Gnolls are one of my all-time favorite monsters. From the blue box’s hyena-men, to the latest variations, these monsters have been hacking at parties for time immemorial. The following mini-ecology is system neutral, and it can inspire gamemasters and players to help cover the world with these beloved-yet-despised creatures. Feral hunter-scavengers, gnolls are demon-twisted humanoid […]
Gnasty Gnolls: Lore and Adventurers Read More »
We’ve civilized, mutated, and mashed our classic monsters into a fantasy paradox; they’re familiar yet new. On the horizon I have at least three more monster templates ahead that may well breathe new life into your old favorites, but I must confess that sometimes the best way to surprise your players isn’t to change the monster
Old Hat Monsters: The Encounter Read More »
Taylor presents us with a way to help you quickly establish a character’s background before you truly start playing the game. Take a look, and then jump in with your comments and examples in the comments field below! The party is gathering for the first time at a town square to witness the blessing of
Building Character: The Moment Before Read More »
In part 1 of the Shadow Knight, you gained information on adjusting the shadowdancer archetype in interesting ways. This time, K.C. provides you with spells and a feat. Umbral Weapon Imbuement School illusion (shadow); Level magus 2, sorcerer/wizard 3 Casting Time 1 standard action Components V Range personal Target you Duration 1 round/level (D) Saving
Shadow Knight (Shadowdancer Archetype, Part 2) Read More »
Within some shadowdancer training schools, an elite few develop a more martial focus to their abilities with the goal of becoming true warriors of the night. The shadow knight is an archetype of the shadowdancer prestige class.
Shadow Knight (Shadowdancer Archetype, Part 1) Read More »
Try to remember for a moment a more innocent time in your life. Back then, the thought of vampires and werewolves lurking in the dark might have sent a chill down your spine. These days, though, when people discuss shows such as The Walking Dead or Being Human, it’s not with the same sense of
Old Hat Monsters: Mashed Read More »
Welcome to the second part of the article that covers character backgrounds for GMs! You can read the first part here. This time, Brian discusses weaving together the backgrounds and more, so take a look. Interweaving the Backgrounds of the Party After you have carefully examined each character’s background, you can then interweave the elements—naturally
From Screenplay to RPG: Character Backgrounds (For the GMs) Read More »
Although many a roleplayer may bemoan the lack of women in our community, I’m here to tell you they are out there, waiting to be enticed by goblins, treasure, and adventures. On Friday, April 12th, I hosted the fifth monthly Queer Geek! Ladies’ Gaming Night in Seattle, Washington. Usually we all get together and play
Ladies’ Pathfinder Night: Many Adventures Ahead Read More »
When you get your players to develop detailed histories, they will see them as ways to explore their own characters, but you, as the GM, know what they really are: game generating fodder. When I’m writing a screenplay, I interweave my plot with the backgrounds of my characters. Often I find ways for the plot
From Screenplay to RPG: Character Backgrounds (For the GMs) Read More »
Last time, we went over a quick system for mutating your monsters so that they can provide a more unknown challenge for your player characters to face. Let’s take a look at a few examples, starting with the humble goblin. Goblins For starters, goblins are not CR 1. To get there, they need 2 player
Old Hat Monsters: Mutated (Part 2) Read More »
A good GM is one part entertainer and one part engineer. And, like a magician, you are only as good as your last trick. Players are like a savvy audience at a magic show—you aren’t going to wow them with the standard magic act. All too often, it seems like they’ve seen behind the curtain.
Old Hat Monsters: Mutated (Part 1) Read More »
In the first part of this series, Charles began exploring exorcism in the Pathfinder game and provided us with the cost of failure. In part 2, he took us into the commandments exorcists can use, as well as how to handle true names. This time, he provides you with some options that allies might have
Exorcism Enhanced, Part 3 Read More »
In the first part of this series, Charles began exploring exorcism in the Pathfinder game and provided us with the cost of failure. This time, he takes us into the commandments exorcists can use, as well as how to handle true names. Commandments Commandments are orders issued with special divine authority. Exorcists learn how to
Exorcism Enhanced, Part 2 Read More »
In stories, exorcisms are exciting events. In fantasy roleplaying games, exorcisms are usually glossed over. Pathfinder, for example, condenses exorcism into a single saving throw. But what if you want exorcisms to receive more attention and provide more opportunities for action? If you want to see this in your game, this blog series might be
Exorcism Enhanced, Part 1 Read More »
“Orcs again—yawn. Wake me up when it’s my turn.” We’ve all been there. No matter what level your players’ current characters are at, your players have seen it all. Like a perpetual arms race, you can frantically try to find new monsters to throw at their CR or make up new ones, but the fact
Old Hat Monsters: Reborn Read More »
Whether it is a few questions on an index card or a twenty-five page questionnaire, character backgrounds serve two important purposes in RPGs: For the characters they provide motivations and personality, and for GMs they provide ammunition for plot hooks, nonplayer characters, and campaign ideas. Why does Indiana Jones hunt for treasures? Why does Emperor
From Screenplay to RPG: Character Backgrounds (Part 1—For the Players) Read More »
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