Saturday, March 9, 2019

Free and PWYW DMs Guild Highlights: Week Ending 3.9.19

Please note: I will be out of town next week, so this series will resume on 3.23.19

Every week, talented creators upload products to the DMs Guild, pricing them as free or pwyw in order to reach customers. Dozens of new free and pwyw products are added each week alone. It is a lot to sort through. My hope is that highlighting a few of each week's best supplements will help the designers get the attention they deserve. You can find previous posts in this series HERE.


There were several new products this week supporting the new UA Artificer class.

Artificer Pet Stat Blocks from Michael O'Connor (ThinkDM)



Basically a handy-dandy reference with the turret and homonculus stuff from the playtest reformatted into stat blocks for easier use.



Artificer Spell and Infusion List also from Michael O'Connor (ThinkDM)



Another good playtest tool to help track all of the spells and infusions for the artificer.



The Artificer's Handbook by Griffin Porche



Presented in the style of UA, this crafting-focused reference guide organizes magic items pertaining to the artificer class and provides some relevant alternate rules from the DMG and XGtE. Put this together with the aforementioned supplements and you are more than ready to playtest.



100 Non-Combat Random Encounters (The North) by Dungeons and Djinn



You had me at "random".



The Iceberg of Rime and Ruin by Brendan Hainline



Excellent cold-weather adventure that ties into the Tyranny of Dragons campaign. The first in a series. Some really great new monsters. I will be keeping an eye out for future installments.


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Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Humpday Blog-O-Rama 3.6.19

Blogs are an integral, vital part of the RPG hobby. They serve as incubators for new games, sounding boards for new ideas, and platforms for up-and-coming talent. They keep "forgotten" games alive, foster discussions, and build communities. Not everyone can work for a big game company, command a large audience on Twitch, or get paid for their art or cartography, but every RPG enthusiast can easily create a blog and start sharing their passion with the world. Every Wednesday on the Thought Eater podcast, I take a look at what is going on in the vibrant RPG blog scene.



LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S EPISODE HERE



LINKS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE


Maps

https://www.blueswordgames.com/blog/maps-as-art

http://shadekeep.com/shamat/shamat.html



https://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=43609



http://paratime.ca/ff2019.html



Reviews

https://geekandsundry.com/five-great-changes-in-the-new-edition-of-savage-worlds-rpg/

https://doomslakers.blogspot.com/2019/03/al-qadim-golden-voyages.html

https://tabletopbellhop.com/game-reviews/shadow-of-the-demon-lord-review/



https://dungeonspossums.blogspot.com/2019/03/review-mothership-rpg-by-sean-mccoy.html
https://dungeonspossums.blogspot.com/2019/03/review-dead-planet-for-mothership-by.html
https://dungeonspossums.blogspot.com/2019/03/interview-sean-mccoy-talks-mothership.html
https://dungeonspossums.blogspot.com/2019/03/interview-fiona-maeve-geist-talks-dead.html
https://dungeonspossums.blogspot.com/2019/03/interview-donn-stroud-talks-dead-planet.html




https://ongoingcampaign.blogspot.com/2019/03/obscure-games-heroes-heroines.html



Random Tables and Generators

https://elfmaidsandoctopi.blogspot.com/2019/03/d100-things-elves-dislike.html
http://elfmaidsandoctopi.blogspot.com/2019/03/exilon-real-estate-hex-rush.html

http://archonsmarchon.blogspot.com

https://tarsostheorem.blogspot.com/2019/03/mapping-with-playing-cards-part-2.html

https://chaudronchromatique.blogspot.com/2019/03/slumber-city_5.html
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/chaudronchromatic
https://www.patreon.com/evlynmoreau/posts


Cthulhu Corner



https://rollingboxcars.com/2019/03/04/call-of-cthulhu-aboard-r-m-s-lusitania/

https://creatfeatforever.blogspot.com/



Pure, Uncut B/X

https://lithyscaphe.blogspot.com/2019/02/quintessential-bx.html



Reactions

http://drbargle.blogspot.com/2019/03/how-to-resolve-everything-that-comes-up.html

https://dndborderlands.blogspot.com/2018/11/this-blog-post-was-prompted-by-michael.html

http://lizardmandiaries.blogspot.com/2019/03/alignment-dependent-what-does-npc-do.html



Appendix N



https://akraticwizardry.blogspot.com/2019/03/hawkmoon-is-coming-to-small-screen.html

http://heropresstwo.blogspot.com/2019/03/robert-e-howard-creating-age-undreamed.html





Miscellany



http://mojobob.blogspot.com/2019/03/mister-blobby.html

http://monstersandmanuals.blogspot.com/2019/02/campaign-hooks-in-spam.html




https://theymightbgazebos.blog/osr-anchorites/



New Blogger Spotlight: MTZE Writes About Games

http://matzewrites.blogspot.com



If you enjoy my free zinepodcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month. 

