Author: Ameron (Derek Myers)

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DM Resources

Yawning Portal

a-to-z-letters-yHow many times has your adventure begun in a tavern? Too many, I’m guessing. It’s one of the most overused settings in D&D and the go-to locale for lazy DMs who need a quick way to get the PCs on the path to adventure.

There’s a reason that so many adventures begin in a tavern – it works. After all, the PCs are usually of different races and have varying backgrounds so where else would this rag-tag, miss-match bunch of people ever meet other than in the tavern? The only other place that comes to mind is a prison cell, but beginning an adventure in prison forces a blemish on every PC that the players may not agree with so the tavern returns to the top of the list.

Despite having a good reason to begin an adventure in the tavern, the very idea of beginning another adventure in the tavern drives me crazy. But I’ve come to realize that it’s not the idea of the tavern as much as that fact that it’s a non-descript tavern. If the DM feels its necessary to start things in the tavern I think it’s his responsibility to make it more than just four walls, some tables, and a bar. If taverns are such an integral part of D&D then the DM owes it to the PCs to make the tavern interesting.

Throughout April Dungeon’s Master is participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge is to write a new article ever day in April, excluding Sundays. That’s 26 articles over the course of the month. To make things even more interesting the title of each article will begin with a different letter of the alphabet. We look at taverns and the importance of making them interesting, as is the case in today’s “Y” Yawning Portal.

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DM Resources

The Xanathar

a-to-z-letters-xIn September 2012, I had two articles published in Dungeon Magazine issue 206. The first article was called “The Xanathar: Beholder Crime Lord of Waterdeep” and in it I provided a new take on one of Waterdeep’s most infamous criminals. The second was an adventure called “Eyes on the Ball” in which the PCs found themselves forming a tenuous allegiance with The Xanathar and his lieutenants to stop an evil slaver.

Today I’d like to share some of the background and insights that inspired my re-imagining of The Xanathar. But in order to do that I need to first provide some context. It all began in 1987.

Throughout April Dungeon’s Master is participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge is to write a new article ever day in April, excluding Sundays. That’s 26 articles over the course of the month. To make things even more interesting the title of each article will begin with a different letter of the alphabet. Today the “X” is for Xanathar, the name of the most notorious crime boss in the Forgotten realms and my part in adding to the canon of D&D.

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DM Resources

Venger

a-to-z-letters-vMy first exposure to Dungeons & Dragons was through the Saturday morning cartoon in 1983. I was 9 years old at the time and the show fascinated me. I could relate to the characters because they were around my age. The fantastic elements of D&D – the magic, the monsters, and the adventures – left tremendous feelings of wonder and awe on my young and impressionable mind. When I was invited to actually play D&D in the years to follow, I was immediately on board.

I’m sure I wasn’t the only player who created characters that mimicked the heroes from the show. This was likely due in part to my limited experienced with the game and limited knowledge of the choices available. But it was just as likely because I thought those characters were cool.

venger-01The other thing I wanted to do as soon as I started playing D&D was to fight Venger. According to the title sequence of the D&D cartoon, Venger was the force of evil in the world of Dungeon & Dragons. He wasn’t just some bad guy, he was THE bad guy. Forget fighting Bullywugs, Orcs and even Dragons, point me in the direction of Venger! I never got my chance to fight Venger, and after a little while I realized that I didn’t need to fight him to enjoy my D&D experience, but a part of me still wants to take him on. After all he is a great villain.

Throughout April Dungeon’s Master is participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge is to write a new article ever day in April, excluding Sundays. That’s 26 articles over the course of the month. To make things even more interesting the title of each article will begin with a different letter of the alphabet. “V” is for Venger, the force of evil in the realm of Dungeons & Dragons.

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D&D Encounters

D&D Encounters: Storm Over Neverwinter (Week 2)

storm-over-neverwinter-coverLast week’s session ended when the PCs arrived at Lady Nidris’s home and discovered that her son had disappeared. This week they searched for the lost boy.

