Allow me to offer some suggestions. First off, skill challenges can be a useful resource. Secondly, refluff is your friend. With a little imagination, all damage can easily be refluffed into erotic stimulation. Even physical attacks & damage can be reskinned into erotic stimulation from groping, etc. Learning to reskin in this way turns the MMs into a wealth of intriguing (albeit fetishistic) options.
Skills & their uses in Erotic Skill ChallengesShow
The other day I was discussing an old D&D campaign with a friend. The campaign was RP heavy, based almost entirely in a capitol city, and focused on courtly intrigue (with all the romantic entanglements and sexual politics involved therein). As a joke, he suggested the idea of "passionate" skill challenges for 4e. We both laughed, and were quickly on to other topics. Tonight, while taking a break from writing an essay (the research was giving me a serious headache), I decided to try it as a lark. I thought I'd share with you some of the skill uses I've come up with. Hopefully it gives you a chuckle too; and if you should happen to find it useful (or that it at least gets you thinking about skill challenges), then more power to you. If nothing else, at least my headache is gone.
Arcana1:Enhance your partner's sensitivity by whispering words of power or tracing arcane sigils on your lover. Good for one success. Arcana2:Whisper an incantation that helps fortify your body against the rigors of passionate activity. Can be used one time to either remove one failure of the Endurance skill or to add a +2 bonus to your next Endurance check. Athletics:Perform effectively to please your partner. Good for a number of successes dependant on how many are required: 4=2, 6=4, 8=6, 10=8, 12=10. Diplomacy1:Saying passionate things to enhance your partner's enjoyment. Includes both talking dirty and loving/supportive things. Good for only 1 success. Diplomacy2:Can be used to inquire into a partner's fantasies, getting them to reveal a kink/fetish. May advance a multi-stage encounter. Endurance:Ignoring fatigue, muscle-cramps, and the discomfort of unusual positions to focus on your partner's needs. Good for only one success, perhaps more in a multi-stage encounter. Heal1:Enhance your partner's sensitivity through application of aphrodisiacs or a pressure-point manipulating massage. Good for one success. Heal2:Consume a holistic remedy or stimulate pressure-points that helps fortify your body against the rigors of passionate activity. Can be used one time to either remove one failure of the Endurance skill or to add a +2 bonus to your next Endurance check. History:Recalling success with past lovers, or the wisdom of texts/tales pertaining to physical love. Can be used once to get a +2 bonus to your next Athletics check. Insight1:Can be used to pick up on what techniques your partner is particularly enjoying, granting a +2 bonus to your next Athletics check. Can't be used until after your second Athletics check, and can only be used once. Insight2:Can be used to pick up on subtle cues given by your partner to discover a kink/fetish they possess. May advance a multi-stange encounter. Intimidate:If your partner has a masochistic/submission kink/fetish, you can use this skill to cater to those proclivities. Good for a number of successes dependant on how many are required: 4=2, 6=3, 8=4, 10=5, 12=6. Perception1:Can be used to notice clues in your physical surroundings that reveal a partner's kink or fetish. May advance a multi-stage encounter. Perception2:To notice a partner's significant other unexpectedly returning before they become aware of your being with their unfaithful significant other. May advance a multi-stage encounter, or may impose a deadline on an existing encounter. Religion1:Enhance your partner's sensitivity by whispering supplications to divinites and other mythic beings related to physical love or tracing divine sigils on your lover. Good for one success. Religion2:Whisper supplications to divinites and other mythic beings related to physical love that helps fortify your body against the rigors of passionate activity. Can be used one time to either remove one failure of the Endurance skill or to add a +2 bonus to your next Endurance check. Acrobatics:Acrobatics checks may be required if the character and their partner are engaged in passionate exploits while in a precarious location (up a tree, on a narrow ledge, etc). There are no successes available from these checks, only failures. Bluff:Can be used to boost a partner's confidence, or releive their anxieties about under- endowment or another unflattering physical attribute. Good for only one success. Stealth1:Can be used to hide from the unexpectedly returned significant other of your partner. May advance a multi-stage encounter. Stealth2:Can be used to sneak out of a partner's home while they keep their unexpectedly returned significant other distracted. May advance a multi-stage encounter. Streetwise:Can be used to discover, through local rumor, the kinks/fetishes of a partner. May be done retroactively if the DM conceeds the character had the time to sift through the rumors prior to the skill challenge. May advance a multi-stage encounter. Thievery:Can be used to open the locks on chastity belts.
