Worldbuilding is simultaneously the most exciting and frustrating part of writing a D&D story. Not only are you creating a world of your own imaginings, but you must breathe life into it with the history, people, and towns that will all evolve as your players begin to influence it...and you are never fully done! There… Continue reading Worldbuilding for a Family Campaign
The Nukekubi is a cursed demon from Japanese folklore, whose head detaches from her body while she sleeps to wreak havoc around town-- from drinking the oil from lamps to the more extreme cases of attacking and sucking blood from its terrified victims. The head then flies home and re-attaches to the body before the… Continue reading Mind Your Head: The Nukekubi
There is a delicate balance between revealing enough detail and lore to give the game some realism, while at the same time leaving enough "unknowns" to entice them to keep exploring. For younger players especially, it also creates a sense of discovery and excitement when they uncover new secrets about the world! But be careful,… Continue reading Lore Drop: Less is More
I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. John Masefield, Sea Fever… Continue reading Seal Stories
Few things are as exciting to hear around the gaming table as those two simple words: "Roll Initiative!" It is the intake of breath before rushing forward, swords raised, the hearty laugh in the face of danger, the raucous battle cry as you leap into the great unknown, with either victory or doom awaiting you.… Continue reading Roll Initiative: Building Encounters for Kids
"For a fleeting moment, could one of the sleepers have seen him, they would have thought that they beheld an old weary hobbit, shrunken by the years that had carried him far beyond his time, beyond friends and kin, and the fields and streams of youth, an old starved pitiable thing.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers… Continue reading The Origin Story
The beginning a campaign can often be a bit rough around the edges-- the players are still feeling out their characters and you're all trying to find some sort of common thread to bind the fledgling band of adventurers together. This is where a Session Zero can come in handy! Think of it as a… Continue reading Session Zero
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph" Thomas Paine What is a classic tale? Most of us immediately think of a story in which the hero or protagonist must overcome a great challenge, some sort of conflict against an imposing villain or evil force, right? But what about stories that don't have that… Continue reading Is Conflict Necessary?
Hey there, Scribblers! In case you missed it at the end of Tools of the Trade, I wanted to share the Beginner's Character Sheet in a separate post, for easy access! As I mentioned before, this a simplified version of the 5e character sheet, perfect for new players! To be honest, I would have preferred something… Continue reading Scriv’s Scribbler’s Character Sheet!
One of my core philosophies is that the rules are meant to be adapted to your players and the unique story you wish to tell. I suppose this leads to my more flexible DM style, in which I will often bend the guidelines in the Player's Handbook and the Dungeon Master's Guide in favor of… Continue reading Workshop Notes: How to Avoid Metagaming
