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Ragnar’s Keep – a mediaeval castle setting for fantasy RPGs

Are you a GamesMaster for a fantasy role-playing game? Do you struggle to make your settings feel real? Do you need a castle home base? Or a castle for the players to attack? Or a refuge from the dangers on the road? Maybe some NPCs in a wilderness stronghold? Ragnar's Keep is a detailed castle … Continue reading Ragnar’s Keep – a mediaeval castle setting for fantasy RPGs →

The Question of Race part 5 – Eberron

In The question of Race, or nature versus nurture I looked at races in Dungeons and Dragons, starting with BECMI and AD&D, and then moving onto 5e. With the sensibility around racial predeterminism, Wizards brought out Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and included a section on varying the underlying cultural racial attributes of a character. In … Continue reading The Question of Race part 5 – Eberron →

The question of race part 4 – Ravnica, Theros and Ravenloft

In The question of Race, or nature versus nurture I looked at races in Dungeons and Dragons, starting with BECMI and AD&D, and then moving onto 5e. With the sensibility around racial predeterminism, Wizards brought out Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and included a section on varying the underlying cultural racial attributes of a character. In … Continue reading The question of race part 4 – Ravnica, Theros and Ravenloft →

The question of race part 3 – Volo’s Guide to Monsters

In The question of Race, or nature versus nurture I looked at races in Dungeons and Dragons, starting with BECMI and AD&D, and then moving onto 5e. With the sensibility around racial predeterminism, Wizards brought out Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and included a section on varying the underlying cultural racial attributes of a character. In … Continue reading The question of race part 3 – Volo’s Guide to Monsters →

The Question of Race part 2 – comparisons

In The question of Race, or nature versus nurture, I talked about an elf who grew up on the street and wouldn't have learned elvish proficiency, and other combinations where the character might try to claim benefits of a race without growing up among that race. I also talked about genetics versus culture across different … Continue reading The Question of Race part 2 – comparisons →

The question of Race, or nature versus nurture

Over the last year there has been a lot of talk against Dungeons and Dragons races and how they pre-determine various attributes of a character (generally with the conclusion that this is BAD and very un-woke and un-politically-correct). Tasha's Cauldron of Everything brought in some changes to attempt to address these concerns, but from what … Continue reading The question of Race, or nature versus nurture →

The Secrets of Skyhorn Lighthouse – a rethinking of module layout

We're working through The Secrets of Skyhorn Lighthouse by Kelsey Dionne of The Arcane Library right now. It's an interesting take, trying to set things up more easily for GMs to run. Or as it says in the introduction: This adventure is meant to be run at a glance with minimal preparation and a natural … Continue reading The Secrets of Skyhorn Lighthouse – a rethinking of module layout →

Akorros Race Relations – dwarves, elves and halflings

In Akorros Race Relations – orcs and half orcs, I looked at how half-orcs are viewed in Akorros, and some of the history which led to this. Now it's time to move on to the demi-humans. Dwarves in Akorros I see there being a fair number of dwarves in Akorros, particularly in the The Dexterous … Continue reading Akorros Race Relations – dwarves, elves and halflings →

Akorros Race Relations – orcs and half orcs

Recently one of my players asked "are there any good places to read up on races like Orcs/half-orcs in Akorros? Mostly why they are viewed "less favourably"?" I realised I couldn't think of anywhere to point him at, particularly since this is my interpretation and expansion of Akorros, which qualifies for a whole seven paragraphs … Continue reading Akorros Race Relations – orcs and half orcs →

Mapping Akorros – Worldographer

I've decided it's time I developed my map of Akorros, and there are various tools out there, so this seemed like a good opportunity to explore them as well. Anyway, there are various mapping packages specifically aimed at the role-playing gamer, including: Inkwell Ideas WorldographerProfantasy Software Campaign CartographerInkarnate This post describes my experience with Worldographer. … Continue reading Mapping Akorros – Worldographer →