Solving Around Puzzles in D&D

: DMing

Ever have players who aren't into solving puzzles, or a puzzle that just doesn't work? I propose a simple process to keep the game going without handwaving it away.

Initiative Table Tents

: DMing

When I started running 13th Age and 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons, I had the opportunity to play in a 5E game run by Teos "Alphastream" Abadia [https://twitter.com/Alphastream]. He demonstrated an interesting and fun trick; he used cardboard table tents to track combat initative. The

D&D Expeditions is off to a good start!

: DMing

One of the reasons that I haven't been posting is that I've actually been running games! I had the opportunity to run 13th Age and Dungeons & Dragons both at Gen Con (subjects for future blog posts) and for friends. With the launch of the fifth

Dungeons & Dragons Basic Rules available as a free PDF

: News

It's official! Wizards of the Coast has released the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Many stores will start selling the D&D Starter Set [http://wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/starterset] today, with the full release due on July 17. What is

I is for inspiration

: Dungeons & Dragons

As a DM, the burden of creating and populating a world for the players to explore rests on our shoulders. Even in role-playing games that utilize the idea of player authorship—where the game mechanics allow players to propose elements of the game world that "become" true—it&

C is for "Coming Soon!"

: Dungeons & Dragons

Looking ahead at the rest of 2014, here is what I am looking forward to in gaming right now: New Dungeons & Dragons! Wizards of the Coast will unveil the newest edition of Dungeons & Dragons [http://www.wizards.com/DnD/] this summer. The first product will be a starter

A is for Aenyssa d'Thuranni, elven assassin

: DMing

Here's an archery-themed NPC for your players to contend with. The backstory is specific to Eberron but it shouldn't be to hard to fit her into any fantasy campaign where specialized magic items are available. Aenyssa d'Thuranni One of the most formidable agents of

How to challenge player expectations without alienating your players

: DMing

In established RPG campaigns, it can be fun and interesting to shake things up from time to time by throwing your players a curveball. * The PCs kill a dragon but are surprised to find the residents of the valley chase them off because the dragon was protecting them from predation

Dungeons & Dragons at 40: What D&D means to me

: meta

Whoops! I'm off by a week on my posting schedule. However, this gives me an opportunity to talk a little about what Dungeons & Dragons means to me, given that 2014 is the 40th anniversary of the game and yesterday is deemed the official birthday of the game

Weekend reading for January 10, 2014

: Weekend Reading

The series "Deathtrap Dungeon World" by Sersa Victory over at Critical Hits, about creating memorable and deadly encounters in Dungeon World. * Part 1: GM Principles [http://www.critical-hits.com/blog/2013/12/10/deathtrap-dungeon-world-part-1-gm-principles/] * Part 2: Dangers and Hard Moves [http://www.critical-hits.com/blog/2014/01/03/