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History is Drama, not Lore by
While it is within your purview to write long-spanning histories of your world, it is largely unnecessary. If you are running an RPG, do this instead: make a bullet point list of important events that affect the world today, and mysteries that people still don't know. Let these fuel your adventures.
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Ideas - Articles February 4, 2023 |
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Non-orientalist Arab cultures by
When creating nations or cultures that reside in your desert regions, consider pulling inspiration from the Berbers or Bedouins, rather than the easily-mishandled Iranian/Persian/Arab convention
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Ideas - Society/ Organization February 4, 2023 |
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by
In this dungeon, the monsters will not be hostile unless you take something without permission. If you do take something, the monsters inside will consider it stealing and attack you.
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Ideas - System February 23, 2021 |
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A nation state has a hardline tradition of transparency in government. So much so that any and all information held by their military and intelligence services is immediately declassified and published when the said information is no longer relevent to current and ongoing activities. Even if such information might be diplomatically toxic.
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Ideas - Society/ Organization January 16, 2021 |
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A traditionalist nation that scorns ranged combat is famed for its innovations in body armor and shields capable of blocking all kinds of projectiles and withstanding explosions. The purpose of this armor is to allow one to get close enough to an enemy for melee combat. Conversely it is also famed for its innovations in melee weapons capable of destroying all kinds of body armor and shields to effectively defeat its enemies.
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Ideas - Society/ Organization January 1, 2021 |
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In a miltaristic nation, the ownership of proper (improvised don't count) weapons and armor is mandatory for all citizens under penalty of inprisonment or death.
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Ideas - Society/ Organization December 2, 2020 |
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Double Bulwark Shield by
This is an idea for a basic weapon which I have adapted partially into a fighter subclass. Let me know what you think, because if it's any good, I may post the subclass.Double Bulwark Shield Melee weapon (martial, shield) Category: Items Damage: 1d6 per hand, 1d4 together Damage Type: Bludgeoning Item Rarity: Standard Weight: 6 When wielding the Double Bulwark Shield in two separate parts, you gain +2 to your AC, +1 per hand. When wielding two separate parts of the Double Bulwark Shield, you can take an action to bring the two halves of your shield together. Your movement is halved as long as the shield is brought together. If you move or attack after bringing your shield together this turn, you receive a +3 bonus to your AC. If you don’t move or attack after switching this turn, you and an ally directly behind you receive a +5 bonus to your AC. This action is known as Steadfast. Once the shield is brought together, you may take a bonus action to become Steadfast even if you attack this turn. However, you may not move or attack after becoming Steadfast. Taking apart your shield is considered a free action. |
Ideas - Items December 1, 2020 |
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A modern kingdom still strictly adheres to ancient traditions due to their long forgotten deity getting annoyed at the moral decay, appearing as an AI Singularity and forcefully correcting everything it sees as morally wrong. As such, even though the weapons and technology have improved, the culture hasn't.
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Ideas - Society/ Organization May 12, 2020 |
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In a society, people who are in a higher postition of authority have a bigger incentive to stay on the right side of the law since the more authority you have, the punishments for criminal activities become much more severe. To the point where the most powerful face defacto death/life sentences for every crime.
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Ideas - Society/ Organization May 3, 2020 |
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Escape your time by
A society or country has a unique method of correction. Criminals are imprisoned in a dungeon with two options: Serve their time, or try to escape. Those who manage to escape alive, their crimes are forgiven early.
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Ideas - System February 2, 2018 |
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Escape your time by
A society or country has a unique method of correction. Criminals are imprisoned in a dungeon with two options: Serve their time, or try to escape. Those who manage to escape alive, their crimes are forgiven early.
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Ideas - System February 2, 2018 |
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The 'Temporary' Monarch by
The monarch used to have absolute powers until the disappearance of King Henry V. A 'temporary' replacement was put on the throne to hold it until King Henry returned, and he would have only one vote on the governing council of nobles and no other powers except persuasion. More then 50 years have passed since then and everyone knows King Henry is almost certainly dead-but the nobles don't want to go back under the rule of an absolute monarch, so the kingship is only 'temporary' until King Henry V returns to take back his throne.
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Ideas - Plots November 11, 2017 |
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Bramble-Beasts by
The forests, the swamps, the lands lost to wilderness, fang, and willow. These lands are home to the creatures of wiing, tooth and claw. Some far more capable of fending off the hominids, others still, are less fortunate, falling prey to spears, arrows, and dogs. As the hominids encroach upon the sacred woodlands and miry bogs there are times that the thorns and vines are animated by the spirit of the land in order to fight. In this way the mysterious guardians are formed. In the shapes of wolves, bears, and many other greater and more terrible beasts, each with eyes of glowing emerald. Fiercely defending creatures of burrow and glade.
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Ideas - Lifeforms November 7, 2017 |
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Mimic Blade by
A Mimic in the rather unconventional form of a weapon, can be used as a weapon and grows more powerful over time. If introduced to the party early it could make an unexpected betrayal. Skittering around like a terrifying insect.
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Ideas - Items November 5, 2017 |
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The Iron Ship by
Perhaps the product of another universe or time, this vessel appears as an early Tall ship, but is made of iron from keel to spar. The sails are a battered canvas but are nearly indestructible, but in truth do little to move the ship - the ship is able to move even with no winds.The ship is powered by life force, requiring regular sacrifices to charge'. The victims are cast in front of the vessel as it moves, it's razor sharp bow bisecting them. The ship may initially be missing key components and the ritual to power it would also require research by would-be users. The ship has no built in weapons aside from the bow, which can easily cut even large wooden ships in twain. |
Ideas - Items February 1, 2017 |
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The Clockwork Rat by
A weapon of war created by an extinct race, this rat appears normal but is a simulacrum - beneath it's mangy fur is a body of bronze. Commanded by words in a lost language, wherever it goes a virulent and lethal plague follows. The cure is similarly obscure.
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Ideas - Lifeforms February 1, 2017 |
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The Star of Fury by
A ruby of immense size, this stone was once the eye of a deity of war. When properly commanded by long lost rituals, the huge gem will rise into the sky, glowing brightly. Visible for miles, all who look upon it in its full radiance will be filled with intense homicidal rage.
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Ideas - Items January 20, 2017 |
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The Hammer of Luun by
The hammer of a war-god avatar, this massive weapon must be wielded by a giant or other supernaturally strong being. When struck against the ground, a massive seismic wave will propagate outward from the wielder subjecting all in its wake to a massive earthquake. This quake is strong enough to shatter castle walls.
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Ideas - Items January 20, 2017 |
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Wine of Sarnnii by
Made from the tears of a bound goddess, this magical wine has the power to charm or dominate any who imbibe even the faintest quantity. Once affected, it remains dormant until the victim hears a special magical phrase, upon which they will be magically bound to the speaker. Enterprising villains could drop this into the water supply of an important city..
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Ideas - Items January 19, 2017 |
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The Abyssal Key by
A massive iron key - 2' length, 20lbs forged from the bones and horns of demon-lords. When used with a massive portal - carefully built according to documents found in powerful books of evil knowledge, it will open into the realm of demons and allow them to flood into the world. The applications of this item for villains are obvious. Mortals touching this item directly will suffer very dire consequences.
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Ideas - Items January 19, 2017 |