Innistrad Set 2: Dark Ascension Arrives! (Good news for 4E DMs!)
Today, Wizards of the Coast released their second set of the Magic the Gathering: Innistrad series, featuring thematic Gothic horror elements such as undead armies, vampires, werewolves, and ghostly spirits. This secon[...]Read on >>
Never Get Involved in a Land War in Asia ("Unmasking the Traitor," Session 1)
After Silas’ chat with the Raven Queen, he found his companions lying in some coffins in the next chamber. Once they all regained consciousness, the eladrin vampire briefed them on his encounter with the Raven Queen a[...]Read on >>
Running A Game With New Players
Over the past couple seasons of D&D Encounters I’ve had the opportunity to play with a lot of new players. Many of these players (usually the younger ones) were competently new to D&D or any RPG fro that matt[...]Read on >>
Review Round-Up: Tristan & Isolde; Dungeons & Dragons, Volume 2 – First Encounters; The Court Jester
Tristan & Isolde (2006): A modern retelling of an old Celtic tale that was clearly the precursor and blueprint for the Lancelot, Guinevere and King Arthur love-triangle (and also Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet[...]Read on >>
DMRT: The Geek Ken Opinion for Jan. 2012
The folks over at 4 Geeks 4E have a pretty fun podcast covering different topics on D&D. One part of the Dungeon Master’s Round Table show is taking twitter questions... Read more »[...]Read on >>
Initial Impressions of the New D&D
30 Second Summary Though we know little about the final game, the foundations of the new D&D are solid. The focus on ability scores, flatter power progression, and faster gameplay give freedom to both players and du[...]Read on >>
[D&D4E][Rules] Badges of Achievement house rule.
It's some time that I puzzle about how to show my players that the road that they are travelling is not the only one they have available. Let me go deeper in this problem. they have entered into the 4th consecutive yea[...]Read on >>
review: kobold quarterly 20
Metric: Kobolds. They've proven their worth even in these straitened times. One of nature's survivors and what's this - next issue they can go into a tavern? Must be doing something... Click the title [...]Read on >>
"Let’s Play 1st Ed. Dad!"
Those are the words I heard after I told my boys that 5e was on the way and there were going to be reprints of the 1st Ed AD&D books. Part of me is thrilled, another part of me is wondering what the hell am I going t[...]Read on >>
D&D Encounters: Beyond the Crystal Cave (Week 11)
After navigating the hedge maze and fighting the thieving Boggles, the PCs took a short rest before using their four plant keys to activate the magical sundial gate. The maze around them began to spin until the hedge maz[...]Read on >>
DDXP 2012 Recap: Running the New D&D and Playing Games
This year's DDXP was a very interesting one, as I suspected. We were actually able to get there, unlike last year, though Fort Wayne's weather seems persistant in its attempts to keep us out. In order to help finance the[...]Read on >>
Publisher Interview: Joseph Goodman of Goodman Games
February 2, 2012 from Game Knight Reviews
Filed under: 4e, design, dungeons & dragons, Game Design, GM, news, roleplaying, RPG, RPG Hub
The “Old School” gaming movement continues to impress me with the enthusiasm of the gamers and game companies supporting it. One of the games many gamers are excited about in 2012 is the Spring release of the[...] Filed under: 4e, design, dungeons & dragons, Game Design, GM, news, roleplaying, RPG, RPG Hub
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My points of light…
February 2, 2012 from Stargazer's World
Filed under: D&D4e, Fluff/Inspiration, Other Systems, pathfinder, RPG, RPG Hub
Who knew that former US President George H. W. Bush was a Game Master, and a groundbreaking pioneer at that! He spoke about points of light campaigns in 1989 almost twenty years before D&D 4th edition. What’s that[...] Filed under: D&D4e, Fluff/Inspiration, Other Systems, pathfinder, RPG, RPG Hub
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EN World Review – Review of They Shall Be Paid In Coin of the Realm by Taurus Twelve
February 2, 2012 from Neuroglyph Games
Filed under: D&D 4e, pathfinder, Review, RPG Hub, World Building
Happy Humpday, fellow gamers! We’re halfway to the weekend, and this week cannot get over soon enough to please me. I’ve got not only my regular local Friday night game this week, but also my bi-monthly D&D [...] Filed under: D&D 4e, pathfinder, Review, RPG Hub, World Building
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Now I have a machine gun
Quick question about modern firearms in your (d20) gaming. How have you seen automatic fire handled? I want an option that is reasonably balanced against single shot, or a grenade, or any other standard action. I’m[...]Read on >>
Cure Selfish Wounds
