Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you that I’m definitely not a reactionary type. I consider myself to be progressive about most things. But in some regards, I’m an unapologetic originalist. I almost always prefer the first recording of a song to the cover version, the original version of a movie to the […]
Howling Tower: World of Wonder Read More »
Shadow Magic and Clockwork Kings! The Crossroads region is the heart of Midgard. Here’s where you’ll find the alleys of Zobeck, the mighty dwarven cantons, the dark pathways of the Margreve forest, the undead principalities, and the subterranean empire of the ghouls. The Players Guide to the Crossroads has new options for those who seek adventure
Players Guide to the Crossroads Now Available Read More »
The world’s arctic region is both a place of great natural beauty and an inherently deadly environment. Freezing waters can turn blood to ice in mere minutes. Avalanches can bury entire parties, hiding their bodies forever under a mountainside’s worth of snow. As deadly as the arctic is, a wide variety of monsters call it
Blood-Stained Ice: Monsters of the Arctic Read More »
Designer Margherita provides us with another look at the shaman class this week by taking us along the garden path of plant shamans. Those who call upon plants as their allies should not be underestimated. Plant Shaman The plant shaman is a solitary, strange figure gifted with unusual powers linked to the vegetable world.
The Many Spirits of the Shaman: Archetypes for the Shaman Class (Part 2) Read More »
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
Lamia Adventurers (Part 2) Read More »
Gavin carefully handled the two porcelain dolls he had ordered. Both carried the visage of Dargon, the foolish mage who had reneged on their deal. Gavin had secured the mage’s tower with several contraptions and then the mage had decided that the secret of those contraptions should be kept by only one person. Gavin had
Trapsmith: Cuts and Dust Read More »
“The unknown” has a hypnotic lure. If you’re anything like me, then you started exploring the dark recesses of the closet the moment you were old enough to switch on a flashlight. After the closet came the basement, the attic, the garage, neighbors’ yards, the woods down the hill, and eventually the storm drains that
Howling Tower: Lure of the Unknown Read More »
Your adventuring party runs across a creature in a random encounter. How does the creature act? Is it aggressive? Protecting its young? Is it hungry? Most encounters simply assume the creature is a minor speed bump in the party’s day. An easy way to give the encounter a bit more depth quickly is to determine
Monstrous Mindsets Read More »
Again, the woman stood in front of the dhampir, her wooden armor beautifully carved with fish and flower motifs. Her blonde hair danced as she shook her head at him. “I told you,” the dhampir said to her. “I’m not changed.” “So you say,” she answered. “And I can see what you’re doing. I can’t
The Many Spirits of the Shaman: Archetypes for the Shaman Class (Part 1) Read More »
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
“Praise the knight, for he is a metal-clad pillar of strength.” Gavin didn’t know why he recalled that particular street preacher’ sermon as he sped through the narrow alley. It was oddly appropriate because the paladin did prove to be relentless in his pursuit. The clanking of metal armor stayed with him, even though Gavin
Trapsmith: Noxious Branding Trap Read More »
How often have you heard the phrase, “It’s a great place to visit but I’d hate to live there?” When designing a fictional world, you’re actually aiming for the opposite reaction: “It’s a terrible place to visit, but I’d love to live there.” Your world is a terrible place to visit because it’s falling apart
Howling Tower: A Terrible Place to Visit Read More »
Bursting from the infernal depths in a cloud of fire and brimstone comes Kobold Quarterly’s Fall 2012 issue! Either this is the promised “demons and devils” issue, or the magazine is being guest-edited by Ronnie James Dio. This issue is packed with Stygian foes, diabolical adventure, cannibal demon apes, soul-sundering artifacts and evil chocolatiers. Kobold Quarterly #
Kobold Quarterly 23 Now Available Read More »
For most adventurers, treasure is the greatest lure and reward of their profession. Powerful weapons, potent magic talismans, and several lifetimes’ worth of gold are strong incentives for many to take up the lifestyle. The malforged are living examples of the adventuring occupation’s dangers. These former adventurers have had their dreams of riches turned into
Monster Monday: The Malforged Read More »
Part of the Popular Culture and Philosophy Series, Dungeons & Dragons and Philosophy: Raiding the Temple of Wisdom attempts to apply the cerebral and lofty concepts and theories of philosophy to an iconic roleplaying game. A review by David Gerding says that there is a chance that you’ll dig this book. I think he should
Book Review: Dungeons & Dragons and Philosophy: Raiding the Temple of Wisdom Read More »
Wizards with the power to assume bestial forms or turn their enemies into harmless creatures are an iconic part of the fantasy genre. Although these powers may seem benign, those who specialize in transmutation magic have little regard for the personal rights of others. Most transmutation spells invasively alter fundamental aspects of their targets, making
Transmutation: New Spells Read More »
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