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
Resting revisited
In the summer, I discussed resting and house rules. It's time to revisit it after another few months playing. Coming from the BECMI boxed sets, the 5th edition resting rules seemed unrealistically generous to me, particularly the fact that characters completely heal on a long rest. Photo by JJ Jordan on Unsplash I considered the … Continue reading Resting revisited
Behind the scenes of the GM Notebook
Unlock with PatreonSession tracker
When running a D&D session, you want the essential information to hand in a compact format. I have a spreadsheet which I use for my sessions, which I’m sharing in case you will also find it useful. Contents The pack includes: A4 and US Letter versions of the blank spreadsheet.An example pre-filled spreadsheet based on … Continue reading Session tracker
When one action isn’t enough (part 2) – Negotiations
In the previous few posts, I looked at the history of Skills in BECMI, looked at the different 5e skills in detail, and explored what skills can (and equally importantly can't) do. The last post introduced more complex scenarios where one action isn't enough to resolve the situation, and considered a complex task: crossing a … Continue reading When one action isn’t enough (part 2) – Negotiations
When one action isn’t enough (part 1) – Complex Tasks
What do you do when your D&D party come across a situation which is too complex to handle with a single action? Photo by Laura Ockel on Unsplash In the previous few posts, I looked at the history of Skills in BECMI, looked at the different 5e skills in detail, and explored what skills can … Continue reading When one action isn’t enough (part 1) – Complex Tasks
Skills aren’t magic
"I'm going to chat up the barmaid. I roll Persuasion - look, it's a natural 20. I get her to come outside with me, and then I kill her and I get a free attack because she's surprised because I rolled that natural 20."Summary of incident at early session run by my son Sound familiar? … Continue reading Skills aren’t magic
A flash of Insight into skills
In my previous post, I examined the development of skills checks in the Basic Boxed set D&D line, and gave a quick contrast with the 5th edition skills. I never really got the chance to use the skills in earnest in my games - I only invested in the first four gazetteers before I moved … Continue reading A flash of Insight into skills
A history of skills in BECMI
"I'm going to chat up the barmaid. I roll Persuasion - look, it's a natural 20. I get her to come outside with me, and then I kill her and I get a free attack because she's surprised because I rolled that natural 20."Summary of incident at early session run by my son When I … Continue reading A history of skills in BECMI
Damaged magic items
[...] A loud bang echoed around the stadium and a jet of green light shot out of the wrong end of Ron's wand, hitting him in the stomach and sending him reeling backwards on to the grass... Ron opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead he gave an almighty belch and several slugs … Continue reading Damaged magic items
RPGaDay2020 Day 31: Experience – reflections on RPGaDay this year
The original RPGaDay2020 prompts graphic by @WillBrooks1989 Yesterday in RPGaDay2020 I looked at demons, devils, the Blood war and the Portals needed to bring them into my campaign. Today the theme is Experience, and I'm going to reflect on my experience participating in RPGaDay this year. To be honest, I have mixed feelings about it. … Continue reading RPGaDay2020 Day 31: Experience – reflections on RPGaDay this year