Always read the fine print. I know I have stated this before, but it bears repeating. Sometimes that’s where the real secrets to success or failure are hiding. It seems these little moments of discovery are hidden in plain sight, almost always occur accidentally, and inspire something bigger. These little discoveries are important. Write them down. Why? Because they will have value later.

Continuing on the concept of dangerous and carnivorous plants, the following will play upon the concept of “turnabout is fair play.” Humans and animals alike will seek out sources of food as a simple case of survival. This instinct and need is played upon by the carnivorous plants of our own world. Many will smell sweet to attract the insects upon which they feed – essentially playing upon the universal hunger of their prey to feed themselves. This dangerous form of irony is often used by those whom use camouflage or lures to hunt. However, this behaviour tends to be static – the hunter lays in wait for the prey to come within striking range (melee range), then uses surprise to ambush a hapless foe.

One of the common tasks every Dungeon Master has to balance is the challenge rating of a creature or group of creatures. Sometimes player characters throw DMs for a loop and either split their group into smaller units or recruit or summon allies at the last second, both of which can truly alter a battlefield. This alteration can either make an encounter more challenging than planned, or become underwhelming and anticlimactic. Either can be frustrating for both players and DMs. Both players and DMs desire a fun and dynamic night of gaming, so this pursuit of the right level of danger can be elusive by times.