For sexually-themed combat, a power's damage type is an effective way of determining the fluff for the stimulation the power provides. Some damage types are similar enough in effect that their fluff has been consolidated.Cold: A tingling cold that rushes through the target's skin and plays across their erogenous zones.Acid/Fire: Lustful deep tissue heat that dampens the skin and hair with sweat.Force: Kinetic stimulation (see “physical attacks” below).Lightning: Electrical stimulation that courses through the target's body and surges through erogenous zones.Necrotic: Pleasure augmented with pain that enhanced the target's sensitivity.Poison: The target is intoxicated with desire, as if it were coursing through their veins.Psychic: Intense, persistent lustful thoughts swirl through the target's mind.Radiant: A sparkling burst of passionate colors and feelings of transcendent pleasure.Thunder: Vibrations that reverberate through the target's body.Physical attacks:All physical melee attacks get re-fluffed as gropes, pinches, licks, kisses, blowing on the skin (or in the ear), love-bites/scratches, etc. All physical ranged attacks get re-fluffed as ranged erotic powers.
Bloodied: PCs no longer become “bloodied” when half their Hp have been lost. Instead the they become “aroused”. PCs that are aroused have ruddy cheeks and increased blood flow to their erogenous zones.
The default assumption is that death is not the end result of sexually-themed combat. A character who has been reduced to 0 Hp, or less, is helpless from ecstasy and is treated as if “unconscious”. A character that “dies” from sexually-themed combat is overwhelmed by unquenchable lust, and is able only to pleasure themselves, others, and even monsters. A character who has fallen to this state can be restored to their usual self with ritual magic that binds their lust (a re-fluffed version of the Raise Dead ritual).
so why even play a fighter if you can play the paladin the exact same way behaviorally and get added power to boot. "Paladin" is about accepting better game-enhancing mechanics at the price of more rigid in game behavior.
Really? So it goes something like this?
Fighter: "I want to be a paladin." NPC: "Really?" Fighter: "Yes." NPC: "Very well." Starts reading from a holy book while still in-character "Do you accept having to choose and stick to the lawful good alignment, eventhough neither of us actually knows that it exists or what it is?" Fighter: "I do." NPC: "Do you reject good game balance because you accidentally rolled a high Charisma?" Fighter: "What?" NPC: "I don't know what it means either." Fighter: "Oh. Umm, ok I do." NPC: "In the name of all that is metagamey and broken, accept these better game enhancing mechanics." Fighter: "These what?" NPC: "Just get out there and try to fulfill a million different people's notion of good while not violating and part of any of them."
So the system is designed such that every single hit needs to be described to avoid confusion? Here's a scenario. The players are nudists, everybody in the world are nudists, it's not weird, it's totally normal in this land. They are naked and they fight drakes taking damage throughout, but healing up with surges. Later they meet the guy who raised the drakes.
Part 1: I didn't describe any of the hits. What does he see?
Part 2: Lets say I described the drakes as biting the players, yet they healed up. What does he see?
Endowment is one place where you'd actually need to make a roll, though. Especially with male players.
I have to agree with the BoEF's opinion on this. Just let it be a matter of fluff that each player can decide for their own character. We already let player's describe their character's appearance, this is really no different.
so why even play a fighter if you can play the paladin the exact same way behaviorally and get added power to boot. "Paladin" is about accepting better game-enhancing mechanics at the price of more rigid in game behavior.
