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  • Leyfinder | Magic Item

    Leyfinder

    Wondrous item, rare

    Appearing as an ordinary compass, the Leyfinder shows faint glowing runes etched into the metal casing upon closer inspection. The needle spins erratically until it settles on a specific direction, pointing towards the nearest source of magical energy. The runes seem to hum and pulse with a faint blue light whenever it detects a strong source of magic. This enchanted compass is attuned to the flow of magical energy that permeates the world called ley lines.

    While the Leyfinder is in your possession, you have advantage on Intelligence (Arcana) checks made to identify the properties of magical items related to ley lines and the flow of magic.

    Arcane Sight. Twice per day, you can use an action to cast the Detect Magic spell allowing you to sense the presence of magical energy within 30 feet of you. This ability recharges on a long rest.

    Adventure Hook. Goblin raiders have stolen the Leyfinder from a museum and are using it to locate and loot magical treasures. The party has been hired by a local lord to retrieve the artifact and put a stop to the goblins’ raids.

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  • The Dungeon Master’s Handbook: How to Create Memorable NPCs

    One of the most common questions that new dungeon masters ask is ‘How do I create memorable NPCs?’ It may seem that your players only get attached to characters you make up on the fly. There are some things that all great NPCs have in common and this article will show you what they are. With these tips, you’ll be making compelling NPCs in no time.

    Make Them Unique

    NPCs that stick in the players’ minds are those that are special and have something that sets them apart from others. Consider giving them a distinct voice, mannerism, or appearance that will help them stand out. This isn’t something you have to do with every NPC and to be honest it would get old quickly if you did. You can, however, highlight anything unusual about the character when you first describe them to the players. That way they have a detail that stands out that the characters can remember them by besides just their name. Sometimes it’s a funny hat, sometimes it’s a peg leg, and sometimes it’s a funny voice.

    Memorable traits an NPC might have:

    d6 Voice. whiney, raspy, nasal, squeaky, hoarse, falsetto

    d6 Mannerisms. hand gestures, repeated words, pacing while speaking, exaggerated facial expressions, foot tapping, using bad puns

    d6 Appearance. well-dressed, too many tattoos, unusually tall, limp, extravagant jewelry, an impressive beard

    Give Them A Purpose

    Give your NPCs a reason for existing in the game world beyond simply just being there for the players to interact with. Think about what role they play in the story, and how they can help or hinder the players in achieving their goals. This could range from a resource to a rival, a victim to a villain, or even a mentor, trickster, or flunky. NPCs that have goals and motivations of their own provide great opportunities for role-play. Besides being spoken of these goals and motivations can manifest through mannerisms, changing emotions, and abnormal behavior.

    How an NPC might be useful to the PCs:

    Resource. provides goods and services, possibly in exchange for gold, loot, or quest hooks

    Rival. provides an adversary that is competing for the same objective but may not be the (main) antagonist

    Victim. someone harassed or harmed by a villain

    Villain. a main or side antagonist to the player characters or other NPCs

    Mentor. advises and guides the PCs using their past experience

    Trickster. uses secret knowledge to play tricks and bend the rules

    Flunky. a menial hireling or subordinate who performs mundane tasks

    Make Them Dynamic

    NPCs should feel like real people with their own motivations, goals, and flaws. They should be reacting to the players’ actions in meaningful ways, and their attitudes and behaviors should change over time based on the events of the game. Resources, relationships, and reputation should change over time due to the decisions made by the characters. Changing how NPCs react to the player characters over time can show how the PCs have grown in strength, status, or circumstance. For instance, as the PCs gain a reputation for their great deeds the tavern they frequent might recognize them when they walk in, NPCs might implore them for help, or even be summoned by one or more leaders of the community. If the PCs grow in wealth they might gain access to places previously reserved for upper-class citizens, bespoke or custom equipment from master craftsmen, or even private accommodations in fancy inns or noble houses.

    Also, you can use what’s called a reaction roll at the beginning of an encounter to determine how creatures react to the players. Use reaction rolls over the course of an encounter to see how the creatures’ reactions change over time. Here is a reaction roll chart that can be used to quickly add a level of unpredictability to encounters.

    Roll 2d6 and add the appropriate modifiers based on the situation and the NPCs involved to determine the reaction of the NPC:

    2-3: Hostile: openly aggressive and seeks to harm the players

    4-5: Unfriendly: suspicious and uncooperative, with minimal assistance or generally unhelpful

    6-8: Neutral: indifferent to the players and their situation with limited assistance but generally uninvolved

    9-10: Friendly: helpful and cooperative. useful information and may even join the players in their quest

    11-12: Very Friendly: eager to help the players and goes out of their way to provide assistance. may become a valuable ally to the players.

