I got tired of my paranoia was about non existent threats, so I stepped it up to real threats.
Exactly what more than 5th grade math do you need in such world?
I think a lot of people forget what they learn in 5th grade math. You learn negative numbers. You learn unit conversion, fraction, prime, square roots.
Would more math help absolutely. Especially with the logic wizard seems to lack. But it is not like many people use higher level math today anyway.
I disagree it makes sense in a just but crazy world view.
How many times have you not heard a rich person got Scot free? Or how they seems to get so many benefits that you and I don't get.
It always seems to involved with lawyers. A group of people that using very specific language.
Maybe they bake in loopholes were you can say a specific phrase. That the rich can just walk free by uttering them but you don't and end up in prison?
My game is often based on my experience in corporateworld and my trauma there.
So like me having two meetings last weeks and having three casual discussion regarding same problem. Where we said almost word for word same thing and came to same conclusion.
They will hear the boss plan, and same plan next door. Because I am sure my players would by the third door complete misunderstand the plan making it wonderful when they look at their notes oh that was the plan.
As a fellow dm this always makes me so sad so many experiences this.
For them it is their fantasy same as someone playing a wizard could be casting spells. But yet we never see dm running every monster having antimagic field or legendary resistance.
Let them feel good and invincible! Let tanks be tanks!
I really like your text but I just want to offer different view on the guards-are-not-competent paradox of games but on steroids.
Among the adventurers there is a sea of dead people trying to be something. But forgotten and killed by the most pathetic of monsters.
Why not take a cosy job guarding city just taking care of what really needs taken care of?
You have a job, home and you get live in end of the day.
Gigantic rats in basement of the local bar? Why risk your life when you can pay for some smucks to risk their life.
Their is underground cult? Tell the barman to pass around rumors and hope someone else wants investigate.
Instead stand around waving your fancy weapons and trinkets bought from nearby magic shop (probably just general store where heroes dumps their trash).
Next panic are when older adults come to you with a problem they can’t solve and they need an adult to solve it.
Silently screaming why are you coming to me you have kids and a house!