Here are some ideas on how to rope players into creating shared backstories that add a level of complexity. While players often use group backstory to offer a quick explanation for shared events or why individuals might be accompanying each other in the first place, players and GMs often overlook introducing the complex social and […]
Musings from an Empty Tankard: Sibling Rivalry Read More »
Sailing the Void When the war ended and the gods stood victorious over the body of their progenitor, Aurgelmir, the final breath of the first giant drifted into the Void. As the breath reflected from the planes and danced among the leaves of the World Tree, it fractured into long, flowing currents between various locations,
Warlock’s Apprentice: Voidships Read More »
Oath of the Hospitaller This oath is dedicated not to glory or epic quests but to humility and charity. Often the most forsaken people in communities are the sick and infirm, and those who take this oath swear to tend to them, even to their own detriment. Bearing affliction and injury with stoic fortitude, leper
Deep Magic: Oath of the Hospitaller Read More »
Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Persuasion. Tool Proficiencies: Cook’s utensils. Equipment: Cook’s utensils, a letter of recommendation from a famous patron, a set of traveler’s clothes, and a pouch containing 15 gp. Culinary Training Chefs are employed in every town, city, and village. Every chef learned their trade in one or more establishments, and this often influences
Bards with Class: Chef Background Read More »
When teaching a TTRPG to new players, their only prior experience may be with roleplaying video games. You can build on these experiences, but you also must deal with some of the expectations based on the limitations of video games. Such players will have some experience playing as different characters, but in most video games,
Introducing Players to Roleplaying Games: TTRPGs vs. Video Games Read More »
Kennings Related to Weather and Places “Ancestor’s watch”—a stone circle. “Boreas’s burning”—snow blindness. “Elf-glory”—the sun. “Feather’s fall”—falling snow. “Frozen road”—ice-covered river. “Green clearing”—shaman’s gathering place. “Northern kiss”—cold wind. “River-bone”—rock. “Ship of night”—the moon. “Sky’s black cloak”—nightfall. “Swan-road”—the sea. “Thor’s laughter”—thunder. “Whale-way”—the sea. “Weather of wolves”—harsh winter (can also allude to the end times, or “Fenris’s
89 Colorful Kennings Read More »
Tavern Name Generator (Roll Twice) 1d20 Name Part One Name Part Two 1 The Spicy Boar 2 The Giant Owlbear 3 The Sleepy Hammer 4 The Cozy Wineskin 5 The Pink Cookpot 6 The Black Cockatrice 7 The Curious Spoon 8 The Bloated Cask 9 The Holy Cellar 10 The Pitted Nightingale 11 The Golden
Dungeon Tables: Tavern Generator Read More »
Climber. The dogmole lives underground in chasms of stone. It has a climb speed of 20 feet. The dogmole loses its burrowing speed and Burrow trait. Frightful Roar (Recharge 5–6). The dogmole juggernaut bellows in pain and rage at its tormented existence. Each creature within 20 feet of the dogmole that can hear the roar
Tome Unleashed: Dogmole Read More »
Leaders, Organization, and Goals The Children of Typhon are fractured into two distinct sects, each with its own power structure, leaders, and means of operation. They are both united in the purpose of releasing Typhon from his imprisonment. Despite this, they are also rivals, constantly competing with one another. Each sect wants the prestige of
Children of Typhon: A New Cult and Its Leader Read More »
Options for Cultists The core game presents a couple NPC stat blocks geared toward cult activities. The cultist (CR 1/8)is your basic adherent—a commoner with some skill at half-truths, some knowledge of holy books and perhaps more courage than common sense. The cult fanatic (CR 2) is a 4th-level cleric with a silver tongue, multiple
Bigger Bads: Cult NPCs Read More »
BITING ARMOR Conjuration Cantrip | Cleric, DruidCasting Time: 1 actionRange: 60 ft.Components: V, SDuration: Concentration, up to 1 minute A cantrip created by a saint associated with a deity of cannibalism and hunger, biting armor causes a fanged mouth to appear on a piece of worn armor or clothing. The target is bitten and must
Deep Magic: Spells of the Saints, Part 2 Read More »
While parasitic symbionts afflict their hosts with adverse side effects, most hosts believe the benefits outweigh this. Sometimes such hosts band together to form secret cults based on their common infestation. These cults are often interested in prolonging the life of their parasites, acquiring more parasites, or even spreading parasites to others. Such groups might
Musings from an Empty Tankard: Parasitic Symbionts Read More »
Let’s look at spells that can be used to build up a village and enhance, or curse, the production of a landlord’s fields. Bountiful Lands 5th-Level Transmutation | Bard, Cleric, Druid, Ranger, WizardCasting Time: 1 hourRange: TouchComponents: V, S, M (an apple covered in honey)Duration: 1 year You enhance a patch of land up to
Arcane Adventures: Land’s Labors Read More »
Pestilence embodies the diseases and vermin that plague civilization—viewed as “bad air,” divine punishments, curses, or even demons lurking within the body to corrupt it from within. Deities with this domain may be both healers and killers, striking the unworthy with afflictions while blessing their flock with health. Deities of any alignment may claim this
Deep Magic: Pestilence Domain Read More »
New Equipment Secret Ingredients. An herb, spice, or other flavor used to improve aroma, taste, texture, or presentation. Secret ingredients grant a minor non-magical bonus to bardic abilities. Each seasoning also lists other ingredients you can use in place of the listed ingredient. Secret ingredients are intended to be collected in play, though you can
Bards with Class: New Equipment & Magic Items Read More »
For those who call the Southlands home, their survival isn’t just threatened by a brutal desert environment that sprawls across much of its 2,000-mile expanse. They must also contend with vile demonic cults, cursed tombs, and living gods exerting their wills upon them—and that’s just for starters. To be a cleric in the Southlands means
Playing a Southlands Cleric Read More »
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