Unearthing the Under-Hollow Order: A Shadowy D&D Organization Born From a Player’s Backstory
Have you ever had a player come to you with a backstory so juicy, so loaded with hooks, that you couldn’t help but spin it into an entire campaign arc? That’s exactly how the Under-Hollow Order was born in my kids’ D&D game. This sinister,...
Zoo Mafia: The Safecracker—Unlocking the Crew’s Potential
You hear that faint click? That’s the sound of a Safecracker at work. If the Button is the team’s precision trigger, the Safecracker is the wizard of “open sesame.” Locks, safes, doors, and anything with gears and tumblers tremble at their approach. But there’s more...
When Trolls Go Wild: Bringing Troll Dolls into Your D&D Game
When most players think of “trolls” in D&D, they picture hulking, regenerating creatures that lurk under bridges, waiting to make a meal of the nearest adventurer. But what if I told you there’s another kind of troll, and they’re far more colorful, less murderous… and...
Unlocking the Secrets of the Threshold Nexus: A Guide for Players and Dungeon Masters
The Threshold Nexus is more than just a magic item for 5th edition D&D.—it's a storytelling tool, a utility belt, and a gateway to infinite adventure. Shaped like a miniature, intricately detailed door, this legendary amulet offers six distinct powers, each tied to the position...
Bunny Malone: The Subtle Seduction of Zoo Mafia’s Femme Fatale
In Zoo Mafia, a game powered by the Powered by the Apocalypse engine with custom rules, every mob boss has their own unique method of maintaining power. For Bunny Malone, it's all [caption id="attachment_89456" align="alignright" width="149"] Go Wild, Do Crime, but Don't Let the Humans Catch...
Culinary Spellcraft: Magic-Infused Ingredients for Your D&D World
There’s no better way to blend fantasy and flavor than with magical ingredients that bring a meal to life in a whole new way. Imagine a world where food isn’t just nourishment but a source of power, enchantment, or even danger! Dungeons & Dragons has...
Running a Frog Theme RPG Campaign
Creating a themed Dungeons & Dragons campaign can be a blast, especially when you build a consistent world with connected foes. Over the years, I’ve designed campaigns around fiends, undead, elementals, dragons, and more. It adds a cohesive feel to the adventure and helps players...
Charisma: The Art of Influence
In Dungeons & Dragons, Charisma represents more than just good looks or the ability to talk your way out of trouble—it’s about your force of personality, leadership, and how well you inspire, manipulate, or charm those around you. Whether you're playing a bard dazzling crowds...
Zoo Mafia – Hit on The Pigeon Park Mafia Don Midge Piglieon
It all started by accident. I said something, and Robin misheard. “I know you didn’t say it,” they laughed, “but I heard… Zoo Mafia.” And just like that, a new game idea was born. Dave took the spark [caption id="attachment_89890" align="alignright" width="182"] Go Wild, Do Crime,...
Enhance Your Spellbook: 7 New Elemental Combo Spells for D&D 5e
In the ever-evolving world of Dungeons & Dragons, the urge to add fresh spells with dynamic effects is never-ending. One effective way to make spells memorable is by combining elemental forces, [caption id="attachment_4013" align="alignright" width="300"] If your adventures do lead you into Out of the Abyss,...
The Magic of Mayhem: Why Low-Powered Items Make D&D More Fun Than Ever
Low-power and silly items add a delightful hilarity to role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. They’re the odd little relics that don’t necessarily help you slay dragons or banish demons but can make your table burst into laughter—and that’s magic in itself. I’ve both created...
Wisdom: Seeing Beyond the Surface
In Dungeons & Dragons, Wisdom is the stat that represents your character’s perception, insight, and understanding of the world on a more instinctual level. While Intelligence is about logic and facts, Wisdom is more about common sense, intuition, and emotional awareness. Characters with high Wisdom...
Carlos Hambino: The Calculating Businessman of the Zoo Mafia
In Zoo Mafia, powered by the Powered by the Apocalypse engine (with hacked custom rules), not all mob bosses embrace the same chaos and destruction. Carlos Hambino, the warthog mob [caption id="attachment_89890" align="alignright" width="182"] Go Wild, Do Crime, and Don't let the Humans Catch You.[/caption] boss, represents...
The Wild Ones: Using Unaligned Fey in Your D&D Game
In Dungeons & Dragons, the Feywild is known for its enchanting beauty, vibrant colors, and the powerful courts that rule over its domains: the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. These courts are often depicted as rigidly divided, with the Seelie embodying light, beauty, and law, while...
Intelligence: The Mind Behind the Magic
In Dungeons & Dragons, Intelligence governs how well your character understands the world around them, handles problem-solving, and recalls knowledge. Whether you’re playing a wizard [caption id="attachment_83553" align="alignright" width="300"] Wary and confused, a reborn emerges after the infamous Apparatus of Mordent malfunctions. Mordent is a Domain...