We had a great turn out at my FLGS with 19 players and three DMs. I ran a table of six that consisted of a Deva Wizard (Necromancer), Tiefling Warlock (Hexblade), Wilden Cleric, Drow Sorcerer, Halfling Rogue, and Shade Wizard (pre-gen).

Before we got into this week’s adventure I reminded the players that they wouldn’t get an extended rest until after week 4. That meant that they had to complete three more encounters with whatever resources they had left.

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Actual Play Podcast at Harry T North (Season 13 Week 2) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Actual Play Podcast at Silver Snail (Season 13 Week 2) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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Adventure Hooks DM Resources

The United Nations… of Monsters

a-to-z-letters-uOne thing the fantastic worlds of D&D always seem to have in common is extreme racially diversity. Hundreds of intelligent races and monsters coexist on one planet, often even on one continent. In a world with magic this improbability becomes accepted as part of the campaign world. But have you ever wondered how all those monsters continue to coexist?

Think about it, why haven’t the biggest and most powerful creatures completely decimated some of the less populace races? It’s almost like there’s some kind of force in place to ensure that no matter what kind of creature, monster or humanoid you happen to be, you will never be the last of your kind. Every race will continue to live in some form or another in the world of Dungeons & Dragons.

What if the reason that no species is hunted to extinction is that the monsters themselves have some kind of arrangement or agreement in place? What if the Giants agreed not to destroy the Orcs and the Dragons agreed not to wipe out the Halflings? What if the Beholders agreed not to eradicate the Svirfneblin and the Goblins agreed not to kill every last Pixie. What if there was some kind of governing body, a council if you will, that had representation from every sentient creature on the planet and that this group met in secret to decide on matters concerning all beings in the gaming world? It could happen. In fact, who’s to say it hasn’t already happened.

Throughout April Dungeon’s Master is participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge is to write a new article ever day in April, excluding Sundays. That’s 26 articles over the course of the month. To make things even more interesting the title of each article will begin with a different letter of the alphabet. Today “U” is for United Nations of Monsters, a governing body where all the races of the D&D world come together in peace for mutual benefit and prosperity.

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DM Resources

Terrain to Challenge Epic Characters

a-to-z-letters-tWhen creating encounters many DMs, especially rookie DMs, focus first and foremost on the monsters. There’s certainly nothing wrong with this approach. However, just as many DMs will regrettably spend almost no time creating interesting terrain to flesh out the encounter. They’re so concerned with finding the right balance of monsters that the locale is nothing more than an afterthought.

Good encounters should have interesting terrain features. There should be things that will make the combat more interesting; anything from obstacles to hide behind, to hazardous areas to try and push your enemies into. You character will engage in lots of battles and even though the monsters may change the combat doesn’t really. The right terrain makes any mundane combat encounter more interesting.

At low levels terrain features need be nothing more than a deep pit, a campfire, a few tall trees, or a meandering stream. But by epic level none of these terrain features will be significant. Feel free to add them for flavour, but they certainly won’t challenge the PCs or change the outcome of the battle. Epic terrain needs to be as grandiose and diverse as the PCs. Today we’ll share a few ideas on how to create terrain that challenges epic characters.

Throughout April Dungeon’s Master is participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge is to write a new article ever day in April, excluding Sundays. That’s 26 articles over the course of the month. To make things even more interesting the title of each article will begin with a different letter of the alphabet. Today “T” is for terrain as we explore its need to change and evolve as the PCs become more powerful.

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Editorial

Stereotypical Gamers – Debunking the Myths

a-to-z-letters-sWhen I tell people I play Dungeons & Dragons or that I’m a gamer I know that the first thing that pops into their minds is not a flattering image. People still cling to some of the worst gaming stereotypes. It makes it difficult to have a serious conversation with non-gamers and it makes it a lot hard to convince new people to try our hobby.

