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
Level Up A5E first impressions – Adventurer’s Guide
Level Up A5E is a rethinking of D&D Fifth Edition with the benefit of 5 years of practice and hindsight. The PDFs dropped in November, and the print versions are now out. I have read part way through the PDFs, but I find that having the physical copies makes me more inspired to just pick … Continue reading Level Up A5E first impressions – Adventurer’s Guide
D&D Disability – mechanics for basic lower-limb prosthetics
This is part of the series on representing disability in D&D. In my previous post, I introduced Meurtle to the Domenechs, describing what it might be like getting his first prosthetic consultation (based on descriptions by amputees Jamie Andrews and Harry Parker). Now to turn the story into mechanics. I have tried to think through … Continue reading D&D Disability – mechanics for basic lower-limb prosthetics
D&D Disability – lower-limb prosthetics (continued)
This is part of the series on representing disability in D&D. In my previous post, I reviewed the mechanics related to disabilities in various editions of D&D, and started to look at some mechanics for prosthetics. It’s time to return to Meurtle and his trip to Domenech’s Ability Restorers. Meurtle’s story We left Meurtle having … Continue reading D&D Disability – lower-limb prosthetics (continued)
How do the monsters react?
Last week, DM David wrote about the problems caused in D&D with monsters who run or surrender, given that you then have to account for them and what will happen as a result, and characters will tend to give chase, or start interrogating/torturing the captives, and so it’s just simpler if you let the fight … Continue reading How do the monsters react?
D&D Disability – the mechanics of lost limbs
This is part of the series on representing disability in D&D. It’s time to put some crunch behind Domenech’s Ability Restorers. What are the mechanics? What are the effects of lost limbs, and how do the Ability Restorers mitigate them? Let’s start with a review of the official sources. Previous editions The BECMI boxed sets, … Continue reading D&D Disability – the mechanics of lost limbs
Representing Disability in D&D
There is a lot of talk in the D&D world about representation and inclusion. One of the things WOTC have been trying to address in their recent publications is racial stereotyping and determinism (See the racial variation rules in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, and reportedly the updated races in the upcoming Mordenkainen’s Fiendish Folio). The … Continue reading Representing Disability in D&D
Developing Akorros – Khoronus and Chardastes
I have recently been developing some of the immortals in my version of Akorros, and so I have been researching the canon. One Immortal particularly pertinent to Akorros is Khoronus, patron Immortal of Akorros, and with his main temple based in Akorros – I have placed it on the southern tip of the island in … Continue reading Developing Akorros – Khoronus and Chardastes
Has magic become too ubiquitous?
I will return to the theme of disability and prosthetics next week, but for now here’s something completely different which has been brewing for a while. Regular readers of my blog will know that I started off playing D&D in the 80s with the BECMI boxed sets and Mystara gazetteers, then had a long break, … Continue reading Has magic become too ubiquitous?
The Adventurer’s Malady and Domenech’s Ability Restorers – handicaps and prosthetics
“A copper for a cripple?” Meurtle looked over at the shabby heap of clothing from which a filthy hand emerged holding out a battered hat; the opposite sleeve was pinned up and a rough crutch lay on the ground beside the figure. It was a reminder of how much further there was to fall. But … Continue reading The Adventurer’s Malady and Domenech’s Ability Restorers – handicaps and prosthetics
Treasure – realistically, it’s messy
One of the things I remember when I first acquired the Dungeons and Dragons basic set was spending hours poring over the treasure tables in the Dungeon Masters Rulebook - in particular row H, the row of the dragons. For each type of treasure, it lists the chance of it being present as a percentage, … Continue reading Treasure – realistically, it’s messy