The Marker Meter and Beyond: Managing Consequences in TTRPGs
In the world of Zoo Mafia, bullets aren't the only thing flying—Markers are the currency of chaos, the countdown of consequence, and the key to every dramatic twist. Whether you’re pulling off a [caption id="attachment_88759" align="alignright" width="232"] Zoo Mafia Boss Owl Capone[/caption] peanut heist, talking down a...
Aetherpunk Adventures: Combining Magic, Steampunk, and Horror
How to Blend Magical Technology and Eldritch Nightmares into a Cohesive RPG Setting Welcome to Aether Skies, a world where magic fuels industry, floating cities hover over a cursed wasteland, and unspeakable horrors stir just beyond the veil of reality. This is a world of Aetherpunk—a...
How to Run a Pirates of the Caribbean-Inspired D&D Campaign
Cursed Gold, Ghost Ships, and the Sea’s Grim Smile [caption id="attachment_89822" align="alignright" width="258"] D&D Pirate campaign gone wrong or right.[/caption] If you're dreaming of salt spray, clashing cutlasses, undead sailors, and morally ambiguous heroes, then Pirates of the Caribbean is the perfect cinematic inspiration for your next...
The Black Dragon Corruptor: Herald of Rot and Ruin
There’s something primal and haunting about black dragons—their sleek, serpentine forms, their acid-drenched breath, their lairs sunk deep in festering bogs. But what if one of these horrors was more than a territorial tyrant? What if it became a corruptive force, spreading darkness not just...
🎪 The Carnival of Chaos: Twisted Spectacle Under the Dome
In the strange, crumbling lands of Under the Donea, where Chaos storms of all kinds punch holes in the world and magic bleeds like oil from a cracked lantern, there are whispers—always whispers—of The Carnival of Chaos. No one remembers when it first arrived. No one...
3 New Ways to Use Firbolgs in a D&D Campaign
Firbolgs, the gentle stewards of the forest, often appear as reclusive protectors of nature in Dungeons & Dragons. But what if we reimagined their role in your campaign? From cosmic wanderers to fierce defenders of the wild, here are three fresh ways to use firbolgs...
From Peanut Rum to Gang Wars: Crafting TTRPG Heist Adventures for Zoo Mafia
Heists are the beating heart of Zoo Mafia—a world of clever critters, prohibition-era grit, and larger-than-life personalities. From stealing ledgers out from under a rival gang’s nose to hijacking peanut-based booze shipments, every job is an opportunity for daring action, tense negotiations, and unpredictable consequences. If...
Shadowsteel and the Price of Power – Our Under the Dome Saga
If you’ve been following our channel for any length of time, you’ve probably heard us talking about our Under the Dome campaign—our high-octane, motorcycle-riding, chaos-fueled adventures through a world that constantly tries to kill us. We have a bunch more articles on Under the Dome,...
Chilling Death and Bone-Crushing Doom: The Ultimate Devil Duo Encounter
When running a high-level Dungeons & Dragons game, it can be tempting to throw one big monster at your party and call it a day. But why settle for one when you can unleash the terrifying synergy of an Ice Devil and a Bone Devil...
Crafting Dangerous Terrain: From the Sea of Blades to the Bog of Eternal Acid
In the unforgiving world of Under the Dome, terrain itself can be a lethal adversary. Whether it’s the jagged, ever-shifting dunes of the Sea of Blades or the caustic quagmire of the Bog of Eternal Acid, the environment shapes not only how battles are fought...
3 New Ways to Use Tritons in a D&D Campaign
Tritons, the guardians of the deep, often appear as noble protectors of the seas in Dungeons & Dragons. However, their potential extends far beyond their traditional role as aquatic defenders. Let’s dive into three unique ways to use Tritons in your campaign, giving them depth...
Inspired by Powered by the Apocalypse: Why Zoo Mafia Stands Out
When it comes to modern tabletop RPGs, few systems have had the same impact as Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA). Known for its narrative-forward approach and flexible mechanics, PbtA has become the foundation for many innovative indie games. Zoo Mafia builds upon this legacy, combining...
Navigating the Surface: Survival in a Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy World
In the world of Aether Skies, the surface is more myth than memory—a cursed, overgrown graveyard full of ruined cities, forgotten gods, and things that don’t stay dead. While the floating cities drift safely above the clouds, the world below festers in darkness, twisted by...
Welcome to the Circus, Kids! – A Multi-Part Encounter with the Joker Dragon
This blog post expands on the Joker Dragon with a full encounter arc that can span a single long session or a mini-arc across multiple game nights. You can read about the Joker DRagon in last weeks post here. Your players will go from unsettling...
The Monstrous Chuul: Expanding the Horror in Your D&D Game
In the murky depths of ancient ruins, along the edges of eldritch swamps, or lurking beneath the seas of your Dungeons & Dragons world, the Chuul is a terror waiting to strike. These crustacean horrors, created by the aboleths as their hunters and enforcers, combine...
