this post was submitted on 26 Feb 2025
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How many rituals is too many? (self.dm_academy)
submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by WindyRebel to c/dm_academy
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I have a player who is an experienced player while I am a new(ish) DM. Our party consists of path of Devotion Paladin, Bladesinger Wizard (the player), Thief Rogue, College of Eloquence Bard, College of Whispers Bard, and Battle Master Fighter. It’s already a strong party and the two bards can throw a wrench in a lot of stuff.

My campaign is doing a time jump (homebrew) of 2-2.5 years following the end of the original Phandelver. The wizard (who is a Changeling) is asking if he can pick up the following rituals during this time jump:

  1. water breathing
  2. unseen servant
  3. tensers floating disk
  4. phantom steed
  5. magic mouth
  6. leonmunds tiny hut
  7. illusory script
  8. identify
  9. gentle repose
  10. find familiar
  11. detect magic
  12. comprehend languages
  13. augury
  14. alarm

My response to him was as follows:

“I want to be a yes DM, but also you’re so low of level that many of these will subvert a lot of potential enemy actions. It feels like a little too much utility for [level] 5. With two bards, it’s already ridiculous with what you all can get away with.”

I did say that I am willing to let him have a few though.

Am I being too strict? If not, how many would you allow?

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[–] spankmonkey 3 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Say what you wrote first. That is the important part, and in game justifications exist to reinforce that.

In game reasons not to allow more than a few:

  • how easy is it to learn new spells?
  • can the character even afford to learn that many spells at level 5 (both inscribing and probably needing to pick up another spellbook or two which isn't cheap).

Are the characters leveling up during the downtime? If not, they aren't likely to be doing thibgs thst earn a lot of money beyond lifestyle costs. Sure, the wizard is probably doing research, but adding spells is a separate thing or all wozeds would have a ton of ritual spells.

I'd let them pick 2 or 3 max, about one per year of downtime.

[–] Xain52 1 points 3 weeks ago

Phantom steed is a 3rd level spell. So if he has the gold if not randomly add scroll here and there.

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