Random Encounters (another)

Random encounters are not something with which I have had lots of experience.  As a DM or GM I prefer to plan out the encounters my players see.  As a player I haven't played under a DM who has used random encounter tables.  That said I find the concept incredibly hilarious.  Why are there these particular creatures attacking us?  Because that's what the DM rolled!  Even better if the table is truly full of randomness that you wouldn't see in any other game.  Like completely aquatic creatures in the middle of a desert or a fire vulnerable creature in an active volcano.  Or an acid shark.  It's a real thing in D&D.  I kid you not.
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Artificers

I'm a fan of artificers, and not just because they're a new class for Eberron.  The idea of having a utility belt full of gadgets that prepare you for any situation is plain old fun. Being the only class that really does the 'tinkerer' role well is added frosting on the cake.  Of course it runs the chance of becoming a complete annoyance to the other players when you don't have enough skills to properly use everything you've created.  Magical mishaps can be amusing the first time or two but after that the other players are going to want you to stick to upgrading their weapons.  Preferably with enchantments that don't explode on them.  Remember, wand of wonder is a privilege, not a right. 
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(Looking for) Trouble

Your players are going to go looking for trouble at some point.  Their methods may vary, and may not be quite so obvious or oblivious to common sense as our poster today but you should still oblige them.  Even more so if they are as crazy going as the poster.  The most fun happens when the players go out on their own to find trouble.  Then they can't complain about what they find when they find it.  Well they can but they were asking for it.
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Diplomancer

This one requires explanation.  In the 3.5 edition of dungeons and dragons there is the skill diplomacy.  It allows you to improve the attitude of npcs towards your character.  Attitudes range from hostile to fanatical follower (epic usage).  The problem is the difficulty of the skill check is a fixed number.  A low fixed number.  Low enough that a moderately optimized PC, usually the bard, has a chance of turning an intelligent hostile force into their bestest buddies in the same time it takes the fighter to swing his sword once.  As you might guess, this can cause problems.  I firmly believe that TJ thyne's character in Validation is one.  The difference from him and a normal PC is that he uses his skills for good and awesome, not selfish ends.  If you haven't watched the short.   Go watch now.

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Hobbies

Face it.  It doesn't matter how geeky you think you are, there's always someone geekier.  Such is the way of all hobbies.  Despite that assertion, this is up there on the list.
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Smiling Dragon

Don't you know that a smiling dragon is a happy dragon?  Of course a happy dragon usually means the party is about to have their asses handed to the.  Or some other similarly undue ending to their adventure.  On the other hand.  Just because someone is smiling doesn't mean they know something you don't know, or have an ace up their sleeve.  It could be a ruse.  After all you don't know if the DM is smiling because there's disaster ahead or because he's amused that the dragon has no chance of winning this fight.  I know I've had players second guess themselves because of how I've described the scene in front of them.  A few suggestions that the encounter isn't all it seems, even if it is, can add tension that makes the encounter.  It's all in how you sell it.
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Monster Smiles

Sometimes your monsters are like your players.  At least in the way they smile.  Of course when monsters smile all players should be worried.  No good can come of smiling monsters.  Especially smiling dragons.  That of course is another poster entirely.  Which may be friday's poster.  But smiling monsters can't be good for the players.  After all if the monster thinks things are going well it shouldn't be something the players want.  At least not usually.  I'm sure bards would have stuff to say about it.  Spoony Bards!

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