Really? So it goes something like this?
Fighter: "I want to be a paladin." NPC: "Really?" Fighter: "Yes." NPC: "Very well." Starts reading from a holy book while still in-character "Do you accept having to choose and stick to the lawful good alignment, eventhough neither of us actually knows that it exists or what it is?" Fighter: "I do." NPC: "Do you reject good game balance because you accidentally rolled a high Charisma?" Fighter: "What?" NPC: "I don't know what it means either." Fighter: "Oh. Umm, ok I do." NPC: "In the name of all that is metagamey and broken, accept these better game enhancing mechanics." Fighter: "These what?" NPC: "Just get out there and try to fulfill a million different people's notion of good while not violating and part of any of them."
So the system is designed such that every single hit needs to be described to avoid confusion? Here's a scenario. The players are nudists, everybody in the world are nudists, it's not weird, it's totally normal in this land. They are naked and they fight drakes taking damage throughout, but healing up with surges. Later they meet the guy who raised the drakes.
Part 1: I didn't describe any of the hits. What does he see?
Part 2: Lets say I described the drakes as biting the players, yet they healed up. What does he see?
Endowment is one place where you'd actually need to make a roll, though. Especially with male players.
I have to agree with the BoEF's opinion on this. Just let it be a matter of fluff that each player can decide for their own character. We already let player's describe their character's appearance, this is really no different.
Dunno about you, but I can't think of any guy willing to play a race with a small... package, fluff or not.
Endowment is one place where you'd actually need to make a roll, though. Especially with male players.
I have to agree with the BoEF's opinion on this. Just let it be a matter of fluff that each player can decide for their own character. We already let player's describe their character's appearance, this is really no different.
Dunno about you, but I can't think of any guy willing to play a race with a small... package, fluff or not.
Does it actually matter? So long as it has no mechanical impact on the game then it should be fine, right?
so why even play a fighter if you can play the paladin the exact same way behaviorally and get added power to boot. "Paladin" is about accepting better game-enhancing mechanics at the price of more rigid in game behavior.
Really? So it goes something like this?
Fighter: "I want to be a paladin." NPC: "Really?" Fighter: "Yes." NPC: "Very well." Starts reading from a holy book while still in-character "Do you accept having to choose and stick to the lawful good alignment, eventhough neither of us actually knows that it exists or what it is?" Fighter: "I do." NPC: "Do you reject good game balance because you accidentally rolled a high Charisma?" Fighter: "What?" NPC: "I don't know what it means either." Fighter: "Oh. Umm, ok I do." NPC: "In the name of all that is metagamey and broken, accept these better game enhancing mechanics." Fighter: "These what?" NPC: "Just get out there and try to fulfill a million different people's notion of good while not violating and part of any of them."
So the system is designed such that every single hit needs to be described to avoid confusion? Here's a scenario. The players are nudists, everybody in the world are nudists, it's not weird, it's totally normal in this land. They are naked and they fight drakes taking damage throughout, but healing up with surges. Later they meet the guy who raised the drakes.
Part 1: I didn't describe any of the hits. What does he see?
Part 2: Lets say I described the drakes as biting the players, yet they healed up. What does he see?
Depends on what exactly your running the adventures on but I can suggest a skill challenge.
I'd say an erotic situation could be as follows:-
Seduction:- Religion could be used for corny prophetic pick up lines ' The constellations show the maiden in ascendance that indicates a beautiful blond women and the steller set of Heracles is a strong energetic male coming into her horizon....' etc or Romantic Stories of a beautiful Female Paladin and a unicorn. History more stories of historical love...Romio and Juliet etc. Nature tales of Nymphs, satyrs, river deva's. The above could be some prime player interaction and inovative storytelling by both player and DM.
