Marvelous Phile: FEATS
Hey, guys, Professor Bill of Comic Book University (where tuition is always free) and I’m bringing you the seventh article of the Marvelous Phile, an homage to the excerpt in Dragon Magazine back in the ’80s.
Perusing D&D Player’s Companion for 5E D&D
Welcome to the trials and tribulations of a new series. In this one, I will be scouring the Dungeon Master’s Guild, StoryTeller’s Vault, and the net itself to review homebrew content of all levels of skill and professional build. I decided to open up this series with the current, as of the time my fingers hit the keyboard, No. 1 searched item on DM’s Guild.
Kickstarter Korner for Jan. 2018, Week 1
Each week during the Quests & Adventures live chat, Saturday at 2 p.m. eastern, Nerdarchists Dave and Ted and Nate the Nerdarch hang out live with fans from the Nerdarchy YouTube channel. It’s a chance to share announcements and news, answer questions from the live chat and generally just hang out and talk nerdy with the Nerdarchy community.
Philosophy of Pen and Paper Roleplaying Game Hobby No. 1
Introduction of “why” in roleplaying games
While often the conversation of the roleplaying hobby revolves around the question of “how,” I find I spend most of my time asking “why.” While discussion of effective Game Mastering, playing a compelling character, and the like can be useful tools, these are simply to treat the symptoms of the obstacles we face in this hobby. Understanding why we take on such an odd and complex undertaking and dare to call it fun gives us insight on what drives us and when we know why, we know when we fall short of why. This concept of why is what we’re here to explore: Why do we play, Why do you play, and why is this important for roleplaying gamers.
Out of the Box D&D Encounters, Series 2, #28 – “Crackpot”
Out of the Box introduction
Worldbuilding: Customizing the D&D Dwarf and Dwarven Culture
While speaking with a friend about game world ideas for Dungeons & Dragons I mentioned I had done some preliminary work on defining the human cultures of my game world to which he immediately asked “what kind of dwarves will you use?” I honestly hadn’t even considered anyone’s perception of a dwarf would vary greatly from my own so I went with what felt like a natural and reflexive answer. “Oh you know, standard quasi-norse-scottish dwarves”.
Fantastical Mounts: Ride into Legend with New Creatures for 5E
No terrain too difficult A dragonborn warrior, you are proud of your heritage. When your family came to Ulthe-Gana from the Dragon Realm, you were eager to explore the new lands and represent your kind among the people native to the world. As an...
Is the Netflix Movie ‘Bright’ Basically Diet Shadowrun Soda?
Many mainstream critics, including David Ehrlich at Indiewire.com are hailing “Bright” as the worst movie of the year! Heck, before I watched it, I thought I’d hate it being it seemed on the surface to be a complete Shadowrun ripoff. Turns out the Netflix movie is actually a solid effort in which critics such as Mr. Ehrlich may simply be defending the outdated theatre business model.
Kickstarter Korner for Dec. 2017, Week 4
Each week during the Quests & Adventures live chat, Saturday at 2 p.m. eastern, Nerdarchists Dave and Ted and Nate the Nerdarch hang out live with fans from the Nerdarchy YouTube channel. It’s a chance to share announcements and news, answer questions from the live chat...
Out of the Box D&D Encounters, Series 2, #27 – “Water Slide”
Out of the Box introduction
Speak With Dead #20: Friends in Dark Places
Each week, our resident necromancer Maxillae the Mad takes time from her busy life as a alchemist and practitioner of death magic to offer her unique insights and advice to denizens of any world or setting. At the bottom find out how you can Speak with Dead and ask...
How Star Wars: The Last Jedi Ruined My Childhood, and How I Came to Terms with it.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is like the first time I ate sushi. I didn’t like it… But I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Now I love sushi. I don’t love The Last Jedi, at least not yet, but I can’t stop thinking about it. It deserves another watch from me, one less entangled in my biases and preconceived notions. [NERDITOR’S NOTE: Warning – mild spoilers ahead.]
Keep Your Campaign on Track: Dead End Plots in D&D
A campaign in fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons, or any roleplaying game, turns on the words and deeds of the characters whose actions move the narrative forward – usually in ways the Game Master never expects. I’d say quite a few D&D adventures go in different directions almost immediately upon starting play. A GM can consider and plan for a million possibilities, and I’m never surprised when players do the million and first thing. Giving players agency in your game is vital, but what do you do when the adventurers venture far afield of the quests you prepared, or get stymied by obstacles, puzzles and other challenges impeding progress? Did the adventure hit a dead end?
Keep Your Campaign On Track: Missing Players
Hello nerds! Nerditor Doug here, welcoming back guest poster Elyunn who shared a great story along with tips and advice for getting started with Fantasy Grounds. She is back with us again, and this time around she adds to the Keep Your Campaign on Track series.
Elyunn spoke with some folks over at Fantasy Grounds College to glean their insights on a situation all roleplaying game groups experience at some point or another…
Marvelous Phile: What is FASERIP the Marvel RPG?
Hey, guys, Professor Bill of Comic Book University (where tuition is always free) and I’m bringing you the sixth article of the Marvelous Phile, an homage to the excerpt in Dragon Magazine back in the '80s. Game mechanic - FASERIP What is this FASERIP thing we keep...
