Also extremely useful for getting berry stains out of clothing and various bits of dried blood and entrails form t he hair I'd imagine.

 

Go to Comment

An oldie, and still a goodie, after an adventure dealing with such cultivators  characters will likely view the wide array of potions for sale at the alchemists shop with a lot more wariness and caution.

Go to Comment

A memorable name and memorable brotherhood, perfect to add a bit of depth and surprose to  a generic fantasy setting.

Go to Comment

Another gem I would have missed were it not for the useless barbarians senseless comment. Over all a useful compilation of rules every gm and player should reread from time to time. (And come to think of it, should be printed in the "how to play and rpg" section of most rpg books) Go to Comment

A really useful article, although I would be careful about going "too far" as a gm with horror games.

If for example as gm you know a player suffered a traumatic incident in their past, (like rape or child abuse) it might be ill advised to put such situations or references to them in the game lest the player themselves have serious personal issues with the game. Other times players may just find a certain situation distasteful on a moral/ethical basis.

Before making plans to run a horror game it's helpful to sit down with your group and ask them if there's any situations in horror rp games that would make them uncomfortable in real life, and if so to let you know via email, (rather then right now some players would be embarrassed to admit some situations make them uncomfortable in front of the rest of the group) so you can alter your game if need be to avoid those scenarios.

Granted it may take a bit of time and require the changing of your campaign, but it's better then losing a player form the table (possibly permanently) Usually it's never an option in normal rping, but horror games deal with the darkest and most hideous aspects of human, (and inhuman) nature so extra care must be taken. Go to Comment

I agree completely. More I was referencing situations that made them so uncomfortable that they would walk away form the table rather then play the adventure.

For example a gal I know that's the mother of two young girls and used to frequent our gaming table, once asked me for my horror games not to include any scenes involving or alluding to the torture/abuse of children. Mainly she said she would be unable to handle because as a mother it invoked too much of an emotional reaction. Go to Comment

A handy concept and easy way to deliver info to your players without expecting them to read a sourcebook worth of information, and it gives them a handy set of notes to reference as well.

Go to Comment

A good reminder for everyone, and a must read for new members. (A link to this should be in their PM boxes when the register, it;d be a huge help to them I think.)

Go to Comment

A nice concept, but lacking in development and presentation, it has potential though.

Go to Comment

Interesting but a bit too basic to make  the typhical player group get enthused about solving the problem.

The main Issue I find with "real" puzzles is sometimes the characters are supposed to be brilliant mages or scientists, (or super heroes) and the player becomes frustrated when their character could easily solve a problem they are struggling with, it really kills the immersion for them.

Go to Comment

An unique ingredient,, sure to "spice up" an otherwise dull chili cook off.

Like Mourngrymn asked, what is the reason behind it's odd name? Does it perhaps partially fungal based, only growing in the chests of moldy cadavers, eventually replacing the heart?

A refined thick oil from this pepper could also be used by creative adventurers as a coating to make temporary flaming weapons or blanket a floor in fire.

Go to Comment

Nasty and revolting, the kind of creature that will leave a memorable impression long after it is slain, especially the next time the smell of death is in the air.

While perfect for a fantasy game, once again these creatures woudl feel at home in more modern or sapce faring settings with minimal modifcation, the perfect inhabitant of drifting space hulsk and abandoned colonies.

The pic at the end really helped bring it all togther, and the beginning narrative set the scene nicely. Another one of those "I must use this in my next adveture" subs thatis too good to pass up.

Go to Comment

I too would like to see this expanded upon somewhat, it's got potential to be a really good piece Go to Comment

A nice variation on the giant spider, and gives enough info to easily add into a game.  It's rather straightforward description and mundane attack methods also let this works equally well in post apocalypse and space faring sci-fi games which is a nice plus.

(On a small side note it could use a quick proof read and a few word corrections "wight power" for example.)

 

Go to Comment

GM's Desires .vs Players Desires

This is the standard problem where the gm wants to run a "type a campaign" and the players are more keen on "type b" instead. Usually this is brought on by the gm having a great plot line for their campaign, or having just bought a campaign setting/ adventure booklet set and eager to give it a whirl. Often this manifests itself in a difference between desired char classes, (as in a group of magic casting types rather than a bunch of fighter/paladin classes) and the ones the Gm would prefer for their campaign, and at times opposing views on what kind of campaign the gm wants to run vs. the campaign the players are expecting. (A world spanning "save the planet from the great evil" style campaign vs a more low key "explore and help your home community prosper."


Solution A: The Hard Sell

In this one the gm tells the players the style of campaign she's got planned and the type of classes that would work best for it, perhaps condensing the plot down into a two or three paragraph summary, about what you'd find on the back your favorite novel. This can perhaps intrigue or enthuse the players enough to change their char concepts or expectations to be more in line with what the gm wants, and still have a great game. After all if you can sell them on your idea being so much fun, chances are they'll have fun with it too.


Solution B: Give'em what they want while getting what you want

This one's a little tricky and can require some serious overhaul on the gm's part but can really be wroth it. Concede to the players desires as far as char classes, or motivations go, and let them have at it; with a catch. Your original campaign still progresses, but on a smaller scale or with a different setup. Perhaps instead of saving the world from the great evil, they need to save their town from a lesser (although still dangerous) evil. Maybe instead of the campaign being focused around the mages guilds corruption and rise of a new class of mages, the game revolves more around a new martial art and sword fighting style that's taking the kingdom by storm?

Essentially take the core of your campaign and change around the details and serve it up dressed as what the players want to see. Chances are they'll love you for giving them what they've asked for, and you'll still get the thrill of seeing your original campaign vision come to fruitation without a lot of disappointed players. Go to Comment

Not sure how I managed to add to this with an idea and forgot to comment/vote on it back in 2008, but it is one of the more useful GM advice articles I've read over the years and can be extremely helpful in making ones campaign a success. Go to Comment

An interesting location, with enough riches to encourage the PC's to visit it at least once.

A nice touch referencing the helspar, although it took me a minute to get the reason. (never read the helspar sub before.)

All in all a worthy desert area for nearly any setting out there, which I always like to see.

 

Go to Comment

Twisted and oddly fitting. Definitely a way to spice up a castle siege for jaded players. Go to Comment

Very nice idea, reminds me somewhat of the "Thunder dome" from the Mad max movie; and could easily be adjusted to fit in almost any setting.

This makes an easy plug in to spice up an otherwise dull city players find themselves traveling to, and a way to keep the hack & slash player interested during an otherwise rp oriented city visit. Go to Comment

This weapon would perhaps be better off in the hands of a goblin or orc tribe with a few minor changes. Imagine the tribes shaman perfecting this into a thick goo the warriors would coat their stone weapons in just before charging into battle.

Also expanding the description to include what this goo does to flesh and wood (if anything) would be helpful. If it only effects metal then a hollow wooden club with grooves for the goo to seep out of with every strike would be perfect. Go to Comment