The only reason I ever read a newspaper is for the comics (or funnies, if you will). I don't even need it for that anymore due to my discovery of webcomics a few years back. There are so many that anyone could probably find around ten that they find hilarious, like the several D&D comics I read, instead of only reading the ten comics that the newspaper editors decided were the funniest. I have links to my favorites in the sidebar to the right, but I want to shine the spotlight on a particular one.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Fearsome Knight
The word "knight" evokes an image of a warrior in shining plate armor, shield and sword in hand, fighting to protect the innocent or spread loyalty for their king. Even the phrase "knight in shining armor" is so common to most of us. However, this pinnacle of non-magical goodness is only the half of it. The other half is the fearsome knight.
Fearsome knights use their enemy's emotions against them. Instead of gleaming, polished armor, they typically wear black armor adorned with spikes, skulls, or other symbols of death. Their image is what makes them so powerful, because when a creature is afraid, their composure suffers. The fearsome knight will take advantage of any hesitation, reinforcing the frightening image their enemies have of them and refueling their power.
Fearsome knights use their enemy's emotions against them. Instead of gleaming, polished armor, they typically wear black armor adorned with spikes, skulls, or other symbols of death. Their image is what makes them so powerful, because when a creature is afraid, their composure suffers. The fearsome knight will take advantage of any hesitation, reinforcing the frightening image their enemies have of them and refueling their power.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Dark Forest Challenge
This skill challenge takes place over a day's journey to the heart of a forest that contains an opening into a shadowy realm. The adventure might concern this opening, or it might be the matter of another adventure that the heroes are currently trying to simply avoid. The creatures could be new to the forest, or could be told of in old tales by the elders in the town on the outskirts.
This challenge doesn't stick to the usual structure of a skill challenge. I made it simply by thinking what should happen in the story rather than trying to fit the story into the structure. As such, I haven't even bothered to assign it a complexity and XP. After the skill challenge, if you use XP, look back at how many resources the PCs expended, and give them XP accordingly based on your better judgement. The DCs and monsters used in this skill challenge are for level 1, but you can adapt it for almost any level.
This challenge doesn't stick to the usual structure of a skill challenge. I made it simply by thinking what should happen in the story rather than trying to fit the story into the structure. As such, I haven't even bothered to assign it a complexity and XP. After the skill challenge, if you use XP, look back at how many resources the PCs expended, and give them XP accordingly based on your better judgement. The DCs and monsters used in this skill challenge are for level 1, but you can adapt it for almost any level.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Sling Hunter
"He who slings mud generally loses ground."
Probably the most underappreciated weapon is the sling. It's the cheap alternative for when you can't buy a hand crossbow, but no class utilizes it particularly. The hunter ranger in Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms has different features depending on your choice of ranged weapon, but you can only choose bows or crossbows. Slings, the only other ranged option besides thrown weapons, are ignored. Here are alternate features for the hunter ranger to make using a sling a viable option.
Probably the most underappreciated weapon is the sling. It's the cheap alternative for when you can't buy a hand crossbow, but no class utilizes it particularly. The hunter ranger in Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms has different features depending on your choice of ranged weapon, but you can only choose bows or crossbows. Slings, the only other ranged option besides thrown weapons, are ignored. Here are alternate features for the hunter ranger to make using a sling a viable option.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Hill Gnome
"In a hole in the ground there lived a...hill gnome."
Hill gnomes are closer to gnomes of old (a race that no longer exists in its original form) than fey gnomes, having remained in the world instead of venturing into exotic far-off lands. They retain their insistence on following the old ways, and as such are rarely seen as adventurers. Most humanoids have only heard of hill gnomes as a kind and chubby race who live underground, but have never actually met any. There are exceptions to every rule, however.
