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...

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...

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...

or... The Long Over Due Answer... So, three months ago I put up a puzzle for the masses to work out. The Primary Wall of Force Puzzle used the three primary colors (of pigment: blue, red, yellow) as well as the three most basic shapes people learn (circle, square, triangle). In addition to these simple concepts, a combination of levers and walls of force-esque effects to create a simple yet complicated puzzle. A few brave souls out there tried their hand at solving the puzzle. Some were very close, pretty much solving it the same way I envisioned a party of adventures, while others assumed there was no answer. So what is the answer? Stockvault image: by  Jack Moreh Well, there are quite a few ways actually. I'll just list the two most pertinent ones so that there is room for creative juices. The first way (or, the way it would most likely be solved by a party), is to just have one party member elected to cross the walls as they are dropped and placed b...

Paving the Road to Hell Are your players laughing too much? Do you wish that sometimes you could just get them to stop reveling over their latest exploits? We can fix that, but it will take a commitment from you to withhold your sympathies from those sycophantic rule-hawks for a bit. Pull up a chair, grab a drink and hold your digital screen just a little closer…we’re going into the mindset of a player… [Empty Space] Players, like anyone else, are products of their environment. Where & how they grew up, what went on during their week before they arrived at gaming, ands personal peculiarities are all 100% out of your control (unless you can lock them up in a closet). I say this because you need to take the advice with the proverbial grain of salt; messing with players’ heads may have some unforeseen results. I will not be held responsible for bloody noses or bad tempers. [The first rule of RPG Fight Club is…. We’re not LARPing! This is serious, mom!] Think abo...