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
Coping without equipment
Have you considered how your characters would cope without their equipment? What would they do? Suddenly both exploration and combat become rather different. Now think about it as a GM - you've set up a scenario where the players' characters have had their equipment taken away. How do you make it feel like an interesting … Continue reading Coping without equipment
October update
Unlock with PatreonLevel Up (A5E) is here!
The Level Up Kickstarter concluded successfully last night, and I've already been sent my links to the PDFs on DriveThruRPG - look at this gorgeous artwork on the front covers. I've had a quick look in both the Adventurer's Guide (Player's Handbook) and Trials and Treasures (DMG), and I already like what I'm seeing. Trials … Continue reading Level Up (A5E) is here!
Two more Kickstarters
It seems to be Kickstarter season. Hardly a day passes without an invitation to invest in yet another Kickstarter. I'd like to highlight another couple of Kickstarters I think really worthwhile. Extraordinary Expeditions Kickstarter page here I have always been keen to run my own campaign with its own storyline - part of the fun … Continue reading Two more Kickstarters
Level Up – rethinking D&D Fifth Edition
Dungeons and Dragons is one of the most iconic role-playing games, and Fifth edition is the most popular version of Dungeons and Dragons. It started playtesting in 2012 with the Basic Rules released in July 2014 and the Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual and Dungeon Master’s Guide came out in August, September and December of that … Continue reading Level Up – rethinking D&D Fifth Edition
RPGaDay2021
Now in its eighth year, RPGaDay is an initiative encouraging people to join the online conversation about roleplaying games by sharing something every day in August. Check out the Facebook page and read a variety of posts. Last year I managed to keep up with it, and posted every day, starting with RPGaDay2020 Day 1: … Continue reading RPGaDay2021
How the Dragon’s Spine arose
This was a bit of a creation myth I wrote as part of World Anvil Summer Camp 2021. The prompt was "a myth about a mountain, lake, cave or other landmark". I've named the range of hills I imagine to the east of Akorros "The Dragon's Spine" so this grew out of that. The story … Continue reading How the Dragon’s Spine arose
June/July update
Hello wonderful patrons. Thank you for your continued support! And if you're not a patron yet, and you enjoy reading my musings, please consider it. I do spend quite a bit on publications and other resources for the research and play behind my articles, and any contributions make it easier for me to continue doing … Continue reading June/July update
The question of race part 8 – revised ratings and conclusions
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 a view to developing cultural traits which could be swapped about for a character with a certain genetics raised by a different race. It quickly became clear … Continue reading The question of race part 8 – revised ratings and conclusions
The question of race part 7 – looking back
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 a view to developing cultural traits which could be swapped about for a character with a certain genetics raised by a different race. In The Question of … Continue reading The question of race part 7 – looking back