Hill gnomes are closer to gnomes of old (a race that no longer exists in its original form) than fey gnomes, having remained in the world instead of venturing into exotic far-off lands. They retain their insistence on following the old ways, and as such are rarely seen as adventurers. Most humanoids have only heard of hill gnomes as a kind and chubby race who live underground, but have never actually met any. There are exceptions to every rule, however.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Kobold Monster Cards
If you haven't tried the D&D Adventure System board games (Castle Ravenloft and Wrath of Ashardalon), you had better get on it! These games provide endless replayability and, if you're willing to do a little work, customization. If you're looking for a review, there are plenty good ones out there. The rules of the Adventure System are based off D&D 4th edition; as such, Half-Orc will dig right into it. Here you'll find homebrew cards and rules to make the Adventure System able to be played as an actual D&D campaign.
Both Castle Ravenloft and Wrath of Ashardalon feature a few kobolds, but if you love the little dragon worshippers as much as I do, it's not enough. Here are some more Monster Cards to add kobold goodness to your dungeon crawling.
Both Castle Ravenloft and Wrath of Ashardalon feature a few kobolds, but if you love the little dragon worshippers as much as I do, it's not enough. Here are some more Monster Cards to add kobold goodness to your dungeon crawling.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Dragon Pact Hexblade
The dragon pact warlock was Half-Orc Bard's first homebrew, and by far the most popular. With D&D Essentials came the hexblade warlock, who has the same pacts as the original warlock but fights in the midst of melee with a pact weapon. Now the dragon pact is also available to the hexblade, through all 30 levels of the game.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Barasev and Evoker Wizards
The following options are for wizards in the Dungeon World game, which you can find more about here.
BARASEV WIZARD
Devas created a school of magic that combines faith with spellcasting.
BARASEV WIZARD TRAITS
Ability Scores: Intelligence; Wisdom
Power Source: Arcane; +2 to arcane overcharge
Skill Bonus (Level 1): Gain a +4 bonus to Religion checks.
Enlightened (Level 1): Gain a +2 bonus to Will.
Imposing Power (Level 1): Enemies take a penalty to saving throws against effects you inflict on them equal to your Wisdom modifier.
Arcanist Critical (Level 2 or 6): When you score a critical hit, the attack deals 1d10 extra damage, and the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.
BARASEV WIZARD
Devas created a school of magic that combines faith with spellcasting.
BARASEV WIZARD TRAITS
Ability Scores: Intelligence; Wisdom
Power Source: Arcane; +2 to arcane overcharge
Skill Bonus (Level 1): Gain a +4 bonus to Religion checks.
Enlightened (Level 1): Gain a +2 bonus to Will.
Imposing Power (Level 1): Enemies take a penalty to saving throws against effects you inflict on them equal to your Wisdom modifier.
Arcanist Critical (Level 2 or 6): When you score a critical hit, the attack deals 1d10 extra damage, and the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The Journal of Febbum Pinneljeck
"12 the Falling, 530 A.K.N." from the journal of Febbum Pinneljeck
Today I was humbled by a complete stranger.
I was walking through the forest when I felt a deep chill. I had thought that is was perhaps the winter coming in early, but I noticed it was odd because there hadn't been any other signs of winter. I was suddenly knocked to my back by a white wolf. I was sure that my life was about to come to an abrupt end when a voice asked "What are you doing here?"
Today I was humbled by a complete stranger.
I was walking through the forest when I felt a deep chill. I had thought that is was perhaps the winter coming in early, but I noticed it was odd because there hadn't been any other signs of winter. I was suddenly knocked to my back by a white wolf. I was sure that my life was about to come to an abrupt end when a voice asked "What are you doing here?"
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Dragon's Den, Part 1
"The Dragon's Den Inn and Tavern," from The History of Fannen-Dar by Themich Aljedek
Introduction
The Dragon's Den Inn and Tavern probably needs no introduction to anyone who has visited the city. Situated in the town center, overlooking the Fountain of Luck and the marketplace, the Dragon's Den is today the most popular place for travelers to rest, relax, and find out the latest news in the town. However, it was by far not always the center of Fannen-Dar's culture that it is now.
Introduction
The Dragon's Den Inn and Tavern probably needs no introduction to anyone who has visited the city. Situated in the town center, overlooking the Fountain of Luck and the marketplace, the Dragon's Den is today the most popular place for travelers to rest, relax, and find out the latest news in the town. However, it was by far not always the center of Fannen-Dar's culture that it is now.
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