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Common DM Rulings (Game Mechanic FAQ)

This section provides general answers to some common questions where the RAW are ambiguous, unclear, or contradictory. Or they are areas of the rules that do not easily translate to the West Marches format. Most players do not need to know the information below, but it is provided for transparency and to encourage consistency across DMs. However, these are areas of the game that WotC left up to DM interpretation, or have not made definitive rulings on, thus individual DMs may choose to use rulings different than those presented here so if they apply to you ask your DM for their interpretation on these situations.

Can pets/familiars/summons/companions use magic items?

In general any creature associated with a player character that is not humanoid cannot attune or use magic items, with the exception of using or administering potions if the creature is physically capable of doing so. This applies to : conjured / summoned creatures, animated undead, awakened animals/plants, beastmaster animal companions, artificer homunculus, artificer steel defender, artificer arcane cannons, familiars, mounts created by the Find Steed or Find Greater Steed spell and possibly others.

When can I use an item with a recharge time of > 1 day?

Items with a recharge time of > 1 day (for instance the Figurines of Wondrous Power) are assumed to be recharged at the start of a quest. For Colosseum fights usually it will be allowed to be recharged but double check with the DM to make their job balancing the encounter easier.

Who gets to decide what I summon with Conjuration spells?

Certain spells like Conjure Animals and Conjure Woodland Beings are unclear as to how it is determined which creatures are conjured. In general, the caster may suggest what is conjured but the DM may veto it, though many DMs will determine the creatures by rolling on HB tables or based on what would be suitable for the present environment. 

Can I conjure X?

Creatures conjured by theses spells may use the 5e statblock of a creature from any official WotC published source. However, the well known "broken" conjuration spell creatures - i.e. Chwingas, and Pixies - are generally not available. 

Can I cast a spell I learned from X using my spellslots?

Player characters can gain access to spells from many sources: racial spells, feats, magic items. Unless the source of the spell specifically says that the spell can be cast using your spellslots then you cannot use your spellslots to cast the spell.

Item Restrictions

Just like any in person or digital table, the DM may impose a variety of restrictions on the players to ensure that their game runs smoothly and is enjoyable for everyone at their table. For example the limitations on the variety of classes or races available during character creation, the availability of optional rules, or the list of items that may be acquired by their players. To ensure a fair playing field for all players from level 3 to 20 and to reduce the stress on our amazing DMs, we have decided to limit or restrict the accessibility of particular items for a variety of reasons. Generally, these are broken down into four main categories, or groups, which include scope, power, balance, and unforeseen circumstances.

Group 1

The following items have been restricted due to being beyond the scope of the server, i.e. items that don't fit the theme of Macguffins, Ltd, end game magic items and beyond

All Legendary and Artefact magic items as well as Smokepowder are not available. 

Group 2

The following items have been restricted as they have been deemed too powerful for the style of West Marches experience that we have cultivated. 

Item Rarity
All-Purpose Tool, +1 Uncommon
Amulet of the Devout, +1 Uncommon
Arcane Grimoire, +1 Uncommon
Bloodwell Vial, +1

Uncommon
Dragonhide Belt, +1 Uncommon

Moon Sickle, +1

 Uncommon
Rhythm-Maker's Drum, +1 Uncommon
Rod of the Pact Keeper, +1 Uncommon
Wand of Magic Missiles Uncommon
All-Purpose Tool, +2 Rare
Amulet of the Devout, +2 Rare
Arcane Grimoire, +2 Rare
Bloodwell Vial, +2 Rare
Dragonhide Belt, +2 Rare
Moon Sickle, +2 Rare
Rhythm-Maker's Drum, +2 Rare
Rod of the Pact Keeper, +2 Rare
Cloak of Displacement Rare
Failed Experiment Wand Rare
Mantle of Spell Resistance Rare
Reveler's Concertina Rare
Ring of Spell Storing Rare
Wand of Fireballs Rare
Wand of Lightning Bolts Rare
All-Purpose Tool, +3 Very Rare
Amulet of the Devout, +3 Very Rare
Arcane Grimoire, +3 Very Rare
Bloodwell Vial, +3 Very Rare
Dragonhide Belt, +3 Very Rare
Moon Sickle, +3 Very Rare
Rhythm-Maker's Drum, +3 Very Rare
Rod of the Pact Keeper, +3 Very Rare
Shield (*), +3 Very Rare
Wand of the War Mage, +3 Very Rare
Weapon, +3 Very Rare
Belt of Fire Giant Strength Very Rare
Horn of Valhalla, Bronze Very Rare
Nine Lives Stealer Very Rare
Robe of Stars Very Rare
Spellguard Shield Very Rare
Wand of Polymorph Very Rare

Group 3

The following items have been restricted because they would pose balancing issues in a West Marches Server. These balancing issues primarily arise through combat encounters because, unlike a table game, the specific DM is not in tune with the specifics capabilities and item interactions of the group of adventurers. 

