As the title states, pets are great. I don’t think many people disagree with that statement at face value, but I still think people (especially dm’s) should try to use them even more, and I’m not just talking about animal companions.
Pets were extremely commonplace in most historical periods that inspire fantasy. During the middle ages it was often considered bad business not to have some and they were put to work all day, they were as commonplace as furniture, yet to most parties, pets are weirdly noteable.
When describing a public place, throw in a few dogs. When describing a garden, maybe add a dog house. Describe the nice old lady with a cat on her lap, looking on from her porch. All these things can make a world feel more immersive and can be used in a myriad of interesting ways! Examples:
-A thief is running through a crowd and you seemingly lose him, but with an animal handling check, you notice a curious stray dog sniffing a barrel that looks out of place…
-A druid is infiltrating a building wildshaped as a mouse, but now they’re faced with a terrible foe… A cat!
-You try to infiltrate a large mansion, but as you creep through the garden at night, you suddenly hear a terrible honk, as you turn around and you see multiple guard geese.
-A crow, swoops in from above the snatch the silver coin right out of your hand, flying off to it’s owner on the other side of town and dropping it on an ever growing pile of riches.
-A street-orphan, almost skin over bonee, breaks off a few tiny crumbs of bread and puts it in the breast pocket of his tattered shirt, where the claw of a tiny dwarf hamster reaches out and nibbles in it like its a feast.
-A few desperate stray dogs jump you, looming for a bite to eat. Do you have sympathy for these poor beasts or are you as ruthless as they are.
-A groaning horse lies amidst the site of a recent battle. It’s hind leg looks crooked and it looks up to you with bloodshot eyes. Do you care for this animal, or put it out of its misery.
Next to my list of npc names and description, I started keeping one for pets too and I love it. Whenever a scene description feels empty, or I need some natural way of providing a hint, or I want to impart some ethical dilemme, or even just want a good boi to cuddle, it works like a charm.
submitted by /u/Outlaw1607
[link] [comments]
r/DnD As the title states, pets are great. I don’t think many people disagree with that statement at face value, but I still think people (especially dm’s) should try to use them even more, and I’m not just talking about animal companions. Pets were extremely commonplace in most historical periods that inspire fantasy. During the middle ages it was often considered bad business not to have some and they were put to work all day, they were as commonplace as furniture, yet to most parties, pets are weirdly noteable. When describing a public place, throw in a few dogs. When describing a garden, maybe add a dog house. Describe the nice old lady with a cat on her lap, looking on from her porch. All these things can make a world feel more immersive and can be used in a myriad of interesting ways! Examples: -A thief is running through a crowd and you seemingly lose him, but with an animal handling check, you notice a curious stray dog sniffing a barrel that looks out of place… -A druid is infiltrating a building wildshaped as a mouse, but now they’re faced with a terrible foe… A cat! -You try to infiltrate a large mansion, but as you creep through the garden at night, you suddenly hear a terrible honk, as you turn around and you see multiple guard geese. -A crow, swoops in from above the snatch the silver coin right out of your hand, flying off to it’s owner on the other side of town and dropping it on an ever growing pile of riches. -A street-orphan, almost skin over bonee, breaks off a few tiny crumbs of bread and puts it in the breast pocket of his tattered shirt, where the claw of a tiny dwarf hamster reaches out and nibbles in it like its a feast. -A few desperate stray dogs jump you, looming for a bite to eat. Do you have sympathy for these poor beasts or are you as ruthless as they are. -A groaning horse lies amidst the site of a recent battle. It’s hind leg looks crooked and it looks up to you with bloodshot eyes. Do you care for this animal, or put it out of its misery. Next to my list of npc names and description, I started keeping one for pets too and I love it. Whenever a scene description feels empty, or I need some natural way of providing a hint, or I want to impart some ethical dilemme, or even just want a good boi to cuddle, it works like a charm. submitted by /u/Outlaw1607 [link] [comments]
As the title states, pets are great. I don’t think many people disagree with that statement at face value, but I still think people (especially dm’s) should try to use them even more, and I’m not just talking about animal companions.
Pets were extremely commonplace in most historical periods that inspire fantasy. During the middle ages it was often considered bad business not to have some and they were put to work all day, they were as commonplace as furniture, yet to most parties, pets are weirdly noteable.
When describing a public place, throw in a few dogs. When describing a garden, maybe add a dog house. Describe the nice old lady with a cat on her lap, looking on from her porch. All these things can make a world feel more immersive and can be used in a myriad of interesting ways! Examples:
-A thief is running through a crowd and you seemingly lose him, but with an animal handling check, you notice a curious stray dog sniffing a barrel that looks out of place…
-A druid is infiltrating a building wildshaped as a mouse, but now they’re faced with a terrible foe… A cat!
-You try to infiltrate a large mansion, but as you creep through the garden at night, you suddenly hear a terrible honk, as you turn around and you see multiple guard geese.
-A crow, swoops in from above the snatch the silver coin right out of your hand, flying off to it’s owner on the other side of town and dropping it on an ever growing pile of riches.
-A street-orphan, almost skin over bonee, breaks off a few tiny crumbs of bread and puts it in the breast pocket of his tattered shirt, where the claw of a tiny dwarf hamster reaches out and nibbles in it like its a feast.
-A few desperate stray dogs jump you, looming for a bite to eat. Do you have sympathy for these poor beasts or are you as ruthless as they are.
-A groaning horse lies amidst the site of a recent battle. It’s hind leg looks crooked and it looks up to you with bloodshot eyes. Do you care for this animal, or put it out of its misery.
Next to my list of npc names and description, I started keeping one for pets too and I love it. Whenever a scene description feels empty, or I need some natural way of providing a hint, or I want to impart some ethical dilemme, or even just want a good boi to cuddle, it works like a charm.
submitted by /u/Outlaw1607
[link] [comments]