    Modifiers:

    -1d6: The NPC is under stress or in a difficult situation.

    +1d6: The NPC has a positive history with the players or shares common goals.

    +2d6: The NPC has a strong positive relationship with the players or owes them a debt.

    -2d6: The NPC has a strong negative relationship with the players or is hostile towards their cause.

    +1d4: The players have a valuable item or information that the NPC desires.

    -1d4: The players have committed a serious offense or insulted the NPC in some way.

    Reveal Information

    Using NPCs to deliver important plot points or back story to the players is a popular tool that works well. Consider using them to reveal clues, offer quests, or provide exposition in a way that feels organic to the story. Sometimes dumping a big load of information on the players is just what they need. Certain NPCs are going to be more inclined to offer quests or plot hooks than reveal secrets of the world. Conversely, some NPCs can provide history and lore that others couldn’t because they’re meant to be Macguffins or decoys. Keep in mind that your secrets and clues don’t have to be tied to a specific NPC or location. If (and when) the players go in an unplanned direction you can move your clues to avoid having a specific action needed to progress the story forward.

    For example, an NPC might be overheard:

    Gossiping. the PCs might overhear or be involved in some gossip going around town

    Bragging. an NPC might brag about secrets and unknowingly give away crucial information

    Accusing. false accusations are made that accidentally lead to the truth

    Confiding. the players get told info intentionally because they are trustworthy

    Joking. subtle hints and suggestive remarks reveal important information

    Interact with the Players

    NPCs should be active participants in the game world, not just passive observers. Encourage players to interact with them in meaningful ways, and be open to improvising and adapting to the players’ actions and decisions. This will help the players feel like they are truly part of a living, breathing world. NPCs should approach the PCs just as often as the PCs approach them, which should be about half the time. Depending on their reputation villagers or townsfolk might come to the PCs looking for help or ask to join secret organizations. Provide background NPCs that are directly connected to the PCs to encourage the players to role-play and affect the world.

    Besides what the players are looking for, NPCs might contact the players for reasons like:

    Quests. missions that advance the story or develop the world

    Intel. provide info the players need to progress

    Assistance. offer resources or connections to aid in the PCs journey

    Threats. warn the players of incoming threats or impending attacks

    Recruitment. implore the players to join an organization or faction

    Request. ask for help in order to solve an urgent problem

    Personal. NPCs from the players’ past come forward looking for help or providing support

    Deception. plant false information in order to manipulate the PCs

    Pacing

    NPCs should be introduced at a pace that is appropriate for the story and the player’s level of engagement. Too many NPCs can overwhelm players, while too few can make the world feel empty. A good average to hit is one new NPC per session. Now I know sometimes that can’t happen or perhaps there’s a certain situation that calls for it but try to give the PCs some time to interact and learn about a new NPC before introducing another one. Role-play is in the name of the game so make sure to provide creatures the characters can bargain, barter, and banter with rather than just fighting anything that poses a threat or a problem.

    Here are some fun ways a new NPC might make an entrance:

    Dramatic. the NPC bursts into the room breathless and wild-eyed screaming that they are being pursued

    Chance. the players meet this NPC by happenstance like a broken merchant cart or a farmer with missing livestock

    Mysterious. cryptic messages delivered by unseen messengers invite the players to a clandestine meeting

    Acquaintance. a mutual friend vouches for the NPCs importance and trust

    Common Enemy. the players and the NPC are on the same side of a morally gray conflict

    Rescue. the PCs come to the aid of an NPC in danger

    Similar Goal. the players and the NPCs are on the same mission but sent by different patrons

    Curious Connection. the players and NPCs have a shared and mysterious past

    Player Agency

    NPCs should be used to enhance the players’ experience, not overshadow it. Encourage them to give the players agency in how they interact with NPCs and how they shape the story. The players will naturally interact with the NPCs that they enjoy the most. Take note of the NPCs that they ask about frequently and keep that in mind when session planning to include them. This helps to focus the adventure and story around who the characters interact with rather than who has the next quest hook. The players may find themselves as NPCs in someone else’s story if they decide to encourage, assist, or otherwise aid anyone in the game world. Donating to charities, funding other adventuring groups, or even backing a local politician can all be ways the players can directly affect the game through the various NPCs that they meet and befriend.

