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 »
The kobolds have cooked up a free preview of the Midgard Campaign Setting, and you can download it now in the Kobold Store. The Midgard Preview includes: “The Bloodtide” and “At the Sign of the World Serpent”, two new Midgard stories by Jeff Grubb and Wade Rockett Huginn, a new ravenfolk PC race including notable
Free Midgard Preview: New Huginn PC Race, Fiction by Jeff Grubb Read More »
Shivering from the cold, Gavin stared through his spyglass, looking over the cultist’s compound. They worshiped an ice demon, but that didn’t stop them from staying inside. Judging from the smoke that spiralled up from the chimney, the cultists were keeping themselves very warm. “Hypocrites,” Gavin spat. Gavin reached for one of his trail rations.
Trapsmith: Steamer Trap Read More »
All my favorite RPG settings are either apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic. Yours probably are, too. Is that a surprise? Take a moment to think about it. The most obvious footprint of the apocalypse is the ruins it left behind. When was the last time you saw an RPG campaign map that didn’t have a symbol for
Howling Tower: Apocalypse or Post-Apocalypse? Read More »
Once one of the chosen few of Lashmaraq of Hariz, Tekelnetiress the chitin drake fell afoul of one of that queen’s many purges. A valued personal aide and bodyguard, as well as a “Hammer” of Hariz, Tekelnetiress was responsible for overseeing the training and equipping of forces ultimately destined for the failed conquest of Khandiria.
Monster Monday: Tekelnetiress, the Sultana’s Pin Read More »
Imprecations—curses—are as old as recorded memory. They appeal to supernatural powers to inflict harm on a person or group. Practiced by many cultures, the curse usually involves crafting an effigy of the victim with clay, stuffed cloth, wax, or wood, and marking or painting to represent the target. Though malicious and spiteful evil magic, the
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