In a vast and perilous land, ambitious treasure-hunters chart the wilderness, descend into dark places, and claim whatever riches they can carry.
Building a new campaign, Part 1: the one-page overview
Review: condition rings just got a big upgrade
The Campaign Handbook has now been out for nearly a month, and as of writing, it is ten sales away from gold. My last big product, Adventures in Hawk’s Rest, took over a year just to get to copper. I never expected the Handbook to do anywhere near as well as it has! It’s been … Continue reading Review: condition rings just got a big upgrade
Out now: Ridgeway Watch, an adventure for 3rd-level characters
I’ve just released Ridgeway Watch, an easy-to-drop-in adventure site designed for four 3rd-level characters, perfect for one-shots or side quests. Once a forgotten military outpost, Ridgeway Watch has fallen into the hands of a small gang of outlaws led by a deserter named Kessel. Now it’s a hideout waiting to be uncovered or raided. Inside … Continue reading Out now: Ridgeway Watch, an adventure for 3rd-level characters
Almost great: The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (a review)
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight was released three and a half years ago in September 2021 and was something of novelty for Wizards of the Coast, especially coming on the back of Rime of the Frostmaiden and Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft, two quite dark and horror-themed sourcebooks. Witchlight promised to be the exact opposite, … Continue reading Almost great: The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (a review)
Tired D&D clichés: which ones need to go?
We had a fun session last weekend (a brief sojourn to Tomb of Annihilation via a fairy ring), and one of my players made a comment that stuck with me: ‘Sometimes, you just want a dungeon and a dragon.’ It made me think about tropes: the conventions of a genre that you see over and … Continue reading Tired D&D clichés: which ones need to go?
Encounter balance in 2024: better or worse?
Is encounter-building that a big deal? In short, yes. So how has it changed in 2024?
Write Adventures Like Cookbooks: 15 Tips For Better Information Architecture
I’ve recently started DMing The Wild Beyond the Witchlight. I’m about four sessions in, and so far, it’s been fun. But it hasn’t been without its frustrations. And actually, the more I think about it, the more I feel my frustrations with the adventure are not just limited to Witchlight specifically. There are general issues … Continue reading Write Adventures Like Cookbooks: 15 Tips For Better Information Architecture
Dragonbane review: the most exciting game I’ve played in years
If you’re tired of 5e and really want something fun and fresh, then I cannot recommend this game enough.
I need a new RPG, and it isn’t D&D 2024: a wishlist
Here’s a confession I never thought I’d make: I’m not excited about D&D 2024. In fact, I have serious misgivings about it. And I thought I’d write an article about it.
The Complete Guide to Charms and Enchantments: Part Two
This is the second part of a series on charms and enchantments in 5e. I focus on five spells: suggestion (and its high-level counterpart, mass suggestion), compulsion, geas, and dominate person.