Item Rarity
Broom of Flying Uncommon
Winged Boots Uncommon
Docent Rare
Flying Chariot Rare
Helm of Teleportation Rare
Horn of the Endless Maze Rare
Horn of Valhalla, Brass Rare
Horn of Valhalla, Silver Rare
Mind Lash Rare
Professor Skant Rare
Rod of Rulership Rare
Shield of Far Sight Rare
Wand of Viscid Globs Rare
Weird Tank Rare
Wings of Flying Rare
Amulet of the Planes Very Rare
Carpet of Flying Very Rare
Conch of Teleportation Very Rare
Helm of Devil Command Very Rare
Ioun Stone, Absorption Very Rare
Manual of Bodily Health Very Rare
Manual of Gainful Exercise Very Rare
Manual of Quickness of Action Very Rare
Navigation Orb Very Rare
Orb of the Veil Very Rare
Peregrine Mask Very Rare
Ring of Regeneration Very Rare
Rod of Absorption Very Rare
Soul Bag Very Rare
Timepiece of Travel Very Rare
Tome of Clear Thought Very Rare
Tome of Leadership and Influence Very Rare
Tome of Understanding Very Rare

Group 4

The following items have been restricted because they may cause issues between players and lead to unforeseen circumstances, specifically both intentional and unintentional PvP scenarios. 

Item Rarity
Infernal Puzzle Box Uncommon
Daern's Instant Fortress Rare
Wand of Wonder Rare
Devastation Orb of Air Very Rare
Devastation Orb of Earth Very Rare
Devastation Orb of Fire Very Rare
Devastation Orb of Water Very Rare
Efreeti Bottle Very Rare
Manual of Clay Golems Very Rare
Manual of Flesh Golems Very Rare
Manual of Iron Golems Very Rare
Manual of Stone Golems Very Rare
Mirror of Life Trapping Very Rare

How Are Quests Assigned?

The process we use is the Gale–Shapley (aka deferred acceptance) algorithm, designed to find stable matches between our group of players and a group of quests with limited slots. The resulting assignment which is most fair by giving players the quest they want most and quests the players it wants most. It is optimal for finding a stable solution such that no player would wish to trade "spots" with another player in a way where both players would be happy with the trade.

In this set-up, our players each have a preference (in the form of your preference vote). Similarly, quests will have a preference for players, focused entirely around a pre-determined "target level" the quest prefers players to be close to.

If all quests have room for all player's first choice, then all players will be placed into the appropriate quest. Unfortunately, life isn't always that simple, and a quest will likely have more people wanting to join than slots available. In this case, the players are selected based on a series of tie-breaking strategies to pick who gets priority.

  1. Players always get quests that are resolving a quest request, obviously, or other case-by-case bases
  2. Player priority is always most important, so selecting a quest as #1 always get priority over #2
  3. Target level preference, where the players who are closest to the quest's target level get priority. Players of the target level get priority, then players who are 1 level off from the target are next, followed by players 2 levels off, etc.
  4. In the event players are equally far from the target level (e.g., a quest has target level 4, and has a level 3 and level 5 sign up) priority is given to the lower level player
  5. Players of the same level are randomly sorted to avoid any unintentional bias

At this point, the algorithm will have assigned everyone possible to a quest, and the DMs review the spread. A final pass is given to make sure the level spread is as expected.

How do Mounts work?

Possible Steeds

Horses to be used as steeds can be purchased from Mailee at #unfamiliar-familiars. Creatures other than horses require special saddles in order to be ridden, and undomesticated animals/monsters may only be ridden during quests / arenas at DM discretion or if the statblock / item description says they can be ridden. 

All the listed options in the Find Steed / Find Greater Steed are permitted for those who have that option. If you would like a steed that is not listed in there you can either use a statblock for one of the listed mounts and reflavour it as a similar creature, as long as any special attacks / abilities make sense. If you would like a statblock different from one of the listed mounts for your custom steed then submit a request to #request-board, the DMs will then discuss what would be an appropriate statblock and whether it would be a permissible mount.