Today's D&D Next post at the Wizards site by Bruce Cordell is titled Time to Heal and discusses the role of the Cleric class and how it relates to healing through the life span of Dungeons & Dragons. There's a [...]Read on >>
Dungeons of Adel: The Hellmouth
February 1, 2012 from The Spirits of Eden
Filed under: Campaigns, D&D 4e, Fluff/Inspiration, Legacy D&D, Other Systems, RPG, RPG Hub
One of the Arch-Dungeons of Adel, the Hellmouth is a member of a family of massive, seemingly living spaces that exist beneath each Nation of Adel (and the Abyss Isle and Noshiki), their exact positions shifting, shrinki[...] Filed under: Campaigns, D&D 4e, Fluff/Inspiration, Legacy D&D, Other Systems, RPG, RPG Hub
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rolling for hit points in 4e
As you can tell, one of the things I miss in 4e is rolling your attributes. However, I have never missed rolling for hit points. Rolling your attributes helps throw some randomness into your character concept, and random[...]Read on >>
State Of The Dungeon – Year 3
Today Dungeon’s Master celebrates its third birthday. Three years ago Ameron and I launched the blog with the intention of talking about 4e Dungeons & Dragons. Our goal was to share our experiences of the game[...]Read on >>
New: Warrens of the Stone Giant Thane
What with all the 5e talk I wouldn't be surprised to see a fall off of readership for new 4e modules in Dungeon. Maybe, maybe not. However, I have to carry on and inform you of anything Greyhawk related coming [...]Read on >>
[Review] Kobold Quarterly 20
“”Do not throw the arrow which will return against you. - Kurdish Proverb“ - Civilization IV tech quote The kobold mines have produced a new issue of Kobold Quarterly. Issue 20 takes a look at archers,[...]Read on >>
Kobold Quarterly #14 for Free!
So, do you read Kobold Quarterly? It’s pretty great and has stuff from Pathfinder, 4e and AGE. Also, non-crunch stuff. Still not sure? Well, it’s your lucky day. Download Kobold Quartlery #14 for FREE up unti[...]Read on >>
I Need Help: An Appeal
January 31, 2012 from The Spirits of Eden
Filed under: D&D 4e, Fluff/Inspiration, Legacy D&D, Other Systems, RPG, RPG Hub
The long and short of it, is that I’m in trouble. I’ve hit bottom, and I don’t know what to do. I’ve exhausted all other options. I want to ask for your generosity and empathy. I’m uncomfort[...] Filed under: D&D 4e, Fluff/Inspiration, Legacy D&D, Other Systems, RPG, RPG Hub
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Month in Review: January 2012
The announcement from Wizards of the Coast confirming that they are indeed working on the next iteration of D&D was the biggest news in gaming this month. A lot of people began speculating on what’s to come, but f[...]Read on >>
Quick Hits: January 2012
After taking a brief, inadvertent break from blogging recently, I thought I’d jump back in with some quick-hit thoughts on D&D Next, my own D&D campaigns, some non-RPG games I’ve played, the Order o[...]Read on >>
Quick Hits: January 2012
After taking a brief, inadvertent break from blogging recently, I thought I’d jump back in with some quick-hit thoughts on D&D Next, my own D&D campaigns, some non-RPG games I’ve played, the Order o[...]Read on >>
On the Costal Wizards
You know what's awesome?Lamentations of the Flame PrincessOSRICSwords & WizardryLabyrinth LordAdventurer Conqueror KingWhy? They are thought out - done for love, and amazingly playable. Each one makes you want to gra[...]Read on >>
DDXP 2012: “Charting the Course: An Edition for All Editions” and “New Products” Seminars
This past weekend was DDXP, and since this the new edition of D&D was announced recently, this was both the first chance the public would both find out directly from the mouths of the people making the game what it [...]Read on >>
Review: Thunderstone – Dragonspire
Periodically I’ll be participating in the game night blog carnival, which gives me a chance to review some board games that might be a good break from your typical RPG session nights. This month I’ll be reviewing th[...]Read on >>
Questions For Game Designers
January 30, 2012 from The Spirits of Eden
Filed under: D&D 4e, Legacy D&D, news, Other Systems, RPG, RPG Hub
Over twitter, Quinn Murphy posted a pool of questions he plans to send to some game designers he admires for small interviews, to inform his own views on game design. His questions are pretty interesting, so I thought I [...] Filed under: D&D 4e, Legacy D&D, news, Other Systems, RPG, RPG Hub
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Switched at Birth – An Origin Story
A good background should help define who the character is, especially early in the adventurer when he’s relatively inexperienced. Your PC’s backgrounds should do more than just provide him with skill bonus or a free [...]Read on >>
Critical Failures And Magical Mishaps