The main event. I am not going to go into detail but the following skills could really be used to get into the mood. Athletic could be almost a sensual wrestling match between two parties, Acrobatics for..flexible techniques. Endurance to last the course or lose a healing surge(definitely an inuendo). Insight to be more intuitive with the other party, Bluff to use lyrical input into the act. Streetwise to bring a dirtier edge to the event. History to bring in older cultural techniques ( Karma Sutra etc) Mage spells like mage hand could be interesting but the Arcane skill could be used to create sensual magical effects which are Charm, illusions or Heat. Theres a lot that can be done with Arcane casters and the Arcane skill.
Overall I'd say 90% of the sexual nature is encompassed in the skills.
2. The party has been defeated, and the players couldn't be happier.
I've played with a lot of 'high-rollers'. Players who will min-max a character to the point of never being able to fail. I generally hate it, because I like characters to be fallible. Even mighty heroes should screw up from time to time.
But here, I have players purposefully botching rolls. A succession of 2s, 3s, and critical misses.
This is, of course, because they were entangled by the sentient, tentacled plant of the deep pits, intent on making them endure a torture so explicit it would make even a Cleric of Bahamut blush.
For once, it was a surprise to see players drawing out a combat encounter, almost to the point of utter defeat, just to squeeze out a few more moments of saucy roleplay. The encounter played out not unlike a sleazy hentai DVD, but was still fun and engaging, while making us all a little hot under the collar.
The players seemed happiest when they were at the cusp of defeat, with a few even hoping to be vanquished by the monster (if only to continue knocking boots with tentacles). It makes a DM reconsider the options of what makes for a successful end to an adventure. Sometimes when you lose, you still win.
As you have already said, with this kind of game, player enjoyment is more important than the rules. Failing to defeat an encounter may still be enjoyable for the players (and even the characters), but don't let the characters' advancement stagnate or the campaign runs the risk of growing old. Feel free to give the PCs full or half XP even for a failed encounter.
The kind of adventure I've crafted was made specifically for being played online using an instant messenger. Each of us retained a certain amount of anonymity, and felt free to be as cheesy, vulgar, outrageous, exotic, and vulnerable as we wanted.
I couldn't imagien the same adventure happening around a real world table.
Still, it's not impossible.
Erotic roleplaying in the bedroom is no foreign concept to a vast amount of couples and groups of people. My question is, could it be done with a few dice rolls as well. With the right group of people (and it would have to be a small group), this kind of titillating game could take place.
Sure, it may (and mostly likely will) devolve into dirty jokes, puns, and an all around raunchy experience, but it'll be a memorable experience to be sure.
And for couples interested in a one-on-one experience, it may be perfect.
What say you?
Playing this kind of game in person is possible, though it requires a greater air of trust than the typical RP environment. I have found the best way to accomplish this is to slowly phase in the sexy content; as this allows players to learn to express themselves confortably and without fear of judgement. Also, don't expect a lot of eye-contact between players who are not romantically involved in real life.
so why even play a fighter if you can play the paladin the exact same way behaviorally and get added power to boot. "Paladin" is about accepting better game-enhancing mechanics at the price of more rigid in game behavior.
Really? So it goes something like this?
Fighter: "I want to be a paladin." NPC: "Really?" Fighter: "Yes." NPC: "Very well." Starts reading from a holy book while still in-character "Do you accept having to choose and stick to the lawful good alignment, eventhough neither of us actually knows that it exists or what it is?" Fighter: "I do." NPC: "Do you reject good game balance because you accidentally rolled a high Charisma?" Fighter: "What?" NPC: "I don't know what it means either." Fighter: "Oh. Umm, ok I do." NPC: "In the name of all that is metagamey and broken, accept these better game enhancing mechanics." Fighter: "These what?" NPC: "Just get out there and try to fulfill a million different people's notion of good while not violating and part of any of them."
