Over in the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition Facebook Group Carol Cox asked this killer question.
Here are some of the highlights!
Every Chest is both a mimic and not a mimic… until you open it.
If you find a deck of cards, throw it in the nearest volcano.
Stab everything. Stab a table. Stab a door. Stab the floor. You will look silly until you don’t any more.
A necromancer is just a healer who is late for work…
Adventurers of Barovia by Tommaso Galmacci
Don’t cast fireball in the library.
Stand together, but for the love of the gods, don’t stand NEXT to each other when you enter a new room.
If you come to bridge made of ice… don’t try to shield surf across it…
There is no such thing as ‘a’ goblin.
It is not wise to kick a dog.
Honor gets you killed. Disloyalty gets you paid.
But Trust is worth more than both.
If a bard wouldn’t sing about it, it’s probably not worth doing.
Never smile at a dragon, it may think you’re a happy meal.
Quantity has a quality of its own.
Do yourself a favor and run a background check on your companions BEFORE you agree to form a party…
Think of every possibility, but never over think out loud, you might give your DM ideas.
Sometimes, all you need to do is read the thing out loud in the language its written.
There is no such things as a no win situation… if you find yourself in one, take as many of the Bas***** with you as you can.
Walk hard, hard
Down life’s rocky road
Walk bold, hard
That’s my creed, my creed
Don’t split the party!!
You don’t always have to fight. Sometimes you can ambush.
Adventuring Party by Tommaso Galmacci
Watch over your party. Liking them or not, they are your family.
Don’t piss off the Bard. You’ll be immortalised in song for all the wrong reasons.
The bad guys will not fall for the ol’ “we’re the fire audit team just checking your evacuation routes. Did you have a secondary exit to this building?” trick.
When in doubt, fireball!
It is ALWAYS okay to run away.
Go up front. That way you’ll see what’s coming first.
Don’t get attached to your horse, the barbarian gets hangry.
There’s no such thing as overkill.
Black Pudding isn’t chocolate pudding.
A ten foot pole is cheaper than a hand!
Take everything that is not bolted down, then return with bolt cutters!
You are not a thief… you are a finder of rare antiquities.
Whenever you deal with unknown magical stuff, listen to the wizard. Except when you shouldn’t.
1. Kill it with Fire
2. …they’re always undead
3. If the attack is going well…it’s an ambush
4. Stab it in the throat…only way to be sure
Remember: take care of your people and your people will take care of you.
Mages will do half the work and receive none of the credit.
Listen to creatures/deities whom other people would classify as “evil”.
Make nice with the cleric and never be afraid to run.
Armor is one way to stay safe, charisma is a better way.
Party of Seven by cyberaeon
A ball of twine and a few tin bells will help you sleep better at night.
Offer one hand, but arm the other.
Find a cause worth dying for, and live to do it.
Don’t break the world until you have another place to stash your stuff.
Don’t vacation in Barovia.
Don’t kiss the succubus.
There’s always a secret door.
If you can’t solve the problem with your sword, you need a bigger sword.
What would you add?
You're welcome to share observations about this article in the comments.
Take a spare knife, a spare light and a spare healing potion. In fact, just take a spare Mage.
Always make sure that you aren’t the slowest runner in the party.