rt_tlp
2011-11-03, 01:04 PM
Hey guys!
I run a PF campaign that's completely homebrewed and still constantly in progress, and I'm sure all of you are very familiar with this idea so far. However, I have relatively little experience as a DM. (I've only been at it for 6 months or so, with a grand total of like 10 sessions under my belt)
To keep this brief, some of my characters have done something in my world which I feel deserves a permanent affliction being set upon them:
Arachnophobia: Upon encountering a creature of arachnid origin/appearance, you must make a 10+(1/2 Character Level [Min. 1]) Will save at the start of combat.
If this Will save is failed, the character is Shaken for 1d4 rounds, and must make another Will save at the end of the Shaken effect. On a natural 1, character is Frightened for 1d4 rounds, then must repeat Will save as above. Once the Will save is successful, it does not need to be made again for 1 hour.
So my question to those more experienced than myself is how to balance this. My first main concern is the Will Save DC for the affliction--no matter what value I've set it to it seems to have the issue of either being too harsh or being all but negligible. I want players to keep it in mind, but not define themselves by it. Any tips on that would be greatly appreciated.
My second concern is less severe--my 1hour limit is in place solely to prevent chains of infinite need to make Will saves should the character somehow find herself in a spider's lair. I think 1 hour seems to be a fair way to prevent that.
Thanks in advance!
I run a PF campaign that's completely homebrewed and still constantly in progress, and I'm sure all of you are very familiar with this idea so far. However, I have relatively little experience as a DM. (I've only been at it for 6 months or so, with a grand total of like 10 sessions under my belt)
To keep this brief, some of my characters have done something in my world which I feel deserves a permanent affliction being set upon them:
Arachnophobia: Upon encountering a creature of arachnid origin/appearance, you must make a 10+(1/2 Character Level [Min. 1]) Will save at the start of combat.
If this Will save is failed, the character is Shaken for 1d4 rounds, and must make another Will save at the end of the Shaken effect. On a natural 1, character is Frightened for 1d4 rounds, then must repeat Will save as above. Once the Will save is successful, it does not need to be made again for 1 hour.
So my question to those more experienced than myself is how to balance this. My first main concern is the Will Save DC for the affliction--no matter what value I've set it to it seems to have the issue of either being too harsh or being all but negligible. I want players to keep it in mind, but not define themselves by it. Any tips on that would be greatly appreciated.
My second concern is less severe--my 1hour limit is in place solely to prevent chains of infinite need to make Will saves should the character somehow find herself in a spider's lair. I think 1 hour seems to be a fair way to prevent that.
Thanks in advance!