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On the Ecology of the Giant
"Yes, I would say we have a big problem" - Todis Aldan, Neo-Empyrean ArchaeologistNomenclature: Giants, Titans, Big Folk, GoliathsDescription: Large HumanoidsThings that are known:They are large...
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On the Thursday Trick, A Thorny Corridor
A Thorny Corridor (Melee Attacks, Restraints/Hazards)Trigger: Mechanical: Latch or SwitchOR Magical: ProximityEffects: Multiple TargetsSave: Armor ClassDuration: InstantResets: AutomaticBypass: None...
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On the Top Ten Dungeon Resources
Well, you've got a dungeon. And you've got all these factions. And apparently they all live in total harmony because they don't really have anything to fight over.That doesn't sound like an environment...
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On Old Posts, Dungeon Entrances Revisited
A fantastic landscape by ElderscrollerI've gotten a lot of followers since the early days, so I'm going back through my back catalog, updating and drawing some attention to older overlooked posts. The...
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On Early Tropes, Monster Powers
Monster powers were special attacks a monster could make outside of or to replace a melee attack. These effects have been in the game since the original edition.PURPLE WORMS: These huge and hungry...
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On Reader Mail, The Accusation
I don't know where I got this clip art and I don't know whoarted it. I am on the internet how did I get here?!This wasn't traditional mail, names have been left out"You stole from Rick, a small press...
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On The Thursday Trick, Sources
Artist UnknownSo, because I want it to be clear to my readers, I'd like to discuss some of the sources and research materials I use when I discuss agency use in traps.Many times when I'm writing a...
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On the Top 10 (11!) Mastermind Monsters
Building a dungeon and need a boss? A big boss? A MAJOR Boss? A FINAL BOSS?What are the 10 bossiest bosses ever in Dungeons and Dragons (or Pathfinder if that's your cup of tea)?Here's a list of the...
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On the Old School Character
Memento MoriRecently there has been some talk about characters and dying in the old school.D&D characters are all the same, right? If I roll up two fighters, there's nothing to make one different...
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On the Villain Force
A house rule, to increase the enjoyment of using villains in play without needing henchmen to make them a challenge.The Weak Villain RuleVillains receive 2 actions and every time a player acts, they...
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On the Ecology of the Hydra
"At first I thought it was a snake, den 2 snakes. 'da third head gave it away." - Holfandun, Othlandic cookNomenclature: HydraDescription: Reptilia Hydroza, Many-headed Reptile, Chthonic water beast,...
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On the Thursday Trick, Sliding Staircase
Locked InsideSliding Staircase (Special)Trigger: Mechanical: Pressure PlateEffects: Never MissMultiple TargetsSave: DexterityDuration: InstantResets: AutomaticBypass: None (Avoid)DisarmDescription: Not...
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On the Top Ten Bruiser Monsters
Dick the BruiserSo you've got a mastermind. What are the top classic enforcers?What are the top ten brutiest brutes? Let's check it out!9) Ogre: Maybe seems a little dull, but when you need four hit...
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On Old Posts, The Uncounted Dead Revisited
This post was originally posted on September 9, 2010. With the theme of player death, it seemed interesting to bring this up. I believe the article in question came from Dragon. I do find some of the...
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On Saves, Skills, and Design
I wrote an awful lot about skills once. I've also written about saving throws. Somepeople have been talking about the same things.My thoughts lately have become somewhat distilled.Save or dieSaving...
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On Reader Mail, A Hidden Thief
Ryan Latta writes in and says:"I have a hard time imagining certain circumstances in a game where skills like Perception are [not used]."He then asks some more specific questions, one of which we will...
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On the Ecology of the Ixitxachitl
Christopher Burdett"There's no debate about how to say the name! Don't be absurd." - Nenemith, SageNomenclature: Ixitxachitl, Intelligent rays, Demon Rays, Devil fishIxitxachitl is...
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On the OSR New Wave: Patrick Stuart of False Machine
The OSR is currently today, vibrant in a way it has never, ever, been. The ideas are bright and strange and more creative than can be believed.I've interviewed some of the most prolific and creative...
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On the Effects of Magic, 1st level Wizard
DKZThere was an idea posited over at Grognardia that actually having the spell prepared might have side effects. Other people have created lists like these for spells before like Trollsmyth.The magical...
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On Old Posts Revisited, On Old School Gaming
This post was originally written on October 18, 2010 at 4:44 am. I have always considered it a quite useful tool for playing in an adventure game. I imagine if I were to codify a list for hexcrawling...
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