The new D&D Essentials Kits includes a simplified version of the sidekick rules with the idea that a DM could run a game for one player, and it will work out because they'll have a sidekick. I've been running the included adventure ("Dragon of Icespire Peak") for my son, and so here are my thoughts … Continue reading Tips on Single-Player D&D
When I want to set up a major villain or other danger, I like using treasure to signal some of their capabilities. "Khalni Gem" by Franz Vohwinkel Gems are popular treasure items - but they're also spell components. Players might initially think that you've given them these things because they can use them for their … Continue reading Foreshadowing through treasure
Dungeon Masters in D&D 5E don't necessarily have a lot of tools to manage factions, NPCs, and long-term dangers. The Dungeon Master's Guide provides lots of excellent advice on creating villainous NPCs, but I personally need more. I've used Fronts from "Dungeon World" pretty extensively as a way to organize various Dangers with their Grim … Continue reading Progress clocks in Dungeons and Dragons
I sat down this weekend and listed out the three games I currently have planned, then started thinking about what I want to do next. All of my current streams take place on the Variant Roles channel on Twitch, for what it's worth, and are archived on YouTube. "Jayemdae Tome" by Donato Giancola As I've … Continue reading Updates on upcoming streaming
Not the stat - the received body of knowledge that everyone "knows". Whether or not they're actually correct, here are some bits of wisdom for new players. Don't split the party. Even when it seems harmless, just don't.Let the Bard do the talking.Keep an eye on the Rogue (and check your pockets).Take good notes. You … Continue reading D&D Player Wisdom
I've been thinking a lot about colonialism in D&D. How can we maintain the feel of exploration and treasure hunting without turning it into "taking stuff from 'evil races' because we are superior"? NB: This is an area where I have little to no expertise, so please understand that this only reflects my own growth … Continue reading De-colonizing D&D
For my ongoing Krevborna adventures, one of the players in my new "Gothic Brunch" campaign on Sundays (using D&D 5e this time) really wanted to play a werewolf. When she learned about the Wolves of the Holy Throne, that sealed it. Every major faction has a page more or less following the same format, which … Continue reading Wolves of the Holy Throne
Adults often have trouble making new friends. We don't necessarily have pre-generated social situations like when we were in school (and that's before I even think about the hellscape that school is for many kids). Marriage and children create another block for many adults, because suddenly our free time dwindles drastically and our lives focus … Continue reading Communities are what we make them
Chapter art for Level 11 Troglodyte Warrens I recently ran Level 11, "Troglodyte Warrens", from Dungeon of the Mad Mage for Variant Roles. You can watch the first of the two sessions below (I will add in the second when it's posted). Spoilers follow, obviously, at least for that level of DotMM. https://youtu.be/8XA2JN8DunM?t=673 In this … Continue reading Using DW style prep in D&D
One of those "1 like = 1 answer" things made the rounds on social media lately, and so I jumped in on Twitter. But I thought I'd repost here, with my answers slightly expanded in some cases. If you were a D&D character, what race and class would you be? Dwarf Wizard, probably. Sometimes I … Continue reading 1 Like = 1 Answer – D&D Edition
Technoskald's Forge 