One of my favorite things about writing a D&D adventure is the opportunity to create a plethora of NPCs for my players to interact with. They are the primary conduit for helping the party learn about the world around them and communicate vital story elements. NPCs are also a fantastic tool for introducing players (young… Continue reading Creating Diverse NPCs
"Abominable! Can you believe that? Do I look abominable to you? Why can't they call me the Adorable Snowman or...or the Agreeable Snowman, for crying out loud? I'm a nice guy!" ~ The Yeti, Monsters Inc. Historically thought to be fearsome, dangerous, and well...abominable, the Yeti is one of the more misinterpreted creatures of folklore.… Continue reading “Welcome to the Himalayas!”: Discovering the Abominable Snowman
You've done your worldbuilding, whipped up the perfect antagonist, and helped your players through their backstory elements...now you're a week away from your session and you have to determine what is, to some, the most crucial part of any D&D game: The Story Hook! Having compelling Story Hooks is key for campaigns and one-shots alike.… Continue reading 5 Things To Remember When Crafting RPG Story Hooks
Combat is, for many D&D players, the most exciting aspect of the game. It is where the adventurers can test the limits of their curated abilities and become heroes of renown. Capturing these heroics while sitting around a table can be a challenge. There are several tools available to us-- grids and miniatures, tokens and… Continue reading Workshop Notes: Theater of the Mind
Long ago, our ancestors fostered a close connection to the natural world, honoring the spirits of nature as guardians and stewards of the earth that sustained them. Although this practice has dwindled over the years, remnants of the spirits remain and can be found all over the world, continuing to anchor local communities to the… Continue reading Eternal Guardians: Nature Spirits
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
