Bull-Riding in D&D: Saddle Up for Glory (or the Dirt)
I am always looking for new things to add to my game. I am always inspired by the things that I watch or hear. Lots of articles here on the website and videos provide plenty of evidence of all the sources used for that inspiration....
D&D Adventure: “Voices on the Wind – Secrets of the Wailing Wastes”
Setting: The Wailing Wastes, south of CrystaliaLevel Range: 5–8Adventure Length: 1–2 sessionsThemes: Isolation, madness, sound-based hazards, spiritual deceptionTone: Bleak, eerie, cerebralIdeal For Parties Who Like: Survival horror, environmental challenges, eldritch mystery, tactical terrain use 🌾 Introduction: The Desert That Screams To the south of Crystalia lies the...
🎲 “Rolling with Weird Al: How Humor Elevates Your Campaign” 🎲
I just went and saw Weird Al in concert last night. The Bigger and Weirder Tour is the 4th time I have seen him in concert over the last 25 years. It was an amazing show. His humor and genius always has me rolling with...
Music, Smoke, and Shadows: Immersive Descriptions for the Zoo Mafia World
In Zoo Mafia, the world is more than just talking animals in pinstripes—it’s a moody, sultry, unpredictable landscape where every creaking floorboard and smoky jazz riff paints a piece of the story. Whether your game is set inside the confines of a zoo or sprawls...
The Sky’s Teeth: A One-Shot Survival Horror Adventure in Aether Skies
“The message was garbled. The coordinates barely held. But they found her—drifting between cities, lights dim, no crew in sight. The hull groaned like a beast in its sleep. And still, something moved below…” In a world of haunted aetherships, corrupted skies, and floating cities clinging...
Oathkeepers Reforged: The 2014 vs. 2024 Paladin Core Class Comparison
The Paladin has always stood tall as a hybrid of divine warrior and party protector, wielding both sword and spell in service of their sacred oaths. In 2014, Paladins were lauded for their burst potential (Divine Smite), strong saves, and survivability—but also criticized for limited...
When the Best Choice Isn’t the Smartest One: Embracing Sacrifice for Better Storytelling in D&D
We all love building clever, capable D&D characters—ones with tools for every situation, contingency plans in their packs, and enough hit points to tank a few questionable decisions. But sometimes, the most memorable and meaningful moments at the table come when you choose the wrong...
D&D Adventure: “Still as Death – A Journey into the Forest of Stone”
If you are looking to play some games around the city of Crystalia then you might need some adventures to help guide your way. There are a few posts about the city itself as well as this is the second encounter in a series pointing...
Captain Ravenloft: The Undying Sentinel of Barovia
“I can do this all night. But preferably before sunrise. That’s when the zombies get handsy.” —Captain Ravenloft Barovia has many champions. Most are doomed. Some are morally questionable. A few sparkle dramatically when exposed to sunlight (if they ever find any). But only one carries...
Alley Turf to Velvet Lounges: District Design Tips for Zookeepers(GMs)
Creating Memorable Locales for Every Kind of Zoo Mafia Game When you're the Zookeeper (GM) for a Zoo Mafia campaign, one of your greatest tools is the world your players get to play in—and the best worlds are built district by district. Whether you're running a...
What Does It Mean to Be Beastkin In Aether Skies?
Identity, Corruption, and Creative Freedom in Aether Skies In the drifting world of Aether Skies, where floating cities glitter above a nightmare-scarred surface, identity is always in flux. The Aether changes everything—land, law, mind...
Balance Through Change: The 2014 vs. 2024 Monk Core Class
The Monk has long been one of D&D’s most unique martial classes—channeling spiritual energy, physical mastery, and cinematic flair into a single, punch-heavy package. However, the 2014 [caption id="attachment_60007" align="alignright" width="215"] A monk as seen in the fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook. [Image courtesy...
Cursed Luck and Lucky Charms: Why Your RPG Character Should Have Superstitions
Add flavor, flaws, and fortune to your roleplay—one bizarre belief at a time. We spend hours crafting our characters—backstories, stats, weapons, goals. But what about the irrational things they believe? Superstitions—those little quirks of behavior tied to fate, fear, or tradition—can make a character feel real,...
The Cluck Heard ‘Round the World: Why Every Campaign Needs a Stupid Terror
Some monsters strike fear with ancient curses, demonic intellects, or bone-chilling silence. And then there's Hei Hei the Calamity Cluck—a clueless, bug-eyed chicken infused with Tarrasque blood who can level a village while trying to eat a rock. But here’s the thing: making a “stupid terror”—a creature...
Encounter Design: “Bleeding Blades” — A Survival Gauntlet in the Sea of Blades
💀 Terrain as Weapon: The Deadly Plains of the West Welcome to the Sea of Blades—an ocean of tall grass that cuts like steel. This isn’t your average field; here, each swaying stalk is a blade that can flay the flesh from bone. Thri-kreen prowl these...
