Shifting Flesh and Altered Forms: How to Transform Your D&D Character’s Body
From claws and wings to shadow-skin and monstrous might—build the form that matches the fantasy [caption id="attachment_54364" align="alignright" width="300"] When it comes to the magic power of words this merfolk knows what I'm talking about. [Art by Howard Lyon][/caption] One of the coolest parts of Dungeons &...
The Ice Queen Cometh: Turning Disney’s Frozen Into a D&D Adventure
An unexpected castle, a cursed storm, and a world on the brink of being frozen solid… Okay, we know—it’s a little cheesy. But take off the mouse ears and squint a little, and Disney’s Frozen is one heck of a campaign hook. A sudden, supernatural winter....
Chronicles from Beneath: Natural Disasters & World-Altering Events Under the Dom
"You don't live under the Dome—you survive it."—Common saying in Crystalia’s Outer Warrens The lands under the Dome are not defined by calm days or gentle nights. They are shaped, scarred, and reborn through catastrophic upheaval. The truly terrifying truth? These disasters are not rare. They...
Adventure Hook: The Night Hunt with Devkin in Under the Dome
"The storm does not choose the strong. The storm chooses the willing. Tonight, we hunt to see who is willing to become more."—Huntmaster Z’Kala before the Trial of Stormblood Last week I introduced you to my creations of the Devkin. With Displcaer Beasts being my favorite...
Turning Oz into Gothic Horror (or Grimdark Fantasy)
Twisting the Yellow Brick Road into a Path of Madness and Moonlight Happy Easter for those celebrating. I thought it a little ironic that my schedule decided to do a Wicked inspired post on such a day, But you know what? Its written and I am...
Villains Who Shape the World: Developing Antagonists Like Vek’th and the Grind Barons
“The best villains don’t just want to stop the heroes—they want to change the world… and sometimes, you wonder if they should.” In any great tabletop campaign, a good villain isn’t just an obstacle. They are a mirror, a force of nature, a storyteller in their...
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...
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...
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...
Dreamscapes and Nightmares: Designing Memorable Dream Realms
I love diving into characters dreams when I play D&D and other tabletop RPGs. It is a clear way to bring out back story and work on those charcter goals and plot points. And at times it can even [caption id="attachment_59059" align="alignright" width="232"] The ogre magi...
3 New Ways to Use Genasi in a D&D Campaign
The Genasi, beings infused with the raw power of the elements, are often portrayed as outsiders or enigmatic wanderers. Their connection to air, earth, fire, and water makes them ripe for creative [caption id="attachment_25541" align="alignright" width="240"] An air genasi, as seen in the fifth edition Dungeons...
Running a D&D Adventure with War as a Backdrop
Sometimes it is amusing watching some old movies. But as you probably know me by now, if you are a fan of the channel that is, I am always looking to gain D&D inspiration from real life and the [caption id="attachment_89560" align="alignright" width="300"] What is looks...
3 New Ways to Use Warforged in a D&D Campaign
Warforged, the sentient constructs born from arcane experimentation, bring a wealth of narrative possibilities to any D&D setting. Their blend of mechanical precision and emotional depth makes them fascinating characters, NPCs, and cultural phenomena. Let’s dive into three innovative ways to incorporate Warforged into your...
The Karthid – The Tideforged of the Black Tides
If you have been following the channel for a bit you would know the direction of the things that Dave and I are working on. My big push right now is building out some great content for Under the Dome. This is a post apocalyptic...
The Game Master’s Book of Villains, Minions, and Their Tactics – A Review with Bonus Content
Every great story needs a great villain, and The Game Master’s Book of Villains, Minions, and Their Tactics delivers 25 of them, each with their own nefarious schemes, signature tactics, and a [caption id="attachment_33212" align="alignright" width="216"] Empusia, Curator of Souls is a legendary fiend whose Museum...