By paragon tier, PCs have made it out of the neophyte stage and are professional adventurers. They walk with a confident strut, and their words carry the weight of experience. However, one thing always gives away an accomplished adventurer: the numerous scars. In fantasy games, wounds are often a transitory condition, represented through the abstract […]
Dead Eyes and Battle Scars (Part 1 of 2) Read More »
As one of the freebies we like to do around here, the latest Kobold Courier has gone out! You should find it in your mailbox, if you are a KQ subscriber or an Open Design patron. This is #4 of the intermittent series, and includes news on RPGs, some background on the new 10’x10′ Toon
Courier On His Way Read More »
With all the talk of epublishing in general, I figured it was time that clever kobolds figured out the Kindle. I’m happy to say that as of today, all three Kobold Guides to Game Design are available from Amazon. Better yet, if you have a Kindle, you can pick them up for the Kindle-standard price
Kobold on the Kindle Read More »
We’re recovering from the convention, sorting out cardboard boxes, new subscribers, and shoveling through inboxes. And I’m thrilled we went—it was a great convention in so many ways and we’ll definitely do it again next year! I just want to share three highlights with you, and a couple more shaky-cam pictures, behind the jump.
PaizoCon In A Nutshell Read More »
Colored in various shades of gray, mauve, and olive, this fungal nightmare resembles a towering gargoyle or demon with many horn-like growths sprouting from its body to form vicious teeth and claws. Mold devils are sinister and twisted plant creatures that inhabit dense forests, waterlogged swamps, and large underground mushroom patches. While its normal form
For a long time, I thought the late Frank Frazetta’s paintings were the final word when it came to fantasy art. Ok, part of me still does (if you have a better polar warrior than this one, prove me wrong!). So what I’m saying is that when designer Dan Voyce said it was time to
Valhalla, I Am Coming: Frozen Empires Patron Project Read More »
The first day of PaizoCon 2010 is in the history books, and the kobold crew has to say: We like this convention. Friendly, small, well-run. Also, full of chatty people who like the Open Design projects and the magazine. We should totally do this every year. Oh yeah, we do; lucky us! If you’re at
PaizoCon Report #3: Après the Deluge Read More »
So the setup is complete, and either we are ready or we’re woefully unprepared, but the time has come for the small horde to descend on the dealer room. Super Genius Games and Hero Labs share the space with us and Paizo. We’re releasing the print edition of the Kobold Guide to Game Design today,
PaizoCon Report #2: A Booth in the Great North Woods Read More »
Amethyst: Foundations is a cross-genre roleplaying game supplement published by Dias Ex Machina and Goodman Games. It is set in a version of Earth where technology-disrupting magic has returned to a world where humans struggle to survive the fall of their civilizations. The game is based on the 4th Edition of the Dungeons & Dragons
Ars Apocalyptica Magica: A Review of the Amethyst RPG Read More »
Ok, there’s only so much excitement one can have about setting up a booth at a convention, but we’re pretty much pushing the limit. Wolfgang, Shelly, Scott, Anne, Sigfried, and Adam will all be staffing the booth for a while, and Brandon Hodge may do a signing of From Shore to Sea and Sunken Empires
PaizoCon Report #1: the Booth-ening Read More »
Do you want the ability to “juice the combat”? Do you want a mechanic to smooth over the rough spots, increase PC interaction with the game world, and avoid the occasional character death? Here you go! These five variants on the action point rules—fate points, hero points, kickers, player biscuits, and short takes—are ready for
5 Action Point Variants Read More »
“Inspiring Terrains” looks at encounters—fundamental building blocks that bring together PCs, conflict, and environment. With a little inspiration and a few mechanical bits, it’s easy to make the terrain in an encounter just as memorable as the foes. [Part 1][Part 2][Part 3] ___ For the fourth installment, we endure the stinging winds of the preternaturally
Inspiring Terrains: Playas (Part 4 of 5) Read More »
Power. Few mortals can resist its lure, yet power is ever elusive. Those who’ve grasped it always seem to lose it eventually. Trapsmiths, on the other hand, do not grab power; they trap it. The Orb of Champions (Trap CR 7) In the middle of a perfectly circular room, a marble pedestal stands 3 ft.
Trapsmith: Power Grab Read More »
This doglike predator is covered in a jigsaw of thick brown scars. Three razored tusks jut from its lower jaw. With an ungodly thunder crack, the creature shreds itself into two identical beasts, each swiftly loping forward to encircle its prey. Then each beast divides again… The homely splicer beast can tear itself into duplicates,
What are reviewers saying about Imperial Gazetteer, Open Design’s source for the legions of the dead in Zobeck for Pathfinder Roleplaying Game? … authors Wolfgang Baur and Scott Gable go to great lengths to give each faction within the empire a face, detailing many specific undead nobles’ and generals’ personalities and motivations. I also liked
Imperial Gazetteer Makes Undead More Playable Read More »
What are reviewers saying about Monster Chronicles: The Inevitable? … the text details a rather interesting origin story of the first inevitable, Zurvan, the Iron Angel… … also somehow manages to squeeze in information about the more common inevitables (the kolyarut, marut and zelekhut) and some examples of unique or named inevitables (all of which
Monster Chronicles and Crazed Machine Cults Read More »
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