Thinking Fantasy? D&D? Pathfinder? When you think Roleplaying Games, chances are you go straight to Dungeons and Dragons, White Wolf Systems, Pathfinder, Savage Worlds, maybe even Fate or Hero. Chances are if you say fantasy TTRPG, people will assume D&D. But what about Alpha Duo? Well, okay, playing Alpha Duo Fantasy isn't an option, yet. And I know many, like myself, are only recently hearing about  Alpha Duo  by Purple Aether Games. But for those of you just now hearing about Alpha Duo (you're welcome), Let me fill you in.  Alpha Duo (AD) is designed by D&D Bestselling designer, Jacob Kellog  of Purple Aether Games. AD is a simple (10 page) system easy enough to be a gateway to TTRPGs for new players and a relaxed feel for veterans. More importantly, AD differs from D&D and many other styles of RPGs in that the focus and incentive system is not based around combat.  What more? AD allows for quick scaling of combats and other obstacles. The m...

It has been about three weeks since the 200-word RPG challenge. There were many awesome entries! It was a fun design experiment as this was my first time entering. I made a little change to my original entry. Added a creature type and expanded the description and rules. You can also still see my original entry .  Jumble Rumble Two conjurers face-off in a deadly Summoner’s Duel. To win, summon jumbled creatures to dominate your opponent's creations. Feel free to add options, use dice with more sides for adding extra options, or add more players for a full-on Jumble Rumble! Rules: Players roll a six-sided die for each aspect of their summoned creature. A player rolls for a base creature, followed by an environment and an element. Next, players compare monsters. Players determine points earned against the other monster based on the charts below. The player with the highest score after three summons wins. Base Creature: 1- Dragon: +1 Demons and Celestials ...

When it comes to running a game, there are so many things to worry about (especially if it's your first game). "Have I prepared enough?" "Do I know the rules for this?" "Will the players need to be railroaded?" etc. And on top of that, you then have to worry about, whether you are any good, are you fun and energizing, are you creative enough. No matter how you look at it, there are just too many things to worry about as a GM. You start looking at streamed games (especially those with celebrities) and you worry you are not skilled enough to do the game justice. Let me tell you right now. You got this. Sure, you need some simple math skills and being creative and full of energy helps. But there is one skill above all others that matters most. Teamwork. Teamwork as a player comes naturally for most. Whether you're swinging a sword or slinging a spell, most groups of adventurers find the best way to overcome a threat, is to tackle it head on a...

Something a little different today. I’ve been looking into other blogs, podcasts, and videos to get ideas of what has been done and where to excel because no one is covering it. Along my travel, I decided that there were plenty of others out there that are small and unheard. I’d like to help get their voices heard, even if mine doesn’t reach that far. So please, go check these blogs out and show your support. Let’s encourage them to shine on! Site: arcanakeep.com Twitter: @ArcanaKeep  First off, Arcana Keep is having a Dice Giveaway. If you haven’t signed up, go to their site NOW! Also, if you are interested in a little bit more on D&D Beyond and what others think, check out this post: http://arcanakeep.com/into-the-digital-dungeon-and-beyond/ Site: https://www.learningdnd.com/ Twitter: @LearningDnD  Great news and tips (including How to Build a D&D character in Under 10 minutes )! They also have an acceptable list of D&D Twitter accounts to ...

Yes, I know. I can't draw. Or color. Consider this just a cheap representation of the idea. Full stats for the Maran Amalgamator will be available with the first Adventure Starter. Currently, I'm still deciding how I would like to release my Adventure Starter Series. Feel free to comment with your preferred method. Remember, if readers prefer free, there will be only rudimentary sketches such as this. I may work for free, but I do not expect artists to do the same for me. (Though, if anyone with like to send me artwork, I’ll gladly put it up with full credits and links ;) ;) *nudge *nudge). Possible release platforms include (re)starting Patreon, Pay What you Wish, or Free. While a Kickstarter would be nice, this is a smaller project and will most likely only be released digitally. Thank you all for your support thus far (even if it is only casual reading). Anyways, many of you have been voting on twitter for my new #AdventureStarter Series. The votes thus far have be...

