The following character concept uses rules compatible with the fifth edition of D&D. Enjoy traveling the planes with a bard from the College of Gates! Bards are consummate wanderers. Where wizards and clerics might spend their lives seeking wisdom or knowledge in the halls of learning or in meditation, a bard knows you have to […]
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The mahamba is a freshwater cousin of the mosasaur, a large prehistoric marine reptile. The mahamba can reach a length of 50 feet. The aboriginals simply call it Nkoli and sometimes compare this terror to the nguna-monene, a sizeable lizard-like monster, even if the creatures are quite different. Although overly voracious, this cunning aquatic monstrosity
Monster Monday: Mahamba Read More »
Cartography by Meshon Cantrill The mountains are the border between our kingdom and the realm of the fire giants. Look far eastward—see how the peaks turn black? Their forges must burn night and day to mark the mountains so. Some mornings, sunrise dims from the smoke and soot. Long have we watched the pass and
Prepared!: The Burning Crater Read More »
Living caves might have some interesting and somewhat permanent odd features in them. You can roll randomly for a result below, or use the handy number provided with each entry to figure out your result on a d12. You can also pick the one that works for the area in which your characters currently linger.
Collection of Curiosities: In the Stalagmite Read More »
The Impundulu, more commonly known as a lightning bird, is an avian with an insatiable thirst for blood, and many witches do not hesitate to offer a small amount of their lifeblood to control one. The lightning bird’s fat possesses incredible properties. A spellcaster can substitute the material components and focus of any spell having
Monster Monday: Lightning Bird Read More »
In the cool streets and blazing bazaars, the word is out: a great treasure has gone missing in the Everlasting City of the Cat, and some very ambitious people have set their sights on it. Many paws and claws are out, and everyone is sniffing around for something rich and strange. It’s an odd time
Let’s Play a Game of Cat and Mouse, Shall We? Read More »
The elves and elfmarked of Dornig have an affinity for felines, yet are wary of them all the same. House cats, especially mousers, are preferred. But exceptional felines serve as familiars and animal companions. Leopards, panthers, and catamounts are admired for their agility and stalking prowess. The noble lion occupies a place of honor upon
Grand Duchy: Exotic Felines of the Domain Read More »
Sometimes people and other things are hidden away and forgotten in oubliettes. What might adventurers discover when they find these spots? You can roll randomly for a result below, or use the handy number provided with each entry to figure out your result on a d12. You can also pick the one that works for
Collection of Curiosities: The Oubliette Read More »
“Now I know the fiendish fable That the golden glitter bore; Now I shun the spangled sable That I watch’d and lov’d before; But the horror, set and stable, Haunts my soul for evermore.” —from “Astrophobos” by H.P. Lovecraft When fearless leader Wolfgang Baur commissioned me for an article on “character tropes and exemplars” I
Pulp Archetypes: Dread Laureate Read More »
As soon as this yellow-bellied sea snake emerges from the river, it releases an ear-splitting yell. Ilomba    CR 5 XP 1,600 Any evil alignment (same as proprietor) Medium Construct    Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; low-light vision, scent; Perception +13 Defense    AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +3 natural)   Â
Monster Monday: Ilomba Read More »
The story of the princess and frog is one of the better-known tales, but the version the Grimm Brothers recorded is much different than the one commonly told. In their version, the princess is a spoiled brat who has to be constantly reproved into keeping her promises, and there is no mention of the famous
Grimm Tales: The Frog King or Iron Henry Read More »
Many cultures exist across the broad and varied landscape of the Southlands, from the god-kings of Nuria Natal to the demon sorcerers of Kush, to the Ankole Priests of Terrotu or the War Diviners of Morreg. With so many civilizations to choose from, we decided to give you a smattering of magical offerings from several
Southlands Magic: A Preview Read More »
In this fifth edition adventure, the trollkin and their shaman have come to a village by the sea, stormed its walls, and taken all the villagers as slaves and property. They have eaten their way through the saltfish, devoured the herd of sheep, and might be planning to eat the PCs next. Then, one escaped
The Raven Calls You…Will You Answer? Read More »
Stained glass windows come in a variety of forms and can feature amazingly gorgeous and evocative art. But not all of them are as they appear! Each of these windows have an added bit of artistic merit or can be of some use in helping characters figure out something. You can roll randomly for a
Collection of Curiosities: More Than Mere Stained Glass Windows Read More »
Cartography by Meshon Cantrill We were traveling the old trade road up near the Blind Hills when we found it: an overturned wagon in the ditch. Evas took to the shadows, scouted ahead, and returned with strange details. The wagon had been transformed—such that it appeared to be a fierce fortress. Signs of goblin-work were
Prepared!: The Impregnable Fortress of Dib Read More »
An amazingly beautiful woman with flowing dark hair leisurely walks knee-deep in the river’s muddy waters wearing a diaphanous dress that reveals her slender form. Her body is nearly transparent underneath. An el naddaha is the daughter born from the rare union between a nereid and a janni. Although such offspring retains many characteristics of
Monster Monday: El Naddaha Read More »
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