Note: Only non-hostile creatures at least one size category larger than you have any chance of being ride-able. 

Controlled Mounts

While mounts are in combat there are two options for how they act: Controlled or Independent. Most of the time while you are riding your mount, it will be a controlled mount. A controlled mount is effectively an extension of your character. It moves during your turn and the mount can only take the Dash, Disengage, or Dodge actions. It can still take bonus actions and reactions including attacks of opportunity, provided it is physically capable of doing so. E.g. a warhorse requires its hooves to attack, so would be unable to make an AoO if its feet are stuck in quicksand or mud. Controlled mounts are controlled by the player.

Independent Mounts

Intelligent creatures or wild animals are typically always independent mounts, but in special circumstances - such as the Find Steed spell - may consent to become a controlled mount. Independent mounts roll their own initiative and act on their own turn, but have access to all actions including making attacks. However, you may be required to make an ability check to get an independent mount to follow your instructions. Independent mounts may choose to flee combat, or throw off their riders of their own accord and are controlled by the DM. 

Items and Mounts

Controlled mounts can wear barding and other equipment designed for them, but cannot wield weapons nor use magic items (except items specifically designed for mounts). Independent mounts may be able to use other objects, at DM discretion.

Frequently Asked Questions

D&D 5e is not especially good at explaining mounts and mounted combat, here are some of the most common questions.

How big is my mount?

A Medium creature fills a 1x1 square on a battlemap and can only be ridden by Small or smaller creatures.

A Large creature fills a 2x2 square on a battlemap grid, while riding a Large mount you are treated as occupying all of those squares for the purpose of attack reach and AoOs.

A Huge creature fills a 3x3 square on a battlemap grid, while a Medium or smaller creature is riding a Huge mount you are normally treated as occupying the entire 3x3 square for the purpose of attack reach and AoOs. However, your DM may choose to treat you as occupying the central square of a Huge mount - be sure to ask which rule they use.

Can “X” be my mount?

In general, creatures that can fly, or cause status effects (other than “prone”) such as ‘poisoned’ or ‘restrained’ are not allowed as mounts, unless given by a DM for use only during a specific quest.

Examples

Example: “I ride up to the Orc and attack him with my sword.”

Controlled mount: the mount moves as part of your turn, you use your action on your turn to make your attack making two (or more attacks) if you have the Extra Attack feature. The mount cannot attack, but may Disengage and continue moving after you have attacked.

Independent mount: 

On your turn: You use your movement and bonus action, then Hold Action to attack once in range of the Orc, then instruct your mount to approach the Orc.

On mount’s turn: The mount uses its movement to get within 5ft of the Orc, triggering your held action. You use your reaction to make a single attack against the Orc, (Extra Attack only applies to attacks on your turn.) Your mount can then make its attack against the Orc.

How does Animate Dead work?

Creating Undead

Currently, you are permitted to create undead creatures during quests or arenas with the permission of the DM or using downtime (see: Downtime Rules for details). You cannot create undead inside of Luna Pine during RP. If you wish to convert a fresh corpse into bones, so that you may raise a skeleton instead of a zombie, this would typically require 1 hour worth of work by 1 creature.

You must adhere to the rules of the relevant spells : i.e. the corpse must be of a humanoid or beast of the appropriate size. This means any of your undead creatures that are reduced to 0 hp cannot be reanimated as their creature type has changed to “undead”.

Undead Stats / Equipment

Undead creatures use their published stat block. Individual DMs may allow undead to wear other non-magical equipment or use magic items during their quest / arena, but this is not the default. Undead not specified in the spell cannot be created - e.g. animating the bones of a minotaur does not create a Minotaur Skeleton.

Undead in Luna Pine and Towns

In general, undead creatures that are under the control of a necromancer are permitted in Luna Pine. You may RP with 1-2 undead creatures in the rp areas, however other player characters may justifiably believe undead to be innately evil creatures and wish to destroy them. Please be considerate and courteous to such player characters. 

We recommend necromancers either leave their undead outside of towns or have a means to hide / carry the undead creatures while inside towns, such as a bag of holding / portable hole or a specially designed homebrew item (make a request in #request-board to be considered to receive such an item). See table below for size capacity for each type of container:

Item

Zombie

Skeleton

Exit Speed

Bag of Holding

⅓ of the bag, max 3 / bag

⅙  of the bag, max 6 / bag

Can be turned inside out to empty as 1 action

Portable Hole

1/12 of the hole, max 12 / hole

1/24 of the hole, max 24 / hole

3 exit per round.

