Critter Corner: Discussing Episode 7 of Critical Role
Welcome you to the next installment of musings and thoughts on the new campaign of Critical Role, Geek and Sundry’s mega-popular live stream gameplay starring Matt Mercer as Dungeon Master with a bunch of nerdy-ass voice actors playing D&D. New episodes live stream every Thursday at 10 p.m. eastern on Alpha, Twitch and starting with campaign 2 on YouTube as well.
D&D More Sorcerer Options and Builds for a Magical Day
Hello fellow nerds, nerdettes, and gamers. This is Kenneth Woody coming at you with another sorcerer guide for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons. In this guide, we’re going to be taking a look at the possibility of a D&D melee sorcerer build and the pros and cons associated with it. So, grab yourself a drink, and let’s get down to business shall we.
D&D Beyond Publishes Inaugural Post by Lead Writer James Haeck
Coming on the heels of their recent announcement of hiring James Haeck as lead writer under content manager Todd Kenreck, D&D Beyond published their first post of this new endeavor on Monday, March 5, 2018. Along with staff writers James Introcaso and Mike Shea, DDB will begin producing written content on the site to compliment the wonderful video content produced by Kenreck. The first post to usher in the new featured content takes a look at one of fifth edition’s most often discussed and debated class features – the Beast Master ranger archetype.
Pillars of the RPG Craft: An Introduction
The number of tabletop roleplaying game systems in the modern era astounds me. Variety abounds throughout the mechanics, settings, and systems that have been published by big names and indie developers alike. But they all have certain pillars in common. In my opinion, the aspects of an RPG that form the foundation for all those that have been, that are, and that have yet to be developed are: Action, adventure, and association. Some games may focus on these pillars with greater or lesser emphasis. But I think it’s fair to say that these are the core elements that constitute an RPG experience.
Worldbuilding: World Anvil is a Haven for Writers and Homebrew Content
Last month I looked at three realm worldbuilding and homebrew programs and websites and among those was World Anvil. In the article I had looked briefly on the site and looked at it impressed with what was there but said it need a few other options. After the article was posted Dimitris from World Anvil reached out to me and said that those features where there and I had missed them. The reality of it is, that from the time I had sent the article Nerditor Doug to when it was posted the site had doubled in content and functionality. Doubled in less than 2 weeks. I have dealt with campaign software and programs and sites for at least 5 years now in creating homebrew adventures and world settings and never has one expanded this rapidly. Having spoken with Janet and Dimitris from World Anvil and given that they are celebrating World Anvil’s four month anniversary, I thought it more than fitting we revisit this fantastic site and give the proper attention it deserves. So, sit back, relax, and let’s look at the gasworks that is World Anvil.
Out of the Box D&D Encounters, series 2, #35 – “Alone”
Out of the Box introduction
Critter Corner: Moments From Critical Role Episode 6 and a Theory About Taliesin
Hello! Nerditor Doug here to welcome you to the next installment of Gin’s musings and thoughts on the new campaign of Critical Role, Geek and Sundry’s mega-popular live stream gameplay starring Matt Mercer as Dungeon Master with a bunch of nerdy-ass voice actors playing D&D. New episodes stream every Thursday at 10 p.m. eastern. Viewers can watch through Alpha Project, Twitch and YouTube live as well.
The Long and Short of an RPG Campaign
Tabletop roleplaying games, and Dungeons & Dragons in particular, are experiencing a resurgence in popularity due to many factors: live streamed content, ease of access, online resources, YouTube channels devoted to helping Game Masters new and old hone their skills and get groups together. But with more people joining the fray, there’s also a sizable portion of groups that stay together for a few months and then fall apart. We live in a modern, global world with lots of outside factors that constantly vie for our attention.
D&D Beyond Goes Beyond ‘And Beyond’
Whether you use the digital toolset’s robust free resources, went all-in with a Legendary Bundle and Master Tier subscription, or remain skeptical of the whole affair, D&D Beyond is without a doubt part of the fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons culture and conversation. Here at Nerdarchy, we are big fans and advocates of DDB. We use it for our games in-person and live streamed, for research and reference with its fantastic search features and filters, for tinkering with homebrew creatures, items and spells, and basically everything. Don’t get us wrong – we still cherish our physical books, dutifully adding them to our bookshelves and flipping through them in equal measure. But as DDB continues to evolve, the already indispensable resource establishes a firmer foothold with the upcoming mobile app, the fantastic video content from Todd Kenreck and, most recently, the announcement of a writing team to create even more D&D content.
Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Dungeons & Dragons Kickstarter is Live
The art of Dungeons & Dragons has been inspiring us for decades. Whether it’s the iconic image of a Viking warrior battling a dragon from the classic beginner box or the more modern depiction of heroes facing off with powerful giants or even just a favorite image from the Monster Manual, these images have shaped the way that all of us approach and play the game. Every picture tells a story, but every picture also has a story behind it, an artist’s vision that we rarely get to see or hear about. Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Dungeons & Dragons is an upcoming documentary that will let us see that vision and hear those stories, and it’s being funded on Kickstarter as I write.
Out of the Box D&D Encounters, Series 2, #34 – “Hourglass”
Out of the Box introduction
Eldritch Lairs: Adventures for 5th Edition
New from the design minds of James J. Haeck, Jerry Leneave, Mike Shea and Bill Slavicsek, is Eldritch Lairs! This is a 5E supplement from Kobold Press designed with eight short adventures for characters level 4-8. The adventures are built as standalone arcs but can always be worked into existing homebrew campaigns. Eldritch Lairs contains Pit of the Dust Goblins, Crypt of Green Shadows, Under the Devil’s Thumb, Blood Vaults of Sister Alkava, Carrion Shrine of Qorgeth, The Leystone of the Indigo Star, Palace of the Wind Lords, and the Undying Tournament. Creatures featured in the adventures can be found in the fifth edition SRD, except where noted as referenced to the Tome of Beast from Kobold Press.
D&D Unicorn: Expanding the Legendary Creature Through Variety
Unicorns in fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons are celestial creatures known for their healing and purity, yet aside from a corrupted fiend known as the Nightmare they are very limited in selection. Considering how well known these creatures are in fantasy and how many varieties of dragons we have, it is almost a crime we have only two choices. [NERDITOR’S NOTE: Yeah, yeah, yeah, nightmares are created from pegasi but who’s to say a corrupted unicorn can’t become a hell horse too?]
Critter Corner: Discussing Critical Role Episode 5
Hello! Nerditor Doug here to welcome you to the next installment of Gin’s musings and thoughts on the new campaign of Critical Role, Geek and Sundry’s mega-popular live stream gameplay starring Matt Mercer as Dungeon Master with a bunch of nerdy-ass voice actors playing D&D. New episodes stream every Thursday at 10 p.m. eastern. Viewers can watch through Alpha Project, Twitch and YouTube live as well.
Worldbuilding: The Nerdarchy United Live Chat Evolution
An inside look at worldbuilding and Ulthe-Gana
Over the years geeks and nerds have flocked to the Heralds of Nerdarchy for answers and clarity. New to the call of the people are Nate the Nerdarch and co-host Kienata as they take the Nerdarchists into the realm of worldbuilding. Nerdarchy built and conceived a campaign called Chimes of Discordia based in their world of Ulthe-Gana which many of their characters have journeyed in over the years. Now with fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons gaining further momentum Nate the Nerdarch and Kienata have taken the masses with them as the world evolves and develops. The new Nerdarchy Duo hope to inspire people and let them explore what Nerdarchy has built through three new streaming shows with live chat participation.