    Some ways the PCs can aid the NPCs include:

    Gathering Information. uncover secrets and/or motivations of other factions or allies

    Obtaining Resources. access equipment, supplies or even transportation

    Providing Protection. arrange assistance when understaffed or needing additional firepower

    Complete Tasks. earn trust and gratitude by fetching an item or slaying a fearsome creature

    Business Liaison. resolve conflicts and negotiate agreements on the NPCs behalf

    Build Relationships. gain allies, resources, and storylines by earning the trust and favor of certain NPCs

    Diversity

    Create a diverse cast of NPCs with different personalities, backgrounds, and goals. This can help keep the players engaged and interested in the world. Being inclusive not only paints a broad and bright picture of the inhabitants of your world but also allows the players to see a part of themselves in your world. It’s your world of course but by including a wide variety of backgrounds, lifestyles, and viewpoints you make it a much deeper and more immersive place. Not only is diverse representation important but you should also try to avoid harmful stereotypes and insensitive subjects. Respect for other cultures should be in mind when including different cultures and experiences. Some research may be necessary to avoid unintentionally offending or alienating your fellow players. When in doubt you can always ask the players for feedback and address any issues that are brought up.

    To make your world more inclusive:

    Consider Their Background. think about the NPC’s beliefs, values, and customs may differ from the norm

    Avoid Stereotypes. avoid perpetuating harmful prejudices and biases

    Use Diverse Names. use names from varying cultures and languages to foster an ethnic mosaic

    Gender and Sexuality. use different gender identities and sexualities that reflect the real world

    Diversity in the Plot. incorporate marginalized groups or provide quests that challenge discrimination

    Collaborate. ask the players to help create NPCs and encourage them to create a diverse cast of characters

    An Example

    To show you how this all comes together to make a dynamic and engaging NPC I will create one as an example using these eight tools. Let’s say we have a hobgoblin noble that we want the PCs to meet next session. Some things that stand out might be the extravagant jewelry, the bad puns, or perhaps the nasal voice. This NPC might even be a villain working against the players and they are now showing their hand, getting caught, or somehow at the same place as the PCs. The villain might even be openly hostile or outright attack the players during the encounter. The players may find out about the villain’s nefarious deeds from a trustworthy source who quickly becomes compromised. If this hobgoblin is cunning enough they may even try to recruit the PCs to their side of the conflict. The compromised source might even set up a meeting between the players and the hobgoblin noble. The PCs could use this to gather information and secrets about the villain and their plans. The last thing to consider is using a non-cishet gender and sexual identity. Using all of this information let me describe to you the hobgoblin noble the players will be meeting next session.

    Glaring at you from across the room with narrow eyes is a hobgoblin dressed in finery and adorned with rings, necklaces, and other jewelry. Despite their menacing appearance you can’t help but notice their colorful, sparkling stones decorating their face. Speaking with a nasally voice they punctuate their speech with terrible puns only they see to find hilarious. Your trusty contact has told you Zephyr the Devious comes from a powerful and wealthy family. Zephyr has presented as nonbinary since they were young and has never been one to be looking for a suitor. Known as the Cursed Crownbearer to some, they have turn to villainy in a bid for more wealth and power.

    Whispers fly across the room as Zephyr glides effortlessly towards you and your friends. Pleasantries are had, names are exchanged, and you get the feeling it was all a game. After what turns out to be a veiled attempt to recruit you to their cause you realize this may be just what to need to discover the secrets of their evil organization and their nefarious plans.

    Feel free to use Zephyr the Devious in your own game!

    Creating NPCs can be a challenge, but by following these tips, you can make your characters stand out and become a memorable part of your game.

    As always, good luck with your next session, I believe in you. See you in the future!

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  • Slànachaidh | Magic Item

    Slànachaidh

    Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement)

    This small, smooth stone is about the size of a walnut with intricate, swirling patterns on its surface that seem to shift as if alive. When held, the stone feels warm to the touch and pulses with a gentle, healing energy. While attuned to the Slànachaidh stone, you gain the following benefits:

    • You have resistance to disease.
    • You can use an action to touch a creature and restore a number of hit points equal to 2d6 + your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1 hit point). Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.
    • When you use a spell or ability to restore hit points to a creature, you can choose to increase the amount of hit points restored by 1d6. Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

    In addition, the Slànachaidh has 3 charges. As an action, you can expend 1 charge to cast the Cure Wounds spell (1st level) on yourself or on a creature you touch. You can also expend 2 charges to cast the Lesser Restoration spell on a creature you touch. The Slànachaidh regains all expended charges each day at dawn.