So now that it has been just over a week since last week's, Puzzle of Persistence , I think it's time to finally reveal how to solve this puzzle and how it was made. I first need to give a shout out to RedHood1013. He caught me on FB and presented his solution this morning. 100% Correct. Congratulations! In order to show you how to solve this puzzle, I need to first give you the elements that created the puzzle in the first place. Making Puzzle of Persistence The first element involved in this puzzle is actually a very simplistic cryptography method. It is a method of using names to stand in for numerical values. In this case, each name is actually a number. To derive the numbers, we are using a summed value of each letter's position in the English alphabet. Names are as follows: Valyrie L. - 104 James C. - 51 Kevin A. - 62 Zander I. - 77 Martin G. - 82 Nadia J. - 39 Taking the values of the names, you now can determine which is smallest and which...

So last week I brought to you this little gem of a puzzle: Puzzle of Persistence . With over 1500 unique viewers, a dozen questions (almost all requesting more clues), and then a big drop-off on Monday, I think most people got a bit intimidated by the puzzle. Well, I'm here today to let you know the extra clue I gave out over social media as well as the answer. I am not going to tell you how to solve it (yet). That would take the fun out of it. Extra Clues So first off, despite the fact that there are not actually any numbers in this puzzle, it is almost entirely MATH-based. Yes. No lies. To figure this puzzle out, you might need someone good with abstract math theories, someone that enjoys simple cryptography, and someone that can pick up on the most subtle of clues in a riddle. Though by subtle, I mean, I put the TWO (I know I said only one, but there were actually two) clues in the puzzle, right out in the open. I learned that the best way to hide something is just...

Need a new puzzle to drop into your next D&D, Pathfinder, or other RPG system session? Remember last year when I first released my  Primary Wall of Force Puzzle  and been dying for a new one? Many D&D DMs and Pathfinder GMs, and players alike went berserk trying to solve the answer to my 'simple' puzzle last time. It was probably my most successful GM Tip to date. Well, I know it has been forever and a half since my last posting. I felt it was time to start making new puzzles to drop into your RPGs. (Perhaps one a little more memorable). Below you will find the puzzle. I will post the solution next week; however, if you need the answer so you can use this puzzle for your weekend game, then e-mail , tweet , or post on my facebook page . The rules for this puzzle are simple. Follow the logic train. If you use this in a game, make sure you reserve the name spellings. That's your first hint! Name Persistence Valyrie L. and James C. are of equal persistenc...

Making Old Monsters New Again Your players have successfully navigated the treacherous network of caverns in search of [insert name of Famous BBEG #37]. Kicking down the door, they think he is caught by surprise. His laughter echoes among the cavern walls. The ground ripples beneath their feet. The expanse between the party and BBEG #37 erupts in a shower of carrion, rocks, and debris. The master's pet has been summoned. The heroes look upon the new foe with... well... disappointment. The DM has once again tossed another Purple Worm/Pit Fiend/other monster the DM fancies just a little too much. Complete let-down. Oh, but wait! This one has Resistance to ______. And a precast buff spell. Make that THREE spells! Just no. Stop. No. You're done. Go home and think about what you have done. Then come back and we can fix this. I'll wait. Don't worry. Okay, are you ready? So making new monsters isn't your thing. Or maybe you just find it difficult. Don't worry, Th...

The piezoelectric golem found below is compatible with The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.  Why no picture? Well, drawing is not my forte. Though I could find free artwork or ask an artist for a free submission, I would much rather pay an artist for their work. Please consider becoming a patron and supporting me on my Patreon . The donations will be used solely for upgrading my site as well as being able to pay professionals for their contributions. And no. The name is not a play on Paizo. I am a huge science nerd. Like almost as big as Donald Trump's ego huge. This mechanical, human-shaped figure moves in perfect rhythm. Occasional sparks jolt from softly humming crystals embedded throughout its frame.   Piezoelectric Golem CR 3   XP 800   N Medium construct   Init   +0;   Senses   darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +0   ----- Defense -----   AC   15, touch 10, flat-footed 15 (+0 Dex, +5 natural)   ...

The Perfect Aide for Beating Writer's Block Today's RPG product review is on Rory's Story Cubes . (You can visit the company's  Home Page  here). [This post contains affiliate links] "Now wait a minute! These aren't an RPG product," I am sure some of you are thinking already. You're right. These were made as solitaire/party game.   Rory's Story Cubes  were designed to be a story-telling board game for 1-12 players. There are 9 d6s with a total of 54 different images. The Story Cubes are a multi-award winning product, including Dr. Toy "10 Best Games Winner." There are many different ways to play this game, and I am sure you will find more information on board game review sites (such as  https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/20545/rorys-story-cubes ). So... how do these relate to RPGs and Writer's Block? (Review & Usage Notes) Rory's Story Cubes  make a claim that there are over 10 million combinations. Let me do some...