2 hex/20 mile radius): 5,000gp & 8 weeks. Requires: -

Guildhall (improves 1 Resource income by +20% in a 2 hex/20 mile radius): 5,000gp & 12 weeks. Requires Large Town pop. 3,000. 

Noble Estate with Manor, luxurious (improves Tax income by +10% in a 2 hex/20 mile radius): 25,000gp & 21 weeks. Requires: -

Imperial Palace (improves Tax income by +10% across entire dominion): 500,000gp & 3 years. Requires: -

Fortification

Tower/Broch: 10,000gp & 12 weeks. Can hold 30 infantry.

Motte & Bailey: 20,000gp & 18 weeks. Can hold 60 infantry.

Small Castle: 40,000gp & 30 weeks. Can hold 125 infantry.

Large Castle: 80,000gp & 45 weeks. Can hold 250 infantry.

Fortress: 160,000gp & 60 weeks. Can hold 500 infantry.

Citadel: 320,000gp & 90 weeks. Can hold 1,000 infantry.

One light cavalry = 3 infantry. One medium or heavy cavalry = 4 infantry.

Manor Resource Improvements

At Manor Scale, 1 hex = 2 miles. For Baronial Scale (1 hex = 10 miles) multiply costs & incomes by x10.

25gp/month = 300gp/year. 50gp/month =600gp/year.

Mine (requires valuable minerals): cost 2d4x100gp, income +1d6x100gp/month. Population +2d4

Smelter (requires Mine): cost 1,000gp, income +2d4x10gp/month. Population +2d4

Logging Camp (requires Forest**): cost 1,000gp, income +1d4x10gp/month. Population +4d4

Sawmill (requires Logging Camp): cost 2,000gp, income +2d4x10gp/month. Population +2d4

Improved Farmland (requires Plains***): cost 2,000gp, income +2d4x10gp/m. Population +4d4

Fishing Ship (requires Sea): cost 2,000gp, income +2d4x10gp/m. Population +2d4

*Typically a 1 in 6 chance there is a mining resource per two mile hex. With one surveyor a survey takes 1 month (& a typical 30gp hireling cost) per 2 mile hex, requires a character with Miner's Tools Proficiency or equivalent and a successful proficiency (INT) check at a DC of 5+1d10 (1e: 4 in 6 chance of success).

If a resource is discovered, the GM rolls 1d6, or selects:

1: clay or stone quarry 100gp/m

2: lead or coal mine 200gp/m

3: copper or oil/tar mine 300gp/m

4: silver or tin mine 400gp/m

5: gold mine or marble quarry 500gp/m

6: platinum or gemstone mine 600gp/m

**One two mile hex, approx 3.5 sq m of forest.

***One square mile of arable land.

Baronial Domains

Resources per hex (Baronial Scale, 1 hex = 10 miles across, approx 85 sq m)

1: 1 resource

2-7: 2 resources

8-9: 3 resources

10: 4 resources

Resource Type

1-3 Animal (eg dairy, fish, fowl, furs, bees, horses, ivory, beef, pork)

4-8 Vegetable (eg farm produce, foodstuffs, oil, fodder, wood & timber, paper, wine)

9-10 Mineral (as above)

Baronial Income (per 10 mile hex, a domain has 1+ hexes).

Taxes: 5 sp/person/month (unlimited)

Animal Resource: 10 sp/person/month, max 1d4x1,000 (2,500) gp/month per hex.

Vegetable Resource: 5 sp/person/month, max 1d6x1,000 (3,500) gp/month per hex.

Mineral Resource: 15 sp/person/month, max 1d8x1,000gp (4,500) gp/month per hex.

The maximum resource income for a 10-mile domain hex thus varies from 1,000gp/month, to 32,000gp/month!

5e: Old School Foes

I wanted some traditional-feeling enemies for a low power 5e D&D campaign - while keeping elements of the 5e flavour. I came up with the following.

Template
CR PB +2
AC  HP
ST DE CO IN WI CH
ATT:    Damage:



CHALLENGE 0

Kobold Mook
CR 0 (10 XP) PB +2
AC  10/12 w shield HP 2 (d6-1)
ST -3 DE +0 CO -1 IN -1 WI -2 CH -2
Dagger (1h) or kobold spear (1h): Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d4) piercing damage. Spear does 1d6 2-handed.
Sling (2h loading): Ranged Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d4) bludgeoning damage.
Sunlight Sensitivity: While in sunlight, the kobold has disadvantage on Attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Pack Tactics: The kobold has advantage on an Attack roll against a creature if at least one of the kobold's allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn't Incapacitated.

CHALLENGE 1/8

Pig Orc
CR 1/8 (25 XP) PB +2
AC 14/16 (ringmail, shield) HP 11
ST +1 DE +0 CO +1 IN -1 WI +0 CH -1
Spear, Hand Axe or Scimitar ATT: +3  Damage: 1d6+1
Halberd or Glaive (2h) ATT+3 Damage 1d10+1, reach 10'
Flail, Longsword or Battle Axe ATT +3 Damage 1d8+1
Light Crossbow (2h) ATT +2 Damage 1d8 range 80'/320'

Goblin Minion
CR 1/8 (25 XP) PB +2
AC 13/15 (hide, shield)  HP 7
ST -1 DE +1 CO +0 IN -1 WI -1 CH -1
Skills: Stealth+5
Goblin Dagger ATT: +3  Damage: 1d4+1 
Goblin Spear (1h or 2h) ATT +3 Damage: 1d4+1/1d6+1
Shortbow (2h) ATT: +3 Damage: 1d6+1 range 80'/320'
Nimble Escape: Disengage or Hide as bonus action.