    Adventure Hook. The village of Stonehaven holds an ancient statue of a gnoll god and a secret relic, the Slànachaidh, which the druids use to heal the sick and wounded. Protect the peaceful Druid village from the attack of the vicious Gnoll Pack Lord Otal and his warband, the Rabid Ravagers. The gnolls covet the artifact for their own purposes, and the druids need the adventurers’ help to keep it safe.

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  • The Dungeon Master’s Handbook: Adding Roleplay to Combat Encounters

    There are several ways to add more excitement and immersion to your D&D 5e combat encounters. Maybe your players are combat tacticians and skip your amazing crafted roleplay scenes before combat begins? Maybe you just want to have awesome combats that your players talk about after the session. The following tips will help you make your combats not only more exciting but more engaging and immersive too.

    Describe The Action

    When running a combat encounter, it’s important to make it engaging and immersive for your players. One way to do this is by describing the actions and reactions of the enemies they’re fighting. This can be enhanced by adding in descriptions of their equipment, such as the twang of a bowstring or the slamming of armor. You can also sprinkle in sensory details to make the battle more vivid and memorable – think of the rushing of a nearby waterfall, the heat from a pool of lava, or the nasty breath of a monster in your face.

    As you describe the actions of the monsters and enemies in detail, don’t forget to give your players the opportunity to take their own actions and make decisions that affect the course of the battle. For example, you could describe the enemy goblin’s arrow narrowly missing the fighter’s ear, but then give the player a chance to respond by having the fighter charge the goblin with a roar, or take cover behind a nearby tree. Keep the players engaged and invested in the battle, and you can create a more dynamic and exciting encounter that will leave a lasting impression. 

    More examples of describing the cinematic action include the sound of an arrow whizzing past a player’s head, the scent of the burning wood from a fire, and the feel of wet mud splashing on a player’s face as they dodge an enemy’s attack. A good way to find inspiration for descriptions like these is to read a lot and use action scenes from your favorite movies as inspiration.

    Image by Mitaukano from Pixabay

    Use Communication

    Another way to make combat more engaging is to have the bad guys communicate with each other in short messages on their turns. This is a great way to show your players new tactics and methods they can use in the game. For example, you might have leaders barking coded orders to minions, guards calling for backup, or kobolds luring the players into the next trap.

    Don’t be afraid to have enemies converse with the characters during combat as well. This can make it more personal and engaging for your players, especially if you use any relationships the enemies have to encourage combat roleplay. You can even add charisma-based skill checks like Persuasion or Intimidation to alter the course of the battle. For example, you might have enemies demanding the players hand over the MacGuffin, NPCs from the characters’ past using their relationship against them, or goblins just trying to figure out why the players are in their cave.

    Your players will remember the first time an enemy leader gave a rousing speech to inspire their minions, or when a pair of enemies argued with each other about what strategy to use next, and especially when an enemy surrendered and tried to negotiate with the players mid-combat.

    Additionally, adding a bit of backstory to the enemies can help make the encounter more interesting. Perhaps the goblins are raiding the town because their village was burned down, or the dragon is hoarding treasure to protect her young. By providing context and depth to the enemies, you can give players a more meaningful reason to engage with the encounter and create a more satisfying conclusion.

    Image by Freepik

    Interacting with the Environment

    It’s also important to give players opportunities to interact with the environment and other surroundings. Describe items in the environment they can interact with early and often. Use NPCs or enemies to show the players the possibilities and limits of what can be done with elements in the environment. This might include activating traps, using improvised weapons, or freeing a captured NPC.

    It’s crucial to consider how environmental factors can affect the outcome of combat encounters. Perhaps the players are fighting in a dark and damp dungeon, where torches and other light sources can provide both an advantage and a disadvantage. Or maybe the battlefield is strewn with various types of terrain, such as rough or slippery ground, that can affect movement and positioning.

    Creep out your players with descriptions of how the walls of the dungeon are slick with moisture, making it difficult to get a good grip on weapons or navigate quickly. Cut the battlefield in half by having an enemy knock over a torch or lantern, creating a hazardous area of flames and smoke.

    Consider how non-combat aspects of the environment can be used to enrich the overall storytelling experience. For example, maybe the players stumble across a hidden passage that leads to a pile of treasure, or a player notices a hidden switch or lever that triggers a trap or opens a secret passage. Perhaps they come across an ancient mural that holds clues to a larger mystery in the campaign. These types of environmental details not only make combat more engaging but also help to build a rich and immersive world for your players to explore.