Stores of rotting corpses, or uncontrolled undead creatures are not permitted in Luna Pine. If you run out of spell slots to maintain your undead horde during a quest or an arena then it is assumed any undead in excess of those you can control are immediately destroyed.

Multiple timelines

It may happen that you create new undead or some of your undead may be destroyed in one timeline (quest / arena) while you have other undead in another timeline. Undead cannot travel through timelines, so any undead created in an arena while you are in a quest cannot be added to those you have in the quest, likewise undead destroyed in an arena does not affect the number you have on a quest that is already running. And vice-versa, undead destroyed in a quest don’t affect the number you have available for an arena until that quest ends. 

When quests / arenas end, you must update the number of undead you have available for any new scenes you may join. 

To track your undead available to you when you start a new scene / quest / arena, you must record the number of undead of each type you had at the start of each quest / arena before combat begins.  Then when any particular instance ends you compare your number undead at the end of that instance to the number of undead at the start. This is your net gain / loss of undead, e.g. if you started a quest with 5 zombies and finished the quest with 10 zombies you have a net gain of 5 zombies.

You then apply that net change to your current set of available undead.

Example 1: Wiz starts with 3 zombies and 3 skeletons. Wiz joins a quest and an arena.

During the arena: 1 zombie and 2 skeletons are destroyed.

The arena ends first, at which point Wiz has 2 zombies and 1 skeleton left.

During the quest: 3 zombies are destroyed.

When the quest ends, Wiz updates his total undead minions to be 1 remaining skeleton.

Example 2: Wiz starts with 3 zombies and 3 skeletons. Wiz joins a quest and an arena.

During the arena: 0 zombies and 1 skeletons are destroyed.

The arena ends first, at which point Wiz has 3 zombies and 2 skeletons left.

During the quest: 2 zombies and 2 skeletons are destroyed, and the Wiz animates 4 new zombies

When the quest ends, Wiz has 5 zombies and no skeletons left.

Create Undead Spell

When you reach the level where you can cast "Create Undead" then you can create more powerful undead creatures: wights, ghasts, ghouls, and mummies these follow the same rules laid out above, and are considered equivalent to zombies for storage purposes. Undead such as wights that are able to create permanent undead under their own control by killing other creatures can only do so during quests or arenas as such acts can have serious implications. 

Guidance on Battlerager Subclass

We hear at MacGuffins Ltd. have recognized that the Battlerager subclass of Barbarian is poorly supported in the RAW rules, and creates some unique difficulties interacting with systems on the server. Therefore, we have developed the special guidance and home-brew rulings detailed below to enable this unique subclass to function on the server.

Racial Restriction

Since Tasha's Cauldron of Everything the racial restrictions on Bladesinger were removed by WotC, however the same was not extended to the Battlerager. We believe this is against the spirit of the game that WotC is trying to make thus here at MacGuffins, any race/species can choose to follow the Path of the Battlerager. However, we encourage character choosing this route to have some kind of background connection to dwarves from whom they may have learned this unique subclass.

Magic Item Compatibility

The Battlerager subclass is built around wearing and using spiked armour as both protection and as a weapon in combat. However, RAW spiked armour is treated exclusively as armour which makes it impossible to upgrade the weapon attack associated with the spiked armour with magic items unlike all other weapons. Thus here at MacGuffins we have ruled:

The spikes of the "spiked armour" of the Battlerager subclass are treated as a 'melee weapon' for the purposes of magical items. Thus any magic item that can be any generic weapon - e.g. +1 weapon, +2 weapon, Dragon Wrath Weapon - can be used as spikes attached to the battlerager's armour. When such a magic item is attached, any bonus to damage rolls only affect attacks make with the spikes. Whereas only +1,+2, or +3 magic bonuses granted to the spikes affect the damage dealt to creatures grappled by the battlerager.

Note that: spikes of the spiked armour can be treated as weapons for the purposes of artificer infusions or casting spells.

This means that a +1 AC spiked armour can be obtained from Kronk at a cost of 1000gp+cost of spiked armour, +1 attack/damage spikes can be purchased from Kronk for an additional 1000gp.

Attacking with Spikes

To be consistent with our ruling that the spikes of the spiked armour are considered weapons, and in consideration of the relative weakness of the design of the Battlerager subclass, we have additionally ruled that the spikes of the spiked armour can be used to make attacks with your Action by characters with at least 6 levels of Battlerager while they are raging.