By Marc Radle Jun 14, 2019 | Articles, Warlock's Apprentice |
Magical staves are among the most sought-after magic items for many spellcasters. In Midgard, there are a number of unique magical staves, many with rich histories and lore. Spell Sources: While many magical staff spells are found in the SRD, those marked with an asterisk (*) appear in the Midgard Heroes Handbook. Crystal Staff Staff, very rare (requires attunement by a sorcerer, warlock, or wizard) A staff carved from a single piece of solid...
By Marc Radle Feb 6, 2018 | Articles |
I first became aware of William O’Connor back in the 90s when I was working with Last Unicorn Games. Bill did some amazing interior illustrations for Last Unicorn’s Aria: Canticle of the Monomyth RPG. I was not at all surprised when I started seeing his incredible art in D&D books, both interior and covers. He did the cover for the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000) for example. He also did work on Legend of the Five Rings, Ars...
By Marc Radle Jun 28, 2017 | Announcements, Articles |
New Paths Compendium Kickstarter An updated, reorganized, much expanded, full color, hardcover version of the New Paths Compendium has been a long time coming. Brand new classes, archetypes, feats, and spells. And here’s the Kickstarter for it! It started from humble enough beginnings. Way back in 2009, the spell-less ranger appeared in Kobold Quarterly #11, and to my surprise and delight, the class was well received. This was followed by...
By Marc Radle Jul 31, 2015 | Articles, Front Page, interview, Midgard, Southlands |
Yesterday, we posted the first part of a two-part interview with Anna Meyer, who created some gorgeous maps for the Southlands Campaign Setting! You can read about (and see) her process in the second part of this interview. What were some of your highlights working on the Southlands maps? The biggest thrill with a project like Southlands is to be part of a great team creating something together! To be inspired by the others’ great creativity...
By Marc Radle Jul 29, 2015 | Articles, Front Page, interview, Midgard, Southlands |
As part of the production work involved with the Southlands project, Anna Meyer created some excellent maps! You can read about (and see) her process in this two-part interview! When did you decide to become a cartographer, and why did you make this choice? I’ve always had a fondness for maps since I was a kid, and it was one many aspects that made me interested in RPGs in the first place. Cartography specializing in fictional worlds...
By Marc Radle Jul 24, 2015 | Articles, Front Page, interview, Southlands |
Southlands is an exciting new campaign sourcebook for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, featuring stunning art, maps, and adventure hooks. We asked Southlands artist Fred Fields to walk us through the creation of the title page art… You created a beautiful new piece for the Southlands book. Can you talk a little about your working process in general and how you approached this piece specifically? Also, I have it on good authority that a...
By Marc Radle Jul 16, 2015 | Articles, Front Page |
How many people know that Shippensburg University, here in my home state of Pennsylvania, held week-long D&D camps every summer during the mid-eighties? That’s right, a summer camp for D&D! Instead of basket weaving and archery, you played Dungeons & Dragons … all week. It was a lot of fun (I attended the last two years, and my best friend went the last three years). You stayed in the dorms, ate breakfast and lunch in the...
By Marc Radle Jul 10, 2015 | Articles, Front Page |
When I’m working on something, I typically write on the computer, then print out a draft, which I put into a zippered, 3-hole binder that I carry around, read over, and mark up. I then implement those changes into the file, print out a new draft, which goes into my cool zippered, 3-hole binder that I carry around, read over and mark up … well, you get the idea. When I’m in one of my “mark up the draft” phases, I...
By Marc Radle Oct 14, 2014 | Articles, Front Page |
We have another exciting goal for you to join in on for the Southlands Kickstarter: dice! Come learn more about this goal through Marc Radle’s eyes (and words). Like pretty much everyone who plays table top RPGs, I love dice. I mean, I really love dice! OK, I guess the truth is, I’m a full-blown, grade A, no apologies, Dice Geek! When I was a kid, I had a big ol’ ratty yellow dice bag filled with my random collection of...
By Marc Radle Sep 10, 2013 | Articles, Front Page |
The White Necromancer is all my son’s fault! You see, my son plays in our weekly Pathfinder games and (says the proud father) is an extremely good, knowledgeable player. In fact, I often bounce ideas off him when I am working on freelance projects. But, I digress …. My son was really intrigued with the idea of playing a necromancer character. He liked the idea of undead minions doing his bidding, fighting for him, and so on. As we...
By Marc Radle Jun 17, 2013 | Articles, Front Page |
Working as art director on the Deep Magic project is a blast! In particular, working with cover artist Marcel Mercado was a creative delight, and I am THRILLED with what he came up with. Initially, my direction to Marcel for the cover basically focused on Midgard magic (blood magic, rune magic, shadow magic, and geomancy). I also stressed that I wanted a bright, colorful cover image that is lively, dynamic, and full of action. I noted that a...
By Marc Radle Nov 8, 2012 | Articles, Front Page |
In part 1, Marc Radle explored character class suggestions for lamia adventurers. Then, in part 2, he provided us with favored class options and alternative racial traits. Now he presents the Serpent Blade for use in your game. To learn more about lamias, be sure to also check out Kobold Quarterly 23. Serpent Blade Serpent blades take full advantage of the lamia propensity for fighting with two swords. They move with a hypnotic grace unmatched...
By Marc Radle Nov 1, 2012 | Articles, Front Page |
Last week, Marc Radle explored character class suggestions for lamia adventurers. This week, he provides us with favored class options and alternative racial traits. To learn more about lamias, be sure to also check out Kobold Quarterly 23. Favored Class Options Instead of receiving an additional skill rank or hit point whenever they gain a level in a favored class, lamia have the option of choosing from a number of other bonuses, depending...
By Marc Radle Oct 25, 2012 | Articles, Front Page |
Lamia adventurers are extremely rare and are almost exclusively made up of those outcast lamia commoners who have struck out on their own or escaped the wickedness of their brethren. Because most lamia practice at least some form of magic, many lamia adventurers are spellcasters, with sorcerers, oracles, witches, and druids being by far the most common. Lamia who are more combat-oriented tend toward fighters or rangers, in many cases...
By Marc Radle Apr 19, 2012 | Articles, Front Page |
It’s all the oracle’s fault. I’ve been playing a half-orc oracle of stone in one of our bi-weekly campaigns, and I’m having a blast. He is great fun to play. His various class features make him useful in lots of situations, and I’ve found I really like playing a spontaneous caster. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve played and enjoyed TONS of prepared casters, going all the way back to 1st Edition AD&D magic-users in the late 70s and early 80s. Having...