    Rewarding Creativity

    Finally, it’s important to reward players for thinking creatively. When a player describes their character running across the table to swing from the chandelier and make two attacks with their sword on the enemy, don’t just say “make an acrobatics check.” Instead, let them know that what they described was cool and exciting, and give them an advantage on their next roll. This will encourage your players to come up with more creative solutions and make combat more engaging overall.

    You could award extra experience points, treasure, or other in-game benefits to players who successfully utilize the environment or come up with creative solutions to combat encounters. Award a player extra experience points for using a creative strategy or attack that bypasses an enemy’s defenses. Allow a player to temporarily gain a bonus ability or power for successfully pulling off a particularly creative or daring action. Give a player inspiration for coming up with a clever way to use a piece of equipment or item in the environment. You might also consider giving players inspiration or other roleplaying bonuses for particularly clever or entertaining descriptions of their actions.

    It’s important to remember that creativity is not just limited to combat encounters. Encouraging players to think outside the box in social interactions, puzzle-solving, and other non-combat situations can add a lot of depth and interest to your game. Consider providing rewards for creative roleplaying and problem-solving in these areas as well, to help your players feel more invested in their characters and the world around them. By fostering a culture of creativity and innovation, you can help your players have a more satisfying and memorable gaming experience.

    Remember, the goal of combat encounters is to provide a fun experience for your players. By incorporating these roleplay tips and techniques, you can create more memorable combat encounters in your games.

    Good luck with your next session, I believe in you! See you in the future.

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  • The Dungeon Master’s Handbook: Tips from March 2023

    Here are the top ten Dungeon/Game Master tips that I posted to various social media channels in March 2023. These tips are great for almost any TTRPG like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, or Worlds Without Number.

    • In the prime of their life, what were all these tunnels, dungeons, or old ruins supposed to be?
    • Don’t be afraid to talk about your hobby with your coworkers. You never know who used to play and dreams of playing again.
    • A good villain thinks they’re right. A great villain IS right.
    • Pay special attention to environmental effects in your encounters. They are often the thing that makes encounters unique.
    • Try building a whole encounter that’s nothing but traps and hazards. Think the idol temple in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
    • Turn a normal creature into an elite easily with twice the hit points and an extra standard action each round.
    • Don’t force a story. Think what the main NPCs in your campaign are doing right now as they react to the PCs’ actions.
    • Let your players choose which NPCs have a big part in your campaign. Don’t force the ones you like.
    • Named bag guys can be more real and interesting than generic brutes. Come up with small details for sub-bosses.
    • Keep your terrain effects simple. It’s hard enough to remember what your monsters are supposed to do.

    These tips are courtesy of Mike Shea at slyflourish.com.

    If you have any questions please leave them in the comments below.

    As always, good luck with your next session, I believe in you! See you in the future.

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  • The Dungeon Master’s Handbook: Creative Mechanics from Other TTRPGs to Take Your D&D Game to the Next Level

    I love experimenting with different rules from other games. Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition is pretty flexible and allows the Dungeon Master to have flexibility regarding the rules. This includes adding in your own homebrew rules as well as rules from other games. Here are five rules I suggest trying out to see if they fit your style of play.

    a set of clear polyhedral dice resting on a wooden windowsill
    photo by Stephen Hardy

    Interludes from Savage Worlds

    What I like about Interludes is that it sets a game mechanic to have personal moments between the combats and other story beats. When the players have some downtime between tasks like combat, travel, or research you have a player draw a card. The player is to then tell a tale on a topic determined by the suit of the card. For example, clubs are a tragedy, spades tell a victory, hearts are about love, and diamonds are a story about desire. Even better if they can get other characters involved in the story. Afterward, you award the player with inspiration or another appropriate reward. 

    This is similar to a mechanic called Campfire Stories where you have the characters tell a story or discuss a topic during a short or long rest. When discussing adding Interludes or Campfire Stories to your campaigns you could explain them like the personal or emotional scenes in action movies where we learn more about the characters and their past or their hopes for the future. Be sure to let them know that they don’t have to participate if the players don’t want to. Either way, these are two good tactics to encourage role play amongst the players and their characters. 

    https://peginc.com/new-to-savage-worlds-start-here/

    Basic and Special Moves from Dungeon World

    Dungeon World has this great mechanic called Moves. These are a group of simple tasks and complex tasks that ANY character can use. They range from Hack and Slash, to Spout Lore, to Parley, or even Last Breath. These universal moves allow all the players to trigger specific actions and outcomes based on their choices. For example, if you are negotiating with a dragon the Parley move could be used with any leverage (something the dragon wants) you have in order to gain assistance or knowledge. 

