Trapsmiths try very hard to impede, disable, and destroy intruders, but sometimes, trapsmiths wish that tomb robbers would just destroy themselves. The undead druid known as the “Thing at the Soul of the Mire” (see Kobold Quarterly #3) was one of the first to develop the painful lure trap: a trap where intruders cause their […]
Trapsmith: Biological Warfare Read More »
I’m happy to announce that Tales of the Old Margreve has reached the commissioning goal and is moving into design! The project has strong direction from the supremely talented design duo of Tim and Eileen Connors—and the raw horsepower of a hundred sharp and crafty GMs and designers, including RPG Superstar semi-finalist Jim Groves and
Green Light:
Tales of the Margreve Commissioned Read More »
Tim Connors and the patrons have already brainstormed more than 50 forest monsters for Tales of the Old Margreve, and they are winnowing the list to the best dozen or so for use in the adventures. Just as a sample of how these are not exactly typical forest denizens, here’s the smallest of the monsters,
Monday Monster: Suturefly Read More »
A manifestation of twisted freedom and self-devouring depravity taken to their most horrific ends, the Abyss contains virtually uncountable numbers of fiends, perhaps bordering upon the infinite. But while its labyrinthine depths swim, choked by its fecund natives, its resident demons are not the only creatures hungering for blood and slaughter for their own sake.
Wayward Children of the Abyss (Part 1 of 5) Read More »
Continuing from last week’s lesser curse with more than 40 new minor curses: Loses all sense of hygiene Loses all sense of modesty Large warts (-1 charisma) Acquires a rare, but harmless, skin disease (-1 charisma) Drools constantly Stutters constantly Enlarged body part (e.g. ears, nose, chin, feet, hands) Becomes a pathological liar (will always
The Magic Circle: Lesser Curse (Part 2) Read More »
The Tales of the Old Margreve continues to gather patrons very quickly, and the brainstorms are gathering both amazing spells and monsters—plus a certain amount of silly fun. Frankly, there are so many rich forest myths and legends here that we can afford to choose just the very best, and develop them for both playability
Commission Status: Tales of the Old Margreve Read More »
Some trapsmiths believe in the tried and true “bigger is better” in trap design. However, some of the more offbeat trapsmiths prefer complexity in their designs. Many of these traps comprise multiple smaller traps, and the CR of each is determined separately. Stages should be treated as separate traps (e.g. requiring separate Perception checks). If
Bait & Switch: Well, I Didn’t See That Coming Read More »
In a clearing dominated by an enormous tree, a pair of large monkeys sat lazily on a branch until they noticed three men entering the clearing. They shrieked, and the men, seasoned warriors all, ignored the warning and approached the tree. The monkeys dropped to the ground and ran towards these new foes, who drew
Monday Monster: Flicker Monkey Read More »
With a fling of spittle and a forbidden gesture of the hand, the victim receives a subtle and annoying minor curse. Effects vary and are not terribly debilitating, but the effect on the superstitious and those in the public eye can be devastating. Everyone’s heard of “the gypsy curse” or the “evil eye.” Country folk
The Magic Circle: Lesser Curse (Part 1) Read More »
Some projects need time to grow slowly and flower into a display over months or years. Tales of the Old Margreve is not one of them; it has rocketed along toward a full commission status faster than any other project to date. While the project is not yet at a green light status, it is
Commission Status: Tales of the Old Margreve Read More »
The best kind of trap is a trap that can hide in plain sight, perhaps even be on display: Upon a blackwood table stands a glass cylinder with something inside. Two everburning torches set behind the cylinder cause the object contained in the cylinder to cast a long shadow across the room. The shadow twists
Trapsmith: Trapped Curio Read More »
Entangled is a condition that represents a creature dealing with something stuck or entwined around its limbs (if it has any) and body. An entangled creature takes a -2 penalty on attack rolls and a -4 penalty on Dexterity, can move at only half speed, and cannot charge or run. Sometimes, an entangled creature cannot
Ask the Kobold: Dealing with Entanglements Read More »
As the Open Design experiment has expanded and won critical and publishing success, a few people have clearly shown just how great collaborative adventure design can be. Tim and Eileen Connors are right at the top of the list, and I’m happy to announce that Open Design is commissioning a project that they will lead:
Tales of the Old Margreve Read More »
Every trapsmith knows that a trap is little more than a complicated piece of furniture or decoration until it springs to life and reminds people why no one comes down this way. That is why, over the years, many clever trapsmiths have found ways to bait their traps or even install traps into tempting targets
Bait & Switch: Tempting the Greedy Read More »
As soon as you lay eyes on this ancient crone, images of the deaths of all those you’ve loved and lost flood your mind. In these visions, you see the crone’s withered hand repeatedly lash out with an elongated pair of terrible shears to sever the gleaming, silver threads rising from your loved ones’ heads.
Monday Monsters: Atropos 13 Read More »
Adapted from Scott Murray’s “Spiked Pits, Poisoned Arrows, and Healing Words” from Kobold Quarterly #12. As discussed the previous article, traps can impede a party in more ways that just a poison arrow or a snare. Boon traps are generally magical devices that provide bonuses rather than penalties. They may not target adventurers intruding on
Boon Traps for Pathfinder RPG Read More »
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