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Free and PWYW DMs Guild Highlights: Week Ending 3.2.19

Every week, talented creators upload products to the DMs Guild, pricing them as free or pwyw in order to reach customers. Dozens of new free and pwyw products are added each week alone. It is a lot to sort through. My hope is that highlighting a few of each week's best supplements will help the designers get the attention they deserve. You can find previous posts in this series HERE.


Single-Player Systems, Solitaires by Wraith Wright Productions



This is really cool. I remember loving Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books and the old solo D&D adventures. Other games like Tunnels and Trolls really made their names exploring solo play. Well, here a group of creators attempt to codify a system and approach to doing it with 5e. I have noticed some solo adventure products popping up; maybe this will lead to more. This actually consists of two books, a creator and player guidebook.



100 Non-Combat Random Encounters (Jungle) by Dungeons and Djinn



You can never go wrong with more random flavor! These minor, system-neutral encounters are suited for jungle settings and adventures.



So, a Blind Woman and a Medusa Walk Along the Road... by Various Authors



Really well-presented collection of road encounters from multiple authors. Includes an interactive pdf with high production values and links to the authors' other work on the DMs Guild. This whole series is money.



The Overgrown Shrine by Simone Rossi Tisbeni



Short but sweet little side quest that you can easily place in just about any forest.



Otterfolk by Jeff C. Stevens



This race may not fit the tone of all campaigns, but it is full of little creative touches (like the Otterian language) that make it worth mentioning. Even includes an Otterfolk-specific character sheet.


If you enjoy my free zinepodcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month. 


Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Humpday Blog-O-Rama 2.27.19

Blogs are an integral, vital part of the RPG hobby. They serve as incubators for new games, sounding boards for new ideas, and platforms for up-and-coming talent. They keep "forgotten" games alive, foster discussions, and build communities. Not everyone can work for a big game company, command a large audience on Twitch, or get paid for their art or cartography, but every RPG enthusiast can easily create a blog and start sharing their passion with the world. Every Wednesday on the Thought Eater podcast, I take a look at what is going on in the vibrant RPG blog scene.



LINKS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE


MAPS








MAPPING TOOLS




MIXED MEDIA









COOL SERIES






VARIANTS






ZINEQUEST






BLOG HALL OF FAME: ELF MAIDS AND OCTOPI









CLOSING





If you enjoy my free zinepodcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month. 


Saturday, February 23, 2019

Free and PWYW DMs Guild Highlights: Week Ending 2.23.19

Every week, talented creators upload products to the DMs Guild, pricing them as free or pwyw in order to reach customers. Dozens of new free and pwyw products are added each week alone. It is a lot to sort through. My hope is that highlighting a few of each week's best supplements will help the designers get the attention they deserve. You can find previous posts in this series HERE.



Mike's Free Map Collection #4 by Michael LaBossiere



Who doesn't like free battlemaps? Gridded and gridless versions provided. Includes boats, towers, riverbanks, bridges, and more.



Demon Paper Miniatures by Cian Shelley



Paper minis are affordable, attractive options, especially if you are sick of taking your chances with random packs. I know I am. Shelley's artwork is really good too.



Narrative Focused Character Sheet by Clayton Notestine



This is what it says on the tin. Subtle but effective; just shifting elements like traits and bonds to the left hand side really changes the emphasis. Form-fillable options to boot.



Ravnica Guild Spells by Fozmonot



Nice little collection of two new spells per guild. Each spell is inspired by a Magic: The Gathering card.



Adventurers League Reference Sheet (Season 8) by Robert Nguyen



If your eyes cross trying to make sense of the new AL rules, maybe this summary sheet will help. Or maybe it will just make you more frustrated. Either way, it has a nice layout with citations provided.


If you enjoy my free zinepodcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month. 



Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Humpday Blog-O-Rama 2.20.19

Blogs are an integral, vital part of the RPG hobby. They serve as incubators for new games, sounding boards for new ideas, and platforms for up-and-coming talent. They keep "forgotten" games alive, foster discussions, and build communities. Not everyone can work for a big game company, command a large audience on Twitch, or get paid for their art or cartography, but every RPG enthusiast can easily create a blog and start sharing their passion with the world. Every Wednesday on the Thought Eater podcast, I take a look at what is going on in the vibrant RPG blog scene.

LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S EPISODE HERE



Here are this week's links in order of discussion:


MAPS



http://blog.trilemma.com/2019/02/the-mouth-of-spring.html

https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=69182




http://eltomocarmesi.blogspot.com/2019/02/el-templo-de-san-dunstan.html

https://www.patreon.com/emenica/posts



https://plus.google.com/+JonathanNewell/posts/a3wonMPGV6h

http://bearded-devil.com/2017/10/12/maps/



Oozy Goodness



http://geekechoes.blogspot.com/search/label/ooze



Stranger Things



https://www.tribality.com/2019/02/13/stranger-things-dungeons-dragons-starter-set/



Card Tricks

https://tarsostheorem.blogspot.com/2019/02/mapping-with-playing-cards-part-1-cities.html

https://koboldpress.com/howling-tower-chase-scenes/

http://www.howlingtower.com/2012/04/chase-scene-variations.html



Blogger Spam

http://trollsmyth.blogspot.com/2019/02/are-you-tired-of-being-human-and-good.html

http://trollsmyth.blogspot.com/2019/02/and-spam-hits-keep-on-hittin.html



4th Edition

https://terminallynerdy.com/4th-edition-was-it-really-that-bad

https://frothsofdnd.blogspot.com/2013/12/heywait-seconddo-i-hate-4th-edition.html



5e Homebrew




https://punverse.blogspot.com/2019/02/opportunity-5e.html

http://walrock-homebrew.blogspot.com/

http://mfov.magehandpress.com/



AD&D Spell Compendium

https://crossingtheverse.wordpress.com/2019/01/26/on-an-analysis-of-2nd-edition-magics/

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1541lcvCZAL5RyBL1yUhla23uzf5t2SCA



Lost Blog: Vaults of Nagoh



http://udan-adan.blogspot.com/2019/02/echoes-and-reverberations-5-small-but.html

http://vaultsofnagoh.blogspot.com/search/label/Mythus%20Monday






If you enjoy my free zinepodcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month. 


Saturday, February 16, 2019

Free and PWYW DMs Guild Highlights: Week Ending 2.16.19

Every week, talented creators upload products to the DMs Guild, pricing them as free or pwyw in order to reach customers. Dozens of new free and pwyw products are added each week alone. It is a lot to sort through. My hope is that highlighting a few of each week's best supplements will help the designers get the attention they deserve. You can find previous posts in this series HERE.



Power Chord: Kill by Bartholomew Klick



This supplement for the Bard class features several new spells, but the highlight is the axe-wielding, headbanging College of Metal.


Waterdeep: The Plowing and Running by Steve "Jaspor" Orr



DMs wishing to expand their party's adventures in Waterdeep could do a lot worse than this kidnapping mystery set against a festival backdrop.


Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition Character Suite by Allan C. Innes



I download variant character sheets reflexively. Many will never see the table, but I have to say I liked this one. While there is no form-fillable option (at least not yet), this 7 page "suite" offers all of the bells and whistles a player could want, including a mapping sheet.


So, A Wizard's Apprentice and a Demon Walk Into a Magic Shop... by Various Authors



This is a clever collection of plot hooks and adventure seeds based around various NPC customers encountered at magic shops. There is an interactive pdf with high production values. This was written by various authors, and if you like one piece in particular, the pdf provides links to each designer's product page on the DMs Guild.



If you enjoy my free zinepodcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month. 



Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Humpday Blog-O-Rama 2.13.19

Blogs are an integral, vital part of the RPG hobby. They serve as incubators for new games, sounding boards for new ideas, and platforms for up-and-coming talent. They keep "forgotten" games alive, foster discussions, and build communities. Not everyone can work for a big game company, command a large audience on Twitch, or get paid for their art or cartography, but every RPG enthusiast can easily create a blog and start sharing their passion with the world. Every Wednesday on the Thought Eater podcast, I take a look at what is going on in the vibrant RPG blog scene.

LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S EPISODE HERE




LINKS FROM THIS WEEK'S EPISODE

MAPS




https://www.patreon.com/FrankT

https://www.blueswordgames.com/

https://monkeyblooddesign.co.uk/2019/02/09/sewer-map-wip-city-of-great-lunden/


BAD RULEBOOKS

https://tabletopbellhop.com/gaming-advice/bad-game-rulebook/


HYDRA COOPERATIVE



https://dungeonspossums.blogspot.com/


THE PULP-O-MIZER



https://thrilling-tales.webomator.com/derange-o-lab/pulp-o-mizer/pulp-o-mizer.html

https://www.webomator.com/


BUCK ROGERS

http://sorcerersskull.blogspot.com/2019/02/high-adventure-cliffhangers-buck-rogers.html


VARIANTS

https://roseandkingfisher.blogspot.com/2019/02/bard-spells.html

http://bxblackrazor.blogspot.com/2019/02/howardian-healing.html


FINDING COOL BLOGS

http://save.vs.totalpartykill.ca/blog/osr-opml/

https://campaignwiki.org/osr/

https://campaignwiki.org/indie/

Non-OSR game blogs a la carte

OSR blogs  a la carte

https://dreamsofmythicfantasy.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-osr-news-february-9-2019.html



If you enjoy my free zinepodcast, and/or blog, please consider supporting my work for only $1 per month.