    To use this in 5e I would make a list of possible actions the players could take like the different actions that are available in combat (attack, cast a spell, dash, etc.). Be sure to explain any moves that might be new to the players and allow them to ask any clarifying questions. Another method is to have the players describe their actions in more detail and use that to adjudicate outcomes. If it’s a great description you could have it work with no ability check or give them a bonus to the ability check that you call for. Lastly, you could use moves as an inspiration for a monster or NPC abilities that get triggered by specific player actions.

    https://dungeon-world.com/

    Escalation Die from 13th Age

    Essentially, the escalation die is used to increase the pace and tension during combat. At the beginning of the second round, the DM places a d6 with the 1 side face up. This escalation die increases in value at the top of every round to a maximum of six. When players make an attack role they add the number on the escalation die to the attack roll. This bonus does not apply to monsters or NPCs, it is meant for player characters only. The die increasing in value represents the combat getting more intense and wild over time. 

    You can port this over directly to your 5th Edition game by using a d6 at the start of round 2 to communicate an attack bonus that all the PCs can use and increase it at the top of each subsequent round. Be sure to get your players on board before randomly putting a new die on the board. Doing so can help speed up combat and cause players to take risks like using powerful spells or abilities. 

    https://pelgranepress.com/13th-age/

    Teamwork Feats from 3.5e

    The DMG II introduced the concept of Teamwork Benefits that provide more uses of skills, ability or skill check bonuses, or even combat maneuvers. To gain these benefits the PCs must train with each other for a period of time as well as any prerequisites the benefit requires. Any time a team is formed or a new member joins they must train together by practicing the techniques needed for at least two weeks in order to receive the benefit. Some of the Teamwork Benefits listed include Friendly Fire Evasion where you have a limited evasion ability that is limited to spells cast by your teammates only and Spell Barrage where every subsequent spell that requires a DEX save after the first gets an increasing penalty to the DEX save per spell provided they are in the same area of effect as the original spell. 

    These can be brought into your 5th edition game by giving the party a group feat as they level up in each tier of play. This way you can get a handle on their play style and give them benefits that will work with them rather than a feat they will have to work around. Some examples include the optional flanking rule or synergy spells where multiple spells that have the same damage type or saving throw can gain a bonus to attack rolls or spell save DCs.

    https://www.dmsguild.com/product/25841/Dungeon-Masters-Guide-II-35?affiliate_id=3271765

    Flashback Mechanic from Blades in the Dark

    A common mechanic I see used from Blades in the Dark is called Flashbacks. This allows a PC or adventuring party to go back to a time when they could have prepared for a situation they are currently in. Like if they are in a cave and they need a grappling hook you could flash back to a store in town where they purchase a grappling hook. Or perhaps they are trying to sneak into a guarded building and one of the PCs wants to flashback to last night at the inn and attempt to bribe a guard into helping you. What I like the most about flashbacks is that it’s a great way for players to add depth to their characters and it prevents the need for excessive planning 

    When using flashbacks in D&D the key is to establish ground rules, set the scene, and determine the outcome. Make sure the players understand how often they can use a flashback and the limits of what they can achieve. You don’t want them to take long or derail the flow of the session. Quickly describe the flashback and roll any checks required to determine how successful, if at all, their endeavor is. Not all flashbacks will require a roll however so don’t force one.

    https://bladesinthedark.com/downloads

    Do you have any rules you’ve added to your game that have come from somewhere else? Let me know in the comments.

    Good luck on your next session, I believe in you! See you in the future.

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  • How to Play D&D For Free. Forever.

    One of the things I love about this hobby is that you can participate in it without spending any money whatsoever. Of course, you could spend all your money on the hobby but here I will show you how to play Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition for free, forever.