So the system is designed such that every single hit needs to be described to avoid confusion? Here's a scenario. The players are nudists, everybody in the world are nudists, it's not weird, it's totally normal in this land. They are naked and they fight drakes taking damage throughout, but healing up with surges. Later they meet the guy who raised the drakes.
Part 1: I didn't describe any of the hits. What does he see?
Part 2: Lets say I described the drakes as biting the players, yet they healed up. What does he see?
As for real life, round-table run games. I find that it's possible, though much more difficult.
I've played an overtly sexual D&D game with my partner, with myself as the DM and an NPC, and my partner playing two of her own characters. We play light on rules and light on combat (She favors seduction, roleplaying, and skill challenges).
Our typical goals involve crafting a kinky story, and generally getting each other hot and bothered. An ongoing campaign isn't exactly on the list, so experience so far has been doled out when we feel its appropriate.
My online game, however, has not yet completed their first adventure, but even if they fail miserably (and sexually), they'll get the same XP reward.
Okay, so after giving it some thought I came up with some concepts that are integral to a sexy version of D&D.
Sensuality Description is very important. When you describe something, be sure to do it in layers. Describing shapes and colors is a good baseline, but you need to add things like texture and/or temperature to make it sensually evocative. Sensual description draws people into the story world and reduces how much the players need to suspend their disbelief (allowing them to focus on the story).
Intimacy Intimacy comes in three flavors: spatial, emotional, and contextual. Spatial intimacy is the physical closeness of characters during their interactions. Emotional intimcay is the mood/connection that exists between characters during their interaction. Contextual intimacy is how spatial and emotional intimacy react to their physical/social environment. Example: Consider a PC meeting an NPC at a tavern to get some information. If you want to create spatial intimacy, the PC and NPC can sit close together (perhaps so close they're touching). To create emotional intimacy (via mood) you can say the tavern has low lighting. Putting these two elements together you can have the PC and NPC meet up at a table/booth that is dimly lit. The PC and NPC need to be close together because of the dim light (maybe the dim lighting would impose a penalty to social skill checks, or skill checks to determine if the NPC is lying). Now add in the contextual intimacy. Perhaps the table is in a secluded corner; or maybe the booth has a curtain that can be drawn closed. With these three elements considered, you are left with a very intimate encounter between the PC and her contact.
Tension Sexy and horror storytelling are similar in that both rely on building tension toward an eventual cathardic release. Whereas horror uses fear to build tension, a sexy story uses passion and desire instead. Both horror and sexy stories rely upon anticipation to heighten the tension. Sexy stories anticipate physical pleasures and wish fulfillment while horror tales anticapte danger, death, and pain.
so why even play a fighter if you can play the paladin the exact same way behaviorally and get added power to boot. "Paladin" is about accepting better game-enhancing mechanics at the price of more rigid in game behavior.
Really? So it goes something like this?
Fighter: "I want to be a paladin." NPC: "Really?" Fighter: "Yes." NPC: "Very well." Starts reading from a holy book while still in-character "Do you accept having to choose and stick to the lawful good alignment, eventhough neither of us actually knows that it exists or what it is?" Fighter: "I do." NPC: "Do you reject good game balance because you accidentally rolled a high Charisma?" Fighter: "What?" NPC: "I don't know what it means either." Fighter: "Oh. Umm, ok I do." NPC: "In the name of all that is metagamey and broken, accept these better game enhancing mechanics." Fighter: "These what?" NPC: "Just get out there and try to fulfill a million different people's notion of good while not violating and part of any of them."
So the system is designed such that every single hit needs to be described to avoid confusion? Here's a scenario. The players are nudists, everybody in the world are nudists, it's not weird, it's totally normal in this land. They are naked and they fight drakes taking damage throughout, but healing up with surges. Later they meet the guy who raised the drakes.
Part 1: I didn't describe any of the hits. What does he see?
Part 2: Lets say I described the drakes as biting the players, yet they healed up. What does he see?