CHALLENGE 1/4

Hobgoblin Grunt
CR 1/4 (50 XP) PB +2
AC 15/17 (scale, shield) HP 11
ST +1 DE +1 CO +1 IN -1 WI -1 CH -1
Spear or Scimitar ATT: +3  Damage: 1d6+1 (2d6+1 with Martial Advantage)
Heavy Crossbow (2h) ATT +3 Damage 1d10+1
Martial Advantage: Once per turn the hobgoblin can deal an extra 1d6 damage to a creature it hits with a melee weapon attack if that creature is within 5' of an ally of the hobgoblin that isn't incapacitated.

Human Brigand
CR 1/4 (50 XP) PB +2
AC 14/16 (ring or chain shirt, shield) HP 16
ST +2 DE +1 CO +1 IN +0 WI +0 CH +0
Longsword, Flail or Battle Axe ATT: +4  Damage: 1d8+2/2-h 1d10+2
Heavy crossbow (2h) ATT+3 Damage 1d10+1 range 100'/400'

Human Guard Corporal 
CR 1/4 (50 XP) PB +2
AC 16/18 (chainmail, shield) HP 16
ST +2 DE +0 CO +1 IN +0 WI +0 CH +0
Skills: Perception +2
Halberd (2h) ATT: +4 Damage: 1d10+2, reach 10'
Spear ATT +4 Damage 1d6+2, 2h 1d8+2.
Mace ATT +4 Damage 1d6+2 blunt - Subdual
Heavy Crossbow (2h) ATT +2 Damage 1d10 range 80'/320'
Subdual: an opponent reduced to 0 hp by guard's mace, but not killed outright, is unconscious & stable.

Running Mini Six

In response to a query from Melan/Gabor Lux.

The main campaign page for my Mini Six Primeval Thule game, including some house rules (like shields add to parry/block not soak) - https://simonsprimevalthule.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-valley-of-scorn-palace-of-silver.html

15 sessions in so far. I've been mostly running it online text chat recently, so there are some full session logs, eg https://simonsprimevalthule.blogspot.com/2020/07/sp15-1212215-ar-tizun-thane.html - session opens with a fight between PCs and Berbalangs and there's a spellcasting lizardman shaman PC so you can see the magic system in action. So far we've played through Palace of the Silver Princess and are now playing Halls of Tizun Thane. Dungeon crawls seem to work fantastically well in Mini Six; there's not a lot of routine attrition to track but there's always a fear that any fight could be your last, so PCs avoid unnecessary combat. I used standard starting PC attribute & skill levels (which is pretty powerful, feels like about 5th level in D&D) and the recommended advancement of 3-7 CP/session, more to the low end for online sessions, which feels like a nice rate.

One thing I learned to do different from the book; I automatically hand out a Hero Point at the end of every full session. I rarely give them in-session, though I may give bonus CP. I find this works best; HP are a nice resource to both save and spend. In this session https://simonsprimevalthule.blogspot.com/2020/06/sp14-10-1212215-ar-fall-of-saya-24-cp.html a player who'd been hoarding his HP blew all 6 on a single attack (3 on to hit, 3 on damage) - and destroyed the unkillable Night Thing.

Here's a thread I started back in February when I'd just begun the game https://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?41734-d6-System!-%28WEG-Star-Wars-et-al%29&highlight=Mini+Six

Bonus Magic-User spells in 1e AD&D/OSRIC

https://www.dragonsfoot.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=84318&p=2085053#p2085053

Re bonus spells for high INT. I don't much like the idea of an MU-1 starting play with three Sleep spells, but I think it would work well if the MU could choose a School and get specific, curated spells based on their INT (INT 13 1 1st, INT 14 2 1st, INT 15 2 1st & 1 2nd, INT 16 2 1st 2 2nd, INT 17 2 1st 2 2nd 1 3rd, INT 18 2 1st 2 2nd 1 3rd 1 4th). Toss a Magic Missile to your Evoker, oh DM of Plenty!

Bonus Spells Lists by Spell School.

Evocation
1 1st - Magic Missile
2 1st - Shield
3 2nd - Web
4 2nd - Stinking Cloud
5 3rd - Lightning Bolt
6 4th - Fire Shield

Abjuration
1 1st - Protection from Evil
2
3
4
5 3rd - Dispel Magic
6 4th - Minor Globe of Invulnerability

Alteration
1 1st - Feather Fall
2 1st - Comprehend Languages
3 2nd - Continual Light
4 2nd - Darkness 15' Radius
5 3rd - Blink
6 4th - Dimension Door

Conjuration
1 1st - Find Familiar
2 1st - Unseen Servant
3
4
5 3rd - Monster Summoning I
6 4th - Monster Summoning II

Divination
1 - Detect Magic
2 - Identify
3 - ESP
4 - Locate Object
5 - Clairuadience
6 - Confusion

Enchantment
1 1st - Friends
2 1st - Charm Person
3 2nd - Forget
4 2nd - Ray of Enfeeblement
5 3rd - Suggestion
6 4th - Fire Charm

Necromancy
1
2
3
4
5 - Feign Death
6

A high power 5e default array?

The traditonal 5e D&D Standard Human +1 to all stats is not a very attractive option. I'm wondering whether in a high power setting like Odyssey of the Dragon Lords, rather than the 15 14 13 12 10 8 standard array, a higher power stat array of odd numbers would work better, eg:

17 15 13 13 11 9

That would still allow for characters with an attribute penalty, but the standard human would become

18 (+4) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0)

Which is nice, but not world-shattering I'd think. Maybe allow 30 points point buy, or best 3 of 5d6 in order & replace one roll with a 15, for players who really hate standard arrays.