    Free Ruleset

    Recent events have led to the DnD 5e ruleset being published under a Creative Commons license. This means that the basic rules for the 5th Edition are available for free in a few different places. DnDBeyond has a page where you can view the basic rules without making a purchase at all. They also have a page where you can download a pdf of the rules known as the System Reference Document version 5.1. If you are just looking into playing or running the game that is pretty much all you need to get started. If you are interested in creating your own content like backgrounds, adventures, or monsters then you should also be aware of the licenses and attributions mentioned in the SRD. Essentially, as long as you correctly attribute Wizards of the Coast in your work you are able to use their content in good faith. If you are interested in more information follow the dnd wizards link below. 

    https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules

    https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1439-ogl-1-0a-creative-commons

    https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document

    A giant red dragon begins to gather its fire breath as armor cal heroes attack it from a mountainous ledge.
    Cover art for the basic rules of Dungeons and Dragons

    Free Character Sheets

    In addition to the rules, Wizards of the Coast also provides a free form-fillable pdf character sheet for free. If you are using the basic rules dndbeyond.com will also generate a pdf of your character sheet that you can download and even print if you want to. I highly recommend using the Reroll app. It has the SRD available for you to use and you can edit and add abilities and information easily on the app as well the web version. There is also a 2d pixel-style character maker so you can customize your avatar. There are a bunch of options for race, clothing, weapons, items, and backgrounds for most people included in the free version. You only have to pay if you want more options for your character’s avatar otherwise it is completely free! I have also linked to other blog posts that have a variety of free and low-cost character sheet options.

    Click to access 5E_CharacterSheet_Fillable.pdf

    Reroll.co

    A pixel warlock named Qifer Sparkrest and their d&D stats.
    Landing page for a character in Reroll.
    A large golden twenty sided die that reads 18.
    Rolling with advantage on Mighty Dice.

    Free Dice Rollers

    I know everyone loves the clickety-clack of the dice rolling around and I do too. I went from one set of dice to 20 sets in less than a year so I understand. However, we’re talking about playing games without spending any money. If you do a Google search for dice roller it will pull up their Roll Dice tool. On your phone, I would recommend the Mighty Dice app as it is made pretty well and feels like you are rolling dice instead of a random number generator. 

    Google Dice Roller

    Mighty Dice

    Free Adventures

    Courtesy from D&DBeyond

    Now that you have the rules, your characters, and the dice all figured out it’s time to get started on an adventure. The original adventure in the starter set for 5th Edition is available for free on Dndbeyond, Lost Mine of Phandelver. M.T. black has a great article of 20 free adventures that are highly rated on the Dungeon Masters Guild. Other great resources for free adventures include Adventure Awaits Studios and the donjon random adventure generator.  

    https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/lmop

    https://www.mtblackgames.com/blog/top-20-free-dnd-adventures

    https://www.adventuresawaitstudios.com/freeadventures

    https://donjon.bin.sh/fantasy/adventure/

    Free rule set? Check. Free character sheets? Check. Free dice roller? Check! If you have any free resources that you think should be added to the list please let me know!

    For more free resources check out my blog post “Essential Resources You Need To Know About.”

    Good luck with your next session, I believe in you! See you in the future.

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  • The Three Secret Weapons to Making Your D&D Party Unbeatable

    Every adventuring party has many roles that need to be filled. We all know about the tank, the glass canon, and the face. But I think these three are even more important to make sure everyone has a good time come gameday. Ideally, these jobs are done by someone other than the dungeon master. This way the DM can focus on running a great session instead of wrangling everyone’s schedule or keeping track of the party’s inventory.

    Adventurers, volunteer for these important positions during your next game session.

    The Snack Captain is in charge of food and drinks for the tabletop roleplaying session.

    Snack Captain

    Arguably the most important hero in the party besides the dungeon master is the one who brings the food and drinks. Light snacks of nuts or chips are great as well as organizing a whole meal like pizza or burgers. A snack break is a great way to provide a break in the session preventing burnout during longer sessions. Over time, this can be a creative endeavor with themed snacks or drinks that are tied into the game. Think fun drinks during a festival, fancy food served at a celebratory feast, or a holiday being celebrated. Don’t be afraid to tell the players to bring certain items for creative, or dietary, reasons.

    Schedule General

    Another important figure at the (virtual) table is the one who can schedule the sessions and herd the cats…I mean players to the table come game night. Do your game master a favor and put one of the players in charge of checking in with everyone about attending the next session. Make sure to establish the minimum number of players needed to run a game and stick to it. The time and energy saved can be put towards prepping an awesome session. Don’t underestimate the player’s investment that can be fostered by having them be in charge of scheduling.

    Noble Notetaker

    Having a player on the other side of the screen who takes notes can be immensely helpful over the course of a long-term campaign. Not only will it help the players remember key details but it can also keep everyone on the same page. Notes help prevent confusion and misunderstanding by helping everyone recall important details from previous sessions. Even better if they also track the party inventory. Having a notetaker in the adventuring party encourages player engagement because they will have to be actively listening and paying attention to the game. Do your dungeon master a favor and take some pressure off their shoulders. That way they can put their energy into running a great game.

