Friday, September 25, 2026

Microblog: The Elf's Detect Secret Doors

OD&D elves have the ability to automatically Detect Secret Doors. 

I do not like hidden information rolls and prefer my rule systems that do away with them. I would also prefer for the referee to not have to make a Detect Secret Door roll every room for every elf in the party--this also seems like needless overhead and extra rolling to keep the game going.

Instead, I propose the elf's automatic chance to Detect Secret Doors be built into the backend. Put it into the tables, mechanics, and procedures of generating a dungeon instead of the act of exploring a dungeon. Then, the referee can remember the elf's special ability and key the dungeon appropriately. 

Every secret door placed has a 2-in-6 chance of being of elf-make. It was either placed there during the long ages where elves ruled the world or placed by a previous elf ranger exploring the dungeon for the convenience of elven folk who came after them.

Note elf-made secret doors in your dungeon keying. When an elf enters a room with an elf-made secret door, they automatically notice it. They seem to glow with starlight, to their eyes. Non-elves can detect the secret door using the normal procedure.

No comments:

Post a Comment