Blood Hunter Class by Matt Mercer comes to D&D Beyond
A bit over 2 years ago the Nerdarchy crew got together and playtested the blood hunter class for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons. We had a blast playing high-level D&D characters while checking out this third party character class by Matt Mercer of Critical Role.
For those of you who are not familiar with him, Matt Mercer has done a few nerdy thing recently.
He is the Dungeon Master in the Geek & Sundry web series Critical Role, along with several other voice actors. The show’s first campaign went on for over 100 episodes until its epic conclusion, with numerous one-shots and special events on the way there. Critical Role’s new campaign just started last night, Jan. 11, 2018. New episodes are live streamed Thursday night at 7 p.m. pacific on Twitch and Project Alpha. He has a campaign book called Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting. He also does voice acting, among other things.
5E D&D Modern Magic and Campaign Rules
How can that be so? There are only a few mentions of modern weapons in d&d 5th edition. You can’t run a game with just a pile of weapons and damage… Alright, correction, you shouldn’t try! But with the good old group of D&D guys and gals...
It’s Okay to Be Cliche as an RPG Player
Maybe you are new here and want to know how to play D&D. Or, maybe you are a veteran who wants to up your game. In either case we, in the Nerdarchy, have a collection of player rpg tips to go over with you in the...
What to Do When Immersive Roleplay Goes Sideways
We have all been there ...
5E D&D Magic-Devouring Monster — Mage Eater
Quick monster creations for D&D 5e are very easy to make in this edition. As long as you can find a decent starting point your custom monster creation will go smoothly. Sometimes one just needs to have a vague concept in mind like myself and the...
Famous Wizards of Distinction — Backgrounds and Spells
Throughout the ages, in both myths and fantasies, there are many famous wizards and magic users who rise to a high level of distinction through their associations, actions, backgrounds, spells, and creations. Gathered here is an ever expanding group of some of the Famous Wizards of...
Exploring Spelljammer for 5E D&D
Flashback to 1995 — Spelljammer. The second edition campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons I liked playing. Flash forward some to 3E D&D, an edition I enjoyed for many years but an edition I will not be playing in the foreseeable future. Will I ever get to play Spelljammer again?
Famous Wizards of Distinction — Harry Dresden
Greetings my fellow Nerdarchists. From time to time I highlight famous wizards of distinction by delving into the backgrounds and spells of magic users. Having already completed articles on Leomund, the nerdy prepper, Tenser, the one man army for goodness, Drawmij, the mysterious traveler and Otiluke, the siege alchemist. I now turn my attention to a very Famous Wizard of Distinction, Harry Dresden.
Willing Suspension of Disbelief Creates an Immersive RPG Experience
Even with the light from your torch the stairwell’s end cannot be seen. As you cautiously make your way down each step, the cracks and crevices on the sides of the wall quiver and writhe in time to the torch’s flickering flame.
Unseen cobwebs flutter against your eyes and face. There is a rushing sound like one unending breath that you hear too close to your ear. You see something move in the shadows just outside the torch’s glow. You hear a scratching, chattering cacopho-
*crackle, crackle*
*crackle, crackle*
” Hey pass over those Cheese Puffs”
Sigh… The dreaded words that quell the willing suspension of disbelief in an immersive RPG.
“Pass me the ______” ( food or beverage )
As a DM, if that blank is not filled by the words “Holy Avenger” or some other fantasy item, it really deconstructs the built up tension.
Thus undermining the work that we, as DMs, put into setting the mood of encounters.
While experienced players can still hack it when it comes to mood disruptions they still lessen the overall experience for everyone.
Why is that the case?
Famous Wizards of Distinction — Bigby
Greetings my fellow Nerdarchists. In the weeks and months to come I am going to highlight famous wizards of distinction by delving into the backgrounds and spells of magic users .
I have already completed articles on Leomund- the nerdy prepper, Tenser- the One Man Army for Goodness, Drawmij the Mysterious Traveler, and Otiluke- the Siege Alchemist.
I will continue focusing on famous wizards of distinction from RPGs but that does not mean I am excluding the backgrounds and spells of magic users from books, movies, and comics. 
Give me a compelling example of wizardry and I will write it up.
This week I am focusing my attention on the cautious yet force-full handy man himself, Bigby.
Famous Wizards of Distinction — Drawmij
Greetings my fellow Nerdarchists. In the weeks and months to come I am going to highlight famous wizards of distinction by delving into the backgrounds and spells of magic users . I have already completed articles on Leomund- the nerdy prepper, Tenser- the One Man Army for Goodness, and Otiluke- the Siege Alchemist.
I will continue focusing on famous wizards of distinction from RPGs but that does not mean I am excluding the backgrounds and spells of magic users from books, movies, and comics.
Give me a compelling example of wizardry and I will write it up.
Now let’s take a look at Jim Ward ‘s character, Drawmij. A wizard played by that guy.
Famous Wizards of Distinction — Tenser
Greetings my fellow Nerdarchists. In the weeks and months to come I am going to highlight famous wizards of distinction by delving into the backgrounds and spells of magic-users . I have already completed articles on Leomund, the nerdy prepper and Otiluke the Siege Alchemist. Now I am turning my thoughts towards Tenser. Why Tenser? Why now? Well I chose him by accessing my on board bio-computer with search parameters of “whomever I feel like.” It spit back Tenser for an answer. Without any input to the contrary I’ll focus on famous wizards of distinction from RPGs but that does not mean I am excluding the backgrounds and spells of magic users from books, movies, and comics. Give me a compelling example of wizardry and I’ll write it up.
Famous Wizards of Distinction — Otiluke
Greetings my fellow Nerdarchists. In the weeks and months to come I am going to highlight famous wizards of distinction by delving into the backgrounds and spells of magic users . I have completed articles on Leomund, the nerdy prepper and Tenser, the one man army. Now I am turning my attention to Otiluke.
Why Otiluke? Why now? Well I chose him by following the “whomever I feel like writing about now” directive. Are there some famous wizards you want to hear about next time? Then all that you must do is tell me which wizard you want to read about. If he or she is one of the famous wizards of distinction then please comment below and let me know who you want to read about next.
Without any input to the contrary I will be focusing on famous wizards of distinction from RPGs but that does not mean I am excluding the backgrounds and spells of magic users from books, movies, and comics.
Famous Wizards of Distinction — Leomund
Greetings my fellow Nerdarchists. In the weeks and months to come I am going to highlight famous wizards of distinction by delving into the backgrounds and spells of magic users .
I know. I know. Nate the Nerdarch, friend to the lazy nerd and researcher extraordinaire!
The only order I will be following is the “whomever I feel like writing about” order. Unless there are some famous wizards you want to hear about next. If there is a wizard you like that you think is one of the famous wizards of distinction then please comment below and let me know who you want to read about next. (Update: Otiluke is next check him out here)
I will be focusing on famous wizards of distinction from RPGs but that does not mean I am excluding the backgrounds and spells of magic users from books, movies, and comics. Give me a compelling example of wizardry and I will write it up.
For my first wizard I chose a man after my own nerdy prepper heart, Leomund. 
