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
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
A Variant Circle of Spores Druid
One of my players is creating a new 6th-level character to join the ongoing campaign, and asked if they could make a Circle of Spores Druid from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. I took a quick look at the description and read: These druids believe that life and death are parts of a grand cycle, with … Continue reading A Variant Circle of Spores Druid
Skills: passive, active and proficient
In previous posts, I have looked at A history of skills in BECMI, looked at the different 5e skills in detail, and explored what skills can (and equally importantly can’t) do. I've looked at complex tasks and negotiations which require more than one skill check. I keep thinking I've discussed different types of skill check, but while … Continue reading Skills: passive, active and proficient
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