    Players: volunteer for one of these esteemed positions at your next session.

    Dungeon Masters: send this article to your players and ask them to be in charge of the snacks next time.

    Let me know in the comments if you have any other important positions in your adventuring party.

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  • The Dungeon Master’s Handbook: Tips from February 2023

    Here are the top ten Dungeon/Game Master tips that I posted to various social media channels in February 2023. These tips are great for almost any TTRPG like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, or Worlds Without Number.

    • Instead of random one-shots, build one-shots that fill out a piece of the main campaign story as yet untold.
    • Don’t just call a battle over when it gets long. Have a plan to finish a battle early that makes sense in the story.
    • Inanimate objects that radiate death make great powerful bosses. You can’t stun a pillar!
    • We all make mistakes when running a D&D game. Relax and move on – we’ll all get better with every game we run.
    • Have players roll the recharges on monster powers so the others will blame someone other than you when Orcus kills them.
    • Watch your players’ reactions to the battle. Are they angry and stressed for the right reasons or the wrong ones?
    • Interesting villains might turn sides and become powerful allies. Leave open the possibility.
    • Whether to kill, capture, or release a defeated foe is always an easy and interesting choice to give players.
    • Don’t be afraid for a powerful monster to cast blasts on his own guys in order to hit a lot of players.
    • Just because all of your monsters are statistically the same doesn’t mean your players need to know that. Pretend one’s a boss.

    These tips are courtesy of Mike Shea at slyflourish.com.

    If you have any questions please leave them in the comments below. Cheers!

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  • The Dungeon Master’s Handbook: 5 Non-Prep Tips to Improve Your Game

    As a dungeon or game master how you prepare for a session can be very important. Taking care of yourself outside of game time can improve your performance as a DM. Here are five tips that can help you improve your game without requiring you to spend more time preparing for the session.

    Get A Good Nights Sleep

    There are many benefits to having a consistent sleep schedule and consistent sleep quality. Being well-rested can help improve your cognitive function (memory and creativity), improve emotional regulation (stressful and high-pressure situations), and provide increased resilience to stress and anxiety. Essentially, being well-rested can help you feel more emotionally prepared to face the challenges of being creative in high-pressure situations like a D&D session.

    Get An Hour of Movement In

    A regular amount of physical activity is shown to improve physical health, mental health, and cognitive function. Regular physical activity is known to improve cognitive functions like memory, attention, and processing speed. Improving your brain’s ability to process information and develop new ideas will not only help your sessions as a dungeon master but as a player too.

    Go Outside and Get Sunlight On Your Face

    Getting some sunlight on the face is good for your mental health as well as your physical performance. Not only will some sunlight exposure release serotonin (regulate emotions), but it also stimulates the production of Vitamin D which improves cognitive function, improves bone health, and supports the immune system. Another bonus is reduced fatigue from better sleep provided by regulating your body’s internal clock. 

    Eat Well Before, During, and After The Game

    Before the session, it is recommended to eat a balanced meal of carbs, protein, and healthy fats to provide the energy you need. A fruit, vegetable, and protein powder smoothie is a good example. However, too much sugar and caffeine can cause energy crashes and mental fatigue. During the session, snacks of nuts or fruit are easy to digest and provide a good source of energy. My favorite is apples and peanut butter or a good trail mix with chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and make sure everybody drinks enough water. Afterward, it is important to restore your spent energy with carbs, protein, and healthy fats. If you’re in person you could pretend to be at a fantasy inn with a meal of grilled salmon, roasted sweet potatoes, and green beans.

    Communicate With Your Players

    Keeping open communication channels with your players keeps them engaged with the game and invested in their characters. Open communication can improve player satisfaction by understanding and meeting their expectations of the game’s narrative, as well as mechanics. This will keep misunderstandings and conflicts to a minimum. Encouraging open communication can foster a collaborative and creative game experience. Creating a dynamic and engaging story that reflects all those involved will lead to more exciting games for everyone involved. What do your players want from their game? Ask them!

    These tips are simple and effective ways to make sure you are at your best when it comes to game time. Running games is a challenging and rewarding experience and by taking care of yourself you can ensure more memories for you and your players.

    Any questions, comments, or concerns can be left in the comments below.

    Good luck with your next session, I believe in you. See you in the future!

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