Q: Does a suggestion spell leave the subject any way to evade the spell’s effect? Once the subject fails the save, the spell works continuously and the subject seems to have little recourse. In a recent session, a player character gave an opponent (an active combatant in an encounter) a suggestion to “stand still and […]
Ask the Kobold: New Saves and Line of Effect Read More »
Dwarves are not all hammers, shields, and axes. They possess a strong—some would say almost divine—connection to earth and stone. Wielders of ancient magic, dwarf spellcasters manipulate stone as if it were clay, and their rituals reflect this. Chasm to the Abyss and Seal the Ways protect the halls from beasts and creatures crawling up
Ritual Life: Stone Communion Read More »
Trapsmiths only take two levels of security into consideration while working on a project: adequate and excessive. Experienced rogues can attest that “excessive” is the most common level of security. Collapsing Corridor Trap (CR 14) Two adamantine doors seal off a long corridor. The adamantine doors are locked and barred (hardness 20; 80 hp; break
Trapsmith: Collapsing Corridors Read More »
The new issue of Kobold Quarterly is now available, in PDF and print. It is by far the greenest cover we have ever done. The articles provide a crazed selection of material from across the spectrum: new classes, an ecology of the shoggoth, encounter tips and tricks, a whole mini-adventure. Dark, humorous, and wildly original,
A Rite of Spring: Kobold Quarterly #13 Ships Read More »
“It’s gonna be a good haul this year!” Morant shouted to his partner as he clubbed another seal to death, blood spilling to the snowy ground below. “Yeah, they’re plentiful this…” Morant’s partner’s response became a scream as one of the seals unhinged its jaws and then chomped down on the man’s arm, severing it.
And though we hide within the very depths of this plane, fearful for the revenge of both our enemies, their spawn, and our own kind, brooding and waiting, we have seeded the depths with children of our own, and it is they who will prepare the way for us. —Hymn of Sanguine Harmony, keketar protean
Wayward Children of the Abyss (Part 4 of 5) Read More »
Over the river and through the Margreve… Another patron project very recently got the green light: Tales of the Old Margreve. This anthology-to-be, guided by the capable hands of Tim Connors, features an eerie series of adventures set in a distinctly Old World, fairy tale inspired package right in the city of Zobeck’s backyard. So
Behind the Curtain: Tales of the Old Margreve Read More »
I’m licking my chops and looking forward to NorWesCon this weekend (obligatory con schedule link). Partly, I love it because it’s always a good show for both gamers and non-gamers. It’s heavy on costuming (my daughter’s take was “Look at all the princesses!” last year). Partly, I’m looking forward to it because the gaming track
When Worlds Collide Read More »
“The Last Map of the Cartomancer” presents a series of magical maps introduced through the escapades of Lan Su’Vavock and Kai Geyser, two sages on the trail of interconnected clues left behind by an ancient cartographer of legend. [Part 1] ___ “Well, we always knew this day would come. Like those who went searching before
The Last Map of the Cartomancer (Part 2 of 5) Read More »
Sir Dryw knew something was wrong when the duergar team halted midway through their charge. The leader held up a mailed hand and snarled something in their strange tongue. Sir Dryw shook his sword and shield. The wizard behind him started to say something but fell silent when the duergar turned tail and ran. “Do
Every so often at Open Design, we send out review copies. At the moment, we have an excellent spring lineup coming along, and I’d like to add some reviewers who have already published reviews of RPG books or magazines. If you qualify and you’re interested, contact me with your information. Send in the following: Your
Call for Reviewers Read More »
Very soon, I sense there will be some very wet PCs! Why? Because hot on the heels of the Open Design/Paizo joint project From Shore to Sea is the sourcebook Sunken Empires. Uncover the secrets of Lost Azlant with the first and tailor your own underwater world and characters with the second. Well, we want
Behind the Curtain: Sunken Empires Read More »
Ancient tomes speak of an age when magic was feral, where magic-users wielded nearly unimaginable and insurmountable power—provided they survived their first forays into spellcasting. One such power was that of disjunction, or the separation of magic into its most base elements. While this ability was harmless on its own—and, in fact, valuable to early
Hump Day Hazard: Disjunction Decay Read More »
This is a well of souls, built by fell religions as a prison for their failures, heretics, or worse. A place where Good dies and is reduced to a form of currency. A well of souls is a place where many traps come together. Four stairways lead down to a well of sorts. A greyish
Trapsmith: The Well of Souls Read More »
Steggar stayed behind while his fellow hunters returned to the village. Despite their warnings about the dangers in the swamp, Steggar knew he must return successfully from the hunt or face dishonor from the elders. As he thought about how he’d rather die than return empty-handed, he suddenly found himself knocked off his feet, face
Monday Monster: Swamp Drake Read More »
Smoldering Host of the Risen “This is not what we had planned to create,” sighed the Archdaemon of Wasting. “This is not what I wanted.” “Can you call it a failure?” Her consort and servitor asked in return with a wry expression of pride. “Yes Trelmarixian, I do.” The reply dripped with a curious mixture
Wayward Children of the Abyss (Part 3) Read More »
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