In order for us to move beyond these stereotypes is to addresses them and fix them. We need to debunk them and create new stereotypes; positive stereotypes that encourage people to see gamers in a more positive light.

Throughout April Dungeon’s Master is participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge is to write a new article ever day in April, excluding Sundays. That’s 26 articles over the course of the month. To make things even more interesting the title of each article will begin with a different letter of the alphabet. We do our part to shine a positive light on gamers in today’s post in which the “S” is for Stereotypes, good and bad.

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Player Resources

Quirks and Memorable Character Traits

a-to-z-letters-qD&D characters are often described by their race, class and weapon selection. This is certainly a good start but without further details it paints a very bland picture. Throw in a theme and a background and now your character is really starting to separate himself from the pack. But is this enough?

In my experience the only reason player choose a background and theme for their character is to gain the mechanical benefits they provide. The fact that they’ve chosen to be from a certain place in the campaign world or that they had a previous occupation before becoming an adventurer rarely come into the role playing. These details that could make the character more interesting only serve to make them better when it comes to rolling the dice.

Rather than choose a background that won’t make a difference to the way the character is played, why not look for a simpler way to make your character unique and memorable. I’m referring to character quirks. These are little details that help your character stand out at the gaming table. They provide absolutely no mechanical benefits or penalties; they’re merely flavour for your character.

Throughout April Dungeon’s Master is participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge is to write a new article ever day in April, excluding Sundays. That’s 26 articles over the course of the month. To make things even more interesting the title of each article will begin with a different letter of the alphabet. Today the “Q” is for Quirk as we look at ways to make characters more memorable and interesting.

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D&D Encounters

Public Play

a-to-z-letters-pI believe that public play is one of the best advertisements we have for our games. By playing in plain sight you give others a chance to see what’s going on. The mystery of Settlers of Catan or Dungeons & Dragons is revealed as people hover around the table and watch. This is true for all games including RPGs, card games and board games. Every time I play a board game at my FLGS someone walks by and asks about it.

For years the only place I ever played games was at home. D&D was just another one of my nerd hobbies. I had enough problems with social awkwardness during my teenage years that the last thing I needed was additional ridicule from my peers because I was playing D&D in public. It wasn’t until many, many years later that I realized how much there was to be gained through public play.

Throughout April Dungeon’s Master is participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. The challenge is to write a new article ever day in April, excluding Sundays. That’s 26 articles over the course of the month. To make things even more interesting the title of each article will begin with a different letter of the alphabet. We bring gaming to the masses as “P” is for Public Play in today’s article.

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D&D Encounters

D&D Encounters: Storm Over Neverwinter (Week 1)

storm-over-neverwinter-coverThis season we return to Neverwinter. The adventure takes place after the events from D&D Encounters season 6, Lost Crown of Neverwinter. Knowledge of Neverwinter, the Forgotten realms or even the previous season is not required, but it would give players and DMs some insight about the people and places they’re likely to encounter this season.

The Neverwinter Campaign Sourcebook will be an invaluable asset this season. It would be helpful if at least one person at your gaming table had one (preferably the DM). It’s a solid sourcebook and is well worth the price. I strongly encourage DMs to pick it up for themselves if they haven’t already.

D&D Next

Each FLGS will have the option of running this season’s adventure using 4e rules or D&D Next rules. Those interested in trying D&D Next need to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA). The DM will also need to download the conversion kit from the Wizards of the Coast website. The 4e adventure is still required. You cannot run this without the adventure provided in the DM kits (for the maps if nothing else).

We’ve decided to continue running with the 4e rules this season at the two FLGS where I play. The weekly recaps will only comment on the adventure as written (4e) and not reference any of the D&D Next conversions materials. However, we will be discussing it on our Recounting Encounter podcasts each week so if you’re playing D&D Next you should listen.

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Actual Play Podcast at Harry T North (Season 13 Week 1) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Actual Play Podcast at Silver Snail (Season 13 Week 1) Play Now | Play in Popup | Download