Zoo Tech: How the Animals Fight Dirty
In a world of tooth, claw, and cunning, fighting fair is a luxury no one can afford. In Zoo Mafia, where Prohibition runs deep and power is always up for grabs, it’s not just about who can throw a punch—it’s about who’s packing a trick...
Granglehold: Where the Sky Sags Low. Aether Skies floating cities
Desperation, Innovation, and the Edge of Collapse in Aether Skies Suspended by creaking tethers and half-forgotten debts, the city of Granglehold does not rise above the world. It hangs—heavy with guilt, corruption, and hope that smells like ozone and desperation. Last week we delved into a...
Steel Reforged: Comparing the 2014 and 2024 Fighter Core Classes
In a world of spellcasters and dragons, the Fighter has always stood as a champion of mastery over arms and tactics. But as One D&D reshapes the core rules, how does the newest iteration of the Fighter measure up? While keeping true to the fundamentals—reliable damage,...
“Friends on the Other Side”: Bringing the Shadow Man into Your D&D Game
When it comes to charismatic villains steeped in shadow and mysticism, few are as captivating as Dr. Facilier, the Shadow Man from Disney's The Princess and the Frog. His sleight of hand, [caption id="attachment_45674" align="alignright" width="300"] The fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master's Guide describes...
Between the Grit and the Giggle: Balancing Comedy and Crime in Zoo Mafia
When you picture a hard boiled gangster story, you probably imagine trench coats, cigarette smoke curling in the air, and tension so thick you could cut it with a claw. But when your gang is made up of animals—like a jazz-loving giraffe, a button man...
Piatracas: The City of Smoke and Stone – Aether skies Floating cities
Forged in Steam, Hardened by War—The Industrial Heart of the Aether Skies High above the scarred world below, nestled within coils of perpetual smog and hammer-sparks, floats Piatracas—a city that never sleeps, never smiles, and never forgets. Home to the dwarves and those who admire their uncompromising...
Circle of Change: Comparing the 2014 and 2024 Druid Core Classes
From summoning storms to transforming into beasts, Druids have always walked the line between arcane might and primal savagery. But how does the Druid of 2024 compare to its 2014 predecessor? Check out the video over on Youtube where we get into it deeply, here....
Welcome to Balaria – The Iron Dome in the Black Sands
Far beyond the chaos-warped outskirts of Crystalia and the petrified sentinels of the Forest of Stone, a new city rises from the obsidian dunes like a forge-born titan. Welcome to Balaria, a brutalist marvel of steel and magic — where ambition is alloyed with danger,...
The Witch in the Tower: A Tangled-Inspired D&D Adventure
A vanished heir. A radiant tower lost in time. And a witch who lives forever in the light. Some towers keep their prisoners locked inside. Others keep reality locked out. Inspired by Tangled, this D&D adventure transforms the story into a dreamlike, high-stakes rescue mission set inside...
Personal Goals and Crew Tension: Internal Drama Done Right
The Underworld Ain’t Just About Enemies—Sometimes the Real Trouble’s Inside the Family When you sit down at the table to play Zoo Mafia, you're stepping into a gritty world of fur, feathers, and felony. Sure, there are bank jobs, speakeasy raids, crooked coppers, and rival families...
Embracing Eldritch Horror: Maintaining Mystery in RPG Campaigns
Using Dread, Sanity, and the Unknown Without Overwhelming Your Table [caption id="attachment_21598" align="alignright" width="300"] Aether, you know, that stuff that surrounds us...
Faith Refined: The 2014 vs. 2024 Cleric – A Mechanical Breakdown
The Cleric has always embodied divine authority in Dungeons & Dragons, serving as both protector and conduit of divine power. Whether you're turning the tide of battle with healing magic or channeling the wrath of your deity, the Cleric stands as a pillar of utility...
Mini Review: WizKids’ Mr. Potato Beholder – The Eye-Con of Tabletop Mayhem
When you stare into the void, sometimes the void stares back...
Into the Heart of the Forest: A Review of The Old Margreve by Kobold Press
When it comes to fantasy RPG settings, few manage to evoke the same sense of ancient mystery and primal danger as The Old Margreve. Originally a sleeper hit from Kobold Press, this updated edition is no mere reprint—it’s a verdant, living world that welcomes (and...
Welcome to Crystalia: Running a D&D Campaign in the Shimmering Bastion
Crystalia, the heart of the "Under the Dome" campaign setting, is a gleaming, chaotic-fearing metropolis that has stood firm for over a millennium. Encased beneath a magical dome that filters out wild magic and the worst of the monster hordes, this city is a multifaceted...
