“The bear, falcon, and wolf are merely three of the totems a barbarian may revere. Every totem offers a small background as well as rage powers that fit the totem’s theme. And even their physical fetishes, the objects that focus their veneration, can bestow upon those worthy the primal magic of these creatures.” [from Part […]
All the Rage: Barbarian Totems (Part 2 of 2) (and A Margreve Preview) Read More »
Another man would have given up by now, but Goreg was no ordinary man. His blood pounded with rage-fueled adrenaline, and his nose twitched, catching the sour scent of retreating orc. Goreg bounded forward, his muscular legs driving him through the snow. Each step tore through ice and frost as he closed in on his
All the Rage: Barbarian Totems (Part 1 of 2) Read More »
Following on Courts of the Shadow Fey, its second adventure compatible with the 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game, Open Design is announcing a new D&D project launching immediately: the Lost City project. Leading the project is former Wizards of the Coast designer Logan Bonner, lead designer on Arcane Power and author of the
Logan Bonner to Lead Lost City 4th Edition Open Design Read More »
In the old days, giant killer scorpions didn’t throw lightning bolts and fireballs. They had to rely merely on bone-snapping pincers and flesh-melting venom. Pine for those simpler days of bloodshed no more! ___ Nature DC 15—Giant scorpions hunt at night, using their large claws to hold prey while injecting paralytic poison. They typically eat
What are reviewers saying about Kobold Guide to Game Design, Vol. 3 (print/PDF), Open Design’s source for game design? … As with the first two volumes, if you’re an aspiring pro this book is a must. If you’re a rules hacker like me, this stuff is solid gold. If you’re just an ordinary, run-of-the-mill gamemaster
Kobold Guide to Game Design, Vol. 3 Goes to Brazil and Back 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][Part4] ___ For the fifth installment, we leave the wilderness to explore a shadowy,
Inspiring Terrains: Alleyways (Part 5 of 5) Read More »
What are reviewers saying about Sunken Empires (print/PDF), Open Design’s source for exploring underwater civilizations for Pathfinder Roleplaying Game? It’s not so much a setting as it is a toolkit for building an underwater setting for your own game. It discusses Atlantis, Lemuria, and Mu as worldbuilding examples, and goes on to a walk-through of
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Born of malice and contempt from corrupted magic, this vile dragon scours the landscape, attempting to sate his unwavering hunger. General Xaldraxis is an ancient dragon commander, having survived since the dawn of man. With a temper forged in a violent age, he emerged victorious after defeating entire swaths of foul creatures, beasts, and monstrosities.
There’s a flip side to chronic injury. The same experiences that permanently wound adventurers also mold them into superior combatants. Even the most fumbled attack by a paragon-tier PC deals some damage. Below are several feats open to paragon tier characters that reflect this expertise. Ache of Wrath Prerequisite Cleric or Invoker Benefit If you
Dead Eyes and Battle Scars (Part 2 of 2) Read More »
Sometimes, Kobold Quarterly does silly things. This time, it’s Darren Calvert‘s fault. Well, his fault and also Canada‘s fault. Because it’s important to blame celebrate Canada on certain occasions, such as July 1, which is Canada Day. “This actually came out of the campaign I’m playing in… We spoke to an NPC who asked us
Our Dire and Native Beaver Read More »
“Encounter Codex” presents individual encounters that can be quickly slotted into any adventure. They are system neutral and easily adapted to any edition (and other games for that matter) with little effort—just add stats. ___ Patches of ochre fungi illuminate this yawning cavern with preternatural moonlight. A waterfall tumbles from a fissure in the high ceiling,
Encounter Codex: Shrine of the Primeval Toad Read More »
It’s really an excellent time to be a GM; companies are falling all over themselves catering to us. The recent releases of the Dungeon Master’s Guide 2 by Wizards of the Coast and the simultaneously retro and forward-thinking GameMastery Guide by Paizo are both excellent sources of advice and tools for running a game, full of
Review: Eureka! 501 Adventure Plots to Inspire Game Masters Read More »
Gleam shards are small splinters of the massive crystal found at the blurred edge between the Abyss and raw chaos. They are 3-ft.-long crystalline structures that shift their coloration every few seconds, hurting the eyes of witnesses as they do so. They are content to serve and die for other beings, as long as it
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 »
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
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