this post was submitted on 26 Feb 2025
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How many rituals is too many? (lemmy.world)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I have a player who is an experienced player while I am a new(ish) DM. Our party consists of path of Devotion Paladin, Bladesinger Wizard (the player), Thief Rogue, College of Eloquence Bard, College of Whispers Bard, and Battle Master Fighter. It’s already a strong party and the two bards can throw a wrench in a lot of stuff.

My campaign is doing a time jump (homebrew) of 2-2.5 years following the end of the original Phandelver. The wizard (who is a Changeling) is asking if he can pick up the following rituals during this time jump:

  1. water breathing
  2. unseen servant
  3. tensers floating disk
  4. phantom steed
  5. magic mouth
  6. leonmunds tiny hut
  7. illusory script
  8. identify
  9. gentle repose
  10. find familiar
  11. detect magic
  12. comprehend languages
  13. augury
  14. alarm

My response to him was as follows:

“I want to be a yes DM, but also you’re so low of level that many of these will subvert a lot of potential enemy actions. It feels like a little too much utility for [level] 5. With two bards, it’s already ridiculous with what you all can get away with.”

I did say that I am willing to let him have a few though.

Am I being too strict? If not, how many would you allow?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

No one has said anything. I asked them all to come up with what their characters were doing during this time period. Some are newer players and/or just aren’t sure what to do with the characters so they have continued adventuring together to make money and keep their skills honed. One got married and started a church in phandalin but also adventures periodically, another I am working on some stuff with his character for backstory but presumably he’d have adventures as well with the group, the other is this player who has debts to be paid and has been working on making money for his extracurriculars (learning new spells) because of his appetite for knowledge (which makes sense as a wizard).

We talked it over and I’m going to let him have 5 as sort of things he may have picked up along the way (one per level) as well as what he paid for with money he earned.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Glad you came to a decision that worked for you all. I would definitely consider reaching out to the newer players to make sure they're aware there are mechanically advantageous things they can be doing, so they don't think it's all just for flavor. Would be nice if that church gave that PC boons etc, just mentioning in case it's not something you're doing already. Sometimes players don't know the questions they should be asking, so it's nice to help them out in that regard imho. Good luck with your next arc!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 days ago

Yes! The player that started the church, who is my DM for a 4e game, said it will offer healing, aid, boons, and potions for people so I can absolutely work that in! His half-orc (Paladin or Tymora) married Sister Garaele from Phandalin during those 2-2.5 years. 🤣