ephemeralstability's Hall of Honour Submissions - ( 33 )

ephemeralstability
Inventing Languages By: ephemeralstability

Language is an essential part of any culture. Culture wouldn't exist without some form of communication, and humans communicate by speaking. But the connection is deeper even than that. The language helps to define the culture which uses it, and is in turn affected by that culture. This dynamic process is what keeps a language 'alive': Latin is a dead language because the culture to which it belonged no longer exists.

by ephemeralstability
290xp
23 replies
20236 views
4 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Cups and Rings By: ephemeralstability

Archaeologists have long wondered about the origins of 'cup and ring-marked stones', the mysterious rocks found on deserted tracts of moorland bearing markings resembling small shallow pits with concentric rings and dating to the Bronze-age.

by ephemeralstability
90xp
15 replies
10801 views
1 HoH
ephemeralstability
Trollish Measurements By: ephemeralstability

Hathalfar holds the writhing troll down with his gloved fist and sword. The beast squirms at the touch of metal. 'How far is Kolm?' he demands for the third time. 'I said! A long way away,' replies the troll.

by ephemeralstability
235xp
10 replies
9015 views
2 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Mad Magic By: ephemeralstability

When wizards go mad, what curious ruins do they leave behind?

by ephemeralstability
270xp
13 replies
7914 views
4 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Novel Musical Instruments By: ephemeralstability

To give a world a feeling of otherworldliness, it is best to replace some standard, everyday objects by imaginitive replacements. I thought I'd turn to musical instruments as music often defines (or embodies) a culture.

This is just a first idea, feel free to post some more, because I will...

by ephemeralstability
155xp
25 replies
24202 views
1 HoH
ephemeralstability
Character Hooks By: ephemeralstability

I'm trying to think of alternatives for game-openings, to replace the standard 'meet up in a tavern' or 'adventuring group applying for a job' techniques. I know these can be easy ways to get people playing, but I'm certain there are more interesting ways...

by ephemeralstability
300xp
43 replies
21093 views
5 HoHs
ephemeralstability
De Librorum By: ephemeralstability

I don't know if I posted about it before, but I have always wanted to run an adventure set in a library. The following is a sketch of an unusual premise and a possible plot-hook.

by ephemeralstability
355xp
17 replies
7657 views
2 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Fire ants By: ephemeralstability

The mystery of fyre is one which has much occupyed my studies and the studies of men before me. ... I have concluded that fyre is the product of Fyre Antes.

Professor J Klewlise, "On the nature and origin of fyre" (1542)

by ephemeralstability
185xp
7 replies
7602 views
1 HoH
ephemeralstability
Egg Cup of Summoning By: ephemeralstability

This looks like an elaborately fashioned wooden egg-cup, but it is a powerful magical tool, used mainly by witches to conjure up spirits and familiars.

by ephemeralstability
205xp
17 replies
14600 views
2 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Draconian parasites By: ephemeralstability

Dragons, being huge and meaty, are the ideal habitat for countless unpleasant parasites.

by ephemeralstability
210xp
8 replies
9623 views
1 HoH
ephemeralstability
Insects (and Spiders and other creepy crawlies) By: ephemeralstability

Creepy, Crawley, Buzzing, Digging, Biting, Building, Sticking, Jumping, Clicking, and all the other things these small things do.

by ephemeralstability
155xp
37 replies
86442 views
2 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Music during a game By: ephemeralstability

Although it can be a distraction, it can also add atmosphere to an adventure to have music playing in the background. Here are some pieces I'd recommend for different situations.

by ephemeralstability
350xp
59 replies
30512 views
6 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Tunguska Dreaming By: ephemeralstability

A (fairly sketchy) outline of a one-off adventure I ran based around the (time-honoured/hackneyed) Tunguska Event of 1908. As such it is quite specific (hopefully not hackneyed) and will probably best serve as a specimen for dissection to get those parts you can use in your own adventures. But then this is an Ideas Guild after all...

by ephemeralstability
180xp
6 replies
4096 views
2 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Carmo By: ephemeralstability

Carmo keeps a shop in the backstreets of Erezi. It's not often visited, Carmo makes people feel...uneasy. Even the veterans of the Erezi underworld are uncomfortable being alone with Carmo. But they need to buy their traps from somewhere...

by ephemeralstability
160xp
10 replies
10760 views
1 HoH
ephemeralstability
The Piecewise Librarian By: ephemeralstability

A disembodied hand enthralled by an evil wizard to fetch books for him.

by ephemeralstability
110xp
9 replies
10292 views
1 HoH
ephemeralstability
Lyrian Necklace By: ephemeralstability

The silver necklaces whose inset gems display the status of the wearer.

by ephemeralstability
155xp
13 replies
9580 views
2 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Masque of Confusion By: ephemeralstability

Unknown to anyone, a glamorous ball for the Duke of Erezi will turn into a confusing and chaotic bloodbath.

by ephemeralstability
320xp
19 replies
13896 views
5 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Lazhkmazhon By: ephemeralstability

An impressive citadel in the Askharnn mountains. Their prohibitive laws on travel during the Winter months can be a problem for pilgrims and wanderers.

by ephemeralstability
265xp
11 replies
9984 views
2 HoHs
ephemeralstability
Local History By: ephemeralstability

The addition of “irrelevant” details adds local colour to a campaign world, giving the impression that the DM has thought very deeply about the history of even the smallest architectural feature.

by ephemeralstability
175xp
25 replies
9999 views
1 HoH
ephemeralstability
Queen Ari the Reluctant By: ephemeralstability

She has everything: stunningly good looks, sharp brains and oodles of power: she's going to be a Queen. The only drawback is that she doesn't want to be a Queen.

by ephemeralstability
125xp
9 replies
8287 views
1 HoH