Build a better skill challenge with maps (contest)

I recently ran the Living Forgotten Realm adventure BALD1-1 for a group, and I'd have to say from a DM standpoint there is a very detailed skill challenge in there. A lot of the information really isn't need once the rolling begins, but is there to show how free form a skill challenge can be and covers lots of different options for players

The problem i had with it was that i had to read it over two to three times to fully grasp what was going on. The standard paragraph m

ethod of presenting information didn't work that well. It left me confused until i read it several times. It was unclear how one result was connected to another.

This is why flowcharts are the maps for skill challenges. In a situation like this a flowchart can easily show you all the possibilities you open up as you go alone. Perhaps you can only make a check to get a piece of information if you made a success prior to this.

As a 95% DM

I've always tried to use flowcharts to when building my adventure to show possibilities, and were roleplaying takes the party. However after running BALD1-1 I've gotten a whole new appreciation for the skill challenge.

But Flowchart programs are expensive? i can't afford visio.

You don't need this, you don't need anything to play d&d except a few pencils, paper and dice. You can use graph paper to draw out your flowchart, its basically just a bunch of boxes and lines showing where success and failure leads to.

But if you do want to take the software approach, i say check out lovelycharts.com its free and it even lets you share your charts online. This is great if your trying to get feedback from another DM and tweak your skill challenge.

So that being said, i want to offer up a 2 week challenge. submit to me (mike@mikeleger.ca) a flowchart from lovelycharts.com of a skill challenge. Skill challenges will be reviewed and then a winner will be chosen for 1 free year of premium membership to lovelycharts.com

I should be able to offer up a winner by august 16th

Until next time, keep your dice on the table