In Your Closet? These Skeletons Can Do So Much For Your Game! Skeletons in D&D are traditionally a stock-block monster. Ageless, simple A.I. ('they attack anything until destroyed'), have few surprises and many players have abilities for specifically dealing with these comparatively fragile undead. But how to make your skeletons interest, surprise, excite or even […]
Everyone Died? Now What? Dungeons & Dragons (and the vast majority of both table top &/or role-playing games) use dice to advance the plot. In competitive games this levels the playing field a bit: skill in poker tends to guarantee a win, but the luck makes a difference. In D&D, the better your game-master is […]
Can a kobold do more than skirmish? Yes. But you have to add some lore! Tucker's kobolds (Dragon Magazine issue 127) became famous for their combat prowess and their capacity to leverage their numbers. Techniques included more than slinging stones, sneaking about and other guerrilla tactics. Tucker also had them lay traps, plan ambushes and […]
Notes of role playing games
How to make a living wizard book - use tattoos. That indexy thing: what you can expect: Description: tribal-tattoo goblin subspecies is like Game impact & rules: running with rune-goblins The stuff of lore & legend: how it fits into the D&D world Adventure ideas. Any group of goblins escaping hobgoblin rulership must have some […]
Seven Tricks To Make Magical Items Rock Your World Player 1: "You say we Detect Magic within the chest - did the rogue check for traps? If so... we open the lid, why not?" Dungeon Master: "It turns out you did disarm all the traps and there is a magic item inside. Well done. The […]
A 'common' hedge wizard - within the Rules As Written. TL;DR: using feats to build lesser casters as well as 'simple' enchanters of common & uncommon magic items. About half a century ago Gary Gygax said heroic classes were about 1% of the general populace. Of these heroes, casters were rare. Getting the help of […]
Transform An Entire Realm With This One Item What Does This Wild Staff Do? This +2 staff has 10 charges (maximum) & gains 5-10 charges a day (1d6+4). Not just a staff - it can take a tree-shape or form (60'tall / trunk 5 ft. thick). Also, you and your friends can Pass Without Trace […]
Handling 'life-long' contracts in-game. The other day my player character asked: 'what does my patron want?' - i had to admit, it was a good question. This triggered a cascade of yet other very valuable queries: What 'payment' does it / he / she get in return for giving a mortal heroic superpowers? How often […]
The point of heroic fantasy gaming is to have or do stuff you cannot do in ‘real’ life - this includes being rich. Would you like to be rich for a while? Really? What would you buy? Well my friend, D&D is your chance! You already figured out you can ‘pimp out’ your character. Good […]