Everyone loves magical items. Whether they’re common or rare, equipping yourself with the latest Flaming Sword or Circlet of Mental Might is part of the fun of playing. The abilities these items grant make you feel[...]Read on >>
D&D News Reactions
Since the announcement of D&D Next earlier this month, there has been a flurry of news about D&D. I’ve held off on writing about the new edition because I wanted to avoid speculation, but as more details[...]Read on >>
So Long, Fourth Edition
With the recent announcement of Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition, D20 Source is coming out of retirement to respect a roleplaying games tradition that’s older than D&D itself: complaining about the old ve[...]Read on >>
A Fork in the Road: Starting the Adventure
Drop this encounter into your existing 4E D&D campaign to add a bit of Old School D&D fun to your game.Visit the original post, A Fork in the Road: Starting the Adventure, at Nevermet Press. Subscribe via RSS, [...]Read on >>
The One with the Dragon and the TPK ("Seeds of Chaos," Session 7)
The highlights of “Seeds of Chaos,” Session #7 included a dragon!, a TPK!, and a special cameo appearance by a god! The heroes of our campaign are: Boojum—a pixie wizard, played by SteveSilas—an eladrin[...]Read on >>
My Fellow Gamers, Stay Classy
Hatorade, Vancian Magic, Tactics, and Other Things I’m here at DDXP and after yesterday’s Class Design Seminar, the internet has seemed ablaze with irrationality. I’d like to quell this uprising somewha[...]Read on >>
The Fifteen Minute Workday
One of the things that plagues some D&D games (my own included, on occasion) is what is known as "the fifteen minute workday problem". To wit, characters in a dungeon go through two or three rooms, find themselves do[...]Read on >>
It’s All About Who You Know
In Dungeons & Dragons, as in real life, there are two things that help people succeed where others fail: what you’ve done and who you know. In D&D we already make a big deal about “what you’ve done” and[...]Read on >>
DDXP 2012 Report: The First Glimpses at the New Edition of Dungeons & Dragons
E's at DDXP and reporting the news on the newest edition of Dungeons & Dragons. And she got to be in a playtest group with Monte Cook DMing![...]Read on >>
TheSheDM Reviews: Terraclips
Last weekend our Friday night DM surprised us with a fantastic pair of maps made from Terraclips and D&D tiles for our campaign finale. I had never heard or seen these strange tile-and-clip things, so I asked him ab[...]Read on >>
Way of the Werewolf: Feats for Your Lycanthrope
Kobold Quarterly #19 (which is still available if you want a copy!) presented an all new racial theme, which allowed PCs to take on the role of a legendary werewolf. The theme gives you a range of optional powers to choo[...]Read on >>
A Game For All People: The Perfect DnD Recipe
This article is being written in advance of reading any material concerning the actual content of DnDNext from WOTC. Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, the odds are that you’ve heard the announ[...]Read on >>
D&D Encounters: Beyond the Crystal Cave (Week 10)
After battling the Xivorts during the night, the PCs managed to complete their extended rest and began this week’s adventure at 100%. Knowing that the Hag Soryth was expecting them, they hurried to storm her Palace of [...]Read on >>
Download and Play D&D4e for Free — Legally!
According this a post on the RPGSite from Windjammer, there is an amazing amount of free 4e material on the WOTC web site -- and not behind their paywall. Enough material to play 4e for quite a while -- and without most [...]Read on >>
RPG Blog Carnival: Toronto’s Underground PATH is a Fantastic Location
Everyday as I venture to work in downtown Toronto I make use of the PATH. The PATH is Toronto’s underground labyrinth of shops and corridors connecting office buildings, shopping centers and public transit together. In[...]Read on >>
Feather boat
Raven Feather Boat: if a dead person is put at the helm and the boat is sent adrift down a river, it will, after several hours, take all inhabitants to the shadowfell. This feather boat's power is discovered only when th[...]Read on >>
The Advantages of Using 3d6 Over Point Buy
Have you ever played a character in 4e D&D without optimized stats? A Fighter with a Strength score below 14 or a Wizard with an Intelligence under 14? I think it’s safe to say that none of us have done it. Why wo[...]Read on >>
Back From The (Un)Dead: How a 15-Year D&D Hiatus Ended
In April of 2011, I came home to Dungeons & Dragons after a 15 year absence. It was a decision made outside the vacuum of the TTRPG community, hence totally...Visit the original post, Back From The (Un)Dead: How a 1[...]Read on >>
Icosahedrophilia Podcast, Episode 138: A Sort of Homecoming, Part 2
Our adventure entitled “A Sort of Homecoming” continues, adventure fans! It’s as if Maelbrathyr were singing to the Broken Promise crew, “Stay with me … just a little bit longer … please